WIP
Chuggalong
Portmanteau of "Chugga-Chugga"+ "龙 or Lóng”, long also references its length and the name is a play on the phrase
"to chug along"
“Chugga-chugga” is an english onomatopoeia for the sound a steam engine train makes when pumping its pistons and turning its wheels on the tracks.
龙 or “Lóng” is the Chinese character for dragon. This is also transliterated as long, loong or lung as well.
This fits well with Cap34’s design being based on a steam locomotive as well as having clear inspiration from depictions of dragons from Chinese mythology, especially
Dragon dance puppets for festivals.
“To chug along” is a turn of phrase inspired by steam locomotives tending to start up slow but steadily gaining momentum, as well as how laboriously the engine “chugs” as these trains traverse up steeper hills. As a saying it is used a way to describe persevering or working towards the finish at a steady pace. It may be an odd phrase to attribute to CAP34 considering its Speed stat, but it does bolster the steam engine connotations even further. Perhaps this can work as a little nod to the hard work and perseverance of the designer (Chillie) for producing a winning design, after coming increasingly closer to winning on their previous couple of entries.
Some trivia:
“Chugga-chugga” is usually followed by “Choo-choo” whenever it is used, with the latter onomatopoeia referencing the sound of a steam train whistle. Apparently there has been debates over how many “Chuggas” should be used before “Choo-choo”, with 2,3,4,8,12 etc. all put forward as possible answers.
An argument proposed is that since “Chugga" is 2 syllables which translates to 2 rhythmic beats, then the correct number is 8. This would be 16 beats, also known as 4 bars of 4. 4/4 is the most common meter in music; it’s so popular that it is often referred to as “common time”. In the final render and concept art of CAP34, it consists of 8 wheeled segments (and plus another for the head) which is a fun coincidence.
Not completely unrelated news but my brain has melted.
Pronounced: "CHUG-uh-LONG”
IPA: / ˈtʃʌgəˌlɑːŋ/
Special thanks to Quanyails for letting me sub this one, an instance of multiple people coming up with the same name independently lol. Much appreciated to have an example post to work from as well, thank you T.T