Toddler-speak is one of my favorite things to observe. Listening to them explore language is so fascinating. 2-yo is right in the thick of this developmental stage and he is not afraid to try new phases and words. Some of my favorites include:
“What da Heck?!”
He learned this one from his grandfather. We scold him every time he uses it, but he seems to enjoy the reaction it gets. I guess it could be far worse.
“Udder-buddies”
He uses this word in place of “everybody” but I think he’s really saying “other buddies,” as in, “there’s me, then there are the other buddies.”
“What’s your name, dude?”
No idea where this came from. He just started using it.
“Pup-take” and “Pan-take”
Sounds that come from the back of the tongue are particularly difficult for 2yo and he’s only mastered saying them at the ends of words, so this is how he pronounces “cupcake” and “pancake.”
“Ightning A-teen”
I suspect this is also how John Travolta would introduce “Lightning McQueen” at the Oscars.
“______ening”
Recently, 2yo has started adding “en” before the “ing” in most words. So, “working” becomes “workening” and “pooping” becomes “poopening.” As in, “(grunt) no I not poopening in my diaper! (grunt)”
“Butt”
Our poor friend, Brett.
Butt’s mom loves this!!!!