I feel sorry for modern
kids. Or should I say kydz? Today’s
parents either don’t know how to spell, or they’re trying to be cute.
Not
long ago, David was always D-A-V-I-D. Little Davey didn’t need to spell his
name to the librarian, his Sunday school teacher, or the softball coach. Now he
totes flashcards and wears a name tag day and night. It might be Dayvid,
Davidde, or Daivihd. Same with a perfectly decent name like Mary. Her flashcards
could read anything from Mahree to Mayrie to Mairey.
I
cringe to think where this generation of creative spellers is leading us. Imagine
a family singing together on a road trip. Sister starts, “There was a farmer
had a dog and Bingo was his name-o, B-I-N-G-O...”
Brother
interrupts, “That’s not right. Kevin has a dog named Bingo and they spell it
B-E-E-N-G-O-U-G-H.” Family bonding takes a huge step backwards.
Or
what about Sunday school songs? The leader steps to the podium and charges
into, “The B-I-B-L-E, yes that’s the book for me…” when a redheaded girl in the
front row corrects him.
“We
don’t spell it that way anymore,” she says. “We use the new spelling:
B-Y-E-B-I-L-L.” He stumbles off the stage, his hopes for a shining career as a
song leader dashed.
I
know, I know. Embrace progress, move forward, don’t dwell on the past, change
is good, etc. I agree. But please don’t tell me I’m going to turn on the T.V.
one day and hear “M-I-K-K-E-E
M-O-W-H-S!”
The above is an excerpt from my latest book, The Heart of Humor: Sixty Helpings of Hilarity to Nourish Your Soul.
Do you find modern, unusual spellings of names frustrating or fun?
Jeanette: This is one of your funniest in the book. At one time, I wanted to name a son, EDUARD, the british spelling of EDWARD, Hubby, who grew up in rural America, thought a boy whose name was spelled as I wanted it would be fiercely teased.
ReplyDeleteHi Jeanette! It is amazing how we can complicate even the simplest name. I wonder if people think they are being clever? I don't know, I must be 'old school'. John is fine. Mary is fine. See? I'm hopeless!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Ceil
Oh I so know what you mean- as a primary school teacher you wouldn't believe ( well yes YOU would) how hard it was to remember names and the spelling there of- let alone the pronunciation! Nightmarish it was- truly nightmare material.
ReplyDeleteI'm always mystified when I hear strange names and stranger spellings. Don't the parents give thought to their kids having to live with that name/spelling for the rest of their lives?
ReplyDeleteBesides, how are you every going to find a personalized barrette for your darling daughter if her name is so peculiar?
Thank you for today's chuckle!
ReplyDelete"Daivihd"
ReplyDeleteHahahhah! I laugh, but....I could SO see that happening.
Speaking of names, what is your guess for the new British Princess? I am hoping for Diana, maybe even as a middle name along with a tradition royal first name. But she could always go for one of these wackadoo modern names!