Nicknames are as American as apple pie

Americans have been giving nicknames to people, places, and things to express friendship, adoration and affection.

Giving imaginative nicknames to friends, family and even pets, is a social behavior that has been around for centuries. Americans have been inventing names for everyone from best friends to movie stars to the neighborhood cat that lives down the street (we nicknamed him “Cat Man”).

Nicknames are a way to connect with someone on a more intimate level. Many couples will affectionately call each other, honey, sweetie, or darling. Some famous dating couples’ names have been joined together to create an identifying nickname like ”Bennifer” for Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez (Ben and Jennifer), or “Brangelina” for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

Grandmothers can invent the most imaginative nicknames.

One grannie called her grand-daughter “Sugar Britches” but I can guarantee there was no sugar in those britches. On the other hand, one little grandson had two “nanas” so he called one “Nana,” but the other one he called “Nana with the Cat.”

Most people have heard U.S. General George S. Patton referred to by his nickname of “Old Blood and Guts.” However, General Patton had a lesser-known nickname, “The Green Hornet.” It seems Patton once designed an Army uniform that was green and looked a lot like the outfit worn by The Green Hornet. The Army, however, threw his uniform design under the tank (instead of under the bus).

During the Revolutionary War, General Francis Marion was nicknamed “The Swamp Fox” because he was wily as a fox with his lair in the swamp.

Other descriptive nicknames include Honest Abe and Tricky Dick. Some people received nicknames based on the place they lived, like Minnesota Fats, Broadway Joe Namath or Tennessee Williams.

Nicknames signify belonging, acceptance – you’re one of the gang. Speaking of gangs, gangsters have rather dangerous sounding nicknames. Al Capone was called “Scarface.” Benny Siegel was called “Bugsy” which was slang for “going postal” which is slang for ”going bananas,” which is also why Joseph Bonanno was called “Joe Bananas.”

Rappers are identified by nicknames. Snoop Dogg’s real name is Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr., but his family nicknamed him “Snoopy,” he added the “Dogg” later. Jay Z’s real name is Shawn Corey Carter but he grew up with the nickname “Jazzy.”

Many people succeed and blossom using the alternate identity of a nickname. It reflects your personality and selfesteem. Nicknames are a way to redefine yourself. We don’t always want to be called by the name our parents gave us, but the “cool” name we wish we had.

Sometimes your nickname becomes your identity. My sister was three months old when she went to live with my grandmother (it’s a long story). Anyway, one of my uncles nicknamed her “Susie Q” and it stuck. Pretty soon family, friends and neighbors began calling her Susie. When she started school, the teacher told everyone to raise their hand and say “here” when she called their name. The teacher called a few names and the children responded with “here.” Then she called the name Nancy Gregory. No response. She said Nancy Gregory a little louder. Everyone looked around, but no response. She said “Nancy Gregory” again and when there was no response, she said, “For goodness’ sake, Susie, that’s you.”

That was how my sister found out her name was Nancy Gregory and not Susie Mull. It was quite a shock to find out that she was not who she thought she was.