A Conversation for Ask h2g2
Is 'babby' just a Midlands thing?
Emily 'Twa Bui' Ultramarine Started conversation Mar 18, 2002
I'm from Birmingham, and being the youngest kid in my (European) family (I'm the oldest on the maternal side in Malaysia 
), I was always referred to as 'the bab' or 'the babby' (I take it that this is probably an archaic form of baby - well, d'uh...). Anyway, it's a very much working-class thing, frowned upon by the middle-classes. Is 'babby' used anywhere else in the UK as a term of endearment, or is it just us?
Is 'babby' just a Midlands thing?
Gnomon - time to move on Posted Mar 19, 2002
It's certainly used in working-class Dublin to mean a baby. So the Babby would be the youngest of the family as well, long after they have stopped in fact being a babby.
Is 'babby' just a Midlands thing?
Nyree Rose - Doll in a Tube wearing National Costume Posted Mar 19, 2002
I think it is also used in the East of Scotland.
Is 'babby' just a Midlands thing?
Ommigosh Posted Mar 19, 2002
Yep, I have heard it here in the east of Scotland (but not very often, I must say).
Is 'babby' just a Midlands thing?
Emily 'Twa Bui' Ultramarine Posted Mar 19, 2002
It sticks here, too - I'm 18 and I'm still the babby. 
Is 'babby' just a Midlands thing?
Orcus Posted Mar 19, 2002
West of scotland too 
My family are Glaswegian and I've heard it there
Is 'babby' just a Midlands thing?
26199 Posted Mar 19, 2002
Hmm. Haven't heard it 'round here in the north-west...
But maybe I just don't get out enough
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Is 'babby' just a Midlands thing?
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