vocatives

To be honest, I figured this had to be a joke — a symbol that looks exactly like a face yelling something being used in vocatives (an expression identifying the addressee)?

Proto-unintentional-emoticons « Motivated Grammar 2008

To be honest, I figured this had to be a joke — a symbol that looks exactly like a face yelling something being used in vocatives (an expression identifying the addressee)?

2008 April « Motivated Grammar 2008

In most of the letters, romance remains not so much an undercurrent as a charming above-ground stream of salutations and vocatives: she is his “Darling,” he her “dear boy.”

Theirs Truly: The Lowell-Bishop Letters 2009

In most of the letters, romance remains not so much an undercurrent as a charming above-ground stream of salutations and vocatives: she is his “Darling,” he her “dear boy.”

Theirs Truly: The Lowell-Bishop Letters 2009

In most of the letters, romance remains not so much an undercurrent as a charming above-ground stream of salutations and vocatives: she is his “Darling,” he her “dear boy.”

Theirs Truly: The Lowell-Bishop Letters 2009

Either way, it's irrelevant to the question of whether Etruscan nouns in -i can become Latin nouns in -us (particularly via their corresponding vocatives in -e) as is already hinted by the examples of Latin nominative names Titus and Marcus (with vocatives Tite and Marce) versus Etruscan Tite and Marce (functioning at once as nominative, accusative and vocative).

The etymology of Latin tofus 'tufa' isn't written in stone 2009

This fact says nothing on how an unmarked Etruscan noun with lax word-final -i - being used grammatically as subject, object and vocative - would be perceived by the Roman ear considering Latin vocatives in -e.

The etymology of Latin tofus 'tufa' isn't written in stone 2009

Then be pleased to remember, Sir, that when my whining vocatives have subjected me to so much scorn and ridicule, it is time, were it but to imitate examples so excellent as you and my sister set me, that I should endeavour to assert my character, in order to be thought less an alien, and nearer of kin to you both, than either of you have of late seemed to suppose me.

Clarissa Harlowe 2006

You will see by it how much his vile hint from the Georgic; and his rude one of my whining vocatives, have set me up.

Clarissa Harlowe 2006

Your mother will not be permitted to be disturbed with your nothing-meaning vocatives! —

Clarissa Harlowe 2006