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🌈 Gon Madrid
Professional TeacherI wonder if it is common and correct to say: Don’t dear me. Meaning: don’t call me dear. Thanks!
Sep 24, 2024 7:19 AM
Answers · 16
Invitee
2
Hi Gonzalo. While it’s possible to say that, it isn’t particularly common and might be misunderstood without sufficient context. Saying “don’t call me dear” would perhaps be a safer option that would be readily understood by anybody. I hope that helps 👍🏻
September 24, 2024
2
You can say that. A less colloquial way to say the same thing is this: "Please, no endearments."
September 24, 2024
2
It's rare but is sometimes said. To be correct it needs to be written like this:
Don't "dear" me!
And the word "dear" needs emphasising slowly and strongly when saying it out loud, to make it understandable.
September 24, 2024
2
Hello Gonzalo,
If someone says to you "don't dear me", it means they don't like how you are addressing them and would prefer less familiarity. As Joshua points out, it can be a bit hurtful. That's why it is a safer option to say "don't call me dear".
Similarly, someone could say to you with a friendly smile "don't Sir me" or "don't Madam me". In these two cases, they usually will add "Please just call me X (John, Sarah)". This means they want you to be less formal and more familiar.
September 24, 2024
1
Yes it is. You hear it quite a lot in the UK.
September 24, 2024
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🌈 Gon Madrid
Language Skills
English, French, Other, Spanish
Learning Language
English, French, Other
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