Sobriquet


A sobriquet is a descriptive nickname, sometimes assumed, but often given by another. 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 even become more familiar than the original name.
An example is Mohandas Gandhi, who is better known as Mahatma Gandhi.
The term sobriquet is equally applicable as a name for a person, group of people, historical event, or place. Well-known places often have sobriquets, such as New York City, often called the "Big Apple", or Rome, the "Eternal City", or Vienna, the "Golden Apple" or Paris the "City of Light".

Etymology

The modern French and English spelling is sobriquet. 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.
The early 14th-century word soubzsbriquez meant a "little blow under the chin" in French, also described as a chuck under the chin; this was derived from soubs, mod. sous, under.

Usage

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". They are used in politics, music, literature and for royalty, celebrities, and athletes.
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". An affectionate contemporary sobriquet for Ulysses S. Grant was the "American Sphinx" as a man of deeds rather than for verbal self-promotion.
Early uses of sobriquets in writing and literature include the Dead Sea Scrolls and in Tang and Song dynasty poetry. Contemporary usage is common in the English and French languages.

Examples