Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
Joe BidenCongratulations to our presumptive Democratic nominee, Joe Biden!
 

DonViejo

(60,536 posts)
Tue Jun 11, 2019, 09:09 AM Jun 2019

Why Are Conservatives So Eager to Call Elizabeth Warren "Liz"?

This article is several months old; I'm posting it because of my frustration with people who think that just because they have a "Warren for President" bumper sticker on their car, they can refer to her as "Liz," as if the Senator were a close personal friend of theirs -- Don

The Lizzes of America weigh in.

By HEATHER SCHWEDEL

MARCH 21, 2019 11:53 AM

-snip-

The Liz/Elizabeth question is one that every Elizabeth must eventually confront (to say nothing of Beth, Lilibet, Betty, Libby, and so on). I consulted several Elizabeths and Lizzes for this article, all of whom had carefully considered opinions on the matter. “I don’t think you should give someone with the name ‘Elizabeth’ a nickname unless they are comfortable with it,” offered Liz Dueweke, who lives in the D.C. area. “It could be very personal to call her ‘Liz,’ like it is when people call me ‘Lizzy.’ ” Elizabeth Weingarten, a stalwart Elizabeth, told me via email that she bristles when anyone tries to “Liz” her: “I think this is inconsiderate, because ‘Liz’ and ‘Elizabeth’ are two very different names, and I don’t go by ‘Liz’ with anyone.”

Warren’s campaign confirmed to me that some friends and people in Warren’s life are indeed on a “Liz” basis with the senator, though in all professional and official contexts, she’s always been Elizabeth. Then again, it’s certainly not unprecedented in politics to call someone something other than what she calls herself—remember “Slick Willie“? As Liz B., a New York–based Liz who didn’t want to use her full name to protect her internet privacy, told me, “I don’t think famous people, including political leaders, really get to say what people call them.”

-snip-

So far, though, the news outlets that have used “Liz” in their headlines have mostly shared one thing in common. According to a Google News search, the outlets to run “Liz” pieces most recently have included the Daily Caller, the Washington Examiner, PJ Media, and Townhall—all of which are conservative sources. (To be fair, “Liz Warren” use is fairly common on Twitter, across ideological lines.) And then there was the Trump tweet, with “Liz” side by side with “Pocahontas.”

If “Liz” isn’t necessarily a sneer, why do some outlets and figures treat it like one? Why is a nickname a dirty secret? The tone is reminiscent of the glee conservatives took in dressing down Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez as “Sandy” earlier this year. Using a diminutive can be a way of talking down to someone, and when that someone is a woman, the gender component can’t be set aside. “Sandy” and “Liz” become code for “little girl” and all the immaturity and frivolity that implies. “Are they using it to make her seem less … serious? Accomplished?” asked Liz B., comparing “Liz” use to the way “honey” and “sweetie” are employed to condescend.

more
https://slate.com/human-interest/2019/03/elizabeth-warren-liz-conservative-nickname-sexism.html

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
11 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
 

madaboutharry

(40,151 posts)
1. They use it to diminish her.
Tue Jun 11, 2019, 09:15 AM
Jun 2019

They shorten her name into a nickname to diminish her gravitas. It is just more juvenile behavior from republicans. What else is new!

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 
4. Same reason they call it the "Democrat Party" and Fat Donnie calls the Speaker of the House
Tue Jun 11, 2019, 09:24 AM
Jun 2019

"Nancy." it serves to diminish them.

Dubya used to do the same thing by referring to people by derogatory nicknames (eg., "Turd Blossom" for Karl Rove) rather than their names

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Turbineguy

(37,208 posts)
2. They have to drag everybody down
Tue Jun 11, 2019, 09:21 AM
Jun 2019

to their level.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

lark

(23,003 posts)
3. Wow, guess I was severely out of the loop.
Tue Jun 11, 2019, 09:24 AM
Jun 2019

I thought it was an affectionate nickname and so was using it like said Hillary in 2016 and not always Secretary Clinton. I really like Senator Warren a lot and would love to vote for her if she's our nominee. In fact, if Joe falters, she's my top choice. WEll, I hope my casualness didn't offend anyone and I will stop referring to her as Liz unless she puts that on her signs first.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

mtnsnake

(22,236 posts)
5. I think the author is trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill
Tue Jun 11, 2019, 09:37 AM
Jun 2019

I have often heard plenty of Democrats and other of Elizabeth Warren's fans refer to her as Liz, so I don't think the author knows what the hell she it talking about.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

MineralMan

(146,192 posts)
6. Many Elizabeth's Prefer "Beth" as a nickname.
Tue Jun 11, 2019, 09:53 AM
Jun 2019

Even "Betty." I even know an Elizabeth who likes to be called "Elise." I don't know Elizabeth Warren, so I don't use a nickname to refer to her. I call her Elizabeth Warren or Senator Warren.

That seems to to be a more polite way to refer to her, somehow.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

mtnsnake

(22,236 posts)
8. I'd rather see "Liz" or "Beth" on her political buttons, rather than "Warren"
Tue Jun 11, 2019, 10:00 AM
Jun 2019

Not "Betty" though. Way too old sounding (no offense to any Betty's out there).

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

brooklynite

(93,851 posts)
7. See Ted Kennedy's "Where was George?" speech
Tue Jun 11, 2019, 09:58 AM
Jun 2019
BUSH LASHES BACK AT KENNEDY TAUNT

Vice President Bush, who has been trailed by the question ''Where was George?'' since Senator Edward M. Kennedy first raised it mockingly at the Democratic convention, struck back today by saying he had been home with his wife.

On placards here today and in heckling here and elsewhere in recent weeks, Mr. Bush's opponents have taken up the question that Mr. Kennedy used to depict Mr. Bush as the missing man of the Reagan Administration.

https://www.nytimes.com/1988/09/03/us/bush-lashes-back-at-kennedy-taunt.html


Using the first name rather than full name or official title is a standard political tactic to diminish one's opponent.
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

MiniMe

(21,676 posts)
9. Because they know calling her Pocahontas is bad
Tue Jun 11, 2019, 04:47 PM
Jun 2019

So they are trying to give her a nickname other than that.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden

Response to DonViejo (Original post)

 

GulfCoast66

(11,949 posts)
11. We all know why. Same reason so many right wing pundits called President Obama,
Tue Jun 11, 2019, 09:02 PM
Jun 2019

Barak Hussein Obama.

They are racist and misogynistic.

I call my wife a 3 letter shortened version of her 8 letter name. As do a few of our Closest friends.

If a male boss used that name it would be a clearly misogynist move.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»Democratic Primaries»Why Are Conservatives So ...