why do we shorten names

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 11:26 am

another thread got me thinking - why do we always shorten people's names ?

my name is Elizabeth & yet the only time its ever used is when my name is being called at the dentist/doctor ect

its not that i mind all the different variations of my name im fine with it, just wondering why people automatically do it, happens here online with buttercup too, its shortned to butter or butters & now bcup (cher :yh_giggle )

my partner prefers to be called Andrew & yet everyone calls him Andy, even after he's introduced himself as Andrew, even i do it

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 11:27 am

Some people like their name shortened, but some do not. They should say it the way the person wants to.

I only use my children's full name when they know they are in trouble......ha!

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 11:30 am

buttercup wrote: another thread got me thinking - why do we always shorten people's names ?

my name is Elizabeth & yet the only time its ever used is when my name is being called at the dentist/doctor ect

its not that i mind all the different variations of my name im fine with it, just wondering why people automatically do it, happens here online with buttercup too, its shortned to butter or butters & now bcup (cher :yh_giggle )

my partner prefers to be called Andrew & yet everyone calls him Andy, even after he's introduced himself as Andrew, even i do it

I have the opposite problem. I use a very short name (so why do I shorten my own name - dunno) but most people insist on lengthening it when they first meet me.

Marie5656 · Post by **Marie5656** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 11:30 am

Interesting thought. I also wonder about why we use certain shortened versions of a name. Why is John called Jack? I mean it is not even shorter..same number of letters.

Even Elizabeth..a nice enough name, and I can see Beth...but where did Betty come from? Margaret becomes Peg, William becomes Bill.

I just don't get it sometimes.

cherandbuster · Post by **cherandbuster** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 11:31 am

When I worked in a doctor's office, I always asked patients what they would like to be called. Then I wrote myself a note and put it in their file.

Makes people feel like you listen.

I guess we shorten names because we like the familiarity of it, the feeling of being closer and 'less formal' with someone. I find that I do it here as a token of friendship.

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 11:36 am

My name on my birth certificate is Mary Kathleen (good old Irish ancestory)

My family called me Katie when i was a kid and now i'm Kate.

I call Ian "E".

Captain Ray · Post by **Captain Ray** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 12:30 pm

buttercup wrote: another thread got me thinking - why do we always shorten people's names ?

so we can text messaage silly!!

"my .02 Lil', FWIW. LOL"

Ray

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 12:36 pm

text messaging usually goes right over my head, i remember the first time i seen this

i asked my daughter - why's this guy sending me dots & dashes

i was a bit irritated, she found it hysetrical :rolleyes:

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 12:37 pm

Captain Ray wrote: so we can text messaage silly!!

"my .02 Lil', FWIW. LOL"

Ray

So you're suggesting it's pure laziness?

Doesn't explain why we do it in speech.

minks · Post by **minks** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 12:42 pm

Ah it stems from you Brits, really look at some of the shortened names out there,

Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Leicestershire ahaha albiet these are location names but it's proof in the pudding, we are lazy speakers hehehehe..... Ok I think when it comes to a persons name folks shorten it generally if you shorten it or your parents shorten it.

I am a Melanie in my childhood my parents called me Mel... but when I had to go out into the work world I had to take back Melanie cause when I left phone messages it just seemed more polite that folks knew I was a female and were not surprised when they would ask for Mel and get my dainty and delicate voice on the other end. As well the more professional the jobs I got the more professional the name sounded. I still get both everywhere I go, but do prefer Melanie would hate to sound rude and correct it all the time.

And just how did we get Dick from Richard??

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 1:05 pm

I'm glad to say that I never got dick from richard.:-2

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 1:16 pm

:yh_rotfl OpenMind wrote: I'm glad to say that I never got dick from richard.:-2

minks · Post by **minks** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 1:20 pm

buttercup wrote: :yh_rotfl

ahahahahahahaha ditto for me Butter

minks · Post by **minks** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 1:23 pm

OpenMind wrote: I'm glad to say that I never got dick from richard.:-2

here locally if you say "I got Dick" it translates to "I got nothing"

"You know "dick" all", means "you know nothing"

"Dick for brains" means No brains

And then you hear... "you are such a dick" means you are a "jerk"

hmmmm imagine if we subbed in Richard ,,,, not the same is it.

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 1:27 pm

minx that makes me think of "pissed"

in scotland it means your drunk, in the states it means your angry

uk - pissed because when drinking lots of alcohol you pee or p i s s (urinate) all the time

so in the states its "pissed" - im so mad i could pee?

wow i had to come back & edit p i s s & yet its ok to say bastard

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 1:39 pm

here locally if you say "I got Dick" it translates to "I got nothing"

"You know "dick" all", means "you know nothing"

"Dick for brains" means No brains

And then you hear... "you are such a dick" means you are a "jerk"

We have the same meanings for dick here too.

Also, in scotland it means your drunk, in the states it means your angry

we use the phrase "I'm pi$$ed" when we're angry about something and "pi$$ed off" when we're fed up over something.

minks · Post by **minks** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 1:50 pm

OpenMind wrote: We have the same meanings for dick here too.

Also, we use the phrase "I'm pi$$ed" when we're angry about something and "pi$$ed off" when we're fed up over something.

drunk and angry here too.

we share both meanings.

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 1:55 pm

oh but your in canada arent you minx? i had told an american friend one night i was pissed meaning drunk & she thought i was angry, she had never heard the term used that way before

open mind - a few of my english friends use the term pissed off

dick is also a jerk here amongst other things

Uncle Kram · Post by **Uncle Kram** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 4:21 pm

I'd like my name extended. Maybe a silent "P" would do it

Regards

Pkram

Uncle Kram · Post by **Uncle Kram** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 4:24 pm

SnoozeControl wrote: How 'bout "Kramp"?

No dear...that's just Ramp with a silent K

Uncle Kram · Post by **Uncle Kram** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 4:28 pm

SnoozeControl wrote: I thought it was more like Kramp with a silent "M" :sneaky:

I've been out-Krammed...Touche my friend :wah: