# What's your screen name origin? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 27, 2000, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-screen-name-origin/23690 "2000-06-27T04:05:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2000, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-screen-name-origin/23690/101 "2000-06-29T19:06:35Z")
I use America Online. OK, would you all please stop pelting me with rocks and garbage? Thank you. {wipes off sleeve} {ahem} When I first signed up I had a boring screen name and needed a change. Of course I wanted something that was uniquely me without being obvious (like my name or something else equally as dull, which I most certainly am not), so I played around with a bunch of descriptive words. At one point I was toying with “Max” (as in “maximum”) and an adjective, such as “Max Joy”(\*) or “Max Spirit.” I finally went to a thesaurus and was poking up synonyms to “happy” and the like and found “esprit,” as in _esprit de corps_. Looking it up, it means “vivacious or bubbly.” Well, that’s me, eh? 😃 So I took “Max Esprit” out for a spin, but after a couple of weeks I decided I didn’t like “Max” and it was too long, and “esprit” was just a word, so I took the “x” from “Max” and… voila! Here I be, and haven’t looked back. Esprix (\*) Side note: when I came up with this one I kept hearing the line “maximum joy” from an 80’s song, and although I thought it was a male singer, the only reference I’ve been able to find is Sade’s “Smooth Operator,” a song I don’t even care for that much. I even used this very board to help me find out where I’d heard the phrase. ---
**Author:** ![Nodule\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Nodule\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nodule_B)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2000, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-screen-name-origin/23690/102 "2000-06-29T19:22:10Z")
Nodule A sounded too new. It’s like when DBASE II was produced to seem like it had been though a shakedown version and been improved. (There was no DBASE I) ---
**Author:** ![Tymp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Tymp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tymp)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2000, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-screen-name-origin/23690/103 "2000-06-29T19:36:18Z")
A few years ago, a telemarketer called me to conduct a survey. The transcript of that conversation would look a little something like this: _Tim_: (Picking up receiver) It’s your quarter, start talkin’. _Telemarketer_: Um, hello? Is this blah blah blah? _Tim_: Why, yes. Yes it is. _Telemarketer_: Blah blah survey blah blah . . . ? _Tim_: Um . . . _Telemarketer_: To begin, I’ll need your first name. _Tim_: Tim _Telemarketer_: Could you spell that for me? And so, after an amazed pause, I did spell it for her. You see, when pronouncing **Tymp** , you must remember that the ‘p’ is silent. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2000, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-screen-name-origin/23690/104 "2000-06-30T03:08:20Z")
ROTF…Good one, **Tymp**! [hijack]I just lay the phone aside at let 'em ramble–if everyone did it, maybe the wasted phone charges would bankrupt 'em. If I’m feeling particularly mean, I’ll pick it up before they’re done and say, “I’m sorry, could you repeat that?” Then put it down again.[/hijack] ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2000, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-screen-name-origin/23690/105 "2000-06-30T03:33:10Z")
_Jophiel: A Hebraic angel who’s name means “Beauty of God” and is unoffically the angel who was sent to drive Adam and Eve out of the Garden o’ Eden. A member of the choir of Cherubim and one of the seven archangels._ Why use it? Well, I’m interested in angeology and way back in the day when I started on IRC, I wanted an angel style nickname. Any of the more common ones were either always taken (like Seraph, Gabriel, Uriel, etc) and if I did get one, people would message me thinking I was someone else. Finally, I chose a more obscure one and things have been good ever since. Alas, as the net grows, it gets harder and harder to find a site where Jophiel isn’t taken as well but I got here early enough to secure it. ---
**Author:** ![TheBori](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ee7513/32.png) [@TheBori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheBori)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2000, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-screen-name-origin/23690/106 "2000-06-30T03:47:36Z")
Ficticious Latin plural of my surname. My family, while not overly large is more numerous than most, is often collectively referred to as “The Bori”. e.g. “Who’s coming to the picnic?” “Oh, Bob and Marsha, Jane and her new boyfriend and The Bori” “ALL of them?” “Yep” ---
**Author:** ![BigGiantHead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b4bc9f/32.png) [@BigGiantHead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigGiantHead)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2000, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-screen-name-origin/23690/107 "2000-06-30T03:52:39Z")
WOW! Thanks for checking in, everybody! I had no idea this would grow into such a monster. I think I’m heading for the record on threads of this variety. And a special _gracias_ to you three whom I specifically mentioned in my OP for dropping by … finally… (Esprix ;)) ---
**Author:** ![Archer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@Archer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archer)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2000, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-screen-name-origin/23690/108 "2000-06-30T04:33:28Z")
This one is easy, my hobby is archery. ---
**Author:** ![Scotticher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Scotticher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scotticher)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2000, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-screen-name-origin/23690/109 "2000-06-30T04:59:03Z")
'kay, I am SO boring. My user name is the same as my email name. When I signed up, I didn’t realize I shoud pick something fun and/or cute and/or sexy. (All of which I am, I may add. Sigh) So, you all got my heritage and name squished into the username Scotticher. I like it, but maybe I shoud have worked a little harder. On the other hand, then I would have had to remember yet another screen name. Guess I am more into easy than fun/cute/sexy. Sad, isn’t it? Scotti ---
**Author:** ![Micro\_Furry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Micro\_Furry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Micro_Furry)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2000, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-screen-name-origin/23690/110 "2000-06-30T07:10:37Z")
Balance - YES! Shiro was the nephew of the Samurai Cat. _gives you a cookie_ Still no guesses on Dracandros, tho. ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2000, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-screen-name-origin/23690/111 "2000-06-30T08:04:25Z")
Mine’s pretty simple…we often call one another “Doctor” in med school to boost our egos or when we’re putting someone on the spot. (“So tell me, Dr…”) This started back before we knew each other’s last names very well, so I was Dr. Jonathan. This was shortened to Dr. J, which stuck–partially because it’s so familiar, and partially because it’s so completely wrong for an unathletic short white guy. 🙂 Dr. J ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2000, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-screen-name-origin/23690/112 "2000-06-30T08:28:25Z")
> [@](#): > > Still no guesses on Dracandros, tho. Waitaminute…Nasty blue things?! Dracandros…the Red Wizard from _Curse of the Azure Bonds_? Did I manage to hit this one, too? ---
**Author:** ![NothingMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b77776/32.png) [@NothingMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NothingMan)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2000, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-screen-name-origin/23690/113 "2000-06-30T12:16:19Z")
It was what I was thinking at the time . . . “nothing, man”. Ok not really. It is supposed to be a tribute to one of my favorite songs of all time : “NothingMan” by Pearl Jam. (Music is very important to me.) Discovered some disturbing news recently . . . the title of the song is not “NothingMan” but rather “Nothingman”. I have to say I feel very stupid. I chose the name on memory. I got it wrong. But, hey - its me now and I guess I am stuck with it. I’ll stand by my sig. There you go, - **NM** ---
**Author:** ![blokeychap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3ab097/32.png) [@blokeychap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blokeychap)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2000, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-screen-name-origin/23690/114 "2000-06-30T16:12:58Z")
I use blokeychap because I can never think of anything on the spot - blokeychap is like thingymejig or watchemacallit a word used for anything e.g. ‘remember that guy…wossisname…you know…blokeychap…with the thing…etc’ ---
**Author:** ![Altair\_8800](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4491bb/32.png) [@Altair\_8800](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Altair_8800)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2000, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-screen-name-origin/23690/115 "2000-06-30T16:52:13Z")
My nickname comes from the first personal computer, the MITS Altair 8800. ---
**Author:** ![etgaw1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ed655f/32.png) [@etgaw1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etgaw1)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2000, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-screen-name-origin/23690/116 "2000-06-30T18:42:54Z")
Ed The Great And Wonderful One The one was added so I could have the number the you need in some screen names and it fits so it stays. ---
**Author:** ![Micro\_Furry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Micro\_Furry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Micro_Furry)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2000, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-screen-name-origin/23690/117 "2000-06-30T21:12:37Z")
Balance - Two for two! 😃_gives you a cookie jar_ And here I thought I was the only one who plays/played (or at least remembered) the old Gold Box games. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Vestal\_Blue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/5e9695/32.png) [@Vestal\_Blue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vestal_Blue)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2000, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-screen-name-origin/23690/118 "2000-06-30T22:12:28Z")
This subject was covered awhile back, and will probably surface from time to time in perpetuity. I’m too lazy today to link, though I think Nen was kind enough to do so. My name is from a fictional Battle of Britain novel, the call sign of one of the pilots in the story. And **Dogsbody** , on a historical note, Dogs Body was the call sign of Douglas Bader, one of Britains’ greatest aces. He also flew with prosthetic legs, having lost his while showing off in a Bristol Bulldog and crashing. He finished out the war in Kolditz Castle, as a POW. After the war he hired on with the Shell oil Company, and flew for them. **Hamadryad** , I _knew_ you were a Heinlein fan! You Hamadarling, you! ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2000, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-screen-name-origin/23690/119 "2000-07-01T01:43:04Z")
Ellen wrote: > [@](#): > > You judge: Am I hopelessly boring or a complete egomaniac? It’s my actual name. Ditto. Kinsey is my name. I have no imagination for screen names, plus I am registered on some other MB’s, so it is just easier to remember. ---
**Author:** ![my85car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ed8c4c/32.png) [@my85car](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/my85car)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2000, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-screen-name-origin/23690/120 "2000-07-01T02:53:09Z")
Alas, it does seem so very ordinary, eh? Actually, before I registered, I had in mind quite a number of screen names. But when I actually got to the registration page, my mind just emptied out. I mean EMPTY !!! I was trying to figure out something before I lost my net connection, and I looked out the window in my driveway. There sat my 1985 Chrysler 5th Ave. Hence, my85car. Actually, in retrospect, since the pile of junk gets 5 or 6 miles per gallon whether it needs to or not, I should have maybe took the name my85P.O.S. or something equally descriptive. So, there you have it, in it’s entirety. Aren’t ya thrilled? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-screen-name-origin/23690.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-screen-name-origin/23690.md?page=7)