Naked Science Forum

General Discussion & Feedback => Just Chat! => Topic started by: dentstudent on 01/12/2008 10:00:07

Title: What is the collective noun for ones children when they are no longer children?
Post by: dentstudent on 01/12/2008 10:00:07: So, in 15 years time when my youngest turns 18, neither of my offspring will be children anymore, even though they are my "children". Is there not a better word?
Title: What is the collective noun for ones children when they are no longer children?
Post by: BenV on 01/12/2008 11:12:20: Offspring? Progeny? Descendants? Any of those do for you?
Title: What is the collective noun for ones children when they are no longer children?
Post by: dentstudent on 01/12/2008 11:41:58: Well, ok, but if i were to introduce them as my "progeny" or "descendants", it somehow doesn't seem appropriate. Ben, if your mother or father introduced you "....yes, and this is my offspring, Ben".......

any other thoughts?
Title: What is the collective noun for ones children when they are no longer children?
Post by: JnA on 01/12/2008 12:18:01: Quote
Is there not a better word?

Yes, there is not.

It is accepted that someone's children are that for their whole lives. Many people use an age qualifier. 'My 18 yr old child', 'My teenage children'

or a sex qualifier.. 'My middle aged son'
Title: What is the collective noun for ones children when they are no longer children?
Post by: rosy on 01/12/2008 12:51:59: My parents refer to us as "[their] children", but not very often, I may no longer be a child, but I'm still their child, just as they are still my parents. More typically they refer to us as individuals and so don't need a plural... "my daughter/my son", or indeed most commonly they refer to me as "Rosy", or "my daughter Rosy", or on occasion "my eldest daughter".
Title: What is the collective noun for ones children when they are no longer children?
Post by: JimBob on 01/12/2008 17:10:16: The Demon Brood

At least that is what my sister calls her grown children.
Title: What is the collective noun for ones children when they are no longer children?
Post by: Don_1 on 01/12/2008 17:41:05: Once they have flown the nest they are called a 'relief'!!!
Title: What is the collective noun for ones children when they are no longer children?
Post by: Make it Lady on 01/12/2008 18:02:49: What about a scrounge?
Title: What is the collective noun for ones children when they are no longer children?
Post by: Bored chemist on 01/12/2008 18:38:55: Well done Don and MIL for actually proposing collective nouns.
Title: What is the collective noun for ones children when they are no longer children?
Post by: Bikerman on 01/12/2008 18:45:23: Surely it depends on the age.
The collective noun for early-mid teenagers is an 'attitude'
The collective noun for late-teens is a 'drain'
Title: What is the collective noun for ones children when they are no longer children?
Post by: rosalind dna on 01/12/2008 22:39:10: Why not just introduce your children as "This is my sons and/or daughters.
Title: What is the collective noun for ones children when they are no longer children?
Post by: Bass on 02/12/2008 00:26:19: Leech
(at least that's the way my Mom still refers to me)
Title: What is the collective noun for ones children when they are no longer children?
Post by: JimBob on 02/12/2008 02:15:06: Quote from: Bass on 02/12/2008 00:26:19
Leech
(at least that's the way my Mom still refers to me)

The reason: children, except for you, are usually weaned before their second birthday.
Title: What is the collective noun for ones children when they are no longer children?
Post by: dentstudent on 02/12/2008 11:05:09: Quote from: Don_1 on 01/12/2008 17:41:05
Once they have flown the nest they are called a 'relief'!!!

yes indeed, but some of these have migratory instincts, and tend to return. And do they always fly? It is quite common here for several generations to live in the same house (albeit rather more akin to apartments), and there is almost a tacit agreement that they will remain there.

Perhaps the collective noun needs to be less pejorative, since it's the "kids" who'll be looking after the parents at a later stage?
Title: What is the collective noun for ones children when they are no longer children?
Post by: Karen W. on 02/12/2008 11:29:44: Mine have surely had The willingness to spread their wings and fly but so far have come in and out.. although My oldest daughter more then anything.. my sons stayed then just flew and really have not returned for indefinite periods of times.. they are both still out suprisingly.. daughter is too and think she may finally stay that way... we will see..