Not all great phrases and sayings are Yorkshire-centric and ‘His Nibs’ is probably one created for the home counties elite. In one version of the meaning and derivation ‘His Nibs’ is ‘a mildly derisive mock title used to refer to a self-important man, especially one in authority’.
Nib of the Year Awards
God’s own counties nomination is ‘Sir’ Gary Verity the former Welcome to Yorkshire chief executive who was allowed to resign on health grounds. As the Yorkshire Post reported ‘ It has been revealed that £482,500 has been spent in connection to the costs of two independent inquiries ordered in the wake of Sir Gary’s resignation in March on health grounds following bullying and expenses allegations, with the figure also taking account of “termination” expenses’.
A recent report released by the new chief executive Peter Box reports welcome to Yorkshire spent a quarter of a million pounds on the Chelsea Flower Show whilst seeing the demise of the autumn flower show in Harrogate.
Welcome to Yorkshires contribution to cycling and the counties profile has been significant but so was Beryl Burton’s and many other cyclist and clubs.
Footnote
Another link to ‘his nibs’ is to its use the game of cribbage but in my scoring system it is ‘one for his nob’ not his nib.