The two abbreviations "Soton" and "Sotonian" were invented by Clarence Firbank Carr, possibly the most dynamic editor of the Southern Echo.

CFC as he was known, was the Editor of The Echo in 1941 and introduced these two words to assist writers who might struggle with Southampton and Southamptonian when preparing an article.

He had a very powerful impact on his paper and on local affairs.  He died in 1979, aged 87 years.