Ever wondered which member of the royal family was nicknamed Action Man? Or what pet name Marlene Dietrich gave to Ernest Hemingway? Which footballer was called The Black Pearl? And who was dubbed Attila the Hen by her critics and The Iron Lady by her supporters? From the affectionate and humorous to the derogatory and vitriolic, this scintillating collection brings together famous people, places, events, and organizations with the nicknames that epitomize them. With broad coverage of politicians, monarchs, cities, musicians, sportspeople, institutions, actors, and much more, the Oxford Dictionary of Nicknames explores the reasons behind the sobriquets of the famous and looks at contrasting attitudes to controversial figures, presenting each entry in its historical context. Nicknames are listed in an accessible A-Z format, with appendices on football clubs, army regiments, and US states. Entertaining, informative, and often funny, the Oxford Dictionary of Nicknames is perfect browsing material for the general reader, and a useful point of reference for anyone researching famous figures, places, or institutions.