# What does your username mean? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 21, 2002, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-username-mean/144195 "2002-12-21T06:20:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![js\_africanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2002, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-username-mean/144195/81 "2002-12-22T21:34:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by zev\_steinhardt \* > **The origins of my user name are shrouded in mystery and cloaked in ancient enigma. Much speculation has been done on the exact origin and meaning of my username, but none, I repeat, none, have ever guessed it. Much like the Sphinx of old, I jealously guard the riddle of my username and defy anyone to try and unlock the hidden meaning contained therein. Wise men have toiled for years, sages have wracked their brains for decades, wizard and sorcerers and the most knowledeable men of antiquity have spent centuries trying to figure it out. Yet, here I stand, laughing at their failure, mocking their futile efforts and deriding their foolish attempts.** So it’s not just your name then, eh? Now I’m really curious. Andy’s Anagram Solver gives “ad vert zeniths” as one possible anagram. Are you in advertising? Perhaps “attn zed shiver” is a better clue. Why do you need Zed’s attention? ---
**Author:** ![Vanyel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@Vanyel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vanyel)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2002, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-username-mean/144195/82 "2002-12-22T21:36:14Z")
Well, this is what [googlism](http://www.googlism.com/index.htm?ism=Vanyel&type=1) says about my namesake. However, I am not gay, although googlism is correct in that my namesake is. I simply always like Vanyel, since he was the last Herald-Mage of Valdemar (until Elspeth, daughter of Selany). **HeraldGwena** is also from this world; wanna add any details, **Gwen**? ---
**Author:** ![AndLuna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dbc845/32.png) [@AndLuna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AndLuna)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2002, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-username-mean/144195/83 "2002-12-22T21:56:45Z")
[/lurk] It’s the name of an obscure-ish song I liked (it’s by The Strands, if that means anything to anyone). And I like the name Luna. And it’s pretty much never taken. [lurk] ---
**Author:** ![brachyrhynchos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brachyrhynchos/32/376_2.png) [@brachyrhynchos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brachyrhynchos)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2002, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-username-mean/144195/84 "2002-12-22T22:18:31Z")
Species name of the American Crow, _Corvus brachyrhynchos_. Pronounced brack-ee-rink-os. Spelled brachy. I’m a Doctor of Birdology. ---
**Author:** ![yBeayf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/e274bd/32.png) [@yBeayf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yBeayf)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-username-mean/144195/85 "2002-12-23T01:41:08Z")
yn beayf == the toad, in Manx (Gaelg). I’ve gone by various variations of ‘Toad’ for years, in one language or another. ---
**Author:** ![Banger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@Banger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banger)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-username-mean/144195/86 "2002-12-23T01:53:35Z")
This reminds me of when I requested a change in my username from **FNRFR**. I still don’t know how I got that name, as I must have been out of it when I first registered with the SDMB. One of the reasons that I cited in my request for a username change was that I wanted to be able to participate in “What does your username mean?” threads 😉 Anyway, my username is based on my last name. Sorry to disappoint those who thought I was a sausage or something. ---
**Author:** ![Slainte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@Slainte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slainte)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-username-mean/144195/87 "2002-12-23T02:05:34Z")
Sláinte: (roughly pronounced as if you quickly slurred: “It’s a lawn chair!”) “To Your Health!” [http://faculty.umf.maine.edu/~donaghth/toasts08.html](http://faculty.umf.maine.edu/~donaghth/toasts08.html) ---
**Author:** ![AwSnappity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a3d4f5/32.png) [@AwSnappity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AwSnappity)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-username-mean/144195/88 "2002-12-23T05:47:17Z")
I used to be **FireUnderpantsBoobs**. I’ve explained that one many a time, and I’m quite tired of it, actually. “Aw, Snappity!” is a phrase that you’re supposed to say when you do something bad, but not really bad. Like when you run a red light or something. You say it in a goofy voice and it makes you feel better. ---
**Author:** ![cuauhtemoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecb155/32.png) [@cuauhtemoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuauhtemoc)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-username-mean/144195/89 "2002-12-23T06:11:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by brachyrhynchos \* > \*\*Species name of the American Crow, _Corvus brachyrhynchos_. Pronounced brack-ee-rink-os. Spelled brachy. > > I’m a Doctor of Birdology. \*\* You know, I never really looked at your name before, and for as long as I’ve been seeing it, I’ve been reading it as “brachyrhinoceros”. > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by AwSnappity_ > **I used to be FireUnderpantsBoobs. I’ve explained that one many a time, and I’m quite tired of it, actually.** I just always figured you named yourself after your three favorite things. ---
**Author:** ![D.E.S.K.Top668](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@D.E.S.K.Top668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D.E.S.K.Top668)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-username-mean/144195/90 "2002-12-23T06:13:26Z")
D.(David)E.(Emily)S.(Sarah)K.(Kristy)-Me,my youngest daughter,my oldest daughter, and my wife. Top because D.E.S.K. by itself looked kind of boring. The 668 is because 667 people at the first place I used it had the same idea before me. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go back to lurking now ---
**Author:** ![Super\_Gnat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Super\_Gnat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Super_Gnat)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-username-mean/144195/91 "2002-12-23T06:49:42Z")
Comes from the _Phule_ series by Robert Asprin, which I was reading when I picked a name. Unfortunately, at that point I had read the first two, which are humourous and entertaining, but not the last two, which are tedious and unfunny. I don’t know why I picked it. I’m not even short. I’ll probably change it eventually. ---
**Author:** ![Mycroft\_Holmes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a5b964/32.png) [@Mycroft\_Holmes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mycroft_Holmes)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-username-mean/144195/92 "2002-12-23T10:49:51Z")
Mine is the complete name of the computer called Mike in Heinlein’s ‘The Moon is a Harsh Mistress’ ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-username-mean/144195/93 "2002-12-23T12:59:37Z")
> [@](#): > > **Originallly posted by Mycroft Holmes** Mine is the complete name of the computer called Mike in Heinlein’s ‘The Moon is a Harsh Mistress’ which is, I believe, named after Sherlock Holmes’s (allegedly smarter) brother. ---
**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-username-mean/144195/94 "2002-12-23T13:08:27Z")
grim - me (conraction of my name, as used by the in-laws) pixie - the wife (she looks like one) grimpixie = my default username for just about everything!! ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-username-mean/144195/95 "2002-12-23T16:23:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Vanyel \* > \*\*Well, this is what [googlism](http://www.googlism.com/index.htm?ism=Vanyel&type=1) says about my namesake. However, I am not gay, although googlism is correct in that my namesake is. I simply always like Vanyel, since he was the last Herald-Mage of Valdemar (until Elspeth, daughter of Selany). **HeraldGwena** is also from this world; wanna add any details, **Gwen**? \*\* Well, it’s understandable that you’d be unclear on the spelling of Queen Selenay’s name, since she was born centuries after you blew yourself up. **Fizgig,** is your ID a B.C. reference? Me? I’m named after a sword of Elf Slaying from a D&D campaign I ran. (ethel = elf, -rist = cleaver, therefore “elf cleaver”). Chosen because this name never conflicts with anybody else, wherever I go. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-username-mean/144195/96 "2002-12-23T17:03:22Z")
Mine is from one of the admittedly poorer Simpsons episodes, Poochie the Dog. Krusty is looking for a way to jazz up Itchy & Scratchy by adding a character and asks Russ Myers, creator of I&S, whathe has come up with: Krusty: Whaddya got in mind? Sexy broad? Gangster octopus? ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-username-mean/144195/97 "2002-12-23T17:12:17Z")
My username is my first initial and my last name. I have no middle name thus, **B** (rian) **Malion** I am the kind of guy who would have to invent a new username every week to keep up with my creative impulses and wacky sense of humor. That would be inconvenient and probubly not allowed. as I got older I realized quite simply that honesty is truly the best policy. It’s also a protest against my disdain of short, fat, bald, comic-book geeks who live in their mom’s basements and have usernames like “DeathTalon!” or “BloodStrike!”. I have never been comfortable with the goofy anonymous anarchy I see on chat groups and BBS’s. I am not comfortable with nameless hoards flaming all over the place with impunity. Actually I just picked it because Zev Steinhardt was already taken. ---
**Author:** ![js\_africanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-username-mean/144195/98 "2002-12-23T17:29:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BMalion \* > \*\*Actually I just picked it because Zev Steinhardt was already taken. \*\* I got it!! “Earth vend zits” anagrams into Zev Steinhardt. You’re an alien who picked up acne from earthlings!! ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-username-mean/144195/99 "2002-12-23T18:37:32Z")
A locally produced children’s show in the early seventies had a sweet character named Nurse Carmen. Carmen was loving and kind, and loved by every child in my generation. Fast Forward twenty years. I’m wracking my brain for a good on-line name for my Quake character. Testosterone laden names filled the boards, so I wanted to zag while the others zigged. Since ping rates determined that I would be playing locally, I aimed for something with a Twin Cities tie-in. Beyond that, who would frag their beloved Nurse Carmen? Also, how demeaning would it be to be fragged by this sweet old lady? Internet identities tend to stick. ---
**Author:** ![Aglet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/aca169/32.png) [@Aglet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aglet)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-username-mean/144195/100 "2002-12-23T19:10:39Z")
An aglet is the plastic (or other material) tube that binds the end of a shoelace or cord to prevent fraying. It also makes it easier for the lace to be passed through an eyelet or other opening. I liked it because it was short and sweet, it holds things together, and generally makes life easier. I recently found out that it also has a computer-related meaning: agile applet. I am beginning to think that Aglet really means thread-killer, if I am understanding the latter term correctly. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-username-mean/144195.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-username-mean/144195.md?page=6)