Slow_boat
Well-Known Member
............Cos that's what it says on the chart. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
Why is the Isle of Wight so named?
- Thread starter jimi
- Start date
duncan
Well-Known Member
why, have you got a better name for it?
jimi
Well-Known Member
... rhyming slang!
davidhand
Well-Known Member
When we were kids we used to say, "god made a little island, he made it in the night; he dipped it in the white wash and called it Isle of Wight."
l'escargot
Well-Known Member
From this site:
The Romans called the Island Vectis. In the Anglo-Saxon chronicle it is Wihte ealond, Wihtland or Wiht, followed by further variations of the spelling in the middle ages, such as Wicht, Wict, Whyht, Wyght and Wight. The derivation cannot be established with certainty but the name is probably of British origin and may be connected with the Welsh gwaith (work) the Latin Vectis (lever) which share a common root. It has been suggested that Wight could mean what has been raised i.e. above the sea
The Romans called the Island Vectis. In the Anglo-Saxon chronicle it is Wihte ealond, Wihtland or Wiht, followed by further variations of the spelling in the middle ages, such as Wicht, Wict, Whyht, Wyght and Wight. The derivation cannot be established with certainty but the name is probably of British origin and may be connected with the Welsh gwaith (work) the Latin Vectis (lever) which share a common root. It has been suggested that Wight could mean what has been raised i.e. above the sea
l'escargot
Well-Known Member
From this site:
People born on the island are colloquially known as Caulkheads (comparable with the term Cockneys for those born in the East End of London). However, many argue that the term should only apply those who can also claim they are of established Isle of Wight stock either by proven historical roots or, for example, being third generation inhabitants from both parents' lineage. One theory as to the origin of this name is that the term is derived from the once prevalent local industry of caulking boats; a process of sealing the seams of wooden boats with oakum. Another more fanciful story is that a group of armoured Island horsemen were chased into the sea by the marauding French, and took refuge on a sandbank when the tide came in, thus appearing to float in the sea despite their heavy armour, hence the name Cork- i.e. Caulk-, -heads. In local folklore it is said that a test can be conducted on a baby by throwing it into the sea from the end of Ryde pier whereupon a true caulkhead baby will float unharmed.
People born on the island are colloquially known as Caulkheads (comparable with the term Cockneys for those born in the East End of London). However, many argue that the term should only apply those who can also claim they are of established Isle of Wight stock either by proven historical roots or, for example, being third generation inhabitants from both parents' lineage. One theory as to the origin of this name is that the term is derived from the once prevalent local industry of caulking boats; a process of sealing the seams of wooden boats with oakum. Another more fanciful story is that a group of armoured Island horsemen were chased into the sea by the marauding French, and took refuge on a sandbank when the tide came in, thus appearing to float in the sea despite their heavy armour, hence the name Cork- i.e. Caulk-, -heads. In local folklore it is said that a test can be conducted on a baby by throwing it into the sea from the end of Ryde pier whereupon a true caulkhead baby will float unharmed.
