I am doing homework with my daughter and we need to know why the generation above parents are called Grand...? Can anyone help?
2007-03-07 05:42:22 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
From dictionary.com:
Grand: a combining form used in genealogical terminology meaning “one generation more remote”: grandfather; grandnephew.
[Origin: special use of grand]
That does not really clear things up much, does it?
From Meriam Webster:
Grand: having higher rank than others bearing the same general designation
So maybe it is based on a combination of the two concepts.
2007-03-07 10:05:17 · answer #1 · answered by Jeannie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps it's from the French word "grand" or "grande" meaning "great" or "big", (Big Momma). The inference being that Grandmother is a "great mother", one with age and wisdom behind her.
2007-03-07 13:51:21 · answer #2 · answered by marie m 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I suppose the grand-mother has a more intelligent and higher moral standards than the mother itself, so it is called 'grand'-mother, so, better than my actual mother.
2007-03-07 13:47:54 · answer #3 · answered by Pichurri 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm with Marie M.
French "grand" = big, great.
2007-03-07 14:48:22 · answer #4 · answered by chip2001 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are higher up the ladder, hence the word "Grand".
2007-03-07 13:49:43 · answer #5 · answered by Mighty C 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
graund dame ,it was first used in Anglo France about 1225, older then the present generation.
2007-03-07 13:55:45 · answer #6 · answered by chin 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
'Grand' in this context simply means older or elder. 'Great' is often used in the same way.
2007-03-11 13:15:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋