Note from the Editor: Given that we have many new Bricklyn Eagle readers who may not be familiar with Bricklyn naming practices, we decided to republish this article, which has also been updated by reporter Brenda Softbrick.
Originally Posted on June 10, 2021; Updated August 15, 2025 by Brenda Softbrick, The Bricklyn Eagle’s Culture & History correspondent
Summary of Article ➤ Why do Bricklyn residents often have “brick,” “tile,” “plate,” or simply the middle initial “B” in their names? Learn about Bricklyn naming traditions from our culture & history reporter Brenda Softbrick.
Let’s start with some basic “rules” — notice the quote marks we placed around the word “rules.” Bricklyn family names are not prescribed by law, rather they are typically based on occupational naming traditions — common in Denmark and many other countries. As such, Bricklyn’s use of occupational naming is not unusual.
There are essentially five categories of names you’ll find in Bricklyn:
“Brick” is part of a person’s surname.
“Tiler” is a person’s middle name.
“Plater” is a person’s middle name.
The letter/initial “B” comprises the person’s full middle name.
Where the person’s full name includes none of the above.
➤ As most readers will know, brickbuilders, tilers, and plate makers (also known as platers) are the three most common occupations in LEGO-based communities — hence “brick,” “tiler,” and “plater” are used in the naming tradition that evolved. Of course, these also refer to the three principal parts in a LEGO builder’s inventory: bricks; tiles; and plates.
Tom Brcikorti next to LEGO bricks. Tom comes from a line of brickbuilders, even though he no longer carries on the family occupational tradition.
It should be noted that if “brick” is part of someone’s last name — such as for Chamber of Commerce head, Tom Brickorti — you’ll never find “tiler,” “plater,” or the initial “B” in that person’s middle name.
Since many names were originally based on a family’s occupational heritage (e.g., “Brick” indicates the family were brickbuilders; “Tiler” indicates they were tilers; and “Plater” indicates they were plate makers) it would have been highly unlikely for a family to include members in different occupations — given the quite rigid occupational lines in place before families emigrated from Billund, Denmark to Bricklyn, Vermont, during the years of disassociation and re-association.
“Progressive” Changes in Naming Practices
Mary Tiler Fleur, Customer Service Manger for the Bricklyn Dept. of Public Works, seen here admiring the tiles that make up Bricklyn’s new bike path. Many in Tiler Fleur’s family have worked as tilers — so perhaps it’s no coincidence that Tiler Fleur works for the DPW!
However, changes in naming practices have occurred since the 1960s.
Quite a few so-called” progressive” families dropped the inclusion of occupational referents in their names and often substituted the middle initial “B” to stand for “Bricklynite” in their name — as is the case with Chulpin B. Spancer (and bear in mind that when you see a name that has a middle “B,” it stands for “Bricklynite,” not “Brickbuilder”).
Bill Plater Jones, clutch-hitting First Baseman for the Bricklyn Stackers. Consistent with his family name, Jones excels at the plate! (excuse that bit of Bricklyn humor). Note also the irony that home plate is actually a tile and not a plate. For reasons we have not been able to discover, Bricklynites never changed the expression “home plate” to the more technically accurate “home tile.”
➤ Newcomers to Bricklyn without any direct connection to Billund, Denmark, also have often adopted the naming format of simply including the middle “B” in their name.
With all that said, you’ll find that a majority of names in Bricklyn still hold to the traditional usage previously described.
It needs to be mentioned that some Bricklyn residents do not use any of the naming traditions we’ve described.
These tend to be young, more radically inclined individuals (or some older hipster types) who seek to deny any vestige of their common heritage.
Photo by Ann Tiler Anderson, with help from GPT4.o AI.
But even among this group, not a small number eventually seek to show solidarity with their neighbors by incorporating the “B” (for Bricklynite) letter as their middle initial.
➤ The brief re-naming ceremony is often accompanied by a festive beer party — which this reporter believes may well be the reason why some individuals decide to “Add the B” as their new middle initial!
When It Comes to Brick Family Names
One other historical footnote that might interest some readers: only those from brickbuilder families include the “brick” appellation in their surnames. Those from Tiler or Plater families include those words only in their middle names. Perhaps this reflects the higher status of brickbuilders in the old Billund culture — reflecting a bit of a caste system even among the generally egalitarian Billunders.
It should be noted, however, that historical records indicate that brickbuilders, tilers, and plate makers all received the same rate of pay, modified only by an individual’s seniority and level of expertise.
➤ Whatever “name-based discrimination” there might have been, was primarily of a social, not an economic, nature.
The Debunked “Doppelgänger” Theory
Finally, let me make brief mention of the “doppelgänger” theory and its purported role in the names of some Bricklyn residents. The notion that any Bricklynites are named after their counterparts in our “twin” Outland City of Burlington, VT, or elsewhere, has been widely debunked, discredited, denounced, and denied. As Bricklyn Eagle Editor Walt Brickman himself has stated, “any resemblance between Bricklyn and its residents, locales, or events to any persons, locales, or actual events, or locales is entirely coincidental!” ✥
Note from Bricklyn Eagle Editor Walt Brickman: Readers should be aware that both I and Brenda Softbrick, who wrote the above article, come from a line of brickbuilders.
Barnum & Bricklyn Circus troupe entering the Big Top in Bricklyn, Vermont. All photos and graphics in this article prepared by Bricklyn Eagle staffer Ann Tiler Anderson with assistance from Dall E-3 AI.
Clowns arriving at the Bricklyn Fairgrounds last week for the 2025 edition of the Barnum & Bricklyn Circus.
The Bricklyn Legotary is lead sponsor of the Circus’s much anticipated return to Bricklyn. As Legotary president Jerry Plater-Zybrick told us:
“The Barnum & Bricklyn Circus is undoubtedly the most popular attraction that we in Bricklyn share with the rest of the Inland world.”
“Crowds of LEGO people from Realms around the globe,” noted Plater-Zybrick, “have marveled at Barnum & Bricklyn’s dazzling Big Top show. Legotary chapters have been the principal sponsors of Barnum & Bricklyn during its 2024-2025 tour — and it’s all for a great cause, helping raise money to ensure that lower income LEGO families can afford high quality child care.”
“We at the Bricklyn Legotary,” Plater-Zybrick added, “are excited to see the Barnum & Bricklyn return to its home base of Bricklyn. The Big Top will be packed for both afternoon and evening shows so Bricklynites, get your tickets now.”
Calvin Plater Hobbs, Ringmaster of the Barnum & Bricklyn Circus since 2020.The spectacular opening act had the sold-out Bricklyn crowd enthralled on opening night last Wednesday.
Tom Brickorti, CEO of the Bricklyn Chamber of Commerce, also applauded the Circus’s return. As Brickorti told us: “The Barnum & Bricklyn showcases the very best of Bricklyn. It’s an event that brings families together, and puts a smile on everyones’ face. It’s especially welcome during these challenging days we’ve been facing, when so many people are worried about Bricklyn’s future. The Barnum & Bricklyn is the perfect tonic we all need.”
Free donuts provided by Dunk Them Donuts to all attending the Circus.
During the Circus’s stay, Bricklyn donut mogul David Tiler Broffman is providing free donuts for all attendees.
As Broffman noted, “Dunk Them Donuts is proud to be a chief sponsor of the Barnum & Bricklyn Circus. We could think of no better way of supporting the Legotary’s fine work than by providing free donuts to every visitor … and that even includes Homer Simpson. As Homer would say, “there’s nothing like munching on a tasty Dunk Them Donut while sitting under the Big Top.”
Changes Under the Big Top
Visitors to the Barnum & Bricklyn Circus will find a few big differences this year. Most notably, the absence of lions and tigers and bears, oh my!
We asked Barnum & Bricklyn CEO Marv Strawbrick about this change.
Jugglers showing off their skills.
As Strawbrick explained, “We’re focusing more on the artistry of our amazing performers, our jugglers, high wire artists, horse riders, acrobats, and clowns.”
“Circuses have come to realize,” said Strawbrick, “that having wild animals is not necessary to the circus experience. In fact, in surveys we have seen, a growing number of circus visitors have indicated their concern about the ethics of using wild animals in a circus.”
As Strawbrick continued, “while we at the Barnum & Bricklyn have always given priority to treating all of our animal performers kindly and with care, we understand these concerns, based though they are on some of those ‘bad apple, low-budget’ circuses you still find in parts of the Outland world.”
While these LEGO critters no longer perform under the Barnum & Bricklyn’s Big Top, they are still considered part of the Circus family. Barnum & Bricklyn has purchased and set aside 100 acres along the Brickooski River for them to live. Still, the former performing animals were excited by the return last week of their long-time Barnum & Bricklyn friends, and attended a special preview performance..
What Circus-Goers Like Best
Blonde haired Melissa and brown haired Thomas at the Barnum & Bricklyn Circus on Saturday.
In walking through the fairgrounds, we asked several circus-goers what they liked best about the circus. Among the many young people with smiles on their faces, we spoke with ten year old Melissa and twelve year old Thomas, both of whom were about to get some cotton candy, always a favorite at the circus.
“Wow. we Just saw the Big Top show,” Melissa said. “It’s so much better than even two years ago. I was just eight years old then. What I love best is Miss Tracy on the high wire. I thought, oh my god, how can she walk up there like that! While it would be scary, it would also be so exciting to be so high and see everyone looking so little down below. I just love the circus!” Then turning towards her parents, Melissa called out, “Mom, Dad, can we please come back to the Circus again next week?”
Miss Tracy in the Big Top, high above the ground.
Thomas told us that what he liked best “was definitely the clowns,” explaining that “maybe it’s because I also like to clown around. Hey, I’m joking about that!”
Thomas added, “Most of the clowns are happy, but some are sort of scary looking and some look sad. Don’t know why. If I had a job as a clown I’d be walking around smiling all the time, while sticking out my tongue at people, or just playing jokes on them.”
“Being a clown,” Thomas concluded, “sure would be very cool and lots of fun.”
Barnum & Bricklyn Circus Poster from 2012.
Outside the Big Top we chatted with some others in the crowd. Ellen Brickhouse, an elementary school teacher and resident of Bricklyn Junction, told us:
“It’s so enjoyable to come here with my sister and her two kids. They’re six and eight and it’s their first circus. What a great job Barnum & Bricklyn does. It really is a show for all ages, but especially for kids, or those of us older folks who are still kids at heart. With all the bad news I’ve been reading — and, yes, including in your newspaper — it’s so nice to be able to spend some stress-free time here at the Fairgrounds.”
We also spotted Federal Council member Bill B. Butler exiting the Big Top. “Yes, I’m using my day off from Brick Rail to see the circus,” Butler told us, explaining that “I’m a big fan of Barnum & Bricklyn, and especially love their beautiful horses and the fancy tricks they and their riders can do.”
“As you know,” Butler added, “we [the Bricklyn Federal Council] voted recently to make sure that the Bricklyn Fairgrounds — along with Riverside Park — will never become the site of a nuclear power plant.
“We’ve called for an investigation of that plan cooked up by former YMK Brickburger to sell the Fairgrounds to Nu-Clear Bricklyn so they can build a nuclear power plant right here where we’re standing. The Fairgrounds is really the only place in Bricklyn where we can hold a big event like the circus, and we’re going to keep it that way!”
Clowns on break.The entire troupe gathers to conclude the Big Top show.
Reporter Amanda B. Starr
That wraps it up for today. Reporting from the Bricklyn Fairgrounds and the Barnum & Bricklyn Circus, Amanda B. Starr for The Bricklyn Eagle.
p.s., I also want to report to you that photographer Ann Anderson, who caught me with that mega-sized chocolate donut, is also at this very minute munching on an equally large strawberry frosted donut loaded with sprinkles! ✥
To the Editor: Thank you for your coverage of this exciting event. Let’s hope that the Barnum & Bricklyn Circus spends more time in its hometown of Bricklyn. Coming every other year is just not often enough! — Nancy Sugarbrick, South Bricklyn, VT.
To the Editor: Just what’s the status with the Fairgrounds in light of the deal Nu-Clear Bricklyn “cooked up,” as Councilor Butler put it. Maybe we need a nuclear power plant, but I agree with the Councilor that it shouldn’t be at the Fairgrounds, especially since it’s the only site in Bricklyn that can accommodate the Circus and the Fall Expo. As I’ve said many times before, “common sense is something that everyone needs, few have, and none think they lack.” — Franklin B. Benjamin, Bricklyn Jct., VT.
Photo provided to the Bricklyn Eagle by an anonymous source of Mr. Burns and Dunk Them Donuts CEO Broffman at Nu-Clear Bricklyn offices.
Reply from the Editor:The Bricklyn Eagle will continue to follow the Federal Council initiated investigation into the deal former Yuppie-Mayor-King Brickburger made with C. Montgomery Burns that purportedly sold the Fairgrounds and Riverside Park sites to Nu-Clear Bricklyn, Inc. for construction of a nuclear power plant. It is noteworthy that Dunk Them Donuts magnate David Tiler Broffman has also been implicated in the Nu-Clear Bricklyn deal.
To the Editor: As a Vermont neighbor of Bricklyn, I want to make sure that readers are aware of the amazing Vermont-based Circus Smirkus, which tours with performances given by talented teens every Summer. Perhaps the Barnum & Bricklyn folks could arrange to have teenage Bricklynites visit a Circus Smirkus performance, as I believe one or two are scheduled within Vermont’s Outerlands. Here’s a delightful short video with highlights from the Circus Smirkus 2024 tour. — Terri S., Waterbury, VT.
Note from Bricklyn Eagle Editor Walt Brickman: The recently formed “Save Democracy” group sponsored a meeting yesterday to allow Bricklynites to weigh in on the planned April 15th referendum on a four-year agreement that would associate Bricklyn with both the nations of France and Denmark. For details on the proposal see our earlier report.
It should be noted that the Bricklyn referendum is contingent on the French and Danish parliaments first voting to ratify the proposed agreement. Those votes are scheduled for the week of April 7th
Bricklyn Eagle correspondent David Tiler Blue attended one of today’s “Save Democracy” meetings, and reports on some of what Bricklynites had to say.
Save Democracy meeting yesterday drew a large crowd to the Palace Theater in downtown Bricklyn. All photos unless otherwise noted taken by Bricklyn Eagle staffer Ann Tiler Anderson, with assistance from Dall E-3 AI.
David Tiler Blue, Reporter for The Bricklyn Eagle: Greetings to our Outland readers. To give you a sense of the reaction of Bricklynites to the proposed referendum, we’re setting out below excerpts from several of the comments made at this morning’s meeting organized by Bricklyn’s new “Save Democracy” group. The referendum is on whether the Realm of Bricklyn should, for at least the next four years, join both the French Republic and the Kingdom of Denmark as “overseas territories.” Again, as Editor Brickman noted, we’ve previously posted details about this association agreement.
Before getting to the public comments, we’ve inserted below a short video shown at the start of the meeting. As meeting moderator Jenny B. Jensen explained, “this meditative piece by Outland composer Max Richter can have a calming effect and help make people speak with deeper reflections.” Some of the commenters put that theory to the test.
Selected Public Comments from the Realm of Bricklyn Meeting of March 29, 2025 :
Herb Tiler Henderson, Bricklyn, VT: Thank you to our friends in the LEGO realms of France and Denmark for encouraging your government officials to negotiate and reach a tentative agreement with the Realm of Bricklyn. … Given the frightening rhetoric from the American administration, there is a very real risk that almost every one of us LEGO people could be deported from our homes in Bricklyn and our democracy lost.
Marcia Brickover, owner of Little Bricklyn Child Care.
Marcia Brickover, South Bricklyn, VT: We all know that this what we’ll be voting on may be a short-term solution, until, perhaps, sane leaders reclaim the American White House four years from now. But it will help ensure that our rights and freedom will be defended. …
I also want to say to my fellow Bricklynites, don’t worry about the proposed boundary line diving our Realm into French and Danish halves. If anything, it will add to our cultural diversity by having French influences on the Left Bank of the Brickooski River, and Danish influences on the Right Bank — and we can all enjoy both. Our kids will be alright.
I can tell everyone here that many of my customers are looking for some way to respond to what’s happening in America. … I don’t know if what’s being proposed is the best answer or not, but like the previous speaker, I give a lot of weight to what our Chief Prognosticator thinks.
We need to do something, and the deal with Denmark and France is a good idea. I’ll be voting “yes.”
Pastor Johnny Kahn. Photo from The Bricklyn Eagle archives.
Pastor Johnny Kahn, Bricklyn, VT: Who do we think we are! By God, we are Americans — some by birth here, others who chose to live on American soil. Yet our so-called leaders want to throw this all away. For what? For fear that some may malcontents in Bricklyn may be deported back to the socialist havens of Denmark or France. I say, let them be shipped there. Good riddance to them and their ilk.
Don’t all of you realize that the great Orange messenger has been sent by our Lord to save America. The Almighty one changed the course of an assassin’s bullet. That’s more important than petty concerns about that insipid word, democracy. … Let’s be patriots and vote down this proposal being foisted on us by left-wing extremists.
Sandra and Tom Swiftbrick at Bricklyn Space Flight Center on March 29, 1969 from The Bricklyn Eagle archives. Taken with assistance from Dall E-3 AI.
Sandra Tiler Swiftbrick, Bricklyn Jct., VT: Many of you knew my late husband, astronaut Tom Swiftbrick. As The Bricklyn Eagle reported two years ago, Tom set foot on the Moon alongside, and with the help of, American astronaut Neil Armstrong.
Bricklynites and Americans have long shared a positive vision of the future. But, sad to say, that vision has been darkened by a would-be dictator now acting as America’s president. … By Bricklyn becoming very small part of France and Denmark, we are not only helping ourselves, but are sending a message to America’s leaders so they know that the LEGO people of Bricklyn will not accept a threat to our democracy and freedoms. I am sure my late husband would agree.
Martha B. Careful in front of her Bricklyn Imports store in downtown Bricklyn Jct., Vermont.
Martha B. Careful, Bricklyn Jct., VT: Like my name, I always try to be careful when I make important decisions. I’m also, as most of you probably know, the owner of Bricklyn Imports, right here on Upper South Street. … What I’m very concerned about is the impact of tariffs on us. There hasn’t been much discussion here in Bricklyn about that. As a famous American once said, “No nation was ever ruined by trade.” Yet the Americans are starting to choke off trade.
So I’ve got concerns about trade and tariffs. Just how will American tariffs affect us if we become part of France or Denmark? I’d also like to know what the League of Inland Cities has to say, as they focus on promoting trade, and I see the head of the League, Lars Brickmussen, here in the audience. I’d like to hear more about this before I vote.
Bill Tiler French, business analyst; also Treasurer of the Bricklyn Chapter of the Alliance Française.
Bill Tiler French, Bricklyn Jct., VT: As some of you know I’m Treasurer of the Bricklyn Chapter of the Alliance Française, but I’m here speaking as an individual. I have to candidly say I’m concerned about having half of the Realm of Bricklyn become part of the Kingdom of Denmark. I just don’t think that’s a good idea. Do we forget the hard feelings that still exist related to the emigration of thousands of LEGO people from Denmark to Bricklyn, Vermont in the early 1980s?
I also doubt the will of the Danish people to standard up to America. Wait till you see them capitulate about control of Greenland in the coming months. I’d much rather have the support of the French Republic in standing with us here in Bricklyn.
Finally, it will be a lot less confusing to have all of Bricklyn become an overseas territory of France, instead of trying to split our Realm with half being part of France, and the other half being part of Denmark. This two-headed arrangement will also lead to constant confusion among not just visitors to Bricklyn, but among Bricklynites as well. I say “non” to the proposed agreement, but “oui” if — as originally planned — we associate just with the French Republic.
Milly Plater-Zybrick speaking at today’s “Save Democracy” meeting.
Millicent Plater-Zybrick, Bricklyn, VT: Hi everybody. I’m Milly. I go to the Red Brick Schoolhouse in Bricklyn. You all know who my Mom is, and you all know that because I’m just ten years old, I can’t vote. But me and my friends are scared about what’s happening, and about all this talk about maybe being forced to leave our homes in Bricklyn.
You’re the adults, and will get to decide what to do, but before you do listen to this old song I just heard for the first time a few days ago, by a singer by the name of John Lennon. I also asked Ms. Jensen to share it with Bricklyn Eagle readers. 📍Editor’s Note: Milly’s mother is Federal Council President Hilma Plater-Zybrick.
Lars Brickmussen. Undated photo from The Bricklyn Eagle archives.
Lars Brickmussen, Presiding Official, League of Inland Cities: I want to take a minute to respond to Ms. Careful’s question related to The League of Inland Cities. We have not taken a position on the proposal to be voted on by citizens of the Tri-Partite Realm of Bricklyn. … We represent 27 LEGO cities and realms. While we are headquartered here in Bricklyn, we refrain from commenting on internal matters affecting any of our member cities or realms, though of course we want to stay informed of important matters, such as what you’ll be voting on.
Given our charter and our origins in the Hanseatic League of the 12th to 15th centuries, the League of Inland Cities clearly favors policies that promote free trade among its member realms, and will continue to do so regardless of whether Bricklyn chooses to associate with France and Denmark.
Grandpa Simpson at the Palace Theater.
Abraham Jebediah “Abe” Simpson II, aka Grandpa Simpson, South Bricklyn, VT: I came to Bricklyn from Springfield with all of my family a few years ago. I’m just an old geezer. I don’t know if I can even vote here or have to go back to Springfield. My son is a big-shot who runs controls at nuclear plants, and hopes to get a job doing that here in Bricklyn if that deal goes through, so maybe he’ll stop eating so many donuts every day.
I thought I was just going to see a movie this afternoon. That’s why I got the popcorn. Thought this was a movie theater, not a meeting theater. … Now what have you all been talking about??
David Tiler Blue, Reporter for The Bricklyn Eagle: At the meeting several Bricklynites raised questions about the state of democracy today, not just in the United States, but in Denmark and France. One useful source for evaluating this are the democracy indices published by the V-Dem Institute based at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
These indices take into account a variety of factors. The “core indices” focus on electoral democracy; liberal democracy; participatory democracy; deliberative democracy; and egalitarian democracy.” For more on the indices. The overall rankings (reflecting data through Dec. 31, 2024) place Denmark as the most democratic nation in the world, followed by Estonia and Ireland, with France as the tenth most democratic, and the United States ranked nineteenth. Saudi Arabia places last of the 179 nations ranked.
V-Dem’s just published Democracy Report 2025 25: Years of Autocratization – Democracy Trumped? — March 2025; pdf) includes a special section on the rapid “breakdown” of democracy in the United States since Trump took office: “As of the time of writing, Trump has been in office for six weeks. The speed with which American democracy is coming under strain has taken many observers by surprise. The expansion of executive power, undermining of Congress’ power of the purse, offensives on independent and counter-veiling institutions and the media, as well as purging and dismantling of state institutions – classic strategies of autocratizers – seem to be in action. The enabling silence among critics fearful of retributions is already prevalent.”
