Many years ago I worked for an Employment Agency where I was allowed to place WOMEN in jobs UNDER $10,000 per year ONLY because...the male counselors needed to earn enough to support families. That they were all single didn't seem to matter.

So, on my first day in the office I had to choose a nom de plume to put in newspaper ads. DIdn't want candidates tracking me down by my real name. The guidelines? A four letter name beginning with the actual first letter of my last name - S.

Given the job, I suggested Mary Shit but they opted for Syms.