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AIBU?

to feel uneasy about my daughter reading about Titty?

44 replies

pointydog · 24/06/2007 22:04

dd1 came back from the library today with 'Secret Water' by Arthur Ransome.

Dh has just passed me the book and pointed.

The blurb says 'Marooned on an island, John, Susan, Titty and Roger begin map-making and exploring'.

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RBH · 24/06/2007 22:06

What the hell is it short for?! Always wondered!

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mummytosteven · 24/06/2007 22:07

Presumably Letitia. Write to the publishers, and suggest that the book be reprinted with Letty instead of Titty

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AttilaTheMum · 24/06/2007 22:07

It was the nickname of one of the children the book was based on - it's been in the book for about 70 years,without scarring children for life -I don't see why they should have to go all pc now (though I seem to remember the BBC changed it to Kitty when they seialised it)

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Kathyis6incheshigh · 24/06/2007 22:07

An English teacher I used to know said you could always tell when the children she taught had been reading Ransome because they got people called 'Titty' appearing in their stories.

The tv version in the 60s changed it to Kitty.

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Kathyis6incheshigh · 24/06/2007 22:08

x-posted Attila.

She was actually called Mavis but her family called her Titty after Tittymouse in a story called Tittymouse and Tattymouse.

(dh and I are in the Arthur Ransome Society so we know way too much about this.)

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Menarefrommars · 24/06/2007 22:08

Oh my god!!! What is it with MN ATM??? We've gone bloody PC barmy.

It's a nickname, most likely Leticia - get over it!

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AttilaTheMum · 24/06/2007 22:10

The original Titty was christened Mavis.

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pointydog · 24/06/2007 22:10

I am impressed by mnetters' knowledge of all things Titty.

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ChippyMinton · 24/06/2007 22:10

LOL, i agree, who cares, they are ripping yarns. I'm reading one with Dick in it at the moment (inspired by last weeks boating thread )

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Yurtgirl · 24/06/2007 22:10

Enid Blytons magic faraway tree features (as far as I remember) Dick and Fanny.

Modern versions have changed them.
I am planning on reading the origonal versions to my kids and am not concerned

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Bibis · 24/06/2007 22:11

Yes I think you are being unreasonable.

It is a book fgs, written in the early 20th century (don't know when exactly) and if that is the worst your dd reads then consider yourself very lucky!

I am a great fan of Arthur Ransome and Swallows and Amazons, in no way is the name of a sexual nature, it is the same as 'Fanny' in France.

Don't worry and let her enjoy it

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pointydog · 24/06/2007 22:11

kathy, my mouth is agape.

I could never have expected such a complete answer in a few minutes.

Doesn't make it right, though

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Kathyis6incheshigh · 24/06/2007 22:13

Pointydog, the scary bit is that it's not just me - Attila seems equally versed.

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pointydog · 24/06/2007 22:14

yaaaaaasssssss. Maybe she is a secret member of the Arthur Ransome Society

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ChippyMinton · 24/06/2007 22:16

I'm all agog - does the society have website i can have a nosey at?

What is pemmican BTW?

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AttilaTheMum · 24/06/2007 22:17

Yes

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WigWamBam · 24/06/2007 22:17

I remember having Swallows and Amazons read to us at school when I was about 7 or 8 - the teacher obviously shared your unease because she pronounced the name Tie-ty.

I don't think I suffered in any way from reading them myself and realising that the name was also a slightly naughty word ...

How old is she? A pound to a penny she's heard ruder words than titty in the school playground if she's over the age of about 7.

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hatrick · 24/06/2007 22:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Tawnykitten · 24/06/2007 22:18

totally unreasonable unless of course her full name is chinky titty

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AttilaTheMum · 24/06/2007 22:18

I'm not a member but have been reading the books since I was six and found the website a few years ago.

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Kathyis6incheshigh · 24/06/2007 22:19

Arthur Ransome Society
Arthur Ransome discussion board

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ChippyMinton · 24/06/2007 22:19

thanks attilla

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emsiewill · 24/06/2007 22:19

Yes, Dick and Fanny from the Faraway Tree are now called Rick and Franny.

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ChippyMinton · 24/06/2007 22:20

discussion board too?

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pointydog · 24/06/2007 22:21

lol @ Tie-ty


I should maybe just say that my op was written with my tongue in my cheek.

I don't really care that dd1 reads about Titty. She will larf too.

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