Forms of masculine address in contemporary Britain (aka: a little problem I have writing Sherlock)

[ariadnes_string]

So, let me ask you about a problem I have writing Sherlock!fic

Comments

[frantic_allonsy]

I always use 'mate' but I've heard British guys call each other 'man.' Beyond that, I defer to actual British people's far superior knowledge.

[ariadnes_string]

thank you! I need to wrap my head around using "mate"--it always sounds like something you'd use with someone you don't know very well--but judging by the comments, that's not true. And "man" isn't too American either--good to know!

[saschi212]

I just asked my teenage British cousins and they mostly say "man," "mate," and "dude." Also, from stalking their facebooks just now I saw "maters" (ha!) and "bro," but only one of each. Haha hope that helps :)

[ariadnes_string]

that totally helps, thank you for doing the research (field work?). Sounds like dude and man have crossed the Atlantic *g*
And I have to start using "mate"

Many thanks!

[fleurione]

Man, Mate, mostly. Dude fits too. I like to think that people say Bro more often, but I think that's in a more ironic sense if actually used ;) up here we get 'Pal' but that's a definite Edinburgh thing.

I should say that there is a kind of difference in 'man' and 'mate', I guess it's more "hey man" and "what's up mate" - not that this really helps explain the difference, but those would be the most commonly used phrases

[ariadnes_string]

Excellent--thank you so much! I love "pal"--maybe I'll be able to find Scottish character sometime--

Expect to see many more "mates" and "mans" in my fic!

much appreciated!

[anniehow]

Well, Ron and Harry spend an awful lot of time calling each other 'mate' starting from the fifth book...

[ariadnes_string]

lol--the perfect research tool!

"mate" it is then--tho' I guess there just isn't the endless proliferation of such terms you get in American English *ponders*

[coloredink]

I direct you to Right Said Fred: You're My Mate

[ariadnes_string]

rofl! that's fabulous--thank you for the link! (though I'm going to think of the body-writing now every time I use the word *g*)