What Is In A Name?
Russian names tell you a lot, for instance a complete Russian name always includes the person’s father’s first name. The middle name is a patronymic, a version of the father’s name.
The Surname came late to the Russians and they were changed frequently on a whim. Often they relate to the family business, as occurs with Cooper, Carpenter, and Smith in English. Putin indicates perhaps a guide or road builder, while Rasputin is a libertine.
Michael Medved can be translated as “Teddy Bear” in English.
This brings us to out new Secretary of Homeland Security – Mr. Chertoff. Chert could be called a Slavic god. . .of the underworld. Yes, our Homeland Security is now in the talons of a spawn of all evil.
As for our new National Intelligence Director, well, a Black Bridge is better than a Blackadder.
[Update: I surrender – Blackadder is better than the Black Bridge.]
