Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Leave It To Beaver

NYT media star Bill Carter lost me Tuesday a.m. in graf six quoting a guy with a last name that matches his job.  Aptronym. Then he did it again.

Brad Adgate, the director of research for the media-buying firm Horizon Media.
David F. Poltrack, chief research officer for CBS.

Oh, Carter's story?  For Networks and sponsors, the Sweet DVR Bonus.  

Beaver by Deborah Davis
My favorite aptronym:  Dr. Harry Beaver, gynecologist, Washington, DC area.  Ob/gyn Harry retired and became a medical examiner Some have labeled me as “Dr WOMB to TOMB” but I prefer my other title as “Dr ALPHA & OMEGA” because I can say that . . . I used to sign ‘em IN (babies) and now I sign ‘em OUT (corpses).

Earlier this month a Florida high school police officer was signed out against his will after showing up for work dressed like a gynecologist with "a sexually-charged name."  Dr. Harry Beaver. 

2 comments:

  1. Some people think the story of Dr. Harry Beaver of Falls Church, Virginia is just that--a story.
    For the record, I once called his phone number on a weekday.  I doubt anyone would carry the joke so far that they'd hire a woman to sit around all day answering the phone with, "Doctor's office.". 
    This guy was for real!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Harry knew him.  Says he was a great guy.

    ReplyDelete