Oscar's Origins

In 1939, the world-famous statuette
Officially was christened with the “Oscar” sobriquet.
The earliest known mention was in 1933,
But people have conflicting thoughts of how it came to be.
A Bette Davis bio says she nicknamed the award
For Harmon Oscar Nelson, then a husband she adored.
But then there’s an Academy executive director:
When Margaret Herrick saw the statuette, it did affect ‘er.
She said that it reminded her of “Uncle” Oscar Pierce,
Who really was her cousin (was he getting on in years?).
Another naming candidate’s an office secretary,
Called Eleanore Lilleberg, who handled statuary.
Her brother thought of Oscar, a Norwegian army vet
The two knew in Chicago, quite the straight and tall cadet.
Whoever coined the moniker or gave the inspiration,
It’s stuck around since almost the award’s initiation.