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The great English conductor, Sir Thomas Beecham, once noticed a new man in his orchestra and he asked his name. "Ball, sir," was the reply. "How singular!" immediately quipped Beecham. I was reminded of this when I noticed that Britain'a new prime minister had nominated to his cabinet a man called Balls. How appropriately plural! Another cabinet member will be called Darling. What a titillating cabinet.
J F R
The paradox has often been noted that the United States, founded in secularism, is now the most religiose country in Christendom, while England, with an established church headed by its constitutional monarch, is among the least. (Richard Dawkins, 2006)
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Neither Darling nor Ball is an especially uncommon name in the UK. I'm not sure what is so memorable about Beecham's quip? It sounds more like the sort of thing someone would say when trying to be funny than an example of great wit. 
Balls is, admittedly, more uncommon. I expect Ed Balls got more than his fair share of ribbing at school.
In my own case, my surname being a short dictionary word, it never ceases to amaze me how many people can think of precisely the same joke about it on the spur of the moment ('What a joy it is to meet you!' is the most common -- closely followed by variations on joy, enjoy, corruptions of quotes, songs or hymns with the word joy in them -- some people even stoop to innuendo about joysticks ...) and yet announce it with the air of a magician uncovering an original, word-class trick he has spent years developing in secret. These people are then genuinely surprised when I reveal I have actually heard it before (many times).
In case that sounds bitter, I'm not complaining ... there are so many worse names that spring to mind.  I have a friend called Morgan who plays the organ. The unbridled mirth!
David
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marc
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Needs to get a life! |
Registered: March 2003
Messages: 4729
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I once knew a man and his name was Seymore Balls
He must have had a miserable childhood
Life is great for me... Most of the time... But then I meet people online... Very few are real friends... Many say they are but know nothing of what it means... Some say they are, but are so shallow...
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... and very cruel or naive parents.
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The bursar at my school was called William Organ. I'd love to say he went by Willie, but actually he called himself Bill.
However, his wife was called Joy, which more than made up for it.
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My father was a railroad engineer for most of his life. Back in the days of the steam engines he had a fireman named Harry Balls. Now you have to know that was someone who had his share of fistfights as a kid!
Youth crisis hot-line 866-488-7386, 24 hr (U.S.A.)
There are people who want to help you cope with being you.
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The worst part about such situations is when you produce the pun despite every effort not to.
In a similar vein I have a friend who often in jest spoonerised the beer Whitbread's Tankard until he accidentally came out with it in the most unappreciative company.
Hugs
N
I dream of boys with big bulges in their trousers,
Never of girls with big bulges in their blouses.
…and look forward to meeting you in Cóito.
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Marc wrote:
>I once knew a man and his name was Seymore Balls
He must have had a miserable childhood<
…and stupid parents.
Hugs
N
PS: sorry, Deeej, I hadn't read ahead when I wrote this. N
[Updated on: Thu, 28 June 2007 19:24]
I dream of boys with big bulges in their trousers,
Never of girls with big bulges in their blouses.
…and look forward to meeting you in Cóito.
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