Pokémon Nicknames: Wishiwashi

Wishiwashi (in Japanese: ヨワシ  “Yowashi”) is a Water-type Pokémon introduced in Pokémon Sun and Moon’s Alola Region (Generation VII). This Pokémon does not evolve, but it can change forms with its “Schooling Ability” — — if it has reached level 20. (Source: Bulbapedia)

One would have to agree that the sad-eyed fish is much more intimidating in the schooling form. However, if its HP is lowered to less than half during battle, it will revert to its regular form.

Wishiwashi is a small fish. I have used names like “Minnow-Soda” (after Minnesota) or “SS Minnow” (after the boat in Gilligan’s Island).

Healthy people eat a lot of fish, thus food or “diner” type names could be used. “ChickenOfSea” after the popular brand of tuna.  “Starkist” is another tuna name. “SorryCharlie” would work because of Wishiwashi’s sad face. Perhaps Wishiwashi is related to sardines — thus “Sardinia” after the Italian island. Name a female Wishiwashi “AuntChovey” after anchovies, which are part of a good anti-pasta. “Baccala”  is Italian salted cod — and the name of a Sopranos character.  I think he ended up “swimming with the fishes“. Of course don’t forget “Tartar“. Actually I eat very little fish these days. Fish is not fish to me unless it is breaded, deep fried and covered with cheddar and tartar sauce.

Wishiwashi looks like some type of smelt, so names like “Smelts” or “Smelt+Dealt” come to mind. The phrase “whoever-smelt-it-dealt it” was common on my middle school bus. You could name one “Smells Fishy” and the like. It is always a hoot to give your fish a funny name, then send it out over the Wondertrade — “Denny sent over A-Fishy-Smell … take good care of A-Fishy-Smell”. Ha. That would be hilarious. It reminds me of the famous quotation about smelts:

“There are only two things that smell like fish … and one of them is fish.” 

One of my favorite fish names has always been “Odoroyo Fish” the GREAT 1980s cover song updated by the Japanese idol group Tsuri Bit. Previously, I had only named Barboach/Whiscash “Odoroyo”. Here is a coincidence:  I used to name Whiscash “WishyWashy” because of the “W” on its head — but that is another story.

Another fun fish name is “Mr. Limpett” after “The Incredible Mr. Limpett” movie. I loved all of Don Knotts‘ movies when I was a kid. For more nostalgia you could name a Wishiwashi “SplishSplash” after the Bobby Darin song.

“1Fish 2Fish” is after the Dr. Suess’ children’s book “One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish”. Of course Wishiwashi is blue, but if you name it “Blue Fish” most would not make the connection. Other bookish or “school of fish” type names are appropriate: “Schools Out” after the great Alice Cooper song … or “Back2School” after the Rodney Dangerfield film. Do you what is scary to a middle school student? These “Back to school” ads you see in print ads in JULY! It is like they are mocking the kids that school will start in just a few weeks.

Because of Wishiwashi’s sad looking face, I thought of “My-Sad-Clown“. Also Wishiwashi’s frown reminds me of actor Sean Penn’s grin. Penn, (perhaps the stupidest person on the face of the Earth, — unless you count Russell Brand) often makes that frowny-face of disgust in his movies.

Looks like Droopy does not like what is on the seafood menu …

I named the first Wishiwashi that I caught “Droopy” because of its drooping eyes. That Pokémon is one drooping, flaccid fish. That led me to “LakeFlaccid” as a play on the movie named “Lake Placid”. Droopy looks like he could use some Cialis. “Viagra Falls” is a related name, based on the famous Niagara Falls.

There is a phrase often repeated by feminists that goes “A woman needs a man … like a fish needs a bicycle.”

I strongly disagree with that view. Jewish author Dennis Prager’s has said (and I paraphrase) that men and women need each other. I agree with that. Certainly a man does not feel complete without the love of a good woman. A woman needs a man just the same. It is true that living alone would be better than getting into a bad relationship. However, to say that men and women do not need each other is … well … STUPID.

Will this fish end up old, alone and bitter?

Readers: I apologize for the lack of Pokémon cosplay photos for this post. It seems Wishiwashi is just too new for Pokémon otaku to have created full Wishiwashi costumes yet. All I could find were these fish-patterned panties. Sorry.

Forget the bike, sweetie I just took something to put me in “schooling form” all weekend!

What is your favorite fish name? Please comment!

Pokémon Nicknames: Crabrawler and Crabominable

Alola cousins! After a hard day of battles and trials, the last thing you would want is to have your dinner fight you back!

Crabrawler (in Japanese: マケンカニ  “Makenkani”) is a FIGHTING-type Pokémon introduced in Alola. (Reference: Bilbapedia) You often encounter a Crabrawler when you try to pick up the cache of berries near certain palm trees. The Crabrawler jumps up, because you are messing with his lunch …

… but the trick is on him, as you can make this crab YOUR lunch!

Crabrawler has a very special evolution. This Gen Seven crab evolves into Crabominable (in Japanese: ケケンカニ  “Kekenkani”) only when leveled up at Mount Lanakila.

It then becomes a FIGHTING and ICE dual type. Ice makes sense – as Snowcrabs are a popular seafood. Crabonimable is likely named after the “abominable snowman” of Yeti legend I guess.

My favorite Crabrawler name is “The Bouncer” after “Benny the Bouncer” a song by Emerson, Lake and Palmer. It is the tale of a fearsome pub bouncer who finally meets his end. A YourTube user has posted a nice annotated version of it here.

The song is a departure from other ELP progressive-rock songs … ahem …  as it is short by prog rocker standards for one thing … plus Greg Lake sings it in a Cockney accent. Here let me ‘ave a go at my Cockney accent:

Denny: “Sidney grabbed a ‘achet … buried it in Benny’s ‘ead”.

I know what you are thinking: “Denny, how did you learn to imitate the British Cockney dialect so well?” My answer: Andy Capp comic strips. ‘

‘ello gov’nah!  Sure. I can see how Crabrawler could be a rough-and-tumble, rugby-playing, Guinness-slurping, pub bloke. Quick to fight, but also likely to have a beer and a game of darts with you after.

I suggest using “punch” based nicknames. Crabrawler has the “Iron Fist” ability which powers up punching moves.

I’ve used “BubblesLaRue” for females. “Crab Roux” makes a good lunch. The unfertilized eggs of a crab are called “roe“, which is considered a delicacy like caviar. So you can name it “Crab Roe“, or even “Roe Wade”, which would always causes a good fight. “Punch-N-Judy” after the famous puppet show “Punch and Judy”. “Punchline” after the good part of a joke. I think that this Alola Pokémon might be asked “How about a Hawaiian Punch”?

“Raging Crab” or some derivation — after the boxing movie “Raging Bull”. “Let’s Dance” after the David Bowie song, and the euphemism for “Let’s fight”.

“Cruisin’” as in the expression “You are Cruising for a bruising!”.

“The Contender” is a classy reference  – after Marlon Brando’s famous line in “Requiem for a Heavyweight” … “I coulda been a CONTENDER! … now I’m just a bum.” Yes, we mediocrities always think about what coulda been – had we lived up to our potential. “Palooka” is another name used there by Brando referring to washed-up boxers.

Some players use “Rocky” movie themed names. Crabrawler has this one beat-up eye, and does looks a little like Sylvester Stallone saying “Yo Adrian”.

You can use other crab or crustacean names I have previously suggested for other Pokémon.  Here is hoping that my names will lead you to create your own crab-like names

… please comment!

Pokémon Nicknames: Shellder and Cloyster

Image

“Food for thought”

Cloyster (Japanese: パルシェン  “Parshen”) is a dual-type WATER and ICE Pokémon. It evolves from the WATER-type Shellder when exposed to a Water Stone.

Basically, Cloyster is a big, mean oyster.  Near the top of where it splits open is a throbbing weapon.  Shellder (Japanese: シェルダー  “Shellder” )  is a tongue-wagging scallop.  The tongue of Shellder is actually a “foot” in a real brachiopod.

I nicknamed a female Cloyster “Delores” after a famous “Seinfeld” episode. Jerry was dating a girl, and he could not remember her name.  All he knew was that her name rhymes with the name of a female body part. 

(Side Note: I think only a Jerry Seinfeld fan would name a Cloyster “Mulva”.)

I think the point is way far north here.

Also, Cloyster has that mysterious “pointy thing” thing above its face … so, again … heh heh … similar to the female body part, referred to by Seinfeld.

I have not named many Shellder.  I just use “Sheldon” as in the character from “The Big Bang Theory”.

I named one “ShellyLong” but I think I was not even trying.  “MaryShelley” is OK for Frankenstein fans.  “Me Shell” perhaps for Beatles fans.  “Shell Shocked” may work for male or female. “BlahBlahBlah” is my name based on annoying tongue wagging.

“Squirt” or “Squirt Me”, or some variation of that may be good, because real scallops propel themselves by squirting.  Maybe you like watching that type of thing.

A Shellder hoping to encounter a Cloyster I’ll bet.

The above cosplayer was “Tipping the Velvet” … so now for a little Pokémon cosplay with some “mussel” …

Discussion Question:  Will we be able to “dive” again in Hoenn?

“Pearl” or “Black Pearl” may also be appropriate names.  Don’t try “Ironclit” (a play on the nautical term “Ironclad”), as the XY name censor will not take it.

You might use the name “Ama” who were Japanese pearl divers.  However, the name refers to the divers not the oysters.

Gather your “Dive Balls” and access your “Good Rod”!   Next time you are in a coastal region, you may want to “go diving” for some Cloyster!