For the first two or three years of my life, so I am told, I called my mother ‘Day’ which was very confusing and disturbing for my mother and I can see why. The word has absolutely no connection with the word mother whatsoever; also apparently the rest of my vocabulary was fine even advanced for my age. After those infant years the word vanished and it was always mother.
A year ago I was idly surfing the net and came across a site on the Romany Language and found the entry below.
Darro Dowry, bride-price 5
Dav opre "I give upwards" ie read aloud 1.11
Day Mother 1.41
Desrobireja Emancipation from slavery (Romani, from Romanian)
I was so shocked I just sat there staring. As far as I know our family have no connection with the Romany people at all. I assure you this is 100% true, even writing this I get a few shivers. Strange don’t you think?