What's in a name? More that you might think.

My recent trip to Kentucky reminded me that I haven't had one of my famous English lessons in a while.  This lesson will discuss  an alternate use of the word "name", a use I heard a lot as a child, and which I still hear now and then.

Name can be a verb - to name something.   Something can also have a name - I think that's a using it as a noun, but don't quote me.  

But "name" has another use, which seem to be completely un-mainstream, but yet it's very familiar to me.  

Back home, name can also mean to bring something up for discussion, or talk about something, or words to that effect.

Here's an example:

"Did you know that Hiram went and traded for a new huntin' dog?"
"Why no, I saw him in town right in front of the rexall drug store and he never named it".

Hmmmm.  Another example's in order.

"Did you ask ol' Reuben where his wife up and went?"                                                                           "Naw, he never named it so I didn't either."

So anyway, using "name" in this way is perfectly legitimate.   Feel free.