NICKNAMES. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11113, 14 May 1898, Page 3

NICKNAMES. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,— What originates as a nickname in course of time usually becomes a proper name, if it lives. Many names that were opprobrious a few centuries ago are accepted as proper designations to-day. The name " Christian " was at first a "nickname," carrying with it the moat insulting intention ; to-day there is no word to which more honour is attached. The word " Protestant" was first applied in derision, and the person or body of persons against whom it, was used were considered worthy of couternpS; but to-day it is claimed as a proper appellation of all who hold the doctrines of the Reformation. "Lutherans" | was at first an offensive term cast in reproach | upon tha German Protestants—an ill-mannered j nickname employed as an abusive stigma,—yet [it has become the accepted name of a large body of Christians spread all over the world. So also was the term " Calvinist" ; yet to-day men claim that they are Calvinists, though the name has never lost all its offensive significance. The term "Puritan" was at first a nickname, which meant that the person so designated v?as worthy of death; but it lived to become the historical title of the liberating power in England which overcame the paralysing influence of the " divine right of kings." Hence old " nicknames," when in themselves not depicting unworthy tenets or characteristics, live to be crowned with honour and to be employed with reverence. The mischievous tendency of human nature gives to all new movements favourite epithets of ridicule, which often, owing to their aptness for comical description, become the recegcised name of those on whom they were cast as opprobrious distinctions. In English history we first find the term "Papist" used as the opposite of "heretic." When under Hanry VIII both were spoken of as impropar epithets. To the Church of Rome the Protestant was a "heretic"; to the Protes'cani; the member of the Church of Rome was a " Papist." Both terms lived, tho latter fco represent an opponent of the Royal Supremacy ; the former to depict one who denied the Papal Supremacy. They' were short words conveying the full ideas of long phrases, and so grew 'nto common use ; and neither of them is likely to die out or even be kiiled by an Act of Parliament iso long as t,ho keen difference between the two parties is kept alive. In itself the word " Papist" need not be regarded as other ..than suitable to designate one who believea in the infallibility of the Pope, or in the Papal system of ecclesiastical rule. It is etyniologically as proper as Buddhist, Baptist, or Wesleyan, and it is the only short word to convey ita meaning. " Nicknames, which are nothing more, which aro not, and cannot be, honestly applied in a happy sense, should certainly be avoided ; but where snob names have outlived their offensive age, and h*ve become historical nomenclature, the party referred to by them shows the more prudent, part by refusing to take or give offence when they appear; and when writers do not mean to convey the full idea underlying the name they should not use it. The word " Papist" is not, properly speaking, a synonym for Roman Catholic, for when in 1800 Roman Catholic.1? were called upon to sign the " test," those who complied received tbe courteous term of " Roman Catholic" ; thosa i who refused remained " Papists."—l am &0., i Kay 7. Maesden.. j