Has the word "pal", lost its original meaning?

Question

"Pal" is supposed to be an equivalent of words like "friend" or "buddy" but, I have seen it used more in a sense of insult. Your thoughts?

Answer 1

Well, my Indian friend, I hadn't realized it was you when you came to my defense yesterday (I'll not forget that, btw, ever). We'd gotten off to a rocky start when you were still the "mad scientist," but perhaps the madness is gone now (at least the nasty bits, lol). Anyway, I never accepted your apology or your hand of friendship because you began by attacking me and I never warm up to that (as others can attest). I accept both now and in return extend my hand with the greatest warmth and sincerity. Erm, and now I'll actually answer your question... ;-)

I think words like "pal," "mate," "buddy" and even "friend" were clearly meant to be terms of endearment in their original forms. But with the advent of sarcasm, almost any positive word can be skewered to mean the opposite. The easiest way to determine the intended meaning is in how the person is saying it and what their body language is telling you when they say it (assuming you can see the person and make such a judgment).

In the written form it's a little more difficult to discern but can still be confirmed by the context in which the word is being used. Usually, if someone says, "hey pal, what do you think you're doing?" it is not intended to be friendly. But if someone else tells you, "you've been my pal through thick and thin," it's likely to be genuine. (These aren't great examples but I'm not feeling 100% and am rather sleep-deprived so please excuse my poor form.)

Interestingly, I actually refer to my little brother (who is a decade younger than I am) as "pal" or "chum" (derived from the old pals and chums brigades in the British army, circa WWI) more often than I call him by his first name. This is clearly an example of pal being employed as a term of endearment, as he and I are very close.

Thanks for a thought-provoking question on how sarcasm, voice inflection and context can completely reverse the intended meaning of words. I enjoyed answering this one. And thanks again for proving yourself to be an honourable gentleman in not only coming to my aid but conducting yourself entirely with honour. I am in your debt, sir. Well met, indeed! :)

Answer 2

Ladies and gentlemen were untitled nobility and the upper classes, ie ladies and gentlemen of the court. The present use of lady I think stems from America with the President and the 1st lady, and has filtered over here. There was some discussion during US presidential elections of what would they call the husband of a woman president, they saying 1st man, gentlemen wasn't even thought of (well may be wrong on that, but never read it) So yet another Americanism. Personally I dislike being referred to as lady (I always think its a dogs name ie "Lady and the Tramp") and would much prefer to be called a woman, ie men and women.

Answer 3

Hey Pal Meaning

Answer 4

I love using that word, " you're great pal " . I use it as it's original meaning but is still get wha tyou mean, like if you were in an arguement and you're trying to make a point..you poke the person in the chest and say " look pal ....." Yeah , then i would say it can be used either way.

Answer 5

The same with friend and buddy. It depends on the context of the word. People have become extremely sarcastic and these words have not only lost their meanings, they have become insults.

Answer 6

I think when it is used as a noun in the sense of, "We were real pals..." it retains its original meaning... but often when it is used as a form of address, as in "Listen Pal...(whatever)" then it takes on a sarcastic implication.

Answer 7

i use it to mean friend sometimes. but if you say it condesendingly, buddy or pal can be insulting. it's all in how you say it and the intention behind it.

Answer 8

It is sarcasm. Pal means the same, it is the tone and situation that changes the meeting.

Answer 9

Not to me, as my nickname is pal.
Goes a long way back and it is pronounced different than in english.

Answer 10

I use it when someone has a head that looks like a TV.

The term "PAL" is often used informally to refer to a 625-line/50 Hz (principally European) television system, and to differentiate from a 525-line/60 Hz (principally North American/Central American/Japanese) "NTSC" system.