What Does the Slang Term "Cutie Patootie" Mean?

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Everything you need to know about this adorable pet name, including where it came from

Co-authored by Dev Murphy, MA Reviewed by Candace Gasper

Last Updated: August 12, 2024 Fact Checked

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Cutie Patootie Meaning

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How to Use Cutie Patootie

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Origins

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Related Terms

The term “cutie patootie” has been around in some form for over a century, but it’s still as popular as ever! Wondering what it means? You’re in the right place! “Cutie patootie” is a common term of endearment to describe someone who’s adorable—but keep reading: we’ll walk you through the origins of the term, how to use it, and related terminology. Get at it, ya cutie patootie!

“Cutie Patootie” at a Glance

“Cutie patootie” is a term of affection for an attractive or adorable person. It’s often used on young children, but may also be used between significant others. You might also use it on your pet when they’re acting particularly adorable.

Section 1 of 4:

Definition of Cutie Patootie

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People often call young children, their significant other, or even their pet a "cutie patootie" to say they're cute or attractive. “Patootie” is sometimes used as affectionate slang for “tushie.” But put a “cutie” in front of it, and it means essentially the same thing as “sweetie pie,” “honey bunch,” or “punkin.”

Section 2 of 4:

How to Use Cutie Patootie

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1
Use cutie patootie to express affection for a kid or baby. A little baby with its little fingers and little toes and little shoes and giant head? Such a cutie patootie! Maybe even say it with a wittle baby voice.
- “Wittle baby Waymond is such a cutie patootie, yes he is!”
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Call your bf or gf “cutie patootie” to be playful. Feeling a little innocently flirty? Make your significant other smile by telling them they look like a cutie patootie on your next date night. (But uh, avoid the baby talk this time.)
- “So excited to get all dolled up and go out for a night on the town with my own special cutie patootie!”
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Refer to your crush as a “cutie patootie.” When you’re nearly bursting with secret love, sometimes the only thing to do is resort to pet names. Call your crush a “sugar pie,” “sweetheart,” or “cutie patootie” when you’re journaling about your love for them or when talking to your friends about them.
- “Jean is such a cutie patootie, I don’t even know what to do! I get butterflies in my stomach whenever I talk to her!”
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Use it on your pet when they’re being so unbelievably precious. They don’t even know how cute they are, do they? Do they?
- “Buddy Tumbles! Who’s the sweetest little cutie patootie in the entire world? Is it you?”

Section 3 of 4:

Cutie Patootie Origins

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“Patootie” may be a variation of “potato.” The first recorded use of the word “patootie” is from 1918.^{[1]
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Research source} It was used to describe a sweet or attractive young girl.^{[2]
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Research source}
- It’s unclear when “cutie” got tacked onto the front of the word, but it makes sense that it happened, since the words rhyme. (It’s also unclear when “patootie” started being used to refer to someone’s tuchas, and that one makes less sense to us, but oh well.)
- The term “cutie patootie” gained more traction due to The Rosie O’Donnell Show in the 1990s because O’Donnell used it so frequently.

Section 4 of 4:

Related Terms

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"Cutie patootie" is one of a million pet names! There's cutie pie, sugar pie honey bunch (you know that I love you!), sweetie pie, pumpkin (or its fraternal twin, punkin), pookie, and loads more.
- Wondering what to call your bf or gf? Try out different names and see what sticks (and what they hate)!