What's in a name?

Michael Morris - In Focus

It has been said that the meaning of any word is based on its context. The matter of the names of objects, organizations and persons can often lead to people arguing over the meaning of a word. For instance the word "environmentalist" has been known to mean different things to different people. While we are on the subject of names we have the subject of one's good name. As important as the meaning of a particular word is the value attached to one's name. We will explore all of this from some points of view you may not have yet considered..
Warning! The following includes an unusually high level of sarcasm.

Among the funnier words heard around town these days are "friendliest" in the context of "friendliest place on earth", "economic development" or "Lord So and so". While "friendliest" standing alone is a simple concept to grasp it is a little less well formed when associated with Alamogordo establishment. Just as silly around here is the usage of "economic development" turning its meaning on its head to mean paying scammers to rape the taxpayers due to insufficient stones and desire to really do the job. But all of that aside the, by far, premier comedy routine in Alamogordo is the application by Alamogordo Daily News reporter Karl Anderson to change his name to "Lord Karl Anderson" based on a claim of an actual noble title. Let me splain.

Probably Anderson's case would benefit from some public relations help. The obvious question is, What is the big deal? The short answer is there is no big deal. While that may sound cryptic you will get it in a minute. As funny as it may sound I was perhaps the last person to find out Anderson wanted Judge Wilson to name him "Lord". At first I thought the guy was just a run of the mill loose cog job. Then a courthouse sleuth (wife, right hand, etc.) brought me the filing (PDF). According to Mr. Anderson he has been "GIVEN A TITLE OF NOBILITY "LORD" BY THE BRITISH TITLE REGISTRAR" and that he is now internationally known as "Lord Karl Anderson" and needs the court to correct his name. In the interests of curiosity at the circus-like atmosphere around the courthouse lately I thought I would learn something ;o).



So, what did I learn? Well from the Royal College of Arms that maintains the records of nobility for the Queen of England I learned there is no "BRITISH TITLE REGISTRAR". This, like many things, was only partly true. It turns out that the proper name is British Title Registrars. On this venerated institution we did find some information. Probably the best of these sources is RegalTitles.com. It's proprietor, Stephen J. Scott, is a wonderfully funny guy selling foolishness to the foolish and documenting these "titles" through...you guessed it...the British Title Registrars. The best info on regaltitles.com can be found on faketitles.com. LINK In fact the info is so good that the British Embassy encourages anyone interested in fake online titles to visit that site. (Embassy Site). That is what I mean that this is no big deal. The part of this I have found the most snickerable is the I Love Lucy quality game of apparent telephone on the local gossip vine regarding just how Karl Anderson's "Lordship" came about.

Had Sunbaked been working at the pace of the local rumor mill has been on this case the cookies would be flowing. Some say it was on account of Anderson's preservation of jousting or some other of his fantastic adventures. Others have alleged Anderson bought the title in some "$197 Lordship Package". As I understand it the process of obtaining a lawful title requires a letter patent from the Sovereign (King, Queen, etc.) appointing you as such, so buying one would be just something of a novelty for someone with time and money on his hands. Since I don't think Anderson is idle rich this has to be the real McCoy, right? Otherwise those in the community giving the fellow credibility would end up looking a little silly, don't you think?

But here we are again with this "British Title Registrars", the existence of which is testified to by only 3 sources. The first is a fake titles site ( faketitles.com ) recommended by the embassy which quips at one point:

If you are feeling particularly wicked, you might like to ask him who the British Title Registrars are.

The second is a fake title seller @ regaltitles.com hawking the registration - a must read.

The third is a free page on geocities showing the certificate of registration (View a Sample) supplied in your Starting Out With Your Title kit. Of course in this case we are dealing with the genuine article, right? It only seems right that an Otero County judge essentially endorsing the title of nobility should honor this town by forever enshrining the document from a king or queen that transforms one of our locals into a nobleman. Just as a mere formality I beseech Judge Wilson to get a copy of this prestigious document as he approves Anderson's "Lordship". On the other hand, if the thing is the unlikely kind of $197 online title the Judge, based on what the applicant believes, may actually be creating the façade of nobleman under the seal of his office. Ouch, I am glad I am not a close-to-retirement judge with this case. It could make you famous.

With all of the ridiculous celebrations officiated by Alamogordo Mayor Don Carroll it seems to me a city resident being named nobleman should warrant some drinks, refreshments and some photo ops for our wise leader. What about it Don?

The lingering implication here will depend on the press coverage and the action by the system itself. Are we a collective of goofy goobers? Consider the ramifications of not only words, but also actions as this side-splitter unfolds.

Who really cares if Karl Anderson wants a judge to name him "Lord"? I don't. What I care about is the value of the name associated with the person. Without knowing that value by what benchmark do you measure the rest of the words.