why is Big Ben clock called Big Ben?

Answer 1

Big Ben is the name of the bell that chimes.

Answer 2

Makers of Big Ben and the Liberty Bell were cast by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry.

The bells of the Great Clock of Westmister rang across London for the first time on 31st May 1859, and Parliament had a special sitting to decide on a suitable name for the great hour bell. During the course of the debate, and amid the many suggestions that were made, Chief Lord of the Woods and Forests, Sir Benjamin Hall, a large and ponderous man known affectionately in the House as "Big Ben", rose and gave an impressively long speech on the subject. When, at the end of this oratorical marathon, Sir Benjamin sank back into his seat, a wag in the chamber shouted out: "Why not call him Big Ben and have done with it?" The house erupted in laughter; Big Ben had been named. This, at least, is the most commonly accepted story. However, according to the booklet written for the old Ministry of Works by Alan Phillips:

"Like other nice stories, this has no documentary support; Hansard failed to record the interjection. The Times had been alluding to 'Big Ben of Westminster' aince 1856. Probably, the derivation must be sought more remotely. The current champion of the prize ring was Benjamin Caunt, who had fought terrific battles with Bendigo, and who in 1857 lasted sixty rounds of a drawn contest in his final appearance at the age of 42. As Caunt at one period scaled 17 stone (238 lbs, or 108 kilogrammes), his nickname was Big Ben, and that was readily bestowed by the populace on any object the heaviest of its class. So the anonymous MP may have snatched at what was already a catchphrase."

Answer 3

Big Ben is not a clock. Big Ben is a bell in the Clock Tower portion of the British Parliament Building. The Clock is called Tower Clock.

Answer 4

At 9'-0" diameter, 7'-6" high, and weighing in at 13 tons 10 cwts 3 qtrs 15lbs (13,760 Kg), the hour bell of the Great Clock of Westminster - known worldwide as 'Big Ben'
William T. Kimber, the head moulder responsible for casting the Bell

Answer 5

The clock tower contains a huge bell which is called BIG BEN. It is the biggest in the city.

Answer 6

It's called Big Ben because it's big and nicknamed after Lord Ben of something or other . . .

Answer 7

Big Ben is the biggest bell in the tower ... The tower is called St Stephan's I think ...

All that just for a bell ...
;^)

Answer 8

it is very big