"Nicknames stick to people, and the most ridiculous are the most adhesive".
~ Thomas Chandler Haliburton (17 December,1796 – 27 August, 1865) Canadian Author
It has often been said that nicknames are fascinating things. Some accurately convey something about the bearer. Others are a quirk of fate or nature which reveal little about the person. Then there is the third kind – those that are downright misleading.
It is the latter kind that seemingly has somehow inspired my new nickname that has been bestowed on me by Strachany my erstwhile teammate from South Yarra CC. I have been dubbed “VB” which for those of you who live in other countries stands for “Vic Bitter” a very popular beer that Australians (particularly Victorians) love to numb themselves with.
What is wrong with that I can hear you saying?
Well, VB may be an appropriate nickname for someone who loves partaking in copious quantities of the amber stuff, but in my case being a non drinker, it is somewhat of a misnomer.
I pondered this anomalous turn of events after we held our fielding training session a couple of weekends back. After training we had a BBQ with beers all round. As the lads stood in a large circle chomping on their bangas, I could not help but notice that not only every single one of them had a beer in their hand to wet their whistle, but I was the only one who was empty handed and not imbibing.
There has got to be some irony in that somewhere.
I suppose if I become very bitter, perhaps the nickname “Vic Bitter” may become a more descriptive metaphor – but until then, it will just have to go down as one of the more unusual nomenclatures to be festooned upon me.
It was American essayist, philosopher and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson who said “no orator can top the one who can give good nicknames”. Thanks Strachany, I owe you one!
See you all soon,
Vic Nicholas
Melbourne
~ Thomas Chandler Haliburton (17 December,1796 – 27 August, 1865) Canadian Author
It has often been said that nicknames are fascinating things. Some accurately convey something about the bearer. Others are a quirk of fate or nature which reveal little about the person. Then there is the third kind – those that are downright misleading.
It is the latter kind that seemingly has somehow inspired my new nickname that has been bestowed on me by Strachany my erstwhile teammate from South Yarra CC. I have been dubbed “VB” which for those of you who live in other countries stands for “Vic Bitter” a very popular beer that Australians (particularly Victorians) love to numb themselves with.
What is wrong with that I can hear you saying?
Well, VB may be an appropriate nickname for someone who loves partaking in copious quantities of the amber stuff, but in my case being a non drinker, it is somewhat of a misnomer.
I pondered this anomalous turn of events after we held our fielding training session a couple of weekends back. After training we had a BBQ with beers all round. As the lads stood in a large circle chomping on their bangas, I could not help but notice that not only every single one of them had a beer in their hand to wet their whistle, but I was the only one who was empty handed and not imbibing.
There has got to be some irony in that somewhere.
I suppose if I become very bitter, perhaps the nickname “Vic Bitter” may become a more descriptive metaphor – but until then, it will just have to go down as one of the more unusual nomenclatures to be festooned upon me.
It was American essayist, philosopher and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson who said “no orator can top the one who can give good nicknames”. Thanks Strachany, I owe you one!
See you all soon,
Vic Nicholas
Melbourne
Posts
It was at the Yarras Pool Comp in early september that the nickname 'VB' was coined. I don't think it had anything to do with alcohol, or the word 'bitter'...just a small group of SYCC committee members having a few brews and discussing 'What are we going to call this bloke?'...in fact I envy you, I've been nothing but 'Roshy' in every cricket club, in every season I've played. Being on the receiving end of a nickname is, I dare say, a sign of you weaving yourself deeper into the fabric of the club!
ReplyDeleteSo it was a committee decision eh Roshy? Oops! Rosh! I thought it was Strachany being...errr, Strachany! There are some funny nicknames at the club and there are some that to me would be obvious, but are not used. I reckon young Sam Fieldes should answer to "WC", Graeme shouldn't be "Sumo", he should be "Losties" and Conrad should be "Paris" (think about it for a sec) - but what would I know? Have a great season Roshmeister - you are a champ.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
VB