What's in a Name?

Although I personally find it a source of annoyance that some people pay more attention to what a thing is called than to what it is, it is undeniable that names have significance. A name is the mental handle by which we allow ourselves to grasp an object or a concept, and as such, the name by which we know something can have a profound effect on how we think of it.

When a thing acquires a name, it is almost always for a reason. The reason may be conscious or unconscious, intended or accidental, considered or arbitrary. But in any case, each name carries with it a story, and the story of the name may be considered the beginning of the story of the thing itself. Here you may read the stories of some of the names associated with me.


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jimcat@panix.com