# Why do dads hate being called "Pop?" **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 7, 2013, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-dads-hate-being-called-pop/649649 "2013-02-07T23:19:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-dads-hate-being-called-pop/649649/41 "2013-02-11T03:30:12Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > “Pop” or “Poppa” was what I called my Grandfather. > > My own father was just plain “Dad.” > > When (in the wake of my Grandfather passing away) I once suggested that Dad be called “Poppa,” (he does have grandchildren) he disagreed, saying, “No, I’m no Poppa, like your Granddad.” > > Fair enough. To my sister and me, our father is “Dad”; to my sister’s kids, he’s “Granddad.” > > But I had a Poppa. He was a fine fellow. This moved me. Thank you for sharing it. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-dads-hate-being-called-pop/649649/42 "2013-02-12T21:33:25Z")
My 21 year old daughter calls me this. I like it. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-dads-hate-being-called-pop/649649/43 "2013-02-12T21:38:52Z")
I hate the word Pop and know a few men who hate it too. I’d never call my dad Pop. It seems disrespectful and dismissive. I called my dad Papa. ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-dads-hate-being-called-pop/649649/44 "2013-02-12T23:57:41Z")
When I was around 4, I called my dad “pop”. He told me never to call him that again. I could tell by his tone, he was serious. Within a few minutes it slipped out again. And he smacked me. Apparently, he didn’t like being called “pop”. ---
**Author:** ![FrankJBN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f0a364/32.png) [@FrankJBN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FrankJBN)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-dads-hate-being-called-pop/649649/45 "2013-02-13T16:36:32Z")
"It’s a bit dismissive, " How so? Please compare to Dad. ---
**Author:** ![the\_diego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-dads-hate-being-called-pop/649649/46 "2013-02-14T04:04:19Z")
^ 1. Is out of the accustomed call and this can be interpreted to be (unaccustomed) disrespect. 2. It is an abbreviated form of papa and can therefore be interpreted as casual and overly familiar; two attitudes thought to be improper when discussing moderate to very serious matters with one’s father. 3. I know a lot of fathers like to foster an environment of parity with their kids and being called Pop is acceptable. But I’ve a feeling those Pops won’t like it when the call is made mockingly. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-dads-hate-being-called-pop/649649/47 "2013-02-14T14:26:40Z")
You can get buy with calling some other dude Dad, and, as long as he’s old enough, it works. But calling him Pop always sounds dismissive. Plus it’s too close to Papaw, making you feel old. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-dads-hate-being-called-pop/649649/48 "2013-02-14T14:45:59Z")
> [@FrankJBN](#): > > "It’s a bit dismissive, " > > How so? Please compare to Dad. I don’t call my dad, dad either. But dad feels less dismissive than Pop. I hate Pop. I’m sure it’s 100% cultural. ---
**Author:** ![GreenElf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GreenElf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenElf)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-dads-hate-being-called-pop/649649/49 "2013-02-14T15:19:37Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > I blame [Dr. Seuss:](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hop_on_Pop) It just gets wrong ideas into the heads of children. Pops doesn’t wanna be hopped on. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-dads-hate-being-called-pop/649649.md?page=2)