Hope, solo
Consider the soccer goalkeeper. What an awful job. If the defense breaks down, there you are, one-on-one against an attacker who knows exactly where he’s going, and you don’t.
Sometimes, the keeper has to defend against free kicks from extremely short range. Most of the time, the keeper can’t stop those. You’ve got 8 yards of goal to cover on the horizontal, 8 feet vertical. A wrong guess could be the difference between winning and losing.
I have a new favorite keeper: Hope Solo of the U.S. women’s team, which takes the field Wednesday in the World Cup semifinals, against France. What an athlete. What an intense player. And yes—gotta admit it—she’s attractive. I am not the first, by far, to notice what some might call a star quality.
Solo came up big against Brazil on Sunday, stopping a free kick. She wasn’t the only standout for the women’s team, but Team U.S.A. could not have done it without her.
Why is a word blogger blogging about sports? Good question. I just have to remark—and I’m not the first—on the appropriateness of Solo’s name. When she’s defending the goal alone (another word for "solo"), she’s the team’s only hope. And in this case, the U.S.A.’s only hope.
I’m sure her parents weren’t thinking of this when they named her, but it’s a lovely coincidence. I have heard other names over the years that suited the occupation of their owners, but this has to be my favorite.
A name that suits its owner’s occupation is called an aptonym. A judge named John Law would be an example. Or a medical doctor named Marcia Bloodletter. Do you know of any real, local aptonyms?
(By the way: Don’t tell me soccer is a sport for wimps. I’ve heard it all—"lawn fairies," etc. But just watch the U.S. women on Wednesday, even for a few minutes. I have watched most of the women’s last two games, one a loss and one a win. I gotta tell ya, those women are rough and tough. They’re also fabulous athletes. Think gymnast plus long-distance runner AND sprinter. Then add the potential for getting tripped, pushed, elbowed or poked in the eye. All with no protective gear other than shin guards.)
Jul 13, 2011 at 9:27 p.m.
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So much hostility about words! Where does that come from?
Jul 13, 2011 at 7 p.m.
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Turning nouns into verbs is horrible.
I could do without the word "perhaps."
No, C.W., you'll always be known as the reporter with bats in her belfry. ;~)
Jul 13, 2011 at 4:38 p.m.
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Not to break up the thread or anything...but could we have a blog on words we hate?
For example, the word "monetize" makes me want to throw myself from a bridge.
The word "tasked" should also be eliminated from the English language. I think I heard a certain reporter use it the other day in a conversation: "I've been tasked by my editor to...."
On the subject of the thread, Dezerta used to be a diet jello.
I devoutly hope that no one feels that diet jello is a good representation of my work or personality.
C W. Idzerda.
Jul 13, 2011 at 2:24 p.m.
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Not really aptronyms, but when I worked for a software company, we had Holly Rieth (Wreath), and guys with the last name of Penny, Nichol and Pachack (pronounced Paycheck). My neighbor's brother-in-law was Dr. Bonebreak.
Jul 12, 2011 at 8:42 p.m.
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Dr. Love - cardiothoracic surgery at UW Hospital
Jul 12, 2011 at 5:37 p.m.
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Digitalis?
Jul 12, 2011 at 5:24 p.m.
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Some years ago my sister was seen by a Dr. Finger...you guess the area of specialty!
Jul 12, 2011 at 5:10 p.m.
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Good one, gazettefan. Entertainment is in the eye of the beholder, so I suppose there are some who believe Cedric deserves the self-appelation. But for most of us, not a good idea. My nom de plume will never be Frank the Writer.
Jul 12, 2011 at 3:43 p.m.
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How about a contranym:
Cedric The Entertainer
Jul 12, 2011 at 2:24 p.m.
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Administrators at my high school: Mr. Howe, Mr. Weih (why) and Mr. Mabee.
Jul 12, 2011 at 12:17 p.m.
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Wow, chuckles galore this morning. Thanks.
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For those who asked whether a name is an aptonym or not, I would say it's in the eye, or imagination, of the beholder.
-- The Badger
Jul 12, 2011 at 12:11 p.m.
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Dwight, it is only an aptronym if he actually had... well you get the picture.
Jul 12, 2011 at 11:49 a.m.
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Dwight, in high school I had a friend named Harry Diehl. His father was also named Harry Diehl so we used to refer to them as big Harry Diehl and little Harry Diehl.
Jul 12, 2011 at 11:39 a.m.
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I used to work for a Wisconsin broadcaster named James Schuh. His wife taught physical education... so, yes, she was Mrs. Jim Schuh (gym shoe).
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:24 a.m.
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EMMO46 - I'm fairly sure there is/was a Harry Butts somewhere in this area. Maybe over by Evansville?
Jul 12, 2011 at 10:15 a.m.
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Thanks for your comments on the world's most popular sport, Frank. The US - Brazil game was one of the best I have ever seen. What a finish! I had never heard of an aptonym, so thank you there also. In college, I do remember a large, loud, boastful guy named Terry Bull. Is that an aptonym? I think he later changed his name to Rush Limbaugh.
Jul 12, 2011 at 9:46 a.m.
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I recall two dentists from my childhood...Dr. Payne and Dr. Pullen.
There was a longtime realtor in my home town named Harry Wang...maybe not an aptonym but us kids got a lot of laughs from his signs.
Jul 12, 2011 at 9:46 a.m.
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An article in today's paper by Anna Marie Lux about a woman who forages for and eats greens that are usually considered weeds by most of us, mentions a book on the subject...and the name of the author is "Susun Weed".
Jul 12, 2011 at 9:34 a.m.
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There used to be a grocery store butcher in Beloit by the name of Jack Blood.
Jul 12, 2011 at 9:34 a.m.
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I was once treated by a urologist named Dr. Peacock. (inappropriate?) Anyway, it made me chuckle at very inconvenient times.
Jul 12, 2011 at 8:59 a.m.
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Brick a-ah
Savior of the Universe
Brick a-ah
He'll save every one of us
Jul 12, 2011 at 8:50 a.m.
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While at Benson Stone Works in Rockford yesterday, the person waiting on us was "Gordon Brick". Rather appropriate.
Jul 12, 2011 at 8:44 a.m.
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Milwaukee Journal sports writer Michael Hunt.
Jul 12, 2011 at 8:21 a.m.
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With the growing percentage of bad news to good news, what about Skip Bliss.
Jul 12, 2011 at 8:10 a.m.
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Dr. Docter, an orthopedic surgeon in Madison.
Jul 12, 2011 at 6:49 a.m.
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Hope Solo . . . granddaughter of Napoleon Solo . . . great-great-great-grandmother of Han Solo . . . an impressive family indeed!
Jul 12, 2011 at 12:48 a.m.
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I've never heard anyone call soccer a sport for wimps. To me, the stamina and speed required are amazing. The men do seem to be overly dramatic when they get knocked down. Maybe that's where the "lawn fairies" comment comes from. It's comical, and starting to creep into the womens game.
Jul 11, 2011 at 11:31 p.m.
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Speaking of aptronyms,
how about Anthony Weiner?
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