I often talk about language as I grew up with the written word and am very partial to speaking.
(Not that many people listen).
A few months ago, I decided to start using the word 'babe' as a term of endearment. A dear friend uses it regularly, along with a male friend that I'm close to.
So I began to use it mainly in texts and then on the phone, but unfortunately it just didn't sound right.
I'm not sure if it is my slightly, very well spoken English or my personality, but it came out all wrong, it did not sit well on my tongue.
It made me think about the character of the words that we use and why we sub-consciously and consciously choose to utter certain words.
Part of it must come from our childhood and how our family spoke to us and yet, so many of us are 'sheep'. We go with the trend, the latest hip word as if it were a new style of shoe or jacket. I remember when Jamie Oliver first came on to the scene, everyone was using 'pucker' and 'wicked' and we were all 'wacking it in the oven'. And now these words have become much more the norm, until the next time a celeb comes up with a new saying or phrase.
With that being said, I have reverted back to an old favourite, which does roll off the tongue nicely, 'darling'. I'm not a luvvy sort of person, so it is not 'daaarrrling', but the character of the sound suits me and feels natural.
I don't bandy it around, but those select and wonderful people in my life will continue to be called 'darling' on occasion.
It's what works for me.
So what's your word of choice?
