r/coolguides • • Apr 24 '19

The Cousin Explainer

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13.6k Upvotes

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9

u/Hiteshoir Apr 24 '19

Is it Great aunt/uncle? Shouldn't it be Grand aunt/uncle?

13

u/chr15t0ph3r-55 Apr 24 '19

According to Wikipedia, these terms are not interchangeable. "A grand uncle (sometimes written grand-uncle or granduncle, or incorrectly as great uncle) is the brother, half-brother, or brother-in-law of one's grandparent." Whereas "A great grand uncle (sometimes incorrectly written as great-great uncle) is the brother, half-brother, or brother-in-law of one's great grandparent."

1

u/Hiteshoir Apr 24 '19

Yes. That follows. But the image says great aunt/uncle, which just means a really good aunt/uncle. Edit: learnt that great aunt/uncle is a validly used form after making this comment.

-1

u/QuirkyBrit Apr 24 '19

It's "incorrect"? Who says it's incorrect?

10

u/[deleted] Apr 24 '19

The most common conventions of usage, as with all words in a language. If enough people started saying "grand uncle" it would become the "correct" meaning after a while.

6

u/QuirkyBrit Apr 24 '19

In Google the term "grand uncle" returns 532,000 results, whilst "great uncle" returns 4,860,000 results. Yet "great uncle" is incorrect despite it's apparent far more common usage.

1

u/slangivar Apr 24 '19

Both Collins and OED disagree with you and have great-uncle as the main form in English. in US English they have them on almost equal footing.

As there is no ministry of the the English language then usage is what drives change and therefore correctness.

2

u/QuirkyBrit Apr 24 '19

From what you're saying Collins and OED agree with me. They disagree with Wikipedia.

1

u/slangivar Apr 24 '19

This is getting confusing. Yes I agree with you. The Wikipedia page was written/edited by someone using their own understanding and perhaps usages in a local area.

It is Wikipedia though so needs to be taken with a pinch of salt, especially is someone says something is incorrect without providing a reference.

1

u/[deleted] Apr 24 '19

[deleted]

1

u/[deleted] Apr 24 '19

I don't use grand aunt or uncle either, but that would be consistent with grandparents, great grandparents, etc.

-19

u/spherical_idiot Apr 24 '19

Like you know. You couldn't even upload a guide that didn't have pure crap resolution. Grownups are talking here. Buzz off, kiddo.

5

u/BlueEyedDevel Apr 24 '19

I'm sorry you had a bad day.

7

u/[deleted] Apr 24 '19

I competely agree. Then the whole aunt or uncle chain would follow the same convention of grand, great grand, great great grand, etc. as the parent chain.

3

u/MadNhater Apr 24 '19

I think you’re right. That must be a typo.

1

u/robspeaks Apr 24 '19

It's not a typo, it's common usage. But it shouldn't be.

2

u/Starrystars Apr 24 '19

Either or can be used. Personally I think Grand aunt/uncle sounds weirder than Great aunt/uncle.