Did Roosevelt turn the name Teddy into a political advantage?

Did Theodore Roosevelt genuinely despise the nickname Teddy?

Possibly, although displaying annoyance could have spread the nickname and encouraged opponents to underestimate him.

Roosevelt's reported dislike of the nickname Teddy may not reveal his private judgment. Showing annoyance could encourage enemies to use the name as readily as supporters, spreading it further. A familiar nickname could also tempt opponents to underestimate the calculation behind Roosevelt's public persona. This interpretation fits the wider argument that he deliberately managed the gap between theatrical image and political method.