A sobriquet (/ˈsoʊbrɪkeɪ/SOH-brik-ay), or soubriquet, is a nickname, sometimes assumed, but often given by another, that is descriptive. A sobriquet is distinct from a pseudonym, as it is typically a familiar name used in place of a real name, without the need of explanation, and it often becomes more familiar than the original name.
The term sobriquet may apply to the nickname for a specific person, group of people, or place. Examples are "Emiye Menelik", a name of Emperor Menelik II of Ethiopia, who was popularly and affectionately recognized for his kindness ("emiye" means "mother" in Amharic); "Genghis Khan", who now is rarely recognized by his original name Temüjin ("Genghis Khan" means "universal ruler" in Mongolian); and Mohandas Gandhi, who is better known as "Mahatma" Gandhi ("mahatma" means "great soul" in Sanskrit). Well-known places often have sobriquets, such as New York City, often referred to as the "Big Apple".
The modern French spelling is sobriquet. Two early variants of the term are found: soubriquet and sotbriquet. The first early spelling variant, "soubriquet", remains in use and is considered the likely origin.
The second early spelling variant suggests derivation from the initial form sot, foolish, and the second part, briquet, is a French adaptation of Italian brichetto, diminutive of bricco, knave, possibly connected with briccone, rogue, which is supposed to be a derivative of the Germanbrechen, to break; but the philologistWalter William Skeat considers this spelling to be an example of false etymology and argues the real origin should be sought in the form soubriquet.
Émile Littré gives an early-14th-century soubsbriquet as meaning a chuck under the chin, and this would be derived from soubs, mod. sous (Latin: sub), under, and briquet or bruchel, the brisket, or lower part of the throat.
Use
Sobriquets often are found in music, sports, comedy and politics. Candidates and political figures often are branded with sobriquets, either while living or posthumously. For example, president of the United StatesAbraham Lincoln came to be known as "Honest Abe".[1]
In the A Dictionary of Modern English Usage (1926), Henry Watson Fowler warned: "Now the sobriquet habit is not a thing to be acquired, but a thing to be avoided; & the selection that follows is compiled for the purpose not of assisting but of discouraging it." He included the sobriquet among what he termed the "battered ornaments" of the language, but opinion on their use varies. Sobriquets remain a common feature of speech today.
Examples
The King (of rock and roll) Elvis Presley, famous vocalist and musician
The Unkillable Demon King - Faker a professional League of Legends player known for being difficult to kill in-game.
The Lion City Singapore, the city-state, also known as Little Red Dot, The Garden City
The Big Yin – Billy Connolly, Glaswegian comedian commonly referred to as "The Big Yin", meaning "The Big One" in Scots[2]
Yankee (or "Yank" for short) – first recorded use attributed to British General James Wolfe, who used the word "Yankee" in 1758 to refer to the New England soldiers under his command. "I can afford you two companies of Yankees, and the more, because they are better for ranging and scouting than either work or vigilance".[4] Later British use of the word was in a derogatory manner, as seen in a cartoon published in 1775 ridiculing "Yankee" (American) soldiers.[4] In the Southern United States, the term is used in derisive reference to any Northerner, especially one who has migrated to the South and maintains derisive attitudes towards Southerners and the Southern way of life. Used outside the U.S. to mean any American; sometimes derogatory in usage
Man's best friend - dogs, derived from the origins of dogs, it indicates the relationship that has developed between the two species as they have each evolved to form a symbiotic relationship that is unique among human relationships to domestic animals.
References
Citations
^Mansky, Jackie (2017-02-16). "When Lincoln Was More a Politician Than an 'Honest Abe'". Smithsonian. Retrieved 2017-09-26.
^"BBC Scotland season to celebrate Billy Connolly". BBC Media Centre. 2020-05-02. Retrieved 2020-10-05. A big celebration of the Big Yin is kicking off on the BBC Scotland channel.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Sobriquet". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
External links
The dictionary definition of sobriquet at Wiktionary
April 20, 2023
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This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations September 2020 Learn how and when to remove this template message A sobriquet ˈ s oʊ b r ɪ k eɪ SOH brik ay or soubriquet is a nickname sometimes assumed but often given by another that is descriptive A sobriquet is distinct from a pseudonym as it is typically a familiar name used in place of a real name without the need of explanation and it often becomes more familiar than the original name The term sobriquet may apply to the nickname for a specific person group of people or place Examples are Emiye Menelik a name of Emperor Menelik II of Ethiopia who was popularly and affectionately recognized for his kindness emiye means mother in Amharic Genghis Khan who now is rarely recognized by his original name Temujin Genghis Khan means universal ruler in Mongolian and Mohandas Gandhi who is better known as Mahatma Gandhi mahatma means great soul in Sanskrit Well known places often have sobriquets such as New York City often referred to as the Big Apple Contents 1 Etymology 2 Use 3 Examples 4 References 4 1 Citations 4 2 Sources 5 External linksEtymology EditThis section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed March 2022 Learn how and when to remove this template message The modern French spelling is sobriquet Two early variants of the term are found soubriquet and sotbriquet The first early spelling variant soubriquet remains in use and is considered the likely origin The second early spelling variant suggests derivation from the initial form sot foolish and the second part briquet is a French adaptation of Italian brichetto diminutive of bricco knave possibly connected with briccone rogue which is supposed to be a derivative of the German brechen to break but the philologist Walter William Skeat considers this spelling to be an example of false etymology and argues the real origin should be sought in the form soubriquet Emile Littre gives an early 14th century soubsbriquet as meaning a chuck under the chin and this would be derived from soubs mod sous Latin sub under and briquet or bruchel the brisket or lower part of the throat Use EditSobriquets often are found in music sports comedy and politics Candidates and political figures often are branded with sobriquets either while living or posthumously For example president of the United States Abraham Lincoln came to be known as Honest Abe 1 In the A Dictionary of Modern English Usage 1926 Henry Watson Fowler warned Now the sobriquet habit is not a thing to be acquired but a thing to be avoided amp the selection that follows is compiled for the purpose not of assisting but of discouraging it He included the sobriquet among what he termed the battered ornaments of the language but opinion on their use varies Sobriquets remain a common feature of speech today Examples EditThe King of rock and roll Elvis Presley famous vocalist and musician The Unkillable Demon King Faker a professional League of Legends player known for being difficult to kill in game The Lion City Singapore the city state also known as Little Red Dot The Garden City The Big Yin Billy Connolly Glaswegian comedian commonly referred to as The Big Yin meaning The Big One in Scots 2 The Big Apple New York City The Big Smoke London Godzone New Zealand from God s own country Albion Britain Columbia The United States or the Americas poetic name Dixie Dixieland from the Mason Dixon line the eleven Southern states that seceded and fought against the U S in the American Civil War The Fourth Estate the press Land of the Rising Sun Japan Pearl of the Orient the Philippines referring to its location in the Southeast Asia or the East with Orient meaning East Graveyard of Empires Afghanistan Londonistan London refers to the growing Muslim population of the city Uncle Sam the U S in general or specifically its government likely from the initials U S 3 Uncle Joe Joseph Stalin The Sun King Louis XIV of France Papa Doc Francois Duvalier 34th president of Haiti The Sage of Chelsea Thomas Carlyle Scots philosopher The War to End All Wars World War I since World War II used ironically The Windy City Chicago Illinois The Motor City Detroit Michigan Yankee or Yank for short first recorded use attributed to British General James Wolfe who used the word Yankee in 1758 to refer to the New England soldiers under his command I can afford you two companies of Yankees and the more because they are better for ranging and scouting than either work or vigilance 4 Later British use of the word was in a derogatory manner as seen in a cartoon published in 1775 ridiculing Yankee American soldiers 4 In the Southern United States the term is used in derisive reference to any Northerner especially one who has migrated to the South and maintains derisive attitudes towards Southerners and the Southern way of life Used outside the U S to mean any American sometimes derogatory in usage Man s best friend dogs derived from the origins of dogs it indicates the relationship that has developed between the two species as they have each evolved to form a symbiotic relationship that is unique among human relationships to domestic animals References EditCitations Edit Mansky Jackie 2017 02 16 When Lincoln Was More a Politician Than an Honest Abe Smithsonian Retrieved 2017 09 26 BBC Scotland season to celebrate Billy Connolly BBC Media Centre 2020 05 02 Retrieved 2020 10 05 A big celebration of the Big Yin is kicking off on the BBC Scotland channel Uncle Sam Retrieved 2020 10 08 a b Mathews 1951 p 1896 Sources Edit This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain Chisholm Hugh ed 1911 Sobriquet Encyclopaedia Britannica 11th ed Cambridge University Press External links Edit The dictionary definition of sobriquet at Wiktionary Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Sobriquet amp oldid 1147968913, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
