Just curious. Why do a lot of guys call each other “man”? What’s the origin of that term? EXAMPLE: “Hey, man. What’s up?”
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3Because they don't remember each other's names.– Hot LicksCommented Sep 21, 2020 at 12:09
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When I started calling people 'man', it was for exactly that reason, due to marijuana.– Michael HarveyCommented Sep 21, 2020 at 12:13
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Of related interest: How do you say “Come on, man” to a woman?, Is there a word for colloquial forms of address?, and What is a feminine version of 'guys'? among many others.– chosterCommented Sep 21, 2020 at 15:03
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There's nothing new about addressing another person familiarly as man, woman, boy, girl or child. It can add emphasis or be an affectionate form of address.– Kate BuntingCommented Sep 21, 2020 at 15:29
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1 Answer
Man:
as a word of familiar address, originally often implying impatience, c. 1400; hence probably its use as an interjection if surprise or emphasis, since Middle English but especially popular from early 20 c.
(Etymonline)