so I guess it's used for most any sort of going on and on
>blether

I think we'd talk about steam boats/trains (boats came to mind first) "chuntering along". It's a bit like "chugging" but consists of lots of little puffs of smoke rather than substantial dollops, if you see what I mean.

This could be a missing link!

Oh, and agree with Jo - tents for camping, marquees for events (but can be applied to big army tents), awnings for canvas shelters afixed to buildings.
Cream tarts are a class of cake, but if you were to pick a prime example it would be shortcrust pastry base topped with a little vanilla gunk (what's that called, Jo?) topped with a few strawberries topped with whipped cream.