A Name For All Things

Nov 11th 2009
KimOn Writing!

43 Responses to “A Name For All Things”

1. Gwynlyn MacKenzie on 11 Nov 2009 at 3:17 am #

   We name our cars. Arianna is our current vehicle, she’s parked right behind Faith. Yes, there are explanations, but I will spare you.

2. Trini on 11 Nov 2009 at 4:27 am #

   Hi Kim, how creative you are!!! I haven’t enough imagination to name my things, but I think is a great idea…

3. B on 11 Nov 2009 at 5:27 am #

   Oh, I name things *all* the time. Really! My mother thinks it’s an unhealthy habit to name inanimate things, but, ehhh, she named a lot of my things. One day she was talking about how there’s just something wrong with me, and said: “And you have a flat iron called ‘Hottie.” (actually, the equivalent in Portuguese), and I was like “Well, I *hadn’t* until now.” We always call Hottie by the name, now!
   Four out of my six tattoos have names (the other two don’t cause they’re symbols). There’s Crystal, my fairy, Misty, my butterfly, because she’s in my back and I never get to see her, so she’s a Mystery. Allie and Nerf, my pink haired witch and her little black cat, and Freek, my adorable elf, who’s sticking his tongue out. And, believe me, I introduce each one of them by name, and I’ll get cross if you don’t call them that!
   I’m terrible with purses. *All* my purses are from a store called Kipling and they’re kind of juvenile (but my mom has a bunch, too, so, maybe you should check that out). They’re *cute*

4. Kim on 11 Nov 2009 at 6:39 am #

   I used to name inanimate objects until about a dozen years ago — everything I named either broke or was destroyed. The final straw was the little car I had that got totaled in a car accident way back in 1996 (cabbie ran his stop sign and we met in the middle, no serious injuries except the vehicle). After that, I stopped naming objects — too superstitious to do it again.

   But growing up all our cars had names. Mom’s ‘64 Falcon was Alphie. Dad’s ‘64 Chevy stationwagon was Esmerelda, the 1964 Buick Wildcat was Ina (that was a NICE car). The old 1956 or 1958 vehicle we had when I was very young was Theodore.

   As for purses, beats me. My “purse” is a fairly large knapsack, as I have so much stuff to lug back and forth to work (and no car) that I need something big enough for it all. I’m always on the hunt for the “perfect” knapsack, though, one that isn’t too small, isn’t too big, will hold my camera gear plus lunch, plus cat food and treats (in case I see a hungry stray or feral), plus all the other stuff women carry.

5. Cail on 11 Nov 2009 at 7:14 am #

   I don’t give the objects people names, but they certainly all have names. My computers have been variations on First (second, third…) Child as I continue to get new ones. My old car had an extremely appropriate name and my current car is called Wizard. I don’t have a name for my cell phone or anything else really. I guess I draw the line somewhere. BTW, how are you feeling Kim, I hope you’re doing better! Also, are there two Kims on the blog now? I can never quite tell.

6. Claudia Dain on 11 Nov 2009 at 7:21 am #

   I don’t name things, but Only Girl does! I don’t know where she got it, but she has to name everything. She even had a huge sty on her eyelid (that had to be surgically removed) that she named Fred.

   For purses, my favorites are always easy entry. No flaps, buckles, or snaps! Just dip my hand in and find whatever I want without messing around. I have the same purse requirements as a pickpocket.

7. Susan M on 11 Nov 2009 at 7:22 am #

   I can’t say that I name inanimate objects. I guess the closest I come to that is naming my Twilight DVD “Edward”. When I want to to watch it it’s always, “I think I’ll watch Edward today”. My bff picked up that habit as well. My DH named my moms Garmin when we borrowed for vacation. He calls it B.I.B. Which stands for B**ch In a Box.

   I just bought a purse last week. I love it! I got it at Target. It’s corduroy and tan. It’s a little big but I still love it!!

   Thanks for the love everyone. And sorry for being gone so long.

8. Kim on 11 Nov 2009 at 7:23 am #

   Yes, two Kims — I’m reader Kim in Ontario, posted at 6:39AM.

9. Kim on 11 Nov 2009 at 7:47 am #

   Claudia-LOL!! Love the pickpocket remark.

   Morning ladies! I love that I’m not the only one who does this. I wonder what compels us to name stuff. Maybe KarenH can explain it. She always finds those great articles on what makes people tick.

   Thanks for asking, Cail. I’m doing much better. Still tiring easy but definitely much better.

   As for the purse situation, I’m strongly leaning towards another Vera Bradley Villager. I used my last one until the straps frayed. It was light weight and big enough to carry everything I need. Its just convincing myself to spend $70 on a bag. eek.

10. Kathy on 11 Nov 2009 at 7:48 am #

    The only thing I have ever named was my period. hey, you all knew I was quirky!!!!
    It started years ago when I lived with multiple roommates, we shared a calendar, and I wanted to keep track withut everyone knowing..

    Fred is it’s name.
    an annoying relative who cramps my styls, makes a mess and makes me cranky.

11. Vanessa Kelly on 11 Nov 2009 at 7:56 am #

    I don’t name inanimate objects, although I do sometimes attach an honorific to them. So, the dog’s duck toy becomes, Mr. Duckie, or the toaster becomes Mr. Toaster. My husband does the same thing. It’s like we’re in some low-rent version of the old Pee-Wee Herman show.

    I also hate throwing things out, as if I’m betraying them! DH is the same way, which means we have way to much crap hanging around the condo. God forbid that ratty old bathrobe of mine should be upset because I get rid of it!

    I do recycle the nice stuff, though, and give it away to St. Vincent DePaul’s. That way I feel like someone else can get some benefit out of it.

12. LoriHandeland on 11 Nov 2009 at 8:00 am #

    I haven’t picked up that naming habit yet. But you never know.

    I’m a terrible person to ask about purses. I usually buy the same type over and over at Target–one for winter in black, one for summer in white. Have to have my cell phone easily accessible on the outside, but in a pocket where it won’t fall out. Place for lipstick, keys. Big enough to fit my HUGE wallet and a paperback but not so big it kills my shoulder to carry it.

13. Gannon on 11 Nov 2009 at 8:01 am #

    Kim, my sister has always named her cars. My two nieces do the same thing. I never realized how many people do this.

    Kathy, LOL on naming your period Fred!!

14. Kathy on 11 Nov 2009 at 8:09 am #

    purses! I have boxes and bins of purses! handbags, totes, fancy dress up and go out on the town ones. When I get rid of a few, I end up buying more.
    I have pursitis!

15. Alicia on 11 Nov 2009 at 8:16 am #

    Okay, so I don’t really name inanimate objects but I am really bad about nick-naming! My dogs all have nick-names! Lucy usually is LuLu, MuMu, or NuNu. Yeah, I know. Honey Girl usually translates to Honey Duh. Last, but not least, Star usually ends up being called Ta-Ta. My friends names end up being shortened or mangled in some sort of way too. Ashley = Ash, Amanda = Mander, Lynn = Lynnith, Kayla = Kayler, and it goes on…..

    Purses! I LOVE purses and I’m ALWAYS looking for a new one even if I JUST bought one! I have to get a new purse if I’m having a bad day, if I get a new phone, new shoes, new WHATEVER!

16. Gannon on 11 Nov 2009 at 8:17 am #

    Kathy, I have pursitis, too, but usually I just refer to myself as a “purse whore.” My MIL loved purses and had oodles of them. After she passed away, I got all of them. I’ve given quite a few to friends and relatives and I’m still inundated with purses. And yet, I still have the urge to buy a new one every once in awhile.

    Hello, my name is Gannon and I’m a purse-a-holic! And a shoe-a-holic, too.

17. Amy Scott on 11 Nov 2009 at 8:26 am #

    The only object I have named recently is my baby swing, I call it Sanity Saver! Whoever invented the baby swing gets my never ending gratitude!

    I do have a habit of cursing out my dishwasher, I won’t list the names that I call it because they aren’t very lady like. However, anything that leaks all the time, and costs me $150 to fix, deserves a few bad names.

    I am a purse junkie! My favourite is a Tommy Hilfiger bag. I use it for everything. It is big enough to carry everything I need for the baby, and has nice little pockets for things like BB, cell, and makeup.

18. Skylar Kade on 11 Nov 2009 at 8:37 am #

    Kim,
    Growing up, my dad’s truck was named Bubba. I didn’t know that not everyone named their vehicles, so I would always ask people what their car’s name was. And all I got were odd looks. Wish I’d asked you!

    As for purses, if you’re willing to splurge, Isabella Fiora makes beautiful purses worthy of the sassy Sabrina. I have one of her older collection purses and its this gorgeous tattoo-style design. But I’ll also second everyone who loves Target purses — they have every style a girl could want.

    ~Skylar~

19. Kathy on 11 Nov 2009 at 8:48 am #

    Gannon, my mother loved purses as well and when she died the granddaughters fought with moms over the baskets of purses to go through. I got her basket of shoes, as she had already given me many a hand-me-down purse.

20. Michelle B on 11 Nov 2009 at 8:55 am #

    I don’t as a rule name things, but I do have a habit of patting the dash board and saying, “Good Girl!” everytime I make pinpoint U turn. My Toyota mini van does them oh so well. Now I do call the computer names, but they aren’t very nice. Probably not deserved, cosidering the user. Computer can’t help that it knows more than I do.

    I love purses and am very picky. Always on the hunt for the perfect bag, which I use until it wears out. Mine has to be big enough to hold my monthly planner so when I am shopping people must laugh as I try them out by putting the planner in each. The straps must be the perfect length when on my shoulder. There has to be a pocket for my cell phone, and like Lori, it can’t fall out easily. It used to have to have mulitple compartments, but I got tired of the fruitless hunt for that and found little zippered bags of various sizes and colors that hold my stuff and make it easier to find what I need. It needs to be able to sit on my console of the van or in a shopping cart, so no floppy bags or overly tall ones. Lastly, it must be a bargain. I don’t spend more than $35 on any purse. My last one was a Nine West, brown alligator, $8, Kohls.

21. Michelle B on 11 Nov 2009 at 8:55 am #

    I don’t as a rule name things, but I do have a habit of patting the dash board and saying, “Good Girl!” everytime I make pinpoint U turn. My Toyota mini van does them oh so well. Now I do call the computer names, but they aren’t very nice. Probably not deserved, cosidering the user. Computer can’t help that it knows more than I do.

    I love purses and am very picky. Always on the hunt for the perfect bag, which I use until it wears out. Mine has to be big enough to hold my monthly planner so when I am shopping people must laugh as I try them out by putting the planner in each. The straps must be the perfect length when on my shoulder. There has to be a pocket for my cell phone, and like Lori, it can’t fall out easily. It used to have to have mulitple compartments, but I got tired of the fruitless hunt for that and found little zippered bags of various sizes and colors that hold my stuff and make it easier to find what I need. It needs to be able to sit on my console of the van or in a shopping cart, so no floppy bags or overly tall ones. Lastly, it must be a bargain. I don’t spend more than $35 on any purse. My last one was a Nine West, brown alligator, $8, Kohls.

22. Madeline Hunter on 11 Nov 2009 at 9:01 am #

    Ok, admit it–you cleaned up the desk just for the photo shoot, didn’t you?

    I don’t name objects. I have had friends who always named them, though. Cars especially. So I know it is a habit for many people. I just don’t think of inanimate objects with any affection.

    Which is not to say that your new phone isn’t pretty darn impressive. I’ll bet you even know how to use all its cool capabilities (unlike me who would admire the buttons and icons but never learn how to use them.) It does deserve a special purse. I am going to let the fashionistas advise. Me, I’m into totes of all kinds, and would put that darling into a nice, soft leather one, but not because of the phone. I just need lots of space in a purse, so a tote it would end up being. Maybe, since you are more organized, a smallish tote?

    I do take naming pets very seriously. I have intervened when my sons came close to naming one of our dogs Beuford. Esp since she was a female.

23. Michelle B on 11 Nov 2009 at 9:07 am #

    Oops! Sorry for the double post.

24. Madeline Hunter on 11 Nov 2009 at 9:08 am #

    Michelle B, I did not realize Kohls carries Nine West bags. I have bought some really nice no name ones there, though, for almost nothing. I have a couple of metallic hobos that get lots of compliments that cost me about $8 each there. One is sort of gold and the other sort of copper. I think Kohls is definitiely worth a look for purses.

25. Freshechelle on 11 Nov 2009 at 9:18 am #

    My GPS is set to Paolo so let’s pretend I named him. I let him boss me around in Italian. I don’t speak Italian but I have learned how to say “recalculating” from Paolo. I briefly had Simon with me in the car but he was irritating.

    My new VW is probably going to be called Stanzi (Mozart’s wife, according to the film Amadeus) because that’s what I called my first VW.

    Every bad driver on the road is “Gina”. Unless it’s an old man in a hat, then he’s “Old Man in a Hat”.

    Kim, you might remember where I stand on the handbag topic. Good luck in your search. Stay cool ‘coz image is everything! (jk)

26. Kerri on 11 Nov 2009 at 9:18 am #

    Strange that the name “Fred” is given to not so pretty body parts and functions – my daughter had two bumps on the side of her feet (since corrected with orthotics) that she named Bob and Fred. (Fred was the bigger one) She also names all of her electronic devices – Fernando is her cell phone, Peter is her Ipod, etc. I used to think it was weird, but now I’m so used to it that I will ask her, “Where is Fernando?” like I’m talking about another kid.

27. Freshechelle on 11 Nov 2009 at 9:43 am #

    I know some one who named their upper girly bits Jack and Ed from the film Mrs. Soffel.

28. Rachel Gibson on 11 Nov 2009 at 9:45 am #

    I’ve never named inanimate object . . . Well, except my 4-runner Finis. That’s because the license plate says Finis. So that’s what we call it.

29. Deb Marlowe on 11 Nov 2009 at 9:56 am #

    My dh named his GPS Cortana, after the computer girl in Halo.

    My youngest kidlet got a wart and named it Billy Bob because the doctor asked him to name it.

    The names I call bad drivers can’t be written on the blog!

30. Pesky on 11 Nov 2009 at 9:58 am #

    Well yah, you gotta name the things you spend a lot of time with. My computers are Monsta and Diva II (Diva I met a sad end)

    

31. moozlady on 11 Nov 2009 at 9:58 am #

    and my kids think I am wierd for naming our cars. My 96 Astro is Bonnie Blue because my previous van was Scarlett. Our 1980 Volvo is Fisher-Moo because we bought it off ebay from a man with the id fisherman John. Actually all our cars are Moos because it is my husband’s nickname, our capirce was the blue-Moo, the conversion van was the Moo-mobile, my id is Moo’s lady, etc.
    My dad had a a tool named “Old Wicked” by my mom because it had injured him before.

32. ladydawgfan on 11 Nov 2009 at 10:26 am #

    My van is named Lucy, my GPS is named KITT (from Knight Rider), female bad drivers are called “heifer,” and male bad drivers, “bonehead,” both usually at the top of my lungs. My monthly is “Aunt Flo,’ and my “girls” are Thelma and Louise.

    Geez, I have a lot of names for inanimate objects . . .

33. Kim on 11 Nov 2009 at 10:42 am #

    I really love the names you guys come up with and the reasons behind them.

    Eons ago we had a POS Nissian that talked. She would say “Fuel is low” or “door is ajar”. At the time my husband was totally in love with Valerie (Tiffani Thiessen) from 90210. So he named the car Valerie because she talked sexy to him. LOL. Crazily, I was so jealous of that damn car!

    Madeline-Ha! Actually, that was about 2 seconds after I finally got the desk set up. That’s why its fairly neat.

    As far as naming body parts, I remember in high school when you were walking somewhere and someone would ask you “how are you getting there?” you would point to your legs and say “Jim and Joe are taking me.” Anyone else ever heard that saying?

    Speaking of high school. In about a 1/2 hour I’m taking off for lunch with 2 of my oldest friends. We’ve known each other since kindergarten!

34. Ronlyn on 11 Nov 2009 at 12:47 pm #

    Sally is my 1990 Isuzu pickup, which did NOT qualify as a clunker because she is too awesome (and fuel efficient). I named her when I was in college…I don’t remember why.
    Bambi is my DH’s 1980 TransAm…I named her Barbie because pretty much every part of her has had some work done.
    Rita is his 1968 Ford Galaxie.
    I used to name my plants, but then I felt guilty when they died after my son was born (I was focused on keeping him alive rather than the plants. LOL) so I stopped naming my plants.

35. Tina on 11 Nov 2009 at 1:41 pm #

    Happy Veteran’s Day

    Most of my stuffed animals have names.
    Of my 2 vehicles, the Bronco is named “The Beast” and the Explorer didn’t get a name.

36. evlqn on 11 Nov 2009 at 2:05 pm #

    About the only things we have named are my dragons, Erin,Psyche, Benjamin, Stoney (he’s Aussie), Josh (now deceased), Nathan, & Caleb my Confederate unicorn. George is our house gargoyle and Greywolf is the spirit living in the ceramic mask. I actually have a lot more dragons but they didn’t get names because we don’t interact with them so much.
    Guys seem to like to name their favorite body bits, my dh called his Mr. Mike odd because his name is Dan.

37. Lisa G on 11 Nov 2009 at 2:42 pm #

    I don’t name things but my daughters do. One calls her purse “Jessica” because it’s a Jessica Simpson.

38. Sabrina Jeffries on 11 Nov 2009 at 3:12 pm #

    Admit it, you named your phone after ME! Yes, me! Okay, so maybe you didn’t, but you should have, because *I’m* sexy and sassy. Right? RIGHT???

    

    I don’t name anything, which is weird because we have a gajillion nicknames for my son, so clearly I like the naming thing. I just don’t name objects, and I don’t have pets, so there you go. But I have plenty of friends who do. I just never have. I don’t even name my dolls or stuffed animals! That’s probably kind of weird, actually. Most people do name their dolls.

39. Leslie on 11 Nov 2009 at 3:18 pm #

    I name anything with a voice and most things with working parts. I also named my Tattoo. Risa is my fairy tattoo; Risa means laughter. The Peter Pan theory is that when the first baby laughed it broke into a million pieces and became fairies. she reminds me not to take life too seriously.

    My current car is a Big Yellow Jeep named Sunny, her counterpart is the GPS named Cher (yes I know the spelling is wrong). We have a handhelp GPS for Geocaching. It is a Garmin : Oregon brand his name is Eugene. The Nikon camera is Niki.

    For me growing up I always had stuffed toys and they all had names it was important. Anyone know the story of the Velveteen Rabbit? Well it destroyed me when the toys were ignored. So I grow attached to many of the objects in my life that I use regularly, and definitely the ones that talk to me. LOL

    For purses last year I picked up a Seat belt purse. It is made from old seat belts that have been recycled. I LOVE it. It is unique. They tend to be a little heavy but the style is very me.

    http://www.seatbeltbags.com/

40. Kim on 11 Nov 2009 at 3:51 pm #

    Of course I did, Sabrina!! You know I think you’re smokin’!

41. evlqn on 11 Nov 2009 at 5:02 pm #

    Kim the bag I use the most is one I made for myself, it’s a fawn colored micro-suede with a flap closure. I painted the Celtic triquetra on the front. I love this bag because I can just toss it in the washer and dryer and I’m good to go again.

42. Karen Hawkins on 11 Nov 2009 at 5:18 pm #

    Kim, you always crack me up! YES, I name things. But I usually don’t give them ‘human names.’ For example, I drove Ye Olde Red Jeep until he expired with a horrific clank at puff of smoke at 196,000 miles. I miss that old thing.

    Now, I drive Ye Lovely Subaru, which is new(er) than Ye Olde Red Jeep and drives like a dream. Added to that, all of the bells and whistles work, and she’s amazingly quiet and sips her gas in a very dainty fashion. I love her!

    As for purses, I tend to go with the middle sized kind. I had a big one once and spent all of my time with my head buried in it trying to Find Things.

43. Anna Campbell on 11 Nov 2009 at 10:50 pm #

    Kim, sadly, I name things all the time. There’s Percy – strangely it will surprise you to know he’s a purse. Actually one of the strange things about the naming things bug is that each thing has a very distinct sex. I DEFINITELY name my manuscripts when they’re in progress (as sadly they’re not a lot of the time!). My Reckless Surrender was originally called Reckless Games which was RG which turned out to be Archie. As you can see, the name ends up making not much sense to anyone but me! Cute post!