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Neon Lights

Mind that apostrophe.
XFool
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Neon Lights

#284654

Postby XFool » February 16th, 2020, 8:54 am

I've just heard somebody use the term "neon lights" again, as though they are a normal 'thing'.

Once they were - an ever present adjunct to our built environment. But that was a fair time ago now. "Neon lights" have gone the way of the milkman, the park keeper and the horse trough. Yet many people still casually speak of them, as if ever present.

Yes, I know. What they mean is "florescent lights". So why don't they say that, why do they say "neon lights"?

servodude
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Re: Neon Lights

#284669

Postby servodude » February 16th, 2020, 9:57 am

Never heard anyone mix them up; perhaps it's a regional thing?

I'm sure I can admit on this board that I get irked when folk refer to neon lights even when they're not red!

-sd

XFool
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Re: Neon Lights

#284672

Postby XFool » February 16th, 2020, 10:16 am

XFool wrote:What they mean is "florescent lights".

As nobody here has as yet pointed out my (cough!) 'deliberate' spelling mistake, I thought I would get in first.

I, of course, meant "fluorescent lights".

UncleEbenezer
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Re: Neon Lights

#284678

Postby UncleEbenezer » February 16th, 2020, 11:08 am

XFool wrote:Yes, I know. What they mean is "florescent lights".

You mean you cross an orchid with a firefly?

An idyllic or a nightmare vision?

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Re: Neon Lights

#284680

Postby bungeejumper » February 16th, 2020, 11:19 am

Maybe it's just me, but there's always been a clear distinction. Neon lights are the thin coloured tubes that are still used in some places for signwriting, and fluorescent lights are the long straight white things that you have in your garage, or in your shop or your village hall. The former is infused with a kind of retro glamour, and the latter definitely isn't.

It doesn't bother me that the original "neon" technology has largely been supplanted by other electrickery. I can also "post" an email (or a comment on a board) without having to go and find a post box (or a post). Or even a board. ;)

BJ

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Re: Neon Lights

#285008

Postby BrummieDave » February 17th, 2020, 6:52 pm

Got very excited when I saw the title of this post, one of my all time fave songs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUV9rONTXzk

"Neon lights
Shimmering neon lights
And at the fall of night
This city's made of lights"

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Re: Neon Lights

#285018

Postby PinkDalek » February 17th, 2020, 7:51 pm

Fave at Pedants' Place? ;)

For those more familiar with the Sixties:

When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
Last edited by PinkDalek on February 17th, 2020, 7:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.

swill453
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Re: Neon Lights

#285020

Postby swill453 » February 17th, 2020, 7:53 pm

PinkDalek wrote:Fave at Pedants' Place ?

A space before a question mark at Pedants' Place?

Scott.

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Re: Neon Lights

#285022

Postby PinkDalek » February 17th, 2020, 7:56 pm

An error and now amended!

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Re: Neon Lights

#285028

Postby BrummieDave » February 17th, 2020, 8:07 pm

PinkDalek wrote:Fave at Pedants' Place? ;)

For those more familiar with the Sixties:

When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night


Apols, I mean apologies (obvs), I mean obviously, clearly...

I know it's early, and it's only Monday, but the demon drink was to blame... :oops:

Must do better
Must do better
Must do better etc.

BTW wasn't "The Sound of Silence" their (you know who...) first hit after abandoning their initial attempts to be famous as 'Tom and Jerry'...?


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