I want to be an adjective
I was just thinking about this while drafting a longer blog. I want to one day be important enough to the world of literature, film, journalism, philosophy--anything, I'm not picky--to have my name adjectivized. I want someone to read someone else's work and proclaim it "Baumgartenian."
Now that I think of it, one of my roommates in college put this seed in my head to begin with. His last name is better suited adjectification.
Ideally, I'd like this to be a positive adjective, something that commands instant respect. Looking at my body of work thus far, though, I'd be happy with it becoming a synonym for overwrought or tedious.
"Ugh, X's new Y was so contrived it was almost Baumgartenian--though not as long and directionless. I wouldn't have been able to stay awake if the indulgent characterization hadn't made the bile surge at the back of my throat." -- Some Reviewer.
Yes, that would do nicely
posted by Luke @ 9:53 AM
5 comments
5 Comments:
At least it rolls of the tongue easier than Kierkegaardian. Best of luck.
--Mike Sheffler
Yeah, but Kierkegaardian is better for it's needless vowels.
the ex-roommate would be "Hovenian" by the way, which works well.
Shefflerian doesn't really work either Mike, we're screwed.
Wait, wait...what about BAUMbastic? And is it allowed to just add -esque to a name, as in Kafka-esque to describe anything related to a confused person?
Anyway, this whole idea is terrible because now i'm going to add it to my grotesque pantheon of fantasies about myself. Yessss...abjectified...."Kromerian"...i don't what the word actually means so i heighten the fantasy by having a woman pant it.
Hmm, Kromerian, I like that. What I'm curious about is the pronunciation of these new words. Is it Baum-gar-TEN-ian and Kro-MER-ian, or did you guys have different ideas in mind.
Also, Luke, you're right, I'm screwed. There is absolutely no way to produce Shefflerian and not sound disturbed. Maybe I'll go with Sheffler-esque.
--Mike Sheffler
Ben has, by far, the most adjectivizeable name among my friends, the previously stated Mike Hoven being a close second.
And yeah, stress on the last original syllable I think. That's pretty much the way it is with all latinate suffixes. That's the trouble with ham-fisting this barbarian tongue into the delicate confines of romance grammar, you have to do lots of stress switching.
It sounds better that way though, almost like Latin, like it's been in the vernacular for centuries, which is right where I want it.
Incidently Mike, now that I've said it aloud a few times, I think Sheffler isn't so bad, if you exaggerate the pronunciation. Instead of sheff*LER*ian, try She*FFLUR*ian.
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