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Insult of Endearment: Difference between revisions
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(Import from TV Tropes TVT:Main.InsultOfEndearment 2012-07-01, editor history TVTH:Main.InsultOfEndearment, CC-BY-SA 3.0 Unported license) |
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Two people really don't get along. To show how well they don't get along, one of them gives the other an insulting nickname and refuses to call them anything else. However, over time, the nickname really doesn't become that insulting anymore, and as the characters learn to respect, if not like, each other, the formerly insulting nickname actually becomes more a term of endearment.
This trope is a good way to show [[Character Development]]. As two people who initially disliked each other grow closer, the use of a formerly insulting nickname as a gesture of affection is a good way to showcase their evolving relationship. The [[Vitriolic Best Buds]] may see insulting nicknames as just part of their snarky banter rather then something genuinely meant to hurt, and couples who use insulting nicknames as part of their [[Belligerent Sexual Tension]] may soften the use over time to show that [[Aw, Look -- They Really Do Love Each Other|They Really Do Love Each Other]].
Not to be confused with [[Insult Backfire]], when an insult is taken as a compliment, or [[Appropriated Appellation]], when the person cleverly uses the insulting name to his/her own advantage. In order for it to be this trope, the original nicknamer has to change from using the name as a deliberate insult to using it as a term of endearment, or at least friendly ribbing. Contrast [[Terms of Endangerment]], where a villain addresses a hero by an affectionate name but there's nothing behind it but hatred.
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== Comic Books ==
* In ''[[Transmetropolitan]]'', Spider Jerusalem, [[Intrepid Reporter]] and all around [[Anti
* Lois Lane's use of "Smallville" for [[Superman|Clark Kent]] in some continuities goes from insulting to affectionate over the course of time.
* [[The Incredible Hulk (Comic Book)|The Incredible Hulk]] tends to do this with his enemies-who-become-friends when in his [[Hulk Speak]] mode. Examples:
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* In ''[[Dragon Age II]]'', the prim-and-proper Aveline keeps calling the [[Pirate Girl]] Isabela "whore", at first with disdain (though Isabela [[Insult Backfire|doesn't mind the moniker]]) but as the two women come to know and accept each other, "whore" becomes Aveline's term of affection of sorts for Isabela, which she now actively enjoys from her.
* The werewolf in the Dark Brotherhood in ''[[Skyrim]]'' constantly refers to you as "hamshank" and various other nicknames for food. He explains that as a werewolf, you look awfully appetizing, so he's going to call you food. He warms up later... as far as sociopaths "warm up".
* In the ''Nijiiro no Seishun'' canon of the ''[[Tokimeki Memorial]] Drama Series'', Minori Akiho calls the main protagonist "Juu-rokuban no Senpai" (No.16-Senpai, referring to his shirt's number in the Soccer Club): the nickname had a derogative connotation at first due to [[Green
* ''[[Tales of Vesperia]]'': Rita Mordio. If used with Repede, she first refers to him as "dog". If you continue to use them together, she starts to warm up to him and affectionately calls him, Spot, instead. By game's end, she calls him by his own name. Basically going from:
{{quote| '''Rita:''' (condescending) "Not bad for a dog!"<br />
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