Let Me Call You Sweetheart

Love can be expressed in many ways.  Some expressions involve physical touching–a hug, a kiss, a caress.  Others involve the giving of a gift–flowers, jewelry or a homemade treat.  Verbal expressions can range from saying “I love you” to addressing the object of your affections with a term of endearment such as sweetheart.  But just how endearing are some of the terms of endearment which lovebirds use?

Sonny and Cher, a married performing duo, achieved commercial success singing “I Got You, Babe.”  Their term of endearment must have lost its magical spark as the two eventually divorced.  Perhaps “babe” wasn’t the best choice of a term of endearment.  In a British survey, “babe” was voted the most hated pet name for women.

Perhaps British royalty can serve as a romantic example to us commoners.  Let’s consider the popular royal couple William and Kate–or as the prince calls her, “Babykins.”   What does Kate call her beloved Prince William?  Rumor has it that he’s “Big Willie.”  I suspect that this term is not used in the presence of his grandmum, Queen Elizabeth.  She’d not likely find it to be proper.

The Brits aren’t really known for being the romantic types though.  The French, who offer us Paris and the Eiffel Tower, are much more likely to fit that bill. Much as I’d love to hear “Je t’aime” (I love you) in perfect French, I think I’ll pass on the popular French term of endearment, mon petit chou, my little cabbage.  I prefer the man who makes my pulse race not liken me to a vegetable.

And speaking of pulse, the Irish might need to be considered as something more than hot-headed, i.e., having an Irish temper.  An Irishman referring to me as “mo chuisle,” my pulse, might make my heart skip a beat.  It sure got Hillary Swank’s character pumped up in “Million Dollar Baby,” although beating up on an opponent in the boxing ring isn’t particularly romantic.

When it comes to terms of endearment, the way to a man’s heart may truly be through his stomach.  Consider some of the pet names which men bestow on their significant others–sweetie pie, pumpkin, muffin, cupcake, honey, sugar, etc.  Are they leading up to a snack or a romantic interlude when using these terms of endearment?

Relationship experts have confirmed that the use of pet names is a sign of bonding, intimacy, and commitment. I agree wholeheartedly about commitment; some folks need to be committed for using baffling terms of endearment.  Who in their right mind wants to be called the French term of endearment “ma puce?”  I will flee from anyone calling me “my flea.”

And, yes, you can find everything on the Internet.  Can’t come up with an intimate term of endearment on your own?  Never fear; there’s a website out there with a pet name generator.  The service is free, and you apparently get what you pay for.  Yes, I had to try it.  Does the man of my dreams really want me to call him “Playful Puddin’ Penguin?”

My dear departed mother may have solved the mystery of these crazy terms of endearment.  While she never addressed this particular topic, she did frequently state, “It’s now what you say, but how you say it.”  Perhaps if I call Mr. Right “Playful Puddin’ Penguin” in the most sultry and emotionally charged manner that I can muster, he won’t care what a ridiculous thing I am calling him.

Love makes people crazy.  We say and do things we ordinarily would not do.  But love also makes us happy.  If we can put a smile on that special person’s face with a silly term of endearment, why not?  If terms of endearment bond and connect us with a significant other, then we should use them liberally and frequently.  But, depending on the term, you might want to consider using it privately.  Right, Big Willie?

 

 

 

 

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