(no subject)

[allyndra]

So, I was reading fanfic, as I often do, and John called Rodney "Baby," and it jarred me right out of the story. I spent a minute feeling irritated at the story, then I got really irritated at myself. Because I am the Queen of Terms of Endearment. I inherited my tendency to use affectionate nicknames from my father, who refers to my mom as "Honeyhead" so much that their African Grey says, "Goodnight, Honeyhead," whenever you turn off the lights.

Terms of Endearment I use for my husband and/or son:
Darlin'
Darlin'est (in case Darlin' isn't quite strong enough)
Punkin (Never pronounced "Pumpkin")
Punkin Pie
Baby
Baby Doll
Boy-o

And I also use diminutive versions of their names. Pretty much all the time. So, why do I object to fic!John using the word "Baby"? It makes no sense. And I would probably rise up in revolt if Rodney called him Johnny. I conclude that I hold a double-standard. I am allowed liberties that fictionalized versions of my favorite fictional people are not. *nods*

Comments

[sublimatedangel]

Ah, we also use a large variety of sweetheart nicknames in our household. There is nothing too ridiculous, cliche, mock-able, or bizarre to be used as a pet name. Your dept secretary would die of shock, no doubt.

As to fic... it really depends. 'Baby' especially was triggering for me for a long time, until my view of its use changed. For me, there are two sides... would the character really say that? And what would character B's reaction be? If only one of these is off, I can just kind of skim by and ignore it, but if both are off, I do stop and go, wait, what? No. Really, no.

[allyndra.livejournal.com]

There is nothing too ridiculous, cliche, mock-able, or bizarre to be used as a pet name. That's my motto! :o)

I don't really know why Baby bothers me so much in fic when it's so ubiquitous in real life. It makes sense that a lot of characters would use such a common pet name, but most of the time when I see it ... *grrr*