| 释义 |
Womble|ˈwɒmb(ə)l|
[Shortening of Wombledon, fanciful alteration of Wimbledon.]
An imaginary animal depicted as inhabiting Wimbledon Common (see quot. 1968). Also, a soft toy representing this creature. Also transf.
1968E. Beresford Wombles (1974) (dust-jacket), The Wombles are a bit like teddy bears to look at but they have real claws and live underneath Wimbledon Common and devote their lives to ‘tidying up’ all the things those untidy Human Beings leave behind. 1975Sunday Express 15 June 6/3 In addition to the Wombles pop group and the TV series, there are Womble jigsaws, Womble dolls, Womble T-shirts, Womble pillow cases... Now..there are Womble-approved crisps. 1977Lancashire Life Dec. 77/2 Now she had locked herself in the ladies' with five rubber frogs and a selection of plastic Wombles and was refusing to come out. 1978Times 26 Aug. 3 (caption) Members of the Outset youth service group felling and clearing dead trees on Wimbledon Common. These ‘Wombles’ have also assisted in pond clearing. 1982Buses Sept. 393/2 The customers being predominantly senior citizens or ‘wombles’ in the London Transport vernacular. |