Saturday, May 20, 2006

Gambolling?




Well, I learnt something new the other day (I do learn new things every day, really, but this was particularly fascinating). Apparently, to call a 'forward roll' (of the gymnastic kind) a 'gambol' is something unique to us Brummies!
I found this very hard to believe so checked out the dictionary, which says:

gam·bol (gmbl)
intr.v. gam·boled or gam·bolled, gam·bol·ing or gam·bol·ling, gam·bols
To leap about playfully; frolic.
n.
A playful skipping or frolicking about.
[Alteration of French gambade, horse's jump, from Old French, perhaps from Old Italian gambata, from gamba, leg, from Late Latin, hoof, perhaps from Greek kamp, bend.]


No mention of actually rolling over here, either - in fact a jump is nothing like a roll.
Could it be true?

So. The reason for this post is to hear your views on this very important subject - is it true that using the word gambol for this purpose is a Birmingham idiosyncrasy? (Is it also true that I am over-using the italics button now that I have located it?) Or do any other areas, people groups or nations use the word for this reason? Are there any other words used for this physical activity?
Comments please so we can settle this matter once and for all!

Incidentally, Noah learnt to gambol/forward roll/rollover this week. My sister Keely taught him this new skill, and I am sure it will prove invaluable to him over the years.