My parents wouldn't tolerate anyone messing with the name they chose for me, Elizabeth. One day, when I was about three years old, our next-door-neighbour leaned over the garden wall and said, "Hello, Lizzy Pop Bottle!" Apparently, I stuck my nose in the air and informed her, " My name's ELIZABETH!" The story was often repeated and the name seemed a good one that few others would attempt to use.
My grandad ignored my parents' rule and called me 'Bet'. I would never have tolerated that from anyone else! Born in 1952 (the year the Queen came to the throne), there were several Elizabeths in my year group at school and we each had a different version assigned to us. Some got diminutives of the name e.g. Libby but most got Liz and their surname initial. I was LizG. Funnily enough, there were no Bets, Bettys, Besses or other such versions!
On my 18th birthday, a friend phoned and asked to speak to Liz. My dad called up the stairs, " Liz! Someone on the phone for you!" I was shocked! I'd been Elizabeth until that day. As far as my dad was concerned, I was legally an adult from that day and it was then my choice what to be called. My mother never called me anything but Elizabeth!
