We use our middle names when filling out official papers, and when we write our initials (姓名的首字母) on something. But except that, we don’t use them every day. So why do we even have middle names in the first place?
Some people might answer, “It’s so my mom has three names to shout at me, so I know I’m in trouble.”
But there is history behind it, and it dates back to ancient Rome. At that time, people had three names, a personal name, a family name, and another name which showed what branch of family you were from. The more names you had, the more respected you were by others.
This tradition of names spread over to Western cultures in the 1700s.Aristocrats (贵族) would give their children long names to show their high place in society. Spanish and some other cultures would give their children names from their parents’ previous generations to be able to keep track of the child’s family tree.
But the way we use middle names today started in the Middle Ages when Europeans named their children with the given name first, baptismal (洗礼的) name second, and family name third. The tradition was spread to America as people started to go overseas.
Today, some people don’t even have middle names, some prefer to be called by their middle name, and some never even use theirs. But, just feel lucky that we don’t need to keep track of our family tree like some aristocrats used to and end up with 38 names.
12. When would we use middle names?
A.When calling our friends. |
B.When writing to our parents. |
C.When filling out official papers. |
13. How might a mother feel when she shouts out her child’s three names.
14. Why would aristocrats give their children long names?
A.To show their high place in society. |
B.To show their respect for others. |
C.To show their good memory. |
15. What would be the best title for the passage?
A.It’s Cool to Have 38 Names |
B.We Don’t Need Family Names |
C.Why Do We Have Middle Names? |