grandma English · revision 7871

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=clipping|attested=1772}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈɡɹænmɑː/, /ˈɡɹænmə/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a shortening of grandmama (1749), a childish or familiar form of [[grandmother]], from grand- and [[mama]].^(Etymonline)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ One's grandmother: 1772 in HTOED, 1793 in Etymonline, 1867 in MWU.^(HTOED)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is also used as a familiar form of address to a grandmother or to an elderly woman,^(HTOED) and Chambers gives the sense an old woman.^(Chambers 2008) In American slang from 1941, grandma, or ''grandma gear'', is the lowest gear of a vehicle, from the image of a slow-driving grandmother.^(GDoS)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1749 – grandmama.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1772 – grandma.^(HTOED)

+ * 1941 – the lowest gear (US slang).^(GDoS)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(informal)'' A [[grandmother]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)^(LDOCE 2009)

+ # ''(informal)'' An old woman.^(Chambers 2008)

+ # ''(US slang)'' The lowest gear of a vehicle.^(GDoS)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[grammy]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[grandpa]]

+ * [[grandmother]]

+ * [[granny]]

+ * [[mama]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}