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get cracking?

sky753

Senior Member
Chinese
Hello Everyone,

What should I say to my son when it is late for school while he still sleeps on bed?

Can I say :" get cracking, sweety, you will be late for school."?
or come on, baby, you will be late for school or something like that?

By the way, what should I call my son according western custom? his first name, or sweety, or baby... which is the most proper?

Regards

Sky
Hello Everyone,

What should I say to my son when it he is late for school, while he is still sleeps sleeping in bed?

Can I say :" get cracking, sweety, you will be late for school."?
or come on, baby, you will be late for school or something like that?

By the way, what should I call my son according western custom? his first name, or sweety, or baby... which is the most proper?

Regards

Sky

One can say . I'm sure every home has a different phrase.

I say, "Ok, it's time to get moving or you'll be late for school."

First name or a special nick name are the most common. "sweet heart" is commonly used for a daughter.

Common things to say:
"Ok, young man, it's time to get moving or you'll be late for school."
Ök, Johnny, it's time to get out of the sack or you'll be late for school."
Hello, Sky. "Get cracking" works fine. "Get moving", "get up", and "rise and shine" are all things that parents commonly say to their kids.

I looked at your personal profile, Sky, but I couldn't read whether you are male or female. The reason that I looked was so that I could give you some good advice about "western custom" when it comes to talking to your children. You mentioned that your child is male. I can tell you that many fathers in the U.S. would likely use "boy" or "son" in that sentence. Males here in the U.S. often avoid words like "sweety", "dear", "pumpkin", or "baby" when they are talking to their sons. This is especially true after the child is old enough to go to school. Mothers are more likely to use these words for their school-age sons. Fathers often still use these words for their school-age daughters.

This last advice is general. I'm not trying to tell you that no fathers call their sons "baby" when the son is ten years old. I am trying to tell you that many fathers avoid names that they think sound effeminate or "sissy" when they talk to their boys.
One can say . I'm sure every home has a different phrase.

I say, "Ok, it's time to get moving or you'll be late for school."

First name or a special nick name are the most common. "sweet heart" is commonly used for a daughter.

Common things to say:
"Ok, young man, it's time to get moving or you'll be late for school."
Ök, Johnny, it's time to get out of the sack or you'll be late for school."

many thanks for your time and I would like to know is " get cracking" common in daily English?
Hello, Sky. "Get cracking" works fine. "Get moving", "get up", and "rise and shine" are all things that parents commonly say to their kids.

I looked at your personal profile, Sky, but I couldn't read whether you are male or female. The reason that I looked was so that I could give you some good advice about "western custom" when it comes to talking to your children. You mentioned that your child is male. I can tell you that many fathers in the U.S. would likely use "boy" or "son" in that sentence. Males here in the U.S. often avoid words like "sweety", "dear", "pumpkin", or "baby" when they are talking to their sons. This is especially true after the child is old enough to go to school. Mothers are more likely to use these words for their school-age sons. Fathers often still use these words for their school-age daughters.

This last advice is general. I'm not trying to tell you that no fathers call their sons "baby" when the son is ten years old. I am trying to tell you that many fathers avoid names that they think sound effeminate or "sissy" when they talk to their boys.

Thanks for your quick reply. I am male.
To me, "get cracking" is not useful for giving a warning, but it works well as a suggestion/command:

Get cracking. You'll be late for school. 👁 Cross :cross:

Get cracking. You don't want to be late for school. 👁 Tick :tick:

Thanks,and hope to get more replies about your view.
There is an old saying, to get something done there is the right way, the wrong way and the Navy way. Get a 10 gallon metal garbage can, a baseball bat or truncheon and yell at the top of your voice, "It is time to get up. Now!" and start banging the metal can with a steady recitation of "Hit the deck! Hit the deck! The noise doesn't stop until you hit the deck."
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Get cracking. You'll be late for school. 👁 Cross :cross:

Get cracking. You don't want to be late for school. 👁 Tick :tick:

I disagree. I see no reason why you find one of these right and the other wrong. I think they're both fine and are both things that a parent might say to a youngster who needs to get up and get ready for school.
There is an old saying, to get something done there is the right way, the wrong way and the Navy way. Get a 10 gallon metal garbage can, a baseball bat or truncheon and yell at the top of your voice, "It is time to get up. Now!" and start banging the metal can with a steady recitation of "Hit the deck! Hit the deck! The noise doesn't stop until you hit the deck."

Harry, That's not bad, but....I think he is looking for nice things to say:

"It's time you got out of bed, Sugar Pie!", said very sweetly. This works well if it is immediately followed by a full pitcher of ice water(with ice) poured over your bare body. It's amazing how fast one can go from deep sleep(still passed out) to full awake and standing upright. It's also pretty good reminder not to stay out drinking all night with your buddies(or not to do whatever else you might have been doing) 👁 Eek! :eek:
👁 Big Grin :D
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