I figured something out yesterday. Why a certain girl took a dislike to me when a bunch of us were out drinking last week- in my awesome Englishness I called her pet.
To me this is the done thing. 'Sorry mate' for men, 'sorry pet' for girls. She though being a foreigner (and therefore inferior) didn't get it and just made the assosiation of pet=animal and not pet=petal.
Thinking about this though....there's quite a lot of such terms isn't there?
Of course saying -love is also a common one. I use it myself as a alternative to pet sometimes. But its a little bit condescending I feel so...not often.
And then there's so many more. But they seem to be dying out.
Bonny lad, duck, flower and even pet get used to me by old people. Sort of seems to be some sort of weird Japanesesque status thing.
So. The point.
Is it common to use any such things with you? Or is this a weirdly English (or even northern maybe...) phenomena.
A term of endearment in Low German is "Schietbüdel" which translates to High German "Scheißbeutel" or "shit bag".
Quote from: Tyr on April 19, 2009, 10:30:49 AM
She though being a foreigner (and therefore inferior) didn't get it and just made the assosiation of pet=animal and not pet=petal.
To be honest, I didn't know this. I, too, would have made the association of pet = animal.
My rule of thumb is that if you don't mean it, don't say it. Example, don't call me "love" unless I am your love. Gentle terms are ok, though.
Agree with CB that you need to reserve your slang for the people whom you are sure will understand it, especially slang words that have different common-use meanings, like "love," "pet," or "duck." That your female drinking buddy misunderstood the word "pet" for the word "pet" is unsurprising, and I think slang like that depends absolutely on everyone sharing the same frame of reference - which holds less and less true as the world becomes smaller.
Quote from: grumbler on April 20, 2009, 09:48:52 AM
Agree with CB that you need to reserve your slang for the people whom you are sure will understand it, especially slang words that have different common-use meanings, like "love," "pet," or "duck." That your female drinking buddy misunderstood the word "pet" for the word "pet" is unsurprising, and I think slang like that depends absolutely on everyone sharing the same frame of reference - which holds less and less true as the world becomes smaller.
"Duck?" You'd better duck if you called me that.
British women have always called me 'love' on the internet...except Brazen...
Quote from: Valmy on April 20, 2009, 11:09:35 AM
British women have always called me 'love' on the internet...except Brazen...
I just get x's.
Quote from: garbon on April 20, 2009, 11:11:50 AM
Quote from: Valmy on April 20, 2009, 11:09:35 AM
British women have always called me 'love' on the internet...except Brazen...
I just get x's.
That's good, too. Isn't it?
I liked the part where Debra Winger died. :thumbsup:
Thanks, Cal. I never saw that movie. Guess I don't need to now.
"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.
I wouldn't use it myself, it doesn't sound right as I have a southern accent. Also, you should certainly not use it outside the North-East of England, people could easily take offence.
The women at Preston market still use endearments when I go there to buy fruit and veg. "My darling" and "my sweet" are the most common terms there.
I rather like these old-fashioned dialect uses myself. But they belong to an age that is dying away :(
As I've said before, my grandparents spoke in dialect, my parents had NE accents and I speak a kind of neutral English English (with a noticeable increase of American and other usages creeping in). It is sad in some ways to see the old cultures dying away as things become more global, OTOH I would have hated living in a tight little coal-mining village all my life so things are really much better in general.
Quote from: Caliga on April 20, 2009, 11:16:51 AM
I liked the part where Debra Winger died. :thumbsup:
I havn't seen
Titanic, either. Don't tell me how it ends. :P
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on April 20, 2009, 11:24:21 AMAs I've said before, my grandparents spoke in dialect, my parents had NE accents and I speak a kind of neutral English English (with a noticeable increase of American and other usages creeping in). It is sad in some ways to see the old cultures dying away as things become more global, OTOH I would have hated living in a tight little coal-mining village all my life so things are really much better in general.
I'm Southern English and, when in the UK, routinely use
mate for guys and
love for girls (as in: Cheers mate/love!)
I also often use
Gorgeous for female friends :) (as in "Hey Gorgeous, how are you today!)
Kevin
Quote from: Eochaid on April 20, 2009, 11:30:47 AM
I also often use Gorgeous for female friends :) (as in "Hey Gorgeous, how are you today!)
Kevin
You can call me "gorgeous" any time.
I call everyone I know by a pet porno name; sugartits, manlove, hotgay, etc...
I wish I was making this up.
Quote from: charliebear on April 20, 2009, 11:32:58 AMYou can call me "gorgeous" any time.
Aren't you a man? :huh:
Kevin
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" :D
Quote from: charliebear on April 20, 2009, 11:30:28 AMI havn't seen Titanic, either. Don't tell me how it ends. :P
I dunno what happens after Kate Winslet's boobs pop out. :blush:
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on April 20, 2009, 11:39:59 AMWith 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" :D
Love is well received by 99% of women, and Gorgeous usually is pretty handy when talking with flirty waitresses/cashiers etc.
Kevin
Quote from: Queequeg on April 20, 2009, 11:34:43 AM
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. <_<
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.
I would never use a term of endearment with someone I knew casually, or not at all.
You lower-class types weird me out.
An American term I often hear used is "Hun". I have assumed they are not calling me a barbarian so didnt take offence.
Quote from: crazy canuck on April 20, 2009, 12:00:54 PM
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. :mad:
Quote from: Caliga on April 20, 2009, 12:01:56 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on April 20, 2009, 12:00:54 PM
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. :mad:
I blend in well.
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on April 20, 2009, 11:24:21 AM
"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.
QuoteDown 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.
Quote from: Neil on April 20, 2009, 11:54:02 AM
I would never use a term of endearment
You could have stopped there.
Quote from: crazy canuck on April 20, 2009, 12:10:03 PM
Quote from: Neil on April 20, 2009, 11:54:02 AM
I would never use a term of endearment
You could have stopped there.
I frequently refer to my wife as 'dear'.
Neil, don't jeopardize your internet persona.
Quote from: crazy canuck on April 20, 2009, 12:00:54 PM
An American term I often hear used is "Hun". I have assumed they are not calling me a barbarian so didnt take offence.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg223.imageshack.us%2Fimg223%2F9393%2Fhun.gif&hash=106b294b8545a69c28154f4155531f14ae9f9667)
Quote from: charliebear on April 20, 2009, 11:30:28 AM
Quote from: Caliga on April 20, 2009, 11:16:51 AM
I liked the part where Debra Winger died. :thumbsup:
I havn't seen Titanic, either. Don't tell me how it ends. :P
Boat sinks.
Quote from: Neil on April 20, 2009, 11:54:02 AM
I would never use a term of endearment with someone I knew casually, or not at all.
Indeed. What the heck is the point, other than implying a false familiarity?
Quote from: charliebear on April 20, 2009, 12:53:46 PMSigh....no.
Hey Gorgeous! How you doin' :bowler::perv:
Kevin
I guess I better stop calling everyone I meet casually "assmonkey". :(
Quote from: mongers on April 20, 2009, 05:27:14 PM
Quote from: dps on April 20, 2009, 01:20:05 PM
Quote from: Neil on April 20, 2009, 11:54:02 AM
I would never use a term of endearment with someone I knew casually, or not at all.
Indeed. What the heck is the point, other than implying a false familiarity?
I'm not sure this is wholely the case, especially when used by women in a traditional market setting; certainly its more sincere than the automata "have a nice day".
Yeah, but traditionally, those women are man-hungry spinsters, and I always figured them calling their male customers "honey" and the like was wishful thinking on their part.
All kinds of people call me honey and dear. I think it is because they think I'm a child. :(
Quote from: garbon on April 20, 2009, 05:58:15 PM
All kinds of people call me honey and dear. I think it is because they think I'm a child. :(
Why the frown? Isn't that what you want?
Quote from: Neil on April 20, 2009, 06:06:33 PM
Why the frown? Isn't that what you want?
To be a child? No, I don't want to be a child.
Quote from: garbon on April 20, 2009, 06:08:01 PM
Quote from: Neil on April 20, 2009, 06:06:33 PM
Why the frown? Isn't that what you want?
To be a child? No, I don't want to be a child.
You've been given a gift that the vast majority of gays would kill for. To appear youthful, while maintaining an attitude that tells everyone around you still have that junior-high mentality. You people love that sort of thing.
Quote from: Neil on April 20, 2009, 06:12:29 PM
You've been given a gift that the vast majority of gays would kill for. To appear youthful, while maintaining an attitude that tells everyone around you still have that junior-high mentality. You people love that sort of thing.
That's the problem right there. Gay isn't my only identity. Also, I disliked junior-high.
Quote from: garbon on April 20, 2009, 06:16:29 PM
That's the problem right there. Gay isn't my only identity. Also, I disliked junior-high.
It's enough of you.
You might have disliked junior high, but you never got past it.
Quote from: Neil on April 20, 2009, 06:19:52 PM
You might have disliked junior high, but you never got past it.
Actually I did. Very little in my life is similar to my life in junior high. Although, I do still play computer games. :)
Quote from: garbon on April 20, 2009, 06:21:08 PM
Quote from: Neil on April 20, 2009, 06:19:52 PM
You might have disliked junior high, but you never got past it.
Actually I did. Very little in my life is similar to my life in junior high. Although, I do still play computer games. :)
You post like you're in junior high. Also, you're gay.
Quote from: Neil on April 20, 2009, 06:23:13 PM
Also, you're gay.
Well it is true that people in junior high often use "gay" as a pejorative. :lol:
Quote from: Queequeg on April 20, 2009, 11:34:43 AM
I call everyone I know by a pet porno name; sugartits, manlove, hotgay, etc...
I wish I was making this up.
:unsure:
I call my girlfriend "juggs" because... well... she has plenty. :cool:
Caliga would be proud of me. :blush:
"Dear" for my SO, about 1/4 to 1/3 of the time. Anything else feels weird and contrived, so I don't bother. Oh, and on occasion I call Kain "sweetcheeks" just to see the look on his face. :P
Quote from: Tyr on April 19, 2009, 10:30:49 AM
I figured something out yesterday. Why a certain girl took a dislike to me when a bunch of us were out drinking last week- in my awesome Englishness I called her pet.
To me this is the done thing. 'Sorry mate' for men, 'sorry pet' for girls. She though being a foreigner (and therefore inferior) didn't get it and just made the assosiation of pet=animal and not pet=petal.
Way to go, Inspector Holmes.
At least you didn't slide into 1930's Ghicago gangster jargon and call her a tomato.
Quote from: Drakken on April 21, 2009, 04:10:51 PM
I call my girlfriend "juggs" because... well... she has plenty. :cool:
Caliga would be proud of me. :blush:
Does she like it? Princesca doesn't :(
Quote from: Drakken on April 21, 2009, 04:10:51 PM
I call my girlfriend "juggs" because... well... she has plenty. :cool:
Pics, please.
Charlie Bear isn't a girl????!!!!!111
Quote from: Siege on April 22, 2009, 02:02:04 AM
Charlie Bear isn't a girl????!!!!!111
If you believe grabon and CdM
Quote from: garbon on April 22, 2009, 03:00:51 AM
Quote from: katmai on April 22, 2009, 02:56:50 AM
If you believe grabon and CdM
As one should.
All I'll say is never seen Charlie and Sav in the same room :ph34r:
Quote from: katmai on April 22, 2009, 03:05:06 AM
Quote from: garbon on April 22, 2009, 03:00:51 AM
Quote from: katmai on April 22, 2009, 02:56:50 AM
If you believe grabon and CdM
As one should.
All I'll say is never seen Charlie and Sav in the same room :ph34r:
Quiz us on movie trivia. It'll become quickly apparent that we aren't the same person.