Sun 25 Jun 2006
I’m sure a couple of you saw my new web address and thought, “Wait a second. This girl marries into the family and then screws up our name. What’s this bitch playing at?”
Many have heard - because our friend Tom and I love to tell it - the story about J telling us over and over again that his name is spelled M-C-D-O-N-O-U-G-H after we saw a license plate that said MCDUNA and pointed it out to him. He didn’t laugh, or say “Oh yeah, look,” but instead said “It’s McDonough,” and that was that. For him anyway. We’ve gotten considerable mileage over mocking his somewhat uptight attitude when it comes to the spelling and pronunciation of his last name.
When I went to choose a URL for my new blog site, I wasn’t sure what to go for. Unfortunately my first choice - noagenda.com - had already been purchased (by someone, by the way, who isn’t even using it, thus upsetting me further) and I didn’t really want to use my name as it’s actually spelled. That seemed, I thought, as though I was embarking on a more serious endeavour. I thought that caramcdonough.com might be expected to contain scientific data. And writing I wouldn’t mind future employers seeing. Not writing, for instance, about strippers at bachelorette parties and whatnot. Although, I don’t know, that might work in some situations.
So I thought about the McDuna incident, and how I’d already threatened to use that should I ever get my own website anyway, and decided it was a good fit. Now, with major help from others, I’ve got the site the way I want it for now, and shall commence, once again, regular posting on this, my new site.
But don’t worry, guys. About the name? I mean, I know, I know. It’s McDonough.
June 25th, 2006 at 10:17 pm
I know of which J speaks.
I grew up explaining to everyone, everytime I spelled my last name that it’s “Le-Capital M with no space-ay”.
e
June 26th, 2006 at 3:12 pm
Dear Cara,
As unofficial spokesman for the McDonoughs, I’d like to say that we’re not upset at all. In fact, my brother Brian’s license plate is MCDUNA. I’m just surprised that you’re not happier about getting rid of your former surname..ROTUNDARO. A surname that stands before the mirror and asks:
“Does this name make me sound fat?”
We men will all say, “Of course not dear,” but we all know what the real answer is.
June 26th, 2006 at 4:22 pm
I always use the “M-c-D-u-n-a” spelling when ordering pizza, Chinese take-out, etc.– saves the confusion, especially when you spell it and then have to repeat it umpteen times because they just don’t get it. Also, how many times have we been addressed as McDow, McDonnell, McDonald, McDough, or my personal favorite, McDoughnut!
June 26th, 2006 at 6:34 pm
I personally get angry when people don’t capitalize the D. I make them correct it. The D stands for Danger. Mc’Danger’onough.
June 27th, 2006 at 11:20 am
uhhhh….it’s McDonough.
August 21st, 2008 at 1:22 pm
I decided to google myself for giggles today and I came across your site. True it is not spelled like it sounds in the slightest (I get McDunahue and McDonut ALL the time).
My hippie mother used to say “Heard of Mick Jagger? Well, I’m ‘Mick Dunna’!”
Anyway, enjoyed some of your posts!