New Post
Search
Help
ArchivesRe: The Name Alois
in reply to a message by Susan
I have a male cousin named Alois. That name has made his life a living hell for over 50 years. In Germany, where his father came from it is recognized as a man`s name. In germany people know how to pronounce it properly "Oll-oys".
In any English speaking country however,the people are so ignorant that they think somone took the female name Lois and stuck an A in front of it.
My cousin will never forgive his parents for inflicting that nightmare name on him.They weren`t greenhorns who just stepped off the boat when he was born_ his father had lived in the USA for 25 years,became a citizen and earned an honorable disharge from the US Army for his WW2 service.His mother was born in America.
My cousin was named for his grandfather.He hated the name and wanted to be called Charles, his middle name, in school.Someone told the family about that and the lousy krauts came down on him like the wrath of God. After repeated beatings, his father extorted a promise from him never to legally change his first name. After all when you are only seven there is a limit to how much abuse you can stand up to.
One thing about my cousin, if he gives you his word you can bank on it.
He never changed his name but dosen`t use it either,he goes by Al.Although when dealing with officiuous bueaucrats he has to give them the name Alois, he allows no one to call him that.He thinks of the name Alois as an early enemy warning device-anyone who wants to call him that is an enemy to be defeated quickly and disposed of .
Of course you are free to name your child whatever you want, but if you love the child, then for God`s sake don`t give them this turkey of a name.It is an anachronism that belongs in a museum, like slavery or human sacrifice.
In any English speaking country however,the people are so ignorant that they think somone took the female name Lois and stuck an A in front of it.
My cousin will never forgive his parents for inflicting that nightmare name on him.They weren`t greenhorns who just stepped off the boat when he was born_ his father had lived in the USA for 25 years,became a citizen and earned an honorable disharge from the US Army for his WW2 service.His mother was born in America.
My cousin was named for his grandfather.He hated the name and wanted to be called Charles, his middle name, in school.Someone told the family about that and the lousy krauts came down on him like the wrath of God. After repeated beatings, his father extorted a promise from him never to legally change his first name. After all when you are only seven there is a limit to how much abuse you can stand up to.
One thing about my cousin, if he gives you his word you can bank on it.
He never changed his name but dosen`t use it either,he goes by Al.Although when dealing with officiuous bueaucrats he has to give them the name Alois, he allows no one to call him that.He thinks of the name Alois as an early enemy warning device-anyone who wants to call him that is an enemy to be defeated quickly and disposed of .
Of course you are free to name your child whatever you want, but if you love the child, then for God`s sake don`t give them this turkey of a name.It is an anachronism that belongs in a museum, like slavery or human sacrifice.
1