Why was Edward Kennedy Called Teddy?

[quakerboy]

my wife asked me, and I had no idea.

[pokerfan]

1. It's a common nickname for someone named Edward or Theodore

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teddy

[quakerboy]

3. Learn something new everyday

I knew it applied to a Theodore, but I had no idea it applied to an Edward.

[rurallib]

4. eg - Edward 'Ted' Heath former PM of Great Britain.

[quakerboy]

9. Ok. Anyone know why that is?

I looked up Jack/John, and there is an explanation of how they are connected. The link just says they are, but not how, for Edward and Teddy.

[pokerfan]

10. John/Jack

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/513387/nicknames_how_john_became_jack_and.html?cat=37">Nicknames: How John Became Jack and Other Odd Nicknames

John-Jack: One of the most famous bearers of this name, John F. Kennedy, was known to friends and family as "Jack." But I wonder if he knew how much history that name had? John is a name with history stretching back far into Biblical times. However, during medieval times, the name John was altered slightly in the Germanic tongues to Jankin or Jackin. Out of that, we get the nickname Jack.

Edward-Ted, Teddy: Again, Edward was derived from the Norman French and English/Germanic speakers interpreted it as Ted or Teddy.

[Orsino]

13. I was born "John" during the Kennedy Administration...

...and at least one of the congratulatory telegrams my parents received said, "Congratulations on little Jack's arrival." This came from an aunt on my mother's side, who knew of my parents' Democratic leanings and drew the obvious conclusion--but hadn't learned that I was simply named for my paternal grandfather. :D

[fNord]

2. Its like some one named "William" being called Billy......n/t

[targetpractice]

5. Why was John Kennedy called Jack?

That confused me at first.

[Drunken Irishman]

6. Or Dick for Richard.

Bob for Robert...

[quakerboy]

7. That was my wifes second question

and one that I also didn't have an answer to. Though I have known people who flipped between the two.

[Lex]

12. Perhaps have her look at this link

and she'll be less confused? http://www.nireland.com/anne.johnston/Diminutives.htm

[quakerboy]

8. Why are people named Sam also called Terry?

As to Jack/John: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_(name)

That was an interesting learning experience. That will effect how I think of the phrase "jack of all trades" from now on.


Now.. Can anyone tell me why I am aware of multiple people named Sam who go by the name Terry?

[Lex]

11. It's an very common diminutive of Edward.

Same reason kids named Robert are called Bobby.