I try to give people the benefit of the doubt. Today, while volunteering at the library, a lady came by with three young kids in tow and asked me where the books on animals would be. I directed her out of the mysteries aisle to the nonfiction section. Okay, maybe she's unfamiliar with the layout.

Next I overheard one of her kids ask, "What's that pink bird we saw at the zoo that's tall and stands like this?" When it took her a full minute to come up with "flamingo," I though she might just be having a stressful day.

Then another kid went to the computer and asked, "Mom, how do I spell lion?" Her response: "It's L-Y-O-N, hon'."

Silly me, I still tried to give her the benefit of the doubt. Maybe I'd just misheard her; she had a thick New England accent after all! But when the kid said, "They don't have any, Mom - did I spell it right?" she came over, repeating quite clearly, "Huh - yes, L-Y-O-N."

-____-

Now I pretty much agree with Stephen Fry's stance on language, but... well, frankly, I didn't want the poor kid thinking that that was how "lion" was really spelled. As politely as I could, I poked my head around the corner and offered the correct spelling, unless she was looking to read about southern France (okay, minus that last part :P). It must not have been polite enough, though, because when the same kid later asked how to spell "hawk," she said with a huff, "I just don't know anymore."

Well, he wasn't about to let that deter him. The kid's first guess? "Is it H-A-R-K, Mom?" Oh dear. Although it hit me later, the way the New England accent goes, "hark" would pretty much be pronounced "hawk."

Anyone care to bet this family doesn't visit the library too often?