Nicknames are just so freaking cool. Most everyone has a friend or family member who is referred to more by their nickname than their actual name. And if you are like me and are nickname-less sometimes your just down right jealous of them. So how does one get an awesome nickname? Well lets first start with the types of nicknames. My favorite type is the ironic nicknames like the 400-lb Samoan referred to as “Tiny”. There are the nicknames that are an observation on peculiarity like Bill Mlkvy who played basketball for the Temple University Owls and was referred to as “The Owl Without a Vowel” (Hint: look at his last name). Other nicknames come from your childhood like George Herman “Babe” Ruth who typically left crying like a baby when older kids wouldn’t let him play baseball with them. All good nicknames despite arising from different situations.
Okay so now that we have the basics, how do you go about getting one? You may remember the Seinfield episode where George tries to give himself the nickname “T-Bone”. This is major violation of the most important rule in the nickname game- DO NOT GIVE YOURSELF A NICKNAME! Ever, not even if you think it might be the one exception to the rule. The “no-self-nicknaming” rule is probably the reason getting a rocking nickname is so difficult. You have to depend on those around you to do be creative and come up with something fantastic. Which brings me to rule numero 2- Do not be the guy/gal that continually tries to give everyone around you a nickname. It’s annoying. Nicknames are kind of a spur of the moment thing, a feeling, what the French call a certain je ne sais quoi. Here is a great example of a spur of the moment nickname.
Okay so now that we have the basics, how do you go about getting one? You may remember the Seinfield episode where George tries to give himself the nickname “T-Bone”. This is major violation of the most important rule in the nickname game- DO NOT GIVE YOURSELF A NICKNAME! Ever, not even if you think it might be the one exception to the rule. The “no-self-nicknaming” rule is probably the reason getting a rocking nickname is so difficult. You have to depend on those around you to do be creative and come up with something fantastic. Which brings me to rule numero 2- Do not be the guy/gal that continually tries to give everyone around you a nickname. It’s annoying. Nicknames are kind of a spur of the moment thing, a feeling, what the French call a certain je ne sais quoi. Here is a great example of a spur of the moment nickname.
If your friends just suck and can’t figure out something for ya the only other solution is to become an ultimate fighter. Seriously, have you seen the nicknames MMA fighters rock? Come on, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Anderson “The Spider” Silva, and my favorite Gina “Conviction” Carano.....those are some pretty intimidating names.
Good luck in your nickname quest.
-River
Where am I? I was just googling other cool people that might be nicknamed T-Bone and found myself here??? What is this crazy blog... and how do you know about my obsession with Gina Carano???
ReplyDeleteP.S. Do River & Independent not count???
ReplyDelete"If your friends just suck and can’t figure out something for ya the only other solution is to become an ultimate fighter."
B/C now I just feel like a shitty friend :)
Well I find that River is more of my pen name, but I guess it could be a nickname. Don't worry Dookie your a great friend.
ReplyDelete