[Vocabulary] of one's parent

[Silverobama]

Hi,

The following is the definition of second cousin:

A child of a first cousin of one's parent.

I do have cousins, so I understand what cousin means. But I have difficulty in understanding this definition.

Does "second cousin" mean the relationship between, for example, my son or daughter and my cousin's son or daughter?

If so, how to understand "of one's parent" in the defition of "second cousin"?

Thanks a lot

 

[5jj]

A child of a first cousin of one's parent. [...]

Does "second cousin" mean the relationship between, for example, my son or daughter and my first cousin's son or daughter? Yes.

If so, how to understand "of one's parent" in the defition of "second cousin"?

My second cousin is the offspring of my mother's (or father's ) first cousin.

My offspring's second cousin is the offspring of my first cousin.

 

[Silverobama]

Does "my first cousin" mean "my father's brother or sister's son or daughter"?

 

[Barb_D]

Or the children of your mother's brothers or sisters.

It may be easier to think of it this way: first cousins share one set of grandparents, while seconds cousins share that same couple as great-grandparents.

 

[Silverobama]

Or the children of your mother's brothers or sisters.

It may be easier to think of it this way: first cousins share one set of grandparents, while seconds cousins share that same couple as great-grandparents.

Thanks a lot, BBD.

I do understand the first part of your sentence, yes, my cousin and I share the same grandparents. But how to understand the latter part of the sentence? Especially "share the same couple".

 

[Barb_D]

The same couple - the same man and woman. Benjaman and Frieda had Harry and Esther. They are siblings. Harry had Kim. Esther had Barbara. Barbara and Kim share the same set of grandparents - the couple, Benjaman and Frieda. We are first cousins. Barbara has a daughter Rebecca. Kim has a daughter Haley. Rebecca and Haley have that same couple, Benjaman and Frieda, as GREAT-grandparents. They are second cousins.

Your first cousins have a parent who is the brother or sister of your mother or father.
Your second cousins have a parent who is a first cousin of one of your parents.

 

[emsr2d2]

My mum has a cousin called Andrea. Andrea has a daughter called Jenna. Jenna is my second cousin.

 

[5jj]

My mum has a first cousin called Andrea. Andrea has a daughter called Jenna. Jenna is my second cousin.

And, Silver, one of ems's parents is a sibling of one of Andrea's parents.

 

[emsr2d2]

And, Silver, one of ems's parents is a sibling of one of Andrea's parents.

Yes, absolutely. Thanks for adding "first" to my post. I never think to do that because, to me, "cousin" automatically means "first cousin". I would only specify the relationship from "second cousin" onwards.

 

[5jj]

Yes, absolutely. Thanks for adding "first" to my post. I never think to do that because, to me, "cousin" automatically means "first cousin". I would only specify the relationship from "second cousin" onwards.

I never use 'first', unless it is important for some reason; I added it to your sentence only to make it absolutely clear to readers who might have doubts. I don't normally add 'second', either.

For third cousins onwards (upwards?) and cousin x times removed, I simply say 'distant cousins'.

People from some cultures may find this a little surprising, but most North American, British, Australian and New Zealand speakers of English are not concerned about detailed relationships outside the immediate family unless they are interested in family trees.

 

[emsr2d2]

I have met both BrE and AmE speakers who use "cousin" completely erroneously, meaning anyone from the child of a first cousin, to the kid who lived next door when they were little and whose mother they called "Auntie Jean" as a simple term of endearment without there being any blood relationship at all.

 

[Rover_KE]

People from some cultures may find this a little surprising, but most North American, British, Australian and New Zealand speakers of English are not concerned about detailed relationships outside the immediate family unless they are interested in family trees.

. . . or in claiming part of the estate of a relative who died without making a will.

Rover

 

[5jj]

let's not forget kissing cousins.