Terms of endearment

[Eochaid]

You can call me "gorgeous" any time.

Aren't you a man? 

Kevin

[Richard Hakluyt]

Down the pit we used to use "marrer" instead of "mate". The meaning was rather different though as you didn't have to like your "marrer". What you did have to do is look out for him and make sure he was safe. I daresay similar terms are in use on fishing vessels and in other somewhat dangerous activities where you have to rely on your workmates.

With close-ish friends it is all different of course, as friends will tend to invent their own little rules. I mean, I wouldn't recommend calling random women in London "gorgeous" 

[Caliga]

I havn't seen Titanic, either.  Don't tell me how it ends.   

I dunno what happens after Kate Winslet's boobs pop out. 

[Eochaid]

With close-ish friends it is all different of course, as friends will tend to invent their own little rules. I mean, I wouldn't recommend calling random women in London "gorgeous" 

Love is well received by 99% of women, and Gorgeous usually is pretty handy when talking with flirty waitresses/cashiers etc.

Kevin

[Caliga]

I call everyone I know by a pet porno name; sugartits, manlove, hotgay, etc...

I wish I was making this up.

I call all women "bitch", "slut", and "whore".  They act like they don't like it, but I know they do. 

[saskganesh]

my Brit dad called my mum "pet." I never knew it was common, nor did I think it was unusual. I figured it was just what they did.

petting.

[Neil]

I would never use a term of endearment with someone I knew casually, or not at all.

You lower-class types weird me out.

[crazy canuck]

An American term I often hear used is "Hun".  I have assumed they are not calling me a barbarian so didnt take offence.

[Caliga]

An American term I often hear used is "Hun".  I have assumed they are not calling me a barbarian so didnt take offence.

To us, all foreigners are Huns. 

[crazy canuck]

An American term I often hear used is "Hun".  I have assumed they are not calling me a barbarian so didnt take offence.

To us, all foreigners are Huns. 

I blend in well.

[Josquius]

"Pet" didn't even use to be used just for females. It is a term of endearment but is also used as a diminutive. So, back in my coal-mining days in the 1970s, if a guy was more than 25 years or so older than me he could call me "pet" without offense.

hmm, now to me that doesn't so much sound offensive, just a bit gay. Bonny lad verges that way even as bonny is rarely used like that anymore, always just means pretty.

Down the pit we used to use "marrer" instead of "mate". The meaning was rather different though as you didn't have to like your "marrer". What you did have to do is look out for him and make sure he was safe. I daresay similar terms are in use on fishing vessels and in other somewhat dangerous activities where you have to rely on your workmates.

Total opposite of use where I'm from.
Mate is every man in the world even if you don't like them.
Marra is your marrow. Your really good friends.

[crazy canuck]

I would never use a term of endearment

You could have stopped there.

[Neil]

I would never use a term of endearment

You could have stopped there.

I frequently refer to my wife as 'dear'.

[crazy canuck]

Neil,  don't jeopardize your internet persona.

[Syt]

An American term I often hear used is "Hun".  I have assumed they are not calling me a barbarian so didnt take offence.