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HelpRe: Catherine
in reply to a message by Kelly R.
raindancing called it:
elegant traditional and feminine with a rich history of usage
Yeah, agreed. And it is nicer than any of its nicknames.
I have to say, though, that I used to work with a Catherine who preferred to be called that way instead of Cathy.. She was trying to shake her childhood name Cathy off. I found myself thinking (for no apparent reason) that it was cold. I mean, it seemed a little cold to require everyone to say the full three syllable Elegant Traditional Feminine Name; like it was a favor she was asking us to do for her, like she was too important to go by some nickname. It was so much friendlier and warmer to call her Cathy.
I think it's a little bit like going by Elizabeth or Victoria or Gabriella, and specifically refusing Liz, Beth, Vicki, or Gabi.. it seems slightly pretentious or fanciful, in certain contexts. It sounds the way I'd expect actors to talk in a bad historical drama.
I'm sure it's somewhat generational, too, and the fact that she'd been called Cathy before probably made it much more noticeable. Besides, she wasn't the warmest person on the planet herself.
I have no problem with using just Catherine. I like the name, and if a woman was introduced to me as Catherine, I'd not be bothered (although I would notice the formality) - I'd just call her that. I just wanted to point out the one impression I had.
- chazda
elegant traditional and feminine with a rich history of usage
Yeah, agreed. And it is nicer than any of its nicknames.
I have to say, though, that I used to work with a Catherine who preferred to be called that way instead of Cathy.. She was trying to shake her childhood name Cathy off. I found myself thinking (for no apparent reason) that it was cold. I mean, it seemed a little cold to require everyone to say the full three syllable Elegant Traditional Feminine Name; like it was a favor she was asking us to do for her, like she was too important to go by some nickname. It was so much friendlier and warmer to call her Cathy.
I think it's a little bit like going by Elizabeth or Victoria or Gabriella, and specifically refusing Liz, Beth, Vicki, or Gabi.. it seems slightly pretentious or fanciful, in certain contexts. It sounds the way I'd expect actors to talk in a bad historical drama.
I'm sure it's somewhat generational, too, and the fact that she'd been called Cathy before probably made it much more noticeable. Besides, she wasn't the warmest person on the planet herself.
I have no problem with using just Catherine. I like the name, and if a woman was introduced to me as Catherine, I'd not be bothered (although I would notice the formality) - I'd just call her that. I just wanted to point out the one impression I had.
- chazda
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