Top 20 ‘funniest’ phrases used by modern parents

‘Mombie’, ‘threenager’ and ‘iParenting’ among most popular terms used by parents, according to survey

"Poonami", "freezer tapas" and "niplash" are among the "funniest" phrases most used by modern parents, according to a survey.

Over 80 per cent of the parents who took part in the survey commissioned by ChannelMum.com said they used the phrases on a regular basis.

Four in five of those surveyed said terms such as "threenager" – used to describe a three-year-old having a teenage-style tantrum – help them cope when they find parenting tough.

More than a third said they often use this slang so their child doesn’t understand what they really mean.

The survey found that the most-used funny parenting word is "Mum Bun" – a topknot hairstyle worn by stressed mums. Three quarters of the parents polled said they used this term.

"Poonami", the word used to describe a baby’s "explosive" poo, is used by two-thirds of the parents polled. Three quarters said they frequently say they are "winging it" – meaning trying to cope while other parents seem more organised.

"Beige rainbow" and "freezer tapas" are used by one in five families to describe ready-made playdate food such as chicken nuggets and chips.

And half said they describe themselves as a "mombie" – a mum who looks like a zombie through lack of sleep.

ChannelMum.com founder Siobhan Freegard said: “They say necessity is the mother of invention – so the UK’s mums and dads have invented some very colourful phrases to describe the ups and downs of parenting.

“It’s fun but it has a serious side helping parents bond through tough times.”

Other popular phrases used by the parents surveyed include "ginwag" – meaning catching up over a glass of gin – while an "adult headache" (hangover) follows the next day.

A quarter said they "iParent" by giving their children a tablet device to keep quiet.

Over 20 per cent said they use the phrase "Velcro baby" to describe a clingy child who won’t be put down. And 18 per cent said they describe the pain they experience when breastfeeding baby as "niplash".

Siobhan Freegard added: “A clever parenting phrase which makes people laugh can go right around the world due to social media.

“It’s a lovely way to bring mums and dads together across the globe – and raise a smile too.”

Top 20 "funniest" parenting phrases:

1. Mum bun – Mum hairstyle

2. Winging It – Doing your best when everyone else seems to be more organised

3. Poonami – Poo "explosion"

4. Threenager – A child aged three going on 13

5. Sniff test – Checking if your baby really needs a change

6. Mombie – A mum exhausted through a lack of sleep

7. Flying Solo – Coping on your own

8. Mumboss – Mum in charge

9. Going to bed early – Sex

10. The Handover – Passing your baby to your partner as soon as they get home

11. Velcro Baby – A clingy baby

12. iParenting – Using a tablet to keep your child quiet

13. Niplash – When a breastfeeding baby twists their head

14. Freezer Tapas – Serving up whatever food you can find in the freezer

15. Adult headache – A hangover

16. Musical beds – When children change beds all night long

17. Beige Rainbow – Ready-made playdate food like chicken nuggets and chips

18. Mum spa – Opening the dishwasher

19. Deja poo – When a baby uses a lot of nappies in one day

20. Ginwag – Catching up over a glass of gin

SWNS