I was thinking about something to do with miniature orc models from my youth in the Seventies and thought of a word - or words - I just don't recall what it means anymore, Ral Partha!
This got me thinking - are there any more verbal obscurae from back then that I'm just not sure about anymore? Well, turns out there's loads! Here are a few:
1. Ral Partha?
2. Dolly Blue?
3. Bex Bissal?
4. Brogues?
5. Condo?
6. Duplex?
7. Mel Tormay?
8. Pelican and Zebra Crossings - difference?
9. Ah Oh Chongo?
10. Perambulator?
11. Feature Film?
12. Coal Flowers?
13. Pantry and larder - difference?
14. Cottage and Shepherds' Pie - difference?
15. Gaberdine?
16. Broiled?
17. Rotisserie and spit roast - difference?
18. Grits as in a sort of food?
19. Saloon, coupe, estate - as in cars - difference?
20. Manila as in envelope?
21. Linesman of the County - Glen Campbell sang about one?
I have no idea of the answers and of course I could look them up but it'd be more fun to hear what you think readers off the top of your heads! Your own obscure words welcomed too!
I think it is "Uh Oh, Chongo" I remember it from the live action "Danger Island" portion of the Banana Splits TV show. They had a number of short shows segments as part of the program.
ReplyDeleteThat's it John! Just watched it on You Tube! I knew I wasn't dreaming!
Delete14. Beef and Lamb. 21. Wichita Linesman, love that song. 3. Carpet cleaner 6. Form of duplication copier and im intruiged as to what a coal flower might be! Ral Partha sounds like an extra from Star Wars!
ReplyDeleteRal Partha iirc made white-metal figures for fantasy games (and maybe still do?). Probably still a have a few amongst the ones we used for D&D games way back when, but I'll be damned if I can recall in which modelmaking mag I used to see their adverts...
ReplyDeleteBest -- Paul
That's it Paul! I'd forgotten! a model maker. I have some orcs somewhere from Ral Partha. Great name. I wonder of they advertised in the early White Dwarfs? I will have seen it in a magazine to do with making Samurai warriors, which is what I was into at the time circa 1972. Cheers Paul!
DeleteLamb, of course! Shepherds! It makes sense now! and Bex Bissall, yes, a carpet cleaner! It's all coming back to me - like a Ewbank! As for the Wichita Linesman, I know the song but what is a linesman? Duplex for some reason seems connected to buildings in my younger mind? Yes, coal flowers, if only I could remember - it was something we made. Nice one though Bill.
ReplyDeleteLinesman repairs cross state telegraph/phone cables!
ReplyDeleteFootball is getting in the way! Off side! So what do we call said cross-state phone person here?
DeleteThere isnt tge equivalent here, as the majority of the exchanges are closer. The Wichita Linesman would be similar to the guy in close encounters, expected to drive miles out into the desert or plains to repair a downed cable. English version woukd be BTs Busby! Remember him?
ReplyDeleteYep, I remember Busby, a yellow bird. One of those TV entities created to make us remember stuff! Like the Green Cross Code Man, who was played by the fearsome Dave Prowse later of Darth Vader fame! I am your Father!
DeleteI'll tackle a few easy ones:
ReplyDeleteFeature film- from when there was also a shorter accompanying film in the programme- usually separated by Pearl & Dean adverts & Pathe News.
Perambulator: abbreviated to pram.
Pelican crossing has traffic lights, a zebra does not.
Nicely done Andy. So, Feature film, the main film was the main feature by the sounds of it. Aha! As for Pearl and Dean, a gift for anyone into films and requiring names for their kids! Perambulator, yes, Pram, of course. I thought it was a bike! As for the crossings, that explains it in a nutshell. Wonder who came up with the names? Zebra is obvious. But Pelican?
DeleteI can help with the condo/duplex question."condo" is a slang abbreviation for "condominium", which is a fancy word for multiple dwelling units or apartments.A duplex is a house which contains two separate dwellings (and two separate entrances for each)but shares the same yard.These are common in the north eastern U.S.where I live,but the quality of these units can vary from good to downright awful
ReplyDeleteCheers Brian, that explains it brilliantly. I thought they were something to do with buildings! Here in the UK we've heard these words on American TV shows and sort of think we know what they mean! As for Yard, is that a catch-all term for all American gardens as well or just a hard surface around the home?
DeleteYard can be a garden or hard surface.One would see more concrete or stone in the cities , but in the countryside (where I live ) plenty of trees grass and plants abound.
ReplyDeleteBritain was once full of what were called 'back yards', usually walled hard surfaces at the rear of a terraced house. The older ones had 'privvies' or an outside loo, which will have been bracing on a winter's morning! I know you have Yard Sales as well in the states. They're not that common here, replaced by Car Boot Sales on large communal areas like a cricket ground or car park. I love the idea of yard sales though, such a practical way of getting rid of stuff on the spot! No doubt all sorts of collectables turn up!
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