How did Chimney get his name on 9-1-1? Running gag on the character's nickname, explored

9-1-1, the American procedural drama about Los Angeles First responders, is a fan favorite. While the characters are always keen on noticing even the slightest details in the episodes, the mystery surrounding Howard "Chimney" Han, played by Kenneth Choi, is unsolvable.

The show has a running gag with Han's name, Chimney, whose origins are not yet revealed on the show. Interviewers also nudged Choi about his character's nickname, but he has always been tight-lipped about it.

Han is a paramedic with the LA Fire Department and first appeared in the show's pilot. Since then, he has appeared in almost every episode of the series. Here are some theories about Han's nickname on 9-1-1.

Howard Han's nickname ''Chimney'' is a running gag on 9-1-1

Chimney gets his name on 9-1-1 | Image via Hulu

While the origins of the nickname are not disclosed on the show yet, Han's nickname ''Chimney'' has become a running gag, a kind of inside joke for everybody on the show.

It's as if almost everybody addresses him by his nickname apart from his wife Maddie (Jennifer Love Hewitt) and half-brother Albert (John Harlan Kim). Every once in a while, there is a moment when someone or the other calls him Chimney, and the mystery around his name comes into play.

While Han has never been vocal about his mysterious yet funny nickname, once on the show, one might wonder exactly how he got it. Han's reluctance over his nickname adds to the suspense, and everyone wonders how a firefighter came to be known as a chimney.

Reddit Fan theories around the origins of the nickname ''Chimney'' in 9-1-1

Looks like the fans of the show are equally excited to know the origins of the nickname.

Every time there is a mention of 'chimney' on any episode of 9-1-1, fans are up on Reddit with their theories about its origins. While the makers are not letting us in on the secret, here are some fan theories about the nickname's origin-

''I definitely made up a memory in my brain about him saying he got stuck in a chimney… now I’m figuring out that’s not true''- u/Elenas64

The prolonged gag around the name chimney is apparent from this user's comment, who almost made up a memory of Han saying he was stuck in a chimney once. While almost accurate considering his profession, no such revelation was made on the show.

''...It has something to do with him smoking previously - ie. “smoking like a chimney.”- u/Individual-Sign310

Another user commented that actor Choi revealed in an interview that he leaves fans clues about his nickname in almost every episode. As Han is often seen chewing gum, his nickname could indicate his excessive smoking.

''...it will never live up to everyone's expectations, by this point.''- u/kimship

At this point, everyone thinks that the makers have set themselves up for trouble by prolonging the gag too much, and now any explanation will not live up to fan's expectations over the seasons.

''This is how I want the show to end:... Chimney goes to open his mouth, and then, the screen cuts to black, then shows a blooper reel''- u/lcasey14

Looks like a user might have given the makers an idea of how to end the show with this continuing gag. While this would be a hilarious end, it will still not clear the air around the nickname's origins.

We hope the makers reveal the mystery behind Han's nickname, even in the last episode of 9-1-1.

Also Read- 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 5: Release date and time