Throwback Thursday — Nicknames

Fandango

Maggie, at From Cave Walls, and Lauren, at LSS Attitude of Gratitude, alternate hosting Throwback Thursday. The idea of the prompt is for them to give us a topic and for us to write a post in which we share our own memories or experiences about the given topic. This week, Lauren chose the topic of “nicknames,” and she wants to know…

Did you grow up with a nickname?

When I was a kid, my father used to call me “Butch.” I think it was wishful thinking on his part. I think he was hoping for a tough bruiser of a boy who didn’t take shit from anyone. Instead, I was the nerdy, studious type of kid, more likely to be on the debate team than on the football team. I was not very coordinated. I was skinny, wore glasses, had braces on my teeth, and pimples on my face. I was more of a Sheldon than a Butch, which also meant that I was more likely to be beaten up than to beat up another.

Because I was a tall and lanky kid, my best friend’s father called me either “String Bean” or “Beanpole.” He was a mean bastard, even to his own son.

On the other hand, my classmates gave me the nickname of “Doodles” because I used to doodle all the time in my school notebooks.

Was the nickname a form of endearment or a shielded criticism?

I think my father’s nickname was meant as a form of endearment. Obviously “String Bean” and “Beanpole” were not. “Doodles” was just an acknowledgment of my propensity to draw doodles.

Has your nickname influenced you in any way?

It did bother me a little that I did not live up to my father’s “Butch” expectations. I was fine with “Doodles,” but “String Bean” and Beanpole” motivated me to lift weights in an effort to put some muscles on my bones.

Did you ever give a nickname to a family member?

I often called my son “Bubba” or “Bubs.” Strangely, I didn’t have a nickname for my daughter. My wife’s nickname was — and still is — “Yes Dear.”

Have you tried to get rid of a nickname?

Nah. I think if I let people know that I was bothered by their nicknames for me, it would have encouraged them to continue to use them.

If you could give yourself your own nickname what might it be?

Um, Fandango, maybe?

16 thoughts on “Throwback Thursday — Nicknames”

  2. wrookieschu October 28, 2021 / 12:49 pm

    Loved this. I can relate to string bean for sure. I had a teacher who called me Skeleton as I was so skinny, wasn’t very pleasant. However, like Doodles, I had some really nice ones. Cookie Monster and Waynebow being my faves and still used to this day ✌🏽

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  4. Marleen October 28, 2021 / 1:13 pm

    😂 “Fandango maybe”

    No nicknames for me except, briefly, when my dad wrote me a poem for graduate coursework … Stardust. (I liked jewelry with stars.)

    I had a nickname for one of my sons. “Buddy.”

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    • Marleen October 28, 2021 / 4:37 pm

      Ah… “Mary Virginia” was a thing; after I was Mary (the virgin), for a Christmas play, in 7th grade. It was only a couple boys who were basically harassing me. It went on for a little while, maybe months. Then something got physical, in the hallway. I told on them, and the principal talked to them. They actually apologized sincerely.

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  5. lssattitudeofgratitude October 28, 2021 / 3:59 pm

    Thanks for joining in Fandango. As usual, I loved your post. I was a skinny bean pole as a kid. I was called that, but never as a nickname that stuck. Oh to be called that now. LOL
    I think you are smart for not letting anyone know a nickname bothered you. It rests easily that way.
    BTW I like your nickname Fandango. It suits you.

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  6. Carol anne October 28, 2021 / 5:53 pm

    Love your wife’s nickname!
    😀
    Sorry that bastard called you bean poll! what a freakin idiot!
    xoxo

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  8. Maggie October 28, 2021 / 9:38 pm

    Always good to have you join in, Fandango. I chuckled at your wife’s nickname. Tall and skinny at our house got you “a tall drink of water” as a description, but no mean nickname. Always good to read your posts.

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    • Fandango October 28, 2021 / 9:50 pm

      Thanks, Maggie. I think I may have been described once or twice as “a tall drink of water,” but I thought those who said it were all wet.

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