ADVERTISEMENT

Nicknames can end up being either one of the coolest things about you (imagine someone calling you ‘Wolf’ or ‘Ace’) or so embarrassing that you wish nobody ever ends up hearing them again. There’s a small problem, though: you can’t give yourself a nickname; others do it for you. And you can earn your nickname—whatever it might be—completely by accident, without even knowing that some random action will end up defining you for years, and sometimes even decades, to come.

Reporter and published author Erin Somers, from New York, started up a very fun viral thread over on Twitter when she opened up about her sister’s college friend’s nickname (‘Burgers’) and the reason why he got it. “One time he talked about grilling burgers too enthusiastically. You have to be careful,” Erin warned.

She couldn’t have been more right! Her thread quickly went viral and others started sharing their own tales about weird nicknames and how people got them in the most unusual ways. Scroll down for the best article to start your morning, Pandas, because we’ve collected the most interesting responses to Erin’s tweet for you to enjoy. Upvote the posts you enjoyed the most and, if you’re feeling up to it, tell us all about how you or your friends got your nicknames!

Meanwhile, be sure to check out Bored Panda’s interview about fun and funny nicknames, as well as why we use them with comedy writer and author Ariane Sherine, from London.

More info: Twitter | ESomers.com | Book

#1

Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

pavanwar Report

beesechurger elite
Community Member
4 years ago (edited)

AH I HAVE THIS SAVED BUT IDK HOW TO PUT A PICTURE

View more comments
RELATED:
    #2

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    shrecknet Report

    dream of delusion
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    hey now, Toot is one the most noblest names ever said

    View more comments
    #3

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    AdamSoffrin Report

    InfiniteZero
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    No you can't, Socks.

    View more comments
    #4

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    sterling_penny Report

    Jacob Nunez
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Damn how fast were you running

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    BigGinge61 Report

    Rabbit Lord
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Was his real name George Cercus Clooney? :D

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #6

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    chrisballygk Report

    InfiniteZero
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Plot twist: Neither guy was originally called Paul.

    View more comments
    #7

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    bingomister Report

    Lunar Rat
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    I was called rhubarb for several years by a friend because I once wore a green jumper.

    View more comments
    #8

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    TheBenBrennan Report

    Nathaniel
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    We had a teacher, how this was found I do not know, but this passed on from school year to school year, he once shoplifted some cheese from the supermarket. He was known for generations as cheese thief.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    MagiColbi Report

    Cactus McCoy
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Haha, this one is great.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #10

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    Chris_in_MA Report

    InfiniteZero
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Fair enough. Om nom nom!

    View more comments
    #11

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    drinkfallhealy Report

    InfiniteZero
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Mountainy.

    View more comments
    #12

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    shivshiveshakes Report

    iBlank
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    best to just embrace the nickname when it sticks I guess

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #13

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    mzeiner Report

    iBlank
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    maybe he legally changed his name to Moses so people would start calling him Mike

    View more comments
    #14

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    JenKeaton4 Report

    Daniel Atkins
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    my son's nickname is ninja he was named this before birth, because we waited until he was born to find out his gender. My wife said we have to call the baby something and he gave a large kick and just like that he was ninja.

    View more comments
    #15

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    jjgrace1969 Report

    InfiniteZero
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Narrator: "It was then that Katie regretted never changing her hairstyle."

    View more comments

    Never miss a story that brings joy to the world. Add us on Google

    #16

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    rcornellious Report

    Telmo Belo
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    I started a new job and a few days in I was given a T-shirt with STAFF written on the back. Someone meant to call me but, because they didn't know my name yet, she called me Staff. That was my name untill I left that job.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #17

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    morningfindsyou Report

    InfiniteZero
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Better than Banana, I suppose.

    View more comments
    #18

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    VincentBrue Report

    InfiniteZero
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Someone ask Gisele if she remembers "Toasted Buns".

    View more comments
    #19

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    ArthurJobe Report

    kURT cOBAIN
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    At least he does what his name suggests

    View more comments
    #20

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    PoulsenS Report

    P B Wilson
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    I work with a cotton also. Same reason, hair and beard look like cotton balls glued on a potato

    View more comments
    #21

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    MrCee760 Report

    The Deez
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    I wonder if his real name is Jim Halpert...

    View more comments
    #22

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    KyleNeubeck Report

    Trisha Howson
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Had a guy we went to school with that was super tall that was nicknamed tree.

    View more comments
    #23

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    jarnabarnard Report

    Judes
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Not four pairs of jeans?

    View more comments
    #24

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    gregstayeating Report

    Trisha Howson
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Cool

    View more comments
    #25

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    jeicet_ Report

    InfiniteZero
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    How badly damaged was this bridge that it took one Tchucy person to break it completely?

    View more comments
    #26

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    FuriousSterling Report

    InfiniteZero
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAARARRRRRRR!

    View more comments
    #27

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    routinelayup Report

    InfiniteZero
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    So did the cheese, evidentally.

    View more comments
    #28

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    mikeverdicomedy Report

    InfiniteZero
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    First name Joe?

    View more comments
    #29

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    HJBirkett Report

    InfiniteZero
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    We're all Burgers at Home.

    View more comments
    #30

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    liz_som Report

    InfiniteZero
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    You are what you eat. Or in this case what someone who looks like you eats.

    View more comments
    #31

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    JosephDCatalano Report

    InfiniteZero
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    How long before his nickname is changed to "Choo-choo"?

    View more comments
    #32

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    jkaszynski Report

    Jessica Bertram
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    this one's cute

    View more comments
    #33

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    professorsoup Report

    Jessica Bertram
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    poor Scooter.

    #34

    Weird-Nicknames-Twitter-Thread

    jpembroke Report

    #35

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    MattSolo734 Report

    InfiniteZero
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    To be fair, "Mike the Bush Kangaroo" doesn't have the same ring to it.

    View more comments
    #36

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    LenRyko Report

    InfiniteZero
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Well yeah. Sharpies are permanent.

    View more comments
    #37

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    RyanThomasB Report

    Starflight of the Nightwings
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    yeah but did you part water to get your water bottle?

    #38

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    baldychrisgriff Report

    Raumpfleger
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    That would in fact be an excellent name for his own shop! ... Or a pub.

    #39

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    JimMarshall007 Report

    Pumpkin Spice
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    noodle dude

    View more comments
    #40

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    sarahgundle Report

    InfectedVoice
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    So, a difference of opinion means you're a hater now? That woman sounds dreadful.

    #41

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    Exysay_Eastbay Report

    InfiniteZero
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    There are worse things to be called. And I've been called them.

    View more comments
    #42

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    shannshaann Report

    iBlank
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    LB was my cousins nickname, but it was "little boy". For a while, when I was really little, I thought my cousin was actually named Elby because I didn't realize it was an abbreviation

    #43

    Weird-Nicknames-Twitter-Thread

    WDunsparce Report

    iBlank
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    did he jump to the side to avoid your web shot?

    #44

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    Solomon_Imhotep Report

    SheamusFan1987
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited)

    Just checking: Surname Gonzales?

    View more comments
    #45

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    billflarsheim Report

    Christopher Hebhardt
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Dude... Spags rocked! The store was a legend, the man even more so!

    View more comments
    #46

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    mrschadenfreud4 Report

    ArodTheHorrible
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    LOL... I like this one

    #47

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    EmergenKitten Report

    Pumpkin Spice
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    dammit my 401gay needs to get started

    #48

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    bdbilotta Report

    A.J Milne
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    I forgot that 2009 even existed

    #49

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    aarondotmichael Report

    iBlank
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    does he go by Big Worm now and sell weed out of an ice cream truck?

    View more comments
    #50

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    TinCro Report

    #51

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    evelynhudson90 Report

    Upstaged75
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    This comment has been deleted.

    #52

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    afoulds1984 Report

    ArodTheHorrible
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    That just follows

    View more comments
    #53

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    canadiEmma Report

    #54

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    Rocket_RyanV Report

    iBlank
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    does he bring all the guys to the yard? Sorry, had to do it!

    View more comments
    #55

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    JD_Fauster Report

    #56

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    Crystalquadpan1 Report

    #57

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    SigOlson Report

    #58

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    melaerichmond Report

    CaliCoast
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Seems fair

    #59

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    raising_kane1 Report

    Jenny Michelle
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Why would you even tell that story to his school .. ? "huh.. when he was little I endangered his life ...twice, it was funny ..I'm kinda so proud of it I had to let the school know"

    View more comments
    #60

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    2ndHandBurrito Report

    Pumpkin Spice
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    F L A N

    View more comments
    #61

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    edgarnicus Report

    Ally O'Malley
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    You must work with George Costanza

    #62

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    aaadayaaa Report

    ArodTheHorrible
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    You make him tear up... sob

    #63

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    JimRayTheThird Report

    #64

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    RMcCoy30 Report

    #65

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    ra_rabble Report

    #66

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    mr_majestyk Report

    Lorrie Rothstein
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    So is he part of the mandela effect?

    #67

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    andrewdrafts Report

    ArodTheHorrible
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Everyone knows you don't send out the announcements if they have a typo LOL

    #68

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    Kiowan4 Report

    #69

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    isaactangisss Report

    InfiniteZero
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Whatever.

    View more comments
    #70

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    BaileyRoseBoyle Report

    #71

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    odell_w Report

    Luke Keil
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Got a load of cherry pies at the office once. Everyone heated them up except one guy called Simon. Forever known as Cold Pie Si

    View more comments
    #72

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    GiannisanceMan Report

    Abigail Coty
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    My friends call me bucket, and this is because ONE OF THEM thought I needed a nickname and said “Abigail.. kinda sounds like ‘pail..’ your name is bucket!” It’s stuck 🤣

    View more comments
    #73

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    wordamour Report

    Jerry The Joker
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Did he dance, like a wave on the ocean? Romance? was he a liar in love?

    View more comments
    #74

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    mikeinharwinton Report

    BasedWang12
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Zillakami?

    #75

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    andi_eddy612 Report

    #76

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    ZachAFaulkner Report

    #77

    Weird-Nicknames-Twitter-Thread

    HazelMonforton Report

    #78

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    priscilla_nurse Report

    #79

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    dbl_helix Report

    InfiniteZero
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Not anymore it isn't.

    View more comments
    #80

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    butlerlog Report

    #81

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    agronomommy Report

    MonicaChicagoGal
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Red Lobster cheesy biscuits are the bestest!

    #82

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    JulyJane Report

    iBlank
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Shrimp Fajita!

    View more comments
    #83

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    MonttyDoodle Report

    ArodTheHorrible
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    I swear I thought that said "Peter Health Club"

    #84

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    LJU3 Report

    InfiniteZero
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Mully Mullenberger.

    #85

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    indigomisha Report

    InfiniteZero
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Mono is a mononym.

    View more comments
    #86

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    theLUCASTDS Report

    Keali Lamb
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Someone pls help. I don’t get it

    View more comments
    #87

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    jimmytcannon Report

    Cheshire Cat
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Um…what?

    View more comments
    #88

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    EmilyHodko Report

    #89

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    hootzpeterson Report

    InfiniteZero
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Bro.

    #90

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    LoveBuiltLife Report

    #91

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    ginjammer Report

    #92

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    PrincessCarna Report

    #93

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    grokfail Report

    #94

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    Coyote_Arts Report

    #95

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    Truxillogical Report

    InfiniteZero
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Oh dip!

    View more comments
    #96

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    iamgrreasy Report

    Victor Trejo
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    Do you mean the poop in hand guy?

    #97

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    Age_of_Greed Report

    #98

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    IFeelLikePabloU Report

    Victor Trejo
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    The president of Mexico is called that way, too.

    #99

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    BimJanks1 Report

    William Clapperson
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    A friend went to the beach and didn't want to burn his feet on the hot sand. He didn't have sandals, so he wore a pair of socks. We were out all day and he got a bad sunburn. We felt bad for him until he took off his socks. He had stark white feet and ankles which made him look like he still had the socks on. The burn pattern lasted all summer and he's been known as sockboy ever since.

    #100

    Funny-Nicknames-Got-By-Mistake

    olliegee Report