A guy named Shakespeare once said that a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet. Unfortunately what might hold true back then in the Elizabethan age ( or would that be during Romeo's time? ) just doesn't ring true now since sometimes a name does tell more about a person than anything else can. Think about it, isn't it odd to find that people do somehow grow into the names they were given ( or unwillingly forced upon... )? Or does it happen the other way around?
A rose by any other name...
This realization came over me as I argued with Charming Calvin over some of the horrific names pinned on some perfectly nice people. An old article mentioning the government's plan to curtail a few names from the registry struck off our conversation the other day.
Seriously some names are simply unfortunately typecast, bringing to mind certain indelible images that have been linked to the name. Frankie Chan? No offence meant but the first thing that comes to mind is a pot-bellied indeterminate-aged lout in a tecnicoloured Hawaiian shirt, stained shorts and flip-flops ( and multiple bling blings ) sitting on a coffeeshop stool belching aloud after a clumsy swig of his Tiger Beer. Probably drives a pimped-up ride too with snazzy colours, blinking blue lights on the undercarriage and an awesome sound system that causes the car to vibrate with each boom.
Plain, classic names like Joan and Grace? Surely the epitome of grace and feminity in a pastel Laura Ashley sun dress checking out mothercare books in the bookshop. Not always true of course since there are certain to be a few Graces who stumble clumsily like the proverbial bull in a china shop - just as I'm sure there are more than a handful of Joan Hookers plying their trade in Chow Kit but I bet the saints still outnumber the sinners there. Far more common to find a larger number of Mimis belting out karaoke tunes in flashy minis onstage this Hungry Ghost Month.
Just stop and think of the name Alexander. Take the short form and you'd find more than one man in the name. Laid back best pal Al? Lanky Lex? Sexy smooth-talker Sandy? Or the quirky, unconventional Xander? The same name and yet each form conjures up a different look and image for the guy. The great Thomas Hardy certainly knew the value of a name and dubbed his characters accordingly - from the steady Gabriel Oak to the headstrong, passionate Bathsheba Everdene.
What about my own name? Blessed Saint Paul aside, I've always imagined Paul as the sweet, wholesome church-going man - in unadorned button-down shirts and plain black slacks - who teaches little children English grammar on the side and helps little old ladies across the road. Quite an impossible feat for a sinner like me to achieve, I know!
Bet the name Paul doesn't strike that same image in Calvin's head but that's pure bias, I'm sure. :) So what does Paul say to you?
19 comments:
to me, paul sounds like - no offence to you because i'm sure you don't fit the description - a geeky squared face cropped haired dorky glasses IT technician with mat motor fringe hair behind. with beer belly. and mustache. and stubby janggut. wears slippers with jeans or shoes without socks not in like 'prada' kind of way but in an uncool nerdy way. *gasp* omg, I'm so sorry!
Hey! That could be me!
IT technician Paul
The name Paul always makes me remember of the apostles (damn that Roman Catholic upbringing).
St. Paul who wrote much of the New Testament and not to mention persecute Christians prior to his conversion.
Anything which I said struck you? A prophecy perhaps?
LOL.
- Evan
Paul of the Apostles. Another Roman Catholic. Can't escape us; we are everywhere.
the first paul i ever knew was this quasi-cool chubby little bloke who was quite the ladies' man. the second one was a small eyed blur guy who drove a little red box. right now i'm thinking a quasi-blur small eyed tall but chubby guy with visual aids and a proton saga.
Well actually, my mate Khaldan and I have a saying, 'There is always a Paul' - because oddly enough, over the years it seems that in just about every situation (whether office environment, shop staff, social group or romantic entanglement) there has always been at least one guy called Paul.
Our archetypal Paul (here on the rock, anyway) is usually a personable charmer, usually quite good looking ... which means that he also usually has a variety of people chasing after him romantically, leaving a few broken hearts along the way. And being such a charmer, gathering devoted admirers with ease, the archetypal Paul often ends up talking to me about his insecurities over relating to people on a deeper level, and is often a little depressed about it.
Sweet? Yes, usually. Wholesome? Not really.
Sorry, but you did ask! ;oP
Paul = skanky
:P
I like the one about Alexander. So what's in a name? Here's the entry for Paul from good ol' Wikipedia! ;)
Paul is a common given name for males, derived from the Roman surname Paulus (Latin: "small" or "humble").
Variations of the name Paul include Pablo (Spanish), Paolo (Italian), Pavel (Russian), and Paulo (Portuguese). The female form is Paula.
Notable people named "Paul" include:
o Saint Paul, a term that usually refers to
o Paul of Tarsus, the apostle of Jesus
o The chosen name of many Popes of the Roman Catholic Church upon election to the papacy.
o Paul of Russia, a Russian Tsar
o Paul Gauguin, a very famous painter.
o Prince Paul of Yugoslavia ("Pavle"), a prince regent of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in the 1930s
o Paul Rader, the 15th General of The Salvation Army
o Paul McCartney, a British singer, musician, songwriter and former member of The Beatles.
o Paul Newman, an American actor and film director
the name Paul reminds me of the French bf of late singer Teresa Teng.=P
Same over here, Steven. Can't help but think of the Saint. Roman Catholics like sue said :)
Wish that were true, Evan :)
Hey, I'm a quasi blur small eyed tall but chubby guy with visual aids and a proton, confusticated. Nah, I'm not.
Hmm... a personable charmer. I like that, ru.
Pauls are saints, defiant!
Louis.. the small and humble had me laughing. Seriously.
French bf? Whoa, Dave, how do you know that!
paul
PUSSYCAT PAUL says it best :P
Paul = Skanky
Trust me.
Paul- strikes to me as a church goer, slim body, neatly comb hair(like those world war marines in black and white movies), and definitely not gay.
I know this is not you, but the the first paul i knew was like that. The point is, people associate names with persons they first met/know or seen as a famous character with that name.
hmmm. calvin won't be telling lies would he?
paul = skanky...
LOL.
Pussycat it is, xavier!
Et tu, calvin?
I am like the church goer, imphaldiary. Really!
Well, you never know, musang. Someone could be paying off Calvin to write that :)
Paul
Paul sounds like a BelAmi model for the summer...
My name is the best!
Paul = Skanky ?
*Rolling on the floor laughing my ass off*
Alex! BelAami model?! You gotta be kidding :)
Same over here, kyle. SOunds like an idiot goody two shoes!
See. It's not true which is why Annieieieieie's laughing.
Paul
Post a Comment