I don't want to spoil it, since it made me giggle so much, but here's how to find it out.
Anyone who has the DVD of the BBC Hitchhiker TV series, switch on the commentary/trivia subtitles. I can't remember what they call them on the disc, but they're a fairly obvious special feature. They'll give you all sorts of genuinely interesting bits of behind the scenes info as the series rolls on.
During one of the episodes in which Slartibartfast appears, you'll find out the name Douglas started with. It's a good 'un, and I'm surprised he didn't use it in one of the books, perhaps for one of Slarti's co-workers. Perhaps he did. I'm re-reading them now, so I'll find out I suppose.
|