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Meaning
Usage
Pronunciation
Famous
Impression
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I just think of it as the American version of butt, which isn’t as bad as those vulgar Brits who call it something else!
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You should be aware that while it's a mild version, "Fanny" is slang for "butt" in the USA and the female genitals in the UK.
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I think it's cute and sweet!
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This can also be short for Tiffany.
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Everyone is talking about the slang word... but I'll have you know that there are people in the world who speak other languages than English! What a novelty. ;) ;)
In many languages, it has no vulgar meaning at all. It is used in French (and was quite popular in Québec in the 80s and 90s), but also it seems to exist in Spanish, Swedish and Finnish (spelled as Fanni). If a person lives in a society and culture where the name is common and NOT associated with an offensive word, then it's a perfectly cute name.
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In many languages, it has no vulgar meaning at all. It is used in French (and was quite popular in Québec in the 80s and 90s), but also it seems to exist in Spanish, Swedish and Finnish (spelled as Fanni). If a person lives in a society and culture where the name is common and NOT associated with an offensive word, then it's a perfectly cute name.
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Spanish pronunciation is /'fa.ni/ [noted -ed]
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There is a BeeGees song titled Fanny (be tender).
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Fanny Kekuʻiapoiwa Kailikulani Leleoili Kulua Kekelaokalani Young Naʻea (1806 – 1880) was a Hawaiian high chiefess and a member of the royal family of the Hawaiian Kingdom, and mother of Queen Emma of Hawaii. She was sometimes referred to as 'Pane', the Hawaiian version of Fanny.
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Fanny Crowne is a character in Aldous Huxley's 1932 novel Brave New World.
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This as a name isn’t great but I guess it could be nice as a nickname.
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Fanny Margaretta Holcroft (1780–1844) was an English novelist, dramatist, and translator whose work aligned with the progressive tumult of the revolutionary period. She was the daughter of writer Thomas Holcroft.
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It seems odd to me that so many people have commented on the slang meaning of "Fanny" without pointing out that the slang meaning in the UK (in use since about 1879) almost surely derives from a particular famous woman named Fanny, in this case the fictional Fanny Hill, chief character of Daniel Defoe's novel "Fanny Hill or Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure" (1748), which was about a sex worker. The American slang meaning of "buttocks" does not occur before around 1920, and probably came about because American soldiers going to Europe in World War I heard British soldiers talking about women's "fannies" and did not quite understand the reference!
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In doing research on the name Veronica, I have discovered that Fanny was also frequently used as a pet form of Veronica in the 19th century United States. It is common for a woman who is "Veronica" in one census to be "Fanny" in another, and there is a somewhat famous example in that the mother of candy baron Milton Hershey was Veronica "Fanny" Snavely Hershey. This is partly because Veronica was often respelled as "Faronica" in early 19th century America.
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I have always found the name Fanny laughable. In English slang, it can refer to a person's gluteus Maximus or butt. In the UK and Australia, it’s a derogatory slander word for vagina or vulva. I was recently at a dog park and this owner called for her dog to come to her and she yelled out “Fanny Come.” I would not wish this name on anyone, especially a child. The ridicule that child would face would be reason enough not to name the child Fanny. I am a visual person and when I hear the word Fanny, I visualize a butt. I went to school with a girl named Fanny Burns and a guy named Todd Butts. The kidding got so bad they both changed their names.
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NO why did it have to be this name used as vulgar slang?
I would like this name if it didn't mean what it means. Too bad...
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I would like this name if it didn't mean what it means. Too bad...
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Sadly, I think of this as the slang term because my mom used this in my childhood. Cute nickname, though.
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What a shame that it's a vulgar slang!
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In Sweden people name their kids Fanny because it is considered a beautiful normal name. I know some Fanny's that live in or have been to UK/Australia. Sure I understand if the name sounds ugly and very funny if you are from there, because of the how it has become slang. I think it is such a shame. Also, what is the difference really between Annie, Fanny, Stephanie, Tiffany. They all sound similar.
Anyways I guess people that have a problem with it are not familiar with it being a perfectly okay name in practically all countries except maybe 3.
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Anyways I guess people that have a problem with it are not familiar with it being a perfectly okay name in practically all countries except maybe 3.
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The people saying no one uses this slang term are very clearly not British or Australian. Only use this name if your child is never going to interact with someone from the UK.
Anyways this name is pretty ugly, even without the vagina association.
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Anyways this name is pretty ugly, even without the vagina association.
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I barely know about the slang nevertheless use it, but it’s an okay name.
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Nobody my age even knows about the slang term, and I'm 36! Fanny is such a unique and beautiful name.
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It's pretty as hell. Only old people would think of Fanny as a slang term, most young people have never heard of it. So, I think you Fannies out there are good.
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Some people are so close-minded! Fanny was used before the slang was used. My great grandma was named Fanny Anne in 1826 (before Fanny became vulgar slang) and my great grandaunt Florence told me once that she was named after their mother, who was named Frances and who died just after great grandma Fanny was born. I like this name, I did hear people use this as slang but not much. When I got older I read Mansfield Park and I got introduced to Fanny Price! I also watched and listened to Fanny Brice when I was in my teens. I think Fanny is a lovely name! But it's best not to name your child Fanny in a country where Fanny is vulgar slang. :( I like Fanny very much :)
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Also used in Sweden. [noted -ed]
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Let's not forget about Fanny Brice from Funny Girl!
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Fanny from BFB...
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This name is actually quite charming and sweet. Too bad it's unusable in English-speaking countries nowadays.
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Fanny is used in the first Italian translation of 'Harry Potter' instead of Fawkes to call the phoenix. It is used in the film series too.
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Fanny has a simple, aristocratic sound as I came across it a lot in 1700s-1800s novels. It also reminds me of the phoenix in the 'Harry Potter' saga. All these links make it classic and poetic in my opinion.
I noticed it is also an English slang but as it is used as a given name in France as well I still considered it beautiful.
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I noticed it is also an English slang but as it is used as a given name in France as well I still considered it beautiful.
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In 2018, 83 is the most common age for an American (U.S.) Fanny* who is registered female with the Social Security Administration. It is the 3, 426th most common female first name for living U.S. citizens.
*as a first name, not a nickname.
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*as a first name, not a nickname.
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It’s slang for butt. Don’t name your children after slangs.
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Hi, my name is Fanny, I'm from Belgium, and I live on the French speaking side of the country and here it's absolutely normal that someone is called Fanny. I actually have many friends named like me and it's totally okay here.
Not a long time ago I learned what it means in English which I thought was not a big deal regarding the fact that I thought it was an ancient word that no one used anymore. But I recently heard that in the UK and Australia it actually is a big deal.
I think no one should be ashamed of where they come from and if people really want to know you, they'll understand... (you could still be called by a surname like Fan or like my mother called me when I was younger, Nyny).
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Not a long time ago I learned what it means in English which I thought was not a big deal regarding the fact that I thought it was an ancient word that no one used anymore. But I recently heard that in the UK and Australia it actually is a big deal.
I think no one should be ashamed of where they come from and if people really want to know you, they'll understand... (you could still be called by a surname like Fan or like my mother called me when I was younger, Nyny).
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I like this name in the literature, I can perfectly understand why it was so liked centuries ago, it's cute and girly. It's a bit childish to me, but putting these unlucky associations aside, its sound is not that bad. However the meaning behind the word Fanny destroys this name for me completely and makes it just absolutely unusable in modern times. Unless you're Scandinavian/French/Mexican etc. And are sure you/your child won't ever visit an English-speaking country or just won't care for people's strange comments. I don't come from an English-speaking country, but my main association with this name isn't unfortunately Fanny Price from "Mansfield Park" or other book heroines, but female genitals. Plus I don't think that it is an advantage that it sounds like funny in so many European languages. It makes it funny in a way that I don't think could be funny for a girl with this name.
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Fanny De Aguiar is a Swedish singer.
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Fanny Blomé is born 1989 in Norrköping. She is a Swedish model and the former Miss Earth Sweden titleholder. She was succeeding Ivana Gagula in October 2008 and represented Sweden in one of the worlds' three biggest international contests, Miss Earth. The beauty pageant which has focus on environment took place in the Philippines. Fanny was one of two Swedish citizens in the Miss Earth 2008 pageant, alongside Miss Kosovo, Yllka Berisha. Miss Blomé was one of few blondes in the contest.
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This name is beautiful... I don't care what people say about it!
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The name Fanny was given to 50 girls born in the US in 2015.
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Fanny Neguesha is a Belgian model and media personality, daughter of Congolese-Rwandan mother and an Italian father. In 2010, Neguesha began her career as a model in France with the agency Lixya.
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When I was in middle school, I had a friend named Fanny. She was recently arrived from Uruguay, where apparently Fanny is a perfectly acceptable name. After a few years in the U.S., she realized what we all know, that Fanny is an untenable name in the U.S., and she began going by her middle name, Renee. There was just no other choice. It's not a matter of Americans having to "deal"- we'll deal with no problem, by laughing. You're the one who will have to deal.
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Well people, believe it or not but my name is Fanny. I don't really have a problem with it, even though people have given my name a weird meaning. I am planning to move to the US, and they'll just have to deal with it, haha. I like my name because it's a cool and special name. If your name is Fanny as well, just embrace it! It's a part of you, you rock that name!
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Fanny Bright was mentioned in the song "Jingle Bells."
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The name is also used in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Germany.
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LOL I can't believe this name is actually rated Good. Oh dear, what has the English speaking world come to?
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Fanny is the name of the wicked older sister in most English translations of Charles Perrault's fairy tale Diamonds and Toads. (She is called Fanchon in the original French version.)
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In Henry James's novel The Golden Bowl, there is a character named Fanny Assingham. (No kidding!)
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Fanny has also been used in France for a very long time. (Provencial diminutive of the name Françoise). [noted -ed]
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Famous bearers: Fanny, main female character of Marcel Pagnol's 1932 "Trilogie Marseillaise". And Fanny Ardant, French actress born in 1949.
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I can't understand why people start to put good names into slang, and then nobody uses these pretty names. Fanny and Fanni are sweet names in Hungary, too. 10 years ago Fanni was in the 3rd position in the top names. So where people don't speak English it's still a good name. Anyway, the Hungarian pronunciation is FAHN-ni, and it will always be a good name.
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Fanny Fulbright (a.k.a Numbuh 86) is a fictional character in Codename: Kids Next Door.
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Hm. This name is still quite popular in France. It has even been in their top 100.
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Regardless of the slang meaning, this is a very tacky and childish name.
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My name is Fanny! I have never even heard about someone who has used it for something else than a name. I live in Finland so maybe it's different here?! I pronounce my name "funy".
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There is an old Irish air called Fanny Power, named after a woman who's first name was Fanny and surname was Power. At the time the word Fanny wasn't used as it is now, but it is still kind of funny.
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Fanny Ardant is a French actress.
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Hmm. At least it's not as bad as Titty.
Don't name your kid this. It was popular then, but now, being named after your butt, your boob, your... part... is a horrible thing.
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Don't name your kid this. It was popular then, but now, being named after your butt, your boob, your... part... is a horrible thing.
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In Greece people use it as short for the male name Theofanis.
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Francesca Klingenschoen, referred to as 'Aunt Fanny', from the Cat Who series by Lilian Jackson Braun.
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Fanny Burney great English novelist.
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Fanny Mendelsohn the sister of the great German composer Felix Mendelsohn but also a great musician in her own right.
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My name is Fannie short for Frances and I like my name. It's not too bad here in Ireland where we don't really call ladies' private's fannies. I'm 16 by the way. :)
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This name is VERY popular in many francophone countries, I knew many girls with this name abroad. There was a French girl who came to the U.S. the year before I left named Fanny and everyone made fun of her and slapped her butt. I can't imagine what they would be slapping in commonwealth nations. :-0
I would name my child Fanny if I lived in a francophone nation, other than the unfortunate association, it's really cute! Fanny is a very polite word for butt anyway!
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I would name my child Fanny if I lived in a francophone nation, other than the unfortunate association, it's really cute! Fanny is a very polite word for butt anyway!
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This name would be so charming if it didn't have so many unfortunate connections. It is actually a lovely name. But not only does it mean butt/vagina in English it also sounds like the English word "funny" when pronounced the European (non English speaking countries) way. It also sounds a lot like the German word "Pfanne" which means "frying pan". This name is quite popular in France pronounced Fun-NEE and in Sweden pronounced FUHN-nee.
I really do think it's charming and if you can't resist using it I suggest naming your daughter Francesca and just calling her Fanny when nobody is around unless strange looks and comments don't bother your or the child.
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I really do think it's charming and if you can't resist using it I suggest naming your daughter Francesca and just calling her Fanny when nobody is around unless strange looks and comments don't bother your or the child.
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No matter where you go, this name has a derogatory meaning. There's the American meaning of "butt". But I think the British meaning is worse because it refers to the female genitalia!
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No matter where you go in English-speaking countries, this name has a slang meaning you don't want to live with; it's either the ass or the vagina/vulva. Even if this name wasn't used like that, it sure sounds girly, cutesy, and immature, even in European countries like Sweden.
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Fanny Dashwood is the selfish half-sister-in-law of Elinor and Marianne in Jane Austen's -Sense and Sensibility-. Miss Austen also used this name for both the heroine and her mother in -Mansfield Park-. (I believe Jane Austen had a niece with this name.)
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Name her Butt, and get it over with.
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I would never be mean to my daughter and name her Fanny. Maybe Francesca, but never Fanny.
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I had a great-aunt Fanny. This name reminds me of old people that collect little knick-knacks all over their house and dye their hair blue (not that my aunt Fanny did that, it just does).
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An important tidbit for Americans is that in Britain and Australia, "Fanny" does not mean "backside" but "vagina" or "vulva," depending on who defines it. Saying "I'll put it in my Fanny-pack" or "sitting on your Fanny" or other such things could earn you strange looks.
The name itself does not bother me, but just imagine all of the flack that the child would go through at the immaturity of others!
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The name itself does not bother me, but just imagine all of the flack that the child would go through at the immaturity of others!
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Fanny is a horrible name! Eww! Gross!
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Fanny pack was a thing in the 80's, and had the "hip" catchphrase "You put the Fanny Pack on the Fanny." I laugh whenever I think of this relation.
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The slang meaning of "Fanny" has different meanings in the U.K. and Australia than it does in the U.S. In the U.S. it means the buttocks, while in Australia and the British Isles, it refers to the female genitals.
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Ewww! How gross! If my name were Frances, I would go by either Frances or Fran! If you want to name your child this, please think of something else!
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This is a really common nickname in Mexico and it's used for the name Stephanie.
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In "Mansfield Park," by Jane Austen, the heroine's name is Fanny Price. Good book, terrible name. Poor girl.
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"Fanny and Alexander" is a famous Ingmar Bergman film, won Oscars.
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What a disgusting name to call your daughter. How sad.
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That "disgusting" comment seems a bit out of place considering the name predates the slang. It appears in so many pieces of 18th and 19th century literature and was really popular at the time, but I just hate it. In the stories I've written, since occasionally I feel I have to use it because it was just that popular, I always give it to the characters I hate most.
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Let's not all forget "Sweet Fanny Adams". A young girl who was brutally murdered in 1867. People have used this expression to the present day.
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I like the spelling of the name but the English pronunciation sucks. In Sweden we pronounce this name FUN-ee, like in the pronunciation of the word funny, much better in my opinion because of what it means in English. Too bad.
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I do not like the name, and would not like it even if it didn't mean bottom.
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Who'd want to name their child after a lady's front bottom?
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Fanny J. Crosby was a prolific hymn writer of the 1800's.
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The name derives from the orphic god "Fannes", the creator of the world in the ancient Greek mythology. The word means "bright" in Greek.
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This name used to be OK, but now you wouldn't dream of calling your child it, would you?
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