Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to upset by this text?

68 replies

SleepyBadger · 14/03/2018 10:12

No idea if I’m completely overreacting to this or not or if I’ve just been a bit silly...prepared to be completely shot down...

My son has chicken pox and I posted something on social media to effect of ‘Oh no DS has caught the pox!’ with a sad face emoji and chicken emoji. This was a few days ago.

I got a text from my mum today saying my uncle had phoned her to ask how my son is and she said that he mentioned he was really shocked and a bit disgusted I had referred to it as ‘the pox’ as that is a slang term for a certain STI. I literally had no knowledge of this :( maybe im just a little naive. Is it a really old slang term? It’s obvious my friends on social media knew what I was talking about and nobody else has taken offence.

I’m genuinely really upset. I’m 11 weeks pregnant and just feeling really sensitive and stuff like this really winds me up.

I have deleted the post. AIBU to be upset by the text? I just don’t think there was any need really!

TIA

OP posts:
EduCated · 14/03/2018 10:14

What a load of silliness - them, not you! Very clear what you were referring to. Your Mum really didn’t need to pass that on.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 14/03/2018 10:14

The pox is an old English term for syphilis. But I wouldnt expect people to necessarily know this.

I think you're over thinking it though.

Jon66 · 14/03/2018 10:14

Yes, it's the old name for syphilis! But how would you know and does it matter, not a bit.

Idontdowindows · 14/03/2018 10:15

It is a slang term for a certain STI to old people, yes.

Note the "old people".

Nowadays it is a much more generic term for just being ill, like the lurgy.

user1493413286 · 14/03/2018 10:16

I didn’t know it referred to an sti so I think it’s them being over sensitive and you’ve done nothing wrong

Namechangetempissue · 14/03/2018 10:17

Not that I am aware of -and quite clearly you wouldn't mean your son had a bloody STI and surely anyone with half a brain would see a picture of a chicken next to "pox" and think chicken pox. I wouldn't have deleted it. Let him be disgusted all by himself for no reason.

TheFaerieQueene · 14/03/2018 10:18

Some people will get their knickers in a twist about the most ridiculous things.

wowfudge · 14/03/2018 10:18

Nice bit of ageism there @Idontdowindows. I have never heard anyone call chicken pox 'the pox'.

Idontdowindows · 14/03/2018 10:19

Yeah, ageism, she says, to the old woman.

rofloling here.

Booboobooboo84 · 14/03/2018 10:20

Take him to the beach this summer and make sure you post loads of pictures of him catching crabs.....

Original poster
SleepyBadger · 14/03/2018 10:22

Thanks all - I’m glad I’m not the only one who didn’t know it was a slang term for an STI I don’t feel quite so silly now!

I realise I am being over sensitive though it was just an odd thing to receive by text and to say I had ‘shocked’ someone with my terminology was a little disturbing.

Bloody hormones!

OP posts:
Original poster
SleepyBadger · 14/03/2018 10:23

@Booboobooboo84 I’m literally crying 🤣🤣

OP posts:
DiplomaticBag · 14/03/2018 10:24

Your uncle is a loon and sounds like Mary sodding Whitehouse's prissier brother.

Mookatron · 14/03/2018 10:24

Says more about him than you. I'd say that to your mum, too. Wink

FancyNewBeesly · 14/03/2018 10:26

Ridiculous! Carry on as you were, he’s being a (hopefully pox-free) dick.

Lifeisabeach09 · 14/03/2018 10:27

Your uncle is a moron to make an issue of this.
Context is everything. Even if people did know what pox was slang for, I can't imagine anyone would assume your son had syphilis rather th

Lifeisabeach09 · 14/03/2018 10:27

...rather than chicken pox!

metalmum15 · 14/03/2018 10:33

If your uncle is shocked by that he needs to get off social media.

Dustysparrow · 14/03/2018 10:34

Crikey - I never knew it was a reference to syphilis either, and I have used it many times myself to describe something similar to the way you did. Don't worry, I think your uncle must have a lot of time on hi hands if he has nothing better to get his knickers in a twist about than this!!! In fact I would probably be rather cool with him following this - childish maybe but I would be quite offended that he had stuck his beak in, no need to make you feel bad about something so utterly ridiculous. Silly little man!!!

frasier · 14/03/2018 10:38

I only knew the term because I've read Victorian literature. How old is your uncle?!

I've found that the best way to handle something like this is to brush it off (rather than try and defend yourself). Just say something like "Nobody even says that anymore!" and change the subject. If you make light of it, no one can say anything without looking stupid.

bananamonkey · 14/03/2018 10:39

It's pretty obvious as you were talking about a child that you meant chicken pox, your Uncle needs to find more things to keep busy

DiplomaticBag · 14/03/2018 10:39

Text your uncle and ask if he's so upset about this because it brings back Awkward Memories for him. Grin

Original poster
SleepyBadger · 14/03/2018 10:42

Thanks @Dustysparrow I’m glad I’m not the only one! Yeah that’s what I’m most annoyed about that it just made me feel a bit stupid and the fact my mum thought it was appropriate to pass on what he’s said. I responded to my Mum and simply said I wasn’t aware it meant that and ended the conversation there. To be honest I only see my uncle a few times a year so it will probably be forgotten by the next time we see each other (hopefully)

OP posts:
diddl · 14/03/2018 10:43

Gosh I feel old now!(Only mid 50's!) and somehow thought that this was general knowledge!

However, it could just have been pointed out without the dramatics!

Aprilmightmemynewname · 14/03/2018 10:43

I would have asked her was she not concerned he knew so much about it??!

Swipe left for the next trending thread