I was thinking today about Pet Names…no not Roscoe or Fluffy or Whiskers, I mean those sweet, sometimes silly monikers we ascribe to those we love.
I have long been called Sugar Plum by my daddy, don’t even know why it started or what the meaning of it is – I just know I like it and no one else in the world can call me that …
My parents have always called each other Charlie – yes, one name for the two of them…. They pronounce it different – so one is Char-lee, and the other is Cha-lee. It is a bit strange, but they have been married for fifty-one years… it works for them. Now since my child has arrived, around here, they are known as MeMa and Papa and my husband’s parents have gained new “pet names” as well, they are Ganma and Poppy!!
Friends in my past have called me by “code names” – I remember for awhile answering to Corky (I have no idea why?) and The Beav (I think that one has its roots in my first name having something to do with a Beaver’s Meadow in England or some such nonsense – a former Sunday School started it – heavens!). And in school I was sometimes referred to as Beverly Hillbilly – now that is a pet name I could just do without! I did have a friend in elementary school that called me "Mental" or was I, "Insane" and she "Mental" -- I forget...but it is a fun memory!
A former boyfriend called me several different “pet” names and of course I think I had a “pet” name for everyone I ever dated…except my husband. I just call him by his name, he answers to that and after eighteen years, I am afraid to alter this set-up. He might quit answering if I suddenly starting calling him “Baby" or some derivative thereof. Every now and then I can get away with calling him "daddy" - he answers to that one for sure.
Of course I have lots of pet names for my child …lovebug, giggle, sweetie, and monkey just to name a few!
And I even have pet names for, yep, you guessed it, my pets. Our beloved Jake was always JD or Jakie Boy, our Georigia is Georgia Girl and big ole Harlan is HB. I think I referred to our dearly departed Hamster as THE RAT...but don't tell anyone.
Pet names are really fun to think about and dissect and remember why we call the people we love by other names than their own. I love that people have “pet” names for me…it makes me feel special, like they have thought about some attribute or trait of mine and want to celebrate it. I love that certain people in my life call me the short version of my name, and others, like the longer version. It makes me feel like I have a place in someone’s heart when they take the time to really concentrate on how they want to call me to their attention.
I like coming up with pet names for those I love as well… I even use pet names for people when referring to them on this blog… it is a form of endearment. I can't help it, I hope they don't mind.
So, tell me, I am just dying to know...what is your favorite “pet name” ?
Living Happily In the Moment,
Signed,
Sugarplum, Corky, LoveMuffin, Digger, Baby, Babe, Mommy, MAMA, and Bev!
Otherwise known as,
Beverly
2 comments:
That would be Beverly Insane Riley and Mental (aka Colleen). My friend Donna was Mental Jr. What were we thinking???
Several years ago I bowled (if you want to call it that) with some people from work. The owner of the company was on the team. After a couple of gutterballs in a row on my part, I was nicknamed Bodine. Ater Jethro Bodine on the Beverly Hillbillies. Remember he liked to do "ciphering". "Naught plus naught is naught".
I have some friends who call me Cool, cause one of them kept typing in an extra "O" when typing my name in e-mails. But, that's as close to cool as I get!
I love pet names too! I have called Pickle,and Muffin over the years. My kids are buddy and sissy.. I guess I got it from "Father Knows Best". My daughter's also "Pumpkin Head". She hates it.. which is one reason I like it so much!
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