Donate SIGN UP

nephew and niece

Avatar Image
mindbullets | 16:15 Fri 21st Nov 2003 | Phrases & Sayings
5 Answers
why do we call them this?thanks
Gravatar

Answers

1 to 5 of 5rss feed

Best Answer

No best answer has yet been selected by mindbullets. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.

For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.
They come from the Latin words 'nepos' and 'neptis' respectively. Originally, in that language, these meant 'grandson' and 'grand-daughter', but - over time - they became applied to the children of one's brothers and sisters.
...or our brother-in-law or sister in-law's children.
Only partially, Firefly. One has brothers-in-law/sisters-in-law only if one's sisters/brothers are legally married. They do not have to fit that criterion in order to have children, yet any such children would still be one's nephews/nieces. In other words, it is the brother/sister relationship which is central. Cheers
Sorry, Quizmonster, I think you.ve missed firefly's point. Your wife's/husband's brother or sister is your brother-in-law or sister-in-law; and if they have children then they are your nephews and nieces (whether your sister/brother-in-law is married or not). You seem to be considering sister/brother-in-law as being only your own sister's or brother's spouse.
Point taken, Geof...I had overlooked that aspect of relationships. Sorry. However, what you say will apply only if you and your partner are legally married (as, indeed, you present it yourself). The one absolutely enduring aspect here - that has nothing whatever to do with anybody's marriage - is between you and the offspring of your own siblings.

I'm going to stop there or we'll be getting into the "What relationship exists between the child of my second-cousin twice removed and my ex-wife's first husband's granny?" type of scenario! Guaranteed to turn the brain to mush. Cheers

1 to 5 of 5rss feed

Do you know the answer?

nephew and niece

Answer Question >>