It’s All In The Name

groWIng up in belfast, I was always amused when passing a disused building once used by printers reid & Wright.

Denis Metrustery, Bangor, Co. Down. When I went to Coopers’ Company School in the 1930s, there was another — fatter — lad in my form with the same surname. our wonderful

French master, Wally treisman, decided he would be called Levy le ronde and I would be

Levy le Maigre (which means skinny). those names stuck with us for a long time.

Alfred Levy, Ilford, Essex. In truro in the years after World War II, the ironmonger was Mallets (still is), the butcher was Mutton and a Mr beere was a pub landlord. My uncle and aunt were Dick and blodwen Scholar — both teachers. Me? no, I didn’t follow my trade name.

John Slater, St Agnes, Cornwall.