I was reading Guards! Guards! and realised that Carrot's odd name was not to do with his hair colour, but to do with his shape. So this seems to be a nickname (or a name given to him by his adoptive parents). But as he was adopted, he must have a real name. Is there any indication in any of the books as to what this is?

I think that has always remained obscure... The first name his adoptive parents gave him would be interesting enough - after all, no one starts out carrot shaped, do they? It can't have been what they called him first.

I don't know, I wouldn't be surprised if Carrot was also a carrot-shaped baby!

Mrs G
The Garner who cares.

With Carrot's first appearance he is referred to as Carrot Ironfoundersson. His dwarf name is Kzad-bhat which is roughly translated as Head Banger. Probably an apt description considering his height when walking through the mine tunnels.

I want to die peacefully in my sleep, just like grandpa. Not screaming and panicking like his passengers.
Don't drink and drive from The Lancre Tavern

As Hsing said, he was probably not really tall or banging his head as a baby...

EDIT: Originally said it was Buzzfloyd...

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEATHOFRATS As Buzzfloyd said, he was probably not really tall or banging his head as a baby...

Be prepared not to be surprised Buzzfloyd.

From 'Guards! Guards!'...

'It is because of his shape. It is the kind of tapering shape a boy gets through clean living, healthy eating, and good mountain air in huge lungfuls. When he flexes his shoulder muscles, other muscles have to move out of the way first.'

It seems all the information Terry thinks is necessary is that brief introduction. So Carrot has been called Carrot since he was a boy, at which time he would have been taller than his adopted parents in any case.

Would it help to imagine him being called Aloicious Gulper the orphaned son of Matilda and Theodore Gulper, a journeyman tripe stippler from Bad Ass?

Sort of loses its appeal that way.

I want to die peacefully in my sleep, just like grandpa. Not screaming and panicking like his passengers.
Don't drink and drive from The Lancre Tavern

Bad Ass...

Is that village ever mentioned in the series apart from in Equal Rites?

Bad Ass is mentioned in these four books:-
Equal Rites
Wyrd Sisters
Lords and Ladies
Carpe Jugulum

I want to die peacefully in my sleep, just like grandpa. Not screaming and panicking like his passengers.
Don't drink and drive from The Lancre Tavern

Sorry.

Only read one of them.

Well then you are in luck, you still have some of the best funniest Discworld books left to read

() ()
( ' ,') "don't eat green potatoes"
(> >) Last words of Mrs. Bertha Sperling
@( )_ )_

Yeah, I wish I could read Carpe Jugulum for the first time again!

Mrs G
The Garner who cares.

Try drinking a full bottle of vodka before going to bed and start reading as soon as you wake up - you'll re-create the experience without any trouble.

I want to die peacefully in my sleep, just like grandpa. Not screaming and panicking like his passengers.
Don't drink and drive from The Lancre Tavern

KIDS.

Don't try this at home!

or anywhere else for that matter...

R.

Q. How do you write?
A. One word at a time.

Oops! Forgot the safety warning. I am admonished for my stupidity!

I want to die peacefully in my sleep, just like grandpa. Not screaming and panicking like his passengers.
Don't drink and drive from The Lancre Tavern

So Carpe Jugulum is one of the funniest books he's written?

I'll buy that one next, then...