Gransnet forums

AIBU

...to detest the word "kids"?

(42 Posts)
harrigran Wed 22-Apr-15 12:43:10

Kids does not irritate me as much as "you guys" whether male or female, child or adult. I do not want to be spoken to in this way nor do I want them to refer to the family in this manner.

Mishap Wed 22-Apr-15 12:39:12

My aversion to the word is not based on reason - it is just a gut reaction, probably associated with being an old fuddy-duddy!

merlotgran Wed 22-Apr-15 12:34:41

We've always referred to our children as the kids but we hate the term grandkids and always insist on grandchildren

Makes no sense but there it is.

Katek Wed 22-Apr-15 12:31:24

My late friend used to refer to her three as 'the young'!

Tegan Wed 22-Apr-15 12:26:42

I use both words but in different situations. I would never ask someone 'how are the kids'; that would be 'children', but often refer to my son and daughter as kids [even though they're grown up]. There doesn't seem to be another in between word to use and to refer to my two as 'children' seems silly. The word doesn't bother me in any way.

whenim64 Wed 22-Apr-15 12:13:51

I didn't use the word 'kids' when I was still working but since retiring five years ago, I've used it much more and feel it has evolved into general use and doesn't have negative connotations any more. Baby goats are adorable, anyway. 'Sprogs' and 'brats' are words that get my hackles up.

Riverwalk Wed 22-Apr-15 12:05:30

I can't stand Kiddies - sounds sleazy!

thatbags Wed 22-Apr-15 12:04:57

PPS So, unreasonable, no. Bit daft, yes. IMO

thatbags Wed 22-Apr-15 12:03:07

PS What about kiddywinks?

thatbags Wed 22-Apr-15 12:02:10

Kids is always used in the States, with no disrespect. I reckon we can too. Actually, I do, so I know we can.

If people want to or find that they do hate it, so be it. Seems a small thing to mind to me.

It's not particular words that matter but how they are used. Always.

ohdear Wed 22-Apr-15 11:57:46

I don't like it either. Now that I think about it -- maybe its a hang over from school when we were repeatedly told KIDS ARE BABY GOATS and DON'T START A SENTENCE WITH AND!! And yes--it was shouted at us by a teacher who waved a ruler at the same time! AHH---school days in the 60's. How much I don't miss them.

janerowena Wed 22-Apr-15 11:55:05

It's never worried me, but it did worry one of my grandmothers, who was very anti-americanisms. I can't say I like all of them, but I did like seeing goat kids playing, so thought it was rather a nice name for children. She liked to be called Grandma, our other, Nanny, which she thought was dreadful. Grandma used to say 'I am not a female goat, and you children are not baby goats!'

Bez Wed 22-Apr-15 11:54:35

I never use the word either as I too detest it. I hated it even more when they used the term to describe the children in the school - that is what they are - a child or a small person - a kid is a baby goat! O

GillT57 Wed 22-Apr-15 11:54:11

I too hate the word 'kids' but hate 'kiddies' even more. I have children, not kids.

jinglbellsfrocks Wed 22-Apr-15 11:49:03

I don't think I've ver thought of my grandkids in terms of "respect". grin

jinglbellsfrocks Wed 22-Apr-15 11:47:55

Do you get to read anything at all mishap? grin

Mishap Wed 22-Apr-15 11:38:32

I have always hated the use of this word in relation to children and avoid books, magazines and activities that use the word.

I do not know why I detest it so much - it just seems disrespectful to me.