The Italian name game
When my grandparents came to America in the early 1900s, they were immediately given nicknames.
It was a necessity born from an abundance of too many people with like names and faces. In order to identify someone quickly and to ensure everyone maintained his or her individuality, a friendly, descriptive nickname had to be adopted.
A descriptive nickname was used along with the immigrant's birth name.
For instance, my grandmother used to tell me of a man called Paul, who had the habit of taking medicine every day. This daily habit earned him the name "Paul take-a-medicine" (Paul takes medicine).
Another young man, named Mario, who used to drink too much wine, soon earned the nickname "Mario Ciucco" (Mario the drinker). Another man by the name of Frankie who was a heavy smoker was dubbed "Frankie Fuma" (Frankie smoke). My grandfather, Antonio Curci, earned his nick-name "The Raven" because he ate lunch every day at a cafe called The Raven's Inn.
"Don" when placed before a man's name was a show of great respect as was "Donna" when used before a woman's name.
Among Italian women, the name Rose was very common. Therefore, distinctions between the women had to be made. One of them, who had a bad temper and a needle sharp tongue, was called "Rosa la Vespa" (Rose, the wasp). Another Rose, who was very kind and thoughtful, was nicknamed "Santa Rosa" (Saint Rose). Rose who told fortunes and cast spells was known as "Rosa la Strega" (Rose, the witch).
In the world of entertainment, show business celebrities are regularly given nicknames: Sinatra "Ol' blue eyes," Bing Crosby "Der bingle," Bob Hope "Ol' Ski Nose," Elvis "The King," Jimmy Durante "The Schnazola," John Wayne "The Duke" and Humphrey Bogart is known worldwide as "Bogie."
Baseball great Joe DiMaggio held many nicknames during his career. He was known affectionately as "The Yankee Clipper" and "Joltin' Joe" by his adoring fans. Later he would earn yet another nickname because of his many TV commercials for a popular coffee maker. For many years, DiMaggio was known and beloved as TV's "Mr. Coffee."
Bestowing nicknames on our friends, family and favorite stars just comes naturally to us Americans.
The name Iva Toguri D'Aquino isn't memorable. However, her infamous a.k.a. "Tokyo Rose" rekindles wartime drama and intrigue. American GIs nick-named her Tokyo Rose.
Ever wonder how the phrase "His name is Mudd" got started? Well, according to folklore history, it was a country doctor named Samuel Mudd who inadvertently treated the wounds suffered by John Wilks Booth minutes after the actor had assassinated President Lincoln. Dr. Mudd notified the authorities that his patient might have been the assassin, but to the doctors' shock and surprise he was arrested as a conspirator and sentenced to life in prison. Thus, the name Mudd came to mean trouble, ill repute and disrespect.
As kids we all gave our pals friendly nicknames.
Jones became "Jonsey"; MacDonald shortened to "Mac"; Fischer became "Fish"; Rosalie became "Rosie"; Elizabeth was changed to "Betty"; and Antoinette to "Annie."
Most adults prefer that their childhood nicknames such as: "Stinky," "Weezy," "Gooney" or "Bucky" be left to the past where they belong. However, I'm a rare exception to that rule. I like my nickname and prefer it to my given name. (I'll never tell.)
I've heard several versions of how I acquired the name "Cookie." One story has it that I was named after a popular song of the day, "Lookie Lookie, Here Comes Cookie," (sounds reasonable). Another family story is told of my fondness for cookies - ergo the name Cookie (a good analogy).
Of all the explanations I've been given regarding the origin of my nickname, I'm inclined to like the story my Italian grandmother told me many years ago. Nonna liked to call me her "Dolce Pasticcino" which in Italian means sweet little cookie. Later, my auntie Ann translated the name into English and "Cookie" was created.
I'll most likely never know exactly how my nickname originated or why it has stayed with me a lifetime, but I guess that's just the way the cookie crumbles!
