Names on the canals.
Someone the other day referred to me as a “Ditch Gipsy”, which got me thinking about names and their meanings. Names like “Ditch Gipsy” and “Gongoozler” come from the rich, often humorous, vocabulary of Britain’s canal culture, and reveal how language evolves to capture very specific social roles and behaviours.
A “Ditch Gipsy” was a slightly teasing or dismissive term for people who lived a wandering life along canals, especially those seen as outsiders or drifters tied to the waterways rather than settled communities.
“Gongoozler,” on the other hand, has a lighter, more playful tone. It refers to someone who idly watches canal activity, particularly boats passing through locks, simply for amusement.
Together, these names reflect a world where canals were once central to daily life, and where communities developed their own slang to describe both insiders and curious onlookers.
But names don’t always have to be given to us by others. Jesus used many names and titles to describe himself and help people understand him. Here are a few:-
- Son of Man: The most frequently used title by Jesus to describe Himself, highlighting both His humanity and His divine role. (Matthew 8:20).
- The Good Shepherd: Emphasises his care, sacrifice, and relationship with His followers. (John 10:11).
- The Resurrection and the Life: Highlights His power over death. (John 11:25).
There are many more to discover in the Bible. Why not dive in and explore for yourself?