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

I'm used to being able to pause a TV show, DVD, tape, CD, etc. But that's about all I use "pause" for. Two of my children, now ages 7 and 6, have used it more broadly for a few years now. When I'm reading them a book, one of them will get up to briefly do something else (go to the bathroom, get a drink of water, etc.) and say, "Pause!"

They would do the same thing when a movie or TV show was on, so I knew what they meant, but the first time I heard it, I was a bit indignant - I thought, "There's no remote control for Dad!"

I just spoke to a coworker who says his children use it while playing, too. They can be in the middle of roughhousing and one will say, "Pause!"

Is this use common among kids? And if so, what age groups use it? My 13-year-old has never used "pause" that way.