Benny-Wenny-Boo-Boo-Boo.

My all-time favorite romantic comedy is a film called How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days starring Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey. I HIGHLY suggest watching this film and so I will not go into specific details of the plot. I will, however, commend the film's writers, as they were able to craft arguably the most embarrassing array of pet names given to any male in the history of time. The main character of the film, Ben, is lovingly referred to as "Benny-Wenny-Boo-Boo-Boo", "Benji" and "Princess Sophia". Though this comedy is in no way a portrait of a normal/healthy relationship, perhaps we shouldn't be so quick to judge these or any other pet names.

The Journal of Social and Personal Relationships once published a study which found that pet names are very healthy for a relationship. Pet names signify that a couple feels close enough to develop their own language and culture. This is an example of positive communication, which makes for a happy relationship.

Think of any close romantic or non-romantic relationship in your life. I bet you (and I'm no gambler) that you can think of a pet name or nick-name that you have been given or have given to someone else. My best friend/college roommate and I have countless nicknames for each other. Some of these names are more endearing than others, but they've all grown from an event or a detail that we've experience in our history together. When we use these names, our positive relationship is reinforced.

Simon and Garfunkel and even John and Abigail Adams had secret names that they used when communicating with one another.

What pet names have you given/been given?

In the spirit of pet names, I'd like to dedicate this post to my pet.



The happiest of 25th birthdays to you, boo-boo-boo-boo-boo.