Re: Derivation of Gunzel

["Ted Gay" <tedgay@bigpond.com>]

"Tom C" <tom.clifton@REMOVEvirgin.net> wrote in message
3a9c1854.4929592@news.ntlworld.com">news:3a9c1854.4929592@news.ntlworld.com...
> On Tue, 20 Feb 2001 15:14:04 +1100, "Ted Gay" <tedgay@bigpond.com>
> wrote:
>
> >
> >No no no,  the term originated at the Sydney Tramway Museum,  in
reference
> >to Victorian fans.  The pommie term is an 'Anorak'.  On account of the
> >weather, when 'gunzeling' you need to be wearing an anorak!  :-)
>
> The term "anorak" was first applied to the pirate radio enthusiasts
> who used to visit the pirate radio ships (eg. Mi Amigo - Radio
> Caroline) on the North Sea (and others). It was a scornful, derogatory
> term used by the DJs on the ships, on account of the anoraks worn by
> the enthusiasts in inclement North Sea weather.
>
> Only years later was it applied to railway enthusiasts (in a similarly
> negative manner), some of whom resembled more than superficially the
> radio anoraks.
>
> Other pommie terms include Gricer, Grinder (London Underground fan),
> Chuffernut and Gangy (acronym - Green Anorak No Girlfriend Yet).
> They're also called spotters.
>
> I mentioned the fact that Aussies use the word Gunzel to some of my
> colleagues the other day, and they thought it an apt description of
> some fans. Incidentally, that word is not unlike Gonzo. Every pirate
> radio station used to have its Gonzo - an idiot hanger-on who fancied
> himself as a DJ, but would never make it as long as he had a hole in
> his arse.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Tom C
> W Sussex, UK
> >
>
>
Gunzel is from 'gunslinger' as pronounced in the classis movie 'Maltese
Falcon', the movie where everyone is a crook!

Ted