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

submitted 9 months ago by NataliePortland@lemmy.ca to c/todayilearned@lemmy.ml

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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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[-] davel@lemmy.ml 24 points 9 months ago

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

[-] thefartographer@lemm.ee 12 points 9 months ago

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

[-] davel@lemmy.ml 7 points 9 months ago

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

[-] thefartographer@lemm.ee 7 points 9 months ago

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

[-] gregorum@lemm.ee 4 points 9 months ago

Well, fuck you very much, Handel

[-] Xariphon@kbin.social 3 points 9 months ago

No no you're thinking of Pachelbel.

[-] gregorum@lemm.ee 1 points 9 months ago

don’t even open that can of worms

[-] PlutoniumAcid@lemmy.world 1 points 9 months ago

The statement matches Beethoven's 5th, no?

[-] Curious_Canid@lemmy.ca 3 points 9 months ago

Somebody owes Handel a whole lot of money.

[-] Corkyskog@sh.itjust.works 3 points 9 months 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.

this post was submitted on 10 Jan 2024

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