Some of you may remember back to earlier days when people were affectionately called Titch or Little Titch. I had forgotten about the name. It was usually given to someone who was shortish or petite. So interesting to learn of the origins of the name. Thanks Hels.
A friend of Ex Sis in Law is called Minnie, because she is so tiny. It is not her name. Perhaps we should call her Titch.
I don't want to see the word bonza in comments, but what other words can you remember from your childhood that are no longer in use?
My grandchildren don't know:
ReplyDelete1) what "barracking" for a football team meant
2) what "cracker night" was eg Guy Fawkes Night and
3) what "speedos" and "bathers" were.
4) runners and sandshoes
Delete5) going to the pictures
I am surprised at speedos and barracking.
Delete"Titch" doesn't ring a bell with me..."bonza/bonzer" does, though.
ReplyDeleteLee, yet I have never heard anyone use bonzer in conversation, even when I was young.
DeleteNever heard "that was a bonza barbie last Sat'dee, mate"
DeleteTitch, to me, means a little bit, like "that stew needs a titch more salt"
ReplyDeleteI think kids are inventing new words faster thn we are getting rid of old ones.
Mark, that might come from touch.
DeleteLots of short people (not 'little people) in England were called Titch.
ReplyDeleteOne of my mother's cousins was called Totty - a shame because it can mean something entirely different to what her Scottish grandma meant when she first called her that - 'little' girl and indeed she was little only being about 5 foot tall.
Cathy, there is an Australian actress called Tottie but otherwise I have never heard the word. I can't guess where that would have come from.
DeleteNot aware of that expression, so something new I learned here Andrew :)
ReplyDeleteThere you go Sammy.
DeleteMy mother was always called Bunty by her Scottish relatives as she was small.
ReplyDeleteMarie, I have heard the name, or nickname. The Scottish do have there own way of talking, then they had gaelic as well.
DeleteTitch is very familiar. And for a while I was indeed short. And while I knew about bonza I cannot remember ever hearing it at home.
ReplyDeleteWe have often commented that the term 'fire-engine red' will be meaningless to many now...
EC, aren't they still red? I am sure ours are.
DeleteOurs are lime green.
DeleteVery visible I'm sure, but how odd.
DeleteNot sure fire engine lime green will catch on with many people.
DeleteI remember a term; 'his nibs'. I never quite knew what it meant but usually it was used to refer to another person without using their name; eg 'his nibs told me x, y and z'. I haven't heard the term used in many years.
ReplyDeleteIn my world "his nibs" usually meant someone who thought they were a bit above everyone else.
DeleteGood one Victor. I agree with River below. I don't think I have ever heard, her nibs.
DeleteThat sounds right River.
DeleteTacker as in he's just a little tacker yet, when referring to a toddler.
ReplyDeleteI really like that one and I think it is still occasionally used.
DeleteWell how funny is that! Titch is my nickname for Aimee, because she's petite.. but she would have a wobbly if anyone else called her that 😀😀
ReplyDeleteGrace, really! Clearly it is word known well to you.
DeleteGolly, I must be young, or perhaps we American's already screw up the language and I am totally unaware. I remember being called a "Little Bit of a Thing" when I was small, but I'm a tall lady now, so doubt one would say that.
ReplyDeleteInteresting comments, Andrew.
Maribeth, the comedian was very successful in the US where he made a fortune. Often the the child called Titch would not be small, just the youngest, so perhaps that is the case for you.
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