BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Dec 07 - 10:43 AM

I'm an Englishman living in Indiana.

The gekko's voice has an East London regional accent and is not considered classy or educated by Englishmen. It's almost Cockney but not quite.

Cute yes, classy, no!

Americans often have trouble differentiating between the English, Australian and South African "accents". Naturally, we don't!

Everywhere I go here I'm told they love my "accent".

Of course I point out we invented the language therefore YOU have the accent!

The classic neutral English voice is considered by most Americans to sound educated and intelligent.

Which is why it is often used in commercials here.

This doesn't mean we ARE more intelligent or educated, we just sound it!

I socialise in town with two types of people, the tradesmen, consisting of builders, wreckers, electricians, truckers etc and the professional classes consisting of lawyers, judges, senators, the mayor, president and professors of Wabash college etc and they all say the same thing.

I've discovered the difference between American men and American women.

The women love listening to me speak and the men can't understand a word I'm saying! ;-)

Michael of http://www.worldofantiques.net

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: fumblefingers
Date: 17 Dec 07 - 12:32 AM

The lizard is a pom. Londonish working class.

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: GUEST,Dede
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 03:12 PM

Probably because in India and most of South-East Asia, the British influence
reined for years. They latched on to the Chinese belief that no home would
be protected unless there was at least one resident Gekko (also called
Tak-Tak's) in the house, and a "herd" of Gekko insured good fortune for all
who came under the roof. House warming gifts often were tiny Gekko's.
So, obviously Gekko's should have a British accent rather than speak a non-
universal language. Today's Ceico's Gekko is a voice obviously born
within the "sound of the Bells". The dialogue is right in keeping!

They are however, usually transparent, eventually taking on the color
of their environment. And there is NOTHING like having one of the little
suction footed, gummy cold guys unexpectedly drop onto oneself while sipping a drink
or reading a book.

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: GUEST,DW
Date: 04 Feb 08 - 10:16 AM

How can he be a brit? When was the last time you saw a gecko in England? He has to be an Aussie!

Subject: RE: BS: Why is the Geico Gekko a Brit?
From: GUEST,EastieinBama
Date: 01 Jul 08 - 08:16 PM

He's a Brit on Eastenders, a British soap.