mental_floss magazine
SUBSCRIBE >
GIFT SUBSCRIPTIONS >
DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS >
subscriber services >
Where Knowledge Junkies Get Their Fix
You may know that Apple was founded by two Steves (Wozniak and Jobs). But do you know which of them is a Stephen and which is a Steven? What about the author King and the comedian Wright? Are they “PH” or are they “V”?
Take our 10-question PhV quiz and find out if you have what it takes to become a Doctor of Steveology. (Mom would be proud!)
In Brooklyn, I knew twins who were named Steven and Stephen. One was “SteeVen” and the other “SteFFen”. Another friend of theirs was named STEPHAN — STEFF-ann. Needless to say, it was confusing!
posted by WizardBoy on 7-26-2007 at 8:08 am
I had a teacher in high school who believed everybody knows someone named Bob. I personally think everybody knows someone named Steve. I can think of six different Steve’s I know without even trying.
posted by Janel on 7-26-2007 at 11:03 am
Word is Morrissey spelled out his first name in his song “Ouija Board” (”S-t-e-v-e-n”) because he was tired of journalists spelling it wrong.
My maiden name is Stevenson, so I try to always check that I get it right with the Steves I know. (And I’m with Janel. Off the top of my head, I know three Steves.)
posted by Erin on 7-26-2007 at 7:06 pm
No Stephen Colbert?
posted by Sabrina on 7-27-2007 at 10:55 am
This reminds me of the Even Stephven segment…
And I concur… what, no Stephen Colbert or Carrell?
posted by synical on 11-2-2007 at 8:46 am
My brother is Stephen, so I’m partial to the PH!
posted by Therese on 12-14-2007 at 9:59 am
It seems hardly anyone can spell or pronounce “Stephen” any more. For goodness’ sake, it’s been spelled that way for many hundreds of years: Stephen was the first Christian martyr; he got stoned, which is usually good for a laugh in the classes I teach.
People pronounce my name “Steffen” or don’t believe me when I spell it for them. Once, I ordered something over the phone and specified, “That’s Stephen with a ‘ph’.” When the package came, it was addressed to Steven PH Cornman.
I give up. I’m getting ph-unbalanced.
posted by Stephen Cornman on 1-31-2008 at 9:05 pm
Kraatz
stephen or steven
Hmmmmmmmmmmm???
posted by Stacy on 3-8-2008 at 10:32 pm
How about Jon vs. John?
posted by marilyn on 4-25-2008 at 7:18 pm
Wow! That was harder than I thought. A kind of a quiz that asks you about things you see in front of you every day…but don’t really think about. Wonder what my brother — Stephen — would think of my 60% score…
posted by Rachel on 7-17-2008 at 1:03 pm