Helpful words

Update: Government’s naming transparency stumbles yet again.

A few weeks ago we talked about all the “accidental” naming pitfalls of a military mission named Odyssey Dawn, mainly how it sounded like a commitment to a war the length of which makes most Americans cringe. But the Pentagon assured us, via spokesman for U.S. Africa Command Eric Elliot, that nicknames for military exercises or…

Zyrtec, Allegra and Benadryl: the bizarre world of allergy med names

Allergieth thuck. Itchy eyeth, runny nothe, non-thtop thneething — they’re your bodieth way of gibbing you the finger while cocooning itthelf from the world. Unfortunately, there is no cure for allergies. But if you want to at least keep those springtime sniffles at bay, you have two realistic options: move to Antarctica, or drug it…

Manhattan Bagels: full of steam

Manhattan Bagels has more than 65 locations nation wide- the one place they’re not welcome? Manhattan. And that’s because New Yorkers can smell their own. Manhattan Bagels is from Jersey, which, despite its proximity is about as far from Empire living as you can get. And you know what that means, their co-companies Noah’s and…

Oregon lawmakers try to rain on the ‘Independent’ party

If freedom isn’t free, then independence is downright unaffordable. A recently killed bill in Oregon tried to ban the use of “independent” in the names of political parties, arguing that the word confuses voters. Sounds like a sensible enough idea … unless your name is the Independent Party of Oregon. The IPO, Oregon’s third-largest party…

WTF WWF? WWE? Really?

In 2002, The World Wrestling Federation lost its biggest fight of all – to a baby panda. When the World Wildlife Fund successfully won suit for the rights to their long-held acronym, WWF, the wrestling dynasty was left with what could have been a great opportunity – change. But they flinched. And instead of using the opportunity…

Hungary gives Elvis Presley a piece of budapest

Elvis Presley is the new king of Hungary, and I’m not talking about his royal appetite for peanut butter-banana-bacon sandwiches. Elvis is set to be honored in the Central European country, which will make the rocker with the blue suede shoes an honorary citizen and rename one of 12 super-special locations after him. Residents of…

Oscar, Tony, Emmy and Razzie: the origins of award names

People love to congratulate each other. Whether it’s for eating lots of hot dogs, writing a catchy song or being able to play make-believe for millions of dollars, awards are our way of saying you’ve done something better than anyone else. Like height, eye color or the preference of boxers over briefs, the desire to…

Battle of the animal bands

  • About: Naming

From Eagles and The Monkees, to Fleet Foxes and Papa Roach, the world of music has always been teeming with bands who use animals as their aliases. Yet while your favorite band of beasts may kick ass on the pop charts, there’s a good chance it wouldn’t last a minute in the wild. With that…

“Captain America Who?” the shielded one gets a name change in Russia

Captain America? More like Captain Planet. The comic book golden boy, the tireless defender of freedom and patriotism and cool fighting skills, can bring down the Third Reich with a twitch of his shield. Yet somehow he’s no match for an international marketing blitz. Apparently some of the Cap’s international audiences have forced him to…

New Delhi bugged about super flu name

Bugs need names. Whether they’re in your bed, your bloodstream or your hard drive, giving a catchy tag to the creepy creatures that invade our lives can actually make them easier to fight. But one recently discovered creature, nicknamed NDM-1, is no ordinary bug. A hearty enzyme capable of bestowing upon bacteria marvelous drug-resistant powers,…

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