Hey buddy

[lokifan]

The moment you know you need to get your fic in this new fandom Ameripicked even if only the voices are American, not the world: when you realise you've used the word 'buddies' four times in two pages because to you, 'buddy' is the sign of writing in American Voice

#not mates #or friends #BUDDIES #rips open shirt to reveal stars and stripes

Comments

[giallarhorn]

I know that mates tends to be British/Australian, but I think there isn't an American anymore- buddies sort of faded out around 2000ish, and I don't think there was ever a replacement term.

[lokifan]

Ah! This is useful info. (Sorry for the very late reply, haha.) Yeah, this is basically why I use 'buddy' I think - it and 'dude' appear in the canon, but it's also basically trying to translate the rhythms of British English young men, and replacing the word 'mate' :) Even when it might not really work...

[kelly_chambliss]

I checked with my partner's son (age 21), and he says that "buddy" is making a comeback in his age group. "Nice and retro," he says. His restrictions: he'd never address a woman as "buddy," and it's not used for close friends. It's mostly for acquaintances he might like to see again -- "Yeah, buddy, nice to meet you; we'll have to get together."

Now whether this trend has spread beyond his university, I don't know. But it's interesting.

[lokifan]

Ah! Sorry for the belated reply but I wanted to say thanks, cos the American-voiced boys in this canon are all around the Young Man's age (20, 20, 22, 25 I think) and they use 'dude' mostly, but sometimes 'buddy', and the rules around it are a bit opaque. So this is useful info! I'm just looking to avoid awkward howlers that aren't gonna be obvious to people from outside the culture, like Lucius Malfoy using the word 'bloke' or Ron saying 'chap' in Potter fic.