Uncle

2026-03-24 - 00:25

I’m used to being called “Doc” by most people. Very few say doctor. Mainly those who do not know me and after almost 50 years in local practice, there aren’t many like that, at least in Port-of-Spain West. There are other things one is called and some I cannot repeat. But there are others that reflect our society and these are the best. Children hesitantly and shyly say, “Doctor” after being repeatedly urged by their parents or grands. The best are those who say Doctor Bwatt! It must have been about 30 years ago when I was first called “Uncle” by a passerby. It was so startling a moment that I remember it well. It happened near the roundabout at the top of Fredrick Street and Independence Square and I had slowed down to allow a young man to cross the street. “Uncle, Tanks!” he smiled and was gone. I looked around to see who he was addressing, then realised it was me. And it was said with respect, this unknown young man busily going about his business. The title became more frequent as I aged and it was always said with a sense of respect and affection, which, in our busy, busy society, is really nice because I’m talking about being so addressed by total strangers in the street. Since then, I have graduated to “Gramps” or “Pops.” My wife has gone from “Auntie” to “Granny” in the same time. The salutation comes, not from the very young, the adolescents or the 20-some year olds but the over 30s or 40s crowd and it’s been going with me for, as I have said, over 30 years. So there’s hope. Awkward adolescents do grow up to be civil to their elders, it seems. This habit of calling elders “Uncle” or “Auntie,” always “Auntie” never “Aunt,” and why is there a diminutive for “Aunt” and not for “Uncle,” no one seems to know. “Auntie” is much more a term of endearment. It sweeter. The feminine perhaps? “Unc” or “Unk” is a bit more familiar but I have only heard it used in the US and it is harsh and suggests an older, slightly out-of-touch male rather than suggesting endearment. I have not heard the respectful Hindu term “Uncleji” in T&T but I was once so called in a department store in London and was very pleased. Perhaps we could try “Unkie” or “Unca”? I don’t think I want to be called “Unkie or “Unca.” “Uncie” sounds political and “Uncle-y” is too hard to say. “Uncle” or “Pops” we old folks will remain. “Uncle,” by the way, comes from the Latin avunculus, which literally means “little grandfather.” Due to the loving image of an old but wise and friendly uncle in many cultures, the word has been used as a loving nickname for many people. But as girls well know, there are many abusing “uncles.” And after the failure of their Congress, most of the American Press, the legal profession and universities to stand up to a repulsive, authoritarian government, “Uncle Sam” is now to be known as the “Ugly American.” This lovely custom of addressing senior members of the community as uncle or auntie as a mark of seniority and respect was recently highlighted in the right-wing UK magazine, the Spectator, in an article, “Wild Life,” written by a white farmer in Kenya, Aidan Hartley. I do not subscribe to most of the articles in the Spectator but for me, it has the preeminent writing of any weekly magazine and that includes the Atlantic and The New Statesman. In it, he makes the point that despite living in Kenya, where the median age is 19 and where so many of its peoples have tough lives, the young still have time to show respect for their elders. He gives examples of that by the number of times he was called “Mzee” or “Respected Elder” in the street by unknown, young people after he had an operation to try to correct his Dupuytren’s contracture and was unable to carry anything in his hand. “Oh, Mzee, sorry you are injured! You are so old. Can I carry your bag?” It all reminds me of the respectful and friendly terms, “Brother” or “Breds” or “Partner,” which have become increasingly common and appears to be substituting the older, “Boy!” or “Bhai,” among many men today, although they will probably continue along their merry way as exclamations of surprise and wonder. “Boy! ... you mad oui!” I hope the Americanism “Bro” or the English “Mate” never appear in our vocabulary. Stay away, Breds! We have our very own lovely expressions and we have maintained them faithfully over the years. Doc.