My Nana Returns as Ananym
An ananym is a pseudonym
formed by writing a real name backwards. It was formed from the Greek words ἀνά, back,
+ ὄνομα, name. Here
are a few examples, all of them occurirng in popular culture.
Count Alucard [Bram Stoker]
Many movies and games
based on Stoker’s novel introduce a mysterious Count Alucard, later revealed as
the dreaded Dracula. (Son of Dracula, the movie.)
Erewhon [Samuel Butler]
Erewhon is the name of a
fictional country, a satirical utopia. Notice that Butler retained the –wh-
sequence instead of going all the way and making it Erehwon. It’s easier to
pronounce that way. (Erewhon)
Harpo Productions [Oprah Winfrey]
Ms. Winfrey incorporated
the company as a Chicago-based multimedia production company. (Harpo Productions)
Nomad Band [Damon
Rochefort]
This British band was
formed by Damon Rochefort, who named it after himself in a disguised way. The
band was active from 1989 to 2003.
(Something Special)
Redrum [Stephen King]
In the movie The
Shining, the telepathic child
writes RedRum on a door using his sleeping mother’s lipstick. When he wakes her
up by chanting RedRum, she reads it in a mirror and is horrified. (The Shining)
Available from McFarland & Co.: Word Parts
Dictionary, 2nd edition
Nook edition
Nook edition
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