Etymoleon - Word History, the etymology podcast.

36. Family Members

Leon Bailey-Green Season 1 Episode 36

In this episode, we explore the evolution of family member terminology, unravelling the origins of words such as mother, brother, nephew and cousin in English. Many of these familial designations have undergone significant changes over time; for instance, the term "niece" once referred to a granddaughter. Discover when terms like "co-parent", "glam-ma" (glamorous grandma) and "removed" first appeared. Furthermore, learn about the revival of the Old English term "sibb" in the early 20th century and how the word 'family' hasn't always referred to blood relatives.