SOBRIQUET  , a

nickname or a fancy name, usually a familiar name given by others as distinct from a " pseudonym " assumed as a disguise . Two early variants are found, sotbriquet and soubriquet; the latter form is still often used, though it is notthe correct modern French spelling . The first form suggests a derivation from sot, foolish, and briquet, a French adaptation of Ital. brichetto, diminutive of bricco, ass, knave, possibly connected with briccone, rogue, which is supposed to be a derivative of Ger. beechen, to break; but Skeat considers this spelling to be due to popular etymology, and the real origin is to be sought in the form soubriquet . Littre gives an early 14th century soubsbriquet as meaning a " chuck under the chin," and this would be derived from soubs, mod. sous (Lat. sub), under, and briquet or bruchel, the brisket, or lower part of the throat .