IAV Dortmunder-- what's with that?

POSTED BY: NewOldBrownCoat
UPDATED: Sunday, August 21, 2005 18:48
VIEWED: 5402
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NEWOLDBROWNCOAT

Thursday, August 18, 2005 5:50 PM

I know Dortmunder-- Donald Westlake's unlucky but successful burglar who always manages to scrape thru-- but why a police vessel named after him ?
Kinda like Eliot Ness naming his car AL Capone.

I could see one of the brighter rim scum naming a ship that, maybe even Mal, if he hadn't chosen Serenity, but an Alliance bureaucrat? A cop, even a dishonest one, celebrating someone who manages to beat the Establishment, if not specifically the cops , ewvery time.

Dunno- maybe Joss actually has a friend named Dortmunder?

NewOld
"This is why we lost, you know...siperior numbers"

R1Z

Thursday, August 18, 2005 6:40 PM

Dortmund is a city in Germany.

"Dortmunder" can be a person from Dortmund, or the adjective form--"Dortmunder railway GmbH is one of the largest German public railway enterprises". (from the web)

Don't know why Joss used it, there could be a thousand reasons. Of course, German references are common for the Alliance--very organized, very docuemented, very regimented.

To enjoy the flavor of life, take big bites. Moderation is for monks. --Robt. Heinlein

MIKEYMO

Thursday, August 18, 2005 6:46 PM

I wasn't aware of the character of which you speak, but I always enjoyed the name Dortmunder. It's so official, and German, and vaguely forboding. But it's also a brand of beer, and therefore comforting. An interesting paradox.

"Be ashamed to die before you have scored some victory for humanity." -- Horace Mann

FREMDFIRMA

Friday, August 19, 2005 1:47 AM

That was my first thought, on sight.

"They named the ship after a beer ?!"

To-wubba-who?!

-F

STARPILOTGRAINGER

Friday, August 19, 2005 2:03 AM

It also endlessly amuses me because one of the subway stations I'm at on a weekly basis has an add for Dortmunder beer at the place I usually stand to get on the subway.

Star Pilot Grainger
"Remember, the enemy's gate is down."
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THRAWN

Friday, August 19, 2005 2:06 AM

Joss often seems to pick names just because they sound right. Witness Ilyria from Angel - it's named after an island in a Shakespeare play, for no reason other than he liked it. Dortmunder, I'd guess, is similar.

NEWOLDBROWNCOAT

Saturday, August 20, 2005 9:31 PM

Well, how dumb am I?

The only Dortmunder in the 'verse has to be the one I know...

Might be because my pop culture 'verse doesn't include German beer

Thanx all, I think that's probably the reason...

NewOld
" This is why we lost, you know... Superior numbers"

PIZMOBEACH

Sunday, August 21, 2005 6:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Fremdfirma:
"They named the ship after a beer ?!"

Quoting Jayne: "It has the malt profile of a Helles, the hop character of a Pils, and is slightly stronger than both. Balance continues through the finish and the hop bitterness lingers in aftertaste. Clean, no fruity esters, no diacetyl - it is my very favorite beer."

The Great Lakes Brewery calls their Dortmunder Gold their "Flagship Beer..."

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