Perdue: 'Dumpling'

While serving in the legislature, Beverly Perdue was nicknamed "Dumpling."

Then a Craven County senator, Perdue was given the moniker by Senate leader Marc Basnight during the 1994 session. 

He mistakenly called her by the nickname while taking a roll call vote: "Dumpling, aye," he said, earning a few laughs before quickly adding, "Perdue, aye."

Some of the other eight female members of the Senate were surprised that Basnight called her by the name from the podium, but Perdue told a reporter form the Wilmington Star-News she wasn't offended.  

"Everyone here has a nickname," she said. "He calls me that because I'm from the country. It's the last day of the session and we're a family and we're all saying good-bye. It's all in good fun. It's like having 35 big brothers." 

Basnight claimed he was tired after a long night, but also said he didn't think she would be offended.

"You ought to hear what she calls me," he said.