OT - curious language trends

[roger_ramjet]

Why do people under 70 still tell their small children about "choo choos" when steam trains have not run regularly for well over 50 years and todays trains are pretty much silent?

[Andy_Faber]

Why do people under 70 still tell their small children about "choo choos" when steam trains have not run regularly for well over 50 years and todays trains are pretty much silent?

Because its important to know that choo choos can get daddy to work if his pappap has broken down

[ramAnag]

Probably because most toy trains...Thomas or Lego etc...tend to be steam trains I suppose. Aren't most electric train sets mainly older ones too, just because they're more appealing? A better question might be 'why do otherwise intelligent grown ups suddenly start using the totally bizarre language of choo choos, brum brums and quack quacks as soon as they're in the company of infants'? Having said that...I was with my two year old grandchild the other day when a train went past and I encouraged him to wave at the 'train'. God knows why, but at least I didn't resort to choo choo. Have been known to do some pretty good farmyard/monster impressions though.

[Andy_Faber]

Probably because most toy trains...Thomas or Lego etc...tend to be steam trains I suppose. Aren't most electric train sets mainly older ones too, just because they're more appealing? A better question might be 'why do otherwise intelligent grown ups suddenly start using the totally bizarre language of choo choos, brum brums and quack quacks as soon as they're in the company of infants'? Having said that...I was with my two year old grandchild the other day when a train went past and I encouraged him to wave at the 'train'. God knows why, but at least I didn't resort to choo choo. Have been known to do some pretty good farmyard/monster impressions though.

Mrs Faber has just pointed out that we don't actually say choo choo in our extended family, we say chuffa train, which is at least the sound of the engine itself not the whistle

....and maybe you encouraged your grandchild to wave because once in a while theres a twit like me on board who will wave back, just to put a smile on a kid's face.

[swaledale]

Mrs Faber has just pointed out that we don't actually say choo choo in our extended family, we say chuffa train, which is at least the sound of the engine itself not the whistle

....and maybe you encouraged your grandchild to wave because once in a while theres a twit like me on board who will wave back, just to put a smile on a kid's face.

Don't put yourself down, theres nowt wrong with spreading the love and encouraging children to be warm and welcoming to other people has got to be good (along with sensible advice re weirdo's obviously!).

I always wave from a train even at those who give the stiff finger salute in return!!

[ramAnag]

Mrs Faber has just pointed out that we don't actually say choo choo in our extended family, we say chuffa train, which is at least the sound of the engine itself not the whistle

....and maybe you encouraged your grandchild to wave because once in a while theres a twit like me on board who will wave back, just to put a smile on a kid's face.

Ahh...bless.