I’ve been enjoying the Brattle’s Humphrey Bogart series over the last few weeks, but I started to wonder, when they refer to him as “Bogie” in their blurbs, is that really how you spell his nickname? After some research, it seems that there’s no consensus. In the message board (sorry, the “Bogieboard”) on a Bogart Tribute Page, people use both versions and don’t seem to care.

Strangely enough, the word has other meanings, and when used those ways, as well, neither spelling seems set in stone. Bogart shares his nickname with a military term for “unidentified aircraft” and British slang for “booger.” Beautiful. Through all this confusion, though, we can achieve a measure of confidence with the familiarity and strength of Colonel Bogey.

Oh, and I guess it’s used in golf, too. I forgot about that, as an active non-golfer. Looks like “bogey” is preferred in that world – so maybe Bogart should take “Bogie”? Let the debate commence.