c4countdown

Mark Deeks wrote: ↑Wed Dec 20, 2023 8:05 am What was with that "steal your hubcaps" stereotypical joke about Scousers? Why would anyone steal hubcaps?

To sell 'em to people whose hubcaps have got lost/stolen.

There was a kid round here who you'd see riding his pushbike round with strings of hubcaps that he'd supposedly found at the side of the road hanging from his handlebars. I was told he had no problem selling them.

Stealing hubcaps was definitely a big thing when I was a kid. (I did not partake!)

Stole so many hubbies as a kid, not event to sell them, not even to keep them. Honestly no idea why we used to do it

Occasionally people would have quite flashy hubcaps and stealing them was an honour

(nobody tell 999 thanks)

Mark Deeks wrote: ↑Wed Dec 20, 2023 8:05 am What was with that "steal your hubcaps" stereotypical joke about Scousers? Why would anyone steal hubcaps?

Back in the 70s/80s cars just came with standard wheels. Hubcaps were an accessory. They were easy to remove and had a resale value.

Paul Worsley wrote: ↑Wed Dec 20, 2023 11:02 am

Mark Deeks wrote: ↑Wed Dec 20, 2023 8:05 am What was with that "steal your hubcaps" stereotypical joke about Scousers? Why would anyone steal hubcaps?

Back in the 70s/80s cars just came with standard wheels. Hubcaps were an accessory. They were easy to remove and had a resale value.

Stealing car badges were a thing in my neighbourhood this predated rappers that wore the VW badge round their necks.
We put the badges on self built go-carts I think we called them bogies.
Yes I did partake, I was about 10 at the time.
Karma being a bitch, one of my first cars was a VW and someone nicked the badge

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Wed Dec 20, 2023 2:32 pm

Paul Worsley wrote: ↑Wed Dec 20, 2023 11:02 am

Mark Deeks wrote: ↑Wed Dec 20, 2023 8:05 am What was with that "steal your hubcaps" stereotypical joke about Scousers? Why would anyone steal hubcaps?

Back in the 70s/80s cars just came with standard wheels. Hubcaps were an accessory. They were easy to remove and had a resale value.

Stealing car badges were a thing in my neighbourhood this predated rappers that wore the VW badge round their necks.
We put the badges on self built go-carts I think we called them bogies.
Yes I did partake, I was about 10 at the time.
Karma being a bitch, one of my first cars was a VW and someone nicked the badge

Lucky you had a spare.

I think "resale value" is probably the crux of that, good work team. (You degenerates.)

Tops sold for cycling have pockets.

Why don't running tops have pockets?

Fiona T wrote: ↑Thu Dec 21, 2023 11:01 am Tops sold for cycling have pockets.

Why don't running tops have pockets?

Don't know but I have pockets in my shorts.

Edit - I suppose it's that if you're cycling, you can't really use pockets in your shorts as easily so you use your top. Whereas it's not as necessary for runners who can use the pockets in their shorts.

Fiona T wrote: ↑Thu Dec 21, 2023 11:01 am Tops sold for cycling have pockets.

Why don't running tops have pockets?

Can you run comfortably in a cycling top?

I think he's hitting on you Fiona

Mark Deeks wrote: ↑Thu Dec 21, 2023 11:46 pm I think he's hitting on you Fiona

He's welcome to join co:Reading parkrun!

Fiona T wrote: ↑Fri Dec 22, 2023 10:11 am

Mark Deeks wrote: ↑Thu Dec 21, 2023 11:46 pm I think he's hitting on you Fiona

He's welcome to join co:Reading parkrun!

Only if I can cycle

What is "Coffee Bean 100" in Welsh

Is lava wet?

Mark James wrote: ↑Thu Dec 28, 2023 11:44 am Is lava wet?

No but it is a liquid but lacks the properties that wet things have.

But I'm sure someone with a chemistry O or A level will give a difinitive answer

Mark James wrote: ↑Thu Dec 28, 2023 11:44 am Is lava wet?

If it touches you, you will generally get wetter wherever you are touched. (that's what she said)

Mark James wrote: ↑Thu Dec 28, 2023 11:44 am Is lava wet?

It's a liquid of varying viscosity. However, wetness as a concept generally applies to substances that can realistically be touched by human flesh without that flesh being immediately consumed/degraded/vaporised, so it's a bit of a pointless question I think.

What happens to old men that sees them become unable to shut their mouths properly?

Mark Deeks wrote: ↑Tue Jan 02, 2024 7:55 pm What happens to old men that sees them become unable to shut their mouths properly?

I suppose I could be a little more discreet

Mark Deeks wrote: ↑Tue Jan 02, 2024 7:55 pm What happens to old men that sees them become unable to shut their mouths properly?

Proliferation of nose hair?

Why doesn't the funky full signature get attached when you send emails with your phone?

Maybe so the recipient knows you sent it on your phone if you say, knocked off early, but still wanted to give the impression you are still working and emailed on your phone, you are busted

If you're still sending work emails, you surely haven't knocked off early.

Mark Deeks wrote: ↑Mon Jan 08, 2024 5:58 pm If you're still sending work emails, you surely haven't knocked off early.

This was a bone of contention when I worked on a PC at work.
When they offered me a work laptop it was on the condition that I could take it home and that's leave work early whilst still working.
Needless to say I never got that laptop.
Similarly I only look at work stuff that relates to my shifts when I'm at home

Does it depend on the e-mail system you're using? It seems weird that it would be a universal thing. Does it change if you put your phone in desktop mode?

insert gevin's phone joke

What's the difference between a cook and a chef?

Mark Deeks wrote: ↑Thu Jan 11, 2024 11:31 am What's the difference between a cook and a chef?

Ive always assumed a chef has had some training beforehand but a cook may not have.
I mean I know school Cooks without formal training but not a School chef

How soon after the bicycle was invented did someone intentionally perform a wheelie? Do you reckon you could do a wheelie on a penny farthing?

Penny farthings are front wheel drive and you're basically sitting on the front wheel so I don't think you'd be able to do a very good wheelie. Maybe a very quick marginal ground clearance of the front wheel.

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Thu Jan 11, 2024 12:40 pm Penny farthings are front wheel drive and you're basically sitting on the front wheel so I don't think you'd be able to do a very good wheelie. Maybe a very quick marginal ground clearance of the front wheel.

Well there's a step at the back to get yourself on the thing - think you scoot along, then jump up when you've got enough velocity for balance. It might be possible to lift the front wheel during the scooting phase!

Fiona T wrote: ↑Thu Jan 11, 2024 1:48 pm
Well there's a step at the back to get yourself on the thing - think you scoot along, then jump up when you've got enough velocity for balance. It might be possible to lift the front wheel during the scooting phase!

Looking forward to seeing the next instalment of Extreme Sports with Mrs T (after your unicycle escapades, 2 wheels should be easy)

Adam Dexter wrote: ↑Fri Jan 12, 2024 11:50 am

Fiona T wrote: ↑Thu Jan 11, 2024 1:48 pm
Well there's a step at the back to get yourself on the thing - think you scoot along, then jump up when you've got enough velocity for balance. It might be possible to lift the front wheel during the scooting phase!

Looking forward to seeing the next instalment of Extreme Sports with Mrs T (after your unicycle escapades, 2 wheels should be easy)

Been there, done that

https://scontent-lhr8-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/ ... e=65C8A6A2

What's that gunky brown gank that builds up around the bathroom tap all about?

Mark Deeks wrote: ↑Fri Jan 12, 2024 11:09 pm What's that gunky brown gank that builds up around the bathroom tap all about?

Some sort of biofilm. Don't put it in your sandwiches.

Ian Volante wrote: ↑Sat Jan 13, 2024 10:52 pm

Mark Deeks wrote: ↑Fri Jan 12, 2024 11:09 pm What's that gunky brown gank that builds up around the bathroom tap all about?

Some sort of biofilm. Don't put it in your sandwiches.

I just assumed someone had shat in his sink

What's the deal with those plugs in the wall that have no holes?

Mark Deeks wrote: ↑Thu Jan 18, 2024 3:12 pm What's the deal with those plugs in the wall that have no holes?

We've got one of those! It's where our thermostat for the old boiler was - basically they covered up the hole in the kitchen tiles with a 'blank'

Mark Deeks wrote: ↑Thu Jan 18, 2024 3:12 pm What's the deal with those plugs in the wall that have no holes?

Maybe it's a secret safe

How is it that a poem or song written in a foreign language is translated into English it still seems to rhyme

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Fri Jan 19, 2024 8:51 pm How is it that a poem or song written in a foreign language is translated into English it still seems to rhyme

Because the translator has chosen to make it rhyme (because that's "how poems are" in English), almost certainly meaning it's not what you'd have got if they just translated it normally. Depending on the language and style it's from, there's no guarantee it even rhymed in the original.

Why don't more things have rip cord starts?

Is there anything in real life that actually has a self destruct button?

Mark James wrote: ↑Sat Jan 20, 2024 9:41 am Is there anything in real life that actually has a self destruct button?

Me

Bombs?

Banksy painting

Fiona T wrote: ↑Mon Jan 22, 2024 5:20 pm Banksy painting

Good post for two reasons. Self-destructed and it's also a very good question.

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Sat Dec 11, 2021 9:09 pm How did "Banksy" - aka Robin Gunningham - become a thing? The media just decided that he was and started reporting on him. This didn't come from the general public appreciating his work. There was no public consultation about this and no questioning about the quality of his work. I can only imagine that he had a friend that worked for The Guardian or something and it all went from there.

How does anyone become famous? It really is pretty arbitrary who makes it and who fades away. I started reading (must finish it!) Greg Jenner's 'Dead Famous' - it's a fascinating insight. As for Banksy, I like his work - great sense of satire and you don't have to be 'clever' to get it - it's accessible which is a massive part of its appeal. Artists have long challenged the status-quo and got us to question "what is art?" - think Duchamp's fountain, or the impressionists, cubists, modernists. We've all had the "my 3 year old could do better" reaction to a valuable work. Banksy has been pretty successful at continuing that tradition - the ephemeral (criminal) nature of graffiti to large sections of wall being removed for its preservation, his work being 'vandalised' by other graffiti artists. Kudos to him - if he's got rich from it (and he undoubtedly has) he's done it in a good way and helped lots of others along too.

The other thing is what he does is vandalism - he doesn't get permission does he? Other people would be at risk of being arrested for doing that. Or if they vandalise the vandalism...

I think it defeats the point that everyone, including the authorities, fawn over his work. If he was on the run from the police every time he did something, I'd have more respect. He's become quite establishment in that sense.

The council has installed a radon detector.
When did this become a thing?

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 1:50 pm The council has installed a radon detector.
When did this become a thing?

Since the build-up of radioactive gas indoors became a heightened cancer risk, i.e. since it's been practical to do so really.

Not sure what the legal requirement is for such monitoring, but as far as I'm aware, it's common in areas that are prone to this problem, mostly Devon and Cornwall, or more generally anywhere with substantial granite deposits.

Why are GPs not working as they were pre Covid 19.?
I have to be at deaths door to get a face to face appointment these days

There's better satellite coverage just outside the Grim Reaper's house.

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Sat Feb 03, 2024 3:10 pm There's better satellite coverage just outside the Grim Reaper's house.

Quite a funny joke rendered useless now I've corrected my typo

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Sat Feb 03, 2024 7:52 pm

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Sat Feb 03, 2024 3:10 pm There's better satellite coverage just outside the Grim Reaper's house.

Quite a funny joke rendered useless now I've corrected my typo

I feel like I must enquire what the typo was, now.

That's a nice quiz question I can give you a clue it wasn't a misspelling

GPS not GPs
Very good.

Why does the medical profession come up with terms like Chronic Kidney disease then say its nothing to worry about.
I mean Chronic and Disease is bad enough and add kidney to the equation and you can see why I was worried.
Still it was nice to see my GP and to check his satellite signal

Well chronic just means it's over a long time. It doesn't say how serious it is. Kidney presumably because it involves the kidneys, and disease - it's just the word for bad medical things isn't it? Still, good job it's nothing to worry about!