Off Message

I have a name, so when it comes to anyone apart from my offspring, can you please keep mum

Can we restrict the terms mum and baby to mums and their own offspring? Pic: iStock

The other week, I found myself irritated by an appeal being made to the mother of a baby whose body was found three months ago in Bray.

“I appeal to mum to immediately seek medical treatment,” the garda in charge of the investigation said. He and his colleagues were available “to provide assistance to mum and dad”.

I assume no malice whatsoever was intended by this. In fact, quite the reverse; I’m sure ...