fb-pixelAlerting all Adams - The Boston Globe Skip to main content
Tales From the City

Alerting all Adams

A not-so-scientific spell check.

A story that made the rounds of the North Quincy High School teachers’ room: It was the beginning of the academic year, and a science teacher was reviewing that “atoms are the building blocks of matter.” After the first quiz, and because of so many misspellings, she made a point of writing a huge “ATOMS” on the board. There was a contemplative pause, and then one student raised his hand and said: “Excuse me, miss, but in Quincy, don’t you know, all atoms are spelled A-D-A-M-S.’’

Rita Cavonius / Quincy

GOT A GREAT STORY? Tell us at tales@globe.com. If we print yours, we’ll send you a Boston Globe travel mug and reusable shopping bag.

Advertisement