A wise man recently told me that the word "dad" is an affectionate one. Now, you all may be thinking "well duh, of course it is" but hear me out.

We have many different names for our dads. For the most part, they are as follows:

Dad

Pop

Papa

Father

And all of these words have significant meaning, as each child has their own preference. And while yes, all of these monikers show respect and affection, I believe some are more so than others. Let's break it down.

"Father" is a term that shows upmost respect. It is a word that implies admiration and regard, but it also is very impersonal. Those of Christian faith don't call God "Dad" but they call Him "Father", showing that they are offering their upmost regard.

"Pop" never resounded much with me, and I never used it. However, the word itself is fun and whimsical, (much like many many fathers) and it shows a kind of familiarity and camaraderie.

"Papa" is a bit older than "Dad," but it is still affectionate. My mother refers to my Grandfather as "Papa," and it shows a mix of utmost love and high regard that she had for him. Many add the "grand" prefix to this word when talking about grandparents, conveying that kind of respect for the wisdom of an elder, and the love for them.

"Dad" is simple, yet it shows pride and affection. Whenever a child goes to boast about their father, you always hear "my dad did ____." You don't call somebody "Dad" unless you love them in that regard. It doesn't show much emotion, except simple love for the man who raised you.

But whatever you call that elder-male-household member, Show him you care, that even though Father's day has passed by, you still think he is one of the most important people in your life. Even if it is just listening to the same story for the hundredth time, or laughing at a terrible joke, you should still make time for your dear old Dad.