When we touch an animal it is "pet" or "pat"?
Should we say "Can I pet" or "Can I pat him" (a dog)?
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5I often pat my cat when I am petting him. :-)– Damkerng T.Commented Dec 30, 2013 at 10:41
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2both but "pet" is more common.– hunterCommented Dec 30, 2013 at 22:02
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Patting is one way of petting. Kissing, rubbing etc also is petting– InglishCommented Aug 19, 2016 at 14:29
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1In Australian English, we say "pat". In American English, "pet" is most common. In British English, "stroke" is most common.– kasfmeCommented Sep 9, 2016 at 8:33
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1 Answer
When one approaches a stranger's animal, it is polite (and wise) to ask,
May I pet your dog? or, May I pet him? If you do not know the animal's gender, it might be preferable to say your dog to it, although it is perfectly grammatical. One might do this as a way of respecting strong feelings one may have for a pet.
As for "pet" or "pat", both are correct. Pat connotes a light, quick stroke with the hand.
She gave him a friendly pat on the arm.
To pet an animal is to stroke or caress gently; pat; to touch or stroke in an affectionate or loving manner.
When I pet my cat, I feel very calm.
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5I think of pat as having more motion perpendicular to the "patted" surface, whereas pet has more motion parallel to the "petted" surface.– JimCommented Dec 30, 2013 at 18:24
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@Jim - At the risk of a "Me, too" comment I think its significant to emphasize the direction of motion as the difference between pet and pat. Commented Jan 7, 2016 at 16:55