But can't all Our Favourite Swear Words be used as terms of affection?  As in "How are you doing, you old bastard/twat/shit-eating mother-fucker whore?" (delete as appropriate).
 
In a rough and tumble male environment (like the KLF mailing list, maybe?) swear words are used all the time between friends.  I bet Tony Blair calls Gordon Brown a cunt at every opportunity he gets. :)
 
John