A: We did. Q: And do you know why some mothers in the English-speaking world are called “mom”, while others are called “mum”? A: Well, sort of. Certainly if you're in the US, your mother is your “mom” – short for “mommy” and in the UK, Australia and New Zealand it's “mum” – shortened from “mummy”.
Language evolution: The Great Vowel Shift
One possible reason for the difference between the 'o' and 'u' of the more common 'mom' and 'mum' may be the Great Vowel Shift (GVS). The Great Vowel Shift was a major change in pronunciation in England and is the reason many of our words have irregular spellings.
In Australia, most people call their mothers 'mum'. But you have probably heard 'mom' used on American television. And some people prefer the spelling 'mam'.
In the United States and Canada, "mom" is the more commonly used term, while in the United Kingdom and other parts of the English-speaking world, "mum" is more prevalent. However, both terms can be used interchangeably and are considered correct in their respective regions.
First off, kids typically are taught to call their parents 'Mum' or 'Dad', or for younger children, 'Mummy' or 'Daddy' in Australia. There may be children of recent European immigrants who might say 'Mama' or 'Papa', or indeed other words in their original languages.
Ngandi, Ngamala or Ngama - Mother.
Mom is the American English version. Mum is the British English version.
Well, “mam” is probably the oldest of the three spellings above, since the earliest recorded use of “mama” in English dates back to 1707. By comparison, the earliest appearances of “mum” and “mom” are from 1823 and 1867, respectively.
Mum is common throughout Britain, but particularly in the south. Mam is used in Ireland, Wales, Scotland and parts of northern England. Mom is most associated with American English.
International Grandma Names
Below this list, you can find the traditional and trendy Grandma names popular now in the United States! Aborigine. Australian Formal – Garrimaay. Australian Paternal – Mamaay. Australian Maternal – Momu.
Contributor's comments: The meaning of Bubs I grew up with is a baby, or quite often the youngest member of the family is called "bubs" from an older sibling.
The most common and uniquely Australian slang terms for dad are “ol' man” and “oldies,” which can refer to both parents as well. These are used more or less universally across the country and are understood by just about everyone.
Mom and Mommy are old-English words, words that are stilled used in Birmingham and most parts of the West Midlands. It is said that when people from the West Midlands went to America many years ago they took the spelling with them, hence Americans use Mom and Mommy.
The typical (USZ) pronunciation of mom uses a long “o” sound which makes the word a little like “m-ah-m”. This sounds is actually fairly close to the British pronunciation of mum. By comparison, were the spelling mom used in BE, it would imply a very short “o” sound, actually far from the AE pronunciation.
Forget Mum or Mom, in northern England they usually like calling their mothers Mam. The pronunciation, of course, will vary for Mam whether you're a Northumbrian or Geordie. This term of endearment for mother is also very common in Scotland and Northern Ireland. In Ireland Ma is also frequently used instead of Mam.
mum1. / (mʌm) / noun. mainly British an informal word for mother 1.
In Canada, kids usually call their mothers: Mom or Mum, and both spellings are correct. The American version of “Mom” is predominant, but the British version “Mum” is common as well.
The differentiation began in England, when people (presumably little children who struggle to pronounce the full word) shortened this to m(u)(a)(o)mmy although at this point it probably would have been said mummy. What are some things British say vs.
Below is the UK transcription for 'dad': Modern IPA: dád. Traditional IPA: dæd.
Certainly if you're in the US, your mother is your “mom” – short for “mommy” and in the UK, Australia and New Zealand it's “mum” – shortened from “mummy”. Canada uses both (or even “maman” in French-speaking Quebec).
Aboriginal people refer to an Elder as 'Aunty' or 'Uncle'. However, it is recommended that non-Aboriginal people check the appropriateness of their use of these terms as referring to an Elder or leader as Aunty or Uncle may not be appropriate for an outsider unless a strong relationship has been established.
There is no one Aboriginal word that all Aborigines use for Australia; however, today they call Australia, ""Australia"" because that is what it is called today. There are more than 250 aboriginal tribes in Australia. Most of them didn't have a word for ""Australia""; they just named places around them.