What is it called when one person calls another something they metaphorically resemble?











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What name or word would be given for the examples below, metaphor?




  1. A mother calls her child cat, or tiger

  2. The wife calls her husband "Hey Baby".

  3. You're my moon.

  4. A very muscular person might be called "He's solid".


Basically there's extreme likeness to the other object and the person gets called by that name.



But this one turned into a weird argument; I have a black friend and he loves to be in the dark. He likes having lights turned off, so I said to him "... Yeah dark guy." But this is only following the above examples as well.










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    This question needs a better title.
    – Dennis Williamson
    Nov 10 at 1:07






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    @DennisWilliamson: I've tried to suggest a better title with my suggested edit, though I'm sure it could be improved.
    – V2Blast
    Nov 10 at 7:19










  • better title? "What is this called? A person is named after a trait or resemblance"
    – PatrickT
    Nov 10 at 8:33















up vote
5
down vote

favorite












What name or word would be given for the examples below, metaphor?




  1. A mother calls her child cat, or tiger

  2. The wife calls her husband "Hey Baby".

  3. You're my moon.

  4. A very muscular person might be called "He's solid".


Basically there's extreme likeness to the other object and the person gets called by that name.



But this one turned into a weird argument; I have a black friend and he loves to be in the dark. He likes having lights turned off, so I said to him "... Yeah dark guy." But this is only following the above examples as well.










share|improve this question




















  • 1




    This question needs a better title.
    – Dennis Williamson
    Nov 10 at 1:07






  • 1




    @DennisWilliamson: I've tried to suggest a better title with my suggested edit, though I'm sure it could be improved.
    – V2Blast
    Nov 10 at 7:19










  • better title? "What is this called? A person is named after a trait or resemblance"
    – PatrickT
    Nov 10 at 8:33













up vote
5
down vote

favorite









up vote
5
down vote

favorite











What name or word would be given for the examples below, metaphor?




  1. A mother calls her child cat, or tiger

  2. The wife calls her husband "Hey Baby".

  3. You're my moon.

  4. A very muscular person might be called "He's solid".


Basically there's extreme likeness to the other object and the person gets called by that name.



But this one turned into a weird argument; I have a black friend and he loves to be in the dark. He likes having lights turned off, so I said to him "... Yeah dark guy." But this is only following the above examples as well.










share|improve this question















What name or word would be given for the examples below, metaphor?




  1. A mother calls her child cat, or tiger

  2. The wife calls her husband "Hey Baby".

  3. You're my moon.

  4. A very muscular person might be called "He's solid".


Basically there's extreme likeness to the other object and the person gets called by that name.



But this one turned into a weird argument; I have a black friend and he loves to be in the dark. He likes having lights turned off, so I said to him "... Yeah dark guy." But this is only following the above examples as well.







linguistics






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edited Nov 10 at 10:23









V2Blast

13618




13618










asked Nov 9 at 11:12









Noman

1484




1484








  • 1




    This question needs a better title.
    – Dennis Williamson
    Nov 10 at 1:07






  • 1




    @DennisWilliamson: I've tried to suggest a better title with my suggested edit, though I'm sure it could be improved.
    – V2Blast
    Nov 10 at 7:19










  • better title? "What is this called? A person is named after a trait or resemblance"
    – PatrickT
    Nov 10 at 8:33














  • 1




    This question needs a better title.
    – Dennis Williamson
    Nov 10 at 1:07






  • 1




    @DennisWilliamson: I've tried to suggest a better title with my suggested edit, though I'm sure it could be improved.
    – V2Blast
    Nov 10 at 7:19










  • better title? "What is this called? A person is named after a trait or resemblance"
    – PatrickT
    Nov 10 at 8:33








1




1




This question needs a better title.
– Dennis Williamson
Nov 10 at 1:07




This question needs a better title.
– Dennis Williamson
Nov 10 at 1:07




1




1




@DennisWilliamson: I've tried to suggest a better title with my suggested edit, though I'm sure it could be improved.
– V2Blast
Nov 10 at 7:19




@DennisWilliamson: I've tried to suggest a better title with my suggested edit, though I'm sure it could be improved.
– V2Blast
Nov 10 at 7:19












better title? "What is this called? A person is named after a trait or resemblance"
– PatrickT
Nov 10 at 8:33




better title? "What is this called? A person is named after a trait or resemblance"
– PatrickT
Nov 10 at 8:33










4 Answers
4






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
9
down vote



accepted










When a person is given a name corresponding to an attribute of that person, or a thing is named by something closely associated with it, it's called "metonymy." Only the last of your examples seems to be metonymy, however, and even then it's not an obvious example of it. So I'm not sure if that's what you're looking for.



The first three seem to be examples of a "pet name" if it's regularly used, or a "term of endearment" if it's used only occasionally. As I understand and use the terms, a pet name is a term of endearment that becomes a sort of private nickname.



(The third is a clear example of metaphor, but I'm guessing you weren't asking about that.)






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  • Welcome to Stack Exchange! Please support your answer by including references, such as links from online dictionaries for the definitions you provided.
    – miltonaut
    Nov 9 at 20:20










  • This is exactly what I was looking for, thank you. "When a person is given a name corresponding to an attribute of that person, or a thing is named by something closely associated with it, it's called "metonymy." "
    – Noman
    Nov 10 at 1:24




















up vote
11
down vote













Your first three examples are of terms of endearment.



The fourth is simply a description, rather than a name, although "Solid" alone could be used as a nickname, based on physical characteristics.



What you called your friend is possibly in the category of being a nickname, based on habit or personality. Unfortunately, when spoken, your chosen term of "dark guy" sounds very like "darky", an ethnic slur that was historically used against black people (and probably still is). I can understand why he was unhappy to be called that.



Some general advice: do not give people nicknames. They're rarely appreciated by the recipient. If someone has a nickname that they're happy with, they'll tell you it.






share|improve this answer




























    up vote
    8
    down vote













    A more intimate nick-name like this is a pet name




    an informal name given to someone by their family or friends




    https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/pet-name






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      up vote
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      I would go with pet-name as the above answers suggest, but if you wanted a single word, you can also use Hypocoristic, which can be both an adjective describing the name ("she liked the hypocristic name he gave her") or a noun for the name itself ("he would always call her by her hypocristic"):




      Hypocoristic



      Of the nature of a pet-name; pertaining to the habit of using endearing or euphemistic terms.







      share|improve this answer





















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        4 Answers
        4






        active

        oldest

        votes








        4 Answers
        4






        active

        oldest

        votes









        active

        oldest

        votes






        active

        oldest

        votes








        up vote
        9
        down vote



        accepted










        When a person is given a name corresponding to an attribute of that person, or a thing is named by something closely associated with it, it's called "metonymy." Only the last of your examples seems to be metonymy, however, and even then it's not an obvious example of it. So I'm not sure if that's what you're looking for.



        The first three seem to be examples of a "pet name" if it's regularly used, or a "term of endearment" if it's used only occasionally. As I understand and use the terms, a pet name is a term of endearment that becomes a sort of private nickname.



        (The third is a clear example of metaphor, but I'm guessing you weren't asking about that.)






        share|improve this answer























        • Welcome to Stack Exchange! Please support your answer by including references, such as links from online dictionaries for the definitions you provided.
          – miltonaut
          Nov 9 at 20:20










        • This is exactly what I was looking for, thank you. "When a person is given a name corresponding to an attribute of that person, or a thing is named by something closely associated with it, it's called "metonymy." "
          – Noman
          Nov 10 at 1:24

















        up vote
        9
        down vote



        accepted










        When a person is given a name corresponding to an attribute of that person, or a thing is named by something closely associated with it, it's called "metonymy." Only the last of your examples seems to be metonymy, however, and even then it's not an obvious example of it. So I'm not sure if that's what you're looking for.



        The first three seem to be examples of a "pet name" if it's regularly used, or a "term of endearment" if it's used only occasionally. As I understand and use the terms, a pet name is a term of endearment that becomes a sort of private nickname.



        (The third is a clear example of metaphor, but I'm guessing you weren't asking about that.)






        share|improve this answer























        • Welcome to Stack Exchange! Please support your answer by including references, such as links from online dictionaries for the definitions you provided.
          – miltonaut
          Nov 9 at 20:20










        • This is exactly what I was looking for, thank you. "When a person is given a name corresponding to an attribute of that person, or a thing is named by something closely associated with it, it's called "metonymy." "
          – Noman
          Nov 10 at 1:24















        up vote
        9
        down vote



        accepted







        up vote
        9
        down vote



        accepted






        When a person is given a name corresponding to an attribute of that person, or a thing is named by something closely associated with it, it's called "metonymy." Only the last of your examples seems to be metonymy, however, and even then it's not an obvious example of it. So I'm not sure if that's what you're looking for.



        The first three seem to be examples of a "pet name" if it's regularly used, or a "term of endearment" if it's used only occasionally. As I understand and use the terms, a pet name is a term of endearment that becomes a sort of private nickname.



        (The third is a clear example of metaphor, but I'm guessing you weren't asking about that.)






        share|improve this answer














        When a person is given a name corresponding to an attribute of that person, or a thing is named by something closely associated with it, it's called "metonymy." Only the last of your examples seems to be metonymy, however, and even then it's not an obvious example of it. So I'm not sure if that's what you're looking for.



        The first three seem to be examples of a "pet name" if it's regularly used, or a "term of endearment" if it's used only occasionally. As I understand and use the terms, a pet name is a term of endearment that becomes a sort of private nickname.



        (The third is a clear example of metaphor, but I'm guessing you weren't asking about that.)







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited Nov 14 at 19:36

























        answered Nov 9 at 18:49









        Philip Antin

        1064




        1064












        • Welcome to Stack Exchange! Please support your answer by including references, such as links from online dictionaries for the definitions you provided.
          – miltonaut
          Nov 9 at 20:20










        • This is exactly what I was looking for, thank you. "When a person is given a name corresponding to an attribute of that person, or a thing is named by something closely associated with it, it's called "metonymy." "
          – Noman
          Nov 10 at 1:24




















        • Welcome to Stack Exchange! Please support your answer by including references, such as links from online dictionaries for the definitions you provided.
          – miltonaut
          Nov 9 at 20:20










        • This is exactly what I was looking for, thank you. "When a person is given a name corresponding to an attribute of that person, or a thing is named by something closely associated with it, it's called "metonymy." "
          – Noman
          Nov 10 at 1:24


















        Welcome to Stack Exchange! Please support your answer by including references, such as links from online dictionaries for the definitions you provided.
        – miltonaut
        Nov 9 at 20:20




        Welcome to Stack Exchange! Please support your answer by including references, such as links from online dictionaries for the definitions you provided.
        – miltonaut
        Nov 9 at 20:20












        This is exactly what I was looking for, thank you. "When a person is given a name corresponding to an attribute of that person, or a thing is named by something closely associated with it, it's called "metonymy." "
        – Noman
        Nov 10 at 1:24






        This is exactly what I was looking for, thank you. "When a person is given a name corresponding to an attribute of that person, or a thing is named by something closely associated with it, it's called "metonymy." "
        – Noman
        Nov 10 at 1:24














        up vote
        11
        down vote













        Your first three examples are of terms of endearment.



        The fourth is simply a description, rather than a name, although "Solid" alone could be used as a nickname, based on physical characteristics.



        What you called your friend is possibly in the category of being a nickname, based on habit or personality. Unfortunately, when spoken, your chosen term of "dark guy" sounds very like "darky", an ethnic slur that was historically used against black people (and probably still is). I can understand why he was unhappy to be called that.



        Some general advice: do not give people nicknames. They're rarely appreciated by the recipient. If someone has a nickname that they're happy with, they'll tell you it.






        share|improve this answer

























          up vote
          11
          down vote













          Your first three examples are of terms of endearment.



          The fourth is simply a description, rather than a name, although "Solid" alone could be used as a nickname, based on physical characteristics.



          What you called your friend is possibly in the category of being a nickname, based on habit or personality. Unfortunately, when spoken, your chosen term of "dark guy" sounds very like "darky", an ethnic slur that was historically used against black people (and probably still is). I can understand why he was unhappy to be called that.



          Some general advice: do not give people nicknames. They're rarely appreciated by the recipient. If someone has a nickname that they're happy with, they'll tell you it.






          share|improve this answer























            up vote
            11
            down vote










            up vote
            11
            down vote









            Your first three examples are of terms of endearment.



            The fourth is simply a description, rather than a name, although "Solid" alone could be used as a nickname, based on physical characteristics.



            What you called your friend is possibly in the category of being a nickname, based on habit or personality. Unfortunately, when spoken, your chosen term of "dark guy" sounds very like "darky", an ethnic slur that was historically used against black people (and probably still is). I can understand why he was unhappy to be called that.



            Some general advice: do not give people nicknames. They're rarely appreciated by the recipient. If someone has a nickname that they're happy with, they'll tell you it.






            share|improve this answer












            Your first three examples are of terms of endearment.



            The fourth is simply a description, rather than a name, although "Solid" alone could be used as a nickname, based on physical characteristics.



            What you called your friend is possibly in the category of being a nickname, based on habit or personality. Unfortunately, when spoken, your chosen term of "dark guy" sounds very like "darky", an ethnic slur that was historically used against black people (and probably still is). I can understand why he was unhappy to be called that.



            Some general advice: do not give people nicknames. They're rarely appreciated by the recipient. If someone has a nickname that they're happy with, they'll tell you it.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered Nov 9 at 12:57









            KrisW

            6469




            6469






















                up vote
                8
                down vote













                A more intimate nick-name like this is a pet name




                an informal name given to someone by their family or friends




                https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/pet-name






                share|improve this answer

























                  up vote
                  8
                  down vote













                  A more intimate nick-name like this is a pet name




                  an informal name given to someone by their family or friends




                  https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/pet-name






                  share|improve this answer























                    up vote
                    8
                    down vote










                    up vote
                    8
                    down vote









                    A more intimate nick-name like this is a pet name




                    an informal name given to someone by their family or friends




                    https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/pet-name






                    share|improve this answer












                    A more intimate nick-name like this is a pet name




                    an informal name given to someone by their family or friends




                    https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/pet-name







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered Nov 9 at 12:28









                    James Random

                    1812




                    1812






















                        up vote
                        0
                        down vote













                        I would go with pet-name as the above answers suggest, but if you wanted a single word, you can also use Hypocoristic, which can be both an adjective describing the name ("she liked the hypocristic name he gave her") or a noun for the name itself ("he would always call her by her hypocristic"):




                        Hypocoristic



                        Of the nature of a pet-name; pertaining to the habit of using endearing or euphemistic terms.







                        share|improve this answer

























                          up vote
                          0
                          down vote













                          I would go with pet-name as the above answers suggest, but if you wanted a single word, you can also use Hypocoristic, which can be both an adjective describing the name ("she liked the hypocristic name he gave her") or a noun for the name itself ("he would always call her by her hypocristic"):




                          Hypocoristic



                          Of the nature of a pet-name; pertaining to the habit of using endearing or euphemistic terms.







                          share|improve this answer























                            up vote
                            0
                            down vote










                            up vote
                            0
                            down vote









                            I would go with pet-name as the above answers suggest, but if you wanted a single word, you can also use Hypocoristic, which can be both an adjective describing the name ("she liked the hypocristic name he gave her") or a noun for the name itself ("he would always call her by her hypocristic"):




                            Hypocoristic



                            Of the nature of a pet-name; pertaining to the habit of using endearing or euphemistic terms.







                            share|improve this answer












                            I would go with pet-name as the above answers suggest, but if you wanted a single word, you can also use Hypocoristic, which can be both an adjective describing the name ("she liked the hypocristic name he gave her") or a noun for the name itself ("he would always call her by her hypocristic"):




                            Hypocoristic



                            Of the nature of a pet-name; pertaining to the habit of using endearing or euphemistic terms.








                            share|improve this answer












                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer










                            answered Nov 9 at 20:21









                            scohe001

                            2,0471119




                            2,0471119






























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