K
Kerim
Guest
"My Dear" is only used by lovers???
Casiopea said:Kerim, the French address "Ma Chere" is a term of endearment: a word or phrase expressing affection. Its English equivalent is my dear or My Dear, and it's used by husbands and wives, by mothers and fathers to their children, by boyfriends and girlfriends, and by close friends. If I knew you better I would use "My Dear, Kerim". ;-) Note, however, that it's considered patronizing when used to refer to someone who is not close to you.
Now, given the dialogue you're working with, "Ma Chere", spoken by a prostitute to address a female stranger, is a diminutive form of address. It's what that particular person uses when addressing women. It's idiomatic, as well as indicative of language used by some prostitutes. It's a kind form of address. ;-)