What's in a name? And why is it that I know that phrase but i can hardly tell you where the phrase itself comes from? I think that's who we are as a culture. I think we popularize things and they become part of our common speech. I'll give you this example: I was on my missionary service for the church about the time that "The Office" got popular. I wasn't able to watch TV on any sort of regular basis for two years. I saw a few things here and there. But for the most part, I was deprived of television, even the most popular of shows. Anyway, when I was in Mississippi, people started saying "that's what she said" ALL.THE.TIME. I mean all the time. I had NO idea where it came from, but i found myself saying it anyway. After a few months, I found out that it was essentially from 'The Office." Cant believe it. I went a whole however long without even knowing where a reference that I use often came from! Has anyone else ever experienced this?!
But back to the topic. What IS in a name? While knocking doors trying to sell the dreaded pest control, I came across a neighborhood called "Belmont." In Belmont, every road is named after a famous horse. I loved this. For some reason, Horse names are so majestic. They are simple names, but they seem to be immortal. Man-O-War, Seabiscuit, Real Quiet, Seattle Slew, Proletariat, Barbaro, and many more. I think names are definitely something we can identify with and relate to. If it's appealing, I think we like that person or thing better.
Would I live in "the Colony" apartments near BYU? heck no, because I'm not a bee. Would I live at "normandy" at BYU-Idaho? no, because I dont want to think about the Allied forces getting bombed and mowed down with machine guns at a large beach whenever I walk up the stairs.
Names mean a lot.
And what does this have to do with my life? Absolutely nothing, but I can tell you that I have an odd middle name and I used to be quite embarrassed of it. So yeah, even small things like this make a difference.
I wanna bet on some horses now..
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haha i didn't EVEN know that "that's what she said" was from the office. who am i.
ReplyDeleteabout time you post on this thing.
It's from Shakespeare, duh, as most things are.
ReplyDeleteRomeo and Juliet, Act 2, Scene 2:
What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot,
Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part
Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!
What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;
So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,
And for that name which is no part of thee
Take all myself.
Please tell me what your middle name is. Also, this entire post had me singing Destiny Child's "Say my name" in my head the entire time.
ReplyDeletePS Love that song, love Beyonce.
I remember I made my Halo name Man-O-War one time and you fagaloons thought it was stupid. But really, it was just because you couldn't think or steal a better name.
ReplyDelete