Nicknames

[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.

[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)