SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

Just wondered prior to the building of The Gaiety on Rounhay Road there was a cinema called The Gaiety Kinema-yes with a K, does anyone know why it was spelt like this?

Yeah. Cinema was originally pronounced with a hard "C" and was therefore occasionally spelt with a K. The pronunciation changed over time.

Si wrote: Yeah. Cinema was originally pronounced with a hard "C" and was therefore occasionally spelt with a K. The pronunciation changed over time. I think you'll find the word [ and its derivatives ] when originally used began with a " k " and is derived from the verb " kineo "[ I assume Latin or Greek ] meaning " to move " .

You're right. I think it's Greek.

Well you learn summat new every day!!    

...and we're learning French with Alicecake on the Big Wooden Snake thread!!!

Lol - how multi-cultural!I never knew about the 'K' thing either - very interesting.

cheers, obviousley I new that, it was mi dad that just wanted it clarifying ;-)Thanks again

Si wrote: You're right. I think it's Greek. IT IS GREEK.

wiggy wrote: Si wrote: You're right. I think it's Greek. IT IS GREEK. Greek for a car is ena "Aftokineto". An "automobile" I suppose. Which explains why the yanks and some continentals call cars "autos" and half the continent call a theatre showing moving pictures a Kino. The latin-esque languages use the C form.Maybe it was considered more fashionable at the time to use the "K" form when the Gaieity was built.Catchy isn't it?Hey mam, I'm just off to t' Gaiety Kinematograph wi' Gladys Murgatroyd to watch a moving picture !Certainly in the UK broadcast TV industry "Telecine" has always been called as such but abbreviated to "TK".