I've often wondered about our use of pet names.

I'm not talking about the honey, sweetie, baby variety. It's the the animal kingdom names that I find particularly fascinating.  I get it, that's why they are called pet names.

"He's a teddy bear" she confided. Really? All that conjures up for me is a guy who is really chunky and probably hairy. If I was going to use an ursine descriptor I would probably have chosen "panda". Really, is there anything cuter than a panda?

Then again, have you ever met anyone who referred to anyone as panda? Me neither. It must have to do with the dark circles around and under the eyes.

Felines are a biggie. 

It's extraordinary, actually. One can go from being a purring, playful kitten to a lioness in just a few minutes time. Must be the catnip mixed with a crisp chardonnay. Cougar, a relatively new term, doesn't seem to be an endearment as much as an advertisement.  Is an old guy who wants to be with a young women a Jaguar?  Nah, that's just his very very desirable car. 

Other creatures that I think are worthy of consideration are penguins and dolphins. Seems they haven't made it into the  endearment department. Movies yeah, pillow talk, not so much. Not sure how amorous I'd feel, come to think of it, if in the midst of his nuzzling my neck he murmured Flipper.

Anyhow, for me,  honeybabysweetie, one word, works best.