Learn English – Girl calling “Dad” to a friend? What does this mean

phrase-meaningslang

I'm reading comic books from the 60's, I happen to be in the middle of The Amazing Spiderman. In this particular issue Peter Parker and Mary Jane are having a conversation:

-Tell me M.J, Don't you ever stop to catch your breath?

-Like why, Dad?

REAL QUESTION

Why does she call him "dad"? Isn't it weird?

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Here's another conversation from another issue where she calls him dad.

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Best Answer

It's slang, and not current slang.

The girl has a beatnik style: straight hair worn down, a black dress with no ornaments. These point to the beat sub-culture of the 50s and 60s. Daddy-o was used by "beatniks" or "hipsters" in the 50s and 60s as a general term of endearment towards a man. "Dad" could be seen as an adaptation or shortening. The rest of her language is similar: "Don't worry [...] Lady!", "Tiger", "You're the end!" are all beatnik jargon.

It may also suggest that she views Peter as being a "square" (A socially conventional or conservative person). He acts like a dad, by cutting his hair short, and wearing a tie.

This is not current slang, don't use unless you are trying to sound dated.