>>>when I asked the same question its an honorific, meaning Father. It is used in everyday arabic, and is not a suggestion of rank in any normal sense.
So a "man", who is the same age as another "man", in speaking 'English' addresses someone as Abu, who is not name Abu, you are telling me he is calling him Father?
I asked on FR if any Arabic speakers could explain what Abo means.
The answer I got both in a post and a private FR mail from about three sources was that it is a Honorific meaning literly "Father". Similar to the Spanish (latin american) Tio (Uncle) or Poppie (daddy). When someone on the Mariners team calls Edgar Martines "Poppie" they are not implying he is their actual father.
I also heard Linda Vestor (Fox) explain in passing on her show reciently that Abo Marzen was a term of endearment meaning litterally Father Marzen. Linda speaks Arabic and spent a couple years studying in Egypt. A smart lady, not just a pretty face.
So yes, that is exactly what I am telling you, the word Abo means father, but when used as an honorific it does not literally amount to a claim that the person addressed as Abo is in fact ones Father.
As a child we had a dear friend of the family that was calld Aunt Tillie. She was no relation what so ever.
Why is this hard to understand?