Ever wonder how serial killers get their nicknames? Christopher Beam writes in Slate that most nicknames originate in the tabloid media. But there are exceptions, like the Unabomber (from an FBI code name) and the Zodiac killer (self-named). Related: Jag Bhalla pointed me to this Seinfeld script from 1998 in which Kramer invents some names for a serial killer. Denogginizer?
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Speaking of nicknames, derby girls—that’s how roller-derby competitors prefer to be known—have some colorful ones: Ovary Reaction, Hell O’Kittie, Val Catraz. But although some derby names are trademarked, “the vast majority of the thousands of U.S.-based derby girls have not” pursued legal protection for their names, write Kal Raustiala and Chris Sprigman in the Freakonomics blog. Instead, they’ve developed a surprisingly effective system of private regulation backed by the threat of social disapproval. And if dirty looks don’t do the trick, “there’s always violence.” (I wrote about the derby girls’ Master List of names here.)
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Mafia guys have colorful nicknames, too; one defendant in the Family Secrets trial, Joseph Lombardo, had three: “the Clown,” “Lumbo,” and “Lumpy.” But, writes Andy Grimm in the Chicago Tribune, “modern mobsters are so paranoid about wiretaps and FBI surveillance that they seldom even risk using a nickname.” (Hat tip: MJF.)
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Putrescine, moronic acid, dickite, and other unusual names of molecules.
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What are the Boylston, the Cambridge, the Ainsley, and the Hamilton? They’re all names of collar styles, as defined in an essential guide for the well-dressed gentleman, “Comprehending Copious Collars.” Please note: button-down describes a collar, not any old shirt with buttons down the front. (A longtime peeve of mine.)
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Here’s a gleeful discussion of pejorative nicknames for US locales, with –tucky blends (Springtucky, Pennsyltucky, etc.) leading the list. Most creative, and new to me: San Diego is “The Dirty Waffle” (Sandy Eggo). A few I didn’t see on the list: Lost Wages, Nevada; Slo Town (San Luis Obispo); Contraceptive (Contra Costa) County, California; and San Remote (Ramon), California. (Via @Wayword.)
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For decades, ad agencies were named for their founders. Now they’re named for … other things. Read the stories behind Zaaz, Odopod, Sra. Rushmore, and a dozen other agencies in the US and elsewhere.
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In March, Indianapolis copy editor Andy Hollandbeck (@4ndyman on Twitter) began compiling a sure-to-be-massive A to Z of Editorial Peeves, beginning with “alright.” He published the “I” list this week (i.e. vs. e.g., impact, incentivize), but you’ll certainly want to read all the entries.
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Speaking of copy editors and peeves, John McIntyre of the Baltimore Sun makes the case for maintaining distinctions that matter: imply/infer, pallet/palate/pallet, discrete/discreet, reign/rein. He admits, however, that his confidence “has been shaken” on the compose/comprise issue.
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Modernist Cuisine is the six-volume, lavishly illustrated, 2,438-page set—list price $625—“that is destined to reinvent cooking,” according to its own publicity. Apparently all that lavish illustration left no room in the budget for proofreading, as this epic list of corrections and clarifications reveals. (Via Erin Brenner.)
the Boylston, the Cambridge, the Ainsley, and the Hamilton: Sounds like a list of new popular names for girls.
Posted by: Nimble | May 19, 2011 at 07:34 AM