MAKING STRANGE
Wild Word Friday!
When my family first moved to our little town in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, some of the phrases and words used by local folks weren’t familiar to us. One of these phrases was MAKING STRANGE. When you were introduced to a baby for the first (or fifth) time and he began to wail, his mama would invariably say, “Oh, he’s just MAKING STRANGE.”
I was discussing this phrase with a friend of mine who was raised in Connecticut. She mentioned that she, too, had never heard that phrase before she moved to the U.P. I was curious about what Connecticut folks said when their babies were MAKING STRANGE. So I asked her.
My friend thought for a moment and then told me, “We said, ‘The baby’s crying because he’s afraid of you.'”
Okay. Right. I guess that makes sense, too!
Q4U: Have you ever head the phrase, MAKING STRANGE? Is it used in your ‘neck of the woods?’
I was wondering where this phrase originated, Brenda. I know we have many people of Irish descent in our area, so perhaps it’s Irish! I appreciate your input!!
My husband was just commenting that he has never heard of this phrase except from my mom when commenting about babies. I was surprised he’d never heard it and told him that all of my mom’s siblings have always said it, too. Anyway, I googled the phrase to be sure this isn’t some crazy thing my mom made up and came across your blog post. Glad to see my mother didn’t make this up. She’s from a large German and Irish family.
Very interesting, Monica. Thank you for your input!!
“The verb phrase make strange means to act up or be nervous or shy, etc., when encountering a stranger or strange situation. It’s normally said of babies or small children, but not always.
Claire Keegan – Foster – faber and faber book coverLike many expressions characteristic of Hiberno-English it seems to have been loaned from Irish, where coimhthíos a dhéanamh le duine literally means ‘to make strangeness with someone’, or to be shy or aloof in their presence; coimhthíos means strangeness, shyness, aloofness or alienation.
Another phrase, bheith deoranta le duine, means essentially the same thing with a different verb (be rather than make) and, said of adults, can also mean to be distant with someone”.
More here:
https://stancarey.wordpress.com/2015/03/04/making-strange-in-ireland/
Thank you so much for letting me know this, Abigail! Here in the US, it’s often a mystery where certain phrases and idioms originated. We’re such a ethically mixed group!
I live in England and have never heard the expression ‘making strange’ until my mother in law used it. My husband and his family are Irish and it is common there.
I finally got an answer from my sister in law from England, In England the expression “making strange” is common, she just could not give me the exact meaning.
I think that it is just one of those things that you hear, use and take for granted.
Thank you, Lynn. Don’t you just love the aptness (is that a word?) of the term “making strange”?
oh Sue, I am so sorry. But I am SURE she knew your voice. Whoever says a baby in the womb knows nothing is terribly uninformed. Of course babies pick up so much by sound and they hear quite well, being in fluid. Your baby girl knew her mommy’s voice, for sure.
Making strange is commonly used here in Nova Scotia, at least where I am.
Carolynne, I remember reading that new babies know absolutely nothing. Their minds have absorbed nothing in the womb. Yet I remember that when our first daughter was in the hospital nursery a couple of days after her birth, and she heard me speaking, her eyes popped open and she turned her head, looking for me. That is a precious, precious memory, because only a couple of days later, she died with meningitis. I love to believe that she was reacting to my voice because she had heard it so often before birth. I think children know much more than we give them credit for knowing!
I love to hear and think about unusual sayings. The old folk wisdom is sometimes absolutely the best!
I’m glad to know about your blog, Laura. Blessings on you and your writing!
Dear Sue: We use the term “making strange” here in Saskatchewan, Canada. I agree with the lady from Ireland but I think that it is more than being afraid. Babies seem to be very aware of their surroundings when they are first out of the womb. As their eyes begin to focus and they are comfortable with everything around them they reach out for the familiar. Mom or the care giver who most interacts with them is the babies comfort zone. Anyone new or unfamiliar makes the child feel insecure. My son would react to people with loud voices or men with full beards. It doesn’t last long especially if the care giver introduces the baby to the “new” experience slowly and helping the little one feel safe.
I think that this is the beginning of an individual learning to trust their gut feelings about a situation. It took me a long time to listen to my inner voice and trust that sense; especially when one hears as a child that what they are feeling is nonsense….
“Making strange” is a term we’d use here in Nova Scotia, at least in some parts. Some areas of the province, such as Lunenburg County, are known for some of their obscure sayings.
Thanks for dropping by my blog and for your comment, Sue! It’s always nice to meet other writers.
That would be great, Jackie!
Itzel, I will email you soon, I promise! I’m so glad the book arrived safely! I have a houseful of company this weekend and am not getting as much computer time as I usually do. You are a sweetheart to let me know the book arrived!
I have a sister-in-law in England, I will ask her about it.
Sue, under “free books” the january 2011 section is unavailable, I thought I tell you.
Hello!!! Me again, i’m so glad because the book finally it’s with me. I sent you a e-mail. I hope you can write me soon.
A big hug from México.
The story is like i had dreamed. Thank per this glorius gift. =)
Jackie, I’m delighted to know that! I’ve always wondered where that phrase came from. There definitely were some Irish pioneers who settled in the area where I live, including my husband’s great grandparents whose last name was O’Neill. I wonder if the phrase is used in Scotland, England or Wales, too?
yes! it is used here in Ireland. I also did not know what to make of it, my mother-in-law (who is 75) explained: babies don’t like strange faces and therefore feel uncomfortable around “strangers”.