- sobriquets
- sobriquetsA sobriquet (preferred spelling, not soubriquet) is a nickname that has become so firmly attached to a particular person, place, or thing, that it is understood independently of the real name and is often used in preference to it. The table below gives a selection (some have more than one).name / stands forAlbion / Englandalma mater / one's college or universityAthens of the North / EdinburghAuld Reekie / EdinburghAuntie / the BBCBard of Avon / ShakespeareBeefeater / Yeoman of the GuardBig Apple / New YorkBlack Country / the industrial west Midlands of EnglandBlack Death / the 14c plague in EnglandBlack Prince / the eldest son of Edward IIICity of Dreaming Spires / OxfordEmerald Isle / IrelandGarden of England / KentIron Duke / the Duke of WellingtonJack Tar / a sailor in the Royal NavyJohn Bull / an EnglishmanKiwi / a New ZealanderLeft Bank / the artistic district of ParisMaid of Orleans / Joan of ArcOld Nick / the devilOld Lady of Threadneedle Street / the Bank of EnglandThe Pond / the Atlantic Oceansport of kings / horseracingStars and Stripes / the flag of the USASwan of Avon / ShakespeareThe Thunderer / The Times (newspaper)Tinseltown / HollywoodTommy (Atkins) / a British soldierUncle Sam / USAUnion Flag (or Union Jack) / the British flagVirgin Queen / Queen Elizabeth I of England
Modern English usage. 2014.