diff --git a/lib/waterline/utils/query/private/normalize-sort-clause.js b/lib/waterline/utils/query/private/normalize-sort-clause.js
index <HASH>..<HASH> 100644
--- a/lib/waterline/utils/query/private/normalize-sort-clause.js
+++ b/lib/waterline/utils/query/private/normalize-sort-clause.js
@@ -178,7 +178,18 @@ module.exports = function normalizeSortClause(sortClause, modelIdentity, orm) {
     if (_.isString(comparatorDirective)) {
 
       var pieces = comparatorDirective.split(/\s+/);
-      if (pieces.length !== 2) {
+      if (pieces.length === 2) {
+        // Good, that's what we expect.
+      }
+      else if (pieces.length === 1) {
+        // If there is only the attribute name specified, then assume that we're implying 'ASC'.
+        // > For example, if we worked together at a pet shelter where there were two dogs (named
+        // > "Suzy" and "Arnold") and a parrot named "Eleanor", and our boss asked us for a list of
+        // > all the animals, sorted by name, we'd most likely assume that the list should begin witih
+        // > Arnold the dog.
+        pieces.push('ASC');
+      }
+      else {
         throw flaverr('E_SORT_CLAUSE_UNUSABLE', new Error(
           'Invalid `sort` clause in criteria. If specifying a string, it should look like '+
           'e.g. `\'emailAddress ASC\'`, where the attribute name ("emailAddress") is separated '+
Stir in a little magic to this soul food.  If sort clause is specified like .sort('name'), then assume an ASC sort direction instead of crying foul and acting like a robot.