answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

"fellow, lad, man," 1553, rhyming nickname for Rick, short for Richard, one of the commonest Eng. names, it has long been a synonym for "fellow," and so most of the slang senses are probably very old, but naturally hard to find in the surviving records. The meaning "penis" is attested from 1891 in British army slang; d*ckhead "stupid person" is from 1969. Meaning "detective" is recorded from 1908, perhaps as a shortened variant of detective. The D*ck Whittingtonstory is an old one, told under other names throughout Europe, of a poor boy who sends a cat he had bought for a penny as his stake in a trading voyage; the captain sells it on his behalf for a fortune to a foreign king whose palace is overrun by rats. The hero devotes part of his windfall to charity, which may be why the legend attached in England since 16c. to Sir Richard Whittington (d.1423), three times Lord Mayor of London, who died childless and devoted large sums in his will to churches, almshouses, and St. Bartholomew's Hospital.

source: http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=dick

Because "Rich" looks awefully like "Dick" in old time handwriting.

same goes for "Bob" to "Robert", "Bill" to "William"...

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

"Dick" is typically a nickname for the name Richard.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

Richard.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why is Dick short for Richard?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

Is dick short for richard?

yes.


What is the girls name Dicky short for?

Probably Richardine (like Dick is short for Richard).


How do you say Richard is short?

Richard iis really weard


What is a name for a boy who bullies people?

Richard. Dick for short (and it probably is).


Why is Bob short for Robert an Dick short for Richard?

The nickname "Bob" evolved from the medieval English pronunciation of "Rob" from "Robert." Similarly, "Dick" developed from the rhyming slang in the Middle Ages where "Rick" from "Richard" evolved into "Dick." Over time, these shortened forms became commonly used nicknames.


What does the name Dick mean?

The name Dick is a diminutive form of the name Richard, which means "brave/strong ruler" or "dominant king". It is derived from Germanic and Old English origins.


Is the name Dick in the Bible?

No. Dick is a nickname for Richard and Richard is an English name.


What is the definition of dick?

dick is a American slang word for penis Or you can use it to describe someone likeHe's acting like a dickThe short form of the man's name Richard.


Who had the nickname tricky dick?

Richard trickey dick Nixon one of our presidents President Richard M. Nixon Richard NixonThat's "Tricky Dick". It refers to President Richard Nixon.


Are Dick Durbin and Richard Durbin brothers?

They are not brothers. Dick Durbin's full name is Richard Joseph "Dick" Durbin.


What is the difference between Dick and Richard?

Dick is usually a nickname for Richard, but it may be a given name.


What is the full name of Dick Cheney?

Dick Cheney's birth name is Richard Bruce Cheney.