Nicknames
Let's start with a quick shout-out to the other Alyson who visited yesterday. She got me remembering why I named this blog "Allison_Wonderland" and I thought that I might share it with you.
I am Allison. Allison; not Ally or Allie or Aly. My family and a few select friends called me "Al" (and you may do so, particularly if I call you bettie), but I generally prefer my full name and did, even as a child. I had a few other nicknames that I tolerated: Alley Cat and Alan Pencil were two given to me by some very staunch friends. The first was a bit too cutesy for me, but I adored the twins who christened me with it.The other was my "Major League Baseball" name. Yes, I pretended to be a ball player at one time in my life. Not that I was even a bit good at the game, but it was fun. Plus, my very own nickname!
One name I definitely would not answer to is Alice. EVER. I don't know if other Allisons (or Alysons or Alisons or however you might spell it) feel about "Alice", but I hated it. No, I loathed it. When I was growing up, Allison was not a particularly common name. It enjoyed a brief spurt of popularity in the 80s and 90s, which often caused me to turn around when a frazzled young mother called out my name. But when I was younger--not so much. So, people often tried to call me Alice, instead. Ick. It wasn't that I really loved my own name--quite the contrary.I longed to be Cassandra or Alexandra or Josephine, anything but Allison. Except Alice. Alice particularly rubbed me the wrong way.
I was not terribly popular as a child, and kids quickly picked up on my hatred of Alice, so of course, they nicknamed me "Alice in Wonderland". At the time, it drove me crazy, but as I grew older, I started to appreciate the pun. "Allison Wonderland" actually is pretty advanced language usage for a third-grader. Or at least, that's what I tell myself now. So, when I started this blog, it seemed appropriate to co-opt my hated childhood nickname and make it my own. It only took me 40 years.
But I still hate being called Alice.
I am Allison. Allison; not Ally or Allie or Aly. My family and a few select friends called me "Al" (and you may do so, particularly if I call you bettie), but I generally prefer my full name and did, even as a child. I had a few other nicknames that I tolerated: Alley Cat and Alan Pencil were two given to me by some very staunch friends. The first was a bit too cutesy for me, but I adored the twins who christened me with it.The other was my "Major League Baseball" name. Yes, I pretended to be a ball player at one time in my life. Not that I was even a bit good at the game, but it was fun. Plus, my very own nickname!
One name I definitely would not answer to is Alice. EVER. I don't know if other Allisons (or Alysons or Alisons or however you might spell it) feel about "Alice", but I hated it. No, I loathed it. When I was growing up, Allison was not a particularly common name. It enjoyed a brief spurt of popularity in the 80s and 90s, which often caused me to turn around when a frazzled young mother called out my name. But when I was younger--not so much. So, people often tried to call me Alice, instead. Ick. It wasn't that I really loved my own name--quite the contrary.I longed to be Cassandra or Alexandra or Josephine, anything but Allison. Except Alice. Alice particularly rubbed me the wrong way.
I was not terribly popular as a child, and kids quickly picked up on my hatred of Alice, so of course, they nicknamed me "Alice in Wonderland". At the time, it drove me crazy, but as I grew older, I started to appreciate the pun. "Allison Wonderland" actually is pretty advanced language usage for a third-grader. Or at least, that's what I tell myself now. So, when I started this blog, it seemed appropriate to co-opt my hated childhood nickname and make it my own. It only took me 40 years.
But I still hate being called Alice.
Labels: Past Imperfect
posted by allison | 3:21 PM
5 Comments:
Hahaha! I totally had to stop and think for a second, like, Why would you single me out?
Dur.
Also, I always wished people would shorted my name, and they never did. Bettie was my first nickname that was not also the name of a fruit and used exclusively by my parents.
I didn't realise it was a reference until Annika's post, but now I get it: heee!
I'm all for embracing things that used to give you pain. Oh, and I totally hear you on the 'frazzled mothers calling your name' thing. I think Jessica's been in the top five for about ten years.
I have another friend Allison who feels the same way. But I am blessed enough to be allowed to call her Allie.
And I feel the same way about 'Lolly'. It was used to tease me and made me cry as a child.
And now I'll be singing that all night. :D
How weird. I would never call and Allison an Alice.
Those are different words...
I would also like to register my belated "aha" moment. She who laughs last...
I maintain my stubborn insistence that three syllables is too long for someone not to have a nickname. I will answer to "Mand" but never to "Princess".
Post a Comment
<< Home