# How to tell them apart (a public service) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 5, 2004, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497 "2004-08-05T19:16:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2004, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/241 "2004-08-10T21:05:37Z")
\*\*Manhattan \*\* - A Martini, only made with whiskey, not gin. \*\*Martini \*\* - A Manhattan, only made with gin, not whiskey. ---
**Author:** ![Loopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loopus/32/15343_2.png) [@Loopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopus)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2004, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/242 "2004-08-10T21:19:54Z")
> [@Shirley Ujest](#): > > There are a bunch of serial killers who seem to have the middle name of either _Lee_ or _Wayne_. I’m just drawning a blank right now at 3am. I, my father, and my grandfather all have the middle name Wayne, and so far none of us has become a serial killer. I suppose we all still have time though. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2004, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/243 "2004-08-10T22:33:30Z")
I deliberately left off **Marvel Girl** and **Marvel Boy** because, with the exception of **Captain Marvel III** , all of my choices were derived from the same male superhero archetype – a human exchanging bodies with a superhuman – that’s actually possible to get them confused. Besides “Marvel Girl” and “Marvel Boy” were so short lived… But, for the sake of completeness of various Marvels… **Marvel Douche Company.** 19th century ad resurrected in vol. 1, issue #5 of League of Extraordinary Gentlemen… pulped by lawsuit-fearing DC comics executive prone to hysteronics rather than history. **Marvel Comics.** Pre-eminient comic book upstart rival to DC comics. **Marvel Zombies.** Derisive term to those fans of Marvel Comics who buy every single issue. **Marvel Maniacs.** Less fanatical than Zombies but still worthy of your pity. _ **"Make Mine Marvel!"** _ Rallying cry of Marvel Maniacs and Marvel Zombies in 1970s letter columns. **"Marvellous" Marvin Haigler.** Heavyweight boxer. **"You look marvellous!"** Catchphrase of Billy Crystal’s fey SNL Fernando character, along with, “Remember my darlings, it’s better to _look good_ than to feel good.” **Marbleman.** MAD magazine character lampoon in classic “Sooperdooperman” parody. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2004, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/244 "2004-08-10T23:29:46Z")
> [@Kilt-wearin' man](#): > > The “Red” list has left out **Red Fox** , star of _Sanford and Son_ Since this thread is all about nitpicks and subtle differences… **Redd Foxx** : comedian, star of _Sanford and Son_ **red fox** : animal, hunted by hounds and British types shouting “Tallyho!” ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2004, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/245 "2004-08-10T23:43:24Z")
> [@Askia](#): > > But, for the sake of completeness of various Marvels… **Andrew Marvell** : 17th century English poet. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2004, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/246 "2004-08-10T23:45:49Z")
Oops! Already mentioned. Sorry! ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2004, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/247 "2004-08-10T23:50:16Z")
A common nickname for mixed race black men with reddish skin tones and/or red conked hair in the 1950s was “Red.” Two men that fit the bill… **Chicago Red** = John Elroy Sanford, aka Redd Foxx, TV and night club comedian **Detroit Red** = Malcolm Little, aka Malcolm X, hellraiser and demagogue others (not mixed race black men) include **Red Buttons** = aka Aaron Chwatt, burlesque and variety show comedian, singer **Red Skelton** = aka Richard Bernerd Skleton, stand-up comedian ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/248 "2004-08-11T01:01:06Z")
**Thomas Marvel** - Tramp who stole The Invisible Man’s journals. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/249 "2004-08-11T01:14:07Z")
**Long John Silver** A fictional pirate in Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel _Treasure Island_. **Long John Silver’s** A restaurant chain featuring seafood. **Long Dong Silver** An African-American porn star reputed to have an eighteen-inch long penis. ---
**Author:** ![Kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/250 "2004-08-11T03:24:35Z")
**Jean Grey** is the civilian name of the previously mentioned Marvel Girl, Marvel Comics’ telepathic telekinetic multiply-resurrected mutant. **Lady Jane Grey** was queen of England for 9 days in 1553. **Earl Grey** is a variety of tea. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/251 "2004-08-11T03:31:23Z")
> [@Peter Morris](#): > > **Thomas Marvel** - Tramp who stole The Invisible Man’s journals. Tom Marvolo Riddle - Lord Voldemort. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/252 "2004-08-11T04:06:31Z")
> [@Maus Magill](#): > > \*\*Manhattan \*\* - A Martini, only made with whiskey, not gin. > \*\*Martini \*\* - A Manhattan, only made with gin, not whiskey. Eh? A Martini is gin with a slight waft of vermouth (between 1/4 and /10). A Manhattan is 1/2 Canadian whiskey, 1/4 sweet vermouth, 1/4 dry vermouth, and a dash of bitters. \*\*Novel \*\* - a work of fiction of 40,000 words or more \*\*Novella \*\* - a work of fiction of at least 17,500 words but under 40,000 words \*\*Novelette \*\* - a work of fiction of at least 7,500 words but under 17,500 words \*\*Novell \*\*- networking software company; American \*\*Novatel \*\*- Hotel chain; French ---
**Author:** ![TeaElle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@TeaElle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeaElle)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/253 "2004-08-11T04:39:31Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > **Alec Baldwin** – actor, “Hunt for Red October,” Married to Kim Bassinger > **William Baldwin** – actor, his brother, “Backdraft” **Alec Baldwin** – actor, _formerly_ married to Kim Basinger & **William Baldwin** – actor, currently married to singer Chyna Phillips. Which leads us to the fabuous **Phillips Family** : [ul][li] **John** – singer/co-founder of 60’s group “The Mamas and the Papas”, died in 2001[/li][li] **MacKenzie** _(nee Laura)_ – actress, best known for her role in the sitcom _One Day at a Time_, daughter of John and first wife Susan[/li][li] **Michelle** – singer and actress, second wife of John Phillips (1962-1970), member of “The Mamas and the Papas” during their heyday[/li][li] **Chyna** – singer and actress, member of group “Wilson Phillips” and daughter of John and Michelle[/li][li] **Bijou** – alleged singer (and perhaps actress) and general celebrity hanger-on, daughter of John and third wife Genevieve.[/ul][/li] > [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > E/R–1984 TV show that starred George Clooney as a doctor. > ER—1994 TV show that starred George Clooney as a doctor. Actually: [ul][li] **ER** – Television drama (1993-present) which formerly co-starred George Clooney as a doctor named Doug.[/li][li] **E/R** – Television comedy (1984) which co-starred George Clooney as an orderly named “Ace.”[/ul][/li] And now, another exciting episode of Know Your Bens! [ul][li] **Ben Stiller** - comedic actor of films and television (_Reality Bites_, _The Ben Stiller Show_), comedic screenwriter (_Dodgeball_). Husband of actress Christine Taylor, son of comedians/actors Jerry Stiller (_Seinfeld_) and Anne Meara (_Archie Bunker’s Place_)[/li][li] **Ben Affleck** - actor of marginal talents, Oscar winner as co-screenwriter of _Good Will Hunting_. Once engaged to Jennifer Lopez.[/li][li] **Ben Bratt** - actor, former co-star of _Law & Order_. Also appeared in _Miss Congeniality_. Currently married to actress Talisa Soto, one-time paramour of Julia Roberts.[/li][li] **Ben Kingsley** - British actor, easily recognizable by shaved head. Oscar award winner for his portrayal of Ghandi in film of the same name. Not Indian. Properly referred to as “Sir Ben Kingsley.”[/li][li] **Ben Stein** - droll, monotoned actor/game show host (_Win Ben Stein’s Money_) who once served as an advisor to President Richard Nixon. Came to popular notice as the teacher who said “Bueller… Bueller…” in _Ferris Bueller’s Day Off_.[/li][li] **Ben Chaplin** - actor, British. Best known for appearances in _The Birthday Girl_ (with Nicole Kidman) and _The Thin Red Line_. Not related to any other famous Chaplins.[/li][li] **Ben Jones** - former actor whose most famous role was “Cooter” on _The Dukes of Hazzard_, also a two-term congressman from Georgia.[/li][li] **Ben Vereen** - Tony Award winning actor, singer and dancer best known for his stage and film portrayals of the “Lead Player” in _Pippin_.[/li][li] **Ben Gazzarra** - actor, best known to mature fans from the TV show _Run for Your Life_ (1965-68) and to younger audiences as the crazy bad dude who tried to kill Patrick Swayze in _Road House_.[/li][\*] **Ben Gay** - stinky analgesic rub.[/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/254 "2004-08-11T11:24:50Z")
**Ben Grimm** - member of The Fantastic Four. \*\*Brothers Grimm \*\* - catalogued folk tales, and discovered the law of consonental drift. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/255 "2004-08-11T11:28:44Z")
**Ben Gunn** - Castaway who longed for toasted cheese. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/256 "2004-08-11T12:25:59Z")
TeaElle writes: \> Ben Kingsley - . . . Oscar award winner for his portrayal of Ghandi in film of the \> same name. Not Indian. . . O.K., another distinction to be learned. Gandhi - correct spelling Ghandi - incorrect spelling Ben Kingsley was born in England. His name at birth was Krishna Bhanji. Her father was of Indian descent and was born in Kenya. His mother was of European Jewish descent and was born in England. \> Ben Chaplin - actor, British. Best known for appearances in The Birthday Girl \> (with Nicole Kidman) and The Thin Red Line. Not related to any other famous \> Chaplins. And not even born a Chaplin. His name at birth was Benedict Greenwood. ---
**Author:** ![Kilt-wearin\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/82dd89/32.png) [@Kilt-wearin\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilt-wearin_man)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/257 "2004-08-11T12:47:04Z")
> [@Thudlow Boink](#): > > Since this thread is all about nitpicks and subtle differences… > > **Redd Foxx** : comedian, star of _Sanford and Son_ > **red fox** : animal, hunted by hounds and British types shouting “Tallyho!” Y’know, I had it spelled with that extra “x”, but I took it off because I couldn’t remember if Redd Foxx had two "d"s or two "x"s…looks like he used two of each. Oh well. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/258 "2004-08-11T13:04:49Z")
And one more distinction to be learned: \> . . . Her father was of Indian descent and . . . Stupid, careless error on my part. \> . . . His father was of Indian descent and . . . What I should have written. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/259 "2004-08-11T16:54:08Z")
**Annie X-mas** enumerated _NYC Bridges and Tunnels_ for us. I kept looking for the _59th Street Bridge_ in the title of Paul Simon’s song (many folks think it’s called _Feelin’ Groovy._) Did Simon make it up, or is the 59th Street Bridge called something else in **Annie’s** List? That’s **Paul Simon** the singer, not **Paul Simon** the US Senator, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Jake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2004, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497/260 "2004-08-11T21:06:47Z")
“There once was a man from Nantucket” (Or was it Rangoon?) Who… 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-tell-them-apart-a-public-service/258497.md?page=14)