e-mail.

Hello, there, Mrs. [English Teacher].

I thought this might interest you.

I have spent the last week organizing a clothes drive for a specific
group of refugees who have recently relocated to Sacramento from New
Orleans. While the clothes drive appears to have been a complete
bust, I think I did everything possible for one person to do in order
to get the word out. One of the ways to let people know about the
drive was submitting an announcement to the campus newsletter.

I submitted an ad which basically stated, bring in clothes for these
people. I listed the dates and even threw in a cute little graphic.
I made sure to mention that the clothes should be "gently worn", as
opposed to some pieces of junk that would otherwise go to the dump or
thrift store, ya know?

Well, the newsletter lady took it upon herself to change the wording
to "unworn" clothing as opposed to "gently worn" of the original ad.
Now, she and I are e-mailing back and forth. We are currently
debating the meaning the words "gently worn" and "unworn." It's
riveting, I tell you.

My view is this: "Gently worn" means clothes that are in good shape.
They're used, of course, but nothing shabby, stained, ripped, or
otherwise defaced. "Unworn" means new clothing. Considering the
prefix "un" means "not," correct?

Newsletter Lady insists that "unworn" means, "clothes so gently worn
that they appear new," whereas "gently worn" means "clothes you
wouldn't be embarrassed to wear out in public."

At this point, I don't think I am going to return her e-mail. Am I
wrong in thinking "unworn" carries the connotation of new? Am I going
crazy?! And, lastly, could this e-mail count for some extra credit?

Just kidding.

See you in class tomorrow,
Ms. Schott