How to call a baby? | Antimoon Forum

babies and ships are SHE not IT ;)
even animals don't like being called IT

<even animals don't like being called IT >

Really? Did they tell you that?

<even animals don't like being called IT >

"Really? Did they tell you that?"

Yep. It's the cats who get really angry, but the squirrels aren't too keen either. Doesn't bother my dog though.

Ships, countries, guitars... All use girls' names (typically). It's to remind you to treat them like a lady... That's what the guy at the guitar shop told me when I first bought Jade... Then Silver... Then Ophelia... Then Josie...

Referring to countries as "she" has become less common today, unless the person is trying to sound really formal or to effect a more old-fashioned sound.

Guest,

<<I dunno, Benny, each time you post I say "It has submerged".>>

I don't even know what that means.

<Referring to countries as "she" has become less common today, unless the person is trying to sound really formal or to effect a more old-fashioned sound. >

Or patriotic, emotional, romantic, etc.

BTW, your thread question should be "what to call a baby".

I think it's sad to dehumanise a baby by referring to her/him as an "it". You may as well refer to an adult as an "it" - what's the difference?

From what I know most babies have already had a name decided upon before s/he is born as the gender is usually known before birth anyway. If not then it's definitely she/he or her/him - never "it". You could be talking about a bag of potatoes and not a newly born real life human being, worthy of respect from the moment of conception.

Then again, Damian, to genderise a baby before it has the time to develop male or female characteristics may also be dehumanising.

The question was:

<<A woman was surprised that I call a baby "it". Why?<<

Why was a woman surprised?

Damian's explanation is valid.

Why has nobody noticed that the name of this chat string is incorect?
"What to call a baby?" is correct, how indicates the manner of calling to a baby using the voice, rather than the naming of it. Here "it" is correct as there is no baby determined, therefore an abstract undetermined notion.

This is not a chat string, this is very professional forum!

And you're right, the answer to: "How to call a baby?" is: Hey, baby!" or: "Goo, goo!"

<And you're right, the answer to: "How to call a baby?" is: Hey, baby!" or: "Goo, goo!">

Or by its name.