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In-laws once removed

Please note: This page is a read-only archive of messages posted in the Word Fugitives conference of Post & Riposte.

Topic:	10) In-laws once removed (1 of 4), Read 77 times
Conf:	Word Fugitives, with Barbara Wallraff
From:	Barbara Wallraff (msgrammar@theatlantic.com)
Date:	Wednesday, May 12, 1999 08:53 AM

Herb Bohler, of Flemington, N.J., writes: "With a son preparing to marry, I've been groping for a word or term for the parents of the (soon-to-be) bride. Eventually it will be 'my daughter-in-law's mother/father' -- but there's gotta be a less-clumsy way of referring to these folks."

Topic:	10) In-laws once removed (2 of 4), Read 71 times
Conf:	Word Fugitives, with Barbara Wallraff
From:	MARY HARES (haresm@aol.com)
Date:	Thursday, May 13, 1999 06:58 PM

Herb, I too have a son marrying soon. I asked the father of the bride (a lawyer named Herb!) if there is a legal term to describe the relation to me of his wife and himself (and mine to them.) He has not responded, which leads me to suppose that there is no legal term to cover this.

I have already decided to avoid using the phrase "daughter-in-law" in favor of "daughter by marriage." So the parents of my son's wife will be the mother and father of my daughter by marriage.

I recognize, however, that this is not a WORD to describe the relationship; so I too am keen to see if anyone comes up with a good word.

Thanks for asking this question!

Topic:	10) In-laws once removed (3 of 4), Read 63 times
Conf:	Word Fugitives, with Barbara Wallraff
From:	Annie Walker-Lambert (anniedf@aol.com)
Date:	Thursday, May 13, 1999 07:25 PM

"In-laws once removed" - I'm howling! Does this mean that once removed, they won't return? hehehehee
blessings,
annie

Topic:	10) In-laws once removed (4 of 4), Read 31 times
Conf:	Word Fugitives, with Barbara Wallraff
From:	Jack Abrams (jack_abrams@hotmail.com)
Date:	Thursday, May 20, 1999 05:01 PM

I know we're looking for English words here, but maybe I can slip in a "Yiddishism" covering Herb's request.

The Yiddish term for the parents of your son or daughter in law is "Machatunim" (plural). The singular female is "Machatainista"; the singular male is "Machitin". The "ch" pronunciation is the guttural sound so elusive for native English speakers. It's a "low in the throat" sound, as if you were trying to clear an errant piece of bagel chip lodged in your throat.

Typical usage...
Who's coming for dinner?
My son, his wife and the Machatunim.
Better get out the good plates!

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