Point!

Before we get too far on this blog, some explanation is needed for what will surely become a recurring interjection. I am speaking, of course, of "point."

The word "point" (or "point!") as an interjection, as far as we can tell, was invented in our school district sometime in the last 10-15 years. (I've met the man who says his class invented it. OK, my friend met him.) Many have tried to define the interjection, but essentially it translates to "Give me a break!" or "That's ridiculous!" or "What you have just said is poppycock!" I see now that "point" does have a definition on urbandictionary.com (it didn't earlier this year), which looks like it may have been written by one of our students. I cite now from the website:

"as in when someone says something stupid or randomly that does not make any sense
person 1: "aint it possible to burn trash in a bubble?"
Person 2: "man... point"
or
Person 1: "Ooh he fine" (when he really dont even look good...)
Person 2: "Point, he ugly."

And another definition courtesy of urbandictionary.com:

"When a person says something that is stupid, makes no since, or is not true.

Person 1-Didn't you go wit Beyonce'?
Person 2-Point!

Person 1-Did you know that the grass used to be purple?
Person 2-Point!"

For the full effect, you have to imagine it pronounced in the proper accent. This is hard to communicate in print. Think puh-oint, but pronounced as one syllable. (The word takes a parabolic journey from start to finish, the range of which changes based on the ludicrousness of the situation. "Man, point"; or, "POOOOOINT!!!") One of the best things about "point" is it is so staunchly one of the kids' words, it is virtually a guaranteed laugh anytime an adult says it. (I will take all the laughs I can get.)

Student: "Why we gotta read this?"
Me: "Point."

The recent, now more popular variant is "oint!" which, obviously, leaves off the 'P.' This I am not a fan of. "Point" just makes sense. We don't have many other good words that express the same feeling (the closest I can think of is "Pfft!" or "Bullshit!" but the former is too old-fashioned and the latter is un-sanitized and not an exact translation). I suppose a better way of expressing my dissatisfaction with "oint" could go thusly: "Oint? Man, point!"

"Point" was, I am told, excessively commonplace before I became a teacher, having had its heyday a few years back. Now, regrettably, it is on the wane. But Mr. Vonn is determined to keep "point" alive. It has become such a part of my everyday vocabulary that I now struggle NOT to use it. Example:

Automated Operator: "Please enter or say your nine-digit account number."
Alan: "Man point you know my account number."

Anyone initiating an "icebreaker": "OK everyone, stand up..."
Alan: "...point."

Here's a random anecdote from my favorite student, Darian Smith:

Mr. Vonn: "Point." (For whatever reason--I can't remember exactly.)
Darian: "Man don't say 'point,' we too gangsta to say 'point!'

You hear that folks? I am "too gangsta." Watch out.