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
Wild Nights Out
Last call, bad decisions and 3 a.m. texts you'll regret until noon. Cheers.
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)
Alzamoos 10
In MUN, another debate organization, correcting the judges is okay, there's a specific procedure in case they need to be corrected. But it doesn't seem like this Debate competition had anything like that ?
hadleigh_24601 11
You NEVER correct a judge. EVER.
MitiMiki 16
YDI. What were you thinking? That's like telling your teacher they are an idiot just before they grade your paper.
ber4fun 23
Why do people hate being proven wrong so much? You'll never learn anything new if yiu can't handle criticism.
sirrubberduckie 37
"Lectern" is literally one of the definitions listed in the dictionary for "podium." Google it.
GarfieldDaCat 5
you should always respect the judges authority even when hes wrong
TheLynx_fml 20
This is one of those cases where you have to think was that really necessary
ohSNAPyall 27
The other commenters have it covered. So, teach me! What's the difference between a lectern and a podium?
Sparx1_1 16
They are the exact same thing. Like couch/sofa bathroom/restroom dinner/supper The one you use depends in where you're from. What's sad is that OP thinks there is a difference between the two words and that there was something worth correcting anyone - especially the person judging the debate - over.
amzy12 7
Oh well, shit happens! You know not to do that again in a hurry!
LittleLittlered7 6
you are not supposed to debate the judge.
lilo07_fml 7
You probably are use to doing that to alot of people around you because you sound like a know it all. Having such confidence to do that to a Judge means you have to knock it down a notch. Being a know it all kind of indicates your naturally smart but people don't really like it that much. I'm def team Judge.