nick names

[bumbles]

where does the nick name bungy williams come from

[burnhal]

Fraid I dont know the answer but would love to know. Every Williams in the Navy is known as Bungy. All Whites are known as Knocker (not Chalky!) All Halls are known as Nobby. All people with surname Cross are known as Jumper- this one is obvious. There is a website which gives some clus- but not for Williams other than saying its Bungy

http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/static/pages/4726.html

[bumbles]

how do you get jumper from the name cross

[lankeela]

Jump across presumably!

[Quizmonster]

Pre First World War, 'bungy' was a Royal Navy nickname specifically for a physical training instructor. Perhaps there was one such person at an initial training (square-bashing) base...ie someone whom almost every recruit met...actually called Williams. Thereafter, perhaps his name became associated with anyone of that surname.