Even though a great-uncle is the same generation as a grandfather, why is the word great used?
2007-01-09 15:36:12 · 0 answers · asked by Trickpat 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
If you look up great uncle in a decent dictionary you will find it is actually interchangeable with granduncle.
I can only guess that people say great uncle because granduncle is a little awkward sounding.
I could find nothing on the origin od the term.
2007-01-09 15:50:27 · answer #1 · answered by octopussy 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Great- just means that it is one generation removed. You have an uncle, one generation more is a great uncle. Two generations, a great-great uncle. It is just the preferred term. Otherwise it would go uncle - granduncle - great-granduncle - on up the line.
You could just as easily ask why grandparents are not called great-parents, since they are the same generation as great-uncles. :-)
2007-01-09 20:16:57 · answer #2 · answered by Jeannie 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋
why great uncle? why? it doesn't matter.
2007-01-09 15:41:00 · answer #3 · answered by REALLY 5 · 0⤊ 4⤋
That's just the way it is, trickpat.
2007-01-09 17:28:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋