sick

English translation: ill

15:38 May 2, 2016

English language (monolingual) [Non-PRO]
Social Sciences - General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters / book on parenting

English term or phrase: sick

Hi,
I’m not completely sure whether, in the context below, I should interpret “sick” literally as “ill” or whether in this case it might have also another meaning ("grumpy" or “annoyed”, maybe?). The passage is taken from a book on parenting.

Thank you in advance for your help!

*****
When you talk about your own life, what are your most common complaints? (My oldest son is so lazy; My kids never pick up after themselves; I’m so tired; I’m feeling sad about what happened at work today; Why do I have to be the parent whose kid is * sick * all the time?….). As you’re writing, take notice of whether your complaints are phrased as states (“I feel”) or traits (“I am”) – but don’t change them! Write them down as you would normally think or say them.

haribert KudoZ activity Questions: 289 (none open) (1 without valid answers) (1 closed without grading) Answers: 524
Local time: 01:37

Selected answer:ill

Explanation:
I thought the parent was going to say something like "I'm sick of my kids' behaviour" but here "sick" just means ill...I presume the parent has to go home early or take a day off work to take her child to the doctor.

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Note added at 21 mins (2016-05-02 15:59:34 GMT)
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You are most welcome :)

Selected response from:

Louisa Tchaicha
Tunisia
Local time: 00:37

Grading comment

Thank you to all of you for your help and useful explanations!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED

3 +9

ill

Louisa Tchaicha

4 +1

ill (literally)

Sheri P

4 +1

Take it literally

Jack Doughty

making excuses

Charlesp

Answers

7 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

ill (literally)

Explanation:
I interpret the complaint as: Why am I the parent whose kid is ill (literally) all the time. I don't think it's directly connected to the previous complaints about kids' behavior.

Sheri P
United States
Local time: 19:37
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 56

Notes to answerer

Asker: Thank you, Sheri, for your help!

12 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

Take it literally

Explanation:
Sick used like this could only mean "ill". It can mean ill in the more restricted sense of vomiting, but that does not apply here.
You can of course be sick of your children, i.e. fed up with them, but that again does no apply here, or you might find them sickening (disgusting), but not in this context.

Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
Local time: 00:37
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 370

Notes to answerer

Asker: Thanks, Jack, for your explanation! My doubt derived from the fact that I would feel sorry for my child, if he(she is ill... But I understand that repetead episodes could also cause problems to a working mother o father...

6 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +9

ill

Louisa Tchaicha
Tunisia
Local time: 00:37
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 4

Grading comment

Thank you to all of you for your help and useful explanations!

Notes to answerer

Asker: Thank you, Louisa, for your help!

9 days confidence:

making excuses

Explanation:
not meant literally.

Meaning they are complaining of being sick, while not really being ill.

So 'sick' should have quotes around the word.

Charlesp
Sweden
Local time: 01:37
Works in field
Native speaker of: English

Notes to answerer

Asker: Hi, I think this also may be an interpretation...maybe "the truth lies somewhere in the middle" - maybe the child isn't feeling completely well, but exaggerates his "sickness". Thank you for your contribution!

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English translation: ill

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