Nicknames

Nicknames (originally called Pet Names and now, sometimes, Fan Names) for fans, fanzines, and fannish organizations are ubiquitous, some bestowed by other fen, some adopted by individuals on their own.

Some ekenames are a sort of Demolishism, like 4e/4sj, ATom and Tripoli. Similar are various combinations and unEnglish corruptions of first and last names, exemplia gratia Emsh and SaM. Some have references to science fiction, such as Bill "The Galactic" Fesselmeyer; others are derived from the person's characteristics, such as The Hermit of Hagerstown. Some result from typos, such as Smtih.

In recent decades, fans have adopted nicknames based on their online handles (and vice versa), and the practice of some conventions to put a line for a "badge name" on registration forms has led to new congoers' assuming a pseudonym is required.

More: dag (Dean A. Grennell), MZB (Marion Zimmer Bradley), TAJ (Ted Johnstone), SaM (Sam Moskowitz), GMC (Gertrude M. Carr), The Elephant (Bruce Pelz), Coswal (Walter Coslet), Agberg (Bob Silverberg), Billern (Bill Ellern), ATom (Arthur Thomson), BJohn (Bjo & John Trimble), Bosh (Bob Shaw), Dikini (Eney), Scribe JH (Jack Harness), Squirrel and Ronel (Ron Ellik), Moose and Squirrel (Bob Lovell and Scott Dennis), Lan (George Laskowski).

Forrest J Ackerman had the largest collection: 4sj, FJA, 4ë, Fojak, Mr. Science Fiction, and others.

And it isn't just people who who have nicknames: There is an old tradition of giving cons and fanzines nicknames.

• Cons: Big MAC, Connie, MilPhil, Iggy, Gelaticon.
• Fanzines: Fanny, Q, Shaggy.

Clubs and organizations are often nicknamed with initialisms (sometimes created on purpose), or other short forms: SCIFI, FANAC, NESFA, Little Men.

From Fancyclopedia 2, ca. 1959

Besides penames and the usual English nicknames, Bob, Jack, Don, Bill, ktp, fans use several kinds of distinctive monickers. Some are a sort of Demolishism, like 4e/4sj, DaV, ATom, Tripoli, and r-tRapp (Forrie/Forrest J Ackerman, Dave Rike, Arthur Thomson, E. Everett Evans and Art Rapp). Similar are various combinations and unEnglish corruptions of first and last names, exemplia gratia JoCa, Eshm, SaM, Morojo, Urk Buncliff, and Goon Bleary (Joan Carr, Ron Fleshman [in imitation of pro-artist Ed Emshwiller, "Emsh"], Sam Moskowitz [or sometimes -Martinez], Myrtle R. Douglas, Eric Bentcliffe, and John Berry. Something different are names based on various personal characteristics: The Amiable Bulldozer, the Newark Neanderthal, Foghorn Samuel, Scribe JH, Squirrel, Sweet Unspoiled Miss Nanshare, and Small Sister Lindsay. (William Rotsler, from his disposition and build; Sam Moskowitz, from his residence and physique; ditto, because of his voice; Jack Harness, Scientological "priest", from the Rosicrucians' designation of their illuminati; Ron Ellik, from Boyd Raeburn's comment that Ronel was careless and irresponsible and reminded him (Raeburn) of a silly little squirrel running around aimlessly; Nancy Share, that rosy-cheeked flower of Pennsylvania girlhood; and Ethel Lindsay, who's short and a Nursing Sister [Registered Nurse].) There are also several names used as official which aren't legally the bearers', like Bob Tucker.

From Fancyclopedia 2 Supplement, ca. 1960

"Nobody ever called Kornbluth Cy in my hearing," says Damon Knight a bit grimly, "and I think I have a fairly good general idea of how he would have reacted if anybody had."

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Fanspeak

This is a fanspeak page. Please extend it by adding information about when and by whom it was coined, whether it’s still in use, etc.