NEW: Lawyer is speechless after he accidentally calls a Colorado judge "honey" while arguing whether or not a violent s*xual assault counts as one act or can be broken into multiple acts.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) June 21, 2025
So awkward.
Judge Terry Fox was seen holding back laughter during the incident.
Lawyer:… pic.twitter.com/6FJQyIiPds
I can see at the link that one theory is that something about the judge or the kind of argument they were having felt so much like talking to his wife that the endearment he uses on his wife popped in on its own.
Another guess would be that he's one of those men who use "honey" on women when he's putting them in their place. It's a diminishment, not an endearment.
But what a screwup! He not only let the word slip out, he expended a lot of his time — his client's time — apologizing and attempting to recover.
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47 comments:
Wm. Kerrigan writes on the introduction of "server" and whether it will catch on, and supposes, in some future, a truck driver at the counter will look at the waitress, like what he sees, and ask, "So, how long have you been a server, honey?"
I would have a telling demonstration of masculine self confidence - steel balls, etc, if it weren't for the apology. Spoils it.
You don't want women as judges.
She got ragin’ eyes. He may’ve just been trying to calm her down?
"...he's one of those men who use "honey" on women when he's putting them in their place."
It's also used by women talking to other women or men- putting them in their place.
I don’t even refer to my wife that way.
Will the client get a discount?
Listen, Linda!
https://youtu.be/aFYsJYPye94?&t=1m42s
No honor among couples, just sweet love.
He should have followed up with sweetie. And then in the ensuing rage applied the “calm down” trick.
Out of the heart the mouth speaks.
Part of the problem is the customy honorific. It should flow easily from the character of the particular magistrate. Unfortunately, the behavior and rulings of too many judges makes your honor a little sticky in the craw of honest persons.
It sounds like what he says to is wife while mansplaining something; it seemed to slip out quite naturally.
It was also quite hilarious watching him backtrack. He will need an entry on the TIFU list.
'Look, she doesn't want to date you !'
That file photo of Judge Elizabeth Harris is another problem. She likely had her choice of poses. Why the heck would she approve that one? Is it possible that was the least psychotic smile she could produce? Was it "Smile Like David Berkowitz Day" over at the appeal court?
Where did this take place? Serious question.
If in Baltimore, no foul. Women call me and women honey all the time. Men routinely call women honey
John Henry
A clip from Idiocracy that didn't make it into the film.
What was the outcome? Did the lawyer win?
John Henry
It's fortunate for appellate advocates that the device of the thought balloon is only an imaginary construct. Behind the obsequious facade, the inner monologue is often raging.
On the counsel table at the Nebraska Supreme Court, there is a paper that tells the lawyers to not call the Justices “you guys.” Last time I was there a young lawyer did it, but she was remote. But the Chief Justice still reprimanded her.
Ooog. For his sake, I sincerely hope that he spent the night before argument running points past his wife in some sort of moot court practice session.
But he's probably doomed anyway.
"Your Honor, I was referring to the Illinois case of Honey v. Smith, which I now concede is not directly relevant..."
Nah. He's screwed.
John Henry--I just moved to the Eastern Shore. Women I don't know call me Honey all the time. Didn't happen in Connecticut. It's kind of refreshing. I'm well past the age when I thought anyone would ever call me Honey again. (Actually, if my wife calls me Honey, that's usually...not good).
I lack the guts to call any of them Honey in return.
Used to be, on one of the major arteries into Baltimore, The BW Parkway I think, an official sign saying "Welcome to Baltimore Hon."
I live in the south, and women address me as "Honey" frequently. No apology necessary.
I think the guy's brain momentarily went into argument-with-wife mode and it just slipped out.
The woman pictured has an awful lot of testosterone markers on her face.
There are men who would be jealous of that brow ridge and jawline.
There had to be a better picture of her somewhere. She looks like a stalker in that photo.
Joe Bar said...
I live in the south, and women address me as "Honey" frequently. No apology necessary.
6/22/25, 9:05 AM
Name checks out.
Q: So how did you wind up in the hole on bread and water for life, again?
A: Well, then I said to the judge, "There you go again. You know you're just like your mother when you're like this."
He confused her with Honey Chandler.
I've often found myself saying "sweetheart" when I'm dealing with a woman I don't know who's hurt or crying before I ask her her name. Context and tone does matter.
MANY years ago when I was a lad in college I was in a pick-your-poison food line. The male owner said, "What for you, honey?" I was, briefly flummoxed thinking he was addressing someone else.
I've lived in the south for over 40 years now. I'm, apparently, a honey, a sweetie and a darling.
Seeing that judge's picture, I just hope that lawyer's kids don't have a pet white bunny and his wife didn't leave a pot bubbling on the stove when he gets home.
I think it was Elvis who spoke of singing sweet honey in a line of a movie.
"My Name Is Dorothy, Not Tootsie!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY_I6q0okhI
Jeez, if I were on trial and walked into a courtroom and saw a judged that looked like that, I'd be pretty damn worried.
He might have been listening to Carl Perkins right before the hearing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6Jxsynmuco).
I address my wife as "your Honor," so this isn't going to be a problem for me.
I don't think I've ever called anyone, Honey, in my entire life.
Here in the deepest South, where your waitress can call you honey with no eyebrows being raised, the thought of ever calling any of the many female judges I've appeared before, "honey" turns my bowels to ice water. Seriously, I would have had to move to another state or take up a different profession. Poor S.O.B. Honey the judge may not take it out on his client in this case, but how can he ever show his face in court again, especially after this has gone viral. Screwed the pooch.
Leland said...
I don’t even refer to my wife that way.
loudogblog said...
I don't think I've ever called anyone, Honey, in my entire life.
I'm there with with both of you on that. I don't even use the honorific "dear" with my wife. In writing, often, I will refer to her as "my better half". In speaking to her or about her- I use the name she introduced herself to me as 47 years ago. Which, by the way, is not the name any of her siblings or other family call her by. There are at least 3 other names they use... I also use my children's full names when referring to them or talking to them. It's why we gave them those names. I don't use nicknames for anyone unless they ask me to.
OTOH I've been called dear, honey, and even sonny and others by numerous waitresses and salesgirls over the years. Both here in the north and when we lived in the south- or the west. Graduated HS in 1973 and back then us males were being indoctrinated to NEVER EVER us such terms with a girl. The few times I've ever heard a male doing so I stare at them like "Didn't your mother teach you not to do that?"
Using such terms without criticism is a one way street. Women can do it- men can't. For a long time now. I've seen a few women get upset when a waitress refers to hubby or boyfriend as "honey". Get over it- women created the rule that says it's OK and you have to live with it.
Well, to be fair, she looks like she could be a cutie pie when she’s not smiling. He should have said, “Sorry if I gave offense, sweetie. If it’s any consolation, you’re cute when you’re mad.”
I hope that inset isn't her "resting bench face"
My girlfriend, in a moment of madness, once asked a judge "what are you going to do about it?". He did something about it. She got 90 days for her impertinence.
This is like calling your teacher "mom" in high school.
In my town, waitresses call male customers "Honey." I have never heard anyone object to friendly banter. A few have responded by addressing the server as "Sweetie."
"Little brain gets me in trouble all the time."
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