Barney Google, with the goo-goo-googly-eyes

How did Google get its name?

The mysterious mysteries of the Internet part 1

You may have read this kind of “official answer” : Google derived its name from the word “googol”, a term coined by then nine-year-old Milton Sirotta, nephew of the American mathematician Edward Kasner. The story goes, Kasner would have asked his nephew to invent a name for a very large number – ten to the power of one hundred, and Milton called it a googol.  Blah-blah-blah!

Whatever say GSpecialists, wikipedia or Google corporate itself, last friday I discovered the secret when I was twittering with Orli.

Google was named after Barney Google*.
Just listen to Barney Google’s song. No more to say!
One of you might write an Essai on how, when and why granny Brin and/or Page was singing this song.
In case of, the song is not so easy to find but you can hear it on my blip.

Here are some chosen extracts of Barney Google Lyrics:

Who’s the most important man this country ever knew?
Do you know what politician I have reference to?
Well, it isn’t Mr. Bryan, and it isn’t Mr. Hughes.
I’ve got a hunch that to that bunch I’m going to introduce:
(Again you’re wrong and to this throng I’m going to Introduce:)
Barney Google, with the goo-goo-goo-ga-ly eyes.
Barney Google bet his horse would win the prize.
[…]

Barney Google, with the goo-goo-goo-ga-ly eyes.
Barney Google tried to enter paradise.
When Saint Peter saw his face, he said, “Go to the other place”.
Barney Google, with the goo-goo-goo-ga-ly eyes

Somehow, don’t be evil 😀

*Barney Google was created in 1919 by Billy De Beck and inspired this popular 1920s song, “Barney Google (With the Goo-Goo-Googly Eyes),” with lyrics by Billy Rose

Og her er Barney Google hos spå-konen:

Og nu, mine damer og herrer, vil GoogaMooga præsentere den originale “Barney Google” sang fra 1920’erne:

DavidN23Skidoo — 11. jan 2008 — Edison recording of the song Barney Google. Sung by Billy Jones and Ernest Hare. Played on a Brunswick phonograph with a three way tone head.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOHg5uuZjwY

Og man kan følge “Barney Google” serien’s efterfølger, “Barney Google and Snuffy Smith”, hver dag på http://www.kingfeatures.com/features/comics/bgoogle/aboutMaina.php:

Barney Google and Snuffy Smith is one of the longest-running comic strips in history. Created by Billy DeBeck in 1919, it first appeared in the sports section of the Chicago Herald and Examiner as “Take Barney Google, F’rinstance.” It starred the cigar-smoking, sports-loving, poker-playing, girl-chasing ne’er-do-well Barney Google. By October of that year, the strip was distributed by King Features to newspapers all across the country.

In 1942, Barney Google was inherited by DeBeck’s long-time assistant, Fred Lasswell, who continued to draw the strip until his death in March 2001. John Rose, who inked the strip for Lasswell, continues the tradition today.

This tremendously popular feature boasts clients in 21 countries and 11 languages. It has added several phrases to the American vernacular, including “sweet mama,” “horsefeathers,” “heebie-jeebies” and “hotsie-totsie.” It has been the inspiration for a hit song, “Barney Google (With Your Goo-Goo-Googly Eyes),” and is one of a few historical comic strips to be honored on a special set of U.S. postage stamps.