To ask if anyone can solve the mystery of the “Clifford Temperature?”

[CliffordMystery]

This has been puzzling my husband and me for about 11 years now…

When my daughter was nearly 3 years old, we asked her if there was anything she would really like as a present.

She said she would really like “a Clifford Temperature.” We obviously asked her questions to try to ascertain what a Clifford Temperature might be, but to no avail.

We guess it might have been something to do with Clifford the big red dog - the Puppy Days one was on CBeebies at the time and she watched it occasionally. I can’t think where else the name Clifford would have come from.

We both imagine the “temperature” element to look like the old totaliser for the Blue Peter appeal - like a giant thermometer.

Of course we did extensive googling at the time, but there did not seem to be such a thing as a Clifford branded thermometer or anything that looked like one in existence.

Does anyone have any ideas as we’re still intrigued to know? Is anyone a Clifford expert and knows an episode where it might have featured?!

Absolutely no idea, but I love your post!

Clifford 'emmy' car?
(Emily nicknamed Emmy)

Have you asked her if she knows what she meant?

I’d guess perhaps ‘adventure’ rather than temperature.

A Clifford the Dog table and chair set ? “Clifford tablechair” ?

That's a good shout on adventure

You'll never really know for sure unless she remembers so can confirm.

How old is she now?

Link to a set is here https://camelcamelcamel.com/American-Plastic-Toy-Clifford-Chairs/product/B000VY8HF0

@Thewishingchair123 I really like the table and chair idea. She’s nearly 14 now and she says she really likes that and would have liked that set regardless of whether it is a Clifford Temperature or not!!

In answer to other posts -
We asked her loads about it at the time. She was really good at talking from a young age so wouldn’t have normally mixed up saying temperature/adventure although she could have just misheard a word someone said.

She doesn’t remember what it is now, unfortunately! I’m hoping one day we’ll see something and she/we will just realise that’s it!

Don't know OP.
Apparently, when i was very small, there was something i used to see out of the car window - only when driving in the countryside - which would cause me to point and panic and cry.

Once i was old enough to try to talk i'd point and cry and shout ''Gum-chumps!

My parents moved heaven and earth to try to work out what the hell a gum-chump was and why it was so upsetting, but never did manage.
(and i don't remember!)

Clicky dentures? Like those snapping wind up teeth things?

Clifford adventure game or book?

Ha! No idea sorry but your post made me laugh.

My mum loves telling the story that when I was about 2.5 I asked for 'two babies joined together' for Xmas. I wanted a CONJOINED TWIN DOLL AS A GIFT!! Took her a few weeks to realise what I was saying, and presumably was horrified when she figured it out. I've still got the creepy conjoined twin doll!

My youngest wanted a "dobby door". We never did figure out what it was, we still ask him occasionally and he's 14 now. He has no idea!

@takingmytimeonmyride

My youngest wanted a "dobby door". We never did figure out what it was, we still ask him occasionally and he's 14 now. He has no idea!

Surely that’s a hobby horse?!

Some of these replies have really made me laugh!

She definitely wasn’t trying to say something else as she had a very clear and precise way of talking at that age. It was as clear as anything “a Clifford Temperature!”

My 3yo wants "political jam".

Any takers?

No idea. If anyone has any ideas what ‘take the buses’ might be, I’d be grateful. My now 17 year old used to cry for it at breakfast time.

'take the buses'... toothbrushes?

Could she have meant a measuring stick? It’s been years since I encountered Clifford but as he was huge - did they measure him with a giant measuring stick which may have looked like a thermometer to a 3 year old?

After some Googling it appears Sir Thomas CLIFFORD Allbut invented the short clinical thermometer…. Maybe she saw something on tv about this bloke, thermometers, temperature…. Clutching at straws here….

My DS when he was about 5 wrote a short story (2 lines!) about the 'chicken in the wicken'. When questioned about what a wicken was he said it was 'like an Italian barrel' ?!

@JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff

My 3yo wants "political jam".

Any takers?

Is she a Jeremy Corbyn fan?

My sister used to tell my parents she wanted a "bibbabeb". Took them about a year and a lot of crying when I got my own room away from her to realise she meant "big girl bed".

@Getawaywithit

No idea. If anyone has any ideas what ‘take the buses’ might be, I’d be grateful. My now 17 year old used to cry for it at breakfast time.

Potato something. Tater/take the

When my son was about three we asked if he’d like carrots on his dinner.
“No I only like Sun Carrots “
It tools us ages to realise I normally said
“Would you like SOME carrots?

Clifford Adventure

final answer

Dd wanted a very particular drawing thing, that lit up a drawing. I looked Everywhere, questioned her constantly. one day she finally revealed where she’s seen this wonder toy
‘In my head’