An interesting tidbit of information is how the word babies use for “father” is almost universally some form of “papa.”
Like most tidbits, digging deeper uncovers further interesting tidbits – some of which give clues into the psychology of our most ancient ancestors.
Pah-Pah, the universal sound babies make for father, is just such a tidbit.
I think the reason behind this particular sound being ascribed to mean father is because the “pah” sound is one of the easiest sounds to form. It can be visually copied and easily imitated by babies long before they control their vocal cords. Pah-Pah it made with nothing more than the lips, an exhalation, and a repetition – all of which babies control with ease.
What does this tell me?
It tells me women are incredibly smart. Women bond with their babies through holding, nurturing, and feeding them. Men bond with babies through the baby interacting with them. So when the woman tells the man “pah-pah”, that oh-so-easy to form sound, is the baby addressing them it makes the man feel special, which strengthens the bond between man and child.
Of course it is extremely easy for the mother to teach her baby “pah-pah” means that smelly hairy thing that occasionally comes around to poke and bare its teeth… She could just as easily teach her baby “pah-pah” means “I’m hungry”, but she doesn’t. I wonder why?
Universally, women are not without their wiles…
{P.S. For those who subscribe to my blog, no I haven’t forgotten about the next installment on money, I’m just not quite ready to release it.}
