The Last Post Game!!!!

[Pachyderm]

I didn't take Latin. Or Greek. I did science, despite a deep and abiding fascination with the Classics.  Then I became a biologist, and some rotten sod decided to give organisms scientific names in Latin and Greek. Why was I not warned! My school have failed me! Curses and naughty words...


Last _{born out of my time} Post

[Kiyoodle the Gambrinous]

I don't regret anything...


Last _{but I fear gnome} Post

[Griffin NoName]

I regret not being able to find the Catullus poem about Lesbia's roof which my latin teacher told us was hilarious when we were about 12 years old.

Last _{never throw away old school exercise books before you are old enough to understand them} Post

[beagle]

Be warned that a Latin teacher's idea of hilarity might not necessarily correspond to yours, but just in case be cautious.

Last _{let us know if you find the poem} Post

[Swatopluk]

I wonder why that name for a girl has become so unpopular
Actually, I am repeatedly surprised what names some parents give their children. Do they not know some connotations or do they rely on others not knowing them? I know that there was a child named Lucifer on the Christian grammar school I attended. Yes, I know that "bringer of light" is nothing to be ashamed of but most people think of other connections. Btw, is Lucy the female form ?

Last _{what's in a name} Post

I know Asian children that don't use the translated form of their name around here because they fear to be laughed at even if the original form is (for us) almost unpronouncable.

[beagle]

Mercedes was a girls' name once I understand, until a proud dad named his car after his daughter.
And wasn't there a character in one of the Thomas Hardy novels whose parents got confused and named him Cain?

You'd think the vicar at the baptism might have talked them into Wayne or Kevin instead.

Last _{no news about his brother} Post

[Swatopluk]

In the past France had a rather short list of allowed names.
In Germany it was on a case by case basis and my parents had trouble to get my oldest brother's name the way they wanted it. The official refused to accept Olav (instead of Olaf) and was at first not even swayed by the fact that in Scandinavia that is the default way to write that name. In the end he had to cave though.
Today they are expected to accept about everything with just a few basic conditions (no obvious insults and the sex of the person should be discernable [with a lot of leeway for foreigners]).
So I can't officially name my (not yet existing children) Knaus and Ogino as someone in the US did

Last _{I could try Siv Phyllis or Nosmo King instead} Post

[Sibling Lambicus the Toluous]

I went to school with a fellow whose last name was Hicks.  His parents named him Braxton.

Last _{I'm sure there was a story there} Post

[Pachyderm]

I was at school with two girls called Iona. Iona Wrench and Iona Parrott.

Last _{dear god, what were their parents thinking} Post

[Sibling Lambicus the Toluous]

Did either of them have a sister named Elisa?   

Last _{Isolde would be even better, but less likely} Post

[Swatopluk]

Fortunately we are beyond naming kids after the 10 commandments.
Last _{My name is Thou-should-not-commit-adultery Carter} Post

[beagle]

Names best avoided in English include Mike Hunt, and Jennifer Taylor.

Last _nameless Post

[Griffin NoName]

And everyone knows all Australians are called Bruce.

Last Post

[beagle]

Except the Sheilas

Last _{are you trying to start a fight?} Post

[Griffin NoName]

Last _{are you trying to start a fight?} Post

Would it be that easy?

Let's say I'm always keen to liven up this thread.

Last _{it's probably the effect of seeing The Queen and King Abdullah on TV - where's the interesting news gone?} Post