In the famous Partridge "A Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English", the word JOSS is Anglo-Chinese pidgin English for "Idol". What did his parents know when they named him. If you take it way to far, Joss comes from the Portuguese word DEOS meaning deity/God. wow According to the printed sources: 1-he chose the name himself after he got tired of being "Joe." 2-he knew the Chinese word already and he liked the idea of it as his name. My personal notion: 3-he’s seen some old books or movies with the archaic abbreviation "Jos." for "Joseph" (kinda like "Wm." for "William",) sounded it out in his head, and liked the sound of it, but added the other "s" so people wouldn’t pronounce it "Joce" or "Joze." Which doesn’t mean he didn’t know about the #2 reason because to me, playing armchair depth psychologist here, that fits his life-attitude *grin. |
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