The Friday Question: “What’s the story behind your nickname?”

Nicknames are funny things. Sometimes, they just find you, and before you know it, they carry more meaning than you expected. Today’s question made me reflect on the nicknames I’ve collected over the years, and I realized they’ve come to symbolize some of the most meaningful roles in my life.

When my grandson Sully was born, I realized I needed a grandpa name. My dad was “Big Marv” to his grandkids, and I wanted to carry on that tradition. I pitched “Big Papi” to my daughter Lizzi, but she quickly nixed the “Big” part—leaving just “Papi.” At first, I wasn’t sure about it, but every time Sully says it (even if he’s still working on saying it consistently), my heart melts. It’s not just a nickname; it’s a reminder of the love and bond between us.

Then there’s my “school nickname.” A few years ago, a student asked if she could call me “Mr. Debolty.” At first, I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. But over time, it’s grown on me. I’ll never forget hearing it in the halls of Darnell-Cookman, especially as this student prepares to graduate next year. It’s funny how something that initially felt off can become something I’ll miss.

It’s strange how nicknames find you. One marks me as a grandfather, the other as a teacher—two of the best roles I’ve ever had. They’re reminders of the relationships I cherish and the work I love doing.

So, what about you? What’s the story behind your nickname?

About Douglas Blaine

Capnpen is a writer who was a newspaper and magazine journalist in a previous life. A college journalism major, he now works as an English teacher, but gets his writing fix by blogging about a variety of topics, including politics, religion, movies and television. When he's not working or blogging, Capnpen spends time with his family, plays a little golf (badly) and loves to learn about virtually anything.

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