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

twistedfirestopper3 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.

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

Sandpit said:

twistedfirestopper3 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.

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.

ydoethur said:

Mexicanpete said:

ydoethur said:

squareroot2 said:

peter_from_putney 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.

21 down has been solved. It is niece. The explanation is in the thread.

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

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.

Yes. McCarthyism. As explained.

TheScreamingEagles said:

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.

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.

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.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zxfnZR3sMew&feature=shareA

And to think it almost came true.

Have a good one, all.

ydoethur said:

Mexicanpete said:

ydoethur said:

squareroot2 said:

peter_from_putney 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.

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.

MarqueeMark said:

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!

Nigelb said:

ydoethur said:

Mexicanpete said:

ydoethur said:

squareroot2 said:

peter_from_putney 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.

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.

DecrepiterJohnL 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?

"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.

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!

MattW said:

Malmesbury 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.

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.

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.

MattW said:

Malmesbury 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.

squareroot2 said:

MattW said:

Malmesbury 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.

IanB2 said:

RobD said:

Morris_Dancer 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.

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...

Malmesbury said:

MattW said:

Malmesbury 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.

viewcode said:

IanB2 said:

RobD said:

Morris_Dancer 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.

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

Sunil_Prasannan 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?

nunu2 said:

Sunil_Prasannan 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 ?

The diplomat was an EU diplomat.

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.

Yes. 10 across (Ivan) Rogers. Roger = got it. As in, Roger, over and out. S = succeeded.

squareroot2 said:

MattW said:

Malmesbury 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.

bondegezou said:

squareroot2 said:

MattW said:

Malmesbury 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.

bondegezou said:

squareroot2 said:

MattW said:

Malmesbury 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.

bondegezou said:

squareroot2 said:

MattW said:

Malmesbury 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?

nunu2 said:

Nigelb said:

nunu2 said:

Sunil_Prasannan 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 ... ?

Malmesbury said:

bondegezou said:

squareroot2 said:

MattW said:

Malmesbury 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.

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

Have we got all the answers?

Thanks to StJohn for the entertainment.

20 across = remainer

Nigelb said:

nunu2 said:

Nigelb said:

nunu2 said:

Sunil_Prasannan 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!

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.

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.

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.

Remainer, Leg and Goderich all correct. Still three left. 25 and 26 across and 18 down.

There is another remainer lurking in 25 across.

stjohn said:

There is another remainer lurking in 25 across.

Aggrieve?

Mortimer said:

stjohn said:

There is another remainer lurking in 25 across.

Aggrieve?

Damn you, I got as far as __grieve!

stjohn said:

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

degrieve? ungrieve?

In is used for popular but is ingrieve a word?