Slight Tangent

Posted by Joe Pessell on January 18, 2000

In Reply to: Slight Tangent posted by ESC on January 15, 2000

: : : : I'm hoping not to curve this educational and fun forum but I have an arguement to solve with friends.
: : : : Call it a phrase or a technicality but does anyone really know the truth about what constitutes someones name (phrase)to being a "junior" vs. 11 (the second).
: : : : I was told that the American rules are not the same as the England rules. If your first name only is the same as your parent but your middle name is different then your are a "junior".
: : : : But, if your first and middle names are the same as your parent then you're considered 11 (the second).
: : : : Please help. And forgive me if I pivoted too far.

: : : Neither the term 'junior' or 'II' are used in the UK and if there is a rule it is 'don't use that silly American expression'. I sould say that if you refered to a yound person as '******** junior' they would construe it as a term of abuse and punch you on the nose - in impolite society such as down in the public bar at the 'Dog and Duck' pub.

: : : Hope this helps.

: : I don't think you understood the question.
: : How come there was a King Henry V (in England)
: : Remember MASH--Charles Emerson Winchester III

: A baby boy who is given the exact name of his father is a "junior." If the baby is given the name of an uncle, for example, the child is a II. He is a junior only if he is named after his father. Some men drop the "junior" after the "senior" dies. Women usually don't use junior/senior, but I know of one famous family -- Nancy Sinatra Sr. and Jr. -- where the did just that.

I have it from someone I work with (a IV) that his Grandfather was a "junior", but that his father was a "III" and that he is a "IV". I suggested that after "III" was born, "junior" would have become "II"; but he says no, "junior" remained "junior". Additionally, there were others in the family with his name, yet they did not fall under the numbering system because there was a generation between. Hmmm. I guess he would know...