Function and Fun in Utah - Danish Nicknames

Utah Historical Quarterly

Vol. 39, 1971, No. 1

Function and Fun in Utah-Danish Nicknames

BY JAMES BOYD CHRISTENSEN

OINCE IT is OFTEN expected by editors and colleagues that a theoretical frame of reference be presented with a paper, the writer followed the worst, but all too common, academic tradition of searching for a framework of theory on which to hang this presentation. It was decided it might support the premise that the Swedes were correct in their derogatory comments on the Danes. However, as the writer was reared in the Danish tradition of this particular case of North Sea Tribalism, his cultural blinders made it necessary to reject this hypothesis. It was then decided the paper supported the basic premise that people tend to call other people by names.

Beginning in the middle 1850s, and for approximately two or three decades following, large numbers of converts to the Mormon church came to Utah from Scandinavia, in fact the immigration continued until well into the twentieth century. While they settled throughout the intermountain area, in one section of central Utah, Sanpete County by name, the Scandinavians, and particularly the Danes, were the predominant ethnic group, and in some settlements, the only one.

In these communities the profusion of Christensens was equalled by a comparable abundance of families named Petersen, Jensen, Thompsen, Nielsen, Sorensen, Andersen, Christiansen, Larsen, Olsen, Madsen, Rasmussen, plus a healthy number named Fjelsted, Beck, Tollstrup, Lund, and a few others that escaped the common "sen" or "son" suffix. This was further complicated by the common use of Peter, Nels, Hans, Jens, Christian, or Andrew as given names.

The problem derived in part from the Scandinavian pattern of naming. Though patronymic, surnames were not always inherited through successive generations in Denmark. For example, a great-grandfather of the writer was Lars Nielsen, while his grandfather was Jens Larsen. In this pattern the son's last name was his father's first name, with the addition of "sen" (son of).

Thus there was a high duplication of surnames and Christian names, and it was common for two or more individuals in the same town, or contiguous towns, to have identical names. For example it was necessary to differentiate between three Peter Jensens, thus Creamery Pete, Danish Pete, and Sorrel Pete; between two Chris Larsens, thus Chris Staff en and Pinchy Chris. It was required that the writer be identified by nickname on occasion. Prior to military service he was Boyd Christensen, one of two by that name in the high school. Thus the writer was Boyd Nickolai and the other Boyd Tight, both being inherited nicknames. Nicknames had the function of aiding in accurate identification, plus permitting the Danes to indulge in their particular brand of humor.

Comments on Utah Danish nicknames were made by Hector Lee in an article on the phenomena in Ephraim, a town in central Sanpete County. The present paper is based primarily on data from south Sanpete County in an area known as Gunnison Valley. This valley, where the writer was born and raised, had a population of under 2,500. The writer also lived in Ephraim for two years, and has chosen some nicknames from there because they are more graphic or explicit than those from Gunnison Valley. Some used here appear in the list from Ephraim published by Lee, but were known to the writer prior to that publication. There was a great deal of interaction between the south and central section of the county, in fact, some of the nicknames given by Lee's informants as being from Ephraim are actually from Gunnison Valley.

While most people accepted their nicknames, it remained a sensitive issue with a few of the targets. The incidents and personal idiosyncracies that gave rise to monikers were often unfortunate, as they were frequently based on human foibles or genetic quirks. Fortunately, time has softened the concern about nicknames, as many of the original bearers are deceased, and succeeding generations do not take umbrage at the inherited monikers. New nicknames do not appear to have gained widespread adoption to the same degree as they did in the past.

Nicknames from central Utah can be classed into five categories. These are (1) physical characteristics, (2) personal traits or idiosyncracies, (3) occupations, (4) residence, and (5) of necessity a miscellaneous category. No attempt is made here to use or list all known nicknames from Gunnison, and only those where the origin is known have been utilized.

Under physical characteristics we find such names as Big John, Little John, Big Chris, Little Chris, and Chris Tallerass. The latter was an individual who was, in the central Utah vernacular, "six axhandles across the butt." The "taller" is also the local pronunciation of tallow. Big Headed Olsen was so-called because of the size of his cranium rather than attributed vanity. One might also include Peg Leg Nielsen and Peggy Jensen, along with Half Bushel Jensen.

Personal traits or idiosyncratic behavior provides some of the most humorous nicknames, but they also indicate a lack of compassion on the part of the populace, a trait often associated with the use of nicknames no matter what the ethnic group involved. Sorrel Pete Jensen was aptly named, for not only did he always "drive a team of sorrels" but the writer recalls him as having a sorrel beard. Squeaky Bill Andersen had a high, penetrating voice. Pinchy Chris Larsen was a bachelor reportedly fond of tweaking the opposite sex. Bottle John acquired his sobriquet because of a reported penchant for drinking.

To continue this category, Jim Dist Nielson received his name because of his difficulty in pronouncing "this" (e.g., "Do it dist way"). Charley Slobberboos reportedly would inadvertently expectorate slightly when speaking as a result of a lip operation. Toe Paddy Nielsen had a peculiar walk, and Tute Nielsen (said to be a modification of "cute") wore his hair long and claimed cutting it would give him headaches. Lazy Dave was said to be prone to procrastination. Ephraim records Grin Billy, Grinning Moses, and Cross-eyed Mart, all self-explanatory. Bear Killer spoke of his hunting prowess, John Shiner was bald, Perty Pete was a ladies man, and Hell Roarin Johnson exploded occasionally. Ephraim had Andrew Ah Ha, Otto by Yingo, Absolutely Mortensen, and By Frist Hendricksen, while Gunnison Valley added Danish Pete Yo, all nicknames awarded because of the repetitious use of a word or two. The writer has always been curious as to why, in a colony of Danes, one should have been singled out to be called Danish Pete.

Rich Hans in Ephraim and Ray Tight in Gunnison Valley were said to have been accorded their monikers because of penurious behavior, and Flying Hans was always in a hurry. However, research will sometimes bring to light an origin other than one commonly accepted. "Tight" was a modification of "Titus," his father's first name, and Flying Hans was originally accorded the name back in the days of polygamous marriage among the Mormons when he reportedly would ride his horse and buggy at high speed between the houses of his spouses.

Places or area of residence also provided convenient labels. The writer's Aunt Sena was known as Seenie Flat, as she once lived on a flat near the mountains. A canal running into Gunnison was referred to as the city ditch, which gave Teenie City Ditch her name. "Hardscrabble" was a local term used to denote an unfertile area, thus Hardscrabble Olsen got his name from living in such a section. In Ephraim there was "Jensen in the Green House" to differentiate him from "Jensen in the White House." A distant relative of the writer, Chris Cellar Jensen, received his name because his family once lived in a dugout or cellar, a common phenomena for early settlers in the area. Pete Golddigger lived with a prospector in Gunnison, just as Niels Postmaster lived with the postmaster in Ephraim. Residence sometimes gave rise to a new name in Utah, thus a Christensen family from Tollstrup, Denmark, eventually became officially known as Tollstrup.

Nicknames deriving from occupation or avocation were common, but not particularly imaginative. However, the list is indicative of a way of life now past. Thus we find Pig Killer Thompsen, Shoemaker Christiansen, Fiddler Christensen, Bootlegger Jensen, Salt Hans (he sold rock salt for cattle), Sheepherder Mortensen, Miller Hermanson, Miller Jensen, Midwife Taylor, Chris Tinker Madsen, and Carpenter Madsen. However, it was useful to refer to one Chris Nielsen as Little Chris, and another as Chris Blacksmith. Creamery Pete Jensen was differentiated from Sorrel Pete Jensen, for he operated a pick-up station for the farmers who sold cream.

There are many nicknames that do not fit into one of the categories listed, hence the need for a miscellaneous section. Here we can place the pattern of referring to some women by their Christian name combined with that of their spouse, such as Martha Dave, Emmy Hans, and Mary Antone, since their married names of Andersen, Hansen, and Christensen were common. Conversely, we find Sally's Andrew in Ephraim, a case where the distaff side was said to be dominant in the marriage.

A single incident could give rise to an enduring name. While repairing a car a man was heard to address a monkey wrench saying "Take her monk, or Stillson will." "Takermonk" thus became the functional surname for him, his brother, and their families. One nickname from Ephraim that always intrigued the writer was Peep Hole Soren. The name originated during Prohibition when a local druggist was said to mix bath-tub gin in his place of business. Soren Sorensen was reported to have been checking up on this illicit behavior through a small hole in the wall, hence the name. To indicate how thoroughly established these names become, during the Ephraim Centennial parade a float depicted a man peering through a hole at another mixing a container of liquid. The float carried no explanatory signs, nor were any required for the Ephraimites, as the float brought forth gales of laughter and applause.

Childhood incidents that gave rise to nicknames are exemplified by Sweet William, a term of endearment used by his mother, and Al Soup, who acquired his nickname when as a child he brought his mother a dove he had killed and requested she make soup.

A Christian name and initial sometimes achieved the status of a nickname. With a plethora of Hans Hansens in the community there was a need for nicknames such as Flying Hans, Salt Hans, or Alphabet Hansen. One Hans Hansen became universally known as Hans K., adopting his middle initial as the primary mark of identification. In a similar vein, two Jensens were commonly referred to as James S. and James C, although the latter was also called Alphabet Jensen as his name was James C. E. Jensen. To indicate why this practice was functional, when James C. died at home the undertaker, who was not a member of the community, came to pick up James S.

One nickname in Gunnison that had always puzzled the writer was Scrook Knighton, as the Knightons were one of the few families of English derivation in the area, and scruk is Danish for a setting hen. Apparently Henry Knighton, who first bore the nickname was called "Henny" or "Hen," and it was logically changed by the Danes into Scrook.

Today in Sanpete County nicknames have become lineage labels. The descendants of the original recipient still bear the nicknames in many cases. They are normally patronymic, and may be used for several generations. For example, Big Chris, Jimmy Big Chris, and Little Jimmy Big Chris are the accepted terms to identify three generations of Petersens. Where a nickname was well established, as in this case, it replaced the surname as a means of identification for the children, thus in addition to Jimmy Big Chris there was Rosa Big Chris, Hazel Big Chris, etc.

Women, though married, may carry their own patronymic nickname for life. If their spouse has a nickname that is more colorful or better established than their own, they may be identified by his alias, or both. An example of acquiring a nickname through marriage is the daughterin-law of Chris Tallerass. Although she reportedly qualified for the entire nickname, being somewhat steatopygous, out of deference to her sex they dropped the noun from the original and just called her Annie Taller.

The social reality in Sanpete County was that the functional identity was in the nickname. Many were better known by their alias than by their surname, and a significant segment of the community knew them only by their nickname. Newcomers to the valley would have been unlikely to recognize that Mart Stompey, Chris Biddy, Fred Niels Peter, and Will Jensen were siblings.

To illustrate the point, a man once came to town looking for a John Larsen, and requested directions to his house from a resident. He was informed that no such person lived in Centerfield, but a man by that name did live in Hamilton, another part of the valley. Had he asked for John Handy, the sobriquet by which this particular John Larsen was universally known, he would have received a more accurate answer. This John Larsen was also the uncle by marriage of the writer, but he died when the writer was an infant. To illustrate how nicknames were used within the family, the writer was in high school before he knew that the legal name of his aunt was Annie Larsen instead of Annie Handy.

Another story that illustrates that the nickname was the actual or functional cognomen, even to the extent that it is internalized by the bearer, comes from Ephraim. A stranger arrived in town and approached the "spit and whittle" gang, a group of elders occupying what was known locally as the "wise bench." The stranger wanted to know if anyone knew Jacob Jensen, and received a negative answer. When the stranger persisted by indicating that Mr. Jensen was reported as living four blocks east of Main Street, Jake Butcher, one of the old-timers, scratched his head and said, "Hell, that's me!"

Exclusive use of a nickname as opposed to the surname for some individuals in the community may prove embarrassing. There was a case of a horrified mother in Gunnison who heard her child address Mr. Beuregard as Mr. Takermonk, as it was generally accepted that he disapproved of his nickname. However, few resent the use of nicknames, and many use them in personal references in preference to the legal name, as it results in more precise identification. In some cases this may be done in a jocular manner. In the case of the writer, his family nickname is Nickolai, which in one sense is not a nickname, as it was the middle name of his grandfather and father. When he returns to Gunnison Valley, where he has not lived permanently since 1940, it is frequently necessary for him to identify himself as Nickolai as well as Christensen, and since Nickolais are also numerous, his minor lineage may be specified by indicating he is the son of Big John Nickolai.

There is no pattern as to whether nicknames are used with or without the surname in Gunnison Valley, although the Christian name combined with the nickname is most common. For example, the surname of Jensen would be viewed as superfluous when referring to Mart Stompey or Creamery Pete. However, "Peggy" without Jensen, or "Scrook" without Knighton would sound strange to the residents.

In summary, among the Utah Danes the duplication of Christian names and surnames, with some people having identical names, makes utilization of nicknames functional, if not necessary. The invention and conferral of nicknames provide an outlet for their particular brand of humor and a method of poking fun. Monikers are inherited by succeeding generations, and become lineage labels. Once a nickname gains widespread acceptance, the individual and his descendants may become better known by the sobriquet than the legal name.

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