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."