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Original poster

BF childish language

58 replies

ShudderIck · 09/02/2026 18:31

Hi,
I've name changed for this.

Would you have the ick if someone in their 40s constantly complained of 'tummy ache' (I don't know why, but it conjours up images of a poorly 5 year old rather than a grown adult)

I've really noticed a pattern in this person complaining quite extensively about various health ailments, almost like they want a mummy to fix it for them.

Maybe I'm not making sense, but it's been a continuous cycle throughout our "relationship" and I'm running out of patience with hearing it.. He's like a stuck record.

Majority of time it's self-inflicted with poor diet etc

OP posts:
DramaAlpaca · 09/02/2026 20:15

It would annoy me that it was self-inflicted through an awful diet, that would give me the ick.

Saying 'tummy ache' probably wouldn't give me the ick, but funnily enough use of the word 'poorly' definitely would (sorry OP!) as I utterly detest that word.

LikeWhoUsesTypewritersAnyway · 09/02/2026 20:07

I can't actually see anything wrong with saying 'tummy.' Confused

legs it out of the thread!>>>>>>>>> 🏃

TomatoSandwiches · 09/02/2026 20:02

This reply has been deleted

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

😂😂😂🤮

Original poster
ShudderIck · 09/02/2026 19:47

Meteorite87 · 09/02/2026 19:40

Yes it would give me the ick immediately.
"Tummy" is an easy reference for a child to use.

Is he using the same word when he describes symptoms to a Dr, or does he he manage to say "stomach" or "abdomen" then?

Does he actually speak to a Dr about the multiple ailments?
The fact that the ailments complained about are repeatedly self- inflicted sounds very frustrating.

Show quote history

He doesn't see a doctor about the stomach issues, although I'm pretty sure he would probably still say Tummy in a medical setting. It's really strange, it's almost like he's stuck in child mode in some ways.

I have over our time together made gentle suggestions about it being diet related, or about seeing the doctor as it seems to be an ongoing issue etc, but it seems to be a self-fulfilling prophecy.. It's almost like he just wants to complain/get attention for his "poorly tummy" rather than actually resolve it or change things.. But I realise that's what some people do to keep a cycle going.

OP posts:
ShudderIck · 09/02/2026 19:42

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Meteorite87 · 09/02/2026 19:40

ShudderIck · 09/02/2026 18:31

Hi,
I've name changed for this.

Would you have the ick if someone in their 40s constantly complained of 'tummy ache' (I don't know why, but it conjours up images of a poorly 5 year old rather than a grown adult)

I've really noticed a pattern in this person complaining quite extensively about various health ailments, almost like they want a mummy to fix it for them.

Maybe I'm not making sense, but it's been a continuous cycle throughout our "relationship" and I'm running out of patience with hearing it.. He's like a stuck record.

Majority of time it's self-inflicted with poor diet etc

Yes it would give me the ick immediately.
"Tummy" is an easy reference for a child to use.

Is he using the same word when he describes symptoms to a Dr, or does he he manage to say "stomach" or "abdomen" then?

Does he actually speak to a Dr about the multiple ailments?
The fact that the ailments complained about are repeatedly self- inflicted sounds very frustrating.

Dollymylove · 09/02/2026 19:37

ShudderIck · 09/02/2026 19:00

Thank you. It tends to be "Poorly tummy" "Tummy ache" Or even "poorly tum tum"... I don't know how to say WTAF without offending him 😣

Show quote history

Ugh no that would give me the ick. He sounds like a hypochondriac.

Bin him off

Stillhere83 · 09/02/2026 19:36

I had an ex like this - it was quite extreme at times, he seemed to regress into annoying little brother mode - I had to tell him that's what it reminded me of and the consequences for our sex life! I think at one point I told him if he referred to my 'boobies' 🤮 one more time he'd never be touching them again...

Original poster
ShudderIck · 09/02/2026 19:36

LikeWhoUsesTypewritersAnyway · 09/02/2026 19:28

@ShudderIck

Would you have the ick if someone in their 40s constantly complained of 'tummy ache' (I don't know why, but it conjours up images of a poorly 5 year old rather than a grown adult)

It's a bit ironic though, when you say 'the ick,' and 'poorly' yourself! 😆

As explained above, I used the work ick purely for MN entertainment/traffic value and "poorly 5 year old" was meant in a whiny pathetic tone, I didn't use the term poorly in a serious sense. To me "poorly" and "tummy" are up there with "wee wee" and "scaredy cat"..!!

OP posts:
Ablondiebutagoody · 09/02/2026 19:32

He sounds disgustingly wet. Not what I would be looking for in a man.

90sTrifle · 09/02/2026 19:29

ShudderIck · 09/02/2026 18:31

Hi,
I've name changed for this.

Would you have the ick if someone in their 40s constantly complained of 'tummy ache' (I don't know why, but it conjours up images of a poorly 5 year old rather than a grown adult)

I've really noticed a pattern in this person complaining quite extensively about various health ailments, almost like they want a mummy to fix it for them.

Maybe I'm not making sense, but it's been a continuous cycle throughout our "relationship" and I'm running out of patience with hearing it.. He's like a stuck record.

Majority of time it's self-inflicted with poor diet etc

Grown-ups say ‘stomach’!

Tell him to speak like a grown-up or F**K-OFF!

LikeWhoUsesTypewritersAnyway · 09/02/2026 19:28

@ShudderIck

Would you have the ick if someone in their 40s constantly complained of 'tummy ache' (I don't know why, but it conjours up images of a poorly 5 year old rather than a grown adult)

It's a bit ironic though, when you say 'the ick,' and 'poorly' yourself! 😆

WeAreOnTheRoadToNowhere · 09/02/2026 19:25

Ick would put me off.

Original poster
ShudderIck · 09/02/2026 19:23

canisquaeso · 09/02/2026 19:13

I can’t stand the word tummy so yes, it would put me right off.

Same for weewee, din dins or hubby. Make it stop 😭

This has made me laugh!

I don't mind the term Hubby, but Wifey makes me want to vomit. 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
ShudderIck · 09/02/2026 19:20

blubberball · 09/02/2026 19:08

I've forgotten what it's called, but isn't it a kind of fetish to want to regress to a baby and be mothered? Is that what he's in to?

Not in the bedroom, no. But maybe in terms of the dynamic he's trying to create subconsciously...?

OP posts:
canisquaeso · 09/02/2026 19:13

I can’t stand the word tummy so yes, it would put me right off.

Same for weewee, din dins or hubby. Make it stop 😭

blubberball · 09/02/2026 19:08

I've forgotten what it's called, but isn't it a kind of fetish to want to regress to a baby and be mothered? Is that what he's in to?

Redflagsabounded · 09/02/2026 19:06

I'd be able to stomach tummy ache or upset stomach - but those other phrases from an adult 🤢. You have to tell him.

DoIdriveaVauxhallZafira · 09/02/2026 19:06

ShudderIck · 09/02/2026 19:00

Thank you. It tends to be "Poorly tummy" "Tummy ache" Or even "poorly tum tum"... I don't know how to say WTAF without offending him 😣

Show quote history

"If you say 'poorly tum tum' one more time I'll vom"

blubberball · 09/02/2026 19:04

It would be a turn off

Original poster
ShudderIck · 09/02/2026 19:02

MaloryJones · 09/02/2026 18:58

How old are you? Personally I find "the ick" pretty childish.

Yes it's not a term I tend to use, I just knew that Mumsnetters would know exactly what I meant and it seemed more lighthearted than titling my post "My boyfriends language makes me drier than the Sahara"

OP posts:
blubberball · 09/02/2026 19:01

You're just going to have to offend him I think. He needs to wise up

Original poster
ShudderIck · 09/02/2026 19:00

Sofado · 09/02/2026 18:57

Tummy ache is fine as a term. Complaining permanently about it is not.

Thank you. It tends to be "Poorly tummy" "Tummy ache" Or even "poorly tum tum"... I don't know how to say WTAF without offending him 😣

OP posts:
MaloryJones · 09/02/2026 18:58

How old are you? Personally I find "the ick" pretty childish.

blubberball · 09/02/2026 18:58

I don't think you're a cold hearted cow. I just don't think you want to play a mother role to a manchild, which is fair enough