Strange Britishism

[wdwpins]

OK, perhaps someone can explain to me that British thing with lopping off the end of a name or word and substituting the letter "s."

Examples: Instead of Posh and Beckham, it's Posh and Becks. Instead of William and Kate, it's Wills and Kate. If any of the above are followed by the paparazzi, you'll write this: "Posh, Becks, Wills and Kate were pursued by the paps." What's up with that? Do you do that in order to save a few syllables? Do British newspapers want to conserve ink?

If you come to Disney World and want to ride Mission Space, will you start saying, "Let's have a go on Mission Space. It's over at Eps"?

 

[HelenaB]

I can't think of many examples of this off the top of my head.

Wills was called that by his mother - it's not a common contraction of William - Will or Bill would be the normal shortening. Becks... no idea - probably just to fit the tabloid headlines.

The weird one is the addition of "zza" on the end of some names like - Gazza or Jezza. That one is peculiar.

 

[Carrie_Cat]

The weird one is the addition of "zza" on the end of some names like - Gazza or Jezza. That one is peculiar.

That could be Northern as back in the early 80's I was called like that and me mates as well. Was very common round near us - North East

 

[HelenaB]

That could be Northern as back in the early 80's I was called like that and me mates as well. Was very common round near us - North East

Spose that'd make sense in particular with Gazza. He was the first example of this that I remember seeing (southern softy here!).

 

[PoppyAnna]

You pose a very interesting question . I know a William that is called "Wills" and a Jeremy that is called "Jez", and a Julie that is known as "Jules".

I cannot explain it though

I'm guessing that maybe its an affectionate term that is used to differentiate between two people of the same name?!?!

 

[joolz1910]

I suppose I'm in that category - a Juliette who is a 'Jools'. I think it's seen as an affectionate abbreviation of a name. As for saving ink...color, neighbor, humor, donut, etc. I think the 's' has become more popular than the 'y' or 'ie' used to replace the last syllable at the end of names: Robbie, Willy, Marty, Sandy etc.

 

[scottish mum]

A very interesting question and one that I have no idea of what the answer is

I personally use it as an affectionate term. My dd is called Ebony but often gets called Ebs or Ebby Lou ( her middle name is Louise). My niece is Courteney and she gets called Courts.

 

[2Tiggies]

A very interesting question and one that I have no idea of what the answer is

I personally use it as an affectionate term. My dd is called Ebony but often gets called Ebs or Ebby Lou ( her middle name is Louise). My niece is Courteney and she gets called Courts.

See now you've just ruined it all I was about to post and say we don't have that problem in Scotland

 

[torsie24]

Not a clue why. Just a habit I guess.

I'm Victoria but am always Tors or Torsie. I suppose in the states I'd be Tori.

I think it's weird you change Charles to Chuck....

 

[Dimplenose]

Name abbreviations change depending on geography - e.g. I've not yet come across an English child called "Chuck" .

Also names change over the years. A lot of children these days have names that would previously been shortened or alternate names e.g. Jack was nearly always a pet name for John, Charlie for Charles or Harry for Harold. I'll be interested to see if "Bazza" ever makes it to full name status.

 

[pixiepower04]

Not a clue why. Just a habit I guess.

I'm Victoria but am always Tors or Torsie. I suppose in the states I'd be Tori.

I think it's weird you change Charles to Chuck....

My dad was Charles but called Chick, I think that's common in Scotland.

 

[PoppyAnna]

Name abbreviations change depending on geography - e.g. I've not yet come across an English child called "Chuck" .

Also names change over the years. A lot of children these days have names that would previously been shortened or alternate names e.g. Jack was nearly always a pet name for John, Charlie for Charles or Harry for Harold. I'll be interested to see if "Bazza" ever makes it to full name status.

I thought Harry was for Henry? It is in my FIL's case anyway.

I've just realised we call our Daughter Poppy "Pops".......strange when you think about it

Very good and interesting observation by the OP

 

[tennisfan]

I thought Harry was for Henry? It is in my FIL's case anyway.

I've just realised we call our Daughter Poppy "Pops".......strange when you think about it

Very good and interesting observation by the OP

I thought that too, Prince Harry is Henry. I work with someone whose daughter is Poppy but she calls hers Pops

 

[Dimplenose]

I thought Harry was for Henry? It is in my FIL's case anyway.

Yes, it's used for both Harold and Henry.

 

[T16GEM]

lot's of people call me Gems never really thought about it to be honest though!

 

[TotallyAngelic]

The most ridiculous example of this is making one word out of two connected people such as Jedward for John and Edward, and Brangelina for Brad and Angelina etc. That really gets on my pip !!

 

[2Tiggies]

The most ridiculous example of this is making one word out of two connected people such as Jedward for John and Edward, and Brangelina for Brad and Angelina etc. That really gets on my pip !!

I must have been living under a rock! I have never heard that

Mind you, some regions here have a tendency to lop the last syllable entirely off every other word ....

 

[saraheeyore]

and Yorkshire people miss out words completely. they have no word "the" in their language
"going back 't' caravan" i hear that a lot at work as they all stay in the caravans down the road that one bugs me

have u never heard of jedward 2tiggies they are the worst. My neice loves them i've threatened to destroy her t-shirt

 

[taylor91]

yes I am from Yorkshire and I don't say the letter 't' or 'the'. My friend loves to laugh at me...and I miss letters at the beginning of a word too...for example... I live in a 'ouse'
How many of you know what a ginnel is? That always makes people laugh when I say that I do down one to go 'ome'

 

[2Tiggies]

have u never heard of jedward 2tiggies they are the worst. My neice loves them i've threatened to destroy her t-shirt

I haven't but it sounds like I am at risk of my DD growing a bit older and introducing me You could threaten to donate her t shirt to the t shirt thread on the trip planning board