Words Matter: Vocabulary in a Diverse Precollege-Level Writing Class

Abstract

I was once told that one should always begin with a joke. I chose this joke, not because of its significant social burden of the stereotypical creation of the hysterical wife, nor because of the hierarchical doctor-nurse relationship and whatever gender associations go with it, nor even because of its implied criticism of health care in America. I begin with the joke because when I tell it to my Introductory Writing class at Massasoit Community College, not everybody gets it. (I am not talking about those who get it and don’t think it’s funny, or those who don’t allow themselves to be amused in a classroom.) Not everybody gets it—I know, I’ve asked. Native speakers and English language learners alike don’t get it. And I love this joke.

“Nurse, I have to see the doctor right now! My husband is shrinking!”

“Well, he’ll just have to be a little patient.”