Question: Why does Hank call Pat "mother"?
Question: Does Ray ever stand up for Debra when his mother insults her?
Everybody Loves Raymond (1996)
2 questions in show generally
Starring: Ray Romano, Doris Roberts, Brad Garrett, Patricia Heaton
Genres: Comedy
Continuity mistake: When Robert is in Debra and Ray's kitchen, as they talk Debra holds a plate with a slice of meatloaf on it. When she finally places the plate on the table, the piece of meatloaf Ray eats is different.
Frank Barone: What in the holy name of crap are you talking about?
Trivia: The flashback of this episode has several similarities to Ray Romano's real life. He was a futon delivery man before he was a comedian, he worked with his friend Claude, and he once walked into a customer's house to find her naked, mistaking her saying, "coming." for "Come in."
Answer: It's something which some more formal / conservative couples do, possibly just as a byproduct of having kids and using a consistent reference.