nephew and niece

[mindbullets]

why do we call them this?thanks

[Quizmonster]

They come from the Latin words 'nepos' and 'neptis' respectively. Originally, in that language, these meant 'grandson' and 'grand-daughter', but - over time - they became applied to the children of one's brothers and sisters.

[firefly]

...or our brother-in-law or sister in-law's children.

[Quizmonster]

Only partially, Firefly. One has brothers-in-law/sisters-in-law only if one's sisters/brothers are legally married. They do not have to fit that criterion in order to have children, yet any such children would still be one's nephews/nieces. In other words, it is the brother/sister relationship which is central. Cheers

[geofbob]

Sorry, Quizmonster, I think you.ve missed firefly's point. Your wife's/husband's brother or sister is your brother-in-law or sister-in-law; and if they have children then they are your nephews and nieces (whether your sister/brother-in-law is married or not). You seem to be considering sister/brother-in-law as being only your own sister's or brother's spouse.

[Quizmonster]

Point taken, Geof...I had overlooked that aspect of relationships. Sorry. However, what you say will apply only if you and your partner are legally married (as, indeed, you present it yourself). The one absolutely enduring aspect here - that has nothing whatever to do with anybody's marriage - is between you and the offspring of your own siblings.

I'm going to stop there or we'll be getting into the "What relationship exists between the child of my second-cousin twice removed and my ex-wife's first husband's granny?" type of scenario! Guaranteed to turn the brain to mush. Cheers