The reasons I'm called 'Pete' even though my name is John:

1. There were two other John Wishnoks - my Dad and my Grandfather - when I was growing up, so I had to be called something else;

2. I was born prematurely (an incubator baby) and was very small. So everyone called me 'Peewee'. That was my nickname during most of my childhood.



When I finally started growing, Peewee didn't make much sense anymore, so it gradually evolved into Pete. I've never been called John by anyone who knows me except by my Mother when she was angry with me. There are still a few (sadly, fewer every year) old relatives and family friends who slip once in a while and call me 'Peewee'.

My professional life is so different from my private life that it's always made sense to me to sign checks and write papers as John S. Wishnok, and be Pete to my friends.

And that's the story.