I have noticed something, and I want to do a poll to see if this is something LOTS of people do, or if it’s something where you will be looking for a delicate way to ask me if I’m off my meds.
Here it is: I notice that the nursery song “London Bridge is Falling Down” is so hardwired into my brain that if I try to use the first name London with any surname that has even the same RHYTHM as “bridges” (I now know it’s “bridge is,” but I didn’t know that for many many years—and besides, it has the same rhythm either way), my mind leaps immediately to “falling down.”
So, for example, if I tried the name London with the surname Johnson, I’d say “London Johnson” and then I’d immediately think “…falling down, falling down, falling down.” Same with London Williams, London Walker, and London Carter: my mind adds “falling down,” because of the rhythm. (These are just random examples; feel free to substitute your own 2-syllable surnames for testing.)
This doesn’t happen if it’s a different rhythm. If it’s London St. Clair, I don’t think “falling down.” If it’s London Jones, I don’t think “falling down.” If it’s London Anderson, I don’t think “falling down.” It’s only if it’s a two-syllable surname with the same rhythm as “bridges”/”bridge is.”
I suspect most of this is because I don’t know anyone named London: to me it still registers first as a place that has a bridge. If I knew a London, my guess is that this effect would fade considerably if not completely.
And now what I want to ask you is: Is it the same for you? Let’s have a poll over to the right. [Poll closed; see results below.]
That only happens for me if the word actually is bridges/bridge is. London Johnson doesn’t lead to “falling down.”
I do it, but not for some of your examples. I didn’t with London Johnson, but I did with London Williams, for instance.
I always thought it was “London bridges falling down,…” I assumed London had more than one unstable bridge, I guess.
I wonder if this is partially a generational thing? I remember singing that song (and so if the rhythm fits, I definitely think “falling down”), but I doubt my kids have ever heard it and would probably not have the same association (and thus would probably not think to use it to taunt a kiddo on the playground). I was born in the mid-70s.
So….I voted “yes” in the poll, and it’s true, but what I really wanted was a third category.
“Well, I do NOW.” Totally. Thankfully I don’t know anyone named London :)
This doesn’t happen to me with a name like Johnson or Williams, but it would if the surname was closer to (if it shared more sounds with) bridges/bridge is.
NOW I do. No idea if I did before! I don’t think so, though.
My very wee kids definitely are growing up with this song, so it’s not entirely a generational thing.
I think to me it’s always been “London bridge is falling down”, not “London bridges”, because I learned the German translation first, where the singular is more clear because it doesn’t slur together into a plural.
So, to me a one-syllable name AND a two syllable name trigger this rhyme in my head, but a three syllable name does not. This might explain why London is not among my favorite place names as given names, actually.
Yes, I agree with the “Well, I do now!” category. : )
I live in London, and while I know the song well it is not the first thing on my mind when I hear ‘London Bridge’ or even ‘London Bridges’. I will have to vote for no.
Yes, and Landon as well.
I don’t do this. AND… even with your examples, it was “London Jones” that came the closest to making me sing the song actually!! To me the rhythm of the song emphasizes London Bridge (then is comes)… so “London Jones is falling down” seems much more “right” than “london williams falling down” because it should be “London williams is falling down” which does not even work.
Nope, not me. London Johnson definitely sounds most like Lyndon Johnson. But I do wonder if there realty are any people named London Bridges.
I don’t always think “falling down”, but I do find I “sing” London Surname as if it were part of the song. Sort of like trying to say the alphabet-I can’t do it without singing the song.
I am in camp “Do now, and forever changed towards the name London” lol. Ok, I admit I didn’t really like the name London to begin with (I’m sure it’s someone out there’s cup of tea, pardon the British joke). To me it is the city of London, and hearing it as a name is like hearing that someone named their kid Dresden or Cleveland.
But yes, now I’m singing it over and over in my head with every two syllable surname I can come up with! “London Williams falling down, falling down, falling down…..London Johnson falling down…..my fair lady!”
Great, now that song is going to be stuck in my head for the rest of the day! (but i initially did not think of the song, i think i would only think of it if the last name was close to the actual word “Bridge/s”)
My daughter does have a boy named London in her class, and honestly what usually pops into my head is that Fergie song, with mental images of her in those dumb British flag panties. I’d much rather have the nursery rhyme!!
I know someone with the name London L. last name sounds like song. I think it’s a beautiful name and had thought of it for my baby, however, I’ve never been to London and that that would be a little odd. :)
Oh, that was a girl name, btw, I’m not sure what you are considering it for. I think it works for either, but is lovely for a girl.
I know this wasn’t your question… but if someone names a baby London Johnson, i’m immediately thinking of Lyndon Johnson, former President.
Hm Swistle, I’m worried about you (and the other 41 people who thinks this)! He he :-D
I voted no……and it has never entered my mind!
I LIVE in London and have never, ever thought this! I have never met an English person named London, though.