What's in your nickname?...

Some time ago we were posting our photos here, and I was thinking that it might also be interesting to hear the stories about your nicknames, guys. If anyone wants to explain what his nickname means/what it comes from, feel free to do so!

So, let me do the explaining first.
I'm a linguist, though, so sometimes the explanation could get kinda complicated (beware )

I've been known as Agetian for more than 5 years, it is my first network nickname and my last one (I don't want to adopt a new one). Before I called myself Agetian I used to be known as "MikeDev", which came from 'Mike the Developer' and was non-specific and plain enough. The word 'AGETIAN' itself is a stylized combination from several things:

1) 'AGETIAN' partly takes its root in the English word 'gadget' (modified using a couple simple phonetic transpositions, like dg>g simplification and the loss of the initial consonant), which kinda got there for some reasons:
1.a) In my childhood I was a big fan of Disney's CDRR (Chip&Dale Rescue Rangers) cartoon series, and of the Gadget Hackwrench character in particular.
1.b) Gadget Hackwrench used to be an inventor in that series, and I *am* an inventor in my soul as well, therefore I thought the parallel to be worthy enough to adopt it.
1.c) Since "gadget" in English means "a tool" (and sometimes it's supposed to have some electronics to it as well), and at the same time I like to fix bugs in computer programs, I kind of thought that the transference and incorporation of that meaning into my nickname is also wise and worthy.

Initially, after incorporating 1.a through 1.c into the stem "aget-", I came with a couple possible ways to spell my nickname, and I liked neither of them: (agetar), (agetor), (agetarius), etc. So, I kept searching for additional sources. I wanted my nickname to sound somehow better, so it also partly takes its root in another source:

2) 'AGETIAN' also refers to a red dragon whose name was Agentennemar (I don't remember what book it's from, but it's something FR- or Greyhawk-related). Anyway, observing the similar name in R.A.Salvatore's "The Cleric Quintet" (Fyrentennemar) and observing the way it is made shorter (Fyren), I made the similar transformation with "Agentennemar > Agen". However, Agen sounded very small, so I decided to integrate my previous stem "aget-" into it and see what happens. I expanded the root ('ag- > aget-' in the word "Agen") and got "Ageten". This sounded better, but still wasn't finished from my point of view (the vowel repetition looked pretty bad). On the other hand, I really liked the "-n" ending for some reason (a masculine name ending in some invented fantasy languages, too, like - some elven languages). Therefore, I decided to make yet another transposition there ('-e > -ia' after '-e'). It makes sense (compare: "-en after -ai- in "Mordenkainen"... the reverse will make sense and will sound good, too). That's how I got what I have now: 'Agetian'.

Yes, the explanation sounds complicated, yes, the word has several sources and yes, it is meaningful and, in fact, filled deeply with meaning. And the complicated character of the development of my nickname is also THE reason why I don't want to change it to anything else (everything else will be lacking from the point of view of the meaning).

So, guys, let's hear what you've got!
Of course, if you don't like to comment your nickname, just don't do it!
But if you WANT to, come on - let's hear it!

- Agetian

 

ShiningTed was suggested for me by some ginormous Web presence, Yahoo or MSN or someone (I think it was MSN). It happened as follows:

MSN: What name would you like?

Ted: Ummm, Ted?

MSN: Well, we already have a Ted. How about, ShiningTed?

Ted: Mmm k.

And hence to this day, people still know who MSN are, from their association with my name

 

:imwithstu Yeah, I got mine a similar way, Although it was Yahoo that saw me make the transition between my given name - Alex - to the nickname I have now, being known online as "alex2605972689436" really didn't make much sence to me (as I'd never rembember it anyway!) so I adopted a different spelling of my name, and I think I got the name I wanted - but lost the password - D'oh! As it is Yahoo have lost my password again! Suppose that's what you get when your programmers have doughnuts for brains!

 

Hey, Spike changed his avatar, so I changed mine! This one more closely resembles the guy of the same name, who happens to be a fictional movie character that is a sociopath and murderer. I just found the character very interesting.

(Or is it actually me? Only the shadow knows. )

 

Sorry if I seem fixated on these things, but are you a "she," Cerulean? I only ask because there seem to be so few in this community (Liv notwithstanding), and also because I promise to cut down on the anotomical references when you're around . . . if you are. :blush:

 

Yeah, perfect answer! Now we can get right back to crude! (Seriously, C - it's great to have a gal who's just one of the "guys" here in our midst.)

btw, Spike - that latest Avatar looks pretty cool. :thumbsup: