Baby sitting? Why is it called baby sitting?

i call it child care, when i put ads on craigslist for extra income i ask if there is anyone who needs inexpensive child care.

The name itself is disturbing indeed. Who would sit on a baby? I prefer the term childcare, or watching a kid. Because that's generally what you do. Me, I like to play with the kids because it's great to hear them laugh and see them having fun.

It's really an interesting question, I've never thought of this before. I just did a search and found this in wikipedia, though I do not really understand the meaning. Just quote the meaning here for your reference.

The term "baby-sit" (from "baby" plus the agent form of "sit") first appeared in 1937, and its short-form "sitter" is attested from 1943.[citation needed] The use of the word "sit" to abbreviate "to baby-sit" is recorded from 1800. The term probably originated from the action of the caretaker "sitting on" the baby in one room, while the parents were entertaining or busy in another.
[Excerpted from wikipedia]

lol u sit around to look after the kids so baby-sitting


P.S.-babies dont have to necessarily