I was passing a lot today while I was giving some creepy valentines to strangers as part of my own little sociology experiment, but I realized that a lot of the boys (in a high school setting, so teenagers) called me "bud." I thought this was strange because "bud" is something my dad has always called my brother, so I viewed it as kind of a synonym to "kid" or "son."  I'm thinking it's because they assumed I was a freshman, which I'm fine with (whoooo I passed) but I'd just like to hear how "bud" is used in other areas.  Like a diminutive of bro?

Sorry for being so analytical. 

I'm generally in PA or Jersey and people who know me as female will call me Bud/Buddy. Come to think of it I don't even think my one friend has ever called me anything else. I don't view it as an exclusively male thing. But, around here it's normal to say something like, hey guys,  even when referring to a group of girls. I know in some areas that would be viewed as strange.

Sharky - I've never known anyone who thinks it's weird to say "hey guys," even when referring to girls, but everyone feels the need to let everyone else know that they're used to it even though others might thing it's weird. And that's across - NY, PA, OR, WV, NC, FL, OH, WA, CA, and ON Canada at least, I've also heard it used regularly in British and Australian English. Last time someone made a big deal about how weird it was they said "hey guys" to girls I felt provoked to violence. It has actively begun to p*ss me off. Not targeting you or anything, just saying. Where the heck are these damn "areas" people talk about? Who thinks it's weird to call a group of people "guys" regardless of gender? To people who speak English as a second language, that's it, and even in Spanish you use male terms to refer to a group of mixed gender. /rant.

Never heard "bud" or "buddy" used to refer to a girl casually before, unless it's a teasing friend thing. I might have heard girls calling each other bud before, like they sometimes call each other f*ggots. When I hear "buddy" from a guy, I know I'm passing. And that's Western PA/Upstate NY that I'm used to. So that's cool, congrats!

Most people seem to be fine with it. I don't know where they were from, but a couple at work did mention it. They didn't seem insulted, just amused I guess. They were older so maybe it's a generational thing. I've known a few people who call everyone buddy or dude regardless to gender. My grandmother always thought it was weird.  Can't say I've ever heard a girl being called a ->-bleeped-<-got.

Well, we don't use the word "bud" much, but if it comes up, it's like something you would say to a brother or a close male friend. My dad and uncles sometimes talk to each other like that. It's never really used for girls. However, "buddy" is generic for both guys and girls.

The only time I hear people say bud is reffering to weed.

I've never heard a girl being refereed to as 'bud' around here.  I don't think it's all that common to say however. 

I get called 'man' all the dear long day however and occasionally I hear a 'buddy' thrown in there for variety.

Quote from: Sharky on February 15, 2011, 12:36:40 PM
Can't say I've ever heard a girl being called a ->-bleeped-<-got.

I think friends will call each other anything, which is why a stranger calling someone "bud" and a friend calling someone "bud" are two entirely different situations. Before coming out, I got a few "sir (birthname)" things from parents etc. In group situations, girls seem especially fond of that - I've seen them jokingly calling each other losers, f*ggots, bros... it's like they find it funny. Dunno... they confuse me.

I don't think you could call "bud" a diminutive of "bro" they aren't even a little bit rooted in the same word.

Typically "bud" or "buddy" is in reference to a male, but I've heard it both ways [maybe 1/50 times its female though so I think you're safe to assume that you were read as male] That being said I don't think I [myself] would have read into it that much.

and like MichealJay about 95% of the time I hear that word its about weed somehow I don't think thats what they meant though   

i've only heard bud be used for males, weather as like a 'greeting' like it happened to you, or as a formal birth name.