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Questions tagged [nicknames]

For questions about nicknames, including their role, history, and origins

Use this tag to ask about or discuss nicknames.

Nicknames are labels given to people, places, or things. Nicknames often replace the original name, and they generally imply familiarity or have a humorous aspect to them. Many nicknames have rather complicated or convoluted origins, and this tag can be used to ask about tracing these back to their beginnings.

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Term for nicknames with different first letter

I have an uncle Bill and an uncle Bob. Is there a term for name diminutives in which the first letter is different from the root name? There are discussions of name diminutives here and in this question, especially these comments: There is a…
JAM
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Is there a reason that "Righty" isn't a good nickname?

I'm not sure if it's just the fact that most people are right handed. I have a jumping spider that's missing its left front leg, so I thought about nicknaming it "Righty", but then I realized that sounds stupid. I'll probably call it "Lefty" to be…
Wayne Werner
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In what circumstances are people's names shortened and given an '-ers' ending?

The Test Match Special team are known variously as Jonners (Brian Johnson - deceased); Aggers (Jonathan Agnew), Blowers (Henry Blofeld), Tuffers (Phil Tuffnell) etc. This laddish public-school nomenclature, outside of cricket, is seldom heard…
WS2
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Omission of initial "An-" in nickname

I often see that in nicknames, the initial An- is omitted. Anthony → Tony Android → Droid Andrew → Drew Annabelle → Bella Is my understanding correct? Are there restrictions on when this applies? If so, why is An- omitted? Is it a…
sawa
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What's the practice for short-forming or nicknaming words called?

Is there any term for the habit of playing around with words, or even names, and nickname them? Like 'No' becoming 'nopes', 'whatever' becoming 'tevs', milky-wilky etc. This happens a lot with cricket teams, who keep nicknaming people - Wilkinson…
Akin
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is "Bee" a moniker?

Sometimes the word "Bee" is used affectionately to describe a woman you care about. Examples: "Hi Bee". "I love you Bee". People also use the word "Boo" in a similar way. Would this be a moniker? I feel like there must be a better word to use to…
Bee
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Tricky Dick, only in reference to Nixon?

In the movie Watchmen Nixon is referred to as Tricky Dick. I'd like to know a bit more about the origin of the term and if it can be used in context other than just when talking of Nixon?
JHollanti
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What does "honey boo boo" mean?

What does "honey boo boo" actually mean? Is a rather a good thing when someone calls you that? Is he making fun of you?
rena
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Race question for curiosity purposes

What is the name for someone that wants to be a different race. Like for example if I wanted to be black but I am white what would be the name for that.I saw a post like this and I didn't get a clear answer so I thought I would ask myself.
NotSmart
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Why did James Harrington nickname Oliver Cromwell "Lord Achon"

Going back a year or two, was foreaware of the Cromwell nick "His Noseship" but not "Lord Achon" itself said to be from a character in James Harrington's writings Oceana. Haps heedful all the online references bear a slight sundered yet telling…
YRWDs Regiment of Spright
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Historical probabilities that a person is referred to by his or her first or last name by friends

This is really an anthropology question, but since there's no SE anthro forum and I already am a member of this forum, I'll ask it here. What is the probability that a male is (I don't use "man" because the practice starts in high school) called by…
JenSCDC
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What would the name Rod be an abbreviation or shortening of?

Can anyone come up with more names than Rodney, Roderick or something quite different for "Rod"? I'm trying to track a Rod Anderson down and cannot find either of those or just Rod.
Hazel Francis
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