Re-Naming "Big Ben"?

[dales]

LONDON (AP) — The iconic Clock Tower of Britain's Parliament — widely, though incorrectly, known as Big Ben — is being renamed in honor of Queen Elizabeth II, authorities said Tuesday.

The 315-foot (96-meter)-high structure, one of Britain's most recognizable landmarks, will now formally be known as Elizabeth Tower following a campaign by lawmakers to mark the monarch's 60 years on the throne.

A House of Commons Commission statement said arrangements were being made for the "decision to be implemented in an appropriate manner in due course."

The tower was completed in 1858. It houses a four-faced chiming clock and the famed 13.5 ton Big Ben bell. Over the years, people began calling the whole tower Big Ben.

Prime Minister David Cameron, who backed the campaign for a change, said the new name was a "fitting tribute to the queen and the service she has given our country."

Opposition chief Ed Miliband, head of Britain's Labour Party, said the honor "rightly recognized Queen Elizabeth's lifetime of dedication and tireless service."

[loCAtek]

Ha, right. Good luck with that.

[Lord Jim]

Maybe they'll start calling it "Big Bess"....

(It will still always be the "Big Ben Clock" or "The Big Ben Bell"; it will just now be in the "Elizabeth tower")

[BoSoxGal]

It's a nice gesture but I think it's likely to continue being called Big Ben by regular folk.

Sorta like how nobody regular really says Reagan National Airport.

[Gob]

Daft idea. Build something new and name it after her.

[MajGenl.Meade]

Well, all they are doing is changing the name "St. Stephen's Tower" (which no one uses) for "Elizabeth Tower" (which no one will use). All us normal people will keep on calling it "Big Ben" and no harm done.

Technically though, surely "Elizabeth Tower" would normally refer to the first of that name? Maybe "Elizabeth Twoer" would be better?

Meade

[The Hen]

Absolutely. The actual clock-bell is still Big Ben. (I mustard mitt I thought it was the whole clock name.)

It will continue to be called Big Ben, but when anyone refers to the tower ...

[rubato]

Name that big ferris wheel after her. Its impressively big. Or how about a unit of measure? Now that's real grandeur. You can order a "Elizabeth" or more likely a "Bess" of beer, lets say its 1.5 pints or even 2; a nice generous amount anyhow. Instead of saying someone is drunk you can say they're "Bessed up". She'd be flattered to be connected to such a popular traditional passtime as that. Let her know that her life's work has been appreciated.


yrs,
rubato

[dgs49]

In my neck of the woods, one of the many nicknames that is apropos for "Elizabeth" is "Betty."

Big Betty?

[oldr_n_wsr]

Big Betty?

You knew her too?