In Praise of Manchester - Centre Of My Universe!

No, I didn't (perhaps I'm to young to remember any of Frankie Vaughn's songs ).

I wonder if Mr Sarah remembers Frankie Vaughan singing "Green Door". That's one of his earliest.

"Garden of Eden", that's another, a big hit in its day.

Walter, in what way is that signpost living history?
What do you mean by that?

My former teacher Wolfgang, who came from Fulda, said there was a type of cloth known to him (or to Fulda folks in earlier times) as "manchester".

Like a kind of corduroy or something, I'm not sure exactly what.

Hey, I've ordered a new computer for the McTags- isn't that exciting.

'Manchester'-trousers, e.g. were what are now cord trousers.

'Manchester cloth' (Manchester Stoff) is still commonly used in Austria, Switzerland and .... by elderly Germans.

It is little-known in Manchester because it's in Tameside. :wink:

Okay - but nevertheless it's

Droylsden, Manchester M43 6AE

:wink:

Manchester Postcode - it's in Manchester!

I on the other hand, I DO remember Frankie (my Mum was a fan)

Green Door was number one the day I was born!

My favourite Frankie? Tower of Strength :wink:

"There's an old pianna and they play it hot
Behind the green door
Donno what they're doin', but they laugh a lot
Behind the green door
Wish they would let me in, so I can find out what's
Behind the green door..."

Ah, GREATER Manchester you mean, Walter. Well why didn't you say that?

Forgot that.


"Industry and Integrity", btw, is the motto on Tameside's coat of arrms.

Frankie Vaughan was born Frank Abelson.

The story goes, when he was young his grandma, a European immigrant, said "Frankie, one day you will be the number VORN!" and so he chose that as his stage name.

He was a film star too, looked like Victor Mature. I think he was in a film with Diana Dors. Who looked a bit like Jayne Mansfield.

McTag

You've just reminded me of a wonderful insult some of the boys at school used to use:

"well you're Victor" (in ironic tone) meaning you're not very mature!

Takes me back.

Not as much amusement caused at the time as when I was walking down the road with two of my best friends: A & T. T suddenly declared:

"I'm completely Marvin"

A and I were rather taken aback, as our minds searched for the rhyming slang reference...who's the most famous Marvin?

"Are you telling us you're Gay(e)?"

Much hilarity later - what a casual way to come out! - we discovered that he was referring to a mythical character "Starvin' Marvin", a very hungry man!

Is rhyming slang just a London thing (from Cockney origins) or used more widely elsewhere in the UK?

For example, "it's all gone Pete Tong" (well known DJ) is now fairly standard for "it's all gone wrong".

McTag, AND he was in a film with Marilyn Monroe (and they had an affair)

Kitchenpete...I'm out tonight for a Ruby

I've fond memories of an Indian restaurant outside London. Enjoy.

Ticomaya, I hereby pronounce you an honourary Mancunian!

May have a Rogan, but apparently it has a different meaning in USA according to seed - something to do with a haircut?

Rhyming slang is definitely not only a London thing. It was used in Glasgow at least from the 1940s. (brassic=impecunious is one I remember.)

In fact, although it's always referred to as "Cockney", I wonder if it actually originated within the sound of bow legs?

Not sure. Maybe Seed was thinking of Rogaine, which is a product used to combat hair loss? (I'm guessing, here.)

Oh I think that's it. :wink:

Okay....Manchester. We might go to Warrington today, to visit a music shop and to have a look in Marks and Spencers near IKEA because the gloves I bought herself before Christmas there are not quite the right size and when she puts them on she looks like Peter Schmeichel.

...Mornin' Mctag,

Why don't you go to the M&S in Handforth Dean? I think it's a nicer store, and it's near the new Lakeland shop where they do FAB (but pricey) lunches. Mrs Mctag will love it. Also it's near the big Next shop (loadsa bargains).

Have a nice day!

Well, the best-laid plans and all that. Turns out- and I only found this out when she woke up- that she had taken the gloves back already and pocketed the cash. So I went back to bed and didn't wake up till eleven. So then we walked into Stockport to buy a new skin for Fred's banjo, some drawing pens, and some new shoes for her at the sales. But we didn't get any shoes, only some cheapo slippers for me because my Scholls were bust.