Pupicek and other such names

[Steve Kl.]

On Tue, 30 Jul 2002 RonButters at AOL.COM wrote:

> In a message dated 7/29/2002 3:32:33 PM, stevekl at PANIX.COM writes:
>
> << I had an imaginary friend when I was about 4, named Pupicek (belly
> button). >>
>
> Is the -ek a genitive ending? so that "Pupicek" would be 'offspring of
> Pupek'? I had real friends who were named Stepanek, Lofek, Vandreshek, and
> always assumed that the -ek was like the -son of Swedish names.

ek to -icek or -isek (hacek over the c/s) is an extremely productive
diminutive process. rak = crab. racek (my middle name) = little crab.

Franta = Frank. Frantisek = Frankie.

There are scads of Czech names that are ultimately diminutives.

-- Steve