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The Comeback Kid[6] Coined
by press after strong second place showing in 1992 New
Hampshire primary, following polling slump due to Gennifer
Flowers' revelation.
The First Black President[7] Used by
Toni Morrison in
reference to Clinton's noted support from and rapport with African
Americans. Now less common usage after Obama's election.
Teflon Bill[9]
Similar to "Teflon Ron" for Ronald Reagan: because none of the
scandals afflicting his administration seemed to stick to him
personally.
41,[10]Bush the Elder,[11]Papa Bush,[12] and
similar names. All nicknames that were used after his son George Walker Bush became the 43rd
president, to differentiate between the two.
Poppy[13][14]
Nickname used by family and friends from childhood on.
Jimmy[20] First
President to use his nickname in an official capacity. He was known
as ‘Jimmy Carter’, ‘James Earl Carter’, or ‘James Earl Carter,
Jr.’. He was never called ‘James Carter’ or ‘James E. Carter’
President Malaise[21] - a
reference to his speech on July 15, 1979, where he talked about a
"crisis of confidence," and suggested that the US was in decline.
Three days after the speech, Carter asked for the resignations of
all of his Cabinet officers, and ultimately accepted five. By
asking the entire Cabinet, it gave the appearance that the White
House was falling apart.
Landslide Lyndon[28]
Sarcastic reference to the hotly-disputed 87-vote win that took him
to the Senate in 1949 which became more appropriate following his
landslide victory in the 1964 presidential election.
Light-Bulb Lyndon[29]
Nicknamed so because he hated wasting electricity, and would often
storm around the White
House shutting off unnecessary lights.
LBJ[30] He
liked to be known by this abbreviation, which was used in the
slogan, "All the way with LBJ"
Uncle Cornpone[31]
Nickname for an older Southern gentleman.
Jack[32]
Kennedy was usually referred to as either "John F. Kennedy" or
"Jack Kennedy", only very rarely as "John Kennedy"
JFK[33] Most
prominent nickname and abbreviation of his full name.
The King of Camelot Two weeks after Kennedy’s assassination,
his wife, Jacqueline, revealed that
the score from the 1960 musical Camelot, had been one of her
husband’s favorites to listen to. Parallels were then drawn between
the “one brief shining moment” of King Arthur’s reign (in the musical) and
the mood of idealism and optimism that had characterized Kennedy’s
presidency.[34]
The Great Engineer and The Great
Humanitarian[48] He
was a civil engineer of some distinction and when the Mississippi
burst its banks in 1927, engulfing thousands of acres of
agricultural land, he volunteered his services and did extensive
flood control work. The latter nickname would later be used
facetiously in reference to his perceived indifference to the
hardships faced by his constituents during the Great
Depression. However, the nickname dates back to 1921, when the
ARA under Hoover saved
millions of Russians suffering from famine. "It was such
considerations that Walter Lippmann took into account when
he wrote of Hoover’s Russian undertaking in the New York World in
May 1922: 'probably no other living man could have done nearly so
much.'”[49]
The Chief[50]
This was a nickname picked up at 23 as a geologist surveying in the
Australian Outback, but it stuck for the
rest of his life.
The Cyclone Assemblyman[60]
Elected to the New York State Assembly at only
23, he campaigned energetically against political corruption and
for civil service reform, becoming minority leader within a
year
The Major[68] A
reference to his American Civil War rank: used by
friends and family rather than publicly
The Napoleon of Protection[69] He
was keen on protective tariffs
The Advance Agent of Prosperity[70] From
supporters claiming McKinley's election would serve to remedy the
lingering aftereffects of the Depression of 1893.
The Front Porch Campaigner[72]
During the 1888 election, he gave nearly ninety speeches from his
front porch to crowds gathered in the yard of his Indianapolis home. This nickname has been
widely but erroneously attributed to William McKinley
The Human Iceberg[73]
Although he could warmly engage a crowd with his speeches, he was a
very cold fish when you met him one-on-one
Kid Gloves Harrison[74] He
was prone to skin infection and often wore kid gloves to protect
his hands
His Obstinacy[77] He
vetoed more bills than the first 21 presidents combined
The Stuffed Prophet[78] and
The Elephantine Economist[79] Given
to him by hostile newspapers during the 1892 presidential
election, by which time his weight had gone up to 250
pounds
Granny Hayes[84] and
Queen Victoria in Riding Breeches[85] Hayes
did not drink, smoke, or gamble, and, together with his
temperance-supporting wife, "Lemonade Lucy", maintained a very
strait-laced White House – much to the disgust of some members
of Washington society
President De Facto, His
Fraudulency, Rutherfraud Hayes,[86]Boss Thief, The Great Usurper and
Old 8 to 7[87] in
response to the disputed election
against Tilden.
Sam[88] Given
to him at West Point because of his 'Uncle Sam' initials
Unconditional Surrender
Grant[89] His
uncompromising demand for unconditional surrender during the Battle of Fort Donelson in 1862
got a lot of favorable publicity. The fact that his initials
suggested the words "unconditional surrender" led to it being used
as a nickname
The Fainting General[97] A
sneering reference by political opponents to an incident during a
Mexican War battle when an artillery blast blew the saddle off
Pierce's horse and drove the saddle-horn hard into his abdomen,
causing him to lose consciousness for a few minutes
Young Hickory of the Granite Hills[98]
"Young Hickory" compared his military deeds (in the Mexican-American War) with those of Andrew
Jackson. "The Granite Hills" were his home state of New Hampshire
His Accidency[105]
Derisive nickname by his opponents (as opposed to "His Excellency",
for example), who suggested he could not have achieved the
presidency through his own merit, only by accident (succeeding from
the Vice Presidency on the death of William Henry Harrison).
General Mum[106] As
in the expression, "keep it mum". Because of his avoidance of
speaking out on controversial issues during his election
campaign
Tippecanoe or also Old
Tippecanoe[107]
A reference to Harrison's victory at the 1811 Battle of Tippecanoe.
This nickname was used in the campaign song Tippecanoe and Tyler Too during the 1840
Presidential election.
Old Man Eloquent or The
Abolitionist famed for routinely bringing up the slavery
issue against Congressional rules, and for his role later on in the
Amistad case. He is the only
American President to be elected to the House of Representatives —
where he earned his nicknames — after his Presidency.[116]
The Era of Good Feelings President[117]
"The Era of Good Feelings" was the
period following the War of 1812, during which America became less
divided politically, to the extent that the only opponents of the
ruling Democratic Republicans, the Federalist Party, went out of existence. It
was not until resistance to Andrew Jackson's policies produced the
Whig Party that oppositional
politics resumed in the United States
Little Jemmy[118]
or His Little Majesty[118]
At only 5' 4", he was the shortest president ever. The average
adult male American at the beginning of the 19th century was about 5' 8" – an
inch and a half shorter than today
The American Cincinnatus[129]
Like the famous Roman, he won a war, then became a private citizen
instead of seeking power or riches as a reward. He became the first
President General of the Society of the Cincinnati, formed by
Revolutionary War officers who also "declined offers of power and
position to return to his home and plough."[130]
The Survivor of the Monongahela The
nickname is in reference to his "miraculous" survival of the
ill-fated battle of the same name during the Braddock Expedition of the French
and Indian War. This nickname was used less after his
Revolutionary fame.
^http://www.slate.com/id/3665/device/html30/entry/24006/Slate,
Dialogues, Reagan vs. Clinton, Dinesh D’Souza, “My point is that
while the media speculate about "Teflon Bill" and "Teflon Ron,"
there is a world of difference in the motives that guided the two
men into the scandals that plagued their administrations”.
^http://www.amazon.com/Camelot-Teflon-President-Presidential-Contributions/dp/0313263930
Review of the book, From Camelot to the Teflon President: Economics
and Presidential Popularity Since 1960 (Contributions in Political
Science) by David J. Lanoue (Greenwood Press, October 20 1988, ISBN
978-0313263934): “and concluding with a look at Ronald Reagan, who
has often been termed the "Teflon President."
^
In "The Stranger: Seattle's Only Newspaper" (December 27, 2006),
Paul Constant
^
‘Spectrum: Home and School Network’ has an article of May 2, 2007
called ‘Richard M. Nixon’ (http://www.incwell.com/Biographies/Presidents/Nixon,RichardM.html)
which states that: “While a student at the Duke University Law
School, Nixon was given the nickname of “Gloomy Gus” by his
classmates because he was always so serious”
^
Miller Center for Public Affairs, University of Virginia, Academic
Programs, American President: An Online Resource – In-depth
information reviewed by prominent scholars on each president and
administration, has full biographical information on Polk, (http://www.millercenter.virginia.edu/academic/americanpresident/kennedy)
including, Nicknames: JFK, Jack
^
Miller Center for Public Affairs, University of Virginia, Academic
Programs, American President: An Online Resource – In-depth
information reviewed by prominent scholars on each president and
administration, has full biographical information on Polk, (http://www.millercenter.virginia.edu/academic/americanpresident/kennedy)
including, Nicknames: "FK, Jack
^
Miller Center for Public Affairs, University of Virginia, Academic
Programs, American President: An Online Resource – In-depth
information reviewed by prominent scholars on each president and
administration, has full biographical information on Polk, (http://www.millercenter.virginia.edu/academic/americanpresident/fdroosevelt)
including, “Nickname: "FDR"”
^
‘Wilsonian Progressivism at Home and Abroad’ (http://www.course-notes.org/chptoutlines/apoutlines/chapter32.htm)
by M. Pecot summarizes the “Wilsonian Progessivism at Home and
Abroad, 1912–1916” chapter of “The American Pageant” by David M.
Kennedy, Lizabeth Cohen and Thomas A. Bailey (2002, ISBN
978-0-61810349-2; ISBN 0-61810349-X) and refers to this nickname.
‘Taqrir Washington’ has an article on The Woodrow Wilson
International Center for Scholars (http://www.taqrir.org/eng/showarticle.cfm?id=128)
by Andrew Masloski which also mentions the “Schoolmaster in
Politics’ nickname
^
The Arlington National Cemetery Website page on William Howard Taft
provides the full text of his ‘New York Times’ obituary of March 9,
1930, which states that “His standing among his college mates is
indicated by the fact that he was known by them while at Yale and
forever afterward as "Old Bill" Taft”.
^
The President Gerald R. Ford Library and Museum online has an
article on Theodore Roosevelt (http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/museum/exhibits/TR/light.htm)
with states that “At age 23, TR was elected to the State Assembly,
its youngest member. He battled political corruption, pushed for
civil service reform, became minority leader in a year, and earned
the nickname of the Cyclone Assemblyman. “I rose like a rocket,” he
later wrote”.
^
The Amazon.com review (http://www.amazon.com/Teddy-Roosevelt-San-Juan-University/dp/0890967717)
of “Teddy Roosevelt at San Juan: The Making of a President” by
Peggy and Harold Samuels (Texas a & M University Military
History Series, September 1997 ISBN 978-0-89096771-3) by Peggy and
Harold Samuels, says that “The authors reexamine the "Hero of San
Juan Hill" to find that the heroic legend was manufactured”
^
Non-Fiction Book Page have a review by Harry Merritt of ‘The Lion's
Pride: Theodore Roosevelt and His Family in Peace and War’ by
Edward J. Renehan, Jr. (Oxford University Press, ISBN 0195127196)
(http://www.bookpage.com/9810bp/nonfiction/lions_pride.html)
which says, “Within six months, Roosevelt, "the Lion" was
dead”
^
The official website for the town of Medora, North Dakota has an
article on Theodore Roosevelt (http://www.medora.org/History/tr.html) which
mentions that “Roosevelt earned the respect of his peers, who
eventually dropped the nickname "Old Four Eyes"”
^
Popularized by journalist James Creelman (1859–1915) who so
entitled his article on President Roosevelt in ‘Pearson’s Magazine’
ed. Arthur W. Little (The Pearson Publishing Company; New York,
January 1907). This information was found on web pages (http://www.philsp.com/homeville/FMI/t807.htm)
and (http://www.philsp.com/homeville/FMI/s438.htm#A15324)
. The cover of that edition featured a portrait of T.R. by George
Burroughs Torrey
^
(http://www.military.com/Content/MoreContent?file=ML_mckinley_bkp)
Military.com has an article on McKinley by Bethanne Kelly Patrick
which states that “By [the Civil] war’s end, he had become a brevet
major in the volunteers. For the rest of his life, many called him
simply "The Major."”
^
The Northeast Ohio Journal of History has an article (http://www3.uakron.edu/nojh/issues/spring_2005/reviews/dematteo_01.htm)
in its ‘Book Reviews’ section featuring “William McKinley and His
America, Revised Edition”, by H. Wayne Morgan (Kent: Kent State
University Press, 2003. ISBN 0-87338-765-1.). The review of this
book states, “Known to contemporaries as “The Napoleon of
Protection,” Representative McKinley was an unabashed champion of
high tariffs”.
^
The President Benjamin Harrison Home: From White House Studies,
2/22/2001. Author: Moore, Anne (http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-82492373.html)
states that “He [Harrison] was called the "front porch campaigner"
for giving nearly 90 impromptu speeches from his front door to
enthusiastic crowds gathered in his front yard”.
^http://www.bgsu.edu/departments/acs/1890s/cleveland/election.html
Grover Cleveland and the 1892 Election, 1997, by Cliff Vaughn,
“Courting everyone from eastern capitalists to southerners,
Cleveland used the press as a public relations tool. However, he
fought an uphill battle since the editors of papers such as the
Washington Post and New York Sun derided him on account of his
weight, publicly referring to him as "the Stuffed Prophet" and "the
elephantine economist"”.)
^Reeves, Thomas C. (1975). Gentleman
Boss. NY, NY: Alfred A. Knopf. pp. 418. ISBN
0-394-46095-2.
^ abc
MSN Encarta, Chester A. Arthur Quick
Facts “Chester Arthur was fond of fine clothes and
entertainment, earning him the nicknames 'Dude President,' 'Elegant
Arthur,' and 'Prince Arthur'”. Archived 2009-11-01.
^Boller, Jr., Paul F. (1984).
Presidential Campaigns. NY, NY: Oxford University Press.
pp. 143. ISBN
0-19-503420-1.
^
“President Hayes did not drink, smoke, or gamble. His critics
derisively called him “Granny” Hayes and “Queen Victoria in
breeches.”” Search View: Rutherford B.
Hayes – MSN Encarta. Archived 2009-11-01.
^
He was also, inexplicably, referred to as “Queen Victoria in Riding
Breeches” in some prominent journals of the time.” The Stanford
Daily, February 16 2007, “Hayes: He’s no ‘fraud’ in the art of
love’ by Kat Lewin (http://www-daily.stanford.edu/article/2007/2/16/hayesHesNoFraudInTheArtOfLove
“President Hayes did not drink, smoke, or gamble. His critics
derisively called him “Granny” Hayes and “Queen Victoria in
breeches.”” Search View: Rutherford B.
Hayes – MSN Encarta. Archived 2009-11-01.
^
Tennessee Tales the Textbooks Don't Tell : Jennie Ivey, Calvin
Dickinson, Lisa Rand , The Overmountain Press, 2002 ISBN 1570722358
200 pages page 50
^ abhttp://www.lincolnpresenters.org/Quotes.htm
Association of Lincoln Presenters, Lincoln Quotes, “LINCOLN had
many nicknames such as Honest Abe, the Railsplitter, the Liberator,
the Emancipator, the Ancient One, the Martyr”.
^ abDr. Paul Boyer, Dr. Sterling Stuckey
(2005). American Nation: In the Modern Era. Holt,
Rinehart, & Winston.
^http://www.sparknotes.com/biography/lincoln/section12.rhtml
SparkNotes: Today’s Most Popular Study Guides, Abraham Lincoln
Study Guide, 1862-1864 – Part 2 “During a time of war, the
executive always plays a stronger role than usual, and Lincoln was
no exception to this rule. His uncompromising style as commander-
in-chief, coupled with his ambitious domestic program to preserve
and further the Union, earned him the nickname of "the
tycoon".”
^http://www.britannicaindia.com/biographies_newtry.asp?id=238
Encyclopedia Britannica India, Born on this day, James Buchanan
April 23 1791 “During the [1856 election] campaign Republican
speakers harped on Buchanan's seemingly heartless statement that
ten cents a day was adequate pay for a workingman. They jeered him
as "Ten-Cent Jimmy."”
^
This was used in the title of Roy Nichols’ biography, “Franklin
Pierce: Young Hickory of the Granite Hills” (American Political
Biography Press, August 1993) ISBN 0-94570706-1. ISBN
978-094570706-6)
^ History on NRO Weekend,
September 30–October 1 2000: ‘The Veep’s Underwear: Getting nasty
on the campaign trail’ by David Kopel of the Independence Institute
(http://www.nationalreview.com/weekend/history/history-kopelprint093000.html)
mentions that in the face of scurrilous allegations from the
Democrats about Whig candidate Henry Clay, the Democratic
contender, "Polk the Plodder" had led too dull a life for the Whigs
to respond in kind”
^ Miller Center for Public
Affairs, University of Virginia, Academic Programs, American
President: An Online Resource – In-depth information reviewed
by prominent scholars on each president and administration, has
full biographical information on Polk, (http://www.millercenter.virginia.edu/academic/americanpresident/polk)
including, “Nickname: "Young Hickory"”
^ ‘Historynet.com: From the
World’s Largest History Magazine Publisher’, American History: 1840
U.S. Presidential Campaign by David Johnson (http://www.historynet.com/magazines/american_history/3026611.html)
says that, “While the Democrats adopted a platform denouncing
federal assumption of state debts, opposing internal improvements,
and calling for separation of public money from banking
institutions, Weed decided to keep Harrison quiet and emphasize his
war-hero record and humble character. The Democrats took aim at
Harrison's silence, calling him "General Mum."”
^ abc
Latham, Edward (1904). A Dictionary of Names, Nicknames and
Surnames, of Persons, Places and Things, p.220. G. Routledge
& Sons, Ltd.,
^ Miller Center for Public
Affairs, University of Virginia, Academic Programs, American
President: An Online Resource – In-depth information reviewed
by prominent scholars on each president and administration, has
full biographical information on Monroe (http://www.millercenter.virginia.edu/academic/americanpresident/monroe)
including, his nicknames of the "Era-of-Good-Feelings
President"
^ Historic Families of Kentucky
by Thomas Marshall Green, Cincinnati, 1889, reprinted Genealogical
Publishing Co., Inc. 1959. pp. 72–76. [Mercer county]. Samuel
McDowell of Mercer County, Kentucky
^ Encyclopedia Britannica Online
shows a political cartoon from 1801 (http://www.britannica.com/eb/art-12069?articleTypeId=1)
attacking the Jefferson Administration, which depicts Thomas
Jefferson with the Devil, entitled, “Mad Tom in a Rage”.
^ He has gained fame around the
world as a quintessential example of a benevolent national founder.
Gordon Wood concludes that the greatest act in his life was his
resignation as commander of the armies—an act that stunned
aristocratic Europe. Gordon Wood, The Radicalism of the
American Revolution (1992), pp 105–6; Edmund Morgan, The
Genius of George Washington (1980), pp 12–13; Sarah J.
Purcell, Sealed With Blood: War, Sacrifice, and Memory in
Revolutionary America (2002) p. 97; Don Higginbotham,
George Washington (2004); Ellis, 2004. The earliest known
image in which Washington is identified as such is on the cover of
the circa 1778 Pennsylvania German almanac
(Lancaster: Gedruckt bey Francis Bailey).
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