"Honey, I'm home." The word is a term of endearment. It is sweet, warm, and domestic. It comes from the Old English "hunig," the food. The metaphor is obvious: honey is sweet. It is used between romantic partners, parents and children, and sometimes strangers in a friendly way. A waitress in the South might call you honey. It is not romantic. It is just kind.

Honey is different from "darling." It is less formal. It is more everyday. It fits in a kitchen, not a ballroom. It is also a name. Honey is a common pet name. It is also a brand. The word is sticky and golden. It is hard to dislike.

Related terms

• Darling: more formal.
• Sweetie: gentler, sometimes condescending.
• Babe: more romantic.
• Dear: more neutral.

Honey can be condescending. "Honey, you don't know what you're talking about." That is a put-down. The word is a velvet glove. It can hold a hand or a knife. Context decides. In the right mouth, honey is comfort. In the wrong one, it is a pat on the head.