# I finally get what Q.E.D.'s name means! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 24, 2003, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-get-what-q-e-d-s-name-means/183931 "2003-06-24T03:13:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Incubus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c68b51/32.png) [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-get-what-q-e-d-s-name-means/183931/1 "2003-06-24T03:13:53Z")
A while back Q.E.D. was mentioning something about what his name meant/abbreviated. I was rather puzzled. One thing about the boards that I am impressed with is the intellectual nature of posters names. I knew it had to be something cool and brainy. When watching the season premeire of _Monk_, I heard a quote in latin, _Quo Era Demonstratum_ [sp?] which apparently means “Thus it is proven”. To Q.E.D. , I must say your name is perfect for the nature of the boards, and now that I know what it means I have a whole new level of respect for the name 🙂 Additionally, when reading the Encyclopedia the other day (yes, I read the encyclopedia for _fun_) I discovered that the poster Diogenes the Cynic derived his name from a man named Diogenes, who founded the Cynic style of philosophy. Very clever! As for my name, well, I personally don’t think it has the clever flair as some posters do. Though if you ever happen to gaze upon the painting titled [the] _Nightmare_, you may happen to see me squatting atop that lovely sleeping woman 😃 ---
**Author:** ![green\_bladder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@green\_bladder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/green_bladder)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-get-what-q-e-d-s-name-means/183931/2 "2003-06-24T03:21:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Incubus \* > \*\*As for my name, well, I personally don’t think it has the clever flair as some posters do. \*\* Neither does mine, believe it or not! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![White\_Lightning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@White\_Lightning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/White_Lightning)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-get-what-q-e-d-s-name-means/183931/3 "2003-06-24T03:22:43Z")
Congratulations. ---
**Author:** ![lno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@lno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lno)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-get-what-q-e-d-s-name-means/183931/4 "2003-06-24T03:29:02Z")
Actually, our **Q.E.D.** takes his name from _Quiche Eating Destructobot_. Just a slight correction. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-get-what-q-e-d-s-name-means/183931/5 "2003-06-24T03:32:46Z")
And here I thought **Q.E.D.** took his name in response to one of our most hated GQ topics, and it was short for “Quacks Echo, Dammit!” ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-get-what-q-e-d-s-name-means/183931/6 "2003-06-24T03:32:57Z")
Or maybe he’s a Sam Waterston fan from way back. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_H](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a5b964/32.png) [@Bill\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_H)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-get-what-q-e-d-s-name-means/183931/7 "2003-06-24T03:35:17Z")
For accuracy, I believe it’s spelled “quod erat demonstrandum”, or as my high school math teacher said “quite easily done.” There are some that use it to stand for “quantum electrodynamics” as well. And of course, there is the Thomas Dolby song (oh you speak French!) but that’s equally irrelevant. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-get-what-q-e-d-s-name-means/183931/8 "2003-06-24T03:39:25Z")
For some reason, I like **Otto** ’s idea best so far. Heh. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-get-what-q-e-d-s-name-means/183931/9 "2003-06-24T03:46:15Z")
I have a historical analog, too. But I can’t believe that I’ve found another Fuseli aficionado on the boards! ---
**Author:** ![imthjckaz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/imthjckaz/32/3223_2.png) [@imthjckaz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/imthjckaz)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-get-what-q-e-d-s-name-means/183931/10 "2003-06-24T04:58:09Z")
Really, I thought it stood for Queef Enlightened Dude. meh. ---
**Author:** ![Pixiesnix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/898d66/32.png) [@Pixiesnix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixiesnix)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-get-what-q-e-d-s-name-means/183931/11 "2003-06-24T05:44:28Z")
Gee, I thought it stood for Quietly Enjoying Doughnuts. Either that, or Quit Expanding Denver. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-get-what-q-e-d-s-name-means/183931/12 "2003-06-24T06:19:51Z")
Well, I thought it was the acronym for Quoth Enlightened Druids. Damn. Back to the other scriptures eh? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-get-what-q-e-d-s-name-means/183931/13 "2003-06-24T07:01:33Z")
Not actually “thus it is proven;” literally, “which was to be demonstrated.” It’s not a complete sentence; you append it to your conclusion as a way of saying that you have proven the required thing. e.g. …(z^x)v~q, q.e.d. ---
**Author:** ![Jervoise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jervoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jervoise)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-get-what-q-e-d-s-name-means/183931/14 "2003-06-24T11:51:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Incubus \* > \*\*As for my name, well, I personally don’t think it has the clever flair as some posters do. Though if you ever happen to gaze upon the painting titled [the] _Nightmare_, you may happen to see me squatting atop that lovely sleeping woman 😃 \*\* While we’re sharing, I’ll tell you what your name reminds me of. When I was in my early teens, I remember reading an article on the origins of the world “incubus” (I have a stupid memory that allows me to remember insignificant newpaper articles 10 years on… yet allows me to forget my bank PIN. :)) The writer explain the origins of the word – “incubus” being a spirit blamed for “unexplained” pregnancies in women – and how it literally meant “to lie down on”. From this Latin root, a connection was drawn between the word “incubus” and “incubator”. So when I see your username, I think of tiny babies sleeping in clear plastic boxes! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![mallocks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f4b2a3/32.png) [@mallocks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mallocks)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-get-what-q-e-d-s-name-means/183931/15 "2003-06-24T12:13:41Z")
one person with a distinctly unintelligent nick here 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMule](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc348/32.png) [@MonkeyMule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMule)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-get-what-q-e-d-s-name-means/183931/16 "2003-06-24T15:44:52Z")
I think my user name has to be one or the more Inane on the boards ::fligs feces while breying:: ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-get-what-q-e-d-s-name-means/183931/17 "2003-06-24T17:48:38Z")
I was surprised when reading _The Hunting of the Snark_ and found the origin of **Rilchiam** ’s name. I love these clever usernames. ---
**Author:** ![Tusculan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecd19e/32.png) [@Tusculan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tusculan)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-get-what-q-e-d-s-name-means/183931/18 "2003-06-24T18:15:13Z")
**Incubus** always makes me think of Buffy: > [@](#): > > Giles Like zombies, werewolves, **incubi** , succubi, everything > you’ve ever dreaded was under your bed, but told > yourself couldn’t be by the light of day. They’re all real! > Buffy What? You, like, sent away for the Time-Life series? > Giles Ah, w-w-w-yes. > Buffy Did you get the free phone? > Giles Um, the calendar. > Buffy Cool! ---
**Author:** ![Greenback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/2bfe46/32.png) [@Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greenback)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-get-what-q-e-d-s-name-means/183931/19 "2003-06-24T18:53:40Z")
My username is from an 80’s cartoon Dangermouse. One of the best cartoons ever. The evil mastermind was a toad named [Baron Silas Greenback](http://www3.mb.sympatico.ca/~csfunk/greenback.jpg). He had a sidekick/pet catepillar name Nero. Had a henchman named Stiletto and Count Duckula. _thinks about the days when cartoons were good_ _sigh_ I think I’m going to have to change my username as most people probably equate my name with currency, which is completely unjustified in my present situation. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2003, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-get-what-q-e-d-s-name-means/183931/20 "2003-06-24T19:08:32Z")
I thought **Q.E.D.** ment **Q** uest to **E** nd **D** ingbats. Or he may have taken his name from the place where you learn the unlearnable. **Q** uixotic **E** ducational **D** epartment Their fight song is kind of slow but really stirring. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-get-what-q-e-d-s-name-means/183931.md?page=2)