CULTURE/SOCIETY: Missouri Man Legally Changes His Name to 'They'

BRANSON, Mo. (Sept. 23) - A Branson man has put a face to the anonymous references people often make to "they" by changing his name to just that: "They."

The former Andrew Wilson, a 43-year-old self-employed inventor, was granted legal permission last week by a circuit judge to change his name.

It's just They, no surname.

He also has changed his driver's license to reflect his new name.

They said he did it for humor to address the common reference to "they."
"'They do this,' or 'They're to blame for that.' Who is this 'they' everyone talks about? 'They' accomplish such great things. Somebody had to take responsibility," he said.

Now, his friends are getting used to his new name.

"They call up and say, 'Is They there?"'

He acknowledged the name could drive grammarians crazy.

"Not only is he making a statement about his name, but he's messing with the entire English language," friend Craig Erickson said.

They holds 14 patents including Ground-Effect lighting, used to create a neon glow beneath vehicles and patented in 1987.

His newest product is "Shades Eyewear," which have a built-in visor over each sunglass lens. The visors protect the eyes from glare without having to wear a hat, he said.

09/23/04 12:48 EDT

Copyright 2004 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.


Just Justin 3.0.1 Optimized
9/24/2004
The Boils of Branson
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Rant— justex07 @ 9:30 am

This is a perfect example of the types of things that go down in Branson Missouri that makes those native to Missouri ashamed of the “combination of neon and nature".

For those who do not know the story, a man named Andrew Wilson, inventor of the neon lights that light the underbody of “riced-out” Honda’s, changed his name this week. In any other circumstance, this might be normal. Perhaps his father was Michael Jackson and Blanket did not suit him. But honestly, Andrew Wilson requires some serious imagination to poke fun of. I.E. Ann Drew [a] Wilson…

No, this guy changed his name just because he wanted everyone to know who they were. They are the ones always doing the great things. “Who saved you and your dog from the raging fire?” “They saved me!”

He changed his name to “They". His lives in Branson. I am done.

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