think of the children

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English

WOTD – 15 December 2014

Alternative forms

Pronunciation

Verb

think of the children (third-person singular simple present thinks of the children, present participle thinking of the children, simple past and past participle thought of the children) (usually imperative)

  1. (usually as an interjection) 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.
  2. A sincere plea to consider the young.
    • 1964, Bill Walsh et al., Mary Poppins, Walt Disney Pictures:
      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.
    • 1996 July 31, Deborah Pryce, “Conference Report on H.R. 3734, Personal Responsibility and Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996”, in Congressional Record‎, volume 142, United States Government Printing Office, page H9392-H9424:
      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.

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