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| Where's my Ice Cream? |
A story and ... some snippets of life by the sea ... photos that don’t match the text – but who worries once in a while ... a few time capsules .. . and of course a little history ...
You’d never have thought language could get so ‘complicated’ ... a friend’s email starts ...
So if you take off your high heels, cowboy boots, or ballet slippers to change into shoes for a walk and could not locate said walking shoes you might you might think to yourself or say out loud, "My plimsolls. My plimsolls ... Wherefor art my plimsolls?"
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| Pile of 'athletic shoes' |
Or if you walked into a sporting footwear store, you might ask for running plimsolls? And would you say soccer plimsolls? And is a boot really a bonnet, a crisp a chip, a chip a fry and ... so we could go on .. but we won’t!
Should you investigate the historical facts further (c/o Wikipedia) .. you’d run into:
- trainers (British English)
- sandshoes, gym boots or joggers (Australian English)
- running shoes, runners or gutties (Canadian English, Australian English, Hiberno-English)
- sneakers, tennis shoes (North American English, Australian English)
- gym shoes, tennies, sports shoes, sneaks, tackies (South African English and Hiberno-English)
- rubber shoes (Philippine English), or
- canvers (Nigerian English)
- plimsolls (English English)
- daps (Welsh English)
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| Girls' Annual - for the girls - Jannie and I more my age than hers ... |
Just because via email (Jannie and I) .. we’d got into this discussion re sneakers and Jannie thought that was tennies to us Brits .. back came plimsolls from me ... and:
plimsolls?? Noooo way!!
:)
:)
:)
Me: Yup! .. plimsolls .. so called after the guy who invented the Plimsoll line on ships ... more Plimsoll history here ...
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| Colman's Mustard - copy of postcard from the Museum of Advertising and Packaging, Gloucester |
Charles Goodyear invented the vulcanisation process (eventually .. he tried and failed many many times) – and is the first of the ‘Firsts in Springfield, Massachusetts’ – the town where so many things have been invented.
But my history lesson is not quite done .. ‘gutties’? and Hiberno-English? ... well I’d never heard of that language ... simple really: it’s ‘Irish English’ ... and is the dialect of English written and spoken in Ireland.
“Beyond the pale” – does that phrase ring a bell? ... English was first brought to Ireland during the Norman invasion (12th C) ... and was mainly spoken in an area known as the Pale around Dublin – with Irish being spoken throughout the rest of the country. Now we can see where ‘Beyond the Pale’ came from ... the English referring to the ‘infidels’ elsewhere ..?
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| My mother's uncle, family and friends at the beach 1920s |
Enough of my ramblings ... there’s some scatter pictures of seaside Britain through the ages ... my mother’s uncle and some relations on Porthminster Beach (next one along from St Ives in Cornwall) in the early 1920s ... an advert for mustard, Girls’ Crystal Annual 1954, World Belly Board Championships 4th September 2011, a Ghost Sign ... remember those shrinking woollens? .. Donkey Rides – boy ... more interested in “Where’s My Ice Cream?”!
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| World Belly Board Championships of fun ... notice the stockings, wig and tutu ... need I say more (Held in Cornwall) |
All’s well here – we’re gearing up for the Red Arrows ... this middle weekend of August is our fire-power, our weekend for the boys, or those who love aircraft from British Aerospace Hawks, to a Typhoon F2 Swing-role combat aircraft, Battle of Britain Memorial planes – the Spitfire, the Hurricane Bomber and the Lancaster – and all possible types of aircraft in between ....
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| Wonderful 'Ghost Sign' |
Anne from a Jobbing Writer 'collects' signs and knows a lot about history ... and found this one ... remember those saggy bathing costumes ... just loved this ...
It’s summer – time to use those sneakers, tackies, gutties et al!! To all on vacation happy holidays ...
An archive of ghost signs ... should you wish to look ...
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
63 comments:
What a delightful post. I have trouble with trainers, sandshoes, that sort of thing because the words change - as you point out - very difficult when writing a children's story.
Hi Hilary,
I love your old 1920s family photo. My oh my how things have changed.
~Ron
I loved your post of sheer nostalgia. I remember that annual, I used to get it for Christmas from one of my aunts,
We get the Red Arrows here too in August as Bournemouth has an air show, I can see the whole thing from the window.
Yes, it's great being by the sea-side.
Yvonne.
plimsolls- new word for me. :)
I love ghost signs! There's a great one up in Notting Hill Gate, close to where I am.
I first ran across the word plimsolls when I was nine and reading a British book. I was a bit confounded until I finally figured out what they were.
Enid Blyton books with 'paddling' used to confuse me, too.
@ Carole .. thank you .. I can imagine it's very difficult working out the language and writing - when I looked at these ... we just used gym shoes and plimsolls (I think!)
@ Ron .. it's great isn't it .. and absolutely - how things have changed - I was pleased a cousin sent them to me.
@ Yvonne .. good word 'nostalgia' .. do you know, I don't remember owning an annual as a kid! I think my brothers got them and comics ..
Yes - the Red Arrows are on the circuit now .. how wonderful that you can see them from your place .. lucky you!
@ Summer - thanks for calling in .. well Jannie got stumped too by plimsolls ... and Talli's got me!
@ Talli .. oh great you know about them .. I didn't know there was an archive! Still live and learn .. and I expect AJ from Jobbing Writer may know about the one in Notting Hill Gate ..
Glad you were able to work out what plimsolls were ...
... you've got me re 'paddling' - what did you think it meant?
Cheers everyone - obviously the seaside is a good place to be .. Hilary
Wonderful post. Have you thought about the different names in the UK for a bread bun (barm cake, roll, bap, batch, cob, etc)? I think it's a shame that the increase in national TV is reducing everything to estuary English and the variety is going.
I've not seen the ghost sign in Notting Hill but it might be in the archive. If not, it needs to be sent there!
If you want my email Hilary you can reach me on MorningAJ at historyanorak dot co dot uk
Hi Hilary!
Re: paddling...
The word in Canadian English means what you'd do in a canoe. I didn't realise it meant wading in the sea! I simply couldn't understand why all these people were so keen to take off their shoes and socks and 'paddle'!
Oh, oops - that last comment was actually Talli. I can't keep my multiple identities straight!
Hi Anne .. thank you! it just sort of fell into place .. but there are so many choices .. "Bara" .. is wheat in Celtic (Cornish) .. and Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto Township in Johannesburg is called after the Cornish Bara for wheat .. bread etc .. I've got some paperwork on it somewhere here!
I totally agree re the estuary English and reducing everything to nursery school English .. we should be helping educate people ..
I heard the Radio 4 Farming Today Programme call a pestle and mortar .. a hammer and bowl - forgive me ... BUT????
Perhaps Talli will enlighten us - but I guess she's pretty busy for now and it may be there in the archive .. hopefully she might tell us what it is ..
Anyway enough for now - thanks so much for a great comment - Hilary
Hi Talli .. I thought you were Marsha from South Africa .. thank goodness for avatars!
Ok - now I understand .. and that makes sense
and did you pick up Anne's thought on your ghost sign?
Congratulations on your 2nd anniversary .. lovely photos .. Cheers H
Hilary and Anne, here's the link to the ghost sign in Notting Hill: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hellcanwait/5861671374/. I do have a photo but I can't find it at the moment! Anne, I'll email you now!
well this was fun
I will go and put on my plimsoles now.
I think the kids would get a kick out of this lol
I'm not one for the beach but I enjoy the seaside. Walking in the sand is kind of pleasant, but I never could understand the appeal of laying around or wallowing in the sand. Not much worse than ending up with a bunch of sand in the car or, worse, all over the house.
I often call my leisure shoes "tennis shoes" and I've never played tennis in my life. In the store they are often called "running shoes" but I don't run either. Plimsolls? Hmmm-No one around here would probably have any idea what I was talking about.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Plimsolls. What a wonderful word! I'm going to be rolling his around in my head tonight! It sounds to me like a rolling-around kind of word.
And that old beach photo, circa 1920, is awesome. I love all such old photographs.
If I'm ever feeling down, all I have to do is come over here. Your posts always amaze me, Hilary.
Ann Best, Author of In the Mirror, A Memoir of Shattered Secrets
I learned something new...I like that.
I love the family photo. Swimwear was so adorable then, left something to be imagined.
Teresa
Always enjoy your post. Never thought about so many different names for the same item. Have a great day.
Mason
Thoughts in Progress
Freelance Editing By Mason
This was/is interesting! :P I enjoyed reading it quite a lot! :)
@ Richard - thank you for your visit.
@ Talli - thanks for the ghost sign info "Marmal" I wonder what that was .. but the photo is clever
@ A Lady's Life - yes they can also be spelt 'plimsoles' - glad you enjoyed the info .. and I'm sure you're right .. the kids would enjoy the different names and origins for a simple shoe!!
@ Lee - but with kids we have to go to the beach and do all those things!! I agree sand between the toes, around the car, in the picnic and then the house and bath .. still part of life .. each little grain of sand!
Interesting you call your running shoes 'tennis shoes' and yet never played ... so many variety of names - my squash shoes even had 'squash' written on the side - so I'd know!!
Well you could cause utter confusion and have everyone very worried - looking for your plimsolls.
Thanks Lee for giving us some more seaside thoughts ..
@ Ann ... certainly a scattered running kind of word ..could go anywhere .. garden, into the woods, along the beach, perhaps even the tennis court ..
The family photo totally amazes me - thank goodness a cousin sent it to me ..
Thanks Ann - really appreciate your comment .. I got carried away with the shoes .. but our language is extraordinary in its development and such fun (because I speak it - I guess!).
@ Teresa .. yes I know - you love a little extra learning. I was pleased I had the family photo to post up - and their clothes! The beach huts are behind for changing in ....
@ Mason .. thanks and good to see you - as I mentioned to Ann - the names fascinated me too ..
@ Liz - glad you enjoyed it ..
Thanks everyone - enjoy the day .. Hilary
Wonderful posting again, Hilary. I love the photo of your family on the beach.. All those clothes they were wearing, how the times have changed.
Best wishes to your mum, I'm off to see mine tomorrow.
I suspect that the Notting Hill Ghostsign is this one.
@ Jarmara .. haven't times changed! I was delighted to get the photo .. and all those clothes - I know!
Enjoy your time with your mother tomorrow .. thanks for your thoughts.
@ Sam - how right you are .. and it's for Dundee Marmalade - brilliant photo of it ..
Thanks for replying and letting us have a sight of Talli's Notting Hill Ghost sign .. great to see ..
Cheers Jarmara and Sam - Hilary
Thanks Anne .. looks like I did! your photos are great .. and Gull visited too .. and you've got real donkeys!
Cheers - have a great day .. just started sweeping with rain here - yugh! Hilary
Greetings Hilary,
Love this post. I don't worry about context when I blog. I end up in a segue some how.
Who can blame any one for loving sea sides. I still miss the hills by the waters in Cornwall. We stayed in Barncoose hospital when my husband was doing his rotations there and twenty minutes drive would take us to breath taking waters. I was in my third trimister with my first one, but did that stop me from enjoying nature?
As always it is very soothing to read your site.
Cheers
Munir
I just love how even in English speaking countries we have so many different words for the same thing! Your posts are always so clever and happily I learn something new each time I log on.
Obviously I too love the seaside. I grew up spending my summers at the Jersey shore with my parents and grandparents. Now I live in Florida just a short drive to the beach. I don't think I could ever enjoy being too far from water whether it's the ocean or a lake. I find the sound of water splashing against the shore to be most calming.
I also want to apologize for being lax about responding to all of your delightful comments on my blog posts. I have been a bit preoccupied with some very advance preparations for our big adventure. I have been learning how to take better pictures, honing my writing skills and painting "tables" to use as surfaces for my food photography. It's all good but sometimes I get lost in what I am doing and neglect what I should be doing. I always look forward to hearing what you have to say. So a great big THANK YOU. Please forgive me and keep those comments coming.
I love the post. I love the pics. Thank you, Hilary for making me smile.
Yes, best wishes to your mum.
I really like the photos you used. So much character. Each one could spin off an incredible tale! ;-)
Wow, so many things I didn't know. I deal with so many words for shoes. In Mexico, it's Zapato, in Canada, I called them a running shoes, my American friends call them sneakers or tennis shoes and my British friends call them Trainers. But, I have never heard of Plimsolls. Neat history lessons.
Hi Hilary,
Wow, yet another superbly fascinating posting by your good self.
And speaking of the seaside and footwear or is it 'metrewear', now that a lot of us have gone metric... well speaking of things to stick on your feet, of course, beach sandals are often called 'thongs' in Canada and that country to the south of Canada, eh...Okay, I shall flip flop out of here....
Cheers and guess what happened to me in Canada? Well...Walking along the sidewalk I tripped on the curb (kerb), slipped on a diaper, fell into the parking lot, spilt my potato chips into a puddle of gasoline, bumped into a tire (tyre) and nearly broke my cell phone. Gosh, eh :)
Take care, Hilary and thanks for another delightful post.
Gary.
Your lessons sparkle with such personality! Thanks for teaching me about plimsolls and other fun things! I had no idea. For the record, I call them sneakers. :)
@ Munir .. thanks - and yes .. having lived in England, you and your husband spent time at Barncoose while he was working .. it's a beautiful part of the world .. harsh, in its granite, green-yellow of the gorse, and grey stunted trees .. but with wonderful windswept views. Glad you enjoyed Cornwall even with your impending bundle of joy! So pleased too that you enjoyed the read.
@ Sandy .. thanks so much .. and commenters are adding more choices - the English language is pretty amazing - thank goodness I speak it and don't have to learn it!
I too love being by water .. we weren't where we lived but always visited Cornwall, the Lake District and the Sussex coasts for holidays: Cornwall really drawing us in.
No worries re commenting - everyone's so busy .. and what's your big adventure?
Your learning curve sounds wonderful .. and the projects sound such fun - there's always should and can --- or can and should ... sounds like you have your priorities right - as the big adventure is a big adventure and your skills need to be honed!
Seriously .. always good to see you here .. and I love reading your recipes, seeing the art, and reading about your Florida world.
@ Joylene - thanks so much .. always good to raise a smile!
Thanks re my Mama ..
@ Sylvia - I like bringing the post to life .. and the photos just seem to add to the 'history' .. so am pleased you appreciate them.
@ Clarissa - Jannie's Canadian .. but these words I haven't heard of .. and we all seem to mix them up. Perhaps being out of the country in South Africa - I missed the 'trainer' era! Zapato in Mexico .. another name! I'd have thought 'he' was a cartoon character?!
@ Gary - I guess it should be metrewear shouldn't it!! Still us old curmudgeonly lot won't change for a while yet!! By then footwear will be something completely different probably.
We have thongs for something completely different .. that were highlighted on HorseGuards' Parade this week - when they were doing a test run for security and the Olympics ... the timing wasn't brilliant - but preplanned and it went ahead: all was well .. the thongs too!
Great story .. thankfully I know most of those words! Don't fall in Canada .. obviously! Thanks Gary .. glad you enjoyed it.
@ Karen .. thanks .. I think I now say I must get my tackies (South African days) .. or probably shoes to simplify life. Ok - when I get to visit .. I'll try and remember sneakers!
Thanks Munir, Sandy, Joylene, Sylvia, Clarissa, Gary and Karen - great to see you .. enjoy today .. Hilary
What a wonderful post! Language has always amazed me. I can only speak one but even within that one language there are many different names. The roots of those we use, reach back into our ancestory which is truly a mixed bunch.
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Hi Gail .. thanks - and I enjoyed your grasshopper with his caption: "shocked that possession of grass was a crime" ..
I too can only speak one lingo .. and sometimes wonder about that .. but exactly as you say the roots stretch back .. often to India, then to north Europe, middle Europe and around .. let alone today's language developments ..
Glad you enjoyed the post - cheers Hilary
Hilary, I love the photo with all the trainers piled up! Where did you get all these beautiful photographs? I love the list of different ways of calling them, too! :)
Hi Len .. thanks - the pile of shoes is from Wikipedia .. the donkeys are from a card, the Girls' Crystal Annual photographed from a book, the Mustard from a postcard, family - from a family photo, BellyBoard from the net via a magazine article, the Ghost Sign from Anne at Jobbing Writer .. usually I get them from Wikipedia .. glad you enjoyed the photos and the list of names - fun aren't they .. Cheers Hilary
Dear Hilary:
Thanks for coming by my place and leaving your imprints. They are beautiful.
Words are always amazing, aren't they? I teach the English language to students who think that the word 'cowering' has something to do with a cow. Now, how's that?
Joy always and a lovely weekend,
Susan
Hi Susan .. thanks for following and am delighted to have your comment here. Fireflies over at your blog fascinated me .. we had a few when I was young and growing up in the country west of Heathrow Airport - not so countrified now!
Leaving the word 'imprint' - as my next post deals with the word in a different way .. is a coincidence!
I love that .. cowering coming from cow .. I went to look for cow-tow .. but of course it's kowtow .. Chinese origin .. for obsequious subservience ..
Words always lead us elsewhere if we take the time to look ..
Many thanks and joy and happiness to you this weekend .. Hilary
I've heard of sneakers and trainers, but I wasn't familiar with the other names.
Wow, that's some Belly Board Championship costume!
Pure wool underwear? That gives me shivers. I'm allergic to wool. If I had to wear wool underwear... shiver!
Hi Theresa .. some of the names I knew .. but I could never have allocated them to different countries!
The Belly Board championships - I think would be fun to watch .. if it's warm!!
I agree - wool anywhere near me ..freaks me out!! Thank goodness I didn't have to wear wool underwear - that would have been AWFUL!! Worse than shiver .. complete withdrawal ... Just loved the ghost sign though .. cheers Hilary
I'm a fan of the seaside.
I grew up with relatives at the shore so we would always have some Summer time at the boardwalks and rides.
Nothing beats the smell of boardwalks and the smell of sea salt air.
Hi JD .. I think we all are - just that love of small kids .. running along the beach, kicking up the sand, stamping in the waves splashing all around ..
Gosh - boardwalks and rides .. that was exotic .. we had a tram! Sophistication hadn't reached the south coast or Cornwall and still hasn't.
That smell of the sea - I love that too .. good to see you here .. cheers Hilary
Another "A" for originality! I will try to drop plimsolls into the next family conversation to pass on my new favorite word! Julie
Hi Julie .. that'll be fun! - I wonder what your boys will say?! If you can add in the history - about the Plimsoll line .. see my other post .. that will open up the conversation. Cheers - enjoy your discussion when it happens .. Hilary
I remember the days of plimsolls and then finding out that some people called them pumps. Nowadays it seems less complicated to call them trainers as this seems to be globally understood. I wonder what the descendents of Mr. Plimsoll call them? :O)
Hi Madeleine .. I'm pleased someone remembers plimsolls - but pumps .. now that's another name. Trainers is probably sensible .. but it doesn't spring to my mind so easily!
Mr Plimsoll - invented the Plimsoll line on ships - showing if they were overloaded with goods or people ... reducing the number of ships that sank and loss of life. He was an MP .. and the vulcanised/rubber line on 'shoes' - caused the shoes to be named plimsolls. I expect his descendants are like us .. completely unsure what to call them!
Cheers Hilary
Your posts are an educational jewel. I wonder what rock I've been under most of my life. I don't think I ever heard of plimsolls. Such a sheltered education I have.
All your juicy tidbits are soooo interesting. "Beyond the Pale." That too. Sounds like a song... no that's the SEA. Thanks Hilary. Oh and that bathing suit is toooo much.
:)
Good week ahead.
Manzanita
Hi Manzanita .. I don't think you've been under a rock .. just names change .. - but sometimes it's just fun highlighting the differences!
It's fun weaving items together .. and I had to get the Hiberno English (for the Irish) in .. and the phrase 'beyond the pale' ..
I couldn't leave the belly board championships out .. but I did forget something else! Next year!
Cheers - good to see you .. Hilary
So many interesting subjects you cover! It's rather fascinating to hear different words for the same thing. If you travel, you'd almost need a phone app that translates slang.
Hi Helen .. talking of slang - this came through in my reader today ..
http://www.wordorigins.org/index.php/site/greens_dictionary_of_slang/#When:12:19:00Z
it's not a phone app yet - sorreeeee!! I wonder how much info we really can use .. there's so much available now .. good thought - cheers Hilary
And here I was thinking all these years it was Mr. Spock of The Starship Enterprise who invented Vulcanization!
Well, I have to laugh how the E-Mail turned into a great post.
And I simply must update my Belly Board wardrobe to keep up with that lass.
Plimsolls, plimsolls, now I know much more about plimsolls.
Something happens when I put on my plimsolls...
Now, what rhymes...
It's like the world...
My goodness, "door hinge" is a fairly good rhyme for orange, but what for plimsolls?
xoxoxo
Wow, I've never heard the term 'primsoll' nor half the others!! That's really amusing, and I really enjoyed reading more about ghost signs...those are really rare around these parts but I did see the remains of some in South Carolina a couple of years ago..didn't know the painters were called "walldogs" either...I used to paint murals in homes so perhaps I can claim that title for myself? I sure worked like a 'dog'! :) I love the photo of your relatives by the sea..love the ladies in their outfits and hats..or is it bonnets? :)
Hi Jannie .. you got here after your Galveston trip - that sounded wonderful.
The email just gave me so many ideas and fitted in so well - especially when I found all the connections ..
Belly Board .. just possible that lass is a chap!!
Plimsolls - have kept everyone amused .. thankfully.
Finding words that rhyme with world, orange or hinge .. are tricky .. as too would it be for plimsolls .. numskull - might go? flange for orange? enfold for world?
Fun reply comment .. glad our exchange (orange) manifested in a summer post .. cheers and plenty of xoxoxo Hilary
Hi Scarlett .. I don't think you're alone! Plimsolls seem to be in a class of their own .. one or two know the term.
Ghost signs - I see you've got them in the States .. you've got lots of barns and fences along the freeways with left over signs .. reflecting the past.
By the sound of it 'walldog' is a legit name .. indoors, though I'm not so sure. You've taught me something now .. a walldog .. here in England we have Banksy .. a graffiti artist .. who's now produced a film about his work .. urban art ..
So now I'll have to ask how the Scarlett walldog is doing! I love the murals that people get on their walls .. especially kids' bedrooms.
If you look in Wikipedia - it lists the events for walldog art in various cities in the States ..
That family picture is a classic isn't it ... and yes, they'd be hats, I think. There's a boater for the man I see (perhaps my great grandfather!) ...
Cheers Scarlett .. good to see you .. have an enjoyable week .. Hilary
I'm going to start calling my shoes pimsolls! :)
Hi Blonde Duck .. you might need your plimsolls walking round your pond .. at least you'll know where the waterline is! Cheers thanks for coming by .. Hilary
The Red Arrows will be at Dawlish this Friday, just across the river from me. Can't wait!
Hi Ellie .. what fun - can you get a direct view from home .. or will you wander down to the coast and watch across the Estuary .. amazing view across ... mind you if you're in Hastings - you'd get a good view across Pevensey Bay too ..
Cheers - enjoy them .. Hilary
I loved my plimsolls! The Red Arrows are amazing. I saw them several times in East Anglia before we left the UK.
Love the post, Hilary.
Hi Glynis .. I'm sure I did too - always remember the name - plimsolls.
The Red Arrows are extraordinary .. and it's a privilege to be able to see them .. glad you had that opportunity before you left the UK.
Cheers Hilary
I love the way you leap from thing to thing in this post--and starting off with that lovely word, plimsolls. I remember the first time my British mate used the term. I had no idea whatever what it could mean! English English, indeed.
Hi Susan .. thank you! Then I missed out what I wanted to post about!!
Glad you'd heard of plimsolls before .. English is a very different language, and now becomes even more so .. frankly I'm glad it's my language! Good to see you - Hilary
Hi Hilary, I appreciated your post on ghost signs. We have plenty of those in small to mid-sized cities here in the U.S. Its fun to look at them. Its a snapshot into the past.
Hi Stephen .. it was Anne and her blog (Jogging Writer) that alerted me to Ghost Signs and their archive .. then of course I 'see' them everywhere.
As you say .. it highlights what was going on in the area .. and this one with the pure wool underwear - just reminded me of my school bathing costume ... not that saggy, but saggy enough! which tied it in with the seaside post.
Good to see you - thanks for coming by and taking time out of your edits for your next book 'Opening' .. Hilary
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