The Fred Society

The FRED Society was founded in 1984, and still appears to be going strong. It's a kind of support group for people (mostly men) named Fred, designed to address the negative connotations associated with the name. That is, when people hear the name Fred, they tend to think of characters such as Fred Mertz (the bumbling neighbor on 'I Love Lucy') or Fred Flintstone. The Fred Society would like us to think of Fred Astaire instead.

Who We Are
Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over forty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. Contact Us

Posted By: Alex - Mon Jun 29, 2015
Category: Clubs, Fraternities and Other Self-selecting Organizations | Odd Names

Comments

I feel more sorry for Dick van Dyke (think about it)

Posted by BrokeDad in Midwest US on 06/29/15 at 01:20 PM

Don't disparage Fred Mertz! He owned the apartment building and kept it running, so he had to have some degree of competence.

Posted by KDP on 06/29/15 at 04:20 PM

I wonder if they took inspiration from The Dave Conspiracy.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narbonic#The_Dave_Conspiracy

TLDR: In the webcomic Narbonic, there was an organization made up entirely of everyone in the world named "Dave". Those who left the organization became "David", as only a member can be a "Dave".

Posted by SpyOne on 06/29/15 at 10:23 PM

I never thought there was any negative associations of being called Fred.

Posted by dumbledoor on 06/30/15 at 10:55 AM

Coconut Grove a unusually independent sub-unit of the city of Miami has a annual King Mango Strut parade every year just before New Years. Included in this laid back, strange, crazy, parade of happiness, protest and making fun of most anything the marching Fred's precision drill team usually appears with guys dressed in business suits pushing lawn mowers, or carrying golf bags or swinging briefcases in formation to music. There is a website on the parade for those who wish to know more.

Posted by Gator Guy on 06/30/15 at 06:27 PM

One of the finest men in my life was my Uncle Fred. (Raises glass)

Posted by mindful webworker on 06/30/15 at 09:29 PM

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