The name Marvin

j   Fri Apr 13, 2007 11:42 am GMT
I'm reading a mystery book by Ed McBain and have some questions.
1. 'He looked the cops dead in the eye' - what does it mean?

2. The next excerpt is a bit too long:

'The bartender looked as a actor.
Long black hair pulled into a ponytail.Soulbrown eyes. ...Great profile.
His name was Marvin
Change it, Priscilla thought.
"I'ii tell you why we're here, Marvin," she said.
Marvin. Jesus.
........
"The man we're looking for, Marvin..."
Jesus.'
============
Why does the name Marvin give her such a negative impression?

Thank you in advance.
P   Fri Apr 13, 2007 12:52 pm GMT
1. It means he looked straight into the policeman's eye(s).

2. Maybe because Marvin is a dorky name. Starvin' Marvin, Marvin the Martian, etc.


>> 'The bartender looked as a actor. <<

Are you sure that's what's written?
j   Sat Apr 14, 2007 4:01 am GMT
<<Are you sure that's what's written?<<

Actually yes, I am.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0446605387/ref=sib_dp_srch_pop/104-7266762-5191126?v=search-inside&keywords=bartender&go.x=13&go.y=11&go=Go%21

Why Marvin is dorky?
Uriel   Tue Apr 17, 2007 3:56 am GMT
It's an old-fashioned, currently unpopular name.
Jim   Tue Apr 17, 2007 4:33 am GMT
Marvin Gaye
j   Wed Apr 18, 2007 3:13 am GMT
Thank you, P and Uriel.