Re:US boy names that became girl names and vice versa
by ButlerianJihad on Tuesday November 03, 2026 @02:02AM
(#50348946)
In Iceland, patronymics are also gendered and may sound quite familiar: "Björk Guðmundsdóttir" is their most famous example today.
In high school, we referred to our teachers by honorific and surname, and we were also addressed by surname, even by our peers.
When I rewatched the Harry Potter film series this year, I began paying attention to how Harry was addressed. Draco Malfoy called him "Potter". So did many teachers, "Mr Potter". He who must not be named called him "Harry" and many epithets like "the boy who lived". Hagrid and Professor Dumbledore, at least in private, called him "Harry" all the time.
This is especially interesting, because "Potter" is a homophone with the Latin Pater, meaning "Father".
In high school, we referred to our teachers by honorific and surname, and we were also addressed by surname, even by our peers.
When I rewatched the Harry Potter film series this year, I began paying attention to how Harry was addressed. Draco Malfoy called him "Potter". So did many teachers, "Mr Potter". He who must not be named called him "Harry" and many epithets like "the boy who lived". Hagrid and Professor Dumbledore, at least in private, called him "Harry" all the time.
This is especially interesting, because "Potter" is a homophone with the Latin Pater, meaning "Father".