hypocorism

[ hahy-pok-uh-riz-uhm, hi- ]

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.

hypocorism

/ haɪˈpɒkəˌrɪzəm; ˌhaɪpəkɔːˈrɪstɪk /

noun

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

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

2. another word for euphemism

Derived Forms

• hypocoristic, adjective
• ˌhypocoˈristically, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypocorism¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypocorism¹

C19: from Greek hupokorisma, from hupokorizesthai to use pet names, from hypo- beneath + korizesthai , from korē girl, koros boy

Example Sentences

There is even a formal academic term for this practice: “hypocorism,” the phenomenon of attaching diminutive forms to names to signify that the person is near the bottom of the hierarchy and as a sign of affection, said Adam Alter, an associate professor of marketing at the New York University Stern School of Business, who has written about names.

From New York Times

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

The sponsor: Coty, Inc. � In Washington, the Modern Language Association of America accused the U.S. of having an inordinate bent for hypocorism, i.e., baby talk.

From Time Magazine Archive