Many terms can be insults or terms of endearment, depending on the tone. I generally avoid using insults as endearments, as they can be misunderstood, but that's just me.
The more I read these two threads, the more I think I would have liked Mike. I'd have been too scared to come within a mile of any of his rockets, but I think I would have enjoyed his company and hearing him explain how they work, and what it feels like to fly in them.