A sobriquet ( /ˈsoʊbrɪˌkeɪ, -ˌkɛ, ˌsoʊbrɪˈkeɪ, -ˈkɛ/ SOH-brih-kay, -KAY) is a nickname, sometimes assumed, but often given by another, that is descriptive. A sobriquet is distinct from a pseudonym in that it is typically a familiar name used in place of a real name without the need for explanation; it may become more familiar than the original name.
The term sobriquet is equally applicable as a moniker for a person, group of people, historical event, 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 is rarely recognized by his 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 called as the " Big Apple", or Rome, the "Eternal City".
The modern French and English spelling is sobriquet. [1] Two earlier variants are soubriquet and sotbriquet. The first variant, "soubriquet" dates from the 15th century and is rarely used now, in English or French. [1] [2]
The early 14th-century soubzsbriquez meant a "little blow under the chin", also described as a chuck under the chin; this was derived from soubs, mod. sous ( Latin: sub), under. [2]
Sobriquets are "a form of identification that goes beyond a traditional name and offers insight into a person’s character, appearance, profession, or any other distinguishing feature". [3] They are used in politics, music, literature and for royalty, celebrities, and athletes. [4]
Candidates for public office and political figures may be described with sobriquets, while living or posthumously. For example, president of the United States Abraham Lincoln was called "Honest Abe". [5] An affectionate contemporary sobriquet for Ulysses S. Grant was the "American Sphinx" as a man of deeds rather than for verbal self-promotion. [6]
Early uses of sobriquets in writing and literature include the Dead Sea Scrolls [7] and in Tang and Song (Southern Sung) dynasty poetry. [8] Contemporary usage is common in the English and French languages. [2]
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Lincoln won his nickname "Honest Abe" while practicing law in the circuit courts of Illinois during the 1850s. Colleagues ranked him "at the head of his profession in the state" in part because of their absolute confidence that he never told a lie.
A big celebration of the Big Yin is kicking off on the BBC Scotland channel.
public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). " Sobriquet". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in theThe dictionary definition of sobriquet at Wiktionary