[Chemnitz]

It's an old term. For instance, at an old German Lutheran Church in Ontario, a bastard was called "Liebeskind" or love-child. It sounds better than bastard. Another term used was "born out of wedlock." Remember when men were expected to take care of their children and marry the mother? I still do.

[Ole Okie]

Remember when men were expected to take care of their children and marry the mother? I still do.

Yup. Otherwise it was shotgun city for the miscreant who sired the putative bastard.