Patrick Stiff RIP

2007 Darwin Award

(23 June 2007, Illinois) Two Valparaiso men tested their reflexes by playing "chicken" with a train. Which man could stay on the rail longest in the path of an oncoming train? At the stroke of midnight, the contest was decided. The winner, aptly named Patrick Stiff, lost his life.

The train continued on, as the conductor was unaware it hit anyone.

[Link above is to a Google search. Apparently, there is some debate about whether Patrick was actually standing on the tracks when he died.]

Juan Moore Beer

Someone is actually using this pseudonym on the internet [Google search].

Oxymoronic Names, Built-in Contradictions

I'm thinking about names with built-in contradictions... Oxymoronic names.

Demi Moore comes to mind. What other names have built-in contradictions? (e.g. a made up name "M. T. Fuller.") Are there logic bombs such as arise in self-referential statements (e.g. "This statement is false.")

Jek Porkins, Overweight Warrior

Consider Jek Porkins, somewhat overweight but courageous freedom fighter. He gave his life that we might be free.

Here is a short video tribute showing him in the cockpit on his last mission [YouTube].

Edward Upward RIP

We noted with interest the obituary of Edward Upward, English writer, on Feb 18, carried in many publications. Here's an obit by Garrison Keillor in the International Herald Tribune.

Cathy Mae Frieze

Internet posting...  "My sister's name is Cathy Mae Frieze."

Goldie Silver Diamond

From a trusted friend: "Goldie Silver married Larry Diamond, becoming Goldie Silver Diamond."

Rusty Loks... and Sister Goldie.

Internet posting, unverified: "Some people I knew growing up...  Rusty Loks... and his sister Goldie."

Dr. Pepper

Posted on an internet board: "Honest... My doctor when I was growing up... Dr. Pepper."  Unverified.

Shanda Leer

... is the daughter of Lear Jet inventor.  Noted in the NYT 9/26/07. Read here for more on Shanda Leer.

According to another source, and confirmed here, Shanda is her middle name, and the whole name is even better: Crystal Shanda Lear. The first article also mentions: Armand Hammer, Matt R. Horn, Paige Turner, all actual names.

News Reporter Robin Stringer

... has the by-line on a Sept 19 2007 article "US Diplomats Grounded in Baghdad after Blackwater Incident."

Same-Named Spouse ??

A new twist I had not anticipated.

Mrs. Kim Cosgrove is married to Mr. Kim Cosgrove.  Both are employees at the same government agency.

Similarly, Lee Marlowe is married to...  Lee Marlowe, at the same agency.  !!!

Can easily happen... Several first names are gender-ambiguous. If the woman takes the man's last name, then we have it. The possibilities boggle the mind. [In this case, I have adjusted the last names to protect the innocents.]

Ann Street Walker

A college friend reminded me that a coed in a nearby class was named Ann Street.

For a while she dated a person named Walker. If they had married, she would have become Ann Street Walker.

Good Name for Female Bank Robber

Robin Banks.

Google it. There are plenty of real people with this name.  Alternate spelling: Robbin Banks.

Maxine Cleavage

This unusual name is the (presumably made-up) name chosen by a recent spammer.

From: Maxine cleavage <3-least@admi.org>

Subject: all new pharmacy database

B. J. Liederman Composes Music

B. J. Liederman composes the theme music for many NPR shows.

In German, "Liederman" would mean "song person."

Outstanding Book on Animal Behavior

I am told that the outstanding book on animal behavior is The Imperial Animal by Lionel Tiger and Robin Fox.

Inventor of D-Con Rat Poison

The inventor of D-Con Rat Poison is Lee Ratner.

Would be funnier if it had been Les Ratner.

Reference: This Google book search result.

Genesis

While browsing at Reading International, I came upon a small book on the bargain table. Remarkable Names of Real People by John Train has given me many laughs. I decided to see how many remarkable names I could find. This book is still available at Amazon.