October 28, 2005

Obscure Architectural Term of the Day!

Well, it's been a while, and it seems like today would be a good time for something. Although not the least bit obscure, today's word is nonetheless interesting. Not that I know everything (it's TRUE!) but I had always assumed wrongly about the derivation of the following:

BELFRY. Generally the upper room or storey in a tower in which bells are hung, and thus often the bell-tower itself, whether it is attached to or stands separate from the main building. Also the timber frame inside a church steeple to which bells are fastened. Derived from the old French berfrei (=tower), the word has no connection with 'bell'.

From the Penguin Dictionary of Architecture, Third Edition.

Well, I'll be. All these years of assuming the wrong thing.

Since everyone knows what a belfry looks like, I'll dispense with the usual accompanying graphical links, and instead will make do with the movie poster from Legend of Zorro, opening today in theaters everywhere.

Posted by Terry Oglesby at October 28, 2005 01:51 PM
Comments

I've been tolded I got bats in mt belfry

Posted by: Anymostusest at October 28, 2005 01:55 PM

Well, we know different, don't we.

Don't we?

Posted by: Terry Oglesby at October 28, 2005 01:57 PM

She can ring my bell anytime. Yowza.

Posted by: skillzy at October 28, 2005 02:21 PM

Skillzy-Ho!

Posted by: Janis at October 28, 2005 02:34 PM

Much to my surprise, Roger Ebert only gives this newest Zorro movie TWO stars. Personally I'd give Ms. Zeta-Jones four stars all by herself, so I can't imagine that movie being rated only two stars.

Posted by: Stan at October 28, 2005 02:37 PM

Where's the belfry, oh there it is waaaay in the in the back.

Posted by: Sarah G. at October 28, 2005 02:42 PM

Sarah G. gets the Sharpest Eyes in Bloggerdom Award! Good call, ma'am!

Posted by: Terry Oglesby at October 28, 2005 03:08 PM

Well silly me, I thought you were tryin' to educate us. I figured there had to be one in there somewhere.

Posted by: Sarah G. at October 28, 2005 04:00 PM

I was doing my part for education, Sarah, but the background belfry was just a happy accident. Which I now intend to claim was a deliberate inclusion.

Posted by: Terry Oglesby at October 28, 2005 04:03 PM

You know with a name like von Krag the 1st thing I did when stationed in Germany was go to a fencing club. I wish to inform ya'll I NEVER EVER saw anyone dressed like that picture... heck if I had I'd prolly be still messing around with long pointy objects. Anyway swords look good but John Moses and Sam Colt made everyone equal.

Posted by: Tony von Krag at October 29, 2005 01:13 AM

Au Contraire, good Tony. Messrs. Moses & Colt never airbrushed the equal of the Bosom of Zorro.

Posted by: skinnydan at October 31, 2005 08:22 AM

Well, Tony, you have to remember that you were in Germany, not Mexico, where it is required by law that all female fencing afficianados must wear appropriately daring clothing. And have an affection for really old guys. Which, as I get to be a really old guy, I must say I appreciate greatly.

Posted by: Terry Oglesby at October 31, 2005 08:45 AM