So the use of these nicknames casts the hobby in a bad light?

Gosh -- is there an echo in here?

* * *

No - those people cast the hobby in a bad light.  Use of nicknames is way down the list, after lack of hygiene, lack of social skills, unhealthy attitude towards women, and so on.

Imagine a "civilian" encountering one of these folks (not sure where - maybe the civilian gives people tours of basements) - do they walk away from the conversation thinking "His use of nicknames was really nerdy" or "What in the heck was that smell?"

You have said there is "not a chance" you would use the nicknames to civilians. Why not?

You have said there is "not a chance" you would use the nicknames to civilians. Why not?

* * *

Two reasons: one, I don't tend to talk about superheroes except to other superhero fans.  Outside of maybe casual discussion of whatever movie is out at the time, most of the "civilians" I know are mostly disinterested in the topic.

Two, I think most of those nicknames sound really dumb.  Other than "Spidey", I don't use any of them *anywhere*.  On the rare occasions when superheroes do come up in polite company, I don't refer to "Gally" any more than I'd refer to something being "faboo" - because it sounds stupid and it makes me sound stupid.

For starters, I'm not sure what difference it makes whether this hypothetical room full of people is in the military or not.

But, to answer the question...it would likely depend upon the group, their existing knowledge of the subject matter, and the tone of the conversation.  (Not to mention, of course, which - if any - character nicknames I'm prone to use to any degree.)

But, that applies to references to real people, as well.  For example, my wife and I refer to one of our close friends as "Junior."  It's a nickname that began when we all worked together.  When speaking of him in a group that isn't as familiar with him, we refer to him by his name: Josh.  If it's a group that is more familar with him, he may be referred to as "Josh" or "Junior."  He's part of our monthly poker group.  When we began the game back in January, we almost exclusively referred to him as "Josh" during the games.  As the rest of the group became more familiar with him, we began to occasionally refer to him as "Junior" during the games.

You have said there is "not a chance" you would use the nicknames to civilians. Why not?
*****

Nicknames fall into the same category as jargon when communicating with others.  Unless someone is familiar with the jargon it is considered impolite to use.

God, you guys really are "elitist jackasses", aren't you?

Say, cutie, did you forget you're supposed to be arguing against my point?

Say, cutie, did you forget you're supposed to be arguing against my point?

* * *

"Cutie"?  C'mon man, I like you and all, but haven't we already established my lack of hygiene above?  :)

And I'm not really trying to argue against your point - at least not most of it.  I agree with you, and have from the beginning, that all these little nicknames are dumb.  I'm not prepared to take the extra step and attribute their use to some deep-seated hatred (or at least lack of respect) for superheroes; nor do I think that their use is really a significant factor in the public perception of comics.  I just think they're dumb.

Civilians are so stupid they would not know "Spidey" means "Spider-Man"? We are talking about a scenario in which the discussion would be about the movies or some other form with which they would be familiar without being comicbook fans.

God, you guys really are "elitist jackasses", aren't you?
*****

Wow, I don't think I have ever seen someone try so hard to miss a point.