At one time, I was a high school English teacher, blessed with the task of expanding the minds of curious 14 year olds. My class was reading Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, when a student came up to me and said, “In the chapter you had us read for homework, Pip and Miss Havesham were having sex.” “What?” I answered, shocked. “Yeah, it said they had intercourse!”
If the situation wasn't so awkward, it would have been the answer to any teacher‘s prayer; a teachable moment with students waiting in rapt attention for me to expound on the richness of the English language. On the one hand, it was an opportunity to talk about multiple meanings of words or how language changes over time. On the other hand, how could I explain the multiple meanings of that particular word to a class of snickering teenagers?
Maybe if I broke the word into its Latin roots, they’d lose interest and we could get on with the lesson I’d originally planned for the day. “Inter means between and course means to run; it's from the Latin intercursus which means running between.” More snickering. “Okay, how about the word discourse? It means a speech or discussion. So, if course means to talk, intercourse means an exchange between people; a conversation.
I should have stopped there but something made me pose this pivotal question: “So, what’s a four letter word ending in k that means intercourse?” I expected the class to erupt into laughter and mayhem. But they very earnestly responded in unison, “F%#K“ as if the answer was obvious. “No,” I replied. The word is TALK.” At least that’s one definition they’d never forget!
The story makes a good segue for today’s quilt which is made from conversation prints. These novelty fabrics, popular in the 1870-1900’s, are printed with images of everyday things such as cats or dogs. The tiny motifs are meant to elicit comments and conversation about the fabric. Most of the designs in this quilt are from Judy Rothermel for Marcus Brothers. I think my favorite image is the pool playing grasshopper. How weird is that?
I like this,it is an interesting quilt. The story is great also. Wig.
ReplyDeleteNow that's a funny story *s* and the quilt is a perfect illustration for it.
ReplyDeleteNicw story and a great quilt !!!!!
ReplyDeletehilarious! And super fabric, besides. What book or story did I read once that told a beginning teacher "Never teach about the difference between Lie and Lay."?
ReplyDeleteThe quilt is so fun, and I LOVED your story about "intercourse"!
ReplyDeletehee hee---so funny!
ReplyDeleteI love how you used these prints--I have many of them, somehow missed the goldfish bowl.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story and I love this quilt!!! Neat fabrics.
ReplyDeleteCute story!
ReplyDeleteLove your quilt. I've been trying to find these fabrics for years (missed them in 2008)! Are some of them Antique Conversationals from RJR (about 2011, they didn't hit my quilt shops either!) I've managed to pick up some of these but I don't have the "Hare Riding a Tortoise" except for a 2 1/2" square and I don't have the bicyles at the bottom right but love them both. I recently bought a fat quarter of the kitten opening the basket and letting out the goose in browns--I think I like yours better. I don't suppose you have any to share? Hope it's okay to link this post in my blog (where I've been posting pictures of 19th Century Conversationals.
Thank You and I have a keen offer you: How Much House Renovation Cost average cost to renovate a house
ReplyDelete