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Tue 28 Aug, 2007 03:06 pm
What is 'Big Ben'? Is the London landmark named for the clock, the bell, or the whole tower?
Thanks for asking that question. I never knew it referred to the bell and not the tower itself. When I visited London in the '80's Big Ben was smothered in scaffolding and undergoing a makeover to remove all the gunk from centuries of coal burning so we didn't get to see much of it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clock_Tower,_Palace_of_Westminster
Quote:Excerpt:
It is often mistakenly called "Big Ben" ?- which is actually the main bell housed within the Clock Tower.[1][2][3] The Clock Tower has also been referred to as St Stephen's Tower or The Tower of Big Ben or Big Tom. However, St Stephen's Tower is actually towards the middle of the Palace, and is the main point of entry for attendees of debates and committees.
Lovely to approach the city by boat from Greenwich, as I have done more than once, and to alight right outside the Palace of Westminster.
Has earth "anything to show more fair", on a sunny day?
Probably. But it's nice.
"big Ben"
Big Ben is in fact the name of the bell however this name is given to
the clock and tower in general usage, even here in the u.k.
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