Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumWhy 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 -- DonThe Lizzes of America weigh in.
By HEATHER SCHWEDEL
MARCH 21, 2019 11:53 AM
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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 dont 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 dont go by Liz with anyone.
Warrens campaign confirmed to me that some friends and people in Warrens life are indeed on a Liz basis with the senator, though in all professional and official contexts, shes always been Elizabeth. Then again, its certainly not unprecedented in politics to call someone something other than what she calls herselfremember Slick Willie? As Liz B., a New Yorkbased Liz who didnt want to use her full name to protect her internet privacy, told me, I dont think famous people, including political leaders, really get to say what people call them.
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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 Townhallall 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 isnt 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 cant 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
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
madaboutharry
(40,151 posts)They shorten her name into a nickname to diminish her gravitas. It is just more juvenile behavior from republicans. What else is new!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
LastLiberal in PalmSprings
(12,538 posts)"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
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Turbineguy
(37,208 posts)to their level.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
lark
(23,003 posts)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.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
mtnsnake
(22,236 posts)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.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)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.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
mtnsnake
(22,236 posts)Not "Betty" though. Way too old sounding (no offense to any Betty's out there).
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
brooklynite
(93,851 posts)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.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
MiniMe
(21,676 posts)So they are trying to give her a nickname other than that.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Response to DonViejo (Original post)
CTyankee This message was self-deleted by its author.
GulfCoast66
(11,949 posts)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.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden