5. Reactions to “The Slipper”
Mostly pupils tried to pretend that “it didn’t hurt” or take slipperings stoically. However, some pupils punctuated each whack with “The Slipper” with an “Ow!” or an “Argh!” and there were sometimes red faces as well as presumably red bottoms by the end. Tears were rare though not unknown. It was thought to be wimpish to show emotion even if the punishment was severe. Slipperings were generally thought to bring a bit of excitement to a lesson and provided that they were not too severe did not cause lasting resentment. Bravado meant that it was uncool to look as if “The Slipper” hurt, (even when it did), and it was uncool not to have been slippered at least once.

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