May 22, 2013

The Elusive Art of the Nickname

Nicknames are a funny thing.  Well, not all of them, I guess.  Some are just downright dumb.  I was just thinking a lot about nicknames as I woke up today.  It is random, but I arrived at the feeling that nicknames are somewhat inexplicable.  Some of them make sense. Some of them don’t.  Some are funny and don’t stick.  Some are unfunny and do stick.  Some are long-winded.  (I’m looking at you Chris Berman.)  But how, exactly do we arrive at them?  What are the various journeys?

Part of the fun of being on Twitter is trying to be a stand-up comedian of sorts.  As things are happening you can work out some material in an attempt to make people laugh.  Last night I was working on quips involving Jack Hannahan and the word defense after an outstanding play.  It didn’t end up in a nickname, but follow me here. [Read more...]