Little Minx

Also back to OP if you look at the etymology of the word minx you'll see that its negative connotations existed in the 16th century, lessened over time and now appears to have resurfaced. That's what happens with language and we should move with it.

To say little monkeys to black or mixed race children is simply not acceptable today and we have to move on and accept that, not bemoan the fact that the world and the use of language moves on. It's not 'sad' it's progress. You have only to see racist football fans throwing bananas onto football pitches at black players or making monkey noises when a black player has the ball or comes onto the pitch to realise why.

I thought it meant a clod of earth, too!

My grandmother who never ever offended anyone and was a very kind and generous soul called a neighbour a 'silly old sod' she thought it meant sod as in clod of earth, not as in sodomite

DH often calls our two GDs 'cheeky little monkeys' - it's his default term of endearment. He'd be horrified to think that term could be taken the wrong way if he said it to black children. It's sad that so many rather old-fashioned sayings are now non-PC.

I would just think this is lost in translation!

I always thought little minx meant a mischievious little girl - in fact DD1 was always known affectionately by my SIL as 'Minnie the Minx' because she was always into mischief. I am flabbergasted by some of the meanings being thrown up nowadays. Likewise 'slut' which I always thought was defined as someone who didn't wash their front step every day! DD1 was horrified when I said I was being a bit of a slut, meaning not doing much housework.

DH can't stand children being called 'little monkeys' whereas it doesn't bother me (DIL uses it when DGDs are being mischievious).

Cheeky to me means a child being just a little bit rude (in a funny way), but in Australia it means they are behaving in a very naughty fashion.

So many words have been appropriated and have lost their original meanings and given new or extra ones.

Personally I think it is rude to sit and play on the mobile phone whilst you are running around playing with the children and getting a meal for everyone. I think your DS could have just said 'MUM! do you know what that means?' and explained his interpretation of it, not just leaving.

Thistledoo, I should not take sides, but I do think your DS was out of order; I would have been very upset myself if that had happened to me.

Did you not buy him the Beano when he was growing up?

ps DGS is known as Dennis the Menace by his Mum (and us). Presumably that may change in meaning to something dreadful before too long. Menace sounds worse than Minx to me.

Oh dear - now you'll have Thistledoo wondering all sorts...!

Just wondering if there was something else brewing underneath- and the outburst and departure was just an excuse?

I agree with what everyone has said the word minx to me describes a little rascal and nothing more Thistledoo try not to let this get out of control ask your son to explain what was so wrong with an innocuous and playful word

Goodness - what a fusspot he was being!

I have always called my grandchildren 'little monkeys' far worse than 'little minxes' I would say. Your son obviously plays too many Scrabble games on his iPhone and thinks too deeply about the word meanings. It is such a shame that this happy time was spoilt for you

Maybe Simon Cowell should stop using the word then! He uses it in a teasing affectionate way when judging Britain's Got Talent, always raising a smile from the contestant to whom he says it.

Ana, I too used that word in the very same context to my then 16 year old....boy she was furious and I found myself apologising for using it!

Its awkward when words change their meanings within social groups and at some time we will all fall foul of it. I too think of a 'Minx' as being a feisty little madam who could win hearts anywhere. My DGD is nearly 3, a red head and definitely a bit of a pickle/minx.

However, all that is bye the bye, the real issue is more about someone not having the good manners to see something in context, almost to wilfully misunderstand something that was never intended. To create a scene like that, to continue with it when its obviously caused you great upset and confusion is a shame. I think I'd go down the 'least said soonest mended' route if possible. On the other hand, I too think I'd smile sweetly and say 'sorry' just to get the matter out of the way. We all know he's wrong, but for peace and quiet we've all learned to let the other person feel superior just to keep things on the straight and narrow.

Thisledoo There does appear to have been a big shift in the way that word is now used, as happens with language but your son should have explained this or discussed it with you. I would have just as easily used that term without knowing how the common usage has changed.

I used some term or other some time ago I cant remember what it was now but DD put me right by explaining it, she did not fly off the handle. That was out of order of your son.

I would e mail him, say how upset you where about his reaction, apologise and explain that in "our day" Minnie the minx was a just a cartoon character and point him to the history of the character.

If you email him he can then think about it at his leisure and not start trying to justify himself to you on the phone.

We've been using these words for a lot longer than young people, maybe they should apologise for dragging the meanings into the gutter.

Agree with all that has been said. But this is so hard, isn't it, as if you make a fuss and ask for an apology it will make the situation much worse.
I'd phone and try to stay very calm and cheerful (I know, so hard) and sy you are sorry as you of course were not aware he would see it as a criticism, etc- but you were just having fun with the kids. Don't remonstrate about the phone though- it would be like a red rag to a bull, I suppose. If you can't phone,maybe send a card? We sometimes have to walk on eggs and make ourselves very little to appease situations, even when we know we are NOT in the wrong. I've many times taken 'the blame' and eaten humble pie- as I want my grand-children to always be close.

This has just reminded me of the time I called my teenage daughter a 'slut' because she hadn't cleaned her bedroom for weeks - I never heard the end of that!!!

Thistle maybe he should acknowledge that his over-reaction was unjustified as, coming from you, it wasn't meant to be inappropriate. The term used to mean mischievous, but now seems to be used to mean a sexual tease, along with (hate this one) 'whit-woo - sexy!' when telling little girls they look nice.

There was a better way to update you on how this word is used these days, and in return you could bring him up to scratch about it being rude to play on the mobile when in company.

I hope you're ok now - how upsetting to get a reaction like that and then be unable to sleep because of it.

Thank you all for your supportive posts, I am very cross that my DS thought his mother would have meant his toddler daughter was in anyway flirtatious or any of the other terms stated on google. I am cross with him and will not apologise for something so trivial, but having said that I will just let it go for the sake of peace and harmony.
DIL was not present, he had sole charge for the afternoon as she was doing something else.
Jings, I might just go out an look for the comic Beano and give it to him with a marker t Minnie the Minx. What a good idea. Second thoughts maybe it might rub salt in it.
I often called my children, and grandchildren, things like. Rascal, tinker,
scaliwag, turkey bean, bandits. I suppose we are not allowed to use these terms anymore either as they all have derogatory meanings.

Marelli

I think you deserve an apology

I agree. There was no love lost between my mum and I but I wouldn't have been disrespectful to her and especially without checking the facts first.

Why can't people just ask for things to be clarified instead of flying off the handle? Maybe we really are turning into Angry Britain

Ana - it may be the use of the word 'saucy' that gives a different interpretation. None of the dictionaries I checked had anything untoward (I'm now wondering if my son has put some kind of filter on this laptop to stop me from wandering onto, erm, dodgy sites lol)

Charleygirl - from what I can see, Wordweb is owned by CNET which is an American company and they may well use the word differently to us (i.e. bum bag/fanny pack - we would never use the latter!)

I think it's important to keep the distinction between his right to object to the use of the word and how he behaved about it. If you keep that distinction clear, hopefully you can all move on.

Thistledoo I checked "minx" on Wordweb and discovered p***k teaser. You would never have used the word minx if you had half an idea that is one of its meanings.

Your son was way over the top acting the way that he did. I would have been livid and I agree with everybody else re the use of his phone in company.

Minx is a word that I use quite frequently if playing with children or describing my cat's antics.

I think he needs to get over himself, Thistledoo. How unkind of him - when you and the little one were having such a fun time, too. How on earth did he know that 'minx'may have an alternative meaning, anyway? Was he Googling the word while you were playing? I think you deserve an apology - not the other way round.

I agree with everyone who says your son overreacted, Thistledoo - surely he knows his own mother better than that!

HollyDaze, I've just googled 'minx' and the first thing that came up was:
minx
/mɪŋks/
noun
humorous/derogatory
noun: minx; plural noun: minxes
an impudent, cunning, or boldly flirtatious girl or young woman.
"you saucy little minx!"
synonyms:
tease, seductress, coquette, trollop, slut, Lolita, loose woman, hussy

I think it's the synonyms which could be termed 'offensive', but who on earth uses the word in that way?