People always thought Chance was named after Peter Seller’s character in the movie Being There. He didn’t bother to correct them, but the truth was, his mother had named him for his grandmother’s favorite expression. He had heard the now Octogenarian woman use it hundreds, if not thousands, of times.
I've never heard this phrase but I get it and I like it. I loved the name Dawn but it became my daughter's middle name, her first name is Amber. She was in her 30s before I realized it was a noun and adjective... Amber Dawn. How 60s of me 😁
Well speaking as someone with a name as common as dirt, an unusual name might be nice. I have played in a band with three Marks, another with four Marks, and I am currently in two bands and both have two Marks! You can’t throw a rock without hitting a Mark! 🤣
I think it's like straight hair vs long hair. You wish you had whichever you don't! Really, though, having a different name when I was a kid was an invitation to bullies, especially if you were an introvert and always the new kid in town. Nowadays, everyone wants to give their kid a "different"name, so it's not such a big deal.
It is! Growing up with my name made me feel an outsider wherever I went. Even within my own family, everyone else had "normal" names. I sometimes wonder who I would be if I had not had this experience.
Names chosen by our parents have a history and weight. Nicknames others call us can be either lovingly or meanly given. What name would we choose to be called?
I've never heard this phrase but I get it and I like it. I loved the name Dawn but it became my daughter's middle name, her first name is Amber. She was in her 30s before I realized it was a noun and adjective... Amber Dawn. How 60s of me 😁
Very cool, Amber can be a noun as well! But I love it as an adjective here. 🥰
By the way, I had never heard that expression before. I have heard “there is always a chance.”
I found this with a quick search. I'd never thought about the etymology of the expression. https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/chance-would-be-a-fine-thing.html
Ah. Adding the word “a” makes it clearer to me. “A chance would be a fine thing.”
Well speaking as someone with a name as common as dirt, an unusual name might be nice. I have played in a band with three Marks, another with four Marks, and I am currently in two bands and both have two Marks! You can’t throw a rock without hitting a Mark! 🤣
Fortunately, I have an uncommon last name. 🤓
I think it's like straight hair vs long hair. You wish you had whichever you don't! Really, though, having a different name when I was a kid was an invitation to bullies, especially if you were an introvert and always the new kid in town. Nowadays, everyone wants to give their kid a "different"name, so it's not such a big deal.
A very fine story! Funny how our names affect us.
It is! Growing up with my name made me feel an outsider wherever I went. Even within my own family, everyone else had "normal" names. I sometimes wonder who I would be if I had not had this experience.
The final paragraph left me a little misty-eyed. I also love the origin of Chance’s name!
Thanks, Justin!
Names chosen by our parents have a history and weight. Nicknames others call us can be either lovingly or meanly given. What name would we choose to be called?
I love the insight here, Barb. Look at my response to Connie's comment. My name has certainly impacted my life.