Author Topic: More nominative determinism  (Read 149129 times)

More nominative determinism
« on: 19 June, 2008, 06:55:53 pm »
1. I know someone whose hobby is standing at the edge of Heathrow Airport with a hand-held telescope, camera and notepad. He also goes to air shows and takes more plane pictures. What's his occupation? Visual air traffic controller at the top of the tower in the middle of Heathrow. Heh! How about that?

2. My Mum once got a letter from someone at the then Inland Revenue called Mrs Goldsacks.

3. Yesterday I was in Slough Library when I came across The Navy List, a book containing the names of all the ships and officers in the Royal Navy. In there was someone called Goodship.

Any more examples of people with nifty hobby/name/occupation associations?


Re: People whose hobbies or names match their jobs
« Reply #1 on: 19 June, 2008, 06:58:03 pm »
I'll forgive you if you don't believe me - but there used to be a desk sergeant at Newton Aycliffe police station called Sgt Bacon.

Maladict

Re: People whose hobbies or names match their jobs
« Reply #2 on: 19 June, 2008, 06:58:32 pm »
New Scientist's bag page column (forget its name) had a name for this:

Nominative Determinism.


Chris S

Re: People whose hobbies or names match their jobs
« Reply #3 on: 19 June, 2008, 06:59:01 pm »
I know a Sergeant Sargent  :thumbsup:

Re: People whose hobbies or names match their jobs
« Reply #4 on: 19 June, 2008, 07:05:27 pm »
Woodwork teacher at school was Mr Glew.

When asked he did admit that his name might have slightly influenced his career choice, but he wasn't sure.


"No matter how slow you go, you're still lapping everybody on the couch."

Wowbagger

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Re: People whose hobbies or names match their jobs
« Reply #5 on: 19 June, 2008, 07:06:40 pm »
There's a police station in Pig Lane, Harlow (or so I understand).
Quote from: Dez
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Re: People whose hobbies or names match their jobs
« Reply #6 on: 19 June, 2008, 07:10:38 pm »
There used to be a Major Major in the Army rowing club.
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Fixedwheelnut

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Re: People whose hobbies or names match their jobs
« Reply #7 on: 19 June, 2008, 07:11:08 pm »
Woodwork teacher at school was Mr Glew.

When asked he did admit that his name might have slightly influenced his career choice, but he wasn't sure.



atleast he stuck with it










hat, coat, door  :thumbsup:
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Re: People whose hobbies or names match their jobs
« Reply #8 on: 19 June, 2008, 07:11:29 pm »
A guy I went to school with got a summer job helping with the artificial insemination of cows. His name was Richard Bull.
I think you'll find it's a bit more complicated than that.

pdm

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Re: People whose hobbies or names match their jobs
« Reply #9 on: 19 June, 2008, 07:17:50 pm »
Some among us may remember the summers of '75 and '76. It was hot and there were droughts... Thomson and Lille wreaked havoc in the Prudential Cup. Tarmac melted. Rail lines buckled.

I remember reading a piece in the Leeds local Rag about a woman advertising that she had received a letter from the Leeds water (and sewage) board to the effect that it had been noticed that she was flushing her toilet too many times a day and could she please be cognisant of the water shortage and try to moderate her toilet flush usage - the letter was signed by a Mr R Sole....

Andrij

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Re: People whose hobbies or names match their jobs
« Reply #10 on: 19 June, 2008, 07:23:39 pm »
I know a man with the surname Bishop.  He is currently a Deacon.  Time will tell...
;D  Andrij.  I pronounce you Complete and Utter GIT   :thumbsup:

Re: People whose hobbies or names match their jobs
« Reply #11 on: 19 June, 2008, 07:26:00 pm »
There is a Baroness Gardner of Parkes in the Lords. Not exactly on-topic, but funny nonetheless :)

hellymedic

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Re: People whose hobbies or names match their jobs
« Reply #12 on: 19 June, 2008, 07:46:39 pm »
I went on a school trip to Kew Gardens and was shown round by Mrs Digweed.

Wowbagger

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Re: People whose hobbies or names match their jobs
« Reply #13 on: 19 June, 2008, 07:49:14 pm »
I was amused that one of the German football team's coaches is called Herr Flick.
Quote from: Dez
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hellymedic

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Re: People whose hobbies or names match their jobs
« Reply #14 on: 19 June, 2008, 07:54:16 pm »
(Deviating slightly) Local Builders' Merchant is Burnt Oak Timber...

Re: People whose hobbies or names match their jobs
« Reply #15 on: 19 June, 2008, 07:59:42 pm »
Also deviating slightly:  I know a pair of ossifers who live in Constable Road.

Re: People whose hobbies or names match their jobs
« Reply #16 on: 19 June, 2008, 08:04:50 pm »
A guy I went to school with got a summer job helping with the artificial insemination of cows. His name was Richard Bull.

Shame it wasn't Roger Cowes

Re: People whose hobbies or names match their jobs
« Reply #17 on: 19 June, 2008, 08:05:51 pm »
There is a Baroness Gardner of Parkes in the Lords. Not exactly on-topic, but funny nonetheless :)

New (as in non-hereditary) peers get to pick the place name for their peerage. Baroness Gardener chose it.

IIRC a lifelong Arsenal fan chose to be Lord of Highbury.
"Yes please" said Squirrel "biscuits are our favourite things."

FatBloke

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Re: People whose hobbies or names match their jobs
« Reply #18 on: 19 June, 2008, 11:29:37 pm »
Allegedly, Dulux Paints employ a Matthew White.  ;)
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Pete

Re: People whose hobbies or names match their jobs
« Reply #19 on: 20 June, 2008, 12:15:25 am »
I wish I could add that my former dentist was named Reg Payne.  Alas, that would be a porkie, it wasn't quite his name, though it was quite close!

Re: People whose hobbies or names match their jobs
« Reply #20 on: 20 June, 2008, 12:18:14 am »
One of my brother's friends at university was a medical student with a surname of Cutting.

He was aiming to become a surgeon.
"Yes please" said Squirrel "biscuits are our favourite things."

hellymedic

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Re: People whose hobbies or names match their jobs
« Reply #21 on: 20 June, 2008, 01:30:05 am »
I was acquainted with an anaesthetist whose surname was Dye.
"I am Dr Dye and I will put you to sleep."...

Re: People whose hobbies or names match their jobs
« Reply #22 on: 20 June, 2008, 07:47:07 am »
There is this bloke Philip Catt in the news. It might not count though because he changed his surname to match his obsession.
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Re: People whose hobbies or names match their jobs
« Reply #23 on: 20 June, 2008, 07:58:13 am »
I wish I could add that my former dentist was named Reg Payne.  Alas, that would be a porkie, it wasn't quite his name, though it was quite close!

Where as, my dentist is called Mr. Payne.
Admission.  I'm actually not that fussed about cake.

Wowbagger

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Re: People whose hobbies or names match their jobs
« Reply #24 on: 20 June, 2008, 08:18:23 am »
In Chelmsford, many moons ago, there was a gentleman named Valentine Card whose birthday was 14th Feb. He must be dead now - I think he was in his 60s when I was at school, when he was employed as a Sally Army officer.
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