Editor's Corner

Dear Editrix,

Who is Nick and why is the word used in so many ways? (I nicked my face shaving, Al Capone’s nickname was Scarface, I nicked the dame’s necklace, etc.)

Sincerely,

Ron the Retired

Well, hello, dear Ron. From your examples, you seem to be keeping up with your creative writing—either that or you’ve become a jewel thief. And then there’s the word “dame.” Also, creative writing, I hope. If not, and you’re calling the women you know “dames,” I think I just figured out why the dating scene is rough for you.

My first thought after reading your list was, “Wow, that is a lot of references!” Then I thought some more and realized that “Old Nick” is also a name for the devil. I’m sure there are even more nick-related names. Here’s what I uncovered in the Free Dictionary idioms. The definitions are theirs; the examples are mine.

in the nick of time (arrive in the nick of time, just in the nick of time)
To appear or reach a particular destination at the last possible moment before being too late.

Example: As Callie lit the first sparkler and Jo set fire to the ground bloom flower, Daisy ran up to the group in the nick of time with her bottle rocket.

down the nick (slang, primarily in the UK)

Example: Rupert called me from the police station. He’s down the nick for disorderly conduct after drinking too much.

get nicked (slang, primarily in the UK)

1. verb To be stolen.

Example: My wallet was nicked from my purse at the street fair.

2. verb To be arrested.

Example: The police nicked Liam for tagging the underpass.

nick (one) for (something)

To cheat or swindle one out of something, especially money.

Example: If you buy anything from that website, be careful; the prices look good, but as you check out they nick you for tons of extra fees.

nick ninny (obsolete)

A foolish or simple-minded person.

Example: Audrey is a total nick ninny—dumber than a box of hair.

nick off (primarily heard in Australia)

To leave or depart very suddenly, abruptly, or hurriedly, especially without permission.

Example: Those girls smoking and drinking in the park are young; I bet they nicked off from school early to be naughty.

nick up

To scuff, scratch, cut, or dent in multiple places the surface of something, especially one that had previously been free of blemishes. A noun or pronoun can be used between "nick" and "up."

Example: Ron shaved too quickly and nicked up his face.

Old Nick (primarily in the UK)

An old-fashioned name for the devil in Christianity.

Example: I’ve been drinking plain old water for six months; I’d sell my soul to Old Nick for a cold can of diet cherry Pepsi®.

Full of Old Nick

Always making mischief.

Example: Ray’s mom told me he’s been full of Old Nick since he was little. It was only the Air Force that could tame him.

Kara Church | Technical Editor, Advisory | Knowledge Enablement

Pronouns: she/her | Call via Teams | jackhenry.com

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