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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want Brits to spell 'mum' the British way?

274 replies

Kudosss · 07/10/2025 22:11

This really. Why are people spelling it Mom now-a-days? This isn't America.

OP posts:
MoltenLasagne · 07/10/2025 22:26

The Brummie Mom is very different to the American Mom. Its a shorter sound somehow. So its very easy to tell if someone is using the US import instead.

Timeforabitofpeace · 07/10/2025 22:26

Op you are NBU

DeeThree · 07/10/2025 22:26

YABU as the correct word is Mam.

BitOutOfPractice · 07/10/2025 22:26

OonaStubbs · 07/10/2025 22:24

Yes but people are saying it because of watching American TV etc not because of the West Midlands.

Show quote history

They’re really not. 4 million of us can’t be wrong!

Timeforabitofpeace · 07/10/2025 22:27

Anyway it sounds stupid without the American accent .

pastabest · 07/10/2025 22:27

Oh OP. I think you have misunderstood regional UK usage .

Mum
Mam
Mom
Mummy
Mammy
Ma

Are all regional UK variations

NoSoapJustUseShowerGel · 07/10/2025 22:28

I’m aware the Brummies use mom but otherwise I agree with you - hate all the Americanisms, eg the way people are now using ‘coworker’ instead of ‘colleague’.

AutumnWalksWithRaindrops · 07/10/2025 22:28

I called her mum, mither or maw, I always wrote my cards to her as mom. I don’t think it really matters how you spell it, it means the same thing. It’s no big drama how people choose to spell something.

saraclara · 07/10/2025 22:29

Pemba · 07/10/2025 22:25

They can't all be from West Midlands though (and I don't think the 'Mom' area even covers the whole West Midlands). I currently live there!
I see a lot of posts from what seem to be younger Mumsnetters, who appear to be based in the UK. They've absorbed a lot of stuff from the USA and just think it's spelled 'Mom'. They probably pronounce it as Mum though.

I don't think it's regional differences. It's American spelling etc creeping in.

How do you know that those posters are copying US language and that they're not from the West Midlands?

dannyufcfan · 07/10/2025 22:29

tequilam0ckingbird · 07/10/2025 22:18

As the others have said, it's a Brummie thing. Also, some people from the north call trousers "pants".

And we are correct when we do so!

(pants are not underpants).

saraclara · 07/10/2025 22:30

MoltenLasagne · 07/10/2025 22:26

The Brummie Mom is very different to the American Mom. Its a shorter sound somehow. So its very easy to tell if someone is using the US import instead.

Not if they're typing it!

LikeWhoUsesTypewritersAnyway · 07/10/2025 22:30

Kudosss · 07/10/2025 22:11

This really. Why are people spelling it Mom now-a-days? This isn't America.

YABVVVVVVVVVU! I am from the Midlands and I say MOM. I always will, no matter how much it annoys you @Kudosss 👅

Have you never heard of regional dialects???

No. Clearly not!

Curiousrobin · 07/10/2025 22:30

I don't know anyone who spells it Mom

NeverDropYourMooncup · 07/10/2025 22:31

NoSoapJustUseShowerGel · 07/10/2025 22:28

I’m aware the Brummies use mom but otherwise I agree with you - hate all the Americanisms, eg the way people are now using ‘coworker’ instead of ‘colleague’.

Depends upon whether you're in the Staff Room of your nearest ASDA or not, really.

Curiousrobin · 07/10/2025 22:31

dannyufcfan · 07/10/2025 22:29

And we are correct when we do so!

(pants are not underpants).

Show quote history

Pants aren't trousers either.

KawasakiBabe · 07/10/2025 22:32

It’s Mam, stop being silly!!!

I have a Mam, but I am called Mother by both of my dc, they’re in their 20’s so it won’t change now.

Besttobe8001 · 07/10/2025 22:32

I say mom as an Americanism. Mainly I just do it to be annoying.

Theunamedcat · 07/10/2025 22:32

NoSoapJustUseShowerGel · 07/10/2025 22:28

I’m aware the Brummies use mom but otherwise I agree with you - hate all the Americanisms, eg the way people are now using ‘coworker’ instead of ‘colleague’.

That's just because its easier to spell

LikeWhoUsesTypewritersAnyway · 07/10/2025 22:34

Besttobe8001 · 07/10/2025 22:32

I say mom as an Americanism. Mainly I just do it to be annoying.

Grin I'm like, gonna totally do it all the time now. Just to be like, soooo annoying.

KimHwn · 07/10/2025 22:34

You do know that English is not the only British language, right?

Theunamedcat · 07/10/2025 22:34

West Midlands here always been mom/ma/mam dd called me mom first but when ds was born he began calling me maaaa like a freaking goat they all interchange them now

RoundRedRobin · 07/10/2025 22:34

I’m from the west mids and say Mom.

MOm is short for MOther so it makes sense 😁

LikeWhoUsesTypewritersAnyway · 07/10/2025 22:35

Theunamedcat · 07/10/2025 22:34

West Midlands here always been mom/ma/mam dd called me mom first but when ds was born he began calling me maaaa like a freaking goat they all interchange them now

A FREAKING goat?! Isn't that a bit.......... like, AMERICAN?! Grin

Pharazon · 07/10/2025 22:36

MoltenLasagne · 07/10/2025 22:26

The Brummie Mom is very different to the American Mom. Its a shorter sound somehow. So its very easy to tell if someone is using the US import instead.

When it's written down on Mumsnet? Ok then...

Needmorelego · 07/10/2025 22:36

I'm not sure how to share clips on here so could someone please share that Family Guy clip with baby Stewie saying every version to get Lois's attention 😂