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It's actually even more relevant here than it appears, in that the rest of the comment is true: half the article really is about nicknames that people do still
by quietbritishjim 2y ago
It's actually even more relevant here than it appears, in that the rest of the comment is true: half the article really is about nicknames that people do still use, so there was no reason for the author to object. But that point is lost thanks to the snark.
- mjd 2y agoThe first part of the article explains the pattern, where a nickname becomes a patronymic surname, using familiar examples. This sets up the main point, which is that the pattern holds so reliably that when you meet a patronymic surname you can often infer the existence of a nickname, even when it's one you don't recongize. Hence the title.