Reversing the Numbness

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

What's in a Name?

I don't let work bleed over to this blog very often, but I've been meaning to share with you guys the most recent Japanese pro racer to try his hand at the American series: Yoshi Fukudome.

Wow, right? That's one heck of a last name. It's probably like Smith or Jones over there, but here it takes on a whole new meaning.

Another name that always amazes me belongs to the lead singer of local band Sandra Black. He's a real cool dude and I really like the band, but I have to wonder how things went for Billy Zweiner (pronounced 'Zweener') in high school. Or grade school, for that matter. In fact, when I learned what his last name was years ago, I assumed it was a funny stage name and brought it up with him the next time I saw him.

Me: "Dude, what's your real last name?"

Billy: "Zweiner. Why?"

Me: "Oh, nothing. Damn, is it really this late? Gotta go!"

It's an awesome rock 'n' roll name, but like I said, it must have been murder as a kid. If it were my last name and I had a boy, I'd name him Niles. The 's' creates a necessary pause that just might get the kid out of some trouble.

If my last name were Fukudome, I wouldn't even give my kid a first name. What's the point?

20 comments:

getto said...

How about Friends University of Central Kansas, in Wichita? How do you even print up sweatshirts with "F.U.C.K." on the front and expect to be taken seriously? And it a Christian school!

josh williams said...

A friend of mine taught school for awhile, he had a student named Nosmoking Nosmo King...His parents did not like smoking. Poor Nosmo

SleekPelt said...

geto boy: That's easy; you just clarify it by making the sweatshirt say "F.U.C.K. Christian School."

josh: That's freaking hilarious. At least they didn't name him Nostro. He would have developed a complex while going through puberty.

SleekPelt said...

I used to know a dude named Kevin Semen. Fortunately for him, he was a ladies' man. I guess with a name like that, it can go either way.

getto said...

I knew a woman in high school whose brother's name was Buster Hyman.

josh williams said...

I know a girl whose last name is Beaver and her dads first name is Harry. This is for true.

Susan Chipley said...

Back in the late 90s, there was a local quad racer named Dick Sweat. I always got a good chuckle out of that one!

SleekPelt said...

Then there's always NASCAR driver Dick Trickle, who was smart enough to smoke cigarettes while racing so he'd be known for something else.

Bad Billy said...

dalai: I actually heard someone mention Dick Sweat before. There is also a person in the GNCC racing ranks with the name Richard Luvin. Yes, Dick Luvin.

And I recently read a letter to the editor in the Dominion-Post by Richard Dick. Ha! Dicky Dick.

Anonymous said...

there's a doc in my hospital named Dr. A Shortlife (probably a great doc) but, I think I would get a second opinion.

SleekPelt said...

Josh, too bad her name wasn't Zbeaver. Then she'd be in the same boad as Billy Zweiner.

"Billy Zweiner, meet Sarah Zbeaver."

Think she'd change her name if they got married?

Eric said...

what if billy and sarah got married and had a daughter named Cher?

Eric said...

and a son named Spike...

Zee said...

I heard a rumor about a guy that used to work in a plant in Parkersburg named Dick Smalls. Honest.

When I first saw the picture, I thought it was a jersey made by a rabid hockey fan that hates Ty Dome.

josh williams said...

Wow! Her first name was Sarah, I swear to beer!

SleekPelt said...

Have I mentioned that I ... just know things?

Seriously, that's pretty crazy. And I know you're for real because you swore to beer, and you wouldn't do that lightly. None of us would.

Anonymous said...

Since I am affiliated with several of the people who posted comments on here already- they hit on 2 of the 3 names I had in mind. But, let's not forget the Funk's. Yes, there are 3 of them: Gregory, Michael and Rodney. I would have to say that Richard "Dick" Loven and Dick Sweat top the list though! I just can't figure out who would do that to their son. What could they be thinking? And how could those guys be okay with that- they are adults now and have full capabilities to change this. If it's the passing of the family name thing-- if they can live with it, then so can I.

SleekPelt said...

Welcome, jessie!

Zee said...

Dick is interesting. Here is why: I kinda like Richard. I like Richie. I even like Rick. But, you name your kid Richard with any of those in mind, and you are flirting with the kid getting stuck with Dick.

getto said...

I'm watching "Days of Thunder" right now and was reminded of NASCAR racer Dick Trickle. Dude, you can change your name!