• AbouBenAdhem@lemmy.world
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    7 months ago

    I think they’re terms men often apply to whichever figure in the household represents the greatest constraint on their freedom.

    If they’re married, that’s their spouse, but if they’re living with their parents in a male-dominated household, it’s their father.

    • nehal3m@sh.itjust.works
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      7 months ago

      Funny, I’ve always thought of them as terms of honour. At least that’s why I called my father old man. He called his captain that back when he was a sailor.

      edit: I guess it’s a way to acknowledge seniority.

    • Maiq@lemy.lol
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      7 months ago

      Mother is the word for god on the lips and hearts of little children. ~ William Makepeace Thackeray

        • BeatTakeshi@lemmy.world
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          7 months ago

          Probably the other way round when you think about it… Mums/mamas were named this way because it’s the first articulate thing babies say all over the world

          • rockerface 🇺🇦@lemm.ee
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            7 months ago

            “M” is the most common consonant sound across the world’s languages precisely because of how easy it is to pronounce and recognize. All major languages have it or some kind of close enough equivalent

        • Maiq@lemy.lol
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          7 months ago

          Quick impression for ya; caw, caw, bang fuck I’m dead!

          Dont feel bad, I spent most of my life thinking it was from The Crow as well.

  • fiercekitten@lemm.ee
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    7 months ago

    Because it became misused enough from the actual meaning of “mother” that it stuck, and the old “boomer” humor attitude of “haha I hate my spouse but I’m stuck with them” helped it stick.