They’re Playin’ a Name Game : The ‘Land and the ‘Wood and the ‘Shaw--It’s a Catchy Trend

Where will it all end?

The trend toward street-slangy variations on high school names apparently began in the 1960s when Manual Arts High in Los Angeles became The Arts.

Crenshaw later became The ‘Shaw and Inglewood was reborn as The ‘Wood, complete with uniform warm-ups that said “WOOD” on the back.

“A lot of it had to do with kids incorporating a catchy phrase into the cheers,” said Crenshaw Athletic Director Doug Pozzo. “The full name (Crenshaw) is boring.”

Things may have gotten out of hand lately, however, as Morningside has shown up this year in uniforms that say “SIDE.” The jerseys have traditionally sported the school nickname, Monarchs, but there’s no mention of either Monarchs or Morningside on the new uniforms. A really enterprising designer would have run “SIDE” down the side.

Verbum Dei has always received a split decision--sometimes referred to as The Dei, but often called The Verb. Before its emergence as a basketball power in the last few years, was Mater Dei simply “The Other Dei?”

And, of course, Pasadena, El Modena, Altadena and Gardena are still fighting for custody of ‘Dena --maybe the winner can play Dina Merrill for the Dena championship of the world.

The epidemic has spread to the Valley in the form of The ‘Land (Cleveland). “The Land” is printed on the Cavaliers’ practice jerseys and “The Land of the Cavaliers” is painted across one side of the gym.

Some we hope we never see: The Oaks (Thousand Oaks), The ‘Dence (Providence), The Dame (Notre Dame), The ‘Ville (Louisville), The ‘Ham (Birmingham), The ‘Worth (Chatsworth), and, please, never, ever The Bur and/or The ‘Bank (Burbank).

Crespi students will have some explaining to do if they get into the act. And let’s hope The ‘Nade never gets the nod at Chaminade.

As Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist might have said, “Please sir, could we have no more.” Incidentally, the book is known in English classes now as “The Twist.”