George III, King George (II)[9] Based on comparisons to George III of the United Kingdom, who is often known to Americans simply as "King George" for his association with the American Revolution. The "II" may refer either to Bush's being a successor (though not directly) to a father with the same name (the "first George") or to a misconception that George III was the first English king with that name, thus making Bush the "second."
Article: ?Hey Hey Ho Ho! AWOL Bush Has Got To Go!?, by Mike Hersh, Mar 19, 2003 Often rendered as aWol Bush: referring to an alleged period of unauthorized leave of absence by Bush during his Vietnam War service in the Texas National Guard
Slick Willie[20] Coined by Paul Greenberg, Editorial page editor, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, in 1980 in his return to govern Arkansas.
Teflon Bill[21] Similar to "Teflon Ron" for Ronald Reagan: because none of the scandals afflicting his administration seemed to stick to him personally.
Klinton[24] A name used by Clinton detractors from all sides of the political spectrum to evoke German orthography, therefore painting Clinton as a Nazi.
Poppy[27] Family nickname used within his personal circle rather than publicly
George II, Bush 41, [28]Bush the Elder, [29] and Papa Bush[5] Only applied to him after his son became president, in order to distinguish between the two of them
The Résumé Candidate[30] An expression which suggests that he had a good record of public service but lacked popular appeal
The Wimp President[31] Given to him by Newsweek in 1988. In June 1991, Bush remarked that he would "never forgive" the magazine for their insult
?Daily Past.com: Bringing the Past to Life (http://www.dailypast.com/historical-figures/ronald-reagan4.shtml) features Ronald Reagan among its ?Historical Figures? and has a paragraph entitled, ?"The Great Prevaricator" And Other Criticisms?.
The ?New Partisan: A Journal of Culture, Arts and Politics? (http://www.newpartisan.com/home/2004/06/09/the-great-communicator-and-the-great-prevaricator.html) has an article (06.09.2004) by Russ Smith entitled, ?The Great Communicator and the Great Prevaricator? in which Reagan is discussed. Columbia University Press?s website (http://www.columbia.edu/cu/cup/publicity/collinsexcerpt.html) has an article by Robert M. Collins called ?Transforming America: Politics and Culture During the Reagan Years? in which he writes that in the wake of Reagan?s funeral, ?My own thoroughly congenial across-the-street neighbor in a distinctly modest, middle-class neighborhood in our medium-sized, Midwestern university town Introduction wrote a letter to the editor of the local paper at the time of Reagan's funeral indicting "the Great Prevaricator" for a similar litany of crimes?. Time Magazine online has an article by George J. Church (October 11, 1982) entitled ?Taking Aim at Reagan? (http://www.time.com/time/magazine/printout/0,8816,922985,00.html) in which he writes, ?Democrats readily accepted the challenge. The party's national chairman, Charles Manatt, charged that Reagan had changed from the Great Communicator to "the Great Prevaricator."?The Leiter Reports (an online ?blog? group headed by Brian Leiter) carried an article (http://webapp.utexas.edu/blogs/archives/bleiter/001407.html) on June 06, 2004, entitled, ?The Reagan Presidency Remembered? which stated that: ?The comments of right-wing bloggers were predictable ? their penchant for hagiography and myth-making about "the Great Communicator" [or "the Great Prevaricator" as his critics often called him] fit the occasion? A less-complimentary play on his "Great Communicator" nickname
Review of the book, From Camelot to the Teflon President: Economics and Presidential Popularity Since 1960 (Contributions in Political Science) by David J. Lanoue (Greenwood Press, October 20 1988, ISBN-10: 0313263930,
ISBN-13: 978-0313263934): ?and concluding with a look at Ronald Reagan, who has often been termed the "Teflon President." or Teflon Ron[21] Because none of the scandals during his administration seemed to stick to him.
Jimmy[40] First President to use his nickname in an official capacity. He was known as ?Jimmy Carter?, ?James Earl Carter?, or ?James Earl Carter, Jr.?. He was never called ?James Carter? or ?James E. Carter?
Proceedings of the 2002 Conference of the Australian Linguistic Society, The Semantics of Nicknames of the American Presidents by Anna Gladkova of the Australian National University and Nizhny Novgorod Linguistic University, Russia Refers to one of his pre-presidential occupations
(http://www.commonconservative.com/parent/parent050.html), The Real Jimmy Carter (http://www.papillonsartpalace.com/rejal.htm) - a reference to his speech on July 15. 1979, where he talked about a "crisis of confidence," and alluded that the US was in decline. Three days after the speech, Carter asked for the resignations of all of his Cabinet officers, and ultimately accepted five. By asking the entire Cabinet, it gave the appearance that the White House was falling apart.
Jerry[45] Usually, "Jerry" is short for Jeremiah, Jeremy, or Jerome, while Gerald or Gerard are normally shortened to "Gerry". For some reason, "Jerry" Ford was an exception to this rule.
The Accidental President[46] Uniquely, Ford was never elected to the presidency or vice-presidency. He was appointed by Nixon as vice-president from the House of Representatives after the resignation of Vice President Agnew, and inherited the presidency upon Nixon's resignation. He lost his only presidential campaign to Jimmy Carter after inheriting the presidency.
Mr. Nice Guy[47] Because of his clean-cut and non-partisan image
Dick[49] When he announced his (short-lived) retirement from politics after failing to become Governor of California in 1962, he told the media, "You won't have Dick Nixon to kick around any more".
Richard the Chicken-Hearted[43] For his refusal to face his Democratic opponent, Hubert Humphrey, in debate during the 1968 election campaign.
The Mad Bomber[52] Reference to Nixon's large-scale bombing of Cambodia, Laos, and North Vietnam during the Vietnam War; this was partly a self-cultivated image, intended to inspire fear in the leaders of North Vietnam (and other countries) in order to achieve a peace agreement on terms favorable to the United States.
The Mad Monk[53] Given to him by White House aide John Ehrlichman and alluded to in the television series, "Washington Behind Closed Doors" (Paramount, 1977) by the Nixon-equivalent character being named "Richard Monckton"[54].
Iron Butt[55] Law school nickname because he studied so hard
Gloomy Gus[56] Another nickname awarded by his fellow students at Duke University Law School, referring to his serious nature
He liked to be known by this abbreviation, which was used in the slogan, "All the way with L.B.J." Coincidentally, when he married Claudia Taylor, who had been nicknamed Lady Bird since infancy, her initials also became L.B.J. Their two daughters Lynda Bird and Luci Baines shared the initials, and he even called his dog "Little Beagle Johnson".
Landslide Lyndon[58] Sarcastic reference to the hotly-disputed 87-vote win that took him to the Senate in 1949
Light-Bulb Lyndon[59] Nicknamed so because he hated wasted electricity, and would often storm around the White House shutting off unnecessary lights.
J.F.K.[61] Most prominent nickname and abbreviation of his full name.
Jack[62] Kennedy was usually referred to as either "John F. Kennedy" or "Jack Kennedy", only very rarely as "John Kennedy"
The King of Camelot[27] Two weeks after Kennedy?s assassination, his wife, Jacqueline, revealed that the score from the 1960 musical Camelot, had been one of her husband?s favorites to listen to. Parallels were then drawn between the ?one brief shining moment? of King Arthur?s reign (in the musical) and the mood of idealism and optimism that had characterized Kennedy?s presidency [63]
Give 'Em Hell Harry[43] At a whistle-stop tour during the 1948 election campaign, someone in the crowd shouted out to Truman, "Give 'em hell, Harry!". The phrase stuck as a nickname, with the missing comma turning the proposition into an adjective. Truman's oft-cited take on this nickname and his opponents was, "I just told the truth, and they thought it was hell."
Haberdasher Harry[43] One of his several pre-presidential occupations
The Great Engineer and The Great Humanitarian[72][27] He was a civil engineer of some distinction and when the Mississippi burst its banks in 1927, engulfing thousands of acres of agricultural land, he volunteered his services and did extensive flood control work
Hoo-Yah and Really Damn[73] Two nicknames that he picked up while in China
Herbie[74] In the Broadway musical Annie, he is called Herbie by homeless people living in shanties after the stock market crash in the song 'We'd Like To Thank You, Herbert Hoover'
Silent Cal[43] The story goes that a woman once approached Coolidge and told him that she had bet her friends that she would get the President to say at least three words to her. His reply was, "You lose".
Cool Cal[75] His reelection campaign used the slogan, "Keep It Cool With Coolidge"
The Coiner of Weasel Words[30] ?In 1916, Theodore Roosevelt accused President Woodrow Wilson of "weasel words", meaning that words from which the original meaning had been sucked?.[77]
The Phrase-Maker[78] As an acclaimed historian, Wilson had no need of speech-writers to supply his oratorical eloquence
Big Bill[27] Taft was the heaviest U. S. President in history. A poster for his first election campaign showed Taft and his running mate James S. Sherman, with the slogan, "Big Bill and Smilin' Jim ? A Winning Combination". He was normally known as ?William Howard Taft? or informally as ?Bill Taft?. He was never called ?William Taft? or ?William H. Taft?
Godknows Taft[70] In 1912, reporters asked him, ?What is a man to do who is out of work and starving?? His answer (criticized by some people as clueless or heartless) was, ?God knows. I don?t.?[81]
Proceedings of the 2002 Conference of the Australian Linguistic Society, The Semantics of Nicknames of the American Presidents by Anna Gladkova of the Australian National University and Nizhny Novgorod Linguistic University, Russia
Trustbuster Teddy[27] For his antitrust legistlation. He hated this one because he thought it made him sound too radical
The Rough Rider[43] He raised and commanded a cavalry regiment nicknamed "The Rough Riders" in the Spanish-American War. He was also known as "The Colonel" due to his rank in that war, and preferred this nickname.
Roosevelt I[30] Given retroactively once F.D.R. had become president
The Cyclone Assemblyman[84] Elected to the New York State Assembly at only 23, he campaigned energetically against political corruption and for civil service reform, becoming minority leader within a year
Proceedings of the 2002 Conference of the Australian Linguistic Society, The Semantics of Nicknames of the American Presidents by Anna Gladkova of the Australian National University and Nizhny Novgorod Linguistic University, Russia From the 1888 election campaign song, "Grandfather's Hat Fits Ben", which suggested that he was a worthy successor to his grandfather, William Henry
The White House Iceberg[27] or The Human Iceberg[92] Although he could warmly engage a crowd with his speeches, he was a very cold fish when you met him one-on-one
?The wearing of kid gloves to protect his hands from skin infection earned him the nickname of "Kid Gloves" Harrison?. He was prone to skin infection and often wore kid gloves to protect his hands
Little Ben[43] Although, at 5"6, he was only slightly below average height
The Front Porch Campaigner[94] During the 1888 election, he gave nearly ninety speeches from his front porch to crowds gathered in the yard of his Indianapolis home. This nickname has been widely but erroneously attributed to William McKinley
Profiles of US Presidents, Grover Cleveland, A Swift Rise to the Presidency, First Presidential Term,
?The Republicans countered by calling Cleveland "the hangman of Buffalo" because, while sheriff, he had personally hanged two criminals rather than turn the task over to an assistant?.
Website: ?VitaminQ ? a temple of trivia lists and curious words? (http://www.vitaminq.blogspot.com/2003_01_01_vitaminq_archive.html) As Sheriff of Erie County, New York, which has Buffalo as its county seat, he had personally hanged two men
His Obstinacy[96] or The Veto President[30] He vetoed more bills than the first 21 presidents combined
Humanities Web, History, Grover Cleveland, Biography, ?Still more salacious allegations followed: in the election of 1888, Republicans spread false rumors that Cleveland beat his wife, leading to the epithet "the Beast of Buffalo."? Because of false rumors that he was a wife beater, spread by political opponents during the 1888 election
Grover Cleveland and the 1892 Election, 1997, by Cliff Vaughn, ?Courting everyone from eastern capitalists to southerners, Cleveland used the press as a public relations tool. However, he fought an uphill battle since the editors of papers such as the Washington Post and New York Sun derided him on account of his weight, publicly referring to him as "the Stuffed Prophet" and "the elephantine economist"?.) and The Elephantine Economist[99] Given to him by hostile newspapers during the 1892 presidential election, by which time his weight had gone up to 250 pounds
The Perpetual Candidate[27] Because he ran in three successive presidential elections
Proceedings of the 2002 Conference of the Australian Linguistic Society, The Semantics of Nicknames of the American Presidents by Anna Gladkova of the Australian National University and Nizhny Novgorod Linguistic University, Russia
The Gentleman Boss[27], Elegant Arthur[27], Prince Arthur[101], and The Dude President[102] He was renowned for his fancy attire and indulgence in extravagant luxury
Proceedings of the 2002 Conference of the Australian Linguistic Society, The Semantics of Nicknames of the American Presidents by Anna Gladkova of the Australian National University and Nizhny Novgorod Linguistic University, Russia
Old Eight-to-Seven[43] In the wake of Hayes' disputed election victory, Congress set up an electoral commission to investigate alleged misconduct by the Hayes camp. The commission comprised eight of Hayes' fellow Republicans and seven opposition Democrats, and it found in Hayes' favor by eight votes to seven. The resulting controversy led to the Compromise of 1877
Granny Hayes[105] and Queen Victoria in Riding Breeches[106]
The Stanford Daily, February 16 2007, ?Hayes: He?s no ?fraud? in the art of love? by Kat Lewin (http://www-daily.stanford.edu/article/2007/2/16/hayesHesNoFraudInTheArtOfLove
?President Hayes did not drink, smoke, or gamble. His critics derisively called him ?Granny? Hayes and ?Queen Victoria in breeches.?? Search View: Rutherford B. Hayes ? MSN Encarta (http://encarta.msn.com/text_761560844__1/Rutherford_B_Hayes.html) Hayes did not drink, smoke, or gamble, and, together with his temperance-supporting wife, "Lemonade Lucy", maintained a very strait-laced White House ? much to the disgust of some members of Washington society
Unconditional Surrender Grant[109] His uncompromising demand for unconditional surrender during the Battle of Fort Donelson in 1862 got a lot of favorable publicity. The fact that his initials suggested the words "unconditional surrender" led to it being used as a nickname
The American Caesar[43] Honoring his role in the Union victory in the American Civil War
Proceedings of the 2002 Conference of the Australian Linguistic Society, The Semantics of Nicknames of the American Presidents by Anna Gladkova of the Australian National University and Nizhny Novgorod Linguistic University, Russia Johnson acquired this nickname after he tried to give a speech at his inauguration as vice-president in a less than sober state.
Association of Lincoln Presenters, Lincoln Quotes, ?LINCOLN had many nicknames such as Honest Abe, the Railsplitter, the Liberator, the Emancipator, the Ancient One, the Martyr?. For the emancipation of the slaves
Proceedings of the 2002 Conference of the Australian Linguistic Society, The Semantics of Nicknames of the American Presidents by Anna Gladkova of the Australian National University and Nizhny Novgorod Linguistic University, Russia In his last year before leaving Indiana for Illinois, he operated a ferry over the Ohio River
The Rail-Splitter[43] Because he ran as a third party candidate (the new Republican Party), "splitting" the Whig Party and, supposedly, ensuring Democratic victory.
The Sage of Springfield[27] Lincoln was born in Kentucky and brought up in Indiana: but Springfield, Illinois, had been his home since the age of 23
The Abolition Emperor[114] and King Linkum the First[115] Criticizing his curtailments of civil liberties during the war of 1861?65
The Original Gorilla[27]The Orangutan in the White House[115] References both to his supposed backwoods uncouthness and his rough-hewn looks
The Slave Hound from Illinois[116] Given to him by William Lloyd Garrison, a radical abolitionist who felt that Lincoln was "soft" on slavery. A slave hound was a dog used to hunt down runaway slaves
Father Abraham[115] and Uncle Abe[117] Lincoln was a kind and friendly man who in his later years came across as avuncular
Association of Lincoln Presenters, Lincoln Quotes, ?LINCOLN had many nicknames such as Honest Abe, the Railsplitter, the Liberator, the Emancipator, the Ancient One, the Martyr?. A nickname favored by White House insiders because of his "ancient wisdom"
SparkNotes: Today?s Most Popular Study Guides, Abraham Lincoln Study Guide, 1862-1864 ? Part 2
?During a time of war, the executive always plays a stronger role than usual, and Lincoln was no exception to this rule. His uncompromising style as commander- in-chief, coupled with his ambitious domestic program to preserve and further the Union, earned him the nickname of "the tycoon".? For the energetic and ambitious conduct of his Civil War administration
Ten-Cent Jimmie[27] A reference to his notorious claim during the 1856 election campaign that ten cents a day was enough for a working man to live on[122]
Encyclopedia Britannica India, Born on this day, James Buchanan April 23 1791
?During the [1856 election] campaign Republican speakers harped on Buchanan's seemingly heartless statement that ten cents a day was adequate pay for a workingman. They jeered him as "Ten-Cent Jimmy."?
Young Hickory of the Granite Hills[123] "Young Hickory" compared his military deeds (in the Mexican-American War) with those of Andrew Jackson. "The Granite Hills" were his home state of New Hampshire
Handsome Frank[43] He is said to have found this reference to his good looks acutely embarrassing
The Fainting General[124] A sneering reference by political opponents to an incident during a Mexican War battle when an artillery blast blew the saddle off Pierce's horse and drove the saddle-horn hard into his abdomen, causing him to lose consciousness for a few minutes
The Hero of a Well-Fought Bottle[125] Another less than flattering name hurled at Pierce during the 1852 campaign on his lack of military valor and known drinking problem
His Accidency[43] He was the first V.P. to succeed to the presidency due to the death of his predecessor
The President without a Party[131] Soon after he took office, he so alienated his Whig Party that they disowned him, refused to work with him, his (Whig) Cabinet resigned, and started a riot on the White House lawn.
Traitor Tyler[70] He was elected as a Whig Vice President, but after William Henry Harrison's death, it soon became clear that Tyler had no sympathy with that party's policies
Proceedings of the 2002 Conference of the Australian Linguistic Society, The Semantics of Nicknames of the American Presidents by Anna Gladkova of the Australian National University and Nizhny Novgorod Linguistic University, Russia The famous log cabin campaign that brought him to the White House contrasted Harrison the tough Westerner with Van Buren the effete patroon. In reality, Harrison came from a more privileged background than Van Buren
The Cincinnatus of the West[43] Comparing him both to the original Cincinnatus and to George Washington, who was styled "The American Cincinnatus"
All About Stuff, Presidential Nicknames by Brian H. Scott Comparing him to the French statesman, Prince Talleyrand, who was considered to be the last word in deviousness
Old Hickory[43] During the Creek War of 1813?14, neither illness nor injuries would stop him taking the field to lead his men against the enemy. His troops responded by comparing him to hickory, which is among the hardest of woods
The Hero of New Orleans[27] Commemorating his victory over a British force in January 1815 during the War of 1812
King Andrew the First[43] His far-reaching programs seemed to some people execessive use of presidential powers
Proceedings of the 2002 Conference of the Australian Linguistic Society, The Semantics of Nicknames of the American Presidents by Anna Gladkova of the Australian National University and Nizhny Novgorod Linguistic University, Russia
The Last of the Cocked Hats[43] He still wore a tricorne long after it gone out of fashion
James the Second[138] His immediate predecessor, Madison, was also called James
James the Lesser[139] The suggestion being that James Madison was the more effective president of the two
The Era of Good Feelings President[140] "The Era of Good Feelings" was the period following the War of 1812, during which America became less divided politically, to the extent that the only opponents of the ruling Democratic Republicans, the Federalist Party, went out of existence. It was not until resistance to Andrew Jackson's policies produced the Whig Party that oppositional politics resumed in the United States
The Fugitive President[142] During the War of 1812, a British army occupied Washington and Madison was forced to flee the White House
Little Jemmy[143] or His Little Majesty[143] At only 5' 4", he was the smallest president ever. The average adult male American at the beginning of the 19th century was about 5' 8" ? an inch and a half shorter than today
1889, reprinted Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. 1959. pp. 72?76.
[Mercer county]. Samuel McDowell of Mercer County, Kentucky, ?With unimpeached probity, and the utmost fidelity, he discharged the duties of the position during the remainder
of the first and all of the second term of Washington, all that of John Adams, and part of that of Jefferson. He could not swerve from his devotion to the Federalism of Washington to secure the good will of "the apostle of Democracy," and was by him dismissed, and Colonel Crockett appointed as his successor?.
The Pen of the Revolution[43] Complementing George Washington, who was called the "Sword of the Revolution"
?John Adams from Massachusetts, helped to write the Declaration of Independence. He was a patriot lawyer who earned the name "Old sink or swim." He got the name because he said, To sink or swim, to live or die, survive or perish with my country. He was in total opposition to Great Britain from the very beginning and vowed when the Stamp Act was put into place that he would never be a slave!? For the speech in which he vowed "To sink or swim; to live or die; survive or perish with my country"
Proceedings of the 2002 Conference of the Australian Linguistic Society, The Semantics of Nicknames of the American Presidents by Anna Gladkova of the Australian National University and Nizhny Novgorod Linguistic University, Russia
Proceedings of the 2002 Conference of the Australian Linguistic Society, The Semantics of Nicknames of the American Presidents by Anna Gladkova of the Australian National University and Nizhny Novgorod Linguistic University, Russia
His Excellency[159] An unofficial title used to honor Washington during his presidency, although he preferred the less exalted "Mr. President"
Named after his maternal uncle, Harrison Young; the middle initial represents both "Shippe", after his paternal grandfather, Anderson Shippe Truman; and "Solomon", after his maternal grandfather, Solomon Young. It is generally accepted that the exact name which is abbreviated is undetermined, so that in effect the 'S' stood for nothing but S. Truman's "full name" could be regarded as "Harry S Truman" (without the period), but he did not sign his name that way. Examination of official papers at the Truman Presidential Library reveal that the S. is generally written with a period.
About a month after birth, he was originally named Hiram Ulysses Grant, Hiram was his maternal grandfather and Ulysses a Greek hero from mythology. He informally went by his middle name. When enrolling at West Point, congressional sponsor accidentally wrote his name as Ulysses Simpson Grant; Simpson was his mother?s maiden name. The school would not allow Grant to enroll by any other name than that which his sponsor had filled out, so Grant went along with the change. Furthermore, Grant was pleased with the change because he had disliked the fact that his original initials spelled "HUG."
Seventeen of the 42 presidents to date have no known middle name.
Franklin Pierce is sometimes referred to as, "Franklin K. Pierce"[160][161]: the 'K' possibly standing for his mother's maiden name of Kendrick. However, there is no evidence that Pierce was given a middle name at birth or ever used a middle name or middle initial.
Several Presidential middle names were originally surnames: Baines, Birchard, Delano, Fitzgerald, Walker, Knox, Milhous, Quincy, and Simpson, et al. Most of these were the President's mother's maiden name.
Gerald Rudolph Ford was born Leslie Lynch King, Jr. therefore giving him the middle name of Lynch before his mother remarried when he was three years old; his name was not legally changed until 1935 while in law school.
Harry S. Truman's middle name was only an initial; the "S" didn't stand for another name. Nevertheless he signed his name using the period after the letter.
Only three of the ten most common surnames (Smith, Johnson, Williams, Jones, Brown, Davis, Miller, Wilson, Moore, and Taylor) in the United States have been the surnames of Presidents (Johnson, Andrew and Lyndon; Wilson, Woodrow; and Taylor, Zachary).
"Juniors"
Eleven presidents were complete namesakes of their fathers':
Andrew Jackson (Pres. Andrew Jackson was the exact namesake of his own father, "Andrew Jackson," who died a few days after Jackson's birth; yet it is Pres. Jackson's own adopted son who is known to history as "Andrew Jackson, Jr.")[162]
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