This Page has 11 Kalan Pix. Kalan Porter photos
Are you a Kalanadian? New Canadian Word Many words new and old flash into our attention span, but this one caught my eye in 2004: Kalanadian, a blend of Kalan and Canadian. A Kalanadian is a fan of Kalan Porter, the curly-headed singer who became the first Canadian Idol anointed on a CTV variety show. His unusual given name is a challenge for those who study names. Kalan looks like it might be sui generis, entirely made up simply because his parents liked the sound of it. Kalan is also a possible variant of Cailin or Keelan, an Irish saint whose name meant ‘slender lad.’ Kalan is a Turkish word, also used as a male name. Then in Scottish Gaelic is the male name Cailean ‘whelp.’ Perhaps one of his numerous fan clubs can discover the actual meaning of Kalan and let us know?
Here's a sample of text incorporating this new term: “Porter is out and about on the extensive tour in support of his debut album ‘219 Days.’ Upon its release the album jumped into the top 10 selling albums in the country, thanks to Porter’s loyal army of Kalanadians. The first single lifted from the album is called ‘Awake in a Dream,’ which was chosen as the song for the winner of the Idol competition.” Will the word Kalanadian endure and roll down through the centuries as part of the mighty word hoard of eternal English? Probably not. It's a playful and ephemeral neology. But play and silliness and fun are as valid a part of wordmaking in English as the solemn lists of serious words. ..........................................................................
KALAN PIX
If the names of famous Canadians like Kalan Porter interest you, if the origin of first and last names fascinates you, there are hundreds more startling stories about famous Canadian names in my book, What’s in a Canadian Name? Click on the bookcover for more samples or to order the book online.
© 2005 William Gordon Casselman
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