Tuesday, July 20, 2010

What's in a Name?


A friend of mine says her name gets slung around and misused all the time. Same here. When you have a name that is synonymous with a state, and you live in a town that is also a part of that state, guess where your mail goes.

Living in Athens, AL, but having the first name, Georgia, means that well-meaning letters and post go to Athens, Georgia, then they are returned to sender.

That's when I'll get a call or email saying, "Hey, your letter/card/check was returned to me." CHECK? You sent my CHECK to the wrong place? A pox on you! Why I ought-a-- Ahem...sorry.

I've considered having my name changed to prevent this, but what's in a name? Heritage, that's what.

I was named after my Uncle George who drowned at a tender, young age...and I adored him. He was kind, gentle, and everyone that knew him loved him. I'm hoping for name-osmosis. Hey, it could happen. So change my name? No way.

But it's not only mail that gets sent to that other state, it's callers who don't know me and who take liberties with the pronunciation...LIKE Georgie (I detest that one), or Georgianna, or Georgina. How hard is it is say, GEORGIA? It's two syllables, for Pete's sake. GEOR-GIA.

There you have it. One name, two syllables. Except, of course, when it was Mom. Then it became Georgia Lynn Staggers! Did you do ____! (fill in the blank) and yes, I usually did it. Bawwwhahahah...but that's another story for another day.

I'm proud of my name and love the fact that Uncle George is looking down and most likely saying, "I-ya-ya...that girl...is she a mess or what?"

I ams who I ams...you can call me Georgie (but you're out of the Will), call me Georgianna, call me Hard-headed Hanna, or anything else you want to call me...within reason, of course. I will answer. Especially if you have a check in hand.

A Queen by any other name is still a Queen.

Geor-gia (pronounced Jaw Jaw when said realllll slow and reallll Southern)



8 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey JawJaw! So glad you are blogging again girl - I've missed 'em! I feel your pain on the name thing...although in MY case it's a last name issue. Never knew there were so many WRONG ways to say Kimmell. Oh well. Such is life - eh?

Hugs
Pam

10:43 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

LMAO! I just love me some Queen-you're hilarious. I'm from the lovely garden state (NJ) and I would have never in my wildest of southern accent dreams realized "Jaw Jaw" was "Georgia". I can be a bit 'special' at times. :)

XO.
P.

10:46 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

and I do have lots of southern accent dreams with Chris Cagle talking dirty to me....:-)

P

10:50 AM  
Blogger Ann said...

Pam, you should try a name like Osterhus!

I always thought JawJaw was because your jaw was moving so often. I like this explanation so much better.

11:54 AM  
Blogger Queen Jaw Jaw said...

Pam, a blog a day/week/month keeps the writing cramps away!

P--we're all SPECIAL some days, am I right?

P--I do NOT like country music but he just changed my mind. Hubba, hubba!

And of course sweet Ann whose last name I cannot pronounce. Yes, it is a double-meaning with "jaw jaw." I never shushhhh. LOL!

1:03 PM  
Blogger Ruth said...

Glad to see another riproaring entry from da Queen! Can't say as I've had many problems with my name, but I enjoyed reading about yours!!

3:09 PM  
Anonymous Jean said...

Georgia is great name, different but not too wierd.

It is a gracious name that will grow well with you over time. :)

Lots of people mix up my name with the male version. It's so annoying: I'm standing in front of the person and the person cannot figure out the female version spelling? And the other person speaks perfect English and familiar with Western cultural concepts/names. Or so I thought.

4:12 PM  
Blogger Chatty Lady said...

Well it looks like all our pals got in a comment before me. I HATE when people don't take the time to spell my names correctly, thats right "BOTH" first and last names they manage to butcher. Or they call me Charlie and that really frosts my buns. I am neither male or a Charlie. I posted a good blog for some of those folks this time, a-ha, they can read 'em and weep!!!
I will say this friend Georgia, a star by any other name is still a star, and you truly are.

7:00 PM  

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