Nickname
A nickname is a short, clever, cute, derogatory, or otherwise substitute name for a person or thing's real name, (for example, Nick is short for Nicholas). As a concept, it is distinct from a pseudonym, though there may be overlap between the two.
Etymology: In Middle English the word was ekename (from the verb to eke, "enlarge"; compare Swedish öknamn). Later, an ekename developed into a nickname.
Lots of things have nicknames
People and their Nicknames
Types of personal nickname:
1. A nickname may relate directly to a person's first name. Examples:
- Steph or Stephie for Stephanie
- Steve for Stephen or Steven
- Ted, Ned, Ed, Eddie for Edward
- Ricky, Dick, Rich, Rick for Richard
- Nell for Eleanor
- Peggy, Maggie, Meg, Marg for Margaret
- Chuck, Chaz for Charles
- Sam for Samuel or Samantha
- Andy and Andie for Andrew and Andrea
- Kate or Katie for Katherine
- Jack for John
2. A nickname may relate directly to a person's surname. Examples:
- Mitch for someone with the surname Mitchell
3. It may also relate indirectly to a surname. Examples:
- Chalky for someone with the surname White
- Sandy for someone with the surname Brown
- Dicky for someone with the surname Bird
4. A nickname may relate to the person's job. Examples:
5. It may relate (offensively or otherwise) to a person's nationality or place of origin. Examples:
6. It may relate to a person's physical characteristics. Examples:
- Tubby for a fat person
- Lofty for a tall person
- Four-eyes for a person with glasses
Conversely, it may be used ironically for someone with the opposite characteristic, e.g. Curly for someone with straight hair - this form is very typical in Australian English, e.g:
- Blue for a person with red hair
- Shorty for a very tall person
- Slim for a fat person
7. It may relate to a person's character. Examples:
8. It may relate to a specific incident or action. Example: Capability Brown was so called because he used the word "capability" instead of "possibility". Other examples include: Chemical Ali, Comical Ali.
9. It may compare the person with a famous or fictional character. Examples:
10. A famous person's nickname may be unique to them:
- Tippecanoe for William Henry Harrison
- Dubya for George W. Bush, a president who uses and has acquired several other nicknames as well. Dubya is from the Texan pronunciation of 'w', Bush's middle initial.
11. A person's nickname may have no traceable origin. For example, a person named "Harold" may be nicknamed "Fred" for no apparent reason, or a man who was named after a relative may ask his friends to call him "Chip" to avoid confusion.
Cities and their Nicknames
See also list of city nicknames for a more comprehensive list.
Some Common Items and their Nicknames
much to add here, this is a start
Referenced By
Alexander | Nick
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