HL CHAPTER 9 Nicknames

CHAPTER 9 Nicknames
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I knew guys that had been hanging out together for five or ten years and did not know each other's last names.
Note:IL NOME NN DICE NULLA A QS RAGAZZI

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nicknaming is practiced virtually worldwide.
Note:UNIVERSALITÀ

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there is no causal connection between one's proper name and one's character's traits.
Note:PURTROPPO

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one known as Peter could just as easily have been known as Paul.
Note:Ccccccccccccc

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Adolf does not have the same connotations as Peter, not since the 1930s that is.
Note:PLA SORTE DI ALCUNI NOMI

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Neither Attila nor Judah
Note:ORMAI POCO ISATI

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a profession, a behavioral quirk, or a bodily feature for instance.
Note:IL RIFERIMENTO DEL SOPRANNOME

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The Importance of Being Ernest.
Note:NOME OMEN

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in police files criminals are commonly identified not just by their birth-certificate name
Note:PROVA DELL IMPIRTANZA

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using different names with different people is not useless.
Note:UNA TECNICA

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the need to preserve secrecy
Note:ALTRA MOLLA X I NICK

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THE ATTRIBUTION OF NICKNAMES
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Among the defendants, 31.6 per cent are mentioned in the files as having more than one name, including many nicknames.
Note:AL MAXIPROCESSO

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There is no record of any other profession in contemporary Italy in which so many individuals bear a nickname.
Note:RECORD

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Several of these additional names correspond to the name of the father of the person the speaker meant to identify.
Note:IL PADRE

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they can be their bearer's creation in a way in which nicknames cannot.
Note:CODE NAME 1

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Code names are bestowed mainly for the purpose of veiling the true identity
Note:2

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given by or with the agreement or at least the knowledge of the bearer.
Note:3

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nicknames—”North,” “South,” “East” and “West”
Note:SOPRANNOMI X UNA SOLA OPERAZIONE

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“they called me Coriolano”—Salvatore Contorno, a mafioso who turned state's evidence, said—”have I ever been able to figure out when they gave it to me?”
Note:IL NICK PRESCINDE DALLA VOLONTÀ DEL CARCERATO

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There is however no easy way for the bearer to prevent others from using it behind his back,
Note:TE LO TIENI...ESSENZIALE

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Nicknames are a collective property
Note:BENE COMUNE

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“Stop calling me Bruto!” is an injunction with little hope of success; it may even backfire,
Note:Cccccc

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resisting only creates fun for others at their own expense.”
Note:CONTROPRODUCENTE

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Code names tend to be neutral,
Note:ALTRA DIFFERENZA

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Noms de guerre too are chosen by their bearers, but they tend to be positive,
Note:ALTRO TAROCCO...NOME DE PLUME

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The monikers of Russian mobsters, which are chosen by the bearers (see below), are far more positive than those of mafiosi.
Note:RUSSIA E SICILIA

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“L'Ingegnere” (Engineer) acquired his name “because
Note:CHI SI OCCUPA DELLE RADIO X LA RAPINA

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“u'Dutturi” (Doctor) had a golden touch refining heroin.
Note:ALTRO SPECIALISTA

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“Il Senatore” (Senator) never stood for election but “was involved with politicians,
Note:ANCORA

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“U'Tratturi” (Tractor) refers to its bearer's skill “in murdering people….
Note:ANCORA

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“Re della Kalsa” (King of Kalsa), “Principe di Villagrazia” (Prince of Villagrazia), “Principe della Cocaina,” “Papa” (Pope), “Generale” (General), and “Cavaliere” (Knight)—including some derived from famous individuals—”Pinuzzu Garibaldi,” “L'Agnelli del Contrabbando” (Agnelli of Smuggling), and “Onassissino” (little Onassis)—are so grand as to be mocking.
Note:ALTRI NICK POSITIVI

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mockery rather than admiration,
Note:IL SENTIMENTO LATENTE AFFICHÈ SIA ATTENDIBILE

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word 'nciuri, Sicilian for nickname, means abuse.
Note:ETIMOLOGIA

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cornuto di Buffalo” (Cuckold of Buffalo) and “u'Scemu” (Fool).
Note:INSULTI GIRATI IN NICK

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“Gioielliere” (Jeweler) was a fishmonger whose merchandise was said to be as expensive as diamonds.
Note:ES DI SCHERNO

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Alfio Ferlito “was scornfully nicknamed Filippo by Mangion Francesco.”
Note:UN CONTRABBANDIERE CHIAMETO COME IL GUARDACOSTE CHE GLI DÀ SEMPRE LA CACCIA

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“u'Beddu” (Handsome), “Il Grosso” (Fat), “u'Riccio” (Curly Haired), “Turchiceddu” (Little Turk, because of the dark color of his skin), “u'Buttigghiuni” (Large Bottle), “Faccia di Pala” (Shovel Face, “because of the wide shape of his face”). There
Note:IL CORPO

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“Pietro u'Zappuni” owed his nickname to his “two horsey front teeth”
Note:Cccccccc

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Vampiro,” who was tall, slim, and spooky.
Note:Ccccccccc

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“Scillone” (Pendulum) because “he swings when he walks.”
Note:Ccccccccc

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“Mussu di Ficurindia” (Prickly Pear Mouth) because of the shape of his mouth.
Note:Ccccccc

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“Pinzetta” (Tweezers) because of his habit of plucking his eyebrows and cheeks.”
Note:Ccccccccc

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“u'Tranquillu” (Quiet), “u'Guappo” (Braggart), “Abbruciamontagna” (Burn Mountain, because of his hot temper), “u'Cori Granni” (Big Heart), “u'Facchinu” (Ill-bred), “Parrapicca” (Few Words), “Piluseddu” (Hairy, also Stingy), “Farfagnedda” (Stammer), and “Tempesta” (Storm, “because for him it's always stormy”).
Note:CARATTERE

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“Il Cane” (Dog), “Il Lupo” (Wolf), “Capretto” (Kid), “Pecora Bianca” (White Sheep, because of his white curly hair), “Cavadduzzu” (Little Horse), “Conigghiu” (Rabbit), “Musca” (Fly), “Farfalla” (Butterfly), and “Salamandra” (Salamander).
Note:DA ANIMALI

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“Milinciana” (Eggplant) and “Cipudda” (Onion).
Note:VERDURA

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“Alfio Lupara” (Sawed-off Shotgun)
Note:DA COSE

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“Scagghidda” (Little Scale), “Pinnaredda” (Little Feather), “Puntina” (Little Nail). We also found a couple of punbased aliases: Francesco Di Noto becomes “Franco Noto” (Renowned), and Gaetano Galatolo becomes “Tanu Alatu” (Winged).
Note:cccccccc

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“Turi Karaté” (Turi Karate), “Scarpapulita” (Clean Shoe), “Pupo” (Dapper), “Cacciatore” (Hunter), “Studente” (“because he went to University,” though never graduated),30 and “u'Masculiddu” (Little Male).
Note:DA HOBBY

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“Il Bruto” (The Brute),
Note:A PROCESSO X STUPRO DI MINORI

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only a quarter of the mafia bosses involved in the trial are reported as having an additional name.
Note:NN UN ESCLUSIVA DEI BOSS

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“Ninu u'Babbu” (Nino the Fool), “Fifu Tistuni” (Thick Head), “Saru u'Bau” (Ogre), and “Calo Tabarano” (Downhearted).
Note:OFFENSIVI

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Giuseppe Madonia was nicknamed “Piddu Chiacchiera
Note:LA MANIA DI ESAGERARE I RESOCONTI

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“Il Corto” (The Short);
Note:RIINA

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“u'Viddanu” (The Uncouth).
Note:BERNARDO PROVENZANO

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Stefano Giaconia “stuck upon me the name Mozzarella,”
Note:PRESA IN GIRO...MARINO MANNOIA

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THE USE OF NICKNAMES
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society continuously reminds itself of what it considers good and bad behavioural traits.”
Note:PRIMA TEORIA...FUNZIONE DEI NICK....RICORDARTI COME TI VEDONO E TI GIUDICANO PER I TUOI DIFETTI...CONTENERE I BIAS

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nicknames fuel aggression and competition.
Note:TEORIA 2

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Some deem them to provide a sense of community,
Note:3 TEORIA

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it seems far-fetched
Note:STIRACCHIATO

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above a certain threshold of use the survival of a nickname (or of any name for that matter) requires no special explanation: people use it simply because it is used.
Note:INNESCO...SOGLIA CRITICA

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Favoring Identification
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The hypothesis I want to pursue is that nicknames are useful in circumstances in which, had they not been available, code names would have had to be coined.
Note:LA TESI....SOSTITUTO X L AVATAR

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Nicknames can help to differentiate individuals
Note:IL NOME PROPRIO È TROPPO COMUNE

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In Sicily the frequency of individuals bearing the same first name is high
Note:ES

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At the same time, among mafiosi the pressure for accurate identification is higher
Note:INOLTRE

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Mistaken identities can be a cause of conflict and even cost people's lives.
Note:IDENTIFICAZIONE

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Carlo Teresi, the oldest of three cousins all named Carlo, was nicknamed “Numero Uno”
Note:ESEMPIO

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in the families of a cluster of small towns in the province of Agrigento, both rural areas for which we have very good information, nicknames are much rarer than they are among mafiosi in Palermo or Catania.
Note:TREND OPPOSTO A QUELLO COMUNE

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in the American Cosa Nostra, which is an entirely urban phenomenon, the use of nicknames is even more common than in its Sicilian counterpart.
Note:ALTRO TREND A CONFERMA

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Hampering Identification
Note:Ttttttttttt

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they also have an even keener interest in preventing being identified by the authorities or rival mafiosi.
Note:ESIGENZA COMPLEMENTARE DEI MAFIOSI

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Taking advantage of the different name by which he was known to the other bandits and his covillagers, he walked free.
Note:GIUSEPPE SCIORTINO ACCUSATO A PORTELLA DELLA GINESYRA

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”he saved himself from being identified by saying that he was called Giacomo and not Giuseppe.”
Note:LA DIFESA DI GAMBINO

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“Jachinu u'Spurpatu”
Note:ESEMPI DI NICK...LO SCHELETRO

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“Taninu Babbuneddu
Note:TESTAGROSSA

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Cipudda
Note:CIPOLLA

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“Ciccio Occhialino”
Note:Cccccccc

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In order to disclaim actions carried out under one's nickname, one can retreat to one's birth-certificate name.
Note:ALTRO MODO IN CUI AIUTA IL ACUTA CK

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Shifting from one name to another makes it possible to rely on a second identity
Note:SHIFTING

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an indirect test of whether nicknames survive better when keeping one's identity secret is a greater concern.
Note:TEST DI SOORAVVIVENZA

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The highest frequency, however, is found among hit men: among them, two out of three bore a nickname.
Note:TRA I KILLER IL RECORD...IN EFFETTI L ESIGENZA DI COPERTURA È PIÙ ALTA

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“Scarpuzzedda” [Little Shoe], “u'Picciriddu” [the Kid], “Anatreddu” [Duckling], “Il Ragioniere” [The Accountant]).
Note:NICK POCO MINACCIOSI

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the more a mafioso needs to avoid identification and to lead a secretive life, the more likely a nickname sticks to him.
Note:LEGGE

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Unintended Consequences
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Carlo Teresi, known as Numero Uno, a mafioso we already met, wished he had no nickname when he found himself in court:64 “The Teresis are as many as drops in the sea,”
Note:MEGLIO NN AVER MAI AVUTO UN NICK

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“Numero Uno” nickname helped the mobsters to identify the right Carlo Teresi, but it ultimately helped prosecutors to do the same thing.
Note:Ccccccccc

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Tommaso Buscetta revealed that Francesco Maiorana was a member of the mafia,
Note:CE N ERANO DUE...NESSUN ARRESTO

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there were eight Prestifilippos
Note:ALTRO CASINO DI CONTORNO

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Ciaschiteddu [small bird]
Note:ALTRO SOPRANNOME X IL FISICO ATLETICO

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the same moniker may occur more than once and cause confusion,
Note:MAFIOSI FUORI INNOCENTI DENTRO

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Siddiati” (Grumpys).
Note:SOPRA

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Tignusu (Hairless)
Note:ANCORA

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Why Not All Criminals Use Aliases
Note:Tttttttttttttt

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far from a universal phenomenon.
Note:SOLO UN TERZO

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The mobsters say “this guy there…,” “that old fellow, who's older than us…,” “that nephew, the fat one…,” “the Moustache…,” “the tall one…,” “the short one…,” “that cousin from where the children are…,” “the uncle from over there….”
Note:ALTRO MODO X MASCHERARE...NN USARE PROPRIO I NOMI

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identify uniquely a person without naming names.

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The mentor discusses names with the novice, and they agree on one.
Note:NOMI DI BATTAGLIA

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“At his crowning, the officiating vor [ends] the ceremony
Note:INCORONAZIONE...NUOVA VITA

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Monks and nuns bear two names,
Note:TRADIZIONE CATTOLICA

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the Russian and the Neapolitan groups lack the rich community ties that other mafia groups enjoy.
Note:DIFFERENZA CON LA MAFIA

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The Neapolitan gangs are many and fragmented, while the Russian vory form a national network and operate at great distances
Note:Ccccccccccc

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OTHER MOTIVES FOR THE USE OF NICKNAMES
Note:Ttttttttttttttt

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icknames in the Mediterranean area are a form of verbal aggression,
Note:ALTRA TEORIA....INVIDIA AL CENTRO

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manifestations of aggressive, controlling impulses, as partially unconscious attempts to gain dominance over others by attacking their sense of self-identity,
Note:IN ALTRI TERMINI

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mocking others.
Note:Tttttttttttttttt

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presence of derogative nicknames in cultures in which macho values or envy are not especially relevant.
Note:DUBBI SULLA TEORIA

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in other groups in which envy and amour propre are present—academia for instance—nicknames are not common;
Note:ANCORA DUBBI

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we find not only mocking but also appreciative or neutral nicknames,
Note:ALTRI DUBBI

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The greater proportion of derogative or jocular over positive nicknames could simply be due to the fact that they provide more fun, much as negative gossip, which is also predominant over positive gossip, does.
Note:PIACERE DEL GOSSIP

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listener searches not for truths but for plausible, juicy stories, the linguistic brilliance and humorous content of nicknames must be part of their success.
Note:cccccccccccc

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Think for instance of the nicknames that pupils routinely assign to their teachers. The fun and the relief that nicknames provide
Note:GESTISCE LE TENSIONI

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high risk of making these tensions explicit
Note:XCHÈ ALLENTARE LA TENSIONE?

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nicknames are found mostly among groups of men and mostly among men engaged in team activities.
Note:ALTRO ELEMENTO

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the presence of shared risk would encourage the use of nicknames.
Note:TRA I MINATORI

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provide a facetious easing of the tension connected to risky actions
Note:RELAX?

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It is not uncommon to greet male friends with terms of abuse—this is frequently witnessed in Southern Italy.
Note:VECCHIO FIGLIO DI PUTTANA....CONFIDENZA INTIMITÀ

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they do so when they meet rather than when they part.
Note:Ccccccccc

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“look who's here, u Curtu, ya old bastard, how're ya?”
Note:ESEMPI

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the ritual tests the solidity of friendship,
Note:TEST

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We have evidence that mafiosi become worried if someone who previously addressed them in a familiar way suddenly resorts to formality.
Note:UNA SVOLTA PREOCCUPANTE

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although in the past he addressed me with ‘you’ now he was calling me ‘sir.’
Note:LIGGIO PRIMA DEL MASSACRO

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Antonio Ferro from Canicatti began to call Calderone vossia (sir)
Note:ALTRO ESEMPIO

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Men who work in teams in risky or demanding jobs do need to be able to trust one another,
COSTRUZIONE DELLA FIDUCIA