The name Obadiah has its roots in the Indo-European languague spoken in north-central Anatolia.
It means "One who kills lizards."
During the 18th century BC, it was common for reptiles, usually lizards, to invade clay brick homes during
cold winter months.
Ridding one's
house of reptiles followed the ritual pattern of Discovery, Declaration and Death.
Once a reptile was discovered in the
house, the exterminator would exclaim, "
Oh!" This was followed by the declaration that the reptile, being an uninvited guest, was "
Bad!" The consequence, then, was to "Die!"
After the Syrian invasion, the syllable "ah" was added to various words as a way to acknowledge that all things good and useful
flow from Allah. Consequently, OhBadDie became OhBadDie-Ah, which later evolved into the modern
day "Obadiah."
The phrase, "I
may have to call 1-800-OBADIAH," is generally regarded as an insult.
Possible meanings are:
a. You are not wanted here and you better leave.
b. You are so ugly that it is easy to
mistake your face for one of a lizzard's.