Why can't Midwives understand basic grammar?

Posted by JugglinB@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 23 comments

I didn't know where to post this - but I'm hoping it's just a UK thing so here will do. Why does EVERY midwife say things like "We need to weigh Baby", "We just need to take baby", "When you deliver Baby will be..." etc.. Whydo they always miss out an article of basic English everytime? I'm fine if you have English as a second language, and you don't actually understand basic grammar - but otherwise... **THE** baby, **A** baby, **HER** baby, **THEIR** baby... It's not hard! Why do they do it? Honestly thinking about punching the next midwife that says that to me (and I work with them, so I'm guessing I'll be suspended soon) It happened today - and the more I'm thinking about it the more annoyed I'm getting! Arg!

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23 Comments

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uluvmyredditcomments@reddit

It annoys me too actually lol. I work at a school and it annoys me when staff say about a students mother or father, "mum isn't supportive" or "dad isn't in the picture". THE. HER. HIS. Takes like a second longer to say it properly.

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subposter@reddit

Anger is the most destructive of emotional responses, for it clouds your vision the most.

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gdnkkxb@reddit

Does it…. *matter*? Like, you understand perfectly what they are saying, so why get pissy?

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Brilliant-Arthur@reddit

Because midwives use the word baby as a name "Baby". They work with so many babies, it would be difficult to remember all their names. And they call all new mums "Mum" instead of the mum's actual name.

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JugglinB@reddit (OP)

So an article of basic speech is too hard to use if you don't want to use an actual name?

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panicattackcity91@reddit

When using “baby” as a name, they are speaking perfectly fine English. If you can’t see that or understand that I’d say your the one with the lack of knowledge on English grammar

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LondonCycling@reddit

> When using “baby” as a name, they are speaking perfectly fine English. If you can’t see that or understand that I’d say your the one with the lack of knowledge on English grammar You're* Sorry, couldn't resist!

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Real_Jack_Package@reddit

Don't be a bellend.

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LondonCycling@reddit

It's a thread about grammar. Take a joke, bellend.

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Mossley@reddit

It’s more personal. The baby has a name, baby, rather than just being an object, the baby.

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Brilliant-Arthur@reddit

You've completely lost me. In the situation I'm talking about, "Baby" is the name. Just like using Arthur as a name. You wouldn't say "the Arthur" or "an Arthur" or "her Arthur", etc. I don't understand what your question is exactly.

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McCretin@reddit

Good answer. Also because not all babies have names when they’re born. Or their names can change. My parents had one name in mind for me and ended up going for another after I was born.

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Brilliant-Arthur@reddit

Our second didn't have a name for 12 hours after birth. Midwives had to do a name card change when we made the decision.

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All_within_my_hands@reddit

You're thinking of punching a midwife because they use the word "Baby" as the baby's name and therefore drop the "the" from in front of it. You need help. Serious help.

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silentconcher@reddit

Apart from what others have said about Baby being the name, mutilingual people may be thinking in their mother tongue and translating to English, in which case this can happen a lot. Also, what a thing to get annoyed about!

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Jaycei@reddit

Fairly petty, I know, though I’ll admit that I completely share this sentiment (albeit not in the specific circumstance you’ve outlined). It momentarily peeves me for instance when friends will say, for example (and this is a common one), “I’m going shop”. Apparently prepositions and articles are voluntary.

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moistlettersfall@reddit

I think you need some rest. This isn’t normal behaviour.

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Low-Total9121@reddit

What a thing to get annoyed about...

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RichardsonM24@reddit

Not only is it in place of the baby’s name (since they usually don’t have one yet), it’s also to avoid saying him/her since it’s difficult to keep track of who does and doesn’t know (or want to know) the gender of their unborn child when you work with so many. They don’t want to ruin it for someone. Sounds like you need a holiday if you’re on about smacking midwives for something so trivial.

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hoksworthwipple@reddit

I think you need to calm down and stop worrying about something that doesn't matter at all. It sounds like you work in a hospital - ordinarily, a place where people care for each other. Try to focus on something else.

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the_rosamundi@reddit

"Baby" is being used as the name. They wouldn't say "we need to take the Lucy", or "we need to weigh the Alex", so they don't say "the Baby" either.

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Bella14LV@reddit

Let's pretend you're in a room with your dad. Do you say you're "going to phone mum" or or "phone my mum?" Both would be correct because mum is used as her name in the first suggestion. You don't need to qualify that it is the mum, a mum, or your mum when using it as a name. In the same way, no need to qualify "baby" with an article when using it as a name.