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Babe or baby

Posted by ESC on November 27, 2001 at

In Reply to: HELP ME...I need to know the origin of the word babe or baby posted by silkylongblkhair on November 26, 2001 at

: This is for a homework assignment. If u know the answer. Email me cause I dont come here very often.

BABE - noun. Before 1393, apparently from "batan" (probably before 1200); perhaps ultimately from a child's word.

BABY - noun. About 1378, "baby," "babi," "babee," a diminutive for of "babe."

From the ": The Origins of American English Words" by Robert K. Barnhart (HarperCollins Publishers, New York, 1995). Page 51.

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