Azizi - This is a serious question. Do you often use the phrase, "twenty lashes with a wet noodle?" Where did it come from? Is it an American expression?

The reason I ask is this: One of my new, grade one students forgot to do her homework and was hanging her head and looked ashamed. It wasn't important and I didn't want her to fear any punishment from me so I laughed and said, "I guess that means twenty lashes with a wet noodle!" It was obvious she didn't understand so I explained that a wet noodle wouldn't hurt very much and that it was joke.

The next day, her parents withdrew her from my class without an explanation.

I have turned that phrase a hundred times in my head and wonder where I picked it up and whether or not it has another meaning. That little girl really needed the extra reading help and now she isn't getting it because I said something her parents didn't like.

Please jump in Mudcatters, if you can help me understand how that phrase can be scary, inappropriate or offensive to anyone.