In my grammar schooling, my teachers were adamant about the impermissibility of the use of the word "kid" in written English to mean anything other than a young goat. We were free to use it orally in the schoolyard but one risked severe punishment if used in an essay or story. This describes the 1950's.
I wish I could remember the statement by Oliver Wendell Holmes, ca. 1920, wherein he stated something to the effect that a word is akin to a cut gemstone, now reflecting one meaning, now another, depending on the light of context through which it is viewed. We all have some pet peeves regarding words seen in an "inappropriate" light. Mine is the term, "gay." To me it will always mean "cheerful," "blithe," "merry," and never homosexual. I seem, however, to be the only one in the world who's still holding out!
Jazzoctopus, if you're reading this, comment, please, on the possible link between "kinder" in German and "kid" in English.
