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While terms like honey, baby, and sweetheart are common, imagine addressing your significant other as “shat.” Discover 10 rare and intriguing terms of endearment from the past that have largely faded from modern usage—perhaps for good reason.
Babelet
If the term babe feels too ordinary, consider using “babelet” for your loved one. Originating in the 19th century, this word initially described very small infants. For instance, an 1856 poem by a woman who disliked the sound of crying babies illustrates its usage:
“O babelet, why that tearlet, A glimmer in thy eyelet, Thy heartlet—babelet—dearlet, Should never feel a sighlet, A smile upon thy liplet Should shine, my little lovelet, From Joy’s cup take a siplet, Don’t cry, my sweet dovelet.”
Chickabiddy
Chickabiddies. | Connect Images/GettyImagesBiddy, a term synonymous with chick, was combined by 18th-century English speakers to form chickabiddy, often applied to children or women. The standalone use of chick for similar purposes dates back to at least the late 16th century.
Cocky
Beyond chick, the avian world offers other vintage terms of affection. There’s hen, a Scottish term for a cherished girl or woman, and cocky, originally a gender-neutral British and Irish term that later became more commonly associated with men. Robert Burns once concluded a poetic letter to fellow poet Thomas Blacklock with, “And gratefully my gude aulde Cockie / I’m yours for ay.” (For ay translates to “forever.”)
Crowdie mowdie
In the early 1500s, Scottish poet William Dunbar penned a satirical poem—known by its opening line, “In Secreit Place This Hyndir Nycht”—where courtly lovers exchanged inventive, risqué, and sometimes baffling expressions of affection. Among these is crowdie mowdie, a whimsical term likely referencing crowdie (a type of porridge), though some interpret it as “moldy gruel.” Another Dunbar creation from the poem is slawsy gawsy, possibly meaning “rosy slowpoke.” Few things could rival such romantic charm.
Honeysop
Deliciously sweet. | Photo by Cathy Scola/GettyImagesHoneysop initially described a slice of bread soaked in honey—a far more appealing comparison than moldy gruel.
Nick-o-fidge
The term nick-o-fidge has been in use since the early 1600s, primarily for small children and babies. Today, it’s mostly confined to Lincolnshire, England, though even there it’s seldom heard. Its origins remain unclear, though it’s worth noting that fidge means “fidgety,” a trait famously associated with young children and infants.
Nobs
The term nobs, used to affectionately address a female sweetheart, peaked in popularity during the 16th century. The Oxford English Dictionary offers no definitive origin, but it frequently appeared alongside other endearing terms like coney (meaning “rabbit”). In the 1567 play The Trial of Treasure, an anonymous character exclaims, “My mouse my nobs and cony swete / My hope and {joy} my whole delight.”
Piggy-wiggy
Piggy-wiggies. | Andy Sacks/GettyImagesIt’s difficult to picture anyone using piggy-wiggy in a heartfelt romantic gesture—and likely no one ever has. The OED categorizes it as “Chiefly nursery and humorous,” suitable for both cherished individuals and beloved pigs.
Shat
Similarly, it’s challenging to envision shat being used affectionately. The OED notes it was exclusively applied to Irish individuals, which aligns with its origin: séad, the Irish term for “jewel.”
Tootsicums
Another outdated term is tootsicums, a 19th-century expression of endearment stemming from tootsie (often used for a beloved girl or woman) and the Latin suffix -icum. It also referred to a woman’s feet, much like tootsie does today.
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