WEIRD PRESIDENTIAL FACTS

Weird Presidential nicknames

Presidents get a lot of odd nicknames but it seems the crowns for oddness goes to the old guard. Dubya just doesn’t cut it!

Why Andrew Jackson was called Old hickory - When he led his TN militia men back from New Orleans he was given this nick name as he walked most of the way to allow wounded men to ride his horses. Hickory is a tough wood.

Why U.S. Grant was called Unconditional Surrender – From Wikipedia – Grant was able to rally the troops; he resumed the offensive and the Confederates forces surrendered. Grant’s surrender terms were popular throughout the nation: “No terms except unconditional and immediate surrender.” – Grant’s US initials also matched the Nickname!

Why  William Henry Harrison was called Tippecanoe – Henry led his forces against the natives in a battle at a place called Tippecanoe in 1811.


Why Zachary Taylor was called Old Rough and Ready - He was said to have poor education, couldn’t write or read well but would be ready for any challenge, no matter what.

Why President Grover Cleveland was nicknamed Uncle Jumbo – He was known to be a rather large man and his name of Jumbo came from being like an elephant. He was also sometimes known as Veto Man!

Other Facts

1. James Garfield simultaneously write in latin with one hand, and ancient greek with the other
2. President Grover Cleveland was a draft dodger. James G Blaine, his opponent dragged him over the coals for this but later turned out to be a draft dodger too!
3. U.S. Grant was caught speeding and the officer didn’t want to issue the $20 fine but Grant insisted.
4. John Quincy Adams loved to take an early morning swim in the Potomac River, nude. Anne Royall, the first U.S. professional journalist, worked hard to interview him about it and one morning went to the river and sat on his clothes until he played ball!
5. Thomas Jefferson created many awesome inventions although a scandal involving sex with slaves is still being debated today.
6. Herbert Hoover’s son had 2 pet alligators.
7. Herbert hoover was the first President to have a telephone in the White House.
8. Jimmy Carter was the first President born in a hospital.
9. Jimmy Carter was a peanut farmer.
10. FDR was related to 11 other presidents.
11. FDR had polio.
12. James Madison barely weighed 100 pounds.
13. James Madison Madison defended Baptist preachers as he was a lawyer.
14. Warren Harding lost the White House china due to his Poker gambling!
15. William Howard Taft was the heaviest U.S. president and once got stuck in the bathtub.
16. William Henry Harrison gave the longest inaugural address in history.
17. Calvin Coolidge used to ring the white house doorbell and hide!
18. Calvin Coolidge loved having his head rubbed with Vaseline while he ate breakfast in bed.
19. A quiet man Coolidge was once bet by a reporter that he could get more than 2 words from him! Coolidge took on the challenge and replied “You Lose”.