Independent Reading Can Lead to Some Awkward Moments

Note: within my school, this is okay.  Students have wide latitude in what they choose to read for independent reading.  It is also okay for me to answer questions like this.  Still, please note that I was careful and let her parents know.

Here is the scene...

Mostly silent room, all twenty students are reading quietly.  I roll around in my chair checking in with students about what they are reading, what they like about the book, perceived difficulty - the usual. I am just finished when a young girl reading Gilt by Katherine Longshore comes up to ask me a question. 

Student: Ummm, what's a codpiece?

Me: (Just about to take a sip of water and then coughing it up) What?  A codpiece? (Laughter from me)  

Even suits of armour had codpieces built in.

Student: Yeah, it's in my book.

Me: Can I see that?

[Sure enough, 'codpiece' was right there.  The sentence went something like, 'That's a codpiece, not his real anatomy.'  I should have written in down or taken a photo.]

Me: (still giggling) Let me tell you what that means over here.  It might be a bit embarrassing to hear. (We walk to the door.)  A codpiece is actually something men used to wear in their pants, well, to...basically to make their penises look bigger.

Student: (incredulous, almost appalled) What?!?!  Ewww.  That's disgusting.  (Then almost tentatively) Okay, so what does anatomy mean, then?

Me: Anatomy refers to the body structure.  So if you study anatomy, you might study how the lungs work, the muscles, the bones...the whole thing.

Student:  So she's saying the...his...penis might not look...because of the thing, the codpiece?

Me: Yes.

(Now we are both laughing, but I'm on the verge of tears.)

Student:  Wow.  Well then, in the next paragraph it says 'pizzle', what's that?

Me: Seriously?  You're kidding, let me see that.  [Sure enough, 'pizzle' is right there.]  Pizzle is a word that refers to an animal penis, usually a bull or something like that.

Student: Oh God!

(Embarrassed, she goes to sit down.)

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Silent reading continued for just a couple of more minutes.  I did the smart thing and sent a quick email to her parents explaining that their daughter had come across the words 'codpiece' and 'pizzle' in her book from the library.  I told them that I had given her the definition but that she might have some questions at dinner that night.

After independent read finished, class continued with students doing a quick reading and discussion.  As I went over to her side of the room, it was clear that she did have some additional questions.

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Student: (As I am walking by, she stops me.)  But why would a man want it to look like he had a big penis?  

Me: (I am almost unable to speak.  I am choking back laughter)  That, (student name), is a VERY good question.  Why indeed?  I think it was a fashion thing, Tudor or Elizabethan times in Europe, and it was supposed to make you more attractive. 

Student:  (Utterly disgusted now)  What woman would think it was attractive if a man had a big...Ewww, God. 

Me: Okay, THAT is a question you have to ask at home.