We all have or had a mother. I was so very lucky to have had such a great Mom. But my Mom is not what this blog posting is about. It is about our English language and all the words it has that can mean mother. Let's see, what all did I call my mother. Well, usually I just called her Mom but when I was younger, I called her Mommy. Of course I pronounced them like the words mummy or mum.
There are other words that could be used, also. For example, some mothers are called just "ma" or by a name close to what I used, "mamma", or like the old song "mammy".
The word can also be a verb, like when you say "she will mommy you". That means pamper, care for, look after, etc. Now, if you change the "o" in mommy to a "u", it means something altogether different. Now, how about you telling us what you called your mother and also, make sure you have a great day, you hear?
mine had to be called MOTHER,,, then the 3 younger ones called her mom
ReplyDeleteI guess the first child is always special. Maybe she just wanted to hear someone call her Mother.
DeleteI always called her Mom. I was always called Marty except when I was in trouble, and then it was Martha. Adding my middle name meant I was really in big trouble. Now this comment is supposed to be about Mom, so how did I turn it around to myself?
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. If they called me Richard instead of Dick or Dicky, I knew I was in trouble and if they added my middle name, well I don't want to go there. . .
DeleteMy siblings and I called our parents Mommy & Daddy. As we got older, I think my brother felt these were kind of "babyish" names, so he shortened them to Ma and Pa. I started calling my mom Ma, but to this day call my dad Daddy (he'd have been 118 yesterday!). Later in life, my mom told me that her own mom was called Ma (except one of her brothers called her Mother), and that was one name she never wanted to be called. Oops! Too late, she didn't tell us soon enough. I started my own kids right off calling me Mom... didn't want them to have to re-think it later ;-)
ReplyDeleteI also called my parents Mommy and Daddy and when I got older, it changed to Dad and Mom.
DeleteI actually thought my mother's name was "mama" up until the age of 4 or so. She took me with her to do some business and told the person behind the counter her name was Jimmie. I was in shock and thought she changed her name. I told her I had changed my name too and unless she called me my new name I wouldn't come. It was just a phase of course. So much for names. I always called her mama and mom and never "Jimmie."
DeleteI think we all didn't learn our mothers' names until we got a little older. My Mother was Mom to me for years until I learned her name was really Olive, so I kept calling her mom. . .
DeleteBeing hispanic I called her Mama (with an accent on the last A) but she preferred I call her Madre (mother).
ReplyDeleteMsBelinda -- I have always liked the hispanic way of saying Mama. My sister-in-law is hispanic and I enjoy hearing her talk.
DeleteIt doesn't matter what you call your Mother, she will always be dear to us.
DeleteMine is still my mama, even at 90 years young. Although I call her Nanny when talking to my kids or other family.
ReplyDeleteAnd Daddy was always Daddy, still is in my conversation and heart.