We are listening to an NPR program where a rep from an eco-friendly non-profit organization is being interviewed. The rep is saying that they are a “hip” organization, rather than a “hippie” organization. He then says something like, “Not that there is anything wrong with Hippies, it’s just that the word Hippie has negative connotations…”

Rachel pipes up: “What does negative mean?”

Me: “not good”

Rachel: “At school we have the negative number chart.”

Me: “Oh. Well in math negative has another meaning” (I give a long-winded example) “Let’s say you want to buy something that’s $2, but you have $0. You ask if you can borrow $2 until your next allowance. You get the $2, buy the item. Now you have negative $2, until you can pay me back. Then you will have $0 again.

(pause)

Rachel: (In sort of a dreamy state) “Mom? I have something to tell you. Can I have two dollars?