Every human being has hundreds of separate people living under his skin. The talent of a writer is his ability read more

Every human being has hundreds of separate people living under his skin. The talent of a writer is his ability to give them their separate names, identities, personalities and have them relate to other characters living with him.

I decided that I would be one of the biggest new names; and I actually had some little fancy business read more

I decided that I would be one of the biggest new names; and I actually had some little fancy business cards printed up to announce it, "Count Basie. Beware, the Count is Here."

If the fairest features of the landscape are to be named after men, let them be the noblest and worthiest read more

If the fairest features of the landscape are to be named after men, let them be the noblest and worthiest men alone.

One forgets words as one forgets names. One's vocabulary needs constant fertilizing or it will die

One forgets words as one forgets names. One's vocabulary needs constant fertilizing or it will die

We call a fig a fig, and a skiff a skiff.
[Lat., Ficum vocamus ficum, et scapham scapham.]

We call a fig a fig, and a skiff a skiff.
[Lat., Ficum vocamus ficum, et scapham scapham.]

Suburbia is where the developer bulldozes out the trees, then names the streets after them.

Suburbia is where the developer bulldozes out the trees, then names the streets after them.

The Eskimos had 52 names for snow because it was important to them; there ought to be as many for read more

The Eskimos had 52 names for snow because it was important to them; there ought to be as many for love.

I have a passion for the name of "Mary,"
For once it was a magic sound to me,
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I have a passion for the name of "Mary,"
For once it was a magic sound to me,
And still it half calls up the realms of fairy,
Where I beheld what never was to be.

Ah! replied my gentle fair,
Beloved, what are names but air?
Choose thou, whatever suits the line:
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Ah! replied my gentle fair,
Beloved, what are names but air?
Choose thou, whatever suits the line:
Call me Sappho, call me Chloris,
Call me Lalage, or Doris,
Only, only, call me thine.