Walterp
Member
- Location
- Pembrokeshire
Where I come from, farmers are called by their farm's names - you could know a neighbour for decades without, for instance, knowing that Dai's surname is Evans.
Which makes sense, I suppose: 'Evans' doesn't get you particularly recognised in the district, whilst 'Llwyn Onn' is instantly recognisable. So first names and farm names identify you.
Elsewhere it's different: the English seem, to me, to use surnames a lot more because, I guess, they're more stand-offish.
But both English and Welsh love nicknames: my three best examples are the agricultural contractor called 'Bin Laden' (tall, prominent nose, flowing beard) and the Llandeilo undertaker called 'Dai Death'. And the wealthy farmer called 'Dai Tail' (Welsh for organic manure) because, whilst a student, he used to go out socially after milking.
I can't be the only one to collect these, can I?
Which makes sense, I suppose: 'Evans' doesn't get you particularly recognised in the district, whilst 'Llwyn Onn' is instantly recognisable. So first names and farm names identify you.
Elsewhere it's different: the English seem, to me, to use surnames a lot more because, I guess, they're more stand-offish.
But both English and Welsh love nicknames: my three best examples are the agricultural contractor called 'Bin Laden' (tall, prominent nose, flowing beard) and the Llandeilo undertaker called 'Dai Death'. And the wealthy farmer called 'Dai Tail' (Welsh for organic manure) because, whilst a student, he used to go out socially after milking.
I can't be the only one to collect these, can I?
