h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

There are some great names here in h2g2

I wonder how people decided on them?

Mine came to me in a flash, because I was so keen to sign onto this amazing website and I had to think of something quickly. I tried Runnerbean initially, but it was already taken. So Frenchbean it was - and is And now I kind of think of myself in RL as Frenchbean. Have I grown into the name?

And if that's the case, if I changed my RL name (like ZSF has done) would I grow into that too? In time do old names become redundant?

Having said that, I do hope not. My Dad called me Mima all my life and I'd like to think if anybody ever called me that, I'd respond

When I decided to come onboard I (innocently) thought that "wowbagger" would be available. That's my name in the B3TA community.
Someone there misread it as "wowbadger". So, allowing for a typo - here I is.

Hi Frenchbean! After reading the Hitchhiker's Guide, I was very much taken with the idea of writing a Guide to the Universe. I chose the name Gnomon for myself as it embodies the way I feel about myself. I had decided to call it Gnomon's Guide to the Galaxy. When I stumbled across h2g2, I realised that here was the place where my dream could be realised.

I got mine from the Molesworth books - I was originally Goshoogoshoogosh.

"Go to study. Kane descend whack gosh oo gosh oo gosh and hares fly out like H bomb xplosion."

Not unsurprisingly it got shortened to Gosho, which I've since learned is Japanese for 'honoured writings'

I first signed up under another name, which I decided I didn't like all that much; I was casting about for something that was more Me. I looked at the Online list and saw names like 'So-and-so the Great' and 'Someone the Magnificent', and started thinking - 'Well, I'm just average, really'. Then I glanced at the bookshelves and noticed the shelves where I keep things about psychopathic cases and Russian history (spot the difference ). And so, a name was born...

Ivan.

Hi, Frenchbean,

I cottoned on to yours because it sounded environmentally friendly, and I was right

I got mine because I have been following various sailing challenges on the Net, like BT Global Challenge, and now John Ridgway's epic voyage to save the albatrosses. As I am never likely to sail myself, never having been the adventurous type I thought it would be a good name, and a twist on websurfer. I included as part of my signature, as I seem to the one of the oldest I have encountered online at h2g2

Now there's a question . Who is the oldest h2g2 inhabitant?

Thinking up nicknames and passwords is fun, and possibly shows elements of our personalities, while keeping some of the mystery . After all we never really know if we are talking to someone from another

Websailor

I started out with the name I'm just changing my real name to (I'll complete the Deed Poll when I get back from the US - too complicated to do it before). I was thinking about a suitable h2g2 name and Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish! just came to me. I decided it was cooler to have a name starting with a Z rather than an H, so ZSF! it became. It's what Zaphod Beeblebrox said when he was sliding out of the marble nutrimatic cup suspended above the planet Brontitall. (Ford ignored his cries for help and goes on to explore the possible derivation of the phrase!

I'm glad I started this one: it's really interesting to hear of folks' reasons for their names and the importance that we attach to them.

I somehow think that Frenchbean has a hint of mystery and exotic-ness (exotisism?) and since I have *always* wanted to be a Woman of Mystery, it felt great. In fact, I will never be a W of M, but it's one of those completely unattainable dreams that I'm happy to cling onto

None of your reasons are surprises.

I love the spelling mistake wowbadger Reminds me of a Goon Show when the participants are introduced one by one, up to *Spike Milligna, the famous spelling mistake*

Heard today that after 2 years of wrangling, Spike's headstone finally does say *I told you I was ill* - in Gaelic

Gnomon You do point us in the right direction And I'm not surprised your name has studious roots

Well Gosho what can I say? Molesworth. Presumably that particular passage appealed to you, as somebody who's folically challenged?

Ivan I've always liked yours: very self-depricating, but witty Psychology and Russian History? The 2 aren't a million miles apart are they?

Websailor I thought perhaps you do sail. I followed Emma Richardson on her rtw last year - fantastic. But you wouldn't get me doing that alone I'm a warm weather and warm water sailor. I'll stick to the Coral Sea I think

ZSF I've been wondering where it came from in the Book. Now I know. Great name and it always puts you at the bottom of the list, so you're easy to spot

Any more for any more?


Fb

Mine is pretty boring really. I've been involved for several years with a charity triathlon called '70 Wild Miles' A1080839 , in fact I run their website - and since I had first pick for a name on the forums there I grabbed Wildman. When I registered here, I just kept the name I was used to.

Just realised that link above is the original piece, the Edited entry is at A1105507

I chose Hypatia because I couldn't think of anything else. I found h2g2 as part of a web search for a fantasy book club I was hosting at the library. I wanted to post a question so needed to join. Hypatia is the name of my web server. My mind went blank and since I was sure I wouldn't want to actually remain a member, I figured it didn't matter that much what I called myself.

I must admit, Gosho, I knew your previous longer name, however, I hadn't identified it from the wonderful Molesworth books - and I thought I knew them reasonably well. 'Hello grass, hello trees, hello sky' off to play 'Fairy Bells'!

Mine relates to 'The Prisoner' rather than a packet of fags... I am not Researcher 115522, I am a Free Man!

And what's more, I wasn't follicly challenged when it first appealed to me - I was still at school and thoroughly hirsute up top

Like 'my grate friend Peason'?

Who hav a face like a squished and it's a wonder it did not bust the cammera? Yeah, that's him

Hello Wildman That's just bonkers triathlons are mad! Hey: I thought it was swimming, cycling and running? How come yours has canoeing. Too woossy to swim Loch Etive eh????? (Like I'd even put a toe into Etive ) Pah! Not tough at all!

Hypatia: I love your name! I have a friend, who has briefly appeared here under the tag of Childless Friend, who really wants to be calle Hypatio, cos she has a roof garden! She was inspired by you, so look out for her...

Number Six - well, I did wonder! reason for a name

Gosho I'm sorry, I just do not believe that you were at school 5 years ago. That's a fib And do we know for shur that Peason had a ful hed of hare?


Fb

OK, I'm still particularly intrigued by
Recumbentman
Lady Scott
Mudhooks
Pimms Lettuce
ShazzPrime
MotDoc - what is all that about????
Master B
Broelan

Maybe I'll drop by and point them in this direction...


Fb

I know how a handful of those came about but I'll leave the owners to explain for themselves

And it's been considerably more than five years since I was at school, but slightly less since I removed all of my barnet

Och, I do like a bald head

Fb