I've always thought nicknames were really nice. Something about having that second appellation gives one a bit of distinction somehow. But, you sometimes have to scratch your head to try to rationalize how that nickname came about.
One example. Years ago I worked with a fellow with a red-headed son about two years of age. Both parents insisted on calling him "Toad". Bright red head, the start of freckles and super pale skin just never put me in mind of a toad.
In an obituary I read today, the lady was known as "Tubby". They even said something like, "Tubby was a strong advocate for her community and her children's school." There was a head and shoulders type picture of a very attractive woman. Best guess is that she was not overweight. Just a few days ago I was chatting with a fellow about a guy we used to know named Tubby. We agreed that with a name like Julius, Tubby was an improvement.
If I was Julius I think I'd pick Groucho over Tubby.
i used to work with a man that was two biscuits shy of three hundred pounds. we nicknamed him TINY and he liked the moniker
Groundhog, Alien, Bluebird, Tickingclock, Flash, some nicknames for some women that I know.
I like the fact that a good nickname is often earned, that there is usually a story behind the naming
I've worked with a bloke known as "Panic" and another called "Touch F*ck" - both soubriquets being very descriptive.
And you get the reverse like the 6'6" bloke called "Midget"
Little George was 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighed upwards of 300 pounds. His Daddy, Big George was about 6 feet and weighed 180 on a good day.
A friend of my father's (female) was nicknamed "Toe", I never did find out how she got that name.
Of course about 35 years ago I had long hair and a beard, my father made the statement that I looked like a "Wooly Booger". It stuck, for years my nieces and nephews called me "Uncle Booger".
Andy
I know of a inspector who's name is Zerous or Zero for short. WTH was his parents thinking when they picked that name??
Lady at courthouse clerks office whose nick name is "Bugs".
Another courthouse, clerk, "Putt Putt"
Guy down the road, Tubby
Guy in local town, "Butter"
Son of a surveyor "Big Help"
N
I've been called a lot of things, especially since starting this website. I can't repeat many of them here. However, in high school, the stoners referred to me as "Glasses". In art class, I drew sketches of pot leaves for them.
My Grampa's name (on my Mom's side) was Wendell. Everyone knew him as Windy. Not sure where that came from. When I was born, I suddenly became Little Windy because I was the first grandson. For years, I was embarrassed by the nickname and it still seems a bit odd today. Still, when I visit family and they call me Windy, I feel honored by it. My Grampa was a great man.
My Gramma's name (also on my Mom's side) was Anna. Everyone knew her as Bunnie. Not sure where that came from either.
Here's a nice photo of my grandparents, with Leisure Suit Larry in the background.
Around here we have:
Hillbilly
Redbaby
Chickenleg not to be confused with Chickenfoot
Spook
Monkey
Grandma (everyone calls her that)
Preacher (def not a real one)
A hundred Bubbas
Sidearm
Big T
Smoke
Papa Smurf
Ghetto Smurf
Half a dozen Reds
Leno (because of the shape of her chin)
Coop
The list goes on....
ID requirements are getting tighter every year. I sure hope Toad doesn't have his name that way on his deed.
My maternal grandfather had nicknames for all of his children and grandchildren. Mine was Squacky. I have no idea where it came from. We also had Cojack, Little Britches, Boog and many others.
In my neck of the woods
Pooch
Bus
Pappy
Cockrobin
High Pockets
Eagle
Redbone
Squatter
Tater
Scummy
Grubworm
Big Bird
Little Hitler
Little Bittus
Shortman
Alice the Goon
Slo Go
Scooter
Cletus
Squirrel
Rambo
Puss
Those are all guys.
My neighbor is called "Peaches", don't know the story but it is all I have ever heard him called. Did a survey next to his property and found out his real name - Gunny 🙂
You guys from the old days of our old forum/board wil know my nickname...I've had it for 30+ years!! B-) 😀 :-$
I know at least one. Noodles.
B-)
Oh yeah, I forgot about a couple other nicknames. I was Breezy on the CB radio and 5150 in the early days of online forums and chat (think late 80's and early 90's).
Her name was McGill
and she called herself Lill
but everyone knew her as Nancy
Nick Names:
Nick Cannon, Nick Carter, Nick Drake, Nick Faldo, Nick Jonas, Nick Lachey, Nick Mason, Nick Nolte, Nick Park, Nick Rhodes; Nicolas Cage (?)
I knew an 86 year old lady (who passed away 3 years ago) whose nickname had always been "Pud" or "Aunt Pud". Rhymed with thud. :-S
