α. 1700s– godmama, 1700s– godmamma.
β. 1900s– godmomma (U.S.).
Also with capital initial.godmaman.
/ˈɡɒdməˌmɑː/, /ˈɡɒdˌmamə/, U.S. /ˈɡɑdˌmɑmə/, /ˈɡɑdməˌmɑ/ colloquial.
= godmother n. Also figurative.Somewhat archaic in British English: compare note at mama n.1 1a.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > kinsman or relation > parent > mother > [noun] > godmother
godmothereOE
gom1483
godmama1741
macomere1942
madrina1971
1741 S. Richardson Pamela IV. xxiv. 158 I hope so to..make him sensible of his dutiful Obligations to such noble and good God-papa's and Mamma's.
1757 Hist. Sir Roger & Son Joe II. viii. 114 Her God-mamma's Approbation of the Person, would not have failed of its due Weight in her Conclusions, had she been at Liberty to have altered her present Condition.
1778 A. Barry Let. June in B. Franklin Papers (1987) XXVI. 588 After praying for the happiness of my revered Godmama..nothing remains for me to wish you..but length of years.
1828 M. R. Mitford Our Village III. 278 Cordially welcomed by all its members except my godmamma.
1834 Morning Post 16 Oct. 2/5 Lord John Russell, the godmama of the Reform Bill.
1837 W. M. Praed Verses in Child's Bk. iii. 4 A God-mamma, who proves..that she loves Her God-child very dearly.
1896 Moonshine 22 Feb. (caption) Eastern Christianity!—The Russian godmamma.
1924 Times 25 July 15/4 Miss Emily Prune, taking her embroidery..went upon a visit to her godmamma in Bath.
1982 B. Small Unconquered (1984) i. ix. 182 ‘Will you be my Tom's godmother?’ ‘Gladly, dearest, and you will be godmama to my child?’
2006 Detroit News (Nexis) 5 Mar. 1 b She did not attend Saturday's funeral of the woman she called her ‘Godmomma’. She is still full of her memories.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2014; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1741