A Cultural Question About Andy Hardy Comes Home (movies, character, 70's)

[jaida]

I was watching "Andy Hardy Comes Home" on TCM this morning and there was a scene where Rooney's character frowns when his son says the word "kid" (instead of "boy"). The son quickly sees his mistake and corrects himself.

This movie came out in 1958; was the word "kid" some sort of foul word back then?

[Bookmen]

I was a "kid" at that time time, and I remember being told, "A kid is a young goat, not a person." I don't think it was considered naughty, but there was more emphasis on teaching children the proper use of the language in those days.

[gymbuff]

I am a child of the 70's and I was told the same thing by my teachers, all of whom probably saw that movie in 1958.

[jaida]

Thanks for the replies. I guess there was a higher level of parental respect/fear back then (or at least portrayed in movies).

[Lakewooder]

Oh Yeah. I went to elementary school in the sixties and seventies but was taught by many teachers from the 30s and 40s.

And there weren't all these dang helicopter parents back then, either.