Corinthian clubs to be renamed

[Duffer]

Corinthian Yacht Clubs to be Renamed - Press Release

Following failed attempts in Scuttlebutt and elsewhere to ascertain why Corinthian means "sporting amateur" Corinthian yacht clubs have concluded that they have no alternative but to rename their clubs after a suitable place or person closer to home.

Corinth was known as the Aya Nappa of the ancient world, causing St Paul to have to write to them twice. It is also of course known for its famous canal which took the Greeks 2,500 years to build (begun in c. 600BC it was finally finished in 1893).

In order to avoid members having to remove the letter C from their transoms, the Renaming Committees have invited nominations for suitable places in the UK also beginning with the letter C. As the voting stands, Clacton and Cleethorpes are tied in joint fourth place, with Craster in third, Cadgwith in second and Caister currently has a narrow lead. The Welsh vote is believed to be split between Cardiff, Carmarthen, Cardigan, Caernavon, Conway and Colwyn Bay while the nominations of Scottish and Northern Irish members have yet to be received. The committees declined to consider Chigwell or Camberwick Green and will entertain serious suggestions only.

An alternative proposal is to rename the clubs after a prominent UK sailor who best espouses the virtues of the spirit formerly known as Corinthianism. Ellen was an early favourite but she is better known for her association with high water as well as Troy. 'Knox Johnstonianism' was felt to be a bit of a mouthful but Blyth Spirit found early support as did 'Gossianism'. After the preference for a name beginning with C was announced, Chichester took an early lead but could be confused with the eponymous south coast harbour, as could Chay with the Latin American revolutionary. As of today, Caffarian Spirit is thought to be the most likely replacement, assuming Dee Caffari succeeds in her attempt to become the first woman to circumnavigate the globe solo against prevailing winds and currents.

Don't forget that you only have 1 week left from today to register your preference - unless of course you can provide a definitive explanation of why Corinthianism has the meaning of sporting amateur and should not be replaced with either Caffarianism or Caisterian Spirit. A final decision will be announced by the end of April.


Notes for Editors
The mayor of Corinth, Costas Domestos, said if the name was dropped he would be really p*ss*d [ -- presumably on another type of Greek spirit flavoured with aniseed -- Ed.] Head of Marketing at the Greek Tourist Board, Nana Maskara, said that sponsoring English playwright Bill Shakespeare to go to drama school had been their most cost-effective spend since they gave Roman poet Horace a grant for his distance learning course.

 

[Duffer]

STOP PRESS - LATEST VOTING

The votes of Northern Ireland members are now neck and neck with Coleraine just one vote ahead of Carrickfergianism. Meanwhile in Scotland, Colonsay and Canna are equal third (Canny Spirit?), Corryvreckianism in second place and currently Caledonian Spirit has a clear lead.

ISSUED BY THE JOINT CORINTHIAN RENAMING COMMITTEE (JCRC)

 

[stephenh]

A meaning of the word Corinthian - as in the modern word ' amateur'

The original 'Olympic' games became, over time and for want of a better word, 'professional' and were held every 4 years or so, for large prizes.

'Amateurs' resented the professional element and in different years held their own 'Isthmian' games which were centred around Corinth rather than Olympus.
There were no prizes except wreaths of laurel for the winners.

Fast forward to the mid / late 19th century when professional football leagues started up.
They too were resented and an 'Isthmian' football league was started, strictly amateur, to the point that there were not even cups offered to the winners , no cash changed hands, the only prize was the privilege of winning.
Many clubs had the word Corinthian in their title.

Perhaps this 'Isthmian' league still exists ?
I have no interest in football so don't know.

So on to yacht racing - Corinthian means no paid hands on board, the owner helms and no prizes of any value.

I remember the first OSTAR was raced for a half-crown to the winner - did that make it professional ??

A bit late for the original post but it took some research - hope this helps..

 

[bob_tyler]

Surely the ideal replacement will be Claymore

 

[Duffer]

STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE JCRC

stephenh definitely seems to be on to something regarding the Isthmian Games as the origin of "Corinthianism" having its current meaning of "sporting amateur". The JCRC will conduct further research and report back before any final decision to rename any clubs is made. In the meantime the three front runners retain their lead despite spirited attempts by Criccieth and Cockermouth to break into the top three.

PS Are the UK Corinthian yacht clubs completely independent or were they founded together? Perhaps the final completion in 1893 of the canal begun in antiquity gave Corinth much greater prominence in the Victorian era around the time these clubs were founded even if the canal is not the explanation for the meaning of Corinthian Spirit.

 

[Lakesailor]

Surely there is a short, snappy name, beggining with a C that everyone recognises and doesn't have a geographical bias?

Let me think.......