Strange use of "baby daddy"

[Victor Steinbok]

It's only clear with the foreknowledge of the original--which is also
the only reason this is at all funny. Taken in isolation, it is neither
funny nor clear. And if it /were/ clear in isolation, the interpretation
would /not/ have been "I am your father."

     VS-)

On 2/18/2011 8:41 AM, ronbutters at AOL.COM wrote:
> It seems perfectly clear that the intended meaning is simply "I am your father," or, rather, "I hereby reveal that I am your father." The phrase "baby daddy" is not taken to mean merely 'baby's daddy' but 'surprise parental unit'. I understand that the derived usage is not quite the same as in the normal vernacular. But such a slight extension of meaning I'd perfectly natural and normal.
>
> I have no idea what Larry means by "same ring," but semantic change by definition alters meaning. It tolls for me.
>

------------------------------------------------------------
The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org