Books are such an important part of a child's upbringing, and reading to your little one is beneficial on so many levels. But there are a couple of books my daughter has that use a particular word to such excess that it, well, leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
I know it means "cat". And I know that language evolves over time. And I swear I'm not a big prude. But the word "pussy" as used to mean "cat" had pretty much fallen out of use by the time I was a kid, except for a few random Sylvester and Tweety cartoons. The other definitions are the ones I'm more familiar with. So when a page is dripping with the word, it's a little hard for me to read, especially when it's paired with descriptive words like "my sweet" and especially when my older kids are within earshot. I'm not so bothered when it pops up once or twice in a nursery rhyme, and I'm not squeamish at all if the entire phrase "pussycat" is used. But I'll admit, I've encountered a few books of fairy tales where I've actually substituted the word "kitty" when reading aloud to my daughter. Yes, I'm a cunning linguist.
What about you? Do you feel squeamish when reading the "P" word aloud to your kids? Do you cringe a little when they pick those books off the shelf? Do you substitute the word "kitty"? Or do you proudly proclaim the archaic cat word? Would you frame an alphabet print that showed a cat illustration for "P"?
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I don't think this would particularly bother me, but if it did, I just would substitute, "pussy cat" instead. Now, cock, or ass? That might be too much for me. Though in the whole realm of things, well, I don't know that this is too important to me, though I am commenting on it.
Are you serious? This is the most idiotic post I have ever read. That book is a classic. Just read the book the way it was written. I'm certain your toddler doesn't think you're referring to a vagina.
well I'm running a post on my copy of 'The Owl and the Pussycat' next week, hopefully no one's offended.
Oh for crying out loud. Just read the book and enjoy the time with your child!
Lol yea sorry, but agreed with others- your mind is far too in the gutter if your uncomfortable reading that to your child. Seems immature on your part. Words have power when we give them that power and by making a thing of that word like that, it feels like you're pre-disposing your child to not be allowed to just be a naive child for a while. At least you're not stopping mid read to explain why you don't like it!
At some point, your children are going to have questions regarding words they've heard and what they mean. And they're going to ask you about sex too! I'm hoping you become comfortable enough to answer any questions they have and won't give the "babies come from bellybuttons" response when sex and childbirth is the topic. Read the book as it was written and use it as a chance to teach your older children if they happen to giggle when they hear you read it or question why you're using that word.
Pussy.
Pussy.
I haven't read this particular book out loud, but I do verbally edit some books because of concepts. Most of them will make their way to the donate pile, but if one is a kid's favorite, then I'll just repeat the edit. Eventually the book will be cycled out and then donated.
Yeah, I totally get this. I do get squeamish with these kinds of archaic words that have taken on more vulgar meanings in modern times. And it's not because I'm squeamish about sex or explaining sex to my kids (condescending much, moonshine0100?), but because I don't want my kids to learn the twisted attitudes our culture has towards sex too early, before they're ready. I don't want to have to explain to my kids about sexism, or how words like pussy objectify women, or the subtle, complex meanings embedded in these kinds of slang. There's a reason why the FCC makes a distinction between calling someone "a dick" (allowed on network TV) and referring to a penis as "a dick" (*not* allowed on network TV). If you think these linguistic nuances don't exist, or aren't important, or don't matter, then I guess you haven been paying attention.
I get it too. We have the exact version above, and I don't love reading it, to be perfectly honest.
Agree the word pussy is no longer approperiate. This reminds me of the antique book my MIL had "Watermelon Pete" its racist and nothing I will expose my kids to. Dick and Jane needs updating as well.
I laughed when I saw this post, because I also feel funny reading it. Unlike the condescending posts above assumes, I do not fear my children learning the sexual connotations from children’s literature or having it prematurely leading me to have to awkwardly explain sex (I'm a health educator - I'll be fine). I simply feel odd about it. Unlike other words with a blue alternate meaning, when is ‘pussy’ ever used in daily life?
I usually read it as written, particularly when it comes to the Owl and the Pussycat, but I do substitute "kitty" or "pussy cat" when it doesn't matter - or when my husband is in the room. He thinks it's just way, way too funny!
I have to say, despite myself feeling ever-so-slightly funny when I read this Nursery Rhyme out loud to my children, I think it should be read as it is written. For the reasons "bomba' outlined above, I want to embrace this time when my children are yet to encounter the 'twisted attitudes our culture has towards sex' and aren't aware of the "complex meanings embedded in these kinds of slang". They hear me reading about a pussy cat and an owl in a green pea boat. They learn the traditional 'innocent' meanings of these words the way they were intended. This in turn, I believe, helps counter act the issues above. These words are only offensive if it is intended to be.