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TIL the reason doorbells go "ding-dong" is because of Handel's opera The Messiah (en.wikipedia.org)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Long story short, the classic "ding-dong" doorbell chime is the first two notes of the bells played Westminster Palace, which in turn are based on Handel's opera The Messiah. Read more about it, it's neat.

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[–] [email protected] 24 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Why ding-dong is ding-dong and not dong-ding: ablaut reduplication. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reduplication#English

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago (1 children)

That was far too interesting of a read. Give me more things to consume!

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If it’s a linguistics rabbit hole you’re looking for, I recommend Dr. Geoff Lindsey.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

I like exploring all the holes, but Dr. Geoff Lindsey's hole will satisfy me for now. Thank you!

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Well, fuck you very much, Handel

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

No no you're thinking of Pachelbel.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

The statement matches Beethoven's 5th, no?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

don’t even open that can of worms

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Somebody owes Handel a whole lot of money.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

My grandparents own a "ding dong" clock, which would count every quarter hour and then count the entire hour just as you heard... then it would fucking mark the hour with a number of tolls... the fucking insanity. If that clock still exists next time I am there, it's existence will be short.