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Grunger

Even though I can't share either of your sentiments, I'm always pleased when you (and other solvers) enjoy a specific puzzle as it reminds me that personal preference still has a huge part to play in crosswords!

I must have missed the 'nitty-gritty' stuff - if there was any - as your comment bewildered me. Sorry!

Malone

The BBC have told sports commentators , pundits etc that certain words must not be used as they are "racist". The list includes nitty gritty and cakewalk. Miss grunger cannot use cakewalk hence her " walk of cake", which I assume is allowed.

Jigjag

Thanks for the enlightenment, though part of me is delighted that I missed that piece of nonsense! I don't whether I should read up on it or strenuously avoid it ... I think I'll go for the latter, and take the risk of using words the BBC deems 'iffy'. Other pedants are free to point out the error of my ways.

PS Chances are that pointing out the error of my ways will lead to me (my?) using the words twice as much as usual. 'Rebels United' could well be a spin-off organisation, affiliated to PU.

Grunger, Malone, jigjag

re racist words

The Association of British Scrabble Players recently polled members for views on culling racial and other slurs from the (Collins) Scrabble Words dictionary.

This was because our American counterparts, who use a different word list, have removed 238 such words in response to the maker's (Mattel, I think) fears that they may bring the game into disrepute.

The British poll result was emphatically for 'no change'.
I agree. Scrabble is not a game of meanings and if you start the culling process where do you stop? It's very subjective. Most players realise it's best to be unshockable. I don't know if Mattel or Collins will bow to politically correct pressure.

Grunger

In the circumstances the BWT competition has been a success - at least we`ve had some cricket. Yorkshire will be disappointed not to get to the final but the weather didn`t help - I`m pleased to see our young players progressing. It`s looking like a similar set-up for next season - I prefer it when we play all the Counties, so I can visit exotic places like Taunton and Worcester!

malone

I am sorry that you have decided to avoid the enlightened way in which one should speak nowadays. I have had to undergo an online "training" course on the matter. I feel I must award you a black mark, or "place a blot on your reputation, which has been tainted/tarnished", as I am now obliged to put it.

Paul

I think your Scrabble Association is very sensible to ignore this rubbish. But how did the Americans come up with 238 offensive words. I can only think of about 6 or so. And what happens if you play Americans?

I read that India lost in the Chess olympiad to Russia becauce of internet problems but a solution was reached.

TYke

Yes I am looking forward to next season too and hoping to see teams like Leics, Glamorgan who I have not see at OT for years.

I have enjoyed the T20 stuff on BBC but they are overdoing the PC angle. I think Isa Guha is a good presenter and Alison Mitchell a reasonable commentator but the other woman drives me mad.

Paul

I think you are right about Scrabble.

I see a "Rule of 6" has been introduced by the Govt. I thought it was only in Bridge that you had a "Rule of...". I remember the Rule of 11" and think there might be others.

Jigjag Grunger

Playing Scrabble in USA you have to go by their word list. If words like CAKEWALK have been culled it wouldn't be difficult to get to 238. Our estate agents have been urged to avoid 'master' bedroom (connotation of slavery). I can't believe USA Scrabble will have gone that far.

Bridge Rule of 11 is the main one. There is actually a Rule of 1 saying that there is usually no point in drawing the opposition master (sorry!) trump - usually wasting two of your own trumps - when it's bound to win a trick anyway.

Oddly enough the Covid Rule of 6 in England is a relaxation in the sense that up to 6 different households are permitted indoors. Thus social bridge at home has become more legitimate. I'm interested only in duplicate, however, so have to make do with online sessions.

Yes, the Russia v India chess online final was agreed tied when two Indian players suffered disconnection. It happened to Armenian players in the semi-final v India but they were defaulted because it wasn't such an extensive (almost worldwide) outage as in the final. Needless to say the Armenians were not happy.

Grunger

I like Bumble on the Sky cricket commentary team, and Ebony Rainford-Brent ... she doesn`t irritate as much as some!

Paul

That seems very harsh on Armenia. I bet they would not have defaulted Russia or China.

Tyke

I am afraid ERB really irritates me. It sems to me she talks non-stop drivel, particularly on radio. Isa is different - she does not pretend to be an expert. I like Lloyd and his stories. I played against his son a few times when he turned out for Prestatyn in the North Wales Competition.