I'm looking for a word or term that describes the way poeople use familial words to describe their friends, such as: "brother" or "sister" (while they're not really brothers and sisters from the same father or mother). Can I use the word "nickname" in this context?
I need to use this term in such sentence:
Person A: This is my brother.
Person B: Nice to meet you.
Person C (not in front of person A): Is he really his brother or it's (=the word brother) just a (nickname? "affection word" / "fondness word"?)
I'm looking for (a) word/s to describe the usage of such words (brother & sister) in a context of friendship. "I didn't really mean that he's my brother, I used the word brother as a… (nickname?)"
Best Answer
I don't think there is a word in English that means exactly what you are looking for here. "Nickname" is more general and doesn't necessarily have the sense of fondness. Words like "moniker" and "appellation" are not common in everyday speech. Also, "moniker" is often used to describe criminal nicknames like "Billy the Kid."
"Loving" words are known as "terms of endearment." Calling your good friend your "brother" could be described as a term of endearment. However, if someone asks, "Is he really your brother" you would probably have to answer that he's your good friend, old friend, or best friend, etc.