I've been photographing cemetery variety Stiff Dicks for years. I hesitate to post a lot of them online because I'm torn between being tasteful and completely immature. But with all due respect, this one, uh, takes the cake....
Snapped at Grand View Memorial Park (Glendale, CA) 4/10/2009
Although her crypt memorial reads like an ironic political statement about the famous queen who lost her head, a quick bit of research reveals Momo was a woman of French descent (her maiden name was Charbonneau and her mother's maiden name was Larievere) who married Earl, a man with an unfortunate-by-today's standards last name.
Momo lived in interesting etymology times. Dick is not only a longstanding geneaologically traceable surname, it was and is a common nickname for Richard, as well as a slang term for detective. But by the mid-20th Century it took on a vulgar twist, synonymous for man parts and contemptible jerks.
Although her crypt memorial reads like an ironic political statement about the famous queen who lost her head, a quick bit of research reveals Momo was a woman of French descent (her maiden name was Charbonneau and her mother's maiden name was Larievere) who married Earl, a man with an unfortunate-by-today's standards last name.
Momo lived in interesting etymology times. Dick is not only a longstanding geneaologically traceable surname, it was and is a common nickname for Richard, as well as a slang term for detective. But by the mid-20th Century it took on a vulgar twist, synonymous for man parts and contemptible jerks.
So it is completely feasible to think that someone once walked into the office announcing they needed to find Momo Dick? I love this hobby.
Posted by: J Edward Stark | Apr 22, 2009 at 14:32
This is seriously awesome. This site rules!!!! Fine work Lisa— you rule!
Posted by: Sara | Sep 03, 2009 at 20:32