Tags:
  1. QueenOfPlants

    QueenOfPlants Definitely a hominid

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2017
    Messages:
    358
    Likes Received:
    343
    Location:
    Germany

    Name test

    Discussion in 'Character Development' started by QueenOfPlants, Apr 29, 2017.

    Hello, dear people,

    what comes to your mind when you hear the word "Myrmidon"?

    Don't look it up, just tell me whether you a) have ever heard that, b) in which language/area and c) what it meant.

    Thank you for your help! You all get a bee plushie*.

    The background is that I have a character who chooses a new name for himself and I want it to be something with a meaning that matches his personality but is not overly obvious.
    The character speaks (or at least can read and write) old latin and old greek, so he would be able to know about the background of this name.

    And because this will be his profession, the name just fit. The german wikipedia also says, that the myrmidones showed "unconditional obedience, valour and exceptional fighting power" in the battle for Troy, which is also what the character embodies.

    He had another name until now, but that has a less-than-cool meaning in the english language so I need to discard it. :/

    *"bee plushie" may refer to a metaphorical crocheted stuffed bee and not a physical one
     
  2. QueenOfPlants

    QueenOfPlants Definitely a hominid

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2017
    Messages:
    358
    Likes Received:
    343
    Location:
    Germany
    Huh.
    27 views and not one wrote "Never heard that." or "That's a really common word, are you stupid!?"
    Please - just a short answer.
     
  3. The Scarred Servant

    The Scarred Servant Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2016
    Messages:
    37
    Likes Received:
    33
    Never heard of it, to me it sounds like some sort of medicine, or shield or ancient fantasy city
     
    Simpson17866 likes this.
  4. Pinkymcfiddle

    Pinkymcfiddle Banned

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2017
    Messages:
    815
    Likes Received:
    454
    It brings to mind a mermaid type.
     
    Lifes_A_Game likes this.
  5. Homer Potvin

    Homer Potvin A tombstone hand and a graveyard mind Staff Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2017
    Messages:
    12,141
    Likes Received:
    19,770
    Location:
    Rhode Island
    Most of those views are from the robots I believe. I don't care for the name myself. Hard to pronounce and looks like a rash or something.
     
  6. Commander Caty

    Commander Caty Banned

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2017
    Messages:
    83
    Likes Received:
    17
    Location:
    California
    It sounds kind of like something from Greek mythology to me.
     
    rktho and Simpson17866 like this.
  7. Simpson17866

    Simpson17866 Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2013
    Messages:
    3,406
    Likes Received:
    2,931
    Pretty much these: ancient Greek, either a person or a city, maybe a shield, definitely military
     
  8. Seven Crowns

    Seven Crowns Moderator Staff Supporter Contributor Contest Winner 2022

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2017
    Messages:
    1,998
    Likes Received:
    3,691
    Planescape Torment comes to mind. Those weird creatures that are shaped like dodecahedrons. I wonder where that term is from in actuality though . . . I have a feeling it comes from mythology.
     
  9. Dr.Meow

    Dr.Meow Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2017
    Messages:
    608
    Likes Received:
    429
    Location:
    Conspiring in my Spaceship
    Initial reaction is something aquatic, or gorgon related. I feel like I have heard the name, but can't place it. After contemplation, it seems almost Camelot, or something with ancient lore from europe. Definitely sounds like a type of creature regardless. That's just what I get from it without looking it up.

    After looking it up, I still don't associate it with Troy or mercenaries at all. That must be where I first heard it, but even after getting that refresher it doesn't seem like I would associate it with that in my mind. Still feels like some sort of mythological beast.
     
  10. Samunderthelights

    Samunderthelights Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2017
    Messages:
    116
    Likes Received:
    90
    My immediate thought was mermaids, I have to admit. But then I realised I had actually heard the before, so I googled it. But yeah, not the first thing that comes to mind, even when I've heard the word before. For me it's too similar to mermaid.
    But english isn't my first language, so maybe that's why.
     
  11. izzybot

    izzybot (unspecified) Contributor

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2015
    Messages:
    2,419
    Likes Received:
    3,884
    Location:
    SC, USA
    I thought of the unit class from Fire Emblem games. It'd seem like an odd name to me - like someone naming themself 'warrior' or 'rogue', y'know?
     
    Seren likes this.
  12. Pinkymcfiddle

    Pinkymcfiddle Banned

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2017
    Messages:
    815
    Likes Received:
    454
    I kinda get the meaning, but for me it is always a lairy mermaid/man.
     
  13. hirundine

    hirundine Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2016
    Messages:
    719
    Likes Received:
    1,152
    Achilles and his soldiers. Also, ants.

    Edited to add, I didn't read the spoiler until after I answered. I was already familiar with the name.
     
    Iain Aschendale and Simpson17866 like this.
  14. ChaseTheSun

    ChaseTheSun Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2017
    Messages:
    257
    Likes Received:
    244
    This frustrates me. Nobody on the forum is entitled to a response. People who get offended that they aren't getting enough attention just turn me off and make me less inclined to invest in their questions in the future. At the very least, you could word your bump post (which are frowned upon anyway, I might add) in a polite and non-entitled manner. E.g "Anyone? Really curious to hear your thoughts!"

    That being said, here's my response to your original post:

    I've never heard the word before. But it doesn't strike me as a person's name. I didn't look it up so I don't know what it means (I'm assuming it's a real word?). It feels like the name of a race of creatures - someone from the land of Myrmidia, you get what I mean? Otherwise, it also sounds to me like a medicine or the name of an aquatic vessel (ship/submarine/etc).

    But at the end of the day, you need to choose whatever name suits your character and makes sense in the context of your story. Whatever you choose, if you present it with intentionality and confidence and don't make too big a fuss out of it either way, readers will just accept it.

    Good luck :)
     
    Simpson17866 likes this.
  15. Pinkymcfiddle

    Pinkymcfiddle Banned

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2017
    Messages:
    815
    Likes Received:
    454
    Well @ChaseTheSun , if you gave me a little more attention, I might agree.
     
    rktho likes this.
  16. ChaseTheSun

    ChaseTheSun Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2017
    Messages:
    257
    Likes Received:
    244
    Well @Pinkymcfiddle, if you posted some interesting questions, I might give you more attention. ;)
     
    rktho and Pinkymcfiddle like this.
  17. QueenOfPlants

    QueenOfPlants Definitely a hominid

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2017
    Messages:
    358
    Likes Received:
    343
    Location:
    Germany
    Sorry, if my second post offended you. That was not my intention.
    I was just confused why there were so many views and not one answer.
    I tried adressing the subject with some humour, but it seems that didn't transfer via text form.


    Thank you all, who commented.
     
  18. Pinkymcfiddle

    Pinkymcfiddle Banned

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2017
    Messages:
    815
    Likes Received:
    454
    Don't worry @ChaseTheSun had not got up early enough to get the early worm, which frankly she shouldn't, being nocturnal, but she takes her unusual hours out on random new members in a vicious fest of owl beak and claws. Frankly the owl is a maniac.
     
  19. QueenOfPlants

    QueenOfPlants Definitely a hominid

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2017
    Messages:
    358
    Likes Received:
    343
    Location:
    Germany
    [​IMG]
     
  20. ChaseTheSun

    ChaseTheSun Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2017
    Messages:
    257
    Likes Received:
    244
    Oh yes please.
     
    Millyme11 and Pinkymcfiddle like this.
  21. ChaseTheSun

    ChaseTheSun Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2017
    Messages:
    257
    Likes Received:
    244
    I totally understand the desire to have lots of feedback on one's own threads. I'm sorry if I over-reacted. I have just seen a few people recently get snippy about 'not enough people' engaging with their threads. It detracts from the goodwill vibe of the community and creates a sense of obligation. Like, is someone tallying up how many threads I open but don't respond to? That's going to make me feel even less inclined to engage.

    I appreciate that your comment was an attempt at humour. Sorry for the misunderstanding. :)

    I got nothin'.
     
  22. Pinkymcfiddle

    Pinkymcfiddle Banned

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2017
    Messages:
    815
    Likes Received:
    454
    Well, lucky we all know you're very pleasant and that was a lie..... or was it?
     
  23. BayView

    BayView Huh. Interesting. Contributor

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2014
    Messages:
    10,462
    Likes Received:
    11,689
    I had some association with Achilles and Troy, but I wasn't confident of it.
     
    Simpson17866 likes this.
  24. QueenOfPlants

    QueenOfPlants Definitely a hominid

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2017
    Messages:
    358
    Likes Received:
    343
    Location:
    Germany
    I totally agree with you that nobody is entitled to a response and I completely understand that "begging for response" does lower the incline to respond even more.
    It's just that when nobody answered (and it was the same for my first post) I was starting to worry whether my question was so stupid that people just closed the thread again. So I got anxious and made the second post. ^^
    But if that is normal, then I will relax in the future. :)
     
  25. Cave Troll

    Cave Troll It's Coffee O'clock everywhere. Contributor

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2015
    Messages:
    17,922
    Likes Received:
    27,173
    Location:
    Where cushions are comfy, and straps hold firm.
    It sounds familiar, not overly familiar.
    Definitely ancient Mediterranean by the looks of it.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice