To Thread - Forum Home

The Mudcat Café TM
https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=81380
116 messages

BS: Imponderables

21 May 05 - 03:02 AM (#1489840)
Subject: BS: Imponderables
From: Peter Kasin

Some years ago, there were some books published on the subject of "imponderables;" simple questions that have no easy anwers, unless you have special knowledge of the particular question (they were published pre-internet, or when the internet was in its infancy). So, here are a couple from one of the books:

1. When do flies sleep?
2. If nothing sticks to Teflon, how do they get Teflon to stick to the pan?

Someone answered the Teflon question in the Hijack a Thread discussion! It prompted me to start this thread.

So, 'catters and guests, any imponderables of your own to post?

Chanteyranger


21 May 05 - 03:49 AM (#1489849)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: GUEST

If there is Essex in the East, Sussex in the South, and Wessex in the West - where is Nossex?


21 May 05 - 04:47 AM (#1489870)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: The Shambles

The Teflon reference reminded me. My wife was puzzled with idea that someone was referred to a Teflon Man - because things did not stick to him or he did not take responsibilty. It did not make sense to her.

It was only when she told me - that her puzzlement was made clear.

When the reference was made to Teflon - she thought of a substance here that was called 'Fablon'. Her confusion was that far from being non-stick - this was a material for lining cupboards and had an already sticky suface revealed when you pulled the backing off. This 'Fablon' was UK TV's Blue Peter's famous - sticky back plastic.


21 May 05 - 04:47 AM (#1489872)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: John MacKenzie

Just north of the divorce I think.
G..


21 May 05 - 04:48 AM (#1489873)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: The Shambles

Where has all the Middlesex gone?


21 May 05 - 05:09 AM (#1489885)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: George Papavgeris

...long time passing...


21 May 05 - 05:11 AM (#1489887)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: George Papavgeris

Remember the first database tool for PCs? It was called DBII (DB Two). Now, what happened to DBI ?


21 May 05 - 05:34 AM (#1489898)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: The Shambles

You can be - dis - ......but can you be 'gruntled'?

It sounds a bit painful.


21 May 05 - 06:10 AM (#1489908)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Dave Hanson

Nossex was located in my house, well until the wife walked out on me.

eric


21 May 05 - 07:21 AM (#1489931)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Bunnahabhain

Nossex, or Norsex never existed. The Saxon kingdoms, and later counties, such as Essex, Sussex and Wessex used one naming form. The Area of Viking rule, the Danelaw, had its southern edge in East Anglia, about on the current border between Essex and Suffolk.

The what could have been the Northern Saxon kingdom, Norsex, became the southernmost Viking one of Suffolk.


21 May 05 - 08:06 AM (#1489941)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: *Laura*

If you can be overwhelmed and underwhelmed - can you ever be just 'whelmed'?


21 May 05 - 08:12 AM (#1489944)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: GUEST

So, should there be an Effolk and a Weffolk, or even a Middlefolk?


21 May 05 - 08:17 AM (#1489946)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: GUEST

Thanks Bunnahabhain

That wasn't JUST a joke imponderable query - I really had been wondering for some time, and now I know.


21 May 05 - 08:27 AM (#1489952)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: GUEST, puss

and can you be diswhelmed?

or undergruntled, or overgruntled?


21 May 05 - 09:17 AM (#1489985)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: McGrath of Harlow

whelm v.t. (poet., rhet.) Engulf, submerge, overwhelm.[perh. f. OE *hwelman= hwylfan overturn, whence dial. whelve (Oxford Concise Dictionary.)


21 May 05 - 10:54 AM (#1490023)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: number 6

Where do seagulls go to die?

The town I live in which is on the Bay of Fundy has a large population of these sea birds. They live and then they die. I've never noticed a seagull "grave yard" anywhere, even on the barren islands that are out in the bay.

sIx


21 May 05 - 11:49 AM (#1490048)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: GUEST

Anyone seen a baby pigeon?


21 May 05 - 12:05 PM (#1490056)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Alba

Why is a building called a building when it is already built?

(not an original thought of my own but one I have pondered!)


21 May 05 - 12:24 PM (#1490071)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: GUEST, Topsy

The wood pigeons in my garden have built the most pathetic excuse for a nest in one of my trees - it is a skimpy little platform of birch twigs that are for ever falling onto my lawn. An egg has also fallen out of (or through) it. I shall be very surprised if I see a baby pigeon.


21 May 05 - 12:56 PM (#1490083)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: McGrath of Harlow

A baby pigeon is called a squab. Here's a picture of one. You see them about as often as you see any kind of baby bird (apart from baby ducks, who get paraded around by the mums).


21 May 05 - 01:00 PM (#1490091)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Bill D

Can a Metaphysician be sued for malpractice?


21 May 05 - 01:06 PM (#1490098)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Azizi

Who put the bomp
In the bomp bah bomp bah bomp?
Who put the ram
In the rama lama ding dong?
Who put the bop
In the bop shoo bop shoo bop?
Who put the dip
In the dip da dip da dip?
Who was that man?
I'd like to shake his hand
He made my baby
Fall in love with me


The complete lyrics for this song


21 May 05 - 01:49 PM (#1490128)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Bill D

If a hen & a half could lay an egg & a half in a day & a half, how long would it take a cross-eyed grasshopper with a wooden leg to kick the seeds out of a dill pickle?


21 May 05 - 02:08 PM (#1490139)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: The Shambles

If West Virginia is a State - why is there not an East Virginia?

There must be (some) West Virgins - are there not any East Virgins?


21 May 05 - 03:05 PM (#1490165)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Bev and Jerry

why do we call the stuff we send on a ship the cargo and the stuff we send by rail a shipment?

Bev and Jerry


21 May 05 - 03:15 PM (#1490175)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: sixtieschick

If pro is the opposite of con, then what is the opposite of progress?

If bread always lands butter side-down and a cat always lands on its feet, if you strap a piece of buttered bread to the back of a cat and toss 'em out the (ground floor) window, which lands where?

Why must I be a teenager in love?


21 May 05 - 04:30 PM (#1490214)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Bill D

"I was born in East Virginia,
North Carolina, I did go...
There I met with fair young maiden,
Her name and age I do not know"

There IS an East Virgina, it just ain't independant. (actually, they just don't use EAST for the big part)


21 May 05 - 05:04 PM (#1490226)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Alba

What would a chair look like if your knees bent the other way?


21 May 05 - 05:18 PM (#1490236)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Shanghaiceltic

Why do you laugh when someone tickles you, it isnt funny.

Why is yawning catching?


21 May 05 - 05:19 PM (#1490237)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Don Firth

Why are there so many more horse's asses than there are horses?

Don Firth


21 May 05 - 05:30 PM (#1490246)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Amos

-ing(1)   suffix forming gerunds and nouns from verbs (or occas. from
             nouns), denoting: 1 a the verbal action or its result (asking;
             carving; fighting; learning). b the verbal action as described
             or classified in some way (tough going). 2 material used for or
             associated with a process etc. (piping; washing). 3 an
             occupation or event (banking; wedding). 4 a set or arrangement
             of (colouring; feathering). [OE -ung, -ing f. Gmc]

    -ing(2)   suffix 1 forming the present participle of verbs (asking;
             fighting), often as adjectives (charming; strapping). 2 forming
             adjectives from nouns (hulking) and verbs (balding). [ME alt.
             of OE -ende, later - inde]

    -ing(3)   suffix forming nouns meaning 'one belonging to' or 'one having
             the quality of', surviving esp. in names of coins and fractional
             parts (farthing; gelding; riding). [OE f. Gmc]


From the OED.


A


21 May 05 - 06:23 PM (#1490275)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: catspaw49

"Give me sowething to keep this ice cream cold,"
"Okay...Here's a styrofoam cup."
"Thanks! Now how about something to keep my coffee hot?"
"Okay...Here's a styrofoam cup."
"Wait a minute here. Styrofoam keeps hot stuff hot and cold stuff cold?"
"Yep...Pretty neat huh?"
"How do it know?"


Spaw


21 May 05 - 07:29 PM (#1490320)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T

Why, in the whole if the UK, is there only one Monopolies Commission?

Why is it that, whether you are inflammable, or flammable, you will burn equally well?

Have you ever come across the verb "To scrute"?........Me neither, so how did we get inscrutable?

Don T.


21 May 05 - 07:37 PM (#1490330)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: The Shambles

Who are you calling inscrutable - how can you tell?


21 May 05 - 07:42 PM (#1490335)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: GUEST

You cheeky little sphinx!


21 May 05 - 07:51 PM (#1490338)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: McGrath of Harlow

From Latin scrutari, search, as in scrutiny, scrutinize and scrutinizable (with inscrutable really being a contraction of inscrutinizable, which would be a bit of a mouthful).


22 May 05 - 02:35 AM (#1490440)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: GUEST

Now I have nothing against the chap and we should all encourage people to make the effort - but the question that must be asked is -with all these attemps - when is Earnest going to finally get it right?

And what is it exactly that folk are tring to do IN poor old Ernest?

Leave him alone there is an importance in this...........


22 May 05 - 03:30 AM (#1490460)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: GUEST, puss

probably something ex-scrute-iating


22 May 05 - 04:09 AM (#1490468)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: GUEST,JennyO

If pro is the opposite of con, then what is the opposite of progress? Exactly.

Is the opposite of increment - excrement?

It's a wise crow that knows which way the camel points.


22 May 05 - 07:36 AM (#1490511)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Alba

If you invent an acid that could eat through anything, what would you keep it in?


22 May 05 - 08:26 AM (#1490524)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: GUEST

Surely it would quickly disappear in the direction of the centre of the earth.


22 May 05 - 08:34 AM (#1490526)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Alba

mmmmm...she ponders Guest ..:>)


22 May 05 - 08:51 AM (#1490528)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: GUEST, puss

... but would it stop in the middle or carry on - to errupt suddenly somewhere on the other side?


22 May 05 - 09:11 AM (#1490532)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: CStrong

What's another word for "thesaurus?"


22 May 05 - 10:07 AM (#1490554)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: GUEST,gnu

If you are going to try and do something, why try?


22 May 05 - 11:29 AM (#1490588)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: GUEST,Don(Wyziwyg)T

Thank you McGrath, I always wondered.

Now... What about the other two? LOL

Don T


22 May 05 - 01:41 PM (#1490646)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: The Shambles

Why was Oscar Wilde?


22 May 05 - 03:26 PM (#1490706)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: SINSULL

Something to do with the importance he placed on being Ernest, I suspect.


22 May 05 - 04:40 PM (#1490767)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Uncle_DaveO

Why do we park in a driveway, but drive on a parkway?

Dave Oesterreich


22 May 05 - 04:49 PM (#1490773)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: GUEST

Why does it rain cats and dogs?


22 May 05 - 10:23 PM (#1490907)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: CarolC

Why is it that I can think of a gazillion of these things 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except when someone starts a thread about them, and then I can't even think of one?


"The opposite of gravity is levity"

--Eric Idle


22 May 05 - 11:17 PM (#1490956)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: John O'L

So is levy stuff to make your roast potatoes dry?


23 May 05 - 12:14 AM (#1490982)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: LilyFestre

Does my blue look like your green?

Michelle


23 May 05 - 03:24 AM (#1491072)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: The Shambles

Does your bum look big in that?


23 May 05 - 06:33 AM (#1491136)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: *Laura*

LilyFestre - I've ALWAYS wondered that!?
What if the colour you see grass is the same colour as the colour I see the sky - but we've both learnt to call them green and blue (or grey depending where you live)!


23 May 05 - 07:57 AM (#1491176)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Splott Man

Why was Thornton Wilder?


23 May 05 - 08:05 AM (#1491180)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Dave the Gnome

How can you possibly write there are three ways of spelling to
How can you possibly write there are three ways of spelling too
How can you possibly write there are three ways of spelling two

Bugged me for years...

Cheers

DtG


23 May 05 - 08:29 AM (#1491191)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: GUEST

Witch way is rite?


23 May 05 - 09:46 AM (#1491251)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Trevor

Why do 'flammable' and 'inflammable' mean the same thing?


23 May 05 - 02:47 PM (#1491476)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Bill D

Why do people not read the earlier posts before repeating the same ones? Now, that's imponderable!


23 May 05 - 05:44 PM (#1491578)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T

Have you ever met someone who was occuous.....an inoccuous question?

People can be obnoxious, or just plain noxious. What the hell is ob?

Don T.


23 May 05 - 06:37 PM (#1491626)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: The Shambles

Why do people keep asking hypothetical questions?

When it quite obvious that hypothetical is not going to answer?


24 May 05 - 09:34 AM (#1491912)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Bunnahabhain

Why am I the only person anwering these?


Ob- Latin prefix, meaning towards, so obnoxious is being noxious towards someone.

In- in words derived from Latin and Old English prefix, used to from verbs with the sense in. sometimes used as to from other parts of speech, sometimes used as an intensive or almost meaningless prefix, or to form a negative in words with latin roots.

im- same as in-, but used for words beginning b,m or p

il- same as in-, but used for words beginning l

ir- same as in-, but used for words beginning r


24 May 05 - 09:52 AM (#1491925)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: GUEST

"Why do people keep asking hypothetical questions?

When it quite obvious that hypothetical is not going to answer?"

Yeah S.....es, why do you?


24 May 05 - 02:28 PM (#1492142)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: GUEST,Chanteyranger

"Inflammable" is the correct word."Flammable" is a made-up word, often put on trucks and such because it is believed that many people will translate "inflammable" to mean "not able to burn or explode."

Chanteyranger


25 May 05 - 02:48 AM (#1492585)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: GUEST

What is the difference between a hypothetical question and a rhetorical question?


25 May 05 - 03:31 AM (#1492602)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Peter Kasin

Well, let's say we're for instance that we're asking a hypothetical question.....:-).

A hypotheitical question has some sort of hypothesis at its core, so it's not important that the situation the question sets up is not an actual situation. It is there as an example to serve the hypothesis. A typical beginning to a hypothetical questions is: "Let's say for the sake of argument that...."
A rhetorical question doesn't require an answer, and usually doesn't seek an answer. It's making a statement in the form of a question. I like this Jewish joke that illustrates a rhetorical question:

A man walks by a shop with clocks and watches exibited in the window. He walks in and asks the shopkeeper at the counter if he could fix his watch. The shopkeeper say's, "I'm sorry, you're in the wrong place. I'm a Moyel. I perform circumcisions." The man say's, "Then why do you have all those clocks and watches in your window?" The Moyel say's, "So, what should I put in my window?"

Chanteyranger


25 May 05 - 04:01 AM (#1492617)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Bunnahabhain

What is the difference between a hypothetical question and a rhetorical question?

A rhetorical question is one you already know the answer to, (Is this laywer going to cost me alot of money?) whereas a hypothetical question is an impossible or meaningless one (what happened before time began?, what does yellow smell of? etc)

BTW, if flammable is a made up word to avoid confusion over what inflammable means, it was done a long time before the current safety and lawsuits culture. Inflammable seems to be 14th C(Oxford etymological dictionary), flammable is harder to find, but I have a feeling it's not modern.


25 May 05 - 05:04 AM (#1492657)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: John O'L

Why do people make posts without checking if that post has already been made?
Now THAT'S imponderable.


25 May 05 - 05:12 AM (#1492660)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Bunnahabhain

Because cross-posting is easy, especially when you spend some time composing a message as you're trying to find word origins....


25 May 05 - 05:27 AM (#1492662)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: GUEST,John O'Lennaine

Bunnahabhain -

You missed my point. I wasn't having a go at you. See Bill D's post of 23 May 05 - 02:47 PM

Once again I'm reduced to having to explain my wit. A sad thing. I should give up.


25 May 05 - 02:21 PM (#1493021)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: The Shambles

Perhaps posting - simply to make judgements being encouraged - is the cause of all the resulting defensive twitchyness?

Or is that a judgement?

Or is that a rhetorical question?

Frankly my damn - I don't give a dear. Is that a Rhettorical statement or has it gone with the wind?

I'll get you Butler! Was Clark Gable ever in 'On The Buses'?


25 May 05 - 06:21 PM (#1493212)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: GUEST,Chanteyranger

LOL on your 5:04am post, John O'Lennaine! Don't give up on us.

Chanteyranger


25 May 05 - 06:54 PM (#1493235)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Bunnahabhain

I didn't mean to sound defensive. It just came in as a reflex, as I'd been battling with dictionaries, and losing. I really do need to know how many centuries ago a word came into the language...

Why do dancers pick up two new injuries for every one that heals?


25 May 05 - 07:18 PM (#1493253)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: John O'L

The onus of apology is on me. (Good sentence eh?) I neglected to consider the possible relevance of my post to those immediately preceding it.

Anyway,

At what point does something ponderable become imponderable?


25 May 05 - 07:28 PM (#1493265)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: The Shambles

Zabriske point?

Match Point?

Boiling point?


25 May 05 - 07:33 PM (#1493269)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: John O'L

N by NE?


25 May 05 - 07:54 PM (#1493294)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Bee-dubya-ell

I don't believe anyone actually answered the West Virginia/East Virginia question. There was only one Virginia until just before the American Civil War. When Virginia decided to secede from the Union, the western part of the state, which did not want to secede from the Union, seceded from Virginia and became a new state.


25 May 05 - 08:10 PM (#1493309)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Mr Happy

Why do foopball supporters shout loudly at the players on big screen telly in pubs?

Our session tonight was ruined by a lot of prats in the other room yelling at the tops of their voices ' COME ON WHATSISNAME!' & other stuff.

Do they think if they shout loudly enough, the men on screen can hear them?


25 May 05 - 09:18 PM (#1493340)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Mr Happy

.........also the phenomenon of inappropriate apostrophe s's.........


25 May 05 - 10:37 PM (#1493366)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Uncle_DaveO

I think "East Virginia" is what philologists call a "back formation".

The mechanism of a back formation is that someone sees an expression with say a prefix or a modifier (in this case "West" in "West Virginia") and says to himself, "Well, if there's a West Virginia there must be an East Virginia," when actually it's not a symmetrical expression like that. "West Virginia" stands for that part of the old Virginia that was broken off at the time of "the late unpleasantness". Before that I suppose you'd say it was "Western Virginia", but the new state took the shorter form. But the Commonwealth of Virginia did not choose to change its name just because some upstarts wanted to side with the damnyankees, so it is still plain and unadorned "Virginia".

Dave Oesterreich


26 May 05 - 08:47 AM (#1493528)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: GUEST,Bunnahabhain

It must be the Lagrange point. An object there can go in any direction, and so is clearly becoing inponderable,

Are the periodic changes in the North Atlantic current caused by, or do they cause, Glaciations?


26 May 05 - 10:04 AM (#1493585)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: The Shambles

It is pretty obvious now that the patterns of the ocean currents are as complicated as the movement of the air above. Which is dependent on the other or are they both dependent on something else?

Shall we allow this one to drift with the current whilst we ponder upon it?


27 May 05 - 05:37 AM (#1494102)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Bob Bolton

G'Day Bunnahabhain,

My Shorter Oxford Dictionary says 1813 for flammable, but doesn't cite the actual phrase or author. (If I could afford the cost ... and space ... for a full Oxford, I might find out).

Anyway, this is the sort of date at which scientists and administrators are beginning to take the language away from pedants and lawyers ... 'nuff said?

Regards,

Bob


27 May 05 - 10:55 AM (#1494265)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Kim C

Just how much is a shit worth?


27 May 05 - 11:37 AM (#1494300)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Bill D

Just how much is a shit worth?


27 May 05 - 02:21 PM (#1494463)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Kim C

Thank you.


28 May 05 - 01:40 AM (#1494830)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Peter Kasin

Why can't the English teach their children how to speak?


28 May 05 - 03:05 PM (#1495084)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T

Because the poor little buggers grow up watching the imported TV programs (from the US), that massacre the language so effectively that no amount of education ever eradicates the result.

Don T.


28 May 05 - 06:55 PM (#1495195)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: GUEST,Chanteyranger

Actually, my post was not a serious question. I was hoping someone would have recognized it as the first line in Henry Higgins first song in "My Fair Lady."

Chanteyranger


28 May 05 - 07:11 PM (#1495206)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: GUEST

OK, 'My Fair Lady' is a 'musical'. That doesn't mean people on a music-related website are going to recognise a word out of one of the songs in it.

But, sorry if you were disappointed.


28 May 05 - 08:24 PM (#1495248)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T

Sorry Chanteyman, Kneejerk there. Seriously tho', it seems sometimes that the only TV fare available to kids over here is the stuff that's sold to UK TV because it's too bloody dumb for US kids.

Don T.


28 May 05 - 09:14 PM (#1495280)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: John O'L

Same in Oz. It's the cheap stuff than doesn't even get aired in the USA.


28 May 05 - 09:38 PM (#1495296)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Bill D

I got it... I 'almost' posted "the Greeks have learned their Greek"...but couldn't think of a way to make it a clever remark...


29 May 05 - 06:12 PM (#1495675)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Peter Kasin

No problem, Don, thanks. I should have remembered before I posted that there is some anti-British sentiment in Mudville that shows up on occasion; sentiments I don't share.

Chanteyranger


".....and the Hebrews learn it backwards which is absolutely frightening!"

Hope MG doesn't react to that one. *BG*


29 May 05 - 08:02 PM (#1495739)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Alba

Now there is something I just have to do

UK. You have a Fringe
Us. You have Bangs
Bear with me now please:>)


29 May 05 - 08:03 PM (#1495740)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Alba

with me yeah?

UK You have Pigtails
US You have Braids

with me....


29 May 05 - 08:04 PM (#1495741)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Alba

Good...

In Glasgow you have Bottles of Ginger
In Maine US you have Bottles of Soda

and so.....


29 May 05 - 08:05 PM (#1495744)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: GUEST

Why did ted miss the 100th?


29 May 05 - 08:05 PM (#1495746)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Alba

That makes this 100...yeah.........lol
First time folks so cut me some slack..
Thank you
Jude


29 May 05 - 08:06 PM (#1495747)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Alba

aAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
guest>>why why why!!!!!
rofl


29 May 05 - 08:07 PM (#1495749)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T

In the UK "bangs" are much more fun........... I seem to remember. Ahh! The joys of youth.

Don T.


29 May 05 - 08:07 PM (#1495751)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: GUEST

Just because alba...:)


29 May 05 - 08:14 PM (#1495754)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Alba

You Rapscallion Guest...LOL.. but did you notice that we both posted at exactly then same time...spooky eh..:>)

Don, I agree that the UK meaning for Bangs is a lot more fun that a haircut...
Jude


29 May 05 - 08:16 PM (#1495756)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: GUEST

Yes but I pressed the submit button with real conviction....:)


29 May 05 - 08:23 PM (#1495761)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Bunnahabhain

innocuous

From Latin innocuus : in-, not; + nocuus, harmful (from nocre, to harm).


Anti british feeling?

ALL.
He is an Englishman!
BOAT.
He is an Englishman!
For he himself has said it,
And it's greatly to his credit,
That he is an Englishman!
ALL.
That he is an Englishman!
BOAT.
For he might have been a Roosian,
A French, or Turk, or Proosian,
Or perhaps Itali-an!
ALL.
Or perhaps Itali-an!
BOAT.
But in spite of all temptations
To belong to other nations,
He remains an Englishman!
He remains an Englishman!
ALL.
For in spite of all temptations
To belong to other nations,
He remains an Englishman!
He remains an Englishman!


29 May 05 - 08:28 PM (#1495765)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: GUEST

Is a fly without wings called a walk?


29 May 05 - 08:35 PM (#1495771)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: John O'L

I watched Billy Connolly's World Tour of New Zealand last night:

A desert island, a shipwreck, 2 Scots, 2 Irish, 2 welsh and 2 English.
After a year the 2 Scots had set up a distillery, the 2 Welsh had formed into a choir, the 2 Irish were fighting on the beach, and the 2 English were still waiting to be formally introduced.


30 May 05 - 04:41 AM (#1495935)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Peter Kasin

Bunnahabhain -

You reminded me of another imponderable: Why does the Dicky-bird sing 'tit willow, tit willow, tit willow'?

Chanteyranger


30 May 05 - 04:47 AM (#1495939)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Bunnahabhain

Which G+S is the one about Duty?


30 May 05 - 03:48 PM (#1496209)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Peter Kasin

HMS Pinafore, act II, and again in the finale.

Chanteyranger


31 May 05 - 02:42 PM (#1496749)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: The Shambles

Why can't a woman - be more like a man?


31 May 05 - 02:57 PM (#1496764)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: GUEST,Wesley S

Before someone throws a fit - that's a line from "My Fair Lady". In high school I played Col Pickering. I should know.


31 May 05 - 03:00 PM (#1496768)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: The Shambles

Why is Puffinus puffinus the latin scientific name for the Manx Shearwater - and not the Puffin?


31 May 05 - 03:09 PM (#1496781)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Jim Dixon

When actors get together to read their lines for the first time...is it called a hearsal?


31 May 05 - 03:45 PM (#1496810)
Subject: RE: BS: Imponderables
From: Bunnahabhain

The name 'Puffin' has an English history. It orginally referred to the cured carcesses of nestling shearwaters, which were a higly prised delicacy until the late 18th century, birds being mainly collected on the Isles of Scilly and Man. 'puffin' is related to 'puffling' and is a referance to the fat young birds.
The exchange of names seems to has arisen between shearwaters and puffins, which both nest in burrows. Puffin had taken its modern meaning by the late 19th century

   Fauna Britannica, Stefan Buczacki.