Today, while at a big speech and debate tournament, I corrected the judge's use of the word "podium" instead of lectern, because that's what my debate coach had told me was the correct usage. Well, she didn't take it too well and neither did my partner. Or my debate coach. FML
Collection
Fall
Dead leaves, the first cold of the season and an umbrella flipped inside out: fall, the season of grace.
Today, my debate partner repeatedly said "You mad, bro?" to the opposing team in our college debate class. That debate was worth a considerable portion of our grade. FML
Today, and for the past week, I practiced my speech for the school debate team. Right as I started, my 14 year-old voice cracked so hard that the first sentence came out sounding like a startled goat. The judge tried not to laugh, but I spent the rest of the round fighting octave changes in my voice. FML
Today, my teacher assigned us teams in a class debate. I landed on the team that had to argue the obviously wrong point of view. When I finished, my teacher told me and the entire class how much I disturbed her, and how I reminded her of Hitler and Napoleon. FML
Today, I was teaching a class when a student pointed out that I'd used the wrong "your/you're" while writing on the board. FML
Today, one of my debate opponents used the "Bill O'Reilly defense" against my arguments. This involved saying "You can't explain that" about easily explainable stuff, and speaking louder and louder to drown out my voice. He ended up getting a better grade than mine. FML
Today, I gave a presentation. My teacher deducted points because I "need to learn how to speak more confidently, because you often stumble over your words." I have a stutter. FML
Today, I confidently corrected someone in a group conversation. I was wrong. Very wrong. Everyone stared while Google proved me incorrect in seconds. I nodded and pretended I meant something else. FML
Today, I had to give a speech as part of my campaign for school captain. I was rather happy with it and so I told another candidate my speech. Apparently it was a good idea as minutes later that same candidate stole my entire speech, leaving me looking like a complete idiot. FML
Today, I learned that I may have caused a public speaker and author to be fired, because my response to his "open chat" question flustered him, causing him to lose his cool and snap at me. FML
Today, I gave a presentation in class. I felt pretty good about it, until afterwards when I was told I lost points for communication because I'd been chewing gum. I wasn't, I just have a speech impediment. FML
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Top comments
fakedsincerity 32
Correcting the judge in front of everyone is kind of a dick move. A judge is there as some sort of expert and authority figure and to undermine them doesn't look good for your score.
DownFaLL57 23
That is how you lose the debate.
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Comments (75)
aliciousness116 16
That is not cool at all. You don't correct an authority figure in front of everyone. That is downright humiliating. It could've be done privately, I'm sure the judge would've appreciated it.
aliciousness116 16
That is not cool at all. You don't correct an authority figure in front of everyone. That is downright humiliating. It could've been done privately, I'm sure the judge would've appreciated it.
janfleury 19
uh. you corrected a judge? If you were my partner I would be very upset with you. Have you ever heard of the term "Dead right"? That's what you were.
Dale_shackleford 13
Same. I do PF and if my partner corrected a judge he would never hear the end of it.
badbitch23 15
Lesson 1 in debate: don't be rude to the judge ever. That will cost you the round
Publikwerks 14
Well, you certainly showed him
Shay_Shay97 23
Why would you ever, under any circumstance, try to correct a judge? You're just asking for trouble.
bad_boyfriend 10
Technically you are right. The lectern is the thing you stand behind, the podium is the booster step you stand on.
expertsmilee 26
I don't give a flying **** about all the people on here saying not to correct those who are incorrect on a given topic, regardless of their authoritative position. Good on you op, I would have done the same thing.
fakedsincerity 32
I mean if you think it's worth being petty over a tiny thing and potentially sacrifice the important thing (the competition) that's your call. There's a phrase for that; you're cutting off your nose to spite your face.
Dale_shackleford 13
You clearly don't debate. The judge doesn't have to be shit, most judges are parents with almost no training. The issue is that the judge is the sole decider of the round results and by correcting them, OP was biting the hand that feeds them.
corky1992 33
And you thought correcting the judge was a good idea why? Thats your own fault.
ShaynaMarie322 15
Podium vs. Lectern is not a big enough deal to speak out against a judge. You probably made yourself look arrogant too. Just pick your battles next time. Live and learn.