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Usenet Posted 21 years ago
Usage
Chimbley No Kidding!
I was watching our digital cable program "BBC America" this morning, when, I swear, I heard this British announcer say "chimbley" rather than "chimney". He was, of course, referring to the little covered smokestack, commenting on the color of the smoke emitted.
Now, his diction may be of a particular type. You know, the kind of speaker who speaks the "r" with a very distinct single flap in words like "three", "bring", etc.
Other than this "chimbley" being a result of my mis-hearing his pronunciation, can anyone identify a region or style of speech in Great Britain which would leave such an artifact in the speech of a man who is making a living announcing events on TV?
He was most certainly not attempting a humorous interpretation. He was slightly plump, with thinning (perhaps blond) hair, and looked to be in his 40s. I can't recall noticing glasses.
Now, his diction may be of a particular type. You know, the kind of speaker who speaks the "r" with a very distinct single flap in words like "three", "bring", etc.
Other than this "chimbley" being a result of my mis-hearing his pronunciation, can anyone identify a region or style of speech in Great Britain which would leave such an artifact in the speech of a man who is making a living announcing events on TV?
He was most certainly not attempting a humorous interpretation. He was slightly plump, with thinning (perhaps blond) hair, and looked to be in his 40s. I can't recall noticing glasses.
Top answer
[nq:1]I was watching our digital cable program "BBC America" this morning, when, I swear, I heard this British announcer say ... was slightly plump, with thinning (perhaps blond) hair, and looked to be in his 40s. [/nq] Alan Partridge!
- [nq:1]I was watching our digital cable program "BBC America" this morning, when, I swear, I heard this British announcer say ...
- was slightly plump, with thinning (perhaps blond) hair, and looked to be in his 40s.
- [/nq] Alan Partridge!
- Ross Howard
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24 Answers
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[nq:1]I was watching our digital cable program "BBC America" this morning, when, I swear, I heard this British announcer say ... was slightly plump, with thinning (perhaps blond) hair, and looked to be in his 40s. I can't recall noticing glasses.[/nq]
Alan Partridge!
Ross Howard
Alan Partridge!
Ross Howard
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Pat Durkin put finger to keyboard in this fashion:
[nq:1]I was watching our digital cable program "BBC America" this morning, when, I swear, I heard this British announcer say ... was slightly plump, with thinning (perhaps blond) hair, and looked to be in his 40s. I can't recall noticing glasses.[/nq]
It's a well-known version, possibly attributed to the lower classes in Victorian times. I
[nq:1]I was watching our digital cable program "BBC America" this morning, when, I swear, I heard this British announcer say ... was slightly plump, with thinning (perhaps blond) hair, and looked to be in his 40s. I can't recall noticing glasses.[/nq]
It's a well-known version, possibly attributed to the lower classes in Victorian times. I
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[nq:1]Pat Durkin put finger to keyboard in this fashion:[/nq]
[nq:2]I was watching our digital cable program "BBC America" this ... looked tobe in his 40s. I can't recall noticing glasses.[/nq]
[nq:1]It's a well-known version, possibly attributed to the lower classes in Victorian times. It seems unlikely that an educated person would use it, except for comic effect.[/nq]
Afaiaa, this f
[nq:2]I was watching our digital cable program "BBC America" this ... looked tobe in his 40s. I can't recall noticing glasses.[/nq]
[nq:1]It's a well-known version, possibly attributed to the lower classes in Victorian times. It seems unlikely that an educated person would use it, except for comic effect.[/nq]
Afaiaa, this f
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[nq:1]It's a well-known version, possibly attributed to the lower classes in Victorian times. It seems unlikely that an educated person would use it, except for comic effect.[/nq]
My sister's ex-boyfriend used to refer to "chimbleys". I don't think he was from the Isle of Wight, nor was he notably uneducated (though he was rather uncultured).
Will.
My sister's ex-boyfriend used to refer to "chimbleys". I don't think he was from the Isle of Wight, nor was he notably uneducated (though he was rather uncultured).
Will.
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IIRC people used to say it that way in Vermont.
Joe Fineman joe (Email Removed)
Joe Fineman joe (Email Removed)
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Joe Fineman wrote (re "chimbley" for chimney):
[nq:1]IIRC people used to say it that way in Vermont.[/nq]
It was fairly common when I was a child (in Tennessee and Michigan, 1940s and 1950s), at least among children. I would say it is a child's word which becomes "unlearned" in time except that it survives to adulthood for some people. It seems British to me rather than American(1): so man
[nq:1]IIRC people used to say it that way in Vermont.[/nq]
It was fairly common when I was a child (in Tennessee and Michigan, 1940s and 1950s), at least among children. I would say it is a child's word which becomes "unlearned" in time except that it survives to adulthood for some people. It seems British to me rather than American(1): so man
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[nq:1]I was watching our digital cable program "BBC America" this morning, when, I swear, I heard this British announcer say ... was slightly plump, with thinning (perhaps blond) hair, and looked to be in his 40s. I can't recall noticing glasses.[/nq]
My first wife said "chimley". She was of an
Oklahoma/Missouri/Texas/Arkansas family, but had grown up mostly in California. Claimed that it
My first wife said "chimley". She was of an
Oklahoma/Missouri/Texas/Arkansas family, but had grown up mostly in California. Claimed that it
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[nq:1]My first wife said "chimley". She was of an Oklahoma/Missouri/Texas/Arkansas family, but had grown up mostly in California. Claimed that it was impossible for her to say "chimney". Other than that, she spoke pretty decent Californian.[/nq]
I've met an Ohio couple who say "chimley". They also say "burgular", and, to be consistent, "burgularized".
Ray Heindl
(remove the Xs to
I've met an Ohio couple who say "chimley". They also say "burgular", and, to be consistent, "burgularized".
Ray Heindl
(remove the Xs to
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[nq:1]I was watching our digital cable program "BBC America" this morning, when,I swear, I heard this British announcer say "chimbley" ... He was slightly plump, with thinning (perhaps blond) hair, and looked tobe in his 40s. I can't recall noticing glasses.[/nq]
A former boss used to call them chimbleys. Dumbest **** thing I've ever heard. I'm impressed that there is someone else out there do
A former boss used to call them chimbleys. Dumbest **** thing I've ever heard. I'm impressed that there is someone else out there do
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