To tell you the truth, we just got lazy. For once, we threw up our hands, gave up hope and took the easy way out … we renamed the section “The Inside.”

There really wasn’t any deep thought process associated with the name, to be honest. After tossing around names such as “Features,” “Lifestyles” and other section titles used in papers both collegiate and national, a giant lightbulb appeared over The News’ collective head and it hit us.

It’s “inside” the paper. Wow, we really outdid ourselves this time.

After this brainstorming session was complete in 2.5 seconds, we were all able to put our feet up, pat ourselves on the back and go to sleep feeling like we bettered the world. I mean, “Sports” deals with, you guessed it, sports, and “News,” rather self-explanatory. Why hadn’t we thought of this before? When all else fails, take the easy way out, look for the simplest answer that had been overlooked for God knows how many years.

OK, so maybe it wasn’t that easy.

The renaming effort of the section was something that took quite awhile, actually, and had a bit more thought behind it.

The News wanted something that could include more than just the usual fashion news and music reviews that we all know and love, without losing everything the “Style” section had become over the years.

On top of that, the want ad I put out months ago for new title ideas wasn’t all that successful. Maybe I’d have more luck if the ad didn’t read “single, colorful section seeking hot, short name with flair and personality.” Surprisingly, instead of ideas for titles, I had a slew of circus midgets with tri-colored hair and hands that smelled like cabbage knocking on my apartment door. Strange.

Looking at names that other local publications have used, even those for the 60-some collegiate papers in the metro-Boston area, none of them really jumped out at me.

“Lifestyles” was too much of an unsaid promotion for promiscuity, too much of a condom advertisement. “Features” reminded me too much of “Inside Edition” and “Living,” well, far too vague.

I even tried to rack my brain for slogans that had worked in the past, names of other publications that were sure bets for drawing in readers.

For some reason, I didn’t think the university would like the names “Penthouse” or “Maxim” or think they were entirely appropriate, at least not for a college paper.

Next idea, why not go a little bit retro, bringing readers back to their roots.

Maybe something encompassing the basic ABCs – Sesame Street-style? Worth a shot.

I hit a dead end with that one. My ideas just started sounding like a spin-off of Eminem’s new group, D12.

In an effort to draw my generation to the section, I tried to remember staple TV shows and bands that I can identify with my youth.

All I could think of was “The Peach Pit” from 90210, and that didn’t really suit my needs.

Merriam-Webster was my next outlet, hitting a sad level of desperation.

“Cognomen,” “moniker” or “appellation”? Not flashy enough, even though they’re all rather synonymous. “Dernier cri”? Too French.

Flipping through the pages of that musty Bible, er I mean dictionary, I realized that finding a name in that was like finding a needle in a haystack, even if there was a thesaurus.

So back to the drawing board we went. In the search for a new identity and name for the section, a fellow editor mentioned casually, “Hey, why not call it ‘The Inside.'”

Genius, I tell you. Needless to say that person is getting a nice Christmas card this year.

It’s a gateway drug of sorts, in the legal-non-drug sort of way. Opening the doors for the section, the new name lets the former Style section go beyond the limits of just being a fashion and entertainment hub.

Beyond that, it not only describes the location of the section, but lets us give you the latest scoop, whether in the genre of music, art or even technology. Bringing you the latest information on what’s happening on campus, what the latest underground news is or even coverage on controversy in the city.

This is a work in progress. Changing the name and adding a crossword (your prayers have been answered) is just the beginning of the transformation. The News is always open for ideas, but in the meantime, enjoy what we have here at “The Inside.”

— Kaitlin Thaney can be reached at style@nu-news.com