Nicknames

[nwu43]

Hey, haven't posted here for awhile, but seeing the linejackets of some alphas on campus recently reminded me of something I realized a long time ago. Everyone else has cooler nicknames than us! Ours can be pretty harsh (some of the worst include "Rimjob" and "Dildo", try wearing THAT on the back of your gear. And that's just MW, it gets worse on the East Coast). Of course we're all EXTREMELY proud of our nicknames, but the reason I'm posting this is because looking at the differences and similarities got me wondering about the nicknaming traditions of D9 orgs in general... and basically I'm just curious and have some questions. I have a question for mainstream Greeks as well.

*Of course, I will try my best not to ask anything that should not be asked*


SOoo here are my questions:

How old is the nicknaming tradition among BGLO's? Was there any specific organization that started it?

Do all BGLO's share pretty much the same tradition or does each organization have their own (e.g., would answer the questions below differently)?

Given that nicknames carry so much meaning and significance, do members of a D9 organization forbid other members of the same org. from other chapters call them by their nicknames? What about other Greeks? What about non-Greeks?

Do BGLO members "go by" their nicknames more or their real names? (I almost feel like the only time I'm called by my real name is when my mom and dad are calling me)

Are there ever unique nicknaming "trends" in different classes/lineage/chapters/orgs, and if this is too "nosy" a question I'm sorry

I saw on a documentary about stepping on youtube (the link kindly provided to me by rhoyaltempest) that some mainstream Greeks are starting to take on the tradition of stepping. Have any NPC/IFC Greeks taken on the nicknaming tradition as well?


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Btw, I JUST got the book Soulsteppin' and I haven't had time to read much of it yet, so if the questions are already answered in there I'm sorry. Also I know there are books like Black Greek 101 but I thought it might easier to just ask about it here

[Drolefille]

I'm sorry, but how are you proud of the nickname "rimjob" or "dildo"?

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by nwu43

How old is the nicknaming tradition among BGLO's? Was there any specific organization that started it?

Pretty old, but not as old as the founding of the orgs. I believe there is some discussion of this and other BGLO traditions in Black Greek 101.

Do all BGLO's share pretty much the same tradition or does each organization have their own (e.g., would answer the questions below differently)?

OFFICIALLY, some orgs no longer even allow line names/nicknames, so I can only speak informally...... generally speaking, it seems as though a line name is something you earn during your MIP or pledging experience. Some orgs have formal-ish naming ceremonies, others don't. It varies by chapter and from line to line.

Given that nicknames carry so much meaning and significance, do members of a D9 organization forbid other members of the same org. from other chapters call them by their nicknames? What about other Greeks? What about non-Greeks?

In four years as an Alpha, I have never heard anyone referred to as their line name in the first place. I'm sure it happens, but I think it's rare. They're not really nicknames.

Although you didn't ask this, although I have seen orgs try NOT to recycle line names, I have also seen "sequel" line names. I think at Beta chapter, there was a Psycho, and now they are on Psycho IV or V.

Do BGLO members "go by" their nicknames more or their real names? (I almost feel like the only time I'm called by my real name is when my mom and dad are calling me)

Real names. Although I've heard of bros being referred to by their line numbers. Sometimes they'll say sands, LB, LS, soror, frat, etc, but not their line name. Just my experience.

Are there ever unique nicknaming "trends" in different classes/lineage/chapters/orgs, and if this is too "nosy" a question I'm sorry

I have seen certain trends, again, they vary by chapter. Some pledge lines have similar names, sometimes "themes" get passed on from Big Brother to Little Brother. And sometimes, just sometimes, BGLOs will have "family trees" just like NPCs or APO.

I saw on a documentary about stepping on youtube (the link kindly provided to me by rhoyaltempest) that some mainstream Greeks are starting to take on the tradition of stepping. Have any NPC/IFC Greeks taken on the nicknaming tradition as well?

If you ask me, I believe that nicknaming came from NIC orgs first. That's just me though.

[rachild]

ummm, I dont think he was saying those names are anything to be PROUD of, but questioning their purpose/origin.

I know for my, um, "group" (I came in after '90, so I gotta play it safe) they asked us fo ideas so it was a combination of that and things they saw in us. Nothing embarrassing. My own name was/is "madman" b/c I looked I was bound to snap off at any moment in certain, um, circumstances. But as a "big brother" name it's cool as hell. So it all depends on who you come under, I guess.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by nwu43

Everyone else has cooler nicknames than us! Ours can be pretty harsh (some of the worst include "Rimjob" and "Dildo", try wearing THAT on the back of your gear. And that's just MW, it gets worse on the East Coast). Of course we're all EXTREMELY proud of our nicknames,

Originally Posted by rachild

ummm, I dont think he was saying those names are anything to be PROUD of, but questioning their purpose/origin.

No, he was definately stating that they are proud of their nicknames, including those worse.

[nwu43]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

Pretty old, but not as old as the founding of the orgs. I believe there is some discussion of this and other BGLO traditions in Black Greek 101.



OFFICIALLY, some orgs no longer even allow line names/nicknames, so I can only speak informally...... generally speaking, it seems as though a line name is something you earn during your MIP or pledging experience. Some orgs have formal-ish naming ceremonies, others don't. It varies by chapter and from line to line.

Why would line names not be allowed? Does it really imply that much? And if it's the "line" part that's causing the problem, can't you just say they're harmless nicknames like we do

In four years as an Alpha, I have never heard anyone referred to as their line name in the first place. I'm sure it happens, but I think it's rare. They're not really nicknames.

That is very surprising...! Does this apply to other D9 orgs as well?

For us, we almost always call bros by nicknames, and most of us forbid non-Greeks from doing so. Depending on the chapter, some do not allow non-Lambdas and some (at our west coast chapters) do not even let out of chapter Lambdas call them by their nicknames.

Although you didn't ask this, although I have seen orgs try NOT to recycle line names, I have also seen "sequel" line names. I think at Beta chapter, there was a Psycho, and now they are on Psycho IV or V.

What about two brothers from different chapters having identical line names? Does that ever happen (I'm assuming it does considering how huge your organization is)? Our neos hate it if they find out that their nickname is not unique or has already been given before at another chapter. I'm wondering if having a national nickname database would help

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by nwu43

Why would line names not be allowed? Does it really imply that much? And if it's the "line" part that's causing the problem, can't you just say they're harmless nicknames like we do

My chapter of APO once had a university-level issue with giving pledges inappropriate nicknames. We made two changes....first we made a concerted effort to give out nicknames that were uplifting and not degrading, names that we would be proud to wear on a shirt in front of our grandmothers. Secondly, we made nicknaming a ceremony that happened after initiation, so pledges wouldn't feel belittled or obligated to accept them.

Otherwise, I can't speak on why other orgs may ban line names, as Alpha is not one of them.

That is very surprising...! Does this apply to other D9 orgs as well?

I don't know any D9 org members who call each other by their line names.

For us, we almost always call bros by nicknames, and most of us forbid non-Greeks from doing so. Depending on the chapter, some do not allow non-Lambdas and some (at our west coast chapters) do not even let out of chapter Lambdas call them by their nicknames.

That's....interesting.

What about two brothers from different chapters having identical line names? Does that ever happen (I'm assuming it does considering how huge your organization is)? Our neos hate it if they find out that their nickname is not unique or has already been given before at another chapter. I'm wondering if having a national nickname database would help

It probably happens a lot. But I am glad that I am the only Mr. Matter-of-Factly I've ever heard of, and I'm proud that my neo is the only The Diploma'at.

[nwu43]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

No, he was definately stating that they are proud of their nicknames, including those worse.

We're proud of our nicknames because we worked hard to earn them, and they often have some meaning or significance to it related to pledging (I know what you're thinking right now, and no that's not the reason why they were nicknamed that).

I think we give these out because we like to joke around with each other, and in a weird way it makes us tighter, both as a chapter, and as a region. Each brother's nickname almost always has some funny or interesting story to it, so it's always fun to meet new bros (even more so when the stories are pledge-related) and it's easier to remember new people as well

I guess it's also a way of demonstrating how trivial and superficial the deriding part of some of our nicknames are to us compared to the brotherhood (i.e., we are so proud to be lambdas that we don't care if others laugh at our nicknames); at the same time, we love our nicknames and identify with them as I'm sure every minority Greek does.

Btw, remember that I said those are two of the worst. Most of us have neutral or neutral/funny nicknames (e.g. BillyFobThornton, Zoloft, DimSum, Kirby etc...). The ones that have some slightly deriding element to it are usually not *that* bad (Sexual Harassment Panda, Pink Panther). But it's the really cool ones like "Predator", "Thor", or "Knuckles" that are rare. In any case, I can tell you that even the two bros nicknamed rimjob and dildo are not afraid to wear those names on the back of their linejackets (only reason that they often don't is because there are many places where showing off those words would be inappropriate. But at parties for example, it's no problem)

That said, some of us are still a little bit envious of D9 Greeks ... (and sometimes even other Asian Greeks, LOCK's nickname for example is pretty cool). Oh well.. I'm very happy with mine

To rachild, do/did your brothers actually call you by that name?

[SoCalGirl]

I hadn't heard of a chapter not having nicknames. In my chapter though they were guarded secrets. Only sisters knew the name and the, usually embarassing, reason for the name.

[nwu43]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

My chapter of APO once had a university-level issue with giving pledges inappropriate nicknames. We made two changes....first we made a concerted effort to give out nicknames that were uplifting and not degrading, names that we would be proud to wear on a shirt in front of our grandmothers. Secondly, we made nicknaming a ceremony that happened after initiation, so pledges wouldn't feel belittled or obligated to accept them.

So we ARENT the only one that occasionally gives out degrading nicknames.

I gotta say this is all very surprising. I have NEVER seen or heard of a BGLO Greek with a nickname that's not at least a little bit cool (I think "Mr. Matter-of-Factly" and "The Diploma'at" sounds pretty cool)

[rachild]

To rachild, do/did your brothers actually call you by that name?[/quote]


sometimes---I moreso used it to have "those coming behind me" across the burning sands refer to me as such (as in, Big Brother Madman). Its basically, as I believe someone alluded to, mostly a chapter thing. We didnt really refer to our line names outside of chapter context b/c you have to know the person for the name to make sense.

[tld221]

Originally Posted by nwu43

We're proud of our nicknames because we worked hard to earn them, and they often have some meaning or significance to it related to pledging (I know what you're thinking right now, and no that's not the reason why they were nicknamed that).

I think we give these out because we like to joke around with each other, and in a weird way it makes us tighter, both as a chapter, and as a region. Each brother's nickname almost always has some funny or interesting story to it, so it's always fun to meet new bros (even more so when the stories are pledge-related) and it's easier to remember new people as well

well, i think that's what it comes down to when ANY org, regardless of background, gives nicknames - the shared memories of how they got that name, etc...

I guess it's also a way of demonstrating how trivial and superficial the deriding part of some of our nicknames are to us compared to the brotherhood (i.e., we are so proud to be lambdas that we don't care if others laugh at our nicknames); at the same time, we love our nicknames and identify with them as I'm sure every minority Greek does.

i know non-minority orgs that do nicknames... they dont go putting it on jackets and t-shirts like we would, but i have seen orgs (i don't know if NPC/IFC orgs call them "crossing" items) that will have their pledge class on one sleeve and their name on the other (usually embroidered on hoodies)

Btw, remember that I said those are two of the worst. Most of us have neutral or neutral/funny nicknames (e.g. BillyFobThornton, Zoloft, DimSum, Kirby etc...). The ones that have some slightly deriding element to it are usually not *that* bad (Sexual Harassment Panda, Pink Panther). But it's the really cool ones like "Predator", "Thor", or "Knuckles" that are rare. In any case, I can tell you that even the two bros nicknamed rimjob and dildo are not afraid to wear those names on the back of their linejackets (only reason that they often don't is because there are many places where showing off those words would be inappropriate. But at parties for example, it's no problem)

That said, some of us are still a little bit envious of D9 Greeks ... (and sometimes even other Asian Greeks, LOCK's nickname for example is pretty cool). Oh well.. I'm very happy with mine

To rachild, do/did your brothers actually call you by that name?[/QUOTE]


who exactly is "us," other members of your org? and why be envious? over some nicknaming scheme? please - be proud of YOUR org and YOUR traditions.


Man, jus when i started to get excited cause a Lambda was on GC...

[Ch2tf]

Non-BGLOer, but TNX does have some similarities, in that our members have line names.

Originally Posted by nwu43

Given that nicknames carry so much meaning and significance, do members of a D9 organization forbid other members of the same org. from other chapters call them by their nicknames?

No, but I can't recall calling, being called, or having someone call me by my line name instead of my real name. At best, if a story / joke / anecdote is being told in which someone / their line name is relevant, then you might here it. I've never call preciousjeni (fellow GCer) PourSISTAnce for the sake of it?

Originally Posted by nwu43

What about other Greeks? What about non-Greeks?

No because they would have no idea what they are talking about and shouldn't, as only sisters who were a part of my intake or who I've personally told the meaning would have any idea what my name means.

Originally Posted by nwu43

Do BGLO members "go by" their nicknames more or their real names?

I NEVER go by my nickname, although I do go by my number and position on my line sometimes.

Originally Posted by nwu43

Are there ever unique nicknaming "trends" in different classes/lineage/chapters/orgs, and if this is too "nosy" a question I'm sorry.

Sometimes, depends on the line / chapter / region, I would argue mostly the line.

To this day we do not have 2 sisters with the same line name, it's kinda not allowed. But I can see it becoming problematic as we get larger. And our names are not allowed to be derogatory, ie sexual, relating to alcohol, etc.

[nwu43]

Originally Posted by tld221

who exactly is "us," other members of your org? and why be envious? over some nicknaming scheme? please - be proud of YOUR org and YOUR traditions.

Oh comon, you know I was joking. Like I said before we're all proud to be lambdas and we are proud of our traditions. This is just one of those things where we may see nicknames/line names from other orgs and go damn those are usually cooler / not as degrading as the ones we give out. Doesn't mean anything, just something we notice

Man, jus when i started to get excited cause a Lambda was on GC...

I get the impression that you are a very sarcastic GC'er

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by nwu43

Have any NPC/IFC Greeks taken on the nicknaming tradition as well?

Sure: Otter, Boon, Pinto, Flounder, D-Day and Bluto come to mind.