What’s in a name?
A name is a label used to distinguish one thing from another. A name can be used as a means of identifying a particular group or category of objects, but also be used to identify a unique and specific thing. A personal name is one that identifies an individual person. The name of such an entity can be called a “proper” or “given” name; however, other names can be used to denote the same individual and be anything but “proper.” Clearly, I was not given the name “Peanut” by my mother or father, and I am pretty sure that if the word ever came up in conversation between the two of them at any point in time, it was in the context of snacking or allergic reactions. However, growing up I was a tiny, little person with more energy than I knew what to do with, so the nickname “Peanut” was quickly adopted into daily use by my friends, and eventually my family. You would think that through the years as I got older I would grow out of such a name, but I assure you that as I grew older I did not get any bigger or taller. Trust me, it is a devastating moment when your pediatrician utters the words, “No more than 5′3″ for you,” but I was lucky and my grandmother was there to cushion this blow with the age old saying, “Good things come in small packages.” You sure about that, Grandma? In her case, this happens to be 100% accurate. My grandmother is indeed a small woman, but an amazing one at that, so I have accepted the fact that being physically small is by no means a reflection of the size of one’s character or personality. The name “Peanut” has stayed with me almost as long as my given name, and it does not appear to be “going out of style” any time soon, where any references to me are concerned. Lately, the name has even been shortened to “Pean”–even better, it’s two less letters one has to type when addressing me in any formal communication. I could go on all day about this, but who cares? I care, but not enough to bore anyone to tears about the many instances where the name has been the topic of conversation and/or confusion. I just wanted everyone to know that I don’t have some strange fetish with peanuts, although they are a healthy snack and can fuel an entire hour of thought! It’s no hugely difficult concept to be grasped, and actually provides little insight as to who I am as a person…it’s just a name afterall….right?