why did they call Theodore Roosevelt teddy?

Answer 1

Because he was nicknamed "Teddy" after appearing in a cartoon for refusing to shoot a baby bear. Supposedly, that's where the "teddy bear" originated. See the link below.

Answer 2

The story of the Teddy Bear . . .

Many of us have loved a teddy bear.

Maybe we've even had more than one very special "teddy" in our lives. Here is the real story of how the teddy bear sprang into our hearts.

Nearly 100 years ago, President Theodore Roosevelt, went on a bear hunt. He enjoyed nature and being out in the woods where animals lived. Because he was the President of the United States, the people organizing the hunt wanted to make sure the hunt was successful.

But after 3 days of walking and climbing and riding, no bears were found. Now what? The President's bear hunt would be a failure!

The next day the hunt guide and his hunting dogs finally found an old bear. The dogs and guide followed the bear for quite a distance until the bear was very, very tired. The dogs attacked and injured the old bear. The guides tied the bear to a tree and called for the President. Here was a bear for him to shoot!

President Roosevelt looked at the poor old bear and said "no!" No one would shoot this old bear for sport. That would not be right. However, the bear was injured and suffering. President Roosevelt ordered that the bear be put down to end its pain.

A political cartoonist by the name of Clifford Berryman heard this story. A political cartoonist draws about current events in the news. Mr. Berryman drew a cartoon showing how President Roosevelt refused to shoot the bear while hunting in Mississippi.


If you look at the first cartoon that was printed about the President's bear hunt you see Theodore Roosevelt in the front. In the back is the guide with a bear tied on a leash. Notice that the guide and the bear are about the same size, suggesting a grown bear.

Look at the cartoon which appeared later in other papers. It has been redrawn. The bear is smaller than the guide. The bear is shaking with fear. This cute bear cub began to appear in other cartoons which Clifford Berryman drew throughout Theodore Roosevelt's career.



So that is how a bear became connected to the name of President Theodore Roosevelt.

Answer 3

Theodore Roosevelt Nickname

Answer 4

Teddy was just a nickname that came from his family, short for Theodore, also was called Theo as a child. The "teddy bear" came after. It wasn't because he wouldn't shoot a bear. He just wouldn't shoot a baby bear. Also note that he was shot during a speech but only covered the wound and continued on to his next speech. Interesting character: Also created the National Park System on his last day in office so it could not be over-turned until the next session of congress and by then was too popular. Also see Bull Moose Party. Distant cousin of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Answer 5

It's an interesting question...Theodore Roosevelt apparently was a very hairy man, and his closest friends gave him that nick name because he apparently resembled a bear, as hairy as a bear, so they started calling him "Teddy Bear". It's really hard to believe but that's what happened.

Answer 6

Teddy is short for Theodore

Answer 7

His visit to a hotel while on a hunting trip allowed the locals to make a bunch of teddy bears in his honor. The name Teddy stuck afterwards.

Answer 8

From a bear he refused to shoot. They made a teddy bear due to this and nicknamed him "Teddy". Also, the teddy bear stamps were derived from this act of kindness.

Answer 9

short for theodore, whats interesting is how the teddy bear got its name.


he was truely one of the greatest presidents.

Answer 10

On a hunting trip, they came across a bear in the woods and he refused to shoot it, latter someone made him a soft plush bear, they called it a teddy bears since his nick name was Teddy, then it was called teddy's bear then latter teddy-bear. :)