# What's the meaning of, or why did you choose, your Doper name? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 9, 2004, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-meaning-of-or-why-did-you-choose-your-doper-name/258958 "2004-08-09T01:05:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-meaning-of-or-why-did-you-choose-your-doper-name/258958/61 "2004-08-09T13:53:52Z")
It’s a Warner Bros. homage. ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-meaning-of-or-why-did-you-choose-your-doper-name/258958/62 "2004-08-09T14:12:48Z")
The origin of ‘VunderBob’ is from the punchline of a joke about the Amish that I’ve long forgotten; it’s a pun on the German word wunderbar, or wonderful. I started using it because I feign a bigger ego than I really have for the shock value, and my first name really is Robert (Bob). I also used to drive the VunderCar, FWIW. ---
**Author:** ![TwoTrouts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9adbd/32.png) [@TwoTrouts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoTrouts)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-meaning-of-or-why-did-you-choose-your-doper-name/258958/63 "2004-08-09T14:23:27Z")
My handle is a nickname laid on me by some friends during a camping/fishing trip to Colorado. Day after day it seemed that no one caught any fish unitl I had hooked, landed (and released) two trout. Someone started calling me “Heap Big Chief John TwoTrouts” and part of the name stuck. Years later, while watching the movie _Buckaroo Banzai_, imagine my surprise to see the name (John TwoTrouts) scroll by in the database of the bad aliens! ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-meaning-of-or-why-did-you-choose-your-doper-name/258958/64 "2004-08-09T15:04:54Z")
**Brother Cadfael** is a mideval monk at the Abby of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Shrewsbury, England, in a series of books written by Ellis Peters. Cadfael suffers from Jessica Fletcher’s disease: people mysteriously drop dead whenever he’s around, and the wrong person is accused. Cadfael then has to solve the mystery, drawing on his medical knowlege as herbalist and apothocary for the abby, and his travels about the world as soldier, crusader, and sailor. He is a close crony of the local overlord, who consults him whenever there is a fresh body to view. The books are set in time during the reign of King Stephen, beset by civil war, and set geographically on the border between England and Wales. Between the war and cross-border skirmishing, there was rather a lot going on in that part of the world, which provides a good backdrop for the novels – and an excuse for so improbably many bodies to crop up. Ms. Peters provides a very interesting view of day-to-day life in the Middle Ages. Highly recommended. ---
**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:** [August 9, 2004, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-meaning-of-or-why-did-you-choose-your-doper-name/258958/65 "2004-08-09T15:09:46Z")
I believe that what **QtM** was saying is that his name is a E.E. “Doc” Smith reference. Me, I’m named after a sword. ---
**Author:** ![the\_Lady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bb73d2/32.png) [@the\_Lady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_Lady)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-meaning-of-or-why-did-you-choose-your-doper-name/258958/66 "2004-08-09T16:52:41Z")
I love Pratchett, and happen to think that particular anthropomorphic personification is very cool. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-meaning-of-or-why-did-you-choose-your-doper-name/258958/67 "2004-08-09T16:55:08Z")
I chose my username 'cause it usually takes me an essay to explain the same thing someone else could in just one sentence. I just talk to damn much. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-meaning-of-or-why-did-you-choose-your-doper-name/258958/68 "2004-08-09T17:57:44Z")
Cluricaun= Evil version of a leprechaun who robs wine cellars and drunkenly rides sheep and dogs across fields at night until they collapse from exhaustion. I originally signed up using my real name and after sticking around for a bit decided to go with a “fun” name instead. Also I tend to be a bit of a heavy drinker, so there you go. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-meaning-of-or-why-did-you-choose-your-doper-name/258958/69 "2004-08-09T20:56:45Z")
In the infancy of the internet I used a form of my screen name because I was working with/in scout helicopters. It has been years since I’ve been in aviation but I guess I am stuck with the name. ---
**Author:** ![Rabid\_Squirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Rabid\_Squirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rabid_Squirrel)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-meaning-of-or-why-did-you-choose-your-doper-name/258958/70 "2004-08-09T21:22:28Z")
I have not seen a case of rabies, or a single squirrel in real life. Thus I name myself after them. That, and it’s my [Battle.Net](http://Battle.Net) name. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-meaning-of-or-why-did-you-choose-your-doper-name/258958/71 "2004-08-09T21:33:51Z")
My name has \*\*nothing \*\* to do with the late, unlamented, ST series. It is the name of the starship in my sf novel (still being worked on), which predates the show by a few decades. I’m very slow. ---
**Author:** ![LVgeogeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b19c9b/32.png) [@LVgeogeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVgeogeek)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-meaning-of-or-why-did-you-choose-your-doper-name/258958/72 "2004-08-09T21:40:57Z")
Mine should be fairly obvious; LV= I live in Las Vegas geo= geology geek= well, geek (not a nerd but a geek… big difference 😃 ) ---
**Author:** ![Me\_Love\_Coffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/278dde/32.png) [@Me\_Love\_Coffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Me_Love_Coffee)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-meaning-of-or-why-did-you-choose-your-doper-name/258958/73 "2004-08-09T22:10:47Z")
Hi, my name is Brittany, and I am addicted to coffee. ::applause and welcomes from the circle:: I can’t help but love it. It is a drug (well, the caffeine is), and since I want to go into the criminal justice field, I want something legal. And it’s fun to try all kinds. I have met some of the best (and worst) people over a cup of coffee, and I have had some of my best conversations while indulging in it. It deserves recognition in my Doper name 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Elenfair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cc9497/32.png) [@Elenfair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elenfair)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-meaning-of-or-why-did-you-choose-your-doper-name/258958/74 "2004-08-09T22:24:55Z")
Elenfair is one of my nicknames - I acquired it from a Welsh friend, and it is my given name, in Welsh (turned inside out, mind you). Interestingly, I _do_ go by “Elly” for short, and said Welsh friend (along with a whole bunch of weirdos at the university) do call me Elenfair. Simple explanation, no? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-meaning-of-or-why-did-you-choose-your-doper-name/258958/75 "2004-08-09T22:44:37Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > waht the hell was **QtM** saying? It’s an exceedingly obscure reference. Once I strung a thread out for about 3 pages before someone nailed it. And it’s not even really amusing either. Not really worth your time. It’s a lame inside joke surrounded by mystery wrapped in an enigma. The xmex-like snout is the real deal though. Just ask Cynthia! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SamIAm336](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SamIAm336](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamIAm336)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-meaning-of-or-why-did-you-choose-your-doper-name/258958/76 "2004-08-09T23:12:07Z")
My favorite book as a preschooler was Green Eggs and Ham My father called me Sam and my sister George ( this is nothing even remotly close to our real names). 336 is part of my birthday 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Incubus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c68b51/32.png) [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2004, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-meaning-of-or-why-did-you-choose-your-doper-name/258958/77 "2004-08-09T23:17:20Z")
My name is based off a mythological/daemonic creature believed to seduce women and have sex with them in their sleep- pretty much a male version of a Succubus. 😉 ---
**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:** [August 9, 2004, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-meaning-of-or-why-did-you-choose-your-doper-name/258958/78 "2004-08-09T23:37:44Z")
I’ll give you the long version this time. First off, I’m not a gay soldier; I had this name long before Bill Clinton’s First Official Act. The Nott part came with the DNA set, part of my name. I worked 3rd shift in a factory. The only nearby places to eat at 2:00am are bars. In Indiana, bars are closed on Sunday nights (3rd shift’s Monday,) so my work partner and I would prowl an all-night grocery in search of lunch. He’s hearing-impaired, so he hollers a bit. One Sunday, Dennis hollered, “Hey, Nott! They’ve got shrimp!” As we were checking out, a pimply stockboy rushed over, asking, “Are you really Nott?” I replied, “I really am Nott. I’m Nott, really. Why?” “My history teacher said I should ask you what my country can do for me.” From that moment on, that is, the moment I made up that story, I was AskNott. _Now, if you were just a twinkle in your father’s pants when JFK was sworn in, his inauguration speech contains the key to the joke._🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Nightwatch\_Trailer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9dc877/32.png) [@Nightwatch\_Trailer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightwatch_Trailer)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2004, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-meaning-of-or-why-did-you-choose-your-doper-name/258958/79 "2004-08-10T00:24:02Z")
I was on a B-movie kick at one time. One movie - a horror flick - had some ridiculous names for its characters and locations. The one that stood out was an outpost of sorts (IIRC) called “Nightwatch Trailer.” As in, a trailer. That one would keep watch from. At night. For some reason I thought this name was hilarious. Ergo, when I decided to sign up on the Straight Dope, “Nightwatch Trailer” was my prime choice. The nice thing is, I think I’m the only person who has ever seen this movie (at least I hope I am, otherwise my opinion of you will drop considerably), so 1) I’m one of only about three people who understands the reference, and 2) it’s never taken when I try to sign up for a website or email address. No, I won’t tell you the movie. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2004, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-meaning-of-or-why-did-you-choose-your-doper-name/258958/80 "2004-08-10T00:38:29Z")
Mine is the nickname given to the great Roman general Quintus Fabius Maximus. I always admired the ingenuity of his tactics when we studied ancient history and Latin at school. Fabius Maximus wore his enemies down by his continual delaying tactics (cf the latin verb \*cunctor, cunctari, cunctatus sum \* meaning to delay) - hence the nickname \*\*Cunctator \*\* bestowed upon him. There’s some more detail about the great general [here](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fabius_Maximus). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-meaning-of-or-why-did-you-choose-your-doper-name/258958.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-meaning-of-or-why-did-you-choose-your-doper-name/258958.md?page=5)