Nick Names: An Age Old Practice

As many of you may know, I place high value in community. I’m a kind of guy who wants to go where everybody knows my name and they’re always glad I came.

Last night, the Hermit-man and I were rolling around the streets of RO and got into a discussion about all of the nicknames that embody the Michigan cycling community. It’s a bit absurd if you really stop and think about the wealth of cleverly-nominated associations out there.

Why do we do this?

I’ve narrowed it down to two reasons:
1. Term of endearment, symbolizing acceptance
2. Term of ridicule

My short-lived first roommate I had in college, with whom I went in blind, was one of those social outcast akward types that anyone who took one look at would immediately file him into some kind of “that guy” category. He had so few of friends that he took it upon himself to nominate his own nickname which was never adopted by a soul despite his dedication and persistence of referring to himself with this self-proclaimed nickname. I only lasted two weeks with this fellow before I went nuts and had a little talk with my RA to move me to another room. The straw that broke my back was coming home to 8 cans of polished off tuna fish adorned on the floor with a side of whitie tighties casually laying around fully equipped with skid marks so defined an accident reconstructionist could of determined exactly what was served up in the cafeteria the night before…but this is a different story. Nonetheless, back to my point; Rule #1 when it comes to nicknames-it has to be bestowed upon you from your social group…without exception, no self-nominations!

So, after brainstorming for a few minutes, I came up with this list. Feel free to add to it or share a story of how your nickname may have come about.

Also, there is something special at stake for any person who can correctly identify every name with the proper person.

-Rockstar- -Hermit-Man- -Pain Guy- -Simonster- -Peanut Butter- -Beer Champ- Lil’Pony- -The Donut- -Stewey- -Hedge Hog- -White Bread- -Unguided Missile- -Porn Stash- -Hot Rod- -Monster Cell Phone- -Flab- -Papa T- -Black Ace- The Eagle- -The Godfather- -The Jew- -Frodo Baggins- -Girl of Steel- Domo arigato- -the Legend- -Hammer Man- -Hairy Man- -G-Man- -Frenchy- Cruz Missile- -SippinWhiskey- -Kuhncapie chappie- -Soupy- -Twinkle Toes- Finkelstein- -Dolpinator- -The German- -Click Man- -K-Man-