What's in a name?
Submitted by skywriter on Fri, 07/03/2009 - 20:16.
Does anyone else out there detest the nickname "SuBo" as much as I do? I'm so tired of reading, "affectionately dubbed 'SuBo' by her fans." No, we didn't, the tabloids did that--I suspect to be catchy and save themselves headline space. But there's something else at work here, and it isn't affection.
"Brangelina," "Octomom," "Tomkat," "BAM," (for Obama)...when the tabloid press renames the people it writes about, it claims the power to define them. A nickname makes readers feel all cozy and familiar, as if they're part of the celebrity's world. It's false and manipulative, usually disrespectful, and always serves the media's purpose. "SuBo" works so well with Rambo, right? Lots of possibilities there.
When fans do it, the nicknames actually are affectionate: "the Divine Miss M" comes to mind. "Lady Susan," "Susan, Queen of Scots," and (my personal favorite) "The Scot heard 'round the world," are sweet and fun. But "SuBo" isn't. It's just another derogatory label, like virgin, spinster, hairy angel, brain damaged..."Susie Simple."
Maybe she's tired of nicknames. Maybe we should just call her "Susan"--and suggest that reporters call her "Miss Boyle."
top: Susan Boyle Fan Club
Active forum topics
- Contact Susan Boyle
- Welcome to Susan Boyle Fan Club
- Susan Boyle will sing for Pope during UK visit
- Susan Boyle, Eminem continue Billboard chart battle
- (pics) SuBo's at Barrowland
- Boyle's Now a Prisoner of Her Own Fame
- Susan Boyle picks unknown American mother for album duet after online talent search
- Susan Boyle to Get a Christmas Makeover!
- Boyle, Beatle feature on ‘Glee’
- Susan Boyle finally buys her old home
- Susan Boyle to be a Madame Tussauds waxwork
- BEAUTIFUL NEW VIDEO FOR FANS-"Letter To Susan"
- Susan's Dream: a song ABOUT Susan Boyle
- Sources: Susan Boyle Recording Christmas Album
- TV presenter calls Susan Boyle ‘retarded’
- Adam Lambert disses Susan Boyle’s album
- Susan Boyle Launches Own Singing Competition
- SHARON OSBOURNE FINALLY SAYS SHE’S SORRY ABOUT SUSAN BOYLE COMMENT
- Susan Boyle has no idea what she's worth
- Henry hit again for 'retard' insult
Re: What's in a name?
eyem4u I totally agree. Our Susan is a LADY and deserves to be addressed with respect.
Re: What's in a name?
Oh, I am sooo glad to hear I am not the only one who detests the nicknames given her. Let the culprits no we don't like it!
Re: What's in a name?
Hi Skywriter,
Couldn't agree with you more! Someone posted on another Susan fan site that 'Subo' sounded more like the name of a Japanese wrestler and she is right! How stupid is that nickname? And, yes, the press is mostly responsible for these dumb nicknames. Anything to grab a headline.
Susan is Susan and always will be as far as I am concerned. She has earned the respect and admiration of fans all around the world and she should not be subjected to such horrible tags as 'hairy angel' (how totally disgusting!).
Christine in Quebec
Re: What's in a name?
Thanks, Chriscats. Yeah, a Japanese wrestler--exactly what "SuBo" sounds like.
Re: What's in a name?
I have hated the nickname since the first time I heard it. It seemed like a tabloid invention, like that offensive and deadful "Hairy Angel"--what fan would ever have come up with that?
But I have heard, on some of the videos, fans in the audience screaming things like "You go, Subo!" So it clearly has caught on with some, and I am afraid it may be too late to reverse the tide.
I would suggest not using it, however, at least until we hear from her own lips that she likes it. She may be thrilled to have a non-demeaning nickname. If you've lived with Simple Susan and Hairy Angel, Subo might seem like the quintessence of cool!
Rev. Judy
Post new comment