Alphabet psychology
Mar. 28th, 2003 02:53 pmSometimes I wonder about people. It's common, when someone asks you for some string of characters over the phone that include letters and there's confusion about exactly what letter you mean, to give a word to represent the letter. You know, A as in apple, or C as in cat.
Those are common enough, but sometimes the choices are more interesting. I don't mean using Alpha-Bravo-Charlie military style, or common names for letters (most commonly boys names, don't know why), but more unusual stuff like months, vehicles, animals, food, or flowers. Sometimes I amuse myself by wondering if these odd choices show any deep, free-associative meaning into people's psyches, but I suppose that study would have to be done by someone with more free time and a knack for writing grant applications!
I don't think anyone's come up with anything obscene in these when talking with me, but it's occasionally amusing when they get entirely confused and give words that don't even have the letter they're trying to do. ("A as in cat, C as in... oops!")
(If you're getting the impression this is a slow, dull day and I'm getting my entertainment where I can - well, you're right!).
Those are common enough, but sometimes the choices are more interesting. I don't mean using Alpha-Bravo-Charlie military style, or common names for letters (most commonly boys names, don't know why), but more unusual stuff like months, vehicles, animals, food, or flowers. Sometimes I amuse myself by wondering if these odd choices show any deep, free-associative meaning into people's psyches, but I suppose that study would have to be done by someone with more free time and a knack for writing grant applications!
I don't think anyone's come up with anything obscene in these when talking with me, but it's occasionally amusing when they get entirely confused and give words that don't even have the letter they're trying to do. ("A as in cat, C as in... oops!")
(If you're getting the impression this is a slow, dull day and I'm getting my entertainment where I can - well, you're right!).
no subject
Date: 2003-03-28 12:29 pm (UTC)B as in boobies.
C as in...
What? What did I say? Why are you hitting me with the pillow?
<EG>
Love you!
no subject
Date: 2003-03-28 01:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-03-28 01:42 pm (UTC)i don't think he was with the company for much longer.
no subject
Date: 2003-03-28 11:34 pm (UTC)Not that I've, uh, ever played. Of course not. I'm...what was that word again? Innocent. Yes. Virginal even. ;) -H....
Re:
Date: 2003-03-29 01:54 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-03-29 11:01 pm (UTC)X is for Xiphoid Process (the very tip of the breast bone)
(Ok, so it's a stretch. So is using Z is for Zerbert or Y is for You, both of which work *just fine* in the Home Game.) -H...