Oh, yes, that I get. Some people try to call me “Stephie”, and I shut them down very quickly. Steph is fine, Stephie is fighting words. I usually just look at them quizzically and say “do I LOOK like a Stephie?”

I'm right there with you.

Though "Teppy" is fine with me. Huh.

Though "Teppy" is fine with me. Huh.

Can I call you "Teppinator II - Judgement Day"?

Though "Teppy" is fine with me. Huh.

well, that's not a diminutive, it's a nickname.

Question:

I'm freezing in my office and no sweater etc to put on and I can't chage the thermostat. My boss has a hoodie sitting on the couch and he's not here. Would it be totally wierd to put it on?

Only if he catches you.

Though "Teppy" is fine with me. Huh.

Can I call you "Teppinator II - Judgement Day"?

As long as you can make it sound REALLY ominous, then sure!

Though "Teppy" is fine with me. Huh.

well, that's not a diminutive, it's a nickname.

True, but it *sounds* like a diminutive.

Okay, fair point.

Only if he catches you.

Crap. He'd totally catch me cause I'd forget to take it off.

builds a fire out of old leases

Maybe if you don't put it on, but just wrap it around your shoulders, it's less weird.

My boss has a hoodie sitting on the couch and he's not here. Would it be totally wierd to put it on?

wrap it around your shoulders. You're not wearing it, but it will provide some warmth.

I took DH's name. Legally I'm Susan MaidenName MarriedName, though AFAIC my original middle name, Eunice (for my grandmother, whose birthday I share) is still there. Sometimes I wish I'd kept my maiden name, but at the time I was only beginning to step out of my conservative religious phase, and it would've felt like too big of a statement. Also, my maiden name was Stone, and I was sick of being called Sharon. Seriously. It happened ALL THE TIME.

But the W. name feels like mine now, eight years on. Not that I've stopped being a Stone or having strong ties to my family and heritage, just that Susan W. is me.