threenager

 This word has been around for a few years in the U.S. but it is progressing into mainstream Australian English as well.  The idea is that the three-year-old behaves like a teenager, has attitude and wilfulness and a total disregard of reason.  They understand what might be reasonable but they are prepared to go the other way just for the hell of it. And they want to do everything by themselves. Even if they can’t actually do it.

 Their verbal skills are improved so they can tell you all about it at top volume. And they enjoy performing in public and making their parents squirm. And they can argue.

 The terrible twos will seems like some golden age of happiness and harmony compared with the terrors of theenagerdom.