Perhaps it comes as no surprise to many... but did you know that the term 'Gibberish' may have derived from the Llanito spoken in Gibraltar?
Well... Wikipedia thinks so!
Gibberish is a generic term in English. It means talking that sounds like speech, but has no actual meaning. This meaning has also been extended to meaningless text or gobbledygook. The common theme in gibberish statements is a lack of literal sense, which can also be described as a presence of nonsense.
A further definition of gibberish in Wiktionary, the free dictionary, says it is speech or writing that is unintelligible, incoherent or meaningless. (can often be seen here!)
A family of language games in English are sometimes referred to as "Gibberish". Comedian Sid Caesar was noted for what he called "double-talk", an ability to speak varieties of nonsense syllables that sounded as if he was speaking various foreign languages.
Origin of the term
According to Wikipedia, the term is first seen in English in the early 16th century. A common theory is that the word comes from the name of the famous 8th-century Islamic alchemist, Jabir ibn Hayyan, whose name was Latinized as "Geber", thus the term "gibberish" arose as a reference to the incomprehensible technical jargon often used by Jabir and other alchemists who followed.
A second explanation, says Wikipedia, is from the British (sic) 'colony' (now of course, a British Overseas Territory) Gibraltar (from Arabic Gabal-Tariq, [Gibel Tarik] meaning Mountain of Tariq), whose residents frequently speak in Spanish and English during their conversations. Gibraltarians will often start a sentence in Spanish and switch to English halfway through, making it difficult for non-locals to follow.
Very true... we do!! :)
UPDATE: 21st February 2009 - 22:34
I have been contacted by Garrett Wesley Gibbons of Brigham Young University in the USA, who is currently blogging about a Gibraltar Documentary Film project he is in the process of putting together. Garrett has kindly informed me of a paper he wrote, entitled Did 'gibberish' originally describe the speech in Gibraltar (Yanito)? > An Alternative Etymology for Gibberish.
It's an interesting read... and my thanks to Garrett for sharing it!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Gibberish may derive from Llanito
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Defining the word or term 'Gibo'
As you've probably realised... I call my Blog A Gibo's Tale. The reason why I call it so is probably obvious to any Gibraltarian... that is someone born and bred in the famous Rock of Gibraltar. I am a Gibraltarian and we are often referred to as 'Gibos'.
Being called a 'Gibo' can sometimes be offensive and I am aware some Gibraltarians feel offended by the term. However, in my experience, the word is more often used in a friendly manner (even at times affectionately), purely as a shortcut, an abbreviation for Gibraltarian, which one must admit, is a bit of a mouthful.
Since this blog contains a growing series of articles... stories about my thoughs and observations... musings if you like, I thought it apt to call it... A Gibo's Tale!
Now... just out of curiosity... and I've never done this before but I was sitting there watching the Six Nations rugby union games on telly this afternoon when the thought entered my mind... don't ask me why... but it did. I suddenly wondered whether any dictionary has ever defined the word 'Gibo'.
So, tonight, I looked it up on a couple or two well known online Dictionaries. What I found surprised me... and mostly I have to admit, disappointed me.
Disappointingly, the most well known dictionaries online, Dictionary.com, Cambridge University Press's Cambridge Dictionaries Online, the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia and Merriam-Webster Online, all found NO definition for the word 'gibo'!
But... I did in the end find a little gem. It's quite amusing so I thought I would share it with you here.
Ever come across the Urban Dictionary? The Urban Dictionary defines itself as 'the slang dictionary you wrote'. It challenges us to 'define our world'... and boy they do! Here's a direct quote:"Urban Dictionary edumacates even the hippest of cats!"
Fascinating huh? Here's a few examples I picked up off their front page:
hello list
The list of people you have to or want to say "hello" to on a daily basis. Especially relevant for students in university buildings, or coworkers in a workplace. Some people might decide to put you on their hello lists, even if they aren't on yours! Typically, reciprocity is expected.
Dropping someone from your hello list to just a nod when you pass him or her might be considered a snub by the other person.
retro-cringe
When you remember, the morning after, something you said, wrote, did, didn't say, etc., the day before..
'I texted undying love to that chick at the party when I got home.. This morning, I'm having retro-cringe, bigtime..'
carcolepsy
a condition affecting buddies on a trip who fall asleep as soon as the car starts moving, providing no company or driving help
Joe slept the whole way here, I think he suffers from carcolepsy.
Twitterrhea
Too many twitters per hour.
Guy Kawasaki had twitterrhea when he posted 18 Tweets in one hour on a Friday afternoon.
canniversary
A year from the date on which you were fired from a job.
"Next week is my canniversary from Enron!"
coin wankingFun huh? Yes... I thought so too!
The act of jangling change held in a suit trouser pocket, usually performed by male office workers whilst stood chatting to colleagues
to stand near someone, chatting to them, but simultaneously coin wanking by caressing and fondling the change in your pocket
By this time I'm thinking... if anyone has defined the word 'gibo', it's got to be these guys... right? Well, this time, I was not to be disappointed!
Urban Dictionary: Definition for 'gibo':
| 1. | gibo | 3 thumbs up   |
| when a boy thinks hes all that and trys to think he's better than everyone else. He constantly compliments himself and says how great he is all the time. A.K.A pretty boy Yo, shawn is a straight up gibo. by Wing_Whoe Nov 25, 2004 | ||
| 2. | gibo | 11 thumbs up |
| an arrogent prick who thinks nothing of breaking ppls hearts infact he quite enjoys it shes had her heart broken by a gibo | ||
| 3. | gibo | 5 thumbs up |
| I big headed fool, who things he's gods gift | ||
| 4. | gibo | 1 up, 1 down |
| Doing a Gibo : Saying you'll be going somewhere when you have no intention of going whatsoever. "Are you out tonight?" "Yes" 1 hour later............ "Gibo, where are you?" "I'm on my way" 1/2 hour later.......... "Gibo. The taxi's here. Where are you?" "Can't be arsed. I'm staying in getting stoned" by boooooth Oct 30, 2003 | ||
Personally, I like number 1. It's the one that gets closest to the Gibraltarian male psyche. Having said that... it could easily be just as applicable to some of our females too! heh heh
Since the Urban Dictionary is 'written by us'.... I thought I would add my little contribution... expanding man's knowledge no end!
A 'gibo' or 'gibbo' is a slang term which refers to a Gibraltarian. A person born and bred in Gibraltar... on the famous Rock of Gibraltar!
The term can sometimes be offensive but often it is simply used in a friendly or even affectionate manner.
The gibos in Gibraltar are warm, hospitable people!
Those bloody gibos are so laid back, you can never get anything done around here!
I expect... not ALL will agree!
