# Is referring to two people with the same name as Big XXX and Little XXX non-PC? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 11, 2020, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-referring-to-two-people-with-the-same-name-as-big-xxx-and-little-xxx-non-pc/846282 "2020-01-11T21:08:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-referring-to-two-people-with-the-same-name-as-big-xxx-and-little-xxx-non-pc/846282/21 "2020-01-12T01:52:58Z")
A friend of mine tells the story that, as a youth, he had an Uncle Dick and a Cousin Dick, who were known as big Dick and little Dick. He swears this is truth. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-referring-to-two-people-with-the-same-name-as-big-xxx-and-little-xxx-non-pc/846282/22 "2020-01-12T01:55:49Z")
My grandfather, my father, and I. Three generations of Kent Clark. When I was young my grandfather was Mr. Clark, my father was Big Kent, and I was Little Kent. Or sometimes Kent Jr., Kent the Third, Young Kent, Master Kent, or Kenny. After my grandfather died and there were just my father and me, I wanted to be Kent Jr. to my father’s Kent Sr. My father rather liked being called Big Kent, though, so we ended up with Big Kent and Young Kent. ---
**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-referring-to-two-people-with-the-same-name-as-big-xxx-and-little-xxx-non-pc/846282/23 "2020-01-12T02:15:15Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > A friend of mine tells the story that, as a youth, he had an Uncle Dick and a Cousin Dick, who were known as big Dick and little Dick. He swears this is truth. > mmm A very proper auntie, noticing the quantities of Richards at a family gathering, remarked with a straight face, “There sure are a lot of Dicks here.” I don’t recall situations where I encountered similarly-named folks distinguished by adjectives. However teachers at one small technical school included a white Mr Black and a black Mr White. Both were commonly addressed as “SIR!” ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-referring-to-two-people-with-the-same-name-as-big-xxx-and-little-xxx-non-pc/846282/24 "2020-01-12T03:47:24Z")
> [@lingyi](#): > > I’m sure there are some who’ll scream, “Yes, it’s non-PC!”, but what are alternatives? Why are you so sure of this? Have you ever been told by anyone that you should call somebody by a nickname like Big Elmo or Little Elmo? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-referring-to-two-people-with-the-same-name-as-big-xxx-and-little-xxx-non-pc/846282/25 "2020-01-12T03:51:27Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > A friend of mine tells the story that, as a youth, he had an Uncle Dick and a Cousin Dick, who were known as big Dick and little Dick. He swears this is truth. I knew a guy whose name was Dick Head. Here’s a tip to people whose last name is Head; if you have a child, don’t name him Richard. Your attempts to call him Rich or Rick will fail. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-referring-to-two-people-with-the-same-name-as-big-xxx-and-little-xxx-non-pc/846282/26 "2020-01-12T04:17:56Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I knew a guy whose name was Dick Head. > > Here’s a tip to people whose last name is Head; if you have a child, don’t name him Richard. Your attempts to call him Rich or Rick will fail. I knew a Richard Head growing up. He avoided most of that as he happened to be home schooled. He was also a rather nice guy, so as adults no one really had a reason to call him a Dick. Though I do agree parents should consider if their kids’ name can be made into a low-effort shitty nickname. On the other hand, my name sounds a lot like a negative English word (just one consonant difference), but no one ever called me that growing up. ---
**Author:** ![lingyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d2c977/32.png) [@lingyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lingyi)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-referring-to-two-people-with-the-same-name-as-big-xxx-and-little-xxx-non-pc/846282/27 "2020-01-12T04:28:41Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Why are you so sure of this? Have you ever been told by anyone that you should call somebody by a nickname like Big Elmo or Little Elmo? Just an example of what extreme _some_ people _may_ say in a misguided (IMHO) attempt at PC. Once, I worked with a guy whose self proclaimed nickname was Gush (rhymes with whoosh), short for his surname Gushiken. I made a joke that I would start calling him Chawan gushi (a take on Chawan mushi, Japanese egg custard). My manager and a salesrep who just came back from harassment training said that would be considered harassment. :smack: BTW, is there a Big Nemo and Littler Nemo? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![lingyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d2c977/32.png) [@lingyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lingyi)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-referring-to-two-people-with-the-same-name-as-big-xxx-and-little-xxx-non-pc/846282/28 "2020-01-12T04:41:37Z")
I wonder how long before someone insists _Tiny Tim_ be referred to _Less Than Average Sized (Whatever That Means) Tim_ and _The Special Olympics_ to\* Not The Official Olympics For Those Who Are Intellectually Challenged\*? For those how don’t get it, IT’S A SARCASTIC JOKE FOLKS! ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-referring-to-two-people-with-the-same-name-as-big-xxx-and-little-xxx-non-pc/846282/29 "2020-01-12T05:24:18Z")
> [@lingyi](#): > > Just an example of what extreme _some_ people _may_ say in a misguided (IMHO) attempt at PC. No, it isn’t an example. An example is something that happened. > [@lingyi](#): > > BTW, is there a Big Nemo and Littler Nemo? I’m the only Nemo on the board. So, by definition, I’m the Little Nemo, the Big Nemo, and all the Nemos in between. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-referring-to-two-people-with-the-same-name-as-big-xxx-and-little-xxx-non-pc/846282/30 "2020-01-12T05:30:28Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Ask **Beckdawrek** about the assorted wreks in her life. Very funny there! Come on down to Dumptruck, Ark. I’ll take you to a diner ran by Big Wanda. The chief cook and bottle washer is Lil’Wanda. Who is neither smaller than Big Wanda or a female. I’m embarassed for them. But dang those bisquits and gravy are good! (:)) ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-referring-to-two-people-with-the-same-name-as-big-xxx-and-little-xxx-non-pc/846282/31 "2020-01-12T07:18:33Z")
> [@lingyi](#): > > Thanks for the thread move. I always think anything I have to post IS MPSIMS. 😃 > > I agree with your comment, but as I posted this thread: [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=887882&page=2](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=887882&page=2), the overly sensitive crazies who’ll report or call you out, too often rule the roost or are the hen house owners. ☹ > [@lingyi](#): > > Just an example of what extreme _some_ people _may_ say in a misguided (IMHO) attempt at PC. Once, I worked with a guy whose self proclaimed nickname was Gush (rhymes with whoosh), short for his surname Gushiken. I made a joke that I would start calling him Chawan gushi (a take on Chawan mushi, Japanese egg custard). My manager and a salesrep who just came back from harassment training said that would be considered harassment. :smack: > > BTW, is there a Big Nemo and Littler Nemo? 😃 > [@lingyi](#): > > I wonder how long before someone insists _Tiny Tim_ be referred to _Less Than Average Sized (Whatever That Means) Tim_ and _The Special Olympics_ to\* Not The Official Olympics For Those Who Are Intellectually Challenged\*? > > For those how don’t get it, IT’S A SARCASTIC JOKE FOLKS! What is wrong with you? ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2020, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-referring-to-two-people-with-the-same-name-as-big-xxx-and-little-xxx-non-pc/846282/32 "2020-01-12T21:58:39Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I knew a guy whose name was Dick Head. I once met a guy named Dick Pounder. And then there was a woman named Astrida Penis (pronounced exactly like Astride a Penis). ---
**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2020, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-referring-to-two-people-with-the-same-name-as-big-xxx-and-little-xxx-non-pc/846282/33 "2020-01-13T01:46:22Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I knew a guy whose name was Dick Head. I knew a fellow named Terry Hurd. His obvious nickname was Hairy Turd. BAD parents! ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2020, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-referring-to-two-people-with-the-same-name-as-big-xxx-and-little-xxx-non-pc/846282/34 "2020-01-13T01:57:04Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > I have two roommates named Steve and we call them Big Stevie and Little Stevie. It was their idea, though, so naturally they’re fine with it. I actually knew a “Big Steve”. He got the nickname at work where there was a “little Steve” as well. In a humorous note, “Little Steve” was six foot, four inches. (Big Steve was six ft., seven.) I also once knew a “Harry Chin”. But to the OP’s question. If they’re cool with it… ---
**Author:** ![Ace309](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ace309/32/1050_2.png) [@Ace309](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ace309)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2020, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-referring-to-two-people-with-the-same-name-as-big-xxx-and-little-xxx-non-pc/846282/35 "2020-01-13T02:16:07Z")
> [@lingyi](#): > > Thanks for the thread move. I always think anything I have to post IS MPSIMS. 😃 > > I agree with your comment, but as I posted this thread: [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=887882&page=2](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=887882&page=2), the overly sensitive crazies who’ll report or call you out, too often rule the roost or are the hen house owners. ☹ You seem so certain of this, but I can’t for the life of me figure out where you got such a stupid idea. ---
**Author:** ![lingyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d2c977/32.png) [@lingyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lingyi)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2020, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-referring-to-two-people-with-the-same-name-as-big-xxx-and-little-xxx-non-pc/846282/36 "2020-01-13T02:24:51Z")
> [@Ace309](#): > > You seem so certain of this, but I can’t for the life of me figure out where you got such a stupid idea. Real life example of my manager correcting me for a childish name calling joke: > [@lingyi](#): > > Just an example of what extreme _some_ people _may_ say in a misguided (IMHO) attempt at PC. Once, I worked with a guy whose self proclaimed nickname was Gush (rhymes with whoosh), short for his surname Gushiken. I made a joke that I would start calling him Chawan gushi (a take on Chawan mushi, Japanese egg custard). My manager and a salesrep who just came back from harassment training said that would be considered harassment. :smack: > > BTW, is there a Big Nemo and Littler Nemo? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mallard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Mallard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mallard)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2020, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-referring-to-two-people-with-the-same-name-as-big-xxx-and-little-xxx-non-pc/846282/37 "2020-01-13T02:35:53Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > I once met a guy named Dick Pounder. > > And then there was a woman named Astrida Penis (pronounced exactly like Astride a Penis). I was at a convention years ago and on the list of delegates was “HUNT, Michael”. ---
**Author:** ![Mallard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Mallard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mallard)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2020, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-referring-to-two-people-with-the-same-name-as-big-xxx-and-little-xxx-non-pc/846282/38 "2020-01-13T02:42:56Z")
> [@lingyi](#): > > Watching \*Dirty Jobs \* and it brought to memories of Black Elmo and Regular Elmo from _All In the Family_ because Mike sometimes refers to himself as Big Mike. Well, you can’t say Black Elmo anymore, but what about Big Elmo and Little Elmo or more questionable, Older Elmo and Younger Elmo? I’m sure there are some who’ll scream, “Yes, it’s non-PC!”, but what are alternatives? Elmo 1 and Elmo 2? Elmo and the other Elmo? Or is that too discriminatory too? Are we left with just Elmo and have to guess which one we’re referring to? :smack: If there are two known as “Elmo” in the group and one is white, the other is black, what’s wrong with “white Elmo” and “black Elmo”? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2020, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-referring-to-two-people-with-the-same-name-as-big-xxx-and-little-xxx-non-pc/846282/39 "2020-01-13T02:51:40Z")
_Bob’s Burgers_ has Regular-sized Rudy, to distinguish him from Pocket-sized Rudy. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2020, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-referring-to-two-people-with-the-same-name-as-big-xxx-and-little-xxx-non-pc/846282/40 "2020-01-13T06:42:01Z")
> [@lingyi](#): > > Watching > but what are alternatives? Elmo 1 and Elmo 2? Elmo and the other Elmo? Or is that too discriminatory too? Are we left with just Elmo and have to guess which one we’re referring to? :smack: I have a very common first name. At school, me and my two best friends, who also had the same first name, were all called by our last names. But later on, when I was sharing a house with another with the same first name, we were Young Elmo and Big Elmo. Because those names were sufficiently descriptive, and his little brother didn’t think we would appreciate being called “Old Elmo” or “Small Elmo” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-referring-to-two-people-with-the-same-name-as-big-xxx-and-little-xxx-non-pc/846282.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-referring-to-two-people-with-the-same-name-as-big-xxx-and-little-xxx-non-pc/846282.md?page=3)