[Opinions] Re: Margaret/Daisy
in reply to a message by queenv
I adore Daisy as a nick for Margaret and have considered it myself because my mother was Margaret and well, I don't exactly love it. My only reservation is that people may perceive Daisy as unintelligent or flighty, etc. Then, of course, there are the phrases 'pushing up daisies,' 'lazy Daisy' and 'crazy Daisy' that give me pause. Still love it, though.
I definitely feel it's a tradition worth carrying on but don't have a problem with Daisy by itself. Personally, I'd be more inclined to go the full name-route just the same way I prefer Lily as a nick for Elizabeth.
Re: the origin, my theory is that someone educated knew of the French meaning of marguerite and was also aware of Marguerite's relationship to Margaret and cleverly applied the nn Daisy to Margaret. According to Hanks and Hodges (Oxford Dictionary of First Names), flower names didn't become en vogue for women until end of the 19th century so I'm curious when Daisy first became associated with Margaret.
I definitely feel it's a tradition worth carrying on but don't have a problem with Daisy by itself. Personally, I'd be more inclined to go the full name-route just the same way I prefer Lily as a nick for Elizabeth.
Re: the origin, my theory is that someone educated knew of the French meaning of marguerite and was also aware of Marguerite's relationship to Margaret and cleverly applied the nn Daisy to Margaret. According to Hanks and Hodges (Oxford Dictionary of First Names), flower names didn't become en vogue for women until end of the 19th century so I'm curious when Daisy first became associated with Margaret.
This message was edited 6/26/2008, 1:58 PM