What's in A Name? (Familiarity Breeds Contempt)

A name pronounced is the recognition of the individual to whom it belongs. He who can pronounce my name aright, he can call me, and is entitled to my love and service. - Thoreau

mom was bilingual, from french speaking quebec, canada

she would often call dad, "chère" (french for dear, beloved or expensive) when all was well

for serious matters or when something was amiss, she would call him "al", short for alberto (his given name)

over the years, her pronunciation of "chère" seemed to change

until one day, as a kid, dad said to me, "did you hear that?  she called me 's****y'"

we never could discern what exactly she was calling him

and instead went by the tone in her voice

Author's Note

"I will not allow mere names to make distinctions for me, but still see men in herds for all them." - Thoreau