Folklore: Odd pub names

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 01 Nov 15 - 06:33 PM

Has nobody mentioned (read the whole thread) "The Nobody Inn" at Doddiscombsleigh in Devon? We used to go there regularly when we lived in Devon many 40-odd years ago. Seems it still exists, as it has a website.
Nearer home now, Boozer in 2003 mentioned "The Black Bitch" in Linlithgow: not just part of the town's coat of arms but a local legend, which is portrayed on the walls of the lounge bar. (And a very non-PC friend calls it "The Winnie Mandela").
And where I live, in Balerno, SW Edinburgh, one of the local pubs is known as "The Honky" (real name "Malleny Arms"). Again the reason, in local history is shoen in a sign outside the pub. It dates from WW2 when US servicemen were stationed at Kirknewton airfield a few miles down the road, and christened it "The Honky-tonk".
The other pub, The Grey Horse, is known to many as "Brow's" after the landlady who retired possibly as much as 20 years ago.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 01 Nov 15 - 07:32 AM

The Band at Rest which I mentioned above had, I recall, a fine eastward view clear across to St Paul's thru the windows of its upstairs meeting-room.

≈M≈

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: Thompson
Date: 31 Oct 15 - 07:38 PM

There was a pub beside Emmet Bridge in Harold's Cross, Dublin, called The Old Grinding Young. My mother knew it as a young girl in the 1920s, and said it then had a swinging inn sign, with paint almost an inch thick from eternal repainting, showing an old man in 18th-century dress being fed into a mincer and coming out the other side as a young man (presumably from the revivifying effects of the beer).

The house on the site looks ancient; it's attached to another pub which has recently closed. I live in fear that they'll be knocked down and an apartment block built there. My suspicion is that this house is far, far older than the 18th century.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: Sir Roger de Beverley
Date: 31 Oct 15 - 07:40 AM

This week they have just finished demolishing a pub in Harrogate called the Little Wonder - named after a racehorse. There is also a racehorse named pub in York called Beeswing (nothing to do with Richard Thompson).

R

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: GUEST,DTM
Date: 30 Oct 15 - 08:51 PM

I think there used to be a pub in Edinburgh was called "The Ferret & Trousers".

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: GUEST,Ebor Fiddler
Date: 30 Oct 15 - 08:28 PM

Have we had the Bull in Spectacles in Blithbury, Staffs?

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 30 Oct 15 - 06:37 PM

Reminded by DtG's joke name of a terrible joke from my 70-odd years ago schooldays, about a pub called The Queen's Legs, and one of a queue waiting outside telling a curious passer-by, "We're waiting for The Queen's Legs to open so we can have a drink."

Don't let anyone kid you that the old ones were the best.

≈M≈

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 30 Oct 15 - 06:31 PM

I recall from way back a pub around Hanger Lane/Western Avenue called The Band At Rest, where some sf-oriented friends used to meet periodically,

≈M≈

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 30 Oct 15 - 06:26 PM

Wow, it's still here :-)

I have told my youngest grandson, now 4, that we are going to buy a pub and call it 'The Queen's Bum'. We both think it is hilarious...

:D tG

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: GUEST,guest porkypig
Date: 30 Oct 15 - 05:51 PM

There used to be a pub in Burnley called HELP ME MAKE IT THROUGH THE WORLD

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: GUEST,Zalby57
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 07:47 AM

ny personal favourite can be found in County Carlow in Ireland..a pub with a long history..."The Fighting Cocks"

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: Banjo-Flower
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 06:13 AM

"if you went in and asked for a lager the landlord would say "you dont want that crap" and would pour you a pint of real ale"

which I would leave untouched and unpaid for and leave telling the landlord I don't want what he cannot otherwise get rid of

Gerry

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: GUEST,Don Wise
Date: 20 Oct 11 - 06:38 AM

I've written songs about "The Ram-Jam Inn" and "The Five Alls." That was a long time ago........'The Five Alls' that inspired me is/was in Chepstow.(I fight for all,I plead for all,I pray for all,I rule all,I pay for all)

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 19 Oct 11 - 12:40 PM

The late fiddler and singer Willie Beaton [ RIP ] once told me if he ever won the pools [ this was 20 years before the lottery ] he was going to by a pub and call it "The Fox And Gyneacologist". I would have loved to have seen his sign..............or maybe not !

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: GUEST,bigal
Date: 18 Oct 11 - 03:39 PM

One of my favorite pubs in newcastle is the Crown Posada near the quayside at the bottom of grey street, cant remember the story behind its name though, if you went in and asked for a lager the landlord would say "you dont want that crap" and would pour you a pint of real ale, also the hark to bounty in slaidburn was originally called the dog but the locals wanted a more original name,

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: Max Johnson
Date: 26 Aug 11 - 10:28 AM

I had lunch in the 'Hark To Bounty' in Slaidburn yesterday. An excellent pint and a decent lunch in what must be one of the loveliest places in England.

Less interesting, the pub got it's name when the local squire and his chums, who had parked the rest of the Hunt outside the pub, heard the melodious voice of one foxhound above all others. "Hark to Bounty!", the squire exclaimed, that being, presumably, the name of the dog.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 16 May 11 - 04:56 PM

Harking back to a post I made in this thread in Jan 03. I went by the Cow & Snuffers in Cardiff the other day and found itis up for auction. A sad sight.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: mandomad
Date: 16 May 11 - 04:18 PM

The Slubbers arms in Huddersfield Venue of a good music session every month


                  mandomad

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: GUEST
Date: 16 May 11 - 03:32 PM

I saw a pub in Norwich the other day called the Nelson Arms. It occured to me it should be the Nelson Arm...

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 16 May 11 - 02:12 PM

It's nice to see old threads resurrected :-)

DtG

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: GUEST,PatrickH
Date: 16 May 11 - 12:55 PM

I always wondered if the Muscular Arms was apocryphal.
I remember there was a pub on the prom at Seacombe on the Wirral called the Five Bars Rest. Frequented by musicians no doubt.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: Max Johnson
Date: 16 May 11 - 07:32 AM

During the '80s I used to drink in the old 'Boot and Flogger' in Southwark, which bizarrely used to close at 8:00. Quiet, comfortable, big leather armchairs, courteous and knowledgeable staff. Bliss.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: mandomad
Date: 15 May 11 - 07:00 PM

The Murderers (pub in Norwich)

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: SRD
Date: 15 May 11 - 05:49 PM

The Fruiterers Arms in Crockenhill, Kent was known as 'The Mudhole'.
The Seymour Arms in Witham Friary, Somerset (and elsewhere) are known as 'The Sleeveless Vest'.
The Sans Pareil in Frindsbury, Kent was referred to as the 'Sands Parallel' by several of the local residents.
I once got caught in a Mondegreen when a friend mentioned that he'd been down at the Groom and Widgeon at Bough Beech, he'd actually been recovering a Grumann Widgeon which had sunk in the reservoir there.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: GUEST
Date: 15 May 11 - 05:28 PM

The Arden Inn in Accrington

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: Anne Lister
Date: 15 May 11 - 04:30 PM

Someone some threads back (some years back!) mentioned the Virgins and Castle and said it was in Leamington - no, it's in Kenilworth and still there. It's a reference to the visit of Elizabeth 1 to Kenilworth castle. The folk club that met there for some time had some bumper stickers printed saying "Up the Virgins" which I had proudly displayed on my guitar case until I moved to London and had some very odd looks as a result.

My great grandparents ran a pub called The Case is Altered in Banbury. My Dad's understanding of the name is that it was near the law courts ... not sure if this is at all accurate!

Some that have had me puzzled for a while are the pub in Soho where I used to meet friends regularly which was called the Sun and Thirteen Cantons ... and the pub down the road from us now called the Hog and Hosper.

There's a nice story about another nearby pub, called the Waun-y-Claer. In the village of Llanover lived Lady Augusta Waddington, wife to Benjamin Waddington (who gave his name to Big Ben). She wanted to make the village like a "real" Welsh village and so made all the local pubs teetotal, and insisted on having teetotal employees. She became very angry with a gardener, whose bike she saw propped up on the wall outside the Waun-y-Claer (which is outside the village). His response the following night was to leave his bike propped up under her bedroom window ...

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: GUEST,Frug
Date: 15 May 11 - 03:36 PM

Isn't lapin rabbit?? I think monkey is singe.

Frank

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: alex s
Date: 15 May 11 - 01:28 PM

In Paris there's Le Lapin Agile (The Agile Monkey), a corruption of Le Lapin a Gilles (Giles' Monkey) after the original owner, who, of course, had a pet monkey.
Nearer to home, in North Yorks you'll find The Busby Stoop.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: GUEST
Date: 15 May 11 - 11:22 AM

Second West Pub in Bradford.

I think it has something to do with the second West Yorkshire battalion of the bradford pals who fought in WW1.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: GUEST,Sassyschoolmarm
Date: 22 Aug 10 - 06:41 AM

There's 'The Penny-Come-Quick' in Plymouth, England near the train station that always makes me cackle. Methinks I have a dirty mind ;-).

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 14 Mar 10 - 07:41 PM

William (billy) Walstow who is my Great grandad died today (14/03/2010) at around 9am. RIP

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: Aeola
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 03:53 PM

One for 'Mandaleer' The Scotch Piper in Lydiate, Merseyside dates back to @1200AD

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: GUEST,Venango
Date: 10 Aug 09 - 01:07 AM

A tavern and restaruant called The Yellow Dog Lantern ni Oil City, Pennsylvania. It closed down last year or so. Bad management. It refers to a type of latern invented to burn crude oil in the early oil fields of northwestern Pennsylvania.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 06:40 PM

For a few years there was a pub on Exmouth called the ic on nn, till at last the sign maker was called to replace the missing letters and return the Bicton Inn to its former Glory.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: Paul Burke
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 02:54 PM

Come on then Guest, bait taken, what's a chocker?

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 09:56 AM

We were drinking in the 'Twice Brewed' pub, in the village of 'Once Brewed', just off Hadrian's Wall last week. Never did find out the origins of either name.

LTS

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: scowie
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 03:47 AM

Not had a mention yet is the unique "The House Without a Name" at Bradshaw near Bolton.My father who died ten years ago remembers the "Bradshaw Chorus" (He Advance-ed me a shilling, a shilling from the Crown) being sung there as a boy.I have seen the song mentioned as thus in old publications.
In reply to Sue Allens query a "Wye" calf(or Cauve in the Lancashire vernacular)was one of the female variety, and so a replacement,more welcome than a bull calf which had to be sold and was of little value.
As for by-names the long gone Scotch Vaults in Bolton, were known as "The Deep End" there was a shallow end for the more trivial crimes!

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Aug 09 - 06:26 PM

The Singing Chocker is called so, because before it opened people voted for a name for the new pub, and The Singing Chocker was the most popular. It is named after my uncle, Bill Walstow, now about 98 years old and still going, he was obviously a chocker in the mines and you guessed it he was always singing, hence the singing chocker. Honestly this is no bull, ask any Walstow in Castleford.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: GUEST,John from Kemsing
Date: 05 Feb 09 - 10:55 AM

Guest Chris,
            I am led to believe, by virtue of a t.v. progrwmme concerned with change and parlour state of certain pub signs, that way back in our history a rule/law /ordnace was introduced that required all inns and taverns be identified by a suitable sign in order that the people of that time who could not read were still capable recognising the venue. It is probably still on the statute books. The above being the case, it is probable there were many, many houses designated "The Eagle" and a sign erected at the choice of the house owner or tenant.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 05 Feb 09 - 10:54 AM

Seen the King's Head and the Baker's Arms... still looking for the Butcher's Finger.

Oh last night's chipolatta?

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 05 Feb 09 - 10:48 AM

Sometimes it's just the shorted form of the Eagle and Child which was the family crest of the Earls of Derby. They owned a lot of land in East London so there's a few pubs there called the Eagle and Child.

The Eagle was also the crest of Truman's Brewery (defunct) so many pubs formwerly owned by Truman's will be called The Eagle.

I'm sure there's many other reasons for it being used as a pub name.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: GUEST,Chris
Date: 05 Feb 09 - 10:40 AM

Hi Folks,

I'm lookinf for the origin of the pub nam The Eagle. Can anyone help

Ta

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 03:25 AM

Insane Beard:
It would appear that The Fool & Bladder is close to our own Mudcat Tavern somewhere in cyberland!

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: GUEST,donc
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 02:59 AM

The Hark to Mopsey in Normanton mentioned previously.
I was told by my Mother that the pub took it's name after the building caught fire and the occupants were woken and saved by the barking of the pub dog named Mopsey. Hence the name Hark to Mopsey.
Not sure if it's true but a lovely story.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: Sue Allan
Date: 22 Jul 08 - 11:58 AM

Two late lamented Cumbrian pubs with odd names: The Heilk Moon (heilk pronounced helk)... which had the sign of a half moon, and the White Quey (quey pronounced why) which is some sort of cow, apparently. Both gone now, sadly.
And the Throstles Nest in my native Wigton is named after the town;s nickname of Throstles Nest (why? no one really knows except that it nestles in a hollow)

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: Big Tim
Date: 22 Jul 08 - 11:37 AM

An interesting one in Glasgow is called The Redan, 'the Russians they flailed us at the Redan' in the song 'Kerry Recruit', set in Crimean War.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: Aeola
Date: 21 Jul 08 - 06:53 PM

On the way back from Saddleworth I passed a pub called The Smut, got to be something to do with coalmining?

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 21 Jul 08 - 09:54 AM

I drove past one this morning called ' Demolition by Kirkpatrick and Son '

eric

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 21 Jul 08 - 07:43 AM

Is there really a Fool and Bladder? Please say there is & that it hosts a fine monthly singaround & tell me how to get there!

Subject: RE: Folklore: Odd pub names
From: GUEST,dotty dill
Date: 21 Jul 08 - 07:14 AM

Hi all, I wonder if anyone out there has ever encountered a pub called 'The Fool and Child'. I have a print of an 1646 engraving of Wakefield, Yorks. which has beneath it the inscription 'Sold at he Fool and Child' which I would presume would be a tavern of that time. I can find no reference to a pub of this name anywhere. Any ideas?