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Games

The Online Name Game

To fully appreciate this technological tour-de-force, I heartily recommend that you first learn more about the system by reading the FAQ. Of course, many of you are impatient, and just want to play The Online Name Game. So be it.


The Online Name Game FAQ

Q.   What is The Online Name Game?
A.   The Name Game was a catchy 1965 song, performed by Shirley Ellis. It presented an algorithm that enabled ordinary people to "make a rhyme out of anybody's name." Using complex computer techniques, I have recreated this masterpiece of American, twentieth-century pop-culture as an interactive web experience, sure to entertain and amaze people of all ages.

Q.   What kind of complex computer techniques?
A.   It is implemented in the highly powerful JavaScript programming language. At its core is a sophisticated natural language processing (NLP) engine that utilizes advanced, experimental artificial intelligence methodologies.

Q.   How do you ensure that your system will be used only for good, and never for evil?
A.   The display routine incorporates an encrypted filtering layer, ensuring that the output will never corrupt impressionable young minds.

Q.   Oh my gosh. That all sounds very complicated.
A.   You're not kidding! It's even difficult for me to grasp, and I have a degree in Computer Science from
Taylor University.

Q.   Can we see the source code?
A.   I'm afraid not. I have a patent pending on the NLP system to protect it as my intellectual property. When the patent is granted, I plan on licensing the technology. NASA, the NSA, Cray, and other fancy places like that have already stated interest.

Q.   Oh, give me a break. Why can't everyone see the code just by selecting "View Source" in their web browsers?
A.   Uhh... Actually, that code is just a decoy. The real software is hidden behind a secure, asynchronous proxy-firewall server. No more questions!

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The Name Game

The Name Game ...

Shirley!
Shirley, Shirley, Bo Birley
Bonana, Fanna, Fo Firley
Fee, Fy, Mo Mirley
Shirley

Lincoln!
Lincoln, Lincoln, Bo Bincoln
Bonana, Fanna, Fo Fincoln
Fee, Fy, Mo Mincoln
Lincoln

Come on everybody
I say now let's play a game
I betcha I could make a rhyme
Out of anybody's name

The first letter of the name
I treat it like it wasn't there
But a B or an F
Or an M will appear

And then I say Bo, add a B
Then I say the name
Then Bonana, Fanna, and a Fo
Then I say the name again with an F very plain
Then a Fee, Fy, and a Mo
Then I say the name again with an M this time
And there isn't any name that I can't rhyme

Arnold!
Arnold, Arnold, Bo Barnold
Bonana, Fanna, Fo Farnold
Fee, Fy, Mo Marnold
Arnold

But if the first two letters are ever the same,
Drop them both then say the name
Like Bob, Bob, drop the B's Bo Ob
Or Fred, Fred, drop the F's Fo Red
Or Mary, Mary, drop the M's Mo Ary
That's the only rule that is contrary

Okay?
Now say Bo (Bo!)
Now Tony with a B (Bony!)
Then Bonana, Fanna, and Fo (Bonana Fanna Fo!)
Then you say the name again with an F very plain (Fony!)
Then a Fee, Fy, and a Mo (Fee Fy Mo)
Then you say the name again with an M this time (Mony!)
And there isn't any name that you can't rhyme

Everybody do Tony
Tony, Tony, Bo Bony
Bonana, Fanna, Fo Fony
Fee, Fy, Mo Mony
Tony

Pretty good. Let's do Billy
Billy, Billy, Bo Illy
Bonana, Fanna, Fo Filly
Fee, Fy, Mo Milly
Billy

Very good. Let's do Marsha
Marsha, Marsha, Bo Barsha
Bonana, Fanna, Fo Farsha
Fee, Fy, Mo Arsha
Marsha

A little trick with Nick
Nick, Nick, Bo Bick
Bonana, Fanna, Fo Fick
Fee, Fy, Mo Mick
Nick

The name game

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Copyright © 2005 by Randy Cox