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Aptronym




Real-life people can also have aptronyms. Some notable examples:

In the book ''What's in a Name?'' (1996), author Paul Dickson cites a long list of aptronyms originally compiled by Professor Lewis P. Lipsitt, of Brown University . A sampling from the list:

Some aptronyms are Ironic rather than descriptive. The former Archbishop of Manila , Jaime L. Sin known as "Cardinal Sin," is a notable example. Dickson's book also lists a Rev. Richard Sinner of Fargo, North Dakota .

Aptronyms may be called "aptonyms" by other writers. San Francisco columnist Herb Caen used the term "namephreaks". Washington Post columnist Bob Levey prefers the term PFLNs, or Perfect Fit Last Names. There does not yet seem to be a standard terminology for this linguistic curiosity.


REFERENCES

  • "aptronym." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2005. Encyclopædia Britannica Premium Service. 30 Mar. 2005. {Link without Title}

  • Dickson, Paul. ''What's in a Name? Reflections of an Irrepressible Name Collector''. Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996. ISBN 0877796130



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