Category Archives: Puppydog tails

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Johnson’s London Dictionary: Old Oak Common

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OLD OAK COMMON (n.) A sprawling stagecoach stop with neither oaks nor common land, hopefully becoming a station when William VI ascends to the throne.

Dr. Johnson’s London Dictionary for publick consumption in the twenty-first century avail yourself on Twitter @JohnsonsLondon

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Coffee and Cabs

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I have lost count of the number of times that I’ve requested an “Old Paradise Flat White”, from my coffee chain of choice.

Costa Coffee has been with us for over 50 years now, starting in 1971 when Sergio and Bruno Costa arrived in London and started a small roastery in Fenchurch Street in an attempt to change the drinking habits of Londoners. They blind-testing 112 variations of coffee before producing their signature blend, naming it ‘Mocha Italia’, and apart from recently tweaking the roasting time this blend is identical to their original formulation.

I worked for six years in Clerkenwell’s ‘Little Italy’, and a request for coffee then was a proffered cup of instant brown liquid from a ‘greasy spoon’ often run by a family of Italians. In fact, only in Soho during the 1960s was it possible to get a real cup of coffee.

Demand for the Costa brother’s coffee grew, and in 1978 they built a roastery in Old Paradise Street, Lambeth, hence the name of my coffee of choice.

Three years later the brothers opened their first Costa Coffee shop on Vauxhall Bridge Road and became the first coffee provider in London to serve Espresso and crafted Cappuccino in a porcelain cup.

That first coffee house is now the CA Japanese Pancakes.

Taken from Costa Coffee

So what has this to do with London’s cabs, I hear you ask. As Costa state on its site:

Before we opened our famous coffee shops we sold our coffee beans to prestigious hotels in London, such as The Ritz, and they were delivered in style by famous London black cabs.

The featured image of the first Costa Coffee shop was taken from Google Street View.

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Johnson’s London Dictionary: London, Great Fire of

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LONDON, GREAT FIRE OF (n.) Conflagration much loved by C4 and C5 television channels thus enabling producers to regurgitate old knowledge.

Dr. Johnson’s London Dictionary for publick consumption in the twenty-first century avail yourself on Twitter @JohnsonsLondon

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Test Your Knowledge: May 2023

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Looking to brush up on your royal knowledge ahead of King Charles’ coronation tomorrow? As before the correct answer will turn green when it’s clicked upon and expanded to give more information. The incorrect answers will turn red giving the correct explanation.

1. How many Coronations have been held at Westminster Abbey?
29
WRONG There have been 39 coronations in Westminster Abbey since that of William the Conqueror on 25th December 1066.
39
CORRECT There have been 39 coronations in Westminster Abbey since that of William the Conqueror on 25th December 1066.
19
WRONG There have been 39 coronations in Westminster Abbey since that of William the Conqueror on 25th December 1066.
2. How many parts does a coronation service fall into?
5
WRONG The coronation falls into six parts: the recognition, the oath, the anointing, the investiture (which includes the crowning), the enthronement and the homage.
6
CORRECT The coronation falls into six parts: the recognition, the oath, the anointing, the investiture (which includes the crowning), the enthronement and the homage.
4
WRONG The coronation falls into six parts: the recognition, the oath, the anointing, the investiture (which includes the crowning), the enthronement and the homage.
3. Which two kings were not crowned, both having the same Christian name?
Edward
CORRECT The two monarchs who did not have a coronation were Edward V (the boy king), who was presumed murdered in the Tower of London before he could be crowned, and Edward VIII who abdicated 11 months after succeeding his father.
Henry
WRONG The two monarchs who did not have a coronation were Edward V (the boy king), who was presumed murdered in the Tower of London before he could be crowned, and Edward VIII who abdicated 11 months after succeeding his father.
Richard
WRONG The two monarchs who did not have a coronation were Edward V (the boy king), who was presumed murdered in the Tower of London before he could be crowned, and Edward VIII who abdicated 11 months after succeeding his father.
4. The anointing oil has been reformulated in which respect?
Animal free
CORRECT Previous versions have included civet oil, from the glands of small mammals, and ambergris from the intestines of whales, but reflecting modern animal-friendly sensitivities, the “chrism oil” will not include any ingredients from animals.
Avoiding Charles’ allergies
WRONG Previous versions have included civet oil, from the glands of small mammals, and ambergris from the intestines of whales, but reflecting modern animal-friendly sensitivities, the “chrism oil” will not include any ingredients from animals.
Complying with health and safety
WRONG Previous versions have included civet oil, from the glands of small mammals, and ambergris from the intestines of whales, but reflecting modern animal-friendly sensitivities, the “chrism oil” will not include any ingredients from animals.
5. What important artefact will be reunited with the Coronation chair?
A stone
CORRECT Monarchs used to sit on the Stone of Scone itself until a wooden platform was added in the 17th century. In 1996, the stone was returned to Scotland, where it is kept at Edinburgh Castle on the proviso that it be returned to England for use at coronations. Allegedly the stone is the one Jacob rested his head atop in Genesis 28:18.
A cushion
WRONG Monarchs used to sit on the Stone of Scone itself until a wooden platform was added in the 17th century. In 1996, the stone was returned to Scotland, where it is kept at Edinburgh Castle on the proviso that it be returned to England for use at coronations. Allegedly the stone is the one Jacob rested his head atop in Genesis 28:18.
A crown
WRONG Monarchs used to sit on the Stone of Scone itself until a wooden platform was added in the 17th century. In 1996, the stone was returned to Scotland, where it is kept at Edinburgh Castle on the proviso that it be returned to England for use at coronations. Allegedly the stone is the one Jacob rested his head atop in Genesis 28:18.
6. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby will place St Edward’s crown upon King Charles’ head. For whom was the crown created?
King Edward VI
WRONG Made for Charles II in 1661, after Cromwell melted down the previous crown during the Interregnum. The solid gold crown, decorated with 444 precious and semi-precious stones, weighs 5lb.
King Charles II
CORRECT Made for Charles II in 1661, after Cromwell melted down the previous crown during the Interregnum. The solid gold crown, decorated with 444 precious and semi-precious stones, weighs 5lb.
King Henry VIII
WRONG Made for Charles II in 1661, after Cromwell melted down the previous crown during the Interregnum. The solid gold crown, decorated with 444 precious and semi-precious stones, weighs 5lb.
7. What anthem is sung at the point when a monarch is crowned?
God Save The King
WRONG One of Handel’s best-known works, Zadok the Priest has been sung at the anointing of the sovereign during the coronation of every British monarch since its composition by Handel in 1727 for King George II.
Jerusalem
WRONG One of Handel’s best-known works, Zadok the Priest has been sung at the anointing of the sovereign during the coronation of every British monarch since its composition by Handel in 1727 for King George II.
Zadok the Priest
CORRECT One of Handel’s best-known works, Zadok the Priest has been sung at the anointing of the sovereign during the coronation of every British monarch since its composition by Handel in 1727 for King George II.
8. What date were the instructions written for the crowning of a monarch?
1582
WRONG An illuminated medieval book, the Liber Regalis or ‘Royal Book’, serves as an instruction manual that details the order of a coronation ceremony. Written in Latin in 1382, it was translated into English in 1603 for the coronation of James I. The ceremony today is based on that 1603 translation of a document that goes back to the 14th century.
1782
WRONG An illuminated medieval book, the Liber Regalis or ‘Royal Book’, serves as an instruction manual that details the order of a coronation ceremony. Written in Latin in 1382, it was translated into English in 1603 for the coronation of James I. The ceremony today is based on that 1603 translation of a document that goes back to the 14th century.
1382
CORRECT An illuminated medieval book, the Liber Regalis or ‘Royal Book’, serves as an instruction manual that details the order of a coronation ceremony. Written in Latin in 1382, it was translated into English in 1603 for the coronation of James I. The ceremony today is based on that 1603 translation of a document that goes back to the 14th century.
9. The Sovereign’s Orb is decorated with 100s precious stones, but which group of imitations have been replaced?
Pearls
CORRECT Made for Charles II’s coronation in 1661 the Orb has 9 emeralds, 18 rubies, 9 sapphires, 365 diamonds, 1 amethyst and 375 pearls which, in 1930, replaced imitations.
Rubies
WRONG Made for Charles II’s coronation in 1661 the Orb has 9 emeralds, 18 rubies, 9 sapphires, 365 diamonds, 1 amethyst and 375 pearls which, in 1930, replaced imitations.
Sapphires
WRONG Made for Charles II’s coronation in 1661 the Orb has 9 emeralds, 18 rubies, 9 sapphires, 365 diamonds, 1 amethyst and 375 pearls which, in 1930, replaced imitations.
10. Who apart from the Monarch and the Archbishop of Canterbury may touch the crown?
The Queen Consort
WRONG According to tradition, only three people are permitted to touch the crown, The Monarch, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Crown Jeweller.
The Crown Jeweller
CORRECT According to tradition, only three people are permitted to touch the crown, The Monarch, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Crown Jeweller.
Black Rod
WRONG According to tradition, only three people are permitted to touch the crown, The Monarch, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Crown Jeweller.