Proper names are poetry in the raw. Like all poetry they are untranslatable.

Proper names are poetry in the raw. Like all poetry they are untranslatable.

They certainly give very strange names to diseases.

They certainly give very strange names to diseases.

The blackest ink of fate are sure my lot,
And when fate writ my name it made a blot.

The blackest ink of fate are sure my lot,
And when fate writ my name it made a blot.

I decided that I would be one of the biggest new names; and I actually had some little fancy business read more

I decided that I would be one of the biggest new names; and I actually had some little fancy business cards printed up to announce it, "Count Basie. Beware, the Count is Here."

Any child can tell you that the sole purpose of a middle name is so he can tell when he's read more

Any child can tell you that the sole purpose of a middle name is so he can tell when he's really in trouble.

I have a passion for the name of "Mary,"
For once it was a magic sound to me,
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I have a passion for the name of "Mary,"
For once it was a magic sound to me,
And still it half calls up the realms of fairy,
Where I beheld what never was to be.

Above any Greek or Roman name.

Above any Greek or Roman name.

Old age is . . . a lot of crossed off names in an address book.

Old age is . . . a lot of crossed off names in an address book.

Having supplied them with names, omnipotence, justice, knowledge, providence, - what are they?

Having supplied them with names, omnipotence, justice, knowledge, providence, - what are they?