Happy New Year, everybody!
Google is a fun tool to use. If you google "Andy Griffith Show cast" you'll
find numerous references to "Aunt Bee," who was indeed named Beatrice (Taylor),
but spelled her nickname "Bee." Apparently, the character name "Aunt Bee" can
be seen on screen in a couple of episodes. From the Andy Griffith Show Rerun
Watchers Club :
>>How do you spell Aunt Bee's name?
The correct
spelling is B-E-E. The spelling can be seen on a couple of episodes, color
ones. When she had the Chinese Restaurant ("Aunt Bee's Restaurant" episode
#209) and when she ran for council ("Politics Begin at Home" episode #200). The
spelling can also be seen on the closing credits of almost every episode of
TAGS.
Sure, Bee is short for Beatrice but she still spelled her name B-E-E. I guess
if you can get Bill from the name William or Jim from James, you can get Bee
from Beatrice. Bee is listed as a short form of Beatrice in "The Name Book"
which lists names for expecting parents.<<
Love that last point. How about Chuck from Charles, Bob from Robert, Dick from
Richard.... this list could go on and on. And just think of the many ways both
given and sur names may be spelled, and they're all correct because because
that's how they're spelled on the birth certificates. Johnson, Jonson, Jonsson,
Johnsson, anyone? Christine, Christina, Kristina, Kristine, etc. etc. One of my
students was named Destayne - pronounced "destiny."
Lastly, I think that Frances E. Bavier, who played the character Aunt Bee,
should have the last word regarding the spelling. She had "Aunt Bee" inscribed
on her grave stone below her name. And Ms. Bavier ought to have known.
You can see it here, or just google...
http://www.mrshappyhomemaker.com/2012/07/carrying-a-little-mayberry-with-me/
All the best,
Bisse (and yes, that's how I spell it)
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