The Persuasive Power of Rhyme

N-o spells "no" was my first spelling lesson in Kindergarten. After recess, as we lined up to return to our desks, some of the kids had a short, but lively, discussion of the morning's lesson. One clever boy extrapolated from N-o spells "no" to N-s spells "yes." Several of his friends echoed his conclusion. Of course! N-s spells "yes." The logic was unimpeachable, but not to my mother, who tried unsuccessfully to convince me it was wrong. That's what we learned in school! I said.