Tuesday, February 13, 2024

What is the sound of one hand clapping?

 I take attendance by having the students answer a question (previously 2016, 2017, 2019).

What is the sound of one hand clapping? Students mostly picked some popular onomatopoeias (or no): 

  • clap (10)
  • snap (6)
  • no sound (3)
Then a lot of singletons:

  • faint clap (1)
  • snup (1)
  • plap (1)
  • tap (1)
  • *pop* (1)
  • plup (1)
  • plap (1)
  • hit (1)
  • not possible (1)
  • finger snap (1)

Two people were present in class but chose, as a way of expressing themselves, to checkmark next to their name on the sign-in sheet but leave the space for answering the question blank.


This post's theme word is gowpen (n), "two hands cupped together." Give me one gowpen of thoughtful questions, please.

Thursday, February 1, 2024

Where in the world IS Carmen Sandiego?

 I take attendance by having the students answer a question. (Previously 2016, 2017.)

Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?

Overwhelmingly students wrote "San Diego" (19), some with a bit of flavor ("presumably San Diego?"). This would make it easy to find her, and the landmark she has shrink-ray stolen this week! Apparently this cultural reference is now outside the familiar frame for many current college students.

Among those willing to play/guess along, we had:

  • California
  • Detroit, MI
  • Guam
  • I don't know
  • I'm terrible at geography...
  • IDK but good show
  • Madrid, Spain
  • Mexico
  • New York
  • US
  • Utah
  • lets find her <3
  • no clue


Perhaps this question should be retired --- or maybe future students will creatively suggest where to seek her out!


This post's theme word is gaberlunzie (n), "a wandering beggar, especially one who is licensed." Carmen Sandiego is no gaberlunzie --- she has no license for the architectural theft and skulduggery she commits!