G U N Z E L or G U N Z L E

UnitedGunz · Beginner Joined: Jul 11, 2006 Last Visited: Mar 4, 2008

I would like to bring up the issue that in resent years the term used in Australia for a nerdy train enthusiast has been miss spelt. My first recollection of the term goes back to 1975. At that time it seemed to be a term that had its origins in Melbourne and by those who were members of the Steam Rail Victoria community. To my recollection the spelling was GUNZLE and if one was to peruse through rail literature of the time I am sure that evidence would prove this. I do most certainly recall that in October 1988 during the Austeam 88 exhibition a reporter from "The Age" newspaper approached some Steamrail members to inquire about the festival. When it was mentioned that this was a Big Day Out for the "gunzles" the news reporter was quit intrigued by this new word and inquired on the spelling. It was noted that the term was then published in an established publication for the first time.
I do stand to be corrected on all this. Looking forward to any response

574M · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 12:54 pm

Language evolves with use of language.

Ethnocentrism, on the other hand, is a totally different issue.

Gunzel, I believe, has been the spelling of choice since the movie Malcolm was released.

However, I also stand to be corrected on this point. Laughing

VOTE NOW in the 2008 BOGIES

Valvegear · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 1:30 pm

Definitely G U N Z E L.

Gunzle implies a level of sophistication.

Cynic - a man who smells flowers and immediately looks for the funeral.

theanimal · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 5:52 pm

Why would you worry about the spelling of GUNZEL when

TheBlacksmith · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 6:16 pm

Actually it is probably more GUNSEL, having two possible meanings, either yiddish 'Gendzl', meaning goose, an alternative term for a young inexperienced homosexual boy.

The term 'gunsel' also came from the book The Maltese Falcon, by Dashiell Hammett, and is commonly regarded as an invention of Hammetts, but eventually came to mean a young gun-carrying punk criminal.

http://www.hollywoodfoundry.com

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B 67 · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 9:03 pm

Considering the spelling standards of many gunzels (as already displayed here) who's to say the first use was spelt correctly? Wink

B 67

*Most consistantly ignored Railpage Australia™ poster - 1977
*Best username incorporating a B class number between B 66 and B 68.

Gunzel Gallery

UnitedGunz · Beginner Joined: Jul 11, 2006 Last Visited: Mar 4, 2008

Well after reading the replies so far. I feel as tho I should be finding all this to be a puzzel and not a puzzle.

JatzCrackers · Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 11:07 pm

It wouldn't be the first time that a peculiar word such as "gunzel" has been misspelt in the press. Your common or garden journalist probably wouldn't have known either meaning nor spelling of the word without explanation. My opinion is that he just guessed the spelling. meh. Worse things happen at sea... Rolling Eyes

Sir JatzCrackers, Lord High Chancellor of the Evil Empire of Lithgovia Drunk

Last edited by JatzCrackers on the nones of sextember Anno Domini LXIX prima luce; edited iii times in toto.