The 'origins'

Well, I have received a lot of queries about why 'cowness' for a name- from both relatives and friends alike (only those lucky enough not to have had my acquaintance before ;) ...)... Anyway, I assure you that the reason behind it is well, real enough. I mean, it wasn't a name I just picked up along the way, you know... it's something that's come with me, and come a long way at that.

Well, if you'd be so kind as to pronounce my name a little slower than usual- you'd realize that the first bit resembles the name of a certain domestic animal. Yes, you got that- the good old 'cow'. This is often been the basis for a lot of names that I was called whilst back in school. 'Cow-Boy' being one, 'hasu' being another, and 'maadu' being yet another. The one that finally stuck was just 'cow'. You know, people would say-"Hi Cow! Hows life??"... soon it became even more popular... some people would say to yet others - "You know... you do act like Cow here..." This apparently grammatically incorrect phrase is perfect, when you consider that the word 'cow' in this instance is just referring to a single person, as opposed to a generic group of beings. Hence, the refrain from using 'a cow' in this case.

Those were the humble beginnings back then in school. Of course, I soon grew big enough to be sitting in a school class-room, so I was shown the door to college. Sadly though, there was only one classmate of mine to give me company in college. All the rest were dispersed, a large chunk staying back in Bangalore.

Alas, the use of that suggestive nickname would die out, for none knew of its existence. Luckily though, there was a certain professor of ours who's English language skills were nothing short of appalling... in fact, just to give you a taste of his capabilities, he'd say- "Go to the wash-basin and drown yourself" or "The frequenticity of the situation", or even "Constraints of eventualism"... just to name a few.
So a group of us, in a matter-of-factly-manner, started speaking like him. For instance, I'd add an 'ism' or 'ment' in completely arbitrary positions, like "shoeism" or even worse "eating lunchment".

As a result of this, people attributed this ability of mine to my name- they'd call me "Kaushiking" or something like that. But knowing how lazy my friends were, they soon sought a short form, and the word 'Cow' was rediscovered. Of course, using the 'ing' phrase would sound cliched... so the name was born - 'Cowness'... immortal indeed!!