That's why there probably won't be a "Harvard Shotgun" any time soon, according to Brinton.

However, she was unable to specify the legal control the University has over the Harvard name when unaccompanied by the official insignia.

"I'd have to research it. I can't give an answer--I don't have a concrete one. There are instances when the University has the legal right to stop somebody from using its name," she said.

There are certain uses of the Harvard name, however, over which the University has little control.

For example, the town of Harvard, England would most likely disregard any request for a name change, as would Harvard, Massachusetts. State officials would probably be less than receptive if asked to rename any of the Harvard Avenues scattered around the greater Boston area.

"I don't think anybody is going to raise a question about a town or a street," says Brinton.

Probably not--but it's a little more complicated than that. Many of these streets, having held the name for decades, have passed it on to the stores and businesses that line their sidewalks.

So, if it's Harvard you want, you don't have to be in Cambridge.

Harvard Avenue Florists, Harvard Car Wash, Harvard Church, Harvard Garden, Harvard Grill, Harvard Parking Association, Harvard Photo and Harvard Street Gulf are all outside of Cambridge. In each case, the name comes from a street, rather than the University.

Sometimes, the combinations can seem odd.

Take the Harvard Fruit Company. Joke all you want about how everyone at Harvard is bananas--fruit still doesn't fit in with books and scholars.

But, says part owner Sam C. Casiello, the Brookline company has had its name for longer than the average Harvard student can remember.

"It's been here for a long time--60 years," he says. "It's on Harvard St. That's where it got the name."

There seems to be little confusion among visitors as to any affiliation with the University, though. Casiello says no one has ever asked him if his apples are approved by Neil S. Rudenstine. "We get tourists [who] think it's nice," he says.

Harvard Radio and TV in Medford also got its name from its address, explains partner Mike N. Agostino. "The original store was on Harvard St. in South Medford," he says.