this post was submitted on 14 Aug 2025
0 points (NaN% liked)
Science Memes
16217 readers
270 users here now
Welcome to c/science_memes @ Mander.xyz!
A place for majestic STEMLORD peacocking, as well as memes about the realities of working in a lab.
Rules
- Don't throw mud. Behave like an intellectual and remember the human.
- Keep it rooted (on topic).
- No spam.
- Infographics welcome, get schooled.
This is a science community. We use the Dawkins definition of meme.
Research Committee
Other Mander Communities
Science and Research
Biology and Life Sciences
- !abiogenesis@mander.xyz
- !animal-behavior@mander.xyz
- !anthropology@mander.xyz
- !arachnology@mander.xyz
- !balconygardening@slrpnk.net
- !biodiversity@mander.xyz
- !biology@mander.xyz
- !biophysics@mander.xyz
- !botany@mander.xyz
- !ecology@mander.xyz
- !entomology@mander.xyz
- !fermentation@mander.xyz
- !herpetology@mander.xyz
- !houseplants@mander.xyz
- !medicine@mander.xyz
- !microscopy@mander.xyz
- !mycology@mander.xyz
- !nudibranchs@mander.xyz
- !nutrition@mander.xyz
- !palaeoecology@mander.xyz
- !palaeontology@mander.xyz
- !photosynthesis@mander.xyz
- !plantid@mander.xyz
- !plants@mander.xyz
- !reptiles and amphibians@mander.xyz
Physical Sciences
- !astronomy@mander.xyz
- !chemistry@mander.xyz
- !earthscience@mander.xyz
- !geography@mander.xyz
- !geospatial@mander.xyz
- !nuclear@mander.xyz
- !physics@mander.xyz
- !quantum-computing@mander.xyz
- !spectroscopy@mander.xyz
Humanities and Social Sciences
Practical and Applied Sciences
- !exercise-and sports-science@mander.xyz
- !gardening@mander.xyz
- !self sufficiency@mander.xyz
- !soilscience@slrpnk.net
- !terrariums@mander.xyz
- !timelapse@mander.xyz
Memes
Miscellaneous
founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
I don't know if she kept her polish last name after marriage but in Poland it's always Maria Skłodowska-Curie. I think it's some kind of Polish curse that the most famous poles are not known by polish names so people don't realize they were Polish. Curie, Chopin, Copernicus, John Paul II. Or, even worse, they are known by polish name by no one can pronounce it. The highest peak in Australia is Mt Kościuszko but Australians don't know it's named after polish General because they can't even say it.
She became famous while in France, married to a Curie, having daughters named Curie, winning Nobel prizes with her husband while there, and spending the rest of her life there. I don't think it's about a Polish curse, it's about which name was more practical and natural for her to use, and being famous well beyond Poland. Curie is indeed easier to pronounce and more memorable in both French and English, and it's common for famous people to go by their easiest name by choice (Bill vs William, John vs Jonathan, etc.). This in no way reduces her original name. Famous actors even look to have a stage (public) name to help them be more famous. She just got one naturally.
My Polish aunt took her husband's Canadian name only because it was people did back then.
As for John Paul II, "Karol" just happens to rhyme with feminine name "Carol(e)" in English and French. He possibly wanted to avoid that himself.
Also, Norm MacDonald's Polish joke is worth a listen. Look it up!
Looks like she continued to use her maiden name throughout her life. American schools seem to always use her French name, including using Marie instead of Maria. Partially because Americans can't pronounce Polish names. And likely a significant cultural bias towards associating scientific advancement with Western Europe.
I've never seen a "Maria Skłodowska-Curie street" outside of Poland. It's always Marie Curie. It's definitely not just USA, it's the same in Europe.
Good ole' Mt Cozy Couscous. To be fair, no one forced the Poles to make their language unpronounceable by anyone without a lifetime's practice or severe sinus issues.
I think in Ukraine she's also more known under the full name, from what I can remember from my school years