Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

think of the children

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: Zipf frequency 5.37 in modern English

Syllables: think of the chil-dren
IPA

37

Scrabble Score

18

Letters

2

Syllables

12

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

An appeal to suspend rational consideration of an issue owing to its presumptive negative effects on the young and impressionable; usually in ironic or mocking parody of another's argumentum ad passiones or moral panic.

verb

A sincere plea to consider the young.

Example Sentences

"For quotations using this term, see Citations:think of the children."
"Mrs Banks: Katie Nanna, I beseech you. Please reconsider. Think of the children. Think of Mr Banks. He was just beginning to get used to you."
"In closing, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to have the courage to set aside the status quo, to think of the children and families of this Nation and to embrace real reform. I urge a 'yes' vote on both sides of the aisle for this rule and the conference report."

Inflected Forms

thinks of the children (present, singular) thinking of the children (participle, present) thought of the children (participle, past) thought of the children (past) won't someone think of the children (alternative) what about the children (alternative)

Phrases

argumentum ad passiones logical fallacy special pleading pas devant les enfants

Frequently Paired Words

adhortatio argumentum ad passiones deesis logical fallacy special pleading pas devant les enfants

Questions

What does think of the children mean?: An appeal to suspend rational consideration of an issue owing to its presumptive negative effects on the young and impressionable; usually in ironic or mocking parody of another's argumentum ad passiones or moral panic.

How to pronounce think of the children

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “think of the children”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “think of the children”.
Repeat and practice — Say “think of the children” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.