In college German classes, I was told that people would occasionally use articles with first names (“Der Klaus”). But I got the impression that it was usually used in a kind of sarcastic way. Not to imply that Klaus is an egomaniac - it’s just kind of funny to refer to your buddies as if they were preeminent figures.
Remember that “La _____” is used with the surname, not the given name.
And, with a bit of Google work, I’ve discovered that it’s probably an Italian thing. Look at this page about Sophia Loren: http://www.starsonweb.com/it/2036.html
It routinely refers to her as “La Loren”.
My guess is that the English language picked up on this and started using it to refer to maybe opera stars, and from there it began to be applied to anyone considered a bit of a diva.
rowrrbazzle and Wendell Wagner have it right…
When I had a female boss whom I disliked a bit (and who disliked me no little) I referred to her (behind her back) as La [Surname.] I also often referred to her as “Herself.” Same thing: sarcastic reference to someone full of themselves. “Oh, what has Herself decided to blame on us this time?” Also the infamous, “She who must be obeyed.”
And, not to be sexist, I’ve applied these to men, too: “El [Surname,]” “Himself,” and “He who must be obeyed.”
Trinopus
Is this like Tom Green referring to himself as “The Chad” in Charlie’s Angels?