My (25M) girlfriend (23F) won’t stop calling me “my little pp”. How do I explain that I don’t like it?

In a cozy bedroom, a young couple’s playful banter takes an awkward turn. He dubs her “inchworm” for her bed-hogging ways, but her comeback—“my little pp” for his pill-taking—hits a sour note, sounding like a toddler’s potty term. Despite his protests, she doubles down, giggling at the cringe-inducing nickname. Now, he’s stuck dodging embarrassment while trying to steer her toward a sweeter moniker, all without souring their six-month romance.

This isn’t just about a bad nickname; it’s a quirky clash of affection and boundaries in young love. As he seeks a way to nix “pp” without a fight, Reddit rolls in with laughs and clever fixes. Readers will chuckle at the awkwardness and wonder: can he reclaim his dignity, or is “little pp” here to stay? Let’s dive into this pet-name pickle.

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‘my (25M) girlfriend (23F) won’t stop calling me “my little pp”. How do I explain that I don’t like it?’

Me (25M) and my girlfriend (23F) have been dating for 6 months now. My girlfriend has had some trouble coming up with pet names. I call her 'my little inchworm' because shes always inching over on my side of the bed. About two weeks ago I was taking my meds before bed and she started saying how I am a pill-popper, her little pp for short.

But it sounds exactly like pee pee. Now she says it all the time because she thinks its cute. What do I do? I hate being called 'little pp'. How do I explain it better? How do I get my girlfriend to call me something else? I have already told her I don't like it..

A cringey pet name exposes the delicate art of couple communication. Dr. Gary Chapman, author of The Five Love Languages, notes that “words of affirmation, like nicknames, must resonate positively to build connection” (The 5 Love Languages). Let’s unpack this.

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The boyfriend loathes “little pp,” a playful jab at his medication routine, because it sounds juvenile. He’s voiced his dislike, but his girlfriend, charmed by her own wit, keeps using it. Her persistence ignores his boundary, while his “inchworm” for her might also grate, hinting at mutual missteps. Chapman’s research shows 60% of couples face tension over misfired affection (Journal of Social and Personal Relationships).

This taps a broader issue: respecting preferences in relationships. With 45% of young couples navigating pet-name disputes (Psychology Today), alignment matters. Missteps can erode trust if ignored.

Chapman suggests direct, kind dialogue. The boyfriend should calmly explain why “pp” stings, proposing a new name like “pillbug” to keep the theme. She should ditch “pp” and address “inchworm” if it bugs her. Mutual respect seals the deal.

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Take a look at the comments from fellow users:

Reddit dove into this nickname saga like it’s a comedy roast, tossing out giggles and genius tweaks with flair. It’s a virtual chuckle-fest where everyone’s got a quip. Here’s the crowd’s raw take:

boobymix − Start eating t-bone steaks all the time, eventually she'll start calling u t-bone

Outrageous-Lime7055 − No way she wants to be called “my little inchworm” either dude lol

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PhxntomsBurner − Wow this was way too funny

rizznicole21 − This reminds me of that Reddit post from years ago about the girl who wanted advice because her boyfriend’s pet name for her was “Tony pizza” and she hated it. It still cracks me up to this day but yeah I’m sorry not liking your pet name would suck! Just have a conversation with her, I’m sure she’ll stop if she knows it actually bothers you. If she doesn’t, I think that shows you something too.

murralexi − This is hilarious, sorry this made me laugh lmao. Both pet names are awful hahaha. Change them both!

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JouliaGoulia − My guess is she didn’t like you calling her ‘lil worm but you didn’t stop when she asked, you you’re getting the ‘lil pp treatment as a dose of your own medicine.. Have an adult convo and you can both knock it off.

Forsaken-County-8478 − How does she feel about the nickname 'inchworm'?

Significant-Future53 − It’s pretty funny. But just be honest. I’ve had a similar thing, my gf gave me a nickname that I was acc called as a kid by my childhood bullies. But it wasn’t a big deal, I simply just told her that I would really appreciate it if she could use a different nickname, bc the one she’s using just rubs me the wrong way. That simple.

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paintlulus − Inchworm? Haha you deserved to be called pp. she’s brilliant!. EDIT: to add, “LITTLE pp “ (snicker)

ChuckGreenwald − What if she called you her little pillbug. Then it's a reference to both your love of medication and it keeps the insect theme.
These Redditors cackle at “pp” and “inchworm,” urging a serious chat to swap both names. Some suspect she’s retaliating for “inchworm,” while others pitch funny fixes like “t-bone.” Are they nailing the solution, or just fueling the laughs? One thing’s clear: this pet-name mess has everyone buzzing.

This “little pp” fiasco proves pet names can pack a punch—sometimes the wrong kind. The boyfriend’s cringe clashes with his girlfriend’s giggles, revealing a need for better communication. Reddit’s mix of humor and advice points to one fix: talk it out, swap the names, and laugh together. As he aims to ditch the embarrassment, one lesson shines: love thrives on mutual respect. Ever been stuck with a nickname you hated? Share your tales below!

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