What is a 'smashing bird' ?

[plinkduet]

What does it mean when a man keeps calling you 'smashing', a 'smashing bird', whenyou chat online in facebook? He's a very close family friend of around my age (42) who I've met once or twice briefly at family functions. We get along very well and have lots in common. He once told my sister when she asked that he thought I was 'cute'.

Does any of this sound promising?! ;-)

it wouldn't bother me to be called bird in this context - I actually think you can still have feminist principles and not mind a bit of banter - trying franctically to think of a male equivalent pet name to bird.

Same as Take Me Out - its so cheesy and naff its good - not sure which sex it exploits the most. I like no likey no lighty.

Also love the star prize is hiding behind Bully (in Jim Bowen's northern accent)

It pains me that we haven't got equality but think there are deeper issues than calling someone a bird - what about women who call other women birds.

And don't want us all to be walking around with stick up our backsides - there has to be some 'fun' between the sexes. IMVHO

Bye ekk lass thow is a cracker
lol
sorry to all blackburn people

EUGH sorry. I am not a staunch femenist, infact I probably have had clashes with a few.

I detest the name bird, it's not classy, decent or anything else, I think it's horrible.

A smashing, lady, woman, heck even girl whatever, it's my pet hate tbh that word.

I'm not lacking in fun, I'm quite flirty, always have been, just don't like it.

I don't have much time for men that use it sorry! BUT it's a good sign, if that's your thing!

Interesting replies ladies, thanks, think I have the gist of opinion now. I'm surprised a few have replied suggesting it's northern slang, in my experience that's more like 'chick', it's actually pretty mockney I think.

As a further update, he also calls his nephew and the young children in my family 'smashing', so I'm prety sure it's just a generalised term of endearment, not a prelude to anything saucy on my part.

There seems to be daily progress in the online conversation department though, he's kind of delicately edging towards a flirt methinks.