17 December: Nominitive Determinsim

The term nominative determinism first appeared in New Scientist on this date in  1994. Here are ten of my favourite examples:

1. A consultant working on the development of a Canadian Ski resort was Mr Snosell.

2. Dr Stephen Pill became a partner at Clevedon Medical Centre, in Old Street, in 1994 and has also worked at the town's hospital.

3. Adult education classes in Brentwood: Woodwork taught by Mr Joiner; Art taught by Mr Painter; Seamanship taught by Mr Waterman; Flower Arranging taught by Miss Basket and Belly dancing taught by Miss Button.

4. An assessment of the feasibility of zapping missiles with "death ray" laser weapons, quoted one Mark Gunzinger.

5. On the city's expanding waistlines a letter suggesting "Toilet bowls and seats should be strengthened, enlarged" and generally made taller and wider. The correspondent's name? Neil Longbottom.

6. An Australian newspaper carried an article about a large ranch in South Australia which is overrun with Rabbits. The ranch manager who was quoted complaining that "numbers have reached plague levels", was called Warren Breeding.

7. Vice President of marketing for Shell Technology Ventures is called Rich Pickens.

8. The Corporation Secretary of British Shipbuilders was F.E. Noah.

9. A urologist at the Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam is named Dik Kok.

10. Plymouth Adult Education Centre's "class for those who are interested in singing in a friendly company": apply Mrs N.S. Screech.

Character birthday

Magnetta, aka Poppy Lees. Her power began to manifest at puberty. At first, it took the form of metal objects being attracted to her when she felt strong emotions such as fear, anger or even happiness. She had no control over it and it would even happen whenever she saw a boy she liked. When she was sixteen, her mother took her to Firebolt in the hope that he would know how to stop it from happening. Poppy hoped the Freedom League would insist she stayed with them, as she was tired of her mother's over-protectiveness. While not strictly necessary, Firebolt managed to persuade Poppy's mother to let her move in so she could learn to control her power.