What is it called when one person calls another something they metaphorically resemble?
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5
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What name or word would be given for the examples below, metaphor?
- A mother calls her child cat, or tiger
- The wife calls her husband "Hey Baby".
- You're my moon.
- 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
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
favorite
What name or word would be given for the examples below, metaphor?
- A mother calls her child cat, or tiger
- The wife calls her husband "Hey Baby".
- You're my moon.
- 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
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
add a comment |
up vote
5
down vote
favorite
up vote
5
down vote
favorite
What name or word would be given for the examples below, metaphor?
- A mother calls her child cat, or tiger
- The wife calls her husband "Hey Baby".
- You're my moon.
- 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
What name or word would be given for the examples below, metaphor?
- A mother calls her child cat, or tiger
- The wife calls her husband "Hey Baby".
- You're my moon.
- 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
linguistics
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
add a comment |
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
add a comment |
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.)
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
add a comment |
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.
add a comment |
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
add a comment |
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.
add a comment |
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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.)
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
add a comment |
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.)
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
add a comment |
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.)
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.)
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
add a comment |
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
add a comment |
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.
add a comment |
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.
add a comment |
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.
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.
answered Nov 9 at 12:57
KrisW
6469
6469
add a comment |
add a comment |
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
add a comment |
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
add a comment |
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
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
answered Nov 9 at 12:28
James Random
1812
1812
add a comment |
add a comment |
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.
add a comment |
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.
add a comment |
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.
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.
answered Nov 9 at 20:21
scohe001
2,0471119
2,0471119
add a comment |
add a comment |
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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