Mister Brisbane: Rome or home?

Why naming a suburb after the Eternal City was a capitol idea

I’ve known all the pieces of the rather simple puzzle. But it’s only just now, to my embarrassment, that I’ve put them together to realise the link between suburban Brisbane and the capital of Italy. As a student of ancient history, I knew that the city of Rome was founded on seven hills — but I didn’t know that that’s why our Seven Hills got that name.

As the sign on Capitoline Hill Park says, the area was developed in the late 19th century and was named Seven Hills due to its geographical similarity to the Eternal City. The weatherboard homes on the hill don’t quite inspire in the same way as the ancient monuments of Rome, but we can’t have everything.

Incidentally, a search for “Capitoline Hill” on Google Maps also directed me to a business management consultant in Kochi, India. Oh, and the six other hills of Rome are the Palatine, Quirinal, Viminal, Esquiline, Caelian and Aventine.

SAY WHAT?

An Australian news website recently referred to a film being released soon in “movie theatres”. Is this something many people in this country say? I say “cinema”.

I regard “movie theatre” as an Americanism. So, I googled “Americanisms” and found this BBC article comprising audience submissions of their least-favourite terms from “across the pond”.

I concur with a lot of them, including “alternate” when “alternative” is meant, “period” rather than “full stop”, “burglarize”, “a half hour” instead of “half an hour”, and those old favourites “touch base” and “reach out to”.

The list is 10 years old. I wonder whether the complainants’ objections have mellowed in that time. I also wonder whether you have any more to add …

FUNNY HABITS

I mentioned on 4BC the other day that I’ve rediscovered comic books. I’m interested in knowing who else has rekindled their interest in a hobby from their past, or is doing something in adult life that some may associate with childhood.

FEEDBACK

Thanks to Drano, who says “lovers’ locks have been clasped here for some years now”, and took the photo, above, about eight years ago at Currumbin. Thanks also to Janelle for reminding me that there used to be love locks on the Kurilpa Bridge, but the council removed them.

Thanks, also also, to Eric for sending me a photo of his own rendition of Van Gogh’s bedroom, which he painted in the 1970s.

On the nearest “real” beach to Brisbane, Matt says “Nudgee, Sandgate, Redcliffe and Bribie Island were all ‘real’ until Brisbane people had the means to go further.”

PHOTO FINISH

I bought some chocolates in case trick-or-treaters dared to darken my doorstep on Halloween. They didn’t, so I probably ate more chocolate in the ensuing days than I have in the last few years. I also noticed that the packaging for Fry’s Turkish Delight proclaims: “60% less fat* and always has been”. Of course, it raises the question “Less than what”? One jumps to the conclusion that it’s 60 percent less fat than it used to have, but that would make a nonsense of the “always has been” part. The asterisk directs us to the fine print that says it has less fat than other chocolate bars. Which makes sense, because it’s mostly jelly. I note that there’s no prominent mention of the sugar content.

©2021 Brett Debritz. If I’ve inadvertently used copyrighted material, failed to give credit where it’s due, written or said something you disagree with, or otherwise upset or unexpectedly delighted you, please email brett@misterbrisbane.com, or connect with me at @debritz or @misterbrisbane on Twitter or the Mister Brisbane group on Facebook. Images: Brett Debritz, Drano,