Story Behind the Names of Pipe Shapes?

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Searock Fan

Lifer
Oct 22, 2021
2,029
5,639
U.S.A.
The Woodstock shape. This is often confused with the Zulu, but is different.

"This surname-turned-given name ultimately stemmed from a place in England that gave the moniker its meaning of “wooden fence.”"

I don't know why or when the shape was given the name, but I do know it has nothing to do with the hippie-fest in 1969, because I bought a Castello of that shape in 1963 (still have and smoke it) and it was called that back then. Also, my 1962 copy of WEBER'S GUIDE TO PIPES shows the shape named Woodstock in it's shape chart (page 49). puffy

zulu34.jpg
WOODSTOCK

zulu36.jpg
ZULU
 

kcghost

Lifer
May 6, 2011
14,235
23,621
77
Olathe, Kansas
England has had a profound effect on the world of pipe names. Thes Danes have a large number as well with whale, the snail, the nautilus, the Rameses, the elephants foot, and several others.
 
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Jun 9, 2015
3,970
24,763
42
Mission, Ks
The Woodstock shape. This is often confused with the Zulu, but is different.

"This surname-turned-given name ultimately stemmed from a place in England that gave the moniker its meaning of “wooden fence.”"

I don't know why or when the shape was given the name, but I do know it has nothing to do with the hippie-fest in 1969, because I bought a Castello of that shape in 1963 (still have and smoke it) and it was called that back then. Also, my 1962 copy of WEBER'S GUIDE TO PIPES shows the shape named Woodstock in it's shape chart (page 49). puffy

View attachment 308273
WOODSTOCK

View attachment 308274
ZULU
And is the Yacht/Yachtsman a third shape or just another name for the Zulu or Woodstock?
 

mingc

Lifer
Jun 20, 2019
4,102
11,927
The Big Rock Candy Mountains
The Lovat was named after Lord Lovat, the 8th Duke of Cheshierfieldshireton. It was previously called the White Chappell but after Jack The Ripper, sales declined. It's said that Lord Lovat prefered the shape due to its shorter length, he could more easily manage one while buggering house maids.
And I still don't know how to pronounce Lovat. Probably Raymond Luxury Yacht or something like that.
 

rmcnabb

Might Stick Around
Feb 19, 2024
87
492
Yes, the Lovat - my favorite shape. If you want to feel the hair raise on the back of your neck read about his hard day at the office on D Day.

I also wonder about my other two favorite shapes - Canadian and Lumberman. Meaningless marketing I assume.

And I also wonder about the multiple vagaries of bulldog, Rhodesian, bent bulldog, etc. etc. Very interchangeable, but I'm sure there are specific original historical examples.
 
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anotherbob

Lifer
Mar 30, 2019
16,140
30,280
46
In the semi-rural NorthEastern USA
@woodsroad: Never a truer word spoken. How do you explain the 'Nimrod Lighter'? In the U.K Nimrod is a word to describe a 'Differently Abled' person or someone who might be 'Mentally Challenged'. I have often had visions of some Mad Men marketing department trying to come up with a name for a pipe lighter and someone from Alabama saying 'Let call it the 'Retard'. It really slips off the tongue'. rotf
Nimrod before that was a Biblical reference. But it means the same thing over here now. Some people think the whole Nimrod being an insult came from Bug Bunny calling Elmer Fudd a Nimrod (who was known as a great hunter according to the Bible).
 

AroEnglish

Lifer
Jan 7, 2020
4,360
13,035
Midwest
Nimrod before that was a Biblical reference. But it means the same thing over here now. Some people think the whole Nimrod being an insult came from Bug Bunny calling Elmer Fudd a Nimrod (who was known as a great hunter according to the Bible).
I thought that's where it came from too. Are there some who think it came from somewhere else?
 
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simong

Lifer
Oct 13, 2015
2,712
16,219
UK
No, you've got that wrong mush. Surprising, as you're from South London. Lovat is pronounced Love It! Innit though.
Here in the shire of course, the correct pronunciation is 'Colonel Fraser'.
What's in a name? Forever changing with the times and pipe makers themselves.

FWIW
Zulu - oval shank
Woodstock - round shank
 
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