You know, there was a time when Sweden used to stand for something fine and pure: Abba, neutrality (or was that Switzerland?), Volvo, chocolate (was that Switzerland, too?), and meatballs. Big, sweaty, hairy meatballs.
But in recent years, I hear all sorts of discouraging things about the land of snow and smiles; for instance, that they have highest rate of alcoholism and suicide in the world, and that apparently their women do not all resemble Anita Ekberg (an early prototype for Scarlett Johanssen, but who didn't bother to act, realizing it would only be a distraction).
Things have changed so much and so quickly, that I really don't know what to think of this story, about a Swedish couple who have named their child "Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116" (pronounced "/ˈalˌbin/").
From the article:
"Because the parents (Elizabeth Hallin and an unidentified father) failed to register a name by the boy's fifth birthday, a district court in Halmstad, southern Sweden, fined the parents 5,000 kronor (US$682 at the time). Responding to the fine, the parents submitted the 43-character name in May 1996, claiming that it was "a pregnant, expressionistic development that we see as an artistic creation." The parents suggested the name be understood in the spirit of 'pataphysics. The court rejected the name and upheld the fine."
It's all very well and good to have fun with names, but why do it to a kid who didn't ask for this particular brand of fun, not to mention being born to a couple of ninnies? I've had enough difficulty getting people to spell my name with no "h".
The parents have offered to compromise by naming the child simply "A", but the court has rejected this, under the reasonable assumption that the child will be begging to be adopted sooner or later, so there's no need to be obvious about it.
yeah, that must suck. people misspelling your name.
Posted by: Vanya | February 22, 2008 at 05:39 PM