Teasing about the girl's name Flora...

[Tinkjon]

Hi... as mentioned on a previous thread, we're considering calling baby No.2 Flora if it's a girl, but some recent comments (both on MN and in real life) have brought up a comment that girls named Flora 'spread easily' (because of the margarine of the same name). When I first heard that comment I thought it was just a joke that the person had made up, but I've now heard a few people mention it so I'm wondering if it's a well-known playground taunt. Have many people here heard this comment before - or if you are named, or know anyone named, Flora, have you had this remark directed at you? I love the name so much, but would hate to set up a daughter for this sort of teasing...

jilly cooper mentions that joke in one of her books

i actually think it is a sweet name though

Yup, heard it several times.

I can't see how it's a well-known taunt since it's not a common name. I think it's lovely. My daughter's name rhymes with an std Ho hum

sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I teach a Flora, and one of the taunts that she has to put up with is the "spreads easily" one ...

Tinker, I'm trying to work out what your DD's name could be. Is it Bonnoreah or Mifalis?

I have heard it too. You are setting your daughter up for tyhat sort of teasing so you'd better make sure she learns karate.

I like the name Flora but think the easily spread thing came from a Jilly Cooper IIRC.

yes I've heard it before

have a friend who's DD is called Florence (Florrie) for short .. quite close and not quite as open for abuse

Sorry just seen that Lulu said that ages ago.

I think the fact that it's a brand of cholesterol lower margarine would upset me more than the Jilly Cooper innuendo on reflection.

I prefer Fleur to Flora precisly for the 'spreads easily' reason

It started off years ago with the name Marge, and it's subsequently moved on to Flora.

It's up to you, Tinkjon. With a bit of luck, Flora will be off the shelves by the time she starts secondary school.

Can't say I'd ever heard that taunt but then I don't actually know any Floras. Shame though as its a pretty name.

hmmm... std rhyme.. babs / crabs

ha ha! ive got it!!!! (the std rhyme!)

hee heeeeee, it was driving me MAD and in a flash of inspiration. CHLAMYDIA and...... LYDIA!!! s' got to be....

I've heard it. Someone at our school was called Kerry and got called Kerrygold for the 'spreads easily' reason.

oh god, EXACTLY, you could be teased about any name imaginable! my dd is Nell, so she could have

smelly nelly
smelly nelly jelly belly
nelly the elephant

um... must be loads more..