A question

[Ralph]

... in response to A question, posted by Pete E on Sep 29, 2003

Papi is a term of endearment. Me ex called me nothing else. My current novia never calls me that as she lost her father at a young age and reserved "papi" for him.

Women, will call their sons Papi, their fathers papi, their lovers papi, rarely anybody else. I have never heard a latina even call her brothers or uncles papi. They are "mano" and "tio".

OTOH, women that work in bars etc sometimes call the clients "papi" but more often "mi amor".

Can it have a romantic meaning? Sure. If it is not a son  or father, it usually does have a romantic meaning

[Starman]

... in response to A question, posted by Pete E on Sep 29, 2003

Yes, it can have a romantic meaning. My fiancee calls me that sometime, but she also calls her son Papi also. It's really a term of endearment.

Tim.

[HeyNow]

... in response to Re: A question, posted by Starman on Sep 29, 2003

I am a little curious.  Can it work the other way around?  Say, the man calls the woman Mami?