I heard a young boy, about seven, an obviously English family, cal his mother "Mama" yesterday, a term I haven't heard used, particularly by a boy, for about 75 years.

At first I thought they were French and I had misheard "Maman" but definitely English.

Its a beautiful endearing word Laurie I cannot remember hearing anyone say it either.

My mother and her five siblings called their mother Mama and their father Dada .

Dada is not uncommon in Ireland, and in places with Irish influence such as Liverpool and some parts of Wales.

My own son used the normal Mum, except when expressing disapproval (of her) when he would say, in a voice like thunder, even as a five year old, "Mother!".

laurie53 wrote:Dada is not uncommon in Ireland, and in places with Irish influence such as Liverpool and some parts of Wales.

My own son used the normal Mum, except when expressing disapproval (of her) when he would say, in a voice like thunder, even as a five year old, "Mother!".

Yes, this was rural Ireland. However, my father's parents, stern Dubliners, were Mother and Father!

I like "Mama". It is one of the first sounds articulated by most infants and I think it's a shame that so many contract it to the rather ugly-sounding "Mum" or "Mam". My mother didn't like "Mama" and discouraged us from using it. She was a Brummie and preferred to be "Mom". I always preferred to be known by my name but would probably have lived happily with Mama if my daughter had wanted to use it.