The Many Magical Names for That Little Soothing Thing: A Journey Through Pacifier Lingo
“Mommy? Daddy? What names do you call a pacifier?”
Ah, the beautiful, simple, and suddenly perplexing questions young children ask! If your little one has recently posed this exact query and you found yourself scrambling for a simple answer, you’re not alone. That little piece of silicone or latex brings immense comfort to babies (and sometimes sanity to parents!), but what we call it varies wildly across streets, towns, countries, and even individual households. Let’s explore the wonderfully diverse world of pacifier nicknames together!
The Big Three (And Where You’ll Hear Them)
1. Pacifier: This is probably the most widely recognized “official” term in the United States. It comes from the word “pacify,” meaning to soothe or calm. So, it’s quite literally a “soother.” If you’re reading parenting books or product packaging in the US, this is likely the term you’ll see most often. It’s straightforward and descriptive.
2. Dummy: This is the overwhelmingly common term used throughout the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and many parts of Ireland. It might sound a bit strange to American ears at first! The origin is a bit fuzzy, but it likely stems from the old idea that sucking on something prevents a baby from practicing speech (a notion modern science doesn’t really support). It’s not meant to be insulting; it’s just the everyday word used by millions of families. You might hear, “Pop the dummy in,” or “She’s lost her dummy.”
3. Soother: This term is very popular in Canada and is also widely understood and used in the UK and Ireland alongside “dummy.” It’s a lovely, descriptive word that directly tells you its job: soothing the baby. It’s gentle and clear. You’ll find it on packaging in Canada and often see it used in parenting resources there.
The Beloved “Binky” – An American Favorite
Ah, the Binky! This one deserves its own spotlight, especially in the United States. While “pacifier” is the standard term, “Binky” is arguably the most common nickname used affectionately by parents and caregivers. Its origin story is pretty neat: it actually started as a trademarked brand name for a specific pacifier (by Binky Baby Products) back in the 1930s and 40s. Much like “Kleenex” became synonymous with tissues, “Binky” became the go-to nickname for pacifiers in many American homes. It’s short, catchy, and sounds inherently cute and comforting – perfect for a baby item. “Where’s his binky?” or “She needs her binky” are phrases heard in countless US nurseries.
Creative Family Lingo: The World of Made-Up Names
This is where things get really fun! Beyond the common regional terms, families often invent their own unique, sometimes silly, names. These often arise spontaneously:
Sound-Based: “Nuk-Nuk” (likely influenced by the popular Nuk brand), “Paci” (a super common shortening of Pacifier), “Sucky,” “Dodo” (common in some parts of Africa, like Nigeria).
Descriptive: “Plug” (as in, plugging the cries!), “Mouth Stopper” (a bit blunt, but effective!), “The Button,” “Hushy,” “Soothee.”
Pure Silliness: “The Magic Plug,” “Sir Sucks-a-Lot,” “Quiet Critter,” “The Mute Button,” “Wubby” (another brand-influenced name, from WubbaNub). These unique family names become part of the household vocabulary and are often remembered fondly long after the pacifier days are over.
Beyond English: A Quick Peek Around the Globe
If your family speaks another language, or you’re just curious, here’s how some other languages name this universal baby tool:
French: “Sucette” (pronounced soo-set, literally meaning “lollipop,” but used for pacifiers)
Spanish: “Chupete” (most common, pronounced choo-peh-teh) or “Chupón” (pronounced choo-pon, meaning “sucker”).
German: “Schnuller” (pronounced shnool-er).
Italian: “Ciuccio” (pronounced choo-cho).
Dutch: “Fopspeen” (pronounced fop-spayn).
Mandarin Chinese: “奶嘴” (Nǎizuǐ – pronounced nyeh-tsway, literally “milk mouth”).
Tagalog (Philippines): “Tsupon” (similar to the Spanish “Chupón”).
Fancy Words: The Technical Terms
While unlikely to be used at the playground, you might occasionally encounter these terms:
Dummy: As mentioned, the common term in many countries.
Teething Ring/Comforter: These terms are sometimes used, though they more accurately describe other items. A teething ring is specifically for chewing to relieve teething pain (though some pacifiers incorporate teething surfaces), and a comforter is usually a soft blanket or stuffed toy. However, because a pacifier does comfort, the term sometimes gets used interchangeably.
Non-nutritive Sucking Device: This is the super technical, medical-sounding term! You’ll see this in scientific papers or very formal medical contexts. It simply means a device for sucking that doesn’t provide nutrition (unlike a bottle).
So, Which Name is “Right”?
Here’s the wonderful answer to your child’s question: They all are!
There isn’t one single “correct” name. The “right” name is the one that your family uses and understands. It might be “pacifier,” “dummy,” “soother,” “binky,” “paci,” or your own unique creation like “The Snuffle Stopper.” What matters most is that it helps you communicate and find that precious little calming tool when the wobbly lip appears!
The Magic of Naming Things Together
Your child asking “What names do you call a pacifier?” is about more than just words. It’s about them learning how language works, discovering that the same thing can have different names, and connecting with the family vocabulary. It’s a tiny window into the fascinating world of human communication.
So, next time that little voice pipes up asking for the “thingy,” you can smile and say, “Oh, you mean your binky/paci/dummy/soother/sucky/[Your Family’s Special Name]? Here it is!” And maybe share a little story about how your family came to call it that. After all, that shared language, born from a simple question, is part of your family’s unique story. And who knows? Maybe your little one will invent the next “Binky” for their own children someday!
Please indicate: Thinking In Educating » The Many Magical Names for That Little Soothing Thing: A Journey Through Pacifier Lingo