In the play RENT, why do the characters keep referring to Benny’s wife as “Muffy

Question: In the play RENT, why do the characters keep referring to Benny’s wife as “Muffy!?”!?

In the play RENT, why do the characters keep referring to Benny’s wife as “Muffy!?”

I’ve seen the show multiple times, but I still can’t figure this one out!. (And I hate admitting so, because I thought I knew the show inside and out, but this is one thing that I don’t understand!. Please help!)Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

I saw "Rent" when it first opened, but I don't remember the name having any particular importance to the story!. The name Muffy us a common nickname among upper-class WASPS in the Northeast!. I've heard it once or twice in California, but never in the South, Southwest, or Mountain states!. Maybe that's why it seemed strange to you!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

I fully support Jeff Jacob Lourie's answer, but just want to add:

Remember that Benny leaves his friends to marry Allison (Muffy), who's family is filthy rich!. The characters refer to her as Muffy because she's just another rich WASP who doesn't understand the situation of the starving artist in the Village!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I assume that either it's Benny's pet name for Alison and it's really inappropriate for his ex-friends to be calling her it!.!.!. Or else it's something she really hates, so they use it to wind up Benny!.

It's an odd quirky thing, which makes me think that Jonathan Larson wrote it in as something that happened in real life, amongst his friends!.Www@QuestionHome@Com