etymology - Why are nicknames called "nicknames"?


Where did this term originate from? According to Etymonline.com, it originates from O.E. eaca, which means to "increase". However, I can't see how the "n" got stuck in there too.


Does anyone have any relevant information?



Answer



Metanalysis strikes again.


The regular outcome of OE eaca would be ick, as in ickname. At some point an ickname became reanalyzed as a nickname, and that's how the word has reached us today.


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