Nicknames tell stories. Typically, the focus is on who coined the tag, and why. But we learn even more about a person from the labels they choose for themselves.
While Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington attributed his nickname to a boyhood pal, young Ellington didn’t need to be reminded of his majesty. See his youthful edict to his family that he was “ze grand, ze great, and ze glorious Duke Ellington.” His sister and parents were allowed to use “Edward,” the formal version of his given name, but not “Eddie.” Bandmates could address him as “the Governor,” “Guv’nor,” or “Guvvy.”
