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Good evening, Elle!
My son has gone home!
Hopefully now you have involved Amazon, the book problem will be resolved.
And your husband will know to steer clear of Paper Cavalier in future!
Yes, they are in SE London, at the Biscuit Factory!
Let's hope you hear from them soon!
Wonder if World of Books would have a copy of the correct book?

Hi, Rusty!
I hope you and your son had a good chat, whilst watching the golf ?
How is Rickie Fowler getting on?
Yes, the biscuit factory appears to be in Southwark, not too far from Bermondsey Tube.
Foreign territory to me! (but there is always a first time!)
Unfortunately, Paper Cavalier appears to be the only secondhand book agency to offer the journal that my husband is seeking.
But we will settle for our money back!
I didn't even get to look at the crossword today!

Hello, Elle!
Yes, had a grand chat.
Rickie is joint 60th just now, but a long way to go until Sunday evening.
Yes, get your money back.
Any more nonsense from them and get back to the "very nice young man" at Amazon.
It is obviously a seller who is not to be trusted.
You have Amazon on your side, and that will be helpful.

A Very Good morning to you, Rusty!
A wet dismal day here, but a tad warmer than of late.
Very muddy dog this morning!
I am pleased to see from the Aussie Open results page that Novak has just beaten the Frenchman , Lucas Pouille, in three straight sets.
So... a Final between Rafa and Novak!
I'm presuming that the men play their Final on Sunday, and the women tomorrow?
I am hoping for a peaceful relaxing day!
I have no plans as yet......

Good morning, Elle.
It is milder here, today.
I had a bit of a walk along the Nature Trail.
Good to see the snowdrops out!
Yes, women play at 8.30 a.m. UK time, Saturday.
Men play at 8.30 a.m. UK time, on Sunday.
Should be two good finals.

Hi, Rusty!
I have been idling away my time tying to find out the derivation of the phrase "sweating cobs".
Whilst walking in the park, my Irish friend informed me that, with the milder turn of the weather, he was now "sweating cobs"!
We couldn't agree as to its possible origin?
I thought that it was something to do with horses?
I think a workhorse was called a cob.....and as they worked , they sweated......hence "sweating cobs"?
He thinks it is to do with baking round bread rolls, called "cobs" in various parts of the UK.
We agreed to check references when we reached our respective homes!
But Brewers does not have it?
Any ideas?

Hello, Elle!
I have not come across your expression before.
"Cob" can be a swan, too.
"Sweating buckets" would be what I may say.
Have a look in Collins, or Bradford's?

Chambers shows :
"cob - a lump ; a rounded object"


as is a big bead of perspiration.

Nothing moving on the forum

Hello, Elle!
I wonder if this may be any good to your husband searching for a rare book?
World of Books has 191,000 rare books listed.
Could be worth a browse?
https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/category/rare-books

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, a cob is a male swan , too, as you say.....and apparently also a lump of coal.....
And not to mention "cobblestones".......
But there is nothing about the saying "sweating cobs" in Brewers , Bradfords, or any dictionary that I have tried - including our "new" Collins .
Googling the phrase just brings up similar thoughts to those my friend and I have already proffered!
There is no definitive movement either way!
Perhaps the expression is just open to several interpretations?
Ah well, it passed an idle moment......
Thank you for the rare book reference !
Yes, indeed worth a browse......no further word from Paper Cavalier.
Although Amazon have sent a copy of the email sent to the company.



Thank you for your contribution , Cerasus.
There seem to be quite a few possible interpretations.......but I cannot find a known (and accepted) origin of the expression.