Grandfather Clock

I'm sure you have seen a "grandfather clock." maybe your grandfather had one. My grandparents had a logically named mantle clock on their mantle. So why did this tall piece of furniture clock take on the name "grandfather?"

A grandfather clock (also known as a longcase clock, tall-case clock, grandfather's clock, or floor clock) is a tall, freestanding, weight-driven pendulum clock with the pendulum held inside the tower or waist of the case.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the origin of the name is a popular 1876 song "My Grandfather's Clock" which gave the common name "grandfather clock" being applied to the longcase clock. 

The song was composed by American songwriter Henry Clay Work who saw one in The George Hotel in Piercebridge, England. He was told that when the first owner of the clock died, the clock became inaccurate. When the second owner died, the clock stopped working altogether. The odd story inspired him to write the song.

Grandfather clocks are tall. Possibly as tall or taller than your grandfather. They are usually at least 1.9 meters (6 feet - 3 inches). Later, there were made clocks referred to as "grandmother" and "granddaughter" clocks, which are shorter in height.