Putting to rest any question of whether Democrats were happy with Nancy D’Alesandro Pelosi returning to her role as speaker of the House, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries proclaimed that members of the party were “down with NDP.” It’s not just Pelosi who is enjoying the rare sense of importance that comes with being known by one’s monogram. Ruth Bader Ginsburg is “RBG,” Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is “AOC,” and, of course, Hillary Rodham Clinton is “HRC.”

Since when have nonpresidents been recognized, JFK-style, by their initials? For that matter, why do presidents enjoy that curious courtesy?