Brother

[jpenney]

When a man refers to all other men as 'Brother' is this a term of endearment? A way to keep out of trouble? Or is he taking away any sexual misunderstanding and stating his claim as heterosexual?

I've been watching LOST and one character does this, but I've never heard him call anyone 'Sister' (female obviously)

What do you think?

"Brother" originated in the trade union movement. At meetings etc the members would always address each other as brother. In the early days there would would not have been ladies in the unions. So hence no "sister". Don't know what they do at gatherings today considering lots of unions have ladies in very senior positions.