About the Book

A brilliant and personal literary journey, in which Philip Dodd tells the curious tales of people whose namesadeliberately or by chanceabecame household words
Whatas in a name? For Philip Dodd, this question led to an international tour, sleuthing the history of some of our most intriguing eponyms. The result is a collection of surprising, stranger-than-fiction stories from history, the arts, the halls of science, and sometimes simply the realm of serendipity. This armchair traveleras delight contains little-known tales of such immortal figures as:
A- Roy Jacuzzi, alive and well and still bubbling with ideas in Happy Valley, California
A- Joseph P. Frisbie, the baker whose pie tins inspired Wham-Oas ubiquitous flying disc
A- Ernst GrAfenberg, for whom the G-spot was named a Samuel Maverick, the Texas pioneer who refused to brand his calves
A- And many other colorful figures
From Belgium to Buenos Aires, from Orlando to Los Angeles, Doddas readers go along for the ride. "Whatas In a Name?" is a marvelous tribute to people who changed our languageawhether through hard work, creativity, or the luck of the draw.

Product Details

Media: Paperback Book, 265 pages

Series: Not Applicable

Publisher: Gotham Books (Jan. 31st, 2009)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1592404324

ISBN-13: 9781592404322

Dimensions: 5.28 x 8.00 x 0.80 inches

Shipping Weight: 0.51 lbs

• Categories: Etymology Education Humorous Essays