Pet Names

I am not referring to names that we give our pets although my husband does resemble a rather lovable but untrained golden retriever at times.  I am referring to pet names for our significant others.

Awhile ago while visiting with friends, I had called my husband sweetie and one of my husband's male friends had remarked, "Sweetie.  You call your husband sweetie?  You've been married how long?  (Five years this year if you were wondering.)  I haven't heard anyone use that since college.  Sweetie.  Hmpf."  All of this was said with a sneer.  He then went on to list the names his wife calls him.  Unfortunately, I can't print most of them.  He was being a little overly dramatic about it but how do we address our loved ones?

My husband is most certainly not one for PDA's nor had he ever been a victim of Romeo & Juliet Syndrome which seems to afflict those who are young, naive, and more carefree (and less caring of the feelings of those who have to witness their exuberance over being in love). Nor is he one for overly romantic gestures.  When he came home after a month in CA, he brought me a loaf of Boudain sourdough.  He also stopped at Wal-mart for a bouquet of flowers and a chocolate bar (and the gift he promised our daughter that he would bring her from CA-a yoyo).  It was a sweet gesture and I was touched.  I'm also a sucker for chocolate.  Bring me chocolate and I will worship at your feet.

I never really paid attention to what pet names our friends used for their spouses or even if they used them at all.  I started to notice after my husband's friends' comments.  Some of our older friends seemed more likely just to use their spouse's names.  Maybe because after many years you exist in a comfortable familiarity that it doesn't seem as necessary to use those pet names or maybe it is generational. But our friends our ages (in their late 20's/early 30's) did use terms of endearment when conversing with their spouse's especially when they were trying to get their significant other's attention or when they were exasperated.

Not only have I noticed other pet names I use for my husband (including ones that others may find nauseating) such as Cute Boy but also my tones when I use them.  That one began when I worked in retail and the women I worked with all had boyfriends Well, except Annette but she was also in her 60's and still bitter over her divorce.  I don't think a one of use was married. It started with our boss using the nickname Cute Boy to refer to her boyfriend and then it became the nickname for all of our boyfriends.  "So what are you and your Cute Boy doing tonight?"  It stuck.  I do make sure to only use it within the confines of our house to avoid the heckling of our friends. Of course, our daughter now will yell up to her dad on the second floor, "Cute Boy, Cute Boy".  The first time she did it I was literally almost rolling on the floor laughing.  My husband wasn't quite so amused.

"Now, do you see what you've done?" he said to me. 

I use less complimentary tones when I am annoyed or frustrated when employing pet names when addressing my husband.  I find that I use pet names especially when I am annoyed.  Maybe to soften the blow when I inevitably have to explain why I am annoyed?

What have you called your husband or boyfriend today?

Do you do use pet names in public?  What are some of the funnier pet names you have heard?