Jessica has a weird fetish for being ostracized by her colleagues

[alpacinou]

Have I used "fetish" correctly and naturally?

1. Jessica has a weird fetish for being ostracized by her colleagues.
2. Jane has a fetish for German cars.
3. Joe has a fetish for aristocratic women.
4. Jill has a fetish for chocolate muffins.
5. Frank has a fetish for controlling other people.

 

[Skrej]

No, not unless those acts are somehow connected to sexual fantasies or gratification. The term 'fetish' is mostly reserved for sexual preference or proclivities when using the fixation/obsession meaning.

I guess in that context it could work for #3 and maybe #5 although there are also specific terms for #5 in the context of erotic activities.

 

[teechar]

For me, numbers 2, 3, and 4 are possible. For the other two, I'd like to see more context to decide whether "fetish" is justified.

 

[alpacinou]

No, not unless those acts are somehow connected to sexual fantasies or gratification. The term 'fetish' is mostly reserved for sexual preference or proclivities when using the fixation/obsession meaning.

I guess in that context it could work for #3 and maybe #5 although there are also specific terms for #5 in the context of erotic activities.

This is from Cambridge Dictionary:

 

[Tarheel]

@alpacinou
I was going to say that it is used in other than sexual contexts, but I guess I never got around to it.

 

[emsr2d2]

The reason they sound somewhat unnatural to me is the use of "fetish for + noun/verb". I'm more used to "noun/verb fetish" (usually a noun).

My neighbour has owned seventeen Audis. I think he's got an Audi fetish!
Have you seen her conservatory? She's clearly got a cactus fetish.
I have a serious biscuit fetish but I've got it under contr ... Oh crumbs!