Beautiful Quote by China Mieville
“My parents were hippies, and the story is that they went through a dictionary looking for a beautiful word to name me. They nearly called me Banyan, but flipped a few pages on and reached "China," thankfully. The other reason they liked it is that "china" is Cockney rhyming slang for "mate." People say "my old china," meaning "my old mate," because "china plate" rhymes with "mate.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Unseen Academicals by China Miéville, 2009
The narrator humorously recounts a quirky naming story involving a search for a beautiful word, ending with "China" as a nickname.
In simple terms: A funny tale of how a name was chosen.
Key Takeaway
Embrace unique origins and humor in identity.
Themes
family
creativity
language
identity
humor
Mood
playful
nostalgic
Type
anecdotal
humorous
When to use this quote
- family gatherings
- writing memoirs
- creative brainstorming
- identity workshops
- cultural discussions
Key Concepts
naming
cultural slang
personal history
Questions to Reflect On
- How does a name shape personal identity?
- What role does humor play in family stories?
A Different Perspective
May be fictional or exaggerated for effect.
![“Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three [great teachers] did not tell - they catalyzed a burning desire to know. Under their influence, the horizons sprung wide and fear went away and the unknown became knowable. But most important of…” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/84c/john-steinbeck-71_art_teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-t_1738.jpg)
