ANSWERS: 4
  • 1) "Nicknames can be cute, fun, silly or embarrassing. Some people love having a nickname; others can't stand theirs. However you feel about nicknames, it's something parents have to consider, because a nickname can affect a child's self-esteem. Nicknames come in two basic varieties: a modified version of the child's given name, such as Dan for Daniel, or a name that has been given to the child for other reasons, such as Princess, Buddy or Slim. As a parent, you need to consider the long-term effect on your child before you give her a nickname. A child's name is part of her identity and establishes in part how she views herself. A nickname has the same effect. We all know that people make assumptions about an individual based on her name. As Albert Mehrabian and Marlena Piercy found in their 1993 study on nicknames, "Differences in Positive and Negative Connotations of Nicknames and Given Names" (Journal of Social Psychology), given names were ranked high on the attributes of success and morality and thought more suitable for business and professional settings. In turn, nicknames were ranked high on the attributes of cheerfulness and popularity. So if you decide to call your daughter Katherine by the nickname Katie, she may find it beneficial to use her given name once she grows up and enters the business world. This is true of many nicknames. They may be suitable for a child but need to be changed once that child is an adult. For example, Delores Fossen was named by her father after his favorite actress, Delores Del Rio. "Since my parents were already divorced before I was born, my maternal grandparents hated the name," says Fossen. "It reminded them of my dad. So, when my 2-year-old sister couldn't pronounce Delores, my grandparents highly encouraged her to use the babbled syllables 'Dody.' No one in my family calls me anything else. It was OK when I was a kid, but it just doesn't suit a grown woman." " Source and further information: http://www.babiestoday.com/articles/guiding-babys-development/nickname-know-how-264/ 2) "What's in a name? More than we often realize. This is an interesting, novel way for people to introduce themselves to others, especially in ethnically diverse groups. Ensure that an appropriate group atmosphere is established in which people have already done some initial warm-up activities and name games. Ask participants to turn to a partner and explain what your name means (if anything) and where it comes from. Most people reveal a surprising amount of interesting information about where their name comes from and what it means. The greater the ethnic and cultural diversity in the group, the better this exercise tends to work. Can be specifically used to help build intercultural respect and understanding or to more generally help develop self-identity and open respect and sharing." Source and further information: http://wilderdom.com/games/descriptions/NameStory.html 3) "Such naming rituals go back at least as far as the Hebrew Bible or Tanach, usually called The Old Testament. A change in name, in this ancient biblical context, usually signifies a change in spiritual status or moral character. In the Book of Genesis, we find that after Jacob wrestles with an angel or divine messenger, his name is changed to Israel variously translated as one who struggles with God or turns the head of God. Notably, it is God who changes Jacob‘s name, as is the case with Abram (re-named Abraham) and Sarai (re-named Sarah). There is a message in this: changing someone‘s name is a sign of dominion over that individual. Our children do not name us (though they may use unkind nicknames behind our backs) we name them. The knight does not dub the King, Sir So-and-So it is the king‘s dominion that allows him to christen the knight. The rabbis of the Talmudic era were aware that, when mortals misuse such powers, the results can often be destructive. These sages were especially disturbed by the use of derogatory nicknames. The Talmud tells us, All who descend to Gehenna [Hell] will come [back] up, except three one who sleeps with a married woman; one who shames his friend in public; and one who calls his friend by a cruel nickname. [Bava Mezia 58b]. Any child who has come home from school in tears, having been taunted with a nickname like Fatso or Butthead, understands the destructive power of such nicknames." "Nicknames serve an important function of dominion for all of us, of course: they define and delimit another‘s powers and status. Nicknames put people in their place. In the case of Mr. Bush‘s Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice, this is apparently an exalted place she has earned the nickname, Guru. Others, such as Maureen Dowd, are not so fortunate. Naming of any sort serves an important ritualized function in human culture: it is the first step in gaining control over a potentially dangerous or malevolent entity. A frightening category 4 hurricane is nicknamed, Katrina. Osama bin Laden is christened, The Evil One by the President of the United States. In a world filled with complex and terrifying forces, it should not surprise us that an anxious American president would look for ways to reduce potential adversaries to manageable sound bites. The danger lies in imagining that this actually reduces the danger and in supposing that nicknames do no harm." Source and further information: http://www.etalkinghead.com/archives/the-psychology-of-bushs-nicknames-2006-04-27.html Further information: http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20051016/news_1c16nickname.html 4) Further information: - "Nicknames and Pseudonyms: What is one's motivation behind the choice?": http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070625051741AAfKSmQ - "Nicknames": http://sudiptounplugged.blogspot.com/2008/05/nicknames.html - "Nickname": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickname
    • Crazychick
      My name is Charlotte, and some girls with that name like to be known as Charlie for some reason. Not me. I'd hate being called Charlie, it sounds like an old man's name. No way would it suit me.
  • Nicknames ae a sign of intimacy with that person. They symbolize that you have a close, special relationship to him or her.
  • They vary.
  • Easy way to remember people, by a trait, feature, or characteristic

Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC

Answerbag | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy