Why do we almost always end diminutive names with a "y" sound? Even when that actually lengthens the name? E.g.:
Richard > Ricky
Ann > Annie
Charles > Charley
And what is it about some names that they can't be "shortened" with the y-sound, like Helen or Brian?
John and Elizabeth (Liz), with 3 nutty cats
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1992 International Genesis school bus conversion
Along similar lines, why is it that some people can't leave names alone, they just HAVE to claim it is a diminutive of a longer name?
NO, my name is NOT "Jonathan", it is just "JON"! (It isn't "John", either!)
I know a "Jenny". NO, her name is NOT "Jennifer" or any other variation, it is just Jenny! Yes, that IS what is on her birth certificate!
I also know a "Mathew". No, not "Matthew"! Yeah, it's his Dad's fault. He's somewhat of a weirdo.
As for the why of the "Y", well, Why Not?
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I think a lot of languages have a "tag" on the end of a name/word that denote affection?? In Spanish - chica = "girl". Chicquita = "favorite little girl" or something to that effect?
I guess Hubby's name sums up the shortest, being lengthened....from Ed to Eddie...LOL!!
mowermech wrote: Along similar lines, why is it that some people can't leave names alone, they just HAVE to claim it is a diminutive of a longer name?
NO, my name is NOT "Jonathan", it is just "JON"! (It isn't "John", either!)
Very unusual. Easily 98% of the time, "Jon" is "Jonathan".
mowermech wrote: Along similar lines, why is it that some people can't leave names alone, they just HAVE to claim it is a diminutive of a longer name?
NO, my name is NOT "Jonathan", it is just "JON"! (It isn't "John", either!)
Very unusual. Easily 98% of the time, "Jon" is "Jonathan".
mowermech wrote: Along similar lines, why is it that some people can't leave names alone, they just HAVE to claim it is a diminutive of a longer name?
NO, my name is NOT "Jonathan", it is just "JON"! (It isn't "John", either!)
I know a "Jenny". NO, her name is NOT "Jennifer" or any other variation, it is just Jenny! Yes, that IS what is on her birth certificate!
I also know a "Mathew". No, not "Matthew"! Yeah, it's his Dad's fault. He's somewhat of a weirdo.
As for the why of the "Y", well, Why Not?
I'm a Debbie, not a Deborah...And I've had to explain that to some as they want to call me Deborah...That's not my name.
Our oldest son is Joshua, his name shortened for us is Josh. Some friends had a boy and named him Joshua, she calls him Joshie (not sure if she spells it with a y or ie if she writes out the short version) for short.
Really? You shortened a 3 syl name to 2 when you could have just done 1?
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