| Author |
Message |
JF
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 8:02 pm
Post subject: Re: words you use when you tickle a toddler |
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X-No-Archive: yes
In message <MPG.1dcffd817302a1ff98a1a9@news.ntlworld.com>, the Omrud
<usenet.omrud@gmail.com> writes
| Quote: | Jim Lawton <usenet1@jimlawton.TAKEOUTinfo> spake thusly:
Unfortunately men are no longer allowed to look at, let alone touch any child
under the age of 18, as in the UK this is a definitely paedophilia. No longer
can I smile or pull funny faces at random babies on public transport,
nor rescue
children lost in supermarkets or on the street without fear of the pointed
finger.
The world is, of course, a much better place.
"allowed" or not, I refuse to conform. I talk to children, I stick
my tongue out at babies in the supermarket, I smile at toddlers' and
their parents. If I found a lost child I would rescue it.
|
A local private boarding school asked me if I'd give one talk once a
week (they called it a series of structured lectures -- very pompous) on
creative writing to 15- to 18-year-olds. I foolishly agreed and the
school seemed delighted. They even published my details in their
prospectus.
Then came the crunch: a huge questionnaire arrived that consisted of
about eighty daft questions about my predictions for lusting after
teenage girls, my police record, was I or I had ever been a member of
the Catholic church? and so on. The bursar said that such questionnaires
were now quite normal to prevent pedophiles getting their hands on
kiddiwinks.
I thought it very odd to approach me for the answers to such questions.
Many years ago I was cleared for work on government contacts without
having to answer a single question or even being made aware that checks
were being carried out on me.
Naturally I refused to answer the questionnaire and my chances of a spot
of power-lusting after teenage girls were lost, but my dear wife, who is
a special minister for the Catholic church, had to answer a similar
questionnaire because she visits the sick and the bedridden.
We seem to have forgotten the lesson Mandy Rice-Davies gave us when she
was asked in the witness box asked to comment on what another witness
had said: "Well he would say that, wouldn't he?"
--
James Follett. Novelist. (G1LXP) http://www.jamesfollett.dswilliams.co.uk
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JF
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 8:07 pm
Post subject: Re: words you use when you tickle a toddler |
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|
X-No-Archive: yes
In message <dk4vo0$kuc$1@fiasco.xenopsyche.net>, Linz
<spam@lindsayendell.org.uk> writes
| Quote: | Do you know "round and round the garden, like a teddy bear, one step, two
step, tickle you under there"? That's probably the commonest toddler
tickling game in the UK. Followed closely by "this little piggy".
|
My God. In Blair's brave new England you'd be hauled off to the Bastille
for child assault for that and have the Commission for Racial Purity (or
is Equality?) on your neck for introducing children to symbols of
religious hatred.
--
James Follett. Novelist. (G1LXP) http://www.jamesfollett.dswilliams.co.uk |
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Peter Duncanson
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 8:51 pm
Post subject: Re: words you use when you tickle a toddler |
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On Mon, 31 Oct 2005 13:02:25 +0000, JF <jf@NOSPAMmarage.demon.co.uk>
wrote:
| Quote: | X-No-Archive: yes
In message <MPG.1dcffd817302a1ff98a1a9@news.ntlworld.com>, the Omrud
usenet.omrud@gmail.com> writes
Jim Lawton <usenet1@jimlawton.TAKEOUTinfo> spake thusly:
Unfortunately men are no longer allowed to look at, let alone touch any child
under the age of 18, as in the UK this is a definitely paedophilia. No longer
can I smile or pull funny faces at random babies on public transport,
nor rescue
children lost in supermarkets or on the street without fear of the pointed
finger.
The world is, of course, a much better place.
"allowed" or not, I refuse to conform. I talk to children, I stick
my tongue out at babies in the supermarket, I smile at toddlers' and
their parents. If I found a lost child I would rescue it.
A local private boarding school asked me if I'd give one talk once a
week (they called it a series of structured lectures -- very pompous) on
creative writing to 15- to 18-year-olds. I foolishly agreed and the
school seemed delighted. They even published my details in their
prospectus.
Then came the crunch: a huge questionnaire arrived that consisted of
about eighty daft questions about my predictions for lusting after
teenage girls, my police record, was I or I had ever been a member of
the Catholic church? and so on. The bursar said that such questionnaires
were now quite normal to prevent pedophiles getting their hands on
kiddiwinks.
|
Some USians (and others) might have seen a news item relating to the
aftermath of Hurricane Katrina (on either ABC World News Tonight or CBS
Evening News, I can't recall which). A group of firefighters had been
called into the affected zone to help out. They were from somewhere
distant -- Seattle perhaps. They had travelled fully-equipped with
vehicles and equipment for firefighting and rescue. They were puzzled
that they were be assigned to perform routine tasks helping evacuees,
rather than using their specialist skills. It turned out that they had
be chosen by FEMA because as firefighters they already had official
clearance to deal with the public!
| Quote: | I thought it very odd to approach me for the answers to such questions.
Many years ago I was cleared for work on government contacts without
having to answer a single question or even being made aware that checks
were being carried out on me.
Naturally I refused to answer the questionnaire and my chances of a spot
of power-lusting after teenage girls were lost, but my dear wife, who is
a special minister for the Catholic church, had to answer a similar
questionnaire because she visits the sick and the bedridden.
We seem to have forgotten the lesson Mandy Rice-Davies gave us when she
was asked in the witness box asked to comment on what another witness
had said: "Well he would say that, wouldn't he?"
-- |
Peter Duncanson
UK (posting from a.u.e)
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R H Draney
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 9:39 pm
Post subject: Re: words you use when you tickle a toddler |
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Jim Lawton filted:
| Quote: |
Unfortunately men are no longer allowed to look at, let alone touch any child
under the age of 18, as in the UK this is a definitely paedophilia. No longer
can I smile or pull funny faces at random babies on public transport, nor rescue
children lost in supermarkets or on the street without fear of the pointed
finger.
The world is, of course, a much better place.
|
At least you can still scowl and them and shake your cane....r |
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Peter Duncanson
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 12:33 am
Post subject: Re: words you use when you tickle a toddler |
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On Mon, 31 Oct 2005 13:51:32 +0000, Peter Duncanson
<mail@peterduncanson.net> wrote:
| Quote: | They were puzzled
that they were be assigned to perform routine tasks
|
Editing error - not hurricane damage.
--
Peter Duncanson
UK (posting from a.u.e) |
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Mike Lyle
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 4:33 am
Post subject: Re: words you use when you tickle a toddler |
|
|
Linz wrote:
| Quote: | Isabelle Cecchini wrote:
Hello
What words do you English-speakers use when you tickle someone?
That
someone might be a toddler, since it's really great fun to tickle
a
toddler, but really, it might be anyone.
When I'm tickling YoungBloke the words are "ticky-ticky" and these
words appear to be understood by most toddlers. I also say "I'm
going
to tickle you...". Either phrase can make him shriek with laughter
(especially if accompanied by waving fingers!) which can save time
and effort on my part!
The traditional words we use in France are "guili, guili, guili".
Those are nonsense words, I think. Is there a traditional
equivalent
in English, apart from "tickle, tickle"?
Another magic formula which I learnt from my grandmother is: "
Elle
est où, la côte joyeuse ?" or "Elle est à qui, la côte joyeuse ?"
That use of "côte joyeuse" (= ticklish rib) is not recognised by
any
French dictionary that I know of, but it is nevertheless mentioned
by
Émile Zola, which is something I would never have known before I
discovered the Internet.
Would an English speaker say: "Where is that ticklish rib, then?"
or
"Whose ticklish rib is that?"?
Not heard that one. Again, in our house it would be "who's got
tickly
toes?"
Do you know "round and round the garden, like a teddy bear, one
step,
two step, tickle you under there"? That's probably the commonest
toddler tickling game in the UK. Followed closely by "this little
piggy".
|
Yep, "ticky-ticky-ticky" here, too. (Echoing Ross, I have niblings
who will no doubt favour the "tiquitiqui" spelling.) But I absolutely
insist that it's "Round and round the garden _walked_ the
Teddy-bear..." The "like a Teddy-bear" version is Irrational Heresy,
and has another thing coming.
I find that suddenly raising the youth's upper garment and
imperiously demanding "Where's that tummy?" always achieves the
desired audience ratings. As Linz wisely points out, after a brief
training period of real tickling or raspberry-blowing, you don't
actually have to go to the effort of doing anything else.
The raspberry-blowing in the above scenario leads to a most diverting
sub-genre in which the youngster is reduced to helpless mirth simply
by being presented with a view of the top of the comedian's head. The
Saturday-night special version costs a little more effort on the part
of the practitioner, as it involves roaring "Ah-haarrr!" in piratical
tones. In my best grizzled-bore mode, I particularly like deploying
this one in the presence of first-time parents who haven't yet
twigged that Young Australia (etc) goes for loud indecorum in a big
way.
I have a theory that a stand-up about the die the death at the
Glasgow Empire could probably save his skin by bowing his head at the
assembled drunks and shaking his hair a bit.
And, yes, Omrud: make strange children laugh even if it does get us
arrested. We have a civilisation to defend here.
--
Mike. |
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The Other Fran
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 5:34 am
Post subject: Re: words you use when you tickle a toddler |
|
|
Jim Lawton wrote:
| Quote: | On Sun, 30 Oct 2005 21:21:32 +0100, Isabelle Cecchini
isabelle.cecchini@wanaNOSPAM.invalid> wrote:
Hello
What words do you English-speakers use when you tickle someone? That
someone might be a toddler, since it's really great fun to tickle a
toddler, but really, it might be anyone.
The traditional words we use in France are "guili, guili, guili". Those
are nonsense words, I think. Is there a traditional equivalent in
English, apart from "tickle, tickle"?
Another magic formula which I learnt from my grandmother is: " Elle est
où, la côte joyeuse ?" or "Elle est à qui, la côte joyeuse ?"
That use of "côte joyeuse" (= ticklish rib) is not recognised by any
French dictionary that I know of, but it is nevertheless mentioned by
Émile Zola, which is something I would never have known before I
discovered the Internet.
Would an English speaker say: "Where is that ticklish rib, then?" or
"Whose ticklish rib is that?"?
Unfortunately men are no longer allowed to look at, let alone touch any child
under the age of 18, as in the UK this is a definitely paedophilia. No longer
can I smile or pull funny faces at random babies on public transport, nor rescue
children lost in supermarkets or on the street without fear of the pointed
finger.
|
I agree. This is an extremely regrettable development, which I can't
but note almost every day when at work.
Many years of indifference (or worse) to the needs of children have
created a context in which, at least in the first world, the stick has
been bent radically back the other way -- not, on the whole, in areas
where social policy could measurably improve the lives of children, but
rather, in areas where issues of public morality can be ventilated.
The law is, in my view a poor tool in human relationships and should be
used only as a final resort. Clearly, children need robust protection
against those who would abuse their trust and innocence. Yet they also
need space to grow, learn and negotiate relationships with others,
precisely so that they can become genuinely autonomous beings. I would
argue that that can't be done without giving children and adults the
scope to be comfortable in each other's company -- to feel as if they
need not worry about who is watching or how some casual remark may be
interpreted in some other context. Children are not the fragile little
petals that adults commonly assume. Often, the anxiety children feel
over events is associated with the fears expressed by the adults around
them that they trust. If an adult tells a child that she ought to feel
devastated by some event, and tells her she's probably going to carry
the scars for the rest of her life, it's little wonder that the child
finds it hard to deal with.
Life involves all manner of risks, and getting practice negotiating
these is key to being a successful adult. I, for one, am genuinely
sorry that men now feel inhibited in their dealings with children, for
on the whole, both are the worse for that. I could't begin to advise
them on how to deal with the children in their lives, but it will be a
fine thing if we can one day set the issue of adult-child relations
into a less hysterical context.
TOF |
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Charles Riggs
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 3:54 pm
Post subject: Re: words you use when you tickle a toddler |
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|
On Mon, 31 Oct 2005 11:12:22 GMT, Jim Lawton
<usenet1@jimlawton.TAKEOUTinfo> wrote:
| Quote: | The world is, of course, a much better place.
|
While it may not be the best of all possible words, it is better than
any alternative I know of.
--
Charles Riggs |
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Charles Riggs
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 3:54 pm
Post subject: Re: words you use when you tickle a toddler |
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|
On Mon, 31 Oct 2005 10:21:04 GMT, "ArWeGod" <ArWeGod?@sbcglobal.net>
wrote:
| Quote: | We are bring up children with
no morals, and no personal connection to any authority figure, and the
"leaders of the country" pretend it will be alright if they worship a
sky fairy with a Santa Claus beard.
|
Surely we judge their morals based on our own. Since most of us were
brought up comparatively recently -- things changing very slowly in
society -- how would we know whether the children of today have morals
or do not, if that is a question that can even be asked?
--
Charles Riggs |
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Charles Riggs
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 3:54 pm
Post subject: Re: words you use when you tickle a toddler |
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|
On Mon, 31 Oct 2005 21:33:27 -0000, "Mike Lyle"
<mike_lyle_uk@REMOVETHISyahoo.co.uk> wrote:
| Quote: | ...make strange children laugh even if it does get us
arrested. We have a civilisation to defend here.
|
If not make them laugh, the sight of my beard often results in a smile
from babies. Beards are unusual enough in Ireland, as mothers have
remarked, to arouse their curiosity, something they generally have
plenty of.
--
Charles Riggs |
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Isabelle Cecchini
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 5:28 pm
Post subject: Re: words you use when you tickle a toddler |
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|
Laura F. Spira a écrit :
[...]
| Quote: |
I don't know about ribs but "Where's your tickly spot, then?" comes to
mind.
Thanks! That's a close equivalent of my "côte joyeuse". |
--
Isabelle Cecchini |
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Isabelle Cecchini
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 5:29 pm
Post subject: Re: words you use when you tickle a toddler |
|
|
irwell a écrit :
| Quote: | On Sun, 30 Oct 2005 21:21:32 +0100, Isabelle Cecchini
isabelle.cecchini@wanaNOSPAM.invalid> wrote:
Hello
What words do you English-speakers use when you tickle someone? That
someone might be a toddler, since it's really great fun to tickle a
toddler, but really, it might be anyone.
Fun for who?
Can be very uncomfortable for the ticklee.
|
One episode of The Avengers has Tara King mercilessly tickling the sole
of her opponent's foot with a feather duster. That, I agree, is cruel,
inhuman, and uncalled for.
--
Isabelle Cecchini |
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Isabelle Cecchini
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 5:29 pm
Post subject: Re: words you use when you tickle a toddler |
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CDB a écrit :
| Quote: | "irwell" <hook@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:87bam19shsnthru2um93f42o2oo54n9mnr@4ax.com...
On Sun, 30 Oct 2005 21:21:32 +0100, Isabelle Cecchini
isabelle.cecchini@wanaNOSPAM.invalid> wrote:
Hello
What words do you English-speakers use when you tickle someone? That
someone might be a toddler, since it's really great fun to tickle a
toddler, but really, it might be anyone.
Fun for who?
Can be very uncomfortable for the ticklee.
Hey, it's attention. As long as things don't get out of hand. I'm
familiar with "Kitchy, kitchy" and "Kitchy-coo", and have heard
"Tickle-ickle-ickle". I haven't heard tell of special ribs in this
context, but could imagine a playful adult searching the area for a
funny-bone.
Ah, but isn't the funny bone the easily-electrified spot in the elbow |
joint? That's something different, I think.
--
Isabelle Cecchini |
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Graeme Thomas
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 7:58 pm
Post subject: Re: words you use when you tickle a toddler |
|
|
In article <436743b4$0$40411$892e7fe2@authen.white.readfreenews.net>,
Isabelle Cecchini <isabelle.cecchini@wanaNOSPAM.invalid> writes
| Quote: | One episode of The Avengers has Tara King mercilessly tickling the sole
of her opponent's foot with a feather duster. That, I agree, is cruel,
inhuman, and uncalled for.
|
For me, being ticklish depends on one's state of mind. Under the right
circumstances I'm as ticklish as the next chap, but there has to be
something of an air of levity to start with. In a situation akin to the
torture described above, I wouldn't be at all ticklish.
This may be an idiotwincrasy, of course. Some years ago while in
hospital my brother, in a fickle moment, suddenly decided to become
allergic to the penicillin he was taking, and he developed a rash all
over his body. One of the nurses was given the job of rubbing some sort
of cream onto the affected parts. He lay there unmoving during the
process. The following conversation took place:
Nurse: It's a good job you aren't ticklish.
Idiot Sibling: I *am* ticklish!
N: Why didn't you collapse into a fit of giggles?
IS: Iron self-control.
Something similar may be responsible for an incident from my own medical
history, when a doctor diagnosed me as dead. He was attempting to test
my reflexes, in particular the one triggered by running an instrument
along the sole of my foot. I didn't move.
Doctor: Did you feel that?
Me: Of course I did. I decided not to be ticklish.
Dr: Hmm. You don't have that reflex. You must be dead.
A minute or so later he tested my patellar reflex. I think he must have
expected me not to have one of those, either, as he stood in the wrong
place, and I only narrowly avoided kicking him in the teeth.
--
Graeme Thomas |
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CDB
Guest
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 8:22 pm
Post subject: Re: words you use when you tickle a toddler |
|
|
"Isabelle Cecchini" <isabelle.cecchini@wanaNOSPAM.invalid> wrote in
message
news:436743c5$0$12854$892e7fe2@authen.white.readfreenews.net...
| Quote: | CDB a écrit :
"irwell" <hook@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:87bam19shsnthru2um93f42o2oo54n9mnr@4ax.com...
On Sun, 30 Oct 2005 21:21:32 +0100, Isabelle Cecchini
isabelle.cecchini@wanaNOSPAM.invalid> wrote:
Hello
What words do you English-speakers use when you tickle someone?
That
someone might be a toddler, since it's really great fun to tickle
a
toddler, but really, it might be anyone.
Fun for who?
Can be very uncomfortable for the ticklee.
Hey, it's attention. As long as things don't get out of hand. I'm
familiar with "Kitchy, kitchy" and "Kitchy-coo", and have heard
"Tickle-ickle-ickle". I haven't heard tell of special ribs in this
context, but could imagine a playful adult searching the area for a
funny-bone.
Ah, but isn't the funny bone the easily-electrified spot in the
elbow
joint? That's something different, I think.
|
Yes, quite. You wouldn't try to stimulate that nerve when playing
with a child. But's it's a familiar term, playful in its approach to
the real thing, and pretending to search for one in ticklish spots
could be part of the game. Actually, I agree with irwell. I hated
being tickled as a child, and have never done it (to a child) as an
adult, although I have threatened to tickle a young relative or two,
usually when play gets too rambunctious. This usually quiets them
down, from which I deduce that they don't really like it either. |
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