Dr. Metablog

Dr. Metablog is the nom de blague of Vivian de St. Vrain, the pen name of a resident of the mountain west who writes about language, books, politics, or whatever else comes to mind. Under the name Otto Onions (Oh NIGH uns), Vivian de St. Vrain is the author of “The Big Book of False Etymologies” (Oxford, 1978) and, writing as Amber Feldhammer, is editor of the classic anthology of confessional poetry, “My Underwear” (Virago, 1997).

March 2014

  • There's Sir Charles Barkley, of course, leading the way, and all those Kings (Bernard, the king of Kings, but also Albert, Stacy and a score more). Dozens of Earls, including the diminutive Boykins, and my favorite, nomenclature-wise, Acie Earl. Also Brevin and many other Knights. Nor can we forget Marques Johnson or Marquis Teague. And Mel Counts,…

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  • I'm not a good sleeper — never have been.  While I'm very accomplished at going to sleep, I'm deficient at staying there for the full eight hours. By two o'clock in the morning, I'm awake — reading, watching a previously-recorded basketball or baseball game, or, more often, lying there with the body dormant but the mind in a…

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  • My 75th, my diamond jubilee, is coming up in a few days, and it's about time that family and friends gave serious thought to the celebration.   When Queen Elizabeth II had her jubilee just two years ago, there was a specially-commissioned anthem, a service for two thousand folks at St. Paul's, an equestrian extravaganza (550 horses), a flotilla of…

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  • Charlie Dressen (manager, Brooklyn Dodgers,1951-53):  "You  know something? I never read a book in my whole life…. I can read newspapers and magazines. But I never read a book. You think I should?" Jean Harlow (actress, on her birthday wishes): "Don't get me a book. I already got a book." Anatole Broyard (critic): "If it hadn't been…

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