Posted by Donald Wall on August 08, 1998 :
The origin of Mavis Altounyan's nickname 'Titty' is explained by Taqui Altounyan in her book, "In Aleppo Once", page 34, "...
called after the mouse in the story of "Titty Mouse and Tatty Mouse"." This short children's fairy story can be found in "English
Fairy Tales", collected by Joseph Jacobs, published by Frederick Muller Ltd, London, 1942 (Fourth impression 1953). It was
originally published by David Nutt in 1890. I don't think it means that Mavis must have been a mouse in character, but it was
probably just a catchy nickname. You should be able to obtain the book through interlibrary loan from your local public library
(there will probably be a charge). Incidentally, the name "Taqui" is also a nickname. This is alluded to in either "In Aleppo
Once" or in its successor, "Chimes from a Wooden Bell" (probably the latter). I've forgotten the explanation, but it is something
to do with an Armenian diminuitive for something.