Gough Steet in San Francisco was named by Charles H. Gough, a local milkman who served on the 1855 committee tasked with naming the streets of the Western Addition. He named Gough Street after himself and Octavia Street after his sister, and may have named Steiner Street after a friend.

I once went to an audition, and the director asked me if my name was pronounced like the street in San Francisco.  The stage manager sitting next to her piped up, “Oh, you mean Goo Street?”

Sigh.

I didn’t write this poem, but I am thankful for the Gough who did.

As if my life weren’t trying enough,
I have to have the last name “Gough.”
Folks can’t see the reason, though;
Why not pronounce it simply “Gough?”
And if slough is slough to rhyme with through,
Why the deuce can’t they say “Gough?”
Or if you’re saying plough and bough,
What’s wrong with just plain “Gough?”
I tell folks until I am about to cough,
My name is pronounced simply “Gough!”