I often use 'professori' because it amuses me (particularly when speaking to people with a low intelligence), 'my friend' when the person clearly isn't but I want something, and '****head' when I'm in the car to other motorists.
That would be 'professore' when talking to one person. "Professori' would be for a group of idiots. Dont ya just hate me, professore?
I find being referred to as "Mate" a compliment. I'm much more used to being called a pleb, twat, idiot, simpleton etc so mate is very nice....
Why? Because that's what we Ausses say to each other when in conversation. It is just a generalisation of acknowledgement, nothing more, nothing less.
At the risk of throwing some tedious and foundationless speculation in, I think it might be a combination filling gaps (saying "hi", "thanks" or "cheers" seem a little bleak and crude on their own) and gives a short sentence a comfortable rhythm. Also, it introduces a informality in any situation (I use it in shops sometimes with people I have no connection with) and avoids the repeated use of someone's name (something I find incredibly annoying if done too much). As an experiment, try saying "thank you" or "hello" - I find the extra syllable almost makes the use of "mate" sound unnatural and slightly silly. I've found that "thank you can sound almost sarcastic at times and so I also say "thank you very much" quite often now and, said with a good speed, it seems a very pleasant alternative but the rapidity seems to reduce the formality. Told you it would be boring!
I think like RTID that its a 'work' reference, I always assumed it came from shipmate, then just moved on to just mate when on land.... why is it us & the aussies that use it but the amerricans ?
Etymology 1 From Middle English, from Middle Low German mate (“messmate” (replacing Middle English mette from Old English ġemetta (“sharer of food, table-guest”), derived from Proto-Germanic *gamatjô, itself from Proto-Germanic *ga- (“together” (related to German and Dutch ge-) + Proto-Germanic *matjô (from Proto-Germanic *matiz (“food”), related to Old English mete (“food”). More at co-, meat. Noun mate (plural mates) A fellow, comrade, colleague, partner or someone with whom something is shared, e.g. shipmate, classmate. (especially of a non-human animal) A breeding partner. (colloquial, UK, Australia, New Zealand) A friend, usually of the same sex. I'm going to the pub with a few mates. He's my best mate. (colloquial, UK, Australia, New Zealand) a colloquial "sir"; an informal and friendly term of address to a stranger, usually male Excuse me, mate, have you got the time? (nautical) In naval ranks, a non-commissioned officer or his subordinate (e.g. Boatswain's Mate, Gunner's Mate, Sailmaker's Mate, etc). (nautical) A ship's officer, subordinate to the master on a commercial ship. (nautical) A first mate. A technical assistant in certain trades (e.g. gasfitter's mate, plumber's mate); sometimes an apprentice. The other member of a matched pair of objects. I found one of the socks I wanted to wear, but I couldn't find its mate. A suitable companion; a match; an equal.
