English is funny

This is my first post in what will probably become a series titled, quite simply, “English is funny”.  You will see what I mean as I share a few of the terms and sayings that aren’t used in a very familiar manner.  The purpose is not to make fun of the way English is used here or to denigrate cultural differences or the training environment, but rather to highlight the interesting differences in language usage that can make communication difficult or hilarious or maybe both!  Before starting, it is important that you picture yourself in a classroom or testing environment surrounded by uniformed military officers.  If you can imagine yourself in this situation, you will probably find the following list slightly amusing…

Classroom sayings:

“Settle down now” – used if it seems our class of 60+ is getting too loud; it reminds me of a line from an SNL skit with Cheri Oteri–“simmer down now!”

“Class sit up” – a form of respect shown for an instructor or someone of higher rank when they enter the room—similar to calling the room to attention, but instead of standing up, we “sit up”

 “Isn’t it” or “is it” – used to show confidence in an assertion (if said by the one speaking), so it’s similar to “do you see?” or if said as a response, it would be like saying, “really?”

“When are you taking the class?” or “What class are you taking?” – students are expected to instruct one of the subjects, so this is what it means to lead/teach a lecture

“Are there any doubts?” – a doubt is a question or misunderstanding.  This is said by the instructor to the class and may follow “isn’t it”.

“Please repeat, what is the doubt?” – often said when students are leading the class and do not understand the question

“I’ll come back to you” – means the instructor (or student if leading) does not know the answer and will research it and find the answer (or just forget about it)

“That’s outside the scope of the lecture” (in response to a doubt) – it truly is outside the scope of the lecture or the answer is not known

“Your reading explains it well” (in response to a doubt) – read the book or stop raising doubts

“If anyone has anything to add, please speak up… (silence)” – the lecture covered the topic sufficiently well or it was so complicated nobody understood

“I hope this is clear” or “have you all understood?” – the subject was difficult and someone probably doesn’t understand it—either the instructor or the students or both

“Are you sure because my book says (something else)?” – the book was confusing or someone tried to fool the class and was caught

 “Can we pack up?” – it’s been a long day and I’m ready to go home

“You might pass out” – Passing out refers to graduating, so it’s a good thing to “pass out”

Testing phrases:

“You might (run out of time and) burst” – said when students are not managing their time well because they should be moving on to another section of the test (so far my favorite saying)

“Get up!  I’m speaking to officers.  If you are an officer, put your pens down and get up.” – about the same as “time’s up, pencils down” but with an added emphasis on integrity

“How was the paper?” – tests/exams = papers, so this is usually answered with serious doubts or reservations (especially if it was directed at me!)