Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Entertainment/2011 October 29

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October 29

fictional song or something else?

In the movie adaptation of Belles on Their Toes, Al Lynch, played by Martin Milner, is singing what sounds like a fight song. He does that in one portion when he's delivering groceries. He does the same thing while he's bathing. Is the song for a real or fictional college?24.90.204.234 (talk) 12:41, 29 October 2011 (UTC)

Here he is delivering groceries on youtube. Sounds like a fictional (and really cruddy) song for "Sacawan(?) Agricultural and Technical". Clarityfiend (talk) 21:34, 29 October 2011 (UTC)

Since they are staying on Nantucket, I'd venture "Sagawam" as a sound-alike from Agawam, but I can't find any such real college with that name; poetic license, I'm sure. Textorus (talk) 19:54, 5 November 2011 (UTC)

True names in Earthsea

The Earthsea series by Ursula LeGuin is one of my all-time favourite book series. I particularly like the idea of the "true names". But now I got to thinking:

1. Does every person have to have a different true name?
2. Does every true name have to be a word in the Old Speech?

If both are true, then doesn't this mean that the world is eventually going to run out of true names for people? JIP | Talk 21:30, 29 October 2011 (UTC)

I don't know if Le Guin has ever addressed this question directly, but she may have thought about it, or be willing to. You could try researching for the answer on, or asking her directly through, her extensive website. {The poster formerly known as 87.81.230.195} 90.197.66.253 (talk) 21:53, 29 October 2011 (UTC)

(1) I think that's right. Otherwise what would happen when you cast a spell incorporating a true name? Also, consider Kurremkarmerruk's lesson about the naming of a body of water that matched precisely only that body.

(2) Who says it has to be one word? If dragons bear their true names, there's Orm Embar. Clarityfiend (talk) 04:00, 30 October 2011 (UTC)

Maybe Orm is just his title - see Orm. I read the Earthsea books years ago - forgotten most of it except that I was captivated - time for a re-read perhaps. Alansplodge (talk) 21:48, 3 November 2011 (UTC)

Can't be a title. Orm was the name of his father (Orm and Erreth-Akbe offed each other). I just can't remember for certain if these were their true names. Clarityfiend (talk) 22:11, 3 November 2011 (UTC)

Methinks I remember someone (Ged?) saying that Orm Embar is so mighty he doesn't even bother to hide his true name. Clarityfiend (talk) 07:56, 4 November 2011 (UTC)