Dear Judy,
The entire family is divided so we need help. Our grandfather died last month, and we all liked him. His nickname from grade school on was Stinky: he made stink bombs in 5th grade, got him into a lot of trouble.
That’s what half the family wants to put on his marble gravestone, because even the grandchildren used to call him Grandpa Stinky. But the rest of us (I’m including myself here) think it might be a tacky way of remembering the guy, and also strangers and even some distant friends won’t get the joke and might think it disrespectful.
So okay. What do you think?
Lou
Dear Lou,
I think it might be best if you left the nickname out altogether for the very reasons you cite: the chance that some might find it disrespectful and puzzling. Stink bombs aren’t the only reason some are stuck with that kind of nickname, and the memories it evokes aren’t always affectionate.
But if you must have it engraved, why not write something like:
“HERBERT SMITH, aka “‘Stinky’”
Thank you for writing
Judu
