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Hello!
Pigale, just have a browse through Bradford's and you soon will get the hang of it. Now why "the hang"? Where did that come from?
I happened to notice yesterday under "indigent", there was another heading "Indi-gent", May indicate Baboo or Babu! I liked that!
Elle, cool and cloudy here. I am pleased!
Encouraging news regarding the new Volvo!
Good sound cars.
Girls and me went to Pine Cone Cafe.
Had a nice time!
Miss L Plate had a tuna melt panini, Miss B&Q had parsnip and honey soup, and I had a bacon roll with a J2o passionfruit drink.
I had a longish dander today; no waterfalls included.
Decisions today. Shall I watch Ireland v Scotland football, or, live shinty on BBC Alba?!
It is days since I did a crossword so I had better tackle Times in the evening!

Hi Rusty,

I'm not sure but I have a feeling that the expression has US origins.

How many bacon rolls do you go through? I am quite envious because I love them!

Hello, Pigale!
I had a look in Chambers Dictionary and the meaning (I think) they give is, "knack of using", which seems fine.
Does not give the origin though. I will have a look at Brewer's and see what they say.
It sounds American to me, too. As does "hung jury".
Now, I only have a bacon roll when I go out with the young ones to a cafe! It is very easy to order.
I mortified my 17 year old granddaughter a month ago when we went to a cafe and I asked the serving lady what a panini was. My granddaughter was aghast.
Street cred in tatters!
So, I am safe enough with a bacon roll!

Hi rusty
You could have pointed out to the waitress that "a panini" was wrong anyway - "i" endings are plural in Italian. I've never heard anyone asking for "a panino", though!

Good one, Chris!
I have vowed to steer clear of panini/panino in the future.
I am on much safer ground with a bacon roll!

Rusty, I had a look in Brewer's but did not find anything - perhaps I missed something.
the term 'knack' sounds good and 'get the knack of something' would be an almost perfect translation of the French expression (attraper le coup, or le 'truc')

As for Panini, never had one, but on first hearing the word, something made me think of .........violin !!!!!

Silver in toasted roll makes a violinist? (8)

Chris, if you look up 'panini' in Chambers , it says that, although plural, it is loosely used used as a singular noun! with the plural then being 'paninis'!

I like it Chrise! Quite sharp.

Indeed, elle. It's another example of common English usage being wrong - but don't get me started on that again!