Picture this: You're teaching comparatives, giving out various adjectives and asking students what the comparative form is.  "Fast," you say.  "Faster," the students respond.  "New."  The room echoes with, "newer!"  "Cheap!" you say enthusiastically. 

Silence. 

"Cheap?" you ask again.  Nothing.  After waiting for a while, you go ahead and answer your own question.  "Cheaper!" 

Laugher ripples through the classroom . . .

I found myself in this position, and after almost eight months of teaching I knew what had happened.  "Okay, what Polish word does this sound like?"  I asked.  Giggles, but no real answer.  So I asked my counterpart teacher, "What Polish word does 'cheaper' sound like?"  She cleared her throat and thought a little.  I knew I was in trouble.

Suffice it to say that "cheaper" is pronounced like Polish slang for a particular part of the female anatomy.  Not a good topic of conversation, especially amongst adolescent Catholics.