Think about it!
Why do we say:
- Motherlode
- Motherboard
- Mothership
- Mother dough (yes, that’s real!)
It’s a linguistic oddity. ‘Mother’ gets all the prefix fun, while ‘father’ is left in the dust, like a passenger in economy class munching on stale peanuts while ‘mother’ is living it up in first class.
Why do we say, “I hit the motherlode?”
Is it because moms are always doing a load of laundry? They do have a knack for finding that one missing sock! My mom always claimed the money she found in our pockets doing laundry, so was she loaded with cash? Ironically, it’s not spelled “motherload” but “Motherlode. Why?
Why did the saying “I hit the motherlode” even transpire?
I had so many questions!
When I got home from visiting Mom I did some research.
MOTHERLODE
According to legend, “Motherlode” came about during the California gold rush in 1848. A miner named James Marshall is said to have coined the term. The richest vein was called the Mother Lode because it contained the most significant amount of gold, silver, and other ores.
The term “Motherlode” is now used to celebrate the abundance of love and care only mothers can provide. It’s like hitting the jackpot of hugs and kisses!
Personally I hit the Motherlode! As I sit down to write this blog, fueled by the power of the sweetest iced tea in the universe, I can’t help but marvel at the wonder of my mom, known to us as Bobbie Lou. She’s like the Motherboard of our family, the captain of our mothership, and the dough that holds us all together.
I’m sorry, dads, but we won’t be yelling, “I hit the “fatherlode” anytime soon.
MOTHERBOARD
Here’s another “Mother” of a prefix to ponder. The tech industry has always been and continues to be dominated by males, so why did we name it Motherboard and not Fatherboard?
It is fair to call it the father board! Am I wrong? Give dads some accolades too!
Before we jump to conclusions though, let’s look at the Motherboard’s role and why it’s earned its maternal title.
Basic definition with my addition of analogies..
The Motherboard “MOM “provides the necessary support and connections to ensure that all the components’ “KIDS” of the computer “FAMILY” work harmoniously. Without a properly functioning motherboard, your computer “FAMILY” would be unable to perform any tasks.
We’d be in utter chaos if “MOM,” our Motherboard, was not in charge with long-term reliability!
It isn’t just a clever play on words. It’s a nod to our mothers’ essential role in our lives, both in the real world and the digital realm. Cue a standing ovation for Mom!
Warning: Bad Dad joke !
Why don’t we call it a Fatherboard instead of the Motherboard in computers?
Because if we did, every time you tried to turn it on, it would just say, “Ask your mother!”
MOTHER DOUGH
Have you ever eaten sourdough bread? Mother dough, often called sourdough starter, is the basis of a loaf of bread. Pieces of the mother dough are taken and used to create new loaves.
Indeed, “Father Dough” could also work linguistically and professionally. Many fathers are bread makers and sometimes the breadwinner. So again, why not the Father dough?
It reflects the role associated with nurturing which is traditionally a part of mom’s department. The term Mother dough has that warm, cozy vibe that makes you want to snuggle up with a fresh slice straight out of the oven with a dab of butter and honey oozing down the sides!
It also comes down to simple biology too. Fathers are unable to give birth. It’s a biological fact.
Mother dough can also give “loaf life” as it is used to create new batches of dough.
Sorry, dads. I can’t argue with biology.
Speaking of biology, in my 9th grade biology class, we run an experiment highlighting yeast and mother dough.
Warning: Bad teacher joke:
Why did the mother dough become a scientist?
Because she wanted to rise to the occasion and prove she’s more than just loafing around in the kitchen!
Get it? Yeast rises, making a loaf of bread.
Oh well, you may not laugh but it’s funny to 14-year-olds.
MOTHER SHIP
Basic definition: Something extensive that supports or controls more minor things around it.
Sure sounds like a mother to me!
My imagination takes me to an intergalactic minivan in space with 20-cup holders, traveling at warp speed between games in different galaxies with snacks, anti-gravity suits, soccer balls, and hockey pucks. Mother is the queen of the cosmos!
I wonder if Elon Musk will name the spaceship he is building to get us to Mars after his mother?
Mothership of Maye Musk or simply MMM. It was meant to be!
Now that you understand why the prefix “mother” is used, so often, it obviously leaves no room for fathers in this linguistic prefix club. Our apologies dads.
FATHERS!
While fathers may have been overlooked linguistically, their impact is undeniable.
They embody love, strength, and protection as the ultimate bear-hugging machines.
Let’s also remember the steady supply of entertaining dad jokes they provide.
As Father’s day approaches, I hope you strike gold by hitting the “fatherlode.”
I propose renaming Father’s Day to …Happy FATHERLODE DAY.
IDEAS FOR DAD
On June 16, here are some ideas of ways to honor your “Fatherlode”
55 Fun Father’s Day Activities – What to Do on Father’s Day (today.com)
One last funny father note…
XGen Studios made a video game that dads might like to play with their kids on Father’s Day.
Game title: MOTHERLODE! No joke!
https://www.crazygames.com/game/motherload
Now go hug your mother AND father if you are lucky enough to still have them within reach.
