Adelphi

[john2tzh]

Does anyone know the origin of the name Adelphi, as in the theatre, hotel, streets, etc. Most seem to date from the mid/late 19th century as if the name of a battle or similar but I cannot find any references at all. Thanks.

[Quizmonster]

Adelphi is Greek for brothers. The word was applied to the area of London between the Strand and the Thames which was set out by the four Adam brothers.

[spudqueen]

Must have caught on in other areas of the country as in Preston there is an Adelphi Street and an Adelphi Hotel.

[Quizmonster]

Well, Philadelphia in the USA means brotherly love, so perhaps Leeds and Preston were cities of brotherly love, too.
The fact remains that the earliest use of the word in English was as applied to the area/buildings, including the particular theatre, created by James, John, Robert and William Adam in the London area already described.
The northern examples mentioned are, I imagine, just copies of what had become known as an up-market name and reputation. We find establishments called the Royal Hotel all over the place, despite the fact that no such exalted personage ever went near them!

[john2tzh]

Hi quizmonster, I tend to agree with your idea because I cannot think of anything better but at the same time there are other fashionable areas in London that have not spread their name to such a degree. Where I live there is an Adelphi St. -a typical mid/late 19thc. 2 up 2 down terrace. This was actually renamed to Adelphi some years after it had been built.

[Quizmonster]

What can I say, John? Regarding your query about the word's origin, I referred in my second response above to the fact re the earliest recorded use of the name Adelphi in English. The 'bible' in such matters - The Oxford English Dictionary - says so.
As the line of Rabbie Burns' poetry and now Scottish proverb has it: "Facts are chiels that winna ding!" That is, they can't be driven away no matter how much they may be disliked. I'm sorry that you "cannot think of anything better", but that's simply because there isn't anything better. All the other Adelphi streets, pubs or whatever are just based on the imagined kudos such a name supposedly brings.
You have the facts. Cheers

[pinkjen]

hi quizmonster, didn't mean to knock what you were saying. I just didn't realise that 150 years ago such a name could spread such an amount purely as you say for kudos. Todays spin doctors would be proud!

[john2tzh]

sorry, sent the above under my wife's name. John

[Quizmonster]

The theatre, I have no doubt John, was an element in the spread of that name. The Adelphi Theatre was noted for melodramatic productions and - since these were especially popular in Victorian days - billboards at theatres elsewhere probably advertised "The new Adelphi play..." Accordingly, the kudos may have come at second hand, as it were. Cheers