Sunday 28 February 2010

Naming names with Jane Austen's dancing parrot

Inspired by the interesting articles Theresa Milstein over at Substitute Teacher's Saga wrote about people's names and their history and meanings thereof, I thought I'd add a different shade to this topic and share this article I found about real names that real people have. I also thought my pun-obsessed nephew would appreciate them.

My favourite of these real names are:

Ms. Anna Sassin
Mr. Tim Burr
Mr. Doug Hole
Mr. Barry Cade
Ms Carrie Oakey
Ms. Pritti Manek
Dr. Sumey
Mr.Stan Still: he exists. The BBC were kind enought to track him down and interview him. Also the comments under this BBC article are worth a smile or two.




Now. Which Jane Austen heroine are you? Thanks to the lovely SF at Block or Not I found that I'm... er Ms Marianne Dashwood.



I am Marianne Dashwood!



But as I commented on SF's blog: at least in the film version of Sense and Sensibility, I get to marry the scrummy Alan Rickman. Hooray! SF also very kindly stated that at the next least I get to be portrayed by Kate Winslet!

Take the Quiz here. You don't have to be an Austen fan. The Q&A are quite funny in a silly way.



I've got the most rotten-est cold on this planet bar none so as I try to breathe through my mouth here's a scientific study and a clip to prove that Birds have Rhythm - if dubious taste in music. Cheers me up no end!





Have a virus-free Happy Sunday!

17 comments:

Kea said...

Apparently I am Elizabeth Bennett, though I don't quite see me as any Jane Austen heroine.

I do hope you feel better soon! Take extra vitamin C--double or triple doses. Seriously. Maybe some Cold FX or echinancea, if you have those available.

Love Meow said...

The parrot has better rhythm than me. The video reminds me of a dancing owl I saw. :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxRAxl57brE

Another great dancing birdie :).

SF said...

My favourites are Tim Burr and Dr Sumey! Hilarious!

You couldn't use names like that in fiction - once again, true life is too strange!

Theresa Milstein said...

Thanks for linking me again, Old Kitty.

Those are terrific names that you chose. I've always been partial to weathermen's names. My favorite has always been "Storm Phillips". See this link for more:
http://www.themorningnews.org/archives/oped/the_weathermen.php

If I were going to change my name, it would be fun to do something like the actor who named himself "Rip Torn".

I found out that I'm Elinor Dashwood from, Sense and Sensibility. Not surprising, but it annoying to be the practical one once again. Elinor and her sister are like my sister and me. Though my husband insists that I'm the prettier one (Sweet man).

Theresa Milstein said...

I just realized that the Jane Austen quiz makes us sisters!

Ann said...

It seems I'm Anne Elliot. That was an interesting quiz. I have not been able to access any of the other links on your post, so I can't comment. I did enjoy your name list. That was too funny.

Hope you beat the cold virus soon. If it's not one virus it is another. Take care!

Anonymous said...

A couple of weeks ago I was reading about a mental hospital in south-east London that had been founded by an early 20th-century neurologist called Lord Brain!

I hope I never have to see a neurologist, but if I do, I want one called Lord Brain...

Old Kitty said...

Hi Kim

OOOOh you get Colin Firth in the TV adaptation of Pride and Prejudice..!LOL! She's a sensible woman is Lizzie Bennet!

Oh I feel rotten, rotten, rotten! I keep typing all the wrong words too - all my comments left on others' blogs have been riddled with spelling mistakes etc..!

LOL!! I've got my Vit C and my pain killers and my herb tea and honey! thanks for the echinancea tip.. i haven't thought of that -will get me some tomorrow.

Take care!
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Love Meow

Oh excellent!!!!

they're so intelligent these birds aren't they?

take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi SF

Oh Dr Sumey!! Bless!!

LOL!!

Art imitating life!

Excellent.

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi
Awww Elinor Dashwood is not only Sensible but she's the mainstay of the family - keeps them all together!! Strong woman!

:-)

Oh Storm Philips - very, very funny! thank you for that.

rip torn - isn't he the boss in Men in Black? but i do agree - what a name!

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Theresa Milstein!!

Yes - I'm the silly all over the place one - the senseless one!

LOL!!!

It's so true!!!

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi Ann

Ooops!!! Are my links broken? Sorry!!

I had to google Anne Elliot as I've not read the book she's the heroine of (ooops again!!) LOL!. She turns out to be the nice feisty one! Yay!

Oh darn this rotten cold!! Roll on the summer is what I say.

Take care
x

Old Kitty said...

Hi hampshireflyer

Oh that is too, too too funny!

Thank you so much for making me laugh out loud - I needed it -my head is about to explode! Calling Lord Brain...

LOL!

take care
x

LL aka Lisa-Lin said...

Ya know, I've never read anything Jane Austen. I don't even know what Pride and Prejudice is really about--however, after I saw my husand in my dreams (that's Tom Hanks to you) talk Pride and Prejudice with Meg Ryan, I did buy a second hand copy. I admit, the book still rests on my shelf. Don't be too disappointed in me. I'm so fragile :)

Old Kitty said...

Hi Don's Girl!

Awwww! I'll tell you a secret.

I've only every read Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice and I swear - if it weren't for the films I'd not be able to tell you one from the other. Seriously!

LOL!!

Tom Hanks...*sigh*. My husband is Daniel Craig.

:-)

Take care
x

Amy & the house of cats said...

Ok so first I have to admit it - I know nothing about Jane Austen. But I took the quiz anyway and apparently I am Elinor Dashwood, but I don't know if that is good or bad!