If you are reading a picture book with creatures named Axittic, Flissil, and Horgous, would you be able to recognize the creatures just from the names? Let’s see if you can: Pick a name for each creature in the picture among Axittic, Flissil, and Horgous, and let me know a short reason why!
As I did last week, I drew each of these creatures for one of the names. As mentioned, this activity is inspired by a recent study which showed that drawings from made-up names can be matched with the original names better than chance. So you may as well be able to read my mind here!
Last week’s answers showed that you indeed could. All 6 answers about Heonia and Cruckwic I got (on WordPress and Instagram) were correct. So again, this is not impossible as some linguists suggested. Maybe matching two names was even too easy, so let’s try matching three!
How can names be connected to creatures? The study suggests that certain sounds (such as “k”) in the name evoke certain attributes (sharpness), which in turn are reflected in the drawing based on the name. Intriguingly, some of such associations are found across cultures. I will summarize the associations next week.
Until then, please pick a name for each creature in the picture among Axittic, Flissil, and Horgous, and let me know a short reason why!
Yul HR Kang 
Horgous, then Axittic, then Flissil.
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Do you mean that Horgous is the one climbing down stairs, Axittic is the one with the hat and hanky on the stick, and Flissil is the one with the dark background? Just checking if the order appears the same to you.
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Yes, this is how I see it. Horgous is a fatter name, Axittic is a thin name, and Flissil is a watery name. That is how I chose it.
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The same as Claudia above. Horgous is a male name that natches the hat and man sized hankie, Axittic is obviously descending from the attic, Flissil is an impermanent, changing being, like flowers wilting in a pot.
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Thank you! So then the order would be Axittic – Horgous – Flissil, right? Just checking whether the order of the drawings appear the same to everyone.
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Oh yes, not the same as Claudia then. Axittic on the stairs, Horgous the stick, Flissil… the other.
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