### Author:  [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2012, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-celebrity-names-as-nicks-here/619345/1 "2012-04-20T01:12:45Z")
When did _this_ start?
For the longest time, I communicated with a member here who identified herself as a famous actress, and led me around by the nose until I finally had enough and put her on ignore.
I mentioned the movie roles she had, and how much I respected her, and she blah-blah-blahed me until I’d had enough.
Here’s what I think: That wasn’t only unfair to _me_ (_very_ naive and batshit, and I know not every knows that), but it shows a lack of imagination and can they do that _legally_, y’all?
Thanks and I’m sorry to bitch, but I remember that time and would rather not go through it again.
Q
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### Author:  [@Sister\_Vigilante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sister_Vigilante)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2012, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-celebrity-names-as-nicks-here/619345/2 "2012-04-20T02:21:53Z")
Did she really identify herself as this actress, or just use the name and played along with you, not realizing you really thought it was her? I once, by using a Latina name and using Jessica Alba (half Latina) as an avatar (it was a roleplaying site - you do that on those sites), had a guy convinced I really was her, even though I continually told him it simply wasn’t true. He thought maybe I was incognito or something.
The only famous name I’ve seen is someone who uses the name of some guy who wanted to run for president years ago. Oh, and J. M. Strazynski that one time. And that really was him (I think).
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### Author:  [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2012, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-celebrity-names-as-nicks-here/619345/3 "2012-04-20T02:44:47Z")
It _is_ as I stated in my OP, **Sister**.
I got all kinds of vague answers until I tired of the whole damn thing.
With what’s going on with me, I tend to cling to as much reality as I can, and this whole series of pm’s was nothing but pure BS, and I don’t need to sift (so to speak) through that at this point in my life!
Quasi
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### Author:  [@Sierra\_Indigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sierra_Indigo)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2012, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-celebrity-names-as-nicks-here/619345/4 "2012-04-20T02:48:28Z")
What you stated in your OP is unclear. Did she actually say “Yes I am \, but please keep it quiet” or was it more of a case where you were talking past each other, with “her” not realising you really thought it was the actress?
Did she ever make any posts on the board in public pretending to be said actress?
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### Author:  [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2012, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-celebrity-names-as-nicks-here/619345/5 "2012-04-20T02:55:36Z")
No, of _course_ she didn’t! My _objection_ is using the name of a well-known celebrity as a nickname here.
My problem is/was she _alluded_ to it, and never gave me a clear answer!
Quasi
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### Author:  [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2012, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-celebrity-names-as-nicks-here/619345/6 "2012-04-20T02:57:55Z")
And if I haven’t made myself clear with the first and last post I made, I don’t know what else to tell you.
Just refer to the OP and tell me what you think. Is that so hard?
Thanks
Quasi
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### Author:  [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2012, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-celebrity-names-as-nicks-here/619345/7 "2012-04-20T03:57:40Z")
I think you can probably assume when you see a famous name that it’s a put-on.
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### Author:  [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2012, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-celebrity-names-as-nicks-here/619345/8 "2012-04-20T04:18:55Z")
I’m sorry, **TubaDiva** , but what happens if a reporter happens upon something this “pseudo-someone” writes, and it gets printed in a tabloid?
All they have to do is google the name, not notice that it’s from SDMB, and next thing you know, it’s in print and/or the net!
There’s no “probably” about it, it _could_ happen!
I _know_ y’all think I’m batshit (and I am), but even I can see this biting us in the ass.
Let’s not ignore the caution light.
Quasi
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### Author:  [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2012, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-celebrity-names-as-nicks-here/619345/9 "2012-04-20T04:42:07Z")
It’s a reporters job to check his sources. If they don’t and post something false it would not be our fault. There is no assumption that real names are being used. In fact, this is site where pseudonyms are expected, so no one could accuse us of being tricky or misrepresenting who someone is.
The burden is on the reporter.
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### Author:  [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2012, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-celebrity-names-as-nicks-here/619345/10 "2012-04-20T04:49:39Z")
And if the reporter screws up, and the “quote” gets published and causes a shitstorm?
Then what?
He discovers his mistake, prints a retraction and writes he stumbled on something _we_ wrote and he took it for fact.
Who bears the brunt of the fuck-up?
Both of us would be the correct answer, I think.
He for not checking his facts, and we for allowing a celebrity’s name to be used here with no disclaimer.
Q
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### Author:  [@Beastly\_Rotter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beastly_Rotter)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2012, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-celebrity-names-as-nicks-here/619345/11 "2012-04-20T05:26:56Z")
Yeah, I followed **Tracy Lord** around for ages.
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### Author:  [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2012, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-celebrity-names-as-nicks-here/619345/12 "2012-04-20T05:31:21Z")
The assumption here is that all the names are pseudonyms. Once they realized it was a message board they’d know the error was theirs. I really, really don’t think we’d have any blame.
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### Author:  [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2012, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-celebrity-names-as-nicks-here/619345/13 "2012-04-20T05:34:17Z")
It would only take one time, by one dumb ass journalist. Do we really want to take that chance?
Q
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### Author:  [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2012, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-celebrity-names-as-nicks-here/619345/14 "2012-04-20T05:59:01Z")
Yes, even if just for the lulz. And hey, free publicity!
(I am not François-Marie Arouet.)
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### Author:  [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2012, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-celebrity-names-as-nicks-here/619345/15 "2012-04-20T06:07:48Z")
_“On the Internet, nobody knows you’re a dog.”_
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### Author:  [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2012, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-celebrity-names-as-nicks-here/619345/16 "2012-04-20T06:12:22Z")
**Quasi** , people use celeb names on every message board on the internet, and I’ve never heard of any of them being shut down for it. I think we’re in the clear.
If anyone would get sued, it would be the tabloid writer, which is highly unlikely anyways, since they usually use blind items if they’re not sure.
Most of them would assume that someone on a message board is some just some troll. I think you can relax. 🙂
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### Author:  [@Beastly\_Rotter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beastly_Rotter)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2012, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-celebrity-names-as-nicks-here/619345/17 "2012-04-20T06:12:36Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#):
>
> It would only take one time, by one dumb ass journalist. Do we really want to take that chance?
>
> Q
“Get me the city desk, I’ve got a story that will crack this city wide open!”
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### Author:  [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2012, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-celebrity-names-as-nicks-here/619345/18 "2012-04-20T06:16:47Z")
> [@voltaire](#):
>
> Yes, even if just for the lulz. And hey, free publicity!
>
> (I am not François-Marie Arouet.)
I think your are not the real Voltaire. Just a hunch…
I am far wittier than the original Cicero I am sure. At least I am still kicking.
Where do you draw the line anyway? Does Mr Kobayashi get sanctioned because people may not think the character is fictional?
I think TubaDiva nailed it- in the abscence of evidence to the contrary assume it is just a nick.
Sometimes a nick is no more than a nick.
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### Author:  [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2012, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-celebrity-names-as-nicks-here/619345/19 "2012-04-20T06:37:05Z")
Is this because of the new poster [**Chuck Norris**](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=648940)?
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### Author:  [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2012, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-celebrity-names-as-nicks-here/619345/20 "2012-04-20T07:01:19Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#):
>
> It would only take one time, by one dumb ass journalist. Do we really want to take that chance?
>
> Q
Yes. We do want to take that chance.
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