This is just an Englishman watching American political debates from a position of ignorance, but it seems to me that collectively you seem to be mainly on first name terms with some politicians, nearly always surnames for others, with a third group who simply vary with the nature of the statement. How does that work? When in the process does it develop and has it always gone on through the years? Just curiosity, no agenda here although I am interested that at first sight, it doesn't seem linked to the party you support? Maybe it happens in the U.K. but I am too caught up in the debate to notice?
@petewxyz saidI like to use nicknames, like Quid Pro Joe.
This is just an Englishman watching American political debates from a position of ignorance, but it seems to me that collectively you seem to be mainly on first name terms with some politicians, nearly always surnames for others, with a third group who simply vary with the nature of the statement. How does that work? When in the process does it develop and has it always gone ...[text shortened]... the party you support? Maybe it happens in the U.K. but I am too caught up in the debate to notice?
It just rolls off the tongue and fun to say.
@petewxyz saidIt's like calling Thatcher 'Maggie'
This is just an Englishman watching American political debates from a position of ignorance, but it seems to me that collectively you seem to be mainly on first name terms with some politicians, nearly always surnames for others, with a third group who simply vary with the nature of the statement. How does that work? When in the process does it develop and has it always gone ...[text shortened]... the party you support? Maybe it happens in the U.K. but I am too caught up in the debate to notice?
@athousandyoung saidGood point, is that because we had her in power for so long or did that start early on?
It's like calling Thatcher 'Maggie'
@petewxyz saidI notice Americans tend to do that with their athletes but only their Primo ones, first name basis. It could have something with internet news referencing the same people all the time. versus years ago, not so much. I dunno
Good point, is that because we had her in power for so long or did that start early on?
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@wolfgang59 saidSo true.
Dick and Willy are appropriate for most.
For every Slick Willy, one can find a Tricky Dick.
History might have avoided calamity if it not for a name-change:
Heil Schicklgruber!
@wolfe63 saidI never knew that. If you trust wiki it says he changed his name to sound more German and less Austrian.
So true.
For every Slick Willy, one can find a Tricky Dick.
History might have avoided calamity if it not for a name-change:
Heil Schicklgruber!
Now there's a thought, do contemporary politicians try and become known by a particular name to influence the electorate, could there be an element of spin to what we all end up calling them?
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@petewxyz saidWell, the adolescent resident of the Whitehouse apparently thinks it works in the reverse. That's, of course, when he's not referring to himself in the 3rd person.
I never knew that. If you trust wiki it says he changed his name to sound more German and less Austrian.
Now there's a thought, do contemporary politicians try and become known by a particular name to influence the electorate, could there be an element of spin to what we all end up calling them?
He disparagingly labels everyone:
"Sleepy Joe"; "Pocahontas" and "Low Energy Jeb" immediately come to mind.
@petewxyz saidThe English call the prime minister Boris.
This is just an Englishman watching American political debates from a position of ignorance, but it seems to me that collectively you seem to be mainly on first name terms with some politicians, nearly always surnames for others, with a third group who simply vary with the nature of the statement. How does that work? When in the process does it develop and has it always gone ...[text shortened]... the party you support? Maybe it happens in the U.K. but I am too caught up in the debate to notice?
I call him the johnson.
