For some reason, the use of nicknames was
very common in the Pacolet area. It seemed much more widespread than
was the
custom even in other nearby textile communities. The nicknames were
sometimes
acquired when a person was so young that they did not know why they
were
given the nickname or who had first called them that name. More men had
nicknames but some women did have them also. Don Camby has done
research
and put together a remarkable list of these colorful nicknames and who
they
belonged to. Don has identified more than 630 nicknames. We appreciate
him
making these nicknames available for use on this website.
The following is Don's explanation about how his research came about:
I grew up at Pacolet Mills from the time I was born until the
Spring of my Senior year of high school, at which time my family moved
to Pacolet Station. Many times in talking to friends with whom I grew
up, we have remarked on the large number of people who lived there who
had nicknames and that many people did not know the real names of those
with nicknames. Also, we talked about the place names used by the
residents that quite often were not the official place names.
Thanks to the following for their contributions to these lists (which
are not complete by any means): Hurricane, Suitcase, Zip, Pacolet
Blackie, Doolie, Pecker Head, Goose, Gloria, and Gary.
Don Camby
Recently, Garland Smoak has furnished us approximately 60 more
names to add to this list. Most of Garland's names were for folks that
lived in Pacolet Station.
