Nicknames

[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.