Nicknames

GKL gave me the idea for this post.

I have only had 3 nicknames in my life that I will admit to (too?) Red, Casper and Moses. Red, not because of my red hair but because I was always sunburned in the summer, and Casper because I am very pale. Both names were bestowed upon me by my friends. My kids and husband call me Moses or Moe. My son gave me the name Moses when he learned in Sunday school that Moses was a great leader, I am after all the leader of our family in many aspects.

My children have had a variety of nicknames, mostly when they were wee ones. Jenny was called puddin head by her father, and I called her Jenner's, jenny m, and chickadee. I still call her "chickadee". Greg, to this day is called "Buddy" by Mark and me. There really aren't any stories that go with those nicknames, they just sort of evolved into what they are, names I call my kids when times are happy. When the situation calls for discipline I generally call the kids by their first and middle names. Which indicates trouble for them.

Greg has been named Papa G by his friends. Mostly because he drove an old man's Cadillac and dresses like his grandfather. My son really has an old man's soul, he is old fashioned with respect to what he believes are the roles of men and women, and prefers to be a home body. So the nickname is appropriate.

Jenny never had a nickname given to her by friends. Except they call her Jen. So I guess that could qualify as a nickname. Her friends do refer to her as "Princess" every now and then but not enough to qualify Princess as a nickname.

Mark has been called G Man ever since I have known him, which is 33 years and the name fits his personality. He is like a bull in a china shop, but doesn't mean to do real harm, unless it is absolutely necessary. My daughter's friends are convinced he is a hit man for the mob, or in the witness protection program.

My father in law was famous for handing out nicknames, he named many of my husband's friends when they were 12 or 13. Some of the names stuck with the guys and some names the guys out grew.

Randy = Fingers
Joey= Pee lar moe
David = gross man
Chris = Manning
Tom = Boo
Rodger = Rodger Dodger
Phil = her wits
Jeff = Stain

I like to hear Mark get on the phone with his friends and refer to them by their nicknames, it's a nice remembrance of his dad and many years of friendship. I know the call will last a while and the conversation will eventually sound like two Yentas talking. Kibbutzing with his buddies makes the G Man happy.