Talk:Gremlin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gremlins are known by many names; Grimblems, Gremlers, Sky Boogies, and Widgets. Fifenellas are female Gremlins, and Widgets are children. Spandules would be the kind that is seen to ice the wings of airplanes. In traditional folklore Gremlins range in size from very small, probably around the size of a beaver to almost human-sized. They are covered in a dun to dark brown color fur and have little stubby ears like a terrier dog. Gremlins despise humans to a great degree and will take the chance to destroy them whenever possible. Gremlins had the powers of flight, however, they lost it for reasons unknown to us. Now they make residence in high altitude mountain ranges and in high tree tops; perhaps so they may feel the winds and dram of their days of flight. Gremlins are similar and may be related to the Irish Phooka. Gremlins are reportedly very strong and are able to tear through metal without effort. They also seem to have no need for food, air, or water, or at least are able to survive without them for quite some time.
Is any of this section correct? Rmhermen 17:56, Aug 30, 2004 (UTC)
Contents |
[edit] How do you make friends/tame them?
I got a letter from a gremlin. It was very lonely and bored. Where do gremlins usually hide? Also, how can I lure them out of the hiding spot? Hmmm?
- They will find YOU when the need arises.
-G
[edit] Previous creatures
There should be links to similar creatures that are blamed for technology misfunctions?: Cobalt and nickel were named after the beings that fooled miners. What do you call the beings that introduce errata in printing? --Error 21:12, 12 Mar 2005 (UTC)
[edit] WTF?!
Who is Mark Davenport? and why is he a gremlin? --Auric The Rad 21:24, Jun 17, 2005 (UTC)
[edit] Claim of authorship
Roald Dahl in his autobiographic short story Lucky Break claims that he was the inventor of the word: Early in this period I also had a go at a story for children. It was called "the Gremlins", and this I beleive was the first time the word has been used... The Gremlins had wives caled Fifinellas and children called Widgets. Unless someone provides earlier references, I am going to change the article accordingly.
- I read the same account when I read Henry Sugar. Edited. --KJ 14:03, 15 February 2006 (UTC)
- Actually, the first known recorded account of the gremlins is from issue 13 of the servicemen's fortnightly Royal Air Force Journal dated April 18, 1942 [1] It is extremely unlikely that during his RAF service Dahl would not have been familiar with the stories of the gremlins, from which it is logical to assume he took his inspiration. John laming claims the story was in circulation as early as 1940 among Battle of Britain Spitfire pilots [2]DV 16:50, 20 August 2006 (UTC)
This is what the online etymology dictionary has to say in regards to the origin of the word;
Gremlin "small imaginary creature blamed for mechanical failures," oral use in R.A.F. aviators' slang from Malta, Middle East and India said to date to 1923. First printed use perhaps in poem in journal "Aeroplane" April 10, 1929; certainly in use by 1941, and popularized in World War II and picked up by Americans (e.g. "New York Times" Magazine April 11, 1943). Possibly from a dial. survival of O.E. gremman "to anger, vex" + -lin of goblin; or from Ir. gruaimin "bad-tempered little fellow."
Which dates the first written example well before the 1942 example.Number36 02:21, 4 September 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Publication
I seem to remember reading that Roald Dahl had first shown the story to Eleanor Roosevelt, and that it was she who made Franklin D. Roosevelt contact Disney. I don't have a copy of Henry Sugar to check it. Can someone who has a copy of Lucky Break or Henry Sugar confirm or deny what I remember? --KJ 03:11, 16 February 2006 (UTC)
- I just checked, and it's not true. --KJ 03:41, 17 February 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Hobgoblin
I removed the random line about gremlins sometimes being refered to as a hobgoblin and seen flying a hoverboard. As far as I can tell, it's a Spiderman reference inserted as a joke. If I'm wrong, and if someone can find a cite for that, go ahead and put it back in and leave a note here.--Raguleader 23:38, 28 October 2006 (UTC)
