My dad has a habit of calling my boyfriends by the wrong name. Then, magically, after we break up, he’s always able to remember their real names. This has happened with all of my relationships, from the shortest (1 month) to the longest (3 years).
So, is this a habit other dads have too? Do you consciously make yourself say the wrong name, and if so, why exactly do you do it?
I am not a dad, but it sounds like a fun game to me. Are you sure he is not just teasing you, or perhaps he is letting you know he does not approve of your taste in men ?
No, never have done that. Of course, when they’re not around they’re all known as meathead.
Maybe… I thought he approved of the last one though. I know Mom wanted me to marry him. Of course, that says nothing about how Dad felt. Guess I oughta try asking him sometime.
I’m pretty sure he’s not just teasing me, as he genuinely seems to think the guy’s name is something else. There’s never a wink or anything to show it’s just in fun. Oh, and weirdly, he always calls the guy the same wrong name, no matter how many times we correct him. Like, if the boy is Josh, and Dad calls him John…he’ll always call him John.
My husband did that with my much younger sister’s dirtbag, piece of trash, drunken and abusive ex. He was Justin; my husband called him Jason. According to my other sister, the younger sister HATED it. Haha!
[QUOTE=Seren]
Maybe… I thought he approved of the last one though. I know Mom wanted me to marry him. Of course, that says nothing about how Dad felt. Guess I oughta try asking him sometime.
Yes, why don’t you try asking him ?
Has he called anyone “Durwood”?
Not yet. But my daughter is only nine years old, so give me time. I imagine I might, especially if her SOs have annoying names.
My friend Joe is waiting with baited breath for his daughter to be old enough to date. He plans on making many a boyfriend nervous. It’s just what princess daddies do.
My daughter is married to a fine young man named Eric. Now, my other daughter is engaged to Derek. I’m sure that there will be much un-intentional wrong name calling in the future. In fact we have already slipped up a couple of times.
I used to do this to my little sister all the time. In my family, it was a teasing thing. Drove her nuts!
When they’re not around? You’re a better man than my girlfriend’s father, Bob.
Well, more polite, at least. 
Stage a break-up, and then reconcile. See if he switches back to using the wrong name.
My daughter is only nine and she doesn’t have a boyfriend, yet <sigh - a father’s nighmare that’s going to be>. But already she has boys in her class/school who like her. In preparation for the inevitable, I’ve already started mangling their names and teasing her (with a knowing wink) about it. She’s in on the joke and I plan to carry it out until she’s fully grown and married. It’ll be our inside joke.
Woe to the boy who asks her out to her prom. The interrogation will be merciless.
Well, I do it to my daughter. But then again, she’s 12, boy-crazy, & has a new crush every other day. It’s my subtle hint that I’m having trouble keeping up with the sheer number of "One True Love"s she’s discovered.
Your father may have a different motive 
My dad used to use reverse psychology, and say something like “He seems nice enough, why don’t you marry him?” --though he only did that with halfway decent guys, just in case!
<nitpick>bated breath</n>
The Dope
They’re known as meathead when they are around and I’m being polite. Actually, if they’re just a meathead, that’s a good thing.*
My own father constantly mixed up my brother’s and my names. That he couldn’t remember other names was not odd.
[size=1]* Actually, my daughter is 13, so she’s not yet dating and certainly doesn’t have an SO. I’m just practicing. Also, I’m working on my aim.
My dad has never done anythingl like that.
Brilliant I can’t wait to try.