Heroic Dreams - All Things Medieval

While watching an episode of Frasier I had a real laugh out loud moment. Daphne and Niles were debating what they should call their child and Daphne was rolling out a series of names.

One of the series was “Tanner, Tailor, Hunter or Fletcher”? To which Niles replied

“It sounds like you are reading from a book of Medieval Professions.”

I really let out a good laugh at this and it made me think how times have changed. I think that during the middle ages people were very proud of their professions -the things and contributions they made. They closely identified with their profession and from this pride a bowyer might call his son fletcher, and well… you get the picture.

Why don’t we stay true to this tradition anymore? Would it be okay for me to name my children webber, seller, clerker, driver or teleseller? LOL It just doesnt seem to be the same!

If I had big ambitions for my children maybe I could call them Investor, Developer, CEOer or Banker? Nah, just doesn’t seem to work.

And another interesting change to this whole thing is that in the middle ages they didn’t job hop like we do now. You started out as a smith and right there at that anvil you worked your whole life. No touchy feely thoughts about maybe next year I will try being a farmer or an artist. Nope, you were a smithy and your name was probably smith!

And how would we solve the job hopping dilemma in todays world? The same way marriage names have changed? So, as a persons careers changed so would his name become hypenated? Hi, my name is Janitor-Cashier-Manager-Regional manager Smith!  lol

And there is something to be said for putting the cart before the horse. Can you change things by changing your name?  Picture two students in a classroom;  one is named Investor Jones, and the other is named Janitor Smith. Would this tag of having a name change the reality of each student? Would the teacher treat Investor Jones differently than Janitor Smith? hmm… something to think about and in hopes of this actually working I am going to change my name to Lottery Winner Will! Wish me luck.

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