The English Department Bans The Word ‘Very’ To Increase Essay Word Counts
A controversial new policy requires students to describe things as “exceptionally” or “intensely” rather than using the forbidden V-word. “This single change added 18% to average paper length,” boasted English chair Dr. Richardson while dramatically sipping from a mug labeled “Caffeine: Extremely Necessary.” The department has posted “Wanted” signs featuring the outlawed adverb in every classroom, offering extra credit for creative circumlocutions.
The ban has led to unexpected consequences, including a sophomore’s 17-synonym description of cafeteria pizza (“somewhat terrifyingly underwhelming yet remarkably memorable”) and the formation of an underground “Very” resistance movement. The math department has reportedly started calculating how many additional sheets of paper the policy will consume annually, while the school newspaper published an obituary for concise writing.
by