UPPER WEST SIDE -- Don't call her this week's Steven Slater.
Lynne Rosenthal, the English professor who caused a ruckus in an Upper West Side Starbucks when she refused to bow to what she called the coffee giant's "linguistic fascism," says she's no folk hero -- but she won't ever patronize Starbucks again.
Rosenthal, who's in her 60s, was kicked out of a Starbucks at West 86th Street and Columbus Avenue after she tried to order a plain multi-grain bagel, the New York Post reported Monday.
When the employee behind the counter asked Rosenthal, "Do you want butter or cheese?" the English professor refused to say, "without butter or cheese."
She thought "plain" would suffice.
Rosenthal told DNAinfo that Starbucks' use of language was "Orwellian," a reference to George Orwell's depiction of government manipulation of language in the novel "1984."
"It's all about control," Rosenthal said. "They're trying to control the language and in that way create a different reality. Unless you obey that language, they lose control."
A company representative at the Starbucks where Rosenthal was kicked out refused to comment Tuesday. Starbucks' media relations department did not immediately return a phone call and an e-mail seeking comment.
Rosenthal said she's been flooded with calls from reporters and requests to appear on TV, but she's turned them all down.
"I'm no leader," Rosenthal said. "If I were a leader, I'd be on TV tomorrow."
Rosenthal's Starbucks' story struck a nerve with many who saw the headline and assumed she'd made a stand against Starbucks' invented lexicon of words like "venti" and "grande" to mean large and medium.
A link to DNAinfo's coverage on the Huffington Post sparked more than 1,000 comments, and even The Economist and The New Yorker weighed in with analysis.
But Rosenthal told DNAinfo Monday night that she's no language crusader.
"I didn't go into this with any intent to make a point," Rosenthal said. "I simply wanted my bagel."
Customers outside the West 86th Street and Columbus Avenue Starbucks Tuesday revealed the complicated feelings the coffee chain can inspire.
Customer Gary Pretsfelder said he refuses to use Starbucks language "on principle." Instead of a grande tea, Pretsfelder always orders "medium," he said.
"It feels pretentious to me," Pretsfelder said. "I just want to be able to speak English."
But he said he'd never run into problems for refusing to use the store's words. And though not a fan of its invented language, Pretsfelder says he likes the store's cosy atmosphere. "I like the environment, I just don't like the pretension," Pretsfelder said.
Rick Angelastro, 52, said doesn't like how baristas always seem to ask if he wants cream or sugar, even when he orders black coffee. Angelastro said the question seems to be a bid to get him to spend more money.
But, Angelastro added, he "couldn't live without Starbucks."
"They hooked me years ago," he said. "I don't care if it's pompous. I'll order it the way they sell it."
Rosenthal said she visited the Starbucks to use the WiFi connection and figured she should buy something while she was there.
However, Rosenthal said she'll never shop at Starbucks again. If people agree with her, they're free to follow her example, she said, or write a letter of complaint to Starbucks' corporate offices.
She added that an invented language is the only thing that separates Starbucks from run-of-the-mill coffee joints.
"Without the language, Starbucks would be nothing," Rosenthal said. "Even Dunkin' Donuts has frappuccinos, or whatever they're called there."
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.