to feel uneasy about my daughter reading about Titty?

[pointydog]

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'.

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

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

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)

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.

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.)

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!

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

The original Titty was christened Mavis.

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 )

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

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

kathy, my mouth is agape.

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

Doesn't make it right, though

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

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

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

What is pemmican BTW?

Yes

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.

totally unreasonable unless of course her full name is chinky titty

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

Arthur Ransome Society
Arthur Ransome discussion board

thanks attilla

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

discussion board too?

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.