Nicknames

[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