come on baby

[Ju]

Dear all,

During conversation, is "come on baby" a kind of disrespectful expression. Kindly clarify the usage with example.

Ju

[curmudgeon]

'Baby' is used informally and can be offensive. It is often used to decribe an attractive woman. On the other hand it can be used towards a person of whom you are fond.

So, used while speaking to someone you are familiar with is acceptable but used to strangers or subordinates it is offensive. It is normally used this way by a man to a woman. It can be used in an abstract way as well. If you were watching a horse race for example, you might be inclined to say 'Come on baby' in urging your horse to win.

"Come on baby, I didn't mean to come home drunk' might be used to get out of a tricky situation.

Come on baby, do you think I'm stupid, of course you meant to come home drunk. Might be the reply

[RonBee]

Judyleonghk from Hong Kong, you forgot your QM (question mark). Also, say an example or examples.


Curmudgeon, good answer!

[riverkid]

'come on baby' is often also used to refer to inanimate objects, machinery for example.

[to your car] Come on baby, don't quit on me now!

[to a hammer] Come on baby, see me thru the day!

[Ouisch]

"Baby" is most often used by men when referring to women, as Curmudgeon said, but sometimes women use it, too.

"Come on, Baby....I promise we'll leave right after dinner. It's only for a few hours on Thanksgiving. We hardly ever see my parents!"