lovely, my

   An extended form of ‘my love’, though making a comment on the appearance of the person addressed rather than the feelings of the speaker. Normally spoken to a child or young woman by a male speaker, with friendly intent. Anglo-Saxon Attitudes, by Angus Wilson, has: ‘“The top of the morning to you, Johnnie. And to you, my lovely,” he said to Elvira, who again did not answer. “Isn’t she gorgeous?” he called to John, and left the office.’ The Limits of Love, by Frederic Raphael, has: ‘“The point is, let’s go out and celebrate.” “Lovely.” “All right, lovely, it’s a date.”’ The vocative ‘lovely’ is addressed to a woman by a man.