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

Chambers (my nearest dictionary) says "slang, chiefly derog, a woman esp an old, doddery, fussy or cantankerous one" 18th century meaning an Irish maidservant. Which of these significations are you aspiring to?

All of them, at strategic moments!

Today is my 41st birthday, so I think it really *is* pushing it a bit too far to call myself 'a girl called Ben'. I toyed with 'a gal called Ben' and even - given that I come from the horsey end of Gloucestershire 'a gel called Ben', but too many people would read it with a soft g.

I like the idea of presenting myself as a biddy. I just LOVE being underestimated!

Ben

Happy birthday, darling.
In the circumstances I'll let you have them all except doddery

Ah, good old dictionary meanings. An example: 'Hussy' actually has an alternative, more innocent definition as 'a pert young woman'. Perhaps you should change your name to A Hussy called Ben...

Happy birthday Ben

*leaves a mufflewhump*

Well, a hussy called Ben is a leeetle near the knuckle!

Let me see how I like being a biddy!

B

A mufflewump, Amy? *Just* what always wanted!

That *is* the point, yes

Rainbow suggested 'a broad called Ben' and I like that: sassy, sexy and classy! Let's see how long the 'biddy' lasts then!

B

I called in because I thought someone was copying your name. I don't think you have to stop being a girl just because you've passed 40. My Granny only thought she was starting to get old after her stroke at 89. Age is in the mind to a certain extent but Granny has finally conceded that she IS old now that she's over 95!

I think you should stay a girl as long as you like but 'broad' does have a certain ring to it. Though I'm a little unsure of the timbre of that ring.

Ythika

ps Happy Birthday for yesterday (I guess by now) Birthday + candle

Y

Why thank you Ythica, and I appreciate you checking out a possible imposter!

My name has been through various incarnations, including 2a bowl of petunias called Ben" and - very briefly " a boy called Bill (in disguise)".

I will stick with 'biddy' for a while, and test out 'broad' in my mind. I quite like the connotations of 'broad' - or at least the way it is heard in the UK.

Ben

And now that you're so old and cantankerous will you be drinking red biddy?

Belated happy birthday!

I would say that, at 41, you are still too young to be a biddy. But what's the alternative? Bidet? Bidette? And what would the masculine version be? I feel sure that, at the age of 48, I would qualify for the cognomen.

Yours,

William.