# What is it about my username that is so confusing?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-my-username-that-is-so-confusing/266723
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [September 29, 2004, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-my-username-that-is-so-confusing/266723 "2004-09-29T20:46:33Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@gyt\_fx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gyt_fx)
#### Post date: [September 30, 2004, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-my-username-that-is-so-confusing/266723/21 "2004-09-30T14:35:07Z")
Many people don’t get my name… It’s pretty simple
GEE-WHY-TEE
(then you add in the ‘Ef-Ex’ if you want to say my Whole name)
But I would prolly have recognized your name as Laina F, which the F would most likely be short for your last name… I dunno, maybe having an unusual name helps you understand other ones… 😛
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### Author:  [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)
#### Post date: [September 30, 2004, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-my-username-that-is-so-confusing/266723/22 "2004-09-30T15:39:06Z")
**Flamsterette\_X** : I don’t recall seeing the explanation of your name. And please instruct how to get on the birthday list.
**gyt\_fx** : I still don’t get it – Gee, Whitey?
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### Author:  [@Zog\_10](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zog_10)
#### Post date: [September 30, 2004, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-my-username-that-is-so-confusing/266723/23 "2004-09-30T16:48:48Z")
> [@laina\_f](#):
>
> > [@Motorgirl](#):
> >
> > In my head I always pronounce it “Lyin’ Elf”.
>
> Oh great, now everyone will start doing that.
**laina\_f** just seemed to know real early,
what her user name would always be
first then last
and she won’t have to worry
people on the net will always see
At the Dope her name is somewhat confusing
I guess sometimes consistency has it’s price
And it breaks her heart that people call her “liana”
This makes her say words that aren’t nice
So she posts a thread to explain her name to us
And why getting it wrong makes her frown
But we keep mis-spellin’ and mis-sayin’
If we keep it up she might just end up down
Please don’t call her **Lyin’ Elf**
And there’s only one “f” in **laina\_f**
If it weren’t for **lamia** she just be **laina**
But really please don’t call her **Lyin’ Elf**
\*With apologies to the Eagles, and **laina\_f** and well, pretty much everyone.
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### Author:  [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)
#### Post date: [September 30, 2004, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-my-username-that-is-so-confusing/266723/24 "2004-09-30T17:09:18Z")
> [@Elenia28](#):
>
> laina\_f has too many syllables?
>
> \*\*Elenia28 \*\* must be a real mouthful, then. 😃
>
> And you probably don’t even say **Diogenes the Cynic**. 😉
Yeah, that’s why whenever I see **elenia28** I just think “mmmmmm…”
The real problem with **laina\_f** is when I see “laina” I always flash back to Arlo Guthrie singing “Tzena, tzena” (rhymes with “laina”), then I’m hearing “Lay, lady lay” and my brain is stuck in the 60’s and I can’t figure out how the mouse works…
---
### Author:  [@Flamsterette\_X](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flamsterette_X)
#### Post date: [September 30, 2004, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-my-username-that-is-so-confusing/266723/25 "2004-09-30T18:13:06Z")
> [@Elenia28](#):
>
> What is this and how do I get on it?
See below. 🙂
> [@laina\_f](#):
>
> **Flamsterette\_X** : I don’t recall seeing the explanation of your name. And please instruct how to get on the birthday list.
Found it by doing a search on my posts, since I’ve linked to the thread in multiple “explain your username” threads around here. [A brief explanation of my handle.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=105572&highlight=brief+explanation+handle) 😃
A couple of years ago, **dreamer** started the [Straight Dope Birthday List](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=119812&highlight=birthday). I decided to team up with her in a monthly birthday thread for Dopers. In March 2003, she said that I could do it all the time if I wished… so I gladly did. When the “paid subscription” thing first became a reality, I didn’t know if I could do it anymore… so I [posted a thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=246247&highlight=birthday+list) saying that someone else could do it if they wished. **cityboy916** gladly stepped up to the plate… as things turned out, I was able to stay on, so we became a crack team. 😃
Getting on the birthday list is very simple. Just post your birthday here, and I’ll make a note of it. (anyone who’s posted their birthday anywhere on these boards is fair game, although I think the list is getting outdated… but it’s still good if people lurk, haha!)
Hope that helps! 😃
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### Author:  [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)
#### Post date: [September 30, 2004, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-my-username-that-is-so-confusing/266723/26 "2004-09-30T18:21:14Z")
> [@Lobsang](#):
>
> And now that you’ve explained it it makes sense, but we’re not psychic.
Hey, speak for yourself! Some of us _might_ be psychic (I, for one, knew you were gonna post this before you did 😛 ).
Oh, and I got your username right off. Possibly because I’m psychic ( 😉 ), or maybe because I’m in a similar username situation.
---
### Author:  [@Vlad\_Igor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vlad_Igor)
#### Post date: [September 30, 2004, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-my-username-that-is-so-confusing/266723/27 "2004-09-30T18:50:53Z")
Sorry, I keep getting it mixed up with “All for Laina” (or is it Layna) by Billy Joel.
Vlad/Igor
---
### Author:  [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)
#### Post date: [September 30, 2004, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-my-username-that-is-so-confusing/266723/28 "2004-09-30T19:24:10Z")
Thanks for the song, **Zog\_10**. I’ve never had a song or poem about me before (although I gotta check into that Billy Joel thing that **Vlad/Igor** mentioned).
I had a real d’oh moment when I realized that **norinew** was not nor-i-new. Yours, I think, would be perfectly clear if it were **norine\_w** , but probably most people have it figured out by now.
**Ethilrist** , if I’d known I was going to cause so many problems for you, I would’ve chosen something like user58435. On the other hand, I have no idea what your name means, and I feel embarrassed to admit that because I suspect it’s something intellectual that everyone except me knows.
My birthday is April 2.
I have to be extremely careful now about spelling everyone else’s name correctly. I misspelled **twickster** in another thread, and she was all over me.
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### Author:  [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)
#### Post date: [September 30, 2004, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-my-username-that-is-so-confusing/266723/29 "2004-09-30T20:36:14Z")
> [@laina\_f](#):
>
> I have to be extremely careful now about spelling everyone else’s name correctly. I misspelled **twickster** in another thread, and she was all over me.
All over you? Puh-leeze. I indulged in a little gentle teasing.
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### Author:  [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)
#### Post date: [September 30, 2004, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-my-username-that-is-so-confusing/266723/30 "2004-09-30T20:45:57Z")
> [@laina\_f](#):
>
> Yours, I think, would be perfectly clear if it were norine\_w, but probably most people have it figured out by now.
I think most of the people who already have it figured out, it’s because I’ve explained it in other threads, or actually met them in person at DopeFests. Probably, it _would_ have been crystal clear if it had been norine\_w or NorineW. But, as I said, norinew is just as it’s always been. Actually, I _did_ have a different username in mind when I joined, but it was already in use, so I feel back on good ol’ norinew.
> [@](#):
>
> I have to be extremely careful now about spelling everyone else’s name correctly. I misspelled twickster in another thread, and she was all over me.
Yeah, that **twickster** , she’s a real hardcase. 😛
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### Author:  [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)
#### Post date: [September 30, 2004, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-my-username-that-is-so-confusing/266723/31 "2004-09-30T20:48:30Z")
> [@laina\_f](#):
>
> **Ethilrist** , if I’d known I was going to cause so many problems for you, I would’ve chosen something like user58435.
Great. Now I’ve got Glenn Miller running through my head (“Pennsylvania 6-5000!”). 🙂
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### Author:  [@Standup\_Karmic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Standup_Karmic)
#### Post date: [September 30, 2004, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-my-username-that-is-so-confusing/266723/32 "2004-09-30T21:30:26Z")
**liana\_f** , I don’t believe I’ve ever had the need or opportunity to address you directly before, but I assure you that I will give your name the respect that it deserves.
[judging]
I mean, “ **latina\_f** ”…how freakin’ hard is that people. Say it with me, **ivana\_f**. There, I think you all should have it by now.
[/judging]
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### Author:  [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)
#### Post date: [September 30, 2004, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-my-username-that-is-so-confusing/266723/33 "2004-09-30T21:34:49Z")
**ivana\_f** would be a good name for a porn star.
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### Author:  [@Flamsterette\_X](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flamsterette_X)
#### Post date: [September 30, 2004, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-my-username-that-is-so-confusing/266723/34 "2004-09-30T22:48:16Z")
> [@laina\_f](#):
>
> My real name is Elaine, and my last name starts with “F”.
Elaine Fung, is that you?
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### Author:  [@Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laughing_Lagomorph)
#### Post date: [October 1, 2004, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-my-username-that-is-so-confusing/266723/35 "2004-10-01T01:21:23Z")
> [@laina\_f](#):
>
> …Still, about half the time when people refer to me, they call me “liana”.
> … Feel free to suggest other names that I can’t change to.
**IANALIANA** (I am not a liana).
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### Author:  [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)
#### Post date: [October 1, 2004, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-my-username-that-is-so-confusing/266723/36 "2004-10-01T02:15:46Z")
> [@Laughing Lagomorph](#):
>
> **IANALIANA** (I am not a liana).
I like it, although some people might interpret it as “One Anal Liana”.
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### Author:  [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)
#### Post date: [October 1, 2004, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-my-username-that-is-so-confusing/266723/37 "2004-10-01T13:17:03Z")
> [@laina\_f](#):
>
> I like it, although some people might interpret it as “One Anal Liana”.
Great. Bungee enemas. Thank you so very much for that image. Where’s **lieu** when you need him?
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### Author:  [@gyt\_fx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gyt_fx)
#### Post date: [October 1, 2004, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-my-username-that-is-so-confusing/266723/38 "2004-10-01T14:29:51Z")
It’s just three letters… G-Y-T
similar to… X-Y-Z. You don’t say Xyze to try and pronounce XYZ, you just say X-Y-Z.
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### Author:  [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)
#### Post date: [October 1, 2004, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-my-username-that-is-so-confusing/266723/39 "2004-10-01T14:46:47Z")
> [@Zog\_10](#):
>
> **laina\_f** just seemed to know real early,
> what her user name would always be
> first then last
> and she won’t have to worry
> people on the net will always see
>
> At the Dope her name is somewhat confusing
> I guess sometimes consistency has it’s price
> And it breaks her heart that people call her “liana”
> This makes her say words that aren’t nice
>
> So she posts a thread to explain her name to us
> And why getting it wrong makes her frown
> But we keep mis-spellin’ and mis-sayin’
> If we keep it up she might just end up down
>
> Please don’t call her **Lyin’ Elf**
> And there’s only one “f” in **laina\_f**
> If it weren’t for **lamia** she just be **laina**
> But really please don’t call her **Lyin’ Elf**
>
> \*With apologies to the Eagles, and **laina\_f** and well, pretty much everyone.
LOL - that was cool.
Many apologies to **laina\_f** if people do indeed start calling her Lyin’ Elf. :eek:
---
### Author:  [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)
#### Post date: [October 1, 2004, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-my-username-that-is-so-confusing/266723/40 "2004-10-01T15:44:01Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#):
>
> Where’s **lieu** when you need him?
In the bathroom?
> [@Motorgirl](#):
>
> Many apologies to laina\_f if people do indeed start calling her Lyin’ Elf. :eek:
That reminds me… I think \*\*18"DHIBJD :eek: :eek: \*\* is still available as a username.
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