5 replies to this topic

[SG-1]

In order to honor the queen. I'm not British, but that's almost like renaming the Statue of Liberty..why would anyone do that? Oh well, what is done is done.
I mean no disrespect and it is indeed an honorable thing to have a landmark renamed, it was just unexpected and odd to me.

http://www.latimes.c...0,7299882.story
London: Big Ben clock tower renamed Elizabeth Tower to honor queen

The landmark known as Big Ben has been renamed Elizabeth Tower in honor of Queen Elizabeth II. (Felipe Trueba / EPA)
By Mary Forgione Los Angeles Times Daily Travel & Deal blogger
June 27, 2012, 6:45 a.m.

The Big Ben clock tower, one of London's best-known landmarks, has been renamed Elizabeth Tower as a diamond jubilee gift to Queen Elizabeth II. The House of Commons Commission made the decision Monday for the tower that was completed in 1859, but no official renaming has yet been scheduled, according to the British Parliament's website.
Though everyone has been calling the decorative Parliament tower Big Ben, the nickname actually applies only to the Great Bell, the very one that strikes the time. (The theories on whom the bell was named for point to two possibilities: Sir Benjamin Hall, a public works commissioner, and Ben Caunt, a heavyweight boxing champ.) Technically, the tower was just called the Clock Tower.
So now Elizabeth Tower joins Victoria Tower, another Parliament high point that was renamed for Queen Victoria in 1860 to commemorate her 60-year reign.
Visitors can get a close-up look at the clock on a free tour that ascends the 334 spiral steps to the top of the tower for fantastic views of London and the famous timepiece.

[Logically Irrational]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Big Ben the name of the bell, not the tower? I mean, the name of the tower has just been the Clock Tower hasn't it? So it's not really getting rid of the iconic part of the tower if the bell still has the same name.

I'm sure us Americans at least will go on calling it Big Ben and forgetting what the actual building is called.

[Alric]

It is just a nickname any way, so it doesn't really matter which one you are talking about. People just call it that, and you know what they are talking about by the context. If they say they can hear Big Ben then they must mean the bell, if they say they will meet you outside Big Ben then obviously they mean the tower. I think that is true for everyone, that everyone will just keep continuing to use the nickname so the actual name is meaningless.

Rich and powerful people just like to slap their names on stuff because it makes them feel important.

[Lily]

As far as I know, the so-called Big Ben's real name is Clock Tower. I see no real problem in naming it after Queen Elizabeth II as the former name was not especially characteristic. Most people know this tower under the nickname of "Big Ben" (the name of the bell) and will continue to call it that way, whether the official name is Elizabeth Tower or Clock Tower.

Another point is that, in a not so distant future, people will look at the tower - if it still exists - and remember the story behind the name. It's history. Queen Elizabeth has been queen for 60 years and has undeniably shaped and influenced Britain's contemprorary and recent history. I believe "Elizabeth Tower" will be a reminder of our current times.

If the tower had a more special name than just "Clock Tower", I'd understand any criticism, but this way? Honestly, I don't think it will have any effect at all. People will continue to call it Big Ben. The onlys problem I can think of is the touristic information.... All those tourist guide books which will have to be rewritten (change the name) and reprinted. That's a factor that has to be taken into account.

[Saradus]

Tch we'll still all call it Big Ben anyways, it's what we've always called it.

[Zeitgeist123]

big ben is better. by changing it to elizabeth tower, it felt like the clock does not belong to the british people, only to the queen.