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HelpRe: Jethro
in reply to a message by pike
I like Jethro. Quite a bit, actually. It's probably my third favorite on your list, after Benjamin and Asa. At the same time, I'm just not sure about using it, either.
It's been at least 20 years since I've seen an episode of Beverly Hillbillies, but that big, dumb lummox association still feels too strongly shackled to Jethro. It's ridiculous, and I know it. If I can be repulsed by Ezra Pound's (my chief Ezra association) fascism and anti-Semitism and still love Ezra, I should certainly be able to forgive the fictional Jethro Clampett's southern-fried stupidity, but it still bothers me. Maybe it's because Jethro's so much more uncommon, or maybe because I'm a Southerner. Hmm. I just know I haven't shaken it yet.
It's a shame because there's so much to like about Jethro. I love that it's biblical. I lovelovelove that O. It has a warm, friendly quality that really appeals to me in a name, especially for boys. It has a decent nickname (Jet) that could be used if he wanted one. If I could rid myself of that "Jethro = Stupid Clodhopper" idea-- and if I knew we could surround ourselves exclusively with polished, urbane, PBS-watching hipsters who have all done the same ;) --I'd probably pounce on it. But that's not my reality, so I'll continue to wrestle with my Jethro issues and maybe recommend it for a grandchild someday.
You didn't ask for other names, and I can't remember what names you've mentioned in the past, but have you ever considered Cyrus, Reuben, Abner, or Amos? They all share that same affable, little bit edgy, little bit huckster vibe as Jethro.
It's been at least 20 years since I've seen an episode of Beverly Hillbillies, but that big, dumb lummox association still feels too strongly shackled to Jethro. It's ridiculous, and I know it. If I can be repulsed by Ezra Pound's (my chief Ezra association) fascism and anti-Semitism and still love Ezra, I should certainly be able to forgive the fictional Jethro Clampett's southern-fried stupidity, but it still bothers me. Maybe it's because Jethro's so much more uncommon, or maybe because I'm a Southerner. Hmm. I just know I haven't shaken it yet.
It's a shame because there's so much to like about Jethro. I love that it's biblical. I lovelovelove that O. It has a warm, friendly quality that really appeals to me in a name, especially for boys. It has a decent nickname (Jet) that could be used if he wanted one. If I could rid myself of that "Jethro = Stupid Clodhopper" idea-- and if I knew we could surround ourselves exclusively with polished, urbane, PBS-watching hipsters who have all done the same ;) --I'd probably pounce on it. But that's not my reality, so I'll continue to wrestle with my Jethro issues and maybe recommend it for a grandchild someday.
You didn't ask for other names, and I can't remember what names you've mentioned in the past, but have you ever considered Cyrus, Reuben, Abner, or Amos? They all share that same affable, little bit edgy, little bit huckster vibe as Jethro.
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