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In general, one's own words are the cheapest, and thus least reliable, form of signaling. If you call yourself "Honest Ed", it's pretty suspicious; if others unironically give you a moniker "Honest Ed", it's high praise.

Understatement is something only the renowned can afford; those who suck (or swindle) have to resort to overstatement and seek gullible audience.



Sometimes people give the names ironically like calling the NFL lineman Tiny




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