Nicknames and call signs
Nearly all of us, I suspect, have had nicknames — like it or not. We sometimes create the pseudo name, and sometimes it is “bestowed” upon us. I have had many in my lifetime. When in high school, for some odd reason (lost to history), some of us acquired strange nicknames: a few of my good friends called me “Hopper” (short for grasshopper), a friend of mine, Tony, was called “Bugs,” and another friend, Alan, was called “Hoot” (stemming from our band director, whose pronunciation of “Al” sounded like “owl”). In college, I went by “Earl” (my grandfather’s name and my middle name) because I continually roomed with other “Bobs,” making it confusing to anyone who telephoned us.
Sometimes the nickname is a shortening of the last name or modification of the same: a buddy of mine, last name Deselms, was known as “Delmo” to me and other friends; another pal, last name Snyder, became “Snyde” to us. Edward, the first name of another good friend, was called “Word.” Many of those nicknames have gone away over the years, but a number still stick. Many high school and college friends still call me Earl.
Fighter pilots use some very interesting nicknames, called “call signs” in the vernacular of the flying world. (Those of you who have seen the “Top Gun” movies know this. “Maverick,” “Goose” and “Iceman” were the three prominent pilots’ call signs in the first movie.)
History reveals that using personal call signs saves lives in an aerial engagement. The Air Force has gone back and forth in allowing personal call signs or demanding pilots use “assigned” call signs for the day. If a flight of four fighter jets were to go train in an area, the four-ship might be assigned the name “Buick Flight.” The four call signs would then be “Buick 1,” “Buick 2,” “Buick 3” and “Buick 4” as individual call signs. However, in air-to-air engagements, it was hard for the leader to say, “Buick 2, break right,” to save his wingman and confusing “Buick 2” with “Buick 3” or “Buick 4” was possible. Personal call signs work much better, especially when the call signs are short and easier to say.
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