Non Capisco

By luigi_pagano

Sat, 04 Nov 2017
  • 1922 reads
8 comments
 
What I don’t understand
are peculiar epithets
that the natives use
which are bound to confuse
a foreigner like me.
 
Someone called me love,
while others said pet
and, more startlingly,
addressed me as darling.
 
I heard many people
saying Hello gorgeous
but it wasn’t to me
they directed that phrase;
 
it was to a beautiful
female of the species
 - deadlier than the male
according to a proverb -
 
There are certain words
and even some verb
meant to be endearing
which, if not daring,
are outright funny;
like sugar, sweetheart,
and honey or bunny.
 
And I don’t know why
a person could be
a sweetie pie.
In my own country
this flattery won’t do:
two kisses on the cheeks
mean we like you.
 
© Luigi Pagano 2017
Certificate U
Poem
Are you being versed?
Humour
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

This made me smile. When I first moved to Birmingham a door to door baker (only in Brum) baffled me with “ Want any baps bab?’ I couldn’t understand at all. smiley

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

That's a new one on me, Helen. I've heard of babe and baby but bab?

Luigi x

 

Submitted by PoppyS on

Can be confusing, a few years ago a seal kept visiting the local docks. The locals called it 'Marrrow' Reason being - walk about the place and you can hear people greeting  each other with the phrase
"Alright me Marrow"!
To me a marrow has always been a veg (nuff said)!wink

 

Pops ~xx~

Writing is art in pictures – Go paint poetry!

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

A very peculiar word Poppy but I found a similar word to marrow, marra, a West cumbrian slang that roughly translates to 'Mate'. And I notice that you live thereabouts.

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

Made me laugh, Luigi.  We do seem to specialise in random terms of endearment. The Cornish habit of addressing anyone, male or female, as 'my lover' can be a bit disconcerting at first.

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Yes, I do see, Jane, and it could also give somebody wrong ideas.

Luigi x

 

Submitted by Linda Wigzell Cress on

Nice one Luigi! Some older Londoners still call people 'duck'. I am not one of them but often address someone as 'love' or 'dear' if I've forgotten their name! I really enjoyed this, me old China!

Linda

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Hi Linda, I could have gone on and on with the examples you mention and possibly a few more but decided to keep this ditty short and punchy. Thanks for reminding me of those.
I see that no matter where you live these kind of endearments seem very popular.

Luigi x