However, do any of us really like our nickname?
Because I was nicknamed a nickname which I'd prefer to scrap...the one birthed out of malice and intent. Me? Scrapping that nickname? Apparently, it can't be so! It's out of my control.
Three years ago our family got a dog...a very small dog...our very first dog. And you think all 5 of us could agree on a name? Forget it!!!
So since we couldn't agree, I sent out an e-mail asking for name suggestions to the circle of characters just beyond my immediate family: my 2 sisters, my lil' brother and their families. 6 grown ups, 3 teenagers, and 2 little bitty kids.
The e-mail was sent and All Hell Broke Loose!!!
Suggested names:
Doggy Lucy Piggy Loopie Mitzi Mousy
Fluffy Aladin Snoopy Sugar Brownie Poopy
Katie Candy Martini Toony Gerbal Stinky
etc.
But when my youngest nephew, who could barely speak, came up with:
Ming-Ming!
(YUK!)
Yes, after this stupid duck!
...a full-fledged unanimous-lobby took place to persuade me to name that dog that name.
And that dog was not to be named that name,
NO WAY!
Regardless of my 2 sisters', 1 brother's and 2 nieces' (my nephew stayed silent) relentless efforts, I still would not cave; and because of my sour reaction for that name for that dog, my 2 sisters, 1 brother and 2 nieces gave me an ultimatum. If I didn't name that dog Ming-Ming, they would name me Ming Ming. Furthermore, and even worse, they would train my youngest nephew and niece with determined conviction and a little brainwash-ation to call and refer to me as just that:
Auntie Ming Ming!
Yes, after this stupid duck!
Not a nice ring to it!
Why were they doing this to me?
Did they want a reaction? Well, they already got that!
Did they want to have themselves a laugh? Well, they must've already had several....if not, more!
Or, more importantly, did they want retaliation for me naming my sisters' husbands...my sisters' kids' fathers...names such as Disney and Daphne? Were they upset that I, allegedly, brainwashed my own little nephew into calling his own father Daphne? And that sister, I'm sure, was more than ready for the perfect opportunity to retaliate. And I'm sure the other could be convinced to join in and join up with only a snap of the fingers.
Yep! That was exactly it! And that's exactly what they did! Retaliate!
Yep! That was exactly it! And that's exactly what they did! Retaliate!
So, henceforth, after not much convincing and minimal brainwashing, I was, and still am, known as...with 6 adults, 3 teenagers and 2 little kids...Auntie Ming-Ming. 3 years later, I'm finally getting used to it! Not that I like it. But I'm getting used to it.
If you're familiar with this blog, the nicknaming thing already and obviously has been established. It brings a spice to life...well, at least my life....and maybe to the blog...that's up to you. Sometimes the nicknames I designate are mischievous, but most often endearing.
Example: I'll start with the lowest on the food-chain: My Dog, Luna. (yes, that was the name we finally agreed on)
These are the names she responds to...
Luna
Lunachick
Lunatic
Googly
Pigeon
The Smallest Dog in the World
Cujo (when she's bad) and...
...Coco Chanel (for short).
My kids often have to endure:
(in no particular order or seniority)
Pookie 1 Boobs
Pookie 2 Hana
Pookie 3 Her Highness
A The Hana
B Iggy
Boo Flippy-Tongue
Googly The Nors
No-No Kimosabe
I know a:
Babs
Bubs
Big Guy (there are two of them)
Chrissy
Weeb
Mo
Jo Jo
Misty B
Jules...just to name a few.
Growing up, I envied girls with names you could condense into a nickname. Carolyn to Carrie. Cassandra to Cassie. Katherine to Katie. I, myself, wished to be a Carolyn to Carrie....maybe, though, with a "K." I kinda recall naming myself Karrie for a bit...I was probably 12...but no one really bought it...so it never stuck.
In one of my teenage years, I was Cheri Coronella, nicknamed by a colleague at work. After some cigar, I believe....a sweet cherry cigar, maybe? However, he had the rights to that name, and made sure no one else did....so that one never stuck.
Then during the bar-frequenting years, I decided, again, to give myself a nickname. A necessary nickname. Not a particularly appealing nickname....and after an even less appealing character. I was Veruca Salt*. My friend, Violet Beaureguarde*. The remain-anonymous-to-the-guys-at-the-bar kinda name. Yes, I would introduce myself as Veruca (handshake), Veruca Salt. My friend, Violet (handshake), Violet Beaureguarde. And only one man, out of all those men, out of all those bars, recognized the names....and that ended that...so, thank god, that one never stuck.
Now, after writing this blog for a couple months, in which I reveal plenty of nicknames for my peoples, I got to wondering, again...What is the reason I don't have a nickname...that sticks? I really want one. Because, I have never really cared for my name. Karen. It's not beautiful! Like Katerina or Klarissa. Or exotic! Like Kenya or Katya. Or statured! Like Kennedy or Kendall.
Nope! Karen = plain. Like plain old lady. And the word "Lady" probably even worse than the word "Plain." (sorry Mom and Dad)
So, coincidentally (or not), and without mention of my thoughts, a friend of mine sends me an e-mail, randomly, bringing up nicknames.
Remember that nickname you had for parents' dog, Snickers? You used to run after him calling him "Nick... Nick... Nick!!!?"
Good grief, I think. That was a long time ago! I guess I forget how long I've been doing this.
So...my friend shares some nicknames for his peoples.
I share some nicknames for my peoples.
And... It's A Nickname-Off!
Let's see...who can come up with the most, the best, and the funniest out of the two of us. All over e-mail.... all over days...plus one week.
It starts with nicknaming friends. And then continues with nicknaming each other.
I go from k to kar to liz to lizzy to lez to letz-b to Miss K to Mih-kee to...
Ming-Ming!
Crap!
because I accidentally let out that story.
Crap!
because I accidentally let out that story.
And more Ming-Ming! just to bug me.
Crap!
And just as the e-mails trail off and I think now I have left someone else to be referring to me as "That" name after "That" stupid duck, I get an e-mail out of the blue...
"Ming Ming...I have a new nickname for you. Kiki! Do you like it?"
Aaahhhhhhhhh!!!!
Do I like it? I love it!!! It wraps everything I ever wanted in a nickname...exotic, adventurous, cute and funny. And I get permission to use it with my "peeps!"
I name my friend:
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoc*
and M&M for short.
...and that then concludes our e-mail exchange. Mission accomplished! The adventures in nicknames has now come to an end. And my wish now, gratefully and happily, has come to sweet fruit-ion.
I know by now I can't replace Auntie Ming Ming because, really, I know it's all in love. And it's so darn cute when the little ones say it. I'll accept that. But now I have a better one. You can call me Kiki! 'Cause now, in my 40s, I finally have a nickname that's of the exotic-adventurous-cute-funny-great nickname kind, that is....if it sticks!
Ciao for now
k (iki)
*Veruca Salt - the entitled, bratty little girl in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
*Violet Beaureguarde - the bubble-gum chewer girl in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
*Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoc - I dare you to google it!
