I actually heard Cokie Roberts, NPR Commentator, use the word “illegitimate” to describe a child born outside a marriage in a news interview this morning.

Let’s take a look at what that word means, and for that, we consult the book:

Main Entry: il·le·git·i·mate \-ˈji-tə-mət\
Function: adjective
Date: 1536 (note how antiquated the word is)
1: not recognized as lawful offspring; specifically : born of parents not married to each other

2: not rightly deduced or inferred : illogical

3: departing from the regular : erratic

4 a: not sanctioned by law : illegal b: not authorized by good usage cof a taxon : published but not in accordance with the rules of the relevant international code
— il·le·git·i·mate·ly adverb

First off…it’s an antiquated (yes I like the word) belief that children born outside of an Old Testament defined marriage is a big deal. It amazes me that some people actually believe that the only families that exist on the planet are those composed of 1 female mother, 1 male father, married, with a child.

Second off…children are “legitimate” just by the nature of being born on this planet, although I will admit that many of us do “depart from the regular” - but then again, who defines what regular is. And to me, regular changes every day.

Third off…what educated person still uses that word to describe a child born outside marriage? None of them. Only dumb people do. It would be like calling the child a “bastard”. Dumb.

</rant>

This sarcastic entry was posted on Monday, May 19th, 2008 at 11:18 am and is filed under Awareness, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the comments feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.