Let's say you're talking to Sarah and you make her upset so you say to her
- "I would hate to make Sarah upset."
Is there a term for using 'Sarah' instead of the usual 'you' here?
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8You're talking to Sarah! I don't know why you would do this, but it doesn't have a name other than 'addressing her in the third person'.– Kate BuntingJun 10, 2022 at 7:36
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For faux formality and distancing: Mommy will not like this. It's also patronizing - As a three-year-old, you can understand me only if I prepare your mind for thinking about your mother as you do, third person.– Yosef BaskinJun 10, 2022 at 12:31
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2It can be patronising, but the third person is also sometimes used to address royalty. So the only thing that's certain is that it's not used in normal situations.– Stuart FJun 10, 2022 at 12:48
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And there’s Bob Dole…– JimJun 10, 2022 at 14:17
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1It's often used when mocking someone. If Sarah is complaining to you and you think she's going overboard, you might say "I would hate to make Sarah upset" with a sarcastic tone of voice. I'm also not aware of a specific term for it.– BarmarJun 14, 2022 at 1:00
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1 Answer
The verb would be "naming" (Merriam-Webster):
- 2a. To mention or identify by name ("refused to name a suspect")
- 2b. To accuse by name
"'I would hate to inconvenience the world-renowned pianist Sarah Smith,' I said to Sarah, rolling my eyes. She didn't get it, though: she thought my naming her was a sincere compliment."
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2It's not specific enough to be clear in most contexts. You can "name" someone just as easily when they're not in your presence.– Laurel ♦Mar 1 at 22:21