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Missouri man legally changes his name to 'They'
BRANSON, Mo. (AP) — A Branson man has put a face to the anonymous references people often make to "they" by changing his name to just that: "They."

The former Andrew Wilson, a 43-year-old self-employed inventor, was granted legal permission last week by a circuit judge to change his name.

It's just They, no surname.

He also has changed his driver's license to reflect his new name.

They said he did it for humor to address the common reference to "they."

'"They do this,' or 'They're to blame for that.' Who is this 'they' everyone talks about? 'They' accomplish such great things. Somebody had to take responsibility," he said.

Now, his friends are getting used to his new name.

"They call up and say, 'Is They there?'"

He acknowledged the name could drive grammarians crazy.

"Not only is he making a statement about his name, but he's messing with the entire English language," friend Craig Erickson said.

They holds 14 patents including Ground-Effect lighting, used to create a neon glow beneath vehicles and patented in 1987.

His newest product is "Shades Eyewear," which have a built-in visor over each sunglass lens. The visors protect the eyes from glare without having to wear a hat, he said.

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Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :
 
OH... oohhhh... *eyes cross*

My head hurts... *eyes water*
 

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Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
 

 

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Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
 
He needs to make himself legally plural, too, in order for the grammar of this to work out.
 

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Posted by Anthro (Member # 6087) on :
 
I'd love to be legally plural . . .
 

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Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
 
Well, if you got pregnant....
 

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Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
 
O_O
 

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Posted by Anthro (Member # 6087) on :
 
Can't do that. I plan to reproduce by budding.

That or get a uterus transplant.
 

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Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
 
Or, you oculd just become the Queen of England.
 

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Posted by Yozhik (Member # 89) on :
 
Or try to get legal status for the voices in your head.
 

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Posted by Coccinelle (Member # 5832) on :
 
I heard him on NPR today. He said the judge just couldn't understand why he wanted to be They. It was the most confusing but funny conversation between They and the station. "They is very happy he changed his name."
 

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Posted by Jess N (Member # 6744) on :
 
The grammar instructor in me is going, "AHHHHGGGHHHH!"
 

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Posted by TMedina (Member # 6649) on :
 
Hah! It must be hell for you Jess - my own editor is developing a nervous tic every time I try to read the story.

-Trevor
 

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Posted by Jess N (Member # 6744) on :
 
Must...fight...desire...to ...grab...pink...grading...pen...
 

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Posted by TMedina (Member # 6649) on :
 
You can, but your screen is gonna look awfully funny tomorrow morning.

And without benefit of the Mellow Mushroom.

-Trevor
 

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Posted by Jess N (Member # 6744) on :
 
Windex works wonders!

ooohhh...I love Mellow Mushroom!
 

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Posted by TMedina (Member # 6649) on :
 
I'm sure there's a "Greek Wedding" joke here somewhere, but I'm a little tired - or not tired enough.

-Trevor
 

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Posted by aspectre (Member # 2222) on :
 
The boy is a mite slow. They's been taken already.
 

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Posted by ssywak (Member # 807) on :
 
Fourteen patents!?!

What will They think of next!?

Can we go home now?
 

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Posted by Lupus (Member # 6516) on :
 
lol, that is quite a name. I remember reading about a guy who legally changed his name to God...but I have never heard of taking on a pronoun before.
 

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Posted by ae (Member # 3291) on :
 
If you really wanted to screw with people's heads, wouldn't a lowercase "everyone" be the ultimate?
 

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