[HPforGrownups] Nicknames

[GulPlum]

No: HPFGUIDX 48406

Louise Keithly wrote:

>Harry and his friends always refer to each other (so far at least) by
>their full first name, even in moments of high excitement.
>
>Now, everyone knows that the first thing kids (and some adults) do
>when they meet is assign each other nickames.

I know several people have commented on this already, but I want to go off 
on a different tack.

Let's make sure we're talking about the same thing here: nicknames against 
abbreviated forms of given names. In terms of nicknames, in my experience 
at school, nicknames are generally insulting or otherwise unflattering to 
the bearer, regardless of whether or not they are assigned by friends or 
enemies. Friends don't normally use such nicknames to each others' faces, 
so in that respect, lack of nicknames are possibly true to life.

HOWEVER, one element of school life definitely missing from the books is 
assigning nicknames to teachers. In every school I ever attended (and those 
of my siblings), most teachers had at least two nicknames (one passed from 
each  generation of pupils to the next, the other usually more original); 
what was surprising to me was how unaware some of the teachers were of 
their assigned nicknames, to the extent that one could talk openly of "The 
Ape" or "Benny" in those people's presence, and they didn't have a clue.

Before anyone insists that I'm deluding myself about their lack of 
awareness, I became very friendly with several of my erstwhile teachers as 
an adult, and both The Ape and Benny were visibly shocked during a late 
night drinking session when I told them (they were no longer on the school 
staff by that stage). "Concorde", on the other hand, always knew she had 
been called that although she'd never let on. :-)

I do find it particularly bizarre that Dumbledore, Snape and McGonagall 
don't have any form of nickname, and some teachers (Sprout, Binns and 
Flitwick) are particularly ripe for attention. The only people in the books 
with nicknames are ghosts:  Nearly-Headless Nick and Moaning Myrtle (the 
other ghosts aren't known by their given names, but it seems as if they're 
unknown - even Peeves refers to the Bloody Baron as such rather than by name).

Equally, a common touch is to assign nicknames to one's *enemies*, and that 
the Trio haven't come up with something to call Draco, Crabbe, Goyle or 
several others is slightly baffling. TMTSNBN2 at least has Draco calling 
Harry "Saint Potter" to Polyjuice!Crabbe & Goyle, and taunts him with 
"Scarhead" during the Quidditch match. Perhaps this was a deliberate touch 
by Kloves to set the Slyths apart from our virtuous Gryffs and have them 
engaging in cruel name-calling, but I'd certainly expect more of it in the 
books.

On the separate issue of abbreviated names, it should be pointed out that 
Ron is short for Ronald. Everyone calls Ron that, because that's the way he 
introduces himself. The same goes for Hermione. People are normally called 
by the name which they prefer to use for themselves. For instance, most 
people who know me are aware that I dislike all abbreviated forms of 
Richard, and thus don't use them about me. I'm rather unusual in that the 
only people who use an abbreviated form of my name are my parents and a few 
of their friends I've known all my life, to the extent that these people 
have *never* used my full first name other than when talking about me in 
formal circumstances.

Generally speaking, Brits don't use abbreviated names much - I know several 
"Charleses", but only one "Charlie" (who happens to be American...); 
several "Richards" but no "Dicks", several "Jameses" but no "Jims"; several 
"Stephens/Stevens" but only one "Steve".

Of course that's not an iron-clad rule: I know loads of "Nicks" (including 
two brothers-in-law) who absolutely hate being called "Nicholas". Among 
famous people we have for instance (in the UK sports news last week because 
of the Snooker Championships) *Stephen* Hendry, but *Steve* Davis. Perhaps 
interestingly, Steve is 20 years older than Stephen; there is a possible 
age-related difference at play here.

Most of the names in canon are pretty short anyway, so abbreviations aren't 
really necessary. "Nev" for Neville simply sounds daft; Dean, Seamus, Fred, 
George and Draco don't abbreviate. Of course, Hermione is a prime contender 
for abbreviation as a name, but the character's personally absolutely 
brands her a "Hermione", and not a "Hermie", "Minny" or other possibilities.

And Percy doubtless HATES being called "Perce" (used by Bill on a couple of 
occasions in GoF, and even Fred - or is it George? - gets one in).

--
GulPlum AKA Richard, who hasn't been around much for the last few weeks due 
to concentrating on the Movie list, but is now back. :-)