Developing Amicability By Using Special Monikers
Posted: Wednesday, November 28, 2007
by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html
There are endless methods of "name-calling" although that term is usually interpreted to mean something derogatory. I have been subjected to a goodly number personally throughout my life. I soon learned that, if they were said in fun, or for teasing, I could handle that easily. But as a kid, and the bullies who were normally twice my size (I was a runt up until about age 14), I was sometimes bothered by their dirty names, especially those which insulted my family. But being cowardly (runt size will do that for you, unless you wish to be blooded up), I also learned to smile and walk away.
But the attachment of Boy or Girl to names is only one avenue of applying nick names or monikers. I learned several years ago that by attaching some name with relevance to one's real name can greatly enhance your ability to remember that real name. An old fellow (older than even I, which puts him contemporary with Moses or maybe even Noah) informed me that was the way he had of trying to retain peoples names. But he was notorious for his additions. Some of his best ones, I recall well because of their uniqueness. We had a mutual friend whose last name was Puckett whom we were privileged to see only rarely. When we did chance upon him together, this older fellow would blare out, "Well it's old water bucket, Puckett" as he shook hand vigorously with him. And similarly, a lady acquaintance name Peggy, would always be spoken to warmly but with, "How're you doing Peg-Leg?" A nice sweet lady who always takes it with a chuckle. He's lucky, some women would take off a slice of his nose. But, everyone knows him and loves him. He is a great fellow. He attends religious services with us and invariably when he walks in and spots me and my wife, he waves with hand high in the air, flapping, and yells, "Prophet Joel!".
It is amazing at some names people have which are really their names, not nicknames. I worked with a lady once with about as amusing a name as I've ever heard. Unfortunately, I cannot tell you what it was. I would sincerely hate for her to hear of it and feel that I was making fun. But I have heard of many, most of which I cannot confirm to be true but I'll pass them on anyway. Some I will not pass were downright vulgar. But here is a list that I can pass on: A dentist named Dr. Fang. A girl named Penny Cashdollar. A mayor named Will Winn.
There are numerous people whose parents obviously took advantage of their last name to match the first name to. Two boys in one college class were named Justin Time, the other Justin Case. Then there is Honey Poole, Merry Tune and Melody Tune. It is really difficult to know, when you hear of these names, if they are true or someone just made them up. Especially such as the following, a family named Walls, who had three sons, Stoney, Adobe and Brick. I've always enjoyed talking about what I would have named my children IF my last name had been something or other, such as Stone. The names to precede Stone are many, Flint, Grind, Sandi, Gall, Kidney, Rollin, Flat, Peach and so on. There are some interesting ones like Dr. Livingston I. Presume, supposedly true. And I heard of a family named Nail, the father called "Spike", son Rusty and daughter named Penney.
In my own family, there were a few nicknames that stuck with us. I had an older brother whose full name was Joseph Dennis Hendon, but from the time I was old enough to know what was going on, everyone called him "Doc". Don't ask me why, I never did know. I grew up thinking that was his name, Even my mother and daddy called him Doc. I can hardly believe that. They never joined in on any foolishness like that. But he was so consistently called that, I never dreamed it wasn't his name until I was about 15. Now, all who may have known the origin of that, are gone. My full name as given at my birth was Joel Hebron Hendon. My brother just older than I, shortened my middle name and started calling me Hebe (or Heeb) and it stayed with me quite strongly, although, not my parents or most others, only my brothers and a few friends. Some few still call me that.
I also have a habit of filling in the complete name of some who are called Bob, Bill, Don, Russ, and so on. Occasionally, I find one who is actually named the short name, but if they are good friends, I still add the longer version. I have one friend who is truly named Don, But I still say Donald. And speaking of that, In the adjacent county to our south side, there is a family whose last name is Duck. And I promise you, there is a man of them named Donald and he has a son, Donald, Jr. A prominent family. The older Donald held a political office in the county or county seat, I can't remember what office.
Anyway, after you are chewed out by the few who dislike being called something they are not, you learn not to kid them and you bring up a jovial atmosphere with those who enjoy a pleasant greeting.
I learned many years ago that the only way anyone should ever make me angry is if they try to. I can take a good ribbing along with the best as long as I know there is no harm intended.
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