Namely, 33

NAMELY

eponyms (EP-uh-nimz)

words based on or derived from a person's name.

First Known Use: mid-19^th century

“What’s in a Name?”

Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, 2.2­­

33: saxophone: a brass musical instrument of the woodwind family, often used in classical music and jazz (from Antoine Sax, 1814–94, Belgian instrument maker who invented the device in early 1840s; first known use of the word, 1851)

Our son once played the saxophone—

His grandpa played it, too.

And then our grandson tried some toots—

A heritage—’tis true!

I once had played a (bad) cornet—

And Joyce, the clarinet.

I tried piano (clunky hands)—

Van Cliburn felt no threat.

I played some banjo (5-string kind)

And even some guitar.

My talent was, well, limited—

I didn’t go too far.

And so I so admire the folks

Who play these things so well.

I couldn’t do it, knack-less I.

But I can hit a bell!*

*Just not always on the right beat, you know?