View Message

Nicknames of this kind are formally hypocorisms, not diminutives. Diminutives are not short forms, although this is a common mistake, they are usually longer than the root name or word; nor are they necessarily affectionate (although that is one way they are used). Nicknames and hypocorisms are sometimes diminutives, but not always. Short forms of a name are sometimes hypocrisms, but not always. A diminutive is a grammatical form that often reduces the power, intensity or dagree of a word, not it's length, but which may also used as a term of endearment, or to form feminines, or indicate a lesser or later position. Hypocorisma are pet names, a nickname used a term of affection (as opposed to one used pejoratively). A lot of sources use the term "diminutive" when they should say "short form", but this is incorrect.