pet phrase 口头禅

与pet name类似的表达还有pet phrase，意为“口头禅”（catchword）。

另外，pet一词本身就有比较亲昵的意思——宝贝，即“（表示喜欢、友好的称呼）宝贝、乖乖”，英文解释是：Some people call the person they are talking to 'pet' to show affection or friendliness.

例句：

It's all right, pet, let me do it.

没事儿，宝贝儿，让我来吧。

当pet作动词时，则有“抚摸；（爱抚地）摩挲"的意思，即If you pet a person or animal, you touch them in an affectionate way.

例句：

The policeman reached down and petted the wolfhound.

警察伸手抚摸那只猎狼犬。

I petted and smoothed her hair.

我轻抚着捋平她的头发。