Big Ben

[Marty101]

This is cool-
https://biggeekdad.com/2017/01/how-big- ... LK2M.gmail

[Glyn Meredith]

"Big Ben" doesn't keep time; it's a bell. So, we get the chime of Big Ben but it's the clock that does the time-keeping.

Just saying ...

[veritas]

Hi Glyn, i said the same thing as you on the NAWCC site, not one person replied or agreed with me.
I mentioned it as well on Facebook and pretty much told i was wrong. Glad you agree with me.

[brownsrplm]

I agree also;
Folks tend to think the Westminster Chimes which Big Ben is, are the function of the clock. However, if you listen close in the video the chimes are an addition to the clock itself...

[JerryT]

Who, or what, is the authority on this? “Big Ben” is, technically, the name of the great bell. A booklet “The Story of Big Ben” by Alan Phillips, published by the Ministry of Public Building and Works and printed at Her Majesty’s Stationary Office (1959) acknowledges this fact, but goes on to state:
“Although the name strictly belongs only to the bell that tolls the hours, it is commonly thought of as including the chimes, the clock faces, and even the tower. . ..
“With the passing of a century Big Ben has grown into a complex identity. It is at once building and contents, sight and sound, institution and symbol . .. ”

[brownsrplm]

Jerry,
I was merely stating that the chimes that accompany the strike are known, and always have been known as "Westminster Chimes". Any clock you now purchase with Westminster will sound like "Big Ben" as folks associate it with that set of notes. As noted in your quote "Although the name strictly belongs only to the bell that tolls the hour, it is commonly thought of as including the chimes, the clock faces, and even the tower"...

[Glyn Meredith]

Cat among the pigeons ...

[veritas]

I am stating the bell is Big Ben, not the clock.
And i know Wikpedia will say different.

[Glyn Meredith]

I'm with you, Kevin, but over the years the bell, the clock, the tower, have been called Big Ben by these who neither know nor care ... To them, the clock tower and its clockworks have become an iconic London landmark that has a convenient alliterative name. It's natural that it should happen that way but it's still fun to remind people from time to time that Big Ben is a bell.

[veritas]

I agree fully Glyn.

[Neilywatch]

What is the proper name for the clock and tower it is in? Neil

I remember reading also that Big Ben is just the name of the Bell only.

[brownsrplm]

Unless I've forgotten my classical Architecture course from College, It is called Elizabeth Tower and the houses of Parliament. Incidentally this is in Westminster in central London. I guess this is why the tune is referred to as Westminster Chimes...

[Glyn Meredith]

These days we call it the Palace of Westminster and the Clock Tower; common alternative names are the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben (as already discussed). We get the Westminster chimes and Big Ben on the radio everyday when certain news programmes come on.