Doggone Accents…or What’s in a name…
I have always been fascinated with the Deep South and the War between the States. I have read many novels and history books about this period of time. So it wasn’t any mystery why I have loved the movie “Gone With the Wind” with Clark Gable and Maureen O’Hara Vivien Leigh.
Photo compliments of @Li’d on Flickr
When it came to naming my middle son I wanted a name that had the same initials as my name, R.B.C.. I settled on the name Rhett, the middle name I tried for Butler but was blocked and went with Bradley. Of course you movie buffs know that Clark Gable played the infamous Rhett Butler in “Gone With the Wind. I was so pleased with naming him as they say this is the first present you give to your child is his name. It wasn’t a common name and it would be unique to him.
Young Rhett and my Dad
When he was still very young I met my brother-in-law Don Beene’s mother at an event in Great Falls. She was a charming Southern lady with a delightful Southern accent hailing from South Pittsburgh, Tennessee. As we talked she asked what my little son’s name was. I very proudly said his name and knew in my heart she being from the South would instantly know I’d named him after the Classic Movie character from the South.
She looked at me in horror and blurted out
I kept from laughing or being upset and quietly spelled his name, Rhett not RAT..
I can still remember the relief on her face. RIP Lovely Lady. Sorry about my Yankee Accent.
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I put Maureen O’Hara in for the co-star and I knew better should have been Vivian Leigh… Forgive me “Gone with the Wind” fans.. I knew better…
I love his name.
I was just readin along and there was South Pittsburgh, Tennessee. I live in Whitwell, Tennessee; the other side of the county, but its all the same area around here. You are not from a town, you are from a county. I love ready your blogs. I pray I can get to Montana one day, I have wanted to go for over 31 years.
Well Myndie Sue I hope you can get to Montana some day too. I’ve been to Tennessee a couple times and met some real nice people. I hope you can say that for Montana after you come visit.. Have a Great Day..
This cracks me up. I moved from Helena MT to Paris TN last October and I didn’t realize that people think we talk funny in MT. Words and phrases are so different from north to south. People ask if I am a Yankee and I tell them I am from the Cowboy and Indian area of the US. Love your blog.
Thanks Wendy.. Glad you are getting a kick out of the blog.. Nice, nice people down south..
This reminds me of the time I was about 20 years of age traveling alone to North Carolina. I stopped at an auto garage and it took 20 minutes for me to figure out that the mechanic was saying I needed oil in my car. To me it sounded like He was saying I needed Earl in my car.
Love your posts, Thank you.
That’s what it is a failure to communicate, at times… Love Southern People and my trips down South are memorable.. Hope I left a good impression of Montana boys..
I am a GEORGIA girl and the daughter of a well known cattle dealer….. GWTW is my all time favorite movie… Funny story… Telemarketer calls from NY and he asks where I’m from, I say from the south. He says like Maryland? I say no further south. He asks how far and I tell him Georgia and he suddenly says OH…. I’ve seen GWTW and I know how you southern belles are…. You can curse me out in a second and I won’t know what you’re saying…..I said yep…wanna try it??…. He hung up! Never did know what he wanted exactly…..lol
Good one Traci, Thank you for sharing.. I appreciate your time.
I’m a southerner who married a man from eastern Montana. Being southern, I can tell you he was from Treasure County, and grew up in the count seat of Hysham (population maybe 500, maybe). You can’t imagine this southern-fried chicks reaction to my first Montana winter. I just knew that hell had frozen over, and I had been transported there. I did learn to love the winters, learned to drive on snow, and learned that if you wanted to experience what true southern hospitality is supposed to be you need to move to a small Montana town. In Montana the residents’ hearts are as big as the Montana sky.
Thank you June. I agree about the people in Montana their hearts are big and they are hospitable.. Glad you love the state that I love.. I have nothing but good to say about down south too, I’ve met some mighty nice people.
Love your stories! Please keep them coming!
Thank you Michelle, there are more..