The English Oracle

Is the term "baby kitten" / "baby puppy" superfluous?

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Chapters
00:00 Is The Term &Quot;Baby Kitten&Quot; / &Quot;Baby Puppy&Quot; Superfluous?
00:18 Answer 1 Score 7
00:29 Answer 2 Score 3
00:49 Accepted Answer Score 8
01:19 Answer 4 Score 2
01:38 Thank you

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Full question
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Tags
#terminology #taxonomy

#avk47



ACCEPTED ANSWER

Score 8


This all depends on context of course, but, generally speaking, the terms baby puppy and baby kitten are neither superfluous nor redundant. The term puppy can be used until a canine becomes full-grown, which can take around a year. If someone told me they had baby puppies or baby kittens for sale, then I'd assume they meant very young animals, maybe only a month or two old; if the animals were more like four or five months old, I'd expect the qualifier baby to be dropped.

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ANSWER 2

Score 7


Such apparent superfluity serves to emphasise the youthful nature of the animal in question.




ANSWER 3

Score 3


I suppose it could be said that it was a tautology.

tautology noun : Needless or meaningless repetition in close succession of an idea, statement, or word

But I would say the repetition is useful to emphasise the point that the puppy or kitten was a particularly young one.




ANSWER 4

Score 2


To elaborate on @BarrieEngland's response, I'd say that "baby kitten" will often be used to further heighten the cuteness factor of the fuzzy furball thus described. "Kitten" is cute. "Baby" is cute. "Baby kitten"? Double cute!