Vocative nouns
The 'love' group
These nouns are used to address someone in an affectionate or informal way. Boss, doc, gaffer, guv, guvnor, padre, prof, and skipper are used to address someone with a particular job or rank informally. Boy is sometimes used when addressing a dog, and puss is used when addressing a cat.
Hey, doc, when are you going to get me out of here?
Sorry, folks, can't be done.
We'll miss you, lad.
Don't worry, love.
Some vocative nouns showing affection are sometimes used with the determiner my. They are marked with an asterisk (*) in the list below.babe baby boss boy* bud buddy chum darling dear* dearest* dearie doc duck* folks gaffer gal* gents girl* guv guvnor guys honey kid lad* laddie* lady lass* lassie* love* luv man mate matey Miss missus mister Paddy padre pal pet* prof puss sarge skipper son sonny squire sucker sugar sweet* sweetheart* sweetie* woman
Off you go, my darlings.
My dear, you have a very difficult time ahead.
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