Saturday, November 28, 2009

Shem

There is a family of American olim I know called the Mendelsohns (name changed). Long ago they decided they didn't want their kids to ever return to the US, and their kids' names should ensure that that never happens.

Each kid has a normal Hebrew name, but their English name – never used except on their US passport – is absolutely bizarre. For example, one kid is named “Mendelsohn Mendelsohn”. Another can truthfully say that “Danger is my middle name”. A third is named “Just Mendelsohn”. So when people ask his name, and he says “Mendelsohn”, and they respond “No, your full name”, confusion ensues.

I've thought of some more names that they should give their next couple kids, if they have any more. First of all, “Who Mendelsohn”. That way they could reproduce ”Who's on First”.

Second of all, “Name Mendelsohn”. Then people would ask “What's your name”, and he would respond “Name”. And the asker would think that the kid misunderstood the question.

If you like this second idea, though, I shouldn't get the credit. Wasn't one of Noach's sons named “Shem”?

3 comments:

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

I know who you're talking about. Allon Shevut, right? Someone even made a Facebook fanpage in their honor. Gotta love their sense of humor!
Charles Danger Mendelsohn
Just Mendelsohn
Mendelsohn, James Mendelsohn (Think James Bond)
Etc..

Beisrunner said...

oh yeah.