"Mother and Dad"

[221b]

I have to say I'd always found it curious that in Blyton, the children always refer to their parents in this way.

It seemed a rather odd coupling to me, rather than Mother and Father or Mum and Dad. I've always thought that Mother and Father a rather formal and Victorian way to address one's parents anyway - only one step away from Mater and Pater , but I've never seen the endearments mixed together in this way before...

Almost as if the 'Mother' character is not really liked by the children, or at least more distant from them than 'Dad', though the books don't really bear this out in content...

I then found out more about Enid's relationship with her own parents - the 'Dad' she adored and the 'Mother' she had no time, nor sympathy, for.

Art imitating life, I wonder?

Hmmm...

[Julie2owlsdene]

You could be right on that score, Helen. Something we may never ever no.

[Philip Mannering]

Yes, I noticed this too long ago. Mother seems WAY too formal for me (even if those WERE the olden times!), while Daddy - hmm, too babyish. I recall that Daddy was used a bit more than just Dad.

[auscatherine]

It is Mother and Father in the Enchanted Wood. Not sure that Father is a particularly warm sort in that book though.

[Julie2owlsdene]

Didn't George always refer to her parents as Mother and Father?

[Kitty]

It is often Mother and Daddy in MT.

[Rob Houghton]

Yes, I noticed this too long ago. Mother seems WAY too formal for me (even if those WERE the olden times!), while Daddy - hmm, too babyish. I recall that Daddy was used a bit more than just Dad.

Don't forget that the 'upper class' (for example the royal family, even today) use 'Mummy' and 'Daddy' even when they are as old as Prince Charles!!

I always quite liked 'Mother and Father' in books (though never used it in real life!) but didnt like 'Mummy and Daddy' for the reasons Philip uses: a bit childish.

Enid seemed to use 'Dad' more during the fifties, but perhaps she felt that 'mum' was a bit 'vulgar'!!

[221b]

Hi Robert

Yes, I'm aware of the class thing when addressing one's parentage, especially when that parent is HMQ dontcha know!

It's the mixing together that I find a little strange...

But then, I am easily confused

[Philip Mannering]

Life sure is strange.....

But then, the answer to this question won't ever be found now, however enjoyable it is to discuss it.

[dolly]

How do you call your parents in England? Mum and Dad? I call them "Mama" and "Papa" - sometimes I call my mother "Mutti" (Mutter). "Vati" (Vater) seems a little bit silly to me!

[Anita Bensoussane]

Mum and Dad are the norm in England although it varies from region to region, e.g. some people say Mam rather than Mum. Young children usually say Mummy and Daddy.

Anita

[Petermax]

I have never really picked up on the Mother/Dad anomally before, such is the smooth flow of words in all of Enid's books. Initially I surmised that perhaps this is a feature of the revised editions, but it turns out that this is not the case. My 1st edition of Five on a Treasure Island clearly depicts the Kirrin siblings as addressing their parents as Mother and Daddy. Even Enid herself refers to them in this manner. George however, always addresses her parents as Mother and Father.

So why is Quentin Father and not Daddy? Is it his high academic status perhaps? Certainly his relationship with his daughter is always seen to be somewhat on the distant side.

[Moonraker]

I used to call my mother Wog. She gave me a golliwog when I was about 2, and everytime I saw her, I said "Wog"! I think this name stuck until I was about 16! My Father was called Dad.

[Ming]

I call my parents 'Mum' (or 'Ammu') and 'Papa', sometimes 'Paps'. Rather a strange combination, I suppose.

I have never really picked up on the Mother/Dad anomally before, such is the smooth flow of words in all of Enid's books.

Agreed. They just came naturally and I never found anything amiss, until now.

[Belly]

Isn't Mother the job description/role as well as the name? Especially back then?

A man I know (in his early 70s) calls his wife 'Mother' which I've always found a bit odd but maybe was more commonplace years ago? For example he will say 'Mother, what's for dinner tonight' when with his children and guests. Women used to be known as Mother too: Old Mother Hubbard, Mother Shipton, etc.