"Old Lead Bottom" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

KurtfromPitts · 04-20-2009, 02:41 PM

I've always wondered why it is that McHale and his crew often refer to him as "Old Lead Bottom". I always thought Binghamton was too trim-looking to deserve that name.

TripperFan · 04-20-2009, 04:31 PM

It wasn't meant to mean that he was heavy.

Since this is a pg-13 site, let me rephrase it with a hint

Lead is HARD. Add that in front of another word for a donkey.....

comedyfreak · 04-26-2009, 12:01 AM

hard arse, LOL.

treky · 04-26-2009, 12:20 AM

yea, I remember once years ago; when I used to watch the reruns on a local station and I was seeing the show for the first time; I jokingly called my sister "old leadbottom" once thinking it was just a mean name, and my mother heard me and yelled at me.

Dusty's Fan · 04-27-2009, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripperFan

It wasn't meant to mean that he was heavy.

Since this is a pg-13 site, let me rephrase it with a hint

Lead is HARD. Add that in front of another word for a donkey.....

Actually lead is a soft metal that is easy to form into shape. So although compared to other materials it's pretty hard, it's always been used more for heavy weights and coatings than for its hardness or strength. Most old double-hung windows contained lead weights.

When lead was referred to, it usually meant heavyness -- like "leadfoot," meaning a driver who is heavy on the gas pedal.

By "lead bottom," I took the phrase to be like "stick in the mud," implying weighted, dragged down, and not moving as far as being willing to compromise.

Vince53 · 12-10-2011, 08:44 PM

I had always thought that it was a pun on Army Air Force General Curtiss LeMay, who was known as "Old Ironpants."

RustyNailForever · 03-20-2016, 09:42 AM

I remember "Leadbottom" being a name applied to Captain Binghamton because he was wounded in the butt while retreating, but I can't remember any episode in which he is shot or where the incident is mentioned.

Ellayn O'Kosh · 08-20-2016, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyNailForever

I remember "Leadbottom" being a name applied to Captain Binghamton because he was wounded in the butt while retreating, but I can't remember any episode in which he is shot or where the incident is mentioned.

I remember the incident being mentioned, but after wracking my brain, I cannot recall any leading indicators to suggest an episode. However, I believe a few episodes may have opened the door.

Too bad none of the Script sites have McHale's Navy scripts. A quick search may find the quote.

04-20-2009, 02:41 PM	#1
KurtfromPitts Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 10, 2006 Location: Carnegie PA Posts: 1,530	"Old Lead Bottom" I've always wondered why it is that McHale and his crew often refer to him as "Old Lead Bottom". I always thought Binghamton was too trim-looking to deserve that name.

04-20-2009, 04:31 PM	#2
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,087	It wasn't meant to mean that he was heavy. Since this is a pg-13 site, let me rephrase it with a hint Lead is HARD. Add that in front of another word for a donkey.....
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

04-26-2009, 12:01 AM	#3
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,058	hard arse, LOL.
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04-26-2009, 12:20 AM	#4
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	yea, I remember once years ago; when I used to watch the reruns on a local station and I was seeing the show for the first time; I jokingly called my sister "old leadbottom" once thinking it was just a mean name, and my mother heard me and yelled at me.
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

12-10-2011, 08:44 PM	#6
Vince53 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 26, 2010 Location: Chapala, Mexico Posts: 492	I had always thought that it was a pun on Army Air Force General Curtiss LeMay, who was known as "Old Ironpants."

03-20-2016, 09:42 AM	#7
RustyNailForever Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 14, 2016 Location: Whestchester, NY Posts: 14	I remember "Leadbottom" being a name applied to Captain Binghamton because he was wounded in the butt while retreating, but I can't remember any episode in which he is shot or where the incident is mentioned.