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Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

A Way with Words, a radio show and podcast about language and linguistics.

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Kids Called Peanut or Pumpkin
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1
2010/05/22 - 5:03pm

So just a random question for people out there who might have an answer/thought on the subject.

My wife and I just had a child about a month ago. Of course everyone was excited and all. And of course everyone said how beautiful she was, you know, all those fun compliments. But a couple of words that I constantly heard was things like "what a little peanut" or "what a cute pumpkin." Don't get me wrong, it isn't the first time I heard it, but it really got me wondering, so I thought I would ask.

Where did it come from to call kids, especially babies/toddlers names like peanut/pumpkin? I'm sure there are other names out there as well, but these are the two most common that I have heard.

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2
2010/06/04 - 1:34pm

My dad always called me "Pun'kin," and I assumed it was because I was born 2 days before Halloween. However, I now call both my daughters "Pun'kin" intermittently, even though one was born in August and the other in November. I think I use it as a pleasant memory of my dad. But why do others us it? I can't wait to read opinions on this topic.

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