Dear Abby
Syndicated guidance feature
Dear Abby is an American advice column, launched in 1956, where readers write in with personal problems and receive published responses.
The name refers both to the column and its original author, Pauline Phillips (pen name Abigail Van Buren).
By extension, a Dear Abby is anyone dispensing unsolicited advice on personal matters: I didn't ask you to be my Dear Abby.
Written guidance for readers
- newspaperPrinted periodical of current events
- columnistRecurring newspaper feature writer
- syndicatedLicensed for wide distribution
- readersThose who peruse text
letters · queries · submissions · anonymity · agony aunt · Ann Landers · editorial · publication
Guidance on decisions
- wisdomGood judgment from experience
- counselExpert guidance offered
- directionWay something faces
- insightDeep perceptive understanding
perspective · solutions · recommendations · suggestions · opinions · dilemmas · ethics · morals
Of unknown origin
- privacyFreedom from observation
- discretionCareful judgment in speech
- pseudonymFictitious professional name
- signedWrote one's name on
pen name · confide · secrets · private · personal · strangers · disclosure · trust
Sharing another's emotions
- compassionConcern for others' distress
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- kindnessConsiderate, caring disposition
- sensitivityResponsiveness to stimuli
nonjudgmental · supportive · warmth · reassurance · gentle · direct · frank · witty
advice column
Written guidance for readers
- newspaperPrinted periodical of current events
- columnistRecurring newspaper feature writer
- syndicatedLicensed for wide distribution
readers · letters · queries · submissions · anonymity · agony aunt · Ann Landers · editorial · publication · journalism
advice
Guidance on decisions
insight · perspective · solutions · recommendations · suggestions · opinions · dilemmas · ethics · morals · judgment
anonymous
Of unknown origin
- privacyFreedom from observation
- discretionCareful judgment in speech
- pseudonymFictitious professional name
signed · pen name · confide · secrets · private · personal · strangers · disclosure · trust · confession
empathy
Sharing another's emotions
- compassionConcern for others' distress
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- kindnessConsiderate, caring disposition
sensitivity · nonjudgmental · supportive · warmth · reassurance · gentle · direct · frank · witty · no-nonsense
relationships
Links between individuals
friends · romance · dating · etiquette · neighbors · in-laws · workplace · boundaries · secrets · infidelity
- advice columnsadvice column, agony aunt, agony column, Ann Landers, Dear Prudence
- pseudonymspen name, pen names, pseudonym, pseudonyms, nom de plume
- columnspillar, column, pillars, shaft, shafts
Dear Abbytherapist
Mental health practitioner
psychiatrist · licensed counselor · clinical psychologist · social worker · life coach
Dear AbbyHoward Stern
Judge Judy · Simon Cowell · Don Rickles · Gordon Ramsay · drill sergeant