Chris Pringle - Tom Lehrer

Subject: RE: Chris Pringle - Tom Lehrer
From: Sooz
Date: 24 Dec 08 - 03:57 AM

And we enjoyed it, Terry!

Subject: RE: Chris Pringle - Tom Lehrer
From: Leadfingers
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 08:27 PM

Whatever the origins , I sang Tom Lehrer's song at Louth F C tonight

Subject: RE: Chris Pringle - Tom Lehrer
From: Micca
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 04:48 PM

Nerd the references to Pennsylvania Dutch come from a similar Mondegreen!!! it was/is originally Pennsylvania Deutsch (of German origin, since Germany is Deutschland in German) so the references Dutch are also a Mondegreen!!

Subject: RE: Chris Pringle - Tom Lehrer
From: Nerd
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 02:34 PM

Kris Kringle is in fact an English-language corruption of the Low German phrase for "Christ Child," Christkindl. Although this name is used in Austria and Czech Republic and elsewhere, it was in America among English neighbors of German-speakers (often colloquially called "Dutch," but actually of German origin) that Kris Kringle was born. In Pennsylvania German communities, it is the Christkindl that brings gifts to the household. This idea was misunderstood by English-speaking neighbors, who thought they were hearing an alternate name for Santa.

Subject: RE: Chris Pringle - Tom Lehrer
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 11:18 AM

What the heck do absolutely uniform round potato chips have to do with Christmas?? You recall the sound references from "The Night Before Christmas?" The kids all think it's the crunch of snow on the rooftop. WRONG!! It's the sound of dad munching Pringles in the kitchen, whilst sipping a toddy after playing Santa for two hours.
I wonder if there's a song lyric lurking in that scenario?

Subject: RE: Chris Pringle - Tom Lehrer
From: open mike
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 10:14 AM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kris_Kringle

the austrian connection (and australian...)

http://www.stcharleschristmas.com/kriskringle.htm

or german or pennylvania dutch..

http://www.kriskringle.com/    the "official" santa claus site...

Chris Kringle image here

Subject: RE: Chris Pringle - Tom Lehrer
From: Piers Plowman
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 09:49 AM

Subject: RE: Chris Pringle - Tom Lehrer
From: Micca - PM
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 08:00 AM

"For a fuller explanation of why Kris Kringle and Santa Claus are regarded as the same person (especially in USA) look here"

I love that movie! Too bad 1) they aren't showing it here in Germany and 2) I don't have a TV.

"I do believe in Santa Claus! I do believe in Santa Claus!"

Subject: RE: Chris Pringle - Tom Lehrer
From: GUEST,danensis
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 09:15 AM

Ah, Kris Kringle makes much more sense - thank you.

Subject: RE: Chris Pringle - Tom Lehrer
From: Micca
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 08:00 AM

For a fuller explanation of why Kris Kringle and Santa Claus are regarded as the same person (especially in USA) look here

Subject: RE: Chris Pringle - Tom Lehrer
From: cptsnapper
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 07:39 AM

Might it possibly be a play on the word christingle?

Subject: RE: Chris Pringle - Tom Lehrer
From: cobra
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 07:09 AM

Are you sure he wasn't singing about Crisp Ringle the well known Yuletide praline treat?

Subject: RE: Chris Pringle - Tom Lehrer
From: Mr Red
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 06:59 AM

Chris Pringle is presumeably the sponsor who provides the warm sweaters for the long cold journies he is taking.

Well you didn't expect a sensible answer 'cos there ain't no Sanity Clause.

Subject: RE: Chris Pringle - Tom Lehrer
From: Melissa
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 06:24 AM

According to a Christmas Special from my childhood (Santa Claus is Coming to Town)a baby ended up on the doorstep of an elf family (named Kringle)
It's a Rankin/Bass cartoon and the other characters are Jessica, the schoolteacher he marries. Winter Warlock, who sings 'put one foot in front of the other'. Burgermeister Meisterburger, who is the bad guy that forbids toys in his town.

I imagine clips of the special might be on youtube.

Subject: RE: Chris Pringle - Tom Lehrer
From: Piers Plowman
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 06:02 AM

Subject: Chris Pringle - Tom Lehrer
From: GUEST,danensis - PM
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 05:09 AM

"Does anyone know who the Chris Pringle was to whom Lehrer was referring?"

Second-cousin once removed to Lady Mondegreen.

Subject: RE: Chris Pringle - Tom Lehrer
From: Leadfingers
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 05:28 AM

Its DEFINATELY Kris Kringle in the Lehrer song !

Subject: RE: Chris Pringle - Tom Lehrer
From: quokka
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 05:12 AM

Not Kris Kringle? I always thought that was the name of the Santa Clause alias sometimes referred to in folklore

Subject: Chris Pringle - Tom Lehrer
From: GUEST,danensis
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 05:09 AM

I played the Tom Lehrer track "A Christmas Carol" to a group of Friends last night, and was asked who "Chris Pringle" is (or was). A search on the Internet doesn't reveal a lot - I had assumed he was a North American Santa Claus figure, but I can't find any references, other than to an expert on transport (which would fit in the context) or an evangelic Christian (which wouldn't).

Does anyone know who the Chris Pringle was to whom Lehrer was referring?