The official name of this tower is the Saint Stephen's Clock Tower. Because that's what it is: a clock tower. And the name Big Ben doesn't refer to the tower, but to the bell inside the clock tower! There are several theories as to where the name came from: it could be named after a very famous boxer at the time the tower was built; or perhaps it was the builder. And perhaps both those theories are wrong and it was just someone being funny, we will never know for sure!
Anyway, the bell inside the tower was the second bell installed. The first one fell and after that couldn't be used anymore: it had lost its tone. This one also fell, but it didn't loose its tone and was hung in the tower.
It's said that the clock is always correct, however there were two occasions when the clock was late: once New Year started late, because the snow had weighted down the hands on the clock and on a seperate occasion a bird had found a nice perch on one of the hands, making the clock late as well.
If you ever listen to the BBC world service you can hear the bell at the start of the news, bringing London home to wherever you live.
Says the Leaning Tower of Pisa to the Big Ben: "If you've got the time, I've got the inclination".
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What a fun and interesting post about Big Ben! Great shot and perfect for the day! Love your one liner at the end! Hope your week is going well!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
I love your B entry! It's one of the places I want to visit in the future, I hope not so distant future. :)
ReplyDeleteI would love to see Big Ben in person. Is that your photo? Thank you for the history lesson.
ReplyDeleteGroan ...to your final statement. (:0)
ReplyDeleteInteresting information. I always wondered why the tower was called Big Ben.
Great post, well written. I used to listen to BBC often and heard the big ben.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Mara and such a good choice for B. Great joke as well. A x
ReplyDeleteA Double B with of world-wide renown - excellent!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that info re Big Ben and the clock tower until I saw it on JEOPARDY! a few years ago. Informative!
ReplyDeleteOn behalf of the ABC Wednesday team, thank you! – Ramblin’ with Roger
What a great choice for B! I really want to hear Big Ben again, I miss London.
ReplyDeleteI have always admired this place
ReplyDeleteHee hee. Love the humor at the end. Thanks for the educating us a bit on Big Ben. I have yet to see it, and I hope I will this year!
ReplyDeleteWarm greetings from Florida!
Very interesting! Love the leaner and the clock line.
ReplyDeleteAh ! my darling Big Ben ! I know "him" so well, my son lived for 10 years in London.
ReplyDeletePoor you hope your cold gets better, now wonder with this humid weather !
A cute joke regarding the two famous landmarks! Great post!
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