Pumpkin is a Term of Endearment

Why did that man call me a deer?

Interesting Facts in Easy English

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

  • term of endearment / pet name: a cute name for a person that you adore
  • customary: common
  • adoration: heartfelt love (not necessarily romantic)
  • address: to speak or write to someone specific
  • alarmed: surprised and worried

Pumpkin is a Term of Endearment

In English, the word pumpkin is often used as a term of endearment. Other English words that people use to express their adoration for someone include babe, baby, beautiful, buddy, cupcake, cutie-pie, , dear, , honey, pet, princess, sugar,
sweet pea, sweetie, or sweetie-pie
. People use pet names to address their children or their romantic partners. In some countries, it is customary to use terms of endearment with just about anyone. For example, in Britain a stranger may call your husband love (often spelled luv) or your child dear. Don’t be alarmed. This is just a friendly way of speaking. Unlike a , which is capitalized in written English, a term of endearment isn’t usually : Can you pick up some bread, honey? However, it is common to capitalize terms of endearment in a salutation: Hi, Babe.

Comprehension Questions

  1. Why does this report mention the word “pumpkin”?
  2. How is a term of endearment formatted differently than a nickname in writing?
  3. Why might a stranger say “Sorry, love” to you if she bumps into you accidentally?

Discussion Questions: What terms of endearment do people use in your language? Can you translate them into English?

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