Names bear significance

THE EDITOR: What’s in a name? I think a rose by any other name would not smell as sweet. However a skunk by any other name would not be less obnoxious — savour that s-k-u-n-k sound — as the local Howard Stern, would howl, “you know wat ah mean!”

How many steadfast, focused Peters do you know? I am acquainted with quite a few of them. Most of them, as if to rival the biblical one, are abrasive one day and very gentle, kind, supportive on the next day. If you stick around long enough with a Peter you would find that he, unlike a rock, gets soft with a little TLC treatment. In other words, he peters out! No wonder he picked a peck(er) of pickled peppers. Notice how innocent nursery rhymes are? George is a name I fear. Most Georges are hasty, blunt, non-nonsense people. They have few friends but they are very generous and trustworthy to their associates. Consider the long, rocky relationship between Dennis Mitchell and his “nemesis”, Mr Wilson. Call that George?

Most James, John, Noel are you average hail, jolly well-met fellows but Michaels are very seldom angelic. Michaels are focused; very, very focused — on themselves. Cases in point — those famous musicians, athletes, singers. I sympathise with the people who sometimes were saddled with androgynous names. Years ago my English-born English teacher let the cat among the pigeons when she informed Evelyn that she had a boy’s name. Did we ever let Eve forget that she had a boy’s name? Years later I am yet to apologise to Evelyn. I discovered that the boy’s name, often spelt as the girl’s was pronounced differently — it was pronounced Evlyn. Am I wrong Dr Chalkie?

Today, as I am wont to do, in my middle age, I was reading the death news when I came across the name Emlyn. I surely hope that the deceased was not really a husband and father. If he was I hope Charron would have pity on him as I am sure he has gone through enough hell already. May his soul rest in everlasting peace. In nearly all cultures names are treated seriously. Many Africans very seldom disclose their real names to outsiders. The saying, “give a dog a bad name and hang it”, has an esoteric meaning.

People’s names are not to be trifled with. It is very chic to move away from Peter, James, John and Andrew to Attiba, Kwesi and Olesegun but we should do some research to find out the meaning of these names. Speaking of names. Just as in people, a country’s name is based on certain premises. Trinidad, I understand, was named after the three hills Columbus spotted. If, as they say, this country, at independence, was founded on the triune principle it is very hard to change its national awards or orders at the drop of a hat. If one interferes with the foundation of a house the whole structure would collapse. The spate of murders, kidnappings and pure “bobol” does not surprise me one bit. As we move away from the principles of our nation’s founding fathers, this country, once referred to by the Doc as the Athens of the Caribbean, would have to shed more and more blood to appease the oil and gas demons we have unleashed. Should we change the country’s name or should we rededicate it? Your guess is as good as mine.

AUGUSTUS LEITH
Bon Accord
Tobago