nickname
UK: ˈnɪkneɪm | US: ˈnɪkneɪm
n. a familiar or humorous name given to a person or thing instead of or as well as the real name
vt. to give a nickname to someone or something
nickname = nick<additional> + name<name>
- nick: From Middle English nekkename, originally an ekename ("an additional name"), where eke means "also" or "additional" (from Old English ēaca). Over time, an ekename was misdivided as a nekename, leading to "nickname."
- name: From Old English nama, meaning "name," derived from Proto-Germanic namô.
Etymology Origin:
The word "nickname" has a fascinating folk etymology. It originated from the Middle English phrase an ekename ("an additional name"), where eke meant "also." Due to phonetic blending, an ekename was misinterpreted as a nekename, eventually becoming "nickname." This reflects how language evolves through mishearing and rebracketing.
Her nickname "Sunny" reflects her cheerful personality.
The team nicknamed their captain "Tiger" for his fierce determination.
In school, he earned the nickname "Bookworm" because he loved reading.
The city is nicknamed "The Big Apple" for its prominence.
They nicknamed the stray cat "Whiskers" due to its long facial hair.