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Nicknames rarely make sense. Heck, we've never understand why "Richard" was shortened to "Dick." Equally perplexing is why the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences calls their golden statuettes "Oscar." There are two predominant theories, but neither is definitive. The most popular story involves Academy librarian Margaret Herrick, who would later become the Academy's executive director. Allegedly, she declared that the statue looked like her Uncle Oscar. As the illustrious Academy's official site notes, this is an "unsubstantiated story," but the fact that they even acknowledge it gives the theory credibility. Another possible explanation has to do with the great
Bette Davis. Some believe the legendary actress gave the statue its nickname in honor of her first husband, Harmon Oscar Nelson Jr. If this is true, we doubt she knew how popular the nickname would become. Just like we doubt she knew her eyeballs would later become the subject of a popular '80s tune by Kim Carnes. The word first appeared in print thanks to 1930s gossip columnist Sidney Skolsky. According to Sonik Magazine, Skolsky used the name "Oscar" when writing about Katharine Hepburn's 1934 win for Best Actress. But it wasn't until 1939 that the Academy officially recognized the name. Over the years, ol' Oscar has become one of the most powerful personalities in Hollywood. He makes careers, inspires tearful speeches, and allows winners to up their salary demands enormously. Not bad for an inanimate object.
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