kid

I think some people find it somewhat condescending when they first hear me use the term, but I've taken to calling people kids all the time. I'm not sure exactly when I got on that kick, but as best I can tell, it came about because it's a good gender-neutral term for "guy."

My almost exclusive use is "Yeah, ___'s a good kid. I'm a big fan." I'm pretty sure that one can't be taken as anything but praise.

It's a term of endearment, really. Unfortunately it seems it connotes immature for some people; what I really mean is more like child-like rather than childish. I sometimes get a look of surprise over a shoulder when I say "G'night, kid," but my smile usually undoes any damage.

I hope.

So far, anyway.

Kid (kid), n. [Of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. kið, Dan. & Sw. kid; akin to OHG. kizzi, G. kitz, kitzchen, kitzlein.]

1. (Zoöl.)

A young goat.

The . . . leopard shall lie down with the kid.
Is. xi. 6.

2.

A young child or infant; hence, a simple person, easily imposed on. [Slang] Charles Reade.

3.

A kind of leather made of the skin of the young goat, or of the skin of rats, etc.

4. pl.

Gloves made of kid. [Colloq. & Low]

5.

A small wooden mess tub; -- a name given by sailors to one in which they receive their food. Cooper.

 

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Kid, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Kidded; p. pr. & vb. n. Kidding.]

To bring forth a young goat.

 

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Kid, n. [Cf. W. cidysen.]

A fagot; a bundle of heath and furze. [Prov. Eng.] Wright.

 

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Kid, p. p.

of Kythe. [Obs.] Gower. Chaucer.

 

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Kid, v. t.

See Kiddy, v. t. [Slang]

 

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Kid, n.

Among pugilists, thieves, etc., a youthful expert; -- chiefly used attributively; as, kid Jones. [Cant]

 

© Webster 1913