What's with everyone writing 'Mom?'

[Ottersmith]

Why is everyone writing Mom in their thread instead of 'mum'? Are you American? Are you from the Midlands? If neither of these then stop doing it. It's everywhere and it's so annoying.

We've already talked about this though. Just because a word was in use here hundreds of years ago doesn't make it standard/common parlance in 2024. The resurrection of the word here however is due to American influence. No other country has that reach via tv/media etc re language.

mumsnet is a site where people piss about talking about that celeb they fancy, that in law who pissed them off, and how much they like watching videos of ear wax extractions. I don't know why some people try to enforce some kind of formal writing style. if people want to 'mom' and 'gotten' leave them to it!

Northern Ireland IS part of the UK. My area in particular is very much settled by Scottish and the language and culture is reflected by this in Ulster Scots. Huge numbers also went to America and and took it with them to America. Fair few in my area would have a carnaption if you likened them to Irish.

Not enforcing. Just pointing out facts. If you used the word "gotten" in a formal setting in England eg legal, you would be unusual. People can speak anyway they like though. As I said, I make up my own words but I wouldn't ever say they were standard use.

Ireland/NI is not a can of worms I will be opening don't worry! My comments throughout are just re England.

My DIL is American and calls me mom. I've embraced it!

I've read so many of these threads over the years.

I never fail to be astonished that there are so many eejits that don't get that there are many accents and dialects in the UK.

How is that outwith your understanding?

It's not difficult.

I'm embarrassed for you.

Missed the point in your rush to put people down. Regional accents etc are great and make the English language interesting. But there (at the moment) is currently standard English still in use in formal writing...in England (I hasten to clarify so we don't go back on the irish/NI is different treadmill)

Indeed. I honestly find it very disrespectful and dismissive, probably not intended at such but it certainly is. Our sense of self is very much dictated by such.

Exactly. I mean, I sometimes write ‘thanks luv’ to people I am familiar with, but I wouldn’t spell ‘love’ ‘luv’ on mUmsnet - speaking to a load of strangers.

@Summertimer

I think there are an individual schools that have high school as part of their name. I just think as a general thing “high school” as a coverall phrase doesn’t seem quite right

The vast majority of 'secondary'schools in Scotland are called high schools. In my local authority only two are not.

Please can you explain what it is that we are failing to get 'quite right'.

I wouldn't worry so much. Just make up your own words like I do! But don't use them if you are writing a letter to the Telegraph....

"Just re England" is such a neat summary of so many of the issues on these threads.

We're not smart 🤓

Seriously my point is HOW the words got to America in the first place.

I do find it disrespectful and dismissive that whole areas of the UK are being told wrong for using the words they have for centuries.

Why? I'm not qualified to comment on regional dialects of Ireland or NI. I would assume most people on mumsnet aren't, given the difference in population size of Ireland/NI and England? Or is there a large Irish contingent on mumsnet? If I started holding forth on Ireland you would no doubt tell me off for not having lived experience and not staying in my lane.

@Workasateamanddoitmyway

Missed the point in your rush to put people down. Regional accents etc are great and make the English language interesting. But there (at the moment) is currently standard English still in use in formal writing...in England (I hasten to clarify so we don't go back on the irish/NI is different treadmill)

Smashing. I'm Scottish. We speak Scottish standard English. I see you've already been schooled in Hiberno-English.

My point was that within the UK there are many variations and it amazes me that some people fail to grasp this.

Because these threads are almost always

England = right
Elsewhere = other

Rather than

England = right
Elsewhere = also right

I don't see anything I've written that says otherwise? You shouldn't assume you know what people grasp or fail to grasp. I haven't said anything rude and I've only commented on what I know. Can't really be criticised for that. It's an interesting topic.

My post was general to all those on thread telling people that they are wrong for using words that are quite correct in their region or nation.

e.g. mom is american, mammy is immature and suggests there is something wrong with you, high school is wrong etc.

It wasn't personal to you. You replied to it. If you are taking that personally then that's on you.

I have noticed that Irish people do come on UK mumsnet and get upset if we are focused on England too much. I get it.

Well you did say I had been "schooled in hiberno-english". What does that mean I wonder? Is it a good or bad thing? Hopefully it was a compliment! 😊

There person you were previously debating (insulting) with was from Northern Ireland which is in the UK. Others responding are from Scotland and Wales. Also UK. And lets not forget the West Midlanders - from England.

And now I've got your angle on things so, thanks for that. I should probably get out more and see my adopted country!

You really should @SerenityNowInsanityLater

Oh dear - I wrote that all wrong if you've taken it as a compliment.

A previous poster from Northern Ireland explained (schooled) to you the use of language and its origin in that part of the UK.

Insulting?! How?