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"Gifting" as a verb really annoys me, for example in this week's Sunday Times;
"Jay-Z gifted Beyonce dragon eggs, allegedly".
What's wrong with gave? Is gifting something somehow better than giving it?

Hi Steve,

If you (or anyone else) still want "The Unbelievable Truth" Series 21 episode 5, just let me know and I'll email it you as a One Drive attachment.

Seems that any word or phrase can become a verb nowadays ... I`ve just read about an athlete ` pb-ing`... sounds vaguely Oriental !

No doubt she`ll `podium` soon.

Brendan - That's very kind of you. I'm ok, as I recorded it when broadcast, but others could take up your offer.

Tyke51, re the 'verbing' (!) of words... On 'Mock The Week' last night, I heard 'milkshaked'. It was, of course, in relation to Nigel Farage.

Malone

So glad you are back - hope the holiday went well and that you were not troubled by apostrophes etc. I trust that you were not milkshook, which I believe is the correct word, although I have no idea what it means.

The BBC offered me tomorrow night for the re-arranged show which I accepted. I hope you can make it. All the supporting acts and audience are in place and Grunger is hoping to come too.

Jigjag.

I had a great, very relaxing holiday. I decided that I should do something different, so gave nary a thought to all things pedantic - no apostrophe's (!), no hanging participles, no solecisms of any kind. A change is as good as a rest - and my loins are now well and truly girded for being vigilant in everyday life.

I met some wonderful people on my island-hopping - Archie Pelago, Andy Mann and Nico Barr, Islay Whyte and Iona Eyeland, to name but a few.

Thank you for finalising a new date for our show. As I have only just returned, I fear my contribution to the event may be on the meagre side. Still, Grunger's pies may revitalise me.

Malone

I am thrilled that you can make it and it would be great to hear about those wonderful people you have just met on holiday.

You probably missed that Grunger is fighting the European elections on behalf of the Crossword Party, so might not be able to attend. But perhaps a consignment of pies would be a (somewhat inadequate) consolation.

I will do a report on Sunday morning if that is OK with you.

Jigjag, your reports are always a joy to read. I shall look forward to Thursday morning.

I've just scrolled back a few pages and read Grunger's party talk/manifesto. That was very entertaining - thanks, Grunger! I'd vote for you in a flash - or in a polling booth.

There was, believe it or not, a Pedants' Party a few years ago, but it came to an ignominious end. There were lots of difficulties with the actual name - some leaflets referred to The Pedant's Party, others to The Pedants Party and one fly-by-night publisher sent out material with The Pedants's Party on it.

Thanks Malone but it will be Sunday not Thursday so less that 48 hours to go!

I love the Pedants Party - I am sorry you were not elected