# What is the Name for Everything? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 12, 2007, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-everything/399794 "2007-04-12T13:34:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![lekatt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lekatt/32/7269_2.png) [@lekatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lekatt)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-everything/399794/21 "2007-04-12T16:38:32Z")
[QUOTE=the PC apeman] I could go along with that if it weren’t for the wide variety of baggage associated with the word _God_. _Oneness_ might work better. Maybe a philosophically neutral term isn’t possible. [/QUOTE] I agree that the word God carries a lot of baggage, but I think it would be very hard to break in a new word. Maybe Allness, or Totalness would work. Then there is completeness, entireness, wholeness, etc. ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-everything/399794/22 "2007-04-12T16:40:20Z")
The Full Monty? ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-everything/399794/23 "2007-04-12T16:45:41Z")
This has put me in mind of “everything pie”. It’s a pastry crust, and it has absolutely everything inside it. Where the hell is that from? Or did I make it up myself? ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-everything/399794/24 "2007-04-12T16:50:53Z")
[QUOTE=jjimm] This has put me in mind of “everything pie”. It’s a pastry crust, and it has absolutely everything inside it. Where the hell is that from? Or did I make it up myself? [/QUOTE] _Everything?_ sweaty socks, stained underpants, dead cats, rabid ferrets,KFC?. ew ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-everything/399794/25 "2007-04-12T16:55:44Z")
[QUOTE=chowder] _Everything?_ sweaty socks, stained underpants, dead cats, rabid ferrets,KFC?. ew [/QUOTE] Not only that, but cruise liners, badgers, the sun, the sky, the sea, a sense of nostalgia, the Andromeda galaxy, all the fish that ever lived, a pea, etc. ---
**Author:** ![the\_PC\_apeman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ac8455/32.png) [@the\_PC\_apeman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_PC_apeman)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-everything/399794/26 "2007-04-12T17:11:36Z")
(singing) …these are a few of my favorite things. But I’d object to the fish that no longer exist. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-everything/399794/27 "2007-04-12T17:18:22Z")
[QUOTE=the PC apeman] (singing) …these are a few of my favorite things. But I’d object to the fish that no longer exist. [/QUOTE] Think about this: it’s reasonable to assume that ancient people had names for things that lived in their era but are now extinct. Perhaps there’s no fossil evidence that these creatures ever _did_ exist, but were purely figments of the imaginations of the day. Your _everything_ would have to include these things as well, I would propose. Example: dragons, unicorns, triple-click beetles, farns and gleephs. ---
**Author:** ![the\_PC\_apeman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ac8455/32.png) [@the\_PC\_apeman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_PC_apeman)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-everything/399794/28 "2007-04-12T17:34:09Z")
[QUOTE=Zeldar] Think about this: it’s reasonable to assume that ancient people had names for things that lived in their era but are now extinct. Perhaps there’s no fossil evidence that these creatures ever _did_ exist, but were purely figments of the imaginations of the day. Your _everything_ would have to include these things as well, I would propose. Example: dragons, unicorns, triple-click beetles, farns and gleephs. [/QUOTE] Hmm. Considering all of _time_ does expand _everything_. Okay, the fish are back in. _Everything_ is everything in all dimensions including time. Unicorns, if they ever existed (as opposed to an _idea of a unicorn_ which exists now), are in too. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2007, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-everything/399794/29 "2007-04-12T21:28:15Z")
The Vastness, as in, “We are but a flashing in the overall vastness.” ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2007, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-everything/399794/30 "2007-04-13T05:13:57Z")
[QUOTE=the PC apeman] There’s that other word, _Universe_. For me, that is the name for everything that exists. That is, if it is not in the Universe, it does not exist in any sense. I might also use _Nature_ as a synonym since, for me, there is nothing supernatural. [/QUOTE] There’s your answer. The Universe is all that exists, period. There is nothing else, neither God nor the supernatural. If they existed, they’d be part of the Universe, by definition. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2007, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-everything/399794/31 "2007-04-13T05:27:37Z")
[QUOTE=panache45] There’s your answer. The Universe is all that exists, period. There is nothing else, neither God nor the supernatural. If they existed, they’d be part of the Universe, by definition. [/QUOTE] Does the Universe include theoretical concepts? Perhaps the thing being conceptualized doesn’t exist, but the concept surely does. Even if only as transient pattern or series that takes nothing from its material medium. OP: Another vote for “Everything” as your word of choice. If it ain’t broke… ---
**Author:** ![scotandrsn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@scotandrsn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotandrsn)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2007, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-everything/399794/32 "2007-04-13T05:36:52Z")
At the last conference of The International Association for Pantological Research, this issue was discussed heavily, with all sides agreeing to disagree. The term you seek does not yet exist, at least not in a universally recognized form, but here were what seemed to be the favorite candidates at the conference: Shebang Enchilada Nine Yards Kit and Kaboodle Works Ball of Wax Shooting Match Megillah ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2007, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-everything/399794/33 "2007-04-13T05:38:04Z")
Is that the Gorilla? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2007, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-everything/399794/34 "2007-04-13T13:05:48Z")
Carl Sagan favored “Cosmos.” Works for me. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2007, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-everything/399794/35 "2007-04-13T13:26:24Z")
Multiverse has crossed over or perhaps started in science. Explorations in String Theory and the nature of our universe leave many Scientist to the conclusion that there are indeed a multitude of Universes. \*\*[Multiverse](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiverse) \*\* might be the best term we have available. The another option is **Omniverse**. I forget where I saw this, but it should include \*\*everything \*\* we do know and \*\*everything \*\* we do not. Wikipedia to the rescue: [Omniverse - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omniverse) This leads to the idea that \*\*Infinity \*\* might be appropriate. Especially is everything is a surprisingly brainy Go-Go dancer. 😉 Jim ---
**Author:** ![hawthorne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@hawthorne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawthorne)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2007, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-everything/399794/36 "2007-04-13T14:28:44Z")
[QUOTE=jjimm] This has put me in mind of “everything pie”. It’s a pastry crust, and it has absolutely everything inside it. Where the hell is that from? Or did I make it up myself? [/QUOTE] Dr Fegg’s _Encyclopedia of All World Knowledge_. ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2007, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-everything/399794/37 "2007-04-13T15:02:37Z")
But there is more than one Universe, so how can it be everything if it is not the Universe next door? Or is that more like to Infinity and Beyond? Infinity + 1? But there are indeed infinity sets within larger infinity sets. So what is the name for a Universe that contains other Universees (sp). Oh, just really noticed WhatExits post. I can accept Multiverse as more than one set of universes but then I back up a step and wonder about a set of mutilverses. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2007, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-everything/399794/38 "2007-04-13T15:21:32Z")
[QUOTE=Lanzy] But there is more than one Universe, so how can it be everything if it is not the Universe next door? Or is that more like to Infinity and Beyond? Infinity + 1? But there are indeed infinity sets within larger infinity sets. So what is the name for a Universe that contains other Universees (sp). Oh, just really noticed WhatExits post. I can accept Multiverse as more than one set of universes but then I back up a step and wonder about a set of mutilverses. [/QUOTE] That was what the Omniverse term is good for. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2007, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-everything/399794/39 "2007-04-13T20:49:34Z")
But is “the idea of a unicorn” itself something real, that should be included? It’s certainly a communicable concept: anyone hearing “Invisible Pink Unicorn” in a religion discussion is not prompted to think of a redwood tree, a supergiant star, or Horvendile’s left great toe. So in a valid sense, while unicorns themselves are not real (at least so far as we know, and in this Universe), the idea of a unicorn is. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2007, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-everything/399794/40 "2007-04-13T20:57:05Z")
[QUOTE=Polycarp] But is “the idea of a unicorn” itself something real, that should be included? It’s certainly a communicable concept: anyone hearing “Invisible Pink Unicorn” in a religion discussion is not prompted to think of a redwood tree, a supergiant star, or Horvendile’s left great toe. So in a valid sense, while unicorns themselves are not real (at least so far as we know, and in this Universe), the idea of a unicorn is. [/QUOTE] I am confused a little. However in theory somewhere in the Omniverse, something close enough to a Unicorn does, did or will exist. Does that work? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-everything/399794.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-everything/399794.md?page=3)