When I was at school I had two nicknames that were often used, but never really stuck. The first, Morph, was due to the similarity in appearance between myself and a plasticine man. Morph first appeared on Tony Hart's 'Take Hart' series that ran between 1977 and 1984. The other, introduced by one of my secondary school teachers, was Jasper. As the teacher saw it, I bore more than a passing resemblance to Jasper Carrott, a comedian from the same televisual era as Morph. Carrott once said that, 'laughter is the best medicine- unless your diabetic, then insulin comes pretty high on the list.'
Although neither Morph nor Jasper Carrott represent the most flattering of nicknames, they were, thankfully, inoffensive, which probably accounts to why they failed to stick. My experience at school displayed to me that only the cruellest, most cutting nicknames were the ones that stuck to the poor casualty. Viscous and unpleasant it no doubt remains with the persecuted still.
In the adult work environment nicknames are largely much funnier and are not used directly at the target. The nickname is reserved for use only when the butt is just out of earshot. 'Betty Swollocks' is a memorable one that the office staff use for one unfortunate employee.
Last weekend I was 'encouraged' to join my partner, B's, family for a birthday celebration. I was to be on my best behaviour because 'The Duchess' was going to be there. The Duchess was once in the very same profession as myself,but was forced to take early retirement due to a back injury (dubious according to the family). Despite her modest lower-middleclass lifestyle she allegedly likes to look down on her family members with disdain and self importance. I had heard so much negativity about 'The Duchess' that I pointed out to B that I had no idea of this person's actual name!
It is the case that even in families, nicknames are rife. As with the workplace, they are secret and mostly very funny. A few years ago during the annual family get together, it was disclosed that my cousin's husband had nicknames for some of the family on his mobile phone. When I was a boy, in my Nan's garden was a pond with some goldfish in. Subsequently and rather cutely, she was referred to as 'Nanny Fishy'. As the grandchildren grew older and had children of their own, the memorable factor became that Nan would ply the great grandchildren with snacks and cakes, so her moniker became 'Nanny Biscuit'. My cousin's husband's take on this- 'Bonkers Biscuit'!
I remember my Dad chuckling with merriment at this. He wiped the tears of laughter as he heard that his sister, who is partial to the odd trinket and bauble, was listed as 'Nanny Ratner'. The hilarity was maintained until I heard my Mum shoot at my Dad, 'I don't know what you're laughing at, you don't know what he calls you!'
During a brief sabbatical in a parallel world, I did maintain a friendship (at least for a short time) with a plasticine man called Morph. His Agoraphobia was upsetting. Let's be honest: he really didn't get out of his pencil case much. However, what really used to wind him up were his mates (Chaz, etc) calling him Andy.
Your blog entry brought the memories flooding back.
nicknames sometimes have a meaning to only a few, they are often linked to a close circle of friends and used as an act of affection rather than an insult.
My own nickname is totter this was used in my place of work.
totter is usually a slang word for somebody who buys and sells things ,which in my case has a ring of truth about it however my nickname was appointed to me by way of my wayward acts of not being were I should have been at any given time and tottering from one department to another or going walkabout .
Other names in my circle of friends which are self explanatory were little legs , the nose , and hanging out bum ,to name but a few therefore I rejoice in my own nickname and and ponder it could have been a lot worse.