Question

We all have a first name and a last name, or family name. But for many of us, it doesn't stop there. 1. They mostly come from our real names.

Some of them are obvious (明顯的): Tom is short for Thomas; Sam is short for Samuel. 2. Take the name William as an example. It can be shortened to Will, and also Bill. 3. During the Middle Ages, people liked to change letters to make names easier to pronounce. For example, a hard consonant (輔音) like Bis clearer than soft ones like W. Bill sounds much clearer than Will. Interestingly, the people of England even called King Wiliam III, who ruled in the 17th century, "King Billy".

Richard has also been a popular name in England for centuries. It was commonly shortened to Richand Rick to save time. 4. So Rick became Dick. This nickname became so popular that it included in an idiom. "Every Tom, Dick and Harry" means everybody!

5. England has had eight king Henrys. Yet most of them preferred to be called Harry. It is a tradition that continues today. The British Prince Harry's real name is Henry. I wonder if Harry Potter's real name is Henry.

A.We also have nicknames.

B.But how does Bill come from William?

C.The most popular name for English kings has been Henry.

D.Also, like the name William, people liked to make rhyming names.

E.Yet there are some nicknames whose origins are more mysterious.

Answer 1