Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

Tyke

Indeed they have. We had some strange teachers too. I was called "Fish" for no apparent reason. All pupils were called by their surnames and I remember a teacher asking a friend what his Christian name was, and when he replied "Martin", the teacher thought for a moment and said "Hmm, sensible Christian name".

A few years ago at my golf club I mentioned the several signs on the course referring to 'buggies and trollies'. Perhaps when they were renewed they could be changed to 'buggies and trolleys'. After all, several little things contribute to people's impressions of the club. Since then some signs have been renewed with no correction. I have not pressed the point.

However, today in Times 2 in a review of a television programme 'Undercover Ambulance: NHS in Chaos' we have 'patients on trollies'.
Do I have a point or should I slink away in pedantic shame?

Paul

I agree it should be "buggies and trolleys". These are the normal plural endings for -y and -ey words e.g. fries and pulleys.

I would continue to press the point. Your club would not approve of birdys and bogies.

Paul

It was nice to see "buggy" in the Times crossword today. I hope your gold club has altered the wording on the signs.

Another "conflab" in the Mail today.

Yes, jigjag @607, thanks for reviving 'buggy' and the 'consonant/vowel before the y plurals'. It's a rule worth preserving because, unlike many others, I think it has no exceptions. (Says he, ready to be shot down).

I still hesitate to take the golf club to task again over the misspelled signs. Pedants tend not to be appreciated.
Another club displays on the course a lengthy notice which includes the phrase 'fowl play'. I am fairly sure it's not deliberate, nor warning players not to injure the moorhens with wayward shots.

Today's Times also had CHESS, which Brendan, Mathprof and Geeker may think appropriate as the third game of the biennial World Chess Championship was played today.

Finally, am I right in thinking that Tuesday's Times (11th April) had an unusual number of triple definitions?

Me @608 - I meant Jimmygtal, not Mathprof.

Wish there was an edit function on this site!

Talking about golf, a friend used to be a member at Wilmslow Golf Club. When he was there, there was a rule for determining winners of competitions. It was something like this:
"In the event of a tie, the better/best score on the back nine wins. In the event of a further tie, the better/best score on the first nine resolves the winner."
Think about it!

Paul

I have seen a sign advising players to shout "FOUR" on wayward shots. I think it is only golf clubs who have problems with English. I get irritated with the ridiculous "through the green" phrase.

I didnt realise the world Champs had started. Somebody mentioned that you are a strong county player. Are Brendan and Geeker in that category too?

Yes the Times had 3 trebles and almost a fourth. I have never seen more than One.

ChriseE

Yes, nonsense. When I was young, it was the inward and outward halves. I still use these phrases.

Paul

Interesting that you mention Tuesday's puzzle. Last night, I was told by a fellow solver, who had seen a blog, that the puzzle contained several words in the clues and answers that gave a message, something like:

Cheltenham Solvers Club meet second Tuesday every month at Old Courthouse twelve to two.

The setter attends and drinks trebles, gins I think, hence the number of trebles in the puzzle.

Very clever!

jigjag

Well, well! Hidden messages in The Times crossword. I have always admired its abstinence from themes and tricks. However, this one was harmless as so few would realise what was going on.

jigjag and Chris

Golf: I mostly hear front nine and back nine. The Wilmslow GC must have decided on their own tiebreaker by considering the front nine if there is a tie on the back nine. The normal rule is to look at the last nine holes, then the last six, last three, last one. Would have to look up what happens after that.

As for 'through the green' (=anywhere except on a green), I think any game is entitled to its jargon. However, one does tire of the spoken clichés to be heard during most rounds: 'I won't have that one back' (after a good shot), 'that's a worker' (to excuse a shot which unintentionally runs along the ground), 'that's a Barnes Wallis' (describing a shot which hits a pond but skims successfully up the far bank), 'never up never in' (bemoaning a putt short of the hole) etc., etc..