short forms of English names

[Yourjones]

Hello,

I understand Tom is the short form of Thomas, just like Rob and Bob for Robert, and Lisa for Elizabeth. I know there is a term for this phenomenon, but I can not remember it.

Thanks.

 

[teechar]

Diminutive ;-)

 

[emsr2d2]

In my experience, Lisa is not a diminutive of Elizabeth. Lisa is a name in its own right. Elizabeth is usually shortened to Liz or Lizzy/Lizzie, or Beth.

 

[konungursvia]

I would say these are short forms, not diminutives. Bobby and Lizzie are diminutives. Bob and Liz are not, in my view.

 

[Olympian]

**** Not a teacher ****


Would it be right to say that 'Dick' is a short form of 'Richard' and 'dick' is a slang for 'detective'?


Thank you

 

[emsr2d2]

Yes. "Dick" is slang for more than just "detective".

 

[SoothingDave]

You can also consider these to be "nicknames."