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In kinship terminology, a cousin is a relative with whom a person shares one or more common ancestors. The term is rarely used when referring to a relative in an immediate family in which there is a more specific term (e.g., mother, father, sister, brother, etc.). The term "blood relative" can be used synonymously and establishes the existence of a genetic link.

Systems of "degrees" and "removals" are used in the English-speaking world to describe the relationship between two cousins and the ancestor they have in common. Various governmental entities have established systems for legal use that can handle kinships with common ancestors existing any number of generations in the past, though common usage often eliminates the degrees and removals and refers to people with common ancestry as simply "cousins" or "distant cousin".

By extension, the term "cousin" can also be used when referring to the genetic relationships between humans and any other form of life, as per the theory of evolution of all life on Earth descending from one common ancestor. However, the term in this sense is most commonly restricted to the fields of study surrounding ecological genetics.

Basic definitions[link]

The ordinals in the terms "first cousins", "second cousins", "third cousins", describe the "degree" of the cousin relationship. The degree of two cousins' relationship is determined by the number of generations to their closest common ancestor.^[1] When the cousins are not the same generation, they are described as "removed". In this case, the smaller number of generations to the common ancestor is used to determine the degree, and the difference in generations determines the number of times removed. Note that the ages of the cousins are irrelevant to the definition of the cousin relationship.

Asymmetric definitions[link]

The dyadic definitions of cousins in the previous section are common but not universal. As with other relationship definitions, e.g., father-daughter; aunt-nephew, some people prefer to use an asymmetric terminology that defines both the relationship and the roles played by each person in the relationship.^[2] In this case, the degree of the relationship from cousin A to cousin B is determined by the distance from A to the common ancestor and the number of times removed is the difference in generations between A to B. Sometimes "upwards" or "downwards" is used to indicate the direction of this difference. For example, if A has a grandparent whose sibling is B's parent, then B is A's "second cousin, once removed (upwards)", whereas A is B's "first cousin once removed (downwards)".^[3]

Additional terms[link]

The following is a list of less common cousin terms.

Colloquial usage[link]

Although precise legal nomenclature exists, in day to day speech, "cousin" is often used unmodified. Thus, a person may use the term "cousin" to refer to cousins of all types, e.g., first, second, and third cousins, as well as cousins once or more times removed. Modifier terms such as "half-cousin" or "step-cousin" are rarely used in everyday speech. The term "cousin" is also sometimes used for people someone is close to, even if they are not actually blood relatives.

Relationships chart[link]

This unreferenced section requires citations to ensure verifiability.

A "cousin chart", or "table of consanguinity", is helpful in identifying the degree of cousin relationship between two people using their most recent common ancestor as the reference point. Cousinship between two people can be specifically described in degrees and removals by determining how close, generationally, the common ancestor is to each person.

Canon law relationship chart[link]

Canon Law Relationship Chart. See an example of how to use chart.

Another visual chart used in determining the legal relationship between two people who share a common ancestor is based upon a diamond shape, usually referred to as a "canon law relationship chart".

The chart is used by placing the "common progenitor" (the person from whom both people are descended) in the top space in the diamond-shaped chart, and then following each line down the outside edge of the chart. Upon reaching the final place along the opposing outside edge for each person, the relationship is then determined by following that line inward to the point where the lines intersect. The information contained in the common "intersection" defines the relationship.

For a simple example, in the illustration to the right, if two siblings use the chart to determine their relationship, their common parents are placed in the topmost position and each child is assigned the space below and along the outside of the chart. Then, following the spaces inward, the two would meet in the "brother (sister)" diamond. If their children want to determine their relationship, they would follow the path established by their parents, but descend an additional step below along the outside of the chart (showing that they are grandchildren of the common progenitor); following their respective lines inward, they would come to rest in the space marked "1st cousin". In cases where one side descends the outside of the diamond further than the other side because of additional generations removed from the common progenitor, following the lines inward shows both the cousin rank (1st cousin, 2nd cousin) plus the number of times (generations) "removed".

In the example provided at the right, generations one (child) through ten (8th great-grandchild) from the common progenitor are provided; however, the format of the chart can easily be expanded to accommodate any number of generations needed to resolve the question of relationship.

Mathematical definitions[link]

Table of Consanguinity, showing legal degrees of relationship

There is a mathematical way to identify the degree of cousinship shared by two individuals. Each "great" or "grand" in the description of one individual's relationship to the common ancestor has a numerical value of 1.

Example: If person one's great-great-great-grandfather is person two's grandfather, then person one's "number" is 4 (great + great + great + grand = 4) and person two's "number" is 1 (grand = 1). The smaller of the two numbers is the degree of cousinship. The two people in this example are first cousins. The difference between the two people's "numbers" is the degree of removal. In this case, the two people are thrice (4 − 1 = 3) removed, making them first cousins thrice removed.

Example 2: If someone's great-great-great-grandparent (great + great + great + grand = 4) is another person's great-great-great-grandparent (great + great + great + grand = 4), then the two people are 4th cousins. There is no degree of removal, because they are on the same generational level (4 − 4 = 0).

Example 3: If one person's great-grandparent (great + grand = 2) is a second person's great-great-great-great-great-grandparent (great + great + great + great + great + grand = 6), then the two are second cousins four times removed. The first person's "number" (2) is the lower, making them second cousins. The difference between the two numbers is 4 (6 − 2 = 4), which is the degree of removal (generational difference).

See also[link]

• Collateral descendant
• Consanguinity
• Cousin marriage
• Cross cousin
• Family
• Genealogical numbering systems
• Kinship terminology
• List of coupled cousins
• Most recent common ancestor
• Parallel cousin
• Generation

References[link]

External links[link]

Look up cousin in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• Genealogy.com definition of various cousins
• Genealogy.com: What makes a cousin?
• Genetic Genealogy

Cousin Itt is a member of the fictional Addams Family. Unlike the other characters, Cousin Itt was not originally created by cartoonist Charles Addams, but by producer David Levy, though he did appear as an unnamed character in Addams's cartoons.

Character[link]

Itt Addams is the cousin of Gomez Addams, and is arguably the most enigmatic member of The Addams Family. He is a short being whose entire body is completely covered with hair. When Gomez asks Cousin Itt what is underneath all the hair, Cousin Itt replies, "Roots" ("The Winning of Morticia Addams"). His hair color changed throughout the years but in the 1998 Addams Family TV series his hair color was blond. He usually wears sunglasses, a derby hat, and gloves. He speaks in a high-pitched gibberish language which the other members of the family can understand though it is incomprehensible to anyone else. The Addams find nothing odd about Itt's appearance, and in one episode of the series, Gomez is surprised by the idea that other people could not understand Itt's speech ("My Fair Cousin Itt"). Itt is often celebrated by the family as being "full of talent" in areas such as acting, singing, and marriage counseling (though he once accidentally separated Gomez and Morticia while trying to practice). He is also known to have an extremely high IQ of over 300 (as explained by Gomez), shown when he guesses every Rorschach Test correctly, places all of the boxes in the correct slots, and in other ways ("Cousin Itt and the Vocational Counselor"). In one episode, Cousin Itt took elocution lessons and developed a (dubbed) voice with a mellifluous, mid-Atlantic accent; this voice did not survive into future episodes.

Cousin Itt did not live in the mansion with the main characters, although he made frequent guest appearances when he would visit them. He was therefore a recurring character, not a main character. Although known to spend time in the chimney, Itt has his own room in the mansion, furnished in proportion to his size and with a low ceiling. He is depicted as a carefree bachelor with an extravagant lifestyle, and is renowned among the Addamses for his many female companions. He had an on-again/off-again relationship with Morticia's sister Ophelia.

In the movie, The Addams Family (1991), Cousin Itt had an affair with Margaret, the wife of Tully, the corrupt lawyer trying to get his hands on the Addamses' money. In the sequel, Addams Family Values (1993), Margaret and Itt are married (as Tully had been buried alive by Pugsley and Wednesday) and have a baby (a miniature version of Itt), aptly named "What". Margaret explains that "What!" was the first word out of the obstetrician's mouth upon seeing the baby. Oddly, even before Itt marries Margaret, she is shown to understand his speech. In the movies, his hair is straighter and his voice is squeakier than in the TV series.

Cousin Itt makes a cameo appearance at the beginning of Act II in the Addams Family Musical on Broadway.

Portrayals[link]

In the 1960s television series, Cousin Itt was played by actor Felix Silla, bar two episodes in which Roger Arroyo played the role. The "voice" was created by sound engineer Marty Magro.

In the first animated series from Hanna-Barbera, Itt's voice was done by John Stephenson. In the second Hanna-Barbera animated series, Itt's voice was done by Pat Fraley.

Itt was portrayed in the first two movies by John Franklin, and in Addams Family Reunion, by Phil Fondacaro.

Other names[link]

Cousin Itt is known as "Tío Cosa" (Uncle Thing) in Latin America, except in Brazil, where he is known as "Primo Itt" (Cousin Itt).

In Italian, Itt is known both as "Cugino Itt" and "Cugino Coso" (Cousin Itt and Cousin Thing). He was also named Henry Charlotten in the animated series.

In French, Itt is known as "Cousin Machin" (Cousin Thing).

In Spanish, he's called "Tio Eso" (Uncle Itt)

In Galicia, he was called "Curmán Enxendro" (Cousin Freak).

In Swedish, Itt is known as "Kusin Det" (Cousin Itt).

In Hungary, he was called "Hogyishívják kuzin" (Cousin Whatshisname).

Related characters[link]

• In Once Upon a Time...Man, the character Maestro is a white-haired variant of Cousin Itt.

• In the cartoon Edgar and Ellen, the twins have a pet named "Pet", who resembles a mini-Itt.

References[link]

• The Addams Family TV shows and movies
• TV Acres - Cousin Itt

Kirk Cousins (born August 19, 1988) is an American football quarterback for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He played college at Michigan State from 2007-2011. He was the Spartans' starter from 2009–2011. He was drafted with the 102nd pick in the 4th Round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins.^[1]

High school career[link]

Cousins attended Holland Christian High School in Holland, Michigan where he starred in football, baseball (as a pitcher), and basketball. He broke his ankle in his junior year and was forced to attend camps in order to make an impression with recruiting colleges. He was about to sign with Toledo or Western Michigan when Mark Dantonio became the head coach at Michigan State. After Dantonio failed to sign his top targets at quarterback, he offered a scholarship to Cousins in January 2007, and he accepted.^[2] Cousins finished his high school football career with 3,204 passing yards, 40 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions.

Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	40‡	Commit date
Kirk Cousins QB	Holland, Michigan	Holland Christian High School	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	171 lb (78 kg)	4.80	Jan 19, 2007
	Scout:   Rivals:
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: – (QB)   Rivals: – (QB), 27 (MI)
‡ Refers to 40 yard dash Note: In many cases, Scout and Rivals may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time. In these cases, an average of the two was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "2007 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. http://www.rivals.com/TeamRank.asp?type=0&sort=0&year=2007. Retrieved 2011-10-07.

College career[link]

In 2007, newly hired Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio recruited Cousins to play for the Spartans. Cousins was redshirted for the 2007 season. In 2008, he spent the season as the back up quarterback to Brian Hoyer. He played in five games passing for a total of 310 yards and two touchdowns and one interception. In 2009, he competed for and won the starting quarterback job against teammate Keith Nichol. He led Michigan State to a 6–7 (4-4) season with 19 touchdowns, nine interceptions and 2,680 passing yards in 12 games. In 2010, he led Michigan State to a 11–2 (7-1) record and won the Big Ten Championship. In 2011 his Michigan State Spartans went 11-3 (7-2) and played in the first ever Big Ten championship game. Cousins was named Second Team All-Big Ten by the coaches, and played his final game as a Michigan State Spartan on January 2, 2012 defeating the Georgia Bulldogs in the Outback Bowl. His teams posted a undefeated 4-0 record against in-state rivals Michigan. ^[3] Cousins won the 2011 Lowes's Senior CLASS Award ^[4]

Kirk Cousins drew praise for a speech he delivered at the Big Ten kickoff lunch on behalf of all Big Ten student-athletes ^[5]

Professional career[link]

2012 NFL Combine[link]

Washington Redskins[link]

In the 2012 NFL Draft, Cousins was selected by the Washington Redskins as the seventh choice in the fourth round, making him the 102nd draft pick overall.^[7] He officially signed with the Redskins on May 31, 2012 to a four-year contract.^[8]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Michigan State profile
• Staples, Andy (October 21, 2011). "Spartans' Cousins has beaten odds to become face of Big Ten". Sports Illustrated. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/andy_staples/10/21/kirk-cousins-michigan-state/. Retrieved 2011-10-21. 

Kevin Song (born in South Korea) is a Korean-American professional poker player from Hacienda Heights, California who started playing poker since 1980 and began playing in poker tournaments since 1994 where he has cashed in many of them throughout his poker career, among them are over 20 cashes at the World Series of Poker including winning the 1997 World Series of Poker $2,000 buy-in Limit Hold'em event.^[1]

World Series of Poker[link]

Song has cashed 24 times at the World Series of Poker (WSOP), making eight final tables. At the 1994 WSOP, his first cash at a WSOP event, Song made the final table and finished in 9th place in the $2,500 Limit Hold'em event won by Mike Laing, Three years later he won his first bracelet in the $2,000 Limit Hold'em event at the 1997 WSOP, earning $397,120 in a final table that included other professional players like Dan Heimiller, Erik Seidel, Huck Seed, Berry Johnston and John Esposito. At the $1,500 Limit Hold'em Shootout event of the 2004 WSOP he finished runner-up to Kathy Liebert, earning $58,300. His latest cash was at the 2008 WSOP $2,500 No-Limit Hold'em (Six-Handed) event where he finished in fourth place, earning $141,983 after his hand of K♣ J♥ failed to improve against the chip leader and eventual winner Dario Minieri's A♦ 8♥.^[1]

World Series of Poker bracelets[link]

World Poker Tour[link]

Song has finished in the money five times at the World Poker Tour (WPT), including placing 9th in the 2003 L.A. Poker Classic and 10th at the 2006 WPT World Poker Challenge.^[1]

Other poker events[link]

Some of Song's biggest cashes have been at a various poker events such as winning the $500 Limit Hold'em event at the Rags to Riches II in Los Angeles in 1996, earning $94,689, winning the $2,500 Limit Seven-Card Stud event at the 1996 United States Poker Championship, earning $77,000, winning the $5,000 No Limit Hold'em Championship Event at the 1997 Hall of Fame Poker Classic, earning $184,000, winning the $2,000 No Limit Hold'em Championship Event at the 1999 Legends of Poker, earning $96,800, finishing in 3rd at the 2005 WSOP Circuit event at Harrah's Las Vegas, earning $110,638 that was won by Chris Ferguson and Song won the $1,500 No Limit Hold'em event at the Fifth Annual Five Diamond World Poker Classic in 2006, earning $253,560.^[1]

As of 2009, his total live tournament winnings exceed $3,200,000.^[2] His 24 cashes at the WSOP account for $836,693 of those winnings.^[3]

Notes[link]

External links[link]

• WorldSeriesOfPoker.com Profile