Hi everyone, I am watching Virgin River series on Netflix. There's a scene as Melinda retraces into the past in a trance. My question is about the word "squirt," which appears in the last of this quotation below. I included the entire script for the scene in case others might be interested. It's interesting to see the reference to little kids' ignorance of the additional meaning besides being small for the word, as in "runt." So, what's the speakers' general sentiment toward the younger one? Does it make a difference between an older sibling or a parent who calls? There's an endearing feeling in calling a little one "squirt," comparable to the diminutive in Spanish, IMO. What's the underlying tone? Is it pleasant and teasing? Are there other terms for calling family members more colloquially? Thanks. Joey, is that me or you in Mama's arms? I'm over with Dad by the train. So, Mama's holding me? -I was a really fat baby. -[laughs] How come you look so little? -Hey, go back. -No. Why? I wanna see what's on that page. No, I'll get in trouble. We're best friends. You can tell me. Please. Fine. Mom's not holding you in that picture. It's our sister, Chloe. Chloe? She died before you were born. We had a sister? Yeah, but don't tell Mom I told you. She'll get really mad. I'll never tell. I promise. Cross my heart, hope to die. I love you, Joey. I love you, too, squirt.