The Maltonian Database: Nicknames
Last updated November 2020 with offerings from Tony Kirby
A number of people when writing to me have given a list of nicknames for staff and for fellow pupils. I don't think I can be sued for listing them here, so let's have a go. I hope none of these cause offence to anyone.
Putting myself into the spirit of things, in my career the nicknames I have been aware of for myself are Ayhatollah, Werewolf, and Tufty. All relate to my having a thick black beard. No doubt there are others I never got to know.
The nicknames listed below are all reported by Maltonians - what their currency was I know not.
- Mr Arvescough: Eke (or Eek): no idea of derivation from Tony Kirby 2020
- Mr Burroughs: Rabbit Obvious: Rabbits burrow
- Gordon Bratt: Brutus ???
- Mr Delavel: Spitter ???
- Mr Dunstan: Duncey; Penfold Derivative (at least I hope so!) Likeness: Dangermouse's friend
- Mr Fayers: Pharaoh: obvious from Tony Kirby 2020
- Mr Goforth: Ginger Hair
- Miss Goldberg: Grannie. Again, no idea. Had a flat in what later became the Mount Hotel. Formidably intellectual maths teacher: reputed to do the Times crossword in ten minutes over breakfast. Many reputed sayings, e.g ‘Watch the board while I go through it…’ when explaining difficult equations. I suspect an interesting background (refugee from Nazi Germany?) from Tony Kirby 2020
- Mr Greaves: Grivas: after military leader of EOKA (Cyprus independence movement) in the late 1950s from Tony Kirby 2020
- Mr Grice: Coggy Fascination with mending motorbikes
- Mr Hilton: Budgie ???
- Mr Joannidis: Greasy Joe; JoJo Origin: of Greek extraction; Derivative
- Mr Lawley: Lenny ???
- Eddie Lucas: Eddie Affinity
- David Lloyd: Egghead Apparently related to a physical attribute! G Sykes notes: Despite giving him a rude nickname, he was greatly respected by the pupils as he had an ability to bring his subject alive.
Yogi: sometimes used c.1958-59; after TV cartoon character, to whom he bore a resemblance from Tony Kirby 2020
- Philip Mason: Perry Period reference: Detective/Lawyer on TV series
- Barry Miller: Bas Derivative
- Alan Martindale: Radio Explained: due to his unusual sing song type voice.
Vince: second Christian name, and seemed to replace ‘Radio’ c.1960 from Tony Kirby 2020
- Mr Metcalfe: Mecca Derivative
- Alan Robinson: Smokey After the singer. Mr Robinson also smoked in the 70's
- Bruce Rolls: Soss Obvious: Sausage Rolls
- Mr Rowntree: Squarebush Obvious: inversion and similarity
- Miss Simpson/Mrs Kay Rita: Christian name
- Mrs Skelton: Skeleton Derivative
- Mr Taylor: Pip Short for Philip
- Mrs Taylor: Connie: Christian name from Tony Kirby 2020
- Roger Thomas: Taff; Tommo; Simple: Welsh, and derivative
- Mr Waterworth: Batman; Charlie Used to coach table tennis (for which you use Bats!). Charlie was mentioned by Dave Stolting in 2007. No explanation
- Mr Wellard: Ducky Apparently simply a play on Mallard
- Keith Williams: Coleoptile; Wilbur Explained: 1st theme as a young teacher. Wilbur presumably a derivative of Williams
- Mr Williams: TAW Abbreviation for Thomas Arthur Williams
- Mrs. Williams: Ma Bill Derivative: presumably shortened Williams. She was also called Ma TAW
- Mr Withers: Googie Reference: film star