It seems like almost everybody in Jamaica, or at least in Accompong, has a nickname. Nicknames are used so frequently that rarely do Jamaicans get called by their given names except in formal situations such as school or with a doctor or talking with the police. It also it is common for nobody to know a person’s birth name, even close family members. I’ve asked sisters what their brother’s real name is, and they haven’t a clue. Cousins have to think hard before being able to recall each others’ formal names. Take our friend Dowdy for example. He’s lived in Accompong for a good ten years. Yet, you would be hard-pressed to find 10 people in Accompong who know his right name.
When we first reached Accompong, everybody seemed to introduce themselves to us with their birth name, and this caused a lot of confusion because we would be the only people in the community referring to them this way. We’d reference Oral, and no one would know who we were talking about. They’d reference Briggy, and we’d say we haven’t met him yet. Eventually it would dawn on us that we were talking about the same person. Thus, we’ve learned to always ask for someone’s pet name when they introduce themselves to us.
Another interesting note, nobody seems to know where they got their nickname, and their pet name can be completely unrelated to their real name (i.e. Aleisha gets called Crystal). Even asking a person where they got their nickname is answered with a confused look, implying what kinda question is that?
Julie’s grade 9 class is full of nicknames: Big Man, Raquel, Crystal, Curtis, Rat, Fudgie, Rukku, Sabo, Smiley, Stucky, Likkle Man, Blue, Sconnish.
Some other Accompong nicknames: Bahwood, Dowdy, Sunny Boy, Detroit, Bongo, Challah, Kayla, Ettis, Rosie, Smurf, Cheeko, Mistro, Squint, Popsy, Pepsi, Presi, Popeye, Jerrel, Kutu, George, Wenchie, Pinky, Teacha, Bolo, Elaine, Bigga, Bagga, Briggy, Sun-Sun, Sadiki, Ashmel, Shevar, TumTum, A.J., Fattah, Pioki, Rubba, Old Soldier, Kekkle, Slimy, Mas Joe….
No comments:
Post a Comment