A maths teacher was reduced to tears on learning the meaning of a nickname pupils used to describe them. The school staff member took to Reddit to share their story.
They explained how for an entire school year there was a “running joke” which saw pupils refer to them as “the goat”.
The teacher wrote on the platform: “I would respond back each time that they are the goats and they would all laugh.”
It turned out they had no idea what the nickname meant, writing: “I have been partaking in a joke that I never actually got.”
The teacher explained they had a “good connection” with the pupils, and they were “all really good kids” so he didn’t think they were poking fun at them.
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In response to praise left by Reddit users, they added: “I put my heart and soul into teaching, this is amazing to hear. Thank you!!!”
It came after people suggested the teacher must be an excellent one, given the high praise from their pupils.
One person wrote: “It’s so cute that you didn’t realize they were calling you the Greatest of All Time the whole year, and you were calling them the same back. So wholesome.”
A second said: “Sounds like you’re a great teacher and they enjoy your classes. Which is saying something since math is most people’s least favourite subject.”
While the word “goat” is usually associated with the animal or constellation, its use as an acronym is believed to originate with heavyweight boxing legend Muhammad Ali, who was referred to as the greatest of all time.
The usage was popularised in 2000 with the release of US rapper LL Cool J’s album, entitled G.O.A.T.
The musician credited Ali for the term in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine in 2016.
He said: “Without Muhammad Ali, there would be no Mama Said Knock You Out, and the term G.O.A.T. would have never been coined.”