When Did Paul Become "Macca"?

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by Sternodox, Jul 10, 2016.

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  1. Sternodox

    Sternodox SubGenius Pope of Arkansas Thread Starter

    First time I heard the word "Macca" was on an episode of Absolutely Fabulous. Perhaps I just wasn't paying attention before. Was he Macca in 1964? 1969? After the breakup? Who first started calling him by that nick? Fans? Music critics? Can anyone point to a specific first mention in a written article? Does the name annoy anyone besides me? To me it's like calling Elvis "Pressy" or something.
     
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  2. the sands

    the sands Forum Resident

    Location:
    Oslo, Norway
    I just can't call him Macca. It feels weird to me. I don't say Paul either. It's Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and... Ringo. Hahaha. And Yoko. :D
     
  3. zebop

    zebop Well Known Stranger

    He's never been Macca to me, just Paul McCartney. Macca ignores the heck out of me, ha.
     
  4. supermd

    supermd Senior Member

    Location:
    San Jose, CA
    It's probably because he doesn't know you. ;)
     
  5. Muzyck

    Muzyck Pardon my scruffy hospitality

    Location:
    Long Island
    I am always totally respectful and call him "Sir".
     
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  6. mlew

    mlew Pub Rocker

    Brits give nicknames that are variations of their names
    ex. Larry could be Lazza, Barry might be Bazza, so McCartney is Macca
     
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  7. goodiesguy

    goodiesguy Confide In Me

    Location:
    New Zealand
    Macca, or Maccas means McDonald's Fast Food Restaurant here in New Zealand.
     
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  8. Joemi

    Joemi Forum Resident

    Location:
    UK West London
    'Fab whacky Macca thumbs aloft' from Q magazine in the 80s.
     
  9. the sands

    the sands Forum Resident

    Location:
    Oslo, Norway
    Well, I guess he is a Billboard's Fast Pop Food Maker, so why not. ;)
     
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  10. nikh33

    nikh33 Senior Member

    Location:
    Liverpool, England
    He was always called Macca. At school in Liverpool we were called by our surnames by teachers and by a shortened version of the surname by fellow students.
    You can hear John Lennon calling him Macca in February 1965 on Anthology 2 Disc 1 during a recording session.

    Quite when this nickname was first published I don't know. But we sometimes called The Beatles Macca, Lennie and Harry (and Ringo!) in the 60s. It's a Liverpool thing.
     
    Last edited: Jul 10, 2016
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  11. Blastproof

    Blastproof Senior Member

    Location:
    Mid-Atlantic USA
    Hate "Macca" almost as much as I hate "Percy." Lousy Brits and their weak nicknames...!
     
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  12. "Bonzo"
     
  13. Django

    Django Forum Resident

    Location:
    Dublin, Ireland
    Was it coined by some scumbag tabloid journalist?
     
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  14. Chris Schoen

    Chris Schoen Rock 'n Roll !!!

    Location:
    Maryland, U.S.A.
    He is McCartney to me, this Macca stuff is juvenile.
     
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  15. ajsmith

    ajsmith Senior Member

    Location:
    Glasgow
    No, it was coined by his beloved childhood pals.

    Nik33's reply is the correct answer in this thread.
     
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  16. Chris Schoen

    Chris Schoen Rock 'n Roll !!!

    Location:
    Maryland, U.S.A.
    His bandmates named him that, it's different. Nice avatar btw. :agree:
     
  17. ajsmith

    ajsmith Senior Member

    Location:
    Glasgow
    But McCartney's own friends named him 'Macca'!

    I think some people think its a fan invention - it's not; you can hear John Lennon call him it on 'You've Got To Hide Your Love Away' on Anthology 2.
     
  18. Chris Schoen

    Chris Schoen Rock 'n Roll !!!

    Location:
    Maryland, U.S.A.
    I guess it's an English thing then. He is Paul McCartney to me, anybody can call him what they want I guess...
     
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  19. Sammy Waslow

    Sammy Waslow Just watching the show

    Location:
    Ireland
    I think you mean Smash Hits in the eighties.
    Paul "Fab Macca Wacky Thumbs Aloft" McCartney.
     
  20. ajsmith

    ajsmith Senior Member

    Location:
    Glasgow
    Although, further to my last reply, I guess it's true it was popularised by the tabloid press as well.
     
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  21. supermolland

    supermolland Senior Member

    Location:
    boston
    Always thought it was silly and I never liked it. All of those nick names are silly... The Boss, Red Rocker, Man in Black. Also think its silly when people shout out Declan at Elvis Costello concerts... ok, we all know you know his real name, and are all very impressed.
     
  22. showtaper

    showtaper Concert Hoarding Bastard

    Many of us abandoned silly nicknames as we grew up.......
     
  23. Haristar

    Haristar Apollo C. Vermouth

    Location:
    Hampshire, UK
    I always call him "His Beatle-ness, Sir Paul McCartney".
     
  24. hello people

    hello people Forum Resident

    Location:
    Earth
    Kowtowing down to criminals who call themselves 'royal' has no respect.

    :righton:

    Haha
     
  25. Prudence1964

    Prudence1964 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Upstate NY
    Since his teenage years.
     
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