General Discussion

RZM

(8,556 posts)

19. I've noticed this too

Fri Apr 20, 2012, 11:20 PM

Apr 2012

Much of it might just be coincidence. Same thing happens in our circles of friends and acquaintances. Some people get called by their first name, some by their last, some by both, and some by nicknames.

One possible explanation (really two) is that 'Trayvon' and 'Zimmerman' are much more unique and identifiable than 'Geroge' and 'Martin.' This could also be the racial aspect of the case bleeding in as well. 'Zimmerman' is pretty white sounding (being a German name), while 'Trayvon' is pretty black sounding. 'George' and 'Martin' are both race-neutral.

BTW, depending on where you look, you do get their full names a lot as well. Using only one here might partly be a function of message board/internet culture, because it's faster to type one name than two.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

168 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Why is George Zimmernan refered to as "Zimmerman"... [View all] -..__... Apr 2012 OP

Because one is an adult and the other was a schoolboy. MADem Apr 2012 #1

You're "sorta" right. Fawke Em Apr 2012 #30

My first thought too treestar Apr 2012 #107

I hadn't really thought of it, but maybe because one is an adult and the other was still a youth? Electric Monk Apr 2012 #2

LOL Cali_Democrat Apr 2012 #3

I've been referring to both by their last names. Skip Intro Apr 2012 #4

I have too. n/t X_Digger Apr 2012 #13

lol CreekDog Apr 2012 #16

Yup. Cali_Democrat Apr 2012 #18

"some people" - ? nt Skip Intro Apr 2012 #29

and I won't take the bait this time either CreekDog, but keep trying...nt Skip Intro Apr 2012 #27

i didn't ask you to post more crap...you already did that CreekDog Apr 2012 #32

Goodnight CreekDog. Skip Intro Apr 2012 #33

what will we white people do now? CreekDog Apr 2012 #37

I call 'em both by their last names usually. Simpler. freshwest Apr 2012 #21

Same here... -..__... Apr 2012 #24

Color Me Biased In Favor Of The Dead Kid/EOM DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2012 #51

I am very biased towards victims. Not too much sympathy for sabrina 1 Apr 2012 #91

I'm strongly biased in favor of the dead child. yardwork Apr 2012 #102

Trayvon is easily identifiable -- more so than Martin. George could refer to gateley Apr 2012 #5

I was misspelling his name and gave up. And George is too common. Last names for me. freshwest Apr 2012 #34

I always call people by their last names, a habit I've had for years. gateley Apr 2012 #42

Oh, I thought it was your first name! Don't tell everything here, though. freshwest Apr 2012 #56

I wouldn't use it if I knew then what I know now, that's for sure! gateley Apr 2012 #144

I use both their last names most of the time Quixote1818 Apr 2012 #6

Age, for me. nt. polly7 Apr 2012 #7

Well, there WAS a huge imbalance in the entire tragedy. One was an adult with a gun, Zimmerman, the sabrina 1 Apr 2012 #8

Framing and identity development are powerful, but often fallacious, rhetorical tactics. ZombieHorde Apr 2012 #9

Someone gets it. -..__... Apr 2012 #22

So people are dehumanizing George Zimmerman when they refer to him simply as Zimmerman? Cali_Democrat Apr 2012 #26

Try reading and grasping the post above mine. -..__... Apr 2012 #38

Some People have little use for fact, reason, logic or sublety - Skip Intro Apr 2012 #40

why did you call this statement "factual"? it would suggest you have major racial bias: CreekDog Apr 2012 #122

what's factual? fascisthunter Apr 2012 #154

oh bullshit- Bluerthanblue Apr 2012 #113

Why is Zimmerman referred to as a vigilante? dansolo Apr 2012 #159

+100 nt Skip Intro Apr 2012 #31

Yes, and that's why I do it. I am biased against Zimmerman, who killed a child named Trayvon. yardwork Apr 2012 #103

"Chased" and "child" are good buzzwords against the unaware too. ZombieHorde Apr 2012 #117

Thanks. I work hard at it. yardwork Apr 2012 #131

Then I will offer some suggestions. ZombieHorde Apr 2012 #132

Thanks, but I have a lot of practice with this and prefer to do it my own way. yardwork Apr 2012 #134

You're right. Personal style is very important, and my suggestions may ZombieHorde Apr 2012 #135

Fool fewer people, you mean. yardwork Apr 2012 #137

You're right again. I have an essay to write today, so I better put my grammar hat on. nt ZombieHorde Apr 2012 #139

Martin and George are extremely common so people use the names that stand out. snagglepuss Apr 2012 #10

Agree. That's what people do... use the less familiar/common name, so every knows who they mean. / October Apr 2012 #129

George and Martin are both common names. Zimmermen and Trayvon are more distinct. morningfog Apr 2012 #11

Because if we call him George, madaboutharry Apr 2012 #12

Not in the same thread/posts or current events. -..__... Apr 2012 #23

Calling someone by their first name is more personal The2ndWheel Apr 2012 #14

he's referred to both ways CreekDog Apr 2012 #15

I do it obnoxiousdrunk Apr 2012 #17

I've noticed this too RZM Apr 2012 #19

You confused me when you spelled "Zimmerman" name wrong the first time. itsrobert Apr 2012 #20

Because out of each person's name, "Trayvon" and "Zimmerman" are the most identifiable. OneTenthofOnePercent Apr 2012 #25

WTF is there to confuse? -..__... Apr 2012 #35

George Martin was often referred to as "The Fifth Beatle" Electric Monk Apr 2012 #41

While 'Trayvon Zimmerman' was in the German Disco Group Boney M RZM Apr 2012 #44

LOL! -..__... Apr 2012 #45

There is NOTHING to confuse. One is a victim of the NRA and the other has been duped madinmaryland Apr 2012 #62

Awww fuck it... -..__... Apr 2012 #71

I think I'll start using, "Captain Hero Complex" and "Innocent Dead Kid" ... those better? JoePhilly Apr 2012 #138

REALLY?? This is imbalanced AND unfair? Because people are disgusted by what he did and use HIS Ecumenist Apr 2012 #28

Because George and Martin are common names, JDPriestly Apr 2012 #36

kids are usually referred to with First Name , i think it sounds weird when they refer to him as Mr JI7 Apr 2012 #39

Lee Harvey Oswald, John Wilkes Booth, John Wayne Gacey. lpbk2713 Apr 2012 #43

Martin Luther King, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, John Fitzgerald Kennedy.. -..__... Apr 2012 #47

Why the fuck is this worthy of a post? tularetom Apr 2012 #46

And, from the same poster who posted THIS a couple of weeks ago Electric Monk Apr 2012 #48

Christ... -..__... Apr 2012 #52

You should have done the research before you threw that picture up here. nt MADem Apr 2012 #57

It's A Good Thing George Zimmerman Didn't See This Picture Of The 2010-2011 NBA MVP, Derrick Rose DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2012 #65

Who says I didn't? -..__... Apr 2012 #66

If you did do the research, and you still put that photo up, that tells us more than perhaps MADem Apr 2012 #79

Because I am fucking lazy and I was fucking asking... -..__... Apr 2012 #85

I'm not insinuating anything. I am telling you that you show yourself, with your comments, your MADem Apr 2012 #90

Newest member of the 'we' club here. nt. polly7 Apr 2012 #87

Yes, ma'am. Welcome aboard! nt MADem Apr 2012 #92

Don't confuse them with fact - they're not interested in fact - Skip Intro Apr 2012 #61

Did you catch the part about their photobucket account? Electric Monk Apr 2012 #64

And don't you think that if I had something to hide... -..__... Apr 2012 #70

You're doubling down on it? Ok, what's an "appropriate manner" for those Rachel Maddow PSs? Electric Monk Apr 2012 #74

Back on DU 2 in the Gungeon... -..__... Apr 2012 #77

Would you mind if I call you Kit? Electric Monk Apr 2012 #80

So what's up with the two pics of Rachel Maddow and the other one about posting on DU? Cali_Democrat Apr 2012 #75

Post above yours -..__... Apr 2012 #78

Spin...spin...spin away Cali_Democrat Apr 2012 #82

Because maybe I'm not that anal or wound up tighter than a clock spring. -..__... Apr 2012 #89

you weren't anal when you posted the fake Trayvon Martin photo (bouncing around right wing blogs) CreekDog Apr 2012 #120

Oh Snap! fascisthunter Apr 2012 #155

This message was self-deleted by its author Cali_Democrat Apr 2012 #82

so why would you keep that fake photo of Trayvon Martin (the one that isn't him)? CreekDog Apr 2012 #161

You again? -..__... Apr 2012 #162

so i guess you don't have any explanation of that post CreekDog Apr 2012 #168

I have now, and I'll say this about that - Skip Intro Apr 2012 #73

So, when people object to racist or other discriminatory invective or jokes, that's MADem Apr 2012 #82

You're playing that game right now - Skip Intro Apr 2012 #86

Let's be quite clear here--I am not playing any "game." MADem Apr 2012 #93

Oh yes you are - Skip Intro Apr 2012 #94

You might want to remember what YOU wrote before you accuse anyone of anything. MADem Apr 2012 #118

You just got busted doing exactly what I described, Skip Intro Apr 2012 #124

Keep digging--you'll hit oil soon if you keep on. MADem Apr 2012 #126

Sad. Skip Intro Apr 2012 #130

Yes, very sad indeed, your attitudes in this thread and on this board. MADem Apr 2012 #142

no, you got busted CreekDog Apr 2012 #141

+1,000 nt MADem Apr 2012 #143

? - my once a week reply to CreekDog Skip Intro Apr 2012 #145

you agreed with a comment that said that minorities cause nearly all of the violent crime in NYC CreekDog Apr 2012 #147

CreekDog, don't you get tired of being wrong? Skip Intro Apr 2012 #156

just to be clear, you're saying now you only agreed with the non-racist portion of the racist post? CreekDog Apr 2012 #157

ROFL! Skip Intro Apr 2012 #160

Yes, I must be stupid and not get it, just like all the other posters here asking you the same CreekDog Apr 2012 #163

Yes, you must be. A final challenge for you, CD, time to put up or shut up. Skip Intro Apr 2012 #165

Called you on your bs and you run. Skip Intro Apr 2012 #166

Nice sidestep JonLP24 Apr 2012 #150

and that the poster is more critical of my posts than he was of the racist, who posted false data CreekDog Apr 2012 #158

That was disturbing. nt MADem Apr 2012 #81

You're A Hero. Maybe You Can Get Your Face In Granite At Stone Mountain DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2012 #68

just interested in the truth my friend Skip Intro Apr 2012 #69

I may or may not agree on many issues posted here... -..__... Apr 2012 #76

an outcast for your posts --like the fake picture of Trayvon Martin CreekDog Apr 2012 #140

Jesus. About as subtle as a train wreck. nt MADem Apr 2012 #55

OMG I cannot believe they posted that discredited photo obamanut2012 Apr 2012 #104

Don't you get it? It's a subtle conspiracy to dehumanize Zimmerman and elevate Trayvon Cali_Democrat Apr 2012 #50

To accentuate racial differences. Zax2me Apr 2012 #49

Because "george" and "martin" are too generic? Ruby the Liberal Apr 2012 #53

Never mind... -..__... Apr 2012 #58

I Don't Refer To James Earl Ray And Byron de la Beckwith As James And Byron DemocratSinceBirth Apr 2012 #54

Why not? ScreamingMeemie Apr 2012 #59

Because Mr. Zimmerman has bought into the Gun-nut mentality that has madinmaryland Apr 2012 #60

Trayvon was an innocent victim of a hopped up likely racist, police wannabe, gun nut Hoyt Apr 2012 #63

Why do I use Z and Trayvon? LiberalFighter Apr 2012 #67

Not sure what you're talking about Blue_Tires Apr 2012 #72

Trayvon has no catchy shortening like Zimmy does. cherokeeprogressive Apr 2012 #88

you could call him Tray i suppose... dionysus Apr 2012 #151

Trayvon is a unique name and George isn't? Whisp Apr 2012 #95

Thanks for speaking up. I noticed, and changed, but didn't say anything. saras Apr 2012 #96

The OP means the opposite of what you just posted obamanut2012 Apr 2012 #111

YES! That TRAYVON gets all the breaks don't he? CreekDog Apr 2012 #97

Please explain to me why anyone should... 99Forever Apr 2012 #98

That's not how he's referred to in my household varelse Apr 2012 #99

Because one of them was a child, and he's dead, killed by the other. yardwork Apr 2012 #100

He was the victim and a minor obamanut2012 Apr 2012 #101

Because Zimmerman is an adult and Trayvon is a kid NNN0LHI Apr 2012 #105

I refer to them as 'Asshole On A Power Trip With Violent Tendencies And A Gun' and 'Murder Victim'. Ikonoklast Apr 2012 #106

Respect for the dead, perhaps? One thing *is* certain... AzDar Apr 2012 #108

because Trayvon is more distinct than martin and Zimmerman is more Bluerthanblue Apr 2012 #109

Hillary Clinton used the name "Hillary," on her posters. It is how she wanted to be called. nt ZombieHorde Apr 2012 #164

I noticed this early on... krispos42 Apr 2012 #110

And why is Trayvon Martin a 17 year old referred to as MR. Martin? EmeraldCityGrl Apr 2012 #112

Zimmerman is more unique than George. Trayvon is more unique than Martin. 4th law of robotics Apr 2012 #114

why did you post a Stormfront-sourced fake photo of Trayvon Martin? CreekDog Apr 2012 #115

hannity and others refer to him as Mr. Zimmerman IcyPeas Apr 2012 #116

Because "murdering, cowardly, asshole, piece-of-shit, mother-fucker" couldn't get by the censors? 11 Bravo Apr 2012 #119

I didn't realize we were supposed to be mzmolly Apr 2012 #121

as someone already posted: its the AP style naming convention, not a fng "imbalance" or "conspiracy" noiretextatique Apr 2012 #123

+1,000 nt MADem Apr 2012 #127

It is nothing more than ease of association MattBaggins Apr 2012 #125

Because if you said "George" and "Martin"... Iggo Apr 2012 #128

I like the name Trayvon which is why I say it and lunatica Apr 2012 #133

Cuz he's a douchebag? jpak Apr 2012 #136

It's a conspiracy. You've caught us. LeftyMom Apr 2012 #146

well I think the OP has scattered to the four winds CreekDog Apr 2012 #148

I've been hiding under your bed the whole time. -..__... Apr 2012 #149

well of course i'm more likely to post here than you --i actually like it here CreekDog Apr 2012 #152

because its a leftwing conspiracy! fascisthunter Apr 2012 #153

I call him Martin often. I use GZ 'cause it's shorter. "Trayvon" is attempt topersonalize the victim Honeycombe8 Apr 2012 #167