Pedants' Paradise

[vinteuil]

Why can I remember this and this morning I couldn't remember someone's name (it began with R) and now I can't remember whose name it was I couldn't remember?

... it seems that Proper Nouns are stored in a different part of the brain from Common Nouns, and that one's ability to recall Proper Nouns decays far earlier than for Common Nouns. I have had real problems recalling Names for years now...
.

[AuntDaisy]

... it seems that Proper Nouns are stored in a different part of the brain from Common Nouns, and that one's ability to recall Proper Nouns decays far earlier than for Common Nouns. I have had real problems recalling Names for years now...

How about voices or faces?

[Pulcinella]

... it seems that Proper Nouns are stored in a different part of the brain from Common Nouns, and that one's ability to recall Proper Nouns decays far earlier than for Common Nouns. I have had real problems recalling Names for years now...
.

That's cheered me up no end!
I have great difficulty remembering the names of the Year-5 students in the class I help out with, and really admire those that can.
Now, I'll just attribute it to Proper Noun decay, while still insisting that they use capital letters for such nouns!

[AuntDaisy]

Though in this case ... OED: To sign: "To put a seal upon (a letter or document) as a means of identification or authentication; to stamp with a seal or signet; to cover with a seal."

You win - I concede defeat.

OED trumps dear Dr. Hinge (my historical source.)

[Serial_Apologist]

That's cheered me up no end!
I have great difficulty remembering the names of the Year-5 students in the class I help out with, and really admire those that can.
Now, I'll just attribute it to Proper Noun decay, while still insisting that they use capital letters for such nouns!

Me too!

[vinteuil]

Typical, historical academics always wanting accuracy. Sealed?

.

Though in this case ... OED: To sign: "To put a seal upon (a letter or document) as a means of identification or authentication; to stamp with a seal or signet; to cover with a seal."

... tho' the 'scholarly' objection to the Mint's design of the coin remains : King John is portrayed as holding a quill - not a seal

.

[french frank]

... tho' the 'scholarly' objection to the Mint's design of the coin remains : King John is portrayed as holding a quill - not a seal

That is true. I'm not sure whether it's on record whether Johannes R. could write or not*. The Britannica says he was 'literate' but that doesn't necessarily mean he could write. More people were able to read than write, other than make their mark. X was the sign of illiteracy which is why it's still used in our vorting system: you just have to be able to recognise a picture and sign an X.

*Except when he signed his letter to Father Christmas, not Johannes R, but very humbly Jack. Damn.

[vinteuil]

More people were able to read than write, other than make their mark. X was the sign of illiteracy which is why it's still used in our voting system: you just have to be able to recognise a picture and sign an X.
.

... I love the story that one of the members of the very distinguished O family was illiterate, and signed his name as X

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_d%27O

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7ois_d%27O

[french frank]

... I love the story that one of the members of the very distinguished O family was illiterate, and signed his name as X]

[cloughie]

... au contraire - all the Judaean monarchs were called Herod, over five generations : among them

Herod the Great
Herod Archelaus
Herod Antipas
Herod Agrippa
Herod of Chalcis
Herod Agrippa II

Herod the Great was the one when Jesus was born (tho' there was no Massacre of the Innocents - "fake news")
Herod Antipas was the one who executed John the Baptist and refused to judge Jesus

.

Thanks for assuaging my ignorance.

[LMcD]

Thanks for assuaging my ignorance.

Any suggestions for a collective noun for these guys?

[cloughie]

... au contraire - all the Judaean monarchs were called Herod, over five generations : among them

Herod the Great
Herod Archelaus
Herod Antipas
Herod Agrippa
Herod of Chalcis
Herod Agrippa II

Herod the Great was the one when Jesus was born (tho' there was no Massacre of the Innocents - "fake news")
Herod Antipas was the one who executed John the Baptist and refused to judge Jesus

.

Thanks for assuaging my ignorance.

Perhaps I should have mentioned Harold in the popularity in the regal nomenclature stakes - after the ‘one in the eye’ at Hastings we’ve had no more Harolds but four Williams and a fifth in waiting.

[vinteuil]

Perhaps I should have mentioned Harold in the popularity in the regal nomenclature stakes - after the ‘one in the eye’ at Hastings we’ve had no more Harolds but four Williams and a fifth in waiting.

... I wonder if we've only had one Cnut

[cloughie]

... I wonder if we've only had one Cnut

With many a tide since to wash away the memory?

[LMcD]

With many a tide since to wash away the memory?

Some people would say that Surf washes cleaner than Tide.