hypocorism

American  

[hahy-pok-uh-riz-uhm, hi-] / haɪˈpɒk əˌrɪz əm, hɪ- /

noun

1. pet name.

2. the practice of using a pet name.

3. the use of forms of speech imitative of baby talk, especially by an adult.

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hypocorism British  

/ haɪˈpɒkəˌrɪzəm /

noun

1. a pet name, esp one using a diminutive affix

   ``Sally'' is a hypocorism for ``Sarah''

2. another word for euphemism

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Other Word Forms

• hypocoristic
  adjective
• hypocoristically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of hypocorism

First recorded in 1840–50; from Greek hypokórisma “pet name, endearing name; diminutive (word)”; see origin at hypocoristic, -ism

Explanation

A hypocorism is a nickname that shows affection or closeness. If your dog's name is Buster but you tend to call him "Sweetiecakes," you're using a hypocorism. A pet name is a hypocorism, and so is the addition of a diminutive suffix to the end of a name, like when you change the name "Bill" to "Billy." Some hypocorisms are as straightforward as changing "Melissa" to "Missy," and others are strange terms of endearment, like your mom calling your dad "Boopsy" when she thinks no one can hear. The Greek root word is hypokorizesthai, literally "to use child talk."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hypocorism

President Jimmy Carter has institutionalized his hypocorism with determination and skill, thus becoming the first President in history to get away with official use of a nickname.

From Time Magazine Archive