I wrote a Dudley/Aunt Marge fic last night. Before you run off, screaming with disgust: It's only PG-13. No graphic action. After all, Dudley is only ten
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I'm not a Brit, but I was actually having this conversation with someone else the other night (not a native speaker) and we decided that "dick" and maybe "prick" would be "rude children's words".
Pretty close actually I think, based on being wicked stepmother to an 11 year old and having two younger brothers. I've never heard anyone that age use 'prick' though, not ever. 'Dick' would be for being crude (to your friends, maybe in his own mind - little boys are *very* fond of that word!), and 'willy' for being more coy / talking to parents probably. I could see Petunia making up some god awful word though to avoid Dudley using anything remotely rude *g*
Thanks a lot for your thorough linguistic analysis *g* I used both 'willy' and 'cock' in the draft, as Dudley makes a difference between the words depending on the situations he uses them in. I swap 'cock' for 'dick' then, eh?
I could see Petunia making up some god awful word though to avoid Dudley using anything remotely rude
That's an excellent idea, actually, as it reflects exactly what I'm trying to express.
Yeah, I think I would. 'Cock' tends to be an older teenager word. I just did a quick survey of those nearest me in the office (got to take advantage of working with over 100 blokes, right?) and they broadly agree. One has a mum that only allowed him to say 'little soldier' - I am trying not to giggle ;-)
Possibly as "wee-wee" for his own "tummy banana" and "boobies" for Petunia's "tits." Frankly, I doubt that at ten Dudley would have been through anything resembling sex-ed at school, if only because I can't see his parents signing the permision form.
BTW, here is a website that will undoubtledly help you with some Brit-speak.
I only just realised that I've got no idea about how sex ed is handled in British schools. In Germany, it takes place in the third grade (for 8 and 9-year-olds) for the first time, and as far I remember, it is compulsatory. I assume that parents aren't so much as informed about it, because I think mine didn't know when it was taking place. I realise however that the British and American approach is very different.
Yes, the American approach is to ignore it and hope it goes away. For my generation (I'm 40) we had it in 7th grade (around 12 years old?) and we had to get permission from our parents.
Here, I think, parents have the option to not let their children participate in the lessons - at least in primary school - but it's really the exception rather than the rule. In secondary school, I am pretty sure most parents don't know about whether and when sex ed is taught.
LOL!! Plus Ron's smart-ass remark, "Can I see Uranus?" This just clinches it. The books are definitely written on two levels. =P
JKR is one sneaky lady. Just like the Disney animators who draw naughty things into a couple of cells just to see if anyone is paying attention. BTW, I've heard people speculating that she named Tonks the way she did on account of all the fan-fic.
Well, Tonks does seem a bit like a fanfic heroine, what with the shapeshifting and the anime hair. I'd be very impressed if she was JKR's answer to fanfiction.
I was considering playing around with Dudley's name, too, (a woman who calls her son 'Duddy' and 'Dinky Duddydums' is capable of most horrible expressions) but then I realised something that bugs me: The way I see Petunia, she is not likely to use cute names for the... thing. That... thing is something dirty, which shouldn't be mentioned at all, and if it is, it must be absolutely clear how filthy and thoroughly unmentionable it is.
I must say, I am extremely, ah, "pleased" with the way my brain blows minor questions out of proportion. *beats brain to death with a stick*
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And breasts would be "tits", I think.
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I could see Petunia making up some god awful word though to avoid Dudley using anything remotely rude
That's an excellent idea, actually, as it reflects exactly what I'm trying to express.
Gotta give it some thought.
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Yeah, I think I would. 'Cock' tends to be an older teenager word.
I just did a quick survey of those nearest me in the office (got to take advantage of working with over 100 blokes, right?) and they broadly agree. One has a mum that only allowed him to say 'little soldier' - I am trying not to giggle ;-)
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BTW, here is a website that will undoubtledly help you with some Brit-speak.
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Oh! My! God! I love it.
I only just realised that I've got no idea about how sex ed is handled in British schools. In Germany, it takes place in the third grade (for 8 and 9-year-olds) for the first time, and as far I remember, it is compulsatory. I assume that parents aren't so much as informed about it, because I think mine didn't know when it was taking place. I realise however that the British and American approach is very different.
Thanks for the link. That'll come in handy.
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Puts our lovely Nymphadora (nympho?) in a whole new light, don't it. LOL!!
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JKR is one sneaky lady. Just like the Disney animators who draw naughty things into a couple of cells just to see if anyone is paying attention. BTW, I've heard people speculating that she named Tonks the way she did on account of all the fan-fic.
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(The comment has been removed)
I must say, I am extremely, ah, "pleased" with the way my brain blows minor questions out of proportion. *beats brain to death with a stick*
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