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politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » The 2019 St John PB Christmas Crossword

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  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 49,868

    HYUFD said:
    My late wife and I used to open our presents on Xmas eve (I think the Germans do that) second time round I have to wait till after Breakfast on Xmas Day!
    We were made to wait until mid afternoon. But it hasn’t affected me, at all.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 54,627

    Merry Christmas PB. Hope you all have a good one. I'm at work for the 3rd Christmas Day in a row, but by choice this time, so don't feel too sorry for me. :D

    Hope you (and anyone else in jobs that need to be on standby) have a very quiet day!
  • Foxy said:

    Wot no polls? I want a judge led enquiry...

    Happy Christmas, and good health!

    You mean an Ed Miliband-led inquiry, surely!
  • Sandpit said:

    Merry Christmas PB. Hope you all have a good one. I'm at work for the 3rd Christmas Day in a row, but by choice this time, so don't feel too sorry for me. :D

    Hope you (and anyone else in jobs that need to be on standby) have a very quiet day!
    My sister-in-law's a medic in a maternity hospital, she's working today, but should be off this evening.
  • Merry Christmas to everyone.

    I won't be online today, 2 small girls having a great day. Just taking a break from Lego to say Merry Christmas and hope you all and your families and loved ones are having a wonderful day.
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 42,002
    edited December 2019
    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    rcs1000 said:

    It's almost 8pm in Los Angeles, and family rcs1000 is struck low by the Influenza B virus. We're popping Tamiflu like they're smarties, and are grumpy as hell.

    Oh dear ... doesn't your all-singing, all-dancing fully inclusive American medical insurance policy include provision for annual flu jabs? Folk like your Mum & Dad and including yours truly get ours for free over here doncha know. Small wonder you're feeling grumpy ... Happy Christmas.
    what time is the joke scheduled for?
    He’s with Carrie,* and they’re both overseas...so not today.

    *As it is the season of goodwill, I will not make jokes about broads...
    Hard at work touring the colonies I believe.
    Never heard it called that before...
    Not going down under apparently.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,211
    21 Down trying to somehow concenate / mix up Suez and Niece. Hmm
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,861
    21 down has been solved. It is niece. The explanation is in the thread.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 23,253
    Interested that we now decide class by self-identification.

    Can we get half a million people to self-identify as elephants, so they are no longer under threat and we can go back to ivory piano keys?
  • THE Queen is to let Prince Philip deliver the Christmas speech, mainly just to see what will happen.

    A palace spokesman said: “She’s at the age where she’s thinking, fuck it, I am tired of mouthing empty mechanical platitudes and would rather be doing something with horses.

    “She knows that if she hands Philip the task then at least it won’t be boring. If it means the end of the monarchy then so be it, it’s not like there’s a decent heir anyway.”


    Prince Philip has been briefed to avoid topics including bongos, rain dances, bare breasts, spears, cannibalism, women in general, infant obesity, the Scottish, the Welsh, the Irish and the rest of the world.

    Prince Charles had volunteered to take his Mother’s place but the Queen dismissed the idea as “so ridiculous as to be unfunny”.

    https://bit.ly/2ESXZRa
  • SandraMcSandraMc Posts: 694
    edited December 2019
    Help. My turkey is cooking incredibly slowly even though I've allowed extra time and turned the oven up to compensate. We shall be eating late afternoon at this rate.

    Meanwhile, 13 down is McCarthysim. Anagram of this army plus MCC =club.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,424
    SandraMc said:

    Help. My turkey is cooking incredibly slowly even though I've allowed extra time and turned the oven up to compensate. We shall be eating late afternoon at this rate.

    Meanwhile, 13 down is McCarthysim. Anagram of this army plus MCC =club.

    So’s mine, if that’s any help. I am permitting myself a wry smile at the instructions it would cook in three hours at GM4 - I have allowed seven and it looks as if I was optimistic.
  • rkrkrkrkrkrk Posts: 8,298
    Which clues remain? Getting 2 is my best ever, but I dream of greater glory...
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,861
    Yes. McCarthyism. As explained.
  • rkrkrkrkrkrk Posts: 8,298
    6 down, perhaps Burke?
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 50,384

    THE Queen is to let Prince Philip deliver the Christmas speech, mainly just to see what will happen.

    A palace spokesman said: “She’s at the age where she’s thinking, fuck it, I am tired of mouthing empty mechanical platitudes and would rather be doing something with horses.

    “She knows that if she hands Philip the task then at least it won’t be boring. If it means the end of the monarchy then so be it, it’s not like there’s a decent heir anyway.”


    Prince Philip has been briefed to avoid topics including bongos, rain dances, bare breasts, spears, cannibalism, women in general, infant obesity, the Scottish, the Welsh, the Irish and the rest of the world.

    Prince Charles had volunteered to take his Mother’s place but the Queen dismissed the idea as “so ridiculous as to be unfunny”.

    https://bit.ly/2ESXZRa

    I think, sadly, we missed a trick with Phil. The Queen *hires* the Prime Minister - but under proper practise, there needs to be an exit interview. In fact I 'm not sure that this doesn't breach HR legislation....

    Anyway... what we should have had was this - every departing Prime Minister would have to spend an hour with Phil. Who would be encouraged (nay, commanded) to express himself fully on the subject of their in-job performance. The recordings of which would held under the 100 year rule.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 50,384

    RobD said:

    Mr. D, try not to fly into any reindeer.

    Luckily I'm not flying this thing! I do have news for @TheScreamingEagles - BA categorises Die Hard under "Festive Cheer". If the flag carrier thinks it is a Christmas movie, that settles it. :D:p
    No wonder BA are so poorly regarded.

    British Airways has taken a nosedive in UK passengers’ opinions and is now rated just above Ryanair at the bottom end of the airline rankings.

    The flag carrier was among the worst rated for food, seat comfort and value for money on both short and long-haul services in the annual Which? poll.


    https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/dec/19/british-airways-slumps-near-bottom-passenger-survey-airlines?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
    To be frank, Wizz Air is better - at least they aren't pretending to be Singapore or Emirates and they do what they do, well.

    Die Hard is obviously a Christmas movie - BA is right once a year....
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 49,868
    SandraMc said:

    Help. My turkey is cooking incredibly slowly even though I've allowed extra time and turned the oven up to compensate. We shall be eating late afternoon at this rate.

    Meanwhile, 13 down is McCarthysim. Anagram of this army plus MCC =club.

    Mine is browning quickly. Only been in 45 mins.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 50,384
    SandraMc said:

    Help. My turkey is cooking incredibly slowly even though I've allowed extra time and turned the oven up to compensate. We shall be eating late afternoon at this rate.

    Meanwhile, 13 down is McCarthysim. Anagram of this army plus MCC =club.

    The important thing when cooking turkey is the champagne.

    You start drinking champagne just before the turkey is supposed to be ready, and carry on until it is. This ensures that everyone is very happy and that the turkey is properly cooked. This prevents ugly rows and food poisoning.

    Then you move onto Chablis to go with the turkey...
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 50,384
    MattW said:

    Interested that we now decide class by self-identification.

    Can we get half a million people to self-identify as elephants, so they are no longer under threat and we can go back to ivory piano keys?

    I thought self-identifying as working class was a bit like self-identifying as a Lib Dem voter. There are twice as many claiming that they are than is possible.
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,861
    6 down. Yes, Burke. Half keen = ke. Difficulty = rub. Rub overcome = bur. bur + ke = Burke.
  • https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zxfnZR3sMew&feature=shareA

    And to think it almost came true.

    Have a good one, all.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 71,236

    SandraMc said:

    Help. My turkey is cooking incredibly slowly even though I've allowed extra time and turned the oven up to compensate. We shall be eating late afternoon at this rate.

    Meanwhile, 13 down is McCarthysim. Anagram of this army plus MCC =club.

    The important thing when cooking turkey is the champagne.

    You start drinking champagne just before the turkey is supposed to be ready, and carry on until it is. This ensures that everyone is very happy and that the turkey is properly cooked. This prevents ugly rows and food poisoning.

    Then you move onto Chablis to go with the turkey...
    That is the best cooking tip of the year.
    Sadly my turkey is already done and resting; the vegetarian main prepared & into the oven.

    I now have a scant twenty minutes of quaffing time.

    Nonetheless, best wishes for Christmas to all.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 71,236
    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    rcs1000 said:

    It's almost 8pm in Los Angeles, and family rcs1000 is struck low by the Influenza B virus. We're popping Tamiflu like they're smarties, and are grumpy as hell.

    Oh dear ... doesn't your all-singing, all-dancing fully inclusive American medical insurance policy include provision for annual flu jabs? Folk like your Mum & Dad and including yours truly get ours for free over here doncha know. Small wonder you're feeling grumpy ... Happy Christmas.
    what time is the joke scheduled for?
    He’s with Carrie,* and they’re both overseas...so not today.

    *As it is the season of goodwill, I will not make jokes about broads...
    Hard at work touring the colonies I believe.
    Never heard it called that before...
    Not entirely unlike Ugandan discussions, I suppose.

    And a tour of former possessions seems somehow quite appropriate for Boris.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 50,384
    Nigelb said:

    SandraMc said:

    Help. My turkey is cooking incredibly slowly even though I've allowed extra time and turned the oven up to compensate. We shall be eating late afternoon at this rate.

    Meanwhile, 13 down is McCarthysim. Anagram of this army plus MCC =club.

    The important thing when cooking turkey is the champagne.

    You start drinking champagne just before the turkey is supposed to be ready, and carry on until it is. This ensures that everyone is very happy and that the turkey is properly cooked. This prevents ugly rows and food poisoning.

    Then you move onto Chablis to go with the turkey...
    That is the best cooking tip of the year.
    Sadly my turkey is already done and resting; the vegetarian main prepared & into the oven.

    I now have a scant twenty minutes of quaffing time.

    Nonetheless, best wishes for Christmas to all.
    In my single days I had a cunning plan - non-stop parties. Dinner parties are good, providing the drinking is Georgian in style. My cooking was pretty damn average. So I served champagne on the basis of at least half a bottle per guest as Hors d'oeuvre. Follow up with a bottle per person, per course.
  • SandraMcSandraMc Posts: 694
    With the oven on full my turkey is only just starting to show signs of browning but the champagne has been finished and I grabbed a handful of peanuts only to discover that they are salt and vinegar flavoured peanuts! Yuk.

    Meanwhile, 5 across rebelled. Bell = independent. Plus reed = thatcher's material.
    13 across Rees-Mogg. Rees = former Labour Home Secretary. Mogg = Gladstone GOM backwards plus g for good.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 52,609
    ydoethur said:

    Foxy said:

    Wot no polls? I want a judge led enquiry...

    Happy Christmas, and good health!

    You are Ed Miliband and I claim my bottle of festive punch.
    I hear John Prescott is delivering that festive punch....
  • ydoethur said:

    Foxy said:

    Wot no polls? I want a judge led enquiry...

    Happy Christmas, and good health!

    You are Ed Miliband and I claim my bottle of festive punch.
    I hear John Prescott is delivering that festive punch....
    I want an Ed MIliband-led inquiry!
  • SandraMc said:

    With the oven on full my turkey is only just starting to show signs of browning but the champagne has been finished and I grabbed a handful of peanuts only to discover that they are salt and vinegar flavoured peanuts! Yuk.

    Meanwhile, 5 across rebelled. Bell = independent. Plus reed = thatcher's material.
    13 across Rees-Mogg. Rees = former Labour Home Secretary. Mogg = Gladstone GOM backwards plus g for good.

    I'm no Jamie Oliver but is there not a risk you are now cooking the outside faster than the inside? Did you make the mistake of stuffing the bird first?
  • Nigelb said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    rcs1000 said:

    It's almost 8pm in Los Angeles, and family rcs1000 is struck low by the Influenza B virus. We're popping Tamiflu like they're smarties, and are grumpy as hell.

    Oh dear ... doesn't your all-singing, all-dancing fully inclusive American medical insurance policy include provision for annual flu jabs? Folk like your Mum & Dad and including yours truly get ours for free over here doncha know. Small wonder you're feeling grumpy ... Happy Christmas.
    what time is the joke scheduled for?
    He’s with Carrie,* and they’re both overseas...so not today.

    *As it is the season of goodwill, I will not make jokes about broads...
    Hard at work touring the colonies I believe.
    Never heard it called that before...
    Not entirely unlike Ugandan discussions, I suppose.

    And a tour of former possessions seems somehow quite appropriate for Boris.
    I'm not 100 per cent convinced about this Mustique story but perhaps that is for tomorrow's thread.
  • SandraMcSandraMc Posts: 694

    SandraMc said:

    With the oven on full my turkey is only just starting to show signs of browning but the champagne has been finished and I grabbed a handful of peanuts only to discover that they are salt and vinegar flavoured peanuts! Yuk.

    Meanwhile, 5 across rebelled. Bell = independent. Plus reed = thatcher's material.
    13 across Rees-Mogg. Rees = former Labour Home Secretary. Mogg = Gladstone GOM backwards plus g for good.

    I'm no Jamie Oliver but is there not a risk you are now cooking the outside faster than the inside? Did you make the mistake of stuffing the bird first?
    No. We are following Delia's instructions.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 23,253
    On cooking turkeys, one of my relatives has turned up with a "turkey baster" which looks like a hygrometer with a spike attached.

    No wonder the poor thing looks surprised.
  • SandraMc said:

    SandraMc said:

    With the oven on full my turkey is only just starting to show signs of browning but the champagne has been finished and I grabbed a handful of peanuts only to discover that they are salt and vinegar flavoured peanuts! Yuk.

    Meanwhile, 5 across rebelled. Bell = independent. Plus reed = thatcher's material.
    13 across Rees-Mogg. Rees = former Labour Home Secretary. Mogg = Gladstone GOM backwards plus g for good.

    I'm no Jamie Oliver but is there not a risk you are now cooking the outside faster than the inside? Did you make the mistake of stuffing the bird first?
    No. We are following Delia's instructions.
    Delia! That's it! 8 down is Earl Grey. Prime minister & tea.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 50,384

    SandraMc said:

    With the oven on full my turkey is only just starting to show signs of browning but the champagne has been finished and I grabbed a handful of peanuts only to discover that they are salt and vinegar flavoured peanuts! Yuk.

    Meanwhile, 5 across rebelled. Bell = independent. Plus reed = thatcher's material.
    13 across Rees-Mogg. Rees = former Labour Home Secretary. Mogg = Gladstone GOM backwards plus g for good.

    I'm no Jamie Oliver but is there not a risk you are now cooking the outside faster than the inside? Did you make the mistake of stuffing the bird first?
    "champagne has been finished" - ah, the classic mistake of buying by the bottle rather than the vineyard....

    I am thinking of starting an emergency service - champagne to your door in 90 minutes or your money back.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 23,253

    MattW said:

    Interested that we now decide class by self-identification.

    Can we get half a million people to self-identify as elephants, so they are no longer under threat and we can go back to ivory piano keys?

    I thought self-identifying as working class was a bit like self-identifying as a Lib Dem voter. There are twice as many claiming that they are than is possible.
    You have to be a millionarire in politics...
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 52,609
    MattW said:

    On cooking turkeys, one of my relatives has turned up with a "turkey baster" which looks like a hygrometer with a spike attached.

    No wonder the poor thing looks surprised.

    No wonder ovulating lesbians look surprised!
  • StockyStocky Posts: 10,222

    MattW said:

    On cooking turkeys, one of my relatives has turned up with a "turkey baster" which looks like a hygrometer with a spike attached.

    No wonder the poor thing looks surprised.

    No wonder ovulating lesbians look surprised!
    Been on the sherry?
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 50,384
    edited December 2019
    MattW said:

    MattW said:

    Interested that we now decide class by self-identification.

    Can we get half a million people to self-identify as elephants, so they are no longer under threat and we can go back to ivory piano keys?

    I thought self-identifying as working class was a bit like self-identifying as a Lib Dem voter. There are twice as many claiming that they are than is possible.
    You have to be a millionarire in politics...
    The most full on, read up, genuine Communist I have ever met had a famous(ish) name, a title & massive inherited wealth. Which had been converted into rental properties - sold the family home, bought a shed load of flats. And was heavily involved in the Labour party.

    Yes, I know.
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 27,944
    edited December 2019
    Is 27 (Nearly a Liberal and not mistaken for a Tory) Lamont? Anagram of the first letters of the first three words and "not"; the well-known singer in the bath?

    ETA: no, that can't be right. No M.
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,861
    Yes to Rebelled and to Reed-Mogg. Gladstone was Grand Old Man = GOM. Reversed = MOG. And he did get reversed to MOG = Murder of Gordon, after Khartoum.
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,861
    Yes to 8 down, Earl Grey. Earl Grey was Prime Minister and (tea) leaves were his legacy. Usually served in china.
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,861
    Yes to 27 across. Nearly a Liberal is (Norman) Lam(b) without the final letter. Not mistaken or anagrammed is ont. Lam + ont = Lamont = Tory.
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,861
    13 down. McCarthyism is Red = Communist, hunting.
  • squareroot2squareroot2 Posts: 6,729
    MattW said:

    MattW said:

    Interested that we now decide class by self-identification.

    Can we get half a million people to self-identify as elephants, so they are no longer under threat and we can go back to ivory piano keys?

    I thought self-identifying as working class was a bit like self-identifying as a Lib Dem voter. There are twice as many claiming that they are than is possible.
    You have to be a millionarire in politics...
    Keir Starmer seems keen to have entries on his Wikipedia page about his considerable wealth removed.
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,861
    Clues remaining are 10, 20, 25 and 26 across. 7, 16 and 18 down.
  • nunu2nunu2 Posts: 1,453

    MattW said:

    MattW said:

    Interested that we now decide class by self-identification.

    Can we get half a million people to self-identify as elephants, so they are no longer under threat and we can go back to ivory piano keys?

    I thought self-identifying as working class was a bit like self-identifying as a Lib Dem voter. There are twice as many claiming that they are than is possible.
    You have to be a millionarire in politics...
    Keir Starmer seems keen to have entries on his Wikipedia page about his considerable wealth removed.
    Add them back, again.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,228
    Completely off topic, here's an interesting story in the US about people profiting off the Trump name: https://www.politico.com/news/2019/12/23/trump-campaign-compete-against-groups-money-089454

    It's almost like a mirror image of the 2016 issue where the Trump campaign created "Muslims for Hillary" adverts (that purported to come from the Clinton campaign) and which it ran on the Facebook pages of people who didn't like Muslims.
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 22,127
    IanB2 said:

    RobD said:

    Mr. D, try not to fly into any reindeer.

    Luckily I'm not flying this thing! I do have news for @TheScreamingEagles - BA categorises Die Hard under "Festive Cheer". If the flag carrier thinks it is a Christmas movie, that settles it. :D:p
    :)

    I was sad when Great Escape got demoted to Easter.
    I was bloody furious when Doctor Who lost its Christmas slot. Chibnall, you [redacted].

    Oh, yeah, Britain. Am visiting rellies. We're watching Revenge Of The Sith. Good, good...
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 71,236
    rcs1000 said:

    Completely off topic, here's an interesting story in the US about people profiting off the Trump name: https://www.politico.com/news/2019/12/23/trump-campaign-compete-against-groups-money-089454

    It's almost like a mirror image of the 2016 issue where the Trump campaign created "Muslims for Hillary" adverts (that purported to come from the Clinton campaign) and which it ran on the Facebook pages of people who didn't like Muslims.

    The Grifter, grifted.
  • TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 42,992

    MattW said:

    MattW said:

    Interested that we now decide class by self-identification.

    Can we get half a million people to self-identify as elephants, so they are no longer under threat and we can go back to ivory piano keys?

    I thought self-identifying as working class was a bit like self-identifying as a Lib Dem voter. There are twice as many claiming that they are than is possible.
    You have to be a millionarire in politics...
    The most full on, read up, genuine Communist I have ever met had a famous(ish) name, a title & massive inherited wealth. Which had been converted into rental properties - sold the family home, bought a shed load of flats. And was heavily involved in the Labour party.

    Yes, I know.
    An ex-flatmate of mine was from a very smart family and I think was at one point 20-somethingth in line to the throne. Ardent member of the RCP, very committed to the cause.
  • TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 42,992
    Happy Christmas all btw.
  • viewcode said:

    IanB2 said:

    RobD said:

    Mr. D, try not to fly into any reindeer.

    Luckily I'm not flying this thing! I do have news for @TheScreamingEagles - BA categorises Die Hard under "Festive Cheer". If the flag carrier thinks it is a Christmas movie, that settles it. :D:p
    :)

    I was sad when Great Escape got demoted to Easter.
    I was bloody furious when Doctor Who lost its Christmas slot. Chibnall, you [redacted].

    Oh, yeah, Britain. Am visiting rellies. We're watching Revenge Of The Sith. Good, good...
    If you have a little spare time this week:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XziLNeFm1ok
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 49,868

    SandraMc said:

    With the oven on full my turkey is only just starting to show signs of browning but the champagne has been finished and I grabbed a handful of peanuts only to discover that they are salt and vinegar flavoured peanuts! Yuk.

    Meanwhile, 5 across rebelled. Bell = independent. Plus reed = thatcher's material.
    13 across Rees-Mogg. Rees = former Labour Home Secretary. Mogg = Gladstone GOM backwards plus g for good.

    I'm no Jamie Oliver but is there not a risk you are now cooking the outside faster than the inside? Did you make the mistake of stuffing the bird first?
    "champagne has been finished" - ah, the classic mistake of buying by the bottle rather than the vineyard....

    I am thinking of starting an emergency service - champagne to your door in 90 minutes or your money back.
    Sh*t wine with bubbles.
  • nunu2nunu2 Posts: 1,453

    Foxy said:

    Wot no polls? I want a judge led enquiry...

    Happy Christmas, and good health!

    You mean an Ed Miliband-led inquiry, surely!
    How is a man who lost more than 20% share of the vote leading the Labour inquiry into why they lost?
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,149
    Mitt Romney having a small family get together this Christmas

    https://twitter.com/MittRomney/status/1209842364572934145?s=20
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 71,236
    nunu2 said:

    Foxy said:

    Wot no polls? I want a judge led enquiry...

    Happy Christmas, and good health!

    You mean an Ed Miliband-led inquiry, surely!
    How is a man who lost more than 20% share of the vote leading the Labour inquiry into why they lost?
    Experience and perspective.

    You think Boris Johnson would do a better job ?
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 71,236
    HYUFD said:

    Mitt Romney having a small family get together this Christmas

    https://twitter.com/MittRomney/status/1209842364572934145?s=20

    By Mormon standards...
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,861
    The diplomat was an EU diplomat.
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,861
    The former Governor was in the US.
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 27,944
    edited December 2019
    HYUFD said:

    Mitt Romney having a small family get together this Christmas

    https://twitter.com/MittRomney/status/1209842364572934145?s=20

    Why are half the boys wearing the same shirt?

    ETA it is interesting that many of the auto-play videos are captioned.
  • stjohn said:

    The diplomat was an EU diplomat.

    10 across Rogers?
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,861
    edited December 2019
    Yes. 10 across (Ivan) Rogers. Roger = got it. As in, Roger, over and out. S = succeeded.
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,861
    The former Cabinet Secretary was nicknamed from his initials.
  • bondegezoubondegezou Posts: 11,145

    MattW said:

    MattW said:

    Interested that we now decide class by self-identification.

    Can we get half a million people to self-identify as elephants, so they are no longer under threat and we can go back to ivory piano keys?

    I thought self-identifying as working class was a bit like self-identifying as a Lib Dem voter. There are twice as many claiming that they are than is possible.
    You have to be a millionarire in politics...
    Keir Starmer seems keen to have entries on his Wikipedia page about his considerable wealth removed.
    This is a made-up story. Until a few days ago, Starmer's page said nothing about how much money he does or does not have. Someone then added a sentence saying he's a millionaire. No citation was given and an hour or two later another editor removed the line. Wikipedia is very keen on citations.

    A couple of newspapers then wrote this up as some giant scandal, a big cover-up. There's then been some debate among Wikipedia editors about whether or how to cover that story!

    I've not seen anything to suggest Starmer or anyone associated with him has been involved.
  • nunu2nunu2 Posts: 1,453
    Nigelb said:

    nunu2 said:

    Foxy said:

    Wot no polls? I want a judge led enquiry...

    Happy Christmas, and good health!

    You mean an Ed Miliband-led inquiry, surely!
    How is a man who lost more than 20% share of the vote leading the Labour inquiry into why they lost?
    Experience and perspective.

    You think Boris Johnson would do a better job ?
    Boris knows how to win.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 50,384

    MattW said:

    MattW said:

    Interested that we now decide class by self-identification.

    Can we get half a million people to self-identify as elephants, so they are no longer under threat and we can go back to ivory piano keys?

    I thought self-identifying as working class was a bit like self-identifying as a Lib Dem voter. There are twice as many claiming that they are than is possible.
    You have to be a millionarire in politics...
    Keir Starmer seems keen to have entries on his Wikipedia page about his considerable wealth removed.
    This is a made-up story. Until a few days ago, Starmer's page said nothing about how much money he does or does not have. Someone then added a sentence saying he's a millionaire. No citation was given and an hour or two later another editor removed the line. Wikipedia is very keen on citations.

    A couple of newspapers then wrote this up as some giant scandal, a big cover-up. There's then been some debate among Wikipedia editors about whether or how to cover that story!

    I've not seen anything to suggest Starmer or anyone associated with him has been involved.
    I feel for the gentlemen - it is an acknowledged problem in politics. You are a normal person, doing your job, and then you accidentally become a millionaire.

    It takes dedication to leave politics in penury - like Charles De Gaulle.
  • 24 down is Labour at the election - they wish!
  • bondegezoubondegezou Posts: 11,145

    MattW said:

    MattW said:

    Interested that we now decide class by self-identification.

    Can we get half a million people to self-identify as elephants, so they are no longer under threat and we can go back to ivory piano keys?

    I thought self-identifying as working class was a bit like self-identifying as a Lib Dem voter. There are twice as many claiming that they are than is possible.
    You have to be a millionarire in politics...
    Keir Starmer seems keen to have entries on his Wikipedia page about his considerable wealth removed.
    This is a made-up story. Until a few days ago, Starmer's page said nothing about how much money he does or does not have. Someone then added a sentence saying he's a millionaire. No citation was given and an hour or two later another editor removed the line. Wikipedia is very keen on citations.

    A couple of newspapers then wrote this up as some giant scandal, a big cover-up. There's then been some debate among Wikipedia editors about whether or how to cover that story!

    I've not seen anything to suggest Starmer or anyone associated with him has been involved.
    The better recent Wikipedia story is Tom Newton Dunn editing his article.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 71,236
    Dear god, I’d forgotten how good are the leftover cold roast potatoes in the bottom of the roasting pan....

    ...groans.
  • RobDRobD Posts: 59,936

    MattW said:

    MattW said:

    Interested that we now decide class by self-identification.

    Can we get half a million people to self-identify as elephants, so they are no longer under threat and we can go back to ivory piano keys?

    I thought self-identifying as working class was a bit like self-identifying as a Lib Dem voter. There are twice as many claiming that they are than is possible.
    You have to be a millionarire in politics...
    Keir Starmer seems keen to have entries on his Wikipedia page about his considerable wealth removed.
    This is a made-up story. Until a few days ago, Starmer's page said nothing about how much money he does or does not have. Someone then added a sentence saying he's a millionaire. No citation was given and an hour or two later another editor removed the line. Wikipedia is very keen on citations.

    A couple of newspapers then wrote this up as some giant scandal, a big cover-up. There's then been some debate among Wikipedia editors about whether or how to cover that story!

    I've not seen anything to suggest Starmer or anyone associated with him has been involved.
    So, is he a millionaire or not? :D
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,861
    26 down PM was a Viscount.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 71,236
    nunu2 said:

    Nigelb said:

    nunu2 said:

    Foxy said:

    Wot no polls? I want a judge led enquiry...

    Happy Christmas, and good health!

    You mean an Ed Miliband-led inquiry, surely!
    How is a man who lost more than 20% share of the vote leading the Labour inquiry into why they lost?
    Experience and perspective.

    You think Boris Johnson would do a better job ?
    Boris knows how to win.
    As Labour leader ... ?
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 71,236
    stjohn said:

    26 down PM was a Viscount.

    Down ?
  • squareroot2squareroot2 Posts: 6,729
    edited December 2019

    MattW said:

    MattW said:

    Interested that we now decide class by self-identification.

    Can we get half a million people to self-identify as elephants, so they are no longer under threat and we can go back to ivory piano keys?

    I thought self-identifying as working class was a bit like self-identifying as a Lib Dem voter. There are twice as many claiming that they are than is possible.
    You have to be a millionarire in politics...
    Keir Starmer seems keen to have entries on his Wikipedia page about his considerable wealth removed.
    This is a made-up story. Until a few days ago, Starmer's page said nothing about how much money he does or does not have. Someone then added a sentence saying he's a millionaire. No citation was given and an hour or two later another editor removed the line. Wikipedia is very keen on citations.

    A couple of newspapers then wrote this up as some giant scandal, a big cover-up. There's then been some debate among Wikipedia editors about whether or how to cover that story!

    I've not seen anything to suggest Starmer or anyone associated with him has been involved.
    I feel for the gentlemen - it is an acknowledged problem in politics. You are a normal person, doing your job, and then you accidentally become a millionaire.

    It takes dedication to leave politics in penury - like Charles De Gaulle.
    Starmer is not a "normal" person. He went out of his way to become known when he was at the DPP with those Press Conference type decisions to prosecute or not as the case may have been, and now when people hint at his wealth, he gets a bit touchy about it.
    I would be amazed if he was not a millionaire... multi millionaire is questionable .. There are a lot of people who are millionaires, and they really are ordinary types. Keir Starmer is not ordinary in that sense. and he is desperately keen not to be seen as wealthy as it might damage his leadership ambitions.
  • I still can't get 7 down. There are only three letters and we've got two of them.
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,861
    It’s a Liberal leader “discovered”, i.e without his covering or external letters.
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 27,944
    edited December 2019
    stjohn said:

    It’s a Liberal leader “discovered”, i.e without his covering or external letters.

    Ah, so leg from Clegg. I'm not used to these crossword conventions; generally I look for an anagram, or a second clue, then give up.
  • paulyork64paulyork64 Posts: 2,507
    Have we got all the answers?

    Thanks to StJohn for the entertainment.
  • SandraMcSandraMc Posts: 694
    edited December 2019
    Have we had 16 down yet? (My turkey finally cooked and we had lunch only 1 hr 40 mins late) My answer is Goderich. GOD = Gus O'Donnell (sp?) head of civil service , known as God. Blair = Eric as in Eric Blair aka George Orwell. and Has initially = letter H)
  • paulyork64paulyork64 Posts: 2,507
    20 across = remainer
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,424
    SandraMc said:

    Have we had 16 down yet? (My turkey finally cooked and we had lunch only 1 hr 40 mins late) My answer is Goderich. GOD = Gus O'Donnell (sp?) head of civil service , known as God. Blair = Eric as in Eric Blair aka George Orwell. and Has initially = letter H)

    One drumstick was not quite cooked but we sat down to the rest, which was perfectly done, on time. So we were a bit luckier than you.

    I allowed 7 hours to cook it - if anything an underestimate.
  • nunu2nunu2 Posts: 1,453
    Nigelb said:

    nunu2 said:

    Nigelb said:

    nunu2 said:

    Foxy said:

    Wot no polls? I want a judge led enquiry...

    Happy Christmas, and good health!

    You mean an Ed Miliband-led inquiry, surely!
    How is a man who lost more than 20% share of the vote leading the Labour inquiry into why they lost?
    Experience and perspective.

    You think Boris Johnson would do a better job ?
    Boris knows how to win.
    As Labour leader ... ?
    You know what, he probably could if he switched parties!

    We ❤ Boris!
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 50,384

    MattW said:

    MattW said:

    Interested that we now decide class by self-identification.

    Can we get half a million people to self-identify as elephants, so they are no longer under threat and we can go back to ivory piano keys?

    I thought self-identifying as working class was a bit like self-identifying as a Lib Dem voter. There are twice as many claiming that they are than is possible.
    You have to be a millionarire in politics...
    Keir Starmer seems keen to have entries on his Wikipedia page about his considerable wealth removed.
    This is a made-up story. Until a few days ago, Starmer's page said nothing about how much money he does or does not have. Someone then added a sentence saying he's a millionaire. No citation was given and an hour or two later another editor removed the line. Wikipedia is very keen on citations.

    A couple of newspapers then wrote this up as some giant scandal, a big cover-up. There's then been some debate among Wikipedia editors about whether or how to cover that story!

    I've not seen anything to suggest Starmer or anyone associated with him has been involved.
    I feel for the gentlemen - it is an acknowledged problem in politics. You are a normal person, doing your job, and then you accidentally become a millionaire.

    It takes dedication to leave politics in penury - like Charles De Gaulle.
    Starmer is not a "normal" person. He went out of his way to become known when he was at the DPP with those Press Conference type decisions to prosecute or not as the case may have been, and now when people hint at his wealth, he gets a bit touchy about it.
    I would be amazed if he was not a millionaire... multi millionaire is questionable .. There are a lot of people who are millionaires, and they really are ordinary types. Keir Starmer is not ordinary in that sense. and he is desperately keen not to be seen as wealthy as it might damage his leadership ambitions.
    I was referring to the sad, unfortunate problem of politics. EvulPeople(TM) leave money in your bank account in the middle of the night, unasked.

    All these honest sages (from all parties) - beset by a tidal wave of money....
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,228
    Nigelb said:

    HYUFD said:

    Mitt Romney having a small family get together this Christmas

    https://twitter.com/MittRomney/status/1209842364572934145?s=20

    By Mormon standards...
    I saw Mitt Romney skiing in Park City with his family a few years ago. There were about fifteen of the around a table in a self service restaurant on the slopes.

    He's in great shape for a 72 year old.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,228
    rcs1000 said:

    Nigelb said:

    HYUFD said:

    Mitt Romney having a small family get together this Christmas

    https://twitter.com/MittRomney/status/1209842364572934145?s=20

    By Mormon standards...
    I saw Mitt Romney skiing in Park City with his family a few years ago. There were about fifteen of the around a table in a self service restaurant on the slopes.

    He's in great shape for a 72 year old.
    Mitt Romney also made the best gay marriage joke of any Republican: "I believe marriage is a sacred institution between a man and a woman... and a woman... and a woman..."
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 71,236
    rcs1000 said:

    Nigelb said:

    HYUFD said:

    Mitt Romney having a small family get together this Christmas

    https://twitter.com/MittRomney/status/1209842364572934145?s=20

    By Mormon standards...
    I saw Mitt Romney skiing in Park City with his family a few years ago. There were about fifteen of the around a table in a self service restaurant on the slopes.

    He's in great shape for a 72 year old.
    I’m the last to knock the Mittster - I had him at 1000/1 for the presidency. :smile:
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 71,236
    ydoethur said:

    SandraMc said:

    Have we had 16 down yet? (My turkey finally cooked and we had lunch only 1 hr 40 mins late) My answer is Goderich. GOD = Gus O'Donnell (sp?) head of civil service , known as God. Blair = Eric as in Eric Blair aka George Orwell. and Has initially = letter H)

    One drumstick was not quite cooked but we sat down to the rest, which was perfectly done, on time. So we were a bit luckier than you.

    I allowed 7 hours to cook it - if anything an underestimate.
    One of the advantages of vegetarians in the family is smaller turkeys.
    Now on to a light supper of smoked salmon and capers.

    While on the Xmas theme, is there a PB consensus on the spices which should go in mulled wine ?
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,424
    Nigelb said:

    ydoethur said:

    SandraMc said:

    Have we had 16 down yet? (My turkey finally cooked and we had lunch only 1 hr 40 mins late) My answer is Goderich. GOD = Gus O'Donnell (sp?) head of civil service , known as God. Blair = Eric as in Eric Blair aka George Orwell. and Has initially = letter H)

    One drumstick was not quite cooked but we sat down to the rest, which was perfectly done, on time. So we were a bit luckier than you.

    I allowed 7 hours to cook it - if anything an underestimate.
    One of the advantages of vegetarians in the family is smaller turkeys.
    Now on to a light supper of smoked salmon and capers.

    While on the Xmas theme, is there a PB consensus on the spices which should go in mulled wine ?
    Cinnamon.
  • mattmatt Posts: 3,789
    ydoethur said:

    Nigelb said:

    ydoethur said:

    SandraMc said:

    Have we had 16 down yet? (My turkey finally cooked and we had lunch only 1 hr 40 mins late) My answer is Goderich. GOD = Gus O'Donnell (sp?) head of civil service , known as God. Blair = Eric as in Eric Blair aka George Orwell. and Has initially = letter H)

    One drumstick was not quite cooked but we sat down to the rest, which was perfectly done, on time. So we were a bit luckier than you.

    I allowed 7 hours to cook it - if anything an underestimate.
    One of the advantages of vegetarians in the family is smaller turkeys.
    Now on to a light supper of smoked salmon and capers.

    While on the Xmas theme, is there a PB consensus on the spices which should go in mulled wine ?
    Cinnamon.
    Whatever works best on a quick trip to the trash bin. One wouldn’t drink mulled wine at any other time of the year, so why now. Unlike champagne, which the philistine above, no doubt a Black Tower enthusiast, traduced.
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,861
    Remainer, Leg and Goderich all correct. Still three left. 25 and 26 across and 18 down.
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,861
    Remainer is remainder with died=d away.
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,861
    There is another remainer lurking in 25 across.
  • Evening all from rural Hungary. I’ve just been informed my goose is cooked.

    Merry Christmas to all, and to those such as @MarqueeMark and @Jonathan who are going through great sorrows, may you find better times. My thoughts are with you.
  • MortimerMortimer Posts: 14,127
    stjohn said:

    There is another remainer lurking in 25 across.

    Aggrieve?
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 71,236
    matt said:

    ydoethur said:

    Nigelb said:

    ydoethur said:

    SandraMc said:

    Have we had 16 down yet? (My turkey finally cooked and we had lunch only 1 hr 40 mins late) My answer is Goderich. GOD = Gus O'Donnell (sp?) head of civil service , known as God. Blair = Eric as in Eric Blair aka George Orwell. and Has initially = letter H)

    One drumstick was not quite cooked but we sat down to the rest, which was perfectly done, on time. So we were a bit luckier than you.

    I allowed 7 hours to cook it - if anything an underestimate.
    One of the advantages of vegetarians in the family is smaller turkeys.
    Now on to a light supper of smoked salmon and capers.

    While on the Xmas theme, is there a PB consensus on the spices which should go in mulled wine ?
    Cinnamon.
    Whatever works best on a quick trip to the trash bin. One wouldn’t drink mulled wine at any other time of the year, so why now....
    Mulled wine is fine any time between November and February.

    @ydoethur is quite right that cinnamon is a sine qua non - as is decent wine.
    Just wondering if there were any other ... constructive suggestions.
  • Mortimer said:

    stjohn said:

    There is another remainer lurking in 25 across.

    Aggrieve?
    Damn you, I got as far as __grieve!
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,861
    Grieve is right. But the ag- bit is wrong.
  • stjohn said:

    Grieve is right. But the ag- bit is wrong.

    degrieve? ungrieve?
  • stjohnstjohn Posts: 1,861
    -ngrieve is right.
  • paulyork64paulyork64 Posts: 2,507
    In is used for popular but is ingrieve a word?
This discussion has been closed.