It's only tangentially related to the literature on aptonyms or onomastics (two terms that are new to me), but I can't resist mentioning a book called Remarkable Names of Real People, by John Train. It includes some aptonyms -- notably gynecologist Dr. Zoltan Ovary and (perhaps) Cardinal Sin, Archbishop of Manila. But there are also a bunch of names that are intriguing for non-aptonymic reasons, like Osborn Outhouse of Boston, MA, and Miss Pensive Cocke, identified as "Secretary, U.S. Army Air Corps."
That's just a taste of what's in the book, which I highly recommend to people with time on their hands and a penchant for collecting weird names!
Life is full of surprises. Your missive coincided with last week’s 30 year reunion of Peace Corps Volunteers that served under my Country Director’s watch in the Solomon Islands, Melanesia, South Pacific (1993-95).
For those years, and at last weeks affair, Joan and I heard Tok Pisin spoken as much as English.
Tok Pisin is a “trade language” developed by the indigenous tribes of Melanesia after a Century of encounters with sailors from every exploring country on earth. Hence the language is an amalgam of the sounds of words from all over.
Interestingly, there are hundreds of “local” tribal languages, and islands, in the Solomons. An island might have half dozen tribes each with there own language but the only communication between them was Tok Pisin.
It is not only pleasant sounding, its fun. So that said, I crown Tok Pisin the world’s prettiest language “with authority.”
TENKYU! What a coincidence, and wonderful to hear your “authoritative” account. This makes me very happy. And thanks for being a regular reader. I’m pleased the subscription price is worth it. Scott
Another great read! The meander photo I took in the Acropolis museum was in an area where photography was prohibited. I thought you would appreciate the historical reference — so I took it surreptitiously outside of sight of museum authorities. Otherwise, I might’ve experienced my own version of Midnight Express!
To Steve in Maryland, I think there is a very simple explanation to his lament regarding the comparative loss of the use of the semi-colon in contemporary times when measured against the writings and speeches of prior generations. Ignoring the near incomprehensible length of the first sentence…I learned last week on a Meandering Tour that the average sentence length has dropped significantly. Short sentences don’t need semi-colons!
To any and all…feel free to rewrite the above using clear and concise sentence structure. 😊🙀😊
Hey Bryan, to paraphrase a great writer, Sounds like a supposedly fun thing I’ll never do…/ Offering a free subscription to Meandering Tour to anyone who gets the reference.
Good one! A reference to Wallace‘s hysterical and very snarky article, titled “Shipping Out,” about his time spent on a luxury cruise ship. When will my subscription start?
I read (and finished) Infinite Jest during a six or seventh month stint where I was selling mattresses. Truly, being able to lounge on a bed all day getting paid to read a doorstop is the best way to experience such a hefty, complex tome.
Lord Walter Russell Brain, British neurologist
Jamie Cutbush, bikini waxer
Graham Crackers, renowned lunatic
(Ok, I made that one up.)
It's only tangentially related to the literature on aptonyms or onomastics (two terms that are new to me), but I can't resist mentioning a book called Remarkable Names of Real People, by John Train. It includes some aptonyms -- notably gynecologist Dr. Zoltan Ovary and (perhaps) Cardinal Sin, Archbishop of Manila. But there are also a bunch of names that are intriguing for non-aptonymic reasons, like Osborn Outhouse of Boston, MA, and Miss Pensive Cocke, identified as "Secretary, U.S. Army Air Corps."
That's just a taste of what's in the book, which I highly recommend to people with time on their hands and a penchant for collecting weird names!
https://www.ctpublic.org/show/the-colin-mcenroe-show/2023-02-16/i-once-had-a-dentist-named-dr-fillmore-stories-of-nominative-determinism
Beat me to the punch, again!
I used to go to a dentist named Dr. Hirt. I'd cringe with every appointment reminder.
Finally I booted him in favor of Dr. Mendelowitz.
Life is full of surprises. Your missive coincided with last week’s 30 year reunion of Peace Corps Volunteers that served under my Country Director’s watch in the Solomon Islands, Melanesia, South Pacific (1993-95).
For those years, and at last weeks affair, Joan and I heard Tok Pisin spoken as much as English.
Tok Pisin is a “trade language” developed by the indigenous tribes of Melanesia after a Century of encounters with sailors from every exploring country on earth. Hence the language is an amalgam of the sounds of words from all over.
Interestingly, there are hundreds of “local” tribal languages, and islands, in the Solomons. An island might have half dozen tribes each with there own language but the only communication between them was Tok Pisin.
It is not only pleasant sounding, its fun. So that said, I crown Tok Pisin the world’s prettiest language “with authority.”
Elwin Guild
TENKYU! What a coincidence, and wonderful to hear your “authoritative” account. This makes me very happy. And thanks for being a regular reader. I’m pleased the subscription price is worth it. Scott
Alonzo Ball(professional basketball player) Dr Brain ( my friend’s shrink) The Tennis family (my friend’s family’s avid pastime)
Discrimination? Urine outnumbers all other bodily fluids 2-0 in mentions in all Tours.
Might your readers be interested in your exploration of issues including saliva, semen, sputum, tears, bile, ascites, or blood?
Just sayin…..
Urine outnumbers all other bodily fluids 2-0 in all Meandering Tours.
Spit, sputum, saliva, semen, ascites, and bile
Another great read! The meander photo I took in the Acropolis museum was in an area where photography was prohibited. I thought you would appreciate the historical reference — so I took it surreptitiously outside of sight of museum authorities. Otherwise, I might’ve experienced my own version of Midnight Express!
Your column Scott makes me wonder why one of my classmates in medical school, Brenda Nurse, chose her profession.
To Steve in Maryland, I think there is a very simple explanation to his lament regarding the comparative loss of the use of the semi-colon in contemporary times when measured against the writings and speeches of prior generations. Ignoring the near incomprehensible length of the first sentence…I learned last week on a Meandering Tour that the average sentence length has dropped significantly. Short sentences don’t need semi-colons!
To any and all…feel free to rewrite the above using clear and concise sentence structure. 😊🙀😊
Hey Bryan, to paraphrase a great writer, Sounds like a supposedly fun thing I’ll never do…/ Offering a free subscription to Meandering Tour to anyone who gets the reference.
Good one! A reference to Wallace‘s hysterical and very snarky article, titled “Shipping Out,” about his time spent on a luxury cruise ship. When will my subscription start?
https://rvannoy.asp.radford.edu/rvn/312/wallace.pdf
I read (and finished) Infinite Jest during a six or seventh month stint where I was selling mattresses. Truly, being able to lounge on a bed all day getting paid to read a doorstop is the best way to experience such a hefty, complex tome.
Extraordinary! You deserve at least a Meandering Tour coffee mug. Shall I send you one?