To All The Bobs On The Planet
Hi, I'm Bob. Having this first name (nic) for some 53 years now and watching how my humble little name has been exploited and associated with cats, apples, hairstyles, money, male enhancement, slicing actions, fishing, surprise appearances, fence wire, bodily movements, kids toys and comets, I decided to put a lens together that delves a bit deeper into this short little name, its meaning, various famous bobs and little known bob facts.
Therefore, I proudly dedicate this lens to all of the Bobs on the planet.
The Leap From Robert To Bob
How Could This Happen?
Most of us started out as a Robert...
Of course as many people know, Bob is a diminutive (shortened version) of the given name, Robert.
My official, given name is Robert, or at least that's what it says on my birth certificate.
How people made the giant leap from Robert (including my parents) to calling me Bob all these years has always been a mystery. I mean, after all, it doesn't appear to me that the word bob flows distinctly from the word robert. I could see Rob or Bert, but "Bob"???
To me, that's like calling a Mike, Sam.
Is Bob just a silly spoof nickname of the popular given name Robert, or is there some hidden transformation/meaning that took place to get us from a Robert to Bob?
I needed to do a bit of research if nothing else then for my own benefit, and here's what I found.
First, according to the kind people at behindthename.com, the name Robert "means "bright fame", derived from the Germanic elements hrod "fame" and beraht "bright". The Normans introduced this name to Britain. It belonged to three kings of Scotland, including Robert the Bruce who restored the independence of Scotland from England in the 14th century."
Now "Bob", again according to behindthename.com is the "short form of Robert. It arose later from the medieval rhyming nicknames of Robert, Dob, Hob and Nob."
Humm, that still doesn't tell me much, but there may be a rhyme connection somehow??
Hob nobbin' with Bob?
For the record, I have been called all derivatives and nicks for the name Robert, including: Rob, Robbie, Robert' (French), Roberto (Spanish), Bawb (Texan), Bobert, Bo, Bobber, Bobster, Bobby, Bob-o, Bobaloo, Bobilino and Bobildo.
I prefer plain-o Bob, thank you very much.
I vow to continue my research.
Books on Bob (B.O.B.)
The Book of Bob: Choice Words, Memorable Men
A compilation of more than 500 quotes from 250 of the world's most famous (and infamous) "Bobs," including Robert the Bruce, Robert E. Lee, Bob Dole, Bob Marley, Robert Frost, Bobby Locke, Bob Dylan, Robert Duvall, Robert F. Kennedy, Bob Fosse, Robert Browning, and many more.
Celebrate the innate "Bobness" that exists in 34 out of every 1,000 American men with The Book of Bob.
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Me, Myself, and Bob: A True Story About God, Dreams, and Talking Vegetables
In Me, Myself, and Bob, Phil Vischer, founder of Big Idea and creator of Veggie Tales, gives a behind-the-scenes look at his not-so-funny journey with the loveable veggies. From famed creator to bankrupt dreamer, Vischer shares his story of trial and ultimate triumph as God inspired him with one big idea after another.
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Mostly Bob
When Tom Corwin's golden retriever, Bob, passed away unexpectedly, Tom decided to write a letter as a tribute to his life. The letter told Bob's many human friends what they might not have known - the surprising story of how he was once a ferocious, untrusting dog named Red, and how through sheer determination he changed completely to become Tom's best friend. Tom began receiving an outpouring of heartfelt responses to what he came to realize was actually a universal tale about the possibility of change and the transformational power of love.
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Bob is Both a Noun and a Verb.
Bob, the noun. (a person, place, thing or abstract idea)1. a style of short haircut for women and children.
2. a docked horse's tail.
3. a dangling or terminal object, as the weight on a pendulum or a plumb line.
4. a short, simple line in a verse or song, esp. a short refrain or coda.
5. Angling. a. a knot of worms, rags, etc., on a string. b. a float for a fishing line. ie: bobber
6. a bobsled or bob skate.
7. a bunch, cluster, or wad, esp. a small bouquet of flowers.
Bob, the verb. (denotes action, an occurrence or state of being)
1. to strike with a quick light blow
2. to move up and down in a short quick movement (bob the head)
3. to move up and down briefly or repeatedly
4. to emerge, arise, or appear suddenly or unexpectedly
5. to nod or curtsy briefly
6. to try to seize a suspended or floating object with the teeth
7. to cut short or dock
(sorta gives a whole new meaning to the phrase 'being bobbed by a Bobbitt'!)
Some Famous Bobs
How many famous Bobs can you think of?? What good Bob-related site wouldn't have at least a list of famous Bobs? Well then, below is a list to get you started. I imagine you can think of many more.
A side note. All Roberts, Robs, Robbies, Bobbys and Billys have been shortened to plain-o Bob for the sake of readability. Those names affected include a "*" next to them.
Bob Benson*
Bob Barker
Bob Blake*
Bob Brown*
Bob Conrad*
Bob Cowsill
Bob Crane
Bob Cray*
Bob Culp*
Bob Darin*
Bob DeNiro*
Bob Denver
Bob Dole
Bob Downey Jr.*
Bob Duvall*
Bob Dylan
Bob Frost*
Bob Eubanks
Bob Goldsboro*
Bob Guillaume*
Bob Heinlein*
Bob Hope
Bob Kennedy*
Bob Klein*
Bob Lowe*
Bob Ludlam*
Bob Keeshan
Bob Marley
Bob McFerrin*
Bob Mitchum*
Bob Newhart
Bob Palmer*
Bob Plant*
Bob Reiner*
Bob Redford*
Bob Roberson*
Bob Rydell*
Bob Saget
Bob Seger
Bob Shaw*
Bob Stack*
Bob Lewis Stevenson*
Bob Thomas*
Bob Thorton*
Bob Urich*
Bob Vaughn*
Bob Vinton*
Bob Vila
Bob Wagner*
Bob Welsh
Bob Woodward
Bob Young*
I'm sure you can think of a lot more, but you get the drift...there are a bunch of famous Bobs out there.
(Bob Hope photo courtesy of Classic Movies.)
Books About Famous Bobs
Good Morning Captain: 50 Wonderful Years With Bob Keeshan: Tv's Captain Kangaroo
Many of us grew up with Captain Kangaroo. Here is the Bob Keeshan story. 50 years with an American Icon.
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Catch a Fire: The Life of Bob Marley
Bob Marley, reggae superstar and pop culture icon, left an indelible mark on modern music. Catch a Fire: This book delves deep into the life of the lionized leader of a musical, spiritual, and political explosion that still reverberates more than a decade after his death.
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The Bob Dylan Scrapbook, 1956-1966
This is a must have for Dylanphiles, new and old alike. The early Dylan years presented in a scrapbook format, handwritten songs, lots of memorabilia, and endless photographs.
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10 Little Known Bob Facts
Tidbits of Truth
Oh c'mon. Don't look so surprised! I thought everybody knew this stuff...1. "Bob" in Russian means good swimmer.
2. The comet that flew near the earth in 1997 was in fact named Hale Bopp, and not Hail Bob.
3. Robert (Bob) was the most popular male baby name in 1953 (the year I was born), with 4.3% of us little guys being named Robert (Bob).
4. Most Bobs are quite spiritual beings, fully believing in the Boble.
5. Names like Sponge Bob and Bob the Builder are offensive to a true Bob.
6. The fencing material that ranchers use to contain livestock is in fact called barbed wire and not bob-wire.
7. The chorus line in the old Beach Boys song is actually "ba ba ba ba barbara ann" and NOT "bob bob bob bob boberan".
8. Bob spelled backwards is still boB, unless of course you add an additional "O", and then it becomes Boob.
9. While most hurricanes are named after women, there was in fact a hurricane named Bob. Hurricane Bob struck New England and Canada in August of 1991 and had the distinction of being the only hurricane to strike the United States in that year. (Figures, us Bobs are fairly unique)
10. Most Bobs hate to be called Bobby.
Bob's Movies
Bobs On The Big Screen
Sling Blade
Sometimes a hero comes from the most unlikely place.
Karl Childers, (Billy Bob Thornton) a simple man hospitalized since his childhood murder of his mother and her lover, is released to start a new life in a small town.
If you haven't seen this movie, you owe it to yourself to experience Billy Bob Thornton in a role that will amaze you.
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Lonesome Dove
Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones star as Gus McCrae and Woodrow Call, aging cowboys and former Texas rangers and who organize a 2,500 mile cattle drive for one last great adventure in this excellent 1989 miniseries adaptation of Larry McMurtry's novel. The best friends, who steal the herd from a gang of Mexican cattle rustlers, drive their herd from Texas to Montana, battling horse thieves, angry Indian tribes, and a renegade half-breed killer named Blue Duck (Frederic Forrest) on a mission of revenge.
This movie is such a classic. I don't know how many times I have seen it. A must have for any video collection.
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What About Bob?
Bill Murray teams up with Richard Dreyfuss in an outrageously wild comedy that's sure to drive you off the deep end! Murray plays Bob Wiley, a troubled but lovable therapy patient who fears everything! After seeking help from noted psychiatrist Dr. Leo Marvin (Dreyfuss), Bob feels revived. But when the good doctor skips town to go on a quiet family vacation, Bob, afraid of being alone, follows -- showing up unexpectedly at the therapist's lakeside retreat. That's when the fun really begins!
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The Deer Hunter (Universal Legacy Series)
Winner of 5 Academy Awards, The Deer Hunter, starring Robert DeNiro tracks three friends whose lives and relationships are forever changed by their experiences in Vietnam. One by one, each man's innocence and courage is tested in the lethal cauldron of war. Robert DeNiro's mesmerizing performance as the group's natural leader set a new standard for dramatic intensity in this searing drama of friendship, tragedy and forgiveness.
Although this film is almost 30 years old, it will still have an impact on how you view true friendship, especially during times of war. Caution, this film is NOT for the faint of heart.
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Bob-oddities and Twists
Some things are just not the same without a bob attached to it. Take a peek below.
B.O.B. - Bug Out Bag
B.O.B. - Battle Over Britain
B.O.B. - Band Of Brothers
B.y.O.B. - Bring (your) Own Booze
Bob - the computer program
A bridge named Bob - in Colorado
Fat Bob - a large Robert or a motorcycle
Plumb Bob - an implement of angle
Bobbin for apples - a halloween game
Thread the Bobbin - sewing talk
Bobette - a female Bob
Bobby Pin - hair clip
Bobby Socks - funny looking footwear
Bobber - a float used in fishing
Bobwhite - the quail
Bobcat - a wild animal
Bobsled - wintertime fun
Barbecue Bob - a fine chef
Buffalo Bob - serves buffalo wings
Tennessee Bob - lives near the Smokies
Nevada Bob - owns a rock shop
Bad Bob - a not so good Bob
Bob - English slang for a shilling
Bobby - An English cop
Shish-Ka-Bob - cooked on the grill
Billy Bobs of Texas - a large bar/dance club
Jimbob - a common southern name
Joebob - Jimbob's cousin
And finally...
What About Bob - a movie.
Yessirreee Bob!
Bob's Music
Some of the most talented Bobs, and their music.
Bob Seger - Greatest Hits
Includes, Roll Me Away, Turn The Page, Old Time Rock & Roll, Against The Wind and Mainstreet. Classic Seger and a must have.
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Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits
Includes, Blowin' In The Wind, The Times They Are A-Changin', It Ain't Me, Babe and Mr. Tambourine Man. Dylan changed it all.
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Take Your Shoes Off
Robert Cray, an awesome blues guitarist and singer. This album includes, Love Gone To Waste, All The Way, 24-7 Man and It's All Gone. If you like the blues, you will love Robert Cray.
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Nine Lives (Box Set)
10-disc chronicle of Robert Plant's post-Led Zeppelin career. Includes, Burning Down One Side, Sea Of Love, Down To The Sea, Another Tribe and MUCH more.
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One Love: The Very Best of Bob Marley & the Wailers
Includes, I Shot The Sheriff, Jamming, Turn Your Lights Down Low, I Know A Place and a whole lot more. Such a talent.
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Bobisms
Pearls of Wisdom by Bob
When in doubt, use a hammer.Not all things are as they seem.
The Golden Rule has changed over the years. Now it appears to be: "Do onto others before they do onto you".
It's a Bob thing...you wouldn't understand.
We came into this world with no hair, no teeth and someone wiping our butts. And, that's exactly how we leave.
Humans were placed here for one reason...to entertain the animals. We are doing a good job.
Pain is a good teacher.
Just when I think I have the answer, they change the question.
Make at least one person laugh each day.
Sorry, I am having a bald moment.
I believe in hugs. Have you hugged a Bob today?
If flies didn't have wings, would we call them walks?
Changing one mind can change an entire mindset.
Bob-o-links
Poke Around With Some Fun Links
- The Bob Haircut Worship Page
- For the ladies in the house. The Bob Haircut Worship Page is dedicated to showing respect through picture, word, and deed to this greatest of all hairstyles, the Bob.
- The Jamaican Bobsled Team
- "The first Jamaican bobsled team made history in the Calgary Olympics Winter Games (1988). They warmed the hearts of many worldwide in their first attempt at Olympic glory and was even immortalized in the popular Walt Disney movie "Cool Runnings"."
- The Elusive Bobcat
- The most common wildcat in North America, the bobcat is named for its short, bobbed tail. They are medium-sized cats and are slightly smaller but similar in appearance to their cousin, the lynx.
- Bob Denver - Gilligan's Island
- Bob Denver worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a mailman and as a high school teacher before breaking into television. Best known for his rolls as Maynard G. Krebs on the TV sitcom "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis" and as Gilligan on the beloved sitcom "Gilligan's Island".
- Billy Bob's Texas
- Located in the Ft. Worth, Texas stockyards, Billy Bob's is the worlds largest honky tonk. With 3 acres of inside space and 20 acres of parking, I guarantee you won't find a better place to scoot your boots and have a cold one.
Blatant Bob-Advertisement
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Reader Feedback
Lets Read Your Thoughts!
B
eing a Bob isn't just a name, it is in fact, a lifestyle. We Bobs tend to be unique creatures, bound to be kind, courteous, somewhat intelligent and a bit humorous . Our grammar and spelling may not be exact, but our intentions are always pure.
If you enjoyed this lens then feel free to leave a star rating (at the top...5 is the best) and a comment.
We Bobs need all the feedback we can get!
Yours Truly,
Bob
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marlmas
Bob Marley lives on - in our souls, in our hearts! Bob Marley Forever. Drop by some time. Posted July 09, 2008 |
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JohannTheDog
What a fun lens! Thanks for visiting me. I get a lot of ribbing for my name - some even call me YoYo. Woofs, Johann Posted April 04, 2008 |
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tomcrisp
THANK YOU, Bob, for including my book (maybe I should say YOUR book) THE BOOK OF BOB! Just got word yesterday that it will have a second printing - and I won't rest until all the many millions of you have one. Posted November 21, 2007 |
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Clutterbugs
Your lens is one of my favorites! It is full of personality and humor. Who knew this much "bob" trivia existed!! :) Check out my lens sometime - Organize YHB. Posted September 21, 2007 |
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Forgiven
What a great lens Bob! 5 Stars from me! Please visit my faithography lens when you get time and rate it if you would. Posted August 15, 2007 |
