The word darling

[brettdale]

Am I the only male in the world that hates it when a female (That your not in a relationship with ) calls you the word, Darling.

I dont mind other pet words, but for some reason, I find the word, Darling, Patronizing and condensing

[shasta]

Am I the only male in the world that hates it when a female (That your not in a relationship with ) calls you the word, Darling.

I dont mind other pet words, but for some reason, I find the word, Darling, Patronizing and condensing

I've been called much worse!

[fungus pudding]

Am I the only male in the world that hates it when a female (That your not in a relationship with ) calls you the word, Darling.

I dont mind other pet words, but for some reason, I find the word, Darling, Patronizing and condensing

No you are not alone, but even worse is 'love'. Back in my wilder days I had to change pubs because the barmaid regularly referred to me as 'love'. Agony.

[Lizard]

That's odd. I'd never noticed that women called men "darling" in the way you describe (I wouldn't even use it on my husband). I thought it was just boisterous Scousers that did it to women!

[percy]

We had a rep by named Tony Darling who called on us.My wife nick-named him Bog.!!!

[belgarion]

Nope Liz, Its quite common. I used to get it when I firsted started working. Usually came from women around 30'ish (generally not bad lookers) who were not above a bit of boisterous office flirting with younger single men. Didn't bother me much and it gave me a headups to what to expect (and who to expect it from) come Friday afterwork drinks and christmas parties.

[h2so4]

Well the word darling only has one meaning and the person saying it probably has the best intentions.:)

How can you get that one wrong?

[Major von Tempsky]

Particularly agree with Fungus Pudding. I've been known to give a contemptuous look to someone calling me Love and stalk out. It's a solecism usually only committed by lower class women with a horrible regional accent from the midlands and north of England.

Darling is wayout, one looks at them quizzically and goes even further wayout with a "Yes sexytits?".

[whirly]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXENJ0CTD1c

[ratkin]

Whats wrong with regional dialects?

Try going to cornwall "alight me lover" or "alright me ansome" are the usual

Bit precious to storm out beause someone calls you love. As for using the term "lower class woman" what century are some of you people in?

[Major von Tempsky]

Some dialects aren't regional - the Welsh accent (used to be spoken all over England for obvious reasons) encompasses Cornish, Welsh, some of the counties bordering Wales, and the Highlands and the Western Isles and is rather musical. On the other hand Geordie is the pits, sounds dreadful and the last time I was up that way I was appalled to hear schoolchildren still using it, you can only understand only half of what they are saying. A moderate statement is that it must limit their job opportunities.
What century? class is timeless dear Ratkin, timeless. If you don't know what class you are then you are classless.
Good one Whirly :-)

P.S. Oh, I get it! Cornish?! You're referring to the Devon accent which has unfortunately penetrated some parts of Cornwall.
Like saying that NZers who have an Australian accent, have an NZ accent, and giving some Strine as an example of Kiwi.

[STRAT]

I've been called much worse!Like wise. Usually takes at least a poke in the eye or someone messin with the hat to get me annoyed. Mind you, dont have a medium grade annoyed.

[STRAT]

what century are some of you people in?Some here are exceptionally old :D

[ratkin]

Some dialects aren't regional - the Welsh accent (used to be spoken all over England for obvious reasons) encompasses Cornish, Welsh, some of the counties bordering Wales, and the Highlands and the Western Isles and is rather musical. On the other hand Geordie is the pits, sounds dreadful and the last time I was up that way I was appalled to hear schoolchildren still using it, you can only understand only half of what they are saying. A moderate statement is that it must limit their job opportunities.
What century? class is timeless dear Ratkin, timeless. If you don't know what class you are then you are classless.
Good one Whirly :-)

P.S. Oh, I get it! Cornish?! You're referring to the Devon accent which has unfortunately penetrated some parts of Cornwall.
Like saying that NZers who have an Australian accent, have an NZ accent, and giving some Strine as an example of Kiwi.

How can you be shocked to hear that geordie children speak in a geordie accent?
Remember seeing a poll a few years ago where irish was voted the best accent , and New Zealand the worst. Thought that was a little harsh

As for the difference between Devon and Cornwall accents , you are a novice. Spent first twenty years living in Exeter Devon , before moving down to a place near Redruth in Cornwall. Very different accents.

One question i have is , how can accents in England be so different ? For example someone from Newcastle has a very different accent from Liverpool person , even though its only a few miles away.
Im probably not totlly tuned into kiwi accents , but im sure if you go from Christchurch to Ashburton there isnt much difference , same distance in UK and they very different