Note 611 — Chapter VI · ‘Nicknames.’ (continued 2)

We have already noticed that ‘Robin Hood’ had become in itself a surname. It is quite possible our ‘Little-johns’ have arisen in a similar manner. Little John, I need not say, was as carefully represented at the May-day dance as Robin himself or Maid Marian. Ritson has preserved us a rhyme on the subject—

‘This infant was called John Little,’ quoth he

‘Which name shall be changed anon;

The words we’ll transpose, so wherever he goes,

His name shall be called “Little John.”’