Lesbian Scientistics: The math behind "Bette and Tina" and "Erica and Callie"

*Snicker*

I don't think it has so much to do with one name or person being more important than the other, but simply that both names sound better in one order than the other.

To me, all four couples sound better in their most used order, apart from Erica and Callie...which I actually think should be Callie and Erica.

Don't ask me why though.

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Its all in the syllables, followed by whether the name starts with a consonant. My theory is that humans need to start with the easier name to pronounce for there to be enough momentum built to say the next one.

for example, Bette and Tina.

Bette= 1 syllable, easy to say

Tina= 2 syllables, more effort to say. 

Spencer and Ashley

Spencer= starts with a consonant, easy to say

Ashley= Starts witha  vowel,  too breathy to start a phrase with.

Callie and Erica

Callie is the name that has only two syllables, and starts with a consonant.  Notice how the red portion of their pie chart is much smaller than the rest.

  for more proof of my theory we only need to look at Helen and Nikki's chart. The Helen to Nikki, and Nikki to Helen portions are way more symetrical than the rest of the pairings. We see that both their names have the same number of syllables, and start with a consonant. Coincidence? I think not!

Maybe it's about the number of syllables in the names.  When the number of syllables differ, then the one with less seems to be put first most of the time.  Something about the sound of that order comes across better, with the obvious exception of peanut butter and jelly, but we will just consider that an outlier (besides, they made a catchy song for that one, so now you could never say it a different way without sounding unmusical).  

However, I have no clue as to the origin of the order when they share the same number of syllables.  It might be as simple as someone says it that way first and then we all copy it.  For example, I didn't have a preference for Spencer and Ashley before the birth of "Spashley," but now that I use that term, it would feel very strange to say it backwards.  Although, Spashley brings up the point of consonants vs. vowels... you can't make cool couple names with a vowel first, so you start with the consonant-name and work the vowel-name in on a vowel from the first name.

It is sad to think how much thought I put into that, but even sadder when I realize that this isn't the first time I have engaged in this discussion... I'm a repeat offender when it comes to trying to solve puzzles, with or without logic. 

Did you check who got more computer search hits? I mean, Do Bette have more hits then Tina? Spencer more than Ashley? Helen more than Nikki? I think I'm on to something here. Callie and Erica (see, I did it too, but maybe it's your power of suggestion) doesn't work though since Callie's been on the show longer and would have more hits because of it.

So.. Maybe you can't decide if it's Kimandsarah or Sarahandskim because you like them equally? Which of course will bring you trouble now that you're gonna think about this when deciding (see, using my own power of suggestion).

I just know that when I say my friend's couple-names, I tend to say the name of the person I know the best first.

My partner and I have always been called "Anne and Susan" by friends, hardly ever "Susan and Anne." She is definitely taller, but I tend to think it is the syllable thing. Even our mouths seem to travel the path of least resistence. So the one syllable, easier name goes first.

That's my 2 cents. 

www.SeekingSaraSummers.com

I don't know the answers either... but I really enjoyed this post.. and I'm glad that I am not the only one who ever wondered about whose name should come first, and why certain combinations just sound better, lol!

Yeah for lesbian scientists!!!!

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It's alot like shakespear asked....."What is in a name?"  Alot, the way a person touches your heart with their genuine being...or rough but tender heart.  In each of these cases, Spencer...sweet and endearing, always standing for what is right,....Bette, well besides being drop dead hot!!! Is rough with a very tender and loving side....her roughness makes you want to love it out of her. Unfortunately I do not know "Erica and Callie" or "Nicki and Helen".  Not for nothing, I would steal little Miss Spencer in a heart beat.

It has to do with the ending sound of the (last)syllable in the names, as opposed physique and/or personal traits.

Because "and" is the conjunction employed in connecting the names, and it starts with a 'short a' sound, the name which ends with a (hard) consonant sound or vowel sound that is least similar to  the 'short a' sound comes first.

Proof:

1. Spencer and Ashley, because Spencer ends with a consonant sound and Ashley with a vowel sound.

2.Bette and Tina, because Bette ends with a consonant sound Tina with a vowel sound.

3.Callie and Erica, because the (Cal)-lie sound is less similar to the 'short a' sound than the (Eri)-ca is to the 'short a' sound in "and."

4.Helen and Nikki, because Helen ends with a consonant sound and Nikki ends with a vowel sound.

English generally avoids putting vowel sounds near each other because they are more difficult to pronounce(as illustrated by the a/an article rule). When those vowels form dipthongs... that's another story.

Interesting post.

I agree with all of them except 'Helen and Nikki'. For some reason, I find it easier to say 'Nikki and Helen'. I think it's to do with the 'and'. 'Helen' and 'and' both end with a similar sound. It just doesn't flow right for me.

If Bette and I were a couple, we would be called "Bette and Tina"...

Interesting that Bette and Tina becomes "Tibette" while most couples have the moniker in the same order as the way we say the names.  Just an observation.

I think popularity cannot be overlooked.   I suspect there are more Bette lovers than Tina lovers.  I also suspect that Spencer, although not quite as obviously hot, is more popular than Ashley.   Just sayin'

i think which name comes first has to do with how we like to smash names of couples together into something cute and cuddly. here it is in good ol equation form

spashley = spencer + ashley. *swoon*

if we said ashley & spencer it would be something awful like ashencer?!

callica =  callie + erica. *snugs*

flip it erica + callie = erillie? hmmm. not so cute and cuddly

tibette = tina + bette.

bette + tina = bettina... just another person's name. no extra umpf to make you barf hearts and stars everywhere

and finally nikki and helen are about equal because no matter how you try to smash those 2 names together it just doesn't sound good. niken? heliki?

i rest my case.

Weird, I call then Nikki and Helen, I'd  have thought that'd be more popular, especially based on fan fic and fandom and stuff.

 Although the title of "BEST TV COUPLE EVER" does suit very well :D

I've been craving watching them for ages!!

Meanwhile, my girlfriend and I are mostly Alice and Andi. It's tricky, both start with the same vowel. We've gotten both, but mostly Alice and Andi. there's just a lot of 'a's

BTW, Lesbian Scientists is one of the best blogs on here. It's maths-y and lesbian-y and awesome

i got it,they are all DADDY's girls.

Spencer has Arthur

Bette had Melvin

Callie had her dad played by Hector Elizondo

and if i remember correctly Helen had her father as well that she did not want to disappoint.

hmm

i agree with a lot off what ppl have said

it is confusing, thinking about all of my parents straight couple friends its always the womans name which comes first... usually "*insert female name here* and Dave"

so many Daves..

It has to do with the last syllable that goes before the end.

An 'A' sound before the and is difficult to say and sounds odd.

It's why 'Tegan and Sara' sounds better than 'Sara and Tegan' (And why they changed it)

I once had this same discussion (with myself), but about food names... peanutbutter and jelly, chocolate-chip mint, cookies and cream, honey-nut, strawberry rhubarb, broccoli and cheese...

Those follow the syllable rule in the opposite direction as the couples names...