different between nickname vs johnny

English

Etymology

From Middle English nekename, alteration (due to a rebracketing of an ekename as a nekename) of earlier ekename (“nickname”), from eke (“also, additional”) + name (“name”). Compare Old Norse aukanafn, auknafn, auknefni (“nickname”), Danish øgenavn (“nickname”), and German Low German Ökelname (“nickname”).

For other similar cases of incorrect division, see also apron, daffodil, newt, orange, umpire.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?n?kne?m/

Noun

nickname (plural nicknames)

1. A familiar, invented name for a person or thing used instead of the actual name of the person or thing, often based on some noteworthy characteristic.

2. A familiar, shortened or diminutive name for a person or thing.

Usage notes

Nicknames are often given in quotation marks between the first and last names. For example: Sammy "The Bull" Gravano.

Synonyms

• (familiar invented given name): handle, hypocoristic, moniker, nick, sobriquet, pet name

Descendants

• ? German: Nickname
• ? Japanese: ?????? (nikkun?mu)

Translations

Verb

nickname (third-person singular simple present nicknames, present participle nicknaming, simple past and past participle nicknamed)

1. (transitive) To give a nickname to (a person or thing).

Translations

English

Etymology

Alternative letter-case form of Johnny, diminutive of John.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /?d??ni/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?d??ni/
• Rhymes: -?ni
• Hyphenation: john?ny

Noun

johnny (plural johnnies)

1. (Britain, slang) A condom.
2. (New Zealand, derogatory) An inexperienced new worker, usually an immigrant.
   • 1913, Katherine Mansfield, "Millie":

     Willie Cox said they found him in the barn, shot bang through the head, and the young English johnny who'd been on the station learning farming - disappeared.

3. A hospital gown: a gown with a back opening closed with snaps or ties, worn by hospital patients.
   • 1991, Stephen King, Needful Things

     His hand shook. A little water spilled down the front of the hospital johnny Sean wore.

4. (US, slang, dated) Synonym of john: a toilet, lavatory, outhouse, or chamber pot.
   • 1935, John O'Hara, BUtterfield 8, Ch. ix, page 279:

     The women's toilet (as distinguished from the ladies' room in a speakeasy, the johnny at school, the little girls' room at a party in an apartment, and the wash-my-hands on a train) was clean enough.

   • 1935, John O'Hara, Appointment in Samarra, Ch. iv, page 98:

     Kitty Hofman came in the johnny.

Synonyms

• (condom): See Thesaurus:condom
• (place or device for urination and defecation): See Thesaurus:toilet, Thesaurus:bathroom, and Thesaurus:chamber pot