Why title: The Big Lebowski?

[PriorRestraint]

Almost like the water the fish don't notice as they swim, TBL has always just existed with that name in my consciousness.

But maybe the title deserves a little more thought? Of all the dudely title options, all the eastern allusions, or buddy/stoner flick references possible, why choose The Big Lebowski?

I know it's an homage to the Big Sleep (right?), but qualifying a proper noun (vs a verb in the original) with Big as an homage doesn't mean much other than the symmetry of the title. Why not Big Abide (verb) or Big Easy or something if the homage was a nonnegotiable?

Other thoughts here? Maybe the BLs importance to the film hasn't been properly attended to. Maybe his vanity and hypocrisy and slippery motives indict more than just his own jowly fraud? There may be more here to ramble about, but ill open it up to discussion.

Ps. Where is it discussed what the hell is going on with Jeffery lebowski referring I himself as the Dude and speaking on himself in the third person? I have thoughts on this oft passed over feature of the Dude but ill keep them for another time

Cheers!

[BrotherShamus]

Well I think they chose big Lebowski because the entire plot occurred because they share the same name.

[Judd Dude]

Well dude, we just don't know...