Miscellaneous: Today, while at a big speech and debate tournament, I corrected...

By Judgeisalwaysright - 01/03/2016 08:57 - United States - Chesterfield

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

I agree, your life sucks 11 713

You deserved it 21 028

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Same thing different taste

By gonnafail - 16/11/2013 20:18 - United States - York

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

I agree, your life sucks 45 722

You deserved it 3 289

By anonymous - 05/09/2012 16:25 - United States - El Cajon

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

I agree, your life sucks 30 664

You deserved it 2 572

Slipping up

By englishfail - This FML is from back in 2010 but it's good stuff - United States

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

I agree, your life sucks 7 500

You deserved it 48 480

You can't explain that

By shreking_bawl - 14/11/2014 18:39 - Norway

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

I agree, your life sucks 32 164

You deserved it 3 436

Lazy ableism

By F-f-f-fuck you, teacher - 29/10/2023 10:00 - United States

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

I agree, your life sucks 539

You deserved it 80

The candidate

By anonymous - 05/09/2012 13:51 - Australia - Mittagong

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

I agree, your life sucks 10 943

You deserved it 37 813

He deserved it. Snapping ain't cool unless you're a turtle.

By accidentalsmartass - 06/03/2017 22:00 - Japan - Tokyo

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

I agree, your life sucks 5 324

You deserved it 730

By stupidteacher - 05/07/2016 15:02 - China - Guiyang

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

I agree, your life sucks 14 385

You deserved it 964

By ImprovTeacher - 16/06/2019 14:05

Today, I was teaching a small group of improv students. I asked one guy to do a monologue, and laughed to myself while he did so. I said, "Sorry, I'm just laughing at the way you're doing it." He then got upset and pointed out that he had a speech impediment. FML

I agree, your life sucks 692

You deserved it 2 398

Meritocracy doesn't exist

By Anonymous - 13/03/2023 10:00 - Hong Kong - Central District

Today, due to nepotism, I lost to a competitor. They rarely contributed to the competition and were literally distracted all the way through. Their quality was pretty low as well, but they were friends with the judge. FML

I agree, your life sucks 714

You deserved it 96

fakedsincerity 32

Tuesday 1 March 2016 16:47

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

Tuesday 1 March 2016 16:46

That is how you lose the debate.

Comments

Alzamoos 10

Tuesday 1 March 2016 21:21

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

Tuesday 1 March 2016 21:27

You NEVER correct a judge. EVER.

MitiMiki 16

Tuesday 1 March 2016 21:36

YDI. What were you thinking? That's like telling your teacher they are an idiot just before they grade your paper.

ber4fun 23

Tuesday 1 March 2016 22:10

Why do people hate being proven wrong so much? You'll never learn anything new if yiu can't handle criticism.

sirrubberduckie 35

Wednesday 2 March 2016 21:16

"Lectern" is literally one of the definitions listed in the dictionary for "podium." Google it.

GarfieldDaCat 5

Tuesday 1 March 2016 22:17

you should always respect the judges authority even when hes wrong

TheLynx_fml 20

Tuesday 1 March 2016 22:34

This is one of those cases where you have to think was that really necessary

ohSNAPyall 26

Tuesday 1 March 2016 22:35

The other commenters have it covered. So, teach me! What's the difference between a lectern and a podium?

Sparx1_1 16

Wednesday 2 March 2016 0:57

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

Tuesday 1 March 2016 23:27

Oh well, shit happens! You know not to do that again in a hurry!

LittleLittlered7 6

Tuesday 1 March 2016 23:28

you are not supposed to debate the judge.

lilo07_fml 7

Tuesday 1 March 2016 23:38

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.