Comments on: Mister Blankey McBlankerton

Question: Mister Blankey McBlankerton

The Deej — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 05:18:41 -0800

My most frivolous AskMe ever: OK you Smarty McSmartertons... Where did that type of "name" start. You know... "Mister Blanky McBlankerton." Our upstairs neighbor was bring heavy-footed yesterday, and I was talking to my daughter about it. I referred to him as "Mister Stompy McStomperton." I've heard that kind of thing more and more lately. Where did it originate?

The only example I can think of right now is on the improv show Thank God You're Here, the host referred to Dave Foley, the judge, as "Mr. Judgey Judgerton" or something like that. I know it's gotten into my head through repeated exposure, and it seems fairly recent. Of course I couldn't even begin to know what to Google, so I turn to you Mister and Ms. Cultured McCulturetons, Funny McFunnertons, and Knowie McKnowalltons. Any clues? Thanks. If you help, then tonight I can be Mister Sleepy McSleeperton.

By: zixyer

zixyer — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 05:26:08 -0800

I think it might have been Mission Hill.

By: jonathanbell

jonathanbell — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 05:29:45 -0800

It was something Richard Curtis and Ben Elton did a lot of in Blackadder - 'He's madder than Mad Jack McMad, the winner of this year's Mr Madman competition.' (that was from 1987). The full scripts are here .

By: katemonster

katemonster — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 05:42:05 -0800

My first recollection of it is from Jon Stewart referring to Jewy McJewerson, but this post from the American Dialect Society's listserv suggests it's been around since the mid-90s, and may have been popularized by the Simpsons.

By: sandra_s

sandra_s — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 05:44:33 -0800

I could be wrong, but I think I remember hearing one of the girls on the Brady Bunch call someone "Stinky McStinkface". So that would have been the '70s.

By: Greg Nog

Greg Nog — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 05:48:05 -0800

I had thought it was early in the TV series "Friends", but I'm not sure which episode. If the Brady Bunch thing is true, "Friends" may have been the first to popularize it among the unwashed masses.

By: alyxstarr

alyxstarr — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 05:56:29 -0800

I think I picked up the habit from "Friends" -- The One Where Ross Dates a Student. Obviously it's older than that but, as Greg Nog posits, that may be what launched its popularity.

By: The Deej

The Deej — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 05:58:34 -0800

Wow, you people have nothing better to think of this early in the morning? Good, then it's not just me. Thanks for the good answers so far. It did sound "Friends-ish" to me. But the last year, I've either been more tuned in to it, or it's reached critical mass.

By: stupidsexyFlanders

stupidsexyFlanders — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 06:00:26 -0800

Not sure where it started but one obvious progenitor is "Ronald McDonald."

By: bifter

bifter — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 06:02:43 -0800

Pretty sure Blackadder is considerably earlier than the other examples here (apart from the Brady Bunch), and they used to use it in literally every. single. episode. (and it never failed to make me wince).

By: hermitosis

hermitosis — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 06:11:43 -0800

They used it on Will and Grace from time to time, which also may have pushed it along.

By: iconomy

iconomy — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 06:22:53 -0800

Remember before Friends, when everyone was very badly impersonating Rob Schneider as Richard the Weirdo Copy Machine Guy from SNL? Yeah, I hated it too. Anyway, I think those skits are what thrust the Mister Blanky McBlankerton into the popular culture.

Bobby, Bobby, Bobby. My man Bobby. Makin' some copies. Copy, copy, copy. What are ya copyin' today, Bobby?
Bobby, Bobby, Bobby.
Bobby, the Mayor of McBobbyVille.
Your Bobbitude.
Mister Bobby McBoberton.
The Bobmeister.

By: Rock Steady

Rock Steady — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 06:27:32 -0800

I always attributed it to the Simpsons episode where Homer changes his name (for a while) to Max Power. At the end of the ep, he mentions to Marge that she should change her name to Busty St. Clair, Chesty LaRue, or Hootie McBoob. It looks like that episode aired in 1999, so that may well be later than Friends and Blackadder (both are likely influences on the Simpsons writers).

By: Rock Steady

Rock Steady — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 06:28:53 -0800

Richard the Weirdo Copy Machine Guy

Of course. iconomy is now Mr. Reference McReferency.

By: bryanjbusch

bryanjbusch — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 06:29:58 -0800

It's funnier when you use two different but similar words, like in your example, Bootsy McStomperton.

Or Eaty McFillface.

Or Smokey McCancerton.

Or Laughy McCackleston.

By: cowbellemoo

cowbellemoo — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 06:32:25 -0800

ya, or Hurty McGillicutty.

By: that girl

that girl — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 06:48:58 -0800

I had thought about asking this question a little while ago.

I think this is older than what people are suggesting, as the source I thought of was Gerald McBoing-Boing, a cartoon from '50/'51.

By: boreddusty

boreddusty — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 07:09:47 -0800

Another thought (although not entirely the same) is from the "Space Mutiny" episode of Mystery Science Theatre 3000. In this episode the cast of MST3k gives the lead character various names such as Hack Blowfist, Big McLargeHuge, Buff Drinklot and Punch Rockgroin.

This is very likely not an answer, but another source that perhaps helped to spread the trend.

By: The Deej

The Deej — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 07:13:33 -0800

I loved when Mystery Science Theater would do the different but similar names. Gristle McThornbody! Bolt Vanderhuge!

But I didn't equate that with the Blankey McBlankerton meme.

The Space Mutiny name riffing was the best, by the way. The complete list of names for the beefy main character:
Slab Bulkhead, Bridge Largemeat, Punt Speedchunk, Butch Deadlift, Hold Bigflank, Splint Chesthair, Flint Ironstag, Bolt Vanderhuge, Thick McRunfast, Blast Hardcheese, Buff Drinklots, Crunch Slamchest, Fist Rockbone, Stump Beefnaught, Smash Slamjaw, Punch Rockgroin, Buck Plankchest, Stump Junkman, Dirk Hardpeck, Rip Steakface, Slate Slabrock, Crud Bonemeal, Brick Hardmeat, Rip Slagcheek, Punch Sideiron, Gristle McThornbody, Slate Fistcrunch, Buff Hardback, Bob Johnson(Oh, wait...), Blast Thickneck, Crunch Buttsteak, Slab Squatthrust, Lump Beefbroth, Touch Rustrod, Beef Blastbody, Big McLargehuge, Smoke Manmuscle, Beat Punchmeat, Hack Blowfist, Roll Fizzlebeef.

By: Benjy

Benjy — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 07:13:38 -0800

Nothing to contribute, except that's we've also named a neighbor Stompy McStomperson. Be on the watch for Slammy Slammerson next.

By: LobsterMitten

LobsterMitten — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 07:23:20 -0800

Rock Steady and boreddusty have the same theories as I do.

By: damn dirty ape

damn dirty ape — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 07:42:35 -0800

I'm certain this question was asked before, but its a tough think to seach without the right Mc-whatever. The previous answer pointed to a source that was pretty old. Like a 1920s book or cartoon. This seems fitting as the whole harvard/simpson school of comedy lifts a lot from the "burns-era."

By: Dipsomaniac

Dipsomaniac — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 07:55:11 -0800

Like zixyer, the first place I heard it was Mission Hill. Specifically, someone being called "Pimpy McPimpenheimer".

By: miss lynnster

miss lynnster — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 08:00:17 -0800

Remember before Friends, when everyone was very badly impersonating Rob Schneider as Richard the Weirdo Copy Machine Guy from SNL? Yeah, I hated it too...

Yep. And thus, my nickname was born. I believe it began as "Lynnster of Lynntown" or something.

By: natabat

natabat — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 08:02:22 -0800

I'd bet one of the reasons you're noticing it more in the last year or so is because of Grey's Anatomy. Patrick Dempsey's character is regularly referred as "McDreamy" by the interns (and everyone else, actually). When his hot bad boy friend showed up, he was quickly dubbed "McSteamy."

By: Pastabagel

Pastabagel — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 08:06:34 -0800

I think it's the Simpsons, but I believe it was the 1991 episode "Flaming Moe" which included a reference to "Tipsy McStagger.

By: spinturtle

spinturtle — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 08:13:41 -0800

My first encounter with Funnyname McFunnyname was reading a blog (2004-2005ish?) that referred to GWB as "Chimpy McAsshat". Still cracks me the hell up everytime I think of it.

By: Industrial PhD

Industrial PhD — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 08:16:00 -0800

I'm not sure where it originated, but I think Ross's Smelly VonBrownshirt, and Cutey McPretty popularized it.

By: Andrhia

Andrhia — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 09:04:53 -0800

No word on origin, but in my house it's constructed "Stinky McStinklestein"... you know... the famous Scottish Jew...

By: Otis

Otis — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 09:06:24 -0800

Simpsons, Treehouse of Horror X
First Aired: Sunday October 31, 1999

Guy: Name please!
Homer: Certainly. I'm.. the piano genius from the.. movie Shine!
Guy: Uh huh, and your name is?
Homer: Uuh, Shiny McShine?

By: ObscureReferenceMan

ObscureReferenceMan — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 09:19:38 -0800

I concur. I think the first reference was Brady Bunch, and it was popularized by Friends, with help from The Simpsons.

And yes, at work we've given a few of these names out as well (the guy who is always staring at people is Starey Starerson). Mostly they follow they rule x-y, x-erson.

By: Ian A.T.

Ian A.T. — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 09:25:57 -0800

It's been a long time since I've read Douglas Coupland's Generation X, but wasn't this phenomenon described in the marginalia? I'm not talking about "McJob"...there was an entry disdaining joke-like objects, such as adding a sarcastic Ye Olde when talking about a place, and I could have sworn the Name McName construction was another one.

Generation X came out in 1991, and if this was considered tired schtick then, it certainly had been around for at least a few years previous.

By: Skot

Skot — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 09:36:58 -0800

I've been wondering this myself, sort of. Weirdly, I always associate it with the Daily Show when they did a piece (I think) about when the NYC St. Patrick's day parade disallowed a gay group from participating. TDS joked about the group's mascot being a grouchy-looking Leprechaun named "Fisty McCramminhands," which just about put me in the hospital.

By: sparkletone

sparkletone — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 09:58:30 -0800

It's a combination of The Simpsons and the Daily Show for me, but I don't think it originated with either (particularly after reading this thread).

By: Oriole Adams

Oriole Adams — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 10:17:46 -0800

I'm not particularly proud to admit that I've seen each episode of The Brady Bunch enough times that I can ID it before the "Directed By" pops up on the screen. I'd be interested to find out more about which episode folks think they heard "Stinky McStinkface" on, because it does not ring any sort of bell with me at all. And "Stinkface" is NOT a word the Brady kids would typically use, even to describe mean ol' Buddy Hinton. The worst epithet I can recall is Greg saying that Warren Melaney was on "the top of my crumb list, the bottom of my crumb list, and he's every crumb in between."

By: Skot

Skot — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 10:34:09 -0800

Stinky McStinkface

By: zach braff's mixtape

zach braff's mixtape — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 10:46:09 -0800

True dat Oriole Adams.

I remember Greg calling someone a "stinker" once and Mrs. Brady saying "Now Greg, you know I don't like that word."

By: rtha

rtha — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 10:50:26 -0800

A much more recent example, but don't forget our very own MeTa: Shooty McGunpants!

By: oneirodynia

oneirodynia — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 10:55:15 -0800

Blackadder, definitely.

Edmund: Well, you'll forgive me if I don't do a cartwheel of joy -- your family's record in the department of cunning planning is about as impressive as Stumpy O'Leg McNoleg's personal best in the Market Harbour Marathon. All right... What's the plan?

By: oneirodynia

oneirodynia — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 10:58:13 -0800

On the YouTube (about 3:30).

By: Don Pepino

Don Pepino — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 11:03:45 -0800

One night after dinner my grandparents were teaching my brother and me how to play bridge. We were all sitting in the living room, maybe at two card tables or maybe only the grandkids and grandparents were playing cards and the baby boomers were relaxing on the couch. Anyhow, we were talking about a guy--I have no memory of who or why we were talking about him, but I think we must've been trying to come up with his name. All I remember clearly is my grandfather suddenly coming out with "Randy McSprandy" and everybody starting to laugh. It wasn't that it was so hilarious or anything, but it was surprising because wasn't the kind of joke he usually made.

Actually, I think Randy McSprandy is inherently hilarious. But it only brings the sounds-funny goodness, not the name-reveals-personality element we see in the example of the angry gay leprechaun, Fisty McCramminhands, about whom I hadn't heard before and for whom I am so grateful right now. Randy McSprandy is not an exact example of the phenomenon described in the question, but I think it's probably tangentially related. My grandfather never saw Friends or Blackadder or The Brady Bunch, and if he had, he wouldn't have allowed them to infect his speech: his natural disdain would've formed a protective barrier. I just bring up Randy McSprandy because my grandfather predates all posited sources of the trend, and yet he coined it: Randy McSprandy. Maybe this is deeper, broader, more significant, more ancient than we think. Maybe it's something that bridges divides and unites us. Something inherent in English that drives its speakers to create amusing McNames. Maybe... maybe we have always McSprandied.

By: birdie birdington

birdie birdington — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 12:45:15 -0800

My point of reference is probably mostly TDS and The Simpsons.

(Eponysterical.)

By: bitter-girl.com

bitter-girl.com — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 13:16:33 -0800

Because if it's not Scottish, it's crap?

I don't know, but I've caught myself doing this an awful lot lately and I have NO idea why I started, so there you go.

By: Ian A.T.

Ian A.T. — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 13:44:24 -0800

Oh, hey, how about Filthy McNasty? The earliest reference I can find is a 1961 song by Horace Silver. There are, of course, the pubs in London, etc...does anyone know if they predate 1961?

Anecdotal evidence would suggest that there is an ur-Filthy McNasty out there somewhere...my father occasionally called one of his drinking buddies by the name, and it's doubtful he was knowingly quoting Silver or the name of some British pub.

[slams fist on table] MeFites, I tell you we must find the origin of Filthy McNasty! It may just be the key to unravelling this entire mystery!

By: roger ackroyd

roger ackroyd — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 15:17:16 -0800

Sitcom writers do this as a shorthand for defining throwaway characters. Instead of trying to remember that Phoebe's blind date "Joe Smith" had a disgusting perspiration problem, they could just say "Sweaty McSweaterson tries to buy Phoebe a drink." Poor Sweaty would get a real name when the script was written.

By: Brittanie

Brittanie — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 00:04:26 -0800

First time I ever heard it was the one time I ever watched "King of Queens:"

Fatty McButterpants

By: davejay

davejay — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 00:07:01 -0800

Not too long ago, there was an ask me referencing the LOLCATS phenomenon back to the '20s or thereabouts, so it wouldn't surprise me if this was something of the same. After all, it's a pretty simple premise: refer to someone by a fake name constructed from two words that describe a single character trait.

The reason I'm tempted to say it's going to be early in the previous century is the "Mc" part; back in the day, being Irish/Scottish wasn't quite a walk in the park, and so tagging someone with that ethnicity was an additional insult.

By: Space Kitty

Space Kitty — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 13:51:10 -0800

I picked it up from Sars at Tomato Nation, but damned if I can find a specific example at the moment.....

By: The Deej

The Deej — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 13:59:23 -0800

After all, it's a pretty simple premise: refer to someone by a fake name constructed from two words that describe a single character trait.

Wow davejay. Now it's not funny at all. ;)

Great answers here. I'll get around to marking some "best" soon. It seems like it has been around for a long time, but some recent usage in popular shows brought it to the tipping point in the last several years.