Learn English – “Leave” vs. “Go”

According to the following sources a hypocorism is a pet name and as such can also be a diminutive, ( when used as a diminutive the two words can be considered synonyms).

Hypocorism (dictionary.reference.com):

• 1. a pet name.

• 2. the practice of using a pet name.

• 3. the use of forms of speech imitative of baby talk, especially by an adult.

• A hypocorism is a nickname that shows affection or closeness (www.vocabulary.com)

  • If your dog's name is Buster but you tend to call him "Sweetiecakes," you're using a hypocorism. A pet name is a hypocorism, and so is the addition of a diminutive suffix to the end of a name, like when you change the name "Bill" to "Billy." Some hypocorisms are as straightforward as changing "Melissa" to "Missy," and others are strange terms of endearment, like your mom calling your dad "Boopsy" when she thinks no one can hear. The Greek root word is hypokorizesthai, literally "to use child talk."

Quotes:

• This must be an offshoot of my brother's enthusiasm for hypocorism . He was always inventing idiotic nicknames for people. -- Adam Davies, Goodbye Lemon , 2006
• Powsoddy, a now obsolete name for a pudding, was also used as a hypocorism in the late sixteenth century, paralleling the affectionate use of the word pudding itself in our own century, though lovers usually alter the pronunciation to puddin. -- Mark Morton, The Lover's Tongue , 2003

Collins gives the following explanation:

If you tend someone or something, you do what is necessary to keep them in a good condition or to improve their condition.

whereas

If you tend to someone or something, you pay attention to them and deal with their problems and needs.