kiddie

the word "kiddie" is a playful, informal formation built upon the older slang term "kid," meaning a child. "kid" itself has an interesting journey, originating from middle english "kide," referring to a young goat, a sense which persists in standard english. by the late 16th century, "kid" began to be used in criminal slang as a term for a child, likely due to the perceived helplessness or frisky nature of young goats, and this usage gradually entered general informal speech. the addition of the diminutive suffix "-ie," common in english to form familiar or affectionate nicknames (as in "doggie," "auntie"), created "kiddie," intensifying the sense of smallness and informality, often with a tone of condescension or endearment.

this word is a simplex form. it is an informal alteration of the word "kid," which itself originally meant a young goat, with the addition of the diminutive suffix "-ie" (or "-y").