D’oh
Apparently my pseudonym is the masculine version of the Welsh feminine name “Anwen.”
Oh well. the “wyn” is more appropriate to the Tolkien language I cobbled it out of (from the Rohirrim) and I know of at least two girls named “Bronwyn,” which by those rules is also a masculine name.
But this could help explain why a startlingly large percentage of the bloggers I met in NYC assumed I was a guy until they met me.
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You could always give folks like that a cryptic smile and say, “Well, it fit when I first picked it out for myself but, what with the surgery and all…” then chuckle in a deep voice.
Comment by Venomous Kate — July 17, 2007 @ 10:01 am
Ulp. Definitely not in front of the Funkypundit. He was way too hot.
Comment by Anwyn — July 17, 2007 @ 10:12 am
When I first encountered you in the blogosphere, I assumed you were male, as well. Not sure why, as I don’t speak a word of Welsh. If it’s any consolation, I’ve been mistaken for a female, too.
Comment by Xrlq — July 17, 2007 @ 10:32 am
Wow. Well, I’ll just fall back once again on the premise that I must be hard-headed and reasonably stalwart in debate.
And anybody who thinks that’s sexist, try coming up with another good reason people would think I’m a guy that will make me feel better, and get back to me.
Comment by Anwyn — July 17, 2007 @ 10:52 am
I think it’s not only your name but how you write (I mean that as a compliment.)
Comment by Petitedov — July 17, 2007 @ 12:11 pm
Thanks, Petitedov. :)
Comment by Anwyn — July 17, 2007 @ 12:36 pm
In the very beginning at TORN I thought you were male, too. A close reading of a couple of your essays proved otherwise, though. At least you didn’t pick “Annwyn” as a handle, though. ^_^
Comment by exdem13 — July 17, 2007 @ 2:17 pm
TORn *and* here. Now I’m really surprised.
Ah well … chalk it up to consistency of writing, I guess.
Comment by Anwyn — July 18, 2007 @ 8:51 am
Do you think that many people are versed in Welsh? And for what it’s worth, I never thought you were a guy. ;)
Comment by Corvar — July 18, 2007 @ 2:14 pm
Call me crazy, but I pegged you for a girl right away. I figured you simply modified the Sindarin ending for maiden ( -wen, according to the back of the _Silmarillion_) to look more like the highly combative and heroic Eowyn.
Comment by Chris — July 18, 2007 @ 2:46 pm
Do you think that many people are versed in Welsh?
Nope. Just joking, as it was the second reference in the space of a few weeks to masculinity rather than femininity.
Call me crazy, but I pegged you for a girl right away. I figured you simply modified the Sindarin ending for maiden ( -wen, according to the back of the _Silmarillion_) to look more like the highly combative and heroic Eowyn.
Yep, I modeled it off Eowyn. Which, again, is why I’m surprised any Tolkienite would’ve thought I was a guy … bloggers, six of one/half-dozen of the other, I guess.
highly combative
Tell me how you really feel! :-)
Comment by Anwyn — July 18, 2007 @ 5:09 pm
Our Anwyn disproves the old adage: “All’s Welsh that ends Welsh.”
Comment by Daddyman — July 18, 2007 @ 6:42 pm
>>highly combative
>Tell me how you really feel!
Hey! I did add the adjective ‘Heroic,’ too! Why must we focus on the negative? :-D
Comment by Chris — July 20, 2007 @ 5:38 am
I’m not sure I want our fighter pilots assuming “combative” is a negative … :)
Comment by Anwyn — July 20, 2007 @ 5:40 am