English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Love child
Meaning
The idiom "love child" is used to refer to a child who is conceived out of wedlock, or as a result of an affair or adultery. It often implies that the parents were not legally married at the time of the birth of the child. The term "love child" is typically used in a derogatory way towards women who have had children out of wedlock.
Usage
- The love child was raised by her single mother and never knew her biological father.
- Despite facing discrimination, many love children are now able to pursue their dreams and achieve success in life.
- Some people believe that having a love child is a sin and goes against the values of society.
- The love child was not accepted by her parents or siblings, and she had to leave home to find a new family.
- The love child faced numerous challenges growing up, including financial difficulties, social isolation, and emotional instability.
Roots and History
The term "love child" has its roots in medieval times when people believed that a child was conceived out of wedlock due to infidelity on the part of the wife. The term was originally used to refer to a child who was born with deformities or other physical abnormalities, as people believed that these children were cursed or punished by God for their parents' sins. Over time, the term became more general and began to be used to refer to any child who was conceived out of wedlock.
Synonyms in English
- Out-of-wedlock child
- Bastard child
- Illegitimate child
- Unmarried mother's child
- Non-marital child
Synonyms in other languages
- Batailleur de la vie (French) - A man who engages in relationships outside of marriage and has children with different women.
- Morganatische kind (German) - A child born out of wedlock, typically from an affair or adultery.
- Karstetter (Swedish) - A child born out of wedlock to a woman who is married to another man and the father of the child is unknown.
- Hafnur eða þrýggjur (Icelandic) - A child who is conceived out of wedlock, typically from an affair or adultery.
- Børn i heltidsfamilier (Danish) - Children born to unmarried parents or single mothers.