Made in Chelsea's Tatler explains the meaning behind Sloanes’ nicknames
When Made in Chelsea first stormed onto our screens in 2011, fans were baffled and delighted in equal measure by cast members' seemingly random - and impossibly posh - nicknames.
Binky, Caggie and Cheska (real names Alexandra Felstead, Catherine Dunlop and Francesca Hull) were just some of the characters quaffing champagne and treating themselves to endless blow-dries around south-west London on the E4 constructed reality show.
Yet according to posh bible Tatler, there's method in the madness when it comes to Sloanes' weird and wonderful nicknames.
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Tatler have penned a guide explaining the meaning behind Sloane's nicknames. Pictured: Made in Chelsea star Binky earned her nickname as she is 'the youngest - small and dinky,' according to her sister Anna-Louise
Method in the madness: Former MIC member Caggie Dunlop has admitted that her nickname came from her big brother, who couldn't pronounce 'Catherine' when she was born - and has stuck ever since
The magazine has penned an ode to posh monikers, insisting that 'Spunky', 'Dingo', 'Flea' and 'Piggers' are perfectly acceptable - even common - in the world of Sloane Rangers.
They claim the origin of these names is often British boarding schools, formulated by friends in an attempt to 'compensate for the lack of individuality in an environment where people are only called by their surnames'.
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ShareThey also point towards 'boredom and silliness and long nights in dormitories' as well as a healthy dose of gang mentality - comparing the custom of nicknames to those found in 'male-dominated peer groups' like the Mafia - suggesting it signals that you've been accepted into the gang.
However, posh nicknames are also rife in aristocratic families as evidenced by Diana Mitford who was known as Dana, Dina, Bodley, Nardy and Honks by her mother, father and sisters respectively.
Francesa Hull prefers to be known as 'Cheska' (left) while Gabriella Tristao - of 'champage boob party' fame - became 'Gabilicious' after a nickname from her friend Mark-Francis 'stuck'
The original Sloane Rangers: The cast of Made in Chelsea Season One (left to right: Amber Atherton, Millie Mackintosh, Rosie Fortescue, Binky Felstead, Caggie Dunlop, Gabriella Ellis and Cheska Hull)
Sloane Square, the setting behind Made in Chelsea and the origin of countless hilarious nicknames
THE BEST SLOANE NICKNAMES
- 'Bunter' Somerset and sister 'Monster'
- Gabriella 'Bumpy' Wilde
- Florence 'Flea' St George
- James 'Loony' Cayzer
- 'Nick Nock' Palmer
- 'Flops' Cameron
Indeed, privately-educated Caggie Dunlop has admitted that her nickname came from her big brother, who couldn't pronounce 'Catherine' when she was born.
Binky, meanwhile, earned her nickname as she is 'the youngest - small and dinky,' according to her sister Anna-Louise.
Fellow Made in Chelsea cast member Gabriella Tristao - of 'champage boob party' fame - became Gabilicious after a nickname from her friend Mark-Francis 'stuck', while Francesa Hull prefers to be known as Cheska.
The author also pointed to the extended family of Prince Harry's ex, Cressida Bonas - whose half-brother Jacobi Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe is known as 'Cozy' and Isabella Branson who friends affectionately refer to as 'Bellie''
Last year, Tatler caused much hilarity with their 'Sloane name generator', allowing readers to work out their posh nickname from the first letter of their first name, followed by the first two letters of their surname - resulting in combinations such as 'Tinks Spiffington Finknottle' and 'Gussy Wodehouse Queensberry'.
