Las Vegas Weekly

February 26, 2009 · 12 AM

Georgie and Kats: Our big fat Greek surnames

By John Katsilometes

I get George Stephanopoulos, in that I understand what it’s like for someone to read aloud the first name —in this case, the relatively pedestrian “George”—followed with a pause and, “Stephasnuffleupagus?”

Stephanopoulos’ intimidating, 14-letter, five-syllable surname is a real beauty. Say it five times fast and it sounds like someone hitting a tambourine. I feel safe in making such a comment, because to live life with an odd last name is kind of like having a birthmark on your cheek. It’s not always convenient, but it definitely sets you apart.

Stephanopoulos, ABC News’ chief Washington correspondent and a former aide and confidant to President Clinton, will be this week’s featured speaker in UNLV’s ongoing Barrick Lecture Series.

Surname aside, I can think of a few other commonalities between me and Mr. Snuffleupagus ... I mean, Stephanopoulos:

• We have been asked, dozens of times, if we’ve seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

• We introduce ourselves in bars risking the response, “Buy this man a shot of ouzo!”

• We secretly felt envious of the really incredibly, beautifully long Greek surnames rolled out during the opening ceremonies of the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. Example: Lighting the Olympic torch was champion windsurfer Nikolaos Kaklamanakis.

• We might, or might not, have a killer recipe for baklava.

• We are sometimes asked the proper pronunciation for “gyro.”

• We both once considered priesthood in the Greek Orthodox Church (well, Stephanopoulos did).

• Whenever we move to a new city, the local Greek church calls to ask when we are going to be joining as full-fledged members and how we can help with the upcoming Greek Food Festival.

Share This