Discussion
There were a lot of nicknames and abbreviations in the Porsch family. Prof Porsche (the Grandfather) had two kids - Louise and Ferdinand. The young Ferdinand got the nickname Ferry very early on, and whilst I've read that it was somehow connected with the young Ferdinand's love of fast cars from toddlership, I'm not sure what the etymology of 'Ferry' is beyond an abbreviation of Ferdinand. Louise married a lawyer named Toni Piech, and they named their eldest son Ferdinand. Meanwhile, Grandfather Ferdinand's son Ferdinand had a child of his own named Ferdinand. Ferdinand Piech and Ferdinand Porsche (the third) were born two years apart, and were playmates in Zell Am See. Ferdinand Piech picked up the nickname 'Burli', and Ferdinand Porsche picked up the nickname 'Butzi'. Don't ask me why. But they were as thick as thieves, and used to go around collecting old scrap and shell casings together to exchange them for pocket money. I can only assume that 'Butzi and Burli' were the German equivalent of something like 'Mutt and Jeff'. In later years, around the factory, Butzi was more commonly or respectfully referred to as F.A. - which I assume isn't as funny in German as it is in English. Ferdinand Piech was also known as Ferdl.
There's more, but I've probably answered your question as best I can without getting boring.
There's more, but I've probably answered your question as best I can without getting boring.
Butzi said:
Ferdinand seems to be a popular name in the family, no wonder they need nick name to tell which is who! 
True. Christmas dinner must have been a nightmare.
F - "Ferdinand, I ken't reach ze sprouts. Vould you esk Ferdinand to tell Ferdinand to pass zem to Ferdinand?"
F - "Naturlich, Ferdinand. Hey Ferdinand! Shtop hogging ze sprouts und pass zem to Ferdinand. Ferdinand down here doesn't hef anny."
F - "Shh. I ssink I ken hear a child crying opstairs.."
F - "Must be Ferdinand...Vait a minut ... It's qviet now - ze nanny must have sorted id out."
F - "Nanny Ferdinand? How's she vorking out?"
F - "Cool. Ferdinand, Ferdinand und Ferdinand are crrazy about her.She's even good viz ze dog."
F - "Ferdinand?"
F - "Ja - she valks him tvice a day."
F - "Zat reminds me, Ferdinand - I meant to ek you if you god ze number of zat couple you mentioned for doing the chauffeuring and ze housekeeping."
F - "Ja. God it. Zey come highly recommended. His name is Ferdinand, und so is his wife's."
F - "I like zem ollrready..."
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