pepelepew

 Reading books by authors from different countries always gives me a subject to talk about in the blog.  I might not have noticed if I had been reading the book, but after listening to an audio book by Jill Mansell, the differences in terms of endearment jumped out at me.
 
I have always been fascinated by regional and country etymology especially expression of love, probably brought on by being called pumpkin and sweet pea by my mother. I mean really pumpkin?  However doing some research I found that the language of love is filled with fruit, vegetables and animals and even an insect. While there are many common endearments like these:
English
  
French
  
Spanish
  
Greek
  
               
Sweetheart
cheri
  
Cariño,
  
Gluka mou (my heart)
               
angel
          
               
Babe
          
               
love,luv
  
mon amour
Mi Amor
Agapi mou
               
The French have some quite unique terms such as: ma biche (my doe),ma caille ( my quail, informal),mon canard(my duck),mon chou,( my cabbage),mon cochon (my pig), mon coco (my egg),mon poulet (my chicken),ma puce (my flea,informal). French cooking is famous, so I wonder if the names come from their love of food.  While I wouldn’t raise too much off a fuss with my duck or quail, I draw the line at pig and flea.  A woman has to have her standards.  While there are no French speaking men in my life, maybe I better memorize these two, just in case.

 
Mmmmmmm, the Spanish language has some very romantic terms with Corazoncito (My Heart), Mi Cielo (My Heaven /Sky),Mi Querida / Mi Querido (my dear) Cuchura / Cuchuras (sweetie). Although, I would have to pass on Bomboncito (marshmallow). While my heart is very tempting, I would love to be someone’s heaven.
 
So what about English love words? Here in the South, babe, honey, sweetheart, sugar, and darlin’ (yes without the g) are pretty common. I have been even known to use cutie pie or sweetie, but usually when interacting with children. I don’t know about other regions of the country. People from the North, the West and other regions will need to be sure and post if I missed some.
 
From across the pond, I’ve found love or luv, pet (which was the word used in the book I was reading) hinny, chuck and doll.  I know that there are people from Europe, Canada, and Australia that visit.  Please post and tell me which terms people use in real life.  I always wonder how accurate the books are.
 
Of course these words really only have significance if used by people who love each other.  I can’t tell you the numbers of times I have been called “hon”, or “sweetheart” or “sugar” by a perfect stranger.  Most of the time it bothers me, but I can’t honestly say I would take offense being called “luv” by someone with an English accent. But I suspect that is only because it is unique.  And apparently those to whom it is not unique with disagree with me, as BBC has an article about nurses being told to stop using “dearie”, and “love” because it isn’t respectful.
 
Come on guys, tells what names you use in public (you can keep the bedroom ones a secret). How about family love names? Is it unique to your family?  I found that pumpkin is not that unique. Have you come across a unique expression of love in a novel?
 
 
 – Leigh Davis

 

From a message board, I found Greek names seem more romantic and less food oriented (although there is my pigeon and doughnut).  Latreia mou (my adorable one), Psychi mou (my soul), Peristeraki mou (my pigeon/dove) and Loukoumaki mou (my little doughnut).  Wow, some very romantic sounding names. . . I could easily get use to being called my adorable one, or my heart.