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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To hate the term Playdate, aghhhhhh

244 replies

pigletmania · 09/06/2010 08:30

That's it really, its so American, so aghghhhhh. Why cant it be like it was, going round to play! If I hear of that term again I will spontaniously combust .

OP posts:
venetianred · 09/06/2010 13:31

I hated it when I first heard it, and rarely use it, but then it is a much shorter way than saying 'meet up to play' and when my brain is tired sometimes it just pops out....and the thing is, it is succinct and to the point - no confusion. Also, gives some idea of the length - about 1.5 hours. When people say 'why doesn't your daughter come over, or 'do you want to pop over friday afternoon', it's hard to know exactly how long it is going to last. I've had people come over to my house and not leave for 3 hours. Others leave after 1 hour. It's really hard to specify the expected time of departure.

gwendolenlongstocking · 09/06/2010 13:41

Yanbu. Makes my skin crawl.

Re: "mom" though, it is the usual form for a lot of people in the West Midlands, like up north they might say and write "mam".

funnysinthegarden · 09/06/2010 13:41

playdate is awful. One of the teachers in nursery said to me 'oooh are you arranging a playdate' when arranging with another mum for her children to come over to play. I nearly ran out screaming...........

To think I had inadvertently arranged a playdate......that was not at all what I had intended to do

pigletmania · 09/06/2010 13:51

Kansasmum you have lived there so thats fine, but when people who have lived in Britain say them it a bit . I do like the word bathroom thats why i dont mind my dd really saying it. Its just the playdate thing, like you said it smacks scheduling and formality. Why cant it just be coming round to play and then clarify with the mum/dad that yes it would be lovely to have X come to play for an hour or 2 whatever it may be.

OP posts:
munchkinland · 09/06/2010 13:52

I thought sleepover was an old word?? I am mid 30's and had sleepover's at friends houses when I was a kid - complete with midnight feasts!!!! (at 10pm! cause we couldn't wait till midnight

Swiddle · 09/06/2010 13:53

I absolutely hate it. But! Now I use it all the time. It's just so handy. Resistance is futile. It will get you in the end.

KERALA1 · 09/06/2010 13:58

I really like alot of Americanisms so its not a general xenophobic dislike but agree with the consensus its a dreadful term. It was used alot by assertive US/Canadian parents I used to know when bossing their nannies around "you will have a playdate with x then take y to the park" sort of thing.

LimaCharlie · 09/06/2010 14:20

YANBU buuuuut it does what it says on the tin so we're stuck with it

teta · 09/06/2010 14:25

I often say it as i have lived in asia and my kids had lots of american friends and spoke in american terminology.I used to hate the term and certain other americanisms but i have had to get used to mixing with all different types of people so i am not quite so judgemental now!.I am often trying to organise "playdates" for my kids and as i have 4 i am used to talking in a loud voice so you could well be describing me!.I have to say that there are more important things in the world that you should be getting wound up about than this!

Blondeshavemorefun · 09/06/2010 14:32

i like playdate - its a simple term BUT should also make aware that the date includes tea

i picked up my 7yr at 6pm from school friends house a few weeks ago and she hadnt been given tea or a snack, so nothing since 12 lunch at school

so beware, a play date may just measn that PLAY!!

Wanderingsheep · 09/06/2010 14:45

I don't mind it but I don't know anyone who uses the term. We always just say do you want to come round with X? Hmm, might start using it!

johnworf · 09/06/2010 14:47

YANBU. I hate it too.

domesticslattern · 09/06/2010 14:52

YANBU. Makes my teeth itch.

frazzled74 · 09/06/2010 15:01

my dcs have friends round for tea, they dont have sleepovers, they stay the night at friends house.we go to the pictures and we go to the toilet, and i am mummy or mum.

wahwah · 09/06/2010 15:10

Dh implied I was akin to crusty daily mail reader for
moaning about these stupid expressions. My current hate is 'gifting' ( that's 'giving' to normal people). bloody hell makes me spit.

Druzhok · 09/06/2010 15:12

Agree re 'Mom' being a West Midlands thing. the only two english ladies I know who use is are both from the Wolverhampton area.

MrsvWoolf · 09/06/2010 15:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsDanversBites · 09/06/2010 16:03

Yanbu, I seem to flinch internally when I hear it, just seems too contrived for 5 year olds.

Tis nothing however to DD saying 'My bad'

Your what? oh your fault, ok

& don't get me started on 'Can I get?'...

Gl4dys · 09/06/2010 16:11

Or how about "how are you?" "I'm good, thanks" ARRGGGHHHHHHGGHHHGHHH!!!! You might well be, but that is NOT the right answer to that question!

[Rant over, winds neck back in and shuffles off]

Ladyanonymous · 09/06/2010 16:19

Its not Xenophobic to be proud of our language and to want to use it correctly, and not to sound like Americans. I lived in NZ for several years, I don't want to sound like a Kiwi either.

They do use a lot of Americanisms as well, yet I managed not to pick any of them up.

Oblomov · 09/06/2010 16:20

Gl4dys, I say that . all the time. always.

Mingg · 09/06/2010 16:23

Likewise

Gauchita · 09/06/2010 16:44

Teta, I agree

usualsuspect · 09/06/2010 16:47

Its a stupid word ...I've never heard anyone in RL say it tho...

amothersplaceisinthewrong · 09/06/2010 16:55

Playdate is a horrible word IMO!! have never heard it used,