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ArchivesRe: Does one need special qualifications to post?
in reply to a message by Ylva
Most name books are not accurate. On this site, if a name is in the database then the meaning of that name has been researched to a fairly high degree of accuracy. So, we stick to them.
"Besides, noone else had answered Minetta's question."
A lack of good information is NO excuse for bad information!
♦ Chrisell ♦
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. - J.R.R. Tolkien.
"Besides, noone else had answered Minetta's question."
A lack of good information is NO excuse for bad information!
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. - J.R.R. Tolkien.
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Replies
I don't agree
The name books I've consulted are just as accurate as behindthename.com. There are many names which don't appear in this database.
Pointing to a possible answer is not "bad information" imo. If I wanted to know the meaning of my name, I would prefer a possible answer, even if it is not 100% certain, to none at all.
The name books I've consulted are just as accurate as behindthename.com. There are many names which don't appear in this database.
Pointing to a possible answer is not "bad information" imo. If I wanted to know the meaning of my name, I would prefer a possible answer, even if it is not 100% certain, to none at all.
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Don't worry :-)
Sometimes we get into these tiffs, but we always resolve them one way or another... eventually, at least, lol. You just have to ride these things out, so to speak. ;-)
No, I haven't met anyone named Minetta before, or even heard of the name before you. The closest name I've encountered personally is Mina (pr. MIE-na); she was one of my former teachers, and is now retired completely.
Having said all that, I also have to ask you to not use all caps on here. It's considered the Internet equivalent of shouting, and is therefore usually considered rude. OK? :-)
Miranda
"Six hours later I still haven't done my homework, but I did come up with 245 name combos, seven of which I might name my child." — Modified LJ icon quote
Proud adopter of 15 punctuation marks.
Sometimes we get into these tiffs, but we always resolve them one way or another... eventually, at least, lol. You just have to ride these things out, so to speak. ;-)
No, I haven't met anyone named Minetta before, or even heard of the name before you. The closest name I've encountered personally is Mina (pr. MIE-na); she was one of my former teachers, and is now retired completely.
Having said all that, I also have to ask you to not use all caps on here. It's considered the Internet equivalent of shouting, and is therefore usually considered rude. OK? :-)
"Six hours later I still haven't done my homework, but I did come up with 245 name combos, seven of which I might name my child." — Modified LJ icon quote
Proud adopter of 15 punctuation marks.
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I completely disagree with you.
When I post on the facts board, I'm looking for FACTS. I don't want guesses, or "I think it means this" Nor do I want to be given inaccurate information. If I did, I'd use a baby-name book.
This is an ETYMOLOGY board. Its not for opinions, or guesses. Its a place to post INTELLIGENT questions, and receive INTELLIGENT answers. Furthermore, if someone doesn't know for sure, they should state that.
It bothers me when people who know nothing about etymology post as if they know everything. It also bothers me when people use baby name books. The majority of popular baby name books and popular baby name websites are innaccurate. I trust very few because of that fact.
BtN may not be 100% accurate, but its well-researched. The regular posters on the facts board appreciate that accuracy.
I'm sorry that you get your panties in a twist anytime someone questions someone, or disagrees with you, but that's life.
When I post on the facts board, I'm looking for FACTS. I don't want guesses, or "I think it means this" Nor do I want to be given inaccurate information. If I did, I'd use a baby-name book.
This is an ETYMOLOGY board. Its not for opinions, or guesses. Its a place to post INTELLIGENT questions, and receive INTELLIGENT answers. Furthermore, if someone doesn't know for sure, they should state that.
It bothers me when people who know nothing about etymology post as if they know everything. It also bothers me when people use baby name books. The majority of popular baby name books and popular baby name websites are innaccurate. I trust very few because of that fact.
BtN may not be 100% accurate, but its well-researched. The regular posters on the facts board appreciate that accuracy.
I'm sorry that you get your panties in a twist anytime someone questions someone, or disagrees with you, but that's life.
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I'm speaking from experience . . .
There are a few good name books (Oxford's dictionary of first names, for example) but the rest tend to oversimplify complicated meanings, use apocryphal meanings as fact and create meanings where none exist.
Anne did not "point to a possible answer" - she stated a series of inaccurate meanings as if they were facts. This is unfair to Minetta as it is quite simply false information with no basis in truth.
Finally, you've been on this site for just over a month. I've been here for around 18 months and Siri and Miranda have been here for much longer than that. The least you could do is show a little respect for the site's established norms and for the directions of long term members.
♦ Chrisell ♦
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. - J.R.R. Tolkien.
There are a few good name books (Oxford's dictionary of first names, for example) but the rest tend to oversimplify complicated meanings, use apocryphal meanings as fact and create meanings where none exist.
Anne did not "point to a possible answer" - she stated a series of inaccurate meanings as if they were facts. This is unfair to Minetta as it is quite simply false information with no basis in truth.
Finally, you've been on this site for just over a month. I've been here for around 18 months and Siri and Miranda have been here for much longer than that. The least you could do is show a little respect for the site's established norms and for the directions of long term members.
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. - J.R.R. Tolkien.
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Well, how long do I have to wait?
Until I'm worthy enough to post anything? And I'm not aware that I've shown any disrespect. Or does disagreeing mean the same as disrespect?
The rules say "Everyone has a right to their opinion". I think this applies to new-comers as well.
Until I'm worthy enough to post anything? And I'm not aware that I've shown any disrespect. Or does disagreeing mean the same as disrespect?
The rules say "Everyone has a right to their opinion". I think this applies to new-comers as well.
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How we do things around here have been well worked out over the years. And now the old-timers here are all very comfortable that our present system best for us as a whole community. I feel you've been telling us to change our well-established ways, and that comes off as very arrogant and disrespectful to me.
Furthermore, no one has the inherent right to their opinion on this specific board, quite simply because this is a facts board. The only opinion you're allowed to express here is "Imo, this site is accurate because of x, y, and z." And this type of opinion's based on facts!
Most of the regulars here have found out that the (great?) majority of name books and sites are inaccurate. And, yes, there are also a handful of more reliable books/sites out there. But because the majority are inaccurate, we do like you to cite your books/webpages so we can evaluate whether the book/page in question is accurate and therefore valid to us.
Oh yes, I prefer that name experts admit when a name meaning's unknown. I think it's only honest! It's true all names have a meaning, but quite frankly some names origins are so old and/or obscure that we don't know what the name means today.
Miranda
"Six hours later I still haven't done my homework, but I did come up with 245 name combos, seven of which I might name my child." — Modified LJ icon quote
Proud adopter of 15 punctuation marks.
Furthermore, no one has the inherent right to their opinion on this specific board, quite simply because this is a facts board. The only opinion you're allowed to express here is "Imo, this site is accurate because of x, y, and z." And this type of opinion's based on facts!
Most of the regulars here have found out that the (great?) majority of name books and sites are inaccurate. And, yes, there are also a handful of more reliable books/sites out there. But because the majority are inaccurate, we do like you to cite your books/webpages so we can evaluate whether the book/page in question is accurate and therefore valid to us.
Oh yes, I prefer that name experts admit when a name meaning's unknown. I think it's only honest! It's true all names have a meaning, but quite frankly some names origins are so old and/or obscure that we don't know what the name means today.
"Six hours later I still haven't done my homework, but I did come up with 245 name combos, seven of which I might name my child." — Modified LJ icon quote
Proud adopter of 15 punctuation marks.
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Do your name books give etymological sources?
Miranda
"Six hours later I still haven't done my homework, but I did come up with 245 name combos, seven of which I might name my child." — Modified LJ icon quote
Proud adopter of 15 punctuation marks.
"Six hours later I still haven't done my homework, but I did come up with 245 name combos, seven of which I might name my child." — Modified LJ icon quote
Proud adopter of 15 punctuation marks.
1
I have not consulted any name books now, I borrowed them from the library when I was looking for a name for my future child.
But they are written by journalists but founded on books by researchers like Roland Otterbjörk. I assure you that Otterbjörk is bona fide. I was merely pointing out that an answer should not be written off as rubbish just b/c it is from "a name book". Or that people should not be forbidden to answer b/c they are not researchers themselves but have consulted a name book.
If so, it should be in the rules "Never answer b/c you have read it in a name book". Or better "If your information comes from a name book, give the name and author of this name book". All name books are not unreliable.
But they are written by journalists but founded on books by researchers like Roland Otterbjörk. I assure you that Otterbjörk is bona fide. I was merely pointing out that an answer should not be written off as rubbish just b/c it is from "a name book". Or that people should not be forbidden to answer b/c they are not researchers themselves but have consulted a name book.
If so, it should be in the rules "Never answer b/c you have read it in a name book". Or better "If your information comes from a name book, give the name and author of this name book". All name books are not unreliable.
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