Last-Name Conventions
Sometimes I don’t know if what I’m obsessing over is a result of the mild OCD I have or just JNS (Jewish Neurotic Syndrome) or maybe OPPPS (Overthinking to the Point of Physical Pain Syndrome). But I can’t stop mulling over the way people clarify their last-name spellings on the phone. It’s been preoccupying me for about a year now, and it shows no sign of abating.
For instance, when I was growing up and my dad needed to spell our name to someone over the phone, he’d say, “S-as-in-Sam, P-as-in-Peter, I, K, O, L.” Thus when I grew up, and to the present day, I also say that, although it’s not like Peter is a super popular name anymore. My friend Laura, whose last name begins with P, says “P as in Paul,” which is also Biblical but more au courant, and it makes more personal sense for her because her father’s name is Paul. We don’t have any Peters in my family; pishers, yes.
I’m sitting in a cafe right now, and the guy next to me just said into the phone, “No, no, the name is Rigel — like Nigel with an R.” How many times has he said that? I really want to lean over and ask how his family developed that strategy. Is he the first-generation Nigel-referencer? Or did he get it from a parent? And wouldn’t Nigel work better in England? Maybe, but then again, what are his options?
Every time I meet someone or hear their name on the radio, I think: I wonder how they handle their last name? Especially if it’s a hyphenated mess coming from someone with an accent, as you often hear on NPR.
Why can’t I stop thinking about this????
liz | 4:12 PM | random
gotta confess my major cop-out, Liz. Instead of saying, Pizza for Ruth Deming, I simply say Ruth…and then I add (if I think they know what it is) like in the Bible.
That’s “S” as in Seroquel, “C” as in Celexa, “H” as in Haldol, “N” as in Neurontin… okay, someone slap me, please.
That’s funny you brought that up. Reminds me of my dad as a ham radio operator identifying himself as Dean (dog easy able nancy). That was a hell of a long time ago. I cant believe I remembered it. I think ham operators must have a certain list of words to use. I suppose it helps get past all the static. Anyway, I was relieved to see you back after your absence Liz! I have to say I was a little concerned. I dont want to get all parental on you but next time you know you will be gone for a while, let us know, ok? We worry about you and love you dear. Oh now I’m getting all verklempt and I’m not even Jewish! Dave
I get to say “z as in zebra.” Whee!
Ditto to David…Good to see you back. I’ve grown accustomed to your musings. I use “N as in Nancy to differentiate it from M.
Both my maiden name and my married name (both of which I use) are ten letters long, and unusual. In the case of my maiden name, it is unique to my extended family. And with my first name, I have to distinguish an m and an n. So at different points in my name, it is M as in Mary, N as in Nancy, C as in cat, and T as in Tom. The rest I assume they can distinguish, because I really do not feel like finding rhymes for 20 letters.
I always say V as in Victor for my last name…which is weird because victor is also not a common name.
My maiden name was impossible (Dutch) and contained an S which people would invariably hear as F when I spelled it. So I would say S as in Sam. Also it had an N, which people would sometimes think I said M. N as in Nincompoop? or Nancy? Hee. Now I have a last name that is easy to pronounce but has a more than one spelling. Fortunately it is short so I just spell it quickly with (usually) no problem.
Where I live no one has to spell their names, how awesome is that? I guess there are other strategies about the language we use but none come to mind now. I love this discussion, wish I could give you good examples…
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