The origin of a name
#1
The origin of a name
Can someone answer a couple of questions for me?
Just what exactly is manchester?
and...
Why in God's name is it called manchester?
Have you found any other naming oddities?
Just what exactly is manchester?
and...
Why in God's name is it called manchester?
Have you found any other naming oddities?
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: In a large village called Auckland
Posts: 5,249
Re: The origin of a name
During the late part of the 19th, through the early stages of the 20th centuries; Manchester in the UK was famed for its textile industry.
New Zealand, being a new country at the time was reliant on imports for textiles & linens and Manchester Linen became sought after for bedding, due to it's superior quality. Over time, where once they would have asked for 'Manchester Linen' this became shortened, so Kiwis and Aussies now call bedding Manchester.
New Zealand, being a new country at the time was reliant on imports for textiles & linens and Manchester Linen became sought after for bedding, due to it's superior quality. Over time, where once they would have asked for 'Manchester Linen' this became shortened, so Kiwis and Aussies now call bedding Manchester.
Last edited by Bo-Jangles; Nov 28th 2008 at 7:08 am.
#3
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: In a large village called Auckland
Posts: 5,249
Re: The origin of a name
Some other oddities around brand names of things, we Hoover the Carpet, they Lux the carpet.
We have Tippex, Kiwis have Twink - can cause a bit of confusion and blank looks in the office, if you ask for the wrong thing.
We have Tippex, Kiwis have Twink - can cause a bit of confusion and blank looks in the office, if you ask for the wrong thing.
#4
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,806
Re: The origin of a name
Australia used to have a brand of sticky tape called Durex......you can imagine the confusion (and pain!) that could arise there
#6
Re: The origin of a name
Some other oddities which are falling out of use over time:
Belguim - luncheon sausage
Super heater - hot water cylinder
#7
Re: The origin of a name
Belgian is I think just in the South Island. I don't know if it was used much in the North Island where luncheon sausage was used instead.
My grandmother uses 'lux'. My mother uses 'vacuum' and goodness knows where I pick it up but I either say vacuum or hoover.
My grandmother uses 'lux'. My mother uses 'vacuum' and goodness knows where I pick it up but I either say vacuum or hoover.
#8
Re: The origin of a name
Another common one is 'Executive House with outstanding views' = garden shed with steep steps .....but then real estate descriptions are a totally new thread!
#9
Re: The origin of a name
During the war
... New Zealanders stopped describing a pre-cooked meat, usually sliced thinly for sandwiches, as ‘German sausage’. They renamed it Belgian sausage, and the new name stuck.
#10
Re: The origin of a name
Speaking of north-south differences, I notice that the term 'crib' for holiday home still seems to be holding its own in the south despite 'bach' being overwhelmingly used elsewhere.
#11
Re: The origin of a name
Lux is more predominant in the South Island, I've found. People down here still "lux" the carpet with their brand new Hitachi.
While a South Island bach is called a crib, we hear very few people using the term "crib" now, while everyone understands bach.
While a South Island bach is called a crib, we hear very few people using the term "crib" now, while everyone understands bach.
#12
Re: The origin of a name
I think crib has always been a Otago/Southland thing, and is still almost universally used in 'the south' as compared to the South Is
Last edited by southerner; Dec 1st 2008 at 12:37 am.
#14
Re: The origin of a name
Talking of names, how come the stop-cock on your house is called a toby?