Ok, haven't seen it posted here and did a quick search, how did some shortened first names happen? I understand Johnathan to John, Michael to Mike, Christopher to Chris, but how do you get Chuck from Charles, or Dick from Richard, Ann from Nancy? Thoughts?
Nicknames came about as a way (largely) for people to differentiate family members with the same name. For example John Jr, John Sr, etc... Also, some names were given when children couldn't pronounce a full name and because it was endearing, it was kept. Additionally, in older times when countries were invaded or taken over, the original names may not have been able to be pronounced. Actually a simple version of this were when immigrants came through Ellis Island, many people's last names were modified because they attendants didn't know how to correctly spell them, or spelled them how the person annunciated it. The actual name for shortening a name hypocorism.
I had an uncomfortable incident at my last job regarding nicknames. Had a guy named Jim, that naturally was referred to as Jimbo…….no harm. Unfortunately for an apprentice that didn’t know any better , called my good buddy Sam, who is black……..well you know the rest Sam came up to me actually chuckling about it because he realized the young kid really didn’t know the term and it was just a effed up play on names
There was a kid on my son's soccer team called Liam Then one day we got an invitation to a birthday or something and I was like who the EFF is William Allen? Pretty obvious to see when you spell it out dumbass.
Try having Heinie as your middle name... Or worse it was my father's first name. He went by Harry, I'm Bill (or Uncabull to my niece and nephew)
I don't have a middle name. I had my kids convinced for years that I was born so poor we couldn't afford one. The sad looks on their little faces were amazing!
I'm a Jack but really a John. It sometimes amazes me how many people get confused by this. Jack (John) Kennedy anybody? My Mom thought Jack wasn't a "proper" name. Dad should've argued harder.
Do people like or dislike their name having alternate use or meaning? Just in the Nick of time, or I got that nick shaving, do you like a strong cup of Joe in the morning, Bob and weave, to be Frank this is the truth, what kind of Harry mess have you gotten us into? if you Jimmy the lock you can get in, why did he Rob the bank, etc........
