"Mother and Dad"
- 221b
- Posts: 489
- Joined: 20 Jan 2009, 02:28
- Favourite book/series: Five Find-Outers and Dog, Adventure Series
- Favourite character: Fatty, Bill Smugs & Jack Trent
- Location: Tenterden, Kent, UK
- Contact:
"Mother and Dad"
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...
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...
Helen
‘Well, sir, he’s a whole lot of red-headed boys, sir.’
"This 'Ere 'Ouse Is Habsolutely Hempty"
‘Well, sir, he’s a whole lot of red-headed boys, sir.’
"This 'Ere 'Ouse Is Habsolutely Hempty"
- Julie2owlsdene
- Posts: 15244
- Joined: 24 Jul 2007, 20:15
- Favourite book/series: F.F. and Mystery Series - Five get into Trouble
- Favourite character: Dick
- Location: Cornwall
Re: "Mother and Dad"
You could be right on that score, Helen. Something we may never ever no.
Julian gave an exclamation and nudged George.
"See that? It's the black Bentley again. KMF 102!"
Society Member
"See that? It's the black Bentley again. KMF 102!"
Society Member
- Philip Mannering
- Posts: 1226
- Joined: 14 Jul 2008, 13:07
- Favourite book/series: Find-Outers, Adventure Series and Family Novels
- Favourite character: Fatty and Jack Trent.
- Location: India
- Contact:
Re: "Mother and Dad"
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.
"A holiday — a mystery — an adventure — and a happy ending for dear old Barney!" said Roger. "What more could anyone want?"
"An ice cream," said Snubby promptly. "Who's coming to buy one?" The Rubadub Mystery
"An ice cream," said Snubby promptly. "Who's coming to buy one?" The Rubadub Mystery
-
- Posts: 406
- Joined: 04 Feb 2009, 01:49
Re: "Mother and Dad"
It is Mother and Father in the Enchanted Wood. Not sure that Father is a particularly warm sort in that book though.
- Julie2owlsdene
- Posts: 15244
- Joined: 24 Jul 2007, 20:15
- Favourite book/series: F.F. and Mystery Series - Five get into Trouble
- Favourite character: Dick
- Location: Cornwall
Re: "Mother and Dad"
Didn't George always refer to her parents as Mother and Father?
Julian gave an exclamation and nudged George.
"See that? It's the black Bentley again. KMF 102!"
Society Member
"See that? It's the black Bentley again. KMF 102!"
Society Member
- Kitty
- Posts: 1053
- Joined: 17 Jun 2006, 13:10
- Favourite book/series: Five Find-Outers/Malory Towers
- Favourite character: Alicia, Fatty, Gwendoline
- Location: Malory Towers
Re: "Mother and Dad"
It is often Mother and Daddy in MT.
Gwendoline lay down, angry. She determined to make herself miserable and cry.
- Rob Houghton
- Posts: 16029
- Joined: 26 Feb 2005, 22:38
- Favourite book/series: Rubadub Mystery, Famous Five and The Find-Outers
- Favourite character: Snubby, Uncle Robert, George, Fatty
- Location: Kings Norton, Birmingham
Re: "Mother and 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!!Philip Mannering wrote: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.
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'!!
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'
(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)
Society Member
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'
(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)
Society Member
- 221b
- Posts: 489
- Joined: 20 Jan 2009, 02:28
- Favourite book/series: Five Find-Outers and Dog, Adventure Series
- Favourite character: Fatty, Bill Smugs & Jack Trent
- Location: Tenterden, Kent, UK
- Contact:
Re: "Mother and Dad"
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
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
Helen
‘Well, sir, he’s a whole lot of red-headed boys, sir.’
"This 'Ere 'Ouse Is Habsolutely Hempty"
‘Well, sir, he’s a whole lot of red-headed boys, sir.’
"This 'Ere 'Ouse Is Habsolutely Hempty"
- Philip Mannering
- Posts: 1226
- Joined: 14 Jul 2008, 13:07
- Favourite book/series: Find-Outers, Adventure Series and Family Novels
- Favourite character: Fatty and Jack Trent.
- Location: India
- Contact:
Re: "Mother and Dad"
Life sure is strange.....
But then, the answer to this question won't ever be found now, however enjoyable it is to discuss it.
But then, the answer to this question won't ever be found now, however enjoyable it is to discuss it.
"A holiday — a mystery — an adventure — and a happy ending for dear old Barney!" said Roger. "What more could anyone want?"
"An ice cream," said Snubby promptly. "Who's coming to buy one?" The Rubadub Mystery
"An ice cream," said Snubby promptly. "Who's coming to buy one?" The Rubadub Mystery
- dolly
- Posts: 82
- Joined: 22 Feb 2009, 13:53
- Favourite book/series: Malory Towers, St. Clares
- Favourite character: Carlotta, Alicia
- Location: Hessen / Germany
Re: "Mother and Dad"
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
- Forum Administrator
- Posts: 26895
- Joined: 30 Jan 2005, 23:25
- Favourite book/series: Adventure series, Six Cousins books, Six Bad Boys
- Favourite character: Jack Trent, Fatty and Elizabeth Allen
- Location: UK
Re: "Mother and Dad"
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
Anita
"Heyho for a starry night and a heathery bed!" - Jack, The Secret Island.
"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
Society Member
"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
Society Member
Re: "Mother and Dad"
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.
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.
Re: "Mother and Dad"
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.
Society Member
- Ming
- Posts: 6057
- Joined: 14 Nov 2006, 16:58
- Favourite book/series: Adventure/Mystery
- Favourite character: Fatty, Bill Smugs, Kiki
- Location: Ithaca, NY
- Contact:
Re: "Mother and Dad"
I call my parents 'Mum' (or 'Ammu') and 'Papa', sometimes 'Paps'. Rather a strange combination, I suppose.
Agreed. They just came naturally and I never found anything amiss, until now.Petermax wrote: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.
Society Member
Re: "Mother and Dad"
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.
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.