mammy

Everyday

1. (informal, Ireland, UK north, Scotland) A child's word for mother, like «mum» or «mammy» said by Irish children. tree →
2. (old-fashioned, offensive, US history) A racist stereotype name once used for a Black woman who looked after a white family's children; it is not used today except when talking about history. tree →

In the lessons

In stories set in Ireland or the north of England, a child calling «Mammy!» shows a warm, homely family voice. In everyday Irish speech adults may still say «my mammy» about their own mother. In history lessons about slavery and the American South, the word appears as an example of an unfair stereotype. Phrases: «my mammy», «go ask your mammy», «mammy and daddy».

Examples

• Mammy, can I have a biscuit? tree →
• Siobhan ran home to tell her mammy about the prize. tree →
• In Dublin lots of kids still say mammy instead of mum. tree →
• «Wait till your mammy hears about this!» said Granda. tree →
• My mammy makes the best brown bread in Cork. tree →
• The old film used a hurtful «mammy» character, and our teacher explained why it is racist. tree →
• Mammy and Daddy are coming to the school play. tree →
• "Mammy," says the child, "they've pulled granny's skin off while you were away." tree →

Note

Plural «mammies». Informal and family-only: in writing at school use «mother» or «mum». The Irish/UK sense is warm and normal; the US history sense is a racist stereotype, so do not call anyone «a mammy». Do not confuse with «mummy» (UK mum, or an Egyptian wrapped body) or «mammal».