Comic Genius, no, not me.

There's this humorist named John Hodgman who is brilliant at cracking people up. People with a particular sense of humor, that is.

I saw his work first in last month's Gentleman's Quarterly (October 2005; pages 212-215 where two pages are ads) in an article excerpting and, in effect, advertising his new book, "The Areas of My Expertise" which should already be on the bookstands. (I will soon hereafter drive to the nearest bookseller conglomerate superstore slash coffee house and purchase a copy, read it cover to cover, and report on it for your pleasure.)

In the article in question, he lists a series of 44 hobo names, of which, it is supposed, there is one suitable for naming your next child. Some of the names had me furrowing my brow, many others have elicited a hearty guffaw.

Here are a few for your enjoyment.

Boxcar Ted
Boxcar Mick
Dr. Bill the Boxcar Medic
Boxcar Jones, the Boxcar Benjamin Disraeli
Boxcar Aldous Huxley
JR Lintstockings
Cleats Onionpocket
Deformed Abe
Commodore 64
Nick Nolte
Manny Stillwaggon, the Man with the Handlebar Eybrows
49-State Apthorp, the Alaska-phobe

and many more!

Visit this site for more hilarity and fun. You can play the part of the straight-man while Hodgman plays the part of comic genius.