Nobby Clark
Encyclopedia
Nobby is the diminutive
form of the name Norbert. It is also a nickname
most commonly used in English for those with the surname Clark or Clarke.
An alternative explanation for the name Nobby attached to the surname Clarke is thus: 16th century monks wrote letters for the illiterate. These monks were referred to as "Clerks". The outcome of so much writing causes callus
es on the fingers "nobs" and therefore "Nobby Clerks" was born.
In England the term "nob" is used to refer to a member of the aristocracy and by extension a posh person. A clerk would deal with the common people but would be better educated, better paid and in a position of relative power. To the uneducated, clerks were posh and therefore considered to be "nobs". Hence, nobby Clark.
Clerks were also required to maintain a high standard of dress, and were paid a clothing allowance. The result was that they always appeared smart. Both the Oxford English and the English Dialect Dictionaries list nobby as being of a rich man, a nob or toff
, or “smart”, and gives it a wide distribution, so smart persons were "nobby".
Nobby Clark is also cockney rhyming slang for a shark.
Soldiers of the Canadian Forces
seem to have picked up this nickname as well during the 20th Century.
Examples include:
Diminutive
In language structure, a diminutive, or diminutive form , is a formation of a word used to convey a slight degree of the root meaning, smallness of the object or quality named, encapsulation, intimacy, or endearment...
form of the name Norbert. It is also a nickname
Nickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
most commonly used in English for those with the surname Clark or Clarke.
Nobby Clark
The explanation given for the use of this nickname is that clerks in the City of London used to wear Nobby hats, a type of bowler hat. Alternative spellings include "Knobby" and "Clarke".An alternative explanation for the name Nobby attached to the surname Clarke is thus: 16th century monks wrote letters for the illiterate. These monks were referred to as "Clerks". The outcome of so much writing causes callus
Callus
A callus is an especially toughened area of skin which has become relatively thick and hard in response to repeated friction, pressure, or other irritation. Rubbing that is too frequent or forceful will cause blisters rather than allow calluses to form. Since repeated contact is required, calluses...
es on the fingers "nobs" and therefore "Nobby Clerks" was born.
In England the term "nob" is used to refer to a member of the aristocracy and by extension a posh person. A clerk would deal with the common people but would be better educated, better paid and in a position of relative power. To the uneducated, clerks were posh and therefore considered to be "nobs". Hence, nobby Clark.
Clerks were also required to maintain a high standard of dress, and were paid a clothing allowance. The result was that they always appeared smart. Both the Oxford English and the English Dialect Dictionaries list nobby as being of a rich man, a nob or toff
Toff
In British English slang, a toff is a mildly derogatory term for someone with an aristocratic background or belonging to the landed gentry, particularly someone who exudes an air of superiority...
, or “smart”, and gives it a wide distribution, so smart persons were "nobby".
Nobby Clark is also cockney rhyming slang for a shark.
Soldiers of the Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
seem to have picked up this nickname as well during the 20th Century.
Examples include:
- Edward Winchester Clark, famous cricket player.
- William Clarke (cryptographer)William Clarke (cryptographer)William Francis 'Nobby' Clarke was a British intelligence officer and cryptographer of naval codes in both World Wars.In 1915 he was commissioned as an assistant paymaster, having failed the eye examination for executive officer. He knew German, and in March 1916 joined Room 40. His talent was for...
, British cryptographer - Major Francis Herbert Clarke, a company commander with the Calgary Highlanders in the Second World War.
- Flight Lieutenant Fred Clarke, a pilot with 414 Squadron, RCAF, in the Second World War.
- J.M. "Knobby" Clarke, one of the first mechanics with the Ontario Provincial Air Service in the 1920s.
- Gordon "Nobby" Clark, former singer of ScottishScotlandScotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
band Bay City RollersBay City RollersThe Bay City Rollers were a Scottish pop band who were most popular in the 1970s. The British Hit Singles & Albums noted that they were "tartan teen sensations from Edinburgh", and were "the first of many acts heralded as the 'Biggest Group since The Beatles' and one of the most screamed-at...
. - Nobby Clark (ice hockey)Nobby Clark (ice hockey)Patrick J. "Nobby" Clark was a professional ice hockey defenceman, most notably for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League, for whom he played five games in the 1927–28 season. He was born in Orillia, Ontario....
, Canadian ice hockey player - Nobby Nobbs, Discworld Character
- Nobby Clark (footballer)Nobby Clark (footballer)Nobby Clark is a former Scottish professional footballer who played for Partick Thistle and then served Queen of the South as both player and manager.With Partick Thistle, Clark scored a single goal in a 1-1 draw against Rangers...
who played for Partick Thistle and Queen of the SouthQueen of the SouthFor other uses see Queen of the South Queen of the South is an alternative title for the Queen of Sheba. The phrase Queen of the South is used in the New Testament and is attributed to Jesus Christ....
and managed Queen of the South and StranraerStranraer F.C.Stranraer Football Club is a Scottish semi-professional football team based in the town of Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway. They are members of the Scottish Football League, and currently play in the Third Division.-History:... - Alan "Nobby" Clark, Senior Partner - National Australia Bank Ltd
Others nicknamed Nobby
- Nobby StilesNobby StilesNorbert "Nobby" Peter Stiles MBE is a retired English footballer. He was born in Collyhurst, Manchester.Stiles played for England for five years, winning 28 caps and scoring 1 goal. He played every minute of England's victorious 1966 FIFA World Cup campaign...
, England World Cup winner in 1966. - Nobby Nobbs, a character in the Discworld fictional universe.
- Brian NobleBrian Noble (rugby league)Brian 'Nobby' D. Noble is an English former rugby league footballer. Noble is also the former coach of the Great Britain National Rugby League team. He was also the captain of the 1984 Great Britain touring team to Australia...
, rugby league coach. - Nolberto SolanoNolberto SolanoNolberto Albino "Nobby" Solano Todco is a Peruvian footballer who plays for Hartlepool United. He has spent much of his career in the English Premier League and also played 95 times for Peru between 1994 and 2009...
, footballer. - Nobby the enchanted bobby was a strip in the BeanoThe BeanoThe Beano is a British children's comic, published by D.C. Thomson & Co and is arguably their most successful.The comic first appeared on 30 July 1938, and was published weekly. During the Second World War,The Beano and The Dandy were published on alternating weeks because of paper and ink...
in the 1950s. - Nobby was a strip in Buzz and later The Topper.