The Enid Blyton Society

I don't know where to put this. Anyhow, in what book did they start calling Timothy Timmy?

As far as I'm aware, Timmy is only referred to as Timothy in Five on a Treasure Island. He becomes Timmy from Five go Adventuring Again onwards.

     I've sometimes wondered about this, but I've never quite been compelled to go to the books, examine each one, and see what name is used in which books.
     He's also called Tim sometimes, too. What books is that in? Is there any book which uses all three versions of his name?

Regards, Michael.

Could the name change be that there would be few children called Timmy,whilst there would perhaps be many Timothys? A child might not appreciate having the same name as a dog ,even one as valiant and intelligent as Timmy.

Jack

I may be totally wrong, but I seem to remember all three names are used interchangeably in Treaure Island, and thereafter Timmy and Tim are both used regularly.

Yes from Adventuring Again, Timmy and Tim are used, but in On A Treasure Island, Timothy is used as far as I remember.

All three are also used interchangeably in Five Run Away Together. I re-read that one a few months ago and remember getting somewhat irritated at Blyton's seeming inability to make up her mind what the dog's name is. In at least one or two paragraphs the dog is referred to by at least two of the names within the same paragraph! I think however that that was the last book in which "Timothy" was used.

Yes that is true LS.

Lucky Star wrote:I re-read that one a few months ago and remember getting somewhat irritated at Blyton's seeming inability to make up her mind what the dog's name is.

I think she knew that the name was Timothy. Timmy and Tim were just his Pet names.

Pun not intended, I presume......

Moonraker wrote:Pun not intended, I presume...... :D

     Ha, ha... very punny joke!
     Although I noticed the alternation between Timothy, Timmy, and Tim, it never irritated me, and I barely noticed it. I don't know how often it happens that a pet - or a human for that matter - can have two or more current forms of name regularly in use by the same people - but I suppose it can happen.
     I don't personally think it is at all likely that the reason for abandoning "Timothy" was the belated realization (as suggested above) that there might be readers with that name who might be offended. For one thing, I think it's just as likely that a reader called Timothy might actually be quite pleased at the coincidence - I think we all know that many child readers strongly identify with an attractive dog in a story; and for another, the problem would still be there with Timmy or Tim (if it is a problem at all, which I don't think it is). I lived next door to a Tim for several years when we were both in our teens, and he is quite a prominent public figure now, regularly in the news, and still known as Tim. (I assume Timothy is his full name, but I never knew him as such.)

Regards, Michael.

Well I'm known as "Fiona" usually but plenty of people at work also call me "Fee" or "Fee-Fee". I'm also known as "Doh-ah" at my cousin's house.

Was the pun comment related to me guys? 'Cause then I need an explanation.

Yes, it was Darrell. It must have been unintentional as you ask for an explanation. A 'pet' name is another way of saying a nickname as you know - but Timmy was George's pet dog, wasn't he? That's why your comment has a sort of double meaning. It made some of us smile anyway!

My name is Abigail but it's normally referred most commonly Abi and less commonly Ab or Abs. I'm a bit like Timmy in a way (though I don't go chasing after rabbits )

Now I get it.... LOL!!