True story. I was watching Cops one night. And the officer was about to haul in some Hispanic-American youth, I forgot on exactly what charges. And trying to get some sympathy from the cop, the youth pleaded his case, in his thick accent, repeatedly calling the officer “Papi”. The officer eventually turned away in disgust, and (apparently knowing the term well) said "I’m not your “papi”.
Anyways, this isn’t an indictment of the show cops. My question is simple: What does the Hispanic word “papi” mean? I know it likely is derived from the same source as the English (and other) word Papa. But I am looking for context here. What does it mean when you call someone your “papi” (officer, or otherwise)? I could Google the term, or use an online translator. But I was looking for context, as well as any subtle nuances, that an online search just wouldn’t provide.
Please tell me. I truly am dying to know this one (esp. if I ever the term again, on tv or otherwise). And thank you in advance all who reply.
That Urban Dictionary entry is good, but perhaps a tad incomplete. For example, I have heard Cuban fathers call their sons “papi” as a term of affection, so apparently it works both ways. But maybe that’s just a specifically Cuban thing…?
The UD entry says the term is “central american” but other than that I’d say it’s quite correct; it’s actually heard throughout (more commonly in some areas than others, but all over). Other similar terms, all of them diminutives for padre (father) and all of them usable exactly like daddy, are papá, papuchi or papito.
That use of calling the children by a name that would properly refer to someone older is something I’ve encountered for different words in different places: it can be meant to say the child is quite grown-up, or to be ironic.
I don’t think the UD term is what applies there, exactly. He was using the term both for the authority figure it means, and for the ironic twist Nava mentioned. The person who said it, probably said it in the “authority/family” sense, with a hint of irony. The person who got the word, though, probably understood it in the way the UD took #2. I doubt the youngster was trying to imply the cop was his lover.
Adult male friends would call each other “papá” (at least in my region) or papi, and they’re most definitely not using it in the sense given by the #2 UD definition.
The newly-arrested young man in the OP was using “papi” roughly the way an American might use “sweetheart” when pleading their case, with similar results. It’s okay to use if, say, you’re trying to sweet-talk a cashier into accepting your expired coupon … not so much (as evidenced) with an LEO who’s just given you new matching bracelets.
I’ve heard Mami and Papi used to refer to pretty much anyone, from parents, significant others, children, and even pets. I’ts mostly the Salvadorans I know that use Mami and Papi for their children and pets though.
I doubt the youngster was trying to imply the cop was his lover.