[Dixielandjazz] Trummy

Bill Gunter jazzboard at hotmail.com
Tue Aug 9 19:36:04 PDT 2005


Phil O'Rourke asks:

>Why do people on this list spell Louis Armstrong's name "Louie"?

It's not just on this list . . .

"Louie" is the diminutive of "Louis" and is often used in place of the 
actual name.  I'm aware of the fact the Armstrong almost always referred to 
himself as "Louis" rather than "Louie" and it may have been Armstrong's 
preference that he be referred to as "Louis."

I have heard the name "Louie" used by people everywhere referring to 
Armstrong and it is, indeed, in fairly common usage among jazz fans and 
music lovers throughout the realm.

I can, however, say that certainly no disrespect is intended when people 
call him "Louie."  Quite the opposite - using the diminutive of a person's 
name is often an expression of fondness for the individual.

I wouldn't want to make a federal case out of this issue and I really don't 
regard it as a "big deal" . . . and a "Louis" by any other name would sound 
as sweet . . . how about "Pops" and/or "Satchmo."

Respectfully submitted,

Billy Gunter
jazzboard at hotmail.com

ps - My personal preference for my name is "William" - except among my 
friends.  Actually "William" is what my mother used to call me when she was 
angry with me (which was often).

ps#2 - It's probably not a big deal either that you're generally called 
"Phil" rather than "Phillip." Again, diminutives are not a sign of 
disrespect.





More information about the Dixielandjazz mailing list