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I've done something awful

86 replies

Jux · 17/02/2018 18:40

My cousin (many years younger than I) has had her 2nd baby, a boy. While she was pg, I had joked that she could call a boy Harbottle - this is something I occasionally suggest on threads here.

This is what she has decided on. Blush She has sent me a thank you card for suggesting the name, and the invitation to the christening confirms the name. I have rung various other cousins, expecting to be laughed out of court for taking it seriously, but they all confirm it too.

I guess there is nothing much I can do, except hope that it's an elaborate joke at my expense and I shall not discover the true name until the priest says it at the ceremony.

The middle name is to be Barrington. I am between laughter and tears! The poor little mite wouldn't have a chance at a comp, but perhaps luckily will be going somewhere like Eton. Maybe it'll be normal there?

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Whisky2014 · 17/02/2018 18:42

I don't get it. Harbottle? What does it mean?

BlackberryandNettle · 17/02/2018 18:43

Oh no... It is a bit bizarre. Sounds weirdly ok with the surname although pretty posh in the ridiculous posh name way. I'm assuming you made it up as a joke? Or is it an actual name?

Littlepond · 17/02/2018 18:44

What? What is Harbottle?

Thistlebelle · 17/02/2018 18:44

It’s ok, he’ll become Harry very quickly. (That or Botty)

Could have been worse, could have been Huckleberry...

peachypetite · 17/02/2018 18:44

🤔

Snowydaysarehere · 17/02/2018 18:45

Like a mix of Haribo and Cola bottle??

BlackberryandNettle · 17/02/2018 18:46

I should think he'll start going by Harry/Barrington

BlackberryandNettle · 17/02/2018 18:46

Btw if this is true it's pretty outing

MadisonAvenue · 17/02/2018 18:47

Wasn't Harbottle the cute little hamster who used to be on a range of greeting cards?

Laquila · 17/02/2018 18:50

Tbh it’s not really you who’s done something awful, is it? It’s your cousin.

Snowydaysarehere · 17/02/2018 18:53

Maybe the effects of the gas /air /drugs haven't worn off yet??

AfterSchoolWorry · 17/02/2018 18:56

Yeah. She's having you on.

Biscusting · 17/02/2018 19:06

The more I say it in my head the cuter it sounds 😂

Maybe it’ll be shortened to Harb, Harby, bottley,

Jux · 17/02/2018 19:07

Harbottle is an actual name, or it was in Elizabethan times, several centuries ago. Yes they are bloody posh so maybe it's not so bad.

The middle name will apparently be Barrington, that's not the surname. There will be a few other names as well - about 4 more, all family names - but the surname is not particularly strange or posh.

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Jux · 17/02/2018 19:09

If he goes to the sort of schools his big sister goes to, he'll be known mainly by his surname I suppose, or is that just in secondary?

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SoupDragon · 17/02/2018 19:09

So, his first two names are Harry Barry...?

Jux · 17/02/2018 19:10

Grin apparently, Soup

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Awwlookatmybabyspider · 17/02/2018 19:15

If she suggested she put her hand in the fire would she have taken you up on it.
She's big enough and ugly enough to decide her child's name herself. It's not your blaming or doing

Jux · 17/02/2018 19:25

I know, Awww, but it really was a joke when I suggested it, and I'm sure she would never even have heard of it if I hadn't said it. He'd probably have been called Barrington, which he could have shortened to Barry easily, but Harbottle??

Mind you, Harry isn't too bad as a short name (though much of the family would look down on it as aping royalty).

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hairylegsdontcare · 17/02/2018 19:30

Harbottle Barrington?!?!?!? I'm crying!!! 😂😂😂😂😂

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 17/02/2018 19:38

It's not fault she took it seriously.

HolyShmoly · 17/02/2018 20:58

Suppose it could be worse, it could be Shilbottle. (An area in Durham that I always misread.

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 17/02/2018 21:03

Are you sure it isn't just an elaborate joke, at your expense, for being a bit of a smart arse ? 😂⭐️

Rainbowsandflowers78 · 17/02/2018 21:06

She’s having you on - surely?!

OrlandaFuriosa · 17/02/2018 21:07

Um, if anyone wikis the meaning they’ll find both its origins, fine, reward, dwelling, but also its alternate, Arbuckle. And if he goes to that sort of school someone will call him Fatty after Fatty Arbuckle. Not good.