can “naughty” be used to describe a child who didn't behave?
my opinion is "YES". The reason why I even asked is that this American friend strongly suggested never use it since it carries sexual suggestiveness. I, however, believe the usage heavily depends on context.
First explanation of "Naughty" popping up from google says:
(especially of children) disobedient; badly behaved.
example:
"you've been a really naughty boy"
only 2nd explanation, and it's used informally, says:
mildly rude or indecent, typically because related to sex.
Also, I found this video, in which "naughty" was used three times for kids who seem not "behaving themselves":
The teacher thought he was just a naughty kid
We are not just naughty, we are just kids with ...
Not all kids with ADHD just play old naughty
while the video was from BBC, I don't think it's a sole British English thing.
It seems overwhelming evidences support my claims. Still, what do you think of "naughty"?
word-usage american-english british-english
edited 2 days ago
Jim
30.3k862115
asked 2 days ago
J.E.YJ.E.Y
1272
add a comment |
my opinion is "YES". The reason why I even asked is that this American friend strongly suggested never use it since it carries sexual suggestiveness. I, however, believe the usage heavily depends on context.
First explanation of "Naughty" popping up from google says:
(especially of children) disobedient; badly behaved.
example:
"you've been a really naughty boy"
only 2nd explanation, and it's used informally, says:
mildly rude or indecent, typically because related to sex.
Also, I found this video, in which "naughty" was used three times for kids who seem not "behaving themselves":
The teacher thought he was just a naughty kid
We are not just naughty, we are just kids with ...
Not all kids with ADHD just play old naughty
while the video was from BBC, I don't think it's a sole British English thing.
It seems overwhelming evidences support my claims. Still, what do you think of "naughty"?
word-usage american-english british-english
edited 2 days ago
Jim
30.3k862115
asked 2 days ago
J.E.YJ.E.Y
1272
Show the dictionary to your friend. QED.
– Kris
yesterday
add a comment |
my opinion is "YES". The reason why I even asked is that this American friend strongly suggested never use it since it carries sexual suggestiveness. I, however, believe the usage heavily depends on context.
First explanation of "Naughty" popping up from google says:
(especially of children) disobedient; badly behaved.
example:
"you've been a really naughty boy"
only 2nd explanation, and it's used informally, says:
mildly rude or indecent, typically because related to sex.
Also, I found this video, in which "naughty" was used three times for kids who seem not "behaving themselves":
The teacher thought he was just a naughty kid
We are not just naughty, we are just kids with ...
Not all kids with ADHD just play old naughty
while the video was from BBC, I don't think it's a sole British English thing.
It seems overwhelming evidences support my claims. Still, what do you think of "naughty"?
word-usage american-english british-english
edited 2 days ago
Jim
30.3k862115
asked 2 days ago
J.E.YJ.E.Y
1272
my opinion is "YES". The reason why I even asked is that this American friend strongly suggested never use it since it carries sexual suggestiveness. I, however, believe the usage heavily depends on context.
First explanation of "Naughty" popping up from google says:
(especially of children) disobedient; badly behaved.
example:
"you've been a really naughty boy"
only 2nd explanation, and it's used informally, says:
mildly rude or indecent, typically because related to sex.
Also, I found this video, in which "naughty" was used three times for kids who seem not "behaving themselves":
The teacher thought he was just a naughty kid
We are not just naughty, we are just kids with ...
Not all kids with ADHD just play old naughty
while the video was from BBC, I don't think it's a sole British English thing.
It seems overwhelming evidences support my claims. Still, what do you think of "naughty"?
word-usage american-english british-english
word-usage american-english british-english
edited 2 days ago
Jim
30.3k862115
asked 2 days ago
J.E.YJ.E.Y
1272
edited 2 days ago
Jim
30.3k862115
asked 2 days ago
J.E.YJ.E.Y
1272
edited 2 days ago
Jim
30.3k862115
edited 2 days ago
Jim
30.3k862115
edited 2 days ago
Jim
30.3k862115
30.3k862115
asked 2 days ago
J.E.YJ.E.Y
1272
asked 2 days ago
J.E.YJ.E.Y
1272
asked 2 days ago
J.E.YJ.E.Y
1272
1272
Show the dictionary to your friend. QED.
– Kris
yesterday
add a comment |
Show the dictionary to your friend. QED.
– Kris
yesterday
Show the dictionary to your friend. QED.
– Kris
yesterday
Show the dictionary to your friend. QED.
– Kris
yesterday
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
I completely agree with you. The primary meaning of naughty remains "misbehaving" in a non-sexual sense. Using the word "naughty" to describe a young child is clear enough context that there is no problem.
Now, in adult conversation the term has certainly gained sexual subtext and could easily be taken to mean something sexual. I'd avoid describing junior or senior secondary students as naughty, or in such contexts where it can be misconstrued (either intentionally or unintentionally).
I've had a similar issue with the word "fun." I commonly ask "what do you like to do for fun?" and often the response is "what do you mean by fun?" I actually have to explain that I mean hobbies and recreational activies done for enjoyment. But this is normally only a problem in specific social groups, not generally.
answered 2 days ago
MichaelMichael
625
New contributor
Michael is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Thanks Michael. That certainly clears the air. Is this word too strong when it comes to scolding a child, though? If so, is there a mild alternative?
– J.E.Y
yesterday
1
I wouldn't say that it's too strong when scolding a child. As a matter of parenting/discipline rather than of language, I'd make describe the behavior as naughty rather than the child so as to avoid issues of labeling and what not.
– Michael
yesterday
add a comment |
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I completely agree with you. The primary meaning of naughty remains "misbehaving" in a non-sexual sense. Using the word "naughty" to describe a young child is clear enough context that there is no problem.
Now, in adult conversation the term has certainly gained sexual subtext and could easily be taken to mean something sexual. I'd avoid describing junior or senior secondary students as naughty, or in such contexts where it can be misconstrued (either intentionally or unintentionally).
I've had a similar issue with the word "fun." I commonly ask "what do you like to do for fun?" and often the response is "what do you mean by fun?" I actually have to explain that I mean hobbies and recreational activies done for enjoyment. But this is normally only a problem in specific social groups, not generally.
answered 2 days ago
MichaelMichael
625
New contributor
Michael is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Thanks Michael. That certainly clears the air. Is this word too strong when it comes to scolding a child, though? If so, is there a mild alternative?
– J.E.Y
yesterday
1
I wouldn't say that it's too strong when scolding a child. As a matter of parenting/discipline rather than of language, I'd make describe the behavior as naughty rather than the child so as to avoid issues of labeling and what not.
– Michael
yesterday
add a comment |
I completely agree with you. The primary meaning of naughty remains "misbehaving" in a non-sexual sense. Using the word "naughty" to describe a young child is clear enough context that there is no problem.
Now, in adult conversation the term has certainly gained sexual subtext and could easily be taken to mean something sexual. I'd avoid describing junior or senior secondary students as naughty, or in such contexts where it can be misconstrued (either intentionally or unintentionally).
I've had a similar issue with the word "fun." I commonly ask "what do you like to do for fun?" and often the response is "what do you mean by fun?" I actually have to explain that I mean hobbies and recreational activies done for enjoyment. But this is normally only a problem in specific social groups, not generally.
answered 2 days ago
MichaelMichael
625
New contributor
Michael is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Thanks Michael. That certainly clears the air. Is this word too strong when it comes to scolding a child, though? If so, is there a mild alternative?
– J.E.Y
yesterday
1
I wouldn't say that it's too strong when scolding a child. As a matter of parenting/discipline rather than of language, I'd make describe the behavior as naughty rather than the child so as to avoid issues of labeling and what not.
– Michael
yesterday
add a comment |
I completely agree with you. The primary meaning of naughty remains "misbehaving" in a non-sexual sense. Using the word "naughty" to describe a young child is clear enough context that there is no problem.
Now, in adult conversation the term has certainly gained sexual subtext and could easily be taken to mean something sexual. I'd avoid describing junior or senior secondary students as naughty, or in such contexts where it can be misconstrued (either intentionally or unintentionally).
I've had a similar issue with the word "fun." I commonly ask "what do you like to do for fun?" and often the response is "what do you mean by fun?" I actually have to explain that I mean hobbies and recreational activies done for enjoyment. But this is normally only a problem in specific social groups, not generally.
answered 2 days ago
MichaelMichael
625
New contributor
Michael is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I completely agree with you. The primary meaning of naughty remains "misbehaving" in a non-sexual sense. Using the word "naughty" to describe a young child is clear enough context that there is no problem.
Now, in adult conversation the term has certainly gained sexual subtext and could easily be taken to mean something sexual. I'd avoid describing junior or senior secondary students as naughty, or in such contexts where it can be misconstrued (either intentionally or unintentionally).
I've had a similar issue with the word "fun." I commonly ask "what do you like to do for fun?" and often the response is "what do you mean by fun?" I actually have to explain that I mean hobbies and recreational activies done for enjoyment. But this is normally only a problem in specific social groups, not generally.
answered 2 days ago
MichaelMichael
625
New contributor
Michael is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 2 days ago
MichaelMichael
625
New contributor
Michael is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 2 days ago
MichaelMichael
625
answered 2 days ago
MichaelMichael
625
625
New contributor
Michael is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Michael is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Michael is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Thanks Michael. That certainly clears the air. Is this word too strong when it comes to scolding a child, though? If so, is there a mild alternative?
– J.E.Y
yesterday
1
I wouldn't say that it's too strong when scolding a child. As a matter of parenting/discipline rather than of language, I'd make describe the behavior as naughty rather than the child so as to avoid issues of labeling and what not.
– Michael
yesterday
add a comment |
Thanks Michael. That certainly clears the air. Is this word too strong when it comes to scolding a child, though? If so, is there a mild alternative?
– J.E.Y
yesterday
1
I wouldn't say that it's too strong when scolding a child. As a matter of parenting/discipline rather than of language, I'd make describe the behavior as naughty rather than the child so as to avoid issues of labeling and what not.
– Michael
yesterday
Thanks Michael. That certainly clears the air. Is this word too strong when it comes to scolding a child, though? If so, is there a mild alternative?
– J.E.Y
yesterday
Thanks Michael. That certainly clears the air. Is this word too strong when it comes to scolding a child, though? If so, is there a mild alternative?
– J.E.Y
yesterday
1
1
I wouldn't say that it's too strong when scolding a child. As a matter of parenting/discipline rather than of language, I'd make describe the behavior as naughty rather than the child so as to avoid issues of labeling and what not.
– Michael
yesterday
I wouldn't say that it's too strong when scolding a child. As a matter of parenting/discipline rather than of language, I'd make describe the behavior as naughty rather than the child so as to avoid issues of labeling and what not.
– Michael
yesterday
add a comment |
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Show the dictionary to your friend. QED.
– Kris
yesterday