nicknames

in Young Farmers it seems like everyone has a nickname except me. Aww poor me.

See in my family nicknames are signs of affection. From Pippapotamous to Mags/Margaline and friends called Goose and Dae, there are nicknames all around me.

The other day I nicknamed a new friend. Panda got his name because he is elusive which reminded me of a book title - "Eats shoots and leaves" a play on grammar. It can be a panda that"eats shoots and leaves." or a panda can "eats, shoots and leaves". My new Panda, he is of the second kind because he is so elusive. I don't think he knows how elusive he is. He seems to be places and then isn't. The perfect nickname for someone who lives in the back blocks of nowhere Otago.

Then there is Lucky. I work with Lucky and her nickname evolved from her name Lucy being shortened to Luc as in Luke which became Lukey and then Lucky. Now we don't even notice we introduce her as Lucky. Actually I'm not sure I even remember her real name most of the time.

Then we have Mr Legs. Guess why he is called Mr Legs??? go on, just try. Yup he has quite nice legs, that he does. Not like that tragic bogus sheep farmer on the Silver Fern Farms ads. Now his skinny legs are a shameful indictment on townies. Mr Legs doesn't know he is called Mr Legs but I'm sure he won't mind.

Pippapotamus is a play on Pippa. Margeline, is one of Emz's names. My dad, I call by his real name so that's like a nickname when you've called him dad all your life.

But me, no nickname.