Talk:Mind the gap/Archive 1

Neverwhere
I don't have a copy of the book with me, could someone double-check my reference to "The Gap" (I'm not sure if the beast definitely has that name or if it's just implied) Kwill 14:02, Nov 7, 2004 (UTC)

Mind the gap
Isn't there an even earlier announcement? As far ago as 1982, I'd hear what sounded like a really strict "government information film voice-over" style actor saying, "mind the gap", at either Charing Cross or Embankment on either the Bakerloo or Northern lines. 'Gap' had a particularly old-fashioned "received pronunciation" sound to it. --80.177.161.169 09:51, 14 May 2006 (UTC)

Thanks, DJ, for re-writing this. Are you a Londoner by any chance? I was taken with the original poster's purported connection between the phrase and Explanatory Gap problem, which, in turn, seemed to be connected to habitual chanting of the phrase by groups in the London Underground. I'm just wondering if this is a real and significant phenomenon that ought to be mentioned in the article? If it's real, who are these people doing the chanting and what is their belief-system? Anyhow, thanks for your effort. Bill 11:13, 8 Aug 2003 (UTC)

The article in its original form was a joke. "Mind the gap" is an announcement to warn people to avoid being trapped in the gap between the platform and the train. Some Tube stations have it as an automatic announcement. The Goons did it better with their "Mind the Doors / Minotaurs" gag. -- Karada 11:19, 8 Aug 2003 (UTC)


 * Actually "Minardor", in the episode "The Scarlet Capsule" (1960), parodying Quatermass and The Pit. -- Lee M 01:59, 9 Aug 2003 (UTC), revised Lee M 02:40, 26 Aug 2003 (UTC)

Thanks for the clarification, Karada. Probably not worth having the article then. Oh well, I guess we have sillier things on Wikipedia. Bill 11:29, 8 Aug 2003 (UTC)

Which stations have "Mind the Gap"? I know Victoria has, but I haven't travelled on the tube for ages. Mintguy 10:53, 9 Aug 2003 (UTC)


 * Waterloo on the Bakerloo is has it because it is very curved, IIRC. There are several Circle line stations too, but these are because of the height of the trains (Victoria, I think) -- Tarquin 17:39, 9 Aug 2003 (UTC)

ISTR The KLF also used this in music, but I don't recall the details. --FOo 17:31, 9 Aug 2003 (UTC)


 * The power of Google http://www.lyricsfind.com/lyrics/2960/29507.php
 * See 1987 (What the Fuck Is Going On?). --kingboyk 13:21, 19 June 2006 (UTC)

Explanatory gap
Strictly I've never been a Londoner, though I've lived around London for most of my life. Currenly I'm living near Toronto, so I'll have to go and find the TTC equivalents. Thanks to whoever added the extra information, especially the pictures.

As far as I can make out the 'Explanatory Gap' is part of the mind-body problem. I've never heard of anyone suggesting that chanting on railway stations in any way helps this. DJ Clayworth 18:09, 11 Aug 2003 (UTC)


 * Right. No, I really wouldn't expect it to.  ;=)  Just thought that if the chanting were actually taking place it would be an interesting social phenomenon. Thanks again for you input. -- Bill 18:43, 11 Aug 2003 (UTC)

Ah, see your point. No, I've never heard anyone chanting on a tube station either, but what a great idea for a Flash mob! DJ Clayworth 15:43, 14 Aug 2003 (UTC)

Platform train gap
Are there any other tube lines designed to have less than 5cm platform train gap, such as on Kuala Lumpur Putra Light Rail Transit? -- sabre23t 09:37, 24 Aug 2004 (UTC)