# This Modern World We Live In - Really Minor Rant **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 3, 2009, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-modern-world-we-live-in-really-minor-rant/484292 "2009-02-03T18:52:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-modern-world-we-live-in-really-minor-rant/484292/41 "2009-02-04T07:39:01Z")
Marge: COF - FEE. Australian bartender: BE - ER ? ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-modern-world-we-live-in-really-minor-rant/484292/42 "2009-02-04T14:41:11Z")
> [@Kyla](#): > > \ > It works for me. People very rarely get it wrong, probably because they really do have to listen to get it right. OTOH, so many people think they know how to spell my first name before I spell it out that they often write it wrong AS I AM SPELLING IT OUT FOR THEM. > > Guy at deli: What’s your name? > Me: Kyla. K-Y-L-A. > _Guy writes down K-A-Y-L-A._ > Me, internally: _It’s four fucking letters, dumbass. You can’t even pay attention for the length of time it took for me to spell that out? Jesus._ People really do seem to shut off their brains when listening to a name spelling - one time, I was helping them with the N/M problem by saying - “N as in Nancy” and the clerk or whatever responded with “M as in Mary?” I should have responded with, “No, M as in Nancy.” ---
**Author:** ![Zeriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/58956e/32.png) [@Zeriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeriel)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-modern-world-we-live-in-really-minor-rant/484292/43 "2009-02-04T14:51:29Z")
I have a name with approximately 900 million homonyms or near-homonyms. And mine is the least common spelling for it I’ve ever encountered. I just spell it for everyone now, and even that only works 50% of the time. Me: Sholes. S-H-O-L-E-S. Them: _writes down SCHOLLS_ or _SCHULTZ_ or _SHULLS_ Me: _stabs them in the eye with their own pen_ In a just world, I’d be able to say “You know, like the guy who invented the typewriter keyboard.” (among hackers, that actually works.) ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-modern-world-we-live-in-really-minor-rant/484292/44 "2009-02-04T16:00:20Z")
My name is short, and fairly common. Four letters. I have to spell it every time. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Flipshod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f19dbf/32.png) [@Flipshod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flipshod)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-modern-world-we-live-in-really-minor-rant/484292/45 "2009-02-04T17:16:53Z")
My first name comes from the King James Bible, but even here in the heart of the bible-belt, folks often get it wrong. As a non-believer, I enjoy chiding them “Just like in the Bible. You know, the story where…You do know that story, right? When’s the last time you went to church?” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-modern-world-we-live-in-really-minor-rant/484292/46 "2009-02-04T19:03:04Z")
> [@spooje](#): > > I have worked on the phones for 15 years. Every now and then, a voice or an accent just doesn’t register with you. It may with everyone else, but not with you _right then_. > > I once had a caller from Ireland. I swear I couldn’t understand anything she said. I asked her to spell her name for me and I couldn’t understand any of it. I had to pass it off to a co-worker. Her heard her fine. > > Turned out her name was Claire. I have peculiar experiences with regard to my accent in the US. Some people don’t notice I’m not from the US, others know instantly I’m from Ireland, still others can’t comprehend a word I’m saying. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-modern-world-we-live-in-really-minor-rant/484292/47 "2009-02-04T19:26:05Z")
Some people have what I call a “time-delay accent” - I can understand them, but I get what they’re saying a couple of seconds after they’ve said it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Encinitas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Encinitas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Encinitas)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-modern-world-we-live-in-really-minor-rant/484292/48 "2009-02-04T19:56:14Z")
Back when I was in school in North Carolina, I had an interesting experience taking a customer’s fast food order over the phone. me: “Your name please?” her: “Bail” me: “Spelled B-A-I-L?” her: “No, Bale” me: “Oh, spelled B-A-L-E?” her: “No, spelled B-E-L-L!” me: :smack: ---
**Author:** ![GillianBoardman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc79bd/32.png) [@GillianBoardman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GillianBoardman)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2009, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-modern-world-we-live-in-really-minor-rant/484292/49 "2009-02-04T20:31:22Z")
Actual receptionist responding. If you are on a cell phone, its likely I can’t hear you clearly enough to understand you, ditto with speaker phones. I grew up in the Philly suburbs so I should be used to people who talk fast, but I spent most of my adult life in the Cleveland area, where speech is a little slower, and I frequently have to ask people to repeat themselves. The part I hate is when people give me more information than I asked to be repeated, in a condescending tone…I know I have a bottom of the barrel job, but I’m not stupid, and fortunately for you, I’m not vindictive either, because the receptionist really can make your life hell if she takes a dislike to you. ---
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-modern-world-we-live-in-really-minor-rant/484292/50 "2009-02-05T08:05:46Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > It’s not just a phone thing. I’ve had that happen at a pharmacy. > > “Hi, I’m here to pick up my prescription.” > > “Last name?” > > “Smith.” > > She looks in the Ws. > > “I’m sorry, sir, it’s not ready yet.” > > “Smith. Look under Smith.” > > “I did. I looked under Wrfmuplee. It’s not there.” > > “No, Smith!” > > “Gangrajoodian?” > > “Smith!” Cartwright, party of four! (Wow, it’s been forever since I made a Seinfeld reference.) ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-modern-world-we-live-in-really-minor-rant/484292/51 "2009-02-05T09:14:45Z")
> [@Kyla](#): > > Guy at deli: What’s your name? > Me: Kyla. K-Y-L-A. > _Guy writes down K-A-Y-L-A._ > Me, internally: _It’s four fucking letters, dumbass. You can’t even pay attention for the length of time it took for me to spell that out? Jesus._ Actually I can see how that might happen. I pronounce k as Kay. So while your saying Ky la you may be pronouncing it Kay la Declan ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-modern-world-we-live-in-really-minor-rant/484292/52 "2009-02-05T13:36:50Z")
> [@Declan](#): > > Actually I can see how that might happen. I pronounce k as Kay. So while your saying > > Ky la > > you may be pronouncing it > > Kay la > > Declan Uh, the letter K is pronounced as ‘Kay’, sure, but you don’t pronounce the letter like that when it’s with other letters. Michael is not “Emmichael”. Brad is not “Beerad”. ---
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-modern-world-we-live-in-really-minor-rant/484292/53 "2009-02-05T14:00:45Z")
> [@Declan](#): > > Actually I can see how that might happen. I pronounce k as Kay. So while your saying > > Ky la > > you may be pronouncing it > > Kay la > > Declan Kayla Declan? ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-modern-world-we-live-in-really-minor-rant/484292/54 "2009-02-05T14:24:56Z")
No, that’s “K. La D. Clan.” Pay attention. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-modern-world-we-live-in-really-minor-rant/484292/55 "2009-02-05T16:35:20Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > No, that’s “K. La D. Clan.” Pay attention. K Lady Clan? Band Name! ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-modern-world-we-live-in-really-minor-rant/484292/56 "2009-02-05T16:53:08Z")
-“My name is Neil. Not Dale. Neil. Like Armstrong.” -"…" -“The guy who walked on the Moon?” -"…" -“Okay, like Neil Young.” _name-taking-person writes down Dale Young_ _ **RNATB/Neil** inserts rusty speculum into name-taker’s ear and opens it until something pops_ ---
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-modern-world-we-live-in-really-minor-rant/484292/57 "2009-02-05T18:57:16Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > No, that’s “K. La D. Clan.” Pay attention. Is that a Wu Tang Clan spin-off? ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-modern-world-we-live-in-really-minor-rant/484292/58 "2009-02-05T19:27:56Z")
> [@Declan](#): > > Actually I can see how that might happen. I pronounce k as Kay. So while your saying > > Ky la > > you may be pronouncing it > > Kay la > > Declan This is a very weird thing to say. I know how I pronounce my name. It is just like the more common male name Kyle, but with an a at the end. It is NOT pronounced like Kayla, not by me and not by anyone else because every time someone does, I correct them. (I don’t understand why some people let others continually mispronounce their names.) ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-modern-world-we-live-in-really-minor-rant/484292/59 "2009-02-05T19:41:16Z")
Not getting the point across here, IDT. K Y L A, spelled fast (“kay-why-ell-ay”) can run together and be indistinguishable from K A Y L A, spelled fast (“kay-ay-why-ell-ay”). If I say “kay” and hold it just a _tick_ longer than normal, it sounds like “kay-ay.” Still, the guy should have thought to ask. Then again, there are a million reasons not to think at any given moment. ---
**Author:** ![ToeJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@ToeJam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ToeJam)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-modern-world-we-live-in-really-minor-rant/484292/60 "2009-02-05T19:57:11Z")
> [@zweisamkeit](#): > > Brad is not “Beerad”. Oh Beerad… It’s been forever seen I’ve heard that one- B-rad is usually how I hear it in my head. I think it was from a Jamie Kennedy movie a while back, but that’s one of the best Nickname bastardizations of a name I’ve ever seen. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-modern-world-we-live-in-really-minor-rant/484292.md?page=2)