TO ALL LISTERS. Re Nicknames! Dear All, I would like to clear up the obvious misunderstanding over the English word 'NICKNAME' which is occuring on various lists that are being sent out from America etc., and discussed! To take examples: Betty for Elizabeth is not a 'NICKNAME' it is the 'DIMINUTIVE' a form of the name, ie a shortened version of, or derived from the name or to infer the small one of, as in cases of children, Bobbie or Bertie for Bob or Robert. A 'NICKNAME' is a name given in fun or contemptuously or derived from a persons job or occupation, surname etc. In the majority of cases it has nothing to do at all with a persons Christian or given name. Examples: Chalkie from the surname WHITE , Red, Ginge or Ginger from the colour of their hair, Nuttie or Blackie from the surname Coal, Cole or Coles, Avro from the surname Lancaster, Taff & Taffie from their Country Wales, Corgi also from Wales but from the Welsh dog, similar with Scottie & , Pete from the Army abbreviation of Private, Buster from the occupation of safebreaker, Limey from English sailors who were issued with Lime Juice, and of so on adinfinitum...... 'NICK' is thought to derive from 'NOTCH' to cut in or cut off, and so the misunderstanding and misuse. Yours sincerely, Mikey. [email protected]