I’m a St. Louis “native” and I didn’t like it when Deb Peterson started using it in the first place (and emailed a comment then). It just sounded like someone who was not from here trying to sound cool. I don’t like it any more now than I did then.

I, too quit reading Deb Peterson when she started using that name; still don’t read her column. Didn’t like it then, don’t like any better now. Can’t say that I’ll ever like it.

When “the Peter” launched her own new nickname for this town (aka “the crapper”, er, “the lou” ) the first impression that came to mind for me was that some folks just have a need to create nicknames. What’s in a nickname? Is it a stab at being humorous? Or perhaps to become more personal and endearing? Sometimes insult is the intent, or at least leaves that unintended result.

The measure becomes the reaction, doesn’t it? If I like it keep it up! Call someone by a nickname they don’t like, and the likely reaction is negative. Nicknames are sort of like sarcasm. Some find humor, others find offense. What’s YOUR intent? Or more importantly how do people read it?

So, what’s the verdict on “the lou” (or does the post mean “the loo”?) ?
Humorous- to some readers
Offensive- to some readers
Endearing- to some readers
Insulting- to some readers

And how about the originating name caller? As long as the topic here is nicknames, perhaps readers would like a run at her nickname too?
Readers, what’s your vote on “the peter”?
Humorous
Offensive
Endearing
Insulting

BK

Perpetrators of “The Lou” defend the nickname by invoking Nelly. Well God bless Nelly, but as we all know, there’s nothing quite as enduring as Hip-Hop slang. So carry on “The Lou” people. I think it’s really groovy, man Hep.

I note that some of your responses were from apparently younger people who seem to think that saying “The Lou” makes them hip.

What it does is accentuate the fact that they are hopelessly juvenile.

I wonder if they have a tree house and a secret club with a password?

Succinctly, “the lou” is tacky! St. Louis has more class than that.

I’m glad this discussion came up, I consider myself young and hip but count me in with those hating the use of “the lou.” I am not offended by it because it refers to a toilet, but because St Louis has some awsome history and I think it’s disrespectful is that sense. I lived in San Francisco for many years and people there did not like the use of Frisco. I never heard residents using it. I emailed Deb Peterson shortly after she started using it.

Deb Peterson’s use of “Lou” is the reason I have quit reading her column. She is not very “hip” if she doesn”t know British slang.

I have lived in St. Louis since I was born 58 years ago. No one from here refers to St. Louis as “St. Louie” and the use of the “the Lou” is an obvious an attempt to incorporate another nickname that no one from here never uses (or has ever heard of except in Deb Peterson’s column). I enjoy Deb Peterson’s column but I have no idea why she is insistant in using the term “the Lou” in her columns. It does upset me every time I see it. Why doesn’t she just quit using it and just stick to the facts - or the gossip as it perhaps more aptly applies,

Ever since I first saw “The Lou” in the lady with the AmerenUE hairstyle’s column, it has been like fingernails on a blackboard to me. Folks around the water cooler feel the same. Let’s face it, St. Louis is not a hip town, but leans toward the conservative side.