The name Dr. O’Dork came from friends’ children, Artemis and Danaë. When they were about 9 and 13 years old, they were teasing me. Basically trying to call me a nerd, which I am. They didn’t want to say that directly, so, instead, they called me Mr. O’Dork. I couldn’t let them get away with such an insult. So, I said to them: “Show some respect, it is Dr. O’Dork to you” They laughed, and have continued to call me Mr. O’Dork over the years. They know how I will respond, and I do not disappoint them.
There were many jokes over the years about this. Once, I inhaled some helium from a balloon and said “Greetings Earthlings” in a voice that would put Nu-tra (Devo fans will know) to shame. Artemis asked me to say something else. Of course, I took another breath of helium and said: “It’s Dr. O’Dork to you” in voice that adding “Show some respect” wouldn’t have made me any more respectable.
And, more recently, more than 10 years after this all started, Danaë got their Ph.D. I was ready to return the favor when I texted a greeting to Danaë. Danaë took my joke away and texted back with “Doctor O’Dork, that’s DOCTOR Danaë to you:” We both waited years for this joke. Danaë beat me to it.
So, when it came to coming up with a name for my “Enterprises”, the first thing that came to mind is O’Dork Enterprises and the domain name, odork.com. The name odork.com was already taken, and I didn’t want to spend $3,000 to get it, so, instead, Dr. O’Dork Enterprises, and dr-odork.com.
I expect much more fun about being Dr. O’Dork is in my future.
Barry Schaudt, aka (to a few) Dr. O’Dork