Tawdry Knickers and Other Unfortunate Ways to Be Remembered

Some are born notorious.
Others have notoriety thrust upon them.

Few realize that their morning mouthwash bears the name of a life- saving British baron or that their sugary graham crackers would be abhorred by the health-food fanatic who concocted the flavorless original recipe. Throughout history, the proper names of figures both noble and notorious have slipped into the common and uncommon c...