Lotsa Southerners — both black and white — have “Jimmy” or “Bobby” or “Billy” as part of their legal names. For example, “Jimmy John” or “Bobby Joe” or “Billy Ray” or others I’ve known. Spelled that way on their birth certificates and drivers’ licenses.
And who can forget Lyndon Johnson’s infamous Press Secretary, Billy Don “Bill” Moyers? It’s definitely a Southern thing.
Anyway, you may call us ignorant if you wish, but we jus’ don’t feel obliged always to stick with fancy names like James, Robert and William.
Lotsa Southerners — both black and white — have “Jimmy” or “Bobby” or “Billy” as part of their legal names.
You......did notice my screen name, didn’t you? Southern born and bred. Living in as just st about as far south Alabama as you can get. That was my first and only experience ever with someone who didn’t know James and Jimmy.