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Some people have the tendency to use words in a context similar to a pronoun, despite the word in question being an adjective, verb, whatever. Examples would be someone like Agent K in the film "Men in Black", who often referred to his junior agent "J" in such a way:

  • Whatever, slick, but let me tell you something.
  • It's your show, chief.

An historical example would be the hippy sub-culture of 1960's and 1970's America, which often used the expression "man" in this way.

  • It's looooove, man. Love sets you free.

Another example from that same time period would be the "Greaser" sub-culture, which used the proper name "Jack".

  • Don't be a square, Jack. Just ride.

In American English, what is the proper term for using words this way? I initially thought "nickname", but that's more of an individual thing. This use seems rather global and generalized.

tchrist
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Omegacron
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  • The other question doesn't give an answer I'm entirely satisfied with ("colloquial vocative", really?) but if that's the answer, that's the answer. – Omegacron Mar 31 '17 at 01:11
  • I have just offered another answer to the original. – Kevin Mark Mar 31 '17 at 02:19
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    @KevinMark - yep, I like "appellation" much better, and that was my second thought after "nickname". Gave you a +1 on that answer. – Omegacron Mar 31 '17 at 17:13

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