View Message

This is a reply within a larger thread: view the whole thread

[Opinions] Re: Rose vs Lily?
I really think Lily should only be used as a nickname for Elizabeth or Lillian.In my opinion, Lily sounds and looks like someone from the backwoods, or like a barmaid.

This message was edited 3/6/2008, 8:58 AM

Archived Thread - replies disabled
vote up1

Replies

Lily sounds and looks like someone from the backwoods, or like a barmaid.Interesting. What makes you think so?Also, Lily as a nn for Elizabeth? Is that common where you are? I'm unfamiliar with that association. It's typically Lizzie where I am (as far as nn's that sound similar to Lily, I mean; the most common Elizabeth nn here is Beth).
vote up1
Well, when I was writing a story in school, and I was trying to think of a name, I thought of Lily Francesca for one of the characters, but my English teacher (who I worshipped) said, "No. That sounds like a barmaid to me." The association stuck.
vote up1
Lily Francescais very beautiful, even sophisticated, not at all like a barmaid. I'm quite stunned by your teacher's casual dismissal of it. Fascinating that you absorbed your much-admired teacher's opinion whole like that. I've done that too, flatly absorbed the opinion of someone I loved without reflection, though I don't recall if I ever did it with a name. Have you ever reconsidered? Ever wanted to re-examine why your opinion changed in a heartbeat simply because of one person's feedback?
Don't mind me. I'm just thinking out loud, as it were.Welcome to BtN, btw. :-)
vote up1
I suppose you're right, it was rather mercurial of me. But, admittedly, I do find Lily to be slightly diminutive now with my current tastes (whether pandering or not to Mrs. Norton). :-)I'm surprised others haven't heard of Lily used as a nickname for Elizabeth before. I thought it was quite widespread.Thanks for the welcome. :-)
vote up1
I've encountered oneI really like Lily as a nn for Elizabeth, I think it's refreshing and sweet. But I like Lily on its own fine, it's just sort of ubiquitous.
vote up1
It may indeed be widespread, I just haven't seen it done where I am (near Houston). I've seen Lilibeth once or twice, though. As I said, Beth being the most common Elizabeth nn here, I guess I thought Lilibeth must be a combination of Lily and Beth; it hadn't occurred to me that Lili- would be diminutive of Eliza-. But sure, why not.And, you're... welcome. :-)
vote up1
I have personally never seen or heard the nickname Lily for Elizabeth. The most common here is Lizzie or Liz, but I know that the nicknames go in stages. 50s Beth, 20s Betty, 1880s, Bessie
vote up1
nt.
vote up1
If you look at Lily on this site, it is the name of the flower, while Lilly is "varriant of Lily." So, Lilly is the misspelled one.
vote up1
Silly vs sillyThis site saying something doesn't exactly make it so, you know, especially about something as subjective as that.
vote up1
Well, what, would you prefer that I DIDN'T use references? *eye roll*
vote up1
It's not subjective. Lily's a flower name. It's hard to argue that Lilly is the correct way to spell the name of the white flower. If you can't argue that, you can't argue that Lilly is the most correct spelling. One could, however, argue that Lilly or Lillie, rather than Lily is the best way to spell a nickname for Lillian.I'm also wondering- if we can't rely on this site for accurate etymologies, which sources do you find more useful in that respect?
vote up1
"varriant of Lily."You misspelled variant.
vote up1
Yes, maybe I did, but is it really that big of a deal?That wasn't the point of my post.
vote up1