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Orson, I've just seen your funny little poem - nice, but definitely nonsense.

Chrise, I missed your clue... I liked that.

Jigjag,
My 'shepherdess' associations are of the twee variety - Little Bo Beep in her horrendous outfit or tacky figurines, statues, ornaments, whatever, that were equally awful. I have seen shepherds in action, and even a shepherd of the female variety. The work and commitment involved both looked staggering, and there wasn't a frilly bonnet in sight. I'll stick with everyday surgeons, electricians, plumbers etc and disregard as many '-esses' as possible.

Hi Chrise,

ASSESS in today`s SE Skeleton too!

The clue is ... Foolish people point to gauge

tyke

......and "assess..." is part of the answer in a Times clue today.

Did you go to any of the Leeds Test? - what a match.

malone

I think you are right to ignore -esses. I suppose Prince Anne or Prince Meghan would be fine, but I am not sure about the Earl and Count of Wessex.

Grunger, I'm going to ignore '-esses' in job descriptions and job descriptions only. The titles, princess, duchess etc are fine - partly because they're historical, partly because there seems to be not even a hint of inferiority in them. I know it's all personal to each individual, but I've never felt a comedienne is the same as a comedian, nor a shepherdess the same as a shepherd. I hope you'll be pleased to hear that I also have no qualms about using lioness and tigress. Full of the milk of human kindness, that's me - occasionally!

Malone

I was intrigued to see an advert in the local paper for “Chambermaid”. It was open to persons of any “sex or age”. Applicants were invited to take their CV to the hotel.

I am looking for a part-time job so I went there and met Head of Housekeeping, Ida Down. “This is an impressive CV she told me, but have you done any actual chambermaiding?”

“I have great experience of hotel rooms, though I have never done any chamberhumanbeinging”, I replied, pleased at the rare 20-letter word I had invented.

“That word is not in my dictionary” she said.

“But it’s in Chambers” I protested, or at least it might be in the next edition, I thought.

“Well it’s not in any of our chambers” she replied.

I don’t expect to get the job.

Jigjag, good luck in your quest for gainful employment. Much as I enjoyed the story of your interview, my mind wandered off on the topic of 'chambers', rather than 'maids'. The designation 'chambermaid' seems so totally archaic nowadays, I can see why many hotels have switched to 'Housekeeping' or 'Housekeeping Services'. This also lead to me wondering about male cabin crew - were they ever referred to as 'air hosts'? H'mm, I expect not - though in some respects that would have been a natural progression.

I think you're definitely a 'people person' as you've got on so well with Ivor Burger, Ivan Apple and so on. If you ever need a character reference, just let me know...

Jigjag

I enjoyed the story. If you have not got enough experience, perhaps Mrs J will allow to do some household chores, making beds, cleaning bath/shower, vacuuming etc.

I am sure you will get a lot of satisfaction from it, and this will stand you in good stead for your next interview.

Grunger

Yes ASSESS seems to be a favourite with setters ( not sure about other breeds )

On the 1st day of the Headingley Test I was travelling home from Scarborough where I`d had a lovely week watching Yorks play Notts.

I watched the Test on tv - I still can`t believe what Sir Ben did to win us the game - with a brilliant innings of `one` by Leach in support!

Looking forward to Old Trafford on Wed - sure to be another cracker, plus the final Test at The Oval.