I think most people don't try the approach of asking the other person to stop. I called a partner names in a relationship when I was younger. I didn't even realize I was doing it. When he pointed it out I felt bad & made a conscious effort to stop. I still find myself slipping sometimes. I was annoyed with my husband the other night & almost barked that he was an idiot but caught myself, took a breath & pointed out that the suggestions he was offering were idiotic. (I didn't claim it was a perfect recovery)
I'm not a Pollyanna but I also disagree with the cavalier approach taken by some on internet message boards when at the 1st sign of difficulty, everybody is running for the door.
Obviously, if the yelling & name calling doesn't stop or die down, more drastic measures are required but you still have to take a 1st step.