Namely, 119

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

119: Saint Bernard: a large, shaggy dog breed (from Saint Bernard of Menthon, 923–1008, an Italian clergyman who established a hospice on an Alpine pass connecting France and Germany with Rome; there, with the assistance of his dogs, he helped pilgrims trapped in the enormous snowdrifts of that pass; first known use, 1839)

He somehow lost his Saint Bernard—

A dog so big? That’s kind of hard.

But lost she was—and here is why:
She met another furry guy.

Their lives had many downs and ups—

They also had a lot of pups.

They rescued folks in ice and snow—

And watched their awesome puppies grow.

And—later on—now getting old—

They stayed inside—and shunned the cold—

Until that darkest cold arrived—

That cold from which no one’s survived.

Namely, 118

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

118: sad sack: an awkward, dull, and foolish person (from a cartoon character created in 1942 by George Baker, 1915–1975; first known use, 1943)

Oh, don’t be such a sad sack, Yo—

It doesn’t really earn you much

(No money, food, or dates and such);

Instead, you reap just what you sow.

Yes, everyone around you now—

From friends to enemies and more—

Get sadder—and it’s such a bore.

Remove that frown that’s on your brow

And on your lips—just try a smile—

Remember things that made you laugh—

A funny joke, a colleague’s gaffe—

Life is a circus—not a trial!

Namely, 117

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

117: sadism: the enjoyment of inflicting pain on others (from Donatien Alphonse François, Marquis de Sade, 1740–1814, French nobleman who wrote novels about his adventures in sexually mistreating young girls; first known use, 1818)

Oh, his sadism cost him his job and his spouse—

And it cost him his car, and his dog, and his house.

For so many just could not abide his mean ways,

And so all just abandoned him—matter of days.

But the dude wouldn’t change—just a sadist at heart—

And he accepted no blame—not the tiniest part.

But with everyone gone—who was left to torment?

He became then a masochist—knew what it meant!

Namely, 116

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

116: quixotic: foolishly idealistic (from the novel Don Quixote de La Mancha by Spanish novelist Miguel de Cervantes, 1547–1616; first known use, 1718)

So off he went—quixotic quest—

His stallion pranced—it was the best.

Then he arrived—the Super Bowl!

So he dismounted—took a stroll.

The fans just swarmed him—he was charmed—

In fact, he felt a bit … disarmed.

He looked and saw his lance was gone—

His horse was stolen—what a con!

He walked back home in deep disgrace—

Such disappointment on his face.

And then it was he took a vow:

“I think I’ll stick to windmills now!”

Namely, 115

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

115: quisling: traitor, collaborator (from Vidkun Abraham Quisling, 1887–1945), a Norwegian collaborator with the Nazi occupation of Norway during WW II; earliest known use, 1940)

He called me “quisling” while at school

Because I wouldn’t fight

The bully who would terrorize

The kids—it wasn’t right.

“I’m not a quisling,” I replied—

“I want to make that clear.

I’m sorry for the bullying,

But I’m a teacher here!

“I can’t be having fights with kids—

That would be very wrong—

Especially with giant ones

Who are so ripped and strong!”

Namely, 114

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

114: python: a large constrictor reptile that grows up to 20 feet long (from a serpent that guarded the oracular cult until killed by Apollo; earliest known use, 1825)

He had a crushing headache, Yo—

He woke up hurting—came to know

A python! Wrapped around his head!

Just one sad thought—then was dead.

The python slowly worked his ways—

And swallowed him—took several days.

Namely, 113

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

113: protean: polymorphic, having many different shapes or forms; displaying great diversity or variety (from Proteus, sea god in Greek mythology, who could change his appearance at will; first known use, 1594)

They praised her acting fervently—

“So protean!” they all declared.

But she was fearsome, frightened me:

Her flaming eyes, her teeth all bared.

She wasn’t acting, so I learned—

She was, in fact, a demon—witch.

I laughed at her—and me she burned,

Then beat me with a willow switch!