Accessibility links
Writer Laments the Demise of the Nickname Newsweek writer Devin Gordon says that today's nicknames — A-Rod, T-Mac and Dice-K — don't hold a candle to old classics — Splendid Splinter, the Say Hey Kid, and Mr. October. Gordon says President Bush, the country's "nicknamer in chief," is to blame for setting a particularly low standard.
Special Series

The Opinion Page

Every Monday, Talk of the Nation hosts a discussion with the author of a provocative op-ed.

Writer Laments the Demise of the Nickname

Heard on Talk of the Nation

Listen to this 'Talk of the Nation' topic

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/11829303/11829309" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Newsweek writer Devin Gordon says that today's nicknames — A-Rod, T-Mac and Dice-K — don't hold a candle to old classics — Splendid Splinter, the Say Hey Kid, and Mr. October. Gordon says President Bush, the country's "nicknamer in chief," is to blame for setting a particularly low standard.

Devin Gordon, senior writer, Newsweek

Special Series

The Opinion Page

Every Monday, Talk of the Nation hosts a discussion with the author of a provocative op-ed.