It was William Shakespeare's immortal question: What's in a name?.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
And it's a question that, for the past year. has plagued many, though some more strongly than others, as the Black Lives Matter movement, which spread from America across the world, has highlighted words and terms being used in derogatory and racist ways.
The latest chapter in this story came on Tuesday when Saputo Dairy Australia confirmed that Coon Cheese would be known as Cheer Cheese from July.
The company said the decision was made six months ago in response to criticism the name had racist connotations.
But what does that mean for the Coon family here in Dubbo?
The Dubbo Coon family are part of a very well-known market gardening dynasty that has been in business for five generations, with two brothers owning the popular fruit and vegetable shop Mick and Paul's.
As a private company, Saputo Dairy is free to change the name of its cheese, but does this also mean the family's surname - part of their heritage - has racist connotations?
What about those with the names Hooker, Gay, Dick or Hoar? Do those surnames also come under scrutiny because they also mean something else?
Coon cheese takes its name from its American founder, Edward William Coon. It has nothing to do with racism.
So isn't the issue here that the names are being used as derogatory terms, rather than the way they are meant to be used, as surnames.
And aren't we adult enough in 2021 to treat each other with respect, understand the meaning behind a name and use it appropriately?
"Eliminate the cruel intention and allow it to live solely as a surname," Georgie Coon told the Liberal this week when talking about this difficult debate.
Perhaps, in the end, that should be the name of the game.
Do you have something to say?