Colonial Era Terms of Endearment

If slang is cyclical, you can predict the next big wave by brushing up on terms to express love in Colonial New England. The New England Historical Society put together this list of expressions and colloquialisms from the colonial era, so you have some alternatives to "bae."

Nug – A term of affection, synonymous with love, as in "my nug."

Prigstar – A rival in love.

Left-handed wife – A concubine: apparently a man who marries a woman beneath his social status offered his left hand at the wedding. Ouch.

Chuck – Similar to "nug," a term of affection.

Palaver – To palaver meant to engage in "excessive flattery" to win someone over.

Slice – To "slice" is for a man to flirt with a woman, usually married.

Sweet Heart – Recognize this one? According to the historical society, the classic term of endearment came from a sweet cake, which was baked in the shape of a heart.

For more colonial expressions of the heart, read the New England Historical Society's full report.

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