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*Resolved* - Climbing Jargon Etymology: “Warbler”

Original Post
Brent Kelly · · Boulder, CO · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 171
EDIT: looks like the crux of this one is I was following some confusion that misappropriates “warbler” for the more apropos “wobbler”.

Is “warbler” a well established term for “climber’s tantrum”?

Does anyone know the history of the slang/jargon?

If not “warbler”, what jargon do you use to describe a climber on point throwing a tantrum?

Here’s what I (think I) know:
 
- phrase “warbler” as a reference to tantrum most commonly seen in the supertopo forums (and at least on ST user used the moniker “TheWarbler”, but unclear if this was referential to tantrums)

- a warbler is a type of bird with a generally pleasant but trill birdsong

- a “wobbler” is a term for a crime that could be categorized a felony or a misdemeanor

- There is a route in Yosemite called “The Warbler” (but thats all i know and im presuming the moniker is a reference to the bird)

My theories:
- it’s an ironic reference to the “beautiful sounds of nature” i.e. “ah yes, the beautiful mating call of the Red-faced Warbler. Note how it can be heard for miles throughout the otherwise peaceful forest....”

- some guy nicknamed “Warbler” was notorious for throwing tantrums (edit: this is purely ignorant speculation. Any offense to folks out there going by “Warbler” is completely unintended.)
 
- i’m completely buying in to jargon employed by only a handful of folks, and “warbler” is not at all a commonly understood term for “whining”
Bryce Adamson · · Connecticut · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 1,443

"Wobbler" is British slang for tantrum. I've never heard "warbler" used in that way but I'm guessing it is a corruption or derivation of that term.

Brent Kelly · · Boulder, CO · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 171
Bryce Adamson wrote: "Wobbler" is British slang for tantrum. I've never heard "warbler" used in that way but I'm guessing it is a corruption or derivation of that term.

Ah, that likely explains it! Finding some good info here:

https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/129239/origin-of-chuck-a-wobbly

Thanks for the point in the right direction and quick easy solve!
Tradoholic · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2020 · Points: 0

It's a "wobbler".

PWZ · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2016 · Points: 0

Warbler is like a wobbler, but with a healthy slathering of sexism.

Brett V · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2020 · Points: 0

Paging Kevin Worrell.  Paging Kevin Worrell.  I wonder what he would say about this thread?

Guy Keesee · · Moorpark, CA · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 349

You know- he had that nickname way way back in the early 70’s - and he’s not the type of person to get rattled on any lead.

Brent Kelly · · Boulder, CO · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 171

Alright Brett and Guy, y’all seem to know something. Do the cool kids in class want to bring us up to speed?

Here’s an exemplar of some of the confusion I was following in adopting the term “warbler” in lieu of “wobbler”:
http://www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum/1408549/Warbler-Appreciation

edit:  oops! Nope i meant this link.
http://www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum/198555/Warbler 

Sounds like Kevin Worrell’s nickname was “Warbler” and he might have had something to do with the FA of “The Warbler”?

Guy Keesee · · Moorpark, CA · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 349

Brent- OK. I’ll say this. If you got tagged in C4 with a nickname, it really took hold if one complained about the “name” that was bestowed. So maybe “Warbler” was given to him because of some “experience” on the stone others did witness. Brits maybe?
IIRC the Taco also had a topic called, “what was your nickname and how did ya get it?    

Brent Kelly · · Boulder, CO · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 171

C4 nickname dynamics sounds similar to how fighter pilot call-signs work (or nicknames in general, I reckon...)

Are you saying that someone using TheWarbler as a name explains their choice in a supertopo post? I did a quick search but couldn’t find anything.

Anyways, I’m curious now about the history of Worrell and the FA of The Warbler (in the 80s?), but that’s tangential to my wobblers about warbling

Guy Keesee · · Moorpark, CA · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 349

Brent you would need to speak to him to get the rest of the story. 

Guy Keesee · · Moorpark, CA · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 349
Brent Kelly wrote:  

Are you saying that someone using TheWarbler as a name explains their choice in a supertopo post? I did a quick search but couldn’t find anything

No, not at all.                                                     The post was an appreciation thread for Kevin, the Man and his great climbs.  
 He can sing and play the guitar like ringing a bell. 

Brent Kelly · · Boulder, CO · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 171

Makes sense. Thanks Guy. Kevin sounds awesome. 

Thread resolved, as far as I’m concerned.
(It’d be nice to have a “OP has locked thread.” Feature, but that’s probably overkill...)

Brett V · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2020 · Points: 0
Brent Kelly wrote: Makes sense. Thanks Guy.

Thread resolved, as far as I’m concerned.
(It’d be nice to have a “OP has locked thread.” Feature, but that’s probably overkill...

rofl, if only eh?

Guy Keesee · · Moorpark, CA · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 349
Brent Kelly wrote: Makes sense. Thanks Guy. Kevin sounds awesome.

Thread resolved, as far as I’m concerned.
(It’d be nice to have a “OP has locked thread.” Feature, but that’s probably overkill...

Don’t worry.... this one will die on its own. Will be on page 5 soon.
If you want to meet him-
Go climbing in SD, at the places that are a long march to get to.  That’s his style.
cheers

Brent Kelly · · Boulder, CO · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 171

OOF

Mea Culpa, I’ve added to the confusion with an unintended link. I linked to the “Warbler Appreciation thread” which is a thread all about appreciating Worrell, but I meant to link to this one, which is all about calling wobblers warblers.

http://www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum/198555/Warbler

 



 

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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