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Malone

I don't know about a sterling job, though I suppose I had one when I worked in foreign exchange in the bank. Pity it was not in Scotland or it could have been a Stirling Sterling Job.

I love all your No Can Do and Markado stuff. That's very funny. I predict one thing, and for once I am being serious, it will not be long before the Financial Press refers to the venture as Markado. Well done for creating the name.

Jigjag, glad you liked my No Can Do and Markado nonsense! I quite like the latter as it is redolent of 'mercado', which I'm sure is the word for 'market' in other languages. The homophone part isn't great, of course - Markado/Mikado/Mercado - but it's better than some specimens wr've had in crosswords.


I'm sure you really were a 'sterling' employee. As an alternative to Stirling, you could, of course, have worked in Paysley (oops, Paisley) or Monifeith (which is, of course, pronounced Moneyfeith).

Malone

Your Markado is even better than I realised. I didn't think of the mercado connection. Very clever.

The homophone works for me. Although I pronounce the 3 words slightly differently, many people here shorten the first vowel so we get "M'kado" for all of them. Your ideas give rise to some nice clues e.g.

"No Can Do" - slogan for anonymous grocer (5)

New venture provides light opera for the audience at Spanish market (7)

.............or similar

I hadn't heard of Monifeith, but I agree, any foreign exchange trader could be described as a "Money Thief", with high "commissions" if that's what you meant!

Any body listening to the radio commentary on Chelsea v Spurs last night would have been surprised to hear that the first goal went through Lloris'seses legs.

The collapse in the Marks and Spencer share price yesterday had nothing to do with the proposed joint venture with Ocado. It is thought to be related to the results of the “re-branding” pilot exercise carried out recently in North Wales.

For those who missed it, Marks and Spencer were impressed when Sainsbury changed to Sainsbury’s because “that what customers call us”. So M&S consulted the public and the results were announced at the company’s flagship shop in Mynydd Isa yesterday.

Head of Re-branding, Ena Kwondy said “We are thrilled at all the names customers call us, and we have drawn up a short-list which will now be placed in a wider forum for its members to choose one name which will be used throughout the UK.” She presented the following list, chosen for its “catchiness and symmetry”.

Mark’s and Spencer
Spencer and Mark’s
Mark’ses and Spencer’ses
Spencer’ses and Mark’ses
M&S
S&M
Saint Michael
Michael Saint

It is though that the “wider forum” must be this one, as all Pedants would prefer one name.

Times Cryptic today

25a - Nit picking fellow going into favourite lines (8) ......................!

Pigale

Welcome to this thread. Lovely to hear from you.

Pigale

I have just finished the crossword - yes I solved your clue quite quickly I am pleased to say.

Do you have trouble in France with apostrophes, bad grammar etc?

Jigjag,

I was only posting on here because I wanted to draw attention to
the "pedantry = nit picking' clue in today's crossword.

I cannot share your - and others' - sentiments because I think it
terribly bad form to poke fun at, and make comments about, people
perhaps less advantaged than ourselves.

Hello Pigale,

I regret you don`t like the thread.

I did draw attention to Justine Greening using the expression `decision it`in Parliament because it was new to me and I was shocked.
I like Justine and hope she has a successful career in politics. She studied economics at Southampton University and has an MBA from the London Business School. Her potential was recognised in 2014 when she was a guest at the Bilderberg Conference in Copenhagen (where 150 of the `Global Elite`met in secret to discuss World events) so I would not describe her as `less advantaged`.