Match the Historical Figure to Their Nickname

Ruling over Britain for six decades from 1760 to 1820, King George III was the head of one of the world’s most powerful nations. However, he preferred to keep things simple, tending to his agricultural estates near London as a distraction from the stresses of daily life. “Farmer George” was initially used as an insult by the press, but the people of Britain actually liked their king’s humble nature.

Ivar the Boneless was a Viking chieftain in the ninth century CE. A fierce warrior, Ivar was far from spineless; the nickname came from a skeletal condition that hindered his ability to walk. He may have been born without certain bones in his leg, or broken them in battle due to their brittle condition. Some legends even say Ivar commanded his army while being carried on a shield.

People trembled under the cruel reign of Vlad III, better known as Vlad the Impaler. The ruler of Wallachia became known throughout Europe for the torturous punishments he inflicted on his enemies. Wallachia corresponds to the modern-day southern part of Romania, just south of Transylvania.

Polish Italian entertainer Władislu Valentino Liberace is one of Las Vegas’ true legends, known simply by his stage name, Liberace. The pianist is famous for his flamboyant style and his flare for showmanship. To his friends, however, he was known simply as “Lee.”

In an era when women could not even own property, getting novels and books published was incredibly difficult for female authors, and many chose to use a pseudonym. In 1857, writer Mary Anne Evans chose the pen name “George Eliot” in order to be taken seriously. “George” was her partner’s first name, and she picked “Eliot” because she believed it was easily pronounced.

Another tall leader at 6 feet, 5 inches, French President Charles de Gaulle was nicknamed “la grande asperge,” or “the great asparagus.” He picked up this epithet while he was training at Saint-Cyr, an elite military academy. His fellow students felt that his height, large forehead, and prominent nose caused him to bear a faint resemblance to the garden vegetable.

King Edward I was a tall fellow at a height of 6 feet, 2 inches, and it earned him the nickname “Edward Longshanks.” “Longshanks” is an Old English term of endearment meaning “long legs.” Besides his stately stature, this medieval king is most famous for calling England’s first Parliament in 1275.

The Bristolian pirate Edward Teach was the scourge of the seven seas (or at least the North Atlantic), but his fearsome nickname came from his distinctive facial hair. The pirate is often depicted with small plumes of smoke emanating from his sideburns; rumor has it he lit slow-burning fuses under his hat to intimidate his enemies.

Rarely seen without his cowboy hat, mustache, and shotgun, Buffalo Bill epitomized the Old West. Born William Frederick Cody, he became known as “Buffalo Bill” in his 20s, as he was incredibly skilled at hunting buffalo. According to some reports, he once killed 4,280 buffalo in just 18 months.

King Louis XIV was nicknamed “the Sun King” because during the early days of his reign, he picked the sun as his personal emblem. It represented the star that gives life to all things, and Louis carefully curated the image of a divine monarch. He ruled over France for 72 years (1643-1715) during a period of military successes and cultural breakthroughs.

As a little girl running around Buckingham Palace, the future Queen Elizabeth II was known as “Lilibet” to her loved ones. The pet name came from a childhood speech impediment; as a toddler, Elizabeth had trouble pronouncing her first name. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle called their first daughter “Lilibet” in honor of the child’s great-grandmother.

Al Capone is one of the Prohibition era’s most iconic names — but to his friends, the gangster was known by an altogether different name. One night at the Harvard Inn in New York City, a young Al Capone made a lewd comment to a woman, the sister of a man named Frank Galluccio. In response, Galluccio slashed Capone across his left cheek with a knife or razor, permanently marking Capone’s face and leading to the nickname “Scarface.”

During the Cold War, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was a strong figure on the world stage, known for being uncompromising and forthcoming with her beliefs. In 1976, as an up-and-coming politician, she made a speech condemning communism, to which a Soviet newspaper responded by dubbing her the “Iron Lady.” Thatcher was pleased with this nickname, and publicly adopted it just one week later.

Boxer Muhammad Ali floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee — a phrase he used to describe how his graceful movements belied his knack for powerful knockouts. He was also incredibly charismatic and known for his seemingly unwavering self-belief. On many occasions, he boasted he was “the greatest,” and plenty of fans agreed.

Abraham Lincoln has gone down in history as one of America’s most respected Presidents, but the nickname “Honest Abe” originated long before he ascended the political ranks in Washington, D.C. It’s said that while working as a store clerk in New Salem, Illinois, young Lincoln never failed to give customers exact change, earning him a reputation of trustworthiness.