A term of endearment for a small child or loved one, especially in British English; also a puppet or doll.
From Middle English 'popet,' possibly from Old French 'poupée' (doll), or derived from 'pop' (to pop out, like a small thing appearing). The diminutive form suggests something small and precious.
In medieval times, people made small dolls called poppets, which later became associated with voodoo dolls in folklore. But in everyday British speech, calling someone a 'poppet' is pure affection—nothing magical about it, just love.
Poppet diminutizes and infantilizes, historically used toward women and children with patronizing affection. The term assumes dependence and limits agency.
Avoid in professional or formal contexts; use only where mutual affection is explicitly established and power dynamics are equal.
["friend","colleague","partner"]
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