Hmmmm...Food for thought, McGrath. {Although I do notice that you too have your 'handle'.} I suspect that handles have a long history, although for no particularly good reason that I know of. I remember the CB's in the long-haul trucking industry. So far as I know, no one ever says anything as straightforward as Hi, this is Don Adams and I'm here on the turnpike at 235 wondering which exit I need in order to get to Poughkeepsie. No, he says, Yo! This is Bad and Wicked Axe and I'm looking for a hole to offramp to Puhkeeps.
Do you suppose we're indulging in the same macho (macha?) motivator? Frankly, I'm willing to give mine up- I'll give mine up if y'all give up yours!