Maddenation
Nicknames of Famous People
I was thinking about nicknames and decided to make an entry about them. I don’t have time to do any research, so I’m either going from memory or making things up.
The first nickname comes from St. Nicholas, who liked to be called St. Nick, hence “nicknames.” Soon, Germans everywhere were shortening each other’s names. Frederick became Fred, Wolfgang became Wolf, Ludwig became Lud, Klaus became Kla, and so forth. The practice soon spread to other countries, like England. That’s where William became Bill (?), Robert became Bob, Geoffrey became Jeff. France wanted to follow suit, but their names, Jean, Paul, and Claude, were already one syllable. Well, they did call Napolean “Nappy.”
Soon, one syllable wasn’t enough. People wanted to have fun with nicknames rather than merely shorten names. For example, the guard on Elba island where Nappy was exiled started greeting him in the morning by saying, “Hey, it’s the Napster.” The guard’s given name was Bartholomew, and Nappy started calling him “Barty Warty” and sometimes, “Bart the Fart.” The Napster had quite a sense of humor.
Now let’s travel to modern times, when nicknames are as popular as ever and even applied to girls names. Like Jennifer is Jen, Jacqueline is Jackie, and Elizabeth is El. But nicknames reached their pinnacle when someone started using “Paterico” for Patrick and “Daderoni” for Dad. Another great one is Katelina for Kathleen. But what do you do for David? Is it “Davidico” of “Daverino”? Dan is also a tough one. Danerano isn’t bad, but it doesn’t have the “ring” of some of the others, and isn’t as natural as that thing on his head called a “bandanny.”
In closing, I’d just like to say that some people don’t need nicknames. Like for example, Bronko Nagurski the former Chicago Bears fullback, doesn’t need a nickname. Neither does another Bear, Dick Butkis, or another middle linebacker, Sam Huff, or another linebacker, Mike Stonebreaker, or another Mike who’s also a linebacker, Mike Singletary. Don’t try nicknaming these guys unless you’re ready to get a helmet slammed into your solar plexus.
Dad • Observations • 12/13/08 • 0 comments
Post a comment
Thanks for signing in, . Now you can comment. (sign out)
Please capitalize your name properly and use the same information each time you comment. We will not send you spam, and your email address will not be posted.