Pet names are part of a shared, private language among lovers, family and friends. They can create intimate bonds and often have funny origin stories. When they’re not used, it may seem like something is wrong.

For a special Valentine’s Day project about language and love, we’d like to hear the stories behind your or your loved one’s strangest terms of endearment (the weirder, the better).

We will not publish any part of your submission without contacting you first. We will use your contact information only to follow up with you.

Please share your stories by 11:59 p.m. P.S.T. on Thursday, Jan. 19.

Modern Love can be reached at modernlove@nytimes.com.

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