rkillings Feb 24, 2012:

@Alison According to Le Grand Robert, chou derives from Lat. caulis = stalk of a plant, esp. cabbage-plant (Collins). 'Twould seem that cabbage came first. The subsequent evolution of French meanings of the word is quite amusing if you consider phrases such as "bête comme chou", "être dans les choux", "faire chou blanc", "faire ses choux gras", "ne rien avoir dans le chou", and so on -- without even getting to the terms of endearment.:-)

Alison Sparks (X) Feb 24, 2012:

@rk Which came first? We have the same problems in English don't we? Same word in a different context - different meaning. How many people would use a Brassica as a term of endearment? I can only think of one ex-President of the US who might. Likewise, mon petit bout de chou is often translated as my little bundle of joy.

rkillings Feb 24, 2012:

Yes, of course it's a reference to puff pastry, but that only deepens the mystery of why the dessert is endearingly named after the Brassica …

Clarissa Hull Feb 24, 2012:

@ Alison Yes, chou vanille would refer to the French dessert here, usually called "chou(x) à la crème".
"Chou" has several meanings in French ("c'est chou...", i.e. that's sweet). So "mon chou" would certainly not be "my cabbage", but a term of endearment, something like "my little darling" or "poppet" (given in R&C dictionary for "bout de chou").

Sandra & Kenneth Grossman Feb 24, 2012:

sweety-pie :-)

Lara Barnett Feb 24, 2012:

Honeybun I think Carol's "Honeybun" is perfect.

Alison Sparks (X) Feb 24, 2012:

Chou(x) I'm intrigued that so many of us think this translates to cabbages!! I have been corrected so many times by French friends who tell me it is a reference to puff pastry (in the plural). Any native French speakers out there who care to comment?

Alison Sparks (X) Feb 24, 2012:

@LJW I'd rather like it, at least different and more amusing than the usual things!

L.J.Wessel van Leeuwen (asker) Feb 24, 2012:

rkillings, how would you like a blonde to call you: My vanilla cabbage? (I am only joking..., I appreciate your input)

L.J.Wessel van Leeuwen (asker) Feb 24, 2012:

Carol, they all sound good, sounds like you have heard them all ...

Carol Gullidge Feb 24, 2012:

Would sweety-pie or honeybun - with their culinary connotations - both be too mundane?

rkillings Feb 24, 2012:

What's wrong with … vanilla cabbage?