Pet Names. Do you like yours?

[Hector]

On another thread, Derek H wrote:

'The first time I heard the diminutive Degsy was here on this site, despite having been christened Derek over 80 years ago.'

That made me think of my own diminutives or pet names.

At one time it was 'Hec'. And course that made me the butt of jokes. If I had a shilling for every time I heard 'What the heck, Hector! ' I'd be as rich as Donald (Dettol) Trump. And don't even ask about 'Ecky Thump'.

Indian women, by the way, of all religions have what's known as 'house names' and if this thread can stay on course and avoid becoming another opportunity for pseudo-scientific diatribes, I'll touch on those.

[gsgsgs]

No. I don't like my name shortened, to be honest I think it rude. I remember several years ago being introduced to a new colleague called Gillian, I already knew 2 other friends with the same name who I called Gill as that was how they preferred to be called, I once called my new colleague Gill in error and was quite rightly put right that my name is Gillian.

[gazaprop]

No. I don't like my name shortened, to be honest I think it rude. I remember several years ago being introduced to a new colleague called Gillian, I already knew 2 other friends with the same name who I called Gill as that was how they preferred to be called, I once called my new colleague Gill in error and was quite rightly put right that my name is Gillian.

Oh no no no no - full first names are solely and exclusively for use by one's spouse when one is in serious bother!

[Blackrock]

I don't have a pet name at present, or even a nickname, but I remember being called 'Oxfam' at school because I was so thin.
A bit different now as I'm 6' 3" and around 15 stone.
My mother's pet name, God bless her, was HRH due to her regal ways

[Hamble]

Mine was 'Flossie'.

Only one person in the world still calls me that the others have all died.
I still sign myself as such to that person.

I have not been able to find the origin as it is not linked to my first name
or Jewish name.

[Derek H]

Mine was 'Flossie'.

Only one person in the world still calls me that the others have all died.
I still sign myself as such to that person.

I have not been able to find the origin as it is not linked to my first name
or Jewish name.

Want to wager that you'll not be called Flossie on this site in the future?

[Hector]

Mine was 'Flossie'.

Only one person in the world still calls me that the others have all died.
I still sign myself as such to that person.

I have not been able to find the origin as it is not linked to my first name
or Jewish name.

At one time, English girls called Margaret were Flossies.

In some countries these English diminutives have become proper names. Such as Flossy in India and Nancy (an English diminutive of Anne) in the Phillipines. Meanwhile, Indian males with the proper name Kutty have that name because their colonised ancestors didn't grasp that '(what a ) cutie!' was not a name but a term of endearment.

[Starling]

It's not something I've experienced myself as my name can't be shortened - however my grandmother's name was Eleanor and she was known to all and sundry, for her entire lifetime, as Nellie (which was unfortunate as Eleanor is such an elegant name, whereas Nellie ... ummm, not so much!)

[Little Londoner]

At one time, English girls called Margaret were Flossies.

In some countries these English diminutives have become proper names. Such as Flossy in India and Nancy (an English diminutive of Anne) in the Phillipines. Meanwhile, Indian males with the proper name Kutty have that name because their colonised ancestors didn't grasp that '(what a ) cutie!' was not a name but a term of endearment.

Maggie yes Flossie no never heard a Margaret called Flossie

[Derek H]

At one time, English girls called Margaret were Flossies.

In some countries these English diminutives have become proper names. Such as Flossy in India and Nancy (an English diminutive of Anne) in the Phillipines. Meanwhile, Indian males with the proper name Kutty have that name because their colonised ancestors didn't grasp that '(what a ) cutie!' was not a name but a term of endearment.

Flossie was a nickame for Florence. Never heard of it being used for Margaret. Girls called Margaret (or similar spelling - my wife's middle name is Margareth) were often referred to as Daisy. One example is the Queen of Denmark.

[justbecause]

I always thought that Margaret’s were nicknamed Peggy.

[Hector]

Flossie was a nickame for Florence. Never heard of it being used for Margaret. Girls called Margaret (or similar spelling - my wife's middle name is Margareth) were often referred to as Daisy. One example is the Queen of Denmark.

I know it sounds odd but it's somewhere in either Jane Austen or one of the Brontes. (Along with Abigail as being a generic name for housemaid.)

[Derek H]

I always thought that Margaret’s were nicknamed Peggy.

That too! My mother started to call my then fiancee Peggy (her first name is a bit of a problem for some English speakers) - but was put in her place with well chosen words. She only did it once!

[Derek H]

I know it sounds odd but it's somewhere in either Jane Austen or one of the Brontes. (Along with Abigail as being a generic name for housemaid.)

You need to be more specific!

[Hector]

You need to be more specific!

I need to remember. Possibly Northanger Abbey, but I'm not sure.