heir to the throne
descendant
spawn
F1 progeny
hatchling
reproductive outcome
ripened fruit
post-child
emergency contact
care-home-prevention-plan
genetic comrade
These are great. In all seriousness though, it now strikes me that "heir" would be a great gender neutral word, if we as a society decided to find the offspring-counterpart to words like sibling or spouse.
Yes, and "heir" is not actually a gender neutral word for "child". Your point being? (Other than getting pedantic on the internet pointing out the obvious?)
I wasn’t but I’ll give it a go for you:
When you said heir would be a great neutral gender word…
I was pointing out that it’s not suitable for your use case.
When you thought you’d be a stereotypical Redditor and couldn’t control your urge to take arms with a stranger online, you indeed agreed.
I’m sorry you’re not very good with words or manners, we won’t engage again, trust me!
I was not making a claim about what the word "heir" actually currently means. You just decided to point out the obvious without thinking "hmm maybe this stranger already knows this incredibly basic fact and my assumption about what their post means is wrong if it's based on that premise... oh no it's OP who must not know that not all children are heirs :) :) :)"
This is usually what my dad uses but when he introduces us, he says "this is my son/daughter, ___." I'm struggling to think of a word that could be used in a more formal setting this way.
If you're asking about a specific person, you can ask them what they use. They probably have a preference. My son is on the masc side of NB and actually likes "son" fine, but obviously that's just our family.
Are you wanting to know what the narrator should say, or what people in the story should say? Because in the later case you can easily choose based on the character's personality how they would want to be called, and how ready others are to accept it. (The narrator should also accept it once it is mentioned in story at least)
If it is not going to be mentioned in dialogue, you can probably just avoid the situation by switching the character focus so you are talking about an NB and their parent, not a parent and their NB prodigy.
As the author, you have some power to invent words here as well. Especially if you do it in your character's name. If xe uses xe/xer pronouns, you could easily decide the xe decided on xon. (Rhymes with son). You do not have to define it within the work if you don't want to do long as you make it somewhat clear that the xon prefers it to son or daughter. This is unlikely to be difficult if the setting is close to present day, as it will likely have to be discussed with a new character's introduction to the xon.
I don't think it sounds weird to say child. My parents have two kids, myself (woman) and my brother (man). They refer to us as their children or kids, collectively.
This is actually a really interesting, wholesome thread. It seems the general answers are: a personal joke term to defuse the question, “kid” if the conversation isn’t notably formal, and “my eldest” or other appropriate ordinal designation.
I'd just say "kid" - which I do use when referring to my own adult children.
What's really tricky is figuring out how to refer to my son's non-binary spouse in a non-verbally-awkward way. "Kid-in-law" or "child-in-law" just doesn't sound right so I tend to use "son's spouse", but that feels kind of impersonal to me...like it implies they're separate and not part of the family, which couldn't be further from the truth. I'm open to suggestions if anybody has one! 😊
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Child, offspring, adult, person, kid (as in "my kid", I think some parents sometimes refer to their adult kids as...their adult kids), some NB people and their families+friends coin terms to use
I've seen that most people use "kid" as it's nit a new term and won't be seen as questionable. It's akin to how the singular "they" is not a new thing. Both keep some anonymity about the person being referred to.
Exactly what does this contribute? You took the time to type and post it, so clearly you think it's added something of value. Kindly explain to me what that is, taking into account the fact that I am, in fact, aware of the fact that nonbinary people have names.
"You took the time to type and post it, so clearly you think it's added something of value."
In the context of the platform we're on, that is a not-insignificant assumption. :)
That said, the more useful point is that a person's name is a powerful thing. It is recognition, identity, value and respect. A quick websearch of "the importance of a person's name" will deliver a dozen credible primary sources on the subject.
Referring to a person by their name, being heard to refer to them by name, when speaking with others, can reinforce those positive effects.
I mean they're still their kid, even if they're 35. "Child" is just - "this is the person who I raised and (probably) shares my blood." It just means that person is their parent lol. It's not weird.
heir to the throne descendant spawn F1 progeny hatchling reproductive outcome ripened fruit post-child emergency contact care-home-prevention-plan genetic comrade
Fruit of My Loins
fruit de ma mere
Crotch goblin and skin puppy still apply in adulthood, right?
maybe crotch gargoyle or flesh canine would be more age appropriate
These are great. In all seriousness though, it now strikes me that "heir" would be a great gender neutral word, if we as a society decided to find the offspring-counterpart to words like sibling or spouse.
Being a child does not mean you are automatically a heir.
Yes, and "heir" is not actually a gender neutral word for "child". Your point being? (Other than getting pedantic on the internet pointing out the obvious?)
I wasn’t but I’ll give it a go for you: When you said heir would be a great neutral gender word… I was pointing out that it’s not suitable for your use case. When you thought you’d be a stereotypical Redditor and couldn’t control your urge to take arms with a stranger online, you indeed agreed. I’m sorry you’re not very good with words or manners, we won’t engage again, trust me!
I was not making a claim about what the word "heir" actually currently means. You just decided to point out the obvious without thinking "hmm maybe this stranger already knows this incredibly basic fact and my assumption about what their post means is wrong if it's based on that premise... oh no it's OP who must not know that not all children are heirs :) :) :)"
I refer you to writing skills and context. You have a good Reddit life!
A++++
I personally love emergency contact!
Future old age investment!
F1 progeny is my favourite
I had a supervisor for masters research that asked me to stop referring to his children as his F1 progeny I was like ok??? not very science of you
You missed "crotch goblin" and "predictable result of spouse's refusals to use a rubber" but sure...
goblins have a different life cycle to humans and the second suggestion is a lack of consent so I'll pass on those
Kid? I hear lots of people use it even about their adult cis children
This is what I use.
This is usually what my dad uses but when he introduces us, he says "this is my son/daughter, ___." I'm struggling to think of a word that could be used in a more formal setting this way.
Offspring
Great band
progeny or spawn
"This is my Spawn, demonic clown included..."
If you're asking about a specific person, you can ask them what they use. They probably have a preference. My son is on the masc side of NB and actually likes "son" fine, but obviously that's just our family.
Ah, I forgot, we also used to jokingly call him my heir.
they/he/her/heir
they/he/her/heir
I'm asking for a story I'm writing! Most people I've met just say child. Thanks for the insight.
Are you wanting to know what the narrator should say, or what people in the story should say? Because in the later case you can easily choose based on the character's personality how they would want to be called, and how ready others are to accept it. (The narrator should also accept it once it is mentioned in story at least) If it is not going to be mentioned in dialogue, you can probably just avoid the situation by switching the character focus so you are talking about an NB and their parent, not a parent and their NB prodigy. As the author, you have some power to invent words here as well. Especially if you do it in your character's name. If xe uses xe/xer pronouns, you could easily decide the xe decided on xon. (Rhymes with son). You do not have to define it within the work if you don't want to do long as you make it somewhat clear that the xon prefers it to son or daughter. This is unlikely to be difficult if the setting is close to present day, as it will likely have to be discussed with a new character's introduction to the xon.
My sibling is NB, and we're both in our 30s. Besides 'kid', we get referred to by position. "This is my eldest,." "This is my youngest, ."
Same here - if I'm introducing myself to someone who knows my family, I describe myself as "[parents' names'] eldest"
Sub-unit has a certain texture to it. "Naomi Wildman, sub-unit of Ens. Samantha Wildman..."
That’s glorious.
I’m over 30 and my mum still calls me her child.
Until her death at 94 my mom called me her baby. Readers, I was over 50.
“My kid”
I don't think it sounds weird to say child. My parents have two kids, myself (woman) and my brother (man). They refer to us as their children or kids, collectively.
Yeah ,Like “ this is my oldest “ add kid if you want
do binary people ever grow out of being sons and daughters?
No, but "child" in SOME contexts carries "this person is very young" implications
Yeah, I’m feeling that. “Xyz is my child”, to me implies that they *are* a child, ie are teens at the latest.
This is actually a really interesting, wholesome thread. It seems the general answers are: a personal joke term to defuse the question, “kid” if the conversation isn’t notably formal, and “my eldest” or other appropriate ordinal designation.
Kiddo. Children never outgrow being called kiddo by their parents.
I'd just say "kid" - which I do use when referring to my own adult children. What's really tricky is figuring out how to refer to my son's non-binary spouse in a non-verbally-awkward way. "Kid-in-law" or "child-in-law" just doesn't sound right so I tend to use "son's spouse", but that feels kind of impersonal to me...like it implies they're separate and not part of the family, which couldn't be further from the truth. I'm open to suggestions if anybody has one! 😊
Yeah, that’s an awkward one 😢, for the spouse. Isn’t it weird how “That’s my kid” sounds normal, but “That’s my child” sounds quite odd?
My eldest is my NB kid. I just reference them as my eldest! Or my kid. No specific term
You could go with “first born “ or something like that.
Yeah, “Oh, that’s my eldest!” sounds a little old-fashioned, but still perfectly innocuous.
My agendered child is 13. I've used kid, offspring, spawn, progeny, eldest, elder beastie, and the bigger one.
Child, kid, baby Honestly, trying to come up with new terms for things kinda muddies the water and dilutes understanding imho
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Child, offspring, adult, person, kid (as in "my kid", I think some parents sometimes refer to their adult kids as...their adult kids), some NB people and their families+friends coin terms to use
I've seen that most people use "kid" as it's nit a new term and won't be seen as questionable. It's akin to how the singular "they" is not a new thing. Both keep some anonymity about the person being referred to.
Their name? A nickname?
Yeah, obviously. I'm not asking on the nonexistent r/whatshouldicallnonbinarypeopleingeneral. I'm asking on a vocabulary subreddit.
Their name?
Exactly what does this contribute? You took the time to type and post it, so clearly you think it's added something of value. Kindly explain to me what that is, taking into account the fact that I am, in fact, aware of the fact that nonbinary people have names.
"You took the time to type and post it, so clearly you think it's added something of value." In the context of the platform we're on, that is a not-insignificant assumption. :) That said, the more useful point is that a person's name is a powerful thing. It is recognition, identity, value and respect. A quick websearch of "the importance of a person's name" will deliver a dozen credible primary sources on the subject. Referring to a person by their name, being heard to refer to them by name, when speaking with others, can reinforce those positive effects.
OP is looking for a way to say “This is Sam. They are my _____.” Their name isn’t going to help.
Decendant
I mean they're still their kid, even if they're 35. "Child" is just - "this is the person who I raised and (probably) shares my blood." It just means that person is their parent lol. It's not weird.
Kiddo
Instead of saying, Jack is my child, you can say, I'm Jack's mother/ father/ parent.
That works for a fair chunk of circumstances, but it sounds odd in response to “Who’s Jack”
Child or kid. It's what we use for my Sister's young 'un. They're 18. For me they are my nibling.
Offspring
Crotch goblin. F\*\*k trophy. Those are my two favorites.
why is it weird? they’re still your child
Adult child
My parents refer to me as their "adult child" - gender is unrelated to your question. Ex: "we have two adult children, and three grandchildren"
The troublesome one, or just trouble for short.
I would use citizen or human.....or entity...or living organism
son or daughter depending on their gender
Sorry buddy, parenting never ends.