Search found 1263 matches
- Tue Feb 23, 2010 12:02 am
- Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
- Topic: Spoilers For Monday February 22nd 2010
- Replies: 13
- Views: 2436
Re: Spoilers For Monday February 22nd 2010
I was wondering if GERONTICS, the science of the aged (presumably), was a plural or not, until I remembered that RECOSTING was one of those plausible words that has a valid anagram.
- Sat Feb 20, 2010 8:48 pm
- Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
- Topic: Spoilers for Wednesday 17th Feb
- Replies: 93
- Views: 12841
Re: Spoilers for Wednesday 17th Feb
Only just watched this, so I missed all the CHOLIAMBS stuff. Have to say, like Damian, I think it's a total non-issue. But it did get me wondering whether if you wrote in about something like that you'd get a reply, and if so whether it would be similar to the response you get here. I do hope so.
- Tue Feb 16, 2010 10:46 am
- Forum: Countdown - General
- Topic: Old people
- Replies: 14
- Views: 2234
Re: Old people
As a young person I would just like to say that
(sorry, the ADHD must have kicked in)
(sorry, the ADHD must have kicked in)
- Mon Feb 15, 2010 9:38 am
- Forum: Countdown - Current recaps
- Topic: Thursday 11th February 2010 (Series 62, Prelim 24)
- Replies: 45
- Views: 6893
Re: Thursday 11th February 2010 (Series 62, Prelim 24)
In the 30 minute era I don't think anyone thought much about this, or maybe there just weren't forums to discuss it. But there were fewer rounds, so more crucial conundrums, and the champion picked the final numbers, so the tactics could be quite important. I decided that one large was the option I ...
- Sun Feb 14, 2010 12:16 am
- Forum: Countdown - General
- Topic: Ask Mike Brown
- Replies: 17
- Views: 2312
Re: Ask Mike Brown
I'm pretty sure that I've seen a reason given, but I can't remember what it was! If so, the explanation can only have come from Damian. Possibly they thought the 16 player three week affair went on too long. I'm also pretty sure Damian did say at one time that there weren't going to be any more. I k...
- Tue Feb 09, 2010 7:30 pm
- Forum: Countdown - General
- Topic: Tactics
- Replies: 20
- Views: 2174
Re: Tactics
When I figured that Mark Goodliffe was a good player coupled with the fact I would probably make it to the finals with 7 wins, I thought that I could knock a potential finalist out which would (will?) be advantageous come the series finals. Alternatively, if you knew someone who you thought was bet...
- Tue Feb 09, 2010 11:00 am
- Forum: Off-topic
- Topic: Words changing meaning.
- Replies: 52
- Views: 3753
Re: Words changing meaning.
Does anyone here write a weekly column for The Times called 'The Pedant'? Today's centres around the three MPs "refuting" the charges against them, and sets out the differences between refute, rebut and deny. Sadly, when I looked for it on Times-online by searching for the word "refut...
- Sun Feb 07, 2010 11:27 am
- Forum: Off-topic
- Topic: Words changing meaning.
- Replies: 52
- Views: 3753
Re: Words changing meaning.
I thought I was pretty clued up on the pedantry side, but I came across one new to me in The Times yesterday. If 30 apples are divided equally between a number of boys, how many does each get? Answer is 15, because if there were more than two they would be divided "among", not "betwee...
- Sun Feb 07, 2010 10:33 am
- Forum: Countdown - General
- Topic: Defining whether numbers solutions are identical
- Replies: 27
- Views: 5208
Re: Defining whether numbers solutions are identical
On the one hand, I can't see it matters, and it depends how you define it. If you really mean identical, 100+(1+2) is not the same as (100+1)+2. For Countdown purposes what matters is the point at which Rachel would say to the second contestant "That's the same as your opponent. Show him your s...
- Fri Feb 05, 2010 12:14 pm
- Forum: Countdown - General
- Topic: +sums+
- Replies: 14
- Views: 2382
Re: +sums+
Interestingly, ODE doesn't give MINUS as a verb, so where "I'm adding these two numbers together" is acceptable, "I'm minusing these two numbers" is invalid. Plussing, the antonym of minusing, isn't in, either. The antonym of adding is subtracting. And the syntax changes for sub...
- Tue Feb 02, 2010 4:52 pm
- Forum: Off-topic
- Topic: Words changing meaning.
- Replies: 52
- Views: 3753
Re: Words changing meaning.
I saw someone complaining a while back at "kamikaze" being used to describe almost anything self-destructive. I think he felt that this diminished the horror of the WW2 suicide attacks. But "kamikaze" actually means "divine wind", and refers to a typhoon that destroyed ...
- Tue Feb 02, 2010 10:38 am
- Forum: Off-topic
- Topic: Words changing meaning.
- Replies: 52
- Views: 3753
Re: Words changing meaning.
Ambiguous, and topical!Jon O'Neill wrote:someone in my football team's girlfriend
- Mon Feb 01, 2010 11:35 pm
- Forum: Off-topic
- Topic: Words changing meaning.
- Replies: 52
- Views: 3753
Re: Words changing meaning.
Should that be "fewer"? Or "less-educated"? I thought we'd implied you were home-educated anyway, or did you refute that? All fairly disinteresting, however.Charlie Reams wrote:For the less educated amongst us,
- Mon Feb 01, 2010 8:02 pm
- Forum: Off-topic
- Topic: Words changing meaning.
- Replies: 52
- Views: 3753
Re: Words changing meaning.
"We believe that the problems that exist in devolving policing and justice are all soluble problems" For the less educated amongst us, can you explain what's wrong with this? I think it's a trick question. You're supposed to think he's saying the problems can be dissolved, rather than sol...
- Sat Jan 30, 2010 9:04 pm
- Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
- Topic: Spoilers For Friday January 29th 2010
- Replies: 29
- Views: 3719
Re: Spoilers For Friday January 29th 2010
If only.Gavin Chipper wrote:Never give the choice to Rachel unless you really don't care what you get! Didn't David Williams makes that mistake once?
- Fri Jan 29, 2010 2:19 pm
- Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
- Topic: Dictionary Corner Guests
- Replies: 143
- Views: 19841
Re: Dictionary Corner Guests
Remember that day when Carol Barnes didn't show up, and they got some unknown to stand in? How did you think that went?
- Thu Jan 28, 2010 7:49 pm
- Forum: Games and Puzzles
- Topic: The Krypton Factor puzzles/games
- Replies: 16
- Views: 2995
Re: The Krypton Factor puzzles/games
Be fair. When you've seen as much Countdown as we have, the excitement threshold is pretty high.D Eadie wrote:Well its not working for me. I've had more excitement opening my electricity bill.
- Thu Jan 28, 2010 1:42 pm
- Forum: Countdown - Historical recaps
- Topic: Tuesday 2 January 1996
- Replies: 21
- Views: 2822
Re: Tuesday 2 January 1996
You could ask around as to who has copies of pre-NODE dictionaries and would be prepared to check write-ups. I did that with the NODE for a short time, and I've got a COD10 as well! When the NODE was first used they made a big deal of how much bigger it was than the COD, though I suspect most of the...
- Mon Jan 25, 2010 3:48 pm
- Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
- Topic: Spoilers For Tuesday January 19th 2010
- Replies: 26
- Views: 2942
Re: Spoilers For Tuesday January 19th 2010
Seems we've captured the zeitgeist once again; from the current Private Eye: Mr Brian Leedham says that "fine tooth comb" should be a "fine-toothed comb". Not so. The word "toothcomb" has a long and respectable history. The word presumably indicates the difference betw...
- Fri Jan 22, 2010 2:19 pm
- Forum: Countdown - General
- Topic: A LANDMARK PROGRAMME DUE?
- Replies: 52
- Views: 5536
Re: A LANDMARK PROGRAMME DUE?
I assumed it was aimed at me because no-one else seemed to be talking bollocks. Scanning the list of Specials, I think I may be recalling Terence English against Glynn Leaney. I imagine you did the same for everyone, but I just remember a £50 fee seemed a bit crass for them in particular. I complete...
- Fri Jan 22, 2010 10:59 am
- Forum: Countdown - General
- Topic: A LANDMARK PROGRAMME DUE?
- Replies: 52
- Views: 5536
Re: A LANDMARK PROGRAMME DUE?
The bollocks comment wasn't necessarily aimed at any one in particular, i was in the middle of typing out a response to the stuff about ratings and money etc, but halfway through, i thought 'bollocks', so i typed that instead. Why use 500 words when 1 will do :mrgreen: I assumed it was aimed at me....
- Thu Jan 21, 2010 11:03 pm
- Forum: Countdown - General
- Topic: A LANDMARK PROGRAMME DUE?
- Replies: 52
- Views: 5536
Re: A LANDMARK PROGRAMME DUE?
Just shows. I didn't even think we were being negative or locking horns. But Gavin will be upset not to figure in this negativity hall of fame.Charlie Reams wrote:David O'Donnell and David Williams, the two most negative particles in the universe, lock horns. But will they attract or repel? Stay tuned!
- Thu Jan 21, 2010 7:32 pm
- Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
- Topic: Spoilers For Tuesday January 19th 2010
- Replies: 26
- Views: 2942
Re: Spoilers For Tuesday January 19th 2010
The point is that you would look meticulously with a comb with fine teeth - a fine-tooth comb. For some reason most people just get this wrong, and it's become a fine toothcomb. The word has found its way into common usage and even into the dictionary even though there's no such thing. OR MAYBE THE...
- Thu Jan 21, 2010 5:21 pm
- Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
- Topic: Spoilers For Tuesday January 19th 2010
- Replies: 26
- Views: 2942
Re: Spoilers For Tuesday January 19th 2010
I know what a fine-tooth comb looks like, but I've never seen a toothcomb. Something to do with aggressive flossing? Quite surprised to see it's in the dictionary. Oh? Toothcomb is quite a normal word I thought, i.e. the verb "to toothcomb" meaning to look meticulously. The point is that ...
- Thu Jan 21, 2010 5:13 pm
- Forum: Countdown - General
- Topic: A LANDMARK PROGRAMME DUE?
- Replies: 52
- Views: 5536
Re: A LANDMARK PROGRAMME DUE?
I don't read every word here, but if I've got this right, Chris and Kirk are to play in a special in a few weeks. And, as I understand it, neither of them is in full employment right now, so could doubtless do with a bit of cash. Personally I would value their contribution to this special a lot mor...
- Tue Jan 19, 2010 11:44 pm
- Forum: Countdown - General
- Topic: A LANDMARK PROGRAMME DUE?
- Replies: 52
- Views: 5536
Re: A LANDMARK PROGRAMME DUE?
I don't read every word here, but if I've got this right, Chris and Kirk are to play in a special in a few weeks. And, as I understand it, neither of them is in full employment right now, so could doubtless do with a bit of cash. Personally I would value their contribution to this special a lot more...
- Tue Jan 19, 2010 11:21 pm
- Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
- Topic: Spoilers For Tuesday January 19th 2010
- Replies: 26
- Views: 2942
Re: Spoilers For Tuesday January 19th 2010
I know what a fine-tooth comb looks like, but I've never seen a toothcomb. Something to do with aggressive flossing? Quite surprised to see it's in the dictionary.
- Tue Jan 19, 2010 5:37 pm
- Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
- Topic: New spoilers for Monday 18th January 2010
- Replies: 19
- Views: 2517
Re: New spoilers for Monday 18th January 2010
Why would you assume that? If I say I used the same method and was within the time, do you assume that I'm lying? If you spot that the target is 2 x (18² - 1), then using the difference of two squares you can quickly be looking for either 38 x 17 or 34 x 19. No idea how Mike approached it of course...
- Fri Jan 15, 2010 7:10 pm
- Forum: Off-topic
- Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
- Replies: 1615
- Views: 651647
Re: Questions you've always wanted answered
Aye, as I've always understood it, only seven points can be scored from the final black. So if Player A is six points ahead, pots the final black and goes in-off, Player B gets seven points for the foul and wins the frame by one point - the black is not re-spotted like other colours would be. So ar...
- Fri Jan 15, 2010 1:14 pm
- Forum: Off-topic
- Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
- Replies: 1615
- Views: 651647
Re: Questions you've always wanted answered
One that I've wondered about is that a frame appears to be considered over when one player is more than seven points ahead and only the black ball remains. Is this a rule, or just a convention? If the white and black were in the jaws of the corner pockets on the same side of the table it would be a...
- Fri Jan 15, 2010 12:19 pm
- Forum: Off-topic
- Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
- Replies: 1615
- Views: 651647
Re: Questions you've always wanted answered
One that I've wondered about is that a frame appears to be considered over when one player is more than seven points ahead and only the black ball remains. Is this a rule, or just a convention? If the white and black were in the jaws of the corner pockets on the same side of the table it would be a ...
- Fri Jan 15, 2010 12:07 pm
- Forum: Games and Puzzles
- Topic: Sports / Maths Puzzle(s)...
- Replies: 205
- Views: 22355
Re: Sports / Maths Puzzle(s)...
But correct.Clive Brooker wrote:Yes, that was my method. Clearly fantasy of course.
- Fri Jan 15, 2010 9:27 am
- Forum: Games and Puzzles
- Topic: Sports / Maths Puzzle(s)...
- Replies: 205
- Views: 22355
Re: Sports / Maths Puzzle(s)...
What is the lowest possible total points scored in a completed frame of snooker? All balls potted, including the black.
- Thu Jan 14, 2010 6:50 pm
- Forum: Off-topic
- Topic: McCanns v Amaral injuction hearing
- Replies: 22
- Views: 1265
Re: McCanns v Amaral injuction hearing
My point was that they know if they are innocent or guilty of anything. If they don't respond, some people might take that as an admission of guilt. Ah, I see now. I misinterpreted your "But they do know" then. I'm assuming your "don't respond" is in reference to Amaral's claims...
- Thu Jan 14, 2010 3:11 pm
- Forum: Off-topic
- Topic: McCanns v Amaral injuction hearing
- Replies: 22
- Views: 1265
Re: McCanns v Amaral injuction hearing
But they do know. But do they know? And what do they know? They know nothing of the sort, unless they're withholding that information. Even if we take their story utterly at face value, the only thing they know is that she wasn't in bed when they returned. That's it. More importantly, why wouldn't ...
- Thu Jan 14, 2010 2:23 pm
- Forum: Off-topic
- Topic: McCanns v Amaral injuction hearing
- Replies: 22
- Views: 1265
Re: McCanns v Amaral injuction hearing
But they do know.Jon Corby wrote:...is a far more tenable stance than "the child was abducted and is still alive, and I'll sue anyone that suggests anything different, even if it is more probable given the available evidence".David Williams wrote:We don't know.
- Thu Jan 14, 2010 1:39 pm
- Forum: Off-topic
- Topic: McCanns v Amaral injuction hearing
- Replies: 22
- Views: 1265
Re: McCanns v Amaral injuction hearing
We don't know.
- Wed Jan 13, 2010 6:06 pm
- Forum: Countdown - General
- Topic: who is the 2009 Champion of Countdown
- Replies: 32
- Views: 2938
Re: who is the 2009 Champion of Countdown
May be a little contrived, but you could have a series every three months, with the top four each series in a knock-out to determine the series champion. The four series champions would then meet to decide the champion for the year. And while a knock-out for four people is three matches, a mini-leag...
Re: Apology
Well said.Jon Corby wrote:Derek made a harmless, appropriate pun based on Phil's name. Of course he's gonna have heard similar before, but tough shit. It occurs to me that Phil only stuck the boot in because he knows Derek's on Charlie's shit list and it's a safe (or even 'in') thing to do.
- Fri Jan 08, 2010 10:40 pm
- Forum: Off-topic
- Topic: International Freedom in Education Day 15 Sep 2009
- Replies: 77
- Views: 9756
Re: International Freedom in Education Day 15 Sep 2009
I don't see why it's an issue regarding social services checking up. It's a legal requirement to attend a school which conforms to government standards, isn't it? With good reason, surely? Should people be allowed to perform home-surgery without certification or supervision too? Would you think it ...
- Fri Jan 08, 2010 3:29 pm
- Forum: apterous.org
- Topic: Stems you've found useful
- Replies: 15
- Views: 2991
Re: Stems you've found useful
I'm pretty sure I remember Tom Hargreaves explaining to Richard Whiteley that he'd seen MANIFEST, and then . . .Charlie Reams wrote:*bows*Marc Meakin wrote: FLAMING + O = FLAMINGO
- Fri Jan 08, 2010 3:21 pm
- Forum: Off-topic
- Topic: International Freedom in Education Day 15 Sep 2009
- Replies: 77
- Views: 9756
Re: International Freedom in Education Day 15 Sep 2009
I don't see why it's an issue regarding social services checking up. It's a legal requirement to attend a school which conforms to government standards, isn't it? With good reason, surely? Should people be allowed to perform home-surgery without certification or supervision too? Would you think it ...
- Fri Jan 08, 2010 9:37 am
- Forum: apterous.org
- Topic: Stem's you've actually found useful
- Replies: 14
- Views: 2118
Re: Stem's you've actually found useful
STEM'S?
Were you home-educated, by any chance?
Were you home-educated, by any chance?
- Fri Jan 08, 2010 9:35 am
- Forum: Off-topic
- Topic: International Freedom in Education Day 15 Sep 2009
- Replies: 77
- Views: 9756
Re: International Freedom in Education Day 15 Sep 2009
E-petitions are futile. Particularly futile to have a closing date after the General Election. And not much of a plug for home education to have an ungrammatical petition with supporting material that is a poem only in the sense that alternate lines finish in approximately similar syllables. Good lu...
- Fri Jan 01, 2010 11:00 am
- Forum: Off-topic
- Topic: Defending you property
- Replies: 125
- Views: 12335
Re: Defending you property
May I suggest that if you are ever unfortunate enough to find yourself vulnerable, defenceless and outnumbered by assailants intent on doing you down, you engage them in spirited debate. They'll run a mile.Rosemary Roberts wrote:If my hazard is as low as that I guess I can lash out with impunity in future. Thanks guys.
- Thu Dec 31, 2009 8:18 pm
- Forum: Off-topic
- Topic: Defending you property
- Replies: 125
- Views: 12335
Re: Defending you property
We often hear of people being taken to court for injuring burglars. It was recently said by the Director of Public Prosecutions that, in the last 15 years, there have only been 11 cases where householders have been prosecuted after tackling intruders. As long as a householder acts instinctively, in...
- Thu Dec 31, 2009 5:11 pm
- Forum: Countdown - General
- Topic: Countdown in the news
- Replies: 217
- Views: 63692
Re: Countdown in the news
I had to read it twice before I realised what was odd about this article. It's positive. Anyone fancy re-writing it, using exactly the same facts, but in the style of the Daily Mail? (I have to admit I did raise an eyebrow when she said she "so busy". These one-day-a-week jobs really eat u...
- Thu Dec 31, 2009 4:54 pm
- Forum: Off-topic
- Topic: Defending you property
- Replies: 125
- Views: 12335
Re: Defending you property
However "reasonably" the law might be phrased, in the absence of a complete free-for-all there will still be some jobsworth with a clipboard and boxes to tick who gets to decides whether or not you are lying. No. Someone at the Crown Prosecution Service will assess whether there is a reas...
- Thu Dec 31, 2009 11:03 am
- Forum: Off-topic
- Topic: Defending you property
- Replies: 125
- Views: 12335
Re: Defending you property
I don't think anybody but me knows what, at the time and in the circumstances, excessive force was. Just how terrified I am must have some bearing. And nobody else can judge that, even with hindsight. If you had used what others would consider to be excessive force, people might think that at the p...
- Wed Dec 30, 2009 7:14 pm
- Forum: Off-topic
- Topic: Defending you property
- Replies: 125
- Views: 12335
Re: Defending you property
I know. I was correcting her. You can't correct me: I know what I think. It's not my fault if "the law" gets it wrong. It should be the perp's own risk if he picks on somebody with a insalubrious habits or a gruesome sense of humour. Or somebody like me who is prone to panic and lash out ...
- Wed Dec 30, 2009 4:32 pm
- Forum: Off-topic
- Topic: Defending you property
- Replies: 125
- Views: 12335
Re: Defending you property
Yes. This whole argument is only about what is or is not "reasonable". And I maintain that it is whatever seems reasonable to the householder in whatever alarming situation the perp has embrangled him in. Actually, in this context, "reasonable" is whatever seems reasonable first...
- Wed Dec 30, 2009 3:33 pm
- Forum: Off-topic
- Topic: Defending you property
- Replies: 125
- Views: 12335
Re: Defending you property
Yes. This whole argument is only about what is or is not "reasonable". And I maintain that it is whatever seems reasonable to the householder in whatever alarming situation the perp has embrangled him in. Actually, in this context, "reasonable" is whatever seems reasonable first...
- Thu Dec 24, 2009 2:43 pm
- Forum: Games and Puzzles
- Topic: World Scrabble Championship this week
- Replies: 57
- Views: 6515
Re: World Scrabble Championship this week
The stuff about players not caring about what the words mean was overdone I think. A lot of players *do* care about the meanings and Helen Gipson (not Gibson as on the programme) beat him on the test anyway. Also it's all a bit incidental. I mean are footballers experts on their boots and shin pads...
- Sun Dec 20, 2009 10:20 am
- Forum: Off-topic
- Topic: Defending you property
- Replies: 125
- Views: 12335
Re: Defending you property
Twenty years ago I was assaulted by a guy who mistakenly believed I was trying to chat up his girlfriend. He waited for me outside the nightclub with some of his mates and hit me from behind, got me on the ground and kicked me in the head. So he believed that you had trespassed on his 'property', a...
- Sat Dec 19, 2009 5:49 pm
- Forum: Off-topic
- Topic: Defending you property
- Replies: 125
- Views: 12335
Re: Defending you property
Yes. Sorry. Over the top. Still don't agree with you though.Rosemary Roberts wrote:Yes. A long. long way.David Williams wrote: Is this so far away from the people who think they perform a public service by beating up paediatricians?
- Sat Dec 19, 2009 4:33 pm
- Forum: Off-topic
- Topic: Defending you property
- Replies: 125
- Views: 12335
Re: Defending you property
This bloke whose head looks like a cricket ball is clearly in favour of violence. You don't break into someone's house and hold a knife to his throat if you don't like violence. He likes violence, he got violence, what's the problem? There are a lot of things in life which people do under pressure....
- Sat Dec 19, 2009 10:12 am
- Forum: Off-topic
- Topic: Defending you property
- Replies: 125
- Views: 12335
Re: Defending you property
I have keys to my neighbours' houses. On more than one occasion alarms have gone off in the early hours and my son and I have gone round, turned off the alarm, had a quick look round, locked up and returned home. It must happen all the time. But sorry, Rosemary, if you lived next door to me I wouldn...
- Fri Dec 18, 2009 8:34 pm
- Forum: Off-topic
- Topic: Defending you property
- Replies: 125
- Views: 12335
Re: Defending you property
He's seen a fire through your window. He's the chap who sold you the house, now suffering from dementia, and he still has a key. He's a bailiff with a right to enter, but his incompetent superiors have given him the wrong address. He's visiting the identical house next door. It's his first parachute...
- Fri Dec 18, 2009 7:29 pm
- Forum: Off-topic
- Topic: Defending you property
- Replies: 125
- Views: 12335
Re: Defending you property
And, once you've done so, if it turns out that there was an innocent explanation, I assume you would agree that he is entitled to take any retribution he likes on you.Rosemary Roberts wrote:If somebody breaks into my house I should be free to take any retribution I like.
- Fri Dec 18, 2009 12:31 pm
- Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
- Topic: Spoilers for Wednesday December 16th 2009
- Replies: 90
- Views: 8168
Re: Spoilers for Wednesday December 16th 2009
Okay, you asked for me to 'go quiet' for a bit, which I took as meaning that you wished I was dead. Are you referring to this? Jon, I already have to employ staff to keep up with all the stuff here. One is working on "The Best of Jon Corby" as we speak, but we're some months away from pub...