Graaf or Graff?

Just out of curiosity: why is Van Der Graaf Generator often spelled as Van Der Graff Generator?

bluetailfly wrote: Agemo wrote: Just out of curiosity: why is Van Der Graaf Generator often spelled as Van Der Graff Generator? Ignorance

Yep!

Vompatti wrote: It's probably because the device is spelled Van de Graaff generator (I think).

I think so too! True, the device is Van de Graaff Generator, called after Robert J. Van de Graaff.

it is interesting how an intellectual and ex Manchester University student, Chris Judge Smith, could have misspelled the original name for the device.  That is, of course, unless it was deliberate.

MustShaveBeard wrote: bluetailfly wrote: Agemo wrote: Just out of curiosity: why is Van Der Graaf Generator often spelled as Van Der Graff Generator? Ignorance Well that's going a tad bit far; it's an understandable mistake. "Graaf" sounds more like "Graff", end of discussion.

Who are you to put an end to this discussion?
that´s it, end of discussion!

Agemo wrote: Just out of curiosity: why is Van Der Graaf Generator often spelled as Van Der Graff Generator?

when i first see the title of this topic, i thought in stefi graff (sp?)

Actually Hugues, it is Robert van de Graaff.

No R on De of course.

Chris Judge Smith actually came up with the name, so I presume he deliberately misspelled it, or wrote it down wrong initially.  Most concert programs and magazine articles from the late '60s spelt the bands name in many different ways, it's understandable, it's a Dutch name after all.

MustShaveBeard wrote: bluetailfly wrote: Agemo wrote: Just out of curiosity: why is Van Der Graaf Generator often spelled as Van Der Graff Generator? Ignorance Well that's going a tad bit far; it's an understandable mistake. "Graaf" sounds more like "Graff", end of discussion.

How is this going to far? Wether the mistake is understandable or not, it is still ignorance.

It's an easy mistake to make, a friend of mine had the same problem when searching for them.  But they soon learn!

The scientific device is named after it's inventor Robert J. van de Graaff, the band is named after the device, except their name is spelt different, note the extra R on de and the lack of an F on Graaff.

I'm not sure if Chris Judge Smith made this mistake, but who cares! In some way I'm glad their name is spelt different, it makes searching easier.  I have also found the scientific device spelt the same way as the band, which amuses me... it all goes full circle!

I forget what the other name Chris Judge Smith came up with, I shall look it up!  Unless someone gets there before me of course.

Currently listening to Darkness 11/11 from the penultimate gig Van der Graaf Generator ever did (in France), hmmm, very nice!

They obviously reformed, but as just Van der Graaf of course.


Edited by Geck0

Actually, it is Robert J. van de Graaff, but who cares about his middle name?  Hehe.

I'm being pedantic.

It's an easy mistake to make.  Calling them VdGG is so much easier!  In theory, they should be "van der Graaf Generator", or being more pedantic still, "van de Graaff Generator", but what's in a name?

There is a band called "moe.", written just like that, all lower case and with a full-stop at the end.

A few notes on their albums:

I always write their first two (official) albums as:

The least we can do is wave to each other
H to He Who Am The Only One

No comma after He, but I guess this is debateable.  "The least..." I always write in lower case, as per the album cover.

Nobody is in the wrong either way though, this is just my preference.  I do have a gripe with "The Hitch Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy" though, there seems to be many forms, sometimes a lack of an inverted comma, sometimes Hitch Hiker's as one word... I'm just fussy!

Now, a question: is it Gong, or GonG?  I've seen both written down, which is correct?

I'll get off my soap box now!


Edited by Geck0