Message: "Bob, Bill, Dick - how'd you get that out of Robert, William, and Richard?"

Bob, Bill, Dick - how'd you get that out of Robert, William, and Richard?

by Jacinta Ismene (curiouslystrong)

9/9/2008, 9:52 AM

Last night I was pondering nicknames like Bob, Bill, and Dick, and I don't quite understand the how or why of Rob-->Bob, Will-->Bill, and Rich-->Rick-->Dick. I was able to think of a couple more examples along those lines last night, but at the moment they elude me. Anyway, I was just curious if anyone happened to know what the deal is with these sorts of nicknames.

"Colorless green ideas sleep furiously."