prettygoodword: text: words are sexy (words are sexy)
prettygoodword ([personal profile] prettygoodword) wrote2014-08-04 07:35 am

paternity

paternity (puh-TUR-ni-tee) - n., the state of being a father, fatherhood; descent, derivation, or inheritance from a father; (fig.) origin or authorship.


That maternity is not used for that last sense is yet another instance of how deeply patriarchal our culture has been (and still is). Adopted in 1449 from Latin paternitās, from pater, father -- originally in an ecclesiastic sense of a priest, the literal sense being first recorded in 1582.

Admin note: I'm dropping offline for a couple months of paternity leave. Back to regular posting when life settles a bit.

---L.
ext_27060: Sumer is icomen in; llude sing cucu! (Default)

[identity profile] rymenhild.livejournal.com 2014-08-04 03:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Mazel tov to you all!
Edited 2014-08-04 15:37 (UTC)

[identity profile] browngirl.livejournal.com 2014-08-04 03:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Paternity leave! Congratulations and good wishes for sleep!

[identity profile] thistleingrey.livejournal.com 2014-08-04 04:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Best wishes!
med_cat: (Fireworks)

[personal profile] med_cat 2014-08-04 08:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Congratulations on the new addition to your family!

Best of luck--enjoy--and we'll see you when you get back :)

[identity profile] spacedlaw.livejournal.com 2014-08-05 07:09 am (UTC)(link)
Enjoy your time with the little one.