Havelock and Xform

[jack]

Stupid questions, but where google and wikipedia fail me, my friends generally know.

1. "Xform" as an abbreviation of "transform". That's standard, isn't it? But where does that come from? I'm suddenly unsure. Is that just 'x' being 'an arbitrary operation'?

ETA: Thanks to three people who almost instantly pointed out that X works for 'trans', in the sense 'cross'.

2. "Havelock". I'm really only familiar with it as in "Vetinari", but I have the feeling it's a reference to something or other. There's a few other Havelocks on wikipedia, but nothing that made sense to me.

Comments

Cry 'Havelock!' and let slip the dugs of Whooo-Arrr!

[hairyears.livejournal.com]

I'm fairly sure its a reference to Havelock Ellis, author of "Studies in the Psychology of Sex" - a first attempt at the scientific analysis of human sexuality. All human sexual behaviours were researched and documented in an entirely neutral medical tone, the author confining himself to description and explanation without moral commentary. It was, of course, considered an obscene publication and the staff at the British Museum would get very, very precious indeed if you requested any of the seven volumes (and vol V in particular) without documentary evidence that you were a doctor. Owning the book was considered scandalous, even thirty years after the ban on sales to the general public was lifted!

Re: Cry 'Havelock!' and let slip the dugs of Whooo-Arrr!

[cartesiandaemon.livejournal.com]

Hmm. That's not what I expected, but it makes sense. OK. Thanks!