Many people have nicknames…my Dad did. The name he was known to friends and associates was not really his birth certificate name. The publication of his obituary in 1999 let the cat out of the gunny sack for many people who had known him for decades. I asked him once how he got his moniker of “Bud”, already aware of the fact he was not fond of his given first name. “As a little boy”, he said, “my dad referred to me as his little buddy, and it just stuck when shortened to Bud”. I became aware of his real name only when Mom was irritated with him and referred to him with a slightly ill-toned “Melvin!”.
I myself had a couple of different nicknames over the years. The first one I can remember was “Bird.” Bestowed upon me by my oldest brother Craig to describe my constant hopping around and incessant chirping or talking as a hyperactive 5 year old pesky baby brother. I haven’t changed much, just ask him.
Later, in high school, a teammate labeled me “Worm.” I wondered if his intent was less than complimentary by the tone but he claimed it was due to my ability to make a jump shot go through the net successfully despite my uncoordinated imbalance and unorthodox body position as I shot the ball. Something basketball commentators referred to as “worming” it in the hoop for 2 points
But the handle I much preferred from those basketball days was “Pinetree.” Awarded to me by a friend named Fenton Butterfield (RIP my friend). Fenton was a year older and a leader of a group of guys we called the “bullpen”. Attendees at every game, home or away, to serve as an all-male cheering squad. They occupied loud and boisterous seats at the courtside. He was describing my height in comparison to all the other players on the court. He said, “You look like a pine tree above all the other smaller bushes and shrubs!”. Now that was a compliment I accepted. It made me feel included and I liked it when it was shouted from the stands or used to greet me in the hallways at school. Even Mike Jepsen, a good friend and former coach sometimes used it in the pregame player introductions over the PA system. Jess Wheiler, who was the radio station play-by-play man also used it. That made me feel 6 foot 9 inches tall. Coincidentally, my dream height, was similar to my idol Larry Bird, Boston Celtics forward.
Ask my good friend Mark Hobbs about his nickname. It became so permanent that when they announced his actual name at our high school graduation ceremony, some people turned to each other and asked, “Who is Mark Hobbs? Oh yeah, Skeeter!”
Another favorite nickname came from one of my best friends to this day and a scouting pal named Vaughn Tanner. We worked together one summer season as staff members at Hull Valley Scout Camp up Cub River. We shared a tent together and stayed up late at night telling stories, talking about girls, and sharing our dreams for our futures. Later, we were college freshman year roommates in the dorm at BYU but stories from that year might be safer held secret between Vaughn and me. Out in that wilderness, his chosen nickname for me “Sasquatch” seemed fitting. I loved it. It again reflected my uncoordinated lumbering height and somewhat awkward teenage body, struggling to walk through the woods and overgrown paths that weaved through our campsite. I will let him divulge his summer nickname if he so chooses.
A current nickname trend in the political world amuses me. Moderate Republicans, like myself, are often referred to by the more dexter faction of the Idaho GOP as: “RINO” (Republican In Name Only). I sometimes receive an email from a group labeled, “Stop the RINOS”. I do not unsubscribe from their list only because I find it entertaining. Party infighting, instead of party unity…gotta love it. My only comeback is that the Rhino is one of the largest and strongest animals in the jungle…so thanks for the compliment!
Nicknames have multiple purposes with some being complementary and some insultive. “Bird” did not penetrate my young mind at the time, but I remember it with nostalgia and a grin. “Pinetree” and “Sasquatch” were compliments, “Worm” was subjectively not. “Bud” was also a compliment and heartwarming nod from Grandpa Thomas to my dad. As I have assigned nicknames to each of my five grandchildren, I have intended them to be a permanent tag for them to remember me long after I am gone.
So… thanks to Craig, Fenton, Mike, Jess, Vaughn, Skeeter, and anyone else who used those nicknames. You made my day and I say job well done!
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