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Parents of local toddler, Millie Barlow (78 weeks), have revealed to The Betoota Advocate that their little treasure has this week begun the early stages of her tormenting ‘uh oh’ phase.
Described by early childhood experts as ‘the teething of talking’ – The Uh Oh Phase is universal amongst young parents in the English speaking world.
Both Millie’s childcare providers and extended family have also flagged the fact that she is now using ‘uh oh!’ to describe any change in her immediate surroundings.
The term, which is more of a noise than a word, is defined by Oxford Dictionary as a way to indicate dismay or concern.
While her uh ohs seem fitting for the collapse of lego structures and dad bumping his head on kitchen cabinets, her parents have tried to challenge her on how appropriate it is to yell it whenever she sees the postman, or when her aunty pops over for a visit.
It is not yet known where Millie, or every other child that age in the world, has learnt this term – but experts are pointing to Dora The Explorer or maybe Bluey.
At time of press, Millie’s father was beginning to feel self conscious that his daughter’s only registered use of Australian language was Uh Oh, and mama – with one alleged use of ‘Gama’ which is apparently her what she calls her grandmother.
Dad has now taken to playing Tupac’s Hit ‘Em Up on the drives to and from daycare, in an effort to mix up her vocabulary a bit.