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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To dislike the expression 'having children to him'

35 replies

WetAugust · 03/08/2013 21:27

Sounds like a brood mare!

I've noticed this expression being used increasingly. Just heard it on Sky News.

What's wrong with having children with someone?

OP posts:
rockybalboa · 03/08/2013 21:38

Having children TO him? Doesn't even make sense. A mistake surely?

Pagwatch · 03/08/2013 21:39

Never heard it. Ever.

Original poster
WetAugust · 03/08/2013 21:39

No, quite deliberate to used by the news presenter so written by the editorial team. I hear the expression at lot. It always sounds a bit (can't use the expression I would like to).

OP posts:
TroublesomeEx · 03/08/2013 21:40

I've never heard anyone say that!

Pagwatch · 03/08/2013 21:40

Nope. Never heard anyone use this.

Hamwidgeandcheps · 03/08/2013 21:41

Do you mean having kids by him, as in x has one child by her first husband type thing?
It's up there with fell pregnant Hmm

northlight · 03/08/2013 21:44

I've heard this often in Scotland. Don't like it either.

Pagwatch · 03/08/2013 21:46

Who did they say it about on sky?
How did they use it?

Original poster
WetAugust · 03/08/2013 21:46

No. I've also heard 'having children by him which smacks of a pedigree race horse. And I agree it's up there with 'falling pregnant.

But this having kids to him is a whole new level of grammatical horror.

Can't understand why I seem to be the only one who's heard this expression.

OP posts:
wigglesrock · 03/08/2013 21:47

Well it beats "who are you having it for?" I've heard both phrases being used a lot where I am - NI.

Birdsgottafly · 03/08/2013 21:48

Perhaps it's used more "Up North"?

I've heard it used a lot in Liverpool, especially in areas where very few people have children with a man, only to them, iyswim.

Having said that, you do have children "to", as well as with, both are correct.

peppapigmustdie · 03/08/2013 21:51

I often say that dd1 is by my first marriage? not sure what else I should say ... a product or a fruit from my marriage?

Original poster
WetAugust · 03/08/2013 21:54

Peppa - by in that context I feel is OK. That or from.

Birds - Having children to someone is just plain wring.

OP posts:
peppapigmustdie · 03/08/2013 21:55

Sorry, re read the op.

timidviper · 03/08/2013 21:56

I'm up North and I have heard this expression too. I agree it is awful although not quite as bad as "should of"

Sparrowlegs248 · 03/08/2013 21:56

It is a bit equine i think.....the mare is in foal to a particular stallion....not really appropriate for humans!

Pagwatch · 03/08/2013 21:56

I am trying to understand. Seriously, what did they say on sky?

Kate Middleton had a baby to Willam? It's just weird.
I need to understand ...

sweetkitty · 03/08/2013 22:00

It's used by here in Scotland too

I also hate "is she better yet?" Meaning has she had the baby?

Original poster
WetAugust · 03/08/2013 22:01

So I give you:

"I fell pregnant when I should of used contraception and now I'm having children to him"

Oh yes - the full scope of horror is ^^^ Grin

Pag - if you've got Sky you'll see they are currently running a segment about some woman who was taken in by a man called William Turner and she had children to him.

OP posts:
Original poster
WetAugust · 03/08/2013 22:03

Also heard someone on Radio 4 this evening, who should have known better, talking about mitigating for., when it should have been mitigating against.

I am not a pedant. I just get annoyed at stupid phrases.

OP posts:
Pagwatch · 03/08/2013 22:03

No sky just now - in Spain.

It's weird. I will have to 'wtf' if anyone uses it in real life

MrsCosmopilite · 03/08/2013 22:08

I'm in the South East and I've heard it.

WetAugust, I applaud you. Your 22:01 post summed it up exactly!

DumSpiroSpero · 03/08/2013 23:48

I've noticed this a lot on celebrity news websites - 'x is pregnant to...'

Bloody horrible expression.

Madratlady · 04/08/2013 00:02

Should of is mispronunciation of should've isn't it?

Having children to... is a horrible phrase.

Original poster
WetAugust · 04/08/2013 00:25

I listened to the Sky News exert again and it definitely said she had children to him.

Can't find any way of complaining to Sky about this murdering of the English language so am just very, very content that I cancelled my Sky subscription last Wednesday (having resisted their offer of a new free Skybox and free installation, all designed to keep me for another year).

OP posts:
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