# an unforeseen benefit of reading Terry Pratchett **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 13, 2006, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-unforeseen-benefit-of-reading-terry-pratchett/364322 "2006-07-13T14:00:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DaddyTimesTwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@DaddyTimesTwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaddyTimesTwo)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2006, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-unforeseen-benefit-of-reading-terry-pratchett/364322/1 "2006-07-13T14:00:11Z")
There are the obvious benefits like laughter and a wish that I could be Sam Vimes, but one I did not envision was understanding some Doper names. I just read a thread with a post by **SusanStoHelit** , last year I would jsut have thought that was a goofy name. Now I know it’s the name of the best elementary school teacher in the universe. 🆒 Thanks, Terry! And thanks, SDMB for getting me to read Terry Pratchett! ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2006, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-unforeseen-benefit-of-reading-terry-pratchett/364322/2 "2006-07-13T14:03:24Z")
Those of us who were reading Pratchett _before_ the SDMB have the added joy of seeing the cool names appear, like little reminders … 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![DaddyTimesTwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@DaddyTimesTwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaddyTimesTwo)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2006, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-unforeseen-benefit-of-reading-terry-pratchett/364322/3 "2006-07-13T14:05:06Z")
Now I’m in the know, and right there with you. Well, several rows back, actually, and there’s a beam that blocks part of my view. But I am in the stadium now… ---
**Author:** ![One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/838e76/32.png) [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2006, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-unforeseen-benefit-of-reading-terry-pratchett/364322/4 "2006-07-13T14:08:13Z")
For years i was put off of starting the Discworld because of the cover art (I love it nowadays). Luckily, that section of the library was getting sparsely populated in the books I hadn’t read category so I tried them eventually (bout 15 years ago) have every new release pre ordered since then. Long may he continue (as long as he maintains quality) ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2006, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-unforeseen-benefit-of-reading-terry-pratchett/364322/5 "2006-07-13T14:38:15Z")
[QUOTE=One And Only Wanderers] For years i was put off of starting the Discworld because of the cover art. . . [/QUOTE] So it’s not just me. I really don’t like those cartoony covers, there are new paperback editions with nearly plain black covers, Night Watch, Monsterous Regiment and Going Postal all had much smarter cover art. And **Daddy\*2** As well as Susan S.H. there’s Bill Door The Gaspode (that is a Pratchett reference innit?) Ponder Stibbons Lobsang er… that’s all I’ve got off the top of my head. Stop by guys. ---
**Author:** ![DaddyTimesTwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@DaddyTimesTwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaddyTimesTwo)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2006, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-unforeseen-benefit-of-reading-terry-pratchett/364322/6 "2006-07-13T14:58:11Z")
**Small Clanger** , I knew there was others, it’s just that the urge to start a thread about it hit me when I saw **SusanStoHelit** this morning. I do remember seeing **Lobsang** and realizing its significance. I think CMOTDibbler would be a good handle. ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2006, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-unforeseen-benefit-of-reading-terry-pratchett/364322/7 "2006-07-13T15:08:13Z")
There might be a Dibbler. There is definitely a Greebo Shame there’s no _Soup Dragon_ or _Iron Chicken_. I’m the only representative here of my world ::sniffs:: ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2006, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-unforeseen-benefit-of-reading-terry-pratchett/364322/8 "2006-07-13T15:12:21Z")
[QUOTE=Small Clanger] The Gaspode (that is a Pratchett reference innit?) [/QUOTE] Your dogged pursuit has been rewarded! ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2006, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-unforeseen-benefit-of-reading-terry-pratchett/364322/9 "2006-07-13T15:12:39Z")
**Lobsang** is a Pratchett reference? I haven’t read enough Pratchett. I thought it was a reference to “T. Lobsang Rampa”, noted fake lama and author of “The Third Eye”. ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2006, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-unforeseen-benefit-of-reading-terry-pratchett/364322/10 "2006-07-13T15:46:13Z")
Yep, it refers to Lobsang Ludd, a character in Pratchett’s Thief of Time. ---
**Author:** ![DaddyTimesTwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@DaddyTimesTwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaddyTimesTwo)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2006, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-unforeseen-benefit-of-reading-terry-pratchett/364322/11 "2006-07-13T15:51:25Z")
Just because I’ve noticed _some_ Discworld references does not mean I’ll know **all** of them. How about a short explanation and maybe a title for the un- (or under-) inititated, if you’re going to start throwing these things about? ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2006, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-unforeseen-benefit-of-reading-terry-pratchett/364322/12 "2006-07-13T16:04:19Z")
Greebo is Nanny Ogg’s vicious cat. Ponder Stibbons is a geeky wizard who possibly understands _Quantum_. Gaspode is the wonder dog that is, he can talk "Woof! Angua is a W. . .Werewolf, in the City Watch Bill Door is the name DEATH takes when he’s pulled off his usual job and takes up farm work (he’s good with a scythe) These of course are the Discworld versions, I have no idea about the SDMB ones. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2006, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-unforeseen-benefit-of-reading-terry-pratchett/364322/13 "2006-07-13T16:14:16Z")
[QUOTE=Ice Wolf] Those of us who were reading Pratchett _before_ the SDMB have the added joy of seeing the cool names appear, like little reminders … 🆒 [/QUOTE] I always feel a little extra affection for those Dopers. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2006, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-unforeseen-benefit-of-reading-terry-pratchett/364322/14 "2006-07-13T16:16:48Z")
mu ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2006, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-unforeseen-benefit-of-reading-terry-pratchett/364322/15 "2006-07-13T16:19:45Z")
Well, the SDMB Angua is an astronomer, who’s also a huge Pratchett fan. I haven’t been posting much recently as the thesis is getting on top of me. I have been known to look fiercely at people, and keep a change of clothes at the office. ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2006, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-unforeseen-benefit-of-reading-terry-pratchett/364322/16 "2006-07-13T16:21:17Z")
Just spotted **Captain Carrot** You have read at least one Watch book haven’t you? Carrot Ironfoundersson six-foot-six dwarf, and possibly the rightful King of Anhk-Morpork ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2006, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-unforeseen-benefit-of-reading-terry-pratchett/364322/17 "2006-07-13T16:28:48Z")
[QUOTE=Mr. Slant] mu [/QUOTE] mu? How much do you charge for that? Mr. Slant, zombie lawyer. ---
**Author:** ![DaddyTimesTwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@DaddyTimesTwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaddyTimesTwo)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2006, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-unforeseen-benefit-of-reading-terry-pratchett/364322/18 "2006-07-13T23:46:21Z")
God lord I had no idea at all the Pratchetters…Pratchettites? Pratchetteers! I like that one the best. I’m close to being one of you, but Im only 6-8 books into the collection. [QUOTE=Anaamika] I always feel a little extra affection for those Dopers. 🙂 [/QUOTE] This is soooo unfair! I’m not kidding! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-unforeseen-benefit-of-reading-terry-pratchett/364322/19 "2006-07-14T00:03:43Z")
My Doper name isn’t Discworld related, but I do have a cat named Pratchett! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-unforeseen-benefit-of-reading-terry-pratchett/364322/20 "2006-07-14T01:55:00Z")
[QUOTE=Small Clanger] Just spotted **Captain Carrot** You have read at least one Watch book haven’t you? Carrot Ironfoundersson six-foot-six dwarf, and possibly the rightful King of Anhk-Morpork [/QUOTE] He used to be **Dwalin** , and as his new sig says, he went from being a dwarf in one fantasy world to being a…er, more unusual dwarf in another… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-unforeseen-benefit-of-reading-terry-pratchett/364322.md?page=2)