Thursday 1 May 2008

Name Calling

From the book 'The 122 Turn-Offs':
I appreciate I have a long name.
Nothing like Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, I realise that. But then I'm not a place in Wales.
I have nine letters in my name. Just nine.
But that seems to be four too long.
I understand it when you've known me a long time, before I really fully preferred the whole thing. Whilst I still prefer my full name, I can forgive.

What really bugs me is when people that have literally just met me shorten my name, there's no asking what I prefer, or if I even mind. Just four letters thrown to the wind.
I do mind!

Stephanie is a nice name. It could have been much, much worse. Trust me, I used to work in a dental surgery. I've seen names, that even shortened would be an abomination. I've heard of people giving their children names that seriously teeter on the brink of pure evil. I'm not even talking about your stars either, I'm talking the folks next door who think that Jellybean-Coco is an appropriate moniker for their child. I have a list of many. But unfortunately changing the names to protect the innocent would rather ruin the point.
Anyway, I got Stephanie. I did well (Thanks Mum & Dad!)
So why, why, why does the world persist in calling me Steph?

Is the utterance of the extra 'anie' just too much hard work?
I know we're essentially a lazy breed, but really it's only a couple of syllables.

I do accept that some people prefer to be Dave, not David, Matt, not Matthew, Dick, not Richard (although I'll never quite understand that one), Dan, not Daniel, Sam, not Samantha, Bob, not Robert (although why Mr Sleigh chose to be referred to as Bob will never, ever be something I can comprehend).

So all I'm asking is for 9 letters.
It's a small thing.

(Interestingly as I clicked the spellchecker, the only name it objected to was Steph. I find humour in that!)

And by the way, both Jellybean-Coco & Mr Sleigh. Real people. Really.

15 comments:

Domster1974 said...

9 and its a small thing for you, damn, I feel inadequate Stephanie.

Flibbertigibbet said...

I really wish Dr Pepper hadn't asked "What's the worst that could happen" Because I'm guessing that snorting it out of your nose onto your keyboard is right up there.
I'm so very classy, but damn that was funny.

Domster1974 said...

Well Dr Pepper does have a great deal to answer, all I know is that being Dominic, I struggle just about on a good day, to a 7

I am pleased I can make you chortle Dr Pepper out of your nose, that makes me smile more that you know.

Anonymous said...

Here here! Well said Flibbertigibbet... note, I didn't call you "Flib" or "Flibber"....and I never have, I suffer the same, but people are even more lazy, missing the "id." off the end of mine....two lousy letters!!! What on earth is the world coming to???

David.

Flibbertigibbet said...

Here's the weird thing that I didn't note here, if you have a naturally short name then people have a tendency to elongate it.
What's that about?
We just can't leave it alone!

I'm equally guilty. My friend Kim, not short for anything, frequently gets called Kimberley Trout, the addition of eleven letters! WTF?
My friend Paul, which is pretty impossible to shorten I know gets called Pauly. Only one letter, but still...

This name calling is weird.

alfa female said...

OK stop whining you got the better deal in the name stakes I think.

And I call you Steph. But no more. Be careful what you ask for Stephanie Mary............... ;)

Domster1974 said...

I am sensing this may descend into childishness, as I have kept it all very logical and adult orientated ;op

I am also sensing more middle names will appear out of spite.

Mine is John by the way, and that is said with love lol

Flibbertigibbet said...

TW: You are quite right, in your case I think I would always prefer the shortened version. Especially when combined with that maiden name. Lordy.
Ha! I can handle Stephanie Mary. I grew up being called Stephanie Liggins after all! LOL

Dominic: I think that John is a fine name. It's one that will always stand the test of time!
I do feel though that you should have two middle names.
Dominic John.... see it needs more. I shall choose one for you.

alfa female said...

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger..... how do you think I got this scary?!!

Domster1974 said...

No need to pick one, although I would be intrigued to know what you picked. i do have an unofficial second middle name, but you will have to let me take you out to find that out ;op

Domster1974 said...

Tablet window : - you haven't got close to scary yet, so bring it on, it will take a lot to scare me away, Steph, or should I say Stephanie, will tell you that. I am still here although I think she is surprised a little, if not maybe more.

Flibbertigibbet :- Are you surprised, you can email me me if you do not want it to be public.

Secretly I hope you email, as that would mean more to me, or we could just text and call, although we have done the call thing and that was fantastic ;op xx x x x x x x x x x x

alfa female said...

Domster - what makes you think I was trying to scare YOU? I have no idea who you are... why would I even want to? Although don't mess with my sister - I get very defensive over her!

Flibbertigibbet said...

Dominic: I forgot about the Erik! How could I!
Sometimes I am lost for words.. that doesn't happen often - as many will vouch for.
And of course I'm surprised - I'm a pain in the ass.

Oh and that TW? She is scary. I reckon she could castrate a man with a single glance.
Can you TW? ;)

TW: I think it's becaue I used to be such a mouse. Such a meek little timid thing. Although, quite miraculously not scared by your children - amazing ;)
Possibly because they're so great!

Domster1974 said...

A pain in the ass, NEVER, not that kind of pain at all!!!

Domster1974 said...

TW, as for messing with your sister, I have never had the opportunity lol, but I know she is very capable of dealing with me ;op