List of Nicknames used in Coronation Street Updates
ronniecat
**Please see the separate post from ronniecat dated February 1, 1999,
subject line "Nicknames List - A Note" for details on possible omissions to
this posting.**
This is an alphabetical list of nicknames used by update writers in their
daily or weekly updates of Coronation Street episodes and in the newsgroup
rec.arts.tv.uk.coronation-st.
It is built on the origin of an earlier list maintained by Graham Allsopp
and I thank him for the work he began.
I have collected these as a guide to newer or infrequent update readers or
r.a.t.u.c.s participants. None of these nicknames were originated by me; I
take no credit (or blame!) for the nicknames themselves, nor do I
necessarily endorse all of them. I do, however, take full responsibility
for typos or errors on this page.
The Nicknames
Action Man Michael -
Michael Wall, Jim MacDonald's physiotherapist, action-figure
extraordinaire! Fully posable! He can do anything, including seducing his
patients' lovers! (Each action figure sold separately. Accessories sold
separately. Batteries not included. Void where prohibited by law. Action
Man International (tm) takes no responsibility for emotional
distress or marital strife which may result from inappropriate use of
Action Man Michael.) Originated by our very own Rattler, Chris Lines.
Alfeh -
Alf Roberts. Phonetic spelling introduced by Update God Paul Baker.
Audreh -
Audrey Roberts. Phonetic spelling also given us by Paul Baker.
Babeh Kateh -
Baby Katy, also known as Shannon Jade, Zoe Tattersall's late daughter.
Phonetic spelling introduced by the legendary Mike Plowman.
The BRW -
See "The Big Red Wig". Also born of the mind of Paul Baker.
Big Red Spice -
Rita Sullivan. See "The Big Red Wig" with a touch of current Spicegirl pop
culture thrown in.
The Big Red Wig -
Rita Sullivan, for her impressive hair. So dubbed by the legendary
original updater, Paul Baker.
Blandford -
Greg Kelly, because he is, well, bland. Creatively baptised by Mike
Plowman.
The Camel -
Gail Platt, for her interesting chin. Paul Calter so dubbed Gail.
The Camp Crusader - Nick Tilsley, as christened by The Rattler, for his
incredibly "camp" acting style. As I am neither a gay man nor a very
experienced actor, please don't ask me to explain what "camp" acting means.
No, really.
The Cardassian -
Deirdre Rachid. Cardassians are a Star Trek species with very
well-developed and prominent neck muscles. Katherine Burgess first noticed
the resemblance and coined the nickname.
Chester -
Don Brennan. Probably dubbed as such after Matt Dillon's sideckick on the
tv series Gunsmoke because of his artificial leg. A Paul Calter
contribution.
Dreary -
Deirdre Rachid, for the seemingly never-ending misery in her life, and
because the updaters find it SO MUCH easier to type than Dierdre.
Introduced in the updates by Paul Baker but has also appeared in tabloid
articles referring to the character.
Fee -
Simply short for Fiona, and spelled the way many Street characters
pronounce it.
Fi -
Short for Fiona. Prounounced "fee".
Fred, I say, Fred -
Fred Elliott, so called for his habit of saying everything twice with an
"I say," in the middle.
Frizzie Lizzie -
Liz McDonald, for her often wild hair and bad perms.
Gareh -
Gary Mallett. Phonetic spelling from Phonetic King Mike Plowman.
Goggle Eyes -
Steve McDonald. Should be self-evident.
The Gold Blend Couple -
Des Barnes & Claire Palmer. "In the UK," explains Graham Allsopp, "there
are a series of stomach-churning (a bit like the so-called coffee) "coffee"
ads with a sickening couple who conducted and consumated an affair built
around cups of Nestle's Gold Blend "coffee" (and I _am_ being serious
here). When Des was trailing round Claire like a puppy dog and gazed
lovingly into her eyes, it was horrifically close to these ads." It was
Paul Baker who first noticed the distinct resemblance and coined the
nickname. A similar series featuring Taster's Choice Coffee aired in the US
and Canada.
Gruesome Greg -
Greg Kelly, alleged "heartthrob"", r.a.t.u.c.s nausea-inducer.
The gurls -
Rosie and Sophie Webster, who are referred to as such by their parents,
Sally and Kevin. (Usually when being directed to go wash their hands so
their parents can have an argument "without them hearing". The Webster
bathroom, one presumes, is built like a
bank vault.) Sometimes spelled with more than one u, r, or l (as in "the
gurrrls").
Hamburger -
McDonald (as in the international hamburger chain). Might refer, for
example, to "over at the Hamburgers'", "Liz Hamburger" or "Jim Hamburger".
Jelly Belly -
Kelly Thomson. Kelly was a lady of generous proportions, an attribute much
appreciated by certain ratucs regulars and updaters. Paul Baker is
responsible for this one too.
Judeh -
Judy Mallett. Phonetic spelling. Mike Plowman, of course.
La Mouton -
Liz McDonald, described as "a sheep in lamb's clothing" or "mutton dressed
as lamb" for her, um, rather young choice of attire. Graham Allsopp and Di
Fishman share credit for this creative sobriquet.
Lama the Misspelling -
Alma Baldwin, who became Lama after a misspelling of her name by Alan
Milewczyk, who liked the look of it.
MadAnne -
Anne Malone, who apparently went totally stark raving looney towards the
end of her twisted life, trying to set up Curley in a blackmail plot and
then dying an icy death in Freshco's freezer while now trying to cast the
blame for the extortion attempt on St. Alma
of Baldwin.
The Mave -
The inimitable Mavis Wilton. The nickname was originated by the inimitable
original episode updater Paul Baker.
Maxime -
Maxine, pronounced the way Ashley Peacock pronounced it when they were an
item.
Midrift Maxine -
Vickie McDonald's (nee Arden) dismissal of Maxine Heavey, presumably for
Maxine's penchant for showing hers. See Sticky Vicky for more.
Mrs. Mutton -
Liz McDonald. See La Mouton. So dubbed by Mike Plowman.
Muesli Man -
Mike Baldwin. Greg Wadden so christened Mike after reporting the following
exchange between Mike (eating an English Breakfast) and Jackie Ingram in a
WTN (Canadian TV Network) update:
Jackie: "I took you for a Muesli Man."
Mike: "Yeah, I normally am at home."
I, for one, don't believe it. If Mike Baldwin was getting enough fibre he
would be better-tempered.
Muppets, The -
Maxine Heavey and Fiona Middleton (Muppet 1 and Muppet 2 respectively).
Mike Plowman, who originated the nickname, declares that "neither of them
can act as well as a piece of cloth with someone's arm up it," a reference
to Jim Henson's "Muppet" puppets.
Nastily, Nasty, Nasty Spumante -
Natalie Horrocks, sometimes called Nasty, Nastily or Nastily Horrid after
her affair with Kevin. Alan Milewczyk then took the name of the wine Asti
Spumante and converted it.
NastySam -
Samantha Failsworth, following the seeming "personality transplant" that
saw the character become cruel, manipulative and psychotic.
The Neck -
Deirdre Rachid, in recognition of the outstanding contribution to the art
of acting by her neck and the tendons therein.
Orange Girl -
See Orangina.
Orangina -
See also Tango Girl. Orangina is an orange drink available in the UK;
Samantha's false tan had a decidedly orange tint. Courtesy Mike Plowman.
PTF -
Personality Transplant Fairy. Not an onscreen character but a backstage
force which can turn formerly nice, stable characters evil, deceitful and
manipulative (Sally Webster and Samantha Failsworth) or redeem formerly
"bad" characters into "good blokes" and hence accepted and loved members of
the Street family (Natalie Horrocks). I've traced it to Dewey (Peter
Dewhirst) who may or may not have been the very first to
use it.
Peter Pine -
A nickname CP gave to Greg Kelly in honour of his wooden acting style, and
which was later alluded to in the programme when the word "pine" was used
by Maxime no less than four times when she was talking to Greg.
The Pineapple -
Des Barnes, for his failure to use some good skin care products. Mike
Plowman.
Plank II -
Nick Tilsley. "Plank II" refers to his following Warren Jackson, the
original actor to play Nick, whose wooden acting led him to be
none-too-affectionately referred to as The Plank in the newsgroup.
Hearteningly, Plank II rapidly showed he could live up to the name so the
tradition was preserved. Everybody began using Plank II immediately upon
Greg's arrival, although Paul Calter originated the original Plank
nickname.
Plasticine Head -
Steve McDonald. Alan Milewczyk read the "Plasticine Head" description in a
local paper.
Poodle, The -
See Frizzie Lizzie.
R (name) -
The introduction of an "R" or "r" in front of the name of a character
represents the trait in some English dialects of referring to a member of
one's family (frequently, but not exclusively, children) as "our (family's)
so-and-so". You might hear Deirdre talking of "RTracey", or Leanne of
"RToyah". Gary Bushnell used to use RBrian (in reference to Brian Tilsley,
whose mother Ivy called him RBrian constantly) in his column years ago.
R Turry -
Terry Duckworth, as referred to by his mother Vera.
Rackle -
Raquel Watts. Phonetic spelling of her name as pronounced by Jim McDonald.
Rackwell -
Raquel Watts. Phonetic spelling as prounounced by some Street characters.
Rear of The Year -
Maxine Heavey(was Raquel Watts). Unbelievably, this was a real award,
handed out by a jeans manufacturer.
RoboAnne -
See MadAnne.
Rursie -
Rosie Webster. Based on her mother, Sally's, pronunciation of her name.
Samanfa -
Samantha Failsworth. Phonetic spelling based on Des' pronunciation of her
name.
Sandy -
Alec Gilroy, who Jim McDonald calls "Sandy" (a diminutive of "Alexander",
Alec's full name), much to Alec's annoyance.
Sir Royston (of Cropper)-
Roy Cropper - a man born at the wrong time? This nickname was Mike
Plowman's homage to the best actor Corrie has offered in the last five
years.
The Slapper -
Usually refers to Liz McDonald. "Slapper" is slang for someone who at
least dresses trashily, and may act in the same vein.
Smelly Kelly -
Kelly Thomson. The origins are obscure since no one will actually admit to
having smelled her through the telly. Probably because it rhymes.
Smiley Spice -
Lorraine Brownlow, Natalie Horrocks' niece and persistently effervescent
barmaid. Just the sort of barmaid you want when you've got a hangover,
like. So dubbed by our Annie.
SoRo -
The Webster gurrrls; pronounced "sorrow", appropriately enough, and
created by David McMurray.
Sticky Vicky -
Maxine's description of Vicky McDonald. See Midrift Maxine for more.
Stottie Tottie -
Natalie Horrocks. A "stottie" is Geordie (north east of England)-bred and
Denise Welch (the actress) is a Geordie. Tottie is - well, tottie!! Deb
Paget originated the name.
Studley -
Chris Collins, hired presumably for his "hunk" and "stud" factor. The name
was actually originally applied by Mike Plowman's workmates to a rather
vain fellow at their workplace and he transferred it to his updates.
Studley II -
Greg Kelly, replacement hunk and stud hired following Chris Collins'
departure from the Street (see also Studley). Another Mike Plowman
contribution.
Sulky Spice -
Lorraine Brownlow. Just weeks after being dubbed "Smiley Spice" by
r.a.t.u.c.s. updaters, the character of Lorraine took a turn for the worse,
leading her to be dubbed "Sulky Spice" by Vera Duckworth. The nickname
seems destined to stick in updates.
Surphie -
Sophie Webster. Based on her mother, Sally's, pronunciation of her name.
Supercamp -
Nick Tilsley, aka Tilly, for his campy acting style. Thus christened by
CP.
Tango Girl -
Samantha Failsworth, who is heavily made up with a fake orange-tinted tan.
Named by Mike Plowman after the orange character in Tango soft drink ads.
Thunderbird -
Steve McDonald was dubbed this by Peter Dewhirst, "on the basis that his
acting was just as wooden, and he rolled his eyes like one of the Tracy
brothers" in the popular 1960s "supermarionation" tv series Thunderbirds.
Tilly -
Nick Tilsley; Tilly is an adaptation of his surname. It seems particularly
apt for the character because it rhymes with "silly" and is also a cross
between "tizzy" and "frilly". The brilliant Fiona Hamilton and Philppa
Freegard dubbed him so in a stand in update and Mike Plowman carried it
over to his visual updates.
Toyota -
Toyah Battersby; Fred Elliot called her Toyota when he couldn't remember
her name, which he muttered wasn't a proper name anyway.
TracyLuv -
Deirdre Rachid's habitual form of addressing her daughter Tracy.
Trash -
Tricia Armstrong. Well, she did seem pretty trashy in the beginning, and
it sounded right. Another Paul Baker contribution.
Vee -
Vera Duckworth. Jack sometimes calls her, rather affectionately, by this
diminutive, as do (very rarely) other characters.
Whoopsie Boy -
Nick Tilsey. If I have to explain it to you, you'll never understand.
Special Places:
Updaters have created their own code for places as well. These include:
Battersby Battlements - should be sadly self-explanatory. Along with
"Chateau Batteau", one of the nicknames for the Battersby homestead
inspired by the noise, uproar, and general low-level warfare which usually
takes place therein. This incarnation introduced by Alan M.
Chateau Batteau - this clever moniker for the Battersby's place was
originated by guest updater David McMurray.
Chez Elliot or House of Elliot - Fred Elliot's house, where Ashley, Zoe,
Nick and Leanne, but ironically no one named Elliot, currently live. There
was a UK drama series called "House of Elliot".
Flatland - "Greg Kelly's flat, named after a mythical world created around
the turn of the last century by the Reverend Edwin Abbott Abbott [really!].
It was inhabited by two-dimensional creatures - lacking depth - which seems
to describe Sally and Greg pretty nicely." David McMurray.
Fringes by Fiona - Hair by Fiona, the name of the Street's salon when it
was owned by now-departed Fiona Middleton. The nickname is catchier.
Fort Baldwin - "The 'home' of Mike and Alma, who are in a constant state
of self-imposed siege." Coined by David MacMurray.
Hamburgers' - The McDonalds'.
T'Caff - Roy and Gail's Cafe.
Valley of the Bland - Greg Kelly's apartment. See "Blandford" for the
reason why. Coined by The Rattler.
Webster Hollow - The Webster Residence. Created by David McMurray, it was
"intended to evoke an image of frightened little animals, scurrying through
the undergrowth and hoping - in vain - that they don't get stepped on."
Special thanks to Peter Dewhirst, R. Jeffreys, Steph Johnson, Chris "The
Rattler" Lines, Alan Milewczyk, Janet T. O'Keefe, Deb Paget, Mike Plowman,
Shirley, Sheila (MsElmo), Vivianne, and especially Graham Allsopp for
beginning this list, filling in many gaps and providing background.
--
<ronniecat at hotmail dot com> =^..^=
"Diversity is the perfection of the universe." - St. Thomas Aquinas
Address above altered to foil spambots - remove mycoller to reply
Ron Vale
As a viewer of the Street on and off since day one.. Can anybody out
there recall a family that are continually mentioned, and from the sound
of them, three bothers, who AFAIR have never appeared
I refer to the Eckerslikes
Duzzy
Issy
Willie
Are there more of them out there iwonder?
Ron
Richard Thomas
You forgot Canny and Diddy (just off the top of my head) :-)
Richard
The Rattler
ric...@equity.starjump.org says...
> > Duzzy
> > Issy
> > Willie
>
> You forgot Canny and Diddy (just off the top of my head) :-)
And Dopey and Sneezy and Grumpy an... Er, nope, I don't have a clue what
you're talking about. :)))
--
"Ramalamalama Kenickie Kenickie!
Ramalamalama Kenickie Kenickie!"
**** Rattl...@hotmail.com
Heather Knowles
<snip>
>I refer to the Eckerslikes
>
>Duzzy
>Issy
>Willie
>
>Are there more of them out there iwonder?
>
--
lotsa luv, Heaven xxxxxxx
cat, n. - a soft, indestructible automaton provided by nature
to be kicked when things go wrong in the domestic circle
- Ambrose Bierce, 'The Devil's Dictionary
Ron Vale
Yes...... forgot about him
Ron Vale
>
> On Tue, 2 Feb 1999, Ron Vale wrote:
>
> > <snipped>
> >
> > As a viewer of the Street on and off since day one.. Can anybody out
> > there recall a family that are continually mentioned, and from the sound
> > of them, three bothers, who AFAIR have never appeared
> >
> >
> > Duzzy
> > Issy
> > Willie
> >
> > Are there more of them out there iwonder?
> >
>
>
Isnt 'diddy' being heightist?
Ron Vale
>
> In article <Pine.LNX.3.96.99020...@equity.starjump.org>,
> ric...@equity.starjump.org says...
> > > Duzzy
> > > Issy
> > > Willie
> >
>
> you're talking about. :)))
>
> --
> "Ramalamalama Kenickie Kenickie!
> Ramalamalama Kenickie Kenickie!"
> **** Rattl...@hotmail.com
Evidently not of UK origin there!!!!!
The Rattler
[in response to me]
> Evidently not of UK origin there!!!!!
I am, actually. I'm just *tremendously* slow/tired today... Took me until
you said that to figure out the joke!!
Richard Thomas
On Tue, 2 Feb 1999, Ron Vale wrote:
> Richard Thomas wrote:
> >
> > On Tue, 2 Feb 1999, Ron Vale wrote:
> >
> > > <snipped>
> > >
> > > As a viewer of the Street on and off since day one.. Can anybody out
> > > there recall a family that are continually mentioned, and from the sound
> > > of them, three bothers, who AFAIR have never appeared
> > >
> > > I refer to the Eckerslikes
> > >
> > > Duzzy
> > > Issy
> > > Willie
> > >
> > > Are there more of them out there iwonder?
> > >
> >
> > You forgot Canny and Diddy (just off the top of my head) :-)
> >
> > Richard
>
>
> Isnt 'diddy' being heightist?
>
To which I reply "Izzit" (Eckerslike...!)
Richard
Alan Milewczyk
>In article <Pine.LNX.3.96.99020...@equity.starjump.org>,
>ric...@equity.starjump.org says...
>> > Duzzy
>> > Issy
>> > Willie
>>
>> You forgot Canny and Diddy (just off the top of my head) :-)
>
>And Dopey and Sneezy and Grumpy an... Er, nope, I don't have a clue what
>you're talking about. :)))
Lesson in Lancy dialect due when you next visit these shores ;-) nah
sithee lad!
Example translation...
Duzzy Eckerslike = does he heck as like
etc etc...
Sheesh!! lol!! ;-)
--
Regards
Alan (ICQ UIN 10440270)
* Alan Milewczyk
* al...@prosper.demon.co.uk http://www.prosper.demon.co.uk/
* Greetings from Glorious Glossop in the High Peak, Derbyshire, UK
Peter Dewhirst
<ronn...@mycollar.hotmail.com> wrote:
>This is an alphabetical list of nicknames used by update writers in their
>daily or weekly updates of Coronation Street episodes and in the newsgroup
>rec.arts.tv.uk.coronation-st.
>It is built on the origin of an earlier list maintained by Graham Allsopp
>and I thank him for the work he began.
And we thank you too, Ronniecat for maintaining this detail.
But anyway, here's interesting:
Of the 36 characters mentioned, 18 are no longer in the Street, and
the remaining 18 include Vicky Arden and Traceyluv, who are peripheral
to say the least.
I'll get me anorak, it's the one over there with the fake fur trim on
the hood, and the mittens attached toi the sleeves.........
--
The Full Dewey
Hitchin, UK
Mark Sacre
ronniecat wrote in message <01be4e79$defbb600$LocalHost@mcaf>...
>List of Nicknames used in Coronation Street Updates
>
Am I the only person who thinks of Loraine as "Heidi" ? (Mainly with the
pigtails).
Simon
Mark Sacre wrote:
> ronniecat wrote in message <01be4e79$defbb600$LocalHost@mcaf>...
> >List of Nicknames used in Coronation Street Updates
> >
>
> Am I the only person who thinks of Loraine as "Heidi" ? (Mainly with the
> pigtails).
You're not alone - Heidi was the first thing that popped into my mind when I
first saw Loraine with her pigtails.
Simon
The Rattler
mike.p...@dial.pipex.com says...
[Re: Smiley Spice]
> >You're not alone - Heidi was the first thing that popped into my mind
>
Incredibly. So much so that I have to heid behind the couch facing the
opposite direction of the telly every time she's on. :) *groan*