I would smell just as sweet.
All sorts of fun things coming up in (or near) the life of Erin. Among them:
Yes, these good things and many more.
.........
Do you know what word I hate? The word "synergize."
.........
Sometimes I wish that I was more nicknamable. Throughout my life friends have valiantly attempted to make one stick, but I just lack some unspecified quality that attracts those terms of endearment. My siblings have had the most consistency with "Erinbird" and "Sissy," but they are used infrequently enough that the names still carry some element of novelty.
I've given this some concrete thought in my twenty-three years of being Erin. Part of the problem is that a four-letter name like mine doesn't give the potential nicknamer a lot to work with. Two short syllables don't invite many improvisations. And no one in my family really operates under a consistent nickname. The culture of pet names that I grew up in consisted primarily of adding the long "ē" sound to whatever we normally called each other (as in Erinee), unless of course you count my brother's initials-only name of JR (but that is not really a nickname since it is what my parents intended to call him from birth; he becomes JRee if we are feeling affectionate). Add this background to the fact that I don't have any distinct physical characteristics that set me apart in a crowd (like curly hair or a lot of freckles), and you have a tabula rosa of naming potential.
I suppose there is still time to be nicknamed, but I've begun to think that it may not be in the cards for me. The prime years of coining potential were over by the time I went to college, and I seriously doubt that I'll be nicknamed in the professinal world. It would seem that the only remaining option is criminal infamy. Hmm.
So if you are/were one of the lucky ones, what did they call you?
- Seeing Christmas lights
- A sister sleepover (Bethany is on winter break)
- Making dinner with a friend
- The WEEKEND
- My brother and sister-in-law leaving for Thailand on Friday (JR and Jen- I am so excited and jealous)
- Meeting with my mentor from a former internship
- Belting Christmas songs with Celine Dion's CD
Yes, these good things and many more.
.........
Do you know what word I hate? The word "synergize."
.........
Sometimes I wish that I was more nicknamable. Throughout my life friends have valiantly attempted to make one stick, but I just lack some unspecified quality that attracts those terms of endearment. My siblings have had the most consistency with "Erinbird" and "Sissy," but they are used infrequently enough that the names still carry some element of novelty.
I've given this some concrete thought in my twenty-three years of being Erin. Part of the problem is that a four-letter name like mine doesn't give the potential nicknamer a lot to work with. Two short syllables don't invite many improvisations. And no one in my family really operates under a consistent nickname. The culture of pet names that I grew up in consisted primarily of adding the long "ē" sound to whatever we normally called each other (as in Erinee), unless of course you count my brother's initials-only name of JR (but that is not really a nickname since it is what my parents intended to call him from birth; he becomes JRee if we are feeling affectionate). Add this background to the fact that I don't have any distinct physical characteristics that set me apart in a crowd (like curly hair or a lot of freckles), and you have a tabula rosa of naming potential.
I suppose there is still time to be nicknamed, but I've begun to think that it may not be in the cards for me. The prime years of coining potential were over by the time I went to college, and I seriously doubt that I'll be nicknamed in the professinal world. It would seem that the only remaining option is criminal infamy. Hmm.
So if you are/were one of the lucky ones, what did they call you?
posted by Erin 5:05 PM
19 Comments:
Hmmm...I feel a nickname coming on... I'll have to work on that one:)
Hello! you totally have nicknames! EEW!?!!?! and Erin Esther?!? so ok these arent like short little nicknames, but they are nicknames nonethe less my friend!
I'm not one of the lucky ones. I'm in the same boat as you Erin. The best they could do for me was "Heath". Now, through marriage, I've inherited the inevitable "honey", "dear", and "babe". Actually, Ryan calls me babe more than anything else. When he uses my actual name we laugh, because it sounds so funny!
BNY- thanks, and welcome!
Tiff- good luck. People have tried so many times, but they invariably give up.
Carolyn- I see where you are coming from, but I still say that they don't quite fit as nicknames. While EEW is an unfortunate/amusing use of my initials, it was never a way that people actually referred to me. It was always just a joke. "Erin Esther" is certainly closer to being a legitimate nickname. But it was really just an extension of Tori's phase of adding "Esther" to everyone's name. It wasn't specific to me, although we did hear it a lot.
JR- Tension, yeah. It just waters down what you could be saying.
You know what word you ruined for me? "Amongst." Remember that?
I don't really count "Erin the Barbarian" as a nickname. I think it falls under the Torment category (although I do have some sentimental fondness for it now- especially when I get spam that is addressed to that name). And, yes, I remember the picture all too well.
Heath- Seems like your last name would provide some new nickname potential. Like "Plett-ypus"? I'm cracking myself up here!
How about "err-bear?" Huh? Huh?
signed lovingly,
neicy,
denors,
dot,
dottikins,
dotti.
Denors! Oh what good memories that evokes.
And are you suggesting Err-bear? Can we spell it with one "R," thereby eliminating the mistake connotation?
Why would we want to do that?
Changing the flavor and direction of these comments, I didn't quite figure you to be a fan of Celene Dion in any connotation (Christmas or otherwise). Alas....
Oh the contempt! I am sorry to disappoint you, N. There are a number of ways that I could answer that comment (all in good fun, of course):
1. Equal scorn- Psh. Why should I have to explain my musical choices to you?
2. Backpedaling denial- The CD’s not even mine! It’s my roommate’s! I don’t even own any of Ms. Dion’s work. I don’t even know all the words to the Titanic song.
3. Subtle proselytizing- Have you heard her Christmas CD? Maybe you should…
4. Logical reasoning- I love singing along with whatever is in the stereo, and Celine’s soaring vocals are particularly enjoyable to join in on.
5. Penitence- You’re right, she’s the siren of the mass market. How could I have given in?!?
Sheesh! With music elitist friends like you and Dot, I am surprised that I am even allowed to go into music stores by myself.
Erin, I have to admit that whenever I hear someone say
"It's all coming back to me now"
I think of CelineDion's song...
it's weird:)
And I do agree that "her version" of O' Holy Night does pack a punch:)
okay, I've confessed.
I'm not suggesting this for you but I can tell you for sure that if my parents had named me Erin, I would have been called "Er-head" ("airhead") all through school. Nancy never became anything except the occasional "Nance" but I don't consider that a nickname. . . just laziness.
You've been going to music stores? By yourself?
Well, here's this. I will fully confess to being a music elitist, a rock snob. I know it and I'm OK with it. Thus, I would like to propose. a plan of action for your music buying next time you try to walk into a music store (all with Dot's approval).
1) Fight and resist the urge at all costs.
2) If there's a CD you're most interested in, create a post about it.
3) Dot and I will comment upon it, making our suggestions, and scorning your opinions and preferences.
4) Dot and I will then offer our suggestions, doing our best to reform the tastes of the music-buying, radio listerner, one consumer at a time. We'll just start with you because we know you and you like us.
Sound like a good idea??
Nancy- I did get Er-head a couple of times, but (thankfully) it didn't stick!
Dot and N- Luckily I don't have much in the way of expendable income to buy CDs. How about this: You both continue to do the research to find out who the most underground and fantastic new artists are; then you tell me about them. Dot and I will keep going to local shows, and eventually everyone will think that I'm a legitimate part of the scene. Sounds good to me!
I thought of you yesterday when I saw a thing on Barry Manilow on E TV. Because if you think they're giving you a hard time for your Celine Dion CD, imagine what the music snobs say to me when they discover my Barry Manilow record collection and former fan club membership. Oh, the scorn! But even now - Even Now! - if I went to Vegas I'd want to go hear him sing. Alone, of course. :-)
Yup. You're right Nancy. I do think that Manilow rates higher on the scorn scale than Celine Dion. Not by much, but he does rate higher. But I forgive you, nonetheless. Hehehe....
Nancy- Barry Manilow! I love it. There is nothing more rock-snob subversive than supporting a mainstream artist that has since faded in the limelight.
I'm so sad that no one posted their embarrassing nicknames on here. I was waiting the whole time I was in Thailand just to read the comments here. Since you asked for nicknames and no one else will be reading this from so long ago, you can count yourself lucky to not have the following nicknames that I was subjected to: pickle, fival, sniff-nose, "skinny jennie", bean pole, Jennie Craig, the list goes on. Unfortunately nicknames that stick tend to be not very nice.
Ooh, "Skinny Jennie." Sorry about that one. What is "Fival" about? Thanks for posting yours, Jen.
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