Yes, it's another round of that classic guessing game - Animal, Vegetable, Mineral, Abstract [or any combination thereof]. This effort - '03/'04 should address any queries, but then again, may just serve to confuse and baffle which some might say is the point of the game. Patience, integrity and a decent search engine may be useful ....

And so it begins...

  • Rosie - Human?
  • Darren - A particular instance of an animal/human?
  • Tuj - Dead?
  • irach
    Furry?
  • Kim - Does it have legs?
  • Rosie
    Are you still there?
  • Gusset Login - Is it a fish?
  • Raak - Fictional?
  • gabrielized
    # Rosie - Human? Yes # Darren - A particular instance of an animal/human? Yes # Tuj - Dead? Not exactly # irach - Furry? Not particularly # Kim - Does it have legs? Yes # Rosie - Are you still there?yes, sorry, this is a weighty responsibility! sorry! # Gusset Login - Is it a fish? No # Raak - Fictional? In a way, yes.
  • gabrielized
    (new at this and not doing well with the formatting...) A Hint - it is mentioned in a popular novel.
  • Dujon - Is this a character loosely based on a real person?
  • Rosie - Male?
  • gabrielized
    [Dujon - Is this a character loosely based on a real person?] Not a character but yes, based on reality. [Rosie - Male?] Yes.
  • Rosie - Is the novel more than 50 years old?
  • gabrielized
    [Rosie - Is the novel more than 50 years old?] No.
  • Rosie - Anything to do with the Harry Potter stories
  • gabrielized
    [Rosie - Anything to do with the Harry Potter stories] No.
  • Rosie - Not something from Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, then?
  • CdM - Is this a real person who makes an appearance in a work of fiction?
  • gabrielized
    No, not HGTTG.
  • gabrielized
    [CdM - Is this a real person who makes an appearance in a work of fiction?] This is a representation of a man that makes an appearance in a work of fiction; and figures prominently in that work of fiction.
  • Raak - A physical representation, like a portrait or a statue?
  • gabrielized
    Raak! YES........................which one?
  • Rosie - Is the person represented alive?
  • gabrielized
    tough question. I suppose not, in a way, yes. Sorry, that's a matter of interpretation. The exact person dead, but could probably find others like that one now alive.
  • Raak - Is there just one of the physical representation?
  • Rosie - Is the person the holder of some official position?
  • Darren - Any religious connotations?
  • gabrielized
    Raak - there is just one original of this representation. Rosie - No indication that the person is the holder of any official position. Darren - There are no religious connotations to the person or the representation - apparently.
  • Dujon - Is this best known as a painting?
  • Tuj - Is it some sort of "modern art"?
  • Darren - Is the person anonymous?
  • gabrielized
    It is a painting or more likely, a pencil drawing by someone very famous for art. Not modern art at all. The person, the subject of the sketch, is rather anonymous.
  • Néa - Is the novel in question the Da Vinci Code?
  • ImNotJohn - Da Vinci's Vitruvian Man?
  • gabrielized
    Yes, in DaVinci Code, the Vitruvian MAN!!! YOU WIN!!
  • Linus on the Line
  • Rosie
    (ImNotJohn) Are you there?
  • CdM - Is it the ordnance survey symbol for a cairn?
  • Darren - Is it the ordinance survey symbol for CdM?
  • Darren
    That's "ordnance" of course. Even having the word right in front of me didn't stop me misspelling it.
  • Rosie
    If ImNotJohn doesn't materialise perhaps Néa should start one. She got closest.
  • ImNotJohn - Sorry
    Had to take a little bit of time off to work.
    This one is MINERAL

    CdM - Y....No.
    Darren - No

  • Gusset Login - Is it man-made?
  • all - Is the Eiffel Tower?
  • Darren - Is it a specific object?
    It just occurred to me that CdM might have an unfair advantage here.
  • ImNotJohn
    [GL] - No is the answer that helps most
    [all] - No
    [Darren] - Yes
    (Or alternatively CdM might have an unfair disadvantage.)
  • Raak - Is it on the Earth?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Yes
  • all - The white cliffs of Dover?
  • Raak - Is it bigger than a house?
  • Gusset Login - Mount Rushmore?
  • Rosie - Basically watery?
  • ImNotJohn - Cold
    [all] - No
    [Raak] - No
    [GL] - No
    [Rosie] - No
  • Néa - In Europe?
  • Kim - Is it usually found inside a building?
  • Raak - Is it a notable precious stone?
  • Tuj - Does it belong to someone well-known?
  • ImNotJohn - How did you do that?
    [Néa] - Yes
    [Kim] - Yes
    [Raak] - Yes (startled pause followed by prolonged applause)
    [Tuj] - Yes
  • Rosie - The Crown Jewels?
  • CdM - The Hope Diamond?
  • CdM
    (er, except that fails the Europe test. And possibly the belonging to someone well-known test...)
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] - No, but Yes, but No, but Yes, but NO
    [CdM] - No
  • Néa - The Koh i Noor?
    (trying to decide if that's a really stupid question or not, and leaning towards "yes", so asking it anyway)
  • all - The Star of Africa?
  • ImNotJohn - Well that wasn't that hard, was it?
    [Néa] - No
    [all] - YES
    Cullinan 1 or 'The Star of Africa' (if you'd been struggling I would probably have accepted 'The Cullinan Diamond', but thanks to Raak's astounding intuitive leap it all went rather quickly)
    So, over to all
  • ImNotJohn - drawing a line under it
  • all - That was unexpected
    um...

    MINERAL

  • ImNotJohn - Is it man-made?
  • Raak - Is there just one of it?
  • CdM - Is it on earth?
  • Néa - Is it a notable precious stone?
  • all
    [ImNotJohn] - Yes
    [Raak] - Yes
    [CdM] - Yes
    [Néa] - Nope
  • Rosie - An engineering structure?
  • all
    [Rosie] - I'll say, Yes, pending a clarification of the term "engineering structure"
  • CdM - Is it a building?
  • Raak - Is it bigger than a phone box?
  • Tuj - Is it made entirely of metal?
  • Dazed5 - Is it a sculpture?
  • Rosie - Does it carry a means of transport?
  • Darren - Does it have a practical use?
  • Inkspot - Is it in Britain?
  • ImNotJohn - The Angel of the North?
  • all
    [CdM] - No
    [Raak] - Yes (Audience, titters)
    [Tuj] - No
    [Dazed5] No
    [Rosie] - Yes (applause)
    [Darren] - Yes
    [Inkspot] - Yes
    [ImNotJohn] No
  • CdM - Is it either the London Underground in general, or Mornington Crescent in particular?
    Obvious, I know, but someone has to ask.
  • Raak - The inside of the Tardis?
  • Raak - Or rather, just the Tardis?
  • all
    [CdM] - (Much Applause) No and No.
    [Raak] - No
    [Raak] - No
  • CdM - Is it the Northern Line?
  • all
    [CdM] - YES! Well done. Over to you
  • CdM
    And once again I sneak in on someone else's coattails, as it were. OK, this one is
    ABSTRACT
  • ImNotJohn - Is it in a fictional work?
  • all - Is it an emotion?
  • CdM
    In fictional work? No.
    Emotion? No.
  • Rosie - A religion?
  • CdM
    Religion? No.
  • ImNotJohn - A human construct?
  • CdM
    Human construct? Yes.
  • Néa - Is it a form of entertainment?
  • CdM
    Form of entertainment? smattering of applause. No, but it has a connection to a form of entertainment.
  • Dazed5 - Is it audible?
  • CdM
    Audible? No.
  • Raak - Samantha?
  • CdM
    Samantha? No.
  • Darren - Is it connected to something competitive?
  • CdM
    Connected to something competitive? Yes. The competitive aspect is perhaps not hugely important, though.
  • Botherer - Is it a game of Mornington Crescent?
  • Rosie - The Laser Display Board?
  • Raak - A bifurcation?
  • Rosie - Points?
    Ignore my last effort, which is not even abstract were it to actually exist.
  • CdM
    Game of MC? No. substantial applause from audience
    Abstract Display Board? No. (actually, I would have thought the LDB was very definitely abstract)
    Bifurcation? 1. No. 2. Yes. Congratulations! You won on the second strand! Unfortunately you still need to get the answer on the original strand.
    Points? No.
  • Raak - The rules of Mornington Crescent?
  • CdM
    Rules of MC? No.
  • ImNotJohn - Is it a technical term in MC (such as knip)?
  • CdM
    Knip (or some such)? Kno. (The audience is now concerned that it applauded too hard after Botherer's question.)
  • Néa - Is it game other than MC played in the Morniverse?
  • CdM
    Morniverse game other than MC? No. loud applause from audience
  • Néa - Is it the Morniverse?
  • Raak - ISIHAC?
  • CdM
    ISIHAC? No.
  • CdM
    Morniverse? No.
  • all - Mornington Crescent?
  • CdM
    MC? No. (a rather confused response from the audience; a few people applauding enthusiastically but most remaining silent)
  • ImNotJohn - Connected with a pastime or form of entertainment not in the Morniverse?
    (Three questions for the price of one!)
  • CdM
    Connected with Non-morniverse entertainment? Yes (but I doubt if that is particularly helpful).
  • ImNotJohn - A Tim-Tam slam?
  • CdM
    Tim-tam slam? No. I'd keep focusing on the morniverse, if I were you.
  • Raak
    mc5?
  • CdM
    mc^5? No. (some applause)
  • Raak - Orange?
  • CdM
    Orange? No. (stony silence from the audience)
  • all - A winning move?
  • Raak - A pilgrimage?
  • CdM
    A winning move? Yes, but that is not sufficient. (loud and sustained applause from audience)
    A pilgrimage? No.
  • all - *The* winning move?
  • all - A lurker's victory in a game of MC?
  • all - The final move of the MC^5 long game?
  • CdM
    The winning move? No.
    Lurker's victory? No.
    End of the long game? No.
  • CdM - hmmmmmm...
  • CdM
    actually, you might be very very close with *the* winning move, but I need a clarification...
  • all - A cry of "Mornington Crescent"?
  • all - The final move of a game of MC?
  • all - The first move of a game of Reverse MC?
  • CdM
    No, no, and no ... you weren't quite as close as I thought you might be. :-)
  • all
    That's lucky, it's time someone else got a chance to set one.
  • Raak - The winner?
  • ImNotJohn - Do eeither of the words 'mornington' or 'crescent' appear in the answer?
  • CdM
    The winner? No.
    M or C? No.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the answer the winning move of a game?
  • CdM
    Is the answer the winning move of a game? Yes. (ushers are moving among the audience to try to get them to be quiet, and the riot police are starting to look nervous)
  • Néa - Baker Street?
    (cconnection to another form of entertainment - but then again it wasn't supposed to appear in a fictional work)
  • CdM
    Baker Street? No. (I said that the other form of entertainment might not be helpful. I simply meant that the form of entertainment in question exists outside the morniverse as well as inside it.)
  • Chalky - is it theMC5 Audience when it *shouts, screams and generally goes wild for someone*?
  • Raak - Stora Mossen?
  • CdM - I never met a winning move I didn't like
    MC5 audience? No.
    Stora Mossen? No.
    You're running out of time today, folks; it's gone 11pm here...
  • Raak - Is the answer the name of a station?
  • CdM
    name of a station? No.
  • Chalky - Boardo!?
    sorry CdM - are we keeping you up? :-)
  • CdM
    Boardo? No. And no you are not -- I have been working up to now. But you are probably going to have to wait until tomorrow, now...
  • Botherer - The Last Line Of A Limerick?
  • Rosie - Checkmate?
  • CdM
    Limerick?
    Said Gertrude, that master of prose
    "A rose is a rose is a rose"
    There's wisdom, you see
    In tautology:
    An answer's an answer, I s'pose.

    Checkmate? No.
  • Raak - The end of this game?
  • Kim - Is it a punchline?
  • CdM
    [Raak] I think that is close enough!
    The answer to this round of AVMA is "the answer to this round of AVMA". Over to you
  • CdM
  • Raak
    After that rarefied flight of circular fancy, a very down to earth MINERAL.
  • Gusset Login - Is it man-made?
  • all - Is it found on Earth?
  • Raak
    [GL] Yes.
    [all] Yes.
  • Néa - Is it a building?
  • Raak
    [Néa] No.
  • Rosie - Are there many of these?
  • all - Is it bigger than a bread box?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] No. (But there are more than one.)
    [all] Yes. (All of them are. Each of them is.)
  • ImNotJohn - Does it move?
  • Raak
    [INJ] No. At least, they're not supposed to.
  • all - Are it made of stone?
  • Gusset Login - Are they to be found in Britain?
  • Raak
    [all] Um...no.
    [GL] Yes.
  • Raak
    That's all for today, I'm off shortly to a concert at the Aldeburgh Festival.
  • Inkspot - Were they all made after 1900?
    I hope you enjoyed your evening the programme, not that I am in the least bit jealous.
  • Rosie - Are these objects identical, more or less?
  • Dujon - Would these consist of a soft, earthy substance, of a white, grayish, or yellowish white color, consisting of calcium carbonate, and having the same composition as common limestone?
  • Raak
    [Inkspot] Yes. (The Orlando Consort, giving a concert of Baroque recreational depression -- Tallis, Purcell, Tomkins, etc. There was a BBC OB van there, so it might get broadcast at some point, but of course, that's nothing like being there.)
    [Rosie] They're similar.
    [Dujon] Soft? No.
  • ImNotJohn - Are they composed entirely of a single substance?
  • Raak
    [INJ] They are known for it!
  • ImNotJohn - Is the substance liquid?
  • Raak
    [INJ] No.
  • Gusset Login - Does the name of the substance appear in the answer?
  • Raak
    [GL] Yes.
  • Gusset Login - Is the substance iron?
  • Inkspot - Is it made to be decorative?
  • Darren - Are they all in the same city or town?
  • ImNotJohn - A brick outhouse?
  • Raak
    [GL] No.
    [Inkspot] Yes.
    [Darren] Yes.
    [INJ] No.
  • Rosie - The Crown Jewels?
  • Gusset Login - Concrete cows?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] No.
    [GL] YES! The Concrete Cows of Milton Keynes.
  • Rosie
    (Gusset Login) Coo-oo!
  • Kim
    [Gusset Login) Coo-ee!
  • Gusset Login - Sorry, I was away for a few days
    I assumed I had it wrong. um...

    Vegetable

  • Raak - A potato?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] - No
  • Darren - Is it edible?
  • Gusset Login
    [Darren] - Yes, or part of it is
  • Darren - Is it processed?
  • Raak - Can you buy it in a typical U.K. supermarket?
  • Gusset Login
    [Darren] - No.
    [Raak] - No
  • Raak - Does it grow wild in the U.K.?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] - Yes
  • Kim - Is the edible part of it a fruit?
  • CdM - Is it a nettle?
  • Rosie - Is it later processed into a product?
  • rab - Is it a magic mushroom?
  • Gusset Login
    [Kim] - No
    [CdM] - No
    [Rosie] - Yes
    [rab] - No.
  • Darren - Is it rhubarb?
  • Irouléguy - Is it nicer with custard?
  • Raak - Is it a type of grain?
  • Tuj - Is the edible bit green?
  • Dujon - Dandelion and Burdoch?
  • CdM - Is it a mustard seed?
  • Gusset Login
    [Darren] - No
    [Irouléguy] - No
    [Raak] - No
    [Tuj] - The websites I've checked are undecided about the green bit being edible.
    [Dujon] - No
    [CdM] - No
  • Chalky - Hops?
  • CdM - Would you (well, not necessarily you personally) ever eat the edible bit in its unprocessed form?
  • Gusset Login
    [Chalky] - No
    [CdM] - Yes
  • Gusset Login
    It might be worth clarifying that most products produced from it are not intended to be edible
  • Irouléguy - Are those products flowers?
  • Chalky - Oil See Rape?
  • Chalky - or perhaps Linseed?
  • Gusset Login
    [Irouléguy] - No
    [Chalky] - No (nor Oilseed Rape)
    [Chalky] - No
  • Darren - Are the products produced from it mostly liquid?
  • Rosie - Is it a tree?
  • Gusset Login
    [Darren] - No
    [Rosie] - Yes
  • Darren - Is the edible part a nut?
  • Gusset Login
    [Darren] - No
  • Darren - Is the product produced from it decorative?
  • Raak - Is the non-edible product timber?
  • Gusset Login
    [Darren] - That depends, can you think of any decorative uses for wood?
    [Raak] - Yes
  • CdM - Is the answer a particular tree (such as a maple tree, for example)?
  • Darren - Are we looking for the final product?
  • Gusset Login
    [CdM] - Yes
    [Darren] - No, it's a tree
  • CdM
    So we are looking for a tree that grows wild in Britain and which has an edible part that is not a leaf or a fruit or a nut or a blossom...
  • Raak - A pine tree?
  • Botherer - Licorice?
    If I'm right, someone else needs to carry the torch...
  • Rosie - The mighty oak?
    My "other" computer is an Acorn but I've never eaten one.
  • Irouléguy - Is the edible bit a vegetable?
  • Gusset Login
    [CdM] - Good summary, But you forgot to mention that the edible part can be eaten raw and it is mainly used for non-edible products.

    [Raak] - No
    [Botherer] - No
    [Rosie] - No
    [Irouléguy] - No, the whole thing is a tree.

  • ImNotJohn - Willow
    The bark is edible in small quantities but is mostly used for medicinal ones
  • Gusset Login
    [ImNotJohn] - No, but you're thinking along the right lines
  • Raak - Is the edible part the sap?
  • Inkspot - Alder?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] - Yes, but also the bark.
    [Inkspot] - No
  • Inkspot - Is it from the salicaceae family of trees?
  • Gusset Login
    [Inkspot] - No
  • Darren - Family Fagaceae?
  • Irouléguy - Jesuit's bark aka cinchona?
  • Gusset Login
    [Darren] - No
    [Irouléguy] - I've never heard quinine bark called that before... No

    Would a clue be useful at this point?

  • Rosie
    WE will ask the questions, Mr Login. Er, yes please. :-)
  • Gusset Login
    Very well.

    It's a conifer and easy to recognise from a distance.

  • Darren - The Larch?
  • Gusset Login
    [Darren] - YES! Well done, it would have been easier if no one had asked about it being edible, which it is, apparently.
  • Darren
    Ah, but it's the unexpected questions that can produce misleading answers which are so much fun!

    So, this one is primarily VEGETABLE but I wouldn't be surprised if MINERAL or indeed ANIMAL could be involved in some cases.

  • Chalky - Stovold's Mornington Crescent Almanac 2002 ?
  • Gusset Login - Is the vegetable still alive?
  • Darren
    [Chalky] I can see your reasoning, but no.
    [Gusset Login] No.
  • ImNotJohn - Is it man-made?
  • Irouléguy - Austrian wine?
    GL] I know the name from the Patrick O'Brian 'Master and commander' books.
  • Darren
    [ImNotJohn] Yes.
    [Irouléguy] Not typically, but some of them may well be.
  • Darren
    [Irouléguy] Whoops, I thought you said "Austrian made?". It's not Austrian wine.
  • irach - Is it monochromatic or multi-coloured?
  • Darren
    [irach] Normally multi-coloured.
  • Rosie - Is it largely wooden?
  • Darren
    [Rosie] Sometimes it can be.
  • Raak - A set of children's building blocks?
  • Darren
    [Raak] No.
  • Rosie - A work of art?
  • irach - Are you using, eating or viewing one now?
  • irach - Does one normally use it at home?
  • Irouléguy - Is it a book?
  • Darren
    [Rosie] Could be, I suppose, but not normally.
    [irach] (1) No, no and no. (2) Yes.
    [Irouléguy] No.
  • Raak - Can it be read?
  • Darren
    [Raak] No.
  • all - A chopping board?
  • Darren
    [all] No.
  • Raak - Is it an item of furniture?
  • Rosie - A cupboard of some kind?
  • Darren
    [Raak] No.
    [Rosie] No.
  • irach - Is it generally found in the kitchen? In the living room? In the bedroom?
  • Darren
    [irach] (1) No. (2) I suppose if anywhere, you might find it there. (3) No. Well... depends on whose bedroom, I suppose!
  • CdM - Were you being sneakily literal in your earlier response to the question "is it man-made?"?
  • CdM - *slinks off to hide in the corner*
    Eeeek... I didn't mean to post that question; it was prompted by a stupid misreading on my part. Sorry. Please carry on.
  • Darren
    [CdM] It's not the product of a bodily function, if that's what you mean. It's a manufactured product.
  • irach - Can one curl up on or in it if one is larger than an average-sized domestic cat?
  • RedSnapper - Does it generally have a glass component to it, in addition to sometimes being wooden?
  • irach - Is it elongated, and sometimes made of metal?
  • Raak - A coaster?
  • all - Is it a bookshelf?
  • Darren
    [irach] (1) No.
    [RedSnapper] No.
    [irach] (2) Yes (elongated), but as far as I know, no (not metal).
    [Raak] No.
    [all] No.
  • irach - In its normal use or state of being, is it found above eye-level when one (of usual adult height of say, five to seven feet) is standing and looking straight ahead in its direction ?
  • Darren
    [irach] No.
  • Rosie - Is it an implement of some kind?
  • Darren
    [Rosie] Not really.
  • CdM - Would most players of this game be likely to have one in their homes?
    [Darren] er, no, I didn't mean that at all. I simply had misread, and thought you had said it was not man-made. Then I realized my mistake, but posted instead of editing my question. In other words I was confused, which is a not unusual state-of-being for me.
  • Darren
    [CdM] I would say no. As for your other unquestion, well, just look on it as getting an extra answer for free.
  • Raak - Is it smaller than a breadbin?
  • Darren
    [Raak] Yes.
  • Rosie - Is it connected with a hobby or interest?
  • Irouléguy
    Summary (is it just me, or are we having these more often?)

    It is: man-made (as in constructed by humans); possibly, but not typically, Austrian; multi-coloured; possibly wooden; possibly, but not normally, a work of art; used at home, most likely in the living-room; elongated; smaller than a bread-bin; normally found below the eye-line of the average-height person.

    It is (or was) not: Austrian wine; a set of children's building blocks; being used, eaten or viewed by Darren at 09.38 BST on Friday; a book; readable; a chopping-board; furniture; a cupboard; generally found in the kitchen or the bedroom; something you can curl up on or in (if larger than a cat); containing glass or metal; a coaster; a bookshelf; really an implement; something that most players of this game would have in their houses.

    Who was it who said 'knowledge is power'?

    Is it culturally specific?
  • Darren
    [Rosie] Almost anything could be!
    [Irouléguy] Hmmm... its name would suggest so.
  • Darren
    [Irouléguy] So as not to be too misleading, though, it's not something I'd say is culturally specific.
  • Raak - bric-a-brac?
  • Darren
    [Raak] No.
  • Rosie - A walking-stick?
  • Darren
    [Rosie] No.
  • Raak - A ouija board?
  • Darren
    [Raak] No.
  • Irouléguy - Is the vegetable part solely wood?
  • Raak - A pencil-case?
  • Darren
    [Irouléguy] As I implied above, no. There doesn't have to be any wood involved, although there sometimes is.
    [Raak] No.
  • Rosie - If no wood, then necessarily plastic?
  • all - a ruler?
  • Darren
    [Rosie] Not necessarily.
    [all] No.
  • Irouléguy - Is the vegetable part some form of dried grass (straw, hay, etc)?
  • Raak - A window box?
  • Darren
    [Irouléguy] The funny thing is, it can be, but that's such an incredibly misleading answer!
    [Raak] No.

    Does anyone want a clue?

  • Rosie
    (Darren) Yes please. Most of the answers seem to be a Pythonesque "could be". I detect widespread bafflement, of which I'm part. :-)
  • Darren
    "Could be" is partly because I'm a vague person, and partly because I don't like leading people up too many dark alleys. Anyway, a clue: it's a kind of puzzle.
  • irach - Is it generally placed on the floor, or is it in fact part of the floor?
  • RedSnapper - Can one place umbrellas in it? As part of its normal usage, that is?
  • Darren
    [irach] No and no.
    [RedSnapper] No.
  • Effable - puzzled
    Does this have any physical manifestation at all? Or is it purely conceptual?
  • Effable - confused
    (Ansering my own questions) we're looking for the physical object. Is it essential to the game or puzzle? That is, can one play without the thing?
  • Gusset Login - Dominoes?
  • Darren
    [Effable] No, one cannot do this puzzle without the thing.
    [Gusset Login] No.
  • irach - Can it be turned off, or easily hidden away when house guests arrive?
  • RedSnapper - Would you allow house guests to use yours? Even if they were only casual acquaintances ?
  • Darren
    [irach] Turned off? No. Hidden away? Yes.
    [RedSnapper] House guests? Yes. Casual acquaintances? Yes.
  • irach - Is it typically held in one's hand when in use?
  • Rosie - A Rubik Cube?
  • Darren
    [irach] Yes... and yet no.
    [Rosie] No.
  • Rosie - A "Fifteen" puzzle?
  • Dujon - Is the 'puzzle' a word game?
  • all - Su doku?
    I hope I'm wrong.
  • Chalky - pick-a-stix [that game with long pointy things]
  • Darren
    [Rosie] No.
    [Dujon] No.
    [all] No.
    [Chalky] No.
  • Darren
    irach's question about holding it is a potentially rewarding line of enquiry.
  • Irouléguy - Scoubi-dou? (spelling?)
  • ImNotJohn - A Magic Wand?
  • Raak - One of those stick-like things that will spin one way but not the other?
  • Kim - Spinning plates?
  • irach - Is it some form of writing implement?
  • all - Playing cards?
  • Darren
    [Irouléguy] No.
    [ImNotJohn] No.
    [Raak] No.
    [Kim] No.
    [irach] No.
    [all] No.
  • irach - A computer mouse?
  • Rosie - A crossword puzzle?
  • all - paddle ball?
  • Darren
    [irach] No.
    [Rosie] No.
    [all] No.
  • irach - Could you take it on a camping trip with you without having to lug an electrical generator? Can you leave home without it?
  • Irouléguy - Is the vegetable part of it part of its name?
  • Darren
    [irach] (1) Yes. (2) Yes.
    [Irouléguy] No.
  • Raak - Is it used in a recreation involving more than one person?
  • Chalky - pooh-sticks?
  • Rosie - Was this puzzle around in 1950?
  • irach - Jigsaw puzzle?
  • Darren
    [Raak] As far as I know, no.
    [Chalky] No.
    [Rosie] Yes.
    [irach] No.
  • Rosie - Solitaire?
  • Raak - A piece of juggling apparatus?
  • Darren
    [Rosie] No.
    [Raak] No, unless you were a very unusual juggler.

    Another clue, anyone?

  • Rosie
    (Darren) Go on.
  • all - Is it normal to have more than one?
  • all - Does the puzzle/game involve trying to catch something?
  • RedSnapper - Is it rectangular with specific places where one's fingers go?
  • Darren
    [all] (1) Neither normal nor abnormal. (2) No.
    [RedSnapper] Rectangular? Depends which way you look at it. Specific places for fingers? Yes.
  • Raak - It is hollow?
  • Darren
    [Raak] Yes.
  • Effable
    Does it have moving parts?
  • irach - Does it have keys or buttons to place one's fingers on?
  • irach - Does it rhyme with "cord"?
  • Darren
    [Effable] No. It's got flexible parts though.
    [irach] (1) No. (2) No.
  • Dazed5
    Is is a folded paper puzzle?
  • Darren
    [Dazed5] No.
  • Raak - Does the puzzle involve getting things into or out of this thing?
  • all - Are you going to give us the clue Rosie asked for?
  • Irouléguy - Are building blocks involved in any way?
  • Chalky - Is it for children as well as adults?
  • irach - Can you easily bend it? (assuming you have average, and not Herculean strength)
  • Darren
    [Raak] Yes.
    [all] I was going to but you seem to be getting pretty close now.
    [Irouléguy] No.
    [Chalky] Yes.
    [irach] Yes.
  • Rosie - Cat's Cradle?
  • Raak - A Chinese finger-trap?
  • Darren
    [Rosie] No.
    [Raak] YES! Well done!

    So, it goes over to Raak for the next round.

  • Raak
    A finger-trap made of wood?

    The next one is MINERAL

  • Darren
    [Raak] Yep, they can be made of wood.
  • irach - Is it metallic?
  • Effable - is it solid?
  • RedSnapper - Is it larger than a teacup? (An average one, not the spinning kind in Disneyland)
  • irach - Is it man-made?
  • Kim - Is it a geological feature?
  • Irouléguy - Is it on this planet?
  • Raak
    Metallic? Yes.
    Solid? Yes.
    Larger than teacup? Yes.
    Man-made? Yes.
    Geological? No.
    On Earth? Yes.
  • ImNotJohn - Is there only one of this?
    [finger-trap] After googling and finding a picture I can now state certainly that I have never seen nor heard of it - is it me, or generational, or geographical?
  • Raak
    [INJ] More than one.
  • Raak
    [INJ] (fingertraps) I saw them as a child in Edinburgh, erm, later middle C20.
  • Kim - Do they come in different sizes?
  • Chalky - Is this used in the home?
    Chinese Finger Trap - I've never heard of this either. T'was rather an anticlimax really :-(
  • Raak
    Different sizes: Yes.
    In the home: No.
  • irach - Do you typically see it when driving on the street?
    [IMJ, Chalky - Type www.ebay.com and put in "Chinese Finger trap" in the Search box. You'll see pictures of this infernal device]
  • Rosie - Could you lift it?
    A poll of 7 friends in The Greyhound, Carshalton revealed only one who had ever heard of Chinese Finger Traps. I think The Object should always be well known, so no characters from cult novels etc, or obscure asteroids. The game is difficult enough.
  • Irouléguy - Is it used in cooking?
  • Chalky - Is it / are they used in industry?
  • RedSnapper - Is it mobile?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it a construction of multiple parts?
    [Darren et al] Sorry, didn't mean to complain - what is well-known to one person may be obscure to others. It did explain why we found it so difficult though.
  • Raak
    Typically see while driving: No.
    Lift it: Yes.
    Cooking: No.
    Industry: No.
    Mobile: Yes (but not under its own power).
    Construction of parts: Yes.
  • all - Is it bigger than a breadbox?
    [Finger traps] I've heard of them, but didn't think they were made of wood. Normally it's straw or leather.
  • Raak
    Bigger than breadbox: Yes.
  • irach - Is it closer to being rectangular or circular when viewed head-on ?
  • Raak
    Er...no.
  • irach - Is one likely to encounter it/them in everyday life ?
  • Darren
    [fingertraps] They can be (and are) made of all sorts of things, which is why I had to be so vague about it. I would have thought everyone would have heard of them. The thing is, it's hard for one person to tell what everyone else has heard of without asking explicitly beforehand. Still, someone got it in the end which is what counts.
  • Raak
    [irach] Most people won't.
  • irach - Meteorites?
  • Raak
    Meteorites? No.
  • Rosie - Powered by electricity?
  • Raak
    No.
  • Rosie - A container of some sort?
  • Raak
    Yes. (amusement in the audience)
  • Rosie - Is it associated with substances not normally mentioned in polite company?
  • Raak
    No.
  • Raak
    (The audience's amusement was due to the fact that "a container" is so precisely accurate a description that only a child would spontaneously think of calling it one.)
  • Rosie - A chastity belt?
  • Rosie - A pair of handcuffs?
  • Raak
    No, and no.
  • Irouléguy - Are they normally found above ground?
  • Raak
    Yes.
  • Rosie - Does it have any moving parts?
  • RedSnapper - Let's see.. Metallic... Man made... On earth...Not used in cooking...Not used in industry...Made of multiple parts...Not typically seen when driving... Can be lifted...Not likely to be encountered by most people in everyday life...Not powered by elecctricity... Normally found above ground... Container of a sort (likely to induce chuckles)... Hmm .. sure sounds like a metallic bra by Jean-Paul Gaultier as worn by Madonna, but probably isn't.
  • Raak
    Moving parts? Yes.
    Metallic bra? No.
  • Rosie - Industrial use, in a broad sense?
  • all - A waste paper bin?
  • Raak
    Industrial? No.
    Waste bin? No.
    Clue yet?
  • Rosie
    Clue? Go on.
  • Raak
    Try and find out its size.
  • Chalky - OK - what size is it?
  • Chalky - only kidding. Is it smaller than the Malaysian Peninsula?
  • Chalky - Is it larger than the New Forest?
  • Raak
    Smaller than both.
  • CdM - Is it larger than a thimble?
  • Chalky - The Tardis?
    *waves at CdM*
    Have just taken the trouble to read back and it seems that it's BIGGER than a breadbox but you can LIFT it - the plot thickens
  • Raak
    Bigger than a thimble.
    Not the Tardis. And smaller than the outside of the Tardis.
    [Chalky] Lots of things bigger than a breadbox that you can lift...or does breadbox not mean what I think it means?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it powered by human effort (like a bicycle)?
  • Chalky - A suit of armour?
  • Raak
    [INJ] Yes.
    [Chalky] YES! Over to you.
  • Chalky
    Oo-er! That was rather unexpected. OK - as I'm here ...

    A N I M A L / A B S T R A C T

  • Irouléguy - Is it a fictional human?
  • Gusset Login - Are they male?
  • Rosie - The Cheshire Cat?
  • Chalky
    [I] Fictional Human? Yes
    [GL] Male? Yes
    [R] The Cheshire Cat? No
  • Gusset Login - Are they best known for being a character in a film?
  • irach - Is he an adult fictional human?
  • RedSnapperi - Appears in Victorian-era literature?
  • irach - Is he a comic book or cartoon character?
  • Irouléguy - Is he a character in a novel?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it a specific single individual?
  • Chalky
    [GL] character in film? Arguable, but I'd say No
    [i] Adult? No
    [RS] Victorian era? No
    [i] comic/cartoon? No
    [I] novel? Yes
    [INJ] specific individual? Yes
  • ImNotJohn - Does the name of the novel include the name of the answer?
  • irach - Does this non-adult fictional male character that appears in a novel hail from the British Isles?
  • Effable - was the novel written in English?
  • Raak - Harry Potter?
    Going for the obvious...
  • Rosie - Adrian Mole?
    Going for very nearly as obvious...
  • Chalky - sorry for the long wait - I went out tonight
    [INJ] name including name? No
    [i] British Isles? Yes
    [E] English? Yes
    [Ra] Harry boy? Nah - 'though going for the obvious may not be a bad move - this is a relatively well-known child character in a novel which, I think, most of us will have, or been forced to have, read at some point in our lives.
    [Ro] Adrian? No
  • Effable - was Dickens the author of the novel?
  • Dujon - Was this young fellow involved with pirates?
  • Raak - William Brown?
  • Irouléguy - Is the child the main protagonist of the novel?
  • Néa - Does he appear in one novel, as opposed to a series?
  • Chalky
    [E] Dickens? No
    [D] Pirates? If you're thinking R L Stephenson, then No
    [R] William? No
    [I] main protagonist? certainly one of them, Yes
    [Néa] one novel? Yes

    [I'll be away until lunchtime]

  • ImNotJohn - Piggy (from Lord of the Flies)?
    I'm reasoning along the lines that it's 20th Century (although we only know that it's not Victorian) and that Chalky said we may have been forced to read it, which suggests something slightly more serious than HP or the Famous Five.
  • ImNotJohn - Was the novel written in the 20th century?
    Just to confirm.
  • Raak - Wart?
  • Irouléguy - Peter from 'The railway children'?
  • Chalky - A Result
    [I'm Not John] Your reasoning is exemplary - Piggy it is!

    Well played - here's the baton ....

  • ImNotJohn - Well, what do you know?
    Thank you, though you might have given the baton a bit of a wipe down before passing it on. The next one is
    ANIMAL & VEGETABLE
  • Raak - Sausages and mash?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] No (but think how good you'll feel when one of your stabs in the dark does work)
  • Gusset Login - A partridge in a pear tree?
  • Chalky - The New Forest?
  • irach - Is the vegetable part still attached and growing ton the plant or is it detached, and parts now combined with the animal product in question?
  • RedSnapper - Hamburger and French Fries?
  • irach - Irish stew?
  • ImNotJohn
    [GL] No
    [Chalky] No
    [Irach] No ;-)......Oh, all right then - No and Yes(ish), but you've made a lot of assumptions
    [RS] No
    [Irach] No
  • Raak - Is this something you eat?
  • ImNotJohn - I was wondering when someone would ask that
    [Raak] Yes
  • Chalky - Would this be served as a meal on a plate?
  • ImNot John - 2 questions
    [Chalky] No, but the answers you probably want are - No and Yes
  • Chalky
    [INJ] ah yes - was meaning: 'meal on a plate' as opposed to 'lolly on a stick' type of thing. But as you have vair kindly given me a precise answer ....
  • Chalky - Would this be considered British food?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] Yes
    That's it until tomorrow morning now
  • RedSnapper - Fish and chips?
  • Raak - Is the animal part meat?
  • Irouléguy - Haggis?
  • Chalky - is this an accompaniment to a meal?
  • ImNotJohn
    [RS] No
    [Raak] No
    [Iroul] No
    [Chalky] No
  • Gusset Login - Is cheese involved?
  • Chalky - Is it savoury [as opposed to sweet]?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] No (small ripple from the audience)
    Meetings until lunchtime now.
  • Raak - Cheesecake?
  • Gusset Login - Is cheese involved?
    I know I asked before, but you didn't answer
  • Irouléguy - Jaffa cakes?
  • Chalky - Pastry?
  • Gusset Login - ice-cream?
  • irach - Buttered toast?
  • RedSnapper - Is the animal part eggs?
  • irach - Cookies and milk?
  • ImNotJohn - Back online
    [Raak] cheesecake - NO
    [GL] cheese - NO (sorry)
    [Iroul] Jaffas - NO
    [Chalky]Pastry - NO
    [GL] Ice cream - NO
    [irach] toast - NO
    [RS] animal part eggs - YES (Partly)
    [irach] Cookies & Milk - NO
  • Chalky - Some kind of cake?
  • Raak - An omelette?
  • Irouléguy - Yorkshire pudding?
  • Gusset Login - French Toast?
  • Kim - Is is a McDonalds Egg McMuffin?
  • Chalky - pancake?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] cake - NO (applause at the question and a bit of tutting and shaking of heads at the answer)
    [Raak] omelette - NO
    [Iroul] Yorkshire pud - NO
    [GL] French Toast - NO
    [Kim] Egg McMuffin - NO
    [Chalky] Pancake - NO
  • irach - Is the vegetable part a fruit?
  • RedSnapper - Is a cow in any way involved with its origins?
  • ImNotJohn
    [irach] a fruit? - Mostly NO
    [RS] Is a cow involved? - YES
    .The audience sits in stony silence through those questions and answers
  • Chalky - Is it a well-loved traditional British pudding?
  • all - Custard?
  • Néa - Spam, sausage, spam, spam, bacon, spam, tomato and spam?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] - YES (applause)
    [all] custard? - Each to his own taste, but for me the answer is NO
    Oh, you meant, 'is it custard?' - NO.
    [Néa] - NO (I think most people would regard that as a touch savoury - unless you ignore the Spam, Sausage, Bacon and Spam)
  • Raak - Pineapple upside-down pudding?
  • Chalky - Spotted Dick?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] - NO
    [Chalky] - NO (avoiding all the obvious comments)
  • all - Is it bread and butter pudding?
  • ImNotJohn - Can't be long now
    [all] - NO
  • Raak - Jam roly-poly?
  • irach - Yorkshire Pudding?
  • Néa - Is it typically eaten at Christmas?
  • Chalky - Rice Pudding?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Jam roly-poly? - NO (but on the right lines)
    [irach] still NO
    [Néa] xmas - NO
    [Chalky] Rice Pud? - NO
  • Rosie - How many words "on the card"?
    I think this is a legitimate question, traditionally.
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] - it depends which version of the game you're thinking of, but I'm happy to answer. 3 (though there is a two-word answer which I might consider close enough).
  • irach - Caramel pudding?
  • Dazed5
    Dumplings?
  • Raak - lemon meringue pie?
  • ImNotJohn
    [irach] Caramel pudding? - NO but sooooo close
    [Raak] - NO
  • CdM - Sticky Toffee Pudding
    (not sure if that is any different from caramel pudding, mind you...)
  • Raak - Death By Chocolate?
  • Dazed5 - Sussex Pond Pudding?
    Sorry for the previous guess, didnt see it had 3 words.
  • ImNotJohn - And the winner is
    [CdM] - YES - Sticky Toffee Pudding it is
    I did have a little debate with myself over caramel pudding - I'd already decided to accept syrup/treacle sponge. I just wasn't quite sure what was meant by it exactly (for example is 'Crème Caramel' a caramel pudding. So, butter, eggs & milk for the animal and the fruit was because traditionally, it should be made with date sponge. So it's over to CdM.
    [Dazed5] I wish I'd thought of that - I would have used it if I had.
  • CdM
    All right -- I think this should be an easy one, actually.
    ABSTRACT
  • ImNotJohn - anarcho-syndicalism?
  • CdM - Can I buy a vowel please?
    anarcho-syndicalism? Oooh, very close, in the sense that "anarcho-syndicalism" contains all but one of the letters in both acceptable versions of the actual answer.
  • Irouléguy - Monday morning? (or mornings?)
  • Raak - Is it a book?
  • CdM
    Mondays? No.
    Book? No.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the missing letter in "anarcho-syndicalism" an 'e'?
  • CdM
    e-missing? No. And to clarify: it is a different letter that is missing for each of the acceptable answers. But in neither case is the missing letter an "e" (and in only one of the two cases is the missing letter a vowel).
  • irach - Is the missing letter a "y"? As in anarchy?
  • Rosie - Is it, in the broadest sense, a philosophy?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it a human concept?
  • CdM
    missing y? No, in neither case.
    philosoph_? No.
    human concept? yes.
  • irach - Is it a munificent human concept? Or the contrary?
  • CdM
    Munificent or the contrary? Er. I think I would say No and No.
  • Raak - Is it a work of art?
  • CdM
    Work of art? No.
  • ImNotJohn - Does it primarily or largely appear in a book?
  • CdM
    Primarily or largely appear in a book? *considerable applause from audience* No.
  • RedSnapper - Is it popular?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it to do with books or reading?
  • Irouléguy - Is there a religious connection?
  • Raak - Is a book part of it?
  • RedSnapper - Would Socrates have found use for it?
  • all - Is it fiction?
  • CdM
    Popular? Somewhat, depending on what you mean by "popular".
    Books or reading? It need not have anything to do with books or reading, but having said that, there is a definite connection.
    Religious? No.
    Book part of it? No, although there is a connection to some books.
    Socrates? No.
    Fiction? No.
  • Raak - A cataloguing scheme?
  • CdM
    Cataloguing scheme? No.
  • Chalky - Is it anything to do with colour?
  • Irouléguy - Is it a general human concept, or specific to a particular culture or cultures?
  • ImNotJohn - Is there only one / one manifestation of this?
  • CdM
    Colour? No.
    General human concept? *applause from the audience* It is a specific cultural example of a general human concept.
    One / one manifestation? Yes. (See above: the answer is one specific manifestation of something more general.)
  • irach - Is it generally considered a positive attribute?
  • all - Is it generally considered a negative attribute?
  • Rosie - Anything to do with, ahem, desire?
  • RedSnapper - Is it a thing called Love?
  • Raak - Anything to do with religion?
  • CdM
    Positive? It is not an attribute. People would probably view it neutrally. Some people might view it positively (I know some people in the Morniverse do.) I see no reason why it would be viewed negatively in general.
    Negative? See above.
    Desire? No.
    Love? No.
    Religion? Still no.
  • Chalky - Scansion?
  • Raak - Philology?
  • all - Is, it: Punctuation?
  • Chalky - Rhythm?
  • irach - Language?
  • CdM
    Scansion: No.
    Philology: *some applause from the audience* No.
    Punctuation: *tiny smattering of applause* No.
    Rhythm: No.
    Language? *applause from audience* No.
  • Néa - Is it a particular language?
  • CdM
    Particular language: *major applause from audience* Yes!
  • Néa - Finnish / Suomi?
    (though isn't the language actually Suomen?)
  • irach - The Queen's English?
  • Irouléguy - Chinese/Mandarin?
  • Raak - European?
  • Rosie - Do (does?) more than a tiny minority of the Morniverse understand it?
  • Chalky - Is it a computer language?
  • RedSnapper - html?
  • Kim - Is it the language of luuuurve?
  • all - Japanese?
  • CdM - Kyllä!
    Finnish? YES! *throws baton at Néa* I never quite worked out all those Finnish cases, but I think "suomen" is the indirect passive fifth person ablative.
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM]I think you left out non-neuter
  • Néa - ooooooh
    Wow, this is quite a responsibility. *catches baton deftly and drops it on her foot*

    [CdM] I believe you'll find that all those cases is a reason that some people do, in fact, view it negatively :-) (I don't!)

    ABSTRACT
  • ImNotJohn - Anarcho-syndicalism?
    It's got to be right some day.
  • Néa - This is not that day
    [INJ] No. Some people would probably say that there is a connection, but that's not a very helpful clue.
  • Raak - The long dark night of the soul?
  • Irouléguy - Summer?
  • RedSnapper - Sarcastic anachronisms? (Why not?)
  • Rosie - Political?
  • Néa
    [Raak] No. *a few people in the audience clap, though*
    [Iroulé] No.
    [RS] No. (Cos it isn't.)
    [Rosie] No.
  • Raak - A Finnish winter?
  • Néa
    [Raak] No.
  • Néa - FYI
    My Internet access will be patchy the next few days, but I should be able to log in at least once or twice a day.
  • Raak - Does darkness have something to do with it?
  • Néa - Hmmmmmm
    [Raak] I would say that darkness is implied but not necessary.
  • Irouléguy - Does it have anything to do with the weather?
  • all - The long dark teatime of the soul?
  • Chalky - Hello Néa :-) Is this an emotion?
  • Irouléguy - Does the connection between the answer and anarcho-syndicalism have anything to do with Spain?
  • Néa
    [Irouléguy] No.
    [all] Hmmm. No.
    [Chalky] Hello. No. (*applause*)
    [Irouléguy] No.
  • Raak - gothdom?
  • Chalky - Is it a state of mind?
  • Rosie - Is it anything physical?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it a human construct?
  • Néa
    [Raak] No.
    [Chalky] No. *some applause*
    [Rosie] Yes but no but yes but no.
    [INJ] It is not a construct.
  • irach - Gloom? Despair? Dyspepsia?
  • Raak - Fannishness?
  • Néa
    No, no, no and no. You are not really on the right track at the moment.
  • Rosie - Is it some sort of game?
    Hoping the points have been set right.
  • Raak - Sleep?
  • Néa
    [Rosie] Not a game.
    [Raak] No, but now you are most definitely on the right track. *audience claps and cheers*
  • Raak - A dream?
  • Néa - I think he's getting it...
    Yes, but that's not specific enough.
  • Rosie - A nightmare?
  • Irouléguy - A dream of a better world?
  • Raak - A Midsummer Night's Dream?
  • Néa - Boo!
    [Rosie] YES! *hands over baton with a flourish*
  • Rosie
    ABSTRACT, with MINERAL CONNECTIONS
  • Rosie
    Should have added ANIMAL CONNECTIONS also.
  • Raak - Anything to do with Harry Potter?
  • Rosie
    Raak - Absolutely nothing. :-)
  • Irouléguy - Are the animal connections human?
  • Rosie
    Irouléguy - Yes
  • Raak - Anything to do with King Arthur?
  • Rosie
    Raak - No, not a thing.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the mineral connection metal?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the human connection to a non-fictional human
  • Rosie
    (ImNotJohn) - Both yes.
  • Raak - Camilla's new coat of arms?
  • CdM - Is it a human construct?
    (That was original, wasn't it?)
  • Rosie
    Raak - No.
    CdM - Yes. It has to be asked, and you are a couple of inches nearer the Holy Grail. :-)
  • Raak - The Sword of Truth and the Shield of British Fair Play?
  • Irouléguy - Is the non-fictional human alive?
  • Rosie
    Raak - No
    Irouléguy - No
  • Raak - Is the mineral connection a weapon?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the mineral connection a precious metal?
    [CdM] Wot you doin' aksin my question?
  • all - The Holy Grail?
  • Rosie
    Raak - No, but it can be used as one.
    ImNotJohn - No.
    all - No.
  • Raak - Lord Byron's bicycle?
  • Rosie
    Raak - No, but the format of your answer is getting warm.
  • Raak - X's Y for some animate X and inanimate Y?
  • Dazed5 - Davy Jones' Locker?
  • irach - Pandora's Box?
  • RedSnapper - Midas' Golden Touch?
  • Rosie
    Raak - That's right
    Dazed5 - No
    irach - No
    RedSnapper - No

    Don't forget the meaning is essentially Abstract.

  • Dazed5 - Any political connection?
  • Rosie
    Dazed5 - No
  • Irouléguy - Newton's three laws of motion?
  • Dazed5 - Is there a musical connection?
  • Rosie
    Irouléguy - No

    Dazed5 - No (Surprised that hasn't been asked earlier).

  • Dazed5 - Is transport involved?
    determined to narrow it down
  • Raak - Foucault's pendulum?
  • Rosie
    Dazed5 - No.
    Raak - No. Don't forget the answer has an essentially abstract meaning.
  • Rosie
    Although the answer could be classed as a little arcane or academic it should be known here, and has 172,000 Google hits worldwide.
  • Raak
    [Rosie] So does F's P, a certain novel...
  • Raak - The King's shilling?
  • Rosie
    Raak - No (Yeah, it means bugger all really. :-) )
  • Irouléguy - Is there a scientific connection?
  • Dazed5 - Is there a religious connection?
  • Rosie
    Irouléguy - Yes, this could be used in science.
    Dazed5 - No.
  • Raak - Did the person live before the 20th century?
  • Dazed5 - Was the person male?
  • Rosie
    Raak - Yes.
    Dazed5 - Yes.
  • Raak - Was he English?
  • Rosie
    Raak - He was.
  • Chalky - So, although this was a real person and a real metal thingy [that could be used as a weapon, or in science] essentially this is an abstract notion? Is it a 2-word answer?
  • irach - Was the person involved a 19th century Englishman, or did he live (and die) prior to that?
  • Dazed5 - Was the 'weapon' a pen?
  • ImNotJohn - Morton's Fork?
  • Rosie
    Chalky - Yes and yes. The whole thing could be used in science, among other things. The metal thing is part of the abstract idea but as an actual object could be used as a weapon.
    irach - Died before 1800.
    Dazed5 - No, but some appreciative murmurs from the audience.
    ImNotJohn - No.
  • Rosie
    Chalky - (PS) See my answer to Raak's Lord Byron's bicycle query.
  • irach - Anything to do with Newton?
  • Dazed5 - Is there a literary connection?
  • Raak - Is the metal thing a hammer?
  • Rosie
    irach - No. Pre-dates Newton.
    Dazed5 - No.
    Raak - No.
  • irach - Predates Stonehenge?
  • Rosie
    irach - No, not by a long chalk.
  • Raak - Anything to do with Freemasonry?
  • Dazed5 - Any connection to medicine?
  • Raak - Occam's Razor?
  • Chalky
    Funny you should ask that [Raak] because Occam's Razor attracts exactly 172,000 Google hits worldwide. I reckon you've got it. I've never heard of it mesself :-)
  • Rosie
    Raak - YES! Well done. A rather obscure one which I thought might just get by, particularly in a place like this. It's meaning is this: If someone says those lights in the sky are UFOs then the application of Occam's Razor makes one ask "couldn't they be aeroplanes, or unusual reflections in the glass, or were you just a bit pissed?", i.e always think of the simple explanation first. Do not elaborate unnecessarily, etc. etc.

    Carry on, Raak

  • Raak
    VEGETABLE, with ANIMAL and ABSTRACT connections.
  • Irouléguy - Is it edible (or drinkable?)
  • ImNotJohn - Is it a constructed object?
  • Dazed5 - Could this be held in your hand?
  • Kim - Is the animal connection a human one?
  • Raak
    Edible/drinkable: No.
    Constructed: Yes.
    Held in the hand: Some could be.
    Human connection: Yes.
  • Dazed5 - Is the vegetable wood?
  • Irouléguy - Any religious connection?
  • Darren - Is it purely decorative?
  • Chalky - A Water Diviner?
  • Raak
    Wood? No.
    Religious? Yes.
    Purely decorative? Nothing to stop anyone from having one as an ornament.
    Water diviner? No.
  • Raak
    Correction of my previous answer about being small enough to hold in the hand: as far as I can tell from Google, none of them ever are, when called by the words on the card. The hand-sized ones have a completely different name, so should be excluded.
  • Chalky - OK - re. the human connection - does this thing have to be in contact with a human in some way in order to fulfil its function?
  • Néa - Re: religious connection: Eastern religion?
    (and I don't mean "originating in the Middle-East")
  • Raak
    [Chalky] Not nowadays.
    [Néa] No.
  • Rosie - A crucifix?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the religious connection christian?
  • Raak
    Crucifix? No.
    Christian? No.
  • Néa - An item of clothing?
  • irach - Pagan?
  • Raak
    Clothing? No.
    Pagan? Yes. (applause)
  • Dazed5 - A wicker man?
  • Raak
    [Dazed5] Yes!
  • Dazed5 - Here we go with....
    MINERAL
  • Dazed5 - Jumping the gun...
    Should read MINERAL with the possibility of some VEGETABLE in it also.
  • Néa - A carrot encased in a slab of crystal?
  • Dazed5
    [Nea] That's even better than mine, but sadly, no.
  • Rosie - A long shot - coal?
  • Raak - Something to do with fossils?
  • Irouléguy - Is the mineral pure or a mixture?
  • Dazed5
    Rosie. Not coal.
    Raak. Nothing to do with fossils.
    Irouleguy.Yes, a mixture.
    (Apologies to Nea and Irouleguy, I do not know how to do an 'e' with an accent over).
  • ImNotJohn - A pearl?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the mineral (semi-)precious?
  • Chalky
    Dazed5 - re. the acute accent - just type [(the ampersand symbol)eacute;] - when you would normally type the 'e' - the semicolon is important.
    As for a question ... I expect I'll think of one soon
  • Rosie - Another frivolous long shot - Soil?
    If I'm right it's my question, otherwise it's Chalky's. Another way to do e-acute is Alt+0233. Look, é.
  • Irouléguy - Does this occur naturally, or is it a human artefact?
  • Dazed5 - A cute accent
    INJ. Not a pearl.
    INJ(2). Not precious, nor semi-precious, although some older versions may be of considerable value.
    Rosie/Chalky. It is not soil (thanks for the pointers).
    Irouléguy. Yes, a human artefact.
  • Raak - Is the vegetable part wod?
  • Raak - Or wood?
  • Dazed5
    Raak. Yes it would be, but on the whole, it is quite insignificant.
  • Chalky - Is it a toy?
  • Dazed5
    Chalky. It is not a toy.Very slight murmers from the audience.
  • Chalky - Is it a weapon?
  • Raak - Made of metal?
  • Dazed5
    Chalky. Not a weapon.
    Raak. The relevant bits are metallic, certain bits may probably be wood or even perhaps plastic, but this is not significant.
  • ImNotJohn - Is it small enough to hold easily?
  • Chalky - A musical instrument?
  • Irouléguy - Is it normally a particular colour or colours?
  • Dazed5
    INJ. No.
    Chalky, yes. Major applause from audience.
    Iroulegéguy; I don't think so.
  • Rosie - A saxophone?
  • irach - Harmonica?
  • Dazed5
    Rosie, irach. Both no. See INJ question above.
  • irach - A church organ?
  • Raak - A barrel organ?
  • Rosie - A drum kit?
  • Dazed5
    irach. No
    Raak. No
    Rosie. No
  • irach - Trinidad steel drums?
  • Raak - Tubular bells?
  • RedSnapper - To produce sound from this musical instrument does one ( a) Bang it (b)Blow on it ? (c)Hit on some keys (d)both b and c (e) Turn a handle (f) Turn on a switch (g) None of the above?
  • irach - Church bells?
  • CdM
    [RedSnapper] While you are waiting for Dazed5 to get back, I can tell you that the answer to your question is "yes".
  • Dazed5
    irach. No
    Raak. No
    Red Snapper. a)No. b)No. c)No. d)Therefore, no. e)no. f)Not in isolation. g)see f)
    irach, No.
  • Raak - Does it require electrical power?
  • irach - Can it be strummed?
  • RedSnapper - Oversized Karaoke machine?
  • Raak - A mechanical carillon?
  • irach - A choir of metallic singing robots?
  • Dazed5
    Raak. Yes
    irach. No
    RedSnapper. No
    Raak. No (had to look that one up)
    irach, lovely idea but wrong.
  • irach - Jukebox?
  • Dazed5 - Update
    irach, it is not a jukebox.
    Whilst doing further research, I have learned that some modern instances of these can be held in the hands, but not the type I was thinking of. Apologies if this has mislead anyone but size is quite irrelevant, or so the females in my life would have me believe.
  • Chalky - It's a
    I think I know what this is - but I'll leave it for someone else
  • Irouléguy - A Moog synthesiser?
  • Dazed5
    Irouléguy. Not a Moog - Murmers of appreciation from the audience
  • irach - A Yamaha Synthesizer
  • Dazed5
    irach. It is not a Yamaha synthesizer.
  • Raak - Is it an electronic musical instrument?
  • Dazed5
    Raak. Yes -More excited murmers and much shuffling in seats
  • Dazed5 - Trying not to awaken anyone
    I would have thought the musicians in here would have killed this long before now. I will give a further clue if requested.
  • Chalky
    207,000 Google hits worldwide
  • Dazed5 - Chalky, I get 368,000, but who knows?
    Go on, have a guess.
  • Rosie - Is it known by its brand name?
  • Dazed5
    Rosie, not a brand name as such, it is named after it's inventor.
  • Irouléguy - The Hammond organ? (171,000 hits)
  • Dazed5
    Irouléguy. It is not a Hammond organ. (Clue: if you find out how it is played you will get there)
  • CdM - A theremin?
  • Dazed5 - BINGO!
    Well done CdM, it was a theremin.
  • CdM
    Wow, something of a lurker's victory there.
    This next one is NONE OF THE ABOVE.
  • Raak - The instant of the Big Bang?
  • CdM
    BANG No.
  • Irouléguy - Another fungus?
  • nights - an emotion?
  • CdM
    fungus? No.
    emotion? No.
  • irach - Something Infinite?
  • Néa - Is it connected to the game of MC and/or the Morniverse?
  • Raak - Is it alive?
  • ImNotJohn - a vacuum?
  • ImNotJohn
    <gloat>I hope I'm wrong as I probably won't be logging on more than a couple of times in the next 16 days</gloat>
  • Irouléguy - A sound?
  • RedSnapper - The number zero?
  • CdM - Not a very auspicious start
    infinite? No.
    connected to MC? No.
    alive? No.
    a vacuum? No.
    A sound? No.
    Zero? No.
  • Rosie - Is it Animal, Vegetable, Mineral or Abstract?
  • CdM
    AVMA? No. Hence my introduction.
  • Raak - The spatio-temporal continuum?
  • irach - Nothing?
  • CdM
    spatio-temporal continuum? No.
    Nothing? No.
    Might I respectfully suggest that if you just guess without gathering more information this is likely to take you a long time...
  • all - Has it ever been alive?
  • CdM
    ever alive? No.
  • irach - Has it ever existed?
  • Raak - Can it be seen?
  • Rosie - An elementary particle?
    (CdM) Sorry for being a bit thick. :-(
  • nights - Has it been theorised but not proven?
  • RedSnapper - Could it be better described as real or virtual?
  • Irouléguy - Is there a religious connection?
  • Dazed5 - Is it something one might aspire to?
  • Chalky - Why isn't this abstract?
    I assumed that all four categories [or any combination thereof] covered everything - are we in danger of becoming über-pedantic?
  • CdM
    ever existed? It often exists.
    can it be seen? Yes. *applause*
    elementary particle? No. *some applause*
    !proven? No.
    real or virtual? Yes. Oh, all right then, real.
    religious connection? Hmmmmm... There were once several religious connections, but nowadays the best answer is No.
    aspire to? No. At least, it does not make sense to aspire to the answer on the card, although one might have an aspiration connected to it. Sorry if that sounds cryptic; it is meant to be straightforward.
    AVMA Redux? Let me say the following. It is definitely not animal, vegetable, or abstract. If it is anything, it is mineral, but I thought is was misleading to describe it as such. (Apologies in advance if people end up disagreeing!)
  • Rosie - The aurora?
  • Chalky - The Northern Lights?
  • Raak - A rainbow?
  • Irouléguy - A solar eclipse?
  • all - Light?
  • CdM - getting right to the point...
    The words on the card were either "aurora borealis" or "northern lights". Thus, although Rosie's answer got massive applause, it did not exclude the possibility of the aurora australis. Thus the judges award victory to Chalky!
  • Chalky - taking a bow
    Aww shucks - thanks CdM.
    Hand on heart, I wasn't influenced by Rosie's guess possibly because I recall this very subject cropping up in the original Pants game a few years ago - I think we labelled it Abstract/Mineral, although I'm sure someone who was there will correct me if I'm wrong ...

    And now for something completely tangible ...

    A N I M A L

  • Raak - Is this one specific individual?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Specific? No. [good question]
  • Rosie - Human?
  • irach - Vertebrate?
  • RedSnapper? - Ungulate?
  • Raak - Homo Florensis?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Human - Yes
    [Irach] Vertebrate - Yes
    [RedSnapper] Ungulate? No
    [Raak] Homo Florensis? No, probably not :-)
  • Rosie - A group with a common purpose? Eg, The Cabinet, Crystal Palace Football Club. No, scrap that last one.
  • Dujon - Is this a species of man?
    Meaning Cro-Magnon or its ilk.
  • irach - Genus Homo?
  • CdM - Are all members of this group of the same gender?
    [Chalky] I have to say, I don't see how the aurora would be abstract, since it certainly has a physical existence...
  • Irouléguy - Is this group culturally specific?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Common purpose? They certainly have something in common
    [Dujon] species of Man? Yes
    [irach] Genus homo? Of course - as previous answer
    [CdM] Same gender - No
    [Irouléguy] Culturally specific? If I said yes, that might be misleading. Can you be more culturally specific? :-)

    [CdM - Abstract as an adjective. Yes, agree in principle. The word should mean something that only exists as a mental concept, but I have noticed is often used in this game to suggest a wider/popular interpretation of the merely physical. I chose not to tag it on to the ANIMAL label in this round, because I felt sure that this 'group of people with something in common' would be established fairly early on.]

  • Raak - Us?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Us? As in Us? No.
  • Irouléguy - Is this group linked by a common language, religious or cultural practice?
  • Rosie - A musical ensemble?
  • Gusset Login - The ISIHAC teams?
  • all - Homo-sapiens?
  • RedSnapper - Person(s) specifically known to carry outd certain particular actions or follow particular professions?
  • Chalky
    [Irouléguy] Linked? As I've already stated that they have something in common, the answer must be Yes - sort of
    [Rosie] Musical ensemble? No
    [Gusset Login] ISIHaC teams - No
    [all] Homo Sapiens? I think that's been established
    [RedSnapper] particular actions or professions? Yes *discernible muttering in audience*
  • Raak - The thing that links these people, is it what they do for a living?
  • irach - Person(s) of a particular profession?
  • RedSnapper - Persons with a particular hobby or penchant?
  • Irouléguy - A Greek chorus?
    Chalky] My question was about how they were linked.
  • Chalky
    [Raak] making a living? No
    [irach] particular profession? No
    [Redsnapper] Hobby or Penchant? No and Yes
    [Irouléguy] Greek Chorus? No
    [it would probably be safer to say that there is no cultural link in the way that you mean]
  • Raak - Are these people fans of something?
  • irach - Anything to do with sports?
  • Dazed5 - Commuters?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Fans of something? Mmmm - I have to say Yes. *polite applause*
    [irach] Sports? No
    [Dazed] Commuters? No
  • Dazed5 - Does this 'group' number in millions?
  • Chalky
    [Dazed] Millions? Probably not in the UK
  • Dazed5 - Is this group then specific to the UK?
  • Raak - This thing that they are, one might have to say, fans of, are they practitioners of it?
  • Rosie - Do these people go out of the house to indulge their interest?
  • Irouléguy - Would you expect many of the Morniverse's inhabitants to be among these people?
  • Kim - Would many of them gather together in one place to experience this thing for which they have a penchant?
  • Chalky - ... sorry - been busy
    [Dazed] specific to UK? No
    [Raak]practitioners? In a manner of speaking, Yes.
    [Rosie] Out of house indulgence? No - not necessarily
    [Irouléguy] Crescenters? Can't say I know them all well enough, but No *chuckles*
    [Kim] Gathering? Some may, some may not.
  • CdM - When somebody gets the right answer, will this site become NSFW?
  • Chalky
    *laughs out loud*
    [CdM] I only practise safe chairwomanship
  • Dazed5 - Would this shared interest be considered risqué in a polite society?
  • irach - Does it involve any aspect of procreation?
  • Chalky
    [Dazed] Risqué? No
    [irach] Procreation? No

    ... so that's eliminated any saucy shenanegans :-)
    However, both questions are the type of questions that need to be asked.

  • Irouléguy - Are particular types of clothing involved?
  • Chalky
    [Irouléguy] Clothing? No
  • Rosie - Would most people say these people are anoraks?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Anoraks? No
  • Dazed5 - Does this shared interest require any specialist equipment?
  • irach - Does the shared interest require ambulation of any kind?
  • Rosie - Are there roughly equal numbers of both sexes involved?
  • Raak - Does it involve the playing of a game?
  • Chalky
    [Dazed] specialist equipment? Equipment isn't really the right word, but it certainly requires a certain something to belong to this group
    [irach] ambulation? Not really [see Rosie previous question]
    [Rosie] equal numbers? I should think so
    [Raak] game playing? No

    CLUE: The word 'hobby' got a thumbs down, if you read back. This isn't an 'interest' either. It is something that a certain group of people have in common. 'Fan' [as in fanatical] and 'penchant' have both been given a cursory nod ..

  • Dazed5 - Is it connected with either eating or drinking?
  • Chalky
    [Dazed] Yes! At last :-) * audience wakes up and overcompensates by whooping and hollering *
  • Raak - Wine connoisseurs?
  • Irouléguy - Are they linked by food from a particular part of the world?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Wine Connoisseurs? They may well be [but that's not the word on the card]
    [Irouléguy] Linked? Food? Part of World? No, No and Thrice No
  • Raak - Alcoholics?
  • irach - Gourmands of any kind?
  • CdM - Is the "certain something" that is required inherent in the individual?
  • Rosie - Vegetarians?
  • Chalky
    Four very good questions, but only one is correct:

    Well done Raak - Alcoholics is the right answer. Over to you ...

  • Raak
    I'm off to the Worldcon on Wednesday, but I'm sure you'll get this before then.

    MINERAL

  • Irouléguy - Something made by humans?
  • Kim - A natural phenomenon?
  • Raak
    [I] Yes.
    [K] No.
  • Rosie - Uses electricity?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Yes.
  • nights - Used in the preparation of food?
  • Raak
    [nights] No.
  • irach - Used for recreation?
  • Rosie - Normally used in the home?
  • Raak
    [irach] Can be.
    [Rosie] No.
  • irach - Is it noisy when in operation?
  • RedSnapper - Can it be used to get from one place to another?
  • Chalky - Bigger than one metre cubed?
  • irach - Ever used in the office?
  • Raak
    [irach] No.
    [RS] Yes.
    [Chalky] No.
    [irach] Yes.
  • irach - Can it be used for communications?
  • Raak
    [irach] No.
  • Irouléguy - Is its primary use as a means of transport?
  • Raak
    [I] Yes! (applause)
  • irach - A mode of transportation that's used in the office? (you said above it WAS used in the office). Or primarily to get you to work at the office?
  • Raak
    [irach] You asked "Ever used in the office?" so the answer was yes, because I've heard of it happening. But that's an unusual use.
  • Irouléguy - An electric scooter?
  • Rosie - An electric wheelchair?
  • Raak
    [I] Erm...not entirely sure whether "scooter" would cover this or not.
    [R] No.
  • CdM - A Segway?
    I was going to post this guess on Friday, but thought that RS's comment would have earned applause if it was right... however, it seems to fit with some of the later Q and A...
  • Raak
    [CdM] Yes, a Segway.
  • CdM
    OK, an easy one: MINERAL
  • Irouléguy - The new planet 'Xena'?
  • CdM - not that easy
    warrior princess? No.
  • Rosie - Man-made?
  • Raak - Is it a specific object?
  • CdM
    Man-made? No.
    Specific object? No.
  • Rosie - A type of rock?
  • CdM
    A present from Brighton? No.
  • Irouléguy - Is it a solid in its normal state?
  • CdM
    Solid in normal state? No. *applause*
  • Kim - Is it bigger than a phone box?
  • CdM
    Given that it is not a specific object, the question does not really make sense. However, in the individual instances in which it is normally encountered, it is smaller than a phone box.
  • irach - Is it mobilel?
  • Rosie - A snowman?
  • CdM
    mobile? If you mean can it be easily moved, the answer is yes.
    snowman? No.
  • Raak - A snowflake?
  • RedSnapper - Is it fluid?
  • Rosie
    Does "not a specific object" mean "not a named object", so it could be "a mountain" but not "The Matterhorn" even though a mountain could be classed as a specific object?
  • Dujon - Is this a type of metal (e.g. mercury)
  • ditto - ?
  • CdM
    snowflake? No.
    fluid? Yes.
    clarification of 'not a specific object'? The words on the card are a fairly generic term that refer to a category or class (using those terms loosely) of which there are many different instances, some of which are named. In terms of your example, it is more like the answer being "mountains". Which isn't the answer.
    metal? No. silence? No.
  • Rosie - A spring?
  • CdM
    boingggg? No. *substantial applause from audience, together with stamping of feet and a chant of  "Ro-SIE! Ro-SIE! Ro-SIE!"*
  • Irouléguy - Is the answer the container of a fluid?
  • Gusset Login - Water?
  • CdM
    container? No, although the 'specific instances' that I referred to above do involve containers.
    water? *applause* Water is one of the words on the card. It is not a sufficient answer, however.
  • irach - Would the water in question be considered potable?
  • CdM
    potable? Yes. *some applause*
  • Rosie - Bottled water?
    God knows what the audience will do if this is right. I'm a quiet sort of bloke really, you know. :-)
  • Irouléguy - Mineral water?
  • irach - Soda water?
  • RedSnapper - Water-ed down drinks?
  • CdM - and the winner is...
    ...Irouléguy. MINERAL WATER it is. I just wanted to be sure there were no disputes about the AVMA classification this time.
  • Irouléguy
    Wahay! Nice team-work there, everyone. I'm away after Friday lunchtime for the weekend, so another easy one:
    MINERAL
  • Rosie - Man-made?
  • irach - Solid?
  • Irouléguy
    Man-made? No
    Solid? No is the most useful answer, though there could be some discussion about this
  • all - Is it a terrestrial object?
  • Irouléguy
    Terrestrial? Yes Object? Yes, but see qualification above
  • Rosie - The earth's crust?
  • Irouléguy
    *the audience cheers, hoots, stamps and lets off fireworks, and several shouts of "RO-sie, RO-sie" are heard from the balcony* No
  • RedSnapper - Atmospheric particles?
  • Rosie - The earth's mantle?
  • Irouléguy
    Atmospheric particles? No
    The earth's mantle *the audience pull shawls round their shoulders, button up cardigans and tighten scarves* No
  • Rosie - A tectonic plate?
    Let's see what this volatile lot will do with this one.
  • irach - Molten lava? (It is not solid, but does solidify soon after emergence from the nether regions, so there could be some discusion regarding its physical form.)
  • RedSnapper - Mineral-laden hot springs?
  • Irouléguy
    A tectonic plate? *a low approving approving murmur rises from the audience* No
    Molten lava? *the audience passes around Damart catalogues as the ushers attempt to turn up the radiators* No
    Mineral-laden hot springs *"We could use some of those here", think the audience* No
  • Rosie - A continental shelf?
    À la Lara Croft, he muses, with a silly grin.
  • RedSnapper - Magma?
  • irach - Tsunami?
  • CdM - An Earthquake?
  • Chalky - A Glacier?
  • irach - An Iceberg?
  • Irouléguy
    A continental shelf? *the audience muses on the fact that there are about 21,500 Google hits for "Lara Croft" and "the answer"* No
    Magma? No
    Tsunami? *the audience seeks diversion in a spirited discussion of the correct plural of 'tsunami'* No
    An earthquake? No
    A glacier? No
    An iceberg *the audience nods knowingly at the ironic appropriateness of Chalky and irach's moves*

    Looking back, I may have mis-directed people with the answer to the solid question. Perhaps a better answer would be "Yes, partly."
    Do we want a clue?
  • irach - Antarctica?
  • Irouléguy
    Antarctica? *the audience sits up straight, puts away their papers, Sudoku puzzles and knitting* No, but in some ways the closest answer yet
  • Rosie - The ocean?
  • irach - The North or South Pole ?
  • Chalky - The Arctic Ocean?
    [irach] that's TWO guesses - very naughty!
  • irach - Well then, North Pole?
  • CdM - The South Pole?
    [Chalky] Nothing wrong with irach's question -- it has a yes-or-no answer, and if the answer were yes, then it would simply be all fingers on the buzzers to guess which one!
    Oh, and if I am right, I hereby transfer my win to irach.
  • Irouléguy
    The ocean? No
    The North or South Pole? *the audience giggle quietly* No
    The Arctic Ocean? No

    I'm with CdM on irach's question - people do bend the one-question rule (me included), and a single question can anyway turn into a mutiple answer (see "terrestial object" above).

    Chalky has now got the geographically closest answer, but in other, more important ways, irach is still closest.

    I am going away this afternoon, and work means I'm unlikely to be able to play more than once again before I go. Any volunteers to take over as quizmaster/mistress? Email me at pubsalesatbaafdotorgdotuk .
  • Irouléguy
    No e-mails, so...for your safety and convenience, this game will not contain any further replies from me until Monday (maybe) or Tuesday (more likely. Have a good weekend, everyone

    Parting thought - the speed of this game is somehow appropriate.

    Parting clue - there's a coincidental connection with both Bob Dylan and organised religion.
  • Gusset Login - Glacier?
  • Rosie - The North Magnetic Pole?
  • Irouléguy
    Well, of course a b&b in St Austell will have a broadband connection - silly of me to assume otherwise

    Glacier? No
    The North magnetic pole? *the audience breaks into small groups to find any connection between Bob Dylan, organised religion and the north pole, magnetic or otherwise, but fails to reach any conclusions, rejecting the theory of the small group arguing for a metaphysical interpretation of "Quinn the mighty Eskimo".* No
  • Rosie - The Greenland Icecap?
  • Dujon - Does this have a direct relationship to air movement?
  • Irouléguy
    The Greenland icecap? *the audience wonders if their earlier tumultuous reaction to one of Rosie's moves has perhaps been overlooked* No. Direct relationship to air movement? Hmm...perhaps Rosie can shed more light on that once the answer's been revealed. Locally, yes, almost certainly; more generally, don't know.
  • irach - Anything to do with drifts?
  • Irouléguy
    Drifts? (snow or continental?) Either way, no.
  • RedSnapper - Auroro australis?
  • Rosie - A volcano?
  • Irouléguy
    Aurora australis? No.
    A volcano? *considerable applause* No.
  • Chalky
    fergawdssakeRosie - guess the damn thing!
  • Rosie
    Well, I'm FIIK, m'dear. The quizmaster has turned it into his own show and the audience are pissed.
  • Dujon - The Arctic ice sheet?
    Not being clever when it comes to Bob Dylan and religious sects I'm probably well adrift.
  • Rosie - The Canadian Archipelago?
  • Irouléguy
    The Arctic ice sheet? No
    The Canadian archipelago? No.

    On present progress, it doesn't look like pure guesswork is going to get there - time for more general questions, perhaps? And another clue?
  • Rosie - Is it an oilfield?
  • irach - Geysers?
  • Irouléguy
    An oilfield? No
    Geysers? No
  • Rosie - Is the liquid water?
  • irach - Deep-sea volcanic (hydrothermal) vents?
  • Chalky
    *yawns*
  • Irouléguy
    Liquid water? What liquid? There is some liquid present, but it's not really the defining characteristic. And yes, it's water.
    Deep-sea volcanic vents? No
    *yawns* *some applause* An apt description (of both game and answer)
  • Chalky - By the way - what IS the 'earth's crust?'
    [Irouléguy] I'm usually pretty hopeless at these geographical minerally ones so I leave them to more worthy participants, which I guess doesn't help much. Trouble is, if these posers are not guessed within 3 days, the game tends to lose its momentum. It is now Day 8 of this one so perhaps a chairman's summary of the positives might help? Then a clue?
  • Kim - It is Iceland?
  • Inkspot - Is it specifically in either the north or southern hemispere?
  • Irouléguy
    Chalky] Fair points all, though I have been trying to steer people away from the more detailed minerally answers (and I was away for most of three days). It's really not obscure - I feel sure that everyone will have heard of it.

    Summary - it's terrestial, partly solid, sort of an object. (Those are the answers which I think have caused people to go astray, but it's problematic because of what exactly "it" is. Let's say that "the answer" is defined by solid objects.
    There's a strong connection to the earth's crust (which is just the top bit of the earth itself -between 5 and 65km thick), and specific geographical features have got strong applause. It's NOT - man-made, either of the Poles, Antarctica, a tectonic plate, an oilfield, a continental shelf, a volcano, the Canadian archipelago, the Greenland icecap (or any other form of ice).
    Clues 1) It's very aptly named; 2) it has a university named after it; 3) over four million people went there last year.

    Iceland? No
    Is it specifically in either the north or southern hemisphere? Yes, the northern.
  • Rosie - Is the name metaphorical? eg "The roof of the world", "The home of the blizzard" etc, etc.
  • Inkspot - Is its location in Northern Europe?
  • irach - Is the suffix or word "land" part of its name/identity?
  • Irouléguy
    Metaphorical name? No, if anything the reverse
    Northern Europe? No
    Is the suffix or word "land" part of its name/identity? *cheering, the audience all put their hands to their ears as through participating in charades* No
  • irach - Is it in Nothh America?
  • irach - ...that should read "North America"
  • irouléguy
    North America? *the orchestra strikes up "My country, 'tis of thee" as the audience jump up and down in anticipation* YES!
  • irach - A part of the U.S.?
  • RedSnapper - A National Park or part thereof?
  • irach - The Grand Canyon ? ( It is in North America, there IS a Grand Canyon University, there is a lot of earth's crust to see there, there is some liquid-the Colorado among other forms found there, it sure does fit the bill).
  • irach - [If the above IS the answer I would argue its classification as purely "Mineral" though, as the flora and fauna are also an integral part of the Grand Canyon as a whole].
  • Irouléguy
    *exhausted, the audiience can do nothing but sigh in pleasure* We have a winner - it is THE GRAND CANYON! Purely mineral? Not sure about irach's argument, but I'll think about it.
    Anyway, the baton finally gets passed on - take it away, irach!
  • irach - [Irouleguy] Thanks.! What was the Organized religion connection though? Bob Dylan I think I know.
  • irach
    Here goes. Well, its MINERAL once again.
  • Chalky
    [irach] hmmmm - hope it's snappier than the last one :-)
    [Iroulé] GCanyon - classification, perhaps Mineral with Vegetable [and possibly Animal] connections?
  • Inkspot - Is it man made?
  • Rosie
    I have never seen a more self-indulgent and comprehensively misleading set of comments as in the last AVMA. The Grand Canyon has no more to do with the earth's crust than has the Vale of Evesham. It's a surface feature FFS. So why did the audience wet themselves, generally an indication that one has very nearly hit the bull?
  • irach - [Chalky] Not man made.
  • irach
    Sorry.. [Inkspot] Not man made.
  • Kim - It is a geographical feature?
    Call me pedantic, but I would argue that the Grand Canyon is composed entirely of air.
  • Irouléguy
    Chalky] Possibly - but then you'd have to apply that to practically every place or geological formation. Would that definition help you to get Everest, for instance?

    Rosie] I may have misunderstood what I Googled - I'm no scientist. But this is from the GC National Park's website: The Canyon’s mile-high walls display a largely undisturbed cross section of the Earth’s crust extending back some two billion years.
    from http://www.nps.gov/grca/pphtml/subnaturalfeatures14.html
    and lots of sites talk about the GC being made by upheavals in the earth's crust, so that was the basis of my reaction. I'm sorry if it was misleading, and you're right about the self-indulgent bit - sorry again.

    Kim] Well, that was why I was unsure about the answers to "solid" and "object". But it can't be all air - what about the floor or the sides of the canyon?

    move] Is there just one of it?
  • irach
    [Kim} No. Not a geographical feature. [Irouleguy] There are more than one of these.
  • Rosie - Is it a weather phenomenon?
    (Irouléguy) Talk of the earth's crust made me think the answer was something to do with the material of the earth well below the surface whereas the Grand Canyon (and Cheddar Gorge) were gouged out by running water, i.e. surface erosion. Not to worry. :-)
  • irach
    [Rosie] No.
  • Chalky - Is it metal?
    [Irouléguy] Yes!
  • irach
    [Chalky] Not metallic per se, though there may sometimes be metal salts or ions embedded within it.
  • Rosie - A precious stone?
  • irach - {Rosie] No.
  • Irouléguy - Is an individual one of these bigger than an elephant?
    Chalky] OK2
  • Rosie - A component of a man-made object such as Stonehenge?
  • irach
    [Irouleguy] Generally it is considerably larger than an elephant.
  • irach
    [Rosie] No, it's not possible to make any man-made object from it/them using any known contemporary technology.
  • Rosie - An asteroid?
  • CdM - Or, more specifically, a meteor (or even more specifically, one or more Perseid meteors)
    FWIW, I'll come to Irouléguy's defence here: (i) I think the categorization of the GC as mineral is entirely reasonable, since the flora and fauna are not an essential part of the Canyon; (ii) I think the positive response to the earth's crust was also reasonable (although I agree that the audience went a bit over the top), since a "no" would have been a more misleading answer; (iii) "self-indulgent" is an unfairly harsh term, given that he was just injecting some humor.
  • Rosie
    (CdM) Agree on (i), not on (ii); (iii) is more a matter of taste. BTW a meteor the size of an elephant would fall to earth and cause a lot of damage and would then be classed as a meteorite. Can't be that, but we'll see.
  • irach
    [Rosie] Not an asteroid or meteorite [CdM] Not a meteor, Perseid or otherwise. (However, the audience sits up in rapt attention, biting its nails in great anticipation of the next guess. Not quite cigar yet, but close).
  • CdM - A comet?
    [Rosie] You are absolutely right about the elephant, of course.
  • irach
    [CdM} A Comet ? YES!!! Congratulations! How spatial! What a brilliant win! The tail end of this guessing game was great! Here's to many more, the sky is the limit! The baton is passed, so take it away...
  • irach
    [CdM} A Comet ? YES!!! Congratulations! How spatial! What a brilliant win! The tail end of this guessing game was great! Here's to many more wins, the sky is the limit! The baton is passed, so take it away...
  • Kim
    [Irouleguy] Wouldn't that be like saying that a hole in the ground comprises not only the hole but also the ground around the hole? I think the GC is just a big hole.
  • CdM
    All right, let's get back into the ethereal world of the ABSTRACT.
  • CdM
    (with ANIMAL connections)
  • Tuj - The bee's knees?
    (or should I move that apostrophe?)
  • CdM
    Nope. Nor the cat's pyjamas, or a dog's dinner. However, the audience applauds for the fact that the answer is indeed of the form: Definite article + 2 words.
  • Rosie - Is the answer of the form "The + animal's + part of animal"?
  • CdM
    No. But since I am feeling generous, I will tell you that the answer is of the form: "The + part of animal + something that is not an animal at all".
  • Irouléguy
    The skin of one's teeth? ...and thank you, though even I think I was being self-indulgent.
    Kim] Yes. If the GC's just a great big hole, what defines where the hole ends?
  • Rosie - The heart's desire?
    (CdM) Useful generosity. :-)
  • irach - The heart of the matter?
  • RedSnapper - The foot of the stairs?
  • irach - The brains of the operation?
  • Tuj - Is the something that is not an animal at all an abstract noun?
    [CdM] So what if there's more than one bee?
  • Tuj
    Or rather, why is it just one bee? I suppose I'm just hoping someone round here happens to know a lot about the phrase...
  • Dujon - The Lion's share?
    [Tuj] I've always thought it came from a colloquial bastardisation of business - in the sense of "he's the beeesneees" - meaning suited.
  • Dujon
    Ingnore that post. It's part of an animal. Go back to sleep, Duj.
  • CdM
    skin of teeth? No. Some applause from audience, though.
    heart's desire? No.
    heart of matter, foot of stairs, brains of operation; No, no, no. The + two words, remember.
    third word abstract noun? Yes.
    lion's share? No.
  • Irouléguy - Is the animal human?
  • Rosie - The tooth fairy?
  • CdM
    We have a winner! The tooth fairy it is. *places baton under pillow for Rosie to find*
  • Rosie
    (CdM) It's gone. But I'm richer by 25 pesetas. What joy!

    Right, this is MINERAL and ABSTRACT

  • Inkspot - Does it appear in a particular work of fiction?
  • Irouléguy - Is it man-made?
  • Rosie
    (Inkspot) - No
    (Irouléguy) - No
  • Dujon - Does the abstract have something to do with measurement?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) Not a thing, I'm afraid. I'm going to bed now - it's 3 a.m. :-(
  • CdM - Cassiopeia?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the mineral metal?
  • Rosie
    (CdM) - No
    (ImNotJohn) - No
  • Gusset Login - Is the abstract because it's fictional?
  • Irouléguy - Is it one particular thing?
  • Rosie
    (Gusset Login) - No, certainly not. Abstract is a valid part-classification but don't concentrate too much on it.
    (Irouléguy) No, there are lots of these.
  • Software - A lodestone?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it a human construct?
  • Rosie
    (Software) - No
    (ImNotJohn) No. The abstract nature is not an idea.
  • irach - The Philosopher's Stone?
  • Rosie
    (irach) - No.
  • Kim - The Giant's Causeway?
  • pper - Rock of Ages?
  • Tuj - Is it found in a particular place?
  • Irouléguy - Is the mineral solid?
  • Rosie
    (Kim) - No
    (pper) - No
    (Tuj) There are lots of them (see above) and there are certainly preferred places.
    (Irouléguy) A small amount of it is in some cases, otherwise no.
  • ImNotJohn - Ocean currents?
  • Rosie
    (ImNotJohn) - No
  • Irouléguy - Clouds?
  • Rosie
    (Irouléguy) - No, but *some applause*
  • CdM - Precipitation?
  • Tuj - Can you drink it?
  • Rosie
    (CdM) - Not the answer, but always involved *more applause*
    (Tuj) - You can, and ultimately you do, in some cases.
  • irach - Rain?
  • ImN otJohn - April Showers?
  • RedSnapper - Singing in the Rain?
  • Rosie
    (irach) - See the answer to CdM's question
    (ImNotJohn) - No
    (RedSnapper)- No
  • Irouléguy - Tornados?
  • Tuj - A meteorological phenomenon?
  • Rosie
    (Irouléguy) - No - but *some polite applauase*
    (Tuj) - Yes *rather more fulsome applause*
  • Raak - The monsoon?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) - No
  • irach - Floods?
  • Rosie
    (irach) - No, but a strong connection.
  • Dujon - A spring thaw?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) - No, not quite that strong a connection.
  • Dujon - Does this involve significant air pressure differences?
  • CdM - A hurricane?
  • Raak - The hydrological cycle?
  • Chalky - Is it a one-word answer?
    well waddya know - I return after a few days away and here's Rosie - doing a weather one!
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) - Can do, but that is possibly misleading
    (CdM) - No
    (Raak) - No
    (Chalky) - One word preceded by the indefinite article.
  • Chalky - A tsunami?
  • Irouléguy - A thunderstorm?
  • ImNotJohn - A cloudburst?
  • all - A shower?
  • Rosie
    (Chalky, ImNotJohn, all) - No, but
    *Thunderous applause* for Irouléguy with his bolt from the cumulonmimbus. It it indeed a thunderstorm. Carry on, squire.
  • Irouléguy
    Squire tat work this afternoon. A lightning-quick round there - let's hope this one is as quick. I promise to keep the audience sober this time. It is ABSTRACT, involving ANIMAL, VEGETABLE and MINERAL.
  • ImNotJohn - An Anarcho-syndicalist protest march?
    [Rosie] Is the existence of precipitation what makes it a thunderstorm rather than an electrical storm (c.f. your reply to CdM)?
  • Irouléguy
    INJ] One of these days, but not today.
  • Rosie - An organisation?
    (INJ) Technically, and probably in popular parlance too, a thunderstorm is defined by the electrical phenomena but there has to be precipitation for this to happen, but it need not be at the point of observation and a there's a specific meteorological code number for this (17, for the anoraks, of which I am one). There is no code figure for "freak storm" BTW. Top whack is 99, "heavy thunderstorm with hail", the "heavy" referring to the precipitation rather than the lightning and thunder. Also, I've noticed that "anarcho" is an anagram of "arachno". What have spiders got to moan about? There are 1014 of them, apparently.
  • Irouléguy
    An organisation? No.
  • irach - Is the animal component human?
  • Raak - Is the vegetable part paper?
  • Kim - Does it move?
  • Chalky - Is it a country?
  • Irouléguy
    irach] Human? *sustained applause* Yes
    Raak] Paper? No
    Kim] Does it move? *cries of "OOOH!"* More accurate to say that it involves movement
    Chalky] A country? No
  • Rosie - Is it a sport?
  • Tuj - Is it geographical?
  • Chalky - Relocation?
  • Dujon - Does it involve dancing?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie] Is it a sport? *cheering and loud applause* Not a sport, exactly, but close...
    Tuj] Is it geographical? No.
    Chalky] Relocation? No
    Dujon] Does it involve dancing? No
  • ImNotJohn - tai chi?
    [Rosie] I lived in Africa for a year and for a few weeks before the start of the rains there were repeated electrical storms but no rain reached the ground. Would the precipitation have been contained within the cloud structure? (feel free to transfer to the banter page if there's a long explanation - or tell me to go and look it up for myself!)
  • Irouléguy
    INJ] Tai chi? No
  • ImNotJohn - Extreme Ironing?
  • Rosie - If not a sport, then a performance of some kind?
    (ImNotJohn) OK - See Banter Page.
  • Raak - Does it involve a group of people doing something?
  • Irouléguy
    ImNotJohn] Extreme Ironing? No
    Rosie] A performance of some kind? Yes, in the sense of Raak's answer below, but not more than that.
    Raak] Does it involve a group of people doing something? *a mighty cheers rises from the audience* A perfect definition.
    After-work drinks now, so no more for a few hours.
  • Rosie - Does this collective activity require a fair amount of skill and practice?
    Don't get too pissed; we need answers. :-)
  • Raak - A beer festival?
  • Irouléhic
    Rosie] Does this collective activity require a fair amount of skill and practice? No, neither (you can do it pissed, though there is an attendant danger).
    Raak] A beer festival? No, but it is a mild form of exercise.
  • Rosie - A Mexican Wave?
  • Chalky - An orgy?
    well - someone had to say it
  • CdM - Are the Vegetable and Mineral components essential equipment for this activity?
  • Raak - Is it a type of dancing?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie] A Mexican Wave? No
    Chalky] An orgy? No - this is perfectly SFW
    CdM] Are the Vegetable and Mineral components essential equipment for this activity? *sustained applause* Yes - one of them is part of the name (though equipment isn't quite the mot juste for most of them)
    Raak] Is it a type of dancing? No
  • ImNotJohn - Is it a traditional activity?
  • Irouléguy
    ImNotJohn] Is it a traditional activity? Depends on the definition. The name of this activity dates from the last century, but people almost certainly did it before then.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the mineral liquid?
  • Irouléguy
    ImNotJohn] Is the mineral liquid? *cheering and stamping of feet* Yes, liquid is one of the necessary components, though other minerals may also be involved in another component.
  • CdM - Ye Olde Timme-Tamme Sucke?
  • Irouléguy
    CdM] Ye Olde Timme-Tamme Sucke? Ouch - I wondered how long it would be before that came up. No, and not remotely close. Hint - finding the vegetable would help.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the vegetable edible (by which I mean normally eaten, not just that it won't actually kill you7)?
  • Chalky - Is it that game where you have to dunk your head into a bucket of water and grab an apple with your teeth?
    [I feel sure there must be a simpler name for it]
  • ImNotJohn - Is the liquid water?
    [Chalky] I know it as 'Bobbing for Apples' or 'Apple Bobbing'.
  • Rosie - Is it normally carried out indoors?
  • Irouléguy
    ImNotJohn] Is the vegetable edible (by which I mean normally eaten, not just that it won't actually kill you)? No
    Chalky] Is it that game where you have to dunk your head into a bucket of water and grab an apple with your teeth? No
    ImNotJohn] Is the liquid water? Yes
    Rosie] Is it normally carried out indoors? No
  • CdM - Is the vegetable wood?
  • Chalky - Water Divining?
  • Irouléguy
    CdM - Is the vegetable wood? *cheers and whooping from the audience* Yes. There are four necessary components of the answer - three you've got, the fourth is either vegetable, mineral or a combination of both.
  • Chalky - Could this be descibed as an outdoor leisure pursuit?
  • Raak - Messing about in boats?
  • Irouléguy
    Chalky] Could this be described as an outdoor leisure pursuit? Yes
    Raak] Messing about in boats? No
  • Rosie - Angling?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie] Angling? No
  • Raak - Poohsticks?
  • Chalky - Croquet?
  • Chalky
    sorry - strike that. It doesn't involve water.
  • irach - Water Polo?
  • Irouléguy
    We have a winner! Raak takes the baton - yes, it's Poohsticks. Good game, everyone.
  • Raak
    ABSTRACT
  • Raak
    Tiddly pom...
  • Rosie - A drunken Brit in Australia?
  • Rosie - A human construct?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] No; yes.
  • Rosie - A property of the physical world?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] No.
  • irach - A philosophical concept?
  • Tuj - A single noun?
  • CdM - The sound of one hand clapping?
  • Raak
    [irach] No.
    [Tuj] A noun phrase.
    [CdM] No.
  • irach - A description of some human endeavour?
  • Irouléguy - Is it specific to some particular historical period?
  • Raak
    [i] Yes.
    [I] No.
  • Rosie - Is this endeavour in any way heroic, such as climbing Everest, or Leith Hill, come to that?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Only by humorous hyperbole.
  • ImNotJohn - Is it specific to a geographical location/area?
  • Raak
    [INJ] No.
  • CdM - Is it a sport or recreational activity?
  • Raak
    [CdM] No. Quite the opposite, really.
  • Irouléguy - Bone idle?
  • Raak
    [I] No, a different opposite.
  • CdM
    Are the endeavouring individuals typically in receipt of renumeration for their participation in this abstract human construct? Does it pay?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Yes. *murmurs from the audience of "oooh, they're getting warm!"*
  • blamelewis - Is it being in/on Big Brother?
  • Raak
    [bl] No.
  • ImNotJohn - The working day?
  • Rosie - Is it a routine administrative task?
  • Redsnapper - Bringing home the Bacon?
  • Raak
    [INJ] No (but you're getting warmer).
    [R] No.
    [Rs] No (also warmer).
  • irach - Working up a sweat?
  • Raak
    [i] No.
  • irach - Working nine to five?
  • Rosie - Is the answer a figurative phrase?
  • RedSnapper - Putting one's nose to the grindstone?
  • Raak
    [irach] Close...
    [Rosie] No.
    [ResSnapper] Also close...
  • ImNotJohn - Does it apply to a particular trade or profession?
  • Raak
    [INJ] No.
  • Irouléguy - Working all hours?
  • Rosie - Overtime?
  • Raak
    [I] No.
    [R] No.
    The players are hot on the track...
  • ImNotJohn - the day job?
  • Raak
    [INJ] No.
  • irach - Working like a dog?
  • blamelewis - A Hard Day's Night
  • blamelewis - ?
    (ahem...)
  • RedSnapper - Burning the midnight oil?
  • Raak
    [All] No. These could all be involved, but there's a crucial component no-one's mentioned yet.
  • Raak
    A hint: the words on the card do not make any explicit reference to work.
  • Rosie - Does the "crucial xcomp
  • Rosie - Does the "crucial component" occur in all types of work?
    Stuttering.
  • irach - All work and no play?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] No.
    [irach] Inching closer...
  • irach - Whistle while you work?
  • ImNotJohn - Does the answer contain an explicit reference to time or a period of time?
  • RedSnapper - Working day and night?
  • Raak
    [i] No.
    [INJ] Yes.
    [RS] No.
  • irach - Working until you drop dead?
  • Raak
    [irach] No.
  • irach - Working overtime?
  • Dujon - Is the referenced time a season?
  • Irouléguy - Does this only occur in/refer to manual work?
  • ImNotJohn - The night shift?
    Remember guys - there is no specific reference to work
  • Raak
    [irach] No.
    [Dujon] It can be called one, but not one of the canonical four.
    [I] No.
    [INJ] No.
  • CdM - Is the referenced time a holiday period?
  • CdM - Does the answer relate to the licensing laws?
  • Raak
    [CdM] *riotous applause* Yes!
    [CdM] No.
  • CdM - Is the referenced time period Christmas?
  • Raak
    [CdM] No.
  • ImNotJohn - Wakes week?
  • Raak
    [I] No.
  • Irouléguy - A Bank holiday?
  • Tuj - Begins with an M?
  • Raak
    [I] No.
    [Tuj] Er, no.
    Summary of what has been established: it's connected with holidays, and connected with work, while not being either.
  • irach - A working vacation?
  • Raak
    [irach] No.
  • Irouléguy - Days of wine and roses?
  • Raak
    [I] No.
  • Rosie - Anything to do with preparation for a holiday?
  • irach - Labo(u)r Day?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Absolutely not.
    [irach] No.
  • Chalky - Leisure Time?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] No.
  • CdM - Anything to do with the aftermath of a holiday?
  • Raak
    [CdM] *riotous applause* Yes!
  • irach - Boxing Day?
  • Rosie - Something to do with the holiday you need after having been on holiday?
  • Raak
    [irach] No.
    [Rosie] No. Think simpler.
  • Rosie - A tan?
    How simple is that?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] No.
  • Chalky - Holiday Pay?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] No.
  • CdM - Monday morning?
  • CdM
    Er, except it doesn't begin with an M. OK,
    is the holiday the weekend?
  • Raak
    [CdM] No; no.
    Your earlier guess that drew the applause was the closest yet, and I might just give it to you if no-one comes up with something closer by the end of today.
  • Chalky - Post - holiday blues
    and if I'm correct - I shall say thank you to CdM
  • Raak
    [Chalky] No.
  • Raak
    ...although it could be involved.
  • Gusset Login - Jet Lag?
  • Raak
    [GL] That can also happen when this happens.
  • CdM - Is it to do with the aftermath of the holiday as experienced by the holidaymaker (as opposed to, say, those who have to clean up after the revelries)?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Yes.
  • RedSnapper - Back to work after the holidays?
  • Raak
    [RS] YES!
  • RedSnapper
    Well, well... The next one is ABSTRACT WITH VEGETABLE CONNECTIONS
  • Gusset Login - Is it a fictional piece of vegitation?
  • RedSnapper
    [GL] No.
  • RedSnapper
    With apologies, I'd like to amend the first clue to ABSTRACT WITH VEGETABLE AND ANIMAL CONNECTIONS for indeed there is one of each.
  • Rosie - Is the animal connection human?
  • Raak - Anything to do with heraldry?
  • RedSnapper
    [Rosie] Yes, but not exclusively.
  • RedSnapper
    [Raak] No.
  • ImNotJohn - An anarcho-syndicalist picnic?
  • Chalky - a piece of literature?
  • RedSnapper
    [INJ] No. However, one might well consider taking the vegetable part to picnic, anarcho-syndicalist or otherwise. [Rosie] No.
  • Rosie - Is either the vegetable or the animal part figurative? (eg a carrot as enticement)
    (RedSnapper) No to what? Should I have bothered with this question? :-)
  • RedSnapper
    [Chalky] Not a piece of literature.
  • RedSnapper
    [Rosie] Yes. The vegetable part is used figuratively. (I had answered Chalky's question with a No, and mistakenly used your moniker in parentheses. Apologies to Chalky too. Nominative dyslexia!)
  • Tuj - Is it associated with a particular country?
  • Rosie - Does the animal part refer to the whole "animal"?
    (RedS) The nominative dyslexia explains all. I wasn't trying to be accusative. :-)
  • RedSnapper
    [Tuj] No. [Rosie] No. A part of the animal. Reiterating an earlier answer to you, I remind you that the animal part could be human.
  • Dujon - Would this be a phrase such as an adage, old wives' tale ... ?
  • Inkspot - Is the vegetable part wood?
  • Raak - Is it a work of art?
  • RedSnapper
    [Dujon] Yes. It is a phrase. [Inkspot] No. [Raak] No.
  • Rosie - A long shot - The apple of one's eye?
  • RedSnapper
    [Rosie] Yes!!! You're right!! The baton is all yours
  • Rosie
    Well, that's nice - I don't often score with a long one these days.

    This next one is simply ABSTRACT.

  • Inkspot - Is it a title something?
  • Raak - Is it a philosophy?
  • Rosie
    (Inkspot) - No
    (Raak) - No
  • Chalky - Is it a type of human behaviour?
    well guessed Rosie!
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) - No It works every now and again. :-)
  • Raak - Is it a mental phenomenon?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) - No
  • irach - A saying or phrase?
  • Rosie
    (irach) - No. Despite all the No's so far this is not obscure or difficult.
  • Inkspot - Is it anything to do with time?
  • Rosie
    (Inkspot) Yes - *hesitant but approving noises from audience*
  • Dujon - Is this a scentific theory?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) - No, nothing so abstruse.:-)
  • Dujon - Daylight Saving/Summer Time?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) - No. The connection with Time is very general, hence the audience's reaction to Inkspot.
  • Chalky - any connection with meteorology? *ducks*
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) Yes, but you don't need to be a weather nut to have put up this subject, far from it.
  • Raak - The shipping forecast?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) - No (too particular)
  • Raak - A weather forecast?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) - No The answer is not only about meterology, and is ONE WORD.
  • Raak - Aeromancy?
    (Divination by cloud shapes.)
  • Rosie
    (Raak) - No Nothing as fancy as aeromancy.
  • Dujon - Sunrise? (in the general sense)
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) - No
  • Raak - Summer?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) - No - but a lot of audience applause.
  • Raak
    I'll let someone else guess another season...
  • Chalky - Summer Solstice?
  • Chalky
    oh dear - sorry - forgot it was just the one word.
  • Chalky - Solstice?
  • Dujon - Narrowing ayes or extending noes: Is it one of the 'four seasons'?
  • ImNotJohn - heatwave?
  • Kim (lurking) - Autumn?
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) - No
    Dujon - Yes - nearly there...
    (ImNotJohn) - No
    (Lurker Kim) - No - even nearlier there...
  • ImNotJohn - OK, I'll try Spring
  • all - Winter
  • Rosie
    Tough luck, INJ, but all is the winner. Well done, sir/madam. Your go.
  • all - Thank you
    OK people this one is VEGETABLE/ANIMAL
  • ImNotJohn - Is the animal human?
  • all
    [INJ] No (at least I hope not)
  • Inkspot - Is it man made?
  • Raak - Is it a type of food?
    Mmm, beef and vegetable stew.
  • all
    [Inkspot] Yes
    [Raak] Yes, but not beef and vegetable stew
  • Inkspot - Is it a associated with a particular country?
  • Kim - Is it a well-known food recipe (eg. Shepherds Pie)?
  • all
    [Inkspot] Yes, possibly two particular countries
    [Kim] Yes
  • Raak - Does it involve noodles?
  • all
    [Raak] No.
  • ImNotJohn - Is/are the particular country/ies European?
  • all
    [INJ] The main one is, but the optional one isn't.
  • ImNotJohn - Chicken Tikka Marsala?
  • Raak - An 89, a 34, and an egg fried rice, please.
  • all
    [INJ] No
    [Raak] It'll be about 20 minutes, cash only please.
  • irach - Pizza?
  • all
    [irach] Yes.
  • irach - This one is VEGETABLE WITH AN OCCASIONAL ANIMAL CONNECTION
    This one is VEGETABLE WITH AN OCCASIONAL ANIMAL CONNECTION.
  • Raak - Waiter, there's a fly in my vegetable soup!
  • irach
    [Raak] Good and amusing try, but no.
  • Rosie - Edible, in the normal sense?
  • Dujon - Is it related to the generally accepted term 'The Arts'?
  • irach
    [Rosie] Yes. Very edible.
  • irach
    [Dujon] No, not really.
  • Raak - Welsh rabbit?
  • Kim - Caesar Salad (optional chicken)?
  • CdM - Is it a created dish, as opposed to just a particular fruit/vegetable?
  • CdM - apple (optional maggot)?
  • irach
    [Raak] [Kim] No.
  • irach
    [CdM] Yes, a created food. No, not an apple, and neither is an arthropod of any kind involved.
  • Raak - Fly cemetery? (a currant tart or slice)
  • irach
    [Raak] Not a currant tart, but inching ever so closer.
  • Néa - A kind of pudding?
  • irach
    [Néa] No.
  • Irouléguy - Is the vegetable part fruit?
  • irach
    [Irouléguy] No.
  • CdM - A pie of some kind?
  • irach
    [CdM] No. (Getting warmer, but not quite toasty yet).
  • Raak - Something stuffed with something?
  • irach
    [Raak] Not generally.
  • Dujon - Does this include raisins?
  • Dujon
    Please ignore that, irach. Not a fruit; sorry.
  • Dujon - Is pastry part of its make up?
  • ImNotJohn - (egg) fried rice?
  • Raak - Is it a vegetarian imitation of meat?
  • irach
    [Dujon] It is a bakery item.
  • irach
    [IMJ]{Raak] No. No.
  • Raak - An angel cake?
  • irach
    [Raak} No.
  • ImNotJohn - Sweet, rather than savoury?
  • irach
    Generally savoury, in its most common incarnation.
  • Wol - oooh, Cornish pasty? (although, given the suet in the pastry, I'd question the occasionalness of the animal ...)
  • irach
    [Wol] No.
  • Raak - A type of bread?
  • irach
    [Raak] Yes, of sorts.
  • Irouléguy - A sausage roll?
  • irach
    [I-guy] No.
  • all - Sandwich?
  • Chalky - Toast?
  • irach
    [all][Chalky] No.
  • Trotterman - are we to die of boredom?
  • irach
    [Trotterman] Not if you go to France and think French.
  • Dujon - A baguette?
    I might add, in defense of my following of Bolton Wanderers and general insanity as a result thereof (which might lead some to think that I had adopted a nom de plume), I was and am not 'Trotterman'. :-)
  • Raak - Pizza?
  • ImNotJohn - Pitta?
    [Dujon] There's no defence for following Bolton Wanderers ;-)
  • Inkspot - A gallette?
  • CdM - Croque Monsieur?
  • Tuj - Is it French then?
    INJ's view is seconded, soundly.
  • irach
    [Dujon] [Raak] [INJ] [Inkspot] [CdM] No.
  • irach
    [Tuj] Yes it's as French as Au Claire del la luna, and that's a clue.
  • CdM - Croissant?
    (although I wouldn't say that was generally savoury...)
  • irach
    Yes. A (butter) croissant.
  • CdM - Me again?
    OK, this is ANIMAL and VEGETABLE
  • ImNotJohn - Is the animal human?
  • CdM
    Human? No.
  • Irouléguy - Is this edible?
    I don't think of croissants as being savoury, either
  • CdM
    Edible? Yes. (*some applause* )
  • all - Is it savoury?
  • CdM
    savoury? Yes
  • Chalky - Is it a drink?
  • CdM
    A drink? No (*smatterings of applause, however* )
  • ImNotJohn - Soup?
  • CdM
    Soup? No.
  • Tuj - Is it French?
  • CdM
    French? In part, yes. (*some applause* )
  • ImNotJohn - Is it liquid?
  • CdM
    Liquid? In part, yes.
  • Raak - A banana milk shake?
  • CdM
    Banana milk shake? No. In fact, impressively far from the correct answer.
  • Chalky - Is this meat in a sauce, say Coq Au Vin?
  • CdM
    Meat in a Sauce? *tumultuous applause* At least by the usual definitions, the answer is almost yes, but not exactly.
  • Irouléguy - Cod in parsley sauce?
  • Raak - Is pasta involved?
  • CdM
    Cod in parsley sauce? *further sustained applause*   No.
    Pasta? *sudden dead silence*. No.
  • all - Is it a type of soup?
  • Néa - Pickled herring?
  • CdM
    Soup? *tut-tutting noises from the audience, together with mutterings of "young people today have no attention span, that's the problem"*
    Pickled herring? No.
  • ImNotJohn - Moules Marinière?
  • CdM
    Popeye? No, but inching closer.
  • Irouléguy - Is the animal bit seafood (crustacea, etc) rather than fish?
  • CdM
    Crustacea? No, the animal bit is fish.
  • Chalky - Grilled red snapper with rougaille sauce?
  • Raak - Fish and chips?
  • Raak
    Oops, no attention span, liquid involved...
  • Chalky
    [Raak] ... drenched in vinegar?
  • irach - Caviar?
  • Chalky - How about Oysters dripping in Oystery thingy ... ?
  • CdM - sorry, I was out for dinner...
    Red snapper with rougaille sauce? *ecstatic applause and much fainting in the aisles*. The fish is indeed red snapper. Now you just have to figure out the key ingredient of the sauce.
    Fish and chips and vinegar and caviar and oysters? No.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the key ingredient alcoholic?
    Way back there was a little ripple at the mention of a drink...
  • CdM
    Alcoholic? Yes. (*applause* ) And, as a reminder, just for free, the key ingredient is also French.
  • Chalky - Is the name of the sauce the name of the alcoholic beverage?
    If anyone comes in and steals this one, I'll throw a wobbly :-)
  • Chalky - Red Snapper Provencale?
    The thing is, I don't eat fish as a rule so I'm just taking a culinary flyer ....
  • Inkspot - A poached fish with mushrooms in a white wine sauce?
    The French supermarkets I saw on hols had a wonderful wide selection of fresh seafood that beat Sainsbury's regimented display of mackerel, salmon and kippers into a cocked hat.
  • CdM - Refusing to name my sauces
    Name of sauce = alcohol? Yes. Though, to be precise, the sauce doesn't have a name as such. I simply want a key French alcoholic liquid ingredient.
    Provencale? No.
    poached with mushrooms in white wine? It could be.
  • Chalky - Red Snapper Chasseur?
    .. which is loosely connected to mushroom and white wine, which on reading the above has been indicated as a possibility. This may be my last guess. I simply don't know of any other sauce one might serve with Red S. And if someone else guesses the right sauce I WON'T throw any wobblies because I'm busy from now on and so don't really care :-)
  • Chalky's Brother - Pernod or Ricard? [the sauce that is]
    He MADE me type this :-)
  • Rosie
    Who made who type it? You're both pissed. Disgraceful.
  • irach - Red Snapper in Bouillabaise Sauce?
  • CdM
    Chasseur? No.
    Pastis? No.
    Bouillabaisse? No.
    I say again, the words on the card are not so much a particular sauce as a particular ingredient (French, alcoholic, liquid). In that sense (although only in that sense), the guesses of Pernod/Ricard are on the right track. And although the RedSnapper could be poached in mushrooms in white wine, the mushrooms are irrelevant, and there is a sense in which that particular recipe is unlikely, given what is on the card.
    You might make more progress at this point if you stop thinking of this as a culinary puzzle...
  • Chalky - Champagne?
  • CdM
    Champagne? No.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the other element of the dish also the name of an MCer (like RedSnapper)?
    In a Rich sauce? In an Orange sauce? In a (Prof) Plum sauce? In a Chalky sauce?! Can't think of anyone who posts as Campari, but....
  • CdM
    another MCer? Yes! *audience rises to their feet as one and cheers*. OK, now just how hard can this be...?
  • Chalky - Rosé? ;-)
  • ImNotJohn - Brown Sauce
    Or maybe not
  • ImNotJohn - Krug?
    I'd thought of Sauce à l'anglaïs, but decided against it
  • Irouléguy - Red snapper in Ros(i)é wine?
  • Chalky
    [Iroul] I think I've guessed that already :-)
  • Irouléguy
    Chalky *blushes deeply* I don't even have the excuse of being pissed...
  • CdM
    Brown, Rosie, Krug? No. This is evidently more obscure than I thought. I am particularly surprised that neither INJ nor Irouléguy have got the answer.
  • CdM
    (Or even if they haven't got the answer, I'm surprised they haven't gotten it.)
  • irach - Red Snapper in Bernaise Sauce made with wine vinegar?
  • CdM - OK, The weekend is coming up
    Béarnaise sauce? No.
    The missing ingredient is French and alcoholic, and would be suitable as a basis for a sauce. There have been suggestions that this ingredient might be a wine of some kind, and I have done nothing to discourage those suggestions. It is also the name of an MC player who plays regularly in this game. And, no, it isn't Chateau Flerdle.
  • irach - RedSnapper with Iroulëguy Wine sauce
  • CdM - Finally...
    *hands over the baton* (although you might want to microwave it before you eat it)
  • irach
    Just returning from lunch, dining not on Red Snapper but a rather measly soggy tuna sandwich unaccompanied by any fine wine, Iroulëguy or otherwise... This one is ABSTRACT BUT WITH A NECESSARY ANIMAL CONNECTION
  • Kim - Is it Narnia?
  • irach
    [Kim] No.
  • Raak - A constellation?
  • Néa - Is it a saying, proverb, or figure of speech?
  • irach
    [Raak] [Nea] No.
  • Raak - Fictional?
  • Chalky - Double identity?
  • Dujon - A cartoon character?
  • Irouléguy - Is the animal human?
    CdM] Never heard of it - I'll have to try making it, if I can find a bottle of me in this country.
  • irach
    [Raak] Not fictional. [Chalky] No. [Dujon] No. [Irouléguy] Yes.
  • CdM - Is the human alive?
  • CdM
    [Irouléguy] The first time I ever heard of Irouléguy was in the context of the wine. Do you not take your name from the region, then? Or did you just not know they made wine there?
  • flerdle
    *is neither French nor alcoholic*
  • Irouléguy - Is the abstract bit a place?
    CdM] No, I did take my name from the wine, I meant I'd never come across the particular dish. Do you just poach the fish in the wine, or is there more of a recipe?
  • irach
    [CdM] The human component has to be alive. [Irouleguy] The abstract bit is not a place, but a specific place is required for the abstract thing in question to take place.
  • Irouléguy - Fishing?
  • Néa - Does it have a connection to religion?
  • irach
    [Irouléguy] No, not fishing. [Néa] No. Yet some of the human component may be said to pursue the abstract thing with almost religious fervour.
  • Raak - Something to do with a game?
  • Inkspot - Is it a solo pastime?
  • irach
    [Raak] Not a game per se, but people do compete at it
  • irach
    [Inkspot] Generally carried out in a group setting, although some enthusiasts may do it solo in private.
  • Raak - Bullshitting?
  • irach
    [Raak] No.
  • Irouléguy - Playing air guitar?
  • Raak - Getting drunk?
  • Inkspot - Running?
  • Raak - Animal breeding?
  • Inkspot - Is is associated with a particular culture or country?
  • irach - [
    [Irouléguy] No, but getting closer.
  • irach
    [Inkspot]1. Not running. 2. It was originally associated with a particular country but is now universal.
  • irach
    [Raak] No, and no.
  • Raak - Was the particular country a European one?
  • irach
    [Raak] No.
  • Irouléguy - Is there a musical connection?
  • Néa - Or a connection to martial arts?
  • irach
    [Irouléguy] Yes. Very much so.
  • irach
    [Néa] No, not that I know of.
  • Inkspot - Did it originate in Amrerica?
  • Raak - Does it involve strenuous physical exertion?
  • irach
    [Inkspot] No.
  • Raak
    [Raak] Only if the participants so desire, but strenuous exercise is not a required activity.
  • Irouléguy - Karaoke?
  • irach
    [Irouleguy] Yes!! Congratulations!
  • Irouléguy - *waves arms wildly, attempts to twirl microphone*
    If I was being pedantic, I'd object that the definition should really have read "necessary animal and mineral connection" - you have to have the equipment for it to be karaoke as opposed to just singing while drunk. Anyway, our next is MINERAL .
  • CdM - Is it found on earth?
    ([Iroul] Re fish and wine -- no, I had no particular recipe in mind; it was just intended as a culinary marriage of two MCers. (The internets reveal plenty of recipes for red snapper in wine sauces, and plenty of recipes for various fish in Irouléguy sauces, but I couldn't find a specific example of my chosen combination.) I still say that by the time it was clear that the missing component from the answer was the name of an MCer that was also the name of a French alcoholic drink, you might have been expected to make a guess!)
  • Inkspot - Is it man made?
  • Kim - Is it bigger than a telephone box?
  • all - Is it a telephone box?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the mineral metal?
  • Raak - Related to Cassini?
  • Irouléguy
    Cdm] Found on earth? Yes (and yes, I should have tried the guess - I'm too literal about this sometimes)
    Inkspot] Is it man made? Yes
    Kim] Is it bigger than a telephone box? In the volume sense of bigger, no
    all] Is it a telephone box? No
    ImNotJohn] Is the mineral metal? Some of it is.
  • ImNotJohn - Does it have moving parts?
  • Rosie - Used in the home?
  • Irouléguy
    ImNotJohn] Does it have moving parts? Yes
    Rosie] Used in the home? No
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] Related to Cassini? No (sorry I missed you out above - you must have simmed me).
  • irach - Is the part that's not metal composed of plastics or synthetic polymers?
  • Raak - Would it fit inside a telephone box?
  • Irouléguy
    irach] Is the part that's not metal composed of plastics or synthetic polymers? Yes (some of it, anyway - there may also be other bits)
    Raak] Would it fit inside a telephone box? Normally, no
  • Raak - An aerial of some sort?
  • irach - Is it associated with the dissemination of sound?
  • Rosie - A fishing rod?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] An aerial of some sort? No
    irach] - Is it associated with the dissemination of sound? Not really - some of these do make sounds, but most don't
    Rosie] A fishing rod? No
  • Inkspot - Does it run on electrical power?
  • Rosie - Is it anything to do with transport?
  • Irouléguy
    Inkspot] Does it run on electrical power? *applause* Yes
    Rosie] Is it anything to do with transport? *louder applause* Yes
  • ImNotJohn - Is it wheeled?
  • Raak - A Segway?
  • Irouléguy
    ImNotJohn] Is it wheeled? No
    Raak] A Segway? No
  • Raak - Is it something you would attach to a vehicle?
  • CdM - Is it flexible?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] Is it something you would attach to a vehicle? No
    CdM] Is it flexible? No
  • Raak - Is it anything like one of these?
  • irach - Is it used for public transportation?
  • irach - An elevator?
  • CdM - Does the electrical power typically come from a battery or batteries?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] Scary! There is a colour connection, but otherwise, no.
    irach] Is it used for public transportation? No An elevator? No
    CdM] Does the electrical power typically come from a battery or batteries? No
  • Raak - A Belisha beacon?
  • irach - Is it used in or on the ocean?
  • Rosie - A speed camera?
  • irach - Traffic lights?
  • Irouléguy
    We have a winner! Traffic lights it is. Take it away, irach.
  • irach
    What? Me again? This one is just VEGETABLE.
  • Rosie - Is it edible?
  • irach
    [Rosie] Yes. A part of it is edible.
  • CdM - Is the part that is edible a fruit or seed?
  • Raak - Does it have to be cooked before being eaten?
  • Chalky - The Nasturtium?
    [irach] - re: "What? Me again?" Who dares wins ;-)
  • Inkspot - Is it a herb?
  • Kim - IDoes it have a shell?
  • irach
    [CdM] I guess it can be construed as part of the seed.
  • irach
    [Raak] No. But it is used in parts of the world for cooking purposes too.
  • irach
    [Inkspot] No. [Kim] Yes.
  • Raak - A coconut?
  • irach
    [Raak] Yes, you got it! Take it away...
  • Raak
    This one is ANIMAL, MINERAL, and VEGETABLE.
  • Rosie - Man-made?
    You must be psychic, or brilliant. Take your pick.
  • irach - Contents of a pet store?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Yes.
    [irach] No. (slight murmuration from the audience)
  • Rosie - Is it a meal, rather than one item?
  • Dujon - The Notlob parrot?
    Just checking to see if my psychic powers have reappeared. [Raak] A terrific deduction.
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not a meal.
    [Dujon] No.
  • Rosie - A pie of some kind?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] No. (snoring from the audience)
  • Inkspot - Is the mineral part metal?
  • Raak
    [Inkspot] Some of it is.
  • CdM - Would the animal part be found in a pet store?
  • Irouléguy - Is the vegetable part eaten by the animal?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Yes, but that's a very misleading answer.
    [I] Yes, partly.
  • Tuj - Are there many of the thing as a whole, or just one?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] Many.
  • Chalky - Is this a geographical feature [loosely speaking]?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] No.
  • Chalky - A Zoo or Wildlife Park?
  • Raak
    [C] No.
  • Chalky - Might one find this in the home?
    Looks as though I'm the only one playing today ....
  • Raak
    [C] No.
    I'm here too...
  • irach - Is the animal part a living animal or a product from a dead one?
  • irach - Is the animal part a living animal or a product from a dead one?
  • Chalky - eliminating more possibilities ... found in the workplace?
    [R] ... but you know the answer
  • irach - Is the animal part human?
  • Raak
    [irach] Primarily living. Dead animals, if any, are only peripherally involved.
    ][C] Ah....no.
    [i] The living animal part is human.
  • Chalky - Is this a person undertaking an activity?
  • Raak
    [C] That is a deep philosophical question, but for present purposes we can say that the answer isn't, but people undertaking an activity is a big part of what it is. (Several members of the audience attain enlightenment.)
  • ImNotJohn - Any link to transport?
  • Raak
    [INJ] No.
  • Irouléguy - Are any of the mineral or vegetable parts clothing?
  • Raak
    [I] No. That is, the people involved are usually wearing clothes, but that isn't a part of the answer.
  • Chalky - Do these people have to pay to do this?
  • ImNotJohn - A religious or spiritual activity (in a broad sense)?
  • Raak
    [C] Yes. (a sprinkling of applause.)
    [INJ] Only in a sense broad enough to be jocular.
    For clarification, the activity itself is not the answer, but a definite activity takes place there.
  • Chalky - Is this a building designed for a specific purpose?
  • Raak
    [C] Yes. (APPLAUSE!)
  • Chalky - A shop?
  • Raak
    [C] Yes! (Several members of the audience ascend into heaven.)
  • ImNotJohn - Harrods?
  • Raak
    [INJ] No.
  • Chalky - Is it a 'well-known High Street store'?
  • Raak
    [C] No.
  • ImNotJohn - Is it a generic shop type (as in 'a grocer's shop')?
  • Raak
    [INJ] Yes.
  • ImNotJohn - A cheese shop?
  • Raak
    [INJ] No.
  • Chalky - A shoe shop?
  • Raak
    [C] No.
  • irach - A butcher shop?
  • Raak
    [irach] Not many vegetables in a butcher's shop.
  • irach - A supermarket?
  • Irouléguy - A wholefood shop?
  • Chalky - A greengrocery?
  • Raak
    [i,I,C] No.
  • all - A healthfood shop?
  • Chalky - A Florists?
    [all] I think that's what a 'wholefood shop' is?
  • Raak
    [all] No.
    [everyone] Don't get too hung up on narrow definitions of "vegetable" and "shop".
  • Chalky - A coffee house or café?
  • CdM - A newsagent?
  • CdM - A public house?
  • Raak
    [CdM] No, and no.
    [Chalky] Yes! Over to you.
  • Chalky - Thanks :-)

    A B S T R A C T with mainly A N I M A L connections

  • Irouléguy - Would the animal be feline, by any chance?
    A 'wholefood' shop is organic stuff (veg, beans, pulses, sometimes baking). I'd think of a healthfood shop as being more vitamins and minerals, like Holland and Barrett.
  • Chalky
    [I Rule A Cute Guy] healthy/whole food - yeah, it's a fine line. The ones we have here do both and are known as health food shops.

    Feline? No

  • Rosie - Is the animal connection human?
  • Chalky
    [Rosers] Human? erm - Yes
  • Kim - Is the, erm, human a fictional human?
    Chalkers, Rosers, I Rule A Cute Guy - there's a game in this, somewhere!
  • Chalky
    [The Kimster] Fictional? Yes!
  • Raak - King Arthur?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] No ... but * cheers from audience*
  • Rosie - The Arthurian Legend?
    Going for the bleed'n' obvious. How's that, O Calciferous One?
  • Raak - Female?
  • Irouléguy - Camelot?
    Chalky] Yes, they mostly do both round here too (though Stoke Newington Church Street still has an organic baker). I think 'wholefood' may have been a seventies thing, and I might be showing my age.
  • Chalky - good morning all :-)

    [Rosers] Arthurian Legend? No
    [Raaaaaak] Female? No
    [Iroulé] Camelot? No

  • ImNotJohn - A fictional king?
  • Chalky
    [INJ] Yes
  • CdM - King Lear?
  • Chalky
    [CdeM] Lear? No
  • ImNotJohn - Shakespearean?
  • CdM - Was there some significance to your "erm" in response to the 'human?' question?
  • Chalky
    [INJ] Nay
    [CdeM] significance? Well spotted
  • all - King Kong?
    A man in a suit but probably not human enough to count.
  • Chalky
    [all] King Kong? No
  • Néa - King Louie?
    Granted, he wasn't a man at all, but he wanted to...
  • CdM - A cartoon?
  • Irouléguy - The king of the hill?
  • irach - English King?
  • Chalky
    [Néa] King Louie? No
    [CdeM] cartoon? No
    [Iroulé] hill? No
    [irachsnap] English King? No
  • Raak - Prester John?
  • Chalky
    [Raaak] Prester John? No
  • Rosie - The Sun King?
    Thrashing about in the dark. Hmm, chance would be a fine thing.
  • CdM - Neptune?
  • Dujon - Is this pseudo-king from a nursery rhyme?
  • Irouléguy - Was he European?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Sun King? No
    [CdM] Neptune? No
    [Duj] Nursery? No
    [Iroul] European? No ... although trying to find out a little more about this fictional king may well be the way forward
    *takes off 'stating the bleedin' obvious hat'*
  • ImNotJohn - Is the answer in the form "King ......."?
  • ImNotJohn
    And while we're in thrashing about mode - King Rat?
  • Chalky
    [INJ] Form/Rat? No & No ['though the word 'King' IS on the card]
  • Kim - Is it a king of myth or legend that only approximated to human (The Fairy King, for example)?
  • Néa - Does he feature in a specific novel or set of novels?
    As opposed to someone like Arthur (or the Fairy King).
  • Irouléguy - Is he originally from religion or mythology?
  • Chalky - we have a breakthrough
    [Kim] myth/legend approximate human? Would be misleading to say yes because ...

    ...[Néa] set of novels? YES!!!! *hoorays from audience*

    [Iroul] religion/mythology? see Kim's answer

  • ImNotJohn - The Return of the King?
  • Chalky
    [INJ] YES! Nice and easy does it. Over to you ...
  • ImNotJohn - After a weekend away
    OK - sorry for the delay. The next one is
    ANIMAL
  • CdM - Human?
  • CdM - Rudolf Rocker?
  • ImNotJohn
    Human - Yes
    Mr Rocker - any relation to Mr Hucker? - No in any case.
  • Néa - Alive?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Néa] No
  • CdM - Female?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM]Female? - No
  • Irouléguy - Alive in the last century?
  • CdM - Dead White Male?
    (I still think Rudolf Rocker was a good guess, btw.)
  • Néa - A religious personage?
  • all - Died before 1998?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Iroul] Alive in last century - No
    [CdM] Dead White Male? - No
    [Néa] Religious? - No
    [all] Died before 1998? - Yes
  • Raak - Alive after 1 AD?
  • Rosie - Any connection with anarcho-syndicalism?
    Anticipating a negative, here we go again...
  • Rosie - Asian?
    Big place, Asia, alas.
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Alive after 1 AD? - Yes
    [Rosie] anarcho-syndicalism? - No (though I was tempted)
    Asian? - Yes (several of the audience wake up and applaud)
  • Irouléguy - Chinggis (aka Ghengis) Khan?
  • ImNotJohn - Well, that didn't take long
    YES - that's the guy.
    Well done and over to you.
  • Irouléguy
    Sweeping across the steppe...our next is ABSTRACT, necessarily involving ANIMAL (and almost certainly VEGETABLE and MINERAL as well, but they won't help).
  • ImNotJohn - An anarcho-syndicalist hog-roast?
  • ImNotJohn - Related to a work of fiction?
  • CdM - Is the animal human?
  • Néa - Armageddon?
    Trying to think big here.
  • Raak - The extinction of the dinosaurs?
  • Rosie - The Black Death?
  • Irouléguy
    ImNotJohn] An anarcho-syndicalist hog-roast? It could be a feature of this, but it's pretty unlikely.
    Related to a work of fiction? This does occur in works of fiction, but it's not related to any particular one.
    CdM] Is the animal human? *scattered applause* Yes
    Néa] Armageddon? No
    Raak]The extinction of the dinosaurs? No
    Rosie] The Black Death? No

    Advance apologies - because of work I won't be near a computer tomorrow till about 5pm.
  • Rosie - A swarm or herd of any kind?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the human a single particular individual?
  • all - Does it happen in real life as well as works of fiction?
  • Rosie - Is this a historic one-off event?
    Ignore my previous question - I didn't see CdM's Q & A.
  • Gusset Login - Is war involved?
  • Raak - The King of the Gypsies?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie] A swarm or herd of any kind? No
    ImNotJohn] Is the human a single particular individual? No
    all] Does it happen in real life as well as works of fiction? Yes
    Rosie] Is this a historic one-off event? *the audience giggle* Possibly.
    Gusset Login - Is war involved? Quite the reverse.
    Raak] The King of the Gypsies? No
  • Néa - Sex?
  • Raak - A love-in?
  • Irouléguy
    Néa] Sex? *cries of "phwooar" from the audience* Yes, but more specifically...
    Raak] A love-in? Is that what the young people are calling it these days? Again, more specifically...

    The words on the card should be safe for work, unless your manager is exceptionally straitlaced.
  • Rosie - An orgy?
  • Chalky - An orgasm?
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) Works both in English and French; humps, humps, humps etc. Sorry to be so flippant.
  • Raak - Somebody's first time?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie] An orgy? No
    Chalky - An orgasm? No
    Raak] Somebody's first time? Possibly, but not specifically.
  • Raak - Procreation?
  • CdM - At this point would you still say that the vegetable and mineral components are not helpful?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] Procreation? Definitely not the point of this.
    CdM] At this point would you still say that the vegetable and mineral components are not helpful? Yes - while vegetable and mineral will almost certainly be involved in this, the possible range is so wide that focussing on them wouldn't help.

    There's an indirect topical political connection.
  • Raak - A kiss?
  • all - foreplay?
  • Rosie - The cigarette afterwards?
    Invoking Ken Clarke.
  • CdM - The rhythm method?
  • Tuj - Anything to do with contraception?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] A kiss? No
    all] foreplay? No
    Rosie] The cigarette afterwards? No
    CdM] The rhythm method? The jazz-lover's preference? No
    Tuj] Anything to do with contraception? Contraception would almost certainly be part of this.

    The first two of these, and the last, would almost certainly be involved in the answer. The other two might well be involved (and the likelihood of this would be greater in the past).
  • CdM - Safe sex?
  • Raak - Non-procreative sex?
  • Rosie - Anal sex?
    Bugger it; it's worth a try.
  • Irouléguy
    CdM] Safe sex?
    Raak] Non-procreative sex?
    Rosie] Anal sex?

    All of these could well be involved - think circumstances rather than activity.
  • Chalky
    This game was completed in MCiOS ' Truth Game' along with the other puzzles that followed - shall we steal it back? Yes? Yes?
  • Tuj
    Yes!
  • rab
    Might be nice to shift Gary Glitter off the top of the page.

    Please don't paste in the intervening moves, though.

  • Phil - The Summer of Love?
    In the midst of which I was born
  • Tuj
    Anyone bothered enough to transfer a summary?
  • Raak - Shazam!
    And the mystery object is an ABSTRACT object that can be physically realised in MINERAL form, and has nothing to do with almost every guess so far, be it of concrete, water sports, transport, weather, crocodiles, pagodas, or Contango Day.
  • Tuj - Is it connected with the Internet?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] No.
  • Tuj - Does the mineral form take the form of writing of some sort?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] No.
  • Irouléguy - How much will it help if we find out what sort of mineral it is?
  • Raak
    [I] Possibly, a bit. It might help more to find out what sort of abstract object it is.
  • Inkspot - Something to do with computers and the internet?
  • Raak
    [I] No.
  • Chalky - Is this something that people would pay to see?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] No, but they can pay to buy one, at prices from $30 to $12000.
  • Inkspot - Is it an event?
  • Raak
    [I] No.
  • Rosie - Is this a piece of "abstract" art?
  • CdM - A Klein Bottle?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Yes!
    [CdM] (the audience die of heart failure and are taken up bodily into heaven) YES! A Klein bottle!
  • CdM
    All right. I will once again turn to the WRAVMASG...
    ...and this is either ABSTRACT or MINERAL/VEGETABLE with ANIMAL connections. I should perhaps warn you that it is very possible that no-one here has heard of this, but it should still be solvable with judicious questioning and googling.
  • Irouléguy - Is it a physical construction?
  • Inkspot - Does it originate from a particular culture?
  • CdM
    Physical construction? No.
    Originate from a particular culture? Not exactly, but *some applause*.
  • Tuj - Would it be found in a specific country?
  • CdM
    Found in a specific country? Yes. *substantial applause*
  • ImNotJohn - Is the Animal connection human?
  • Rosie - An English-speaking country?
  • Kim - A European country?
  • Inkspot - Is it a place?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the mineral metal?
  • Néa - Is the vegetable edible?
  • Tuj - Is the associated country in Asia?
    Rare audience appreciation!
  • CdM
    Human? Yes. the animal connection is not particularly useful, though.
    English-speaking? No.
    European country? Yes
    A place? Yes. *applause*
    Metal? Some. Since you have now identified that we are looking for a place, I would say that the mineral/vegetable/animal connections are not that helpful.
    Edible? Some. See above.
    Asia? No.*dead silence from audience*
  • Irouléguy - Is the place best known for an event that happened there?
  • Kim - Is it found in one of the EU member states?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the answer the name of a town (hamlet/city etc.)?
  • Raak
    It is a place where one might go to contemplate the beauty of nature??
  • ImNotJohn
    Actually, on second thoughts, given the ABSTRACT primary definition, I wonder - Is the answer the name of a geographical area in some sense?
  • CdM
    best known for event? Um, I am not sure if it is known for anything
    in EU? Yes.
    Name of town (hamlet/city, etc.)? No, unless "etc." is very broadly defined.
    beauty of nature? Er, I have no idea, really. I'll hazard a guess at yes, though I don't think it is particularly known for its natural beauty.
    ****
    Ah ... good thing I previewed before posting. Name of a geographical area? Yes. *applause*
  • Inkspot - Is it in France?
  • CdM
    France? No. 24 to go.
  • ImNotJohn - In current EU?
  • ImNotJohn
    Oops - forget that one - how about In a country with a Mediterranean coastline?
  • CdM
    In current EU? Er, yes. Didn't I already answer that?
    *****
    Ah, you are saved by the preview again.
    Mediterranean coastline? No.
  • CdM
    And, for free, here is an addendum to a previous answer. The name of a town/hamlet/city is one of the words on the card, although the answer is not the name of a town/hamlet/city.
  • Inkspot - Does the area have a coastline?
  • Irouléguy - Is the answer an administrative area?
  • ImNotJohn - In Scandinavia - including the Baltic States?
  • CdM
    Coastline? I am pretty certain that the answer is no.
    Administrative area? Yes. *applause*
    Scandinavia including Baltics? Yes.
  • CdM
    (Make that 99.9% certain that it does not have a coastline)
  • Tuj - Is it in Finland?
  • CdM
    Finland? No.
  • Rosie - The province of Jönköping?
  • Wol
    Does the name itself consist of more than word? (Or, contrariwise, is the phrase on the card 'the province/region/whatever of ...' plus just one word?)
  • Raak
    In Germany?
  • Raak
    Oops, missed that it's Scandinavia.
  • Raak
    In Denmark?
  • Software - The Tivoli Gardens?
  • ImNotJohn - In one of Baltic states?
    Remember guys - the initial setting said that we've probably never heard of this.
  • Inkspot - Does it have connections to Norse legends and myths?
  • Tuj - Is it in Sweden?
  • CdM
    Jonkoping? No.
    Form of answer? The answer is two words: Place Name + Administrative Area Designation.
    Part of the Third Reich? No.
    Denmark? No.
    Tivoli Gardens? Never heard of them
    In Baltic States? Yes.
    Connection to Norse legends? Not as far as I am aware.
    Sweden? No.
  • Rosie - Something like "Latvian Borough of Riga"?
  • CdM
    LBoR? Well, something like that, although see my previous response on the form of the answer.
  • ImNotJohn - Estonia?
    For the sake of brevity assume I've asked the other 2 in turn if each preceding one is wrong.
    Oh, it would have been briefer to ask the 3 questions separately, wouldn't it?
  • CdM
    Estonia? Yes.
  • ImNotJohn - One of the 15 counties?
  • CdM
    One of the 15 counties? Sadly, no. :-)
  • ImNotJohn - A municipality?
  • CdM
    Municipality? Yes, although that is not the word on the card.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the word on the card 'township'?
    OK so we're down to one of the 208 municipalities (aka townships) or possibly one of the 47 towns. Shouldn't take long now.
  • Raak - Is the second word "commune"?
  • CdM
    Township/Commune? The word on the card is "Commune" but I think that is just an equivalent term for "township". As you say, shouldn't take too long.
  • ImNotJohn - Does the county it is in begin with a letter in the first half of the alphabet?
    I can do binary chop searches
  • ImNotJohn
    Disappearing into meetings now, but I'm using Wikipedia's 'list of municipalities in Estonia'
  • CdM
    County in first half of alphabet? Yes, most definitely. :-) I'm leaving in 15 minutes; think we can get it worked out by then?
  • CdM
    If it has not been figured out before I leave, I might hand the baton to INJ (*cries of "nepotism!" from the audience*) given that he has done most of the heavy lifting on this one.
  • ImNotJohn - Hiiu county?
    In the hope of a quick win
  • Chalky - Is it in the County of Harju?
    [agree re: INJ so I'm just helpin to move things along - not aiming for a lurker's victory}
  • CdM
    Harju it is
  • CdM
    So, there are 19 communes, of which seven have coastline, so just 12 left to choose from
  • Chalky - Saku Commune?
  • CdM
    Nope. The answer was Kernu Commune. And as I am now going out for the evening, I am going to declare INJ the winner. Sorry it was so obscure, but that's what the Wikipedia Random AVMA Subject Generator gave me...
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] An interesting technique for subject generation, but not very satisfying once we get down to the 'find the one from the list' bit. BTW I should also like to deny categorically that I am CdM's nephew.
    Anyway, the next one is ABSTRACT with ANIMAL connections
  • Inkspot - Is the animal part a person?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Ink] - Is the animal part a person? The animal part is human.
  • Irouléguy - Is there a musical connection?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Iroul] - musical connection? - NO
  • CdM
    Is the animal part some number of specific humans?. [INJ] Agreed. If I use it again I will throw in a bit of my own discretion about the suitability of the subject.
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM]some specific humans - NO
  • Rosie - A crowd or gathering of some kind?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] gathering - NO
  • Raak - Is it a role?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Role? - NO
  • Inkspot - Is it male?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Inks] Male? - Not defined
  • Chalky - [forgetting the animal part for the time being] - Is this an activity of some sort?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] an activity - NO
    Normal service (i.e. slow) will be resumed shortly - in about 20 mins - when I pack up to go home.
  • Irouléguy - A belief system?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Iroul] Belief system - NO
  • CdM - Human construct? (oblig.)
  • Chalky - Does this involve the senses?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Human construct? - YES (though that may not help a lot)
    [Chalky] involve the senses? - NO
  • CdM - Is this an intellectual creation?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] an intellectual creation? - YES (some shaking of heads in the audience)
  • Huxley - Is it a field of study?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Hux] a field of study? - NO (some laughter in the audience)
  • Irouléguy - Entertainment (or intended to be entertainment)?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Iroul] entertainment? - NO
    Hmm, I didn't think it would be this hard to get - I'm in meetings all afternoon, so I may have to start thinking of clues.
  • Tuj - Is it an abstract noun?
  • Chalky - Is this a medical condition?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Tuj] abstract noun? - NO
    [Chalky]a medical condition? - NO
  • ImNotJohn
    I'm not very convinced by my own answer to the Intellectual creation question - I'm not completely sure what CdM meant by it. However the answer is a product of human minds, so I stand by it. I also refer you to my answer to the very first question from Inkspot.
  • Tuj - Is the human a specific human?
  • Irouléguy - Is this historically specific?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Tuj] a specific human? - NO
    [Iroul] historically specific? - NO (though its abstract existence does not span all of human history)
  • ImNotJohn
    Clarifications on the last 2.
    Not a specific human, but a specific subset of humankind.
    Its existence spans about the last couple of hundred years.
  • Raak - An organisation?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] An organisation? - NO
  • CdM - Is it connected to the USA?
    (I'm not sure what my 'intellectual creation' question meant either; I simply threw it out there in the hope that it would generate some response other than 'NO'.)
  • CdM - Or is it connected to some particular technological invention or innovation?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] connected to the USA? - Not particularly (nor originally)
    technological invention or innovation? - NO (some laughter in the audience)
  • Tuj - Religious?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Tuj] Religious? - NO (but definitely no laughter)
  • CdM - Is the "specific subset of humankind" either 'men' or 'women'?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] either 'men' or 'women'? - NO
  • Irouléguy - Trekkies?
  • Raak - To do with science fiction?
  • Tuj - Is this represented by an acronym?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Iroul] Trekkies - NO
    [Raak] SciFi - NO
    [Tuj] Acronym - NO
    Time for a little help here. The human connection is with a specific subset of humankind which is neither men nor women.
  • Rosie - Hallowe'en?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] Hallowe'en? - NO
  • CdM - Children?
  • CdM
    (i.e., is that the human connection?)
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Children? - YES; the human connection is with children (substantial applause from the audience)
  • CdM - Is it a game of some kind?
    (I presume not, since you said it wasn't an activity, but just in case...)
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] a game? NO (you presumed correctly)
  • Raak - Spelling bees?
  • CdM - Connected with a work of fiction?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Spelling bees? - NO
    [CdM Connected with a work of fiction? - This has appeared in a number of works of fiction, but that is not the normal context for it; so NO is probably the most useful answer
  • ImNotJohn
    It's that point in the day where I go to my hotel and my laptop gets locked in a drawer at work. I have every confidence that it won't take long now - you just need to pin down what sort of thing this is.
  • Inkspot - The tooth fairy?
  • CdM - Child labour laws?
    [Inkspot] I hope not. I did that one not so long ago...
  • Tuj - Is it related to childcare?
  • Raak - Compulsory schooling?
  • ImNotJohn
    OK - an apology. I've done a bit of looking up and I now think that I should have answered YES to the Connected with a work of fiction? question, in that the majority of the references were in the context of a single work. Anyway, we're nearly there.
    [Inkspot] The tooth fairy? - NO (but substantial and prolonged applause)
    [CdM] Child labour laws? - NO
    [Raak] Compulsory schooling? - NO
  • Chalky - Is this a make-believe character?
  • Irouléguy - The sandman?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] make-believe character? - YES
    [Iroul] The sandman? - NO
    The audience is surreptitiously putting on coats etc. ready for an early exit
  • Chalky - Jack Frost?
  • CdM - Fairy Godmother?
  • ImNotJohn
    We have a winner!!
    THE FAIRY GODMOTHER it is. Back to CdM
    Although the character appears in many stories and predates Perrault, Cinderella now appears to have a working majority.
  • CdM - Credit where credit is due...
    ...it was actually Ms CdM who figured this one out.

    Anyway, back to the Wikipedia Random AVMA Subject Generator one more time...

    ... and this one will be easy, I think. It is ABSTRACT (possibly with VEGETABLE and and/or MINERAL connections, but I don't think those are very helpful).
  • Irouléguy - Atlantis?
  • Chalky - Is this another place?
  • ImNotJohn - A human construct?
    (trad)
  • Inkspot - It an event in the natural world?
  • CdM - Sorry for the delay
    Atlantis? No.
    A place? No (thankfully).
    Human Construct? Very definitely.
    Event in natural world? Not quite sure what you mean, but I think the answer is no.
  • Chalky - Is this a building perhaps?
  • Raak - An organisation?
  • Tuj - The Daytona 500?
    (that's what I got when I followed the link...)
  • CdM
    Building? No.
    Organisation? No.
    Daytona 500? No.
  • Raak - An idea?
  • Kim - A work of fiction?
  • Chalky - A work of non-fiction? [thanks Kim]
  • Inkspot - A proverb or saying?
  • Irouléguy - A belief-system or philosophy?
  • ImNotJohn - Connected with a belief-system or philosophy?
  • Chalky - Is it connected with anything connectable-with?
  • Chalky
    sorry - ignore that - I was being unecessarily facetious
  • CdM
    An idea? Only in a very vague sense.
    work of fiction or nonfiction? No.
    proverb or saying? No.
    Belief system or philosophy, or connected thereto? No.
    Connected to anything? Yes. :-)
  • Néa - A state of mind?
  • Irouléguy - Is it of recent origin?
  • CdM
    state of mind? No.
    Recent origin? No. (Googling suggests that the first instance of the answer was in the early 16th century, but it is probably less misleading to suggest that it has been around since the mid 19th century.)
  • ImNotJohn - An artistic endeavour, or connected thereto?
  • CdM
    Artistic endeavor? No. (Nevertheless, a smattering of applause.)
  • Chalky - Anything to do with Music?
  • Tuj - A style of doing something?
  • CdM
    Music? No.
    Style of doing something? No, except in a very very general sense. However, it is a specific abstract thing that exists in the context or a more general abstract thing.
  • Rosie - Is it an academic study of any kind?
  • irach - A form of dance?
  • CdM
    Academic study? No. (But again, a slight smattering of applause.)
    Dance? No.
  • Néa - Science fiction?
  • Irouléguy - A particular style of architecture?
  • CdM
    Science fiction? No.
    Style of architecture? No.
  • Rosie - Something "alternative" such as homeopathy, dowsing, etc?
  • Inkspot - A scientific theory?
  • CdM
    Something alternative? No.
    Scientific theory? No.
    Hmmm... so much for my belief that this would be easy. It seems to me that you have still missed a key broad class of abstract things.
  • Raak - Mathematical?
  • CdM
    Mathematical? No. (*significant applause greets the question and some "oooohs" greet the answer*)
  • Irouléguy - Linguistic?
  • CdM
    Linguistic? No. (also, perhaps the applause for "mathematical?" should not have been quite so significant)
  • Raak - Geometrical?
  • CdM
    Geometrical? No. (the applause was less significant than that)
  • CdM - To clarify
    It is not mathematical. It could however be said that there is a mathematical connection. I am not sure that is a fruitful line of enquiry, however. I would still look for the 'key broad class of abstract things' that has not yet been mentioned.
  • Rosie - Numerology?
  • CdM
    Numerology? No.
  • Chalky - Is this a type of game?
  • Raak - Something imaginary?
  • Chalky - Something to do with computers/worldwideweb?
  • ImNotJohn - topological - in ythe sense of connected with shapes etc?
  • Inkspot - Something to do with time?
  • CdM
    Type of game? Yes! *sustained relieved applause from the audience*
    Imaginary? No.
    Computers, WWW? Well, I know you can find examples of the answer on the WWW, but I refer you to my previous answer concerning the 16th and 19th century.
    Topological? No.
    To do with time? No.
  • Chalky - Chess?
  • Néa - A specific board game?
  • Irouléguy - Is this a game that's often bet on?
  • CdM
    Chess? *massive applause*. Chess is one of the two words on the card. I now refer you to my earlier answer to Tuj.
    Specific board game? The answer is not a specific board game.
    Often bet on? Very rarely, I would imagine.
  • Chalky - Speed Chess?
    is that what it's called??
  • Chalky - or "Blitz" Chess
    just looked it up :-)
  • Raak - Fairy chess?
  • CdM
    Speed/Blitz chess? No.
    Fairy chess? No, although there is some connection.
  • Chalky - Blindfold Chess?
  • CdM
    Blindfold chess? No.
  • Néa - Four-handed chess?
  • CdM
    4H chess? Never even heard of it. So, no.
  • Kim - Haw about "Wizard's Chess"?
  • Kim - Haw/How
  • CdM
    Wizard's chess? No.
  • ImNotJohn - Chess Championship?
    I assume from the 'not a specific board game' answer that we are not looking for a type of chess.
  • Raak - Chess, the musical?
  • ImNotJohn - Chess Problem?
    So this is 'a type of game', but 'not a specific board game' and one of the 2 words is 'chess'. Hmmm.
    [Raak] Lloyd Webber hasn't been around since the 16th century, it just seems that way.
  • CdM
    And INJ and I keep swapping back and forth: Chess Problem (actually, the word on the card was Puzzle, but I decided earlier I would also accept Problem) is the answer. INJ's careful parsing of 'not a specific board game' was correct; that was why I answered that question even after Chess had been guessed. Finally, I hope "yes" to "type of game" wasn't misleading; I was just so relieved that someone was finally on the right track!
  • Néa - *thinks CdM and INJ are each other's nephews*
    (no, not really :-) )
  • ImNotJohn - [Néa] No, CdM and I are each other's uncles
    I do have a tendency to get involved more towards the end of these games - the Michael Owen approach
    Anyway, have a go at: Mineral
  • Chalky - Manufactured?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky} Manufactured? - YES
  • Néa - Specific ("the Eiffel Tower") rather than general ("stainless steel")?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Néa ] Specific? - YES (Eiffel Tower? - NO)
  • CdM
    Primarily or exlusively metal?
  • Raak - Bigger than a telephone box?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Metal? - NO
    [Raak] Bigger than a telephone box? - YES
  • Raak - Is it a monument?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] a monument? - NO (but some applause)
  • Irouléguy - Is it in Europe?
  • CdM - In Europe?
    Hmph. No mere simulpost is going to stand in the way of my question.
  • Tuj - Promarily or exclusively stone?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Iroul] In Europe - YES
    [CdM] I will let it stand in the way of a separate answer
    [Tuj] stone? - YES
  • irach - The Notre Dame Cathedral?
  • Raak - Was it built in the last 100 years?
  • Irouléguy - Sacré Coeur?
  • Rosie - In Britain?
  • irach - Big Ben?
  • CdM - Chartres Cathedral?
  • ImNotJohn
    [irach] Notre Dame? - NO
    [Iroul]built in the last 100 years? - NO
    [Rosie] In Britain? - NO
    [irach] Big Ben? - NO
    [CdM] Chartres - NO
  • CdM - A place of worship?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] place of worship? - NO. There's an untested assumption here.
  • Inkspot - Is it a building?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Inks] a building? - NO (that's the one)
  • CdM - Is it a free-standing structure?
    A place of worship doesn't have to be a building, you know...
  • Raak - Is it a statue?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] free-standing? - YES
    [Raak] a atatue? - YES (loud and enthusiastic applause)
  • ImNotJohn
    (it's also a Statue)
  • Inkspot - Is it made of marble?
  • Chalky - Is it in Italy?
  • CdM - David's statue of Michelangelo?
    (which is much less well-known than the other one)
  • ImNotJohn
    [Inks] marble? - YES
    [Chalky] in Italy - NO
    [CdM] David's statue of Michelangelo? - NO (nor vice versa)
  • Chalky - The Little Mermaid Statue in Copenhagen?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] Little Mermaid? - NO (can't be long now)
  • Chalky - In France?
    suppose it would help to find out which country - NOT Britain, NOT Italy ...
  • CdM - In Spain?
  • Néa - Scandinavia?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] France? - YES
    [CdM] Spain - NO (now there's a surprise)[Néa] - NO
    it's a race now
  • Chalky - The statue of Joan of Arc?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] Joan of Arc? - NO
  • Néa - Venus de Milo?
  • CdM - Is it in a public square/place (as opposed to in a museum, say)?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Néa] Venus? - NO (Oooohs from the audience)
    [CdM]public square/place? - NO (next one gets it I reckon)
  • CdM - Rodin's Thinker?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Rodin - NO (OK, so I was wrong)
  • Raak - Rodin's Aphrodite of Melos?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Rodin's Aphrodite of Melos? - NO
  • Néa - Nike of Samothrace?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Néa] YES! - It was the Winged Victory or Nike of Samothrace
    Over to you then
  • Néa - I broke the chain of uncles!
    Oooh... well then. VEGETABLE AND MINERAL (with certain ANIMAL connotations)
  • CdM - Is the vegetable part largely or entirely wood?
  • Néa
    [CDM] YES
  • Raak - The Cross?
  • Néa
    [Raak] NO.
  • Rosie - Are there many of these?
    (Raak) Brilliant long shot. Glad it failed. :-)
  • CdM - Is the mineral part largely or entirely metal?
  • Néa
    [Rosie] YES
    [CdM] YES

    Oh, and I said "connotations" where I meant "connections". I should only do one thing at a time - that results in fewer mixups!
  • ImNotJohn - Is the animal connection human?
    (A deserved win if only for being the person who took notice of the marble and telephone box answers)
  • Néa - *blush*
    [INJ] NO
  • Raak - A piece of furniture?
  • Raak - Is the metal part the fixings that hold the wooden parts together?
  • Néa - Am getting a feeling that this one will be quick
    [furniture] YES
    [fixins] NO
  • Tuj - Bigger than an armchair?
  • Néa
    [Tuj] NO
  • Raak - A rabbit hutch?
  • Rosie - A stool?
    You at the back stop giggling.
  • Néa
    [Raak] NO
    [Rosie] NO

    The audience is silent (except for that one suppressed snicker at the back).
  • CdM - Smaller than an armchair?
  • Néa
    [CdM] YES.
  • Inkspot - Is it made for sitting on?
  • Néa
    [Inkspot] Oh deary me, NO.
  • Raak - Is it for storage? (Cupboard, bookshelf, etc.)
  • Néa
    [Raak] NO.
  • Inkspot - Is it a piece of furniture by a particular designer?
  • Néa
    [Inkspot] NO. (It is not entirely straightforward, but "yes" would both be untrue and misleading, I think.)
  • Raak - Does it have wheels?
  • Néa
    [Raak] There are wheels, YES, but not in the way you probably think, NO.
  • ImNotJohn - A lava lamp?
  • Néa
    [INJ] NO.
  • Raak - A clock?
  • Néa
    [Raak] YES! *audience cheers and claps mightily*
    That is not the full answer, though.
  • Chalky - A cuckoo clock?
  • Néa - We have a winner!
    [Chalky] YES - it is indeed a cuckoo clock! *audience starts singeing cuccu*
    Over to yourself.
  • Chalky
    oh Lordy - I've finally achieved a lurker's victory . Makes a change :-)
  • Chalky
    Nice easy one:

    A N I M A L

  • irach - Mammal?
  • ImNotJohn - alive?
  • Chalky
    Mammal? YES
    Alive? NO
  • Néa - Human?
  • Raak - Edible?
  • Chalky
    [N] Human? YES
    [R] Edible? To cannibals perhaps :-)
  • CdM
    Bigger than a telephone box? A specific individual?
  • ImNotJohn - European?
    (I like this minimalist approach, as opposed to CdM's verbosity)
  • Chalky
    [C] Specific? YES
    [I] European? YES
  • Néa - Alive in the 20th century?
  • Raak - Any connection with Mornington Crescent?
  • CdM
    ♀?
  • Tuj - A scientist of some sort?
  • irach - A monarch/ royal?
  • Irouléguy - Nicholas Sarkozy?
  • Rosie - Politician?
  • Chalky
    [N] Alive 20th century? YES
    [R] MC? Possibly - I haven't read ALL of the archives
    [C] Male? YES
    [Tuj] *cheers from audience* YES!
    [i} Monarchy? NO
    [I] Sarkozy? No
    [R] Politician? NO
  • CdM - Einstein?
    (Getting the obvious out of the way first. I would have asked if it was Heisenberg, but I figured you would just say that you weren't sure.)
  • Irouléguy - Pierre Curie
    (He might have a connection with MC - wasn't he active on the radio or something?)
  • CdM
    Wasn't he married to MC?
  • ImNotJohn - Physicist?
  • Chalky
    [CdM] Einstein? NO
    [I] Pierre Curie? NO
    [INJ] Physicist? YES *ooohs from audience*
  • Raak - Feynman?
  • ImNotJohn - British?
  • Chalky
    [R] Feynman? NO
    [INJ] British? NO
  • Kim - Steven Hawking
  • Inkspot - Danish?
  • Chalky
    [K] Steven Hawking? NO
    [I] Danish? NO - though you're right to try and get the nationality of this person.
  • ImNotJohn - Germanic/Scandiwegian?
  • Chalky
    [CdM - Heisenberg - ah yes. See what you mean now. I think :-)]

    [INJ] Germanic/Scandiwegian? YES ;-)

  • CdM - Schroedinger?
  • ImNotJohn - German?
    [CdM - It's only Schroedinger if you don't guess him.]
  • CdM - A superposition of Schroedinger and Hahn, in that case?
  • Chalky - We have a winner !
    Well deduced CdM - it's that cat man Erwin Schrödinger. Was that a stab in the dark?
  • CdM - Me again?
    OK, I'll go to the WRAVMASG one more time...
    ... and I will reject "a municipality in the Honduran department of Comayagua" on the basis of the Estonia experience...
    ... and I will also reject two succcessive entries concerning RPGs on the grounds that I would be completely unable to answer questions about them...
    and so today's subject is ABSTRACT with ANIMAL connections.
  • Chalky - A macrobiotic diet?
  • ImNotJohn - An anarcho-syndicalist dude ranch?
    Going back to my roots
  • CdM
    Macrobioticism? No.
    a-s dude ranch? No. *more than a smattering of applause from the audience, though*
  • Chalky - A group of people?
  • Chalky - I mean the *name* of a group of people
  • Raak - Is it a symbol?
  • ImNotJohn - Connected with animal husbandry?
  • CdM
    Group of people? Yes. *applause*
    Name of group of people? Yes.
    Symbol? No.
    Animal Husbandry? No.
  • Néa - Anything to do with trade unions?
  • CdM
    To do with trade unions? *some uncertain applause from the audience* Hmmmm... it depends on what you mean by "anything to do with". The answer is not a trade union.
  • Tuj - Is this group found in one specific country?
  • CdM
    One specific country? Yes. *applause*
  • Néa - In Europe?
  • CdM
    In Europe? Yes. (OK, so maybe this isn't completely free of the Estonia problem)
  • Raak - Is it a political organisation?
  • CdM
    Political organization? Yes. *applause*
  • Raak - Is it a political party?
  • irach - The EU?
  • Irouléguy - Is it in one of the former Eastern bloc countries?
  • Inkspot - Is it a left of centre?
  • CdM
    Political party? Yes.
    In EU? Not when I last checked.
    Former Eastern bloc? Yes
    Left of Centre? Yes.
    That might be enough information to get it...
  • Rosie - The Soviet Communist Party?
    Going to feel a right plonker if it isn't . . .
  • CdM
    Soviet Communist Party? No. [Rosie] There was a very specific clue in my previous responses.
  • Inkspot - Latvian Social Democratic Labour Party?
  • CdM
    LSDLP? No. *The audience is silent for a moment, then applauds, then continues to applaud, then stops applauding, then applauds again.*
  • Néa - The Social Democratic Party of Romania?
  • CdM
    SDPoR? *The audience starts applauding excitedly, and then stops dead, save for a tiny smattering of applause at the very end* No.
  • rab
    SDP of Slovakia?
  • CdM
    SDPoS? *The audience, once burned twice shy, stays silent throughout* No.
  • Inkspot - Is it from the former Yugoslavia?
  • CdM
    former Yugoslavia? Yes. *applause*
  • Kim - Croatia?
  • CdM
    SDPoC? Yes! *passes baton*
  • Kim - Oh!
    Goodness! I wasn't expecting that. I thought a more exact answer (including the policital party) would be expected, once the relevant country had been identified. Not that I'm complaining, mind. I've been wanting to set this one for some time. It should be quite easy and I won't be surprised if one of you bright sparks gets it in one.
    It's ABSTRACT with both ANIMAL and VEGETABLE connotations.
  • Irouléguy - Marvin Gaye's 'I heard it through the grapevine'?
  • Raak - Are there a lot of these?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the animal connection human?
  • rab - Is it an idiom?
  • CdM - Is it a human construct?
    [Kim] Well, I figured that the "Social Democratic Party of" bit had already been established, and all that was missing was the country.
  • CdM
    (Oh, and my "not when I last checked" comment re EU membership was meant to be a clue to the fact that Croatia (like Turkey) is in the middle of negotiations.)
  • Rosie - The Green Party?
    (INJ) Shurely it must be if anarcho-syndicalism is involved.
  • ImNotJohn - An anarcho-syndicalist pot-luck dinner?
    [Rosie] So right - I feel such a fool.
  • Kim
    [Irouleguy] Nice, but no.
    [Raak] No, only one.
    [INJ] Yes.
    [rab] Idiom? No.
    [CdM] It was a generous judgement on your part, I think. Human construct? Yes.
    [Rosie] Green Party? No. *A few wry smiles among the audience*
    [INJ] Not this time, I'm afraid, but hang on in there, I'm sure your day will come.
  • Néa - Specific to some particular culture?
  • Raak - An organisation?
  • Kim
    [Nea] Culturally specific? Very broadly, yes.
    [Raak] Organisation? No.
    I may not be able to look in this evening, but will do so tomorrow morning.
  • Rosie - Vegetarianism?
  • Kim
    [Rosie] Vegetarianism? No. *A few more wry smiles, mostly from the same people who previously smiled wrily*
  • Inkspot - A book title?
  • Irouléguy - A gardening programme?
  • rab - Is it food-related?
  • Kim
    [Inkspot] Book title? No.
    [Irouléguy] Gardening programme? No.
    [rab] Food related? Yes. *applause*.
  • Rosie - A kosher diet?
  • Inkspot - Is it a particular dish?
  • rab - A cookery programme?
  • Raak - Cannibalism?
  • Tuj - Related to politics?
  • Tuj - Is it a single word?
    That looks quite a dizzy question, in retrospect, I'll have another.
  • Kim
    [Rosie] Kosher diet? No.
    [Inkspot] Particular dish? No.*more wry smiles*
    [rab] Cookery programme? No.
    [Raak] Cannibalism? No. Yuk!
    [Tuj] Related to politics? No. Certainly not as far as I am aware.
    [Tuj] Single word? No.
  • Inkspot - Is it an event?
  • Irouléguy - Fast food?
  • rab - Is it a cuisine?
  • Tuj - Is it related to a job realted to food?
    Heh.
  • Tuj - realted
    *related
  • Kim
    [Inkspot] Event? No.
    [Irouléguy] Fast food? No.
    [Tuj] Related to a job related to food? Hmmm, I think, on balance, I would have to say Yes, but I'd be hard pressed to say what the food-related job that the answer is related to actually is.
  • Chalky - Is this anything to do with food deprivation?
  • Kim
    [Chalky] Food deprivation? No.
  • CdM - Is it related to food production?
  • Kim
    [CdM] Related to food production? Yes.
  • Rosie - Organic farming?
  • Chalky - The Jolly Green Giant?
  • Raak - Crop rotation?
  • Kim - Hoh, hoh, hoh!
    With a single imaginative leap, Chalky lands spot on the answer, which was, indeed, the Jolly Green Giant! It was the word "Green" and the vague connection to vegetables in two of Rosie's answers that made the audience smile. Congrats, Chalks, over to you.
  • Chalky - eek!
    ... and there's me thinking I wuz being a bit silly. Nice one Kim :-)

    Next up - VEGETABLE

  • ImNotJohn - edible?
  • Kim - Sweetcorn?
    It's gotta be.
  • Chalky
    [INJ] edible? not usually
    [Kim] S'corn? As if!
  • Raak - Partly or wholly wood?
  • Irouléguy - Is there just one of these?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] partly/wholly wood? Not really, No
    [Iroul] one-off? No
  • Rosie - A flower?
  • CdM - Is it manufactured or significantly processed?
  • Raak - Made of paper?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Flower? YES!
    [CdM] manufactured? No
    [Raak] paper? No
  • Chalky
    *is now office-based for a few days - will try very hard to look in here on a regular basis but please forgive any delays*
  • rab - Does it have a conventional symbolic meaning?
  • Chalky
    [rab] symbolic? YES
  • Néa - Is said symbolic meaning to do with løve?
  • Inkspot - Is it National flower ?
  • Raak - A rose?
  • rab - A lily?
  • Chalky
    [Néa] lerve? No
    [Inks] National? No
    [Raaak] Rose? No
    [rab] lily? No
  • Irouléguy - A snowdrop?
  • Inkspot - Is it a particular colour?
  • ImNotJohn - Associated with death?
  • rab - A Bachelor's Button?
  • Irouléguy - A poppy
    Coming back for seconds rab] What's that?
  • rab
    [Irouléguy] It's a symbol either of chastity or unity, depending on who you listen to. Also known as a cornflower.
  • Kim - Is said symbolic meaning to do with death?
  • Chalky - Result!
    Irouléguy has the right answer! It's a poppy.
    Sorry I wasn't around much to reply to the earlier couple of questions - I'm sure someone would have got it sooner. It was one of those days *sigh*
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) Poppies, at least the ones you wear, are not Vegetable but Mineral and I rejected the idea on those grounds. Rage, rage. Woman of your calibre? I dunno. :-)
  • Chalky - awww
    [Rosie] I looked into my Natural History book when it was my turn, randomly chose a page with wild flowers on it and picked an easy one. 'Twas as simple as that :-)
  • Irouléguy
    Sorry for the delay - got home late yesterday. Carrying on with the easy-ish themes, our next is ABSTRACT involving ANIMAL and VEGETABLE
    Chalky] I knew what you meant
  • Kim - Is is a recipe?
  • Raak - Is there just one?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the animal connection human?
  • Irouléguy
    Kim] Is is a recipe? No
    Raak]Is there just one? *applause* Singularity is a key part of the definition.
    ImNotJohn] Is the animal connection human? No
  • Inkspot - Is it a fictional character from a book?
  • Rosie - The Eco-system?
  • Raak - The Last Rose of Summer?
    (A Victorian drawing-room song)
  • Irouléguy
    Inkspot] Is it a fictional character from a book? No
    Rosie] The Eco-system? Gaia-d guess, but no.
    Raak - The Last Rose of Summer? A great song, but no.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the animal connection alive?
  • rab - Is a religion involved?
  • Raak - Is it the symbol of some organisation?
  • Rosie - Is it a geographical location?
  • Irouléguy
    ImNotJohn] Is the animal connection alive? Yes
    rab] Is a religion involved? *more applause* Yes
    Raak] Is it the symbol of some organisation? No
    Rosie] Is it a geographical location? No
  • rab - Holy Communion?
  • Rosie - The Feeding of the Five Thousand?
  • irach - Miracle of The Loaves and Fishes?
  • Irouléguy
    rab] Holy Communion? No
    Rosie, irach] The Feeding of the Five Thousand? No - see INJ's question about the animal connection being alive.
    The wording of rab's previous question is important.
  • rab - Is it Christmas-related?
  • Raak - Kissing under the mistletoe?
  • Inkspot - Is it connected to Christian ceremony?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it related to an object of religious veneration?
    I think we also need to explore Iroul's statement that 'Singularity is a key part of the definition'
  • Raak - A partridge in a pear tree?
  • Irouléguy
    On the 3rd day before Advent, Raak has it! (with a strong assist from INJ) It is originally a religious song, and each line has a particular religious significance. One baton handed over.
  • Raak
    [I] According to snopes, the religious significance is an urban legend.
    ABSTRACT and MINERAL.
  • Raak
    The snopes URL was wahwahwahdot snopes.com/holidays/christmas/12days.asp.
  • rab
    Hmmm... you should have been able to type that in. Let's try again. Yeah, that works - Raak, you probably mis-typed 'href'. I'll set about producing a warning when this happens.
  • Rosie - Anything to do with Christmas?
  • ImNotJohn - The Anarcho-syndicalist Tennis Championships Cup?
  • irach - Santa's Sleigh?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Indirectly.
    [INJ] No.
    [irach] No.
  • Tuj - A building?
  • Irouléguy - Is the mineral metal?
    Well, you live and learn. I grew up Catholic, so I knew the 'underground Catholic' thing was wrong, but I had always though it was a memory thing like 'Deck of cards'. Sorry if I misdirected anyone.
  • Raak
    [Tuj] No.
    [I] No.
  • rab - Is it an idiom?
  • Rosie - A natural phenomenon?
  • Raak
    [rab] No.
    [Rosie] Yes!
  • Inkspot - Something related to the weather?
  • ImNotJohn - related to snow?
  • rab - An 80% chance of rain?
  • Raak
    [Inkspot] Yes.
    [INJ] Yes. (Applause!)
    [rab] No.
  • CdM - The dissimilarity of all snowflakes?
  • Inkspot - Anything to do with the colour of snow?
  • Raak
    [CdM] No.
    [I] No.
  • Chalky - A snow drift?
  • rab - A blizzard?
  • Irouléguy - The snowman?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] No. (More applause.)
    [rab] No. (Applause continues.)
    [I] No.
  • Tuj - A particular way in which snow falls?
  • rab
    I'm trying to work out the abstract connection...
  • Chalky - Being snowed-in?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] Close...
    [Chalky] Yes! Being snowed in.
  • Raak
    I'm not sure whether it was really justified to call it abstract. I think we sometimes use the word too readily.
  • Chalky - ooops
    sorry - all contributors - I seem to have barged in at the end and found the right phrase. After a few months of playing and never quite getting the right answer, I think I'm learning how certain minds work - ie. I would not have posted that particular phrase if the chair had been anyone other than Raak. Weird eh? :-)

    Here goes ...

    A N I M A L and I, too, will play down the abstract nature of this one ..

  • Rosie - Human?
    (Raak) It's true we are a bit free-and-easy with the abstract occasionally but there's nothing wrong with the last one. Being snowed in is a "state", so cannot be anything other than abstract.
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Human? Indeed, yes
  • ImNotJohn - alive?
  • CdM - Female?
    I think I agree with Rosie -- perfectly legitimate to call that last one abstract. I was less sure that the partridge in the pear tree should have been so classified.
  • Chalky
    [INJ] Alive? Yes
    [CdM] Female? No
  • CdM
    [Chalky] A propos the discussion at mcios, you should have chosen "George Best", hoping that someone would have asked the inevitable "alive?" question in time for you to answer "yes" and throw us all off the scent.
  • Irouléguy - European?
    CdM] I was following the convention that if it's fictional, it's abstract.
  • Kim - Over 50?
  • Raak - In the news lately?
  • irach - Elton John?
  • Chalky
    [CdM] I started my 'go' a couple of hours too late for that ruse :-)
    [Iroul] European? Yes
    [Kim] Over 50? No
    [Raak] In the news lately? No
    [irach] Elton? No
  • Inkspot - British?
  • Chalky
    [Inks] British? Yes
  • Rosie - A sportsman?
  • Irouléguy - A musician?
  • Chalky
    [R] sports? not in the way you probably mean
    [I] musician? yes
    Am out and about for much of the weekend - will try and look in tonight ..
  • Inkspot - A sports commentator?
  • Rosie - Instrumentalist?
  • Chalky
    [Inks] commentator? No
    [Rosie] Instrumentalist? Yes
  • Inkspot - Are albums released under his name?
  • Chalky
    [Inks] Nooooo. Did I say he was famous? [that was a clue]
  • Rosie - Colin Sell?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Colin Sell ? No
  • Inkspot - Is he a pianist?
  • Néa - Herr Bratsche?
  • Chalky
    [Inks] pianist? yes
    [Néa] HB? No - but excellent guess :-)
  • Rosie - Is he, ahem, one of us?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] He .. ahem ... is :-)
  • Raak - Rosie?
  • Irouléguy - Mick Smetaphor?
  • Rosie - JLE?
    (Raak) Can't be me - he's under 50.
  • CdM - Projoy?
    I think that we have just about exhausted the list at this point...
  • Chalky - shouting above audience cheers
    [Raak] Not Rosie
    [Iroul] Not Mick Smetaphor
    [Rosie] Not JLE
    ... but Projoy plays the piano amongst other musically things - so the winner is CdM! :-)
    *hands baton overseas*
  • CdM
    Oh. That was unexpected. All right then, this one is ABSTRACT. And apologies in advance -- I will not have much net access for the next 36 hours.
  • Raak - Merry Christmas?
  • CdM
    [Raak] Thank you?
  • ImNotJohn
    If the various accusations that have been flying about are true, then it has to be:
    Anarcho-syndicalism
  • CdM
    A-s? No.
  • Chalky - Does this abstract thing arouse strong emotions?
  • CdM
    Arouse strong emotions? In itself no, though certain examples of it certainly do.
  • Chalky - Is this a natural phenomenon?
  • Raak - Football?
  • Inkspot - A period of time?
  • Tuj - Anything to do with science?
  • Irouléguy - An idea or concept?
  • CdM
    Natural phenomenon? No. *significant non-applause*
    Football? It is an example of the answer, but not the answer.
    Period of time? Perhaps an example of the answer, but not the answer.
    To do with science? Many things to do with science are examples of the answer.
    Idea or concept? *applause* These are examples of the answer, but not the answer.
  • Chalky - An abstract noun?
  • CdM
    Abstract noun? Well, "abstract noun" is an example of the answer. The answer is also an abstract noun phrase.
  • ImNotJohn - the right answer?
  • CdM
    Right answer? This is an example of the right answer, but is not the right answer. (Besides, I already did that.)
  • Raak - Abstractness?
  • Kim - Otherness?
  • Irouléguy - The English language?
  • CdM
    Abstractness? No.
    Otherness? No.
    English Language? No.
  • Rock - A word?
  • CdM
    A word? No.
    By all rights you should have got this one long ago. It is Chalky's fault that you are having such difficulty.
  • Raak - Things which are examples of the answer, but not the answer?
  • Chalky - hmmmph
  • ImNotJohn - A human construct?
  • Raak - That which is different from every possible guess, including this one?
  • CdM - we have a winner!
    Raak's Russellesque guesses were nice, but the answer is indeed "A Human Construct". *passes baton*
  • ImNotJohn
    Yes, we should have got it from the 'significant non-applause'.
    On a less esoteric note, this one is VEGETABLE & MINERAL
  • Raak - Salted peanuts?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Salted peanuts? - So far and yet, so far.
  • Irouléguy - Is it edible?
  • CdM - Manufactured?
  • Chalky - A postage stamp?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Iroul] edible? - Strictly - NO
    [CdM] Manufactured? - YES
    [Chalky] postage stamp? - NO
  • Chalky - Can you wear this?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Iroul] edible? - Strictly - NO
    [CdM] Manufactured? - YES
    [Chalky] postage stamp? - NO
    [Chalky] wear it? - NO
  • ImNotJohn
    Don't know what happened there - I couldn't see my response and was told I'd simulposted. Still, at least the answers didn't change.
  • Raak - Is the vegetable part wood?
  • Chalky - Is this a weapon?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Is the vegetable part wood? - NO
    [Chalky] a weapon? - NO
    I think it only fair to mention that there were some mutterings in the audience at my last answer to Irouléguy
  • Rosie - If one ate it would the consequences be dire?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] dire consequences - YES (though that's probably not helpful)
  • Chalky - Is this a medicine?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] medicine? - NO, although some would claim medicinal properties for it (some laughter in the audience)
  • CdM - Larger than a telephone box?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Larger than a telephone box? - NO
  • CdM - A bottle of whisky?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] bottle of whisky? - NO (but loud and prolonged applause from the audience)
  • Néa - Some type of alcohol?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Néa] alcohol? - YES
  • Irouléguy - Tequila?
  • ImNotJohn - This could take a while by this method
    [Iroul] Tequila? - NO
    To clarify. The answer is 'A bottle of .......', which explains the mineral, the dire consequences on eating etc. We're now just looking for the contents.
  • ImNotJohn - I thought someone would be there by now
    I'll be away from t'interweb until about 0800 GMT now. I'd go out and look for some inspiration for the answer (could be hard for Flerdle).
  • Raak - A bottle of beer?
  • Rosie - A bottle of methylated spirit?
  • Mad Carew - Poteen?
  • CdM - Is the missing word (or words) a generic type of alcoholic drink (e.g., beer, wine) or more specific (e.g., Samuel Adams, 1960 Chateau Petrus...)
  • Irouléguy - Is it a spirit?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] beer - NO
    [Rosie] meths - NO
    [MadC] Poteen - NO
    [CdM] generic/specific - YES (Oh, all right, it's more towards the generic end of that spectrum)
    [Iroul] spirit - NO
  • CdM - A bottle of Pastis
    (which I think is not distilled and therefore not a spirit, although I may be wrong on either count there (and can't be bothered to google to check))
  • Raak - A bottle of cider?
  • Kim - A bottle of schnapps?
  • CdM
    Just noticed that no-one has asked the (probably too obvious) A bottle of wine? question. Consider it asked.
  • Chalky - A bottle of champagne?
  • ImNotJohn - Let us spray
    A bottle of champagne for the lucky lady!
    It's over to Chalky.
  • Chalky - eeeek
    oh blimey - again! I like these quick-fire ones.
    Here's another that should also be guessed in less than 20 questions ...

    A N I M A L / A B S T R A C T

  • Raak - Aslan?
  • CdM - Human?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Aslan? No, but damn fine guess.
    [CdM] Human? No
  • Irouléguy - Anything to do with Narnia?
  • ImNotJohn - An example of anthropomorphism?
  • Chalky
    [Iroul] Narnic? Funny you should ask but ... not really.
    [INJ] anthropomopomomorphinismic? nn-n-n-n-n-no
  • Kim - Anything to do with the world of Harry Potter?
  • Chalky
    [Kim] HP? Nah
  • Rosie - Fictional?
  • CdM - Lamb of God?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Fictional? More FictITional - but also fictional - 'though some might say not :-)
    [CdM] Lamb of God? No
  • Raak - Shub-Internet?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] No - whatever it is
  • Tuj - Found in a particular book?
  • Raak - Something to do with computing?
  • Rosie - Anything religious connection?
  • Chalky
    [Tuj] Particular book? Found in many books
    [Raak] Computing? No
    [Rosie] Religious connection? Yes :-)
  • Irouléguy - Is the animal bit a real animal?
  • CdM - Connected to the Christmas story?
  • Chalky
    *cheers from the audience for both questions*
    [Iroul] Real animal? Based on a 'real' animal, yes
    [CdM] Christmas? Yes!
  • CdM - The ass?
  • Chalky
    [CdM] ass? No.
    Remember this Animal is also tagged with the Abstract definition.
  • Raak - Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer?
  • Chalky - drum roll
    [Raak] Rudolf? YES!

    Nice and easy does it. 15 guesses. Over to you Raak :-)

  • Raak
    MINERAL. I confidently expect Chalky to get it in one.
  • rab - Chalk?
  • Inkspot - A nut behind the wheel of a car?
  • ImNotJohn - An empty champagne bottle?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the mineral metal?
  • Raak
    [rab] No.
    [Inkspot] No. (The reference to Chalky should not be taken too literally.)
    [INJ] No; no.
  • Rosie - Hail?
  • Chalky - The salty deposit left on cars and stuff after it's snown then melted
  • Raak
    [Rosie] excited murmurings from the audience No.
    [Chalky] more of the same No.
  • ImNotJohn - A meteorological phenomenon?
  • Néa - Snow?
    [Chalky] Where is the religious connection of R the RR?
  • Raak
    [Néa] Loud applause! Yes, but that is not yet the answer.
  • Rosie - Sleet?
  • Raak
    [INJ, missed earlier] Yes.
    [Rosie] No.
  • Rosie - A blizzard?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] No.
  • CdM - Being snowed in?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Again? No, the weatherr's not that bad.
  • Irouléguy - Rain?
  • Rosie - Slush?
  • Raak
    [I] No.
    [Rosie] No. However, your last three answers are all examples of the answer, but are not the answer.
  • Rosie - Ice?
    Gotta be!
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Nope.
  • Rosie - Is the answer some form of frozen water that falls out of the sky?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Yes. CLUE☞You just have to find the CLUE ☞ right ☜ CLUE sort.
  • Chalky - Precipitation?
  • Rosie - Graupel (i.e. snow pellets)?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] Yes.
    [Rosie] No.
  • Néa - Freezing rain?
  • Irouléguy - Snow grains?
  • Raak
    [Néa] This is an example of the answer, but not the answer.
    [I] This is an example of the answer, but not the answer.
    The reason that these are not the right answer is exactly the reason they are examples of the right answer.
  • Rosie - Solid precipitation?
  • Irouléguy - The wrong sort of snow?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Yes, but etc.
    [I] Yes! The wrong sort of snow.
  • Irouléguy
    I like it when being wrong is right. Staying with the topical theme, our next is ANIMAL, ABSTRACT and has again a Christmas connection.
  • ImNotJohn - The fairy on top of the Christmas tree
  • Inkspot - Is it a male animal?
  • Raak - Human?
  • Irouléguy
    ImNotJohn] The fairy on top of the Christmas tree? No
    Inkspot] Is it a male animal? Yes
    Raak] Human? No
  • Kim - One of Santa's reindeer, other than Rudolph?
  • Inkspot - Is it a panto character?
  • Irouléguy
    Kim] One of Santa's reindeer, other than Rudolph? No
    Inkspot] Is it a panto character? No
  • Chalky - is this an animal that might appear in the nativity scene?
  • Inkspot - Is it four legged?
  • Raak - Is it Biblical in a Christmas-related way?
  • Irouléguy
    Chalky] is this an animal that might appear in the nativity scene? No
    Inkspot] Is it four-legged? No
    Raak] Is it Biblical in a Christmas-related way? It's not Biblical

    Kim's move should have provoked an "oooh" from the audience.
  • Irouléguy
    Sorry - the answer to Inkspot is "yes".
  • ImNotJohn - an elf?
  • ImNotJohn
    Sorry - confused by the correction to Inkspot. So
    Santa's little helper?
  • Chalky - Is this a cartoon character/creature?
  • Irouléguy
    INJ] Yes! (the second one) Another nice fast one. One slighly-chewed, drooled-on baton being thrown your way.
  • ImNotJohn - Ooh, that was quick!
    One to ponder overnight
    OK, the next one is MINERAL (with ABSTRACT connections)
    I'll only be around to answer questions for the next 15mins or so, so you can think about it.
  • Raak - Anything to do with the weather?
  • Rosie - The cornerstone of anarcho-syndicalism?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] weather? - NO
    [Rosie] cornerstone of anarcho-syndicalism? - NO (though it will be one day)
  • Raak - A work of sculpture?
  • Irouléguy - Manufactured?
  • ImNotJohn - Looks like this might be quick too
    [Raak] - work of sculpture? - YES (applause)
    [Iroul] Manufactured? - YES (see previous answer)
  • Irouléguy - Nelson's column?
  • Raak - A statue of an anarcho-syndicalist?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Iroul] Nelson's column? - NO
    [Raak] an anarcho-syndicalist? - NO
  • Rosie - Topical just now?
    Please forgive tautology.
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] topical? - NO (I'll happily be pleased to forgive the tautology)
  • Raak - Is it in Britain?
  • Inkspot - Is it more than 500 years old?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] in Britain? - NO
    [Inks] more than 500 years old? - NO
  • Irouléguy - Is it in Europe?
  • Rosie - Does it commemorate a politician?
  • Raak - Rodin's "Thinker"?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Iroul] in Europe? - NO
    [Rosie] a politician? - NO
    [Raak] Rodin? - NO
  • Inkspot - Is it made of metal?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Inks[ metal? - NO
  • Néa - Is it in Asia?
  • Phil - Does it commemorate a religious figure?
  • ImNotJohn - Getting warm
    [Néa] Asia? - NO
    [Phil] religious figure? - YES (considerable applause)
  • Irouléguy - The Buddha?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Iroul] Buddha - NO
  • Néa - Christ the Redeemer?
    (in Rio de Janeiro)
  • Raak - Was the person it commemorates alive within the last 200 years?
  • ImNotJohn - And the baton is passed
    [Néa] - YES It is the Statue of Christ the Redeemer on the Corcovado in River of January
  • Néa
    Gah, I need to stop guessing when I'm sure I'm right...
    All right, then - ABSTRACT.
  • Néa
    With ANIMAL and MINERAL connections.
  • ImNotJohn - A human construct?
    (trad)
    [Néa] Just as well you got that as I could have had a problem answering Raak's question.
  • Néa
    Human construct? YES.
    Feel free to answer it now if you like!
  • Raak - sedevacantism?
  • Irouléguy - Salt cod?
  • Néa
    [Sede vacante] NO
    [Gadus salinicus] NO
  • ImNotJohn - Is the animal connection human?
  • Rosie - Anything to do with Christmas?
  • Néa
    [Human] YES
    [Christmas] NO
  • Raak - One particular human?
  • ImNotJohn - Is there a literary connection?
  • Néa
    [One particular human] NO
    [Literary] NO (the audience doesn't look entirely convinced of this answer)
  • Kim - Is it a class of human identified by reference to geographical location?
  • Néa
    [Geography] NO
  • Raak - Fictional?
  • Néa
    [Fictional] NO
  • Rosie - Is the abstract notion always obvious in any of the humans involved?
  • ImNotJohn - Connected with a branch of the arts?
  • Kim - Is gender relevant?
  • Néa
    [Always obvious] I think the answer must be NO, depending on what you mean by "always".
    [Arts] NO
    [Gender] NO
  • Raak - Is the mineral connection water?
  • Néa
    [Water] YES
  • Raak - Any religious significance?
  • ImNotJohn - Connected with folklore/faerie or the like?
  • Néa
    [Religious significance] There is a definite religious connection, YES, but it doesn't intrinsically have to be there, NO.
    [Folklore/faerie] NO
  • Rosie - Is it some form of ritual?
  • Néa
    [Ritual] YES! (Big applause)
  • Raak - A rain dance?
  • Néa
    [Rain dance] NO
  • Irouléguy - Is it water in a particular form?
  • Néa
    [Particular form] YES (audience smiles)
  • Phil - A snowball fight?
  • Rosie - Does it involve the sea?
  • Néa
    [Snowball fight] NO.
    [The sea] YES!
  • Irouléguy - Is the religion Christianity?
  • Néa
    [Christianity] YES, but NOT exclusively.
  • Kim - Is the particular form of water snow?
  • Néa
    [Snow] NO
  • Raak - Anything to do with Christmas/New Year?
  • Néa
    [Christmas/NY] NO
  • Kim - Is it something to do with precipitation?
  • Néa
    [Precpititita... er... falling water] NO
  • Rosie - A ceremony performed on crossing the equator?
  • Néa
    [Equatic ceremony] NO.
  • Irouléguy - Any sea, or a particular sea?
  • Raak - Burial at sea?
  • Néa - *applause!*
    [Any sea] YES - because...
    [Burial at sea] YES! Well done, that Raak.
  • Raak
    The next one is MINERAL.
  • CdM - Anything to do with snow?
  • raak
    [CdM] No.
  • Rosie - Man-made?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Yes.
  • Rosie - Mostly metal?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Yes.
  • Irouléguy - Is there just one of this?
  • Raak
    [I] No.
  • Phil - Entirely metal?
  • Rosie - Is it found in the home?
  • Raak
    [Phil] No.
    [Rosie] No.
  • Kim - Is it bigger than a telephone box?
  • Raak
    [Kim] No. (But not much smaller either.)
  • Kim - Does it have moving parts?
  • Raak
    [Kim] Yes.
  • ImNotJohn - A machine of some sort?
  • Wol - A car? A particular type of car?
  • Raak
    [INJ] Yes.
    [Wol] Um, not really.
  • ImNotJohn - A Sinclair C5?
  • Raak
    [INJ] Well guessed! (laughter) No.
  • Kim - A motor vehicle?
  • rab - A mainframe computer?
  • Chalky - A Motor Bike?
  • Rosie - Housed in a building?
  • Raak
    [Kim] Yes.
    [rab,Chalky,Rosie] No.
  • rab - An autorickshaw?
  • Raak
    [rab] No.
    [Hint] Guessing different types of "motor vehicle" is unlikely to get any closer to the answer.
  • CdM - Used for transporting people?
  • Raak
    [CdM] No.
  • Néa - Does it fly?
  • Raak
    [Néa] No.
  • ImNotJohn - Used for transporting a cargo of some sort?
  • Raak
    [INJ] No.
  • rab - Is transportation its primary purpose?
  • Rosie - Is it fixed in place?
  • Raak
    [rab] Yes.
    [Rosie] No.
    (Remember, there's more than one of these.)
  • Irouléguy - Is it electrically powered?
  • Raak
    [I] Yes.
  • rab - A quantum teleportation device?
  • Phil - Robots from Robot Wars?
  • CdM - Did you play any role in the development of any such vehicles?
  • Raak
    [rab] No.
    [Phil] (Applause!) No.
    [CdM] I wish. No.
  • Kim - Does this device normally travel through the air?
  • Raak
    [Kim] No.
  • rab - Daleks?
  • Raak
    [rab] No. (Daleks can fly these days, anyway.)
  • Irouléguy - A Mars rover?
  • Raak
    [I] Close enough. Specifically, The Mars Rovers.
  • Irouléguy
    Sorry for the delay everyone - Xmas party season is upon us. And I'm off out again, so it'll be late tonight when I log in again, assuming I'm not too drunk. Our next is VEGETABLE with ANIMAL connections, and no seasonal connotations at all.
  • Rosie - Can you eat it?
    Not in the sense that you can eat a cork mat, given the will. :-)
  • Raak - Vegetarian meat-imitation?
  • Chalky - A turnip amusingly shaped like a todger?
  • Kim - A triffid?
  • Iroulèhic
    Rosie] Can you eat it? Yes - fully edible
    Raak] Vegetarian meat-imitation? *shudder* No
    Chalky - A turnip amusingly shaped like a todger? In one sense possibly close, but no.
    Kim - A triffid? Triffic guess, but no.
  • Raak - An edible item in which has miraculously appeared a holy image?
  • Rosie - Is any of it actually Animal?
  • ImNotJohn - Normally eaten raw?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] An edible item in which has miraculously appeared a holy image? No
    Rosie] Is any of it actually Animal? No - but most of the words on the card are the name of an animal.
    ImNotJohn] Normally eaten raw? *cheers and cries of "Encore" from the audience* YES

    Back after lunch - which may well feature one of these
  • Raak - Lady's fingers?
  • ImNotJohn - Black Sheep Bitter?
  • Chalky - Vodka Red Bull?
  • Raak - King Edward potatoes?
  • CdM - Granny Smith Apples
  • CdM - ?
  • Irouléguy
    CdM was right the first time - no question mark necessary. The answer is GRANNY SMITH APPLES. A nice quick one, and some excellent guesses. Over to CdM...
  • CdM
    I had an unfair advantage, since I really did have a Granny Smith on my mother's side. Only problem is, I am leaving in 4.5 hours to catch a plane to Hong Kong and San Francisco, and I don't think United Airlines is wiffed in the air yet. So I won't be around the internets for the next 36 hours or so. Does someone else want to take the baton?
  • Rosie
    I'd vote for Raak, as he got nearest.
  • Raak
    Well, if that's nem con since yesterday afternoon, here's an
    ABSTRACT
    There is a topical connection for people in the UK, but not strongly connected with Christmas or winter. Snow is not involved.
  • Chalky - The leader of the Conservative Party?
  • Raak
    I've just remembered that I'll be off travelling from Sunday midday to Tuesday midday, so on second thoughts I should have passed the baton on to someone else. Anyway...
    [Chalky] No.
  • Rosie - Combustion?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] No.
  • Raak
    The weekend lull... I suggest someone else does one instead. Got to catch a plane to Amsterdam.
  • Kim - Allow me...
    Never backward in coming forward, I'll offer this festive little number: ABSTRACT
  • rab - Season's greetings?
  • Tuj - Good will?
  • Rosie - Would the average person regard this as a Good Thing?
  • Kim
    [rab] No.
    [Tuj] No.
    [Rosie] Average person....hmmm...difficult. Probably. Can you be more specific?
  • Raak - Santa?
  • rab - A carol?
  • Irouléguy - Radio 3's Bach Christmas?
  • Raak
    [Irouéguy] Yes! If my one was still running.
  • Kim
    [Raak]No.
    [rab] No.
    [Irouleguy] No.
  • Rosie - Is it a condition, either mental or physical?
  • Kim
    [Rosie] No.
  • Irouléguy - No room at the inn?
    Raak] I've never been so pleased to be off work before Xmas.
  • Kim
    [Irouleguy] No.
  • Rosie - Shopping?
  • Kim
    [Rosie] No.
  • Kim - Is it s human construct?
  • Kim
    [Kim] Yes.
  • Raak - Is it connected with the media?
  • Irouléguy - Is it connected with the biblical Christmas story?
  • Kim
    [Raak] No.
    [Irouleguy] Yes. *Some applause*
  • Irouléguy - Rising from the dead after three days?
  • Kim
    [Irouleguy] No.
  • Kim
    There are clues in my opening remarks.
  • irach - A Happy New Year?
  • Saxon - The Salvation Army?
  • Raak - A New Year resolution?
  • CdM - A Silent Night?
  • Phil - 12 Days of Christmas?
  • Kim
    [All of the above] No, but CdM and Phil are in the right ball park.
  • Raak - New Year's Eve?
  • Irouléguy - "I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus"?
  • Raak - Christmas Day?
  • Kim - Bingo!
    Raak gets it on the nose. The "little number" in question was 25. *Hands baton to Raak*.
  • Raak
    Ok, this had better be a non-seasonal something. Or perhaps not. VEGETABLE, possibly including MINERAL and ANIMAL as well.
  • Rosie - Something you can eat?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] No.
  • Kim - Is it some form of habitat?
  • Rock - An object made largely of wood?
  • Rosie
    I don't know how that happened - but that last one was me. A preview would've helped, of course. :-(
  • Raak
    [Kim] No.
    [Rosie] No.
  • Rosie - Man-made?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Yes.
  • Irouléguy - Is there just one of these?
    Happy New Year, everyone
  • Rosie - An item of clothing?
  • Raak
    [I] No.
    [Rosie] No.
  • Rosie - Found in most hoseholds?
  • Rosie
    Getting sloppy. That's households, of course. Of course.
  • Raak - Anyone else playing?
    [Rosie] Found in many, perhaps even in most, but I can't be sure.
  • Kim - Would it generally be regarded as welcome in the households in which it is found?
  • Raak
    [Kim] Sort of, though it's not like these things just show up by chance and get welcomed.
  • Projoy - Xmas tree?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] No.
  • Rosie - Does it weigh more than 3lbs (1.3608 kg)?
    Groping about in the dark here.
  • Raak
    [Rosie] No.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the mineral element metal?
  • Raak
    [INJ] Yes.
  • jim
    Is it alive?
  • Raak
    [jim] No.
  • irach - Does it have a handle?
  • Raak
    [irach] No.
  • Irouléguy - Is it decorative?
  • jim
    -Is it flammable?
  • Kim - Does it have moving parts?
    [Jim] The usual protocol in this game is that questions are put into the "a propos" box.
  • Raak
    [I] Generally not.
    [jim] Yes.
    [Kim] I suppose yes, though that's rather misleading.
  • Saxon - Is it a tool?
  • Kim - Is it usually to be found in the kitchen?
  • Inkspot - Is it a container?
  • Raak
    [Saxon] No.
    [Kim] No.
    [Inkspot] No.
    At least, narrowly speaking. It is used for a purpose, might as easily be in the kitchen as anywhere else, and does, in a sense, contain things. But it lacks the toolness of a hammer, the coquiniosity of a sink, and the envelopaciousness of a bottle.
  • Irouléguy - Is the animal bit hair?
  • Raak
    [I] No.
  • jim - Is it a standard geometric shape?
  • Raak
    [jim] Yes.
  • Raak
    That's about twenty questions so far, and the audience is still asleep. A hint: there is a slight seasonal relevance, although the relevant season is not Christmas.
  • Kim - Does it have an effect on the temperature around it?
  • Raak
    [Kim] No.
    Another hint: the standard geometric shape that it is, is rectangular.
  • CdM - A calendar?
  • Irouléguy - An Advent calendar?
  • Kim - Is it a box of something?
  • Raak
    [CdM] (APPLAUSE!) No.
    [I] No.
    [Kim] No.
  • Kim - A diary?
  • Raak
    [Kim] YES!
  • Raak
    Didn't think that would take so long. Is interest waning?
  • Chalky
    Nah - just the time of year.
  • Kim
    Me again? Shucks...OK, ABSTRACT with plenty of ANIMAL and MINERAL associations and probably some VEGETABLE ones to boot.
  • Inkspot - Is the animal, human?
  • ImNotJohn - A human construct?
  • Wol - A dream about a panda sitting on a rock?
    - just a stab in the dark.
  • Irouléguy - Manchester United?
    speaking of booting vegetables...
  • ImNotJohn - Is there only one of this?
  • Kim
    [Inkspot] Predominantly.
    [INJ] Yes.*Some applause and a little laughter*
    [Wol]< irony> Oooh! So close! < /irony>
    [Irouleguy] No.
    [INJ] No.
  • Raak - Paleontology?
  • Rosie - An activity of some kind?
  • Kim
    [Raak] No.
    [Rosie] No.
  • Irouléguy - Is it a cultural production?
  • Kim
    [Irouleguy] Not sure what you mean. Can you clarify?
  • Inkspot - Is it an event?
  • Kim
    [Irouleguy] No.
  • Irouléguy - Is it a belief system?
    Kim] Apologies for posting ambiguously and then buggering off for the weekend. I was trying to ask a number of questions at once - cultural production meaning book/film/play/musical/song/whatever else - hence the awkward wording.
  • Raak - The sport of building huge rows of dominoes and then making them fall over?
  • Tuj - Is it competitive?
  • Kim
    [Irouleguy] No, not a cultural event.
    [Inkspot] No, not an event.
    [Irouleguy] No, not a belief system.
    [Raak] *Some laughter and a little applause* No, but....
    [Tuj] No, not competitive.
  • Raak - Is it a pastime?
  • Chalky - Is this an emotion?
  • Kim
    [Raak] No a pastime.
    [Chalky] No, not an emotion :-(
  • Raak - Gravity?
  • Chalky - Is this a place?
  • Kim
    [Raak] No.
    [Chalky] Yes.
  • Raak - A single, specific place?
  • Projoy - Is it a ruin?
  • Kim - Kim
    [Raak] Yes.
    [Projoy] *Some laughter and applause* No. At least, not in the conventional sense (it's not Lullingstone Villa, or some such.)
  • Raak - Is it a controversial work of architecture?
  • Kim
    [Raak] No.
  • ImNotJohn - Stonehenge?
    I have to admit to being a little bit puzzled by the fact that this is 'A single, specific place' but that there isn't 'only one of this'
  • Raak - A work of art?
  • Inkspot - Is it in Britain?
  • Projoy - Given it's abstract, is it a fictional archaic site?
  • Projoy - Could I replace that question with "is it a fictional geographical site, like Hy Brasil?"
  • Irouléguy - My back yard, as in "Not in my back yard"?
  • Kim
    [INJ] No. You're right and I think I may come in for some criticism. By answering Chalky's question "Is this a place?" with a Yes and not directing her and following questioners to the fact that there is more than one of these, I think I have unwittingly misled people into thinking that there is, in fact, only one. Even as I think about it, I am beginning to doubt whether this is really abstract at all, but merely animal, mineral and (to a lesser extent) vegetable, but I will stick to my guns and take the flak if it comes.
    In the light of this, the answer to each of the five questions following yours is No.
    Raak and Projoy are currently the strongest links and, moreover, have already used the words that are on the card here in separate questions.
    Questioners may get more benefit focusing on the non-abstract qualities.
  • Raak - Are these tourist attractions?
  • Raak
    So the answer is somewhere in:
    is a abstract and archaic architecture art Brasil building controversial Could dominoes fall fictional geographical Given Gravity huge Hy I is it it's like making of over Paleontology pastime place question replace rows ruin single site specific sport that the them then with work
  • Chalky
    Oh Raak - you DO make me laugh sometimes :-) Spot on.
    Now I shall ask a question ...
  • Chalky - Is this a place that might be visited by tourists?
  • Chalky
    Might have helped if I'd actually read your question aswell ... sorry Kim, I'll do another one
  • Chalky - Would people pay to see this?
  • Irouléguy - Sporting venue(s)?
  • Kim
    [Raak] Tourist attractions? Unlikely, but then some tourists would go to see a hole in the ground.
    [Raak] Yes! Now, perm any three from forty-four in alpha order.
    [Chalky] Unlikely, but then some people would pay to see a hole in the ground.
    [Irouleguy] No.
  • Chalky - A building site?
  • Inkspot - A type of public building?
  • Projoy - A burial site/graveyard/gravesite?
  • Phil - The site of an archaeological dig?
  • Kim - Whew!
    Chalky wins! The answer on the card is, indeed, "A building site". Well done, Chalky. Now, was I right or wrong?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Kim] I agree it's reasonable to call it abstract. As for one or more: I see your problem, but I think you needed to answer Raak's 'single specific place' differently - otherwise it is no longer abstract.
  • Chalky - the incredible rightness of being ..
    [Kim] Thanks M'dear :-)
    hmmm - I wonder if you had answered Raak's question "A single, specific place?" with a No and a Yes - it might have been obvious that, although having a singular purpose, this type of place was not unique. As for the 'Abstract' label, I can understand your misgivings. Probably not, I'd say.
    I'll post a new one a bit later - give others a chance to comment ..
    [simul'd with INJ]
  • Irouléguy - The incredible siteness of building
    Kim] Nice one, first of all. I tend to think of 'abstract' as meaning fictional or unreal, so I would have labelled this as MINERAL (with qualifications) rather than ABSTRACT, but I do think it's a fine distinction. I agree with Chalky about your answer to Raak's question, but I don't think it led us too far astray. And I thoroughly enjoyed it, which is what really matters.
  • Kim
    Thanks for the comments. I think you're all being far too nice. The fact is that I intuitively chose to describe it as ABSTRACT without really considering the issue. During the course of the game I had to start considering first of all whether a building site really is more than the sum of the materials and people that fill it up; then I agonised over whether "a building site" meant "that building site, there", or "some building site, somewhere" or "any building site anywhere". Also, is a building site a place, or is it in a place? So, I still think that my problem started with my answer to Chalky's question "Is this a place", rather than Raak's "A single specific place?". Even questions such as "A human construct" (INJ) "The sport of making huge rows of dominoes and then making them fall over" (Raak) and "Is it a ruin" (Projoy) I found difficult and thought-provoking, but, hey, it was fun to wrestle with and I hope you all found it as entertaining as Irouleguy did.
  • Kim - Let's draw a line under it and move on.
  • Chalky - Now? Yes?

    A N I M A L

  • Raak - Four-legged?
  • Wol - A single, individual creature?
  • Phil - Alive?
  • Puckoon - Winged?
  • CdM - Human?
    [Kim] I think all of us who have set AVMAs have grappled with this problem -- you pick some subject that seems quite straightforward, and the next thing you know someone asks a question that also seems quite straightforward, and yet you find you have no idea how to answer it. And, usually, the more you think about it, the worse it gets...
  • Rosie - Food?
  • Irouléguy - Mammal?
  • Chalky - grappling
    [Raak] Four-legged? No
    [Wol] single individual creature? After much thought - No
    [Phil] Alive? In this instance, Yes
    [Puckoon] Winged? No
    [Rosie] Food? Not in the sense you may mean
    [CdM] Human? Do you mean A Human? Yes and No
    [Iroule] Mammal? Do you mean A Mammal? as above

    [CdM] How right you are - a couple of my replies above took considerable thought. I should know by the next batch of questions whether I have misled ... and reserve the right to review :-)
  • Kim - Is it a category of person (eg, left-handed people)?
  • Chalky
    [Kim] Category of person? No
  • ImNotJohn - A part of a creature?
  • Raak - Three, yet one?
  • Phil - Is it a role? (e.g. Leader of Conservative Party)
  • Kim - Is it a part of a human?
  • Irouléguy - The Dalai Lama?
  • Rosie - The current Crystal Palace goalkeeper?
    I only put that up to say I think we're getting warm.
  • Chalky - significantly warmer
    [INJ] A part of a creature? Yes *applause*
    [Raak] Three, yet one? No
    [Phil] Role? No
    [Kim] Part of a human? Yes *more applause*
    [iroule] Dalai Lama? No
    [Rosie] The goalkeeper? No :-)
  • Irouléguy - Do all humans have this part?
  • Chalky
    [Iroule] Do all humans have this part? At birth, Yes, I suppose they do.
  • irach - Placenta?
  • Raak - The umbilical cord?
  • Chalky
    [irach] Placenta? No
    [Raak] Umbilicus? No
  • Raak - Do most adults have this part?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Most adults? Yes
  • ImNotJohn - Would it's absence be visible to another person (assuming no clothes)?
  • ImNotJohn
    AAAAAAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!! *Climbs to the top of nearest greengrocer and throws himself off*
  • Chalky - *breaks INJ's fall*
    [IN'J] Naked Absence Of Body Part - probably not.
  • irach - Is it an internal body part?
  • irach - Is it an appendix?
  • CdM - Spleen?
  • Raak - Do both men and women have this part?
  • Rosie - Would the absence of this part be a serious medical condition?
  • Chalky - .. today we have naming of parts ..
    [irach] Internal? Yes, but nothing as obvious as the appendix :-)
    [CdM] Spleen? No
    [Raak] Men & Women? Yes
    [Rosers] Absence causing serious medical condition? No, not on its own.
  • Kim - Is it something that all humans are born with, but lose after being born?
  • Chalky
    [Kim] Born with, yes, but lose after birth, as a matter of course, No.
  • Ro/sie - A secretion of some kind?
  • Rosie - A secretion of some kind?
    Preview, you silly boy!
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Not a secretion, No [was trying to avoid mineral/vegetable connections] although your guess gets a *smattering of applause*
  • Irouléguy - Tonsils?
  • Chalky
    [Iroule] Tonsils? No
  • Raak - Hair?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Not hair - [see my last reply to irach]
  • Raak - The organ of Zuckerkandl?
  • Kim - Appendix?
  • Rosie - Gall bladder?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Zuckerkandl's thingy? No
    [Kim] Appendix? Ni [see my last reply to irach]
    [Rosie] Gall Bladder? No, but very very close!
  • Rosie - Pancreas?
    Surely its removal would lead to serious medical problems, such as instant diabetes?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Indeed it would, which is why the pancreas isn't the correct answer :-)
  • Kim - Prostate?
  • Dandalf
    (if I can intrude) Bile duct?
  • Chalky
    [Kim] Prostate? No
    [Dandalf] Bile duct? No. (intrude more! It's good to have new players in this game)
  • Kim - Duodenum?
  • Chalky
    [Kim] Duodenum? No
  • Chalky
    Am thinking about Rosie's remark re: Serious medical condition. I know of people without this part who have what could be termed a medical condition but wouldn't label it serious. S'pose it's a matter of opinion.
  • Raak - Large bowel?
  • ImNotJohn - left kidney?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Large Bowel? Close - location-wise - but No. * audience frantically points to one of Rosie's guesses*
    [INJ] Left kidney? No
  • Inkspot - Urethra
  • Raak - The navel?
  • ImNotJohn - Bladder?
    Haven't had the gall to guess that one previously.
  • Chalky
    [Inks] Urethra? No - but SO close
    [Raak] Navel? No
    [INJ] Bladder? Cheeky but CORRECT! *relieved cheers from audience*
    Over to you ....
  • ImNotJohn - That's a relief
    OK in that case we'll have an ABSTRACT with ANIMAL connections
  • Raak - A work of art?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] - work of art? - NO
  • Kim - Character from fiction?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Kim] Character from fiction? - YES (some hesitant applause)
  • Néa - Any religious connothingies at all?
  • Tuj - Human?
  • Irouléguy - Character from a novel?
  • Raak - A character in a film?
  • Inkspot - A character from mythology?
  • Kim - Is the character human?
  • Dandalf
    (intruding more) From science fiction?
  • Inkspot - Robin Hood
  • ImNotJohn - This is going well
    [Néa] - religious - NO
    [Tuj] - human - YES
    [Iroul] - from novel - NO
    [Raak] - in film - Has been depicted on film, but originally NO
    [Inks] - from mythology - NO
    [Kim] - see above
    [Dandalf] - SF - NO
    [Inks] - Robin Hood - NO - *Huge round of applause*
  • Raak - Someone else who figures in the Robin Hood stories?
  • ImNotJohn - Soon be there
    [Raak] in the Robin Hood stories? - YES
  • Irouléguy - Maid Marian?
  • Projoy - Sheriff of Nottingham?
  • Raak - Friar Tuck?
  • Rock - Little John?
    Obviously not you, squire.:-)
  • Rosie
    BUGGER!, done it again. That last one was me. These drop-down lists are a pain in the posterior passage.
  • Kim - Will Scarlett?
  • Dandalf
    [now firmly intruded) A merry man?
  • ImNotJohn - Well, there you go
    [Rosie/Rock] Little John it is.
    That wasn't very hard then, was it. Just as well, given my infrequent appearance on here in the last few days.
  • Kim
    [ImNotLittleJohn] It was good to have a nice short one for a change.
  • Chalky
    agree .. although Inkspot landing on the precise area of fiction was inspired. How did he know that?
  • Néa - oooh
    Maybe Inkspot is INJ's evil twin?
  • Inkspot
    The clue was in how INJ answered Kim's first question it' a middle age thing.
  • Irouléguy
    Inkspot] You being middle-aged, or the historical Middle Ages?
  • Inkspot
    [Irouléguy]It was just a poor cross server play on words type joke.
  • Kim
    [Inkspot] I don't see how "(some hesitant applause)" would lead you to "Robin Hood", but I can see how INJ's answer to Raak's second question would help.
  • Inkspot
    [Kim] I took the reply to your question to be a fiction based on someone, it was a toss up between 'mythology' or legend. When almost a day had passed I took a shot at the fella in green tights.
  • Rosie
    Sorry for the delay.
  • Rosie
    This one is MINERAL. Nothing whatsoever to do with steam engines.
  • irach - Anthracite?
  • Irouléguy - Diesel?
  • ImNotJohn - A manufactured object?
  • CdM - Are there more than one of these?
  • Kim - Is more than one mineral substance involved?
  • Raak - Anything to do with the weather?
  • Rosie
    (irach) - No
    (Irouléguy) - No
    (INJ) - Yes
    (CdM) - Oh yes.
    (Kim) - Yes
    (Raak) - Not even a teensy little bit.
  • Rosie - Clarification
    (Kim) The object itself is one mineral substance in the way that the term is used in this game.
  • Inkspot - Is it made of plastic?
  • Irouléguy - Is it used inside the house?
  • Raak - Small enough to pick up with one hand?
  • Rosie
    Inkspot - No
    (Irouléguy) - No - *chuckles from a few members of the audience*
    Raak - Yes
  • Chalky - Is it made of metal?
  • Rosie
    Chalky - Indeed it is.
  • ImNotJohn - Could it be a component of other things (like a ball-bearing)?
  • Raak - Does it explode?
  • CdM - Is it a dream deferred?
  • Rosie
    InNotJohn - No
    Raak - No
    CdM - No, nothing as fancy.
  • irach - does it always have a defined shape that is chaarcteristic to it, e.g. circular, square...?
  • Chalky - Is it a weapon of some sort?
  • Raak - A boule?
  • ImNotJohn - A tool of some sort?
  • Kim - A sporting implement?
  • Rosie
    irach - Yes, a shape but not a simple geometrical one.
    Chalky - No
    Raak - Non
    (ImNotJohn) - Only in an extremely broad sense. The answer really is No.
    Kim - No.
  • Inkspot - Does it have moving parts?
  • Raak - A sculpture by Bathsheba Grossman?
    As seen at http://www.bathsheba.com/.
  • Rosie
    Inkspot - No
    Raak - No; functional rather than artistic.
  • Phil - Mobile Phone?
  • Rosie
    Phil - No (metal only)
  • Dandalf
    Housekey?
  • Raak - A spoon?
  • Inkspot - A coin?
  • Inkspot - Is it made of steel?
    Forget the coin question; geometric shape.
  • Chalky - A car key?
  • Rosie
    We have a winner! Well done, Dandalf. The "word on the card" is front-door key, but that's near enough. That was too simple, wasn't it? Next time.....evil grin
  • Dandalf
    ABSTRACT with ANIMAL and MINERAL connections
  • Raak - A work of art?
  • Rosie - An organisation?
  • Irouléguy - Picasso's 'Les demoiselles d'Avignon'?
  • ImNotJohn - A human construct?
    (oblig)
  • Dandalf
    Raak - No Rosie - No Irouleguy - Non! ImNotJohn - errrrrm....Yes and No (sorry!)
  • Dandalf
    Oh Dear! - Sorry about lack of linebreaks. (hangs head in shame)
  • Raak - An activity?
  • Irouléguy - A state of mind?
  • Dandalf
    Raak - No
    Irouleguy - That could describe the object on the card. *sprinkling of applause*
  • Kim - An emotion?
  • Rosie - Thirst?
  • Raak - "The artist in despair at the magnitude of antique fragments"?
    *
  • irach - The Golden Age of Mankind?
  • Dandalf
    Kim - No
    Rosie - No
    Raak - No - (laughter)
    irach - No
  • ImNotJohn - Anarcho-syndicalism?
    It had to be right eventually.
  • Rosie - Patience on a monument?
    (INJ) I'm thinking monkeys, typewriters and Shakespeare. :-)
  • Dandalf
    INJ - No
    Rosie - No - no link, however tenuous, to monkeys, typewriters and/or Shakespeare :)
  • Kim - An aspect of conscioussness?
  • Golem
    [Kim] Too many "esses", precioussss
  • Inkspot - Hunger?
  • Dandalf
    Kim - No
    Inkspot - No
  • Irouléguy - A hangover?
  • Chalky - *yawns*
    As this is going so slowly, I'll do a quick recap:

    It is NOT:
     a work of art, an organisation, Picasso's "Les demoiselles..", an activity, an emotion, thirst, "The artist in despair ..", The Golden Age of Mankind, anarcho-syndicalism, patience on a monument, an aspect of consciousness, hunger.

    It IS:
    a state of mind, and may or may not be a human construct.
  • ImNotJohn - Is it a state of mind that a normal person would experience on a regular basis?
  • Rosie - Is it an agreeable state of mind?
  • Inkspot - It the mineral part a liquid?
    [Chalky]With Dandalf calling in once every couple of days this one is going to take weeks.
  • irach - A mind as quick as quicksilver?
  • Raak - A cunning plan dancing naked upon a harpsichord and singing "Cunning Plans Are Here Again"?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the animal part human?
  • Irouléguy - L'esprit de l'escalier?
    Thinking of a snappy comeback ten minutes after the conversation
  • Rosie - Absence?
  • Raak - To liken the sound of a harpsichord to two skeletons copulating on a tin roof?
  • Dandalf
    Profound apologies to all for the long pause - I've been having modem problems.
    INJ - No
    Rosie - No
    Inkspot - No
    Irach - No (laughter)
    Raak - No
    INJ - Yes
    Irouleguy - No
    Rosie - No
    Raak - No
    Think entertainment. (One of my answers to Rosie contains a hint!)
  • ImNotJohn - Can it be experienced on ones own?
  • Kim - Is it an anthropomorphism?
  • snorgle - Inspiration?
  • Chalky - A film?
  • Botherer - Paranoia?
  • Dandalf
    INJ - The entertainment? - Yes
    Kim- Yes
    Snorgle - No
    Chalky - No
    Botherer - No
  • Kim - Is it connected to the weather?
  • Projoy - Is it religious in nature?
  • Dandalf
    Sorry again - can only use office computer [ ; ) ]
    KIM - No
    Projoy - No
    Time for another hint? I've used one of the three words on the card in one of my answers to R.....
  • Chalky - Anything to do with computers?
  • Irouléguy - Anything to do with monkeys?
  • Kim - Is one of the words "no"?
  • ImNotJohn - Tears of Laughter?
  • Projoy - Pretending to be a snail - literally hours of fun.
  • Projoy
    [Projoy] No - since it's not an activity.

    Hm. Surely the fact that it's "an anthropomorphism" should be the main giveaway, except that I can't really put parameters on what that is, precisely.
  • Inkspot - Is the anthropomorphism male?
  • Chalky - *is bored*
    sorry Dandalf - I know it's not your fault - but up until 11 days ago this was the snappiest, sharpest game on this server. Forgive me - you see, I started this game and there's a sense of personal pride. How shallow am I? :-)
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) You make Hamsey Green pond look like the Marianas Trench. No, not really, honestly.
  • Dandalf
    Methinks its time to put this one to sleep. If you don't get it after this you are all "The w------ ----" and you leave with nothing!
  • Chalky - The Weakest Link?
    I think I may be right. Hahahah! Thanks Dandalf :-)
    In the interests of the game I shall decline the 'chair' - mainly because I won't be able to post regularly during the daytimes.
    [Rosie?] would you care to take my place?
  • ImNotJohn - Shame
    I can't help feeling we should have got closer to that. The 'state of mind' is what put me off the track for quite some time. I sympathise with Dandalf though as I also often find it difficult to look in more than a couple of times a day and once at weekends if I'm lucky.
  • Dandalf
    Chalky - You are the strongest link.
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) Strictly we ought to wait till Dandalf rubber-stamps it, even though you're obviously right. OK, I'll do one even thought I got nowhere near the answer.
  • Rosie
    This one is ANIMAL
  • irach - Non-human?
  • CdM - Non-alive?
  • ImNotJohn - non-edible?
  • Inkspot - Is it native to a particular country?
  • Rosie
    irach - No
    CdM - Yes
    ImNotJohn - Probably not, now
    Inkspot - Was (see answer to irach and CdM)
  • Rosie
    Clarification - (INJ) Probably not edible, I meant.
  • rach - Non-fictional?
  • Raak - Male?
  • Rosie
    rach - Yes
    Raak - Yes
  • Inkspot - Is he European?
  • Irouléguy - Mozart?
  • Kim - Anything to do with either monkeys, typewriters or Shakespeare?
  • Phil - A broadcaster?
  • Rosie
    Inkspot - Yes
    Irouléguy - No
    Kim - Not a thing
    Phil - No
  • Chalky
    Might I make a suggestion? This game went through a period [I think CdM started the trend and I'm sure you, Rosie, amongst others, followed the initiative] of putting the Yes/No replies next to, not just the name of the questioner, but also a C&P of the question. For those folks, like me at the moment, who can only rush in for a few moments, there isn't time to trawl back through the questions to match them to the replies .. so I end up not bothering to frame a question of my own. It may make for more participation ..
  • Kim - Born in the 18th Century?
  • Inkspot - Is he Welsh?
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) OK, not a bad idea.
    Kim - Born in 18th C - No
    Inkspot - Welsh? - Nag'dy (No)
  • irach - Musically inclined chap?
  • Inkspot - A poet?
    Well that's me stumped.
  • Kim - Born in the 19th Century?
  • Rosie
    (irach) Musical? - Not known for it.
    Inkspot - Poet? - No
    Kim - Born 19th century? - No.
  • Dandalf - - Born in the 20th Century?
  • Raak - Did he hold a political office?
  • ImNotJohn - British?
  • Inkspot - A scientist?
  • Irouléguy - A cultural figure?
  • Rosie
    Dandalf - Born in 20th C? - No
    Raak - Held a political office? - Well, sort of. Not what he's known for
    ImNotJohn - British? - No
    Inkspot - A scientist? - Yes *considerable applause*
    Irouléguy - A cultural figure - No.
  • ImNotJohn - An astronomer?
  • Raak - Einstein?
  • Raak
    Oops, not borh in 19th or 20th century. Ignore that, try this:
    Galileo?
  • Rosie
    ImNotJohn - An astronomer? -Yes
    Raak - Not Galileo.
  • Inkspot - Was he German?
  • Rosie
    Inkspot - German? - No
  • Raak - Did he have a silver nose?
  • Chalky - .. Or Copper Knickers?
  • irach - Is it indeed Copernicus? If so, award the win to Chalky.
  • irach - Kepler?
  • Rosie
    Yes, his underwear was unusual and cupric, so courtesy of irach, CHALKY is the winner. (Raak) Don't geddit. :-(
  • CdM
    [Rosie] Raak is referring to Tycho Brahe.
  • Raak
    Here is The Straight Dope on the subject.
  • Chalky
    Marvellous - y'learn something new every day

    V. generous [irach] :-) I now have a little more time to do one of these, so I think we'll go for ...

    V E G E T A B L E
  • Raak - Tony Blair's Cabinet?
  • Inkspot - Does it grow on trees?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it edible?
  • CdM - Is it manufactured?
  • CdM
    Hey Chalky, it's been more than an hour since Raak's question...
  • Irouléguy - Is it just one species of vegetable?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] TB's cabinet? No *chuckle*
    [Inks] Does it grow on trees? No
    [INJ] Edible? Yes
    [CdM] Manufactured? um .. Yes
    [CdM] Yes - he's very eager, isn't he?
    [Iroule] One species? Yes
  • Raak - Does it require cooking to make it edible?
    [C/C] I just asked the question, I can wait...
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Cooking? Yes [with hesitation]
  • ImNotJohn - Is it a (culinary) dish?
  • irach - Does it grow underground?
  • Raak - Porridge?
  • Rosie - Is it a root vegetable?
    (Raak) re Tycho Brahe - I didn't know that. What is also not too well known is that he died of a burst bladder and the consequent peritonitis. At a boozy banquet with the King of Denmark he dared not leave the table until His Maj had got up despite a certain degree of urgency. Awful.
  • Rosie - Does it come in a tin?
    Just seen irach's question, so my previous one was superfluous. Tut, tut!
  • Dandalf - - sauerkraut?
  • Tuj - Associated with a particular country?
    [Rosie] Ouch. I'm glad I just knew the nose part before!
  • Chalky
    [INJ] Culinary dish? Culinary = as in pertaining to the kitchen? Yes. Dish? Debatable
    [Irach] Underground? No
    [Raak] Porridge? No
    [Rosie] Root veg? No
    [Rosie] Come in a tin? Can do :-)
    [Dandalf] sauerkraut? No
    [Tuk] Associated with a particular country? Good question. More a particular region, I'd say
  • Raak - Is it a form of offal?
    I like the story of his pet elk falling downstairs drunk after too much beer the best.
  • Raak - Ah, vegetable. Ok, is it a veggie imitation of some sort of offal?
  • Irouléguy - Brussels sprouts?
    Delicious steamed, or boiled quickly with chestnuts. Curried sprouts not such a good idea though.
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Fake offal? No :-)
    [Iroule] Brussels Sprouts? No

    NB: Correction to my reply to Inkspot's first question "Does it grow on trees?" - broadly speaking, my reply should have been Yes.
  • Rosie - A fruit of some kind?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] A fruit of some kind? No
  • Irouléguy - Is the region it's associated with in Europe?
  • Dandalf - A spice?
  • Kim - It grows on trees - is it Spaghetti?
  • Chalky
    [Iroule] Europe? No
    [Dandalf] A spice? No
    [Kim] Grows on trees? - Yes, but not spaghetti
  • ImNotJohn - Associated with Asia?
  • Raak] - Does one drink it?
  • Chalky
    [INJ] Asia? Yes *cheers from audience*
    [Raak] Drink it? Yes *even louder cheers from audience*
  • Irouléguy - Darjeeling tea?
  • Chalky
    [Iroule] Darjeeling tea? ONE WORD is correct! *gasps of anticipation*
  • Irouléguy
    Jee, darling, which could it be? Um...Assam tea?
  • Rosie - Earl Grey Tea? (©Alan Bennett)
  • Chalky
    [Iroule] Assam tea? sorry, No
    [Rosie] Earl Grey Tea? No to that as well :-(
  • Raak - Is there just one word on the card?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] There are TWO words on the card [one of them is tea] and I predict you'll guess it very soon ...
  • ImNotJohn - Green Tea?
    Actually, I hope I'm wrong as I'm just about to go away and be incommunicado until Sunday evening.
  • CdM - Jasmine tea?
  • CdM - Oolong tea?
  • Chalky
    Isn't it always the way ... ImNotJohn wins it by a short head from his uncle!
    I'll hand over the baton - do with it as you will ...
  • Kim
    There will now be a short intermission, while ImNotJohn goes away.
  • ImNotJohn - And then again
    Struggling slightly with an azerty keyboard, as I'm logged in at Hbach's. So here's an Abstract to be going on with. I might get on again tomorrow morning.
  • Raak - The azerty keyboard layout?
  • Rosie - Dexterity?
  • Kim - Qwerty?
  • Tuj - The notion of nationality?
  • Inkspot - Is it an action?
  • Chalky - Is it a work of art?
  • Rosie - Arachno-syndicalism (sic)
  • ImNotJohn - Back to normal now
    [Raak]: azerty keyboard - NO
    [Rosie]: Dexterity? - NO
    [Kim]: qwerty - NO
    [Tuj]: notion of nationality - NO
    [Inkspot]: an action - NO
    [Chalky]: a work of art? - NO
    [Rosie]: The National UInion of Spiders - NO
  • Chalky - One of the seven deadly sins?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] a deadly sin - NO
  • Chalky - A natural occurrence?
  • Raak - Something mathematical?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky]: natural occurrence - NO
    [Raak]: Something mathematical? - NO (one or two of the audience are raised from their slumbers)
  • Kim - Something geometric?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Kim]: Something geometric - NO (the level of snoring is rapidly rising towards previous levels)
  • Chalky - A human construct? [well - someone had to ask]
  • Inkspot - Something to do with time?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky]: human construct? - YES
    [Inks]: Something to do with time? - NO
  • Chalky - An invention?
  • ImNotJohn - Still cold
    [Chalky]: invention? - NO
  • Chalky - A form of entertainment?
  • Irouléguy - Are numbers involved?
  • ImNotJohn - Getting Warmer
    [Chalky]: A form of entertainment? - Not in itself (but you've woken the audience up)
    [Iroul]: Are numbers involved? - YES (but only loosely)
  • Raak - Is it something that comes in the form of a set of a certain number of things?
    7 D S, 3 B M, 4 C V, etc.
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] a numbered set? - NO (but the odd stutter of stifled applause)
  • Chalky - Any music connections?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] music connections? - NO
  • Chalky - Is this a game of some sort?
  • Dandalf - and if so, more specifically, a card game?
  • Raak - A lottery?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky]: a game of some sort? - NO, not as such (But some applause)
    [Dandalf]: a card game? - NO, not as such (Loud and prolonged applause)
    [Raak] - a lottery? - NO
  • Néa - Solitaire?
  • Chalky - A competition of some kind?
  • Projoy - A sport?
  • ImNotJohn - the audience subsides
    [Néa]: Solitaire? - NO (I see where you're coming from, but I would have called that a game - I'm not being deliberately awkward)
    [Chalky]: A competition? - NO
    [Projoy]: A sport? - NO
  • Raak - Anything to do with greetings cards?
  • Chalky - A day that celebrates something?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak]: greetings cards - NO (clever but not close)
    [Chalky]:A day that celebrates something? - NO
    As the audience has indicated - Dandalf is the person who's got closest so far
  • Chalky - Is it anything to do with gambling?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky]: connected with gambling? - YES (applause)
  • Raak - Is a set of playing cards involved?
  • Raak - Bingo?
  • Projoy - Betting Slips (especially abstract ones)
  • Projoy - Political Voting?
    (ignore my last)
  • Projoy
    Damn, I meant political betting. Although I'm now going to change again and ask whether it's an election.
  • ImNotJohn - Quite warm now
    [Raak]: Is a set of playing cards involved? - YES
    [Raak] Bingo - NO
    [Projoy]: Political Voting/Betting/election? - NO
  • Projoy - Tarot
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy]: Tarot - NO (neither divination nor the game - since it isn't a game)
  • Irouléguy - A card trick?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Iroul]: A card trick? - NO
  • Projoy - shufflling?
  • Projoy - -l
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy]: shuffling - NO
    I don't think you need a clue - you've got the information you need to home in on this.
  • CdM - Three Card Monte?
  • CdM
    (although I suppose that is probably classified as a card trick, come to think of it)
  • Chalky - Dealing?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM]: Three Card Monte? - NO - there's no trickery involved
    [Chalky]: Dealing? - NO
  • Projoy - Is it the name of one of the suits?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy]: a suit - NO
    You're not taking sufficient account of one of the bits of audience reaction
  • CdM - A full house?
  • Rosie - Bridge?
    Not a game; war.
  • Chalky - "the turn of a card"
  • Raak - Marked cards?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM]: A full house? - NO (gasp from the audience mixed with loud and prolonged applause)
    [Rosie]: Bridge? - NO
    [Chalky]: the turn of a card? - NO
    [Raak]: Marked cards? - NO
  • Chalky - A Royal Flush?
  • Projoy - House of Cards (the metaphor, hence abstract)
  • Raak - A winning hand?
  • Kim - Two pairs?
  • ImNotJohn - We have a winner
    And Chalky it is - a Royal Flush.
    Over to you.
  • Chalky - oops
    oh dear - I didn't intend to win that, even though I made a lot of the running. Erm ... how about a nice easy
    V E G E T A B L E [with a teensy bit of Abstract]
    to get us through the day ..
  • ImNotJohn - edible?
    A deserved victory, I thought, though CdM's close shave nearly brought about a lurkers win.
  • Irouléguy - Is it a fruit?
  • Chalky
    [INJ] Edible? NO
    [Iroule] Fruit? NO
  • CdM - Manufactured/Processed?
  • Raak - Wood?
  • Chalky
    [CdM] Manufactured/Processed? YES
    [Raak] Wood? NO
  • Dandalf - Paper?
  • Inkspot - Cotton?
  • Raak - Textile?
  • Chalky
    [Dandalf] Paper? NO
    [Inks] Cotton? YES *audience cheers*
    [Raak] Textile? YES
  • ImNotJohn - clothing?
  • Projoy - Jeans?
  • Inkspot - Welsh Rugby shirt
  • Chalky
    [INJ] Clothing? audience gasps and anticipates a speedy conclusion* YES
    [Projoy] Jeans? NO
    [Inks] Welsh Rugby Shirt? NO
  • CdM - A Gap t-shirt?
    (adding in a teensy bit of abstract)
  • Chalky
    [CdM] Gap t-shirt? NO (well referenced, though :-))
  • Inkspot - Incy wincy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini?
    A little bit of both
  • Projoy - the shirt off my back?
  • Projoy
    Scrub that... How about "my little cotton socks"?
  • Rosie - Knickers?
  • Chalky
    [Inks] i w t w y p d bikini? Isn't it 'itsy witsy' - you may be confusing said garment with a spider :-) NO
    [Projoy] the shirt off your back? scrubbed .... but

    .. YOU ARE CORRECT WITH 'LITTLE COTTON SOCKS' [Aw bless]

    [Rosie] same to you :-)

    *vacates the chair to make room for Projoy*
  • Projoy
    Hmmm. OK. ANIMAL & VEGETABLE (abstract too, but we needn't worry too much about that). I'm going away at the weekend, so I might hand the answer to some trustworthy person if we haven't got it by then...
  • Projoy
    A bit of further research reveals there is probably a small MINERAL part to it, but don't get too hung up on it.
  • ImNotJohn - A manufactured item?
    [Inks, Chalky] I believe it's actually "itsy bitsy".
  • Raak - Is it something to eat?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Manufactured - YES, literally
    [Raak] To eat - NO.
  • ImNotJohn - A sporran?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] A sporran - NO (out of curiosity, is there anything vegetable in a sporran?)
  • Raak - A musical instrument?
  • Projoy
    Raak - musical instrument - NO, not musical
  • Irouléguy - Something you wear?
    Vegetable in a sporran - surely the authentic ones have real thistles?
  • Projoy
    [Irouléguy] Something you wear - NO
  • Raak - Is the animal part leather?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Leather? Hm. I had to resort to a dictionary to find the answer, which is NO (but only just)
  • Raak - Is the vegetable part some sort of colouring?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] vege coloring? YES!
  • Rosie - Woad?
    (INJ) Itsy bitsy it is. I heard it when it first came out ca 1959. Even amongst us horny 16-yr-olds it was regarded as simply pathetic.
  • Raak - Is the not-really-leather part parchment?
  • Inkspot - Is the animal part a particular non-human animal?...if that makes sense
  • CdM - The Magna Carta?
  • Dandalf - Is it an object which can fit in the palm of your hand?
  • Kim - Is the animal part (which isn't leather) some other products of animal skin?
  • Dandalf - A knitted tea-cosy? [something manufactured (literally!) from dyed sheep's wool but which isn't worn]
  • Projoy
    [CdM] YES!!! - a superb bit of deduction.
    and for the other questions, therefore...
    [Raak] YES, vellum to be precise
    [Inkspot] YES, a goat, I think, although I'm not sure
    [Dandalf] NO
    [Kim] YES
    [Dandalf] Good guess, but NO

    Well, that's handy, as I now have to go and catch my train to Manchester to see Lib singing. Over to you, CdM.
  • CdM
    OK... This one is ABSTRACT with ANIMAL connections.
  • Irouléguy - is the animal human?
  • CdM
    Human? No.
  • Tuj - Did it happen in the past?
  • Raak - Is the animal a symbol?
  • ImNotJohn - Fictional?
  • CdM
    Did it happen in the past? Did what happen in the past?
    Animal a symbol? That is not its primary purpose, but it can be interpreted in a symbolic way. I'm not sure that's helpful, though.
    Fictional? Yes.
  • irach - Capricon?
  • Dandalf - Is the animal a carnivore?
  • Raak - Written fiction?
  • Inkspot - A mythical creature?
  • CdM
    Capricorn? No.
    Carnivore? Yes.
    Written fiction? In part, yes.
    Mythical? No (unless you take a very broad definition of mythical).
  • Irouléguy - The lion king?
  • CdM
    Lion king? No.
  • ImNotJohn - A single specific animal?
  • Kim - Aslan?
  • Inkspot - A cartoon character?
  • Projoy - Agnus Dei?
  • ImNotJohn - If we find out the animal, will we have the answer?
  • CdM
    Single specific animal? Yes.
    Aslan? No.
    Cartoon character? Yes (unless you take a very narrow definition of cartoon) *applause*
    Agnus Dei? No.
    Animal = answer? Yes.
  • CdM
    Clarification: I should probably have answered 'Cartoon Character?' with "In part, yes".
  • Raak - Is the cartoon part animated?
  • ImnotJohn - Jessica Rabbit?
  • Inkspot - A newspaper cartoon?
  • CdM
    Animated? In part, yes.
    JR? No.
    Newspaper cartoon? In part, yes.
    There is a noticeable lack of applause accompanying these partly correct suggestions.
  • Raak - Did this fictional carnivore first exist in writing?
  • Inkspot - Was it first illustrated before 1948?
  • CdM
    First exist in writing? I could answer "in part, yes", but I think it is fairer to say that 'in writing' is not how one would typically describe its first incarnation.
    First inkspotted, er, illustrated before 1948? Yes. *applause*
  • Raak - Rupert Bear?
  • CdM
    RB? No.
  • Irouléguy - Is the animal a mammal?
  • CdM
    Mammal? Strictly speaking, I think the answer has to be no. *some muttering in the audience*
  • Kim - Was its creator Walt Disney?
  • Raak - Is the animal aquatic?
  • CdM
    Disney creation? No.
    Aquatic? No.
  • Irouléguy
    Summing up: we are looking for a fictional, carnivorous, single specific animal, which is in part a newspaper cartoon character, and in part an animated cartoon character (we don't know if those are the same parts) and in part comes from written fiction, though "'in writing' is not how one would typically describe its first incarnation." It can be interpreted symbolically, though that's not necessarily helpful, and it is not mythical. Strictly speaking, it's not a mammal (though the audience muttered about that answer). It's neither a Disney creation, nor acquatic.

    Was its first incarnation in the 19th century?
  • Dandalf - No wonder the audience muttered - it's either a mammal or not a mammal - nothing in between, however strictly one speaks!
  • Raak - Does it appear in the works of Lewis Carroll?
  • Inkspot - Is it aimed at an adult audience?
  • Phil - Hobbes?
  • CdM
    [Irouléguy] Excellent summation. Minor clues: I would not put too much emphasis either on newspaper cartoons or written fiction.
    [Dandalf] Well, we can discuss that when the round is over. :-)
    19th Century? No.
    Lewis Carroll? No. *some smiles in the audience*
    Adult audience? That's not really the target market, although many adults like at least some incarnations.
    Hobbes? No.
    A clue: When I set this AVMA I expected a question to which I could give a correct but misleading answer. And you fell right into my trap. Mwahahahaha!
  • Phil - Does the animal take human form?
  • CdM
    Human form? Yes! *applause*
  • Raak - A superhero?
  • CdM
    Superhero? Yes. *applause*
  • Raak - Superman?
  • CdM - *hands the kryptonite rod to Raak*
    Superman? YES!

    As for "mammal", my uncertainty was the following. As far as I know, Superman has all of the traits that are usually taken as defining a mammal. But I think that the strict definition of the term has an evolutionary basis, and thus cannot apply to someone not from earth. I expect to be corrected by either a biologist or the morniverse equivalent of Comic-Book Man from The Simpsons.
  • Raak
    MINERAL
  • CdM - Largely or exclusively metal?
  • Inkspot - An engagement ring?
  • Rosie - Manufactured?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Mostly metal? Yes.
    [I] Not an engagement ring.
    [Rosie] Manufactured? Yes.
  • Gusset Login - Bigger than a phonebox?
  • Néa - Unique?
  • Raak
    [GL] Bigger than a phonebox.
    [Néa] Unique.
  • Phil - A sculpture?
  • Inkspot - Is it in the UK?
  • Raak
    [Phil] Not a sculpture.
    [I] Not in the U.K. (the audience is amused)
  • Davdand - Eiffel Tower? [CdM] You win! but (a) not mythical and (b) carnivore (are you sure?) suggested a real biological species.
  • Raak
    [Davdand] Not the Eiffel Tower.
  • Inkspot - Beagle 2
  • Raak
    [Inkspot] (APPLAUSE!) Not Beagle 2.
  • CdM - Extant?
    [D] You may well be right about my answer to "mythical?". Since I had already said that the answer was fictional, I interpreted 'mythical' more narrowly. But one definition of 'mythical' is 'fictitious', so perhaps I was misleading. As for carnivore, I recently saw an episode of Lois and Clark (not my fault; my daughter is currently Superman-obsessed) in which Clark Kent ate a hamburger...
  • Inkspot - A more successful solar exploration thingy?
    [Cdm]I would agree with you on your interpretation of 'mythical'. Superman could not be described as a mythical creature or person.
  • Raak
    [I] Yes. (More applause! )
  • Projoy - Voyager?
    Not the Star Trek variety.
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Not Voyager.
  • Irouléguy - The Tardis?
    I'd agree with CdM too, particulaly as Superman is a member of a particular (fictional) species. Is one difference between fiction and myth that a fiction has a specific author, but a myth doesn't? (Although that would make Robin Hood mythical rather than fictional, so hmm...)
  • Raak
    [I] Not the Tardis. (the audience look glum)
  • Gusset Login - Skylab?
    I don't agree with CdM, Superman is an omnivore rather than a carnivore just like Ordinaryman.
  • Inkspot - A European mission?
  • Raak
    [GL] Not Skylab.
    [I] (pause to research this) Partly European.
  • Inkspot - Cassini-Huygens?
  • Raak
    Yes! When I checked up on the telephone box q, I was quite surprised to find out how big it is.
  • Inkspot
    Yay, thank you for that one Raak, and for my first time in the chair in this game ANIMAL
  • Irouléguy - A single animal?
  • Gusset Login - Mammal?
  • Inkspot
    A single animal - Yes
    Mammal - Yes
  • Inkspot
    that should read [Irouléguy]A single animal - Yes [Gusset Login]Mammal - Yes
  • Raak - Currently alive?
  • Inkspot
    [Raak]Currently alive - No
  • irach - Human animal?
  • Inkspot
    [irach] Human animal - Yes
  • CdM - Male?
    [I] That's not a distinction I saw in my googling/dictionary checking, but it's an interesting idea. Mind you, at this point Superman certainly has multiple authors as well.
    [GL] My bad: I think you're right. It is pretty clear at least that Superman is not an "obligate carnivore" (a term I just learned, meaning solely flesh-eating). And given that I also saw Superman eat a bomb in another episode, "omnivore" seems more appropriate. Googling seems to indicate, however, that the strict definition of these terms has to do with the necessity of different types of food in terms of nutrients. I actually have no idea if Superman has to eat anything.
  • Rosie - British?
  • irach - Scientist?
  • Inkspot
    [Rosie]British - Yes
    [irach] Scientist - No
  • ImNotJohn - Best known for cultural/artistic achievements?
  • Inkspot
    [ImNotJohn]Best known for cultural/artistic achievements - Yes
  • Raak - Purcell?
  • Inkspot
    [Raak]Purcell - No
  • Raak - Alive in the 20th century?
  • ImNotJohn - Musical connections?
  • Inkspot
    [Raak]Alive in the 20th century - Yes
    [ImNotJohn] Musical connections - No
  • Gusset Login - An Actor?
    You didn't answer CdM's question about maleness
  • Inkspot - ooops
    [CdM]Male - Yes
    [Gusset Login] - An Actor - No
  • Dandalf - A painter and/or sculptor?[sneaking in two for the price of one ;-) ]
  • Rosie - A writer?
  • Raak - A mime?
  • Inkspot
    [Dandalf] A painter and/or sculptor - No
    [Rosie]A writer - taking the narrowest definition No
    [Raak]A mime - No
  • Gusset Login - A performer of some sort?
  • Inkspot
    [Gusset Login] A performer of some sort - No
  • Dandalf - To do with cinema?
  • Inkspot
    [Dandalf] To do with cinema - No
  • Rosie - A poet, then?
  • Inkspot
    [Rosie] A poet - YES
  • CdM - Siegfried Sassoon?
  • irach - T.S. Elliot?
  • Chalky - Rabbie Burns?
  • Phil - Ted Hughes
  • Inkspot
    [CdM]Siegfried Sassoon - No
    [irach] T.S. Elliot - No
    [Chalky] Rabbie Burns - No
    [Phil]Ted Hughes - No
  • Rosie - Philip Larkin?
  • CdM - Wilfred Owen?
  • CdM - English?
  • Inkspot
    [Rosie]Philip Larkin - No
    [CdM] Wilfred Owen - YES and Yes it was he, and so the chair is yours.
  • CdM - An Easy One
    I think the audience was being a little harsh not to give my earlier Sassoon guess at least a smattering of applause. Anyway, this is ABSTRACT, with ANIMAL connections.
  • Gusset Login - Is it a fictional human?
  • CdM
    Fictional human? No.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the animal connection human?
  • CdM
    Animal connection human? Yes.
  • Phil - A mythical human?
  • CdM
    Mythical human? No. *some wry chuckling in the audience*
  • Chalky - Is this a place where humans go/gather together?
  • Chalky
    tut tut - ignore the 'together' - that's tautology, I believe.
  • CdM
    Place where humans go? No, although it could be a cause of humans gathering together.
  • Raak - Is it an anniversary?
  • Chalky - Is it your birthday?
    :-)
  • Inkspot - Is it conected to religion?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it a specific date?
  • Gusset Login - Is it an emotion?
  • Dandalf - An election?
  • CdM - Possibly setting a new record...
    The answer is indeed, My Birthday. You can fill in the other answers for yourselves. *hands baton (lit at one end) to Chalky*
    Oh, and sorry I didn't answer these sooner, but I was busy drinking margaritas.
  • Chalky
    .. and many happy returns, dear CdM :-)

    OK - in the hot seat again. This time I'll go for:

    V E G E T A B L E with M I N E R A L and a smidgin of A B S T R A C T
  • Irouléguy - Is the vegetable wood?
    Happy birthday!
  • Raak - A work of art?
  • Gusset Login - Is it a unique item?
  • Chalky - very good questions ...
    [Iroule] Wood? YES
    [Raak] Work of art? Sort of - YES
    [GL] Unique? Yes, one could say that.
  • Chalky
    [Iroule] It's CdM's birthday today - mine is next week :-)
  • irach - Seen in a museum?
  • Dandalf - Is the mineral metal?
  • Chalky
    [irach] Seen in a museum? No
    [Dandalf] Metal? A small part is metal
  • Raak - Another crucifix?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Another crucifix? No
  • Dandalf - Larger than a telephone box?
  • ImNotJohn - Any religious significance?
  • Rosie - A decoration of some sort?
  • Gusset Login - Smaller than a telephone box?
  • Raak - A wooden telephone box?
  • Chalky
    [Dandalf] Larger than a telephone box? No
    [INJ] Religious significance? No
    [Rosie] Decoration? Can be decorative - but not primary purpose
    [GL] see above
    [Raak] wooden TB? No
  • Rosie - Is it in Britain?
  • Dandalf - A door?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] In Britain? Yes
    [Dandalf] A door? No - but you are moving towards the right area
  • Rosie - Is it in a town/city?
  • Raak - A window box?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Town/City? Yes
    [Raak] Window Box? No
  • Gusset Login - City?
  • Phil - Is it normally found indoors?
  • Inkspot - Is it hand carved?
  • Chalky
    [GL] This one is in a city, yes.
    [Phil] Indoors? No
    [Inks] Hand-carved? Nothing so exotic.
    The fact that Phil has joined the game is a BIG clue .
  • CdM - A pub sign?
  • Chalky
    [CdM] Pub Sign? YES - that's close enough for a *huge roar of applause from the audience*
    Now guess which pub.
  • Inkspot - The Three Crowns?
  • Chalky
    [Inks] Not the Three Crowns
  • Rosie - Elephant and Castle?
  • Inkspot - Is there an animal connection in the sign?
  • Raak - Is the pub in Ratby?
  • Gusset Login - The Red Lion?
  • Phil - The Bull's Head?
  • all - The Nag's Head?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Elephant & Castle? No
    [Inkspot] Animal connection? No
    [Raak] Ratby? No
    [GL] The Red Lion? No
    [Phil] The Bull's Head? No
    [all] The Nag's Head? No
  • Rosie - Is this just one particular pub?
  • CdM - Head of Steam?
  • Gusset Login - The Hogg's Head?
    The words "Straws" and "Clutching" spring to mind
  • Raak - The Clutching Straws?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] One particular pub? I'd already replied to GL earlier that it's unique - so Yes.
    [CdM] Head of Steam? No
    [GL] The Hogg's Head? No
    [Raak] The Clutching Straws? No :-)

    I'm not sure how many pub names there are in the Cities and Towns of the UK, but yu can be assured that I don't expect you to start guessing them all. C'mon - there HAS to be a hook ....
  • Gusset Login - The Fisherman's Arms?
    You said there had to be a hook...
  • ImNotJohn - Is this a single famous pub (like The Prospect of Whitby)?
  • CdM - Does the name relate to an MC player?
  • Chalky
    [GL] The Fisherman's Arms? No
    [INJ] Single famous pub? I suppose you could call it famous [in its area] *murmurs of approval from the audience for INJ's line of questioning*
    [CdM] Does the name relate to an MC player? No
  • ImNotJohn - Is it also the name of an underground station?
  • CdM - Is it in London?
  • ImNotJohn - One of the pubs that claims to be the oldest in Britain?
  • Gusset Login - If I don't live in the area would I still have heard of it?
  • ImNotJohn - Bolsover Hall?
  • Irouléguy - The Euston Flyer?
  • Projoy - The Swiss Cottage?
  • Chalky
    [INJ] Underground station? No
    [CdM] London? No
    [INJ] Oldest in Britain? No
    [GL] Heard of it? Probably not - but I have :-)
    [INJ] Bolsover Hall? No
    [Iroule] Euston Flyer? No
    [PJ] Swiss Cottage? No
  • ImNotJohn - Is it your local?
  • Inkspot - Is it in Devon?
  • Inkspot - Is it in Cornwall?
  • Chalky
    [INJ] My local? Yes it is, as it happens, but I wouldn't expect you to know it because of that! It is well-known around these parts for another reason
    [Inks] Devon/Cornwall? No
  • Inkspot - Is it in Dorset?
    Working my around the country
  • Inkspot - Is it in Wiltshire?
    Four down 35 or so to go
  • Chalky
    [Inks] In Wiltshire - where I live.

    In fact to speed things up a bit, it's in Salisbury.
  • Gusset Login - The Haunch of Venison?
    (I googled for famous pubs in Salisbury)
  • Inkspot - The Anchor and Hope?
    Loking for pubs with no animal connection
  • Chalky
    [GL] The Haunch of Venison? good guess - but not the right place.
    [Inks] Anchor & Hope? No.

    Tip: google for pubs that have brewed their own beer and then become quite famous for doing so ...
  • Phil - Surely not The Wyndham Arms - of Summer Lightning fame?
  • Rosie - The Moonraker?
  • Chalky
    [Phil] The Wyndham Arms? Oh YESYESYES. Just round the corner from me. The answer on the card is 'The Sign Outside The Wyndham Arms' so I shall gladly hand over the chair to you, landlord :-)
  • Phil - [Chalky] I am so jealous, locationwise.
    OK - well, I've not done one of these before, but I'm at my desk off and on all day (and night), so here goes.

    ANIMAL


  • Projoy - Human?
  • Phil
    [Projoy] Human? Yes
  • Gusset Login - Still alive?
  • all - Female?
  • CdM - A single individual?
  • Phil
    [GL] Alive? Yes
    [all] Female? No
    [CdM] Single individual? Yes
  • ImNotJohn - British?
  • Phil
    [INJ] British? Yes
  • Chalky - Is this person in the news on a regular basis?
  • Gusset Login - Is he under 50?
  • ImNotJohn - Associated with the arts/culture?
  • Projoy - Is he under 30?
  • all - Is he famously involved with sport?
  • Inkspot - A musician?
  • Irouléguy - Is he a regular in the Morniverse?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Hmmm...not in the news as such
    [GL] Under 50? Yes
    [INJ] Arts/culture? Yes
    murmur from audience
    [Projoy] <30 ? No
    [all] sport? not any more mixture of confused "huh?" and knowledgeable "ah" from audience
    [Inkspot] Musician? Yes another murmur
    [Irguy] Morniverse? No
  • Projoy - Ian Broudie?
  • Phil
    [Projoy] Broudie? No
  • Gusset Login - Nigel Kennedy?
  • Phil
    [GL] Kennedy? No
  • Projoy - Over 40?
  • Dandalf - Pop music or classical?
  • Phil
    [Projoy] >40? Yes
    [Dandalf] Pop or classical? Yes

    Hint: Music is not how he makes his living.

  • Raak - Is he a politician?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Politician? No
  • CdM - Does he make his living as a writer?
  • Rosie - Is he a broadcaster?
  • Dandalf - Yes Pop, Yes Classical or Yes both?
  • Phil
    [CdM] Writer? Sometimes
    [Rosie] Broadcaster? Hmmm...is probably best known for TV work, if that's what you mean
    [Dandalf] pop/classical? Probably a bit of both, but it's not really important.
  • Chalky - Is he a celebrity cook/chef?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Cook/Chef? No

    [Clarification for Rosie] Broadcaster - if a broadcaster is someone like David Dimbleby, Jeremy Paxman, David Frost, then the answer is No

  • Gusset Login - An actor?
  • Phil
    [GL] Actor? Yes - (applause and sighs of relief from audience)
  • ImNotJohn - Primarily known as a film actor?
  • ImNotJohn - FORGET THAT
    Just seen the 'best known for TV work' - So
    Primarily known for comedy?
  • Gusset Login - Well known for his sci-fi work?
  • Rosie - Hugh Laurie?
  • Projoy - Vinnie Jones?
  • all - David Tenant?
  • Phil
    [INJ] Comedy? Yes
    [GL] SF? No
    [Rosie] Hugh Laurie? YES!
    [Projoy and all] VJ/DT? See above :-)

    Congrats, Rosie, we await your teaser with baited breath. Meanwhile, I'd be curious to know how many people knew what Hugh Laurie's sporting background is?

  • ImNotJohn - Rowlocks
    Well, I certainly didn't. To save other people having to look it up, HL rowed for Cambridge in the 1980 boat race.
  • Chalky - out of tune
    I didn't realise he was a musician either. Talented chap.
  • mutter
  • fader
  • CdM
    [mutter, fader] Hello!
  • Projoy
    I've got one if Rosie's busy.
  • Projoy
    Although it's not 1am yet, so he'll probably be on shortly :)
  • Rosie - And here he is . . . .
    (Chalky) Not a bad jazz pianist, Mr L.
  • Rosie
    And the next object is . . . ABSTRACT
  • Irouléguy - A wild guess?
  • Phil - Climate change?
  • Néa - Sociolinguistics?
  • Gusset Login - Gravity?
  • ImNotJohn - A human construct?
  • Chalky - Or perhaps a natural phenomenon?
  • Raak - String theory?
  • all - Light?
  • Rosie
    (Irg) A wild guess? - Have another one.:-)
    (Phil) Climate change? - No (It's snowing here in bleak upland Surrey)
    (Néa) Sociolinguistics? - No
    (GL) Gravity? - No
    (INJ) A human construct? - No
    (Chalky) A natural phenomenon? - Yes *a slight ripple of applause*
    (Raak) String theory? - No, or brass either. :-)
    (all) Light? - No, but *considerable applause*
  • Raak - A rainbow?
  • Projoy - Relativity
  • Kim - Cataracts?
  • Irouléguy - Weather-related?
    It's been snowing here in bleak upland Farringdon too
  • Gusset Login - Dark?
  • Tuj - Does the answer on the card involve "light"?
  • all - sunlight?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) - Not a rainbow
    (Projoy) - Not relativity
    (Kim) - Not cataracts
    (Irouléguy) Weather-related? - Can be, but no more than that
    (Gusset Login) Dark? - No
    (Tuj) No, but *a little applause* nevertheless
    (all) No, but again *some applause*
  • Raak - Moonbeams?
  • ImNotJohn - The vernal equinox?
  • Gusset Login - An Eclipse?
  • Irouléguy - The dawn chorus?
  • all - Sunrise?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Moonbeams? - No, nor polka dots, alas
    (INJ) Vernal Equinox - No
    (GL) Dawn chorus - No
    (all) Sunrise? - No
  • Raak - Sundogs?
  • Projoy - It's some bloody weather thing, isn't it? ;-)
  • Irouléguy - Is the light natural (as opposed to human-generated)?
  • irach - Aurora ?
  • Chalky - Optimism?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Sundogs? - No, not page 3 girls
    (Projoy) Some weather thing? - No, that would be a bit corny. What do you take me for, sir?
    (Irouléguy) Could be either ("Light" is not on the card though some would have put it there)
    (irach) Not the Aurora
    (Chalky) Optimism? - Regrettably yours is misplaced this time.
  • Rosie
    I'm possibly being a little particular, but everybody has heard of this and knows what it is.
  • Projoy - Lengthening Evenings?
  • Projoy
    Scratch that, how about "starshine"?
  • Raak - Phosphorescence?
  • Chalky - Is it anything to do with the passage of time?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) Starshine? - No (or lengthening evenings)
    (Raak) Phosphorescence - No, but *a slight murmur of appreciation*
    (Chalky) The passage of time - No
  • Gusset Login - Radiation?
  • Projoy - photosynthesis?
  • Irouléguy - A mirage?
  • Rosie
    (GL) Radiation - Yes. - Now, which sort?
    (Projoy) Photosynthesis? - No
    (Irouléguy) A mirage - No.
  • Gusset Login - Electromagnetic Radiation?
  • Projoy - infra-red?
  • Projoy
    Come to think of it, we seldom refer to infra-red light, so perhaps ultra-violet instead?
  • Rosie
    Step forth, the immaculately-tanned Projoy! ULTRAVIOLET it is. Ironically there's an article about the current tanning fad in today's Grauniad.
  • Projoy - Hmmm...
    This one might be very easy indeed or a bit of a bastard. It's NOT ANIMAL, VEGETABLE NOR MINERAL and although it is ABSTRACT in one way it's also a real thing.
  • Raak - Gravity?
  • Rosie - A tan?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] gravity, no
    [Rosie] a tan, no
  • all - That thing called love?
  • Gusset Login - Fiction?
  • Irouléguy - The speed of light?
  • Projoy
    [all] Luurrve, nope
    [GL] Fiction, nope
    [Ig] the speed of light, nope
  • Gusset Login - Atmosphere?
  • Irouléguy - Is it just one thing?
  • Projoy
    [GL] Atmos, no. [Ig] One thing, yes.
  • Raak - Sexual orientation?
  • Projoy
    How well you know me, dear Raak, but no, it's not that.
  • Kim - Is it s human construct?
  • all - Is it q human construct?
  • Projoy
    [Kim, all] It is neither, nor is it, for the sake of brevity a human construct, or even an human construct.
  • Raak - Can it be seen?
  • Gusset Login - Is it weather related?
  • all - Electricity?
  • Raak - Is it a form of sound?
  • Rosie - Is it any form of natural disaster?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Can it be seen? No
    [GL] Weather related... not really, only in the most unhelpful tangential way
    [all] Electricity - no
    [Raak] Form of sound - no
    [Rosie] Natural disaster - debatable, but you could say yes

    (Incidentally there have been a couple of answers so far where I perhaps should have used the studio audience, but thought it would make it much too easy. I'll bring them back if it seems like it's too hard)
  • Raak - Global warming?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Global warming - Nope.
  • Projoy
    [Raak] I should perhaps add that a flat "no" to "Can it be seen?" is perhaps a teeny bit misleading. There are some rather specialised senses in which it can be seen, although most people would say that it can't.
  • Projoy
    Actually, after further thought, I should think even the specialists, when pressed, would say that it can't be seen.
  • Rosie - An epidemic?
  • Phil - A soul?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Not an epidemic
    [Phil] Not a soul (and my I be damned for all eternity if I ever claim without caveat that such a thing exists!)
  • Irouléguy - A past event?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] Past event, yes and no. :)
  • CdM - The Big Bang?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] The Big Bang, no. *murmurs of interest in the audience, who are now back from their tea break*
  • all - The Begining?
  • Projoy
    [all] The beginning, nope.
  • Rosie - Any connection with astronomy or cosmology?
    The soul? It's a metaphor. Your eternal damnation is on hold :-)
  • Irouléguy - Evolution?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] connected with astronomy/cosmology, YES *applause*
    [Ig] Evolution, no.
  • Raak - An orbit?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] An orbit, no. *sound of several members of audience leaning forward at the same time*
  • Phil - Black Hole?
  • Kim - The Universe?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Black Hole, YES
    [Kim] The Universe? Only the bent parts of it :)
  • Phil
    Yikes - two wins now! I think it was the "can it be seen" explanation that triggered the realisation. Anyway, here goes for a new one.

    Mineral - with an animal reference

  • Projoy - Is it bigger than a toaster?
  • irach - Cat's-eye (Chrysoberyl)?
  • Rosie - A cat-flap?
    Pot-shot from 50 yds hoping the goalie's asleep.
  • Phil
    [Projoy] Bigger than toaster, Yes
    [irach] Chrysoberyl, no
    [Rosie] Cat-flap, no
  • Projoy - Is it bigger than a tank? A WW2 one, that is.
  • Gusset Login - Is it metal?
  • Kim - A fish-eye lens?
  • Raak - Is there just one of it?
  • Phil
    [Projoy] Bigger than tank, yes
    [GL] metal, no
    [Kim] fish-eye lens, no
    [Raak] Just one, yes
  • Projoy - The Dog Star?
  • Gusset Login - The Horsehead Nebula?
  • Phil
    [Projoy] Dog star, no
    [GL] Horsehead nebula, no
  • Chalky - Is this a sea or ocean?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Sea or ocean, no
  • Chalky - A sculpture?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Sculpture, no
  • Néa - Man-made?
  • Phil
    [Néa] Man-made, no
  • Raak - A geographical feature?
  • Kim - Pluto?
  • Gusset Login - An astronomical feature?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Geog. feature, yes - smallish ripple of applause from audience
    [Kim] Pluto, no
    [GL] Astronomical, no
  • Projoy - A mountain?
  • Rosie - Is the animal connection figurative, eg The Old Man of Hoy?
  • Gusset Login - The Cerne Abbas Giant?
  • irach - Is the animal reference human?
  • Phil
    [Projoy] mountain, no - applause from audience
    [Rosie] Figurative animal connection, yes - considerable applause from audience
    [GL] Cerne Abbas Giant, no
    [irach] human reference, yes
  • Gusset Login - Is it in Britain?
  • Phil
    [GL] in Britain, yes
  • CdM - Is the human reference a name?
  • Phil
    [CdM] Name, yes - applause
  • Raak - The Old Man of Hoy?
  • Raak - Forget that, not really a person's name. How about Arthur's Seat?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Hoy, no
    [Raak - take 2] YES Didn't think that would go so fast.
  • Tidying up..
  • Raak
    V. bsy atm so may only lk in cpl times a day.
    M I N E R A L with V E G E T A B L E connections
  • Gusset Login - Bonsai Mountain?
  • Raak
    [GL] Molehill? No.
  • Rosie - Natural feature?
    You nicked my "intellectual property", y' bastard. You'll be hearing from Messrs. Sue, Grabbit and Runne. :-)
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not natural.
  • Rosie - A mostly metallic object?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Mostly metallic? Tricky. By weight, yes, by volume, no.
  • Irouléguy - Is it one single object?
  • Raak
    [I] Single object? No (in the sense that there are many of these).
  • Chalky - Can this be consumed?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] Cannot be consumed.
  • Kim - It is bigger than a 'phone box?
  • Gusset Login - Is the vegetable part alive?
  • Raak
    [Kim] Not bigger than a phone box.
    [GL] Not alive.
  • Irouléguy - Is the vegetable wood?
  • Rosie - Is the metallic part a sort of framework?
  • Gusset Login - Is it bigger than a breadbox?
  • Raak
    [I] (slight murmurings from the audience) No.
    [R] No.
    [GL] Usually.
  • Kim - Is the vegatable paper?
  • Raak
    [Kim] Yes! applause
  • Irouléguy - Is it something to do with money?
  • Raak
    [I] Nothing to do with money.
  • Rosie - Is it a decoration?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not a decoration.
  • Dandalf - A filing cabinet (full)?
  • Phil - An Underground Map?
  • Raak
    [Dandalf] No.
    [Phil] No, not much metal in one of those.
  • Phil - I was thinking of the sort on display on a tube station, but was wrong anyway.
  • Rosie - Is the paper for writing on?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] (a ripple of interest) Er, yes and no. (the audience appreciates the questionmaster's Solomonic wisdom)
  • Kim - Is the paper for printing on?
  • Raak
    [Kim] Er, yes and no. (the audience responds in the same way)
  • Chalky - Is the mineral the bit that does the printing/writing?
  • Dandalf - Is the paper actually part of the object on the card or is it used in connection with the object?
  • Raak
    [Dandalf] In connection with. Vegetable connections, remember.
  • Chalky - Please may I have a reply to my last question?
  • Gusset Login - A pen?
  • Rosie - A fax machine?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] No.
    [Chalky] Yes.
    [GL] no.
    [R] No (but the audience have woken up again).
  • Gusset Login - Toner?
  • all - Photocopier?
  • Raak
    [GL] No.
    [all] No. (the audience eagerly anticipate the final chase)
  • Gusset Login - Laser Printer?
  • Dandalf - Typewriter?
  • Raak
    [GL] No.
    [Dandalf] No.
  • Phil - A Printing Press?
  • Raak
    [Phil] No.
  • Projoy - Stereotype?
  • Rosie - A scanner?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] No.
    [Rosie] No.
  • all - Polaroid camera?
  • Chalky - Invisible Ink?
  • Rosie - Shurely not a Gestetner?
  • Irouléguy - A dot-matrix printer?
  • Néa - Mimeograph?
    (although in that case, Rosie already got it. All hail Corflu!)
  • Phil - A shredder?
  • Raak
    [all] No.
    [Chalky] No.
    [Rosie] No.
    [I] No.
    [Néa] No.
    [Phil] YES. A paper shredder.
  • Phil
    Well, I seem to be getting rather fluky at these lately. OK, I'll try and think up one that could have no ambiguous answers - or could it?

    Vegetable

  • Rosie - Edible, in the normal sense?
  • Gusset Login - Alive?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Edible? Yes
    [GL] Alive? No
  • Dandalf - Processed?
  • Kim - Is it normally eaten raw?
  • Gusset Login - Bigger than a breadboard?
  • Néa - A carrot?
  • Inkspot - A nut?
  • all - A bread roll?
  • Phil
    [Dandalf] Processed? Yes
    [Kim] Raw? No
    [GL] >Breadboard? No
    [Néa] Carrot? No
    [Inkspot] Nut? No
    [all] Bread Roll? A careful No - enthusiastic applause
  • all - Is bread involved in some way?
  • Gusset Login - A loaf of bread?
  • Raak - A bagel?
  • Phil
    [all] bread? yes - more applause
    [GL] Loaf of bread? No
  • Tuj - Breadcrumbs?
  • Gusset Login - A gingerbread house?
  • Kim - Toast?
  • all - A slice of bread?
  • Gusset Login - A Sandwich?
  • Phil
    [Tuj] breadcrumb? No
    [GL] Gingerbread house? No
    [Kim] Toast? No
    [all] Slice of bread? Another careful No
    [GL] Sandwich? No
    Audience starts to doubt that the players will pin this down with wild guesses
  • Phil
    I have to go out in an hour or so, but should be back for 9:30pm (GMT)
  • Raak - Was my bagel mouldy?
  • all - What is the meaning of life?
  • Gusset Login - Bread and Butter Pudding?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Mouldy Bagel? Don't know
    [all] Meaning of life? Not sure, but I know the ultimate answer.
    [GL] B&B Pud? No
  • Raak - Is it a particular variety of bread?
  • Inkspot - Is the bread associated with a particular culture?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Particular variety? Yes - Audience spontaneously combusts with excitement
    [Inkspot] Particular culture? Yes - Audience reaches critical mass
  • Chalky - Does this culturally significant variety of bread contain NO *animal* substances?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] No animal substances? Hmmm...I'll have to find out...ok, there may be an animal substance, but I have found recipes that exclude it. Apologies to anyone who may have assumed there was no animal involved whatsoever.
  • all - Unleavened bread?
  • irach - Bruschetta?
  • irach - Pita?
  • Rosie - Bara brith?
  • Chalky - Ciabatta?
  • Gusset Login - Naan bread?
  • Phil
    [all] Unleavened? No
    [irach] Bruschetta/pita? No
    [Rosie] Bara brith? No, but I can see the logic :-)
    [Chalky] Ciabatta? No
    [GL] Naan bread? YES
    Again, sorry about forgetting the animal content, but well done, Gusset Login!
  • Gusset Login
    Gosh I finally got one right.

    Animal

  • Kim - Human?
  • Gusset Login
    [Kim] Yes
  • Chalky - Living?
  • Gusset Login
    [Chalky] Living? No
  • Projoy - Died in the last 100 years?
  • Raak - A religious figure?
  • Gusset Login
    [Projoy] Died since 1906? Yes
    [Raak] Religious figure? No
  • Projoy - Born in the C20th?
  • CdM - Female?
  • Gusset Login
    [Projoy] Born between 1901 and 2000? No
    [CdM] Female? No
  • Irouléguy - A scientific figure?
  • Gusset Login
    [Irouléguy] Scientific figure? No
  • all - Died before 1930?
  • Rosie - A performer, of any kind?
  • Gusset Login
    [all] Dead by 1930? No
    [Rosie] Performer? No
  • Phil - Is he to be found on imdb.com?
  • irach - Politician?
  • Gusset Login
    [Phil] imdb.com? No
    [irach] Politician? No
  • Dandalf - Writer?
  • Irouléguy - European?
  • Gusset Login
    [Dandalf] Writer? No.
    [Irouléguy] European? Yes.
  • Phil - A sportsman?
  • Dandalf - Artist?
  • Irouléguy - Any military connections?
  • irach - Royalty?
  • Gusset Login
    [Phil] Sportsman? No
    [Dandalf] Artist? No, but he has artistic connections - Audience mummers approval
    [Irouléguy] Military? No
    [irach] Royal? No
  • Phil - Designer?
  • carew - Is music a connection?
  • irach - Film maker?
  • Gusset Login
    [Phil] Designer? Yes
    [carew] Music connection? No. (But he probably listened to it and I think was mentioned in a song once)
    [irach] Film maker? Still no, stop asking
  • Raak - In the world of fashion?
  • CdM - Architect?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] Fashion? No
    [CdM] Architect? Yes - Applause from the audience
  • Raak - Le Corbusier?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] Le Corbusier? No
  • Phil - Sir Christopher Wren?
  • Gusset Login
    [Phil] Wren? No

    Summary so far: Human, Male, Architect, Died between 1906 and 2006, born prior to 1901, European, not a film maker.

  • Gusset Login

    Correction: Died between 1930 and 2006
  • Phil - Died before 1960?
  • Gusset Login
    [Phil] Died before 1960? No
  • Raak - Spanish?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] Spanish? No
  • Irouléguy - Mies van der Rohe?
  • Raak - Bauhaus school?
  • Gusset Login
    [Irouléguy] Mies van der Rohe? No
    [Raak] Bauhaus school? Yes - Much applause
  • Projoy - Ernst May?
  • Projoy
    Forget that (sketchy research). Was it Gropius?
  • Gusset Login
    [Projoy] Ernst May? No
    [Projoy] Walter Gropius? YES

    I'd hoped that would take longer to guess, well done Projoy

  • Phil
    Rats - I was trying to eliminate Gropius, but mis-read the date. Congrats, Projoy.
  • Projoy
    Oh damn. Sorry, haven't looked in much today - wasn't expecting to get that one. ** sounds of thinkage **

    MINERAL

  • Gusset Login - Man made?
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
  • irach - Eiffel Tower?
  • Rosie - A mechanical device?
  • CdM - Fifth letter is a W?
  • Irouléguy - Three words?
  • Dandalf - Valuable?
  • Kim - Is there only one of these?
  • Botherer - A Bungalow?
  • all - Salt?
  • Projoy
    [GL] man-made, NO
    [Tuj] "P...", NO
    [irach] Eyeful Tower, NO
    [Rosie] Mechanical, NO
    [CdM] Fifth letter a "W", NO *titters from audience*
    [Ig] Three Words, Depends how articulate you are
    [Dandalf] Valuable, NO (subjectively)
    [Kim] Only one of these, YES
    [Botherer] Bungalow, NO
    [all] Salt, NO *the gentlest murmur of interest from just a few members of the audience, as if a light breeze had blown over a doormat*
  • Raak - Ice?
  • Inkspot - A natural object?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Ice, NO.
    [Ink] Natural object, YES
  • Gusset Login - The sea?
  • Projoy - (more answers this evening, as I'm away from internet this arvo)
    [GL] The Sea, NO *some applause*
  • Irouléguy - A body of water?
  • Gusset Login - Is it an ocean?
  • Projoy - OK, now I'm *really* going until this evening.
    [Ig] body of water, NO
    [GL] an ocean, NO
  • Projoy
    *(but some scattered applause at ocean)*
  • all - The White Cliffs of Dover?
  • Gusset Login - The English Channel?
  • Raak - Something on the edge of an ocean?
  • Inkspot - An island?
  • irach - Sand?
  • Rosie - Coastal wetlands?
  • Irouléguy - The Gulf Stream?
  • Projoy
    [all] White cliffs, NO
    [Ink] Island, NO * a little laughter *
    [irach] sand, NO
    [Rosie] costal wetlands, NO
    [Ig] Gulf Stream, NO *two members of the audience start paying attention again*
  • Dandalf - Mariana Trench?
  • Gusset Login - Something on the edge of an ocean?
  • Projoy
    [GL] edge of the ocean, NO, but
    [Dandalf] Wow! Excellent bit of intuition. It was indeed the Mariana Trench.
  • Dandalf
    The renewed interest when gulf stream was mentioned somehow triggerred off Mariana Trench. So Ig deserves a share of the Wow! And now for something completely different.....ANIMAL
  • Rosie - Michael Palin?
  • Gusset Login - Human?
  • Phil - Alive?
  • Projoy - Male?
  • all - Mythical?
  • Dandalf
    Palin - NO
    Human - YES
    Alive - YES
    Male - YES
    Mythical - NO
  • Raak - Involved with the arts?
  • Irouléguy - European?
  • Gusset Login - Born before 10th March 1976?
  • Inkspot - Welsh Rugby player?
  • Dandalf
    Arts? NO
    European? YES (A slight murmur from the audience)
    pre 10/3/76?
    Welsh Rugby player? NO
  • Inkspot - Scientist?
  • Irouléguy - British?
    You didn't answer GL's question, by the way. Thanks for the share of the 'wow' - nearest I've come in this game for some time.
  • Gusset Login - Sportsman?
  • Projoy - Wayne Rooney?
  • Dandalf
    GL sorry Born pre 10/3/76? YES
    Scientist? NO
    British? YES
    SPORTSMAN? NO
    WR NO
  • Dandalf
    Sorry about the poor formatting.
  • Projoy - Of a non-European ethnic origin?
  • Projoy - (for a value of "ethnic" that might extend to his great-grandparents, say)
  • Gusset Login - Born before 10 March 1956?
  • Dandalf
    [Projoy] non-European ethnic? YES *ripples of applause as audience sits up*
    [GL] pre-10/3/56? NO
  • Raak - Paul Boateng?
  • Projoy - Appears on TV regularly?
  • Inkspot - Musician?
  • Dandalf
    [Raak] Boateng? NO
    [Projoy] YES *round of applause from audience*
  • Dandalf
    [Inkspot] Musician? NO
  • Rosie - Lenny Henry?
  • Dandalf
    [Rosie] LH? NO ripple of applause
  • Projoy - A comedian?
  • Phil - Ainsley Harriet
  • Dandalf
    [PJ] Comedian/ -hmmmm
    [Phil] Ainsley? Ready, Steady.... YES! Well done and sorry for delay!
  • Phil
    I wish I could explain how the name popped into my head - I think it was the "always on tv" aspect with a round of applause. OK, time to think of another.

    Vegetable with some Mineral

  • Dandalf
    Ripple of applause for Lenny Henry, might have done it subconsciously, as LH had the title role in CHEF.
  • Raak - Salted peanuts?
  • irach - Wood that's beginning to petrify?
  • Gusset Login - A club with a nail in it?
  • Projoy - Veneered Chipboard?
  • ImNotJohn - A household artefact?
  • all - A lemon with a sub-machine gun?
  • Chalky - Crunchy Nut Cornflakes?
  • Inkspot - A drink?
  • Irouléguy - Is it edible?
  • Kim - Is it bigger than a box of Crunchy Nut Cornflakes?
  • Raak - Whisky and soda?
  • Dandalf - A wet towel?
  • Rosie - A leek?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Peanuts? No
    [irach] part-petrified wood? No
    [GL] Nailed club? No
    [Projoy] veneered chipboard? No
    [INJ] household artefact? No
    [all] armed lemon? No
    [Chalky] CN Cornflakes? No
    [Inkspot] A drink? No
    [Irouléguy] Edible? No
    [Kim] Bigger than box of cornflakes? No
    - Audience feels we may be getting somewhere at last
    [Raak] W&S? No
    [Dandalf] Wet towel? No
    [Rosie] Leek? No
    - Audience loses optimism
  • Chalky - cardboard?
  • Projoy - Does it have anything written on it?
  • Raak - Bigger t han a coffee mug?
  • Gusset Login - A container of some sort?
  • Dandalf - A bowl of cornflakes?
  • Dandalf - A bowl of cornflakes?
  • Dandalf
    Oops sorry - doubleposted!
  • all - Is it made of wood?
  • Projoy - Is it designed to contain something?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Cardboard? No
    [Projoy] Text thereon? Yes
    [GL] Container? No
    [Dandalf] Bowl of cornflakes? Nay, and twice nay :-)
    [all] Made of wood? No
    - Some audience members mutter to each other
    [Projoy] Designed to contain something? No
  • Rosie - A form of some kind?
  • Raak
    I say, Bigger than a coffee mug?
  • ImNotJOhn - Designed to be written on?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Apologies - Bigger than a coffee mug? No
    - Audience becomes interested again
  • Phil
    [Rosie] A form? No
    [INJ] To be written on? No
  • Raak - Made of bamboo?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Bamboo? No
  • Phil
    Clarification: When I said "it has things written on it", to be utterly precise the word "printed" would be better than "written".
  • Kim - Is it bigger than a box of matches?
  • Chalky - A postage stamp?
  • all - A coffee mug?
  • Chalky - A £10 note?
  • Phil
    [Kim] Bigger than a box of matches? In terms of volume, using a Bryant & May matchbox (37x55x17mm). No, but it's a close run thing.
    - Audience finds this fascinating, but they are a little nerdy
    [Chalky] Postage stamp? No
    [all] Mug? No
    [Chalky] £10 note? No
  • Projoy - Long and thin?
  • Phil
    [Projoy] Long & thin? No
  • Chalky - Is it made of cotton?
  • Raak - A reel of thread?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Cotton? No
    [Raak] Reel of thread? No
  • Chalky - Is it made of paper?
  • Phil
    [CHalky] Made of paper? No
  • Phil
    Audience eagerly awaits Projoy or Kim's next question
  • Inkspot - A calling card?
  • Chalky - A Champagne Cork?
  • Phil
    [Inkspot] Calling card? No
    [Chalky] Champagne cork? No
  • CdM - A beermat?
  • Chalky - Can I confirm that it's not made from wood, cardboard, paper, cotton or cork?
  • Kim - Does it play a part in the preparation of food?
  • Inkspot - Is it normally hand made?
  • Gusset Login - Is the vegetable part alive?
  • CdM - Is it flat?
  • Phil
    [CdM] Beermat? No
    [Chalky] Not wood, cardboard, paper, cotton, cork? Correct
    [Kim] Food prep? No
    [Inkspot] Handmade? No
    [GL] Live veg? No
    [CdM] Flat? No
  • all - Is the mineral part a candle?
  • Gusset Login - A potato print?
  • Phil
    [all] Candle? No
    [GL] Potato print? No
  • Inkspot - Is it made from a fruit?
  • Rosie - A tin of tobacco?
  • Raak - Is it made of rubber?
  • Phil
    [Inkspot] Made of fruit? No
    [Rosie] Tin o'baccy? No
    [Raak] Made of rubber? YES
    - Rapturous applause from audience
  • Projoy - The wheel of a Tonka Toy?
  • Phil
    [Projoy] Tonka wheel? Alas, no.
  • Phil
    Unfortunately, I have to work for the next few hours, but should be able to pop back in a couple of times over the course of the evening.
  • Dandalf - Squash ball?
  • Raak - A packet of three?
  • Phil
    [Dandalf] Squash Ball? YES
    [Raak] 12-months supply for a married man? Unfortunately, no.
    Congrats to Dandalf!
    At last I can share the trivia that the volume of a squash ball is only 3% less than that of a standard box of matches, as its diameter is 40mm, giving a volume of 33510 cubic mm, compared with 34595 cubic mm.
  • Dandalf
    [Phil] Thanks. I actually worked out the volume before guessing! Now I have to think of something else..... what about ABSTRACT with ANIMAL connections
  • Inkspot - A fictional character?
  • Irouléguy - David Attenborough's 'Planet Earth'?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the animal connection human?
  • Dandalf
    [Inkspot] Fictional character? NO
    [Iroulegey] Planet Earth? NO
    [INJ] Human? YES
  • Kim - A character of legend?
  • CdM - Is the animal connection a particular human?
  • ImNotJohn - Any artistic connection?
  • Dandalf
    [Kim} Legend? NO
    [CdM] Particular human? NO
    [INJ] Artistic connection? NO
  • Phil - God?
  • Irouléguy - Is the human connection a particular nationality?
  • Inkspot - Is it a bird?
  • Inkspot - Is it a persons title?
    Forget last one, put it down to lack of tea and bicuits
  • Raak - Law?
  • Gusset Login - Is it a collective title?
  • Kim - Is it a category of person?
  • Dandalf
    [Phil] God? God, NO
    [Irouleguy]Particular nationality? No (murmurings from the audience)
    [Inkspot] bird? NO (happily munching on choc digestive while sipping a cup of Earl Grey :) )
    [Raak] Law? NO
    [GL]collective title? In the sense that it covers a number of items, YES
    [KIM]person category? NO
  • ImNotJohn - A human construct?
    (welcome return of an old favourite)
  • all - A golem?
  • Dandalf
    [INJ] H.C.? YES ( I think!)
    [all] Golem? NO
  • Dandalf
    [INJ] H.C.? YES ( I think!)
    [all] Golem? NO
  • Dandalf
    Oh No not again! sorry
  • Raak - Does it have something to do with nationalities?
  • Dandalf
    [Raak] Nationalities? YES,partly.
  • Kim - Does it have something to do with a geographical region comprising several counties?
  • Dandalf
    [Kim] YES, but not geographical.
    - Audience suddenly wakes up and applauds loudly
  • Inkspot - A trading cartel of countries?
  • Projoy - County Cricket?
  • Rosie - Are we talking about counties, not countries?
    Typo alert.
  • CdM - (Trying to summarize) Is it a name given to a group of geographically dispersed people with something in common?
  • Dandalf
    [Inkspot] Trading cartel? NO
    [Projoy] County cricket? NO
    [Rosie] counties/countries? The one with the R.
    [CdM] Such a name is one of the words on the card! Loud applause!
  • Inkspot - Refugees?
  • ImNotJohn - A politiocal grouping (in a wide sense - as opposed to say economic)?
  • Gusset Login - Communism?
  • CdM - A racial grouping?
  • Dandalf
    [Inkspot] Refugees? NO
    [INJ] Political grouping? YES but that's not the full answer (Applause)
    [GL] Communism? NO (some chuckles from audience)
    [CdM] Racial grouping? NO
  • Kim - Is it NATO?
  • Raak - Was it created by a treaty?
  • ImNotJohn - neo-fascists?
  • CdM - Is it a formal organization?
  • Dandalf
    [Kim] NATO? NO
    [Raak] Created by Treaty? NO, but by the ~~~~~~~ Declaration
    [IN]neo-fascists? NO
    [CdM] Formal organisation? YES
  • Projoy - The State/Citizens of Israel
  • ImNotJohn - Associated with the UN?
  • Raak - Balfour?
  • Dandalf
    [Projoy] Israel? NO
    [INJ] UN? NO
    [Raak] The Balfour Declaration? YES (wild applause) but still some way to go.
  • all - The Zionist Federation?
    unlikely but you never know
  • Gusset Login - Hamas?
  • Dandalf
    [all] Zionist Fed? NO
    Hamas? NO
    CLARIFICATION: I've just found out that there are two distinct Balfour declarations, one dated 1917 and the other 1926. It is to the latter that I referred in replying to Raak. Get googling!
  • all - The British Commonwealth?
  • Dandalf
    [all] B. Commonwealth? YES - but still not the answer on the card.
  • Gusset Login - The Commonwealth Games?
  • Dandalf
    [GL] Commonwealth Games YES Well Done!
  • Gusset Login
    Huzzah! Thank you all for the help
    I will seek inspiration from the random function of wikipedia

    Animal

  • Inkspot - Human?
  • Gusset Login
    Human? - Yes
  • ImNotJohn - Alive?
  • Gusset Login
    Alive? - Yes
  • all - Male?
  • Inkspot - European?
  • irach - Sportsman/sportswoman
    SPORTSMAN
  • Irouléguy - Currently in the news?
  • CdM - Political figure?
  • Gusset Login
    Male? - Yes
    European? - No
    Sportsman/sportswoman SPORTSMAN? - No
    In the news? - Not that I've noticed
    Political? - Yes
  • Rosie - Middle Eastern?
  • CdM - Is he now retired from the office/position for which he is most famous?
  • Raak - Merkin?
  • Gusset Login
    Middle Eastern? - No
    Retired? - Yes
    American? - No
  • Dandalf - Butros Butros Ghali?
  • Gusset Login
    Butros*2 Ghali? - No
  • ImNotJohn - African?
  • Gusset Login?
    African? - No
  • Raak - Chinese?
  • Chalky - Australian?
  • ImNotJohn - Asian?
  • Gusset Login
    Chinese? - No
    Australian? - Yes *Applause*
    Asian? - No
  • Irouléguy - John Howard?
  • Gusset Login
    John Howard? - No

    Summary: A living male Australian politician who has retired.

  • ImNotJohn - Bob Hawke?
  • Gusset Login
    Bob Hawke? - No
  • Kim - Bryan Gould?
  • Rosie - Gough Whitlam?
    Must be getting on a bit.
  • Gusset Login
    Bryan Gould? - No
    Gough Whitlam? - No - but The audience is looking interested (As they did at the mention of Bob Hawke)
  • Chalky - Richard Alson?
  • Chalky - sorry - make that 'ALSTON'
  • Gusset Login
    Richard Alston? - No
  • Dandalf - Malcolm Fraser?
  • Gusset Login
    Malcolm Fraser? - Yes
  • Dandalf
    There weren't many more left to try! OK here goes - VEGETABLE
  • Gusset Login - Living?
  • ImNotJohn - Edible?
  • Kim - Bigger than a pumpkin?
  • Dandalf
    Living? YES
    Edible? YES
    Bigger than pumpkin? NO
  • Raak - Is it normally cooked before being eaten?
  • Dandalf
    Oops! It seems I was wrong. Not edible! will explain error at the end.
  • Raak - Is it an inedible part of something that also has an edible part?
  • Dandalf
    Edible+inedible? NO
  • Rosie - Is its inedibility due to it being poisonous?
  • Dandalf
    Toxic? Not particularly
  • Rosie - Green?
  • Dandalf
    Green? YES! Applause
  • Rosie - A leaf of some kind?
  • Dandalf
    Leaf? YES Renewed applause
  • Raak - A shamrock?
  • Dandalf
    [Raak] YES! Well done. Re my error concerning edibility, I googled "shamrock recipes" and got loads of sites with "shamrock salad", "shamrock sandwiches" "shamrock pie" etc. I didn't bother to visit any but just assumed that shamrocks were edible. Later I found out these were all sham recipes [ :) ] and did not contain any shamrocks at all but were either green, cut into shamrock shapes or were green cocktails consisting mainly of Irish Whiskey and Chartreuse or lime cordial! And now over to Raak.
  • Raak
    The next one is MINERAL
  • CdM - manufactured?
  • Rosie - Metal, largely?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Partly.
    [Rosie] Yes.
  • CdM - Jewelry of some kind?
  • Irouléguy - Bigger than a phone-box?
  • Raak
    [CdM] No.
    [Ir] No.
  • ImNotJohn - Contains Moving parts?
  • Gusset Login - Choking hazard, not suitable for children under 42 months?
  • Raak
    [INJ] Er...sort of.
    [GL] No.
  • ImNotJohn - Bigger than a shoe-box?
  • CdM - A moving part of some kind?
  • Inkspot - Powered by electricity?
  • Raak
    [INJ] No.
    [CdM] Er...sort of. That is, part of it does move, but it's not what you would call "a moving part".
    [Inkspot] No.
  • Irouléguy - A Zippo lighter?
  • Inkspot - A tool?
  • Raak
    [I] Not a Zippo lighter.
    [I] Not a tool.
  • Kim - Bigger than a Zippo lighter?
  • Rosie - Does the moveable part have to move for the thing to "work"?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the part that moves liquid?
  • Raak
    [K] Could be bigger or smaller.
    [R] Er...quite the opposite. (Laughter from the audience) But it must move for this thing to be what it is.
    [INJ] (Applause!) Yes.
  • Irouléguy - A spirit level?
  • Raak
    [I] Clever, but no.
  • Chalky - Thermometer?
  • Raak
    [C] Ditto.
  • Inkspot - Is it a particular liquid?
  • Raak
    [I] Usually.
  • Rosie - A rain-gauge?
    Mine needs some exercise.
  • Raak
    [Rosie] No.
  • Kim - A barometer?
  • Raak
    [Kim] No.
    [Everyone] Not a tool, remember. The last few guesses were all tools.
  • Gusset Login - Snowglobe?
  • Raak
    [GL] Not a snowglobe. (The audience hibernates in underground caverns while glaciers sweep down from the poles.)
  • Irouléguy - Is the liquid usually oil?
  • Inkspot - Does it have glass parts?
  • Rosie - A lava lamp?
  • Raak
    [I] Not usually oil.
    [I] No glass.
    [R] Not a lava lamp.
  • Inkspot - Is the liquid a drink?
  • Raak
    [I] Erm....the typical liquid is water.
  • CdM - Does the water not move when the thing is working because it is frozen?
  • Rosie - Is this thing basically ornamental?
  • Raak
    [CdM] (A meteor strike melts the ice sheets and the audience wake up and re-evolve into sentient creatures again.) No.
    [Rosie] Not ornamental.
  • Gusset Login - Is it a container?
  • Dandalf - Kitchen sink plug?
  • Dandalf
    strike thast= not usually metallic.
  • Dandalf
    thast= that-
  • Raak
    [GL] Container? Sort of.
    [D] Not a plug.
  • Irouléguy - Is this used on its own, or as a component of something?
  • Raak
    [I] It's a part of something.
  • Rosie - Is it an indicator of some kind?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not an indicator.
  • Gusset Login - Is this a fair summary of what we know so far?
    Summary:
    Mostly metal, involves water as it's only moving part.
    Is not ornimental.
    A container of sorts.
    Is used as a component.
    May be bigger or smaller than a zippo lighter.
    Is not functional?(not a tool).
  • all - A washer?
  • Irouléguy - A valve?
  • Raak
    [GL] Yes, mostly. It's not a tool but does normally perform a function. And container is onyl sort of.
    [all] No. (The audience evolve sentience the better to appreciate the impending conclusion of the game.)
    [I] No. (Impressed by this sign of the end times, the audience build a temple to Nicholas Parsons and pray for the rapture.)
  • Irouléguy - A stopcock?
  • Raak
    [I] No.
  • all - A tap?
  • Kim - A cistern?
  • Raak
    [all] Not a tap.
    [Kim] Not a cistern.
    (The audience can hardly move for stepping on portents of the Second Coming.)
  • Rosie - A syringe?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] (The heavens cloud over.) No.
  • Rosie - Used indoors?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Could be indoors or outdoors.
  • Projoy - A pipe?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] (He is the Messiah!) Yes (but not the complete answer).
  • Irouléguy - A stand-pipe?
  • Raak
    [I] Might be a standpipe or not.
  • Gusset Login - Drainpipe?
  • Raak
    [GL] No.
  • Irouléguy - How many words are on the card?
  • all - lead piping?
    in the study
  • Raak
    [I] Yes.
    [all] Could be, or not.
  • Inkspot - Is it for rain water?
  • Raak
    [I] Not for rain water.

    (A ghostly hand with the word "CLUE" tattooed on it points at CdM's last question.)

  • Chalky - a heating element?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] Not a heating element.
  • Inkspot - An ice cube maker?
  • Dandalf - "Yes" words on the card? We need to remember this #%$*@# pipe could be smaller than a zippo lighter!
  • Inkspot - Is ice involved?
    Raak is playing a straight bat, he should only give Yes or No answers. So yes there are words on the card, the question should realy have been phrased "Are there more than XXX words on the card".
    Personally I'm just as far away from any notion of what the answer as I was at the start.
  • Rosie - Does it require to be operated for it to carry out its function?
    (Inkspot) Traditionally it was legitimate to ask how many words on the card, and the answer could include a helpful addition such as "including the definite article".
  • Dandalf - Does one carry this object about on one's person?
  • Projoy - test tube
    ...except that that's a tool...
  • ImNotJohn - A frozen pipe?
    I thought I'd already posted this one, but it seems to have disappeared.
  • Raak
    [INJ] I just looked, and you didn't. (Members of the audience prophesy in tongues and cast out demons.) Very nearly!
  • Raak
    Oops, missed out all those other qns.
    [Inkspot] Not an ice cube maker.
    [Inkspot] (Receives similar raptures from the audience.) Yes (usually).
    [Rosie,Dandalf,Projoy] (A fiery chasm opens up under your feet.) No.
  • all - A burst pipe?
  • Raak
    [all] The seventh seal has been opened, the City of God is built on the Earth, and the elect rejoice for ever.) Yes, a burst pipe!
  • all
    At ----ing last

    Mineral

  • Rosie - Manufactured?
  • all
    [Rosie] Manufactured? - No
  • Irouléguy - A geographical feature?
  • Rosie - Water, in any of its forms?
  • irach - Metallic?
  • all
    [Irouléguy] geographical feature? - Yes
    [Rosie] Water? - No - *The Audience mutter to each other*
    [irach] Metallic - No
  • all
    When I say no to "Water, in any of its forms?" I mean the answer isn't water, not that water isn't involved... though it might not be.
  • Rosie - A valley of some kind?
    Most valleys round here are dry. Soon they will all be.
  • CdM - Is there more than one of these?
  • all
    [Rosie] A valley? - Of some kind, I guess
    [CdM] More than one? - No
  • Projoy - a crater?
  • Kim - Is it a named geographical feature?
  • all
    [Projoy] A crater? - No
    [Kim] Named geographical feature? - Yes, how many unnamed ones can you think of?
  • Rosie - Cheddar Gorge?
  • all
    [Rosie] Cheddar Gorge? - No.
  • Irouléguy - Is it in the northern hemisphere?
  • Projoy - Is it in the Eastern hemisphere?
  • all
    [Irouléguy] Northern Hemisphere? - Yes
    [Projoy] Eastern Hemisphere? - Eastern hemisphere? What the hell is the eastern hemisphere? At a guess I'd say no.
  • Rosie - Is it in the United States?
    (all) E Hemisphere is 0° to 180° East. Where I worked you could have a foot in both.
  • all
    [Rosie] USA? - Yes
  • Rosie - The Grand Canyon?
  • all
    [Rosie] The Grand Canyon? - No
  • ImNotJohn - In a National Park?
    [unnamed geographical features] Let's start with the 5 metre wooded slope on the other side of the road from my window.
  • Irouléguy - Death Valley?
  • all
    [InJ] National Park? - No
    [Irouléguy] Death Valley - No
  • Kim - Deptford Creek?
  • all
    [Kim] Deptford Creek? - No.
  • Irouléguy - Is it east of the Mississippi?
  • ImNotJohn - Does it have historical significance?
  • all
    [Irouléguy] East of the Mississippi? - No
    [InJ] Historical significance? - I haven't been able to find any
  • Gusset Login - *Is* there any water involved?
  • Inkspot - A mountain?
  • all
    [GL] Involves water? - Yes - *Audience wakes up*
    [Inkspot] Mountain? - No
  • Kim - Is it a river?
  • Inkspot - Is it North of Nashvillle?
  • CdM - Is it in California?
  • all
    [Kim] River? - No
    [Inkspot] North of Nashvillle? - Yes
    [CdM] California? - Yes
  • Inkspot - A desert?
  • Irouléguy - Lake Tahoe?
  • ImNotJohn - Salt Flats?
  • all
    [Inkspot] Dessert? - No
    [Irouléguy] Lake Tahoe? - YES
    [InJ] Salt Flats? - No
  • Irouléguy
    Much of Godfather 2 is set on the shores of Lake Tahoe, IIRC, which is what made me think of it.
    Feels like ages since I've had the chair - our next is ANIMAL and ABSTRACT.
  • Kim - Is the animal part human?
  • Kim - Is the animal part-human?
  • Raak - Is it a symbolic animal?
  • Irouléguy
    Kim] Is the animal part human? No
    Kim] Is the animal part-human? No
    Raak] Is it a symbolic animal? No
  • Inkspot - Is it a for legged animal?
  • irach - A pig in a poke, idiomatically
  • Irouléguy
    Inkspot] Is it a four legged animal? Yes
    irach] A pig in a poke, idiomatically? No
  • Rosie - A Cheshire cat?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie] A Cheshire cat? *murmurs of appreciation from the audience* No
  • Projoy - The cat that walks by itself?
  • all - The white rabbit?
  • Irouléguy
    Projoy] The cat that walks by itself? No
    all] The white rabbit? No
  • Raak - A cat of some sort?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] A cat of some sort? No
  • Rosie - Is the answer some characteristic of an animal rather than the animal itself?
  • Kim - Is is an animal of fiction?
  • Gusset Login - The laughing cow?
  • Raak - A part of an animal?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie] Is the answer some characteristic of an animal rather than the animal itself? No
    Kim] Is it an animal of fiction? No
    Gusset Login] The laughing cow? No
    Raak] A part of an animal? No

    *the audience worries that their murmurs may have been misinterpreted*
  • Kim - Is it an anthropomorphism?
  • Projoy - One Swallow?
  • Irouléguy
    Kim] Is it an anthropomorphism? No
    Projoy] One Swallow? No
  • irach - An animal found in the wild in Britain?
  • Dandalf - Dog in the manger?
  • Irouléguy
    irach] An animal found in the wild in Britain? *the audience prick up their ears* Part of the answer, but not the answer.
    Dandalf - Dog in the manger? No
  • Raak - Related to a specific place?
  • Rosie - Fox-hunting?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] Related to a specific place? Not a place
    Rosie - Fox-hunting? *cries of 'Tally-ho' from the audience* No
  • Inkspot - Related to a specific region?
  • Irouléguy
    Inkspot] Related to a specific region? Not a region
  • Dandalf - Scottish wild cat?
  • Kim - British Bulldog?
  • Irouléguy
    Dandalf] Scottish wild cat? No
    Kim] British Bulldog? No

    There's a clue in the phrasing of the answers to Raak and Inkspot's questions.
  • Phil - Related to a specific time?
  • Dandalf - The first cuckoo in Spring?
  • Irouléguy
    Phil] Related to a specific time? In a sense, yes, but that's not really useful Dandalf] The first cuckoo in Spring? Four legs right, two legs wrong No - see earlier answer to Inkspot
  • Gusset Login - Related to a specific county?
  • Gusset Login - Related to a specific country?
  • Raak - Related to a specific activity?
  • Rosie - Is the animal normally considered edible?
  • Irouléguy
    Gusset Login] Related to a specific county? No
    Gusset Login - Related to a specific country? No
    Raak - Related to a specific activity? No
    Rosie - Is the animal normally considered edible? *cries of "Nice one, Rosie" from the audience* Proverbially not
  • Irouléguy - Fine distinctions
    Perhaps that should be 'famously' rather than 'proverbially'.
  • Raak - The pursuit of the uneatable by the unspeakable?
  • Irouléguy
    *applause* Not the answer, but as a Wilde guess it's definitely on the right scent.
  • Dandalf
    [showing face again after bipedal gaffe! (actually I was hopeful with that since it was so topical!)] Badger?
  • Projoy - A crazy fox?
  • Irouléguy
    Dandalf] Badger? It's easy to get confused about feet - that's the advantage of the metric system *ducks* No
    Projoy - A crazy fox? *applause* Some might think so...
  • Raak - An animal puppet?
  • Projoy - Basil Brush?
  • Rosie - A rabid fox?
  • CdM - Is "fox" one of the words on the card?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] An animal puppet? No
    Projoy] Basil Brush? No
    Rosie] A rabid fox? No
    CdM] Is "fox" one of the words on the card? *loud cheering* Yes (though strictly speaking it's 'foxes')
  • CdM - Any connection to Leicester?
  • Irouléguy
    CdM] Any connection to Leicester? By definition, yes (though that could be misunderstood).
  • Raak - Anything to do with a team game?
  • Dandalf - Name of a pub?
  • Rosie - The Leicestershire Foxes?
  • Phil - Urban foxes?
  • Irouléguy
    Buy that man a drink! Yes, it's urban foxes. Over to Phil.
  • Phil
    What, me? Wow - that felt like a bit of a lurker's victory, although I see so many semi-urban foxes on a daily basis it jumped straight into my mind. So I'll set a nice simple one for now.

    ANIMAL

  • Projoy - Basil Brush?
    (it's bound to be Basil Brush sooner or later now, it's too good an idea to waste)
  • Rosie - Human?
  • Gusset Login - Alive?
  • Phil
    [Projoy] B. Brush? Not this time
    [Rosie] Human? Yes
    [GL] Alive? Yes
  • all - Is it you?
  • Phil
    [all] Me? No *applause from audience*
  • CdM - Is it a member of the morniverse community?
  • Phil
    [CdM] Morniverser? No
  • Kim - Is it someone else called Phil?
  • Gusset Login - Are they male?
  • Irouléguy - Al Murray?
  • Phil
    [Kim] Another Phil? No
    [GL] Male? No
    [Irouléguy] Al Murray? I like your thinking, but no
  • Rosie - An entertainer?
  • CdM - A specific individual?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Entertainer? No
    [CdM] Individual? Yes
  • Gusset Login - Mrs Trellis of North Wales?
  • Phil
    [GL] Mrs T of N. Wales? No, sadly. *audience laughs*
  • Irouléguy - European?
  • Raak - Someone associated with the pub trade?
  • Phil
    [Irouléguy] European? Yes
    [Raak] Pub trade? No
  • Kim - Musician?
  • Phil
    [Kim] Musician? Amateur
  • Chalky - Is this female famous for being totally vacuous, ie: a model?
  • Rosie - A politician?
    Equally vacuous.
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Famous for being vacuous? No
    [Rosie] Politician? No
  • Phil
    *Audience starts to mutter about being ignored*
  • Irouléguy - The lovely Samantha?
  • Rosie - British?
  • Projoy - Mrs Phil?
  • Phil
    [Irouléguy] Samantha? No
    [Rosie] British? Yes
    [Projoy] Mrs Phil? In a way, yes, but those are not the two words on the card. *excited applause from audience*
  • Projoy - Yo Momma?
  • all - Your wife?
  • Phil
    [Projoy] Presuming you're not "calling" me, then, essentially - YES, it was my mum all along.
  • Projoy
    OK. This one is MINERAL, mainly, with some VEGETABLE. In another sense, the whole thing is ABSTRACT.
  • Rosie - Traffic?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Traffic, no *but applause from audience*
  • Dandalf - Gridlock?
  • Projoy
    [Dandalf] gridlock, no
  • Rosie - Anything to do with broadcasting?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Broadcasting, not really, no. Not in any helpful way.
  • Rosie - Something to do with transport?
  • Irouléguy - A road?
  • all - The road to hell?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Transport, YES *applause*
    [Ig] Road, no
    [all] Road to Hell, no, and, strangely, that doesn't even lead to your getting warmer.
    [All] I think it's probably wise not to get hung up on the Abstract bit, since as abstracts go, this one is pretty concrete.
  • ImNotJohn - A transport network?
  • Chalky - The Motor Museum at Beaulieu?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Transport network, no
    [Chalky] Motor Museum, no
  • ImNotJohn - A form of transport?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Form of transport, YES
  • Dandalf
    Was going to suggest "Stairway to Heaven", but..... what about London Bus?
  • Projoy
    [Dandalf] Nope, not a London Bus
  • Kim - Something to do with the London Underground?
  • Irouléguy - A pushbike?
  • Projoy
    [Kim] Nope, not LU
    [Ig] Nope, not a pushbike
  • Rosie - Network Rail?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Nope, on the wrong track there. :)
  • Dandalf - Land transport?
  • Projoy
    [Dandalf] Land transport, YES
  • ImNotJohn - Passenger-carrying?
    (paying or otherwise)
  • Kim - Military vehicle?
  • Irouléguy - An SUV?
  • all - An RV?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Passenger-carrying, YES
    [Kim] Military, no
    [Ig] SUV, no
    [all] I don't know what that is, but certainly not the words on the card.
  • Chalky - A tram?
  • ImNotJohn - Paying passengers?
  • Dandalf - Taxi?
  • Rosie - A bus company?
  • all - a car?
    [Projoy] RV = Recreational Vehicle = Motor home
  • Projoy
    Not a tram, no paying passengers, not a taxi, not a bus company, but YES, it is a car.
  • Projoy
    (that's not the whole answer, obviously :) )
  • Dandalf - stretch limousine?
  • Irouléguy - a Ford Prefect?
  • Projoy
    [Dandalf] No, not a stretch limo
    [Ig] Not a Ford Prefect. *sustained applause*.
  • Phil - Morris Minor Traveller (the estate one)?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Nope, not a Morris Minor.
  • Irouléguy - A model-T Ford?
  • Rosie - Dagenham Dustbin?
  • ImNotJohn - A Ford Popular?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] *scattered applause*, no
    [Rosie] *laughter*, no (at least not by the definition of that phrase I just googled)
    [INJ] *more laughter and some applause, no, not at all.
  • I*mNotJohn - A currently available model?
  • Irouléguy - A Ford Focus?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Not currently available
    [Ig] Ford Focus, no.
  • all - A Reliant Robin?
  • Projoy
    RR, nope.
  • Kim - Was it a sporty model?
  • ImNotJohn - UK manufactured?
  • Projoy
    [Kim] Sporty - I don't think so.
    [INJ] UK manufactured, no.
  • ImNotJohn - An Edsel?
  • Projoy
    *rapturous applause* Congratulations. Specifically THE EDSEL ("an Edsel" wouldn't be abstract at all).
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) Being a Ford, it would be a Detroit Dustbin, then, though the phrase doesn't quite flow.
  • ImNotJohn - Not a de Lorean then?
    OK, the next one is ANIMAL
  • Projoy - human?
    [Rosie] A Detroit Trashcan, if you want to be kolchrally krekt.
  • Projoy
    [INJ] de Lorean's were manufactured in NI, weren't they?
  • ImNotJohn
    [PJ] human? - NO
    De Lorean's were manufactured in NI, that's why I asked the UK manufactured question.
  • Irouléguy - Mammal?
  • all - extinct?
  • Kim - One specific animal?
  • Rosie - An anarcho-syndicalist wildebeeste?
  • Gusset Login - Can it fly?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Iroul ] Mammal - YES
    [all ] extinct - Hmmm - (after some hesitation) NO
    [Kim ] One specific animal? - YES
    [Rosie] anarcho-syndicalist wildebeeste? - Not as such
    [GL] Can it fly - YES (some laughter in the audience)
  • Kim - A flying fox?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Kim] Flying Fox - NO
  • Projoy - Can it swim (or could it?)
  • ImNotJohn
    [PJ] could it swim - YES (I assume so)
  • Rosie - Any mythical connection?
    (Projoy) Detroit Trashcan? Nah, ain't 'llitrativ.
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] mythical connection - NO
  • irach - Animal mentioned in fiction?
  • ImNotJohn
    [irach] Animal mentioned in fiction? - Not a fictional animal (though I'm sure it has been mentioned in fiction)
  • Irouléguy - Is this animal found in the wild in Europe?
  • Dandalf - Endangered species?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Iroul] found in the wild in Europe? - NO
    [Dandalf] Endangered - NO
  • Raak - Laika?
  • Rosie - Is this animal alive now?
  • Projoy - One specific, named animal?
  • Projoy
    (rather than a species, for instance)
  • ImNotJohn - He's done it again
    [Raak] Now that's impressive. YES It is LAIKA.
    Over to you.
  • Raak
    ANIMAL CONNECTIONS
  • ImNotJohn - Is the animal human?
  • Chalky - Is the animal connected to anything?
  • Raak
    [INJ] Partly human.
    [C] Is not everything connected to everything else in the great skein of being?
  • Raak
    To put my first answer more clearly, the animal connections include human connections.
  • Chalky - Roadkill?
  • Raak
    [C] Not roadkill.
  • ImNotJohn - Is it a human construct?
    I'm taking this to be ABSTRACT with ANIMAL CONNECTIONS, unless the answer is dog leads.
  • Projoy - Metaphorical shoe-leather?
  • Raak
    [INJ] Not a human construct, and not abstract either.
    [Projoy] Not metaphorical shoe-leather.
  • ImNotJohn - umbilical cords?
    struggling to get into this
  • Raak
    [INJ] Not umbilical cords (those would definitely be Animal).
    To make the initial words more explicit, this thing is neither Animal, nor Vegetable, nor Mineral, nor Abstract, but has Animal connections.
  • Projoy - The particle zoo?
  • Irouléguy - A toadstool?
  • ImNotJohn - Does it have a sensible physical manifestation?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Not the particle zoo, whatever that is.
    [Ir] Not a toadstool.
    [INJ] Yes, it has a sensible physical manifestation.
  • Raak
    (The audience has just remembered to give an approving murmur to Irouléguy's question.)
  • Phil
    Does it exist in the real world?
  • Raak
    [Phil] Yes, it exists in the real world.
  • Projoy - Are we in the world of the very small?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Yes. (Applause!)
  • Rosie - A cell?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not a cell.
  • Rosie - A micro-organism, eg bacterium, virus, etc?
  • Chalky - DNA?
  • Projoy - E. Coli?
  • Projoy
    (smacks forehead) Not a cell. Ok, a protein base?
  • Kim - H5N1?
  • Irouléguy - The prion that causes BSE?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Yes, [Chalky] No, [Projoy] No, [I] No...
    [Kim] YES! "Bird flu" was on the card but H5N1 will do.
  • Lino Leum
  • Kim - A-tishoo!
    Thanks, folks. Let's kick off the week with a nice easy
    ANIMAL
  • Raak - A dead swan with bird flu?
  • Irouléguy - Frank Sinatra?
  • Inkspot - An insect?
  • Chalky - Human?
  • Rosie - Male?
  • Kim
    [Raak] Dead swan? No.
    [Irouleguy] Old Blue-eyes? No.
    [Inkspot] Insect? No.
    [Chalky] Human? Yes.
    [Rosie] Male? Yes.
  • Raak - Alive?
  • Chalky - A TV personality?
  • Projoy - Alive-o?
  • Inkspot - Born before 1940?
  • Irouléguy - European?
  • Kim
    [Raak] Alive? No.
    [Chalky] TV personality? No.
    [Projoy] Alive-o? No-o. Not in Dublin's fair city, nor anywhere else, for that matter.
    [Inkspot] Born before 1940? Yes.
    [IG] European? Yes.
  • Projoy - British?
  • Raak - Connected with the arts?
  • Chalky - Did he die in the 21st century?
  • Inkspot - A scientist?
  • Gusset Login - Born before 1880?
  • Kim
    [Projoy] British? Yes.
    [Raak] Connected with the arts? No.
    [Chalky]Died in 21st Century? No.
    [Inkspot] Scientist? No.
    [GL] Born before 1880? Yes.
  • Inkspot - A titled person?
  • ImNotJohn - statesman?
  • Projoy - Died in the C18th?
  • Kim
    [Inkspot] Titled? No.
    [INJ] Statesman? No.
    [Projoy] Died in C18th? Yes.
  • Irouléguy - Capability Brown?
  • Raak - Active in politics?
  • Rosie - Sir Christopher Wren?
  • Kim
    [IG] Capability Brown? No.
    [Raak] Active in politics? No.
    [Rosie] Christopher Wren? No.
  • Projoy - A philosopher?
  • Raak - Is he known through his writings?
  • Inkspot - A military person?
  • irach - Composer?
  • Irouléguy - English? (ie not Scottish or Welsh)
  • Kim
    [Projoy] Philosopher? No.
    [Inkspot] Military person. Hmmm. On balance, I would have to say Yes. *Some members of the audience stir in their sleep*
    [Irach] Composer? No.
    [IG] English? Most of the audience now sit up, yawn and stretch* The generally accepted answer to this is Yes.
  • Raak
    And my question?
  • Raak - Ned Ludd?
  • Kim - Sorry Raak!
    [Raak] Your question: known through his writings? No.
  • Kim
    [Raak] Nedd Ludd? No.
  • Gusset Login - Royal?
  • Kim
    [GL] Royal? No.
  • Rosie - Is anything named after him?
  • ImNotJohn - a craftsman?
  • Kim
    [Rosie] Anything named after him? Difficult to answer fairly without either being excessively cryptic or giving the game away, so I am going to say Yes.
    [INJ] Craftsman? Many are called craftsmen with more or less justification and he might have been, but he was not a craftsman in the "skilled artisan" sense.
  • Raak - Did he build things?
  • Kim
    [Raak] A builder of things? No.
    *The audience feels that the earlier answers that made them sit up should be considered further".
  • irach - A British artist who painted military themed paintings?
  • Raak - Did he march ten thousand men up and down a hill?
  • Irouléguy - Is there a naval connection?
  • Kim
    [irach] Artist? No.
    [Raak] Prince Andrew? No.
    [IG] Naval connection? Yes. *Some applause*
  • Chalky - Admiral Lord Nelson?
  • Rosie - Captain Cook?
  • Phil - Edward Teach (aka Blackbeard)?
  • Kim - Arrrr!
    Congrtulations, Phil! I would have accepted either answer, but you got both. *Hands over cutlass and ceremonial eyepatch to Phil*
    Why are pirates called pirates? Just because they Arrrr!
  • Phil
    Dear God, really!? I thought I was just being obtuse, by trying to work out who could be naval, somehow of a military nature, possibly have something named after them, but not into politics etc. Then I searched for pirates that died in the 18th century, and picked the most famous one. I'm somewhat surprised to have got that right, to tell the truth.
  • Phil
    Hmmm...another apparently simple one

    Vegetable

  • Rosie - David Beckham?
    A long shot, perhaps.
  • Chalky - Edible?
  • Dandalf - Living plant or product?
  • ImNotJohn - A single object?
  • Irouléguy - A host of golden daffodils?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] El Beckham? Alas, no
    [Chalky] Edible? Yes
    [Dandalf] Living plant or product? Yes
    [INJ] Single Object? No
    [Irouléguy] Host of Daffs? No
  • Rosie - Requires cooking?
  • CdM - Is it typically cultivated (as opposed to being gathered)?
  • ImNotJohn - Consists of a single vegetable rather than a mix of >1
  • Irouléguy - Is it specific to a particular country or culture?
  • Dandalf - An herb?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Requires cooking? No
    [CdM] Typically cultivated? yes
    [INJ] Single "vegetable"? Yes
    [Irouléguy] Prticular country or culture? Yes
    [Dandalf] An herb? Yes - [Applause from come audience members]
  • Phil - CORRECTION
    [Irouléguy] Particular country or culture? COrrect answer is No. Don't try to read anything into my confusion, it's just me being clumsy.
  • Chalky - watercress?
  • Rosie - Is it green, mainly?
  • all - Banana?
    (Yes it is a herb)
  • Inkspot - Does it need to be dug out of the ground?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] watercress? No
    [Rosie] Mainly green? No
    [all] Banana? Not the answer on the card - [Rapturous Applause]
  • Phil
    [Inkspot] Dug out of the ground? No
  • ImNotJohn - plantain?
  • Phil
    [INJ] Plantain? No
  • all - A Bunch of bananas?
  • irach - Banana pepper?
  • Phil
    [all] YES! "A bunch of bananas" is the phrase on the card - congrats.
  • all - um... thank you
    all - Time for a new item, this on is:

    Animal

  • Projoy - Is it an animal?
  • all
    [Projoy] Is it an animal? As opposed to Vegetable, Mineral or Abstract? Yes
  • Rosie - Is it AN animal?
  • Irouléguy - Human?
  • all
    [Rosie] Is it AN animal? - As opposed to several? Yes
    [Irouléguy] Human? - Yes
  • irach - Currently living?
  • Inkspot - Male?
  • all
    [irach] Currently living? - Opinion is divided on this one, personally I\'d say: No
    [Inkspot] Male? - Yes
  • Rosie - Jesus Christ?
  • CdM - Osama Bin Laden?
  • Projoy - Fictional?
  • Néa - Elvis Presley?
  • all
    [Rosie] Jesus Christ? - No
    [CdM] OBL? - No
    [Projoy] Fictional? - No
    [Néa] Elvis Presley? - No
  • CdM - European?
  • Raak - Margaret Thatcher?
  • Raak
    Oops, male.
  • Raak - Ariel Sharon?
  • Rosie - Lord Lucan?
    (Raak) Right the first time.
  • all
    [CdM] European? - Yes
    [Raak] Margaret Thatcher? - No
    [Raak] Ariel Sharron? No
    [Rosie] Lord Lucan? - YES
  • Rosie
    This one is MINERAL. Nothing whatsoever to do with steam engines or trombones.
  • Projoy - Something to do with the weather?
    ;-)
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) To do with the weather? - No. I forgot that one.
  • Dandalf - A barrel of crude?
  • Irouléguy - Something manufactured?
  • Inkspot - Does it need electric power?
  • Rosie
    (Dandalf) - Not a barrel of crude
    (Irouléguy) Manufactured? - Yes, generally. It's an artefact.
    (Inkspot) Does not need electric power.
  • CdM - Is it associated with a particular culture?
  • Projoy - Does it have a purpose?
  • Raak - Smaller than a toaster?
  • CdM - Are there multiple instances of it?
  • Phil - Do you own one?
  • Irouléguy - Mostly made of metal?
  • Rosie
    (CdM) - Not associated with a particular culture.
    (Projoy) - A purpose? It certainly does.
    (Raak) - Can be smaller than a toaster, but certainly not necessarily.
    (CdM) - There are lots of them.
    (Phil) - Do I own one? No, not yet.
    (Irouléguy) - Made of metal? Usually, but not necessarily.
  • ImNotJohn - Is it a household item?
    (i.e. rather than outdoors or in a public space)
  • Rosie
    (INJ) - Indoors household item? No.
  • Raak - Does it contain electronics?
  • Projoy - phone box?
  • Projoy
    Does not need electric power... Solar phonebox?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) - No electronics.
    (Projoy) Not a solar phone box, but *some appreciative murmurings from the audience*.
  • Kim - Is it a device for converting energy from one form to another?
  • Projoy - Something to do with gardening?
  • Raak - A sundial?
  • Rosie
    Well, that was quick because RAAK is the winner. Congratulations. A sundial it its. I'm making one for the wall of the back of the house. It faces south 25 degrees east so there's a nice bit of trigonometry involved.
  • Raak
    The next object is ANIMAL and ABSTRACT.
  • Rosie - Is the animal human?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not human.
  • Irouléguy - Roger Rabbit?
  • ImNotJohn - A single, named animal?
  • Inkspot - A character from a book?
  • Raak
    [I] Not Roger Rabbit.
    [I] Hm, yes and no. Strictly speaking, according to the words on the card, no.
    [I] Hm, yes and no (see previous answer). More yes than no.
  • Inkspot - A four legged animal?
  • ImNotJohn - mammal?
  • Raak
    [I] Four-legged.
    [I] Mammalian.
  • Irouléguy - Is the book a children's book?
  • Projoy - Gadarene swine?
  • Raak
    [I] Yes. (Applause!)
    [P] No.
  • Projoy - dogs?
  • Rosie - Rupert Bear?
  • Raak
    [P] Not dogs.
    [R] Not Rupert Bear.
  • Projoy - some sort of mythological beast that doesn't exist in the real world?
  • Irouléguy - A tigger?
  • Chalky - A character from a Lewis Carroll offering?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Yes.
    [I] No.
    [Chalky] Yes. (Clapping and cheering! Bunches of roses are cast up onto the stage!)
  • irach - A Grinning Cheshire cat?
  • Projoy - Snarks?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Your Snark is a Boojum, I fear.
    [i] Yes! A Cheshire cat.
    Well, that was quick.
  • irach - Well, well, well.
    This one is ANIMALS... Note the plural
  • Rosie - Cardiff City fans?
  • Phil - The Animals? (popular beat combo)
  • irach
    [Rosie] No. ... good try, though : )
    [Phil] No.
  • Raak - Are these animals found in the wild?
  • irach
    [Raak] Species-wise, one of them typically is, the other generally not. However, in this particular case, neither is found in the wild. Cryptic answer, but true.
  • Rosie - Is at least one of the animals human?
  • CdM - Is the answer two individual animals?
  • Dandalf - Following on: The Walrus and the Carpenter?
  • Inkspot - Mammals?
  • Raak - The Lion and the Unicorn?
  • Kim - The Horse and his Boy?
  • CdM - Simon and his Dancing Bear?
  • Projoy - Lady and the Tramp?
  • CdM - One Man and his Dog?
  • ImNotJohn - Ther Owl and the Pussycat?
  • irach
    [Rosie] No.
    [CdM] Yes.
    [Dandalf] No.
    [Inkspot] One of them is.
    [Raak] No.
    [Kim} No.
    [CdM} No.
    [Projoy] No.
    [CdM] No.
    [INJ] YES!!! Bravo!
  • ImNotJohn - Well, it had to be one of those
    OK then folks, the next one is ABSTRACT with ANIMAL connections
  • irach - Sly like a fox?
  • Inkspot - Jump over a lazy brown fox
  • ImNotJohn
    [irach] Sly like a fox - NO
    [inks]Jump over a lazy brown fox - NO (anyway it's 'dog' as any fan of Nevin Nollop knows)
  • irach - Crazy as a loon?
  • Projoy - Dog-tired?
  • irach - Cat-nap?
  • all - Is it a phrase?
  • ImNotJohn
    [irach] Crazy as a loon? - NO
    [PJ] Dog-tired - NO
    [irach] Cat-nap - NO
    [all] a phrase - NO (except in the sense that it consists of more than one word in a meaningful grammatical relationship)
  • Projoy - includes a verb?
  • Rosie - Bovine anarcho-syndicalism?
  • Rosie - A disease?
  • CdM - Is the animal connection human?
  • Irouléguy - Bird flu?
  • Kim - Is it a fictional animal?
  • Inkspot - An anthropomorphism?
  • ImNotJohn - slow going
    [Projoy] includes a verb? - NO
    [Rosie] Bovine anarcho-syndicalism? - Y...NO
    [ Rosie ] disease - NO
    [CdM ] Is the animal connection human? - Partly
    [ Iroul ] Bird flu? - NO
    [ Kim ] a fictional animal? - NO
    [ Inks ] anthropomorphism? - NO
  • Irouléguy - Is the animal connection human and one other animal?
  • Inkspot - A collective name for a group of animals?
  • Chalky - Is it a particular place where one might find animals/humans?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Iroul] human and one other animal? - NO
    [Inks] A collective name for a group of animals? - NO
    [Chalky] a particular place - NO
  • Rosie - Is it a property or characteristic of either an animal or a human?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Iroul] looking at your previous question I believe my answer is correct, but it may depend on what you actually meant by it. So - to clarify (and help):
    as well as the human connection there is only one other type of animal, but more than 1 of them.
    [Rosie] property or characteristic of either an animal or a human? - NO
  • Chalky - Is the answer along the lines of: ......... and the ......... ?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] Is the answer along the lines of: ......... and the ......... ? - NO
  • Projoy - The Vicar and Flock?
    Sounds like the name of pub, dunnit?
  • ImNotJohn - The audience send out for flasks and sleeping bags
    [Projoy] Vicar and Flock - NO
  • Inkspot - A piece of music?
  • CdM - Is the human connection a particular human?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Inks] music - NO
    [CdM] a particular human - NO (audience nod their heads sagely)
  • Irouléguy - Is the other type of animal a mammal?
    INJ] Thanks - that was what I meant.
  • Phil - One Man and His Dog?
  • Dandalf - The boy who cried wolf?
  • irach - Man and Beast?
  • irach - Of Mice And Men?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Iroul] mammal - YES
    [Phil] OMAHD - NO
    [Dandalf] boy who cried wolf? - NO
    [irach] Man and Beast? - NO
    [irach] Of Mice And Men? - NO
  • Phil - The Queen's Corgis?
  • irach - All the King's horses?
  • Inkspot - Is the mammal native to a particular part of the world?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Phil] Queen's Corgis? - NO
    [irach] King's horses? - NO
    [Inks] native to a particular part of the world? - NO
    (The audience has split up into card schools and choirs)
  • Inkspot - Is the human part gender specific?
  • Phil - Does the human element relate to the possessor of the mammal?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Inks] Is the human part gender specific? - Hmmm. Strictly speaking NO, but in practice, YES
    [Phil] Does the human element relate to the possessor of the mammal? - YES
    Check your assumptions.
  • all - Henry's Cat?
  • CdM - Is the human element a role/title or something similar (with a single incumbent at any given time)?
  • ImNotJohn
    [all] Henry's Cat - NO (who he?)
    [CdM] role/title/something similar - YES(ish) - but I suspect that may mislead as much as help
    single incumbent - NO
  • Inkspot - A game?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Inks] a game - NO
  • CdM - Are the non-human animals domesticated?
  • Kim - Is the abstract part a human construct?
    [INJ] How could you not know of Henry's Cat? Drawn by genius animator Bob Godfrey (last of the great painted-cell animators, none of your computerised rubbish) who was also the creator of "Rhubarb and Custard" and "Noah and Nellie" ("all aboard the skylark!"). Shame on you. How old are you, anyway?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] domesticated - YES
    [Kim] a human construct - NO is the most useful answer
    How old? Old enought not to have had a TV at the age when I would have watched such programs
  • Projoy - Is it the title of something?
  • Irouléguy - Is the non-human animal canine?
  • ImNotJohn
    [PJ] title of something? - NO, although it has been used as such
    [Iroul] canine - NO
  • Projoy - murine?
  • ImNotJohn
    [PJ] - Not one of Mickey's relatives
  • Inkspot - feline?
  • Projoy - oscine?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Inks] - feline - NO
    [PJ] oscine - I refer my learned friend to my earlier answer about mammals
  • Inkspot - Rabbit
  • Inkspot
    With a "?"
  • ImNotJohn - Do you need a clue yet?
    [Inks] Rabbit - NO (with or without ?)
  • Raak - The name of a pub?
  • Inkspot - A farm animal?
  • Projoy - The sum of human knowledge
    So far we know this:
    It's an abstract that has to do with human and mammal (just one type of mammal? Just one human? We know this not.)

    The human part may be a role, but this may be unhelpful. The human part is, in practice but not in principle, gender-specifc

    The aforesaid mammal(s) is/are domesticated (so presumably not farm animals?). Is not: dog, cat, mouse, rat, rabbit. I think that's all we know.
  • Projoy - equine?
    slightly stretching the "domesticated" category...
  • Inkspot - Smaller than a cat?
    But I would say cow is "domesticated" animal, the term should not be assumed to mean "household pet".
  • Dandalf
    [Projoy] Actually only one type of animal but more than 1 of them according to answer to Irouleguy.
  • Chalky - The PG Tips Chimps?
  • ImNotJohn - A little progress
    [Raak] a pub name - NO
    [Inks] farm animal - YES
    [PJ] equine - YES (some of the audience emerge from their stupor)
    [Inks/Chalky] - see above
    The summary is reasonable except that,as Dandalf says - you have been told that there is only one type of mammal, but more than one of them.
    I've never taken 'domesticated' to mean the same as 'domestic'.
  • Dandalf
    Why didn't the audience wake up at "King's horses" earlier on?
  • Chalky - Anything to do with horse racing?
  • Projoy - "If wishes were horses, beggars would ride"?
  • Dandalf - The four horse men of the Apocalypse?
  • Dandalf - Sorry, horsemen!
  • Raak - A herd of wild horses?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Dandalf] - Good question - in retrospect, I think they should have.
    [Chalky] horse racing? - NO
    [PJ] If wishes were horses,... - NO
    [Dandalf] Four hoarse men - NO
    [Raak] herd of wild horses? - NO
  • ImNotJohn
    Shortly going away for the long weekend - and yet I feel this one could fall quickly if someone makes the right lateral jump. I'm surprised how hard it is proving.
    In retrospect the 'kings horses' should have got some applause.
  • Inkspot - a work horse?
  • Projoy - Hobby Horse
  • irach - Wild horses wouldn't drag me...?
  • irach - Sagittarii?
  • CdM - Is the word "horses" on the card?
  • Dandalf
    Can I have two guesses? Horsetrader? Charge of the light brigade?
  • Dandalf
    P.S. Also going away for long weekend
  • CdM
    Charge of the light brigade is a very good guess, I think. But I am not sure why the audience would have 'nodded sagely' at my 'particular human?' question, and I would have thought that it was gender-specific in principle. Also, if it is right, then 'King's horses' definitely should have won applause!
  • Irouléguy - Anything to do with show-jumping?
    In case 'Charge of the Light Brigade' is wrong.
  • irach - Yankee Doodle and Pony?
  • ImNotJohn - We have a winner
    Dandalf was right 'Charge of the Light Brigade' it is.
    As I later admitted - King's Horses should have won applause. I can only say that I didn't have a lot of time when I posted that and I also didn't anticipate that it would prove as difficult as it did. Particular human - NO, but 600 particular humans. Gender-specific not now, but yes, then. All arguable.
    Anyway, sorry to have kept you waiting, but I've had a very nice weekend away in Mid-Wales and my laptop was not going to come with me.
    Over to Dandalf
  • Dandalf
    Well back from my long weekend to find I'd guessed right. Actually I was hesitant about C of the L.B. because of the gender thing - but then thought that the equines probably included both stallions and mares! : ) Whatever - here goes with ABSTRACT with no connections whatsoever. (Oh dear, what have I let myself in for?!?)
  • Inkspot - Is it a force?
  • Phil - Is it a state of mind?
  • Rosie - Can it exist without the perception of a sentient being?
  • Raak - To do with mathematics?
  • Dandalf
    [Inkspot] Force? NO
    [Phil] State of mind? Er...YES. Audience stops groaning.
    [Rosie] NO. Half-hearted ripple of applause.
    [Raak] Maths? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Applies only to humans/human minds?
  • Raak - A mystical vision?
  • Irouléguy - Melancholy?
  • Rosie - An agreeable state of mind?
  • Dandalf
    [INJ] H/H minds only? YES (...or NO?)
    [Raak] M.V. NO
    [Irouleguy] Melancholy? NO
    [Rosie] YES (but paradoxically could be NO!)
  • ImNotJohn - indecisiveness?
  • Raak - Connected with a physical activity?
  • Projoy - Lust?
  • Dandalf
    [INJ] Definitely NOT indecisiveness :)
    [Raak] NOT connected with physical activity
    [Projoy]NOT Lust
  • Phil - Sleep?
  • Raak - Success?
  • Rosie - Hope?
  • Dandalf
    [Phil] NOT sleep (which is what audience is settling down to!)
    [Raak] NOT Success (which is what is not being achieved!)
    [Rosie] NOT Hope (which you shouldn't lose!).
  • Raak - Single-mindedness?
  • CdM - Is it visible on a brain scan?
  • Kim - Does it have anything to do with perception of the future?
  • Phil - Love?
  • Chalky - Does the word end with .... ness?
  • Dandalf
    [Raak] Singlemindedness NO
    [CdM] NOT visible on brain scan
    [Kim] NOT connected to prediction
    [Phil] NOT love
    [Chalky] One of the words on the card does end with ..ness. (Audience stirs).
  • Chalky - Is this a two-word answer?
  • Dandalf
    [Chalky] Five words on the card incl. 1 article and 1 preposition.
  • Raak - A piece of my mind?
    As in, giving someone ___.
  • CdM - A piece of my mindness? A pieceness of my mind?
  • ImNotJohn - The Unbearable Lightness of Being?
  • CdM - *applauds*
  • CdM
    (If that isn't right, it should be)
  • Dandalf
    Spot On!! Wild applause. Well done INJ.
  • ImNotJohn - Ooh - me again!
    OK, this is ANIMAL with ABSTRACT connections
  • Chalky - All the King's Horses?
  • Dandalf - One of the King's Horses?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky / Dandalf] King's Horses - NO to both,
  • all - Is the animal human?
  • ImNotJohn
    [all] human - NO
  • Irouléguy - One particular animal?
  • Projoy - Alive (when it's at home)?
  • Rosie - A domesticated animal?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Iroul] One particular animal? - NO
    [PJ] alive? - YES
    [Iroul] domesticated? - NO
  • ImNotJohn
    Sorry. The last one was the answer to Rosie, of course - Ah, the joys of copy and paste.
  • Raak - A herd of wild horses?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] herd of wild horses - NO
  • CdM - Is the answer on the card a well-known phrase or saying?
  • Rosie - Is the beastie timorous? (eg not a lion)
  • CdM - One particular species?
  • Raak - Are they insects?
  • Inkspot - Associated with a work of fiction?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] a well-known phrase or saying? - NO - not fair to call it well-known
    [Rosie] timorous - NO - that isn't an adjective you'd normally expect to use (but neither is 'fierce')
    [[CdM] One particular species? - YES - (smattering of applause)
    [Raak] insects? - NO
    [Inks] Associated with a work of fiction? - NO
    [Iroul] There are 2 ways of reading your penultimate question (one particular animal?).
  • Raak - A horde of wild hearses?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] - NO
  • Raak - Might They Be Giants?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] - NO
  • Projoy - Is the animal bigger than a domestic cat?
  • CdM - Is the answer on the card the title of something?
  • ImNotJohn
    [PJ] Bigger than a cat - NO
    [CdM] title of something - NO
  • CdM - Is the answer on the card a quotation from something?
  • Inkspot - A bird?
  • Projoy - An insect?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] a quotation? - NO
    [Inks] a bird - YES (some applause)
    [PJ] - NO
  • Chalky - A Flock of Seagulls?
  • ImNotJohn - getting warmer
    [Chalky] A Flock of Seagulls? - NO (hearty applause)
  • Projoy - The multitude of swallows that *does* make a Summer
  • Irouléguy - Getting your ducks in a row?
    INJ] True - I meant one specific animal, as in Lassie, Trigger, Skippy...God, I'm old.
  • ImNotJohn - audience settles down a bit again
    [PJ] The multitude of swallows that *does* make a Summer - NO
    [Iroul] ducks in a row? - NO
    [Iroul] That's what I assumed in my response - (BTW I nearly chose 'Champion the Wonder Horse')
  • Projoy - Some sort of sea bird?
  • Rosie - An emblem or icon of some sort?
  • ImNotJohn
    [PJ] sea bird - NO (that's not why they applauded)
    [Rosie] emblem/icon - NO
  • Raak - Are there four and twenty of them?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Are there four and twenty of them? - NO (but a few wry grins amongst the audience)
  • Projoy - Game bird?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] Game Bird? - NO
  • ImNotJohn
    [PJ] Well, not in this country. ;o)
  • Projoy - Found in this country?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] Found in this country? - YES
  • Chalky - Do the words on the card include a collective noun?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] collective noun - YES (prolonged applause)
  • Projoy - A murder of crows?
  • ImNotJohn - Soooooooo Close
    [Projoy] A murder of crows? - NO (but it's hard to see how you could get closer without getting it)
  • Projoy - A murder of ravens?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] - A murder of ravens? - NO (but I'm tempted to give it to you anyway - right bird, wrong venereal term - so it was possible to get closer!)
  • CdM - An unkindness?
  • ImNotJohn - Nicely Timed
    We have a winner - An Unkindness of Ravens it is. A bit tough on Projoy, plus an honourable mention for Chalky, but there you go. Over to CdM just before I have to think about logging out and going home.
  • Projoy
    I went for (and stuck with) "murder" because of the wry grins at four and twenty blackbirds (who were violently killed, of course), and you do often hear "a murder of ravens" even tho "unkindness" is the more standard term. Nemmind. CdM has it.
  • ImNotJohn
    [PJ] The 'wry grins' were because they were 'black birds'.
  • CdM
    Yes, I stood on the shoulders of giants there. Still, as the saying goes, 'he who larks last, shall be exalted'.
    ABSTRACT, with ANIMAL connections
  • Projoy - Live animal(s)?
  • CdM
    Live? The least misleading answer is YES, although I could add also NO.
  • Raak - Fictional animals?
  • Inkspot - Time related?
  • ImNotJohn - A single type of animal?
  • Chalky - Is this a place?
  • CdM
    Fictional animals? No.
    Time related? The answer doesn't have anything to do with time. (There is a particular sense in which I could say it is time-related but I don't think that is helpful.)
    Single type of animal? Yes.
    A place? No.
  • ImNotJohn - A single named animal?
  • CdM
    Single named animal? If I understand the question correctly, the answer is NO.
  • Chalky - Is the animal connection human?
  • CdM
    Human? YES.
  • Inkspot - A theatrical connection?
  • CdM
    Theatrical Connection? None that I am aware of.
  • Projoy - Is it a saying?
    (Not the seven ages of man, then)
  • Raak - The present king of France?
  • Inkspot - Is there one at the moment?
  • CdM
    A saying? NO.
    Louis XXIV? NO.
    One at the moment? YES. (By which I mean that the answer on the card currently exists. As a minor clue/clarification, my previous answer re "time-related" was because the answer on the card did not always exist and probably will not always exist in the future. I was probably overthinking my answers...)
  • Irouléguy - Is it sport-related?
  • Phil - The Monarchy?
  • CdM
    Sport-related? NO.
    Monarchy? NO. (some laughter)
  • Projoy - Democracy?
  • CdM
    Democracy? NO.
  • Phil - The Goons?
    I'm trying to think of constructive questions, rather than guesses, but the laughter has me intrigued.
  • Raak - Punk (the supposed form of music)?
  • Projoy - Is it the name of a job?
  • Néa - Anything to do with anarcho-syndicalism?
  • CdM
    The Goons. NO. more laughter
    Punk? NO.
    Name of a job? NO. smattering of applause
    To do with anarcho-syndicalism? YES! loud applause
  • Irouléguy - The Durutti Column?
  • Phil - The International Workers Association?
  • CdM
    Durutti Column? NO. (some applause)
    IWA? NO. (some applause)
  • Raak - Does it have a specifically British connection?
  • CdM
    British connection? NO. (a pin drops noisily)
  • Raak - Is it a political organisation?
  • CdM
    Political organisation? YES. (applause)
  • Irouléguy - The Spanish FAI (Federacion Anarquista Iberica)?
  • CdM
    FAI? NO. (loud applause) (this is a very helpful audience)
  • Néa - Confederación Nacional del Trabajo?
  • CdM
    CNT? YES! *refuses to pass the baton as it is a symbol of bourgeois oppression*
  • Néa
    Courtesy of the wiki random article feature, here is a VEGETABLE.
  • ImNotJohn - edible?
  • CdM - manufactured/processed?
  • Rosie - Is it *A* vegetable?
  • Néa
    [INJ] NO.
    [CdM] NO.
    [Rosie] YES.
  • Raak - Is it a tree?
  • CdM - Tropical?
  • Néa
    [Raak] NO.
    [CdM] YES.
  • ImNotJohn - a flower?
    (in the normal sense of the term - not just an angiosperm)
  • Néa
    [INJ] YES.
  • CdM - Lotus?
  • Néa
    [CdM] NO.
  • irach - Hibiscus?
  • Raak - Rafflesia?
  • ImNotJohn - Available in European florists? (on a reasonably regular basis)
  • Néa
    [irach] NO (but at this and the previous question, the audience is starting to pay attention)
    [Raak] NO (but ditto)
    [INJ] YES -- at least, I am fairly sure about the "reasonably regular" part.
  • Phil - Orchid?
    Incidentally, Néa, I'm still bemused as to where your "anarcho-syndicalism" question came from?
  • Néa
    [Phil] NO. (Audience loses a degree of interest.)
    Anarcho-syndicalism -- it was the laughter at "monarchy" that put the idea into my head :-)
  • ImNotJohn - Native to Africa?
    (If you like, you can assume I'll ask the other questions until I get a YES)
  • Néa - Good idea
    [INJ] Africa? NO.
    South America? NO.
    Central America? NO.
    Australia? NO.
    Asia? YES.
    (Needless to say, it was the last one you asked about. 'Tis ever so.)
  • Phil - Hyacinth?
    Native only to Asia restricts things a bit.
    [Néa] I'd never even heard of it myself, hence my utter bemusement.
  • Projoy - Asian Almond (sterculia foetida)?
    ...which, by any other name, would smell as foul.
  • Projoy - I meant Indian almond.
  • Néa
    [Phil] NO (audience interest remains on same level as before). Re: an-synd -- that has been something of a running gag in this game, which made it a more obvious thing to guess. (Mr Néa is active in the Swedish anarcho syndicalists. I don't sympathise with them myself, though.)
    [Projoy] NO (audience pricks up ears slightly)
  • Néa - There seems to be some confusion as to the Latin name of the Indian almond
    Neither Sterculia Foetida (which I have down as Java olive) nor Terminalia Catappa is correct.
  • Inkspot - Is usually a particular colour?
  • Néa
    [Inkspot] YES.
  • flerdle - Jasmine?
  • irach - Sakura Cherry blossoms?
  • Dandalf - Indian Lilac?
  • Irouléguy - A member of the rhododendron genus?
  • Néa
    [flerdle, irach, Dandalf, Irouléguy] NO. (The audience, having become a little restless, regains some order at flerdle's guess -- but quickly loses it again.)
  • ImNotJohn - noted for fragrance?
  • Néa
    [INJ] NO.
  • ImNotJohn - Himalayan Poppy?
  • Inkspot - Peony?
  • Néa - Remember: Tropical
    [INJ] NO.
    [Inkspot] NO.
    (There is a distinct lack of order among the audience.)
  • Inkspot - A bromeliad?
  • Raak - An orchid?
  • Projoy - Saffron?
    (sources disagree about its nativity)
  • Irouléguy - Tea?
  • Projoy
    (curses - sources agree that it's not a flower, and that it's not tropical!)
  • Projoy - Leptospermum?
  • Néa
    [Inkspot] NO.
    [Raak] Still NO.
    [Projoy] NO.
    [Irouléguy] Yes please! Black, no sugar. Oh, sorry. NO.
    [Projoy] NO.
  • CdM
    OK... I think Néa is giving us a hint with "order" in reference to flerdle's guess of Jasmine. The internets tell me that Jasmine is in the order Lamiales, and also tell me that there are about 11,000 species in this order. So -- now to take a leaf out of INJ's book...
  • CdM - Chinese violet?
    (If you like, you can assume I'll ask the other 10,999 questions until I get a YES)
  • Néa
    [CdM] NO. (The audience cheers when hearing the reasoning behind the guess.)
    I'm sorry, I don't think I'll assume that :-)
  • Inkspot - Is the colour usually yellow?
  • Néa
    [Inkspot] NO.
  • CdM - Clarification please...
    You answered earlier that it is not edible. Is it actually poisonous, or just not usually eaten?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the colour usually red/pink?
  • Inkspot - An Iris?
  • Raak - Is its colour part of its name?
  • Irouléguy - Is a country or area part of its name?
  • Néa
    [CdM] The information I've found on the subject says "not poisonous".
    [INJ] YES.
    [Inkspot] NO.
    [Raak] NO.
    [Irouléguy] NO.
  • Inkspot - Is it grown here as a house rather than garden plant?
  • Néa
    [Inkspot] YES.
  • CdM - Is it grown here as a house rather than garden plant?
  • ImNotJohn - Grown for foliage rather than flower?
  • Néa - Er...
    I was assuming an omitted "plant" in Inkspot's question, whereas I'm assuming that CdM is just being silly (often a safe assumption to make!)
    [INJ] NO -- at least, I wouldn't think so.
  • CdM
    No, I was simply pointing out that "here" has many meanings in the morniverse. You haven't answered my question.
  • Néa
    [CdM] I'm sorry, that was too subtle for me. In that case, NO.
  • Projoy - Acanthus?
  • Projoy
    (Was gonna say Buddlea (sp?) but realised I have one out in the back garden, then realised that Acanthus is also grown outdoors in Europe and isn't native to Asia. I think I'd better retire from this round :) )
  • CdM - Is it carnivorous?
  • Projoy
    (BTW, while floundering about on google for possible answers, I came across this rather fetching description of an Asian houseplant: "Coral Berry - Ardisia Crenata, from southeast Asia. Very slow growing plant. Has shiny green leaves and very small pink or shite flowers followed by brilliant red berries.")
  • Néa
    [Projoy] NO. (An elderly gentleman in the back row starts clapping, but his neighbour shushes him). Some Acanthus species are native to Asia, though -- Acanthus ilicifolius for instance.

    Incidentally, I may need to make a clarification. When I say "garden plant" I mean something that actually grows in the garden and is outdoors all year round, rather than plants like olive trees for instance, which can be taken outside (in this here climate) in summer but must come in when the snow arrives.
  • Néa
    [CdM] NO.
  • Néa - What You Know
    You're looking for a plant of the order Lamiales, with (usually) red or pink flowers, which is native to a tropical part of Asia and doesn't grow very well in British (or Swedish) gardens. It will not eat your pets or children. It's not usually eaten but probably not poisonous, its colour or homeland cannot be divulged from its name -- oh, and it has a Wikipedia entry (since that's how I found it in the first place).
  • Dandalf
    I think we also know that the colour is red/pink. Could it be the red-flowered Campsis grandiflora, the Trumpet Vine, of which I have an uncontrollable specimen in my garden (not UK!)? I believe it's of Asian origin.
  • Néa - Yes, I think you know that, too.
    [Dandalf] NO.
  • Irouléguy - The Bignoniaceae family?
  • Néa
    [Irouléguy] NO.
  • flerdle - coleus (solenostemon)?
    Although it's better known for its leaves than its flowers, and is also from Africa. Worth mentioning and eliminating, though...
  • Phil - Strobilanthes?
  • CdM
    I think we also know that it is probably readily available in European florists.
  • ImNotJohn - lipstick plant?
  • Inkspot - From the Lamiaceae family?
  • Néa
    [flerdle] NO.
    [Phil] NO.
    [INJ] Those are not the words on the card. (audience goes wild!)
    [Inkspot] NO.
  • ImNotJohn - Aeschynanthus radicans?
    (assuming we're talking about the actual plant rather than the genus Aeschynanthus)
  • CdM - Aeschynanthus radicans?
    INJ just beat me to this: (Really just to finish things off -- if this is correct, INJ gets the baton.)
  • Néa - That's the epiphyte!
    [INJ, CdM] YES!! Well guessed, both of you -- but INJ was first. One lipstick-shaped baton for you, sir.
  • CdM
    er, and if you want to know why I posted anyway after the simulpost, rather than just deleting my post, well, that's a really good question.
  • ImNotJohn - You can tell work's a bit slack - can't you?
    [Néa] - Nice clue on Acanthus. You must know better florists than me - though I do admit to knowing the plant very vaguely.

    Anyway, off we go again with ABSTRACT with ANIMAL connections

  • Raak - A mythical animal?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] mythical - NO
  • Néa - Animal = human?
    [INJ] Thank you - I was hoping somebody would get the clue! I didn't know the plant very well myself, but now I've read up on it rather a lot. Very educational game, this.
  • ImNotJohn
    [Néa] human - YES
  • Néa - An activity of some kind?
  • Raak - A political movement?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Néa] An activity - NO
    [Raak] political movement? - NO
  • Irouléguy - Is it found in all cultures?
  • Raak - A symbol?
  • Phil
    [Néa] I skipped that plant due to mis-reading the colour :( Ah, well - well done INJ
  • Néa - To do with language?
    [Phil] Happens to the best of us. (Obviously.)
  • ImNotJohn
    [Iroul] found in all cultures? - NO (but be careful about your assumptions)
    [Raak] symbol - NO
    [Néa] To do with language? - NO (or only in a vague sense)
  • Projoy - found in at least one non-European culture?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] found in at least one non-European culture? - YES
  • Rosie - A public position, in the broadest sense?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] public position - NO (no matter how broadly drawn)
  • Projoy - Related to an Asian culture?
    If you like, you can assume I will ask all the related questions. :)
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] Related to an Asian culture? - NO not as such, but not unknown in much (most?) of Asia
    African - see Asian
    South American - see Asian
    North American - YES
    European - see N American (though some people might disagree)
    The audience heckles this display of generosity
  • CdM - Related to entertainment?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Related to entertainment? - YES (some applause)
  • Irouléguy - Some form of music?
  • ImNotJohn - Now we're getting somewhere
    [Iroul] Some form of music? - YES (further applause)
  • Phil - Jazz?
  • Projoy - religious music?
  • Rosie - Country?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Phil/Projoy/Rosie] - NO
    (to clarify my response to Irouléguy - I didn't take it to mean ' do the words on the card define a form of music?' - just 'is the area of entertainment some form of music?'
  • Projoy - The name of a piece?
  • Raak - An organised group of people?
  • ImNotJohn
    [PJ] name of a piece? - YES
    [Raak] group of people? - NO
  • Inkspot - Was it around before 1900?
  • CdM - Does it have a known composer (or composers)?
  • Projoy - Was it around before 1950
  • Projoy
    Actually, I'll take a guess... Fanfare for the Common Man?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Inks & Projoy] Pre 1950 - NO
    [CdM] known composer - YES
    [Projoy] Fanfare for the Common Man? - NO
  • Inkspot - Is the compser also associated as the performer of the piece?
  • ImNotJohn
    Inks composer = performer - NO not normally associated as such
    Minor correction I think the '(though some people might disagree)' is misleading, so Related to a European Culture = YES
  • Raak - Pop music? (broadly understood as "the sort of stuff that young people like")
  • CdM - Is the animal connection something more than "written by a human"?
  • Raak
    [Raak] Pop Music - YES and NO
    [CdM] animal connection something more than "written by a human"? - YES (but not a lot)
  • ImNotJohn
    Sorry, that was me, of course. And as an apology: the Yes & No is partly caused by the definition given.
  • Rosie - Is a human referred to in the title?
  • CdM - Would most people here know the composer if they heard the piece?
  • CdM - Does the piece have lyrics?
    (sorry for double question, but I thought of this question, which I like a lot better, only after I hit the "stand" button)
  • ImNotJohn - Homing in on it steadily
    [Rosie] human referred to in the title? - NO
    [CdM] Would most people here know the composer? - NO (though I think some would)
    [CdM] lyrics - YES (some applause)
  • CdM - Written in the 1960s?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] 60s - YES
  • Irouléguy - A stand-alone piece of music, or part of a larger work?
    INJ] Thanks, that's what I meant (many moons ago)
  • Projoy - folk music?
  • Dandalf - Rock Opera?
  • Phil - Is an orchestra involved in the perfornance of it?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Iroul] A stand-alone piece of music, or part of a larger work? - YES (oh, all right - stand-alone)
    [Projoy] folk - NO
    [Dandalf] Rock Opera - NO
    [Phil] orchestra involved - Frequently
  • Irouléguy - Was it a hit in the UK?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Iroul] UK hit - YES
  • CdM - Are the words on the card the title of a song?
    (just checking assumptions here)
  • Projoy - pop?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] Pop? - As I said when this question was last asked, the problem is the definition of terms here. Popular = YES
  • Inkspot - Was it a hit for a popular beat combo?
  • ImNotJohn - Half Man Half Biscuit
    [Inks] a hit for a popular beat combo? - NO (or for greater precision - 'YES, but not primarily')
  • CdM - Are you going to answer my question?
  • Inkspot - A theme tune?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Are you going to answer my question? - YES
    [Inks] Theme Tune - NO
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Are the words on the card the title of a song? - YES
  • Projoy - A solo artist, then?
  • Inkspot - American composer and British singer?
    I now have Dusty Springfield on a loop singing "I just don't know wat to do with myself" but then it is Friday.
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] Solo Artist? - YES (most famously)
    [Inks] American composer? - NO
    [Inks] British singer? - NO
    Where appropriate the expression '(most famously)' should be considered as inserted.
  • Projoy - British composer?
  • Dandalf - American singer?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] British composer? - NO
    [Dandalf] American Singer - YES (audience doesn't actually clap, but is definitely perking up)
  • Projoy - European composer?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] European composer? - YES
  • flerdle - Do one or more colours feature in either the title or the words?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Flerdle] colours? - NO (title nor words)
  • Inkspot - A French song rejigged by a Canadian?
  • Irouléguy - (Most famously) a female singer?
  • Dandalf - Does a non-human animal feature in either words or title?
  • Dandalf - Strike that (animal=human). A (m. f.)male singer?
  • Inkspot - Is the composer Jaques Brel?
  • Raak - A Bob Dylan song?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Inks] French Song - YES (many of the audience look bemused)
    rejigged by Canadian - NO
    [Iroul/Dandalf] - A male singer (m.f.)
    [Inks] Jacques Brel - NO
    [Raak] Zimmerman - NO
    There's an unchallenged assumption in some of these questions - not yet crucial, but....
  • ImNotJohn - OOOOOPS
    [Inks] SORRY the rejigged by Canadian was YES (and had I said so at the time there would have been a lot of applause
  • Projoy - anything to do with a movie?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] to do with a movie - NO - (I reckon Inkspot knows the answer)
  • flerdle - Is it most famous for instrumental versions of it?
  • flerdle
    Perhaps I really meant "are the versions most commonly heard now instrumental versions".
  • Inkspot - My Way?
  • ImNotJohn - HUZZAH
    We have a winner MY WAY it is (Originally 'Comme d'habitude', written by Claude François and Jacques Revaux, English language version by Paul Anka - who is of course, Canadian, as I really did know)
    Passing the microphone to Inkspot
  • Inkspot - yay!
    Thank you INJ, a bit tricky at the end there as I was torn between Sinatra and Scott Walker and goes back to the "Related to Asian ....Europe" reply.

    Anyhoo into the weekend with MINERAL

  • flerdle - Is it usually brown?
  • ImNotJohn - manufactured?
    Congrats - The culture question was a bit tricky as I reckon it's known at least everywhere that knows of Sinatra or karaoke. The unchallenged assumption was the single 'composer'.
  • Dandalf - Metal?
  • Inkspot
    [flerdle] Is it usually brown - No
    [ImNotJohn] manufactured - No
    [Dandalf] Metal - No (it is in such very low qunatities that a Yes could be misleading)
  • ImNotJohn - A physical geographical feature?
  • Rosie - Essentially water?
  • Inkspot
    [ImNotJohn] A physical geographical feature - No
    [Rosie] Essentially water - No (a few chuckles from the audience)
  • ImNotJohn - solid?
  • Tuj - An astronomical object?
  • Raak - To do with petrochemicals?
  • Projoy - A geographical feature?
  • Inkspot
    [ImNotJohn] solid - No
    [Tuj] An astronomical object - Yes (loud applause from the audience)
    [Raak] To do with petrochemicals - No
    [Projoy] A geographical feature - No
  • Inkspot
    (as the applause dies down, on or two mutter about solid but are shhhushed and elbowed)
  • Projoy - A planet?
  • Raak - A comet?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Not essentially water. Or are some comets made of something else?
  • Inkspot
    [Projoy] A planet - No (some of the audience mutter and start to pay atttention)
    [Raak] A comet - No
  • Dandalf - A meteorite?
  • Néa - A moon?
  • Phil - A star?
  • Inkspot
    [Dandalf] A meteorite - No
    [Néa] A moon - No (there is some uncalled for throwing of solid objects around)
    [Phil] A star - Yes (There is an oooooohhhh as everyone settles down again)
  • irach - The sun?
  • Raak - A well-known star?
  • Inkspot
    [irach] The sun - YES it was our very own G2 star
    [Raak] A well-known star - yes but...
    irach well done over to you the throne is yours
  • irach
    Thanks... Here goes
    This one is mostly ANIMAL with a little bit of MINERAL.
  • Néa - A woman in a chainmail bikini?
  • Phil - Is the animal part human?
  • Tuj - A belt?
  • irach
    [Nea] I wish it were, but No
    [Phil] No
    [Tuj] No
  • Rosie - A leather jacket?
  • irach
    [Rosie] No
  • Raak - Is the animal part alive?
  • Néa - Is the animal a mammal?
  • irach
    [Raak] No
    [Nea]Yes. A mammalian source. (The audience stifles its collective yawn mid-yawn at this disclosure)
  • Rosie - An item of clothing?
  • Phil - Is the animal part edible?
  • Inkspot - Is the finished item mass produced?
  • Irouléguy - Some sort of dairy product?
  • Raak - A trumpet made from a yak femur with a metal mouthpiece?
  • flerdle - Custard pie in a tin plate?
  • irach
    [Rosie] No.
    [Phil} Yes. (the audience sits up, taking notice)
    [Inkspot] Yes. In certain climes.
    [Irouleguy] Yes! (The audience now cheers)[Raak] No femurs or any skeletal remains involved, nor any Tibetan bovine connection
    [flerdle] No, unfortuntely.
  • Dandalf - Is the animal part ivory?
  • Projoy - Egg?
  • Raak - Lassi?
  • irach
    [Danfdalf] No, not ivory, since it's edible... (see response to Phil above. I don't believe ivory is edible,in any culture, or even compatible with human digestion.)
    [Projoy]No. (Not an egg, since it it comes from an aforementioned mammalian source. No, not even a platypus or echidna egg)
    [Raak] No, but continue to think various ethnic (the audience nudges one another in anticipation as it holds its collective breath).
  • Irouléguy - Yoghurt?
  • Raak - Is the mineral salt?
  • Projoy - Raita?
  • Tuj - Is the mineral part metal?
  • Phil - Blue Cheese?
  • irach
    [Irouleguy] No, not yoghurt.
    [Raak] Yes. The mineral is indeed salt
    Raita. No. Think a diffrent ethnicity from Lassi and raita, yet a moo-vable feast.
    [Phil] No, but oh, so close- (The audience stomps its feet in apreciation)
  • flerdle - Haloumi?
  • Phil - Feta?
  • ImNotJohn - French?
  • Inkspot - Italian?
  • Projoy - Stilton?
  • Projoy
    Hm. Added salt - mozzarella?
  • Dandalf
    [irach] Clearly you've never enjoyed "Oreilles d'elephant au gratin d'ivoire!" :)
  • ImNotJohn - The name of a specific cheese?
    (I take the 'moo-vable feast' to mean that this ios a cows milk cheese)
  • Irouléguy - Labneh?
  • Projoy - Some sort of dressing?
  • irach
    [flerdle] Not haloumi
    [Phil] Not feta
    [INJ] Oui! The audience rises to its collective feet, kiss one another on both cheeks, and begin a raucous rendition of "Le Marseillase".
    [Inkspot] No
    [Projoy] No.
    [INJ] Yes, name of a specific cheese.
    [Irouleguy] Not labneh
    [Projoy]Not a dressing.
  • irach
    [INJ] (Wikipedia confirms that it is a cow's milk product)
  • irach
    [Dandalf] While I have eaten fried alligator, and even braved a possum stew once, I have never had the opportunity of partaking of "Oreilles d'elephant au gratin d'ivoire". Do they serve it at L'Pergolese in Paris? Dined there last Wednesday, and it wasn't on the menu that day.
  • ImNotJohn - A soft cheese?
    (brie/camembert type rather than say Tomme)
  • CdM - Munster?
    [INJ] I am guessing not. The salt is probably a brine wash.
  • CdM - oops
    [INJ] Sorry, I was wrong. Googling confirms that brie is salted as well. I didn't know that.
  • Dandalf - Roquefort?
    [irach] Not at L'Pergolese, it is a speciality of the Cote d'Ivoire. No longer served in Paris because of CITES restrictions on the export of ivory. Sadly also being phased out in C d'I as source of main ingredients considered endangered, but is being replaced by col de giraffe tranché au Roquefort (q.v.)
  • irach
    [INJ] Yes! It was Brie. (While Brie doesn't have as high a salt content as Cheddar for example, it does have a moderate salt content, as CdM determined by his Googling).
    [CdM] Not Munster
    [Dandolf] Good guess, but Non
    Take it away, ImNotJohn!
  • CdM - Useless trivia "R" us
    Roquefort is a sheep's milk cheese...
  • ImNotJohn
    Well, technically, I didn't actually guess it; still, here goes with MINERAL and VEGETABLE
  • Phil
    The Stone Roses?
  • Rosie - Edible?
  • CdM - A geographical feature?
    [INJ] Not only did you not get it, we still don't even know what kind of brie we were talking about. Brie de Meaux? Brie de Melun? Brie de Nangis? Brie de Reactor?
  • Inkspot - A manufactured item?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Phil] Stone Roses - NO
    [Rosie] Edible - NO
    [CdM] geographical feature? - NO (ish)
    [Inks] A manufactured item? - YES (ish)
    (depending on definitions of feature and item)
  • Chalky - A building?
  • CdM - Is there just one of these?
  • Raak - Is the mineral salt?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] building - YES (applause)
    [CdM] Just one - YES
    [Raak] Is the mineral salt? - NO
  • Kim - An ancient building?
  • Tuj - In Asia?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Kim] ancient - depends on definition, but I would say NO (and in one sense at least - NO)
    [Tuj] Asia - NO
  • Tuj - Europe?
    Heehee
  • ImNotJohn
    [Tuj] Asia - NO (keep going.........)
  • ImNotJohn
    Sorry - that's Europe - NO
  • Tuj - The Americas?
    Keep going? If you insist!
  • ImNotJohn
    [Tuj] Americas? - NO (You see, Néa was right)
  • Inkspot - Austrailia?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Inks] Austrailia? - NO (nor is it Australia?;o))
  • Projoy - Africa?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] - Africa - YES - now are we going to go through the countries?
  • Néa - Sub-Saharan?
    Let's narrow it down.
  • ImNotJohn
    [Néa] Sub-Saharan? - NO (a little ripple of interest in the audience)
  • Inkspot - A public building?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Inks] Public building - YES
  • Projoy - The New Alexandria Library?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] The New Alexandria Library? - NO
  • Inkspot - Built after 1900?
  • Tuj - In Egypt?
  • Raak - A wooden building?
  • Rosie - B & Q, Benghazi?
    I don't think I'm going to get this one.
  • CdM - Famous for something?
  • irach - The Sphinx? (As far as I know straw and reeds were used in its and the pyramids' construction l in addition to stone and mud).
  • ImNotJohn
    [Inks] Built after 1900? - YES (and NO and YES)
    [Tuj] Egypt? - NO
    [Raak] A wooden building? - mostly NO, but partly
    [Rosie] B & Q, Benghazi? - NO (it's a Focus in Benghazi)
    [CdM] Famous for something? - not really sure what you mean - it is famous in its own right
    [irach] Sphinx? - NO
  • CdM - In Morocco?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Morocco - NO
  • Tuj - Tunisia?
    *sigh*
  • Inkspot - Is it in a former French colony?
  • Néa - Great Mosque of Djenné?
    Maybe not strictly sub-Saharan, but...
  • Projoy - Colonel Gadaffi's Tent?
  • Dandalf - The Knesset?
  • ImNotJohn - YAY!
    And the winner is NÉA. It is the Great Mosque of Djenné, the largest mud building in the world, originally built in the 1240, knocked down definitively in 1897, rebuilt in 1907, but also partly rebuilt twice a year - hence my answer about post 1900.
    I did hesitate about the 'sub-saharan' question but decided NO was the more informative answer.
  • ImNotJohn
    (that's not just any old 1240, you understand)
  • Tuj
  • Néa - Oooh!!
    That's one of those places I've dreamt of seeing in the flesh some time. Or in the mud, rather.

    The next one is ANIMAL.
  • Tuj - Human?
    First things first.
  • irach - Living?
  • Néa
    [Tuj] Human - YES.
    [irach] Living - NO.
  • ImNotJohn - European?
  • irach - Lived before Christ?
  • Tuj - Male?
  • Raak - Involved in the arts?
  • CdM - Gutenberg?
  • Snodgrass - Writer?
  • Néa
    [ImNotJohn] European - YES.
    [irach] BC - NO.
    [Tuj] Male - YES.
    [Raak] Arts? - NO. (There is a connection, but none of his own doing.)
    [CdM] Gutenberg? - NO.
    [Snodgrass] Writer? - NO.
  • Inkspot - A politician?
  • Tuj - Connected to sports?
  • Raak - Swedish?
  • Tuj - British?
  • Rosie - A scientist?
  • Néa
    [Inkspot] Politician - YES.
    [Tuj] Sportsman - NO.
    [Raak] Swede - NO.
    [Tuj] Brit - NO.
    [Rosie] Scientist - NO.
  • ImNotJohn - Born in the 18th century?
  • Inkspot - A former President of a country?
  • Tuj - Connected with World War II?
  • Néa
    [INJ] Born in the 1700s - NO.
    [Inkspot] Former president - NO.
    [Tuj] WW2 - NO.
  • Tuj - German?
  • Inkspot - Born before 1850?
  • Néa
    [Tuj] German - NO.
    [Inkspot] Born before 1850 - YES.
  • Projoy - Italiano?
  • Néa
    [Projoy] Italian - NO.
  • Tuj - ok then...
    French?
  • Néa - I do pick obscure subjects, don't I...
    [Tuj] Frenchman - NO.
  • Inkspot - Someone from ancient Greece?
  • Néa
    [Inkspot] Ancient, Greece? - NO, and NO.
  • ImNotJohn - Born before 1700?
  • Néa - Now we're getting somewhere.
    [ImNotJohn] NO.
  • ImNotJohn - Does the country he comes from have a Mediterranean coastline?
    OK, so he is a European politician born between 1800 & 1850. He is not from Greece, France, Italy, UK, Sweden, Germany. He was not a president. Vague relationship to Arts, but not of his own making (maybe subject of painting or sculpture?).
  • Projoy - Born in some part of Prussia which is not part of modern Germany?
  • Néa
    [INJ] Mediterranean coastline - *checks map* NO.
    At least one of those facts may be slightly misleading, but they are all quite correct.
    [Let's assume the last bracketed clause was a question] Subject of painting or sculpture? - Well... NO. (Audience clap!)
    [Proj] Prussia - NO.
  • Projoy - A monarch?
  • Néa
    [Projoy] Monarch - NO (some applause)
  • Raak - Would he have been a monarch, had not other events intervened?
  • CdM - Subject of a performance piece (play, etc)?
  • Néa
    [Raak] Would have been - NO. (Audience looks sheepish at having conveyed wrong impression by clapping)
    [CdM] Performance piece - NO -- and also (since I'm feeling generous) Subject - not as such, NO.
  • Rosie - Jan Paderewski?
  • Inkspot - Does the country have a coastline?
  • Néa
    [Rosie] Paderewski - NO.
    [Inkspot] Coastline - Oh YES.
  • flerdle - Russian?
  • Projoy - An aristocrat or oligarch?
  • Dandalf - Portuguese?
  • Néa
    [flerdle] YES!
  • Néa
    [Projoy] Hmmm. NO and YES, in some senses of the term.
    [Dandalf] Portuguese - nice guess, but NO.
  • flerdle - Alexei Alexandrovich?
  • Raak - Rasputin?
  • Raak
    No, can't be -- born 1869.
  • Dandalf - Prince Vladimir Odoevsky
  • Néa
    [flerdle, Raak, Dandalf] NO to all three.
  • flerdle - Mikhail Bakunin?
  • Projoy - A Prime Minister?
  • Projoy - say, Nikolai Golitsyn?
  • Dandalf - Trotsky?
  • Dandalf - Oops! Born 1879.
  • Projoy - Or perhaps Boris Stürmer
  • Néa - Should I give you a hint?
    [flerdle] Бакунин - NO.
    [Projoy] Prime Minister - NO, Голицын - NO.
    [Dandalf] Троцкий - NO.
    [Проюй] Штюрмер - NO.
  • Phil - Grigori Alexandrovich Potyomkin (Potemkin)?
  • Phil
    Oh bugger, I got the wrong century!
  • Projoy - Was his poltical success in Russia?
  • Projoy
    or, political, even
  • flerdle - Pyotr Valuev?
  • Néa
    [Phil] Potemkin - NO.
    [Projoy] Political success in Russia - NO! (audience applaud and cheer, but two dissenting groups can be heard arguing)
  • CdM - Was his political success in Greece, France, Italy, UK, Sweden or Germany?
  • Néa - ooops
    [flerdle] Valuev - NO.
  • Néa - That wasn't the misleading part
    [CdM] G,F,I,UK,S,G - NO.
  • Néa - Clarification
    I could have responded to Projoy's question with a YES but that would have led you in the wrong direction, I think.
  • Dandalf - Karl Marx?
  • Néa - Wrong country
    [Dandalf] Marx - NO.
  • Dandalf - aaaargh!
  • Irouléguy - Mikhail Bakunin?
  • flerdle - Did he have anything to do with (an organised) religion?
    [Irouléguy] I already arksed that one.
  • Néa
    [Irouléguy] Still no.
    [flerdle] Religion? - NO.
  • Dandalf - Political success in USA?
  • Néa
    [Dandalf] USA - NO. (See my clarification above).
  • Raak - Did he have a significant influence outside Russia?
  • flerdle - Was he alive in 1905?
  • Inkspot - Did he live in exile from Russia?
  • Néa
    [Raak] Influence outside Russian Empire - NO. [flerdle] Alive in 1905 - NO. (murmurs of "oooh, so close")
    [Inkspot] Exiled - NO, anything but.
  • Projoy - Murdered in Russia?
  • Néa
    [Projoy] Murdered in the Russian Empire - YES! (Audience goes wild)
  • Projoy - Dmitry Karakozov?
  • Néa - Not really a politician, was he?
    [Projoy] Karakozov - NO.
  • Projoy
    (well, it was a poltical act, but I guess he doesn't count as an oligarch. :)
  • Projoy - Served in an Imperial government?
  • Néa
    [Projoy] In an Imperial government - YES!
  • Projoy - Nikolai Ivanovich Bobrikov?
    Sorry, rather hogging this game. That's my last question for a while.
  • Inkspot - Was he titled?
    I mean a Count or some such title?
  • Néa - Bobrikov is also the name of a cat I know.
    [Projoy] Major General Nikolai Ivanovich Bobrikov, much-loathed Governor-General of Finland - YES!!
    [Inkspot] Titled - No, he wasn't as a matter of fact -- a soldier, not a nobleman.

    That was more difficult than I'd expected it to be. The arts connection is via Ulysseus, which mentions the assassination of Bobrikov -- it happened on the day the novel takes place. Also, I think I committed a couple of mistakes by answering too literally sometimes and not sufficiently literally at other times. Feel free to issue edicts and threaten me with years of oppression. Baton goes to Projoy...
  • Projoy
    Oops. Well, I think I got that one more by carpet-bombing tactics than anything else. Still, here's a (hopefully less wikipedia-heavy) VEGETABLE. (Annoyingly, I thought of a really good one to set the other day, but can I bring it to mind now? Tch.)
  • Phil - wooden?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Wooden - NO
  • Dandalf - Edible?
  • Raak - A textile?
  • Projoy
    [Dandalf] Edible - NO
    [Raak] Textile - NO
    (just as a totem against pedantry, I should probably mention there is probably a very small MINERAL element to this, but not in any way that need detain us here.)
  • Néa - Manufactured?
  • Irouléguy - Cooked?
    Néa, flerdle] oops, soory - though I had read all the moves.
  • flerdle
    Darn. I go out and the game runs away...
  • Projoy
    [Né] Manufactured - YES
  • Projoy
    [a] YES to your question also.
    [Ig] Cooked? Um, NOT REALLY
  • flerdle - cardboard box?
    though that might be "wood"
  • Projoy
    [flerdle] Cardboard box? NO
  • Lib - colourful?
  • flerdle - Would I normally have one in my house?
  • Projoy
    [Lib] Colourful - NO
    [flerdle] would you have one in your house? NO, you wouldn't.
  • Tuj - Carpet?
    Haven't thought that through very far but may as well make a guess.
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] Carpet? NO.
  • CdM
    Would I normally have one in my house?
  • Rosie - A plant of some kind?
    (Tuj) The implication of your guess is that flerdle's house doesn't have carpets. I await the storm. -:)
  • CdM - Is it heated as part of the manufacturing process?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] In your house? Hm. I DOUBT IT (although I couldn't actually say for certain in your case or flerdle's. Incidentally, I don't have one in my house either.)
    [Rosie] A plant of some kind - YES (but that's nigh-on inevitable in this category)
    [CdM] Heated in manufacture? YES! *applause*
  • Projoy
    Hm. At the risk of complicating things the more correct answer to the "would I have one in my house" question, for anyone who might ask it is strictly NO.
  • Tuj - Is it edible?
    [Rosie] Told you I didn't think it through... (sorry flerdle)
  • Néa - Some kind of tool?
    [Tuj] That's already been asked, unfortunately. Incidentally, carpeting is a culture-bound phenomenon. Soft wall-to-wall carpets are unusual here, for instance.
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] edible, NO *there are some titters in the audience, as some new significance to this question dawns on them*
    [Néa] tool, NO
  • Projoy - * after a moment, one or two more titters from more lowbrow members of the audience *
  • Néa - Paper?
  • Néa
    Sorry, that was a really stupid guess, and it was Blob who made me make it.
  • Projoy
    [Néa] Paper - NO :)
  • Raak - Is this an artifact manufactured for sexual purposes?
  • flerdle - Is it smokable?
    [whoever] Carpet in two rooms out of approximately 12. House was built by Italians, who seem to like ceramic tiles. I prefer no carpets; it's cleaner, or at least easier to clean.
  • Projoy
    [Raak] manufactured for sexual purposes, NO
    [flerdle] smokable? YES! *applause*
  • flerdle - A joint?
  • flerdle - what I meant to say was mari.. maroug... argh... *googles* marijuana/pot/cannibis
  • CdM - Tobacco?
    Cigarettes or joints would seem to involve paper (a cigar would not, though). However, tobacco would also explain the cryptic response to "would I have one in my house?" That said, it doesn't seem to explain the tittering response to "edible?" unless I am just insufficiently lowbrow to get it...
  • flerdle
    [CdM] You just need to hang out with the right people.
  • Tuj - A cigar?
    [CdM] Yeh, I bet you're so out of touch you have carpet in most of your rooms :P
  • Projoy
    [flerdle] A joint, NO
    [CdM] tobacco, YES
    [Tuj] A cigar, YES, but that's not the whole answer...
  • Projoy - *applause for CdM, Tuj*
  • flerdle - Cuban cigar?
    ... going for the bleedingly obvious, and probably wrong.

    Apparently, in Illinois, it is illegal to offer a lit cigar to a pet.

  • Tuj - Cigar-ette?
  • Projoy
    [flerdle] Cuban cigar, DON'T KNOW
    [Tuj] Cigarette, NO
  • Irouléguy - A cigarillo?
  • Tuj - A particular cigar?
  • Rosie - A Hamlet cigar?
    (flerdle) Illinois very nearly passed a law in 1897 declaring that pi was de jure 3.2 exactly. Strange place.
  • flerdle - A... err... cigar from the White House? *blushes*
    [Rosie] Indeed. Apparently it is also illegal to take a french poodle to the opera (at least in Chicago).

    Perhaps there is a game in that...

  • Projoy
    [Ig] Cigarillo, NO
    [Tuj] particular cigar, YES *audience applaud, some start to sneak out to avoid the rush on the car park*
    [Rosie] Hamlet, NO
    [flerdle] Cigar from the White House? YES *thunderous applause, calls of encore etc.*
    Specifically, the cigar that Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky... erm... well, you know.... So over to flerdle.
  • Projoy
    (as you'll gather, my confusion over the "would I have one in my house" was because you could answer it as if it referred to cigars generically or this particular cigar. I started out with the former assumption).
  • flerdle - ooerr
    Ok, here we go...

    ABSTRACT with Animal, Vegetable and Mineral connections.

  • Projoy - this game?
  • flerdle
    [Projoy] Heh. NO.
  • Phil - A genie in an oil lamp?
  • flerdle - nice idea...
    [Phil] NO.
  • Phil - A degree in woodland conservation?
  • Néa - An activity?
  • flerdle - ahhhh
    [Phil] NO.
  • flerdle
    [Néa] NO.
  • Rosie - Necessarily involving humans?
  • Projoy - Something from fiction?
  • flerdle - the least misleading answers are...
    (sorry, should recap for clarity)
    [Projoy] This game -- NO
    [Phil] A genie in an oil lamp/degree in woodland conservation -- NO.
    [Néa] An activity -- NO.
    [Rosie] Necessarily involving humans -- Depends what you mean. Probably YES (although it could be argued, from another angle, NO).
    [Projoy] Something from fiction -- NO.
  • Raak - To do with mathematics?
  • Irouléguy - Is the animal part just one species?
  • flerdle
    [Raak] To do with mathematics -- can be, but primarily NO.
    [Irouléguy] Animal just one species -- YES in one way and NO otherwise (see answer to Rosie's question).
  • Projoy - A process?
  • Rosie - A long shot - Agriculture?
  • flerdle
    [Projoy]A process -- NO.
    [Rosie] Agriculture -- NO.
  • Dandalf - Human evolution?
  • flerdle
    [Dandalf] human evolution -- NO.
  • Projoy - a human construct?
  • flerdle - thought you'd never ask
    [Projoy] human construct -- YES? *audience wakes up and starts arguing*
  • Irouléguy - Is it something that only humans construct?
  • Raak - To do with art?
  • flerdle
    [Irouléguy] something only humans construct -- YES would be the least misleading answer at the moment. *a small minority of the audience starts arguing again*
    [Raak] to do with art -- can be, but primarily NO.
  • Rosie - A settlement of some kind?
  • Raak - Is it an activity?
  • Raak
    Sorry, already asked.
  • Raak - Is it group of people?
  • Dandalf - Is there a geographic connection?
  • flerdle
    [Rosie] a settlement -- (as in 'place where people live'?) NO
    [Raak] a group of people -- NO, although there is a relationship between a group of people and the answer.
    [Dandalf] Geographic connection -- NO, depending on what you mean by that. The answer is more common in some places than others, but it would be too misleading to answer 'yes'.
  • Rosie - Anything to do with death?
  • flerdle
    [Rosie] to do with death -- NO.
  • Raak - To do with religion?
  • Dandalf - The environment?
  • flerdle
    [Raak] to do with religion -- NO

    To clarify: Religion, or things to do with religion, can be related in a particular way to The Answer On The Card, but is The Answer to do with religion (or its things) more than to do with other things? NO. This is what I meant in my answer to "to do with art" and "to do with mathematics". Keep going, though.

    [Dandalf] is it the environment? -- NO.

  • Chalky - Is this an emotion?
  • flerdle
    [Chalky] an emotion -- NO.
  • Chalky - Is it a hobby or pastime?
  • flerdle
    [Chalky] a hobby or pastime -- NO.
  • Inkspot - Is a human element required?
  • Projoy - If it's not something you can do, is it something you can be?
  • Dandalf - Science?
  • flerdle
    [Inkspot] a human element required -- fundamentally YES
    [Projoy] if it's not something you can do, is it something you can be -- NO... *audience wakes up and makes encouraging murmurs*
    [Dandalf] Science -- NO.
  • Raak - Thought?
  • flerdle
    [Raak] Thought -- NO... thought is more closely related to this than most of the previous answers, but it's still a fair way off.
  • flerdle
    Two further clarifications: I have come across this in a work of fiction, but it is not really from fiction. And some people may involve this in a hobby or pastime, but I wouldn't classify the words on the card as a hobby or pastime. I'm not being intentionally vague, honest...
  • Tuj - Is this something spiritual?
  • flerdle
    [Tuj] something spiritual -- NO
  • Projoy - A family?
  • Projoy
    (beats me what the mineral connection would be, in that case, but since we're floundering, it's probably worth a shot or two in the dark!)
  • flerdle
    [Projoy] a family -- NO.
    Wanna hint?
  • Projoy - It's definitely not something you do?
  • Projoy
    (i.e. one does)
  • flerdle
    [Projoy] It is definitely not something one does, in the way that one does not "do" a door, or one does not "knitting" or "biology textbook". The answer is still abstract, however.
  • Tuj - Ethics?
  • Chalky - Would this be considered a skill?
  • flerdle
    Looking at it, knitting, even if in the sense of a noun, is not a great example. Apologies if I've been too pedantic. I hope you get the idea.
  • flerdle
    [Tuj] Ethics - NO
    [Chalky] a skill - NO, although a measure of skill is certainly related to its existance.
  • flerdle
    (a measure of = an amount of some kind of)
  • Tuj - Is it something the brain can do?
  • Inkspot - Is the vegetable a plant?
  • Chalky - Is this anything to do with being funny/having a sense of humour?
  • Irouléguy - Is the mineral water?
  • flerdle
    [Tuj] something the brain can do -- NOt strictly, although activity of the brain is usually required. *a smattering of claps from the audience*
    [Inkspot] is the vegetable a plant -- NO would be least misleading.
    [Chalky] to with being funny/a sense of humour -- NO. Hmmm, there is a humour component in the work of fiction I mentioned earlier. But in the main, NO.
    [Irouléguy] is the mineral water -- NO would be most helpful here.
  • flerdle - hoookay...
    To summarise:

    This abstract with animal, vegetable and mineral connections is more common in some places than others but is not primarily connected to geography. It involves a human element in some way, more specifically some activity of the brain and even more specifically thought, but is not actually any of these. There is some relationship with a group of people. Only humans construct it (although this may be debated).

    Religion, mathematics, art, and non-human animals can have something to do with it but only in a certain sense, and it can be found in at least one fictional work (but not only there) and some people may involve it in a hobby or pastime. It is not in itself an action, process or activity but a certain amount of skill is related to its existance.

    It is not: this game, a genie, a degree in woodland conservation, from fiction, an activity, a process, agriculture, evolution, a settlement, the environment, an emotion, a hobby, something you can do or be, science, thought, something spiritual, a family (or group of people), ethics, a skill, a plant, water, to do with death or to do with humour.

    I could also say that it should probably be considered to have abstract connections as well, but although strictly accurate, that may not be helpful. I think this summary should be very helpful indeed.

  • CdM - Is it something to do with the visual sense?
  • flerdle - more questions, less explanation!
    [CdM] something to do with the visual sense -- YES and NO. *several "ooooh"s from the audience, quickly shushed*
  • Raak - Something to do with imagination?
  • flerdle
    [Raak] something to do with imagination -- NO (except where in agreement with details in paragraph 2, above ("Religion, mathematics...")).

    Oh, and apologies for spelling "existence" wrong. Oops.

  • CdM - Something to do with hearing, taste, touch, or smell?
  • flerdle
    [CdM] to do with hearing, taste, touch or smell -- NO.
  • Phil - Does it have an entry in wikipedia?
  • Chalky - Is the answer more than one word [apart from the in/definite article]?
  • flerdle
    [Phil] Does it have an entry in wikipedia -- NO... *audience starts to take more notice*
    [Chalky] more than one word -- YES!
  • Phil - Is it a concept?
  • flerdle
    [Phil] a concept? YES and NO. *more oooooohs*
  • CdM - Do all of these "YES and NO" answers reflect distinct different meanings of the words on the card?
  • Projoy - To do with money?
  • flerdle - I think I've chosen a stupid topic.
    [CdM] NO. If I understand your meaning correctly, then the words on the card are together a whole entity, and I am not looking at each word in isolation, and the answer does not have two different meanings (so, for example, it is not like the expression "knock off").

    The yesnoyesno is because

      (a) there are the properties of the thing on the card -- the "thing" that the words on the card are about, and the way(s) in which it can exist.

      (b) there are things to which the answer/words on the card can be to do with, because of the nature of the answer/words on the card. Thus I have problems saying "no" to "to do with xyz" because yes, it can have something to do with xyz.


    To say much more without other questions to answer would be to give it away completely.

    [Projoy] to do with money -- NO. (I am giving up on the broader meaning of "to do with" from here on, since it's causing too much trouble.)

    How about some good old questions like many of the ones from the first topic in this game, which was also an abstract? Start with "did it exist in ...".

  • Tuj - Was this an invention?
  • Irouléguy - Is this some type of human relationship?
  • Projoy - OK, did it exist in 1800?
  • Projoy
    (actually, slight rephrase: "Did it exist by 1800)
  • flerdle
    [Tuj] an invention -- YES if you mean something made up by people
    [Irouléguy] a type of human relationship -- NO
    [Projoy] did it exist by 1800 -- YES!
  • CdM - Did it exist by 1000?
  • flerdle
    [CdM] did it exist by 1000 -- YES
  • irach - did it exist almost since the dawn of mankind?
  • flerdle
    [irach] did it exist almost since the dawn of mankind -- NO!
  • Projoy - Did it exist by 1CE?
  • Projoy
    (at least we can get into the right millennium)
  • Tuj - Is it a social system?
  • Phil
    *feels very old* I had to look up "CE".
  • Raak - To do with language?
  • flerdle
    [Projoy] Did it exist by 1CE -- YES. One place definitely had examples of this before 1CE, and another had examples of it by 20CE but I can't be more exact than that.
    [Tuj] a social system -- NO.
    [Raak] To do with language -- YES! *audience bursts into loud and sustained applause*
  • Phil - to do with codes/cyphers?
  • Projoy - Did it first appear in the Middle East?
  • flerdle
    [Phil] to do with codes/cyphers -- NO
    [Projoy] first appear in the Middle East -- NO
  • Raak - To do with one particular language?
  • flerdle
    [Raak] to do with one particular language -- NO.
  • Juxtapose
    Is it to do with an aspect of written language?
  • Tuj - Is it to do with an aspect of spoken language?
  • Phil - A book or books?
  • flerdle
    [Juxtapose] to do with an aspect of written language -- YES *audience claps enthusiastically*
    [Tuj] to do with an aspect of spoken language -- YES *clapping subsides somewhat*
    [Phil] A book or books -- NO *gasps and oooohs from the audience*
  • Phil - law?
  • flerdle
    [Phil] law -- NO *audience start arguing*
  • flerdle
    +s
  • Phil - something to do with instructions?
  • flerdle
    [Phil] something to do with instructions -- YES but not only or always so. *more gasps and oooohs*
  • Raak - Cookery books?
  • flerdle
    [Raak] cookery books -- NO
  • Projoy - Rules?
  • Raak - Card games?
  • flerdle
    [Projoy] Rules -- NO.
    [Raak] Card games -- NO.
  • Projoy - In a particular script/alphabet?
  • Raak - The invention of the bound codex, superceding scrolls?
  • Dandalf - Language schools?
  • Tuj - Some sort of command?
  • flerdle
    [Projoy] in a particular script/alphabet -- NO
    [Raak] the invention of the bound codex -- NO
    [Dandalf] language schools - NO *someone starts clapping, but is quickly hushed*
    [Tuj] some sort of command -- NO.
  • Rosie - Grammar?
  • CdM - Connected to translation?
  • flerdle
    [Rosie] Grammar -- NO *a few claps from more excitable members of the audience*
  • flerdle
    [CdM] connected to translation -- often YES but not necessarily *cheering starts*
  • Raak - Dictionaries?
  • CdM
    It is the lack of wikipedia entry that still has me stumped...
  • flerdle
    [Raak] dictionaries -- NO! *audience cheers loudly with enthusiastic applause*
    [CdM] not everything in the wikipedia has its own entry.
  • Raak - A chrestomathy?
  • flerdle - wait a moment while I look that up...
    [Raak] a chrestomathy -- NO. (it's in wikipedia, anyway).
  • Tuj - Anything to do with books?
  • flerdle
    [Tuj] Anything to do with books -- YES, some.
  • flerdle
    Back in a few hours... do carry on.
  • Raak - Diaglossia?
  • Projoy - Some sort of system of translation?
  • Projoy
    (except that would be a process, I guess)
  • Projoy - A verse form?
  • Phil - Spelling tests?
  • Dandalf - A public library?
  • Tuj - Something to do with the word "version"?
  • Irouléguy - Printing?
  • flerdle - bucket-o-hints
    [Raak] diaglossia -- NO (had to check that one too)
    [Projoy] some sort of system of translation -- NO, but it can be very useful in this.
    [Projoy] a verse form -- NO.
    [Phil] spelling tests -- NO, but spelling is an issue.
    [Dandalf] a public library -- NO, but it can often be found there.
    [Tuj] something to do with the word "version" -- NO, but it often has different versions.
    [Irouléguy] printing -- NO, but it is most often printed.
  • Projoy - Transliteration?
    (except I guess there must be examples of that way into the BCE dates).
  • Projoy
    (and it's an activity and a process, curses!)
  • Tuj - A testimony?
    ...which isn't right but I'm hoping I might guess something which could point us the right way. Not likely, eh?
  • Projoy - Roadsigns?
  • Projoy - By, which I of course mean "signage" in general, since you can find it in libraries...
  • flerdle
    [Projoy] Transliteration -- NO, but transliteration is sometimes involved.
    [Tuj] A testimony -- NO.
    [Projoy] roadsigns/signage -- NO.
  • Tuj - Taking notes?
  • Phil - A text book?
  • flerdle
    [Tuj] Taking notes -- NO.
    [Phil] A text book -- NO.
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
    Pheww
  • flerdle
    [Tuj] Begins with a P -- many of them do. But the answer doesn't. So I have to say NO.
  • Tuj
    Mmmhwwhhwa? I think I give up.

    at least for now.
  • Tuj - A group of words?
    who am i kidding
  • flerdle
    [Tuj] A group of words -- *audience gasps* YES it is but that's not The Answer, so NO.
  • Projoy - A particular class of word such as noun, verb etc.?
  • flerdle
    [Projoy] a particular class of word -- *audience gasps again* NO!
  • CdM - Something to do with an encyclopedia?
  • flerdle
    [CdM] something to do with an encyclopedia -- NO...
  • flerdle - Home stretch?
    OK, this is getting very long, so here's another summary where the other one left off.

    The answer has to do with language, more so written than spoken.
    Two places definitely had examples of it before 20CE.
    It is an invention, in that it is something made up by people. It is not just a concept.
    It has something to do with instructions (although perhaps not directly as much as I first thought).
    It is often but not necessarily connected to translation and can be very useful in this.
    It has something to do with a book or books.
    It can often be found in a public library.
    It is most often printed.
    It often has different versions.
    Spelling is an issue.
    Transliteration is sometimes involved.
    It is a group of words (kind of) but not a particular class of word.
    Many instances of the answer start with the letter P.

    It is not "a dictionary" and is not "something to do with an encyclopedia". It did not first appear in the Middle East and is not to do with one particular language.

    The audience or some of the audience were impressed when the law, grammar or language schools were mentioned, although it is none of these things.

    Oh, and the answer has more than one word (plus an indefinite article), not starting with the letter "P", and it does not have its own wikipedia entry.

  • CdM - An Index?
  • CdM
    Forget that; it has a wikipedia entry...
  • CdM
    And it is only one word. On the bright side, it doesn't begin with the letter P.
  • Projoy - a particular way of organising a group of words?
  • Projoy - (it's not a concordance either, as that's in Wikipedia, too)
  • flerdle - :-)
    [CdM] an index -- NO
  • Projoy - Don't think of an elephant!!
    I now keep wanting to say anything beginning with P, such as paragraph, page and punctuation.
  • flerdle
    [Projoy] a particular way of organising words -- NO.
  • flerdle
    [Projoy] *ROFL*
  • Projoy - Is there a typical number of words in this group (or can it vary wildly from a few words to hundreds)?
  • Projoy - I know it's not my go, but....
    It's not a particular type of morpheme, is it?
  • CdM - Is it an elephant? If not, does its physical manifestation (as a group of words) typically occur only in a particular type (or types) of book?
  • flerdle - had to look that one up too.
    [Projoy] a particular form of morpheme -- NO
  • flerdle - old-world charm...
    [CdM] an elephant - that is not the answer.
    [CdM] YES! *wild cheering*. the physical manifestation of elephant as a group of words typically only occurs in a particular type of book. I think.
  • flerdle
    [Projoy] I meant a particular type of morpheme (still NO) Blame too many simulposts.
  • flerdle - many apologies
    [CdM] and I meant the physical manifestation of The Answer (as a group of words) typically only occurs in a particular type (or types) of books -- YES but, note, The Answer can also occur elsewhere.

    (I mis-read "it" amongst the flurry of posting; you can have elephants in lots of books, of course, as well as elsewhere.)

  • flerdle - woohoo, quintuple post
    Of course, my mistake illustrates my difficulty with aspects of this topic all along. Note to self: don't win again.
  • Projoy
    [flerdle] Hey, I said don't think of an elephant! :)
  • Projoy - PS. Is there a typical number of words in this group (or can it vary wildly from a few words to hundreds)?
  • flerdle
    [Projoy, elephants] AAAARRRRRGGGHHHHH

    [Projoy] sorry, that got lost in the flurry of posts and a random backspace. NO. The number of words can vary wildly depending on where The Answer is found and The Answer itself. A random sampling just now gave the number of words as 24, 10, 65, 30 and 352.

  • CdM - Did you perform that random sampling with books that you had to hand?
    Can I just say that this AVMA is (a) very good and (ii) very annoying?
  • flerdle
    [CdM] Did I perform that random sampling with books that I had to hand -- I would answer NO if I was to be evil because I used only one book. YES otherwise.
  • Projoy
    Is it a subclause (which often appears parenthetically)?
  • Projoy
    (I know it isn't really, since that appears in all kinds of books, but you have to get this stuff out of your head sometimes)
  • Projoy
    Wait a second... footnotes?
  • flerdle - please excuse my badly mangled second-last sentence up there...
    [Projoy] a subclause -- NO :-)
    [Projoy] footnotes -- NO.
  • CdM
    [Projoy] I have gone through footnotes and other similar ideas in my head, but then I get stuck on the fact that there are also very early instances of the elephant.
  • CdM - Is it some kind of definition or explanation?
  • flerdle
    [CdM] some kind of definition or explanation -- YES! *audience cheers enthusiastically*
  • Projoy - a citation or quotation?
  • Projoy
    Scrub that, is it a definition in law, i.e. appearing in a contract or piece of legislation?
  • Phil - A dictionary definition?
  • flerdle
    [Projoy] citation/quotation -- NO, but it can be a very important part of some elephants
    [Projoy] a definition in law/contract/legislation -- NO... *audience holds its collective breath*
    [Phil] a dictionary definition -- CLOSE ENOUGH!
  • Raak
    So, what were the words on the card?
  • flerdle
    The words on the card are actually "a dictionary entry". You can check the history of the dictionary in the wikipedia. Everything else can be seen above. *audience claps for everyone, especially CdM and Raak, with special cheers for Projoy's perseverence*

    *retires*

  • Phil
    I suddenly spotted the quotes in It is not "a dictionary" and realised there must be some significance.
    Dunno how to follow that epic, but I'll try.

    Vegetable

  • Tuj - A dictionary?
    Blimey, what a struggle!
  • Inkspot - A drink?
  • Dandalf - A live plant?
    In hindsight, another clue(whether intentional or not)was the answer "not everything in the wikipedia has its own entry" right after the answer to Raak's guess "dictionaries". That was a very good AVMA. Nice one, Flerdle.
  • Phil
    [Tuj] Dictionary? Not this time, matey :-)
    [Inkspot] A drink? No, although I could do with one.
    [Dandalf] A live plant? YES
  • Projoy - A tree?
  • Projoy
    (On the last one I got totally sidetracked by the letter-P-elephant. I assumed there was something special about P.)
  • Inkspot - Native to a particular country?
  • Dandalf - Edible?
  • Raak - Typically sold at the local garden centre?
  • Phil
    [Projoy] Tree? No
    [Dandalf] Edible? YES
    [Raak] Typically sold at local garden centre? No
  • Tuj - A fungus?
    [Projoy] That'd be my fault then :(
  • Projoy - A bush?
  • Phil
    [Tuj] Fungus? No
    [Projoy] Bush? No
  • Inkspot - A berry?
    Coughs politely
  • Rosie - A root vegetable?
  • Chalky - Does it grow in the wild?
  • flerdle - nettle?
    [Dandalf] Definitely intentional. [Projoy] many apologies.
  • Irouléguy - A brassica?
    flerdle] Do win again - that was one of the best for a long time.
  • Dandalf - A fruit ?(In the culinary not botanical sense)
  • Projoy - Sweet, rather than savoury?
    [Tuj, flerdle] No apols necessary. The whole fun of the game is trying to avoid being taken for a ride by your assumptions, and all the questions asked and answers given were completely correct.
  • Tuj - Green in colour?
  • Raak - Typically found in the vegetables section of a British supermarket?
  • Phil
    [Inkspot] Berry? No
    [Rosie] Root vegetable? YES
    [Chalky] grow in the wild? No, not as far as I know.
    [flerdle] nettle? No
    [Irouléguy] Brassica? No
    [Dandalf] Fruit? No
    [Projoy] Sweet, not savoury? Ummm, no. ( Some hushed comments amongst audience members)
    [Tuj] Green? Partly
    [Raak] Typically in UK supermarket? No
  • \tuj - Carrot?
  • CdM - Yam?
    (as opposed to sweet potatoes, which I think are to be found in British supermarkets these days. Aren't they?)
  • Phil
    [\tuj] Carrot? No
    [CdM] Yam? No (Yes, sweet potatoes are generally to be found in British supermarkets these days)
  • Rosie - Chives?
  • Inkspot - Native to a particular country?
    Just ask this one again as it has been over looked
  • Dandalf - Cassava? which unlike chives is a root vegetable ; -)
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Chives? No
    [Inkspot] Native to a particular country? (Sorry, didn't spot that earlier) No, as it does not grow in the wild, as far as I know.
    [Dandalf] Cassava? No
  • CdM - Taro?
    In order to get the last of the obvious ones out of the way.
  • Phil
    [CdM] Taro? No - and if that's obvious, I'd hate to see obscure ;-)
  • flerdle - Arrowroot?
  • Dandalf - Jerusalem artichoke?
    Don't all cultivated plants have a wild form? Unless only the cultivars have survived and the original wild form is now extinct.
  • Phil
    [flerdle] Arrowroot? No
    [Dandalf] Jerusalem Artichoke? No - Yes, I presume all cultivated plants do derive from a wild form, but not all specific plants can be found in the wild.
  • Inkspot - A spice?
  • Phil
    [Inkspot] Spice? No
  • Inkspot - A tuber?
  • Phil
    [Inkspot] A tuber? No
  • flerdle - A particular plant (rather than a vegetable/plant type)?
  • Phil
    [flerdle] A particular plant? YES
  • Inkspot - Is it grown for human consumption?
  • Phil
    [Inkspot] Grown for human consumption? YES - A ripple of applause from the slighly somnolent audience
  • flerdle - sugar beet?
  • Phil
    [flerdle] Sugar beet? No
  • Chalky - Tea?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Tea? No
  • Rosie - A swede?
    Possibly not called Sven.
  • Raak - Is it grown in the Americas?
  • CdM - Is it typically processed (other than simply by cooking) before being eaten?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Swede? No
    [Raak] Grown in the Americas? YES
    [CdM] Typically processed before eating (other than cooking)? No, unless you count something like slicing as processing.
  • Phil - Time for a Summary
    It is:
    A specific, live, edible root vegetable, which is not (to my knowledge) found growing in the wild, and is not native to a particular country. It is grown in the Americas, and is grown for human consumption. It is partly green.

    It is not:
    A dictionary or a drink. Nor is it a tree, bush, fungus, berry, tuber, fruit, spice, tea, cassava, brassica, nettle, carrot, yam, chives, taro, arrowroot, jerusalem artichoke, spice, sugar beet or swede. It is not typically processed before eating (other than cooking or, say, slicing), and is not typically found in British supermarkets or local garden centres.

  • Dandalf - Peanuts, or if more "specific" is required Jimmy Carter's peanuts.
  • Phil
    [Dandalf] Jimmy Carter's peanuts, or anyone else's for that matter? No
    To clarify how specific I meant, the answer is something like "Savoy Cabbage", rather than "Cabbage" (to use a brassica-based example, which we know it isn't).
  • Inkspot - Is it medicinal?
  • Phil
    [Inkspot] Is it medicinal? There are claims to its medicinal properties, so I think I'll have to say YES - Appreciative applause again for Inskspot
  • CdM - Well then ... is it typically consumed primarily for its medicainal properties?
  • Phil
    [CdM] Typically consumed for medicinal purposes? No
  • CdM - Jicama?
    It seems to me that it has to be more obscure than taro...
  • Phil
    [CdM] Jicama? No - there is at least one non-obscure family of root vegetable plants that has not been mentioned at all.
  • CdM
    Well, there are bulbs -- garlic, etc. -- but it seems to me that all the non-obscure ones would also be in U.K. supermarkets. So I am very confused...
  • flerdle - daikon radish?
  • Phil
    [flerdle] daikon radish? No - Audience gets rather agitated at CdM's musings.
  • Raak - Lotus roots?
  • CdM - Vidalia Onion?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Lotus roots? No
    [CdM] Vidalia Onion? No Disappointed mumblings from audience
  • Néa - Some kind of Allium?
  • Phil
    [Néa] Some kind of Allium? YES - Cheers from the audience
  • Raak - Ramps?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Ramps? No The audience leans forward in anticipation
  • Projoy - Elephant Garlic?
  • Dandalf - Vidalia?
  • flerdle - Is it known by different names in different countries (eg UK/USA)?
  • Phil
    [Projoy] Elephant Garlic? YES Tumultuous applause
    [Dandalf and flerdle] See above.
    What with everyone not thinking about elephants for a day or two, and 30 seconds of Chris Beardshaw at a garlic farm that I saw on TV last week, it seemed the obvious option.
  • Projoy
    Well, whaddya know? I spend hours on flerdle's one patiently exploring every angle, and about 10 minutes making a random guess on this one, and win...

    Anyway, here's an ANIMAL/ABSTRACT...
  • Tuj - One word answer?
  • Dandalf - Human animal?
  • CdM - Does it begin with elephant?
  • flerdle - Wildebeest migration?
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] One word answer, NO
    [Dandalf] human? NO
    [CdM] elephants involved in any form? NO
    [flerdle] Herds of Wildebeeste sweeping majestically...? NO
  • Dandalf - Mammalian animal?
  • Projoy
    [Dandalf] Mammal? YES
  • Tuj - A feline?
  • Projoy - You didn't tee a puddy tat
    [Tuj] feline? NO
  • Projoy
    On further consideration, the best answer to the Human Animal question is YES and NO.
  • Raak - Homo florensis hobbitus?
  • Tuj - Fictional?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Hobbitses? NO, we hates hobbitses
    [Tuj] Fictional? YES
  • Tuj - A specific fictional character?
  • Irouléguy - Vampire?
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] specific fictional character - YES
    [Ig] vampire? NO
  • Tuj - From a book?
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] From a book, YEEES *notable lack of applause from audience*
  • Inkspot - Has it appeared in other media other than books?
  • Projoy
    [Ink] Other media? YES
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
    Different tack ;)
  • Phil - Mr Spock?
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] Begins with a P? NO
    [Phil] Mr Spock? ILLOGICAL! er, I mean NO
  • Dandalf - Cartoon character?
  • CdM - Captain Haddock?
  • Tuj - Extra-terrestrial?
  • Projoy
    [Dandalf] Cartoon character... least misleading is NO
    [CdM] Capn. Haddock? NO
    [Tuj] Extra-terrestrial? NO
  • Projoy
    PS. I'm not especially well today, so I may end up disappearing for sleeps.
  • Raak - A computer-animated character?
  • Tuj - Is the other media that of film?
    Get well soon Projoy!
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Computer animated, NO
    [Tuj] Film? NO
  • Tuj - Television?
  • Dandalf - A primate? (in zoological rather than religious sense!)
  • Raak - Does the character originate in oral story-telling?
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] TV? NO
    [Dandalf] Primate? YES AND NO (see human above)
    [Raak] Oral story telling? FUNDAMENTALLY NO
  • CdM - Comic Books?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Comix? NO
  • Néa - Radio?
  • Tuj - Male?
  • Projoy
    [Néa] Radio? NO
    [Tuj] Male? YES!
  • Inkspot - A horse?
  • Projoy
    A horse, NO *an undercurrent of "oooh!" from the audience*
  • Rosie - Does it appear in a song?
  • Tuj - Someone who is known for riding a horse?
    "An undercurrent of oooh", lovely.
  • Raak - A centaur?
  • Inkspot - Is it a talking character rather than an animal?
    What I mean is Wind in the Willows and Watership Down have talking characters while Tarka the Otter is an animal (hopefully that made sense).
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] In a song? NO
    [Tuj] Horse Rider? NO
    [Raak] Centaur, NO
    [Ink] Talking character, YES!
  • Néa - Donkey?
  • Raak - Balaam's donkey?
  • Projoy
    [Né] Donkey, NO *an encouraging burst of applause from the audience (and the sounds of some members animatedly disputing the answer)*
    [Raak] Balaam's D? NO
  • Projoy - * a kind audience member comes to the front and drops the "a" back into Néa's name.*
  • Projoy
    Incidentally, these answers about media types are coming up as NO because that's the least misleading answer. In fact this character has almost certainly appeared (but not originated) in all of the above mentioned.
  • Phil - Muffin the Mule?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Muffin, NO
  • Projoy - A quick summary:
    This ANIMAL/ABSTRACT is both human and not. There is a donkey connection. It is a specific male mammalian fictional character that talks. It has almost certainly appeared in, but was not originated in, the following media: TV, cartoons, song, radio, comics, computer animation, oral storytelling, books.
    It is not a hobbit, a vampire, a centaur, Mr Spock or Balaam's Donkey.
  • Raak - Bottom?
  • Projoy - *cheers*
    [Raak] And the same to you! YES. The words on the card are "Nick Bottom, the weaver, while possessed of the head of an ass". Technically, or so I understand, asses and donkeys are not quite the same thing (the latter being the domesticated variety).
  • Raak
    [Projoy] As it happens, I've just been reading a book on biological nomenclature and popular imagination in 18th and 19th century Britain, which I must post of elsewhere.
    The next item is MINERAL, VEGETABLE, and possibly also ANIMAL.
  • Projoy - Does it occur naturally?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Does not occur naturally.
  • Tuj - Bigger than an armchair?
  • Irouléguy - An item of furniture?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] Not bigger than an armchair.
    [I] Not furniture
  • Rosie - An item of clothing?
  • Tuj - Electronic?
  • Projoy - Defined by its function?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not clothing.
    [Tuj] Not electronic.
    [Projoy] Not defined by its function.
  • Projoy - Does it have a function?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Yes, it has a function.
  • Tuj - Metallic?
  • Inkspot - Is the vegetable part processed like rubber or natural wood?
  • Projoy - Is it something that can be made of different materials?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] Not usually.
    [Inkspot] On the whole, I would say no.
    [Projoy] The mineral part can be.
  • Projoy - Smaller than a toaster?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Smaller than a toaster.
  • Projoy - Smaller than a pack of cards
  • Rosie - Did it (or they) exist in 1938?
    Even I didn't
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Bigger than a pack of cards.
    [Rosie] Existed in 1938.
  • Chalky - Would it be found in the home?
  • Projoy - Existed by 1900?
  • Tuj - Stationery?
  • Inkspot - Is it a single unique item?
  • Rosie - Anything to do with writing?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] Yes, found in the home.
    [Projoy] Yes, existed by 1900.
    [Tuj] Not stationery.
    [Inkspot] Not unique.
    [Rosie] Nothing to do with writing.
  • Projoy - Existed by 1800?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Yes, by 1800.
  • Inkspot - Is it generic item?
    I would say a generic item (if that's the right term) is something like the wheel, a cup or a crown rather than an attributable invention?
  • Raak
    [Inkspot] Yes, a generic item.
  • Projoy - Does it have moving parts?
  • Rosie - A container of some kind?
  • Chalky - Spectacles?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] No moving parts.
    [Rosie] YES, partly.(Applause!)
    [Chalky] Not spectacles.
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] (laughter from the audience at the double entendre) Does not begin with a pee.
  • Tuj - Not a toliet is it?
    Cuh!
  • Raak
    [Tuj] Neither a toliet nor a toilet.
  • Lady Bracknell - A handbag?
    It is I, Rosie.
  • Tuj - Usually made of plastic?
    Was about to guess "pencil case", then looked at my last-but-one question.
  • Raak
    [Rosie in drag] A HANDBAG???? No.
    [Tuj] Can be plastic.
    Saturday is the last day to get this, as I'm off for a week in the south of France Sunday morning.
  • Projoy - Is there a food connection?
  • Rosie - Is the mineral part glass?
    Back in normal clothing.
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Yes, a food connection.
    [Rosie] (A sharp intake of breath) Not among civilised people. One has heard that they may do such things on the Continent.
  • Inkspot - Is the mineral china?
  • Rosie - A gravy boat?
    An appropriately snooty term.
  • Raak
    [Inkspot] YES! (Almost always.)
    [Rosie] No.
  • Dandalf - A cup of tea?
  • Dandalf
    Oops - possibly also animal! (beef tea perhaps?)
  • Tuj - A saucer?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] A saucer is part of it.
    [Dandalf] YES: a cup of tea. Actually, the words on the card are "a nice cup of tea", but that's close enough. (The possible animal part is the milk.)
  • Dandalf
    Oh! just found out I'd won as I was away for weekend. (Kicks himself re milk, but no use crying etc.). Next is ABSTRACT with ANIMAL connections.
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
    Hah!
  • flerdle - Three-ring circus?
  • Rosie - Is the animal human?
  • CdM - Human construct?
  • Dandalf
    [Tuj]- P....? NO
    [flerdle]- 0-0-0 circus? NO
    [Rosie]- Human? Both human and non-human.
    [CdM] HC? hmmmmm...I think YES.
  • Inkspot - Is it an action?
  • Projoy - To do with the body?
  • Dandalf
    [Inkspot]Not an action, but implies activity.
    [Projoy]Only remotely to do with the body.
  • Projoy - A condition?
  • Rosie - A thought process?
  • Lib - Small pox?
  • Dandalf
    [Projoy] Condition? Could be.
    [Rosie] Thought Process? NO.
    [Lib] Smallpox? Not a pox, whatever the size.
  • Projoy - To do with emotion?
  • Tuj - A person?
  • Dandalf
    [Projoy] Emotion? NO
    [Tuj]A person? NO
  • Lib - Bird flu?
  • Rosie - Horse racing?
    50-1
  • Tuj - Any religious connection?
  • ImNotJohn - A bodily function?
  • Inkspot - Does it require human involvement?
    Could someone define "human construct" please, I find these the marmite on toast of the game.
  • CdM
    [Inkspot] Quick definition off the top of my head: something that could not exist without a conscious human mind. Others can now refine it: think of this as a wikidefinition.
  • Dandalf
    [Lib] bird flu? NO
    [Rosie]Horse Racing? NO (but audience breaks into applause)
    [Tuj] NO religious connection
    [INJ] Bodily function? NO
    [Inkspot]Human involvement? YES
  • Tuj - Is the word "horse" in the answer?
  • Kim - Is it a sporting activity?
  • Rosie - Hunting?
  • Dandalf
    [Tuj] No horse.
    [Kim] Not a sporting activity, though one of the words on the card could be related to sports.
    [Rosie] Not hunting.
  • CdM - Is the word 'race' on the card?
  • Dandalf
    [CdM] YES (tumultous applause! Some murmuring that Dandalf gave the game away.)
  • Projoy - A Caucus Race?
  • irach - A one-man race?
  • Lib - Three legged race?
  • Rosie - (The) Rat Race?
  • irach - The human race?
  • irach - A game face?
  • Dandalf
    [Rosie] The Rat Race YES Well done! [Others} See above.
  • Ashton-under-Lyne
  • Rosie
    Right. Earwig-o. An easy one. Nothing whatever to do with the World Cup, or trombones, or steam engines, but nevertheless MINERAL
  • Dandalf - Non-metal?
  • Rosie
    (Dandalf) Sometimes non-metallic - not usually.
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • irach - A household object?
  • Chalky - wahay - a Rosie one! Is it manufactured?
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) Does not begin with a P
    (irach) Found in all households, I'd say
    (Chalky) Manufactured - yes.
  • Inkspot - Does it require electric power?
  • Tuj - Found primarily in the kitchen?
  • Rosie
    (Inkspot) Does not require electric power. *some audience amusement is discernible*
    (Tuj) Not usually in the kitchen.
  • CdM - Does "all households" include those in mid- and/or low-income countries?
  • Kim - Is it found usually in the bathroom?
  • Dandalf - Larger than a toaster?
  • Tuj - A mirror?
  • Rosie
    (CdM) "Households" really means those of the Western world.
    (Kim) Unlikely in the bathroom, but possible.
    (Dandalf) Larger than a toaster? Certainly in one dimension.
    (Tuj) Not a mirror.
  • Inkspot - Is part of it made from glass?
  • Rosie
    (Inkspot) Contains no glass.
  • irach - A piece of cutlery?
  • Rosie
    (irach) Not cutlery.
  • CdM - Functional (as opposed to primarily decorative)?
  • Dandalf - Longer than 1 metre?
  • irach - To do with draperies?
  • Rosie
    (CdM) Very functional
    (Dandalf) Not longer than 1 metre
    (irach) Drapery-related? Yes. *considerable applause*
  • Dandalf - Towel-rail?
  • irach - Curtain rod?
  • Rosie
    (Dandalf) Not a towel rail
    (irach) Not a curtain rod. I have misled you with the previous answer. It's correct by a strict dictionary definition but misleading. So substitute "Not really". The audience are also dictionary pedants. Ignore them - at least this time.
  • Dandalf - Coat-hanger?
  • Rosie
    A COAT HANGER it is! How boring! That was too easy. Next time it will be something to do with steam engines, and not just any bloody steam engine, either. I jest, of course. Well done Dandalf, and over to you.
  • Dandalf
    Well, well! Looks like its time for a hard nut to crack. Try this one - ANIMAL.
  • Kim - Human?
  • Inkspot - European?
  • ImNotJohn - alive?
  • Rosie - Anything whatsoever to do with that Fußball Weltmeisterschaft caper?
  • Dandalf
    Human? NO
    European? NO
    Alive? YES
    WC caper connection? NO
  • Dandalf
    Just realised I'll be away until Monday, so if you don't want to wait,we can suspend this and someone can start another in the meantime. Apologies
  • Dandalf
    I'm back and in a position to respond!
  • ImNotJohn - A single specific animal?
  • Inkspot - A mamal?
  • Dandalf
    [INJ] YES [Inkspot] NO
  • Dandalf
    Or rather:
    [INJ] YES
    [Inkspot] NO
  • Raak - A reptile?
  • Inkspot - African?
  • Rosie - In the news recently?
  • Dandalf
    [Raak]Repile? NO
    [Inkspot] African? YES but not exclusively.
    [Rosie] In the news recently? Not that I know of.
  • Inkspot - A migratory bird?
  • Tuj - Domesticated?
  • Raak - Dead?
  • Projoy - An unladen African swallow?
  • Projoy
    (since you mentioned hard nuts to crack)
  • Dandalf
    [Inkspot] Not a bird.
    [Tuj] Not domesticated.
    [Projoy] See above. Don't read anything into my nutty comment.
  • irach - A fish?
  • Dandalf
    [irach] A fish? YES. Applause, (a few murmurs of nothing much more left was there?)
  • irach - Saltwater fish?
  • Dandalf
    [irach]saltwater? YES
  • irach - Shark?
  • Raak - *ahem* *indicates an unanswered question above*
  • Inkspot - Is a single specific animal someting like the horse called Orca or a specific species eg the lesser spotted Orca?
  • Dandalf
    [irach] NOT a shark
    [Raak] Oops. Sorry. Can be dead or alive.
    [Inkspot] Not e.g. a fish called Wanda, not a spcific species but a particular genus.
  • ImNotJohn - A coelocanth?
  • Kim - Err...
    Sorry, I'm a little confused. Is the answer a specific individual animal, per your answer to INJ, above, or a genus of animal? Isn't genus an abstract?
  • Raak - Fished for food?
  • Dandalf
    [INJ] YES!!! Wow. Well done. Coelacanth (or coelocanth) Genus Latimeria which contains two species: the African L. chalumnae and L. menadoensis from Indonesia. Hope that clears up Kim's confusion. [Raak] The coelacanths is not considered a prime food fish but finds its way to fishmarkets, which is where the Indonesian species was discovered. (Thanks Wikipedia)
  • ImNotJohn - Well, what do you know?
    I don't usually guess that early.

    Here we go then, with ABSTRACT with animal connections

  • Inkspot - A character from a book?
  • Irouléguy - The World Cup?
  • Kim - A particular species or genus of animal?
  • Dandalf - A living fossil?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Inks] character from a book? - NO
    [Iroul] World Cup? - NO
    [Kim] particular species or genus of animal? - NO (but not every species)
    [Dandalf] living fossil? - NO
  • Raak - Some subclass of the animal kingdom?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Some subclass of the animal kingdom? - NO
  • irach - Is the animal connection primate?
  • Inkspot - Is it related to time?
  • ImNotJohn
    [irach] animal connection primate? - could be
    [Inks] related to time? - YES (to some extent) small ripple of applause
  • Raak - To do with the Flood?
  • Dandalf - Chinese Calendar?
  • Rosie - Anarcho-syndicalism?
    I only put this up because the words appear in a letter in today's Grauniad relating to the Spanish Civil War and I know the subject fascinates you.
  • Rosie
    Anarcho-syndicalism, that is.
  • ImNotJohn - sorry - wall-to-wall meetings today
    [Raak] the flood - NO
    [Dandalf] Chinese Calendar? - NO
    [Rosie] Anarcho-syndicalism? - NO (nor the Spanish Civil War FWIW)
  • Inkspot - An event?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Inks] an event - NO (not a single event, which is my assumption of what you mean)
  • Rosie - Evolution?
    re - meetings. Thank You For Not Saying Back-To-Back.
  • Dandalf - Anything to do with huntin' and fishin'?
  • Irouléguy - Are the animals all from one particular area of the world?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] evolution - NO
    [Dandalf] huntin' and fishin'? - NO (nor shootin')
    [Iroul] Are the animals all from one particular area of the world? - NO (they may be, but don't have to be)
  • Inkspot - Associated with religion?
  • Kim - Does it have to do with generations?
  • Raak - Carbon dating?
  • Dandalf - Hibernation?
  • ImNotJohn - still cold
    [Inks] Associated with religion? - NO
    [Kim] Nothing to do with generations
    [Raak] Carbon dating? - NO
    [Dandalf] Hibernation? - NO
  • Raak - To do with agriculture?
  • Dandalf - Mating season?
  • Rosie - Is this something animals do?
  • Inkspot - Is this particular to humans?
  • Irouléguy - Are te animal featured in works of art (in the widest sense)?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] To do with agriculture? - NO
    [Dandalf] To Mating season? - NO
    [Rosie] Is this something animals do? - YES (animals are involved, but it's not an activity as such)
    [Inks] Is this particular to humans? - NO
    [Iroul] featured in works of art ? - NO
  • ImNotJohn - Sorry
    I'm going to struggle to get online much for the next week or so.
    I'm starting on a new client site, but won't get an internet connection until I've got a desk/workstation/signon sorted out, and then I don't know what I'll be able to access. Also you're nowhere near getting this, so it may be better to suspend it and go for another.
  • Y llinellwr
  • Rosie
    That's The Linesman BTW, and a leek-flavoured podume to anyone who can say it properly.

    As Inkspot and I are the only ones to have got a YES in the last one and he's not here just now I'll start a fairly easy one.

    It's MINERAL

  • Tuj - Manmade?
    Ball rolling.
  • Chalky - Metal?
  • Inkspot - Made of one material?
    [Rosie] I can say it, but probably not properly.
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) - Manmade, yes
    (Chalky) Not metal
    (Inkspot) Yes, more than one material You have obviously survived the attempt. :-)
  • Tuj - Smaller than a toaster?
  • Raak - Solid?
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) As encountered, yes, but not necessarily
    (Raak) Solid? Not always.
  • Raak - A household article?
  • Chalky - Edible or Drinkable?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Yes, but not really an article
    (Chalky) Edible or drinkable? Yes, but don't try it..
  • Dujon - Would this be a cleaning compound?
  • Tuj - Usually found in a kitchen?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) Not a cleaning compound *some just perceptible murmurs from the audience*
    (Tuj) Probably not in a kitchen, but not impossible.
  • Tuj - Bathroom?
  • Inkspot - Is it used as a spray?
  • Dandalf
    Solid at room temperature?
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) Bathroom? Not usually.
    (Inkspot) Not a spray
    (Dandalf) Solid @ R.T.? Yes and no.
  • Dandalf - Some sort of fat or grease?
  • Raak - Is it for lubrication?
  • Irouléguy - Does it do exactly what it says on the tin?
  • Projoy - Train oil?
  • Rosie
    (Dandalf) Fat or grease? No
    (Raak) Not for lubrication
    (Irouléguy) It doesn't say what it does
    (Projoy) Not train oil. (Haven't got a model railway. Honestly)
  • Projoy
    A detergent?
  • Raak - Ink?
  • Inkspot - Is part of it a container?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) Not a detergent
    (Raak) Not ink
    (Inkspot) Not part of a container.
  • Raak - Polish?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Not polish.
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
    [Rosie] You may have missed a capitalisation there.
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) Does not begin with a P.
  • Inkspot - Is it something solid that is disolved in a liquid before use?
  • Dujon - An alcohol based concoction?
  • Rosie
    (Inkspot) No.
    (Dujon) No alcohol, industrial, medicinal or recreational.
  • Dujon - Is this usually produced from distillates of wood, coal, petroleum and their ilk? (That's it for today 'cos everyone else is in the land of nod).
  • Tuj - Plant-related?
    [Dujon] 'Fraid not.
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) YES, it's "chemical"
    (Tuj) Not plant-related.
  • Raak - Silly putty?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Not silly putty. Much more mainstream.
  • Raak - Sensible putty?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Not putty of any kind, but a "sensible" substance nevertheless.
  • irach - A polymeric material?
  • Raak - Is it something used as a filler or adhesive?
  • Dujon - Candle wax?
  • Rosie
    (irach) YES *applause from knowledgable members of audience*
    (Raak) YES *more applause*
    (Dujon) Not candle wax.
  • Tuj - Blu-tack?
  • irach - Cyanoacrylate super glue?
  • Dandalf - Starch?
  • Raak - Silicone rubber?
  • Dandalf
    Just a reminder to all that it's edible or drinkable, but not recommended!
  • Tuj
    [Dandalf] That doesn't rule out very much really...
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) Not Blu-tak
    (irach) Not cyanoacrylate superglue
    (Dandalf) Not starch
    (Raak) Not silicone rubber
  • Tuj - Polyfilla?
    [Rosie] But... blu-tack... I'm in a blu-tack daze as I've just removed 325 bits of the stuff from the walls of my room at uni.
  • irach - Caulk?
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) Not polyfilla
    (irach) Not caulk.

    The "word on the card" is a brand name but the generic term will do.

  • Raak - Bostik?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Not Bostik
  • irach - KY Jelly?
  • Rosie
    (irach) Not KY jelly. (See the YES's above)
  • Inkspot - Is it both a glue and a filler?
    Sorry Rosie but seeking a clarification to the "or" question by Raak.
  • Rosie
    (Inkspot) Not both a glue and a filler. I'll tell you it's a glue. :-)
  • Dandalf
    An edible or drinkable (though not recommended) mineral glue? I give up, unless "e or d" means physically capable of being ingested.
  • Rosie
    (Dandalf) I think you can take it that "not recommended" means it's not intended for ingestion. It was a joke. Sorry if you were misled. This stuff is pretty famous.
  • Dandalf - UHU Glue?
  • Rosie
    (Dandalf) Not UHU.
  • Raak - Araldite?
  • Rosie
    YES! Araldite it is. Everything I possess has got a dab of it somewhere. Well done, Raak. Over to you, squire.
  • Raak
    ABSTRACT, with ANIMAL connections. This may be a difficult one, but it's in Wikipedia. Two words, no articles.
  • Tuj - Birthday party?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] (some applause from the audience) No.
  • CdM - connected to time in some way?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Not really. It would be misleading to say "no", but not helpful to say "yes".
  • Irouléguy - Is the animal connection human?
  • Raak
    [I] Yes.
  • Rosie - An organisation?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] No.
  • CdM - Connected to celebration in some way?
  • Rosie - A characteristic?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Yes!
    [Rosie] No.
  • Irouléguy - Connected to marriage in some way?
  • Inkspot - Connected to a religion?
  • Raak
    [Irouéguy] Er....yes, it is. (Laughter.)
    [Inkspot] Yes.
  • Néa - Is the religion Christianity?
  • Raak
    [Néa] No.
  • Irouléguy - Is the religion Buddhism?
  • Raak
    [Irouéguy] No.
  • Tuj - Islam?
    ...why not keep going?
  • irach - Zoroastrianism?
    (Tuj) why not...?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] No.
    [irach] No.
  • Irouléguy - Did the religion start in Asia?
  • Dandalf - Judaism?
  • Raak
    [I] Yes.
    [D] No.
  • Inkspot - A vow taken by a monk?
  • Raak
    [I] No.
    Summary: a celebration relating to humans, marriage, and a religion originating in Asia, excluding Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Zorro, or Judaism. Sort-of-ish-like connected with time. Not a birthday party, an organisation, a characteristic, or a vow.
  • Inkspot - Part of the Hindu ceremony?
  • Kim - Is the marriage element a real marriage (one person to another)?
  • Raak
    [Inkspot] Not Hindu.
    [Kim] No. Not a marriage, just a connection with marriage in general.
  • Irouléguy - Is the religion Chinese?
  • Raak
    [I] Not Chinese.
  • Rosie - Is this some kind of Japanese ritual?
  • Raak
    [Rosie](APPLAUSE!) Yes.
  • Tuj - Does it happen annually?
  • Projoy - Japanese Tea Ceremony?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] Yes, annually.
    [Projoy] Not the tea ceremony.
  • Inkspot - Rambling over Mount Fuji ?
  • Raak
    [Inkspot] Not Mount Fuji.
  • Irouléguy - Star festival (Tanabata)?
  • Raak
    [I] Not Tanabata.
  • Rosie - Shogatsu?
  • Raak
    [R] Not Shogatsu.
  • Raak
    Two words, remember, and some sort of connection to marriage.
  • Irouléguy - Are the two words Japanese?
  • Inkspot - Is it a celebrated as national holiday?
  • Raak
    [Ir] Both words are Japanese.
    [In] Not a national holiday.
  • Irouléguy - Hounen Matsuri?
    *clutches at straws*
  • Raak
    [Irouéguy] The ceremonial straw hat is yours! It is indeed Hounen Matsuri, the Penis Festival.
  • Irouléguy
    The what now? On the Wiki article I looked at, it was the harvest festival. Still, the article was just a stub…

    Last minute change of plan - my original idea has unfortunate connotations, so our next is ANIMAL, VEGETABLE and MINERAL.
  • Raak
    [I] I had in mind the specific one held at Komaki. I hadn't noticed the more general harvest festival significance. See the usual nine syllables dot thoeny.com/peter/tagata/tagata1.html.
  • irach - The Earth and all that treads upon it?
  • Raak - Salty bacon crisps?
  • Chalky - A geographical feature?
  • Irouléguy
    irach] The Earth and all that treads upon it? No
    Raak - Salty bacon crisps? Mmmmm...salty bacon crisps, but no
    Chalky - A geographical feature? No :)

    Raak] For fuck's saké! Imagine explaining a set of those to Customs.
  • Tuj - Smaller than a toaster?
  • Rosie - Animal human?
  • Raak - Is it one specific object?
    [Irouéguy] Be sure to click onto the following pages to see the three-metre phallus processed through the streeets.
  • Irouléguy
    Tuj] Smaller than a toaster? Yes
    Rosie] Animal human? No
    Raak] Is it one specific object?No

    I hadn't noticed there were more pages - I'll check them out when I'm home again.

    Just in case there's any ambiguity, Raak's link is definitely NSFW, for almost all values of 'work'.
  • Chalky - Is the animal part - part of an animal?
  • Raak - Can you buy it in the shops?
  • Irouléguy
    Chalky] Is the animal part - part of an animal? No
    Raak] Can you buy it in the shops? In some shops (though mostly a shop isn't the first place you'd go for this).
  • Raak - Is it ornamental?
  • Rosie - Is it used in the house?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] Is it ornamental? No
    Rosie] Is it used in the house? Hmmm...it can be, but mostly isn't (hesitation becaused 'use' isn't the verb you'd most associate with it).
  • Rosie - If not "used", then eaten?
    (Thanks for hint)
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie] If not "used", then eaten? *applause* Close - some people eat some of it, but 'eat' isn't the most juste either.
  • Raak - Is the mineral part a container?
  • Rosie - A cocktail of some kind?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] Is the mineral part a container? No
    Rosie] A cocktail of some kind? Yes, but only in the sense of a mixture of different ingredients.
  • CdM - A medication of some kind?
  • Inkspot - Would it be on the menu of a restaurant?
  • Chalky - A drink?
  • Irouléguy
    CdM - A medication of some kind? Some people use it for that, but strictly, no.
    Inkspot - Would it be on the menu of a restaurant? Quite likely
    Chalky - A drink? How kind - large G&T, please
    *cheers* YES! It's a drink
  • Chalky - An alcoholic drink?
  • Inkspot - A drink served hot?
  • Irouléguy
    Chalky] An alcoholic drink? No
    Inkspot] A drink served hot? Yes
  • Chalky - Capuccino?
  • irach - A Meat and vegetable salted soup?
  • Rosie - Minestrone? (with or without added croutons)
  • Botherer - Bovril?
  • Irouléguy
    KA-CHING! Chalky wins! It's capuccino. One chocolate-sprinked low-fat baton handed over.
  • Chalky - ooh thanks!
    Sorry - haven't been around this weekend so have only just found out I'd won.
    Moving swiftly on with ...
    A N I M A L
  • Raak - Human?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Human? YES
  • Inkspot - Female?
  • Tuj - Alive?
  • Irouléguy - David Beckham?
  • Rosie - Currently in the news?
  • Chalky
    [Inkspot] Female? NO
    [Tuj] Alive? YES
    [Iroule] DB? NO
    [Rosie] Currently in news? Not that I've noticed
  • Raak - A public figure?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] A public figure? Not sure what you mean.
  • Inkspot - British?
  • Chalky
    [Inks] British? YES
  • Raak - Well, a household name, then.
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Household name? I should imagine so. [I don't do wikiobscurity in this particular game]
  • Rosie - A writer?
  • Tuj - Sportsman?
  • Inkspot - Born after 1966?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] A writer? NO
    [Tuj] Sportsman? NO
    [Inks] Born after 1966? YES
  • Néa - Musician?
  • Raak - Actor?
  • Chalky
    [Néa] Musician? No
    [Raak] Actor? YES!!
    Forgive me - I've been called into office to work today, so internet access may be sporadic ..
  • Raak - Has he played Doctor Who?
  • Inkspot - In a current TV series?
    Daleks V Cybermen on Saturday for the series finale...brilliant!!
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Doctor Who? YES!
    [Inkspot] Current? YES!!
    Now I wonder who will get there first ...?
    [..just as well this was so easy because I'm going to be too busy for the next couple of days to pay much attention]
  • Inkspot - David Tennant?
  • Chalky
    That's the man! Well played Inks. Timing is all. Over to you for something perhaps a little more challenging?
  • Inkspot - Yay!! Thank you Chalky

    Not too challenging, MINERAL

  • irach - Metallic?
  • Tuj - Man-made?
  • Inkspot
    [irach]Metallic - No is the literal answer (slight giggling from some of the audience)
    [Tuj]Man-made - YES
  • irach - Polymeric?
  • Rosie - A household object/substance?
  • Raak - "Instant Nails"?
  • Inkspot
    [irach] - Polymeric? NO
    [Rosie] - A household object/substance? NO
    [Raak] - "Instant Nails"? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Made from a single substance?
  • Inkspot
    [ImNotJohn]Made from a single substance? No
  • CdM - A single object?
  • Raak - To do with transport?
  • Inkspot
    [CdM ] A single object? No (some unhappy audience murmmering)
    [Raak] To do with transport? Yes (applause)
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
  • Raak - Tarmac?
  • Inkspot
    [Tuj] Begins with a P? No
    [Raak] Tarmac? Yes (more applause)
  • Raak - A road?
  • Inkspot
    [Raak]A road? Yes (applause, the audience excited but are still sat down)
  • Rosie - The motorway network?
  • irach - A specific road?
  • Raak - A dual carriageway?
  • Projoy - The Golden Mile?
  • Kim - A runway?
  • Projoy - Silver Street?
  • Inkspot
    [Rosie] The motorway network? No (and the audience go ohhhhhh!)
    irach - A specific road? Yes (audience cheer)
    Raak - A dual carriageway?No
    Projoy - The Golden Mile?No
    Kim - A runway? No
    Projoy - Silver Street?No
  • Raak - The M25?
  • Inkspot
    [Raak] The M25? No (There's a sharp in take of breath as the audience lean forward)
  • Dandalf - The M1?
  • Tuj - M62?
  • Inkspot
    [Dandalf]The M1?No
    [Tuj] M62? No
  • Raak - Does it begin with an M?
  • Lurking Chalky - The Channel Tunnel?
  • Rosie - Is it, at least mostly, in the south of England?
  • Phil
    The M2?
  • Irouléguy - The M11?
  • Inkspot
    [Raak]Does it begin with an M? Yes
    [Lurking Chalky]The Channel Tunnel? No
    [Rosie]Is it, at least mostly, in the south of England? Yes and partly (seven of the audience get up for a leek)
    [Phil] The M2? No
    [Irouléguy] The M11? No
  • Raak - Is the rest of it a number?
  • Inkspot
    [Raak] Is the rest of it a number? Yes (audience are restless)
  • CdM - The M4?
  • Inkspot
    YES, well done Cdm it is the M4. The baton is yours.

  • CdM
    That was a lurker's victory if ever there was one. All right, this next one is
    ABSTRACT
  • Kim - Anarcho-syndicalism?
  • Néa - Linguistics?
  • CdM
    AS? No.
    Linguistics? No (but a smattering of applause).
  • Raak - A particular language?
  • CdM
    Particular language? No.
  • Rosie - About the written word?
  • Inkspot - A saying or phrase?
  • CdM
    About written word? Yes.
    Saying or phrase? No (some muttering in the audience).
  • Projoy - something that appears in the vast majority of known languages?
  • CdM
    In vast majority of known languages? Yes.
  • Raak - A figure of speech?
  • CdM
    Figure of speech? No.
  • ImNotJohn - jinnan tonyx?
  • Néa - An alphabet or other system of writing?
  • CdM
    Universal beverage? No.
    ABCs? No.
  • Néa - related to grammar?
  • CdM
    Grammar-related? No.
  • Phil - Punctuation?
  • Tuj - Is the answer on the card one word?
  • Rosie - Diacritical characters?
  • CdM
    Punctuation? No.
    One word? One word plus an indefinite article.
    Diacriticals? No.
  • Projoy - some sort of metadata?
  • Rosie - Related to pronunciation?
  • iach - An idiom?
  • CdM
    metadata? No.
    pronunciation-related? Noo.
    idiom? No.
  • Projoy - a particular word?
  • CdM
    Particular word? No.
  • Rosie - A diary?
    Long shot.
  • CdM
    Diary? No.
  • Rosie - Is this a property of a single word (not necessarily a particular one)?
  • CdM
    Property of a single word? It could be.
  • Raak - A cliché?
  • CdM
    clich&eacuate;? No, no, a thousand times, no.
  • CdM - *sigh*
  • Kim - Is it a metaphor?
  • Néa - Is it to do only with the written word (and not at all with the spoken)?
  • CdM
    metaphor? No.
    written rather than spoken word? Yes. *applause*
  • Néa - A misspelling?
  • CdM
    Misspelling? Non.
  • Raak - An alphabet?
  • CdM
    *points at earlier question from Sweden*
  • Irouléguy - An abbreviation?
  • CdM
    abbreviation? N.
  • Rosie - A heading (eg chapter or paragraph)?
  • CdM
    Heading? No.
  • Projoy - cursivity (or whatever its called)?
  • CdM
    Cursives? Foiled again.
  • Raak - Calligraphy?
  • Néa - To do with computer-mediated communication?
    Single-minded? Me?
  • CdM
    calligraphy? No.
    CMC? No. *after a moment, there are some chuckles in the audience*
    One clarification: When asked if this was a property of a single word, I replied "it could be". However, I should probably have made it clear that it need not be, and is not usually so. Also it is not so much the "property" of a word or phrase as a definition of a kind of word or phrase.
  • Kim - An abbreviation?
  • CdM
    *paeqfI*
  • Raak - A font?
  • ImNotJohn - Most frequently seen in a public space?
  • CdM
    font? No.
    Most frequently seen in a public space? No, although certainly sometimes seen in a public space.
  • Raak - An inscription of some sort?
  • CdM
    inscription? No. (although the aforementioned instances in public spaces would typically be)
  • Irouléguy - An epitaph?
  • Dandalf
    A mobile phone text message?
  • CdM
    epitaph? RIP.
    txt msg? :-( !! LOL!!!!!
    Clarification of my clarification: the words on the card are not a "property" as such but they do imply a property. If you see what I mean. I have probably said too much.
  • Raak - A rebus?
  • Projoy - A foreignism?
  • CdM
    Rebus, foreignism? 9!
  • Projoy - a neologism?
  • Projoy
    Actually, forget that, not limited to written language.
  • Projoy - Something to do with law?
  • Irouléguy - Did it exist in the nineteenth century?
  • Raak - A label?
  • CdM
    To do with law? No.
    Did it exist in 19th Century? Yes.
    Label? No.
  • Projoy - A signature?
  • CdM
    signature? No.
  • CdM
    To summarize what you know so far.

    There are two words on the card, of which one is an indefinite article. The answer on the card concerns the written, not the spoken, word. It appears in the vast majority of known languages, it existed in the 19th century, and it is sometimes, though not most frequently, seen in a public space. It could, though need not, be the property of a particular word (subject to the caveat that the words on the card define a property but are not a 'property' as such).

    It is not: anarcho-syndicalism, linguistics, a particular language, a saying or phrase, a figure of speech, a G&T (in any language), an alphabet or writing system, related to grammar, punctuation, diacritical characters, metadata, related to pronunciation, an idiom, a diary, a particular word, a cliché, a metaphor, a misspelling, an abbreviation, a heading, cursivity, calligraphy, to do with computer-mediated-communication, a font, an epitaph, a text message, a rebus, a foreignism, a neologism, to do with the law, a label, or a signature.

    Reading that through, the only thing that is perhaps misleading is the 'phrase or saying' answer. Just as the answer could (but need not) be a word, so it could also (but need not) be a phrase.
  • Raak - A sentence?
  • CdM
    Sentence? No. But see "word" and "phrase" above. (Oh, and missing from my summary: it is also not an inscription.)
  • Raak - A quotation?
  • ImNotJohn - a caption?
  • CdM
    quotation? "No."
    caption? No.
  • Néa - A majuscule?
  • CdM
    majuscule? no.
  • Kim - Does it have anything to do with religion?
  • Raak - Does it have to do with literature?
  • CdM
    religion? No.
    literature? No, except very tangentially.
  • Raak - Is there a particular subject matter for the writing?
  • Projoy - Was it around in the 1500s?
  • CdM
    Particular subject matter? Definitely not.
    Around in 1500s? Yes.
  • Irouléguy - Does this exist in ideographic languages (eg Chinese, Japanese)?
  • ImNotJohn - Does it rely on the existence of printing?
  • Raak - A letter? (Communication, not alphabet.)
  • CdM
    Does this exist in ideographic languages? Yes, although it is arguably somewhat different in those languages. *audience applauds the question*
    Rely on printing? No.
    A letter? Dear Raak. No. Love, CdM.
  • Raak - Does it have anything to do with alphabetical order?
  • CdM
    deorr? No. (nevertheless, a smattering of applause)
  • Raak - A word square?
  • CdM
    WO
    R  D       ? No. (the audience, which had been looking anxiously at the door waiting for Tuj, begins to sit up and take notice)
  • Projoy - A crossword?
  • CdM
    Crossword? F*ck No! (oblig.)
  • Raak - A palindrome?
  • irach - Anagram?
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
    Who, me?
  • Rosie - A smiley?
  • CdM - Not a bad draw, all. I'll award da baton.
    The correct answer is indeed A PALINDROME.
  • Tuj
    ...and double drat.
  • Raak
    Phew. The next item is M I N E R A L
  • Raak
    Sorry, I keep on thinking that FFFFFF is the black end of the color space. The next word is M I N E R A L. (No significance in the charcoal grey colour.)
  • Inkspot - Is it an invention?
  • Raak
    [Inkspot] Yes, an invention.
  • CdM
    Invented prior to 1700?
    (Btw, I am glad Raak got that last one; he put in most of the heavy lifting, and got closest. I thought it would fall much more quickly, particularly since written word was identified so quickly.)
  • Raak
    [CdM] Not invented prior to 1700. (Discontented murmuring from some of the audience who think they know the history of this thing. The laser display board explains the ruling to them.)
  • Irouléguy - Was it invented in Britain?
    CdM] Thanks - one of the most enjoyable for a long time
  • Raak
    [I] Not invented in Britain. (It's not clear from Google exactly who invented it or exactly when, but I'm going with the most likely suspect.)
  • Rosie - A battery?
    Long shot.
  • Kim - Invented in the 20th Century?
  • Raak
    [R] Not a battery.
    [K] Not invented in the 20th Century.
  • Inkspot - Does it require electric power?
  • Raak
    [I] Does not require electric power.
  • Projoy - Used in the home?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Not normally used in the home.
  • irach - Metallic?
  • Projoy - Used on a ship?
  • Lib - Am I likely to own one? or want to own one if I don't already?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Could be used on a ship.
    [Lib] You likely to own one? I think not. You want to own one? Not that I know of, at least, not in the capacity of a nurse or a singer.
  • Projoy
    *ahem* Or doctor.
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Apols to Lib. A doctor, qua doctor, would not be likely to have one of these either.
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
    [Raak] You appear to have missed irach.
  • Raak
    [irach] Not normally metallic.
    [Tuj] Does not begin with a P.
  • Irouléguy - Is it used in retailing?
  • Raak
    [I] Not used in retailing.
  • Inkspot - Made of glass?
  • Raak
    [Inkspot] Not made of glass.
  • Projoy - Related to travel?
  • Irouléguy - Used by a particular profession or trade?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Unrelated to travel.
    [I] Yes! Used by a particular profession or trade.
  • Chalky - Is it smaller than a toaster?
  • Rosie - A tool of some kind?
  • Chalky - Made of plastic?
  • Irouléguy - A musical instrument?
  • Inkspot - Part of it a liquid?
  • Raak
    [C] Smaller than a toaster.
    [R] Yes, broadly speaking.
    [C] Can be made of plastic.
    [I] Musical instrument? Er. Yes and no.
    [I] No liquids involved.
  • irach - Is it a tool used in the arts?
  • Projoy - Bigger than a pack of cards?
  • Raak
    [irach] Used in the arts. applause
    [Projoy] Difficult to compare them.
  • irach - Paintbrush?
  • Raak
    [irach] Not a paintbrush.
  • Rosie - A comb?
  • irach - Used in the performing arts, as in dance?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not a comb.
    [irach] Used in the performing arts.
  • irach - A dance acessory?
  • Raak
    [irach] Not a dance accessory.
  • Rosie - A drumstick?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not a drumstick.
  • Inkspot - Is it used onstage during a performance?
  • ImNotJohn - A Swanee Whistle?
  • Raak
    [Inkspot] Yes, used onstage.
    [INJ] Oo ooooo-oooo OOOO-oo? Nooo.
  • Projoy - Conductor's baton
  • Projoy
    (actually, probably not, cos they tend to have a cork end)
  • Raak
    With or without cork, Projoy is correct: a conductor's baton. (Invented, or at least popularised, by Louis Spohr in the 1820's.)
  • Projoy
    Oh, right-oh, then. MINERAL (maybe the odd trace of the other two, but MINERAL is by far the most sensible category)
  • Projoy
    Actually MINERAL/ABSTRACT.
  • Raak - A work of art?
  • irach - Involves gold?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Work of art, NO (*the merest momentary demurring murmur from just one audience member*)
    [irach] Involves gold? NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE
  • Raak - A coin?
  • irach - Metallic?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] A coin? NO
    [irach] Metallic? YES, PARTIALLY
  • Rosie - Manufactured?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Manufactured? YES
  • Inkspot - Does it have moving parts?
  • ImNotJohn - Invented since 1900?
  • Projoy
    [Inkspot] Moving Parts - YES
    [INJ] Since 1900? YES
  • Projoy
    [INJ] There are two possible answers to that question, although as it happens they are both YES.
  • irach - A computer?
  • Projoy
    [irach] A computer? YES *significant applause from audience*
  • Raak - Designed by Babbage?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Babbage? NO (except inasmuch as all computers are)
  • ImNotJohn - Invented since the 2900?
    I've worked on programs written for International Computers and Tabulators machines
  • Projoy - Hmm..
    [INJ] Invented since the 2900. This time the two answers bifurcate: YES and NO.
  • irach - The computer HAL in 2001:A Space Odyssey?
  • Tuj - Fictional?
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] Yes, fictional, and
    [irach, who is clearly on the same astral wavelength as me today] HAL 9000? YES *audience applause*
  • Projoy
    *looks suspiciously at the monolith behind irach*
  • irach
    Coincidentally, I was listening to the theme music of the movie on the radio when I made my guess...Even more psychic!
    The next one is very simply ANIMAL.
  • Inkspot - A person?
  • Rosie - Alive?
  • Raak - A specific individual?
  • irach
    [Inkspot] No.
    [Rosie] Yes or No.
    [Raak] No.
  • Inkspot - Native to a region of the world?
  • irach
    [Inkspot] Fairly widespread globally.
  • Raak - Four-legged?
  • irach
    [Raak] No.
  • Projoy - Three-legged
    It's a process of deduction.
  • irach
    [Projoy] No.
  • Inkspot - A mammal?
  • irach
    [Inkspot] No.
  • Raak - Any legs at all?
  • Inkspot - A virus?
  • irach
    [Raak] No legs at all.
    [Inkspot] Not a virus. Quite macroscopic.
  • Rosie - Part of an animal?
  • irach
    [Rosie] No, the whole animal.
  • Irouléguy - A fish?
  • Inkspot - A reptile?
  • Tuj - A snake?
  • irach
    [Irouleguy] Yes ! A Fish!
    [Inkspot] By deduction from comment to Irouleguy, NO.
    [Tuj] ibid.
  • Inkspot - A freshwater fish?
  • ImNotJohn - Can a fully-grown one exceed 1 metre in length?
  • Irouléguy - Cod?
  • Chalky - A shellfish?
  • irach
    [Inkspot] No.
    [ImNotJohn] Quite possibly.
    [Irouleguy] No, not cod.
    [Chalky] Not shellfish.
  • Inkspot - A deep sea fish?
  • irach
    [Inkspot] According to Wikipedia, not necessarily exclusively a deep sea fish.
  • Rosie - Do we routinely catch it and eat it?
  • irach
    [Rosie] While I have never caught one (and I kind of doubt you have), it IS routinely caught and eaten.
  • Raak - Shark?
  • irach
    [Raak] No, not shark.
  • Projoy - Squid?
  • irach
    [Projoy] Not a squid (No legs, remember? Not even a multiple-amputee squid). Think Phylum Pisces.
  • Projoy
    Squid have tentacles! :P
  • irach
    [Projoy] Squid are in the order Decapodiformes which literally means ten-legged, although you are correct in that the tentacles do not function really efficiently as legs. Neither do the legs on a two-legged stool. : )
  • Inkspot - Tuna?
  • irach
    [Inkspot] Not tuna.
  • Projoy - Some sort of ray?
    [irach] Just cos the Greeks got it wrong is no reason to perpetuate the error. :) Interestingly, Wikipedia refers to them as "arms".
  • Inkspot - A skate?
  • irach
    Not a skate.
  • Raak - Would I be likely to find it at the fish counter in the supermarket?
  • irach
    [Raak] Very likely to find it at the fish counter.
  • Projoy - Some sort of ray?
  • irach
    [Projoy] Not a ray.
  • Inkspot - A ray-finned fish?
  • irach
    [Inkpot] Yes, a ray-finned fish (Class Actinopterygii).
  • Inkspot - A Salmon?
  • irach
    [Inkspot] Not salmon.
  • Irouléguy - Haddock?
  • Inkspot - Cod?
  • irach
    [Irouleguy] Not haddock.
    [inkspot] Not cod.
  • Phil - Herring?
  • Inkspot - Mullet
  • irach
    [Phil] Not herring.
    [Inkspot] Not mullet, either.
  • Irouléguy - Is this normally found in the waters around Britain?
  • Inkspot - Of the super order Acanthopterygii form the class Actinopterygii ?
  • Inkspot - Of the super order Paracanthopterygii form the class Actinopterygii?
    While it is quiet ....
  • Inkspot - Of the super order Protacanthopterygii form the class Actinopterygii?
  • Inkspot - Of the super order Ostariophysi form the class Actinopterygii?
  • irach
    [Irouleguy] Certainly found in the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea.
  • irach
    [Inkspot] Actinopterygii, yes, but not any of the orders mentioned.
  • irach
    (Time for a clue?)
  • irach
    [Inkspot] I retract my former comment to you. It should have been a "Yes" to Superorder Acanthopterygii.
  • Irouléguy - Plaice?
  • irach
    [Irouleguy] Getting much warmer, but no. [The audience is on tenterhooks].
  • Chaly - Swordfish?
  • Chalky
    That was me.
  • Inkspot - Sole?
  • irach
    [Chalky] No.
    [Inkspot] Very warm, but not quite there. [the audience's sole response is to stand in plaice, and some begin applauding the fact that the net is finally cast in the right direction to bring in the big fish].
  • Chalky
    Gosh - the anticipation is killing me ...
  • CdM - Flounder?
  • irach
    [CdM]. Yes, flounder it is. Actually the word on the card I was looking for was "Halibut", but "flounder" is close enough for a win, since halibut are a class of flounder. Take it away, CdM....
  • CdM
    Looks like I just lurked my way to another victory. All right.
    VEGETABLE and MINERAL
  • Irouléguy - A building?
  • CdM
    Building? No.
  • Raak - Edible?
  • Inkspot - A mass produced manufactured item?
  • CdM
    Edible? No.
    Mass-produced manufactured item? Yes.
  • Raak - Made of wood and metal?
  • Inkspot - Made of plastic?
  • irach - Can it be held in one's hand?
  • Irouléguy - Does it use electricity?
  • CdM
    Wood and metal? No.
    Plastic? In part.
    Held in one's hand? Um. Yes and No.
    Use electricity? No.
  • CdM
    Clarification: As it happens, I have held this in my hand. But under normal circumstances you would not think of it as being something you can or would hold in the hand.
  • Projoy - Has it working parts?
  • CdM
    Working parts? No.
  • Néa - Always the same size?
    (not meaning to within a fraction of an inch, but roughly the same)
  • CdM
    Always the same size? The words on the card imply no necessary specific size at all. There is considerable variation in most actual instances as well, although you might still say that most actual instances are (very) roughly the same size. (Audience applauds the question, even as they try to make sense of the answer.)
  • CdM
    And to clarify (!) I should say that many actual instances are indeed roughly (as opposed to (very) roughly) the same size.
  • Irouléguy - Is it bigger than a shoebox?
  • Chalky - Is it used in entertainment?
  • Projoy - Bigger than a matchbox?
  • Chalky - Is it used in industry?
  • CdM
    Bigger than shoebox/matchbox? In the actual instances that I referred to, it would be bigger than a shoebox (and it would pretty much always have to be bigger than a matchbox).
    Used in entertainment? Broadly speaking, yes.
    Used in industry? No.
  • Chalky - Used for a recreational activity?
  • Raak - To do with audio reproduction?
  • CdM
    Recreational activity? Yes. (Perhaps not always, but yes is the best answer).
    audio reproduction? No.
  • CdM
    (nothing from me for the next 18 hours or so -- about to get on a plane)
  • Tuj - Used in sports?
    [CdM] Look out for snakes.
  • Néa - Could it be found in a home?
  • CdM
    Used in sports? Yes. applause
    Could it be found in a home? Highly unlikely.
  • Irouléguy - Used in one particular sport?
  • CdM
    One particular sport? No, although largely confined to a small number of sports.
  • Phil - A ball?
  • Rosie - Some form of protection?
  • Raak - Is it too big for one person to carry?
  • Irouléguy - A goal?
  • CdM
    Ball? No.
    Protection? No.
    Too big for one person to carry? Yes, in usual circumstances (but see earlier responses)
    Goal? No.
  • Inkspot - Is the vegetable cotton?
  • Raak - A scoreboard?
  • CdM
    cotton? No.
    scoreboard? No.
  • Raak - Astroturf?
  • CdM
    Astroturf? Not quite, but massive applause
  • Chalky - A piece of Wembley Stadium turf?
  • Inkspot - A running track?
  • CdM - getting colder
    Wembley? No.
    Running track? No.
    Astroturf was really very close indeed, but not exactly right.
  • Projoy - A pitch?
  • Rosie - Some form of matting, eg for high-jumpers to land on?
  • CdM
    Actually, upon reflection, I think I should just award the victory to Raak. I was actually looking for Fieldturf, which is sort of a new generation astroturf (made of rubber, sand, and plastic, and much more like real grass). (Fieldturf, like astroturf, is a brand name, but I think there are several manufacturers of similar products.)
  • Raak
    Number 2, I guess, at least in popular consciousness.

    The next is MINERAL with ABSTRACT connections.

  • Chalky - A sculpture?
  • irach - Iron hand?
  • Rosie - A natural feature?
  • Raak
    [C] Not a sculpture.
    [i] Not an iron hand.
    [R] Not a natural feature.
  • Inkspot - Does it have religious connections?
  • Raak
    [I] No religious connections.
  • Inkspot - Is it in a particular country?
  • Raak
    [I] Not specific to any country.
  • Irouléguy - Is it a mass-produced object?
  • Raak
    [I] Yes, mass-produced.
  • Chalky - Is it edible?
  • Rosie - Is it actually an object, as opposed to a substance?
  • Raak
    [C] Not edible.
    [R] An object.
  • Chalky - Is it made of glass?
  • Raak
    [C] Partly made of glass.
  • Chalky - Larger than a telephone kiosk?
  • Raak
    [C] Smaller than a telephone book.
  • Inkspot - Was it invented?
  • Raak
    [C] Oops, misread your question. Well, it's smaller than a telephone book.
    [I] Invented. Actually, one might question whether there was an "inventive step" in first making these, or if it was an obvious application of existing inventions, but patents have been granted on slighter grounds.
  • Rosie - A microscope?
    Taking a pot shot from the halfway line.
  • Raak
    [R] Not a microscope.
  • Inkspot - Is it a product of a particular company?
  • Tuj - Would it have a use in a particular part of one's house?
  • Raak
    [I] Not a particular company.
    [T] Yes (although it could be used anywhere in the house).
  • Projoy - A stationery connection?
  • CdM
    Connected to lighting?
  • CdM - Connected to lighting?
  • Raak
    [P] Not conneted to stationery.
    [C] Connected to lighting? Sort of.
  • Chalky - Anything to do with time?
  • Raak
    [C] Nothing to do with time.
  • Projoy - Does it have an optical function?
  • CdM - Is it used on its own, or is it a component of some larger entity?
  • Projoy - A window?
  • Raak
    [P] Yes! It has an optical function. Applause!
    [C] Neither.
    [P] Not a window.
  • irach - Eyeglasses?
  • Projoy - Small picture frame?
  • Raak
    [i] Not eyeglasses.
    [P] Not a picture frame.
  • Projoy - Is a lens involved?
  • Raak
    [P] Yes! More applause.
  • Tuj - A camera?
  • Raak
    [T] Yes, a camera. But that's not the whole answer.
  • Irouléguy - A digital camera?
  • Raak
    [I] Yes, but that's still not quite the whole answer.
  • Tuj - A camera phone?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] Not a camera phone.
  • CdM - A webcam?
  • Irouléguy - A disposable digital camera?
  • Raak
    [I] No.
    [CdM] Yes, a webcam. Back to you.
  • CdM
    Wow. I am on a roll again. OK
    MINERAL with ABSTRACT connections.
  • Raak - Related to computers?
  • CdM
    computer-related? No.
  • Chalky - A geographical feature?
  • CdM
    geographical feature? At least part of the answer is a geographical feature, and the whole answer is arguably also a geographical feature, at least for a broad definition of geography. applause
  • Chalky - I'm seeing some sort of man-made structure on an island or rock - am I WAY off the mark?
  • Rosie - Is the abstract connection in any way spiritual?
  • irach - Lunar crater?
  • CdM - after such a good start...
    manmade structure on rock? Way off the mark.    :-)
    spiritual connection? No.
    lunar crater? No.
  • Tuj - A country or territory of some sort?
  • CdM
    Country or territory? No.
  • Tuj - Man-made?
  • Rosie - An ocean or sea?
  • CdM
    Man-made? No.
    Ocean? No.
  • Raak - The face on Mars?
  • Tuj - Is water involved?
  • CdM
    Face on Mars? No.
    Water involved? Yes. applause
  • Rosie - A lake?
  • CdM
    Lake? No.
  • Rosie - Flowing water?
  • Irouléguy - Is there just one of these?
  • CdM
    Flowing water? No.
    Just one of these? Yes is the least misleading answer.
  • Raak - Is it underground?
  • CdM
    Underground? No.
  • Rosie - A reservoir?
    Yhough it probably counts as a lake.
  • Rosie
    Preview, dear boy. That should be, "though".
  • Chalky - A Glacier?
  • CdM
    Reservoir? No.
    Glacier? No. smattering of applause
  • Raakm - The Arctic ice cap?
  • Projoy - A comet?
  • CdM
    Arctic ice cap? No.
    Comet? No.

    Correction and apology: I should have answered "yes" to "a glacier?". (The technically correct answer is perhaps "no", but this is very misleading.)
  • Raak - In the southern hemisphere?
  • CdM
    Southern hemisphere? Yes.
  • Irouléguy - In South America?
  • CdM
    South America? No.
  • Projoy - An ice-shelf?
  • Rosie - The Ross Ice Shelf?
  • CdM
    Ice shelf? No.
    Ross ice shelf? No, a fortiori
  • Néa - In Africa?
    Yay, the Internets are back!
  • CdM
    Africa? Yes.
  • Raak
    A glacier in Africa? Google...

    Is it in the vicinity of Kilimanjaro?

  • irach - The Snows of Kilimanjaro, as in Hemingway?
  • CdM
    YES! The words on the card are "The Snows of Kilimanjaro", with the abstract connection being the Hemingway short story and the subsequent film. *hands icicle to irach*
  • irach
    Thanks, CdM (he says, as the icicle begins melting and dripping)... this one is ANIMAL.
  • Rosie - Human?
  • irach - No.
  • Irouléguy - A mammal?
  • irach
    [Irouleguy] Not a mammal.
  • Kim - Extinct?
  • Phil - Does it have legs?
  • Tuj - Something made out of an animal?
  • Inkspot - Native to a particular continent?
  • Raak - Large enough to see?
  • Rosie - Part of an animal?
  • irach
    [Kim] Not extinct.
    [Phil] Yes, it does have legs.
    [Tuj] No.
    [Inkspot] Not native to any one continent.
    [Raak] Yes, plainly visible and macroscopic.
    [Rosie] No, not a part of an animal.
  • CdM - An insect?
  • irach
    [CdM] Not an insect.
  • Raak - A bird?
  • Kim - Amphibian?
  • irach
    [Raak] Yes, a bird.
    [Kim] No, not amhibian.
  • Rosie - Any emblematic significance?
  • Phil - A seabird?
  • Tuj - Emu?
  • irach
    [Rosie] None that I'm aware of.
    [Phil] Yes, a coastal bird, but not exclusively so.
    [Tuj] Not an emu.
  • Irouléguy - A cormorant?
  • Kim - Grey Gull?
  • Chalky - A hawk of some kind?
  • irach
    [Irouleguy] Not a cormorant.
    [Kim} Not a grey (or otherwise coloured) gull.
    [Chalky] No, not a hawk of any kind.
  • Kim - Tern?
  • irach - [Kim] Not a tern.
  • Kim - Native to the UK?
  • irach
    [Kim] Not native to the UK, according to the British Ornithologists' Union list of British birds.
    [Rosie] In researching your earlier question, Yes, it is of emblematic and/or symbolic significance.
  • Irouléguy - A puffin?
  • irach
    [Irouleguy] Not a puffin.
  • ImNotJohn - Waterfowl of some nature?
  • Rosie - A vulture?
    (irach) Thanks for doing that. :-)
  • irach
    [INJ] A waterbird that frequents water, yes.
    [Rosie] No, not a vulture.
  • CdM - A loon?
  • irach
    [CdM] Not a loon.
  • ImNotJohn - Endangered?
    [CdM] The loon is on the British list, only it's called 'Great Northern Diver'
    [Irach] By waterfowl I meant a bird in the duck, coot, rail group, to distinguish it from say Fish Eagle or heron.
  • irach
    [CdM] Not a duck, loon, goose, swan, coot, rail or gallinule. Not Anidae.
  • irach
    [CdM] That should read Anatidae, of course.
  • irach
    [INJ] Not endangered. At least one species of this bird was endangered earlier, but has made a good recovery and is no longer considered so.
  • irach
    [INJ] Actually, I did a little more digging on the web, and the species in question is still considered endangered in parts of its range, while it has been removed from the list in those zones where it has made a very good comeback.
  • CdM - Pelican?
  • CdM
    *waits for INJ to explain that the pelican is exclusively coastal, or some such other objection*
  • irach
    [CdM] Yes, Pelican, it is! Bravo! Take it away...
  • CdM
    I actually thought of pelican much earlier, but then misread a Q&A and thought it had been ruled out. Anyway.

    ABSTRACT (perhaps with VEGETABLE and MINERAL connections)
  • Néa - An activity?
  • CdM
    An activity? No.
  • Inkspot - An organisation?
  • CdM
    An organisation? No.
  • Néa - A human construct?
    (oblig.)
  • CdM
    Human construct? Yes.
  • Irouléguy - Is this found in all cultures?
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
  • CdM
    Found in all cultures. No, but it is widespread.
    Begins with a P? No.
  • Rosie - An academic study?
  • CdM
    Academic study? No.
  • CdM
    The audience, very belatedly, decides it should offer some applause in response to Inkspot's question.
  • Irouléguy - Is the vegetable connection edible?
  • ImNotJohn - An anarcho-syndicalist flag?
  • CdM
    Edible vegetable? No.
    A-s flag? No. Some laughter in the audience
  • Raak - To do with politics?
  • CdM
    Politics? No.
  • Tuj - Any religious connections?
  • Inkspot - A connection with music?
  • Rosie - A philosophy, in the broadest sense?
  • CdM
    Religious? No.
    Music? No.
    Philosophy? No, unless you want to be very broad.
  • Raak - Is it fictional?
  • CdM
    Fictional? No.
  • Rosie - Anything to do with clothing?
  • CdM
    To do with clothing? Yes, though not exclusively. applause
  • Rosie - Appearance?
  • CdM
    Appearance? No.
  • Raak - The Shield of British Fair Play?
  • Irouléguy - To do with a particular item of clothing?
  • CdM
    shield of British fair play? No.
    particular item of clothing? No. some applause
  • Tuj - Is the answer on the card one word?
  • Raak - The Emperor's New Clothes?
  • Inkspot - An insignia?
  • CdM
    one word? Two words plus a definite article.
    Emperor's new clothes? No.
    An insignia? Yes, broadly defined. applause
  • Phil - The Union Flag (Union Jack)?
  • CdM
    Union Flag? No.
  • Raak - Is it normally attached to clothing?
  • Irouléguy - A designer label?
  • CdM
    Normally attached to clothing? Most often, yes. applause
    Designer label? Yes, broadly defined (though not exactly). applause
  • nights - a care label?
  • Rosie - A logo?
  • CdM
    Care label? No.
    A logo? Yes. applause
  • Projoy - The Nike Symbol?
  • CdM
    Nike? Yes! The words on the card are actually "The Nike Swoosh", but that's close enough. *hands branded baton to Projoy*
  • Projoy
    Oh dear, that was a bit of a lurker's victory. Nevermind...
    VEGETABLE/MINERAL/ABSTRACT
  • Rosie - A natural product?
    Whaddya meeeen Never mind? I'm furious, as always.
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] There, there. Mine usually don't take long to get... A natural product? NO.
    [Tuj] Begins with a P? YES
  • Tuj - Yes!!
    (no question)
  • Tuj - Smaller than a phone box?
    Oh alright then.
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] Smaller than a phone box? YES
  • Raak - A Mr. Potato Head?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Kartoffelkopf? NEIN
  • Irouléguy - Is the vegetable wood?
  • Inkspot - Is it mass produced?
  • CdM - The peck of pickled peppers that Peter Piper picked?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] Wood? PROBABLY
    [Ink] Mass-produced? I DOUBT IT
    [CdM] The sum of stewed squash stolen by some silly sod? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Primarily produced for artistic, rather than practical, reasons?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] I'm not sure there's anything other than a misleading answer to that other than IT DEPENDS.
  • Raak - Is it found in the home?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Found in the home? NOT NORMALLY
  • Chalky - Does music come into this?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Music connection? NO
  • Irouléguy - Smaller than a shoe-box?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] Smaller than a shoe-box? NO
  • Raak - Found on a ship?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] On a ship? NO
  • Rosie - Is it street furniture?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Street Furniture, YES *applause, although there are some dissenting voices*
  • Projoy
    [INJ] On further reflection, there are two separate answers to the "artistic, rather than practical" question. One is an unequivocal YES, the other is a tentative NO.
  • Raak - Festive ornamentation of some sort?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Festive Ornamentation? NO
  • Irouléguy - Parking meters?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] Parking meters? NO (but a sensitive ear can make out the sound of one hand clapping)
  • Rosie - A shelter of some kind?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] A shelter? YEAH, I GUESS
  • irach - Bus stop?
  • Projoy
    [ir] Bus stop, NOPE
  • irach - A bench?
  • Projoy
    [ir] Bench, NOPE
  • irach - Parking garage?
  • Projoy
    [ir] Parking garage, NOPE (don't forget - is smaller than a phone box)
  • ImNotJohn - parasol?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Parasol, NO * a slight chill breeze wafts from the audience *
  • irach - A Parking/No parking sign
  • Projoy
    (no) parking sign, NOPE
  • Rosie - A pissoir?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Pissoir? NOPE
    [all] I know it seems like it's been narrowed down quite a bit, but critical information about the answer has yet to be unearthed, hence most of these guesses missing.
  • Raak - A café umbrella?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Café Umbrella? NOPE
  • ImNotJohn - Specific to one culture/country?
  • Irouléguy - Is the shelter for people?
  • Tuj - Park bench?
    And it begins with P!
  • Raak - Is the vegetable wood?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Specific to one culture/country? NO, NOT REALLY
    [Ig] Shelter for people? SORT OF (it's not for any other species either)
    [Tuj] Park bench, NOPE
    [Raak] Wood? PROBABLY, BUT MIGHT NOT BE
  • Rosie - Is it put there by the local authority?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Local Authority, NO
  • Projoy
    (put where, btw?)
  • ImNotJohn - Would it normally be found on the UK pavement as opposed to the US pavement?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] UK/US? NO. Wouldn't normally be found in either place.
  • Rosie - Is it found in a particular type of location?
  • Tuj - Some kind of fencing?
  • Irouléguy - A pier?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Particular type of location? YES and NO. The most helpful answer is NO.
    [Tuj] Fencing? NO
    [Ig] Pier? NO
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Actually, it could be that the most helpful answer is YES, come to think of it. Sorry, not wishing to be perverse, but there's still something you don't yet know about this thing that, one you have found it out, would enable me to give much less equivocal answers.
  • Phil - A pier?
  • Phil
    I am so blind - apols for such blatant repitition
  • Tuj - Is it fictional?
  • Phil - Pillarbox?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] apology accepted :)
    [Tuj] Fictional? YES *relieved applause and cheering*
    [Phil] Pillarbox? NO, although the notion of taking shelter in a pillarbox is amusing me as I type.
  • Tuj - From a book?
    Pfff blimey. Can't believe we hadn't questioned the abstract sooner.
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] From a book? YES
  • Raak - One specific, individual thing?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Specific, individual? YES
  • Phil
    [Projoy] It's only "sort of" a shelter for people, so I thought it might be a shelter for things, that people use. But, you could shelter one hand at a time in one :-)
  • Raak - Is the book science fiction?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] SF? NO.
  • Raak - A porch?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Porch, NO.
  • Phil - A Priesthole?
    (only they have them in non-fiction too, but it's all I can think of)
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Priesthole? NOPE
  • Irouléguy - Is it a 20th century book?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] C20th book? YES
  • CdM - Is the book set, broadly speaking, in the present day (as opposed to being obviously historical fiction or obviously set in the future)?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Broadly present-day, YES
  • Projoy
    (there is a case for a NO answer, but that would be a bit obnoxious)
  • CdM - Are there multiple instances of this one specific thing? (I'm trying to reconcile "specific individual thing" with "not specific to one culture")
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Multiple instances? NO (there's no especial reason there couldn't be, but only one is mentioned - there's nothing about the one instance encountered that is (particularly) specific to one culture)
  • CdM - Is the book set in a recognisable real location or locations?
    (I'm making up for all the questions I didn't ask earlier.)
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Real/recognisable location? NO (and YES, but mostly NO)
  • ImNotJohn - Would the book be considered as basically for children?
  • Projoy
    [CdMaddendum] Which is to say in terms of "recognisable", the answer is definitely NO, and in terms of "real", it's MOSTLY NO.
    [INJ] Basically for children? YES *applause*
  • ImNotJohn - In a Harry Potter book?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Harry Potter? NO.
  • CdM - In a Narnian chronicle?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] I'm not that far back in the closet. NO. ;-)
  • Irouléguy - In a Philip Pullman book?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] Philip Pullman? NOPE (even though he begins with P twice!)
  • Tuj - Book from the last 50 years?
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] From the last 50 Years, YES
  • Phil - A Tolkien book?
  • Inkspot - Is the writer British?
  • Tuj - Pub sign?
  • irach - Pinocchio?
  • Irouléguy - Just one book, or a series?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Tolkien? NO
    [Inkspot] British? NO
    [Tuj] Pub sign? NO
    [ir] Pinocchio, NO
    [Ig] Just one book? YES
  • Projoy - Da Recap
    So, it's a fictional, single, individual object which is smaller than a phone-box, larger than a shoe-box and appears in a one-off C20th children's novel by a non-British author, which is mostly set in unreal locations, published some time in the last fifty years. It may be described as "street furniture" (with some potential for controversy) and The Answer begins with a 'P'. More dubious are the details of what it's made of (probably wood), where it is most likely to be found, and whether it is likely to be mass-produced (unlikely, IMO). I won't go thru all the things it's not, but will note that some people will have heard of it, others will probably require google.
  • ImNotJohn - French?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] French? NO
  • ImNotJohn - European?
    OK, let's be systematic about this.
  • CdM - Phantom Tollboth?
  • CdM
    And can I just say that, if that isn't right, then it ought to be.
  • Projoy
    [INJ] European, NO...
    [CdM] Phantom Tollbooth? YES!! *collects checkpoint fee and hands baton back to CdM*
  • Rosie
    Never heard of it, nor will many others, thus excluding them from the game. Google it? What do you type into Google? "Something I have never heard of". Go! This is by no means the worst example of an inappropriate subject, there being many of them so arcane that you just give up, bored, knowing that eventually some clever clogs will winkle out the answer. I could retaliate, of course, if I ever win again. It will be a steam engine. Not just any old steam engine. Oh dear me no. A particular type and not only that, a particular class. And not just any old loco of that class but a particular engine. And will it be notable in any way? Not necessarily. Wouldn't that be clever? The point I am making is that this game has departed a long way from the original concept, which was conducted live and necessarily needed maybe unusual but universally-known subjects. It needs to stop being a research project or a showcase for clever boys and return to its more modest origins.
  • Phil
    Ditto, never heard of it :-(
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Oh, rubbish. If we stuck to obvious stuff, this game would have run out of steam much earlier. I enjoyed finding out about, for example, Bobrikov, set by Néa earlier in the game. I'd never heard of him, but that hardly excluded me from the game (in fact it was me who dug up the answer after about 20 minutes' research).
  • Raak
    Besides, anyone who hasn't heard of the Phantom Tollbooth has just had the good fortune to discover it. It is one of the classics of literature and they should read it at once (preferably in an edition with the original Jules Feiffer cartoons).
  • Phil
    Bobrikov, and Bluebeard (which I found through Google) were good - difficult, and involved learning something new, but they were relatively "googlable". Luckily, the Phantom Bluetooth appears to be well enough known for someone to get it, it's just us grumpy old men that have never heard of it ;-)
    Lets move on and work the next one out :-)
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) There is an absolutely huge number of subjects that are universally known. The skill is in picking one that is a little off-beat and needs a little imagination to guess. That's what the original Animal, Vegetable and Mineral was about. Turning it into a research project is a negation of the original idea. I have no interest whatever in which particular species of South American lizard, or which character from some science fiction novel the questioner is thinking of. That is just so nerdy. And boring! It's meant to be a game. Time for another extended absence from this one, I feel.
  • Tuj
    [Rosie] Please don't deprive us of your presence from this game. Surely now your opinions have been aired and taken into account by the rest of us there should be less of a problem? I'm in the "never heard of it" camp for the last one, but that happens every now and then - and I'm sure it does for everyone. Trying to come up with subjects every single time that every member of a multi-national group of people from a fair age range have heard of wouldn't be too easy. Yes, if there happens to be another subject soon that the majority of people consider inappropriate we can have this kind of discussion, but shall we just get on with things for now?
    [CdM] By the way, no pressure on choosing the next topic ;)
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) That's very kind, and I actually enjoy the game, yes really, but only up to the point where I reckon the answer must be something I've never heard of, at which I just switch off and hope for something better next time. OK, I'll put in some questions then, if you insist. :-)
  • CdM
    [Tuj] Well, I was thinking about picking a particular steam engine...
    [Rosie] I understand where you are coming from -- halfway through the last AVMA I remember thinking "well, if this is from a Philip Pullman book I might as well give up now." At the same time this game, like so many that we play, is different from its antecedent, and I think this is a good thing, not a bad thing. This online version is played using google from time to time, and that does open us up to more obscure topics. As to whether Projoy's particular choice was too obscure, I am inclined to think not (but then, I did know the answer). The answer was the title to the book, not something from within the book, and I do think the book is acknowledged as at least a minor classic of children's literature -- maybe not in the A.A. Milne or Lewis Carroll or C.S. Lewis league, but comparable to perhaps the works of Roald Dahl or Arthur Ransome. Like Tuj, though, I would urge you to keep playing. On which note,
    ABSTRACT
  • Projoy - A human construct?
  • CdM
    Human construct? Yes is the least misleading answer.
  • Irouléguy - Does it have religious connotations?
  • Phil - fictional?
  • Raak - To do with language?
  • CdM
    Religious connotations? No.
    Fictional? No.
    To do with language? No.
  • Raak - To do with computers?
  • Projoy - To do with emotions?
  • CdM
    Computers? No, except in a very tangential sense.
    Emotions? No.
  • Projoy - To do with numbers?
  • Chalky - Reality TV?
  • Irouléguy - Is there just one of these?
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
  • Rosie - Stephenson's Rocket?
    No forget that - it's got to be Mallard.
  • Rosie - A space of some kind?
  • CdM
    To do with numbers? Hmmmmm... Not as such, yet numbers do play an important role in practice.
    Reality TV? No.
    Just one of these? No.
    Begins with P? No.
    Stephenson's Rocket? Not even close. :-)
    A space of some kind? That is also a tricky one. I would say Yes, but I worry that that answer will mislead.
  • Raak - To do with mathematics?
  • Chalky - Is it a game of some kind?
  • ImNotJohn - Connected with Physics?
    [Rosie] Since it's abstract, it would have to be the Mallard Imaginaire.
  • Projoy - "Something I've never heard of"?
  • Irouléguy - A relationship of some sort between humans?
  • irach - Moebius loop?
  • CdM
    To do with mathematics? No.
    Game of some kind? No.
    Connected with physics? No.(There are very vague connections to physics and math, but I think they are unhelpful)
    Something Projoy has never heard of? :-) No.
    Relationship between humans? No. (Except in a very vague sense!)
    Moebius loop? No.

    Not to be discouraging, but nothing is hitting anywhere near the mark yet...
  • Rosie - Anything to do with environmental issues?
  • Raak - To do with the arts?
  • Projoy - To do with perception?
  • CdM
    To do with environmental issues? No. (Again, I suppose there is a very vague connection.)
    To do with the arts? No.
    To do with perception? No.
  • Projoy - To do with the internets?
  • CdM
    To do with the internets? No. Although, as a clue, I might point out that it had absolultely nothing to do with the internets at all until relatively recently, and now it does have something to do with the internets, as in fact I proved when I originally set this AVMA.
  • Raak - AVMA?
  • Phil - To do with music?
  • Rosie - To do with motion?
    "Mallard" did 125 mph, you know.
  • Projoy - To do with randomness?
  • CdM
    Music? No.
    Motion? Yes. *some applause*
    Randomness? *tosses coin, checks* No.
  • Raak - *ahem*
  • Irouléguy - To do with holidays?
  • Phil - The diesel land speed record?
  • gil
    Journey? Ticket?
  • Projoy - The speed of light?
  • Tuj - Some sort of delivery?
  • ImNotJohn - Would it have been known about/understood pre 1700?
  • Projoy - Does it refer to the absence, rather than the presence of something?
    Forget the speed of light, it's obviously not that.
  • CdM - oops
    A clearing of the throat? No.
    AVMA? No.
    Holidays? No.
    Diesel land speed record? No.
    Speed of light? *forgets* Delivery? No.
    Understood pre 1700? No. *ripple of applause*
    Absence vs presence? Presence rather than absence.
  • Projoy - Some sort of taxon?
  • Raak - The Hubble constant?
  • ImNotJohn - Technology-related?
  • Tuj - A force?
  • irach - The Poincare Conjecture?
  • Phil - Gravity?
  • Irouléguy - Is it associated with/a product of a particular branch of science?
  • Rosie - Kinetic energy?
  • CdM
    taxon? No.
    Hubble constant? No.
    Technology-related? Yes, in the sense that it that would not be meaningful without a particular technology.
    Poincaré Conjecture? No.
    Gravity? No. *some laughter in the audience mixed with a smattering of applause*
    Associated with particular branch of science? Yes, if "science" includes applied sciences.
    Kinetic energy? No, although there is a vague connection.
  • Projoy - Anything to do with planes?
  • Raak - Is the technology computing?
  • Phil - Flight?
  • gil
    Railway timetable?
  • CdM
    To do with planes? Yes. *applause*
    To with computing? Well, the primary technology I was thinking of was aeronautics. There need not be a connection with computing, but in practice there usually is.
    Flight? No. *significant applause*
    Railway timetable? No. *sudden silence*
  • Raak - The simulated absence of gravity on a plane flying a parabolic path?
  • Néa - Bernoulli's Principle?
  • Phil - Lift?
    Which could be correct, as Tuj's "A Force?" was not answered.
  • CdM - oooops again
    zero g? No.
    Bernouilli Principle? *tosses coin, checks* No.
    Lift (or other force?)? No.
  • CdM
    *surreptitiously removes "i" from Bernoodle*
  • Projoy - To do also with money?
  • Projoy - Jet lag?
    Forget last question
  • CdM
    jet lag?
    ...
    ...
    ...
    ...
    No.
  • Rosie - The gyroscopic effect?
  • Projoy - OK, to do also with money?
  • CdM
    gyroscopic effect? No.
    to do with money? No.
  • Rosie - Satellite Navigation?
  • CdM
    satellite navigation? No. *more applause*
  • Projoy - Altitude?
  • irach - Elliptical orbit?
  • CdM
    altitude is one of the two words on the card. *sustained applause*
    elliptical orbit? No.
  • ImNotJohn - Cruising Altitude?
    If that doesn't work I'll let others have a go.
  • Projoy - Density Altitude?
  • Projoy
    No, I think INJ has it, actually.
  • Rosie - Pressure Altitude?
    Just in case INJ hasn't got it.
  • CdM
    Cruising Altitude it is, prompted by the fact that I posted that AVMA at a height of 38,000 feet somewhere over Central Asia. *automatic pilot hands baton to INJ*
  • ImNotJohn - OK, a quick one then.
    This one is MINERAL.
  • ImNotJohn
    BTW I'm spending the long weekend away from contact. (No phone, no mobile connectivity, without walking 15 minutes, no road). So if you haven't got it by bedtime there could be a long pause.
  • Projoy - naturally occurring?
  • CdM - Is there more than one instance of this?
  • ImNotJohn
    [PJ]naturally occurring - YES
    [CdM] >1 - NO is probably the less confusing answer
  • CdM - Larger than a house?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] > house - YES
  • Phil - A geographical feature?
  • ImNotJohn - Well this is going quickly
    [Phil] geographical feature? - YES (applause)
  • CdM - In Europe?
    [Phil] Mineral, larger than a house, INJ setting the clue -- it had to be a geographical feature. :-)
  • Projoy - On Earth?
    *senses possible topicality*
  • Raak - Is its name of plural form?
    As in the Alps, the Urals, the Six Counties, etc.
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Europe - NO
    [PJ] On Earth - YES (no ice balls here)
    [Raak] name of plural form? - NO (that's not why)
  • Néa - Africa?
    (Feel free to assume the rest of the questions :-) )
  • ImnotJohn - Feeling Liberated
    [Néa] Africa - NO
    (Feel free to assume the rest of the answers)
  • Projoy - Asia?
  • ImNotJohn
    [PJ] Asia - YES
    The audience is following intently.
  • Tuj - A Himalaya?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Tuj] Himalaya? - NO
  • Néa - A group of islands?
  • Raak - Is it at sea?
  • Projoy - A named object?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Néa] archipelago? - NO
    [Raak] At Sea? - NO (a few wry grins are seen),br>[PJ] named object? - YES
  • ImNotJohn - Preview, you Great Dummacks!
  • Raak - New Orleans?
  • Rosie - A lake?
  • ImNotJohn - Which Asia was that?
    [Raak] New Orleans? - NO
    [Rosie] Lake? - YES
    (Most of the audience applaud - a few sit pointedly on their hands)
  • Néa - The Caspian Sea?
  • ImNotJohn - Nearly there
    [Néa] Non-princely Caspian - NO
  • irach - Lake Baikal?
  • irach - Aral Sea?
  • Raak - Lake Vostok?
  • ImNotJohn
    And it’s a lurker’s victory for irach – the Aral Sea it is. The singular/plural question is because the evaporation has continued to such an extent that there are at least 3 unconnected bodies of water.

    So, have a good weekend and over to irach.

  • irach
    Well, well, well... The next one is ANIMAL, VEGETABLE and MINERAL
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
  • irach
    [Tuj] As a matter of fact, Yes.
  • Rosie - Manmade?
  • irach
    [Rosie] Yes.
  • Tuj - Bigger than a telephone box?
    Score!
  • irach
    [Tuj] No, smaller than a telephone box.
  • Projoy - Bigger than a shoebox?
  • Rosie - A household device?
  • irach
    [Projoy] Generally not larger than a shoebox, and definitely not in two of the three dimensions.
    [Rosie] May occasionally be used in the household, but is also frequently utilized in other locales.
  • Phil - A man-made object?
    [CdM] you obviously know him better than I do
  • Tuj - Used in sport?
  • Rosie - A passive object, i.e. not powered?
  • irach
    [Phil] Yes. A man-made object.
    [Tuj] Not used in sport.
    [Rosie} Not powered by electricity or any fuel.
  • Raak - A leather-bound filofax?
  • Tuj - Is the vegetable part paper?
  • irach
    [Raak] No. Not a filofax.
    [Tuj] The vegetable part is not paper.
  • Tuj - Is the vegetable part wood?
  • Raak - Is the animal part alive?
  • irach
    [Tuj] Yes, the vegetable part is wood.(The dozing audience opens half an eye)
    [Raak] Not alive.
  • Tuj - Is the mineral part metal?
  • Raak - A musical instrument?
  • irach
    [Tuj] Yes, the mineral part is metal.
    [Raak] Not a musical instrument.
  • Rosie - Do many people carry this with them?
  • irach
    [Rosie] Most people have carried it at some time, some people carry this some of the time; a certain profession carries it more often than others.
  • Rosie - A mobile phone?
  • irach
    [Rosie} Not a mobile phone.
  • penelope - Is it a penknife or pocket knife?
  • irach
    [penelope] Neither a penknife or pocket knife.
  • Raak - An umbrella?
  • irach
    [Raak]. Not an umbrella. (begins with "p", remember? Not a parasol either, however. As a clarification, one does not "carry" it so much as "handle" it in its use).
  • Projoy - Does it have a use in an office?
  • Chalky - A pen?
  • Rosie - A container of some kind?
  • irach
    [Projoy] Not generally used in an office.
    [Chalky] Not a pen (the audience stirs ever so slightly, though}
    [Rosie] Not a container.
  • Projoy - Connected with making marks?
  • ImNotJohn - a picture?
  • Raak - Connected with paint?
  • Tuj - A paintbrush?
  • irach
    [Projoy] I presume one can make marks with it.
    [INJ] Not a picture (but the audience sits up, taking notice, and a few nod knowingly)
    [Raak] Yes. Connected with paint... (oooh, so close).
    [Tuj] By Jove, you got it! YES - a paintbrush it is.
  • irach
  • Tuj
    I say, I actually won one! That's never happened before!
    So, I'll kick off with a nice easy ANIMAL.
  • Kim - Human?
  • Tuj
    [Kim] Nope.
  • Néa - Begins with a P??
  • Tuj
    [Néa] Naturally :D
  • Raak - Currently lives wild in Britain?
  • Tuj
    [Raak] Possibly, but a less misleading answer I think would be NO.
  • irach - Dingo?
  • Rosie - Is it a bird?
  • Tuj
    [irach] Not a dingo.
    [Rosie] Not a bird (or a plane, or indeed Superman).
  • Raak - Do people keep it as a pet?
  • Néa - Is it a mammal?
  • irach - Is it sometimes used a s a work animal?
  • ImNotJohn - A single named individual animal?
  • Tuj
    [Raak] Pets? No.
    [Néa] Not a mammal.
    [irach] Not a work animal, though it is useful.
    [INJ] Not a specific single animal.
  • Tuj
    I feel so negative... at least you know it begins with P, eh? ;)
  • ImNotJohn - Does it live on land?
  • Tuj
    [INJ] As opposed to sea or sky YES, but that's not a brilliant answer.
    Maybe I should have made more of the fact it's useful...
  • irach - Does it live in fresh water?
  • Chalky - Is it an insect?
  • Chalky - Is it bred for a specific purpose?
  • Tuj
    [irach] No, I don't think so.
    [Chalky-1] No...
    [Chalky-2] Yes! (though not in all instances)
  • Rosie - A pig?
  • Projoy - A reptile?
    [Rosie] Not a mammal, apparently.
  • Tuj
    [Rosie & Projoy] Neither a pig nor a reptile.
  • irach - An invertebrate?
  • ImNotJohn - Individually visible to the naked eye?
  • Raak - Is its skin made into leather?
    "Leather" includes crocodiles, snakes, eels, etc
  • Kim - Is it a fish?
  • Chalky - Is it an animal product?
  • Tuj
    [irach] Spineless indeed.
    [INJ] Probably...
    {Raak] No!
    [Kim] No!
    [Chalky] YES! That's a much better line to go down.
  • Rosie - Honey?
  • Irouléguy - Edible?
  • Tuj
    [Rosie] No.
    [Irouléguy] Yes *audience thinks about applauding, then doesn't
  • Tuj
    *
  • Projoy - Eaten by human beings?
  • Tuj
    [Projoy] Taken in by humans, yes. Not sure what it'd do to anything else.
  • Raak - Do people drink it?
  • Projoy - Connected with brewing or distilling?
  • Tuj
    [Raak] No
    [Projoy] No.

    I don't think I'm very good at this.
  • Raak - Is the animal a bird?
  • Tuj
    [Raak] Nope, that's been asked before (Rosie) and we've also established that it's iffy whether a single one would be visible to the naked eye (INJ). As far as your previous question goes, it is "eaten" as such, although I just don't think that's the right word.

    I'm going away tomorrow for a few days so this may get abandoned.
  • Projoy - Does whatever it is sort of just hang around in the air?
  • Tuj
    [Projoy] No I'm afraid.
  • Projoy - Is it alive?
  • irach - Paramoecium?
  • Inkspot - A medication?
  • Tuj
    [Projoy] The animal yes, the animal product I'm fairly sure not
    [irach] Afraid not
    [Inkspot] Yes! *audience applause threatens structural instability*
  • Projoy - Penicillin?
  • Tuj
    [Projoy] YES! *lights flash, trumpets sound*
    'cuh, thank goodness that's over. I'll go back to guessing!
  • Projoy
    Oh dear, me again. OK, something everyone will have heard of, this time. ABSTRACT
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
    Ahh, much better.
  • Rosie - A human construct?
    (Tuj) Penicillin is not an animal product but originally came from a mould. It can now be synthesised chemically.
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] YES, it does begin with a P!
    [Rosie] YES, a human construct. Hm. Are moulds animal or vegetable or taxonomically in an "ancestor-to-both" category?
  • CdM - Procrastination?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] I'll tell you later.
  • Raak - To do with art?
  • Tuj - Procrastination?
    [Rosie] Yes, I realised I'd plunged in and labelled it animal without considering vegetable, but never mind. Thankfully my mess was cleared up by Inkspot & Projoy.
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Art? Most helpful answer is NO.
    [Tuj] I'm getting to that one. It's the next thing on my list. More later.
  • Rosie - An organisation?
    (Pj) Moulds are a type of fungi, apparently. I can't see how there can be any connection with animals. Animal can turn into Vegetable eg manure (there's polite for you) but surely not the other way round?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Organisation? NO.
  • Inkspot - Is it fictional?
  • Projoy
    [Is] Fictional? NO
  • Irouléguy - Is there a religious connection?
  • Raak - Anythig to do with furries?
  • Chalky - Predestination?
  • Chalky - Plutocracy?
  • Chalky - Parsimony?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] Religious connection? NO
    [Raak] Furry connection? NO
    [Chalky] Predestination, Plutocracy or Parsimony? NO
  • Rosie - A political concept?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Political? NO, well, only in the vaguest possible way.
  • Phil - Philosphy?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Osophy? NOPE. (I do sometimes think that knowing the first letter is actually a bad thing. Encourages premature guessing).
  • Phil - An emotion?
    (not wanting to be premature)
  • Projoy
    [Phil] An emotion? NO.
  • CdM - Premature Guessing?
  • Projoy - Har har :P
    [CdM] Premature Speculation? NO
  • Raak - Poincaré's Conjecture?
  • Inkspot - Possible event?
  • Irouléguy - An activity?
  • irach - Pantomime?
    ( [Tuj]With regard to the earlier one, can "Penicillin", a fungus, really be classified as an "animal"? Shouldn't it have been "vegetable"?)
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Poincaré's conjecture? NO
    [Inkspot] Possible event? NO
    [Ig] Activity? NO
    [irach] Panto? OH, NO IT ISN'T!
  • Inkspot - Probability of having its own Wikipedia entry?
  • Projoy
    [Inkspot] Technically, I can answer only YES or NO, but since it's you, I shall reply that the probability is 100%.
  • Raak - Did it exist more than a century ago?
  • Phil - Is it an artistic style?
  • Rosie - A bodily function? (not necessarily a rude one).
  • Projoy
    [Raak] More than a century old? YES
    [Phil] Artistic style, NO
    [Rosie] Bodily function, rude or otherwise, NO
  • Raak - To do with language?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Language connection? NOT REALLY, except in a fairly catch-all sense.
  • Phil - Is it timeless?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Timeless? NO
  • Raak - What it's not...
    Art, organisation, fictional, religious, furry, political, philosophical, emotion, possible event, activity, panto, style, bodily function, language, timeless.
  • Raak - The definition of planets?
  • Rosie - Scientific/Technical?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Definition of planets? NO
    [Rosie] Scientific/Technical? YES (for the most part) *audience applause, although one or two pedants get into fistfights*
  • Chalky
    Also - it isn't predestination, plutocracy or parsimony.
    *is somewhat bemused by the pedants who have to resort to fisticuffs and tells them it's not THAT important - fer gawd's sake*
  • Chalky - Periodic Table?
  • Projoy
    [Elemental, my dear Chalky] Periodic Table? NO
  • Inkspot - A theory?
  • Projoy
    [Inkspot] A theory? NO
  • Rosie - Anything to do with the weather?
  • Phil - Is it an "-ology" ?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] To do with the weather? NO
    [Philology]? NO, not an ology.
  • Phil
    [Projoy] Takes a lot to make me laugh on a monday morning, but thanks for "Philology" - raised a titter, at least :-)
  • Raak - Anything to do with a craft of some sort?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] To do with a craft of some sort? Strictly, NO (but note my emphasis).
  • Raak - A general skill?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] NO, not a skill. (damn, thought we were almost there for a moment!)
  • Kim - Is it a practice of some kind?
  • Projoy
    [Kim] Practice, NO.
  • Projoy - Need a clue?
  • Rosie - WE will ask the questions!
    Er, actually, yes.
  • Projoy - Clue-o-rama
    OK, strictly it's not to do with any particular craft, but it is relevant to craft in general, so long as you take a very broad definition of craft (i.e. not corn dollies and marquetry). In principle it need not be to do with science and/or technology, but in practice it usually is. The Answer is not a verb, gerund or adjective, nor is it any kind of "ism".
  • Projoy
    (The Answer is a single word, too).
  • Phil - Production?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Production, NO? * murmur of interest from the audience*
    [CdM] Procrastination, NO (Sorry for the delay).
  • Chalky - Anything to do with the occult?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] To do with the occult, NO (not that kind of craft, either :))
  • Raak - Does it invove making pictures?
  • Chalky - Powerpoint?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Involves making pictures? OFTEN, IN PRACTICE *smattering of applause*
    [Chalky] Powerpoint, NO.
  • Chalky - photography?
  • Chalky
    strike that - silly guess, photography is an activity
  • Chalky - is it a graphics programme?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Graphics programme, NO.
  • Projoy - We'll be right back after this message from our sponsor....
    PS. Having just looked up fungi in Wikipedia (nothing to do with the answer to mine), I read this: "Fungi were originally classified as plants, however have since been separated as they are heterotrophs. This means they do not fix their own carbon through photosynthesis, but use carbon fixed by other organisms for metabolism. Fungi are now thought to be more closely related to animals than to plants, and are placed with animals in the monophyletic group of opisthokonts." The article classifies them as "Kingdom: Fungi", so maybe this game should become AVFM?
  • Projoy
    +A
  • Projoy
    (after further research) Hm. Possibly the game should even be Animal, Plant, Fungi, Protista, Archaebacteria, Eubacteria, Non-Organic, Abstract. Might take the fun out of it, tho.
  • Raak
    [Projoy] What about objects that refuse to define themselves in terms of an oppressive system of categories that makes no allowance for their unique viewpoint?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] They must be sent to the salt mines.
  • Inkspot - Day dreaming?
  • Projoy
    [Inkspot] Sorry, yes, I was miles away.
  • Projoy
    [IS] Er, daydreaming? NO.
  • Tuj - Linked with a particular culture or country?
    [all] Sorry for finding out it began with P...
    [all again] But far more sorry for my momentary lapse in forgetting the "vegetable" category - luckily I've been away over the weekend and my embarassment has cooled. And to me (and most I guess) mould would certainly be vegetable, whatever dratted Wikipedia thinks.
  • Projoy - You and Linnaeus, even, so you're in good company
    [Tuj] Linked with a particular culture or country? NOT ANY MORE
  • Phil - Is it a process?
  • Tuj - Was this thing invented by mankind?
  • Tuj
    [Phil] Funny, that's just the question I was going to ask in my post-before-last.
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Is it a process? UMMMM, NO (a process is involved, however)
    [Tuj] Invented by mankind? YES (i.e. a human construct)
  • Tuj - In the last 500 years?
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] Invented in the last 500 years? NO.
  • CdM
    [Projoy] I think we have already had this discussion.
  • Tuj - The last thousand?
    This is a struggle, but a very interesting one.
  • Inkspot
    One last thing before I give up, as this thing is an abstract human construction is it a thought process or something like that goes on in someone's head.
  • flerdle - Proof?
    Hello everyone. I've been away far too long.
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] Invented in the last thousand years. YES. Some accounts say that this was around a long time before its "official" invention date in the last thousand years, but I'll go with the account that gives a specific date.
    [Inkspot] Thought process? NOT EXCLUSIVELY, this thing (rather than process) is abstract (i.e. non-tangible), but it is also translated into tangible form and because of that it has a definite effect on people's behaviour in the real world.
    [flerdle] Proof? NO, although proof (in the informal sense) is often involved.
  • Raak - Printing?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Printing? NO (not that informal sense of proof!)
  • flerdle - propaganda?
  • Raak - A pendulum?
  • Projoy
    [flerdle] Propaganda, NO
    [Raak] Pendulum, NO
  • Projoy
    (and if the diversity of those last few guesses isn't a hint that we still need more broad deductive questions, I don't know what is!)
  • Inkspot
    To the question by Tuj "Linked with a particular culture or country?" you replied "NOT ANY MORE". Does that mean that it began in one country but it is now world wide.

    ps if yes, a great clue would be the coutry of origin.

  • Phil - Is it associated with a particular way of life?
  • Projoy - OK, let's be a bit helpful here...
    [Inkspot] OK, for nothing I shall reveal that this thing first appeared (according to the account I am following) in Venice first (when Venice was a country).
    [Phil] Associated with a particular way of life? NOT REALLY (unless you mean particular professions?)
  • Raak - Pasta?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Wikipedia says that pasta originated in many places independently, the earliest records being from China, so NO.
  • flerdle - Patents?
  • Projoy
    [flerdle] PATENT, YES! *astonished but grateful applause from the audience*.
  • flerdle - Well, it couldn't be double-entry book-keeping
    Gosh.

    OK, short and simple:       VEGETABLE

  • Projoy - Is it really a fungus? :)
  • flerdle - *giggles*
    [Projoy] Fungus? NO
  • Projoy - Is it green?
  • Chalky - Is it edible?
  • Raak - Is it wood?
  • Darren
    Is it a whole plant? (Not having played here for months)
  • flerdle
    [Projoy] Green? Can be
    [Chalky] Edible? YES
    [Raak] Wood? NO
    [Darren] a whole plant? NO
  • Darren - Is it a pepper?
  • Projoy - Or an apple?
  • Irouléguy - Or tea?
  • flerdle
    [Darren] a pepper? strictly NO, but may be involved.
    [Projoy] an apple? strictly NO, but may be involved.
    [Irouléguy] tea? NO.
  • Projoy - A particular dish?
  • Raak - Pizza?
  • flerdle
    [Projoy] a particluar dish? YES and NO, but probably more helpful if you take that as "YES".
    [Raak] Pizza? yes please!! oh.     NO.
  • Projoy - The recommended five portions a day?
  • flerdle
    [Projoy] It's seven portions here... but either way, NO
  • Projoy - Salad?
  • Inkspot - Is it associated with a particular country?
  • Raak - Is it eaten hot?
  • flerdle
    [Projoy] Salad? NO
    [Inkspot] Associated with a particular country? YES! *audience cheers*
    [Raak] Eaten hot? NO
  • Projoy - A European Country?
  • Raak - Is any sort of grain product involved?
  • Tuj - Beguns with a P?
  • flerdle
    [Projoy] a European country? NO. Well, not at first.
    [Raak] involving grainproduct? NO
    [pTuj]   starts wuth a P? No. Sorry.
  • Darren - Is the country India?
  • Projoy - Ottoman Empire or some other way of saying "Turkish" that wasn't, at first, European?
  • Raak - Tofu kebab?
  • flerdle
    [Darren] India? YES! *more cheers*
    [Projoy] Turkish etc? NO
    [Raak] Tofu kebab? NO
  • flerdle
    NB need sleep, sorry for the upcoming delay, do guess on...
  • Projoy - Ayurvedic cuisine?
  • Darren - Some sort of curry?
  • Raak - Does one find it in Indian restaurants outside India?
  • irach - Contains mango?
  • Irouléguy - Some sort of chutney or pickle?
  • flerdle
    [Projoy] Ayurvedic cuisine? vaguely.
    [Darren] Curry? NO but ever so close
    [Raak] found in Indian restaurants outside India? YES
    [irach] contains mango? YES and no. Depends.
    [Irouléguy] a chutney or pickle? YES!! *audience cheers wildly, orders takeaway*

    Chutney it is. Over to you Irouléguy

  • Irouléguy
    Sorry for the delay! Out all day, and I'm out again tonight. Another quick one, I hope - ABSTRACT with ANIMAL connections.
  • Raak - Fictional?
  • Inkspot - Male?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] Fictional? NO
    Inkspot] Male? Usually, but not exclusively.
  • Raak - Symbolic?
  • Projoy - The name of a job?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] Symbolic? NO
    Projoy] The name of a job? NO
  • Chalky - Is it an activity?
  • Rosie - A game?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the animal connection human?
  • Inkspot - Connected to religion?
  • Raak - Is more than one sort of animal involved?
  • Irouléguy
    Chalky] Is it an activity? *applause* YES
    Rosie] A game? *louder applause, quite possibly beer-fuelled* YES
    ImNotJohn] Is the animal connection human? YES
    Inkspot] Connected to religion? *some sardonic chuckling* NO
    Raak] Is more than one sort of animal involved? YE-ES, though I don't think that's helpful.
  • Raak - Football?
  • Projoy - Game hunting?
  • Phil - Fuzzy Duck?
  • Rosie - Cricket?
    Assuming the ball contains leather.
  • Darren - Golf?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak - Football? NO
    Projoy - Game hunting? NO - the other animals are red herrings
    Phil - Fuzzy Duck? *the audience break into teams to play* Nice idea, but no.
    Rosie - Cricket? NO *polite applause*
    Assuming the ball contains leather - that assumption contains two unasked questions.
    Darren] Golf? NO
  • Darren - Is it a ball game?
  • Irouléguy
    Darren] Is it a ball game? YES
  • Raak - Golf?
  • Inkspot - A team game?
  • Darren - Lacrosse?
  • CdM - Primarily associated with a particular country?
  • Tuj - Handball?
    Wondering whether games with implements like bats/clubs/whatever would have vegetable/mineral/whatever connections.
  • Rosie - Baseball?
  • Phil - Is the animal connection _only_ human?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie hits a a home run! It's baseball (the other animal connection being the leather-covered ball - I did say it was a red herring.) *Hands bat over*
  • Rosie
    Good heavens, I've won. Better have a lie down. That's better.

    Nothing whatsoever to do with steam engines, but nevertheless MINERAL.

  • Tuj - Metal?
  • Phil - A geographical feature?
  • Inkspot - Does it require electric power?
  • Rosie
    (Tuj, Phil, Inkspot) Not metallic, geographical or electrically-powered.
  • Projoy - All together now, A human construct?
  • Tuj - Smaller than a phone box?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) YES, made by humans.
    (Tuj) YES. Strictly, extremely unlikely that it's not.
  • Raak - Made of glass?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) - Made of glass? YES - *vigorous applause*
  • Raak - A container?
  • Inkspot - Is it made from just the one material?
  • Irouléguy - A beer glass?
  • Rosie
    Raak - A container? - NO
    Inkspot - Made from one material? -YES
    Irouléguy - Beer glass? - How dare you? - NO
  • Phil - A decorative item?
  • Rosie
    (Phil) - Decorative item? Could be, but real answer is NO.
  • Raak - It is for looking through?
  • Phil - A scientific item?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) - For looking through? - NO
    (Phil) - A scientific item? - YES
  • Irouléguy - A pipette?
  • Darren - Is it a container?
  • Rosie
    (Irg) A pipette? - NO
    (Darren) Already been asked - NO
  • Darren - Does it have other uses aside from the scientific one(s)?
  • Rosie
    (Darren) - Other uses - YES (if science and technology are distinct)
  • irach - Thermometer?
  • Rosie
    (irach) - NO - Not a thermometer.
  • Raak - A mirror?
  • Phil - A prism
    Can't believe no-one's asked if it starts with "P" yet...
  • Rosie
    (Raak) - Not a mirror, but (Phil) YES! - A prism. Carry on; it's all yours.
  • Phil
    Well, stap me vitals, Bloodnok!

    OK, this time I'll go for VEGETABLE & MINERAL

  • irach - The vegetable's wood and the mineral's metal?
  • Darren - Salt and vinegar crisps?
  • Rosie - Anything to do with dispensing inebriating fluids?
  • Phil
    [Irach 1] Wood? CAN BE
    [Irach 2] Metal? NO
    [Darren] Walkers' Finest S&V? NO
    [Rosie] To do with intoxicating liquor? NO
  • Chalky - Bigger than a telephone kiosk?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Bigger than phonebox? NO
  • Darren - Is it a manufactured object?
  • ImNotJohn - A tool?
  • Raak - Is the mineral fluid?
  • Phil
    [Darren] Manufactured? YES
    [INJ] A tool? NO
    [Raak] Fluid mineral? YES
  • Darren - Is the fluid water?
  • Phil
    [Darren] Water? Not entirely
  • Chalky - Is it a container of some sort?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Container? NO
  • Chalky - Any connection with weather forecasting?
  • Darren - Barometer?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Weather forecasting? Dear God, NO - who do you think I am? :-)
    [Darren] Barometer? NO
  • Raak - Is the water sea water?
  • Inkspot - Is it a drink?
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
    Oh.
  • Phil
    [Raak] Sea water? NO
    [Inkspot] A drink? NO, unless you have very bizarre tastes...actually, just make that a stright NO
    [Tuj] Begins with P? Sorry, NO.
  • Rosie - Is the fluid used for cleaning?
  • Inkspot - Is the fluid colourless?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Fluid for cleaning? NO
    [Inkspot] Is the fluid colourless? I don't know, but it could be I suppose.
  • Kim - Would you normally find it in the home?
  • Phil
    Normally found in the home? Hmmmm, how pedantic do I want to be. YES, it could normally be found in a home; NO, a home is not the only place it is normally found.
  • Kim - Is it a measurement device?
  • Inkspot - Is the vegetable also part of the fluid?
  • Phil
    [Kim] Measurement device? NO
    [Inkspot] Is the vegetable also part of the fluid? NO
    I think I need to provide a little guidance/clarification. The "manufactured object" does not contain any fluid.
  • Tuj - Is it edible?
  • Phil
    [Tuj] Edible? NO
  • Raak - Is it something that you put into a fluid?
  • Chalky - Is it more likely to have a use in the workplace?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Something that you put into a fluid? NO
    [Chalky] More likely to have a use in the workplace? Possibly, but I'd say equally useful at home as at work.
  • Tuj - Smaller than a toaster?
  • Phil
    [Tuj] Smaller than a toaster? YES
  • Chalky - Anything to do with sports?
  • Rosie - Anything to do with cooking?
  • Tuj - Is the vegetable part alive?
  • Darren - Is it something one could wear?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Sport? NO
    [Rosie] Cooking? NO
    [Tuj] Live vegetable? NO
    [Darren] Something one could wear? Hmmm..it has been done, but I'd say NO.
  • Darren - Is it used to separate something from something else?
  • irach - A newspaper? (The paper is dead vegetable, the printing ink being a fluid mineral, and newspapers have known to be worn on a couple of occasions, one can use it at home or in the office)
  • Phil
    [Darren] To separate two things? NO *some whispering in the audience*
    [irach] Newspaper? NO, *audience applauds irach's effort, despite it being wrong*
  • Raak - Is it printed paper?
  • Tuj - Is paper involved?
  • Kim - Is is something to do with the arts?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Printed paper? NO
    [Tuj] Involves paper? NO
    [Kim] To do with the arts? NO
    *An audience member stands up and explains that they were applauding irach for applying his deductive powers and coming up with an excellent explanation, even though "newspaper" still isn't close*
  • Phil
    A further hint/elaboration. The mineral fluid is used in the manufacture of the object from vegetable sources.
  • Tuj - Was this thing "invented"?
    [Phil] I'd realised what the audience were applauding for, but still did my daft guess anyway. Ah well.
  • Chalky - medicinal?
  • Phil
    [Tuj] Invented? YES
    [Chalky] Medicinal? NO
  • Raak - Is the material used in arts and crafts?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Used in arts and crafts? Can be, but not exclusively. *a ripple of applause*
  • Chalky - Some sort of fixative or glue?
  • irach - A model airplane made from balsa wood and epoxy adhesive?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Some sort of fixative or glue? YES *enthusiastic applause*
    [irach] model aeroplane etc? NO
  • Rosie - Good old-fashioned wood glue?
  • Chalky - Wallpaper paste?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Wood glue? NO
    [CHalky] Wallpaper paste? NO
    An apology I applied too liberal a meaning to "fixative". Having now looked it up, I would have to give my earlier answer to Chalky as "NO, but getting close"
  • Chalky - Polyfiller?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Polyfilla? NO
  • Chalky - Play Doh?
  • Raak - Size?
    I have no idea what size is made from, actually.
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Playdoh? NO
    [Raak] Size? NO (it's just weak wallpaper paste)
  • Raak - Papier maché?
  • Kim - Is it used in photography?
  • irach - A plastic laminated card?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Papier Maché? NO
    [Kim] Photographical? NO
    [irach] Plastic laminated card? NO *murmurs of interest from audience, who were starting to nod off*
  • Phil - Anyone for a summary?
    What it is: it is manufactured; the vegetable aspect can be wood; the mineral aspect is fluid which is not entirely water and is probably colourless; it is found in the home and the workplace; it is smaller than a toaster; it was invented; it could be associated loosely with fixatives/glues.

    What it's not: crisps; anything to do with booze; bigger than a phonebox; a tool; a container; anything to do with weather-forecasting (including barometers); involving sea water; a drink; starting with P; used as a cleaning fluid; a measurement device; linked to vegetal fluid; to do with sport or cooking; alive; something to wear (conventionally); a means of separation; a newspaper; printed paper; involving paper; to do with the arts; medicinal; a fixative or glue; model aeroplane; wood glue; wallpaper paste; polyfilla; playdoh; size; papier maché; plastic laminated card

  • Tuj - Sellotape?
  • Chalky - some sort of sealant?
  • Phil
    [Tuj] Sellotape? YES, dagnammit, YES !!!! *rapturous applause*
    [Chalky] A sealant? Well, as you can now see, it can be.
    The vegetable is wood, cotton or hemp. That's dissolved in alkali to make viscose, then extruded into an acid bath to make cellophane. Rubber resin is applied to the cellophane to make Sellotape (or Scotch Tape or cellophane tape). My confusion over "fixative" was because I thought it meant something to fix one thing to another. Over to you Tuj, and congrats.
  • Tuj - Ooh 'eck
    Can I pass this one up? I'm probably not going to be around enough in the coming days - I'm packing & leaving for my second year of uni at present, a little mad (and no guarantee of having Internet at the other end yet...)
    Whoever's in next with a good idea can take the baton.
  • Chalky
    May I ...?

    VEGETABLE with traces of MINERAL with a strong ABSTRACT element.
  • Darren - A crucifix? (And if not, connected with religion?)
  • Rosie - A vegetarian diet?
  • Chalky
    [Darren] Crucifix? NO
    [ " ]Connected with religion? NO
    [Rosie] A vegetarian diet? NO
  • irach - Edible?
  • Darren - Connected with the arts?
  • Chalky
    [irach] edible? NO
    [Darren] Connected with the arts? It depends on what you mean by the arts; there IS a tenuous connection but it would be more useful to you if I said NO.
  • Raak - Some sort of printed material?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Some sort of printed material? YES
  • irach - The Holy Bible?
  • Inkspot - Connected to an event?
  • Chalky
    [irach] Holy Bible? See Darren's first question (and the reply)
    [Inkspot] Connected to an event? NO
  • Darren - Does it have pictures?
  • Inkspot - Is the vegetable wood?
  • Rosie - A textbook of some kind?
  • Chalky
    [Darren] Pictures? Yes - sort of
    [Inkspot] Wood? Yes
    [Rosie] A textbook? YES
  • Inkspot - Was it first printed before 1900?
  • Chalky
    [Inkspot] printed before 1900? NO
  • Irouléguy - The Highway Code?
  • Chalky
    [Iroule] Highway Code? NO
  • Inkspot - Connected to science?
  • Raak - Used in schools?
  • Chalky
    [Inks] Connected to science? Not in the sense I'm guessing you mean.
    [Raak] Used in schools? I'll say NO so as not to mislead you, but this object can be used almost anywhere.
  • Rosie - Is it a list in any sense?
  • Irouléguy - A cookery book?
  • Raak - A computing book?
  • Inkspot - Is the author British?
  • Chalky - *apologises for absence from game duty this weekend ..*
    [Rosie] A list? In any sense? Erm .. no but then again .. SORT OF
    [Iroule] Cookery? NO :-)
    [Raak] Compooting? NO
    [Inks] British Author? Originally, YES
  • irach - Grammar book?
  • Chalky
    [irach] Grammar Book? NO
  • Rosie - Jane's Fighting Ships?
  • Irouléguy - Was it first printed before 1950?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Jane's? NO
    [Iroule] Printed before 1950? YES
  • Inkspot - Is it revised and updated annually?
  • Chalky
    [Inks] Revised and updated annually? I don't think it's annual but it's certainly revised and updated regularly. Excellent question :-)
  • Projoy - With alphabetically arranged entries?
  • Chalky
    [Projoy] Alphabetically arranged entries? IN PART
  • Raak - Wisden?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Wisden? NO
  • Darren - Roget's thesaurus?
  • Irouléguy - Is there a sporting connection?
  • Chalky
    [Darren] Roget's? NO
    [Iroule] sporting connection? NO
  • Darren - Does it have satirical connotations?
  • Raak - An encyclopedia?
  • Chalky
    [Darren] satirical connotations? Nah
    [Raak] Hen-sigh-klo-pee-dear? No it isn't and I'm surprised that no-one has asked that yet.

    By way of a clue, I'm going to give a belated *audience applauds* to a question posed by Irouléguy on Saturday.
  • Rosie - To do with transport?
  • Raak - A map?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Transport? Yes
    [Raak] A map? No and YES *hurrah*
  • Projoy - The A-Z?
  • Irouléguy - AA members' handbook?
  • Chalky
    [Iroule] AA member's handbook? No, because ...
    [Projoy] The answer is THE London A-Z, but that's the one you probably meant - so CHEERS FOR PROJOY :-)
    Over to you ..
  • Projoy
    Okey doke... the next one is ANIMAL.
  • irach - Living?
  • Rosie - Human?
  • Projoy
    [irach] Living? YES
    [Rosie] Human? YES
  • Raak - The Queen?
  • Irouléguy - Helen Mirren?
  • irach - Male?
  • Inkspot - Born before 1960?
  • Darren - Projoy?
  • Phil - Him *points*
  • Rosie - A member of the Morniverse?
  • Kim - It's not me, is it?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] HMQ? No
    [Ig] HM? No
    [irach] Male? YES
    [Inkspot] Natally prior to JFK Presidency? YES
    [Darren] Me? No (I have, in fact, already been "done" in this game)
    [Phil] Darren? No
    [Rosie] A member of the Morniverse? No.
    [Kim] Not you either, I'm afraid.
  • Irouléguy - Born before 1900?
  • Uncle Korky
    Fictional?
  • Raak - An entertainer?
  • Darren - A royal?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] A Pre-Labour Party baby? No.
    [UK] Fictional? No.
    [Raak] Entertainer? No.
    [Darren] A royal? No.
  • Raak - A scientist?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] A scientist, YES.
  • Darren - Physicist?
  • Projoy
    [Darren] Physicist? No.
  • Raak - A biologist?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] A biologist, YES.
  • Darren - Richard Dawkins?
  • Projoy
    [Darren] YES, that's the fella. Over to you.
  • Darren
    Here we go: ABSTRACT/ANIMAL
  • Projoy - A fictional character?
  • irach - Animal instinct?
  • Darren
    Fictional? No.
    Animal instinct? No.
  • Quendalon - A grouping of animals?
  • Darren
    Grouping of animals? In a manner of speaking.
  • Projoy - Are the animals human?
  • Inkspot - An organisation?
  • Chalky - A political party?
  • irach - White elephant?
  • Raak - A sporting team?
  • Kim - Is the abstract element a generic term?
  • Darren
    Animals=human? Yes.
    Organisation? Yes.
    Political party? Yes. (Applause on that one.)
    White elephant? No.
    Sporting team? No.
    Abstract element=generic term? No.
  • Raak - A British political party?
  • Darren
    British political party? Yes. (Again, applause.)
  • Projoy - The Labour Party?
  • Darren
    [Projoy] Labour? No.
  • CdM - The Monster Raving Loony Party?
  • Projoy - Currently in existence?
  • Darren
    Monster Raving Loony Party? No.
    Currently in existence? Yes.
  • Projoy - The Liberal Democrats?
  • Raak - UKIP?
  • Irouléguy - *suspects Projoy has got it, but just in case*
    Plaid Cymru?
  • Darren
    UKIP? No.
    Plaid Cymru? No.
    Liberal Democrats? Yes. (Huge applause.) So it's over to Projoy again.
  • Projoy
    OK... MINERAL
  • Rosie - Metal?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Metal, no.
  • irach - Solid?
  • Projoy
    [ir] Solid, YES
  • Quendalon - Does it occur in nature?
  • Projoy
    [Quen] Occurs in nature, no.
  • irach - A polymeric material?
  • Quendalon - Is it unique?
  • Raak - A work of art?
  • Darren - Is it larger than a telephone box?
  • Projoy
    [irach] A polymer? No (well, I don't think so - that's long chains of molecules, yeah?)
    [Quen] Not unique
    [Raak] Work of art? No, not really
    [Darren] YES, larger than a telephone box.
  • Inkspot - Glass?
  • Darren - Is it intended for people to go inside?
  • Chalkeeeee - Is it a building?
  • Projoy
    [Ink] Not glass.
    [Darren] For people to go inside. YES *one or two titters from the audience*
    [Chalks] YEEEEES. Certainly a LOT more yes than no, and YES would be the best answer to proceed with.
  • Quendalon - Does it have moving parts?
  • irach - A stone pyramid for dead people to go inside?
  • Rosie - A public lavatory?
  • Inkspot - A pig sty?
  • Projoy
    [Quen] Moving parts? No.
    [irach] Stone pyramid for dead people? No. *scattering of applause*
    [Rosie] Public lav? No.
    [Ink] Pig Sty? No.
  • ImNotJohn - A single, specific building?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Single, specific, No.
  • Irouléguy - A crematorium?
  • irach - Public lavatory?
  • Chalky - Is it made from stone?
  • Inkspot - Are they still being widely built?
  • Projoy
    [ig] Crem? NO. * a stir of interest in the audience *
    [irach] Lav? See above.
    [Chalky] Stone, YES!
    [Ink] Still widely built? No.
  • Irouléguy - A mausoleum?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] Mausoleum? NO. * audience still interested *
  • ImNotJohn - A tumulus?
  • Projoy - They're clouds, aren't they?
    [INJ] A tumulus? No.
  • Inkspot - cromlech
  • irach - Stone sarcophagus?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it associated with death?
  • Projoy
    [Inkspot] Cromlech, no.
    [irach] sarcophagus, no
    [INJ] Death association, YES.
  • CdM - A crypt?
    Although there is a fine distinction between that and a mausoleum...
  • Projoy
    [CdM] YES - I was thinking specifically of the kind of crypt that sits under a church (and hence is only just classifiable as a building in itself), rather than the more modern type of standalone crypt which is almost synonymous with a vault or mausoleum. * hands baton to CdM, reassumes his clanking chains and retires to his berth in the crypt below, accompanied by organ music*
  • Projoy
    *returns only to pick up his scythe and pop in a line*
  • Quendalon
    Very well then: VEGETABLE.
  • Quendalon
    Ack, wait, CdM chooses the next item, isn't that right? What a terrible faux pas. Please disregard!
  • Projoy
    [Quen] Yeah, it's usually the successful guesser who sets the next one... although in this case he hasn't been around for 12 hours. See if he turns up in the next 12 and if not we could go with yours...
  • CdM - Currently alive?
    [Q] That's ok. I've set several in the past few weeks (on account of being such a brilliant guesser an' all). Welcome and go right ahead.
  • Irouléguy - Edible?
    Quendalon] Welcome - always nice to get new players.
  • Inkspot - A drink?
    To think it took me four years and a box of chocs before my first AMVA ;)
  • ImNotJohn - A single specific object?
  • Quendalon
    Thank you all for the kind welcome! This looks like fun. :)

    [CdM] No, not currently alive.
    [Irouléguy] Not edible.
    [Inkspot] Definitely not a drink.
    [ImNotJohn] YES, a single specific object.
  • Darren - Made of wood?
    [Quendalon] Come to a pilg and play it in person. It's much harder that way!
  • Quendalon
    [Darren] (the judges confer) Partially, if not wholly. What's a pilg?
  • Chalky - smaller than a telephone box?
    [Quendalon] 'pilg' is a shortened form of 'pilgrimage' which describes any occasion when members of this community actually meet up and well ... erm ... y'know the sort of thing. There are some fine archives of Pilgs in OrangeMC - just look under Local Information in the index, then click on MC, then click on Pilgrims. Also there is a Chat Game called 'To be A Pilgrim' which may give you some insight.
  • Darren - Is it an item of furniture?
    Pilgs (short for pilgrimages) are when we all go to a particular place to meet up and play games in person. We do them usually a few times a year, mostly to the Head of Steam pub in London, plus the big one which has, up to this year, taken place in Rugby, where we make a weekend of it. The last one took place earlier this month. (Next year's is likely to be closer to Leicester.) See the game "To Be a Pilgrim" on Orange for more info. And I was simulposted by Chalky.
  • Quendalon
    Ah, okay. Unfortunately a pilg is unlikely as I'm across the water and in poor financial straits besides. Alas!

    [Chalky] Yes, smaller than a telephone box.
    [Darren] No, not an item of furniture.
  • Chalky - smaller than a toaster?
  • Quendalon
    [Chalky] You could probably fit it into a toaster with some effort.
  • Darren - Is it connected with the arts?
  • Quendalon
    [Darren] Not directly, no.
  • Darren - Is this object in Europe?
  • Projoy - Does it stand for anything?
  • ImNotJohn - Connected with sport?
  • Quendalon
    The judges have rebuked me for providing incorrect information. Contrary to one of my answers to Darren, the subject does not currently contain any wood; moreover, it contains an ABSTRACT component. One judge testily observed that I should not have taken on such a complicated subject for my first time around.

    [Darren] The item currently asserted to be the subject is in Europe, yes.
    [Projoy] It has powerful symbolic value to many.
    [ImNotJohn] NO, not connected with sport.
  • Darren - Connected with religion?
  • Quendalon
    [Darren] YES, connected with religion. (applause)
  • Phil - The Burning Bush?
  • Projoy - Is it some sort of acoutrement?
  • Darren - Is the religion Christianity?
  • Quendalon
    [Phil] The Burning Bush? No. [Projoy] An accoutrement? Um... sort of. [Darren] YES, the religion is Christianity.
  • Quendalon
    Let's try that again, with line breaks this time!

    [Phil] The Burning Bush? No.
    [Projoy] An accoutrement? Um... sort of.
    [Darren] YES, the religion is Christianity.
  • Projoy - Worn on the head?
  • Raak - The Turin Shroud?
  • Darren - The Sudarium of Oviedo?
  • Quendalon
    [Projoy] Worn on the head? YES. (more applause)
    [Raak] The Shroud of Turin? No.
    [Darren] I've never even heard of the Sudarium of Oviedo, so no. :-)
  • Raak - The Spear of Longinus?
  • Raak
    Oops, missed the q about worn on the head.
  • Raak - The Pope's hat?
  • Darren - Worn by a living person?
    The Sudarium of Oviedo is a piece of cloth said to have been placed on Jesus' face shortly after the crucifixion, and bears stains believed to be the blood of Christ. So now you know.
  • Phil - Crown of Thorns?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] No wood in it, apparently, "these days".
  • Quendalon
    [Raak] Papal tiara? No.
    [Darren] Worn by a living person? No.
    [Phil] Crown of Thorns? YES. (the audience cheers)

    Over to you, Phil!
  • Projoy
    [Quen] Ah. Cool. But what did you mean by "the subject does not currently contain any wood" - as in, it doesn't currently exist?
  • Darren
    [Quen] I agree with Projoy's point there. If you're saying it doesn't currently exist, then why weren't the other questions answered in the same way? "Is it an accoutrement? Not right now. Is it a single specific object? Not any more." That may seem pedantic, but this is an MC site, after all!
  • Phil
    For once I'll ignore pedantry and celebrate my magnificent victory with at least one mug of coffee :)

    Next item for your illation is ANIMAL

  • irach - Living?
  • Phil
    [irach] Living? YES
  • Darren - Human?
  • Phil
    [Darren] Human? YES
  • Projoy - Male?
  • Rosie - A politician?
  • Quendalon - Over 40?
  • Inkspot - British?
  • Phil
    [Projoy] Male? YES
    [Rosie] Politician? YES
    [Quendalon] Over 40? YES
    [Inkspot] British? NO
  • Inkspot - European?
  • Phil
    [Inkspot] European? YES *Audience wonders if 6 Yesses out of 7 is a new record*
  • Raak - An official of the EU?
  • CdM - Berlusconi?
    working to get the average down
  • Irouléguy - Nicolas Sarkozy?
  • Projoy - Eastern European (i.e. east of the old iron curtain)?
  • Inkspot - A president?
  • Kim - American?
  • irach - Putin?
  • Phil
    [Raak] EU Official? NO
    [CdM] Berlusconi? NO
    [Irouléguy] Sarkozy? NO
    [Projoy] E. Europe? NO
    [Inkspot] A president? NO
    [Kim] American? NO
    [irach] Putin? NO
    *Audience wishes it had kept its collective gob shut*
  • Inkspot - Member of a centre-left party?
  • Chalky - French?
  • irach - Currently head of state?
  • Darren - Irish?
    As distinct from British.
  • Raak - Currently in the news?
  • Rosie - A grandee, i.e. semi-retired?
  • Irouléguy - A member of a party currently in government?
  • Néa - Scandinavian?
    Can't blame me for asking.
  • Phil
    [Inkspot] Centre-left party? NO (carefully)
    [Chalky] French? NON
    [irach] Head of state? NO (again,carefully)
    [Darren] Irish? YES *applause*
    [Raak] In the news? In his own country, yes.
    [Rosie] Semi-retired? NO
    [Irouléguy] In government? YES
    [Néa] Scandinavian? NO
  • Projoy - Bertie Ahern?
  • Phil
    [Projoy] Pádraig Parthalán Ó hEachthairn (aka Patrick Bartholomew "Bertie" Ahern)? YES
    I had to tread carefully around the "centre-left" as Fianna Fail was originally a centre-left party, but is no longer. Also, as Taoiseach, he's not a head of state, just a head of government. An Uachtarán (Mary McAleese) is the head of state.
  • Phil
    Congrats to Projoy! - actually he was slightly in the news recently, as I saw him on TV on Sunday at the Ryder Cup.
  • Projoy
    OK. ABSTRACT with VEGETABLE and ANIMAL connections.
  • Darren - Fictional?
  • Projoy
    [Darren] Fictional? Strictly speaking, this is a N/A. But YES will probably be more helpful.
  • Quendalon - Connected with religion?
  • Projoy
    [Quen] Connected with religion? NO, not really.
  • Inkspot - A figure of speech?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the animal connection human?
  • Kim - Is the vegetable connection wood?
  • Raak - A fictitious creature?
  • Projoy
    [Ink] Figure of speech? NO
    [INJ} Human animal connection: YES
    [Kim] Veg connection wood? NO
    [Raak] A fictitious creature? NO.
  • Raak - Something symbolic?
  • Chalky - A place?
  • Quendalon - Connected with the arts?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Symbolic? NOT REALLY
    [Chalky] A place? NO
    [Quen] Connected with the arts? YES
  • ImNotJohn - The performing arts?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] performing arts? NO.
  • Darren - A painting?
  • Projoy
    [Projoy] A daub? NO.
  • Projoy
    [Darren] See previous comment to myself.
  • Projoy
    [Projoy] You must stop doing that, you know. First sign of madness.
  • Projoy
    [Projoy] Ooh. Look who's talking!
  • Raak - Connected with sculpture?
  • Quendalon - Is it a style?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Sculpture? NO
    [Quen] Style? NO
  • Chalky - Is it an organisation of some sort?
  • Quendalon - Is it a work of art?
  • Darren - Is it a period of art history?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Organisation, NO
    [Quen] A work of art, YES
    [Darren] Period of art history, NO
  • Chalky - Simon Patterson's 'The Great Bear'?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Simon and his amazing dancing tube map? NO.
  • Quendalon - Is it a work of fiction?
  • Projoy
    [Q] A work of fiction? YES (and it's therefore fictional in the sense its content is fictional, but also non-fictional in the sense that it exists (the opposite, one might say, of Causabon's Key to All Mythologies or the Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy.)
  • Projoy
    )
  • Darren - Written in the 20th century?
  • Projoy
    [Darren] C20th? Yes.
  • irach - Author British?
  • Projoy
    [irach] Brit author? YES.
  • Inkspot - A comic strip?
  • Projoy
    [Ink] Comic strip, NO.
  • Kim - A humourous novel?
  • Inkspot - Has it won a major literary prize?
  • irach - A C.S. Lewis work?
  • Projoy
    [Kim] humorous? NO
    [Ink] Prizewinning? NO * a couple of lowbrow titters from the audience*
    [irach] Lewis? NO * a couple of erudite titters from the audience*
  • ImNotJohn - First published since 1945?
  • Raak - Tolkien?
  • Raak - "Leaf by Niggle"
  • Raak - ...?
  • Inkspot - A poem?
  • irach - Made into a movie or TV series?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] published since 1945? NO
    [Raak] Tolkien? Leaf by Niggle? NO
    [Inkspot] Pome? NO
    [irach] Made into a movie/TV series? YES and YES.
  • Projoy
    [INJ] PS. There is a sort-of case to be made for a YES answer to your question in addition to NO.
  • Rosie - A series of books?
  • Raak - Are the vegetable and animal referred to in the title?
  • Inkspot - Was the author born before 1900?
  • Quendalon - In the genre of fantasy?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] A series? NO *some chuckles from the audience at the thought of it*
    [Raak] References in the title to the vegetable? NO. Or the animal? YES.
    [Inkspot] Natally prior to first New York Electric Buses? YES
    [Quen] Fantasy genre? *appreciative laughter and clapping from the audience* NO.
  • Raak - Science fiction?
  • Darren - Is the title the name of a major character?
  • Projoy
    SciFi? NO *a more contemplative mood steals over the audience, some smiling wryly but privately at this thought, others casting their eyes down and listening with a neutral expression*
    [Darren] Title the name of a major character? *some of the audience look up. Two people bite their bottom lips.* NO.
  • Darren - (To be more useful...) Does the title contain the name of a major character?
  • Quendalon - First published before 1930?
  • irach - Is the author male?
  • Inkspot - Was it written for children?
  • Projoy
    [Darren] Eponymity? YES
    [Quen] Published before 1930, YES
    [ir] Male author? YES
    [Ink] Written for children? *much laughter from the audience* NO.
  • Projoy
    [Darren] Er, I meant broad eponymity, rather than narrow, YES.
  • Phil - Pornographic?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Pr0nographic? YES *applause*
  • Quendalon - Lady Chatterley's Lover?
  • Rosie
    Quendalon must be right. I trust he/she has a pornograph.
  • Projoy - Would you want your wife or servants...?
    [Quendalon] Indeed, YES!. Lady C and John Thomas it is.
  • Raak
    [Projoy] What was the vegetable connection? Is there a notorious scene set in the kitchen garden, involving provocatively-shaped parsnips?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Lady Chatterley's Lover is a novel, thus printed on paper.
  • Projoy
    (well, until recent digital innovations)
  • Projoy
    Incidentally, I'd never noticed before that the prosecution's "wife or servants" remark, although it certainly was out of touch, is a rhetorical way of activating the jealousy of rich husbands. Don't put ideas in their heads, it suggests, or you too may be cuckolded. Had always assumed before now it was just a general appeal to protect the weak-minded from moral corruption.
  • Phil
    [Projoy] I was going to guess LC'sL, but the wry smiles at the Sci-fi question put me off...
  • Projoy
    [Phil] They were just the more imaginative members of the audience picturing the whole thing done in foil suits on a flying saucer.
  • Quendalon
    For your pleasure: ABSTRACT
  • Projoy - All together now... A human construct?
  • Quendalon
    [Projoy] Human construct? YES.
  • Phil - A philosophy?
    [Projoy] I think I've seen that website ;-)
  • Darren - To do with science?
    [Projoy] You know, there is such a thing as being too imaginative.
  • Quendalon
    [Phil] A philosophy? NO.
    [Darren] Related to science? NO.
  • Darren - Connected with emotion?
  • ImNotJohn - Related to the arts?
  • Quendalon
    [Darren] Connected with emotion? YES. (laughter from the audience)
    [ImNotJohn] Related to the arts? YES. (more laughter)
  • Phil - An emotion?
    [Darren] It least it was foil not fur ;-)
  • Quendalon
    [Phil] An emotion? NO.
  • Raak - A type of comedy?
  • Quendalon
    [Raak] A type of comedy? NO.
  • Inkspot - An action?
  • Quendalon
    [Inkspot] An action? NO.
  • Projoy - Connected with positive emotions?
  • Quendalon
    [Projoy] Connected with positive emotions? YES. (another giggle from the audience)
  • Darren - Connected with sex?
    Going by the giggles and titters.
  • Projoy - Hm. Human construct. Connected with fetishes?
  • Quendalon
    [Darren] Connected with sex? NO. (The audience is giggling because the last three YES answers, while technically correct, are all somewhat misleading. It's not a nice audience.)
    [Projoy] Connected with fetishes? In the supernatural (not sexual) sense, YES.
  • Raak - To do with religion?
  • Irouléguy - Is this specific to a particular culture?
  • Rosie - Worship of some unusual object or event?
  • Quendalon
    [Raak] To do with religion? NO, not really.
    [Irouléguy] Specific to a particular culture? In its original incarnation, YES; in its modern incarnation, NO.
    [Rosie] Worship of some unusual object or event? NO.

    To clarify things a bit: the ABSTRACT in question experienced a shift in use and meaning over time. The connection with emotion and the supernatural apply only to the original version, not the current one.

    (Next time I choose an object for AVMA, it'll be something simple like a tomato.)
  • Chalky - Feng Shui?
  • Quendalon
    [Chalky] Feng Shui? NO.
  • Projoy - To do with language?
  • Quendalon
    [Projoy] To do with language? YES. (the audience cheers)
  • Projoy - To do with magic?
  • Rosie - Swearing?
  • Quendalon
    [Projoy] To do with magic? Originally, sometimes. Now, no.
    [Rosie] Swearing? No.
  • Projoy - A particular form of words?
  • Rosie - Any medical connection?
  • Quendalon
    [Projoy] Words? NO. [Rosie] Medical connection? NO.
  • Rosie - Anything to do with casting out devils?
  • Quendalon
    [Rosie] Casting out devils? NO.

    I suspect that I have put people on the wrong track, so if anyone would like a hint, let me know.
  • Darren - Something ceremonial?
    Far too early for a hint, yet.
  • Irouléguy - Is the culture that this was originally specific to an Asian one?
  • Quendalon
    [Darren] Ceremonial? NO.
    [Irouléguy] From an Asian culture? NO.
  • Rosie - An inscription?
  • Quendalon
    [Rosie] Inscription? Sometimes, though not so often in the modern day.
  • Darren - To do with death?
  • ImNotJohn - An obituary?
  • Rosie - An epitaph?
  • Quendalon
    [Darren] To do with death? NO.
    [ImNotJohn] An obituary? NO.
    [Rosie] An epitaph? NO.
  • Irouléguy - To do with war or the military?
  • Chalky - scepticism?
    [Quendalon] Rather than a hint - please can you do a summary. It may help us realign ourselves :-)
  • Quendalon
    [Irouléguy] To do with war or the military? NO.
    [Chalky] Skepticism? NO.
  • Quendalon
    And now to summarize! I’ll also correct a couple of my own answers where I think I may have misread or misinterpreted your questions. So:

    This abstract is a human construct. It was once specific to a particular culture, though not an Asian culture. It has to do with language, but it is not a particular form of words.

    It is not an emotion, a philosophy, a type of comedy, an action, an epitaph or obituary, or Feng Shui.

    It is not inherently connected to science, to swearing, to sex, to religion, to the worship of some unusual object or event, to medicine, to casting out devils, to death, to war or the military, or to skepticism.

    Notably, the subject has experienced a shift in use over time. Originally, it had a connection with positive emotion, was often inscribed (in the sense of being etched into a solid surface), and was sometimes connected with magic. These all still apply when the subject is put to its original use. In its modern use, it has no connection with positive emotion or magic, and is still inscribed in the sense of being written down, though rarely (if ever) in the sense of being etched into a solid surface.
  • Darren - Is it writing?
  • Projoy - A swastika?
  • Projoy
    Wait, not Asian. Nevermind.
  • Projoy - Is it a symbol of some kind?
  • Dazed5 - Is it Aboriginal?
  • Quendalon
    [Darren] We've already established that it is something that is written; if you're asking if the subject is the overall concept of 'writing', then NO.
    [Projoy] Is it a symbol of some kind? YES. (cheers from the audience)
    [Dazed5] Is it Aboriginal... assuming you're talking about Australian aborigines here, then NO.
  • Projoy - Might I find it on my keyboard somewhere?
  • Rosie - A Greek letter?
  • Quendalon
    [Projoy] I can't speak for your keyboard, but it's not on mine.
    [Rosie] A Greek letter? NO.
  • Kim - Is it a rune?
  • Projoy - Might I find it on the ASCII character map for a regular Western font?
  • Raak - Does it have a Unicode definition?
  • Chalky - A trademark?
  • Inkspot - A hieroglyph ?
  • Quendalon
    [Kim] Is it a rune? YES.
    [Projoy] On the ASCII character map for a regular Western font? Uncertain, but I've checked several common fonts and haven't been able to find it.
    [Raak] Does it have a Unicode definition? YES.
    [Chalky] A trademark? NO.
    [Inkspot] A hieroglyph? NO.
  • Raak - The Star of David?
  • Quendalon
    [Raak] Star of David? NO.
  • Raak - Is it any sort of star shape?
  • Quendalon
    [Raak] Not a star shape, no.
  • Darren - Does it have any completely enclosed areas in its shape (ie. any loops or closed polygonal components)?
  • Quendalon
    [Darren] Does it have any completely enclosed areas in its shape? YES.
  • irach - Triangle?
  • Quendalon
    [irach] Is it a triangle? NO.
  • ImNotJohn - An ankh?
  • Raak - A cross of any sort?
  • Projoy - Does it turn up in the regular Wingdings font?
  • Inkspot - Did it originate in the middle east?
  • Quendalon
    [ImNotJohn] An ankh? NO.
    [Raak] A cross of some sort? NO.
    [Projoy] In Wingdings? I don't believe so.
    [Inkspot] Did it originate in the Middle East? NO.

    (You guys are drifting off the track; I suspect you're misreading one of the recent answers. Would you like me to provide clarification?)
  • Projoy - From the Futhark?
  • Inkspot - Runic letter Sowilo?
  • Quendalon
    [Projoy] Originally from the Futhark? Elder Futhark, YES. Younger Futhark, NO.
    [Inkspot] Sowilo? NO.
  • CdM
    (which I think is called odal or othalan)
  • CdM - <>< ?
    (oooops)
  • Inkspot - From the Freyr/Freyja's Aett?
    As opposed to the Heimdall's Aett or Tyr's Aett
  • Quendalon
    [CdM] Odal/Othalan? NO.
    [Inkspot] Freyr/Freyja's Aett? YES.
  • Raak - Thorn?
  • Quendalon
    [Raak] Thorn? NO.
  • irach - Kenaz (the leading light)?
  • Inkspot - Wunjo?
  • Quendalon
    [irach] Kenaz? NO.
    [Inkspot] Wunjo/Wynn? YES. (cheers from the crowd)

    Over to you, Inkspot...
  • Chalky
    ... and I haven't the foggiest what all that was about. :) heyho
  • Quendalon
    Yes, that was painfully obscure. My apologies! All I can say is that it seemed like a good idea at the time. :-p
  • CdM
    [Inkspot] If I were you, I'd select a steam engine.
  • Projoy
    *is an unapologetic obscurist*
  • Inkspot - from the home of Steam
    A win there with a little help from others, and learnt a little about runes in the process.

    So a Abstract with Animal and Vegetable connections

  • Raak - Anything to do with cookery?
  • Chalky - Is the animal connection human?
  • Kim - The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe?
  • Inkspot
    [Raak]- no
    [Chalky] - yes
    [Kim] - no
  • Inkspot - out of practice
    [Raak] - Anything to do with cookery? NO
    [Chalky] - Is the animal connection human?YES
    [Kim] - The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe? NO
  • ImNotJohn - To do with the arts?
  • Inkspot - just not a morning person
    There is a Mineral connection so...
    The clue should have read Abstract with Animal, Mineral and Vegetable connections

    ImNotJohn - To do with the arts? NO
  • Raak - To do with sports?
  • Inkspot
    [Raak] - To do with sports? NO
  • Irouléguy - Is the animal connection a fictional human or humans?
  • Inkspot
    [Irouléguy] - Is the animal connection a fictional human?YES ripple of applause from the audience
  • Phil - Does the fictional aspect account for the "abstract" part of the clue?
  • Inkspot
    [Phil] - Does the fictional aspect account for the "abstract" part of the clue? YES A whispering murmur from the audience
  • Irouléguy - Is the fictional aspect from a novel?
  • Inkspot
    [Irouléguy] Is the fictional aspect from a novel? YES several members of the audience about to go to the bar for a shandy return to their seats
  • Quendalon - Was the novel written more recently than 1900?
  • Projoy - Written since 1950?
  • ImNotJohn - Written by a British writer?
  • Chalky - Are the vegetable and mineral bits mentioned in the title - or are they the paper and ink part of the novel?
  • Inkspot
    [Quendalon] - Was the novel written more recently than 1900? YES
    [Projoy] - Written since 1950? YES
    [ImNotJohn] - Written by a British writer?NO
    [Chalky] - Are the vegetable and mineral bits mentioned in the title - or are they the paper and ink part of the novel?
    NO and YES to in the title and paper as the vegetable YES (had not considered the ink when setting the clue but yes it is printed with ink but was not part of the clue)
  • Quendalon - Written since 1980?
    [Inkspot] Just to clarify: the VEGETABLE component is the paper, and the MINERAL component is part of the title?
  • Inkspot
    [Quendalon] Written since 1980? Yes and NO wry smiles litter the audience

    clarification:VEGETABLE component is the paper, and the MINERAL component is part of the title? YES
  • Chalky - Is this a series of stories?
  • Inkspot
    [Chalky] Is this a series of stories? YES loud applause from the audience
  • Irouléguy - Spider Robinson's 'Callahan's bar' stories?
    Just managed to track down the one-volume compendium - well pleased.
  • Inkspot
    [Irouléguy]Spider Robinson's 'Callahan's bar' stories?NO an exited Oooooooooooh from the audience
  • Raak - Is the mineral stone?
  • Inkspot
    [Raak]Is the mineral stone? NO
  • Chalky - Is the mineral metal?
  • Inkspot
    [Chalky]Is the mineral metal? YES cheers from the audience
  • Kim - Is the mineral gold?
  • Raak - Lord of the Rings?
  • Raak - The Book of Lost Tales?
    Fits the 1980 thing better.
  • Inkspot
    [Kim] Is the mineral gold?No
    [Raak] Lord of the Rings?No
    [Raak ] The Book of Lost Tales?No
    the audience sit back back into their seats
  • Raak - Is it science fiction/fantasy?
  • Inkspot
    [Raak] Is it science fiction/fantasy?YES the bell rings in the bar the audience quickly pile back into their seats
  • Quendalon - Is the fictional human that forms the "animal" component also part of the title?
  • Inkspot
    [Quendalon]Is the fictional human that forms the "animal" component also part of the title? YES some argy-bargy in the audience as some laughing pedants are calling out NO
  • Projoy - Just one human?
  • Inkspot
    [Projoy] Just one human? YES the audience rise from their slumber
  • Quendalon - Is it a trilogy?
  • Inkspot
    [Quendalon] Is it a trilogy? NO
  • Raak - Has it been made into a film?
  • Irouléguy - Harry Harrison's 'Stainless steel rat' series?
    Inspired by the answer to Quendalon's penultimate question.
  • Inkspot
    [Raak] Has it been made into a film?NO

    Irouléguy raucous cheers and foot stomping from the audience YES It is the Stainless Steel Rat from the series written by Harry Harrison. Over to you.
  • Irouléguy
    A series I've always meant to look at, and never got round to. Good game, good game! Our next is ABSTRACT, with ANIMAL connections.
  • Raak - Fictional?
  • Quendalon - Is the "animal" human?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] Fictional? No
    Quendalon] Is the "animal" human? Yes
  • Raak - Is this some class of people?
  • Darren - Connected with emotion?
  • ImNotJohn - Anarcho-syndicalism?
    One day I'm going to be right
  • irach - A lion's share?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] Is this some class of people? No
    Darren] Connected with emotion? Connected with, no; provoking, possibly...
    ImNotJohn] Anarcho-syndicalism? There's a great day a-comin' - but not today
    irach] A lion's share? See the answer to Quendalon
  • Inkspot - An event?
  • Darren - Is there more than one of it?
  • Darren
    (Incidentally, feel free to answer "meaningless" to that if such an answer would be.)
  • Quendalon - Is the "animal" a specific human?
  • Rosie - Does this involve an association of people?
  • Raak - Is it an office that a person can hold?
  • Irouléguy
    Inkspot] An event? *applause YES
    Darren] Is there more than one of it? Yes, though there can only be one at a time.
    Quendalon] Is the "animal" a specific human? Yes, but not necessarily the same one.
    Rosie] Does this involve an association of people? *more applause* An association of people is a necessary but not sufficent condition for this.
    Raak] Is it an office that a person can hold? *some quickly stifled giggles* No.
  • Raak - A ceremonial event?
  • Chalky - A sporting event?
  • Inkspot - Is it connected to a date on the calender?
  • Darren - Is it an event with which people are generally pleased to be associated?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] A ceremonial event? No
    Chalky] A sporting event? No
    Inkspot] Is it connected to a date on the calender? No
    Darren] Is it an event with which people are generally pleased to be associated? Yes
  • Raak - Does it involve some common interest of the participants?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] Does it involve some common interest of the participants? Sorry, I simmed. I'm going to answer 'no', as that's the most useful answer, I think.
  • Rosie - A party?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie] A party? No (neither sense)
  • Darren - Is it planned in advance?
  • ImNotJohn - A birth?
  • Quendalon - A birthday?
  • Irouléguy
    Darren] Is it planned in advance? Er...yes and no
    ImNotJohn] A birth? No
    Quendalon - A birthday? No
  • Quendalon - Connected with employment?
  • Darren - Connected with money?
  • Irouléguy
    Quendalon] Connected with employment? No
    Darren] Connected with money? No
  • Raak - A school reunion?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] A school reunion? No
  • Inkspot - Is it astronomical?
  • Irouléguy
    Inkspot] Is it astronomical? Startlingly, no
  • Raak - To do with the Internet?
  • Darren - Have most people experienced this at some point?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] To do with the Internet? *applause* In practice, yes (though this could in theory happen offline as well).
    Darren] Have most people experienced this at some point? No
  • Rosie - A chatroom?
  • Darren - Associated with a particular website?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie] A chatroom? No
    Darren] Associated with a particular website? My experience of it is on one particular website, but I don't know if it originated there
  • Quendalon - Associated with a particular culture(s)?
  • Raak - To do with playing games on the Internet?
  • Darren - To do with MC websites?
  • Chalky - A blind date?
  • Irouléguy
    Quendalon] Associated with a particular culture(s)? Broadly, yes
    Raak - To do with playing games on the Internet? *applause YES
    Darren - To do with MC websites? *louder applause, whistling and cheers* YES
    Chalky - A blind date? No
  • Raak - mc5?
  • Darren - AVMA?
  • Rosie - The game of Mornington Crescent?
    I hope this doesn't blow a fuse, so to speak.
  • Irouléguy
    Raak - mc5? *stamping of feet, cries of 'bravo'* Yes
    Darren] AVMA? *stunned silence from the audience, distracted by a replay of Paul Robinson's error on the giant screens above the stage* YES!
    Rosie] The game of Mornington Crescent? *deflated sighs* No
  • Raak - The Morniverse?
    Assuming that none of the preceding was the winning move.
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] The Morniverse? No.

    Sorry, I was reading the preceding moves as prefaced by 'To do with...'. To clarify the over-enthusiastic audience response, the answer is to do with this site, specifically AVMA (it doesn't occur in any other current game on this site), though it almost certainly occurs on other websites, and could in theory occur in the realiverse.
  • Raak - An audience?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] An audience? No
  • Darren - A correct guess?
  • Irouléguy
    Darren] A correct guess? *the audience holds its breath* Almost - the answer is a particular sort of correct guess.
  • Darren - A correct guess on the first move?
  • ImnotJohn - The answer to this question?
    In danger of disappearing up its own logical fundament.
  • Irouléguy
    Darren - A correct guess on the first move? *older members of the audience are turning purple waiting to exhale* No
    ImnotJohn - The answer to this question? It could be
  • Darren - An accidental correct guess?
  • Irouléguy
    Darren - An accidental correct guess? It could be
    Hint - the initials have another, very different, meaning elsewhere in the Morniverse.
  • Rosie - The winning move?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie - The winning move? Yes, but... Not every winning move is one of these.
  • Darren - A lurker's victory?
  • Irouléguy
    *the audience exhales noisily, too breathless to cheer* YES - a lurker's victory it is (it seemed like a good idea when I set it). Darren, the baton's all yours.
  • Darren
    This particular round is...
    MINERAL
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    [Irouléguy] Nice one. I did consider setting "the next answer" when I actually got a go, but chickened out ;)
  • Darren
    [Tuj] Begins with P? One of the words does.
  • Raak - Is there just one of these?
  • Darren
    [Raak] Just one of these? No.
  • Tuj - Are there 2 words on the card?
  • Darren
    [Tuj] Two words on the card? Indeed.
  • Quendalon - Does it occur in nature?
  • Darren
    [Quendalon] Does it occur in nature? No.
  • Rosie - Does it involve electricity?
  • Quendalon - Does it have any moving parts?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the mineral metal?
  • Irouléguy - A frisbee?
  • Inkspot - Is it a man made mass produced item?
  • Darren
    [Rosie] Does it involve electricity? Yes.
    [Quendalon] Does it have any moving parts? Yes. (misleading?)
    [ImNotJohn] Is the mineral metal? Not entirely.
    [Irouléguy] No.
    [Inkspot] Is it a man made mass produced item? Yes.
  • ImNotJohn - is the non-metal part a liquid?
  • Darren
    [ImNotJohn] Is the non-metal part a liquid? No.
  • Rosie - A buzzer?
  • Raak - Is the first of the words on the card "A"?
  • Projoy - A pylon?
  • Darren
    [Rosie] Buzzer? No.
    [Raak] Is the first of the words "A"? No.
    [Projoy] Pylon? No.
  • Quendalon - Is entertainment its primary purpose?
  • Darren
    [Quendalon] Primary purpose=entertainment? No.
  • Raak - Is it connected with writing?
  • Darren
    [Raak] Connected with writing? No.
  • Quendalon - Is it connected with travel?
  • Tuj - Was it invented in the last hundred years?
  • Darren
    [Quendalon] Is it connected with travel? Yes!
    [Tuj] Was it invented in the last hundred years? Yes!
  • Quendalon - Parking meter?
  • Darren
    [Quendalon] Parking meter? No.
  • Raak - To do with flying?
  • Darren
    [Raak] To do with flying? No.
  • Rosie - Does one take this on one's travels?
  • Quendalon - Is it a component of a larger object?
  • Inkspot - Was it invented before 1960?
  • Tuj - To do with computers?
  • Darren
    [Rosie] Does one take this on one's travels? Certain travels, yes.
    [Quendalon] Is it a component of a larger object? No.
    [Inkspot]Was it invented before 1960? No.
    [Tuj] To do with computers? Well... yes, but, in a more meaningful sense, no.
  • Irouléguy - Mobile phone?
  • Darren
    [Irouléguy] Mobile phone? No.
  • Tuj - Invented in the last decade?
  • Darren
    [Tuj] Invented in the last decade? Probably not. (Sorry to be imprecise on that one, but although they've only become common recently I wouldn't be surprised if they'd existed in, say, the 1980s.)
  • Inkspot - Is it a container?
  • Darren
    [Inkspot] Is it a container? No.
  • Quendalon - Is one of the words "portable"?
  • Darren
    [Quendalon] Is one of the words "portable"? No.
  • Rosie - Is the purpose of this device entertainment?
  • irach - GPS Navigation system?
  • Quendalon - Does it involve superconductivity?
  • Darren
    [Rosie] Purpose=entertainment? No. (See Quendalon's question earlier.)
    [irach] GPS? No.
    [Quendalon] Does it involve superconductivity? No.
  • Raak - An electronic device?
  • Darren
    [Raak] Electronic device? Yes.
  • Rosie - A digital camera?
  • Raak - A data projector?
  • Darren
    [Rosie] Digital camera? No.
    [Raak] Data projector? No.
  • Raak - A communication device?
  • Quendalon - Is it a conduit of some sort?
  • Rosie - One of those fancy car keys?
    Sorry about the imprecision - I drive a banger.
  • Inkspot - Is it required for travelling abroad?
  • Tuj - A mobile phone?
  • Darren
    [Raak] A communication device? No.
    [Quendalon] A conduit of some sort? No. (Well, unless you meant in a very abstracted sense!)
    [Rosie] Fancy car keys? No.
    [Inkspot] Required for travelling abroad? No.
    [Tuj] Mobile phone? No. (See Irouléguy's question earlier.)
  • ImNotJohn - Connected with road travel specifically?
  • Darren
    [INJ] Connected with road travel specifically? No.
  • Inkspot - Is it something a traverrler would carry?
  • ImNotJohn - Biometric Passport?
  • Rosie - A credit card?
  • Darren
    [Inkspot] Is it something a traverrler would carry? Depends what a "traverrler" is.
    [ImNotJohn] Biometric Passport? No.
    [Rosie] Credit card? No.
  • Quendalon - Is it connected to hygiene?
  • Inkspot - Packing bags till the next game.
    A "traverrler" is someone that ends up at the wrong destination.
  • Darren
    [Quendalon] Is it connected to hygiene? No.
    [Inkspot] I wasn't trying to be pedantic - I thought it might be a word I didn't know.
  • Quendalon - Is it connected to vehicles?
  • Darren
    [Quendalon] Is it connected to vehicles? Definitely not.
  • Raak - A clock of some sort?
  • Quendalon - Connected with computer software?
  • Darren
    [Raak] A clock of some sort? Part of it is, usually.
    [Quendalon] Connected with computer software? Only in the sense that it contains some.
  • Quendalon
    Time for a recap, methinks.
  • Darren
    What we know so far:

    It contains two words. One begins with P. Neither word is simply "a," or "portable."

    It's a man-made mass produced electronic device, and there is more than one of it. It does not occur in nature. It has parts which move. Its construction involves metal (among other things), but no liquids. It is not a component of a larger object. It does not involve superconductivity. It was invented (as a whole item) some time after 1980, although the basic principles it uses were known long before that (that's a new hint). It usually includes a clock of some sort, and would contain a computer program within it.

    It is not primarily for entertainment, nor is it connected with writing. It's nothing to do with hygiene.

    It is connected with travel, but not flying or vehicles. You would take it on certain travels. It is not required for travelling abroad, nor is it specific to road travel.

    It is not a frisbee, a buzzer, a pylon, a parking meter, a mobile phone, a container, a GPS navigation system, a digital camera, a data projector, a conduit, fancy car keys, a biometric passport, or a credit card.

  • Rosie - Does the "P" stand for "personal"?
  • Projoy - Is it smaller than a toaster?
  • Raak - A pedometer?
  • Darren
    [Rosie] "P" stands for "personal"? No.
    [Rosie] Smaller than a toaster? Yes.
    [Raak] A pedometer? Yes!!!! (But that's not all. You've only got one of the words on the card. I'm looking for a pedometer with an extra feature.)
  • Darren
    The second answer there was directed at Projoy, not Rosie. Sorry.
  • Raak - A digital pedometer?
  • Raak - A pedometer mounted in a shoe?
  • Darren
    [Raak 1] Digital pedometer? Well, it is, but that's not the special feature I'm after.
    [Raak 2] Mounted in a shoe? No.
  • Raak - A talking pedometer?
  • Darren
    [Raak] Talking pedometer? YES!!!
    So, it's over to Raak for the next round!
  • Raak
    I never knew there were such things.

    The next is MINERAL or VEGETABLE, with ABSTRACT connections.

  • Quendalon - Is it mass-produced?
  • Irouléguy - A stairway to heaven?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Raak
    [Q] Mass-produced? No.
    [I] Not a stairway to heaven.
    [T] Does not begin with P.
  • Rosie - Min or Veg = metal or wood?
  • CdM - Associated with a particular country or culture?
  • Raak
    [R] Not metal/wood.
    [C] Not associated with a particular country or culture.
  • ImnotJohn - Is it a liquid?
  • Inkspot - Is the mineral water?
  • Raak
    [I, I] Not liquid, not water.
  • Darren
    Does it have religious significance?
  • Darren - Does it have religious significance?
    (Sorry, putting it in the right hole.)
  • Raak
    [D] No religious significance.
  • Raak
    (Ignore the fundamentalist crank in the audience raving to the contrary.)
  • Chalky - Is it an item of clothing?
  • Raak
    [C] Not clothing.
  • Kim - Is it an implement of some kind?
  • Raak
    [K] Not an implement.
  • ImNotJohn - Any moving parts?
  • Raak
    [I] No moving parts.
  • Quendalon - Is it bigger than a breadbox?
  • Raak
    [Q] Not bigger than a breadbox.
  • Inkspot - Is it associated with a time of the year?
  • Raak
    [I] Not associated with a time of the year.
  • Chalky - Is it edible?
  • Raak
    [C] Not edible.
    Clarifying a previous answer re metal/wood: never any metal, possibly some wood.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the possible mineral stone?
  • Raak
    [I] Not stone.
  • ImNotJohn - A gas/plasma?
    We've eliminated metal, liquid, stone - what else is there.....
  • Raak
    [I] Not gas or plasma.
  • Raak
    There are plenty of other forms of mineral.
  • Irouléguy - Does this occur naturally?
  • Raak
    [I] Does not occur naturally.
  • jayne - ship in a bottle?
  • Raak
    [j] Not a ship in a bottle.

    Ready for a clue yet?

  • Rosie - Plastic?
  • Raak
    [R] Yes!
  • ImNotJohn - Is there only one of these?
    (I assume mineral/vegetable because plastic can be made from either of these)
  • Raak
    [I] There are many.
    Actually, I was thinking of plastics as made primarily from petrochemicals (i.e. mineral), although having checked I see that vegetable substances are still used..
  • Quendalon - Is it flexible?
    Odd that it's plastic but is not mass produced...
  • Raak
    [Q] It is flexible.
  • Rosie - A credit or debit card?
  • Quendalon - Is it connected to the arts?
  • Raak
    [R] (hopeful murmurs in the audience) Not a credit or debit card.
    [Q] Not connected to the arts.
  • ImNotJohn - Is it essentially flat?
    i.e. 2 of the dimensions are several times greater than the third.
  • Raak
    [I] It is flat.
  • ImNotJohn - Used in a game?
  • Raak
    [I] Not used in a game.
  • Chalky - A loyalty card?
  • ImNotJohn - A mouse mat?
  • Chalky - A driver's license?
  • Raak
    [C] (more interested murmurs from the audience) Not a loyalty card, or a driver's licence.
    [I] (stony stares) Not a mouse mat.
  • Chalky - Is it a card one would need to sign?
  • Inkspot - Is it used for identification?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it decorative?
  • Raak
    [C] It might be.
    [I] (singing and dancing breaks out) YES.
    [INJ] No.
  • Projoy - An identity card?
    Always go for the obvious, I say.
  • Raak
    [P] Papers please? YES. An identity card.
  • Projoy
    OK, a fairly straightforward one: ANIMAL
  • Quendalon - Mammal?
  • ImNotJohn - human?
    Hmmm. An interesting answer to the mass-produced? question.
    Here's another thought - when does vegetable become mineral if we talk about say peat, lignite, coal?
  • Raak
    [INJ] An ID card may be produced in large numbers, but by definition it cannot be mass-produced. I'd classify peat as vegetable, lignite and coal as mineral. A seashel is mineral with animal connections.
  • Raak - Alive?
  • Projoy
    [Q] Mammal - YES
    [INJ] Human - YES
    [Raak] Alive - N/A
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Actually, I'll very slightly shift the answer as otherwise the category is wrong (i.e. it would be ABSTRACT too), so I would now answer YES.
  • Quendalon - A head of state?
  • Tuj - Some kind of job title?
  • Projoy
    [Queen, er, Quen] Head of state - NO
    [Toozh] Job title - NO
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] Oh, and just to save time, it doesn't begin with a P.
  • Rosie - The man on the Clapham omnibus?
  • Irouléguy - A particular individual?
  • ImNotJohn - male?
    [Raak] I possess several mass-produced identity cards.
  • Inkspot - Connected to religion?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Claphambusman - NO
    [Ig] An individual - NO
    [INJ] Male? Hmmm, a not very convinced YES
    [Ink] Religious connection - NO
  • Irouléguy - Fictional?
  • Rosie - A generic description?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] Fictional - NO
    [Rosie] Generic - NO
  • Tuj - Begins with R?
    [Projoy] Your free information gives me a bonus question!
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] Begins with R - NO :)
  • Tuj - A particular group of individuals?
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] Group of individuals - NO
  • Quendalon - Sperm?
  • Projoy
    [Quen] Spermatozoa - NO
  • Tuj - MC related?
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] MC related - NO, not really
  • Irouléguy - A body part or parts?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] body part - YES *applause*
  • Inkspot - The brain (going by the earlier "not very convinced YES")?
  • Raak - A body part of a specific person?
  • ImNotJohn - My Left Foot?
  • Projoy
    [Ink] Brain - NO
    [Raak] specific person - YES
    [INJ] Your left foot - NO
  • Raak - Is this a proverbially useless thing?
  • Inkspot - A transplanted organ?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] not at all proverbial, although arguably somewhat useless
    [Inkspot] transplanted organ - NO
  • Irouléguy - A limb?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] A limb - NO
  • Rosie - Does the arguable uselessness stem from the incompetence with which the specific individual uses this body part?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Does the arguable... NO
  • Raak - A vestigial organ?
  • Irouléguy - Is the organ's owner British?
  • irach - Appendix?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] vestigial organ - NO
    [Ig] British owner - YES
    [ir] Coda - NO
  • Raak - A public figure?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] public figure - NO
  • Rosie - My arse?
    My Arse my arse.
  • Irouléguy - Someone's arse?
  • Kim - Foucault's Pendulum?
    *snigger*
  • Tuj - Is the first word on the card a pronoun?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie/Ig] Nobody's arse
    [Kim] Big, swinging dangly thing - NO
    [Tuj] Pronoun appears in the answer? NO
    *hint - I only made it belong to someone in particular to stop it having to be classified as abstract*
  • Raak - Somebody's bald patch?
  • Irouléguy - Is it in/on the upper half of the body?
  • Inkspot - Is it connected to one of the senses?
  • Chalky - Is it an implant of some kind?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Bald patch - NO
    [Ig] Upper half - YES (yay, deductive questioning!)
    [Ink] connected to a sense - well, YES, but not in the way I suspect you mean. It's not a sense organ.
    [Chalky] Implant - NO
  • Inkspot - Is it above the collar bone?
  • Raak - Would it be normally visible, if one were in this person's presence and not on intimate terms with them?
  • ImNotJohn - Could it be removed without doing permanent harm?
  • Irouléguy - Does this person have a particular connection to you?
  • Chalky - Is it smaller than an egg cup?
  • Chalky - Are you the person who is attached to this body part?
  • Projoy
    [Ink] Above collar bone - NO
    [Raak] visible - NO
    [INJ] Could it be removed without permanent harm - depends a bit on your definition of harm, but essentially YES
    [Ig] A connection to me? YES
    [Chalky] Smaller than an egg cup - NO
    [Chalky again] Am I attached? YES *applause*
  • Raak - Your spleen?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] My spleen - NO *collective intake of breath
  • Irouléguy - Your tonsils?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] Tonsils - NO (as a matter of fact, I parted company with those some 26 years ago).
  • Rosie - Is the answer an idiomatic phrase?
  • irach - Gallbladder?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Not idiomatic
    [irach] Projoy's Gallbladder - YES! - I was originally going to just go with "the human gallbladder" but quickly realised that in terms of specific/generic questions that was going to be more trouble that it's worth. *hands the baton to irach*
  • irach
    Here we go again.... The next one is simply ANIMAL.
  • Quendalon - Human?
  • irach
    [Quendalon] Human? Yes.
  • Chalky - Alive?
  • irach
    [Chalky] No, not alive. Dead as a doornail.
  • ImNotJohn - Male?
  • irach
    [INJ] Male? Yes.
  • Raak - Born in the last 500 years?
  • irach
    [Raak] No, born earlier than 500 year ago.
  • Inkspot - European?
  • irach
    [Inkspot] Yes, European.
  • Tuj - Regal?
    [Projoy] Surely "Projoy's gallbladder" begin's with a P? And it can't be "my gallbladder" as you said there was no pronoun on the card...
  • irach
    [Tuj]. Yes. Certainly of regal stature.
  • Quendalon - Charlemagne?
  • Irouléguy - A royal?
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] I was using my real name on the card :P
  • Darren - British?
  • Chalky - Was he ugly?
  • irach
    [Quendalon] Not Charlemagne.
    [Irouleguy] Not a royal.
    [Darren] No, not British.
    [Chalky] Ugly? Not that I know of, or in historical depictions. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, anyway.
  • Chalky - Nostradamus?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    [Projoy] :D perfect answer
  • Tuj
    ...unless you're bluffing...
  • Rosie - Middle Eastern?
  • irach
    [Chalky] Not Nostradamus.
    [Tuj] No "P" beginnings.
    [Rosie] Not Middle Eastern.
  • Raak - An author?
  • Tuj - Famous for an invention/discovery?
  • ImNotJohn - born before 1000CE?
  • Inkspot - An artist?
  • irach
    [Raak] Not an author.
    [Tuj} Not famous for an invention or discovery
    [INJ] Born before 1000 CE? Yes.
    [Inkspot] Not an artist.
  • Inkspot - A north european?
  • Chalky - A religious leader?
  • irach
    [Inkspot] Not Northern European.
    [Chalky] Not a religious leader.
  • Inkspot - Was he born after 43 AD?
  • Rosie - Julius Caesar?
  • irach
    [Inkspot] No, born before 43AD.
    [Rosie] Et tu, Rosie? You are correct!!! YES!!! Julius Caesar it is!
  • Rosie
    Heavens to Murgatroyd, I've won! *Lies down for a few minutes*

    That's better. This is ABSTRACT with ANIMAL connections. Only very tangentially associated with steam engines, and then only a few types. Hope that narrows the field a bit.

  • Tuj - Is the animal connection a bird?
    Bravo.
  • irach - Phoenix rising from the ashes?
  • Projoy - Is the animal connection human?
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) - No bird connection
    irach - Imaginative, but wrong, alas
    (Projoy) Can be a human connection, but certainly not necessarily.
  • Rosie
    Perhaps we should forget about the very tangential association with the iron horse, which is not helpful, and which I'll explain at the end.
  • Quendalon - Connected with the arts?
  • Rosie
    (Quendalon) - Most definitely not connected with the arts.
  • Raak - An invention?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) - Not an invention.
  • Projoy - Connected with mathematics?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) - No connection with mathematics.
  • Tuj - A human invention?
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) Not any kind of invention. See Raak's question.
  • Quendalon - A process?
  • Irouléguy - A group of animals?
  • Rosie
    (Quendalon) - Not really, but a process, in the broad sense, is involved.
    (Irouléguy) - Not a group of animals.
  • Quendalon - Connected with movement?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    [Rosie] Sorry for wasting your time with that. I'll learn to read.
  • Rosie
    (Quendalon) - Not connected with movement. *audience bursts into laughter*
  • Raak - Something to do with death?
  • Quendalon - Sleep?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) - Nothing to do with death.
    (Quendalon) - Not sleep.
  • Irouléguy - Is this fictional?
  • Rosie
    (Irg) - Not fictional.
  • Tuj - A turn of phrase?
    Was my last qeustion so predictable as to be ignored?
  • Inkspot - Is the animal connected to a particular part of tthe world?
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) Sorry - all I saw was your apology, now it's my turn. Does not begin with P.
    (Inkspot) - No regional connection.
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) - Not a turn of phrase.
  • CdM - A human construct?
  • Tuj - Is the animal connection a human?
    [Rosie] I think I should stop bothering you - I'm jst confusing you and the answer to my question's always no :P
  • Rosie
    (CdM) - No, not a human construct.
    (Tuj) - This question, too, was asked early on by Projoy.
  • Quendalon - Connected with biology?
  • Rosie
    (Quendalon) - Yes, biology is involved.
  • Irouléguy - Is the non-human animal a particular animal?
  • Raak - Connected with the absence of movement?
  • Rosie
    (Irg) - No, not a particular animal.
    (Raak) - Yes, connected with absence of movement. *applause, and some smiles, from the audience*
  • Quendalon - An action taken by an animal?
  • Raak - Dreams?
  • irach - Does the animal connection refer to a specific attribute or behaviour of the animal?
  • Rosie
    (Qunedalon) - No, not an action.
    (Raak) - Not dreams.
    (irach) - No, not an attitude or behaviour on the part of the animal.
  • Quendalon - Connected with food?
  • Rosie
    (Quendalon) - Connected with food? Yes.
  • Raak - A pig that wants to be eaten?
  • Quendalon - A diet?
  • Irouléguy - Ruminating?
  • irach - Bringing home the bacon?
  • Rosie
    (Quendalon) - Not a diet.
    (Irg) - Not ruminating, but the closest yet.
    (irach) - Not bringing home the bacon.
  • Quendalon - Digestion?
  • Raak - *ahem*
  • Irouléguy - Farting?
  • Rosie
    (Quendalon) - Not digestion.
    (Raak) - Not "ahem" if I read you right.
    (irach) - Not farting.
  • Irouléguy - Constipation?
  • Rosie
    CONSTIPATION! Irouléguy has it! (The answer, I mean). Well done. The Lactulose is handed over to YOU.
  • Irouléguy
    Thanks, Rosie. WOO-HOO! On the throne again, so to speak. Our next is ANIMAL and ABSTRACT again, but no connection with the previous answer (well, almost no connection…)
  • Quendalon - Is the animal connection human?
  • Irouléguy
    Quendalon] Is the animal connection human? Yes

    Rosie] What was the steam engine connection?
  • Tuj - A single animal?
    I gave up on asking Rosie questions, I wasn't very good at it... Sorry Rosie.
  • irach - A specific named human?
  • Irouléguy
    Tuj] A single animal? No
    irach] A specific named human? *applause* Yes and no
  • Tuj - Fictional?
  • Quendalon - An expression?
  • Chalky - A society of some sort?
  • Rosie - Is the human alive today?
    (Irouléguy) I'd just been re-reading an autobiography of an outstanding engineer who described a very numerous and apparently popular class of engine has having a "thoroughly constipated front end" (sic), i.e. the exhaust passages were too long and tortuous and much energy was absorbed in just getting rid of the used steam. I'd always thought these locos were crap and I only found out near the end of the steam era, when this book was published, that this was true. Not much relevance to AVMA, as you can see.
  • Irouléguy
    Tuj] Fictional? No
    Quendalon] An expression? Gordon Bennett! No
    Chalky] A society of some sort? *murmuring among the audience* No is the most useful answer
    Rosie] Is the human alive today? No and yes (to be read in conjunction with the answer to irach's question).
    'crap locos' - well, I got to 'farting', by thinking of the Puffing Billy, so there is a sort of connection.
  • CdM - A role that is filled, at any given moment, by a specific named human?
  • Inkspot - Connected with religion?
  • Irouléguy
    CdM] A role that is filled, at any given moment, by a specific named human? No
    Inkspot] Connected with religion? *some giggling in the audience No
  • Chalky - A group of people with something in common?
  • Irouléguy
    Chalky] A group of people with something in common? *applause YES
  • irach - Is the group of people composed of both sexes?
  • Inkspot - Connected to sport?
  • Rosie - Do these people engage in some rather dubious activity?
  • Quendalon - Are these people related by blood?
  • Irouléguy
    irach] Is the group of people composed of both sexes? Ye-es, though almost all male
    Inkspot] Connected to sport? No
    Rosie] Do these people engage in some rather dubious activity? *giggling from sections of the audience* Depends on your definition... No is the more useful answer.
    Quendalon] Are these people related by blood? No
  • Quendalon - Connected with sexual activities?
  • Inkspot - Did it start in a particular country?
  • irach - Does the common activity involve drinking?
  • Irouléguy
    Quendalon] Connected with sexual activities? *prolonged sniggering from a section of the audience* Activities, no.
    Inkspot] Did it start in a particular country? Yes, though there's some dispute as to which country it was.
    irach] Does the common activity involve drinking? It might do, but that's not the primary link.
  • Inkspot - Did it start before 1900?
  • Irouléguy
    Inkspot] Did it start before 1900? No
  • Quendalon - Connected with the military?
  • Inkspot - A charity organisation?
  • Irouléguy
    Quendalon] Connected with the military? No
    Inkspot] A charity organisation?
  • Chalky - Do they have a medical condition/syndrome in common?
  • Irouléguy
    Chalky] Do they have a medical condition/syndrome in common? No
  • Rosie - Is this a commercial activity in any way?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie] Is this a commercial activity in any way? Yes - some of the people who do this will get paid for it.
  • Kim - It is likely to involve a journey of some kind?
  • Inkspot - Is it connected to a time of year?
  • Irouléguy
    Kim] It is likely to involve a journey of some kind? Only a circular one ;-)
    Inkspot] Is it connected to a time of year? No
  • Quendalon - Does it take its name from a specific human?
  • Inkspot - To do with the Arts?
  • Tuj - Anuything to do with vehicles?
  • Irouléguy
    Quendalon] Does it take its name from a specific human? *some cheering* Yes
    Inkspot] To do with the Arts? *more cheering* Yes
    Tuj] Anything to do with vehicles? *dead silence* No
  • irach - Associated with the musical arts?
  • Rosie - An exhibition?
  • Irouléguy
    irach] Associated with the musical arts? Yes
    Rosie] An exhibition? No
  • Chalky - A male voice choir?
  • Irouléguy
    Chalky - A male voice choir? Dim
  • irach - A rock band?
  • Irouléguy
    irach] A rock band? *some applause* No
  • Rosie - The Billy Cotton Band?
    Wakey-wakeeee.
  • Rosie
    (Irg) - re answer to Chalky; I think that should be Nag'dy ( = no, it isn't), if I read you right. Dim means "no" in the sense of "absence of", eg dim o arian, "no (of) money". Diwedd y wers. :-)
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie] Billy Cotton? No
    Welsh lesson] Thanks - obviously I'm the dim one.
  • Projoy - Some sort of popular beat combo, m'lud?
  • Botherer
    An orchestra?
  • irach - Does the group still exist?
  • Rosie - A Big Band/Dance Band?
    (Irg) Well, I wouldn't say that. The problem is that there is no single word for either yes or no in Welsh. You either repeat or negate the verb. Diwedd yr ail wers. (Projoy) You must be older than you look. :-)
  • Inkspot - Did the group form before 1990?
  • Irouléguy
    Projoy] Some sort of popular beat combo, m'lud? No - see irach's earlier question
    Botherer] An orchestra? Good to see you here! No
    irach - Does the group still exist? It's not a group
    Rosie] A Big Band/Dance Band? No. Thanks for the explanation. Interestingly Putonghua Chinese (Mandarin as it's often known) does much the same.
    Inkspot - Did the group form before 1990? See earlier answers
  • Inkspot - Title of a piece of music?
  • irach - Alexander;
  • irach - Alexander'S Ragtime Band?
  • Irouléguy
    Inkspot] Title of a piece of music? No
    irach - Alexander's Ragtime Band? No
  • Irouléguy
    Time for a summary? The answer is a group of people with something in common, mostly male. The 'something in common' has connection with rock music, and takes its name from a specific human, but it's not a group. Questions about this involving religion, sexual activities, and being dubious have all drawn giggles or sniggers from the audience. It's not a relationship by blood, or connected with the military (though there was a connection once - sorry, should have noted that earlier), or a charity organisation. It's sometimes done for money, and it may well involve drinking. There's no connection with a particular time of year, and only a jokey connection with journeys.
    Writing all that out makes me think that it's glaringly obvious, but perhaps I shouldn't be cruel ;)
  • Rosie - Elvis impersonators?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie - Elvis impersonators? YES! So as Rosie was the question-setter before me, the baton is returned to sender.
  • Rosie
    (Irouléguy) - Actually it was the Lactulose I handed you and you are gracious enough not to hand it back, though I hope you haven't drunk it. I'm told it's rather persuasive.
    Right, this one is ABSTRACT, and absolutely nothing to do with steam locos.
  • Inkspot - Can it be proven by science?
    Sorry Rosie if the question is a bit broad, but what I mean is something like magetism or a black hole.
  • irach - Is there a human element to it?
  • Rosie
    (Inkspot) - It probably could, but the answer to your question as you intend it is NO.
    (irach) - Human element? YES.
  • Quendalon - Is there a mathematical element to it?
  • Raak - A philosophical idea?
  • Rosie
    (Quendalon) - No mathematical element.
    (Raak) - Not a philospohical idea.
  • CdM - Connected to the brain?
  • Raak - An arrangement of concrete things?
  • Rosie
    (CdM) - Not connected to the brain.
    (Raak) - Not an arrangement of concrete things. You mean physical, I assume.
  • Quendalon - Is it unique?
    (Rosie) So there's a human element, but no Animal connection?
  • Rosie
    (Quendalon) - Hmm, difficult. Let's say each one is. But that's not very helpful. It needs humans for this abstract thing to manifest itself, so there is an Animal connection, an omission on my part.
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
  • Irouléguy - Sin?
    Rosie] Thanks :)
  • Raak - An activity?
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) - Does not begin with a P.
    (Irouléguy) - Nice thought, but not sin. What would I know about that?
    (Raak) - Not an activity.
  • Quendalon - Connected with the body?
  • Kim - Is it connected with the arts?
  • Rosie
    (Quendalon) - Not connected with the body.
    (Kim) - Connected with the arts? It can be on occasions.
  • Quendalon - Connected with emotion?
  • Chalky - Anything to do with the weather?
  • Rosie
    (Quendalon) - NO! Er, sorry, no connection with emotion.
    (Chalky) - Nothing to do with weather.
  • Kim - Is the arts connection (when it arises) limited to one branch of the arts?
  • Chalky - Connected with the occult?
  • Rosie
    (Kim) One or two branches of the arts at most. The connection is not a vital part of this, but occurs.
    (Chalky) - Not connected with the occult.
  • Quendalon - Connected with sound?
  • Rosie
    (Quendalon) - Connected with sound? - Yes
  • irach - Is the sound musical?
  • Rosie
    (irach) - Sometimes can be but not essentially.
  • Inkspot - Is it to do with the quality of sound?
  • Quendalon - Connected with the human voice?
  • irach - To do with poetry?
  • Rosie
    (Inkspot) - Quality of sound? Yes, interpreting "quality" fairly broadly.
    (Quendalon) - Yes, connected with the human voice. *considerable applause*
    (irach) - Nothing to do with poetry.
  • Raak - An accent?
  • Irouléguy - A glo'al stop?
  • Inkspot - Shouting?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) - Yes, an accent. *wild cheering from audience, who think it's all over, but it's not, quite.*
    (Irouléguy) - No' a glo''al stop.
    (Inkspot) - Not shouting.
  • Raak - A Welsh accent?
  • Inkspot - Received Pronunciation?
  • irach - A Dixie Southern drawl?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) - Daw' be daft, mun.
    (Inkspot) - Not RP.
    (irach) - Dixie? - Nope.

    The answer is A something Accent.

  • irach - A French accent?
  • ImNotJohn - A grave accent?
  • Projoy - An accent from the British Isles?
  • Rosie
    (irach) - Not a French accent.
    (INJ) - Imaginative, but gravely in error.
    (Projoy) - A British accent? - Could be, certainly.
  • irach - A foreign accent?
  • Projoy
    [irach] Relative to where? :P
  • Irouléguy - A posh accent?
  • Inkspot - Is the accent from a particular city?
  • Rosie
    (irach) - It could be, to a good ear.
    (Irouléguy) - Good heavens no, dear boy.
    (Inkspot) - Not from a particular city.
  • Inkspot - A northern accent?
    "Lots of planets have a North" (Christopher Eccelstone as Dr Who)
  • Rosie
    (Inkspot) No, but a northern accent is an example of this.
  • Quendalon - Specifically an accent of the English language?
  • Rosie
    (Quendalon) - No, not specifically English.

    Could I nudge people gently away from the particular.

  • Projoy - A nasal accent?
  • Chalky - A local accent?
  • Kim - A regional accent?
  • Raak - A fake accent?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) - Might be.
    (Raak) - Not fake.
    (Chalky) Not local, but so close, since KIM has it! Well done. Your go.
  • Kim - Ee, bah gum, etc, etc.
    Jolly dee. OK, this one is MINERAL.
  • Raak - Precious?
  • Inkspot - Man made?
  • Kim
    [Raak] No.
    [Inkspot] No.
  • Raak - A specific individual object?
  • Kim
    [Raak] Yes.
  • AMVA Ministry
    WARNING: even yes/no answers can potentially be misleading.
  • Rosie - Could you lift it?
    Simply to rule out an anarcho-syndicalist-driven steam locomotive.
  • Inkspot - Is it a place?
  • Irouléguy - Is it on Earth?
  • Raak - Bigger than a telephone box?
  • Kim
    [Inkspot] Difficult. On balance I would have to say...No.*some murmurs of interest from the audience*
    [Irouléguy] Yes.
    [Raak] Yes.
  • Irouléguy - Is it a geographical feature?
  • Quendalon - Is it a geological feature?
  • Chalky - Has it been in existence for at least the last two centuries?
  • Projoy - A single specific object in the generic sense (in the same way as, say, "a stone")?
  • Kim
    [Irouleguy] Yes.
    [Quendalon] Yes.
    [Chalky] No.
    [Projoy] No.
  • Inkspot - A mountain range?
  • Raak - Is the mineral some form of water?
  • Projoy - Made of sand?
  • Kim
    [Inkspot] No.
    [Raak] No.
    [Projoy] No.
  • irach - A geographic/geological feature at one specific terrestrial location?
  • Raak - Connected with volcanic activity?
  • Kim
    [Irach] Yes.
    [Raak] Yes.
    *The audience senses a build up of momentum (or pressure?).*
  • Rosie - Surtsey?
  • Quendalon - In the Northern Hemisphere?
  • irach - Paricutin?
  • Inkspot - A fault line?
  • Irouléguy - Krakatoa?
  • Kim
    [Rosie] No.
    [Quendalon] No.
    [irach] No.
    [Inkspot] No.
    and
    [Irouléguy] No.
  • Inkspot - In africa?
  • Raak - Is the answer the name of a volcano?
  • Kim
    [Inkspot] No.
    [Raak] No.
  • Inkspot - In Asia?
  • Irouléguy - The lake of mud in eastern Java?
    Which doesn't appear to have a name, according to the BBC.
  • Projoy - a tectonic plate?
  • Kim
    [Inkspot] No.
    [Irouléguy] No. *audience gets quite interested*
    [Projoy] No.
  • Quendalon - Is it solid?
  • Rosie - Krakatoa?
  • Inkspot - In Austrailia?
  • Kim
    [Quendalon] Yes.
    [Rosie] I refer the Hon. Gntlmn to the answer I gave Irouléguy a few moves ago.
    [Inkspot] Not in Austrailia (sic)
  • Quendalon - An island?
  • Inkspot
    Hang me for a typo: guilty as charged
  • Irouléguy - Is it the product of a volcanic eruption?
  • Kim
    [Quendalon] Yes.
    [Irouléguy] Yes.
  • Raak - The new island that emerged this year in Tonga between Kao and Late?
  • Irouléguy
    Bugger - simmed
  • Kim
    Excellent set-piece work by Quendalon and Irouléguy, but Raak gets in at the near post and nods it in. The answer is indeed the new island that has appeared in the South Pacific recently. Well done, Raak, better luck next time to Irouleguy and Quendalon.
  • Kim
    http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/11/14/asia/AS_GEN_Tonga_New_Island.php by the way.
  • Raak
    So they are still making real estate!

    The next is ABSTRACT, VEGETABLE and MINERAL.

  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] One day, an answer will begin with a P. That day is not yet.
  • Irouléguy - Sweating aubergines?
  • Kim - Anarcho-syndicalist vegetable stir-fry?
    One day, the answer will be Anarcho-syndicalist something-or-other.
  • Raak
    [I] No. Er, is that a face pyjama?

    [K] That day too is yet far off.

  • Rosie - A painting?
  • Raak
    [R] Not a painting.
  • Kim - Is it a character from a fictional work?
  • Raak
    [K] Not a character from a fictional work.
  • Quendalon - Connected with the arts?
  • Tuj - A figure of speech?
  • Raak
    [Q] Not the arts.
    [T] Not a figure of speech.
  • Irouléguy - Is the vegetable wood?
    [R] Face pyjama? No, just a cooking technique.
  • Raak
    [I] Can be wood.
  • Rosie - Man-made?
  • Dujon - Does this have strong religious connections?
  • Quendalon - Is it unique?
  • Raak
    [R] Man-made.
    [D] No strong religious connection.
    [Q] Not unique.
  • Chalky - A geographical feature?
  • Raak
    [C] Not a geographical feature.
  • Chalky - A building?
  • Kim - Connected with the sciences?
  • Raak
    [C] Not a building.
    [K] Nothing to do with science.
    (The audience is in a coma.)
  • Inkspot - Is it a generic name of a product?
    eg Hoover
  • Raak
    [I] Not a generic name.
  • Inkspot - Is it usually found in the home?
  • Irouléguy - Is it a physical object?
  • Raak
    [I] It can be found in the home.
    [I] Yes, a physical object.
  • Rosie - Anything to do with food or drink?
    The Abstract nature of this object baffles me.
  • Irouléguy - Anything to do with gardening?
  • Chalky - Is this an object from a fictional work?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not food or drink.
    Hint: The V and M are what it is made of, the A is the abstract thing it embodies.
    [I] Not gardening.
    [C] (The audience opens one eye.) Not fictional.
  • Chalky - Is this a kit of some sort, like an Airfix Model?
  • Rosie - Is it a tool of some kind?
  • Quendalon - Connected with writing?
  • irach - The hearth?
  • Raak
    [C] Not a kit.
    [R] Not a tool.
    [Q} Yes! Writing has something to do with it!
    [i] Not a hearth.
  • irach - A document (paper and ink being the vegetable and mineral components)?
  • Raak
    [i] Yes! A document. (The audience opens all their other eyes.)
  • irach - A lease?
  • CdM - A contract?
  • Rosie - Does it involve finance?
  • Raak
    [i] Not a lease.
    [CdM] Not a contract.
    [R] Yes, it involves finance.
  • Quendalon - Is it a form of currency?
  • Rosie - A will?
  • Raak
    [Q] Not currency.
    [R] YES! A last will and testament. Over to you.
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Mm, I s'pose I ought to make one. Well, it can wait because there are far more important things in life, like the next subject, which is ABSTRACT.
  • Chalky
    I still can't work our why A Will - which to me is a tangible object - should be classified as Abstract - but am happy to be corrected :-)
  • Chalky
    correction - our/out
  • Raak
    [Chalky] I'm somewhat uncertain what should count as Abstract. What makes the thing a will is the non-physical meaning of what is written on it. On the other hand, a will generally is a single physical document, unlike, say, a book, which has an abstract existence apart from any of its individual copies.
  • Rosie
    (Raak, Chalky) I instinctively thought of a will as abstract because of its content. After all, it could be stored on a computer even if a physical document is a legal requirement. AHEM - there can be no such ambiguity about the present subject. AHEM.
  • Quendalon - Does it start with the letter P?
  • Irouléguy - The Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation?
    Chalky, Raak, Rosie] There's also the distinction between a specific person's will, and the idea of a last will and testament. I didn't find it misleading, which is what I think matters.
  • Kim - Connected with the arts?
  • Rosie
    (Quendalon) - Does not start with P.
    (Irg) - A miss of some magnitude, I fear.
    (Kim) - Not connected with the arts.
  • Tuj - A single word on the card?
    [Quendalon] Daft question :P
  • Kim - Is is a human construct?
  • Quendalon - Connected with mathematics?
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) - Two words, including the indefinite article.
    (Kim) - Not a human construct.
    (Quendalon) - Not connected with mathematics.
  • Raak - Is it something people do?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) - Not something people do.
  • Irouléguy - Is it visible?
  • Kim - Is it something to do with the weather?
  • Rosie
    (Irg) - Not visible *laughter from audience*
    (Kim) - Nothing to do with the weather.
  • Inkspot - Can it be heard?
  • Rosie
    (Inkspot) - Cannot be heard *further cruel sniggers from audience*
  • Kim - Can it be perceived by any of the senses?
  • Inkspot - Is it part of the electromagnetic spectrum?
  • Irouléguy - Is it an absence of something?
  • Rosie
    (Kim) - Yes, it can be perceived.
    (Inkspot) - Not part of the electromagnetic spectrum.
    (Irouléguy) - Yes. *loud applause*
  • Quendalon - Space -- the final frontier?
  • Tuj - A black hole?
  • Rosie
    (Quendalon) - Not space.
    (Tuj) - Not a black hole.
  • Raak - Conspicuous by its absence?
  • irach - Vacuum?
  • Quendalon - Related to living things?
  • Rosie
    irach has it because VACUUM it is! Strictly "A vacuum", but that's near enough. Well done, sir, and over to you.
  • irach
    This one is ABSTRACT with ANIMAL and MINERAL Connections.
  • Raak - A document of some sort?
  • irach
    [Raak] Not a document.
  • rab - Is it ritualised linguistic routine? (e.g., a metaphor, simile, cliche)
  • irach
    [rab] Yes. It is a type of cliched verbal expression.
  • Inkspot - Is the animal human?
  • Quendalon - Is there a number in it?
  • Rosie - The Ashes?
  • irach
    [Inkspot] Yes. The animal component is most often human in this context. [Quendalon]. No. No number in it. [Rosie] Not the ashes.
  • Irouléguy - Is the mineral an artefact?
  • rab - Pissing in the wind?
  • Projoy - A wild stab in the dark
  • Kim - People in stone houses shouldn't throw glasses?
  • Lib - Bull shit?
  • Raak - Is it a proverb?
  • irach
    [Irouleguy] No. Not an artifact
    [rab] Not pissing, in the wind, or otherwise.
    [Projoy] Not a wild stab in the dark.
    [kim] Not stone houses or glasses
    [Lib] No, not bull shit (or any other animal scat).
    [Raak] No. Not a proverb.
  • Rosie - Does the expression describe the human (or animal)?
  • irach
    [Rosie] It does not describe the entire human (or animal), but a part thereof.
  • Irouléguy - Pull the other one?
  • Inkspot - Is the mineral a liquid?
  • Raak - To do with the face?
  • Rosie - Is it complimentary?
  • irach
    [Irouleguy] No.
    [Inkspot] The mineral is not liquid.
    [Raak] No. Not the face.
    [Rosie] Yes. It is complimentary.
  • Lib - Diamond Geezer?
  • Tuj - Is the mineral metal?
    [irach] A very deadpan "no, not the face" that.
  • irach
    [Tuj] Hurray!!!Yes, a metal! (a little less deadpan, I hope) ;)
    [Lib] Not a Diamond Geezer.
  • Raak - An iron constitution?
  • rab - A heart of gold?
  • Tuj - Goldfinger?
    [rab] Pretty much hijacked my line of thought there.
    [irach] Fantastic emotional control and range, congrats.
  • Quendalon - A mind like a steel trap?
  • irach
    [Quendalon] No. No mind, no steel trap.
    [Raak] Not an iron constitution.
    [rab] You are correct! A heart ofgold it is! Over to you.
  • rab - Wow...
    Err, right. This one's MINERAL, with possible animal and vegetable connections.
  • Irouléguy - Is it a place?
  • Rosie - Man-made?
  • Tuj - Metallic?
  • rab
    [Irroul] No.
    [Rosie] Yes.
    [Tuj] No.
  • irach - Made from stone?
  • rab
    Not stone, no.
  • Rosie - Portable?
  • rab
    Yes.
  • Raak - Made of plastic?
  • rab
    [Raak] *applause* - its plasticity is an integral part of its being, yes. (And I'm still wondering if plastic is vegetable, rather than mineral, but no matter now).
  • Raak
    [rab] After being turned into oil over tens of millions of years, I'd file it as mineral, same as limestone.
  • Irouléguy - The plastic rings around a six-pack of beer?
  • Inkspot - Is it a manufactured item for use in the home?
  • Raak - Is it for containing food or drink?
  • rab
    [Irroul] No.
    [Inkspot] Manufactured yes, but I don't think its use is restricted to the home.
    [Raak] *audience fidgets* Not containing, no.
  • Raak - You put food on top of it?
  • Irouléguy - Plastic cutlery?
  • rab
    [Raak] *mild applause* but no.
    [Irroul] Nope.
  • Inkspot - cling film?
  • Rosie - Does its essential plasticity necessarily imply that it is essentially flexible?
  • Quendalon - Is it intended for human consumption?
  • rab
    [Inkspot, Quendalon] No
    [Rosie] I suppose it could be flexible, but that's not an essential characteristic.
  • Quendalon - A drinking straw?
  • Rosie - Is it a tool of some kind?
  • rab
    [Quendalon, Rosie] No.
  • Inkspot - Is it used for carrying things?
  • Kim - Is it an implement?
  • rab
    [Inkspot, Kim] No

    I think we should look back to the last positive audience reaction.

  • Quendalon - Is it bigger than a breadbox?
  • rab
    No.
  • Inkspot - Has it always been made of plastic?
  • Rosie - A toothpick?
  • Irouléguy - Is it associated with a particular type of food?
  • irach - Plastic chopstick?
  • rab
    [Inkspot] Tricky one. The type I'm thinking of is very much definitely made of plastic, but there are versions that perform a similar function that aren't.
    [Rosie, irach] No.
    [Irouléguy] YES!
  • Inkspot - Is it used during the preparation of the food?
  • Kim - Is it the outer coating on Edam cheese?
  • rab
    [Inkspot] To say "yes" would probably throw you completely off-scent; but I think that it's far to say that it might play a small part in the preparation of a particular type of food.
    [Kim] No.
  • Inkspot - Is it associated with a particular country?
  • Irouléguy - Is the food linked to a particular event or ceremony?
  • rab
    [Inkspot] No.
    [Irouléguy] *applause* YES!
  • CdM - The plastic figures on the top of a wedding cake?
  • rab
    On my card it says A plastic bride and groom but I think CdM's close enough to get it.
  • CdM
    Wow. I actually didn't expect that to be right, because of the "preparation" question. But I do see what you mean.

    ABSTRACT with ANIMAL connections
  • Rosie - Animal human?
  • CdM
    Animal connection = Human? Yes.
  • rab - A trait or characteristic?
  • CdM
    Trait? No.
  • Raak - Fictional?
  • CdM
    Fictional? No.
  • Kim - A character of myth or legend?
  • CdM
    Mythical or legendary? No.
  • rab - Connected to science/technology?
  • CdM
    Connected to science/technology? Yes.
  • Raak - Something named after someone?
  • CdM
    Something named after someone? Yes *applause*
  • Rosie - A unit of measurement?
  • Uncle Korky
    Is it Bluetooth?
  • Lib
    [UK] I suggest you get yourself to a dentist ASAP.
    Is it to do with the internet?
  • CdM
    Unit of measurement? No.
    Bluetooth? No.
    Internet-related? No.
  • rab - A theory?
    (As in an entire theoretical framework, rather than a result or phenomenon)
  • CdM
    A theory? No.
  • Kim - Is it a constant?
  • CdM - two short Plancks?
    A constant? No.
  • rab - A phenomenon?
  • Raak - Schrödinger's cat?
  • Lib - Is it a sound?
  • irach - The sound of one hand clapping?
  • CdM
    Phenomenon? Hmmmm... my initial response was no, but I think it is fair to say yes, in a way.
    S's cat? No ... and yes ... and no ... and yes .. and *checks*. NO.
    A sound? No.
    A zen sound? Not even.
  • Rosie - Someone's Effect?
  • Raak - Astronomical?
  • rab - Nash equilibrium?
  • Lib - Is it visible?
  • CdM
    Someone's Effect? The word "effect" does not appear on the card, and I think the best answer is No.
    Astronomical? No.
    Nash Equilibrium? The best response is No.
    Visible? *audience goes "oooooh"*. I think I have to say Yes and No. Either 'Yes" or 'No' could be justified as an answer, and by the same token either would be misleading.
  • Raak - A Schelling point?
  • Rosie - Cerenkov radiation?
  • CdM
    Schelling point? No. (the audience communicates by a subtle combination of laughter, applause and silence that, had this been the correct answer, they would have given some recognition to 'Nash equilibrium')
    Cerenkov radiation? No.
  • Lib - A hologram?
  • Raak - Connected with economics?
  • irach - Concerned with atomic particle physics?
  • CdM
    A hologram? No.
    Connected with economics? Isn't everything? But, otherwise, No.
    Connected with particle physics? Isn't everything? But, otherwise, No.
  • Lib - Is it temprature dependant?
  • Rosie - Anything to do with meteorology?
  • Raak - Was the eponymous person alive before the 20th century?
  • CdM - Now we are getting somewhere
    Temperature dependent? Yes.
    To do with meteorology? Yes. *applause*
    Before 20th century? Yes.
  • irach - To do with Torricelli, vacuum and barometry?
  • Rosie - The Bergeron process?
  • irach - The Doppler effect?
  • CdM
    I think that is close enough for me to award a mercury-filled baton to irach, even though it was not posed as a guess. The answer on the card was "A Torricelli (or Torricellian) Vacuum".

    The subject was prompted by the fact that I almost guessed "vacuum" for Rosie's recent AVMA about a day before it was correctly guessed (no, really, I did), but then rejected it on the grounds that Rosie had claimed no connection to the weather. :-) (That's not intended as a criticism, btw; on reflection I thought that Rosie's answer was probably right.)
  • irach
    Let me then step in to fill the void... The next one is simply ANIMAL
  • Raak - Human?
  • irach
    [Raak] Not human.
  • CdM
    A dodo?
  • irach
    [CdM] No, not a dodo.
  • Lib - alive?
  • Kim - Vertebrate?
  • irach
    [Lib] By alive, if you mean non-extinct, yes.
    [Kim} Yes. A vertebrate.
  • Irouléguy - A species?
  • irach
    [Irouleguy] Yes, a species.
  • Rosie - Mammal?
    (CdM) Can't see why a vacuum is temperature dependent, which is why I went for the the rather obscure Bergeron process, which certainly is. Not to worry. :-)
  • irach
    [Rosie] Yes, a mammal.
  • CdM - Found (in the wild) on more than two continents?
    [Rosie] Well, I was thinking about the fact that the density of the mercury (or whatever) is affected by temperature, and hence so is the size of a Toricelli vacuum. (I think. This is your area of expertise, not mine). I certainly agree that I should have at least indicated that the connection to temperature was minor.
  • Inkspot - Is it amphibian?
  • rab - Tree-dwelling?
  • Kim - Water-dwelling?
  • Raak - Carnivorous?
  • Lib - Giraffe?
  • CdM - A long-necked meat-eating animal that lives in trees and water and swims?
  • Irouléguy - Meerkats?
  • irach
    [Inkspot] Yes, it is semi-aquatic.
    [rab] No, not arboreal.
    [Kim] Not exclussively water-dwelling, see response to Inkspot.
    [Raak] Not carnoivorous. Rather the contrary.
    [Lib] Not a giraffe. A long way off.
    [CdM] Not a long necked or meat eating animal that lives in trees. It does enter water and swim, though.
    [Irouleguy] Not meerkats.
  • Raak - A hippopotamus?
  • Kim - A beaver?
  • irach
    [Raak] Not a hippopotamus.
    [Kim] Not an eager (or disinterested) beaver.
  • Raak - Smaller than a telephone box?
  • irach
    [Raak] Yes, smaller than a telephone box.
  • Lib - Smaller than a bread bin?
  • irach
    [Lib] No. Bigger than a bread bin.
  • Rosie - A primate?
  • irach
    [Rosie] Not a primate (Are there any semi-aquatic primates?)
  • irach
    [Rosie] Not a primate (Are there any semi-aquatic primates?)
  • Raak - Furry?
  • rab - A mink?
  • Irouléguy - A vole?
    BTW, CdM' s "Found (in the wild) on more than two continents?" hasn't been answered.
  • Kim - A reptile?
  • irach
    [Raak] As a mammal it does have fur, but not particularly known for its furriness.
    [rab] Not a mink
    [Irouleguy] Not a vole.
    [CdM] Found in th wild, but on only one continent.
    [Kim] Not a reptile. It's already been established that it is a mammal.
  • CdM - Duck-billed platypus?
  • irach
    [CdM] Not a platypus.
  • Inkspot - Found in Africa?
  • Kim - Found in America?
  • irach
    [Inkspot] Not Africa.
    [Kim] Not natively found wild in the USA, but yes, is found in one of the two Americas.
  • Irouléguy - The capybara?
  • irach
    [Irouleguy] Yes, Capybara, it is! Over to you...
  • Irouléguy
    A win largely down to Wikipedia, in all honesty. Our next is MINERAL and VEGETABLE and contains ANIMAL.
  • Raak - Coal?
  • Inkspot - A mass produced manufactured item?
  • Kim - The Tardis?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak - Coal No. Surely coal is either mineral or vegetable - can it be both?
    Inkspot - A mass produced manufactured item? Yes and no - not mass-produced
    Kim - The Tardis? a ripple of applause No
  • rab - A Dalek?
  • Raak - A Cyberman?
  • Irouléguy
    rab - A Dalek? No
    Raak - A Cyberman? No
    the applause unripples
    I should add that there's also an abstract dimension to this.
  • rab - Does it exist only in science fiction?
  • Irouléguy
    rab] Does it exist only in science fiction? No - there isn't a science fiction connection (or if there is, it's incredibly faint).
  • rab - Can one live in it?
  • Raal - A telephone box?
  • Inkspot - Was the first one made before 1900?
  • Rosie - Is there only one of it?
  • Tolken - Is it a coat?
    ...or shall I get mine?
  • Irouléguy
    rab - Can one live in it? One could...but I don't think anyone does
    Raak - A telephone box? No
    Inkspot - Was the first one made before 1900? Yes
    Rosie - Is there only one of it? No
    Tolken - Is it a coat? No, and no, it was a perfectly clean question
  • Raak - A sauna?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak - A sauna? No
  • rab - Is it a piece of street furniture?
  • Irouléguy
    rab - Is it a piece of street furniture? No
  • irach - Is the vegetable ccomponent wood?
  • Irouléguy
    irach - Is the vegetable component wood? Yes
  • Chalky - Is it larger than a transit van?
  • Rosie - Is it an outdoor object?
    (Chalky) A TRANSIT van?
  • Irouléguy
    Chalky - Is it larger than a transit van? Yes
    Rosie - Is it an outdoor object? Yes
    (What's wrong with Transit vans?)
  • Inkspot - Are they in fixed positions?
  • Irouléguy
    Inkspot - Are they in fixed positions? *another ripple of applause* No
  • Raak - A horse box?
  • Inkspot - Is the animal human?
  • rab - Does it have wheels?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak - A horse box? No
    Inkspot - Is the animal human? Yes
    rab - Does it have wheels? *giggling from large sections of the audience* Yes, though in the past they used to have more.
  • Raak - Would you find it at a funfair?
  • rab - Is is a mode of public transport?
  • Projoy - Is it a vehicle?
  • Rosie - A horse-drawn wagon?
  • Inkspot - Does it use electric power?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak - Would you find it at a funfair? No
    rab - Is is a mode of public transport? *loud applause* YES
    Projoy - Is it a vehicle? Yes
    Rosie - A horse-drawn wagon? *giggles No
    Inkspot - Does it use electric power? It does now, but it hasn't always done.
  • rab - A tram?
  • Raak - A train?
  • Irouléguy
    rab - A tram? No
    Raak - A train? No

    Apologies - I'm out most of tomorrow and won't be at a keyboard until the evening. I hope no-one will harbour a grudge.
  • Raak - A lift?
  • Rosie - An escalator?
  • rab - An omnibus?
  • Lib - a charabang?
  • Lib - a charabanc?
    It would appear that everyone not in my family calls it a Charabanc, so I'll try again!
  • Irouléguy
    Raak - A lift? No
    Rosie - An escalator? No
    rab - An omnibus? No
    Lib - a charabang or charabanc? Or even a charabank - a coach you get on Bank Holidays. No
  • Rosie - Does it use the roads?
    Back to basics. :-(
  • CdM - A ferry?
    (I'm pretty certain this is a water vehicle of some kind.)
  • rab - A barge?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie - Does it use the roads? No
    CdM - A ferry? *waves of applause* YES! 'Ferry' is one of the four words on the card.
    rab - A barge? No
  • CdM - A cross-channel ferry?
  • rab - Ferry Across the Mersey?
  • Irouléguy
    CdM - A cross-channel ferry? La Trans-Manche? Non
    rab - Ferry Across the Mersey? No
  • Lib - Hong Kong Star Ferry?
  • CdM - Isle of Man Ferry?
  • Irouléguy
    Lib - Hong Kong Star Ferry? No
    CdM - Isle of Man Ferry? No, but the geographically closest so far.
  • Projoy - Ferry to/from a Scottish Isle?
  • Irouléguy
    Projoy - Ferry to/from a Scottish Isle? No, and no closer.
  • rab - Does it sail from Liverpool?
  • irach - Isle of Wight Ferry?
  • Lib - Holyhead- Dublin sea ferry?
  • Inkspot - Pembroke to Rosslare ferry
  • Irouléguy
    rab - Does it sail from Liverpool? No
    Lib - Holyhead- Dublin sea ferry? No
    Inkspot - Pembroke to Rosslare ferry No

    When I said CdM was 'closest', that was strictly comparative. 'Least distant' would have been more helpful. Lib is now the least distant.
  • Projoy - Is at least one end of the journey in the UK?
  • Raak - Is at least one end on the North American continent?
  • rab - Does it sail between two different countries?
  • Inkspot - Is it operated by a pulley system?
  • CdM - The Staten Island Ferry?
  • Irouléguy
    CdM goes overnight from 'least distant' to bullseye - the Staten Island Ferry it is! One Staten baton handed over.
  • CdM
    ANIMAL, VEGETABLE, and MINERAL
  • Inkspot - Is the animal human?
  • CdM
    Human? No.
  • Inkspot - Is the vegetable a liquid?
  • Raak - Is it edible?
  • Irouléguy - Is there a seasonal connection?
  • CdM
    Vegetable = liquid? Least misleading answer is yes, I think.
    Edible? Yes. *ripple of applause*
    Seasonal connection? None that I am aware of.
  • Raak - Some sort of soup?
  • CdM
    Soup? No.
  • rab - Is it associated with a particular country?
  • Tuj - A specific meal?
  • Irouléguy - Some form of alcohol?
  • CdM
    Associated with a particular country? Yes *applause*
    A meal? No. *a sprinkling of laughter*
    Some form of alcohol? Yes, the vegetable component is some form of alcohol. *applause* (I was probably overthinking earlier when I said liquid was "least misleading"; I should have just said yes. But it doesn't seem to have slowed you up.)
  • irach - Is the mineral salt?
  • CdM
    Salt? No.
  • rab - Is it a drink?
  • Inkspot - Is the mineral water?
  • Raak - Two pints of lager and a packet of pork scratchings?
  • CdM
    A drink? The words on the card do not define a drink as such. The alcohol is intented to be drunk, however.
    Mineral = water? While there may be some water mixed in the alcohol, the primary mineral component is not water.
    Two pints of lager and a packet of pork scratchings? How can I put this? No.
  • rab - Is the animal a fish?
  • Inkspot - Is the animal connection a by product like cheese?
  • Raak - A loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and thou?
  • CdM
    Animal = fish? No.
    Animal = By-product? No.
    Wonderloaf, Mateus Rosé and him? No, but a nice guess.
  • rab - Is the alcoholic part served separately to the edible component?
  • CdM
    Alcohol and edible component served separately? No. *some applause*
  • Raak - Is the mineral part the container in which it is served?
  • rab - Is it some kind of stew?
  • Inkspot - Is the animal a bird?
  • CdM
    Mineral part = container? Yes. *applause*
    Some kind of stew? No.
    Animal = bird? No.
    Clarification: my answer to "drink?" might have been unintentionally misleading. The answer is not exactly a drink, but it is not incorrect to think in terms of things that are. If you see what I mean. It always amazes me how hard it can sometimes be to answer even the simplest questions in this game.
  • irach - Is it a canned item?
  • rab - Is the alcoholic part a spirit?
  • CdM
    Canned item? No.
    Spirit? Yes.
  • Raak - Irish coffee?
  • rab - Is it always the same spirit? (And if so, is it vodka?)
    *wonders what kind of animal Raak takes in his coffee*
  • irach - Is the animal component milk or milk-based?
  • Inkspot - Is the vegetable a fruit?
  • CdM
    Always the same spirit? Yes.
    Vodka? No.
    Animal = milk? No.
    Vegetable = fruit? No.
  • irach - Is the spirit brandy?
  • CdM
    Brandy? No.
  • Raak - Mezcal (the Mexican spirit with a worm in the bottle)?
  • CdM
    And a massive leap to victory by Raak. The words on the card were "A bottle of Mezcal containing a worm", but I had previously decided that I would award victory as long as the words "mezcal", "bottle", and "worm" all appeared.
    *hands a small, wriggling, inebriated baton to Raak*
  • Raak
    Apparently the worm in the bottle was invented in 1950 by one Jacobo Lozano Paez as a marketing ploy for stupid gringo tourists.

    The next is MINERAL and ABSTRACT.

  • Projoy - Glass houses pierced by stones?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] No, but you have the right general idea.
  • rab - Is it a saying?
  • Raak
    [rab] A saying? No.
  • Raak
    (The general idea is a bit more general than that.)
  • Rosie - Is the mineral rock?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not rock.
  • Rosie - Is the mineral in its natural state?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] The mineral is not in its natural state.
  • rab - Is it always made of the same material?
  • Raak
    [rab] Yes, always the same material.
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    ...to try to give Rosie a hand, however small.
  • rab - Plastic?
  • Rosie - Is the object larger (in any dimension) than a dustbin?
  • Lib - more than one mineral?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] Does not begin with a P.
    [rab] Not plastic.
    [Rosie] Not larger than a dustbin.
    [Lib] Not more than one mineral.
  • rab - Glass?
  • Raak
    [rab] Yes! Glass.
  • irach - Glass Menagerie?
  • Raak
    [irach] Not a menagerie.
  • Rosie - A cut-glass accent?
    Like wot I 'ave.
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not ay cut-glahss eksent.
  • rab - Is it half-full?
  • irach - Is the glass a mirror?
  • Raak
    [rab] Not half-full (nor half-empty, nor over-engineered for the purpose).
    [irach] Not a mirror.
  • irach - Is the glass component a container?
  • Raak
    [irach] Yes, a container.
  • irach - Is the container a bottle (with or without a genie)?
  • rab - Is the contents important?
  • Raak
    [irach] (applause!) It's a bottle. No genie.
    [rab] The contents are not important.
  • Raak
    I'll be in London all day tomorrow, doing the rounds of as many museums and art galleries as I can fit in, so you have a day to think about this abstract glass bottle.
  • Projoy - A Klein bottle?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Surprisingly, not a Klein bottle.
  • rab - Is it associated with a myth, legend or piece of history?
  • Irouléguy - Losing one's bottle?
  • irach - Hitting the bottle?
  • Raak
    [rab] Not mythical, legendary, or historical.
    [Irouléguy] Not losing it.
    [irach] Not hitting it.
  • rab - Is anything being done to it?
  • Raak
    [rab] Nothing is being done to it.
  • irach - Is the actual word "bottle" on the card?
  • Raak
    [irach] (excited murmuring from the audience) Strictly speaking, no.
  • rab - Is it bottled-up anger?
  • Raak
    [rab] Not bottled-up anger.
  • Raak - A hint
    There are two words on the card, including the indefinite article.
  • Rosie - A jeroboam?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not a jeroboam.
  • irach - A decanter?
  • Projoy - A gottle? (of the kind that generally contains geer)
  • Raak
    [irach] Not a decanter.
    [Projoy] Not a gottle.
  • Raak - Another hint
    The Mineral meaning is less well-known than the Abstract meaning.
  • Rosie - A fiasco?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Yes, a fiasco, and well done for avoiding one.
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Too kind; you haven't seen my Christmas arrangements.

    Right, here we go with a fairly simple one that's ABSTRACT with MINERAL connections.

  • irach - Is the mineral a metal?
  • Inkspot - Does it have religious connections?
  • Irouléguy - Is it fictional?
  • Rosie
    irach - Not a metal
    Inkspot - No religious connection
    Irouléguy - Not fictional
  • irach - Does it describe an emotional state?
  • Rosie
    irach - Nothing to do with the emotions.
  • Liz - related to music?
  • Lib
    Ooh, sorry I forgot to get dressed up in my disguise above! How rude of me! *blushes*
  • Rosie
    (Lib) - Nothing to do with music.
  • Irouléguy - Is the mineral liquid?
  • irach - >Is the mineral ice?
  • Rosie
    Irouléguy - Yes, the mineral is liquid.
    irach - Not ice. See above. :-)
  • Raak - Anything to do with the weather?
  • irach - Is the liquid mineral potable (non life-threatening if imbibed)?
  • Inkspot - Is it flammable?
  • Lib - Coloured?
  • rab - Does it f l o w?
  • Rosie
    Raak - Weather? Certainly is *applause*
    irach - Potable? Very much so
    Inkspot - Flammable? No. Laughter from audience
    Lib - Coloured? Yes *whooping and shrieking from the rather plebby lot we've got in tonight*
    Rab - Does it flow? - Course it flows, 's a bleed'n' liquid innit? Man of your calibre; I dunno.
  • irach - Purple Rain?
  • Rosie
    irach - Not purple rain.

    (tutti) Don't forget it's fundamentally abstract.

  • Raak - Some other colour of rain?
  • irach - Somewhere Over the Rainbow?
  • Rosie
    Raak - Not rain of any colour
    irach - Erm, I'm afraid not. *huge but rapidly-stifled audience eruption *
  • Projoy - Non-alcoholic liquid, one assumes?
  • Rosie
    Projoy - T-t-t-totally correct, but you're moving in the wrong direction.
  • Raak - A pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?
  • rab - Just a rainbow?
    [Rosie] Sorry - was drunk last night.
  • Rosie
    Raak - Not the pot of gold, but . . . .

    The rainbow itself. So the winner is the extraordinarily sober rab! Well done.

  • rab - Eek!
    Right, well I probably won't have 'net access after 9am tomorrow, so let's go for a really easy ANIMAL (with possible ABSTRACT tendancies).
  • Lib - a Gnu?
  • rab
    Not a Gnu.
  • Raak - A specific individual?
  • rab
    [Raak] Yes!
  • irach - Fictional?
  • rab
    [irach] As the Germans say, jein.
  • irach - Human?
  • rab
    Yes.
  • irach - Is he/she dead, or as the Germans ask: Ist er/sie tot?
  • rab
    Errr..., jein. You have only a few hours left. If no one gets it, someone else can take over with what they think it is...
  • irach - Male?
  • rab
    Yes!
  • Raak - Santa?
  • rab
    I said it was easy.
  • Raak
    Ok, another easy one, to make sure it gets solved before Christmas.

    ABSTRACT.

  • irach - The First Noel?
  • Raak
    [irach] Not the First Noel.
  • Projoy - Xmas-related?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Coincidentally Xmas-related.
  • Projoy - Related to religion?
  • Inkspot - A greeting?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Some relate it to their religion.
    [Inkspot] Not a greeting.
  • irach` - Winter solstice?
  • Raak - Bingo!
    [irach] The very words on the card.
  • irach
    Here we go again- This one is ANIMAL
  • Rosie - Dickens?
  • irach
    [Rosie] Good try, but no. (Bah! Humbug!) ...the audience at least stirs slightly
  • Lib - Reindeer?
  • Tuj - Human?
  • irach
    [lib] Nort reindeer.
    [Tuj] Yes, human.
  • Tuj - Christmas-related?
  • irach
    [Tuj] No Christmas connection.
  • Inkspot - A European?
  • Projoy - A male?
  • Rosie - In the news recently?
  • irach
    [Inkspot] European, yes.
    [Projoy] Yes, male.
    [Rosie] No, not that I know of.
  • Inkspot - Alive?
  • irach
    [Inkspot] Dead.
  • Inkspot - Was he born before 1900?
  • irach
    [Inkspot] Yes, born prior to 1900.
  • Rosie - Involved in any of the creative arts?
  • irach
    [Rosie} Yes.
  • Projoy - Born prior to 1700?
  • irach
    [Projoy] Yes, born prior to 1700.
  • StormWraith
    In the Music Field?
  • irach
    [StormWraith] Not Music.
  • StormWraith
    Is he in a visual art?
  • irach
    [StormWraith] Not a visual art per se.
  • Inkspot - Was he a Greek?
  • irach
    [Inkspot] Not Greek.
  • Lib - British?
  • irach
    [Lib] Jolly good, I say! Yes, British. (the audience stirs and begins humming "Rule Brittania")
  • Rosie - A writer
  • Rosie
    I mean "A writer?"
  • Projoy - Born prior to 1500?
  • irach
    [Rosie] Yes, a writer.
    [Projoy] Born after 1500.
  • Rosie - A playwright?
  • irach
    [Rosie] Yes, he wrote plays.
  • Projoy - Shakespeare?
  • irach - `
    [Projoy] YES, the Bard of Avon it is. Over to you.
  • Projoy
    OK, here's a MINERAL/ABSTRACT.
  • Raak - Anything to do with the present season?
  • Inkspot - Stone?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] To do with the present season? NO
    [Inkspot] Stone? YES
  • irach - Stonehenge?
  • Rosie - Is this two meanings for the same word, one mineral, one abstract?
  • Projoy
    [irach] Stonehenge? NO
    [Rosie] Two meanings? YES, but then again NO. Not sure which is the most helpful answer, really.
  • KIm - Is it the rock of ages?
  • Projoy
    [Kim] Aged Rock? NOPE
  • Rosie - Connected with a geographical feature?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Not connected with a geographical feature.
  • Inkspot - Does it have religious significance?
  • Projoy
    [Inkspot] religious significance? NO (a couple of mutters from the audience, but basically they agree)
  • Raak - The Stone of Scone?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Symbol of temporal power in Scotland? NO.
  • Inkspot - Is it unique?
  • Projoy
    [Inkspot] Unique? NO is the best answer.
  • Rosie - An artistic depitction?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Artistiction? NO
  • rab - Does it feature in a legend?
  • Projoy
    [rab] Features in a legend? Strictly, NO, although a small change to your question would yield a YES.
  • Raak - Is there a specific, finite number of them?
  • Inkspot - Does it appear in mythology?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] A specific, finite number of them? NO
    [Inkspot] Appears in mythology? I'm reasonably sure that's a NO, altho my research wasn't exhaustive.
  • Projoy
    It depends a bit on your definition of "mythology" and "legend", come to think of it. Probably best to regard NO as the most helpful answer in those cases, but you're approaching the right sort of area.
  • rab - Some kind of fictional story?
  • Projoy
    [rab] (pretending to mishear the question) Fictional? YES!
  • rab - Is the type of mineral any more specific than "stone"?
  • Projoy
    [rab] More specific than stone? NO
  • Inkspot - Does it have origins in a particular culture?
  • Raak - A heart of stone?
  • Projoy
    [Inkspot] Originates in a particular culture? NOT SURE. Sources are a bit unclear on this point.
    [Raak] Heart of stone? NO.
  • Rosie - It's not . . . . dilithium crystals, is it?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] NO, IT'S NOT
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Actually there is a very, very, very obscure connection to a particular variety of dilithium.
  • Projoy
    Then again, I am slightly drunk.
  • Raak - Is it fictional?
  • rab - Is its signifance connected to a specific individual (possibly fictional)?
  • Inkspot - Is there a connection to an event?
  • Projoy - sober now...
    [Raak] Fictional? YES (see answer to rab's "misheard" question above)
    [rab] SORT OF. Its significance isn't dependent on a specific individual, but there are specific individuals associated with it.
    [Inkspot] Connected to a particular event? NO, NOT REALLY (except in a pretty trivial sense).
  • rab - Could you name those specific individuals? And would you be able to get them all into the 'Stance' box?
    (I don't actually want you to do this, merely know if it's possible...)
  • Projoy
    [rab] Could I name those individuals? YES, although it would be subjective as there's certainly no canonical list of them. Would they all fit into the "stance" box? I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT SO for most people's lists. An academic in the right field might be able to overflow the stance box, but most reasonably erudite people would probably name four or so names.
  • Inkspot - Are the people fictional as well?
  • Projoy
    [Inkspot] Are the people fictional? NO, by and large.
  • Raak - Are these precious stones?
  • CdM - Is the word "stone" on the card?
  • Inkspot - Do the stones go back to the time of the Greeks and Romans?
  • rab - Arthurian connection?
  • CdM - The alchemists' stone?
  • Projoy - back online now
    [Raak] Precious stones? NO *sustained applause from the audience*
    [CdM] The word "stone" IS on the card *mounting excitement from audience*
    [Inkspot] Back to Greek and Roman times? YES
    [rab] Arthurian connection? NOT THAT I'M AWARE OF
    [CdM] Alchemists' stone? YES. The words on the card were "Philosopher's Stone", and I have to say I'm very upset that Tuj never popped up with his normal question! I got in a bit of a tizzy over the legend/myth questions. To my knowledge, the philosopher's stone doesn't appear in a particular myth or legend or in what is conventionally called mythology (i.e. of the Greek and Roman variety), but one could call it a mythical or legendary object, so a hard one to answer helpfully. * transmutes baton into finest gold and hands to CdM*
  • Projoy
  • CdM - All right, here we go again

    ABSTRACT
  • Rosie - Global Warming?
  • CdM - Not getting warmer at all
    Global Warming? No.
  • rab - Visible?
  • Kim - Human construct?
  • Raak - Fictional?
  • CdM
    Visible? Yes.
    Human Construct? Yes.
    Fictional? No, although there are a few connections to works of fiction.
  • Raak - Something used as a symbol?
  • CdM - A slightly tricky one
    Symbol? I think the most helpful answer is no.
  • rab - Smoke?
  • Irouléguy - Mirrors?
  • Rosie - An action?
  • Kim - An emotion?
  • irach - Does it involve all mankind, or a select few?
  • CdM - Coming up empty
    Smoke? No. (Abstract?)
    Mirrors? No. (Abstract?)
    An action? No.
    An emotion? No.
    Does it involve all mankind? I'm not sure that it makes much sense to talk of this "involving people", but if you insist on an answer, I would say that it does not involve all mankind.
  • Projoy - A metaphor?
  • CdM - Really not getting very far
    Metaphor? No.
  • rab - Is it ever used as a means of communication?
  • CdM - OK, now we're getting somewhere
    Used as means of communication? While that is not its primary use, it can be used as a means of communication in certain circumstances.
  • Rosie - An art form?
  • CdM - Speaking too soon...
    An art form? No.
  • rab - Is the "primary use" an invention?
  • CdM - Too, too soon
    Invention? It is a human construct that was invented, but you wouldn't normally call it an invention.
  • Rosie - Is any technology necessarily involved?
  • Projoy - Is it a process?
  • rab
    [CdM] Not sure I care for your patronising tone.
  • rab
    Sorry - that was a bit harsh as usual. I read your last comment as "Of course a human construct is a human invention you idiot" but re-reading it I suspect my first reading was incorrect. Unfortunately, I can't work out what your last comment does mean...
  • CdM - I apologise unreservedly
    Technology involved? Not really, except for a very broad definition of technology.
    Process? No.

    [rab] Wow, sorry -- I assure you that wasn't meant to be in the slightest bit patronising. My pedantic answer simply reflected the confusion I often feel when answering seemingly simple questions in this game. "Invention" conjures up to my mind steam engines, spinning jennies, COBOL, and the like -- and it would be odd to describe the subject on the card as an invention in that sense. On the other hand somebody did presumably invent this thing, so it would be misleading to say no as well.
  • rab
    S'ok - I did over-react. Likewise I find a problem in this game is in asking questions that don't completely give away the thing(s) you think they might be.

    Does it exist?

  • CdM - 'Course it does, idiot
    Does it exist? Yes.
  • rab - Not a ghost, then.
    Is it electromagnetic radiation?
  • Irouléguy - Did it exist 100 years ago?
  • CdM
    Electromagnetic radiation? No. (This thing is abstract, but it does typically have a physical manifestation, so you can add "with ANIMAL, VEGETABLE AND/OR MINERAL connections" to the description, if you like.)
    Did it exist 100 years ago? Yes.
  • Raak - Does it involve words?
  • CdM
    Does it involve words? Yes. *prolonged applause from audience*
  • Rosie - Rap?
    (You said it wasn't an art form)
  • rab - Are these words in spoken form?
  • Raak - Poetry?
  • Lib - Music and words?
  • Irouléguy - Do the words originally come from one particular language?
  • irach - Drama?
  • Projoy - A musical?
  • CdM
    Rap? Nope.
    Are the words in spoken form? No.
    Poetry? No, although there can be a connection.
    Nineteen-forties movie? No.
    One language? No.
    Plays? No.
    Evita? No.
  • Projoy - In written form, then?
  • rab - Is it the game of AVMA on mc5?
  • rab
    Ah, wait a minute - that's mostly one language... so change that to MC on the web
  • rab
    Actually, scrap that again - no technology, existed 100 years ago. Hmmm, stumped.
  • CdM
    Written form? Yes. (Obviously, the words in question could be read, but the words on the card are associated with a written form.)
    AVMA on the web (or not)? No.
  • rab - Is it an epitaph?
  • CdM
    RIP? The answer is not an epitaph, although there very occasionally is a connection.
    Are you in need of a clue yet? ...
    Because I have actually already given you some clues already.
  • Rosie - Anything to do with religion?
    God help us.
  • Projoy - Birthday greetings?
  • rab - Do the words on the card describe a particular formation of words?
  • Irouléguy - Is this associated with a specific occasion or event?
  • Projoy - "The words on the card"?
  • rab
    [Projoy] I was going to ask that...
  • CdM
    Religion? There are occasional connections.
    Birthday greetings? No.
    Particular formation of words? Not exactly sure what you mean, but I think the best answer is yes. *some confused applause*
    Associated with specific occasion? No.
    Words on the card? No.
  • Projoy - To do with nomenclature?
  • rab - An advertising slogan
    [CdM] By "particular formation of words" I meant something like an epitaph, birthday greeting or, indeed, an advertising slogan.
  • rab
    ...or perhaps a particular form of verse or...
  • CdM
    To do with nomenclature? In some cases, but by no means necessarily.
    Advertising slogan? No.
    [rab] Then I continue to think that the best answer is yes, although the answer is certainly not a unique formation of words such as "Just do it"
  • Rosie - A condolence?
  • Projoy - Typically appearing in printed form rather than manuscript?
  • Irouléguy - Related to a particular time in people's lives?
  • CdM
    Condolence? No.
    Do you write it down? It could be either, but, yes, most instances would be printed.
    Marriage, birth, death, divorce, christening...? No.
  • rab - Is the meaning of the words relevant to what's written on the card?
  • CdM
    Meaning relevant? No.
  • Rosie - An invitation?
  • Projoy - equal rights (as expressed in legislation)
  • Lib - Is it associated with the legal profession?
  • Irouléguy - Is it work-related?
  • CdM
    Come as you are? No.
    Legislated equality? No.
    Unethical? No.
    Ergological? No.
  • Rosie - Anything medical?
  • Projoy - Some sort of certification?
  • Néa - Associated with a particular writing system?
  • Inkspot - A list of words?
  • Lib - A decloration?
  • rab - Is the form of the words relevant to what's written on the card?
  • Raak - Is the setting of this one self-referential?
  • CdM
    Anything Medical? No.
    Certification? No
    Riting or Reading or Rithmatic system? No.
    "Of", "But", "Transubstantiate", "Legume", "Velocity"? Only vaguely.
    Statement of intent to declare something to say? No.
    To what's written on the card is the form relevant? Yes.
    Is it self-referential? No, but...
    Could be...
  • Projoy - A clue?
  • rab - A sentence?
  • Projoy - Is there likely to be a particular length to which this form of words runs or could it range significantly from, say a few words to hundreds?
  • Irouléguy - Is this form of words written by a particular group of people?
  • CdM - Do I have to spell it out for you?
    A clue? No.
    Verb-containing syntactically independent grammatical unit? No.
    Many or few words? No particular length, though not arbitrarily short and usually not very long.
    Authored by a particular group of people? No.
  • rab - Is it spelling?
  • Projoy - Anything to do with synonyms (or antonyms)?
  • Projoy - Anything to do with translation
    (rudely taking two goes)
  • CdM - Crying in my beer
    Spelling? No.
    Opposites (or sames)? No.
    Babelfish? No.
  • Irouléguy - Does this usually appear in a particular format of writing (eg newspaper, novel, magazine)?
  • Projoy - Gah! An ACROSTIC?
  • Projoy
    I feel guilty even offering that answer, as it's now so obvious.
  • Néa - Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah
    I am the stupidest person in the whole world and my only consolation is that most of the rest of you were equally stupid.
  • Projoy
    I'm tempted to say that CdM won that round and should continue with the next clue.
  • rab
    Oh bollocks.
  • Lib
    Give that man an beer. We were defeated good and proper.
  • CdM
    Beer would be great! I'm delighted and flattered that I've been invited to come back and set one more clue, and yet now I'd rather retire unrequited.
  • Projoy
    Very well, then. On CdM's behalf*, here's an ANIMAL/MINERAL/ABSTRACT thingumabob.
    * this means you can blame him if it's too hard
  • rab - Is it some kind of idiom?
  • Projoy - Course it's not, you idiom.
    [rab] an idiomat? NO
  • Projoy
    There's a case for describing this as an (ANIMAL) (MINERAL) (ABSTRACT (ANIMAL) ), but maybe that's taking pedantry to new extremes.
  • CdM - Is the animal part human?
    (By the way, I think that one of the reasons I inadvertantly insulted rab was that, at the beginning, my comment lines were an acrostic of "an acrostic". Thus my "Too, too soon" comment, which may have been what conveyed the unintended patronising tone. Also, I apologize for some of my slow responses, but they were partly because I was waiting for enough questions to put acrostics in my answers, and partly because good acrostics were hard to compose.)
  • CdM - (Either animal part...)
  • rab - Is it something I'd encounter in everyday life?
  • Néa - Um, Projoy?
    I think you were handed a baton, actually.
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Is either animal part human? YES
    [rab] Something you'd encounter in everyday life? NO
    [Néa] Me? NO :)
  • CdM - Is there more than one of these?
    [Projoy] It's poor form to point to one's own cleverness, but I think Néa was referring to the fact that my AVMA sign-off above was actually an acrostical limerick.
  • Projoy
    [CdM] More than one? The best answer is NO, on several counts.
    [CdM] re: limerick - Too subtle, too subtle!
  • Phil
    Bloody hell, CdM! Here, have this round of applause that's been looking for a home.
  • Irouléguy - Noah's Ark?
  • Irouléguy - Oops
    Pressed 'stand' too soon. I meant to add my congrats to CdM - excellent!
  • Projoy
    [Ig] Big Boat Wot Has Animals In? NO
  • Inkspot - Is it fictional?
  • Raak - A trophy?
  • rab - Is it the name of something?
  • rab
    Actually, you could probably argue anything is the name of something, so let's change that to:
  • rab - Is it a title of a book/film/poem/...?
  • Projoy
    [Inkspot] Fictional? YES, in essence
    [Raak] Trophy? NO
    [rab] The name of something? YES (and not in the same way that just anything is
    [rab] Title of cultural product? NO (that I'm aware of)
  • Raak - Someone's nickname?
  • rab - A legendary being?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] A nickname? NO * an audient claps a couple of times, but tails off when no-one else joins in *
    [rab] Legendary? NO *smiles in the audience*
  • rab - Is it a person?
  • Raak - To do with religion?
  • Inkspot - Is it a place?
  • Projoy
    [rab] A person? Hm. YES and NO
    [Raak] Religious connection? NO
    [Ink] A place? NO
  • Irouléguy - Is the other animal part a specific animal?
  • Kim - Is the human part that is and is not a person a character of myth?
  • Inkspot - Sandman/Tooth Fairy type person?
  • rab - Is it a something-man?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] Other part (the part that isn't human) a specific animal? YES
    [Kim] You've slightly misread my response. I didn't say that there was a human part that was and wasn't a person. I said the whole thing was and wasn't a person. That said, the human part, as it happens might be described as being and not being a person. But the human part is not a character of myth. Glad to have cleared that up. :)
    [Ink] Sandman/Tooth Fairy or generic substitute? NO
    [rab] A something-man? In quite a broad sense, YES (but possibly not the one you're thinking of).
  • Inkspot - Did it originate in a particular culture more than 2000 years ago?
  • Projoy
    [Inkspot] Originated...particular culture... 2000 years ago? NO
  • Kim - Is the word "Man" on the card?
  • Inkspot - Is the mineral part man made?
  • Projoy
    [Kim] Word "man" on card? NO
    [Inkspot] Mineral man made? YES
  • Projoy
    It's rather late to fess up to this, but I think there is probably a VEGETABLE element to this too (having said which, its absence hasn't really proven critical in the questioning as yet, nor probably will it).
  • Irouléguy - Anything to do with warfare?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] Warfare? NO *some laughter*
  • Raak - Is it a part of a person?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Parts of persons? YES. One 'animal' is part of a person; the other 'animal' is partially a person.
  • rab - Is the "partially person" a ghost?
  • Projoy
    [rab] Ghosties and ghoulies? NO
  • Raak - Is the supernatural involved?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Supernatural? NO
  • Projoy - Here's our Graham with a quick reminder
    Handy summary: It's an ANIMAL, VEGETABLE, MINERAL, (ABSTRACT (ANIMAL)). On the card is a name - the name of something essentially fictional that is and isn't a person. One of the animal parts is part of a human, the other animal part is partially a person, and partially another specific animal. The mineral part is man-made. It isn't supernatural or mythical.
  • rab - Is the specific animal a mammal?
  • Projoy
    [rab] Mammal? YES
  • Irouléguy - Did this first appear in a specific work of fiction?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] Appeared first in a specific work... YES is the best answer, altho one might quibble with it slightly.
  • Irouléguy - Is the work of fiction European?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] Fiction European? YES
  • rab - English language?
  • Inkspot - Is it from a comic?
  • Projoy
    [rab] Eng. Lang.? OUI
    [Ink] Comic? NO
  • rab - Is the work of fiction a book?
  • Projoy
    [rab] Book? NO
  • Irouléguy - A Shakespeare play?
  • Inkspot - A film?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] Shakespeare play? NO (not a play at all, in fact)
    [Ink] Film? NO
  • rab - Is it any form of writing?
  • Projoy
    [rab] Originating work of fiction a written form? NO
  • Inkspot - Is the mineral part of the viewing medium rater than an object like a spoon?
  • Inkspot
    rater/rather
  • Raak - Is this the name of a painting?
  • Projoy
    [Ink] Mineral part of the viewing medium? NO
    [Raak] Painting? NO
  • rab - Does the originating work of fiction exist (or has it existed) in any concrete, tangible form?
  • Projoy
    [rab] Original work concrete? Almost not sure how to answer. Would, say, a CD or a score of a piece of music count as concrete and tangible for the purposes of the question (originating form is not a piece of music, btw)? If you'd say yes, then YES, if you'd say no, you meant something like a painting or a sculpture where the idea and its expression in concrete form are pretty much analogous, then NO. :) (© Overthinking Services Ltd)
  • Raak - So, the work itself is not a tangible representation, but it can be tangibly represented?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] I think I'm in danger of leading you into a siding here. So that we can get back on the main track, let me reveal that the medium in question is TELEVISION (which can of course be put into the tangible form of videotape or DVD).
  • rab - Doctor Who related?
    (Well, presumably before it was on television it was in a script, which is a concrete tangible form by any defition surely?)
  • Projoy
    [rab] Doctor Who related? NO
    (Fair enough, I was just interpreting your question as trying to distinguish a particular class of artforms of, say, the sculpture variety. If you count stuff like scripts, then which art forms don't have tangible form? Even computer games are stored tangibly on a HDD.)
  • Projoy
    * goes off to write treatise on television as a virtual form *
  • Irouléguy - Is the programme currently on television?
    Projoy] Re non-tangible art forms - how about improvised stand-up comedy?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] Is the original programme in which The Answer first appeared still on? NO
    (is a real-life performer insufficiently tangible for you, then? :))
  • rab
    [Projoy] I was thinking of apocryphal/folk stories, that kind of thing.
  • rab - British TV programme?
  • Inkspot - Was it a series?
  • Projoy
    [rab] British? YES
    [Inkspot] A series? YES
  • rab - The genre popularly known as "Drama"?
    And you do know what I mean by that, if you don't try and think too hard :)
  • Projoy
    [rab] I hope you'll forgive me for giving the answer as I DON'T KNOW. History records the name of said show, but not its genre. Quite startled at how recalcitrant this subject is proving.
  • Projoy - Summary again
    [rab] On further thought, the best answer is almost certainly NO to the genre question.

    Handy summary: It's an ANIMAL, VEGETABLE, MINERAL, (ABSTRACT (ANIMAL)). On the card is a name - the name of something essentially fictional that is and isn't a person. One of the animal parts is part of a human, the other animal part is partially a person, and partially another specific mammal. The mineral part is man-made. Appeared first in a British TV Show (in English) that is no longer on.
  • rab - First episode shown prior to 1980?
    OK let's try a different tack.
  • Projoy
    [rab] First episode before 1980? YES
  • Lib - Monty Python's Flying Circus
    Late entry from me.... Will be a bit of a bad steal if I'm right.
  • Projoy
    [Lib] MPFC? NO.
  • Irouléguy - Is the human part an internal organ?
    Re improv - touché
  • rab - Is the thing also the name of the show?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] Internal organ? NO
    [rab] name of show=words on card (or selection of permutation of)? NO
  • Inkspot - First shown on the BBC?
  • Projoy
    [Ink] BBC? NO
  • Inkspot - First episode before 1970?
  • Projoy
    [Ink] Before 1970? YES (hint - we are talking about the show that hosted the first appearance of this character, not necessarily the show most associated with it.)

    [all] Are some clues needed at this stage? This clue seems to be losing steam a bit after more than a week in play!
  • Projoy
    (or is everyone suffering from the rapid approach of the worst day of the year?
  • Irouléguy - Was this children's TV?
    Clues - yes, please.
  • Projoy
    [Ig] Children's TV? YES! *considerable applause*

    Blue's First Clue: it is the abstract (i.e. fictional) part that contains that which is partially human and partially some other mammal - in other words, we're talking about an anthropomorphic character, not of some invented species, either.
  • Inkspot - A ventriloquist act?
  • Raak - Sooty?
  • Projoy
    [Ink] Wind-speaking? NO
    [Raak] Carbonaceous Ursine? NO
  • Irouléguy - Catweazle?
  • Inkspot - Is it a anthropomorphic character male?
  • Inkspot - Is the human part a pair of hands?
    Quick check; The answer is not the title a 1960s(?) ITV childrens programme but a character from it? ...and that's all till tomorrow.
  • Projoy
    [Ig] Felis Mustela? NO
    [Ink] Male? YES
    [Ink] Hands? *applause and cheering* YES (not sure if it's a pair or just one).
  • Raak - Was this a Gerry Anderson series?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Supermarionation? NO, MILADY
  • Projoy
    [Inks re: your quick check] That's completely correct.
  • Raak - String puppets of any sort?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] String puppets? NO
  • rab - Cartoon/animation?
  • Raak - A shadow puppet?
  • Chalky - Basil Brush?
  • CdM
    I think Chalky has got it...
  • Projoy
    [rab] Animated? Like this game lately, NOT VERY! :)
    [Raak] Shadow puppet? NO
    [Chalky, you naughy victorous lurker] Basil Brush? YES!! BOOM BOOM. Basil first appeared in Peter Firmin's kids' show The Three Scampies in, I think it was 1968 but too lazy to go back and check on Wikipedia. For all I know the show was a drama rather than Basil's later chatshow-style shows, but I couldn't find that out. The animal element which is part of a human is the operator's hand in the puppet, the mineral the nylon from which I fondly fancy the puppet is fashioned, with a side-bet on some vegetable elements in his clothes too. The abstract element (incorporating more animal: i.e. anthropomorphic fox-man) is the fictional character of Basil. * gets a bag of aniseed balls, and gives that to Chalky, as there's no longer a fox to hunt * Tally Ho!
  • Projoy
    Oh, and well done to rab, Irouléguy and Inkspot for doing most of the heavy lifting, there!
  • rab
    Grr, Basil Brush passed through my mind but I rejected it for not being a sequence of four things, as suggested by the way you laid out your clue. Oh well, well done Chalky.
  • Irouléguy
    Congrats and welcome back, Chalky - I think it needed a fresh pair of eyes to get that.
  • Chalky - Lurking and assorted pastimes
    That'll teach me. I'll blame the pub quiz victory [the first time in 5 weeks] and the brandy.
    'Tis grand to be back .. thanks to PJ for a very thorough set of responses and to rab, Raak, Iroulé, Inks et al for pointing the way :-)

    How's about a V E G E T A B L E to ease me back into MC Land ..
  • Inkspot - Is it a fruit?
    Well done Chalky, to think I dismissed BB and The Three Scampies as he is still going strong TV and was thinking along the lines of a character no longer shown. Hey ho!
  • rab - Is it edible?
  • Raak - Is it paper?
  • Irouléguy - Has it been in the current Film Club?
  • Rosie - Alive?
  • Chalky
    Sorry for delay - couldn't get into server for some reason
    [Inks] Fruit? YES!
    [Raak] Paper? No
    [Iroul] Current Film Club? Wassat then?
    [Rosie] Alive? In the light of my reply to Inkspot, probably not relevant :-) Unless one can describe fruit as either alive or dead. In which case I would say either/or.
  • Chalky - again
    Apologies Iroulé - I now see what you mean.
    Current Film Club? I don't think I can spot it.
  • Irouléguy - One particular species of fruit?
  • rab - A fruit salad?
  • rab
    Sorry - you didn't answer the edible question?
  • Lib - Star fruit?
  • Chalky
    [Irouléguy] One particular species? Oh yes.
    [Rab] Fruit salad? No
    [Rab] edible? YES! [sorry]
    [Libs] Star fruit? No.
  • Inkspot - Is associated with being one particular colour?
  • Chalky
    [Inkspot] One particular colour? Yes.
  • CdM
    Mangosteen?
  • CdM
    (only in italics)
  • Irouléguy - Strawberry?
  • irach - Is its colour part of the fruit's name?
  • Chalky
    [CdM] Mangosteen? No
    [Irouléguy] Strawberry? No
    [irach] Colour part of fruit's name? No
  • Inkspot - Is the whole thing normally eaten including the skin/peel?
  • rab - Is it grown in the UK?
  • Raak - Is it a citrus fruit?
  • Chalky
    [Inkspot] Eaten whole? Erm ... Yes
    [rab] Grown in UK? I don't think so [meaning I can't find any real evidence of such]
    [Raak] Citrus fruit? No

    BTW - have just spotted a reference to this fruit in the current Film Club
  • Lib - Kumquat?
  • irach - Mango?
  • Raak - Greengage?
  • Chalky
    [Lib] Kumquat? No
    [irach] Mango? No
    [Raak] Greengage? No
  • Kim - Tomato?
  • Lib - Gourd?
  • Chalky
    [Kim] Tomato? No
    [Lib] Gourd? No
  • Irouléguy - A chilli?
  • Chalky
    [Irouléguy] Chilli? No
  • rab - Is it generally only used as part of a recipe (like a chilli) rather than on its own (like an apple)?
  • Rosie - Is it normally cooked?
  • Chalky
    [rab] Part of a recipe or on its own? Good question - it is widely known as something that is part of a recipe [although I dare say one could eat it on its own]
    [Rosie] Normally cooked? Another good question :-) No - not cooked as such.
  • Raak - Is it a type of dried fruit?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] A type of dried fruit? Noooo ... but keep going in that direction
  • Raak - Is it a fruit converted into a liquid form?
  • Lib - Would it be good in a cake?
    Not necessarily going to help the guessing, but I need to know!
  • irach - Raisin?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Converted into liquid form? Yes it is! [to be clear - it doesn't have to be but is better known once it has been converted]
    [Lib] Good in a cake? Doubtful but not a definite No :-)
    [irach] Raisin? No
  • Chalky - timetable
    Can answer any more questions after 10.30 pm, so keep 'em coming
  • irach - Grape?
  • Lib - Juniper
    Tonights discoevery is that raspberry gin is a very good thing....
  • Irouléguy - Is it red?
  • Inkspot - Is it green?
  • Chalky
    [irach[ Grape? YES! Now .... which one?
    [Lib} Juniper? No ... I agree ... raspberry gin is indeed a fine thing
    [Irouléguy] Red? Yes
    [Inks] Green? nah
  • Inkspot - Italian red grape?
  • Phil - Pomegranate?
  • Chalky
    [Inks] Italian? Not known as such
    [Phil] Pomegranate? No
  • irach - Pinot noir?
  • CdM - Grenache?
  • CdM
    Wait -- you said it was widely known (not that Grenache is that obscure, but still). How about
    Syrah/Shiraz?
  • rab - Chardonnay?
  • Inkspot - Merlot?
  • Irouléguy - Cabernet sauvignon?
  • Phil - Zinfandel?
    Now that I've noticed it's a grape :)
  • Raak - Muscat (variously spelled)?
  • Chalky
    [irach] Pinot noir? No
    [CdM] Grenache? No
    [CdM] Syrah/Shiraz? No
    [Widely known/Obscure? I think I meant widely known for being a grape that is used for wine production rather than just eating :-)]
    [rab] Chardonnay? No
    [Inkspot] Merlot? No
    [Irouléguy] Cab Sauv? No
    [Phil] Zinfandel? No
    [Raak] Moscato/Moscatell/Moscatel/Muscat? No
  • Irouléguy - Gamay?
  • Chalky
    Irouléguy has it! The GAMAY grape is the answer. Here - have a glass - CHEERS :-)
  • Irouléguy
    Don't mind if I do - it is Friday. Cheers, Chalky! OK, our next is ABSTRACT and MINERAL with ANIMAL connections.
  • Raak - the salf of the earth?
  • Raak - That is, the salt of the earth?
  • Rosie - A geographical feature?
  • Projoy - To do with language?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak - The salt of the earth? No
    Rosie - A geographical feature? Um...yes, in one sense
    Projoy - To do with language? No
  • Raak - Is it a figurative expression?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] Is it a figurative expression? Not a lot
  • Inkspot - An historical monument?
  • Kim - Is is a statue of someone?
  • Projoy - Is it a sculpture?
  • rab - Is it a piece of writing?
  • Raak - Kryptonite?
  • irach - Man In The Moon?
  • Irouléguy
    Inkspot] An historical monument? *applause* No, but...
    Kim] Is is a statue of someone? *more applause* No, but...
    Projoy] Is it a sculpture? I refer the honourable gentleman to my previous answers.
    rab] Is it a piece of writing? No
    Raak] Kryptonite? No
    irach] Man In The Moon? No
  • Rosie - The Angel of the North?
  • rab - Is it fictional/legendary?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie] The Angel of the North? No
    rab] Is it fictional/legendary? No
  • Lib - Is it artwork?
  • Raak - Is it a physical structure named for someone?
  • Rosie - Is it the headquarters of some organisation?
  • rab - Is it visible to the human eye?
  • Irouléguy
    Lib] Is it artwork? No
    Raak] Is it a physical structure named for someone? Yeah, but yeah, but no (imagine it as three separate questions)
    Rosie] Is it the headquarters of some organisation? No
    rab] Is it visible to the human eye? Yes
  • rab - An Olympic Torch?
  • Irouléguy
    rab] An Olympic Torch? No, but the Olympic torch has been there.
  • Lib - Is it manmade?
  • Projoy - Mt Olympus?
  • Irouléguy
    Lib - Is it manmade? Yes
    Projoy - Mt Olympus? No
  • Lib - Is it larger than a standard four bedroom detached house?
  • Lib
    Or there abouts!
  • Irouléguy
    Lib] Is it larger than a standard four bedroom detached house? Yes
  • Rosie - Is it ancient?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie - Is it ancient? No
  • Inkspot - Is it in Europe?
  • Raak - Is it a building, i.e. a structure with storeys and rooms?
  • CdM - Is it unique?
    We seem to be honing in on something very concrete, yet this thing is supposed to be ABSTRACT. I'm confused.
  • Kim - Is it a popular tourist attraction in the place where it is located?
  • Irouléguy
    Inkspot - Is it in Europe? Yes
    Raak - Is it a building, i.e. a structure with storeys and rooms? No
    CdM - Is it unique? Yes
    I probably should have clued this as MINERAL and ABSTRACT - apologies for any confusions. It's another of those borderline ones, where it all depends on what you mean by 'abstract'. I do think there is an abstractness to it, though - it's a location, which i wouldn't describe as 'something very concrete'.
    Kim - Is it a popular tourist attraction in the place where it is located? *ringing applause* YES!
  • CdM - Does a name appear on the card? (e.g., Anne Hathaway's standard four bedroom detached house)
    [I] It doesn't sound like any apology is necessary; you did clue it as both mineral and abstract. Being confused is quite a normal state for me.
  • ImNotJohn - In the UK?
  • Inkspot - A sport venue?
  • Rosie - Is it a piece of civil engineering?
  • Irouléguy
    CdM - Does a name appear on the card? A name, yes
    CdM] I meant the order really. I read ABSTRACT and MINERAL as mostly abstract and a bit mineral, whereas it's more helpful to think of it as the other way round.
    ImNotJohn - In the UK? Yes
    Inkspot - A sport venue? No
    Rosie - Is it a piece of civil engineering? Yes (according to the Wikipedia definition of CE).
  • rab - Is it in London?
  • Inkspot - The London Eye?
  • Irouléguy
    rab] Is it in London? *applause* A capital answer
    Inkspot - The London Eye? No
  • ImNotJohn - Trafalgar Square?
  • Chalky - Cleopatra's Needle?
  • Inkspot - A bridge?
  • Irouléguy
    We have a winner - it's Trafalgar Square! A pigeon is winging its way to INJ with the baton.
  • ImNotJohn - somewhat shamefacedly
    Nearly a lurker's victory - still I'll take it.

    The next is ABSTRACT with ANIMAL connections

  • CdM - Animal = human?
  • Irouléguy - A work of fiction?
  • Inkspot - An action?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Human - Not necessarily, but YES is most helpful
    [Irg] fiction - NO
    [Inks] Action - NO
  • Raak - A figurative expression?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] A figurative expression? - NO
  • Kim - A character of myth or legend?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Kim] Legendary character - NO
  • Inkspot - An emotion?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Inkspot] emotion - NO
  • Raak - A symbol?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] symbol - NO
  • Rosie - An action?
  • Raak - Is language involved?
  • Inkspot - A rite of passage?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] Action - I refer the honourable gentleman to my previous answer
    [Raak] Is language involved? - NO
    [Inks] rite of passage - NO
  • Rosie - A social connection?
    re previous question - should've been in bed. Sorry.
  • CdM - Anarcho-syndicalism?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] A social connection? - NO (in fact rather the reverse)
    [CdM] Anarcho-syndicalism? - one day.... but not today
  • CdM - Connected with philosophy?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Connected with philosophy - I'm sure you could find a philosopher who would say so, but my answer is NO
  • Irouléguy - Is it a human invention/construct?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Iroul] Human construct - NO (not this time)
  • CdM
    Do I get some sort of prize for having the only question so far that has been answered with something other than 'NO'?
  • Rosie - Is it something that applies to most humans?
  • Raak - A scientific law?
  • Inkspot - Could the animal be a cow?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] - NO
    [Rosie] - Applies to most humans - YES
    [Raak] scientific law - NO
    [Inks] Could the animal be a cow - NO (Actually, I don't know - I would assume not. In any case it wouldn't help you to guess if the answer were yes.)
  • Irouléguy - Is this an absence of something?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Iroul] an - NO
  • Raak - To do with the mind?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] To do with the mind - NO
  • Raak - Solitude?
  • Chalky - Is this a medical condition?
  • Rosie - An undesirable characteristic?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] solitude - NO
    [Chalky a medical condition - YES (applause)
    [Rosie] An undesirable characteristic - 1)YES, 2)NO
  • Projoy - Is it a subjective characteristic?
  • ImNotJohn
    [PJ] subjective - NO
  • Chalky - Do the symptoms of this condition manifest themselves externally?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] external symptoms - YES
  • Irouléguy - Are men and women equally likely to have this condition?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Iroul] men & women equally - YES
  • irach - A neurological syndrome named after a person?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Irach] neurological syndrome named after a person? - NO and NO
  • irach - Is it caused by an external pathogen, e.g. virus or bacterium
  • Kim - Is it a common complaint?
  • ImNotJohn
    [irach] caused by an external pathogen - YES
    [Kim] common complaint - YES (applause)
  • rab - A cold?
  • ImNotJohn - I wonder why I thought of that one.
    And The Common Cold it is. (or cobbod code, as I would have said 3 days ago) -
    Over to Rab
  • rab
    I feel we've had too many abstracts, but the only things I can think of right now are ABSTRACT. So there we go.
  • rab
    (I've chosen only one of them!)
  • Raak - Abstraction?
  • rab
    Nope.

    Further reading suggests a possible mineral component.

  • Rosie - A stony silence?
  • CdM - Human construct?
    [INJ]
  • rab
    [Rosie] No.
    [CdM] I don't believe so (the existence of humans is not - as far as I know - conditional on its existence)
  • Rosie - A physical phenomenon?
  • rab
    Yes
  • Rosie - Could life exist without it?
  • rab
    I expect so.
  • Raak - An astronomical phenomenon?
  • rab
    Possibly, but I would suspect only indirectly.
  • Rosie - The tides?
  • Irouléguy - The aurora borealis?
  • rab
    [Rosie] It would be more than a suspicion if it were the tides!

    [Irouléguy] No.

  • Raak - An astrological phenomenon?
  • Inkspot - To do with the weather?
  • rab
    [Raak] No.

    [Inkspot] YES!

  • Inkspot - Is it a wind?
  • Raak - To do with global warming?
  • irach - The atmosphere?
  • rab
    [Inkspot] Wind is involved.

    [Raak] Maybe, not sure.

    [irach] "The atmosphere" are not the words that appear on the card.

  • Raak - The ozone hole?
  • Irouléguy - Le mistral?
  • irach - Jet stream?
  • rab
    [Raak] No.

    [Irouléguy] No.

    [irach] No.

  • Raak - Does it involve high winds?
  • irach - Tornado?
  • rab
    [Raak] Yes.

    [irach] No.

  • Raak - A hurricane?
  • irach - Cyclone/
  • rab
    [Raak] No.
    [irach] No\
  • Irouléguy - Is the possible mineral component water?
  • rab
    Yes.
  • Raak - A perfect storm?
  • irach - "The Tempest"?
  • CdM - El Nino?
  • Rosie - A storm surge?
  • rab
    It seems that the thing I've chosen is not particularly well-defined but I believe that my answers are consistent with most people's understanding of what this us.

    [Raak, irach, CdM, Rosie] No.

  • rab
    s/us/is
  • Irouléguy - Is this associated with a particular part of the world?
  • Inkspot - Does it at ground level?
  • Raak - Is the abstractness anything to do with literature?
  • rab
    [Irouléguy] Yes. *applause*
    [Inkspot] Does it what at ground level?
    [Raak] No - not a human creation.
  • Projoy - The global conveyer
    (it is associated with a particular part of the world, albeit a very large part)
  • Inkspot - Is it seasonal?
    [rab]That's what happens from simulposting the same thing then trying to think of something else, all before the first cup of tea of the morning.
  • Raak - Is it in the northern hemisphere?
  • Rosie - El Niño?
  • Irouléguy - The monsoon?
  • rab
    [Raak] Certainly associated with the northern hemisphere, but not sure if it's confined to it.

    [Rosie] I wouldn't be that pedantic (see CdM's last guess).

    [Ir] Nope.

  • Inkspot - The doldrums?
  • Irouléguy - Is it a specific named wind like the monsoon?
  • irach - Trade Winds?
  • Chalky - Trans-Atlantic Drift?
  • Rosie - Low Bailey 986 expected South Utsire 971 by this time tomorrow?
  • Rosie - Is the wind associated with this phenomenon always from a particular direction, more or less?
    (rab) Sorry, didn't see CdM's El Nino. I'm sure he pronounced it right, though.
  • rab
    [Inkspot] Not the doldrums.
    [Irouléguy] The least misleading answer is probably 'no'. I'll elucidate further later if need be.
    [irach] Not trade winds.
    [Chalky] Nor a Trans-Atlantic Drift, although one or two audience members have woken up.
    [Rosie] Low Bailey... 'fraid not.
    [Rosie] Again not sure, but with 95% certainty I would say YES!
  • rab
    (that last to Rosie's direction question, and a different one-or-two audience members are starting to look agitated)
  • ImNotJohn - Does the answer on the card contain a geographical reference?
    [Rab] You didn't answer a couple of earlier questions - 'Is it seasonal?' and 'The global conveyor?'
  • rab
    [ImNotJohn] YES! *applause*
    Whoops - seasonal yeah, global conveyor no.
  • ImNotJohn - The Azores High?
  • rab
    Nope.
  • Rosie - Equinoctial gales?
  • Raak - The Gulf Stream?
  • rab
    [Rosie, Raak] No.
  • irach - Is it a hot desert wind of North Africa?
  • rab
    [irach] *Considerable peals of laughter, hooting, rolling about and slapping of thighs from the audience* No.
  • irach - Okay, then. Is it an Arctic Express wind blast?t
  • rab
    That's good enough for me - it was Arctic Blast that was on the card.
  • irach
    This one is ANIMAL and VEGETABLE with a dash of MINERAL as well.
  • Raak - A tequila shot?
  • irach
    [Raak] After the day I've had, I wish it was a tequila shot. But 'no" is the answer to your "shot in the dark".
  • Irouléguy - Is it something you eat or drink?
  • Lib
    Is it larger than a washing machine? (an average sized british one).
  • irach - [Iroleguy] Yes.
  • irach
    [Lib] No.
  • Kim - Is it a sandwich?
  • Raak - Smoky bacon crsisps?
  • rab - Does fluid account for more than 50% of its volume?
  • irach
    [Kim] Not generally a "sandwich", although in one incarnation it may be so.
    [Raak] Yummy!! But no.
    [rab] This one is a little tricky... It is made up mostly of fluids, but it shouldn't be fluid when bought, or presented for consumption
  • CdM - Is rab's question easier to answer if you leave it at room temperature for a while?
  • irach
    [CdM] It cerainly is, in the affirmative.
  • rab - Is Ice Cream involved?
  • irach
    [rab] Yes! "Ice cream" are the exact words on the card. (although at minus 17 degrees Celsius room tempaerature, and a minus 30 degree windchill here in suburban Boston, I'm not sure I want any just now. Over to you.
  • rab - Whoops
    Sorry, it's me again. MINERAL
  • Rosie - Man-made?
  • irach - Metallic?
  • rab
    [Rosie] No.

    [irach] No.

  • Rosie - A geographical feature?
  • Raak - Liquid?
  • Irouléguy - Is there just one of these?
  • rab
    [Rosie] No.
    [Raak] No.
    [Irouléguy] It describes a class of things.
  • irach - Is the mineral rock?
  • Rosie - A geological term?
  • rab
    [irach] No.
    [Rosie] No.
  • ImNotJohn - plastic?
  • irach - Terrestrial?
  • rab
    IINJ] No.
    [irach] No.
  • irach - Sea salt?
  • Raak - Metal?
  • Chalky - Is this found in the atmosphere?
  • Rosie - Asteroids?
  • rab
    [irach] No.
    [Raak] No.
    [Chalky] Possibly (and that goes for terrestrial too, actually).
    [Rosie] No.
  • Rosie - A gas?
  • rab
    [Rosie] More gassy than anything else I would have thought.
  • Raak - To do with volcanoes?
  • irach - A "greenhouse" gas?
  • Rosie - A plasma, e.g. on the sun?
  • rab
    [Raak] No
    [irach] No
    [Rosie] No - but getting warmer (and not because you mentioned the sun).
  • Raak - Cosmic rays>
  • Rosie - The solar wind?
    Still mentioning the sun. :-)
  • irach - Aurora borealis?
  • rab
    [Raak] I don't think cosmic rays are completely disconnected from what's written on the card.
    [Rosie] Nope.
    [irach] No.
  • Raak - Is it found in interstellar space?
  • rab
    [Raak] I believe so.
  • Inkspot - Is it found within our solar system?
  • Rosie - Hydrogen?
  • rab
    [Inkspot] It might be.
    [Rosie] No.
  • Raak - Is it made of subatomic particles (not assembled into nuclei)?
  • Irouléguy - A particular element?
  • rab
    [Raak] Probably, yes.
    [Irouléguy] No.
  • Irouléguy - Dark matter?
  • ImNotJohn
    If that isn't the answer, it should be.
  • rab
    YES! - Dark Matter it is.
  • Irouléguy
    Coo - I got a science one. OK, our next is quite different - ANIMAL and VEGETABLE (and ABSTRACT insofaras the answer's a concept, rather than a straighforward description).
  • Raak - Edible?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] Edible? Yes
  • Raak - Meat and potatoes?
  • Darren - A particular dish?
  • Rosie - A vegetarian diet?
  • ImNotJohn - Associated with a particular geographic area?
  • irach - A Stew?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] Meat and potatoes? Both could be included
    Darren - A particular dish? Ye..es
    Rosie - A vegetarian diet? *laughter rings round the audience* No
    ImNotJohn - Associated with a particular geographic area? *applause* YES
    irach - A Stew? No
  • irach - A soup?
  • Kim - Is it a recipe?
  • Raak - A Cornish pasty?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the name of the geographic area on the card?
  • rab - Somewhere in the UK?
  • Darren - Some sort of curry?
  • Irouléguy
    irach] A soup? No
    Kim] Is it a recipe? No
    Raak] A Cornish pasty? No
    ImNotJohn] Is the name of the geographic area on the card? A derivative of the name is.
    rab] Somewhere in the UK? *applause* Yes
    Darren] Some sort of curry? Naan
  • rab - England?
  • Raak - Scotch broth?
  • rab
    That was gonna be my next guess...
  • Inkspot - Fish pie?
  • Irouléguy
    rab] England? *applause* Yes
    Raak - Scotch broth? Nae chance
    Inkspot - Fish pie? No
  • ImNotJohn - Sweet (as opposed to savoury)?
  • Irouléguy
    ImNotJohn] Sweet (as opposed to savoury)? No
  • Raak - Is the place name a town?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] Is the place name a town? No
    If the audience had been more awake, they'd have cheered rab's last guess much more loudly.
  • Raak - Is the place name component "English"?
    Not that I can think of a di...sh called English anything.
  • Projoy - A Sunday Roast?
  • Projoy
    Scrub that, how about A Full English Breakfast?
  • Raak - An English muffin?
  • Irouléguy
    YES! Lurking pays off! A full English it is.
  • Projoy
    Oh dear. For once I don't have a topic in store. *sound of thinkage*...

    Let's have this MINERAL
  • ImNotJohn - An artefact?
  • Raak - Solid?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Artefact? YES
    [Raak] Solid? YES
  • Rosie - Unique?
  • ImNotJohn - Mainly or entirely metal?
  • Irouléguy - A work of art?
    ...that is, something made just to be appreciated rather than to be used.
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Unique? NO
    [INJ] Mainly metal? YES
    [Ig] Work of art? NO
  • Raak - Did these exist before the 20th century?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Pre-1901? YES
  • kathryn
    Eating implement?
  • rab - Fighting implement?
  • Projoy
    Food or fighting? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Larger than a breadbin?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] > breadbin? YES
  • Irouléguy - Any connection to transport?
  • Kim - Is it connected with agriculture?
  • Raak - Is it connected with building?
  • Projoy
    Transport? NO
    Agriculture? NO
    Building? NO
  • Rosie - Does it essentially have moving parts?
  • Projoy
    Essential moving parts? YES
  • Rosie - Is it a piece of industrial equipment?
  • ImNotJohn - Larger than a telephone box?
  • Projoy
    Industrial eq.? NO
    Smaller than a telephone box.
  • irach - A household item?
  • Projoy
    Household item? *some laughter* NO, not in the generic sense.
  • Raak - Does it use fuel?
  • Projoy
    No fuel (like, say, an old fuel).
  • irach - Used in a typical workplace?
  • Inkspot - Is it clockwork?
  • Rosie - Powered by human effort?
  • Projoy
    Typical workplace? NO
    Clockwork? NO
    Human effort? YES *applause*
  • Raak - A trombone?
  • ImNotJohn - Normally used outdoors?
    [Raak] Come on, we've already been told it isn't a fighting implement.
  • Projoy
    A trombone? NO *significant and sustained applause*
    Normally used outdoors? YES and NO (strictly NO)
  • Raak - A musical instrument?
  • Projoy
    Musical instrument? YES! *applause*
  • rab - Is there a part for it in any of the Beethoven symphonies?
  • Raak - French horn?
  • Kim - Is it a percussion instrument?
  • Projoy
    Did Beethoven write for it? NO
    French Horn? NO
    Percussion? NO
  • Raak - A tuba?
  • Projoy
    Tuba? YES, but that's not the answer. *much applause and cheering*
  • Raak - Some member of the tuba family?
  • Irouléguy - A sousaphone?
  • Projoy
    A member of the tuba family? YES!
    Sousaphone? YES! Ig takes it by a short head from Raak.
    According to various googleable sources, the first Sousaphones (not in their current forward-facing configuration) turned up in the 1890s, although a specific date is tricky to track down.
  • Rosie
    A short note on the use of the trombone as a fighting implement:- Only attack music stands. 100% success guaranteed.
  • Irouléguy
    Trivia note - one of the first John Coltrane records I ever bought was him playing with a tuba player called Ray Draper. It's not great jazz, though Coltrane is pretty good on it.
    *pause for what passes for thought* OK, our next is ANIMAL and ABSTRACT.
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    Blimey, haven't looked at this game for a while.
  • Raak - Fictional?
  • Kim - Character of myth or legend?
  • Projoy - Begins with E?
  • irach - Unicorn?
  • Irouléguy
    Tuj] Begins with P? Probably not (and welcome back!)
    Raak] Fictional? Yes
    Kim] Character of myth or legend? No
    Projoy - Begins with E? Equally unlikely
    irach - Unicorn? No
  • irach - A specific animal character in fiction, e.g. the White Rabbit in "Alice in Wonderland"?
  • Inkspot - An alien being??
  • Irouléguy
    irach - A specific animal character in fiction, e.g. the White Rabbit in "Alice in Wonderland"? *applause* YES
    Inkspot - An alien being?? *giggles from sections of the audience* Probably not
  • Raak - Does the character normally go on two legs?
  • Projoy - Created in the twentieth century?
  • Rosie - Is the character in the title of the book, film, play etc?
  • irach - Is the animal non-human?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] Does the character normally go on two legs? Yes
    Projoy] Created in the twentieth century? Yes
    Rosie - Is the character in the title of the book, film, play etc? No
    irach - Is the animal non-human? Hmmm...I think it's mean to be sort of human
  • rab - Is its first appearance in a TV programme?
  • Irouléguy
    rab] Is its first appearance in a TV programme? *CANNED APPLAUSE* Yes
    Thinking about irach's question, a better answer would be that you probably wouldn't think of it as a human character (though it might be).
  • Inkspot - Cat from Red Dwarf ?
  • Raak - A cartoon character?
  • Kim - Is the genre science fiction?
  • Projoy - American TV programme?
  • Irouléguy
    Inkspot] Cat from Red Dwarf ? No
    Raak - A cartoon character? No
    Kim - Is the genre science fiction? No
    Projoy - American TV programme? Yes
  • Projoy - An alien?
  • Projoy
    Oh, you already answered that. How about A TV programme from after 1980?
  • Irouléguy
    Projoy] - A TV programme from after 1980? No
  • irach - Howdy Doody?
  • Inkspot - Sesame Street character?
  • Irouléguy
    irach - Howdy Doody? Nope
    Inkspot - Sesame Street character? *some applause* No
  • Projoy - A puppet?
  • Raak - The Banana Splits?
  • irach - Miss Piggy?
  • Irouléguy
    Projoy - A puppet? *the audience wave their hands appreciatively* YES!
    Raak - The Banana Splits? Worst. Children's. Programme. Ever? No
    irach - Miss Piggy? *collective cry of "Moi?" from the audience* Very close!
  • Projoy - Waldorf?
  • Projoy
    Actually, forget that. Too obviously human. How about Beaker?
  • Tuj - Animal?
    Ha-ha.
  • Raak - Kermit?
  • Irouléguy
    *throws drumsticks at Tuj* AARGH! TUJ! LURKER! WINNER!
  • Projoy
    While attempting to google for information on Animal's supposed species, I found this lovely quote from the show:

    Kermit the Frog: "What's wrong with your drummer? He seems a little crazed."
    Sgt. Floyd Pepper (Animal's handler and bandmate): "He's just upset because he missed the Monet exhibit at the British Museum."
    Animal: "RENOIR!! RENOIR!!"
  • Tuj - Didn't meant to be lurking... I was fairly sure that was wrong...
    *throws baton at Iroléguy*
  • Tuj
    ...OK, not Irouléguy, someone else. But the reason I didn't take part is I have very little time on my hands! Someone else best do it.
  • rab
    [Tij] No, you do it. Unless you're not gonna be here to answer people's stuff..
  • Irouléguy
    Tuj] Sorry if I offended you - it was a joke, honest :) Do set one...
    Projoy] Did you find anything one way or another?
  • Rosie
    FFS somebody start one.
  • rab
    Yeah, looks like Tuj has timed out.
  • Irouléguy
    I nominate Projoy
  • Kim
    I'm pro Projoy as well.
  • Projoy
    Hm. Well, here's a hopefully pretty easy one, then, altho I'm interested to see how it responds to an attempt to pin it down deductively.

    It's ABSTRACT with mainly ANIMAL connections (but there's arguably connections to the other two too).
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    Yeh sorry guys, that was my point... I apologise for feigning so much offense Irouléguy :P
    I'm very in-and-out at present, as you probably haven't noticed: hence 2 queries to the last one & not having been here since my last comment.
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] P, please, Bob? NO.
  • Tuj - Is the ANIMAL in question human?
    (sigh)
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] Human connection? YES, basically.
    NB to all. I suspect there's going to be a few questions where true pedantry would insist on a YES AND NO answer. However, I intend to employ a bit of lassitude sometimes in order to give helpful answers.
  • Rosie - Is it as basic as life itself?
    Lassitude? Isn't that the state of being dog food? Did you mean latitude, or are you actually knackered? :-)
  • Projoy
    Oops. Yes. Latitude.
    As basic as life itself? NO. Some silly people might say YES, but they are silly.
  • Inkspot - Is it something you could do in bed without help from others?
  • Irouléguy - A human construct?
    Tuj] No worries.
  • Projoy
    Somethihng you can do in bed alone? NO
    Human construct? YES
  • I Say, Porter! - Doesn't lassitude make you poo?
    Is it a fictional 'human construct' (whatever that may be)
  • Raak - Is it an action?
  • Rosie - Is it an art form?
    Some people think farting is an art form, and so it is, but I didn't mean that.
  • Projoy
    [ISP] Fictional? NO
    [Raak] An action? NO
    [Rosie] An artform? YES
  • Lib - Is music involved?
  • Projoy - This one's gonna go quickly, I think
    [Lib] Music involved? YES
  • Lib - A musical?
  • Raak - Opera?
  • Projoy
    [Lib] A musical? OOOH. ALMOST. *muchos audience applause*
    [Raak] Opera? OOOH. ALMOST. *muchos audience applause*
    First one to the punch will nod this one in, I think.
  • Lib - The Musical?
  • rab - Music?
  • Rosie - Phantom of the opera?
  • Projoy
    [rab, Rosie] A touch more specific than music and a touch less than Phantom of the Opera, the words on the card are Musical Theatre, which I think is close enough for Lib to claim the victory. *passes baton to Lib in order to complete the circle of life before the parade passes by*
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) Quite so. No probs. :-)
  • Lib
    Hello everybody. I've not done this before. Did I lurk a bit? Sorry! Hmmm. Let me think.... Right. An easy one for my first time, methinks. This one's Animal and Vegetable.
  • Raak - The Good Old British Sausage?
  • Lib
    [Raak] Big Banger? No.
  • Irouléguy - Is it edible?
  • Tuj - Bigger than a toaster?
  • Rosie - Alive?
  • Lib
    [Irouléguy] Edible? Mmmmm. Yep! [Tuj] Bigger than a toaster? Not usually, but some would prefer it that way! [Rosie] Alive? Nah.
  • Lib
    Hmmm, time to sign up for that basic HTML nightclass.
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    Hahahaha!
  • Irouléguy - Is the animal a specific animal (species)?
  • Raak - Might one eat this in a restaurant?
  • Lib - Opens HTML handbook....
    [Tuj] No peas please. No.
    [Irouléguy] Specific animal Yes.
    [Raak] Rest-your-auntie? Not usually.
  • Inkspot - Is the animal a bird?
  • Lib
    [Inkspot] Birdy song? No.
  • Rosie - A pie of some kind?
  • Irouléguy - Is this usually eaten cold?
  • Lib
    [Rosie] Pied? No
    [Irouléguy] Chilly? Not usually, but not uncommon either!
  • Raak - Is the animal part meat?
  • Lib
    [Raak] Meaty goodness? Yes.
  • CdM - Shepherd's Pie?
  • CdM
    er, except that fails on the "pie" technicality, doesn't it. Oh well.
    Does it require significant preparation?
  • Raak - Is pastry involved?
  • Irouléguy - Is just one type of vegetable involved?
  • Lib
    [CdM] Significant preparation? Kinda depends on what you call significant. To a student the answer probably would be yes, as it takes more effort than putting water onto the pot noodle. To Gordon Ramsey then probably yes too, but his would be far too flouncey. To me and you, No.
    [Raak] Puff? No pastry.
    [Irouléguy] 5-a-Day? There is more than one type of vegetable.... *scratches chin, and hopes that isn't misleading....*
  • Inkspot - Did it originate in a particular part of the world?
  • Lib
    [Inkspot] Original? Yes, I think so.
  • Projoy - Pizza?
  • Raak - Is bread involved?
  • ImNotJohn - Chip Butty?
  • rab - Fast food?
  • Lib
    [Projoy] Pizza? No.
    [Raak] Right said Fred? Yes! (Much applause from the audience)
    [INJ] Chip butty Nah.
    [rab] Speedy eats? Not so fast, No within traditional definitions although they have become a bit blurred.
    You're all getting very warm...
  • Uncle Korky - Bacon sandwich?
    *Apologises for lurking*
  • Lib
    *hits Uncle Korky over the head with a nice bacon butty for winning having lurked* Well Done Guys. Uncle Korky has seized the victory. The words on the card are indeed A Bacon Sandwich. I was rather impressed at Raak's first guess, well done that man!
  • Uncle Korky - Oops!
    OK - I'll reiterate my apologies! Hopefully this'll be easy enough to guess so that someone more appropriate can take over the reins quickly... This one's animal and vegetable.
  • Projoy - Sausages?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Projoy] Walls have ears? Nope.
  • Projoy - Is the animal part alive?
  • Lib - Foodstuff?
  • Irouléguy - Is the animal a specific animal (species)?
    it was right lat time...
  • Uncle Korky
    [Projoy] Livin' thing? Definitely not
    [Lib] Munchable? Nope
    [Irg] Particular genus? Not one specific one, no...
  • ImNotJohn - Elephant's foot umbrella stand?
  • Uncle Korky
    [INJ] Leg of Nellie No - not a specific animal, remember? :-) (Although one or two audience members were heard to murmur at INJ's question...)
  • Lib - Larger than a toaster?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Lib] On the appliance graph... Yes, definitely bigger than a toaster
  • Irouléguy - A stuffed animal head mounted on a wall?
  • Raak - Is the animal part leather?
  • Lib - Does it involve an elephant?
  • Projoy
    Bigger than a phone box?
  • Inkspot - Is it something you wear?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Irg] "Bagged that one at..." 'fraid not
    [Raak] Tanning? Yes indeedy! (outbreak of audience applause)
    [Lib] More Nellie? Unlikely in the extreme!
    [Projoy] TARDIS-shaped? Bigger? Difficult to say, but I'd tend towards "No". Certainly not taller.
    [Inkspot] Apparrel? No (although someone extremely pedantic might argue this one).
  • ImNotJohn - Is it intended for protection?
    (The 'elephant's foot umbrella stand' used to be a common standby in early ISIHAC Word Disassociation games)
  • Uncle Korky
    [INJ] Safe whatever? No (but this also might be argued by someone extremely pedantic). Didn't know that about the 'EFUS' - ta!
  • Projoy - A wigwam?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Projoy] Teepee-tastic? No. Surely wigwams are taller than telephone boxes?
  • Projoy - Is the leather part in the form of straps, rather than hides stitched together?
    Not the one I made at infant school :) Admittedly, that wasn't leather.
  • Uncle Korky
    [Projoy] Bondage gear? No.
    I'd be interested in reading your reports from Mrs Crazy Horse...
  • Inkspot - Is it a manufactured item?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Inkspot] "Men have made these..." Indeed it is. (Burst of applause from audience)
  • Raak - Is the vegetable part wood?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Raak] Wood? Yes (or equivalent). (More applause)
  • Irouléguy - A whip?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Irg] *k'tishhhh!* Nope.
  • Rosie - Something you sit on?
  • Lib - A piece of furniture?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Rosie] Seating? Yes! (Applause, some cheering)
    [Lib] Furnishings? 'fraid not.
  • irach - Saddle?
  • Lib - Pic-nic table with leather decorations?!?!
  • Uncle Korky
    [irach] Saddle? Nope, but there're indications that things are getting warmer...
    [Lib] Words fail me... How can I put this...? No, and I'm not convinced that I want to go on a picnic with you now... :-)
  • Projoy
    Some sort of sledge?
  • Lib - Is seating its primary function?
    I was going to suggest a Throne. But I presume UK would have called it a piece of furniture.
  • ImNotJohn - A chesterfield?
  • ImNotJohn
    Sorry misread that - let's try
    a chariot?
  • Rosie - A shooting stick?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Projoy] Sister? No (although the audience did sense a positive shift in direction here)
    [Lib] Reason why? I would not say that the seating aspect is the primary function, although (clue) I believe that it is an essential factor
    [INJ] Boudicca?No (although the audience have again seized on something here)
    [Rosie] Bang bang? Sorry - way off the mark.
  • Inkspot - Rickshaw?
  • Rosie - A means of transport?
  • Projoy - Do it got wheels?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Inkspot] Rickshaw? Sorry, no
    [Rosie] Transportation? Most definitely (copious applause from audience)
    [Projoy] Dey go round 'n' round? No wheels here...
  • Inkspot - A water-borne craft?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Inkspot] Splosh Certainly is! (some audience standing to applaud now)
  • Raak - A kayak?
  • Irouléguy - A coracle?
  • CdM - A rowboat?
  • irach - A scull?
  • Chalky - *blatantly lurking * - a dinghy?
  • I Say, Porter! - Lurking behind Chalky
    The Kon-Tiki?
  • Uncle Korky - We have a winner!
    Hats off to Irouléguy - the actual words on the card were "A Traditional Welsh Coracle", but he's close enough to merit the win in my opinion! Comiserations to everyone else!
  • Irouléguy
    Well, that was a half-lurk, at least - apologies to those who did the hard work. With my usual impeccable timing, I'm keyboardless most of tonight and tomorrow, so let's have an easy(ish) one - our next is MINERAL and VEGETABLE.
  • irach - A manufactured item?
  • Irouléguy
    irach] A manufactured item? *animated discussion in the audience* The more useful answer is 'no'.
  • Kim - Tin of Baked Beans?
  • Irouléguy
    Kim] Tin of Baked Beans? No (though this might go well with it)

    Maybe back online later tonight - sorry, folks
  • irach - Is the mineral salt?
  • Raak - Food?
  • Inkspot - oven ready chips?
  • CdM - Was the debate about manufacturing because there is preparation involved?
  • Projoy - Mashpertater?
  • I Say, Porter! - Is the vegetable Antony Worrall-Thompson?
  • Lib - Larger than a can of coke?
  • Irouléguy
    irach] Is the mineral salt? *applause* Yes!
    Raak] Food? No(though this might go well with it)<
    Inkspot] oven ready chips? See above
    CdM - Was the debate about manufacturing because there is preparation involved? *more applause* Yes!
    Projoy - Mashpertater? I refer the honourable gentleman to my previous-but-one answer.
    I Say, Porter! - Is the vegetable Antony Worrall-Thompson? No
    Lib - Larger than a can of coke? This doesn't really have a size

    Apologies for the delay - as a partial defence, I was delayed in The Doric Arch until closing time, so I was in the Morniverse in spirit.
  • Projoy - Celery Salt?
  • Projoy - Or is the vegetable pepper?
  • Irouléguy
    Projoy] Berry astute - salt and pepper it is. One lightly seasoned baton handed over...
  • Projoy
    OK, here's an ABSTRACT
  • Lib - Can you see it?
  • Projoy
    Visible? NO
  • Raak - Can it be perceived by the other four traditional senses?
  • Projoy
    Olfactable, Audible, Haptable, Linguable? NO
  • Projoy
    Er, having looked those up, I think I meant "olfactible, audible, tactible, gustable"
  • CdM - Truth?
  • Projoy
    Quid est veritas? NO
  • Irouléguy - Is it a human construct?
  • Raak - Mathematical?
  • Projoy
    Human construct? YES
    Numberish? NO
  • Uncle Korky - Is it a system of government?
  • Lib - Is it a British thing?
  • Projoy
    government? NO
    British? NO, not exclusively
  • irach` - Solitude?
  • Raak - The absence of something?
  • Projoy
    Solitude? SORT OF *audience applause*
    Absence of something? YES *more applause*
  • Lib - Have you lots your mind?
  • Lib
    aargh. Sorry. That's wrong. I mean lost and not lots...
  • Projoy
    [Lib] No, I haven't since you ask. :)
  • Rosie - Bereavement?
  • Projoy
    Bereavement? NO *more applause*
  • Raak - Death?
  • Projoy
    DEATH? NO
  • Rosie - Widowhood?
  • Raak - Solipsism?
  • Projoy
    Widowhood? YES, the very word on the card. That went surprisingly quickly. Over to Rosie.
  • Rosie
    Well, that was a bit lucky, so here we go with something less grim, and it's MINERAL
  • Lib - Diamond?
  • Rosie
    (Lib) No, not as un-grim as that, I'm afraid.
  • Projoy - Metallic?
  • Lib - Manufactured?
  • Irouléguy - A particular element?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) Not metallic, essentially.
    (Lib) Manufactured would be rather an odd description, but, actually, YES.
    (Irouléguy) Not an element.
  • Projoy - Made by hand?
  • Irouléguy - A liquid?
  • I Say, Porter! - Extruded?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) Partly hand-made, mostly not.
    (Irouléguy) Not a liquid. *audience laughter*
    (ISP) Not extruded. *further merriment*. Sorry about the audience; they're a cruel lot.
  • Tuj - One specific thing?
  • Raak - Silly putty?
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) One specific thing? - Very much so.
    (Raak) Very much not so.
  • Raak - Is it solid?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) YES- solid.

    I think I should add that the subject also has an ABSTRACT quality, which maybe ought to have been in the original definition, otherwise this may take ages.

  • Projoy - Fictional?
  • I Say, Porter! - Oscar?
  • Tuj - Bigger than a toaster?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) It really exists.
    (ISP) Not an Oscar.
    (Tuj) If not it would have to be some toaster, so YES.
  • Projoy - Are there many examples of it?
  • Lib - Do you own one?
  • I Say, Porter! - Artwork? Sculpture?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) There is but one.
    (Lib) Erm, no. *audience hilarity*.
    (ISP) Not art or sculpture.
  • Raak - Is it in Britain?
  • Lib - Is it outside?
  • Lib - The holy grail?
  • I Say, Porter! - tourist attraction?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) YES - in Britain.
    (Lib) *some thoughtful audience murmurs - some suppressed giggles* In the sense you ask, YES. Not the holy grail, though.
    (ISP) Probably, in a very minor way.
  • Raak - An architectural construction?
  • Lib - Is it associated with Monty python? (Or am I very naughty girl?)
  • I Say, Porter! - Stonehenge?
  • I Say, Porter! - Some huge image carved out of the hillside somewhere?
  • Projoy - On the coast?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Not really architecture.
    (ISP) Not Stonehenge or a man with a huge willy.
    (Lib) NO, and I'D SAY YES :-)
    (Projoy) On the coast? Not really ON it so much as . . .
  • Projoy - The Coast?
  • Lib - The white cliffs of Dover?
  • Projoy - Or a particular part of the British coast?
  • irach - The Sands of Dee?
  • Irouléguy - The Jurassic coast?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy 1) Not the coast itself.
    (Lib) Not the White Cliffs.
    (Projoy 2) Not The Coast anywhere.
    (irach) Not the Sands of Dee.
    (Irouléguy) Not the ~Jurassic coast.

    You have all wandered into the outer regions of darkness where it is very cold. Look at the answer to Lib's second question. This is man-made.

  • Inkspot - A lighthouse?
  • Rosie
    (Inkspot) Not a lighthouse.
  • Projoy - Made of stone?
  • Raak - A structure for sea defence?
  • Inkspot - A connection with transportation?
  • I Say, Porter! - Chunnel?
  • Lib - Is it bigger than a standard ex-council three bed semi?
  • Rosie
    Projoy - YES, made of stone.
    Raak - Not a sea defence.
    Inkspot - YES, connected with transport *audience cheers*
    ISP - Not the Chunnel, but *HUGE audience cheers*
    Lib - Certainly is in one direction, maybe two.
  • I Say, Porter! - Bah! Humber! Is it a bridge or similar construction?
  • Raak - The Seikan Tunnel?
  • I Say, Porter! - [Raak] That's stretching the 'yes' for your earlier 'in Britain' question a bit far...
  • Chalky - Is it a road?
  • Kim (lurking) - Is it a tunnel?
  • Rosie
    ISP - NO, not a bridge
    Raak - See ISP's comment.
    Chalky - NO, not a road.
    Lurker Kim - YES, it's a tunnel.
  • Lib - Is it in England?
  • Uncle Korky (lurking again) - A railway tunnel?
  • Raak - The Severn Tunnel?
  • Chalky - The Blackwall Tunnel?
  • Lib - The world's first passenger train tunnel, the 800-yard Tyler Hill Tunnel?
  • I Say, Porter! - One of the tunnels which make up LU?
  • Rosie
    Lib1 - Half of it
    UK lurker - YES
    Chalky - Not the Blackwall Tunnel
    Lib2 - Would I put up anything as arcane as that? 828 yds, BTW :-)
    ISP - Not part of the tube.

    But we have a winner, and it's RAAK, with the Severn Tunnel. Your go.

  • Raak
    The next is primarily MINERAL, with a small ABSTRACT connection.
  • Raak
    No, scratch that, the next one is ABSTRACT, with MINERAL connections, tenuously related to Rosie's one.
  • Raak
    Actually, it's ABSTRACT and ANIMAL, with a MINERAL connection tenuously related to Rosie's one.
  • irach - Iron horse?
  • Inkspot - Is it an organisation?
  • Rosie - Shurely not Riddlesdown Tunnel?
  • Rosie - An excavation?
  • Raak
    [irach] Not an iron horse.
    [Inkspot] Not an organisatsion.
    [Rosie] Not Riddlesdown Tunnel.
    [Rosie] Nor an excavation.
  • Irouléguy - Is the mineral connection the River Severn?
  • Raak
    [Irou] Not connected with the River Severn. The connection is more indirect.
  • Uncle Korky - Is there a railway connection?
  • Raak
    [UK] No railway connection. BTW, the mineral connection is unlikely to be helpful in solving this.
  • CdM - Human construct?
  • Kim - Is the animal human?
  • Raak
    [CdM] The mineral connection is.
    [Kim] Yes, human.
  • Rosie - Is this a space for the use of humans?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not a space.
  • Uncle Korky - Are we talking more than one construct here...?
  • Raak
    [UK] No: one mineral construction tenuously related to the actual answer.
  • Irouléguy - Is there just one of these?
  • Raak
    [I] Just one (of both the actual answer and the tenuously and completely unhelpfully related mineral construction).
  • Chalky - Is this really as complicated as it seems?
  • Rosie - Am I correct in assuming the term "construct" is not being used in the sense of an idea or invention but in this case simply means a structure?
    A bus shelter, say, as opposed to anarcho-syndicalism.
  • Raak
    [Chalky] Not at all complicated. Just an ABSTRACT ANIMAL that I expect everyone has heard of.
    [Rosie] Yes: the unhelpfully distantly related mineral thingummy is a physical structure.
  • Inkspot - Was it built during the Victorian era?
  • Raak
    [I] Um...[google]...no.
  • Inkspot - Does it commemorate an event?
  • Raak
    [Inkspot] Not commemorative.
  • Raak
    And to answer again the "human construct" question (a concept I'm not quite clear on), the ABSTRACT ANIMAL is a human creation.
  • Raak
    [Inkspot] Oh, and the ABSTRACT ANIMAL was created in the Victorian era.
  • Inkspot - Is it a place in the physical world associated with a fictional person?
  • Raak
    [Inkspot] Quite the reverse.
  • Projoy - Is the person a synecdoche? e.g. "the unknown soldier"?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Not synecdocheic. Synecdochoic. Synecdochish.
  • Uncle Korky - Does this mean... that we're looking for a fictional person associated with a place in the physical world...?
  • Raak
    [UK] That is the nub, gist, and essence of the matter. Of course, the association is tenuous and unhelpful.
  • Irouléguy - From the works of Lewis Carroll?
  • Raak
    [I] applause! Yes.
  • Lib - The lion, from the Lion, the witch and the wardrobe?
  • Lib
    Hmm. I sense I accidently lurked as went away for the weekend. Sorry! But its probably not right anyway.
  • Raak
    [Lib] ROWRR! Not Aslan.
  • Uncle Korky - Alice herself, perhaps?
  • Raak
    [UK] Not Alice.
  • irach - The Mad Hatter?
  • Lib - Cheshire cat?
    AArgh. I do realise what I've done above... I feel such a confused fool. sigh. Sorry for being such a plank.
  • I Say, Porter! - Mr Tumnus, Idi Amin's doctor?
  • Raak
    [irach] Not the Mad Hatter.
    [Lib] Not the Cheshire cat. (Don't worry, ISP's just done the same.)
    [ISP] I'll have whatever you're smoking.
  • irach - Tweedledum (or-dee)
  • Projoy - A character exclusively from "Through The Looking Glass"?
  • Lib - The queen of Hearts?
    Who made some tarts.
  • I Say, Porter! - Jabberwock? Althogh I'm not clear to which place the Jabberwock is tenuously connected
    [re: C.S. Lewis Carroll] In my defence, Lib started it.
  • I Say, Porter! - [Raak] Mr Tumnus - Narnia - James McAvoy - Last King of Scotland
  • irach - The Snark (who was a Boojum, you see)
  • I Say, Porter! - [irach] is that 'Number 23... the Snark' ... 'Number 24 The Spanish Inquisition'
  • ImNotJohn - In the Alice books?
  • Raak
    [irach] Not Tweedledum-diddle-dee.
    [Projoy] Yes! From "Through The Looking Glass".
    Hence also [INJ] Yes, and [everyone else] No.
  • irach - The Carpenter (of Walrus and the Carpenter fame?)
  • Projoy - Humpty Dumpty
    (who I believe has a particular connection to a particular wall in Gloucester)
  • Raak
    [irach] Not the Carpenter.
    [Projoy] Not Humpty Dumpty.
  • Irouléguy - One of the chess pieces?
  • irach - The Red King?
  • Projoy - The White Queen?
  • Raak
    [I] Yes, one of the chess pieces.
    [i] Not the Red King.
    [P] Not the White Queen.
  • I Say, Porter! - http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext91/lglass19.txt
    A silly English kernnnnnnigget?
  • Raak
    [ISP] Yes! But which one?
  • Projoy - The White Knight?
  • Projoy
    Tho I'm not sure of the mineral connection. Is it the "design/To keep the Menai bridge from rust/By boiling it in wine"?
  • I Say, Porter! - The knight who says 'Ni!'
    [Projoy] That sounds tenuous and unhelpful to me.
  • Uncle Korky - In the interest of balance, I feel compelled to ask... the Black Knight?
  • I Say, Porter! - [UK] It's just a flesh wound. What Black Knight? Have you confused Through the Looking Glass with Monty Python and the Holy Grail? If so, my fault.
  • Uncle Korky
    I confess - I've never read the book... made an assumption based on chess that if there's a white knight, the should be a black knight. I suppose you're going to tell me it's red instead! :-)
  • I Say, Porter! - Indeed it is, so either you or Projoy has won (unless there are other knights I didn't notice).
  • Projoy
    Technically, there are four knights, and the white one Alice meets, according to Carroll's detailed schema for the book, is the White King's knight. The other Knight is the Unicorn. On the red side, the Red Knight that the White Knight fights is also the King's knight, with the Carpenter as the Queen's Knight. (The Walrus is the Red Queen's bishop and the Lion is the Red King's rook).
  • Projoy
    (Incidentally, the White Knight has Hatta (the Mad Hatter from the first book) as his pawn)
  • Raak
    [Projoy] It is indeed The White Knight, and you have correctly identified the tenuous and unhelpful connection with water-traversing constructions.
    [UK] You must read it, and Alice in Wonderland forthwith!
  • Projoy
    OK. This one is ANIMAL, VEGETABLE and MINERAL.
  • I Say, Porter! - Something you would find in the home?
    A model of a Modern Major-General?
  • Lib - Human animal?
  • irach - Is the vegetable wood?
  • Projoy
    [ISP] Found in the home? NO
    [Lib] Human? YES, but somewhat misleading
    [irach] Vegetable wood? YES, but also somewhat misleading.
  • Lib - Is it a single thing or are there loads of them?
  • Raak - A grave?
  • Projoy
    [Lib] A single thing? NO
    [Raak] A grave? NO, but that may be involved
  • Projoy
    [Lib] Single thing? Well, actually, YES, this is a single thing (there is not more than one of it), but then again, it isn't.
  • irach - Heather Mills' prosthetic wooden leg/
  • Projoy
    [irach] NO :)
  • Irouléguy - Is the mineral metal?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] YES, but somewhat misleading.
  • Rosie - A coffin?
  • Rosie - A collection of objects or people?
    Scrap "coffin". Must've pressed the wrong button.
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] A collection of objects or people? YES! That should save a lot of misleading answers!
  • ImNotJohn - Life, the Universe and Everything?
  • Uncle Korky - A nation?
  • ImNotJohn - Delimited geographically?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] The whole caboodle? NO
    [UK] A nation? NO
    [INJ] Delimited geographically? YES *applause*
  • Raak - A graveyard?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Thriller? NO
  • I Say, Porter! - Tate Modern or simlah?
  • Projoy
    [ISP] Art gallery? NO
  • Rosie - Do these people have some common interest?
    Haven't heard caboodle since my Mum died. Or shemozzle, though I use it myself.
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] A common interest? ARGUABLY. More YES than NO, I'd say.
  • Chalky - Is this some sort of educational institution?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Nursery, school, college, Uni etc.? NO
  • Chalky - A place? Geographical-like?
  • Projoy
    A geographicalistical place? YES!
  • Rosie - A large city?
    Not Pontefract, for example.
  • Irouléguy - In Europe?
  • ImNotJohn - A smallish location ( a single building/city block or smaller)?
    Clarification required. When you answered 'yes' to 'Is the mineral metal?', did that mean that some of the mineral involved was metal, but not necessarily all?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Large city? NO
    [Ig] European? YES
    [INJ] Smallish? NO, as you define it.
    Clarification: metal is involved, but also many other minerals; there is a similarly wide variety of vegetable and animal matter.
  • I Say, Porter! - A population centre?
  • Projoy
    [ISP] Population centre? YES, if I've understood the terminology.
  • ImNotJohn - St Dogmaels?
    Gone, but not forgotten.
  • I Say, Porter! - In a BENELUX country?
    By population centre I meant town, village etc.
  • Projoy
    [INJ] St Dogmaels? NO *some applause*
    [ISP] Benelux? NO
  • Raak - In Wales?
  • I Say, Porter! - Powys to the People?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Wedi ei wneud yng Nghmru? YES! *more applause*
    [ISP] In Powys? NO
  • I Say, Porter! - In it to Gwynedd?
  • Projoy
    [ISP] Gwynedd? NA
  • Irouléguy - In south Wales
  • Irouléguy - With a questionmark?
  • Uncle Korky - Is there a Doctor Who connection?
  • Raak - The contents of the Torchwood vaults?
  • I Say, Porter - Can you wear it? [re: Torchwood] Shurely Cardiff is bigger than Pontefract, apart from the obvious 280000 more inhabitants.
  • Rosie - A oes cysylltiad a'r Morniverse?
    Sort that out, y' bugger. :-)
  • I Say, Porter! - [Rosie] That;s never a direct translation of 'sort that out y'bugger'
  • Rosie
    (ISP) Dead right. Actually it means Is there a connection with the . . . . . ., for the benefit of all, esp. Projoy.
  • I Say, Porter! - [Rosie] Ah, but connections with the Morniverse are myriad, just check the appendixes to your Stovold's.
  • I Say, Porter! - Appendices!
  • Projoy
    [Ig] South Wales? NO
    [UK] Doctor Who? NO (that I can think of)
    [Raak] Torchwood connection? NO
    [ISP] Can you wear it? Have you ever worn a population centre?
    [Rosie] Connected with the Morniverse? Hey, that's the first time a word I coined (well, I think I coined it) has been used in a Welsh sentence. :) NO.
  • Lib - Centre for Alternative technology?
    Random tourist attraction generator in action there.
  • Projoy
    [Lib] CAT? NO. Not in Powys (see response to ISP above).
  • Irouléguy - On the coast?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] Going Coastal? YES
  • Raak - Near the Menai Bridge?
  • Chalky - Is it in Ceredigion?
  • Lib - Portmeirion?
  • Lib
    That was more action from the Random Tourist attraction generator.
  • Rosie - Is the generally used name of English origin, eg Swansea?
    (ISP) I can no longer even lift my copy of Stovold's without doing my back in.
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Near the Menai Bridge? YES *applause*
    [Chalky] Ceredigion? NO
    [Lib] The village? NO
    [Rosie] Anglicised name? NO!
    I think the next person should be able to nod this one in.
  • Uncle Korky - Wild stab in the dark... Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch?
  • I Say, Porter! - Can you wear it?
    [Projoy] It's not CARDIGAN then.
  • Projoy
    [Uncle Korky] Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch? YDY!! One extremely lengthy baton handed over. [ISP] Ah!
  • Uncle Korky
    Still feel a bit of a fraud & lurker... still, something to be said for being in the right place at the right time... OK - I'm thinking of something ANIMAL and ABSTRACT.
  • I Say, Porter! - Fictional creature?
    [UK] Fret not about lurking, you did ask a couple of questions before getting it - it's not as if the answer was your only contribution on our communal road to Anglesey via Pontefract and other major population centres in Western Europe.
  • Uncle Korky
    [IS,P] NO. The more I think about what I've picked, the more uncertain I become with the definition at the top. Let's say... ABSTRACT, with an ANIMAL connection, and hope I don't get lynched.
  • I Say, Porter! - Is it a creature as such, then?
    Maybe I'll let someone else play in a bit.
  • Uncle Korky
    [IS,P] NOT A CREATURE. Oh, you go for it! :-) At least no-one can suggest you've been lurking! lol
  • I Say, Porter! - Re: At least no-one can suggest you've been lurking
    ... or working!
  • Raak - A symbol?
  • Chalky - A Human Construct?
  • I Say, Porter! - An edifice?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Raak] NOT A SYMBOL
    [Chalky] HUMAN CONSTRUCT? ERM... TECHNICALLY... although this could be misleading...
    [IS,P] NOT AN EDIFICE
  • I Say, Porter! - Mad Cow Disease?
  • Projoy - Many instances of it?
  • Chalky - Tennis Elbow?
  • Raak - A figure of speech?
  • Uncle Korky
    [IS,P] MOO? NOO!
    [Projoy] NO (but this also could be misleading...)
    [Chalky] NO - not even Badminton Bottom
    [Raak] NO
  • Rosie - Is the Animal connection necessarily human?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Rosie] The animal connection is DEFINITELY human.
  • Projoy - Does it refer to something that occurs naturally?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Projoy] NO *some chuckles from audience members*
  • I Say, Porter! - An ailment of some kind?
  • snorgle - Sex-related?
  • Uncle Korky
    [IS,P] NO *further chuckles from cynical audience members*
    [snorgle] NO - not that I've noticed, anyway...
  • Chalky - Is this a GOOD thing, would you say?
    [Korks] Could erm ... would ... um .. you kindly pop a word or two from the question next to your reply so we don't have to search back .. pretty please :-)
  • I Say, Porter! - Clothing or accessory?
  • Projoy - To do with belief?
  • Irouléguy - Is this found in Britain?
  • Lib - Could you give me one?
  • ImNotJohn - A double entendre?
    (forced)
  • Rosie - Connected in any way with a piece of technology?
    (INJ) Forced, my fifth metatarsal. You're only marginally less salacious than Lib, not that that's saying much.
  • Lib
    [Rosie] You know me so well, and we've never properly met!
  • Rosie
    (Lib) Shall we nip off while Uncle Korky's not looking?
  • Uncle Korky
    Apologies for absence - not getting online at weekends at the moment. [Chalky] Comments noted and agreed! [Rosie] Comment noted - see me after class!
    [Chalky] A good thing? Very much a matter of opinion.
    [ISP] Clothing / Accessory? Nope.
    [Projoy] Belief? I don't wish to mislead you, but many would say it's more a matter of disbelief. I hope you'll see the humour in this when you know the answer!
    [Irg] In UK? Sometimes...
    [Lib]I'm not that kind of chap - you'd have to buy me dinner first! Oh... er... no! :-)
    [INJ] Double entendre? Non!
    [Rosie] Connected with technology? Not specifically.
  • Irouléguy - Any religious connection?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Irg] God-bothering? Nope.
  • Projoy - Connected with fiction?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Projoy] Fiction? No (sadly not, according to some)
  • Rosie - Global-Warming deniers?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Rosie] Global warming deniers? No. And, as a first clue, we're looking for something more frivolous.
  • Irouléguy - Food- or drink-related?
  • Projoy - Connected with the arts?
  • I Say, Porter! - Connected with the Morniverse?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Irg] Scoff/quaff? No.
    [Projoy] Arty? Yes *applause*.
    [IS,P] Morniversal? Nope.
  • I Say, Porter - Skulpchah?
  • Projoy - A particular artwork?
  • Uncle Korky
    [IS,P] Bust? Nope
    [Projoy] You've been framed? Nope
  • Projoy - A particular artform? (can include really crap ones!)
  • Uncle Korky
    [Projoy] I feel it would be safer to describe it as an example of a particular artform...
  • I Say, Porter! - An example of a particular artform which is not an artwork. Curiouser and curiouser.
  • Projoy - Karaoke?
  • ImNotJohn - Connected with the Visual arts?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Projoy] Empty orchestra? Nope, but the audience knows a positive change in direction when they see it!
    [INJ] Visual arts? There is a connection...
  • Irouléguy - The winning entry in the Eurovision Song Contest?
  • Uncle Korky
    That's near enough for me! The answer on the card was The Eurovision Song Contest, so a frequently cheesy and tone-deaf is passed to Irouléguy by Terry Wogan!
  • Uncle Korky
    Erm... the word "baton" should have appeared in that sentence... *slinks away embarrassed*
  • Irouléguy
    I've never understood the appeal of Eurovision, myself *ducks*.
    O-OK, our next is ABSTRACT with strong MINERAL connections, possibly ANIMAL or VEGETABLE or BOTH
  • I Say, Porter! - A human construct?
  • Projoy - Does it have its own wikipedia entry?
  • Rosie - The activities of a group of people?
    (Irg) No need to duck. Even when "ah were a lad" I thought it pretty awful and that's going back a bit. It actually seems to have got worse over the years, something we then didn't think possible.
  • Tuj - Fictional?
  • Irouléguy
    I Say, Porter! - A human construct? Possibly.
    Projoy - Does it have its own wikipedia entry? *Googles, Wikis* Yes. The words on the card actually have several Wiki pages, and a disambiguation page, but not all of them refer to the actual answer.
    Rosie - The activities of a group of people? Possibly in the future
    Eurovision] Mind you, I didn't think heavy metal could get any worse either...
    Tuj - Fictional? This exists in fiction, but it may not be fictional.
  • Projoy - A process
  • Irouléguy
    Projoy - A process? In one sense, possibly (but I don't think that's very useful).
  • Tuj - Religious?
  • Irouléguy
    Tuj - Religious? It might be (and in several fictional representations definitely is).
  • I Say, Porter! - An icon?
  • Irouléguy
    I Say, Porter! - An icon? No, Cina.
  • Projoy - Clarification - are the animal and/or vegetable aspects also "connections" or do they refer to The Answer itself?
  • Irouléguy
    The animal and/or vegetable aspects may be The Answer (though none of the words on the card are animal or vegetable names)
  • Rosie - A biological classification?
  • Chalky - Is it a three word answer?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie - A biological classification? *applause* YES
    Chalky - Is it a three word answer? *more applause* YES
    As a further clarification, The Answer could also be neither animal nor vegetable.
  • Projoy - Genetically Modified Goods?
  • Projoy
    Scrub that... Is it connected with cloning?
  • Irouléguy
    Projoy - Is it connected with cloning? It might be (that would have served as an answer to the GM question as well).
  • Projoy - Single-celled organism?
  • Projoy
    (I know it isn't this, but just throwing a stone to see if it hits anything)
  • Lib - Genus, species, commonname?
  • Uncle Korky - Wouldn't even know where to begin with this one...!
  • Projoy - (stealing an extra go as this one's so hard) Is it connected with mutation?
  • Rosie - Is at least one of the words on the card Latin?
  • Irouléguy
    Projoy - Single-celled organism? It could be.
    Lib - Genus, species, commonname? No to all
    Uncle Korky - Wouldn't even know where to begin with this one...! The answer is a very common phrase, which I think everyone will recognise (not least because of its use in other contexts).
    Projoy - Is it connected with mutation? It might be.
    Rosie - Is at least one of the words on the card Latin? No - all plain English
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie] To be properly pedantic, one of the words is a Latin word which is in everyday use in English.
  • Projoy - Something to do with alien life?
  • Projoy
    (It's not "little green men" as all three of those words are Germanic in origin).
  • Irouléguy
    Projoy - Something to do with alien life? *the audience begin humming John Williams tunes* YES
  • Projoy - Extra Terrestrial Beings?
  • Raak - Unidentified Flying Objects?
  • Irouléguy
    Projoy - Extra Terrestrial Beings? Yes, but more specifically...
    Raak - Unidentified Flying Objects? No
  • Projoy - Invaders from Mars?
  • Projoy
    (or possibly just Life on Mars, I suppose.)
  • Irouléguy
    *Sailors fighting in the dancehall
    Oh man, look at those cavemen go*
    Life on Mars it is - which I thought would be got a lot sooner. Hopefully we'll grok the next one quicker...
  • Projoy
    Huzzah! I slightly carpet-bombed my way to that one, but I was bored at work today... Had a few abstracts lately, so here's an honest-to-goodness VEGETABLE
  • Projoy
    Actually, I just thought of a better one, which is NONE OF THE ABOVE
  • Raak - Gravity?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Newton/Apple? NO
  • Lib - Can I hold it?
  • irach - Is it a feeling or sensation of sorts?
  • Projoy
    [Lib] Can you hold it? NO
    [irach] A feeling/sensation? NO
  • Projoy
    [Lib] There is an extremely unhelpful, but nonetheless plausible case in which one could be said to hold this thing, but NO is by far the best answer.
  • Tuj - Nothing?
    None of the above! I'd imagined that may be argued with.
  • Rosie - A vacuum?
    Not a Hoover, Dyson, Dustette, Electrolux Lite etc.
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] Nowt? NO
    [Rosie] Vacuum? NO
  • Uncle Korky - Is it fictional?
  • Chalky - Not Animal, Vegetable, Mineral, Abstract?
  • Projoy
    [UK] Fictional? NO, or 'twould be abstract
    [Chalky] None of those.
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] If you put a gun to my head I might call it as "mineral-esque"
  • Uncle Korky - Is it on this planet?
  • Projoy
    [UK] On Earth? YES
  • Uncle Korky - Is it a form of energy?
  • Néa - Light?
  • Projoy
    [UK] Form of energy? YES, pretty much
    [Néa] Light? YES, to an extent *applause for both questions*
  • Raak - A rainbow?
  • Projoy
    "My bowe betwene you and mee/in the fyrmamente shalbe"? NO
  • Uncle Korky - A photon?
  • Projoy
    [UK] Photon? NOT OHP.
  • rab
    Electromagnetic radiation?
  • Uncle Korky - Lightning?
  • Tuj - Fire?
    [UK] Good guess!
  • Projoy
    [rab] Electromagnetic radiation? IT IS INVOLVED...
    [UK] Lightning? NO
    [Tuj] Fire? YES, altho as this has been short, I shall be a stickler and note that that is not what's written on the card.
  • Rosie - Is it all about elementary particles?
    Well, everything is, but you know what I mean.
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Elemental, my dear boson? YES, but Tuj pretty much has his finger on the answer. At this moment it's a mere matter of near-synonymity.
  • Uncle Korky - Flames?
  • Projoy - A pestilential conflagration of vapours
    [UK] Close enough. The words on the card are A Flame. Hands immolatory Olympic torch to Uncle Korky
  • Uncle Korky
    [Projoy] Thanks, my good sir!
    [Tuj] Apologies - seems I was more bored at work today than you!
    Why do I do this? Win just before the weekend, when I won't be online 'til I'm back in the office at 8.30 on Monday? Never mind, it'll give you all a chance to get your thinking caps on again... This one's MINERAL.
  • Raak - A single specific object?
    I am genuinely doing this in a (temporarily paused) meeting.
  • Projoy - Naturally occurring?
    [Raak] You think that's impressive? I frequently post to MC sites in meetings, even, occasionally, bi-lateral ones.
  • Raak
    Ok, I am now posting from a meeting in progress.
  • Rosie - Mainly metal?
    Well, I'm posting, between shovelfuls, from the footplate of a large steam engine which I can hardly stand up on. Bloody railtours.
  • Chalky - Well, I'M not even bothering to post a question - so there :)
  • Rosie
    (Chalks) Very sensible, m'dear. We could have a discussion on the likely subject in the light of UK's previous, the Eurovsion Song contest. As it's mineral shall a start the ball rolling by suggesting an OLD HEAVY CHINA TEAPOT, which could be hurled at the box during the broadcast of this ludicrous eisteddfod.
  • Rosie
    Potty syntax - "shall a" = "I shall".
  • Lib - Diamond?
    It's got to come up one day.
  • Lib - edible?
  • Lib - Related to salt?
  • Lib
    Why have I guessed three times? I dunno, I just felt like it.
  • Projoy
    Well, I'm not posting this from a meeting, it being Saturday morning, but I am listening to Radio 4 while riding a unicycle and cooking breakfast for four hundred Swedish Naval officers.
  • Projoy
    It's now Sunday and I'm posting this from the Dome of St. Paul's cathedral, where I'm wearing a "Kiss Me Slow" hat and blessing nearby paupers with holy porridge.
  • Chalky
    [Projoy] Yer mad you :-) AND why are you posting so early when we've all lost an hour's sleep? Talking of lost hours, which we weren't, but I'm going to anyway ... how long can I get away with the "oops sorry I'm late waking up/for work/cooking the dinner, but my head tells me it's still a whole hour earlier"?

    This is AVMA, yes? I'm still not posting a question, so there.
  • Lib
    [Chalky] The lost hour thing doesn't last for long I'm afraid. I was a particularly happy bunny as I was on nights this time (apart from the fact that it was over my birthday, so I had to work twice on said day) but I gained the short shift when 1am magically became 2am.
  • Lib - Can you hold it?
    I am playing this game. All alone at the moment. Anyone want to play with me?
  • Uncle Korky
    Okay, folks - weekend's over, and can give you my full attention once more:
    [Raak] Single specified object? YES, but might be misleading
    [Projoy] Naturally occurring? YES
    [Rosie] Mainly metal? ERM... QUITE POSSIBLY. Teapot? ERM... NO
    [Lib] Diamond? NO. Edible? NO (audience is amused). Related to salt? NO.
    [Projoy] There's another 'AMVA game' on this site, y'know!
  • Lib - Smaller than a toaster?
    Erm, still wondering if you can hold it...
  • Uncle Korky
    [Lib]
  • Uncle Korky
    [Lib] Smaller than a toaster? NO. Manually graspable? NO.
  • Lib - Larger than a phone box?
    Size does matter!
  • Raak - Bigger than St. Paul's?
  • Lib - Bigger than Wales?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Lib] Larger than a phone box? YES. Size matters? Hmmph. Well, I've never had any complaints...
    [Raak] Bigger than St Paul's? YES
    [Lib] Bigger than Wales? YES
  • Lib - The Earth?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Lib] Terra firma? NO
  • Rosie - The planet Mercury?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Rosie] Mercury? NO
  • Raak - Part of the Earth?
  • Lib - Bigger than the moon?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Raak] Part of the Earth? NO
    [Lib] Bigger than the moon? YES
  • Lib - Bigger than the Earth?
    I'm going to get its size eventually!
  • Uncle Korky
    [Lib] Bigger than the Earth? I'd have to say YES, although (and this is a big game-ending clue) this would be AS A WHOLE...
  • Lib - The Universe?
  • Lib
    Erm, sorry guys. I'm revising you see. Get easily distracted from the finer points of pharmacology.
  • Uncle Korky
    [Lib] The whole caboodle? NO
  • Raak - The Kuiper belt?
  • Lib - The galaxy?
  • Tuj - Is it gaseous?
  • Rosie - Does it contain more mass than the earth?
  • flerdle
    *Wanders in. Remembers last time. Beats a hasty retreat.*
  • Projoy - The (main) asteroid belt?
  • Projoy
    (According to Wikipedia, "The total mass of the Asteroid belt is estimated to be 3.0-3.6×1021 kilograms,[4][5] which is 4% of the Earth's Moon. Of that total mass, one-third is accounted for by Ceres alone.")
  • Irouléguy - The moons of Jupiter?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Raak] Kuiper belt? TOO FAR OUT, MAN...
    [Lib] The Galaxy? NO
    Tuj] Gaseous? NO (although probably depends on your sense of scale!)
    [Rosie] More mass than the Earth? APPARENTLY NOT! Glad I didn't have to look that one up myself!
    [Irouléguy] Tie 'em down, child! NO
    [Projoy] The (main) asteroid belt? We have a winner! One knobbly and rock-encrusted baton passed on!
  • I Say, Porter! - Just passing...
  • Projoy
    Oops, overslept this morning so only just saw this. I won't be able to check in until this evening, but in the meantime have this VEGETABLE
  • Projoy
    s/check in/check in again
  • Lib - Broccoli?
  • Projoy
    [Lib] George H. W. Bush's least favourite food? NO
  • Irouléguy - Edible?
  • Lib - Manufactured?
  • Raak - Wooden?
  • Tuj - Unique?
  • I Say, Porter! - Fictional?
  • Uncle Korky - Now extinct?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] Edible? YES
    [Lib] Manufactured? NO
    [Raak] Wooden? NO
    [Tuj] Unique? NO
    [ISP] Fictional? NO
    [UK] Extinct? NO
  • Lib - One vegetable or made of many?
  • Projoy
    [Lib] YES, er, NO... er...
  • Raak - Grown in Britain?
  • Lib - Common?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Grown in Blighty? NO
    [Lib] Common? DEPENDS, but not common in Britain, for example.
    [Lib] Further clarification on your last. I was slightly fatuously pretending not to know what you meant as it wasn't a yes/no question. There is, however, a clear answer: ONE VEGETABLE.
  • Lib - A piece of fruit?
    Have a banana.
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Projoy
    [Lib] Fruit? YES! *applause*
    [Tuj] P-headed? NO
  • Inkspot - A berry?
  • Projoy
    [Ink] I come not to praise Caesar...? NO
  • CdM
    pomegranite
    pear
    plum
    peach
    persimmon
    paw-paw
    papaya
    pomelo
    passion fruit
    durian?
  • ImNotJohn
    WHO BROUGHT THAT DURIAN IN HERE?


    Grows on a tree? (rather than a bush/on the ground etc)

  • Inkspot - Inna bunch?
  • Lib - Mango?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Durian? NO
    [INJ] On a tree? NO
    [Ink] Bunched? NO
    [Lib] Mango? NO
  • Lib - Equal to or larger than your average avacado?
  • Projoy
    [Lib] >= avocado's number? NO
  • Inkspot - Is it eaten with its skin rather than peeled?
  • Lib - Is it a berry?
  • Uncle Korky - Grown in Europe?
    [Lib] BZZZT!
  • Lib
    Drat! I read PJ's reply, and I didn't think that berries were bunched so I got confused, I'll try again...

    Does it have a stone?

  • Rosie - Is it a dried fruit?
    Avocado's Number. I like that. :-)
  • I Say, Porter! - I Say, Porter!
    [Lib] They're not, I think the BZZZT was for repetition of 'is it a berry' half an hour after Projoy had said 'no'.
  • Irouléguy - Can it be eaten raw?
  • Projoy
    [Inks] skIn? NO
    [UK] EU? NO
    [Rosie] Dried? NO
    [Ig] Edible raw? YES (I think).
  • Inkspot - Is it usually served as/in a drink?
  • Rosie - Have you ever eaten one (or part of)?
  • Projoy
    Dr [Inks] ? NO
    [Rosie] Have I eaten one? NO
  • CdM
    Have I ever eaten one?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] I wouldn't put it past you.
  • ImNotJohn - originally from Africa?
    Lib's question about being stoned still awaits an answer.
  • Inkspot - A tropical fuit?
  • Raak - Does it stink as badly as a durian?
  • Uncle Korky - Is it generally considered to be a suitable foodstuff for humans?
  • Projoy
    [Lib] Got stone? NO (sorry for delay)
    [INJ] Out of Africa? YES
    [Inks] Tropical? I THINK SO (arguable, I think)
    [Raak] My dog's got no nose? NO
    [UK] Fit for human consumption? YES.
  • ImNotJohn - Peanuts?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] See response to Tuj.
  • flerdle - Does its plant have thorns?
    Can't help myself...
  • Projoy
    [flerdle] Does it have runic letters on it? YES, and nice to see you back here.
  • flerdle
    :-)
  • Lib? - pequi?
    Don't really know what one of those is.
  • Lib
    Ps. Hello flerdle. Lovely to see you.
  • Projoy
    [Lib] See response to Tuj :)
  • Lib
    Bah!
  • I Say, Porter! - Green when ripe?
  • Projoy
    [ISP] Green when ripe? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Is it a nut?
    [I knew I should have said 'Ground Nuts')
  • Lib - orange colour?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Nut? NOT
    [Lib] orange? YES!
  • Lib - Mandarin?
  • ImNotJohn - Naartjie?
  • ImNotJohn
    (though actually that grows on a tree)
  • Lib - Tangerine?
    That's more african, I believe.
  • I Say, Porter! - Something Cactussy?
    [Lib] ... but not quite 'Tree-NO' or 'Thorns-YES'.
  • Lib
    Hmmmm. Indeed. *strokes chin and ponders*
  • Projoy
    [Lib] Mandolin? NO
    [INJ] Naartjie? NO
    [Lib] Tangerine? NO
    [ISP] Cactussy? NOT REALLY.
  • Projoy - Thy search hath borne fruit
    A recap: An edible fruit, native to Africa. It is orange (when ripe), grows on a bush, which boasts thorns, and does not begin with P. It is larger than an avocado and does not contain a stone. It is not a berry, nor, as a free clue, a citrus fruit.
  • Lib - Larger than an avacado?
    I was working on smaller than...
  • Lib - Does it have pips?
    If it does then I'll never eat it. I've got a mild phobia of pips. They're horrid! Keep them away from me.
  • Projoy
    [Lib, re size] That would be understandable, now that I come to realise that I clearly don't know the difference between < and > ! Curses, and apologies. In addition to being definitely larger than an avocado, it is not eaten with its skin and I'm not sure if it would be described as tropical, altho I can see reasons why it might.

    [Lib] Pipped to the post? YES
  • Lib - Does it belong to the melon family?
    Size certainly matters, as I'm sure you know! But its easy to get confused. I'm particularly bad at right and left, slightly concerning when I'm at work and these things matter!
  • Projoy
    [Lib] Of the House of Melon? YES! *muchos applause*
  • Raak - The orange melon?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] The Orange Melon? NO
  • Lib - Honeydew melon?
  • Lib
    I'd like to retract that, Can I guess...

    Canteloupe?

  • flerdle
    ah, size makes all the difference. p.s. you can get orange honeydews.
  • flerdle - Is it grown in New Zealand?
  • Projoy
    [Lib] Honeydew or Canteloupe? NO
    [flerdle] Grown in NZ? YES
  • Lib - Horned Melon?
  • Projoy
    [Lib] Horned Melon? (or Horny Melon, as I like to call it) YES!!. And just in time for me to get on a train to Manchester and disappear for a few hours. Apologies once again for misleading you all about the size. * hands bulbous, spiky baton to Lib*
  • Lib
    *Wonders if she'll bump into Projoy tonight when she ventures into central Manchester for a concert...*
    Right. ABSTRACT, MINERAL with possibly some ANIMAL thrown in.
  • Lib
    Second thoughts. That one was crap....
  • Lib
    ABSTRACT, with some ANIMAL and MINERAL.
  • I Say, Porter! - A fictional thingy?
  • Rosie - A hip operation?
  • I Say, Porter! - A human concept
    I keep using that, saw it first here, have no idea what it means really.
  • Lib
    [IS,P] Totally fictitious? NO. [Rosie] Hip, Hip Horray? NO. [IS,P] Humane? YES.
  • Lib
    Hmmm, missing some breaks I think. Will be better next time!
  • Tuj - Can you tell us what the first one was without giving a clue to the second?
    :P
  • Lib
    Can I tell you what the first one was? YES
  • Projoy - Partially ficitious?
  • LIb
    [Pj] Slightly made up? YES, and NO. Sorry.
  • Projoy - Connected with emotions?
  • Lib
    [Pj] Feeling emotional? YES.
  • Projoy - Positive emotions, particularly?
  • Rosie - Is the mineral water?
  • Lib
    [Pj] Positivity? Can't answer this, sorry.
    [Rosie] Dihydrogen oxide? NO
  • Projoy - Does it begin with an E?
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • Lib
    [Pj] On E? NO
    [Tuj] Can I have a P please Bob? NO.
  • Irouléguy - Is the animal bit human?
  • Lib
    [Irouléguy] Humane? YES!
  • Tuj - A theory or something theoretical?
  • Lib
    [Tuj] That's the theory. NO
  • Irouléguy - Is the mineral an artefact?
  • Projoy - A particular class of thing?
  • Lib
    [Irouléguy] artifactual? NO
    [Projoy]Classy? NO, it is a specific thing, although still abstract!
  • I Say, Porter! - Is confused about "fictitious no, but fictional yesandno"
    is it art?
  • Projoy - Is it to do with empathy?
    [ISP] I feel your pain.
  • Lib
    Art? YES.
    Empathy? NO.

    Clarification. Sorry to confuse you, I've confused myself too. so...
    Fictional? (ie 1. the class of literature comprising works of imaginative narration, esp. in prose form. 2. works of this class, as novels or short stories: detective fiction. 3. something feigned, invented, or imagined. 4. the act of feigning, inventing, or imagining. 5. an imaginary thing or event, postulated for the purposes of argument or explanation.) NO
    Fictitious? Having looked at many definitions, NO to most but YES to "imaginatively produced or set forth".

    Sorry to get in a twist, hope this helps a little. (The dictionary definitions are to help my easily overwhelmed mind, as I know you are all far more eloquent than me!)

  • I Say, Porter! - A particular artwork? Tracy Emin's Bed?
  • Lib
    [ISP] One in particular? YES
    Dirty sheets? NO
  • Irouléguy - A piece of visual art?
  • Lib
    [Irouléguy] Seen? NO
  • Irouléguy - Heard?
  • Lib
    [Irouléguy] Noisy? YES! *much applause from audience*
  • Projoy - Classical music
  • Rosie - A brass band?
  • CdM - Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band?
  • I Say, Porter! - Sixties pop?
  • Lib
    [Projoy] Classical? YES
    [Rosie] Shiny brass? NO
    [CdM] Lonely hearts? NO
    [IS,P] 60s? NO
  • Raak - The Anvil Chorus?
  • Lib
    [Raak] Anvil Chorus? NO
  • Raak - Pre-19th century?
  • Projoy - Written for voices (with or without instruments)?
  • Lib
    [Raak] Pre 1800? NO
    [Projoy] Choral? NO
  • Uncle Korky - Geman composer?
  • Lib
    [UK] Bratwurst? NO
  • Raak - The Planets?
  • Lib
    [Raak] Holst's Finest? NO.
  • Uncle Korky - Owt to do with Edvard Greig?
  • Lib
    [UK] Grieg-y baby? NO.
  • I Say, Porter! - For brass? Thinking Libery Bell
  • Lib
    [IS,P] Shiny brass? Still NO
  • I Say, Porter! - Bugger. Missed Rosie's post. Sorry.
    Brass?
    Only joking. Italian composer?
  • Lib
    [IS,P] Pizza maker? NO.
    Despite all these NOs you really are quite close. I'm here for another twenty minutes then am going to be examined, so will be back drunk later.
  • I Say, Porter! - English?
    Cool! I want one of those examinations that gets you drunk. Are you studying to be a sommelier?
  • Lib
    [IS,P] Her Majesty's finest? NO
    The getting drunk time is after the exam. I suspect that during it wouldn't go down too well.
  • I Say, Porter! - French? Is the nationality of the composer going to help?
    Gotcha. Isn't April a bit early for exams?
  • Lib
    [IS,P] Frog's legs? YES! It may help a little, but isn't the holy grail.
    Not uni exams. Postgrad medical exams. Bloody hard ones at that too. I'm taking anaesthetic exams.
  • I Say, Porter! - Claude Achille Debussy, died nineteen eighteen?
  • I Say, Porter! - Anaesthetic exams
    Shurely all exams are anaesthetic.
  • Lib
    [IS,P] Debussy? NO
    Indeed all exams induce somnolence.
  • I Say, Porter! - Ravel and his sodding Bolero?
  • Lib
    [IS,P] Sodding bolero? NO. God I hate that piece. The only cool bit is the gong at the end, and its a long 20 minute wait till that features.
  • I Say, Porter! - Dukas and his Sorcerer's Apprentice?
    Dominating this simply because you've only got ten minutes. Well, that's my excuse.
  • Lib
    [IS,P] Fansatia? NO
  • I Say, Porter! - Well, have a good exam. I've run out of ideas.
  • Raak - La Cathédrale Engloutie?
  • I Say, Porter! - [Raak] Isn't that Debussy?
  • I Say, Porter! - Jean-Michel Jarre? Oxygene?
  • Raak - Tubular Bells?
  • I Say, Porter! - [Raak] LOOL. You're taking the mickey, right? Mike Oldfield's not French.
  • Projoy - A member of Les Six?
  • Lib
    I'm under the infulence. Head spinning. Exam over.
    NO, NO, NO, NO, NO. Can't manage more HTML than that. Sorry.
  • Projoy - Died in C20th?
  • I Say, Porter! - Still alive? Was it a practical exam?
    Carnival of the Animals, Vegetables, Minerals and Abstracts?
  • Lib
    [Projoy] Died 20C? YES!
    [IS,P] Still alive? NO, dead. Animal carnival, very very warm.
  • Projoy - Danse Macabre?
  • Irouléguy - Erik Satie?
  • gil
    Saint-Saëns?
  • StormWraith
    Is all Ravel out, or just Bolero? Might I suggest Ravel's "N'allez pas au bois d'Ormonde"?
  • Lib
    Sorry for my absence. I had to go to work twice which was quite a shock to the system. You're all exceedingly warm, and I hope someone gets it in the next hour as I'm off to Wales for Easter. Anyway, enough chat, onto the matter in hand...
    [Projoy] deatly dancing? NO
    [Irouléguy] Eric the hungry catapiller NO.
    [gil] The fantastic Camille Saint-Saëns? YES!!! But there's something else on the card.... Think BIG!
    [StormWraith] Revels, anyone? Ravel is totally out.
  • Projoy - Third Symphony, with its big throbbing organ?
  • Lib
    [Projoy] Big organ goodness? YES!!! The exact words on the card are far more polite, briefly stating Saint-Saëns' Third symphony ("organ concerto"). Well done. *hands an organ pipe shaped baton back to Projoy*
  • Projoy
    Phew. Well, I don't expect this to take off as everyone's going to be disappearing off for the long weekend, but here's a VEGETABLE.
  • Gusset Login - Is it alive?
  • Projoy
    [GL] It lives?! NO
  • ImNotJohn - edible?
  • Rosie - Wooden?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Eat Me! YES *applause*
    [Rosie] Tree-born? NO
  • Rosie - Exotic?
  • CdM - Typically eaten raw?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Exotic? NO *one or two audience members begin to applaud as you begin to talk but quickly stop themselves*
    [CdM]Raw? NO (with some potential for quibbling).
  • Rosie - Does it grow on trees?
    Taking "not tree-born" above to mean not wooden.
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Grows on trees? NO is by far the best answer. There's a defensible YES answer, tho.
  • Raak - Is it usually dried?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Dried? NO
  • Rosie - Edible part leafy?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] It's all edible. No leaves involved. :)
  • Rosie - A tomato?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Tomato? NO
  • Raak - Does it grow on a bush?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] George W? NO
  • Chalky - Does it grow 'beneath' the soil?
  • Raak - A fungus?
  • I Say, Porter! - Can I find it in Tesco?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Comes out of the ground? NO *some laughter from audience*
    [Raak] Fungus? NO (ISTR a debate a while back about whether to count fungi as Vegetable. I'm in the "no" camp on that one, fwiw. :))
    [ISP] Tescabile? YES!
  • Raak - Does it come in a variety of colours?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Variety of colors? YES, as in, more than one.
  • Raak - Honey?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Is there honey still for tea? NO
  • Raak - Is it solid?
  • Raak - ...by which I mean rigid, pickuppable, even if it has voids within
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Solid? YES, in the sense you give.
  • Rosie - Cabbage?
    The most disgusting taste known to mankind.
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Eat yer greens? NO
  • Irouléguy - Normally eaten on its own?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] A solo dish? YES
  • Lib - Strong flavour?
  • Projoy
    [Lib] Strong flavour? This is subjective, but I would be inclined to say NO, on balance.
  • Raak - Is it primarily grain?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] With the grain? NO
  • Phil - Is it usually processed before being eaten (other than simply cooking)?
  • I Say, Porter! - Does it feature in Peanuts round about this time of year?
  • Lib - Does it come in a bunch?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Processed? YES! *applause*
    [ISP] I don't read Peanuts, so I'm NOT SURE, but it wouldn't surprise me if that were so.
    [Lib] Bunch? NO
  • Irouléguy - From the genus Cucurbita?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] Cucurbita? NO
  • Rosie - Dates?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Genus Calenda? NO
  • Raak - Easter eggs?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Hoorah! YES!, the answer is "Easter Egg" (meaning the chocolate variety. I didn't include ANIMAL (milk) as I believe you can get dark chocolate eggs. *hands over bulbous, brown, slighly sticky baton to Raak*
  • Raak
    The next one is M I N E R A L.
  • Tuj - Stonehenge?
  • Lib - Diamond?
  • Projoy - Solid?
  • Rosie - Metal?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] Not Stonehenge
    [Lib] Not diamond.
    [Projoy] Pickuppable, yes.
    [Rosie] Primarily metal.
  • I Say, Porter! - Art?
  • I Say, Porter! - Peanuts
    [Projoy] I was referring to the Great Pumpkin, and on reflection I'm not sure it's this time of year - I've a niggling voice in my head that suggests halloween.
  • Raak
    [ISP] Not art.
  • Projoy - Smaller than a toaster?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Smaller than a toaster.
  • Projoy - Bigger than a matchbox?
  • ImNotJohn - A manufactured object?
  • Raak
    Projoy - Bigger than a matchbox.
    ImNotJohn - A manufactured object.
  • Raak - Matchboxes
    Actually, it could be smaller than a matchbox, but not usually.
  • I Say, Porter! - A child's toy?
  • Rosie - A tool of some kind?
  • Raak
    [ISP] Not a toy.
    [Rosie] One would not ordinarily call it a tool.
  • I Say, Porter! - A container?
  • I Say, Porter! - A device?
  • Raak
    [ISP] Not a container.
    [ISP] YES! A device.
  • Projoy - electronic?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Can be electronic.
  • I Say, Porter! - Does it measure something?
  • Lib - Communication device?
  • Raak
    [ISP] Yes, it measures something.
    [Lib] Not a communication device.
  • Projoy - A tape measure?
  • Lib - Weighing?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Not a tape measure.
    [Lib] Does not weigh anything. Er, if you see what I mean.
  • Projoy - Measures something invisible?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] *applause* Yes, it measures something invisible.
  • Projoy - Are most instances of it electronic these days?
  • Rosie - A carbon monoxide detector?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Yes, usually electronic.
    [Rosie] Not a carbon monoxide detector.
  • Irouléguy - Measuring distances?
  • ImNotJohn - Measures some sort of radiation?
  • Raak
    [I1] Not distances.
    [I2] Not radiation.
  • gil - Multimeter? Electricity meter?
  • Projoy - A barometer?
  • Raak
    [gil] Does not measure volts, amps, ohms, continuity, capacitance, impedance, hFE, diode leakage, or anything else electrical.
    [Projoy] Not a barometer.
  • I Say, Porter! - Used indoors?
  • Projoy - Anemometer?
  • Raak
    [ISP] Used indoors.
    [Projoy] Not an anemonomometer.
  • Irouléguy - Am I likely to own one?
  • Projoy - Does it measure time?
  • Projoy - A stopwatch?
  • Raak
    [I] Quite likely to own one.
    [P] *cheering* Yes, it measures time.
    [P] Not a stopwatch.
  • ImNotJohn - An alarm clock?
  • Raak
    [INJ] BRRRRRNNNNGGGG! It is indeed an alarm clock.
  • I Say, Porter! - *applauds* That was a good one.
  • ImNotJohn - Ooooh
    OK - I'm going out this evening, so you've got about half an hour and then a gap of 14 hours. This one is basically Mineral with Animal connections
  • I Say, Porter! - Is it art?
  • Chalky - Is it science?
  • ImNotJohn
    [IS,P] Yes, but is it art? - NO
    [Chalky] Science - NO (except in extremely broad uses of the term)
  • I Say, Porter! - Is it found in the home?
  • ImNotJohn
    [IS,P] domestic? - NO
  • I Say, Porter! - Constructed?
  • ImNotJohn
    [IS,P] constructed - YES
  • I Say, Porter! - a zoo?
  • Projoy - A single, specific object?
  • ImNotJohn
    [IS,P] - zoo - NO
    [PJ] one is one and all alone? - NO (they may not be legion, but there is more than one)
  • I Say, Porter! - A building of some sort?
  • ImNotJohn
    [IS,P] building - NO
  • Rosie - A Henge?
    Stonehenge, Brasshenge, Bakelitehenge etc.
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] hengist? - NO
  • Projoy - Bigger than a phone box?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] > phone box - YES
  • Projoy - Bigger than a terraced house?
  • I Say, Porter! - Something made largely of chalk?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] 2 up 2 down - NO
    [IS,P] Chalky - NO
  • I Say, Porter! - Is it functional?
  • Irouléguy - Is it specific to a particular country or culture?
  • Projoy - Bigger than a shed?
  • Rosie - Old, i.e. >500 yrs?
  • ImNotJohn
    [IS,P] functional? - YES
    [Irg] cultural specificity - Hmmm. YESish (but that's probably not going to help much)
    [Projoy] > shed - YES
    [Rosie] Old? - NO
  • I Say, Porter! - Is it in a specific location?
  • I Say, Porter! - Is there only one of it?
  • Projoy - Generally lives outside?
  • Rosie - Mostly metallic?
  • ImNotJohn - Too nice a day to be inside
    [IS,P] In specific location - NO
    [IS,P] Only one? - NO (see previous answer)
    [Projoy] in the open air? - YES (some applause)
    [Rosie] Mostly metallic? - YES (the 'basically mineral' description means that there will be some vegetable and animal, but not significant amounts)
  • Projoy - Found in densely populated places or in the country?
  • Raak - A Henry Moore sculpture?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] dense people - could be either, I've seen one in a densely populated area
    [Raak] lots of brass - NO
  • Raak - Anything to do with transport?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Transport? - YES (Applause)
  • Rosie - A preserved steam engine?
  • Projoy - A traction engine?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] steam engine - NO
    [Projoy] in traction? - NO
  • Rosie - Essentially mobile?
  • Irouléguy - For transporting people?
  • Projoy - A milk float?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] essentially Mobile - YES
    [Irg] For transporting people? - YES
    [Projoy] Erniemobile - NO
  • Raak - Does it carry just a single person?
  • Projoy - Some sort of lorry?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] just for one - NO
    [Projoy] Lorry - NO
  • Projoy - Bus?
  • ImNotJohn - Client site all day today - don't know how often I'll get on here
    [Projoy] bus - NO
  • Irouléguy - A particular make/model of car?
  • Projoy - Connected with farming?
  • Rosie - Airborne?
  • Projoy - Do it got wheels?
  • Lib - A hot air balloon?
  • Uncle Korky - Does it run on rails?
  • Raak - Does it run on cables?
  • Uncle Korky - Does it carry its own fuel with it?
  • ImNotJohn - Sorry - no access today until now
    [Irg] particular make/model of car? - NO
    [Projoy] agricultural - NO
    [Rosie] Airborne - NO (some laughter)
    [Projoy] Wheeled? - YES
    [Lib] Montgolfière? - NO
    [UK] on rails - NO
    [Raak] wiry? - NO
    [UK] Does it carry its own fuel with it? - YES
  • Raak - Military?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] military? - originally YES, but now usually NO(more audience applause)
  • Phil - A jeep?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Phil] Jeep? - NO (I thought that would be the next guess)
  • gil - A Hummer?
  • Uncle Korky - DUKW?
  • I Say, Porter! - Motorbike and sidecar?
  • I Say, Porter! - Scratch that. doesn't fit the 'bigger than a shed' criterion
  • Projoy - Mobile Canteen?
  • I Say, Porter! - One of those VW camper vans with the concertina top?
  • ImNotJohn - We have a winner
    [Uncle Korky] - Well done. A DUKW it is!
    The other answers are therefore obvious. I'm disappointed that no-one examined the animal connection, nor did I ever manage to answer both land and water transport.

    One slightly damp baton handed on.

  • Uncle Korky - *is a little embarrassed at having lurked to victory again*
    Sorry about this delay, but I've got a job interview this morning, which I need to concentrate on. I'll post your new clue when it's all over (probably about lunchtime).
  • Lib
    [UK] Good Luck! Keep focused and you'll shine. I had an interview (in Cardiff of all places) yesterday and it was actually quite fun. (I know I am a strange thing.) It was fun because the topic for the presentation I was asked to prepare was 'me', and as I'm sure you all know I have no problems talking about myself! GOOD LUCK!!!! Or, hope it went well, if you've already done it.
  • I Say, Porter! - DUKW
    I have a feeling that Connie Booth would have been found not guilty in Holy Grail - they'd never prove she weighed the same as a DUKW.
  • Uncle Korky
    [Lib] Cheers, m'dear! It went pretty well, and should hear by the end of the week. [IS,P] Perhaps my guess was inspired by knowing England were going to face South Africa later that day...
    Anyway - a new clue... let's say... animal.
  • Projoy - Alive?
  • Raak - The England cricket team?
  • Uncle Korky
    Livin' Thing? YES
    All out? NO
    After a bit of thinking, I'll tinker with the classification to say that it's animal with an abstract element.
  • I Say, Porter! - One of it?
  • Projoy - A job title?
  • Uncle Korky
    Singular? YES *applause*
    Jobsworth? NO
  • I Say, Porter! - Fictional?
  • Uncle Korky
    You're making it up? You could argue this either way, he says enigmatically...
  • Lib - Human?
  • Uncle Korky
    Homo sapiens? YES *applause*
  • I Say, Porter! - is it art?
  • Uncle Korky
    Art? Not even in the broadest or most generous uses of the term!
  • I Say, Porter! - Is it an avatar?
  • Raak - Is this person a charlatan?
  • I Say, Porter! - Mrs Trellis?
  • Lib - Ever been alive?
  • Uncle Korky
    Avatar? I had to check the definition on this one: the only explanation I found was an earthly incarnation of a divine personage, so the answer to this is NO. However, I suspect this may not be what you meant...
    Charlatan? NO.
    Trellis? NO *some applause*
    Ever been alive? You could argue this either way, he says enigmatically...
  • Lib - The lovely Samantha?
  • Uncle Korky
    The invisible woman? NO *similar level of applause as before*, as I can see how you're thinking...
  • Lib - Male?
  • Uncle Korky
    Blokeish? YES *applause*
  • Lib - Humph?
  • Uncle Korky
    Lyttleton? NO *diminishing applause* I think you're getting misled by earlier applause...
  • Rosie - Archie Andrews?
  • Uncle Korky
    An educated guess? NO
  • Projoy - Is heard on the radio?
  • Raak - An actor playing a role?
  • Lib - Aged under 40?
  • Chalky - Sven?
  • CdM - Borat?
  • Rosie - Mycroft?
  • I Say, Porter! - Avatar
    I was thinking 'graphical representation in a game of a real person'
  • Uncle Korky
    Wireless? NO
    Actor? NO
    Under 40? YES
    The rippling one? NO
    Borat? NO
    Mr Holmes snr? NO
    Avatar II? NO - but the audience senses that IS,P is poking around the right area, and responds with appropriate *applause*.
  • Raak - Is this person advertising something?
  • Uncle Korky
    Back after these important messages? NO
  • I Say, Porter! - Is it 'Uncle Korky' - is what I was trying, and failing, to get at.
  • Uncle Korky
    We have a winner! The very words on the card are "Uncle Korky", so one morniversal baton is well and truly passed on!
  • I Say, Porter! - [uk] However did you think of that one?
    The next one is Mineral. In the immortal words of Ron Pickering "away you go"
  • Tuj - Unique?
  • I Say, Porter! - [Tuj] One is one and all alone and evermore shall be so? NO
  • Tuj - Metallic?
  • Projoy - Useful?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [Tuj] Metallic YES
    [Projoy] Useful? NOT AS SUCH
  • Tuj - Bigger than a toaster?
  • Uncle Korky - Is it art?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [Tuj] Toastier than thou? YES [Korky] Art for Art's Sake? NOT AS SUCH
  • I Say, Porter!
    This is quite hard, isn't it? Ages since I did the setting for one of these.
  • Projoy - Is it beautiful?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [Projoy] Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So... I wouldn't call it beautiful, whadda you think?
  • Raak - A work of architecture?
  • Uncle Korky - Is it bigger than the average garden shed?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [Raak] Millenium Tent? NO
    [Uncle 'Two Sheds' Korky] NO.
  • Projoy - Human-made?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [Projoy]A made thing? YES
  • Uncle Korky - Is it still manufactured nowadays?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [UK] Two questions in one? I'll choose to answer Is it manufactured. NO
  • Uncle Korky - Hmmm... Human-made - yet NOT manufactured... Is it a by-product?
  • I Say, Porter! - All that is not unique is not manufactured.
    [UK] Manufactured: to produce goods in large numbers, usually in a factory using machines.
    Is it a by-product? Of what? The answer's NO anyway, I'm just curious.
  • I Say, Porter! - I think my point is you can make more than one of a thing without manufacturing being involved at all.
  • I Say, Porter! - ... is going to sit in Place Luxembourg basking in the sunshine with a couple of cool beers ('cos it's Happy Hour - 2 for 1). Pissed if back later.
  • ImNotJohn - Are instances of this still being made?
    (to re-pose the remainder of UK's question)
  • Irouléguy - Is this specific to a particular culture or country?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [INJ] in production? The thing itself NO, images of the thing YES, in fact probably even manufactured (sorry, Korks).
    [Irg]YES audience applause
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Projoy - Bigger than a phone box?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [Tuj] P Please Bob? NO
    [Pj] Between Phonebox and Shed? NO
  • Kim - Is it an implement?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [Kim] Implement? NO
  • Uncle Korky - Still confused... Is is hand-made?
  • ImNotJohn - Are the various instances of this essentially the same?
    i.e. there is only one design and differences are due to variations in the making process.
  • Projoy - Bigger than a tea-chest?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [UK] Handmade YES
    [INJ] YES, recognisably similar.
    [Pj] NO even smaller still than a tea chest. For free, it's larger than a tea caddy.
  • Projoy
    [ISP] We know it is. :) You already told us it's larger than a toaster :)
  • Projoy - An example of a craft?
    *quietly points out that, etymologically at least, the word "manufactured" means "hand-made"**
  • I Say, Porter!
    [Pj] Crafted? YES.
    [Man-u-facture] Pardon me for using dictionaries to look up definitions. It won't happen again.
  • Uncle Korky - Is it light enough to be carried?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [UK] Portable? YES but unhelpful I expect. Not my first unhelpful answer, either.
  • Tuj - A household item?
    ...however you wish to interpret that.
  • I Say, Porter!
    [Tuj] One in every home? NO
  • Tuj - Does it belong outside?
  • Irouléguy - Is the particular country/culture European?
  • Projoy - Metal all the way through?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [Tuj] Out of doors? YES audience applause
    [Irouléguy] Europe to something? YES indeed
    [Projoy] Showing its mettle? YES more audience applause
    Well done all three.
  • Projoy - Street furniture?
  • Irouléguy - Used in sport?
  • Lib - Red in colour?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [Pj] NOT street furniture.
    [Irg] NOT used in sport
    [Lib] Red? NOT AS SUCH.
  • CdM - A sculpture?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [CdM] Sculpted? YES audience goes wild. I still maintain that it is not ars gratia artis as such.
  • CdM - Does it have a purpose beyond aesthetics?
    (particularly since you claim it is not beautiful)
  • I Say, Porter!
    [CdM] Purpose? YES it does indeed. (particularly since I think it's just a gimmicky piece of tat)
  • Uncle Korky - Is it painted?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [UK] Painted? NO
  • ImNotJohn - British?
  • Uncle Korky - Does it have moving parts?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [INJ] British? NO, foreign, I'm afraid.
    [UK] NO. raucous audience laughter
  • I Say, Porter! - Has discovered it's fun to say 'raucous'...
  • Uncle Korky - Does it convey information in some form?
    *Blushing in the ridicule of the audience*
  • I Say, Porter!
    [UK] Info? NO.
  • I Say, Porter! - PS it's not ridicule. You said 'parts'
  • Uncle Korky - Is it particularly British?
    [IS,P] Ah! I just though I was being spectacularly wrong!
  • I Say, Porter! - Keep up, UK!
    ... INJ asked that forty minutes ago. NO still.
  • Uncle Korky - Is it... British? NO - I'M KIDDING! Is it Italian?
    OK - NOW I'm blushing!
  • I Say, Porter! - Country specifics
    [UK] Italian? NEANCHE.
  • CdM - The Manneken-Pis?
    (although I'm not sure what its purpose would be)
  • I Say, Porter!
    We have a winner! The very words on the card are "Manneken Pis", and its purpose is "fountain" unless that counts as street furniture in which case its purpose is "tourist attraction", particularly with all the crappy shabby costumes they put on the nasty little sod. One manneken pis baton shaped like a corkscrew passed on! Thank god for that, the answering questions is much harder than the asking. I shall be sure to avoid getting anything right for the foreseeable future.
  • I Say, Porter! - moving parts
    [UK] It has water moving through its parts...
  • Uncle Korky
    [IS,P] NOW I understand the merriment...!
  • I Say, Porter! - Can't help thinking that your 'parts' hilarity contributed to CdM's victory. After all, it was the first real guess.
  • CdM
    [IS,P] Yes, that audience reaction contributed, together with your location and your "gimmicky piece of tat" comment. OK, this one is

    VEGETABLE and ABSTRACT
  • ImNotJohn - A turnip in the shape of a thingy
    With acknowledgements to Richard Curtis
  • I Say, Porter! - A work of art?
  • Raak - A wooden sculpture?
  • Uncle Korky - Fictional?
  • Phil - Carrot flavour?
  • I Say, Porter! - Barry Took?
  • Inkspot - An English rose?
  • Tuj - Triffids?
  • CdM - An auspicious start
    Thingy-shaped neep? No.
    Work of art? No.
    Wooden sculpture? No.
    Fictional? No.
    Carrot flavour? No.
    Barry Took? No.
    English Rose? No.
    Triffids? No.
  • Chalky - Edible?
  • Uncle Korky - Is it manufactured?
    *avoids stare from IS,P*
  • CdM
    Edible? Yes. *some applause and a couple of giggles from the audience*
    Manufactured? No.
  • I Say, Porter! - A culinary masterpiece?
  • Raak - Customarily eaten?
  • CdM
    Culinary masterpiece? No. *a few more giggles*
    Customarily eaten? Either a definite yes, or a definite no. I think I need to ask you to rephrase the question. *much animated discussion in the audience*
  • ImNotJohn - Eaten intentionally?
    (i.e. would someone order this in a restaurant)
  • Inkspot - Is it made to be eaten?
  • Raak - A deep-fried Mars bar?
  • Uncle Korky - Is it eaten customarily only in a particular area or region?
  • CdM
    Eaten intentionally? Yes. (although you wouldn't order it in a restaurant as such)
    Made to be eaten? Yes. (although it is not made as such)
    A deep-fried Mars Bar? No.
    Region-specific? No.
  • I Say, Porter! - Eaten raw?
  • CdM
    Raw? In part.
  • Chalky - customarily drunk?
  • Chalky - ...or inhaled?
  • I Say, Porter - More than one veg?
    [Chalks] Thought that first one was a description ;op
  • Chalky
    [ISPers] yes - the 3 words sit rather well together :-)
  • ImNotJohn - Is it normally an ingredient in other dishes?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    :)
  • Lib - Brown in colour?
  • CdM
    Customarily drunk/inhaled? No.
    More than one veg? Yes. *substantial audience applause*
    An ingredient? No.
    Begins with either A-O, or Q-Z? Yes.
    Brown? In part, probably yes.
  • irach - Vegemite?
  • CdM
    Vegemite? No. (I think that would be more than brown "in part" :-) )
  • Raak - A salad?
  • Uncle Korky - Is it meant for human consumption?
  • Tuj
    [CdM] Was that a yes to my question or yours?
  • I Say, Porter! - Shurely "a-o or q-z YES" = "P NO"...?
  • CdM
    A salad? No. *scattered applause*
    Meant for human consumption? Yes. *more giggles from the same impolite people who were giggling earlier*
    Yes to my question or yours? Yes.
    I remind you all that this is abstract as well as vegetable.
  • Projoy - Small potatoes?
  • ImNotJohn - Are there any specific required components?
    i.e. Must this always include say, a particular veg.
  • CdM
    Small potatoes? No.
    Specific required components? No. *audience applause and some laughter*
  • Irouléguy - Humble pie?
  • CdM
    Humble pie? No.
  • Chalky - A mess of potage?
    ... our speciality, just aubergine and carnation petals ... with a six-shilling bottle of Mule du Pape ... Flanders & Swann
  • I Say, Porter! - Meat-and-two-veg?
    Fnarr Fnarr
  • Raak - Is this a figurative expression?
  • Irouléguy - Normally eaten cold?
  • ImNotJohn - 5 a day?
  • I Say, Porter! - 3 and in?
    Fnarr Fnarr
  • CdM
    Mess of pottage? No.?
    Filet mignon a la Bearnaise, mousseline d'asperges and chips? No. *some audience laughter*
    Figurative? No.
    Revenge? No.
    5 a day? No.
    3 and in? No.
  • Projoy - Is it defined by the absence of something?
  • I Say, Porter! - Strawberry Tart without so much rat in it?
  • CdM
    Defined by absence of something? Yes. *audience rises to feet and gives standing ovation*
    Ratless tart? No.
  • Uncle Korky - "Yes - we have no bananas"?
  • CdM
    Banananalessnessness? No.
  • I Say, Porter! - is tofu involved?
  • CdM
    Tofu involved? It certainly could be.
  • Projoy - Vegetarian cuisine?
  • CdM
    Vegetarian Cuisine? No. *audience erupts in rapturous cheers*
  • Tuj - Associated with a particular country or culture?
    [IS,P] True. But usually when you ask a question you expect it to be answered rather than its negative answered. I think my confusion was justified anyway.
  • Lib - Does it involve pastry?
  • Projoy - Veganism?
  • CdM
    The words on the card are "A Vegan Diet", but I think Projoy gets close enough. *Hands baton carved from sealbone to Projoy*
  • I Say, Porter! - I tried a vegan diet, but they're really hard to kill.
  • Projoy - And there was me about to guess fruitarianism...
    Back in the hotseat again. Here's an honest-to-goodness ABSTRACT that shouldn't take a moment to guess.
  • I Say, Porter! - Is it art?
  • Projoy
    [ISP] Turner-prizewinning? NO
  • I Say, Porter! - Occurs naturally?
  • Uncle Korky - Fictional?
  • Projoy
    [ISP] Naturally occurring? YES
    [UK] Fictional? DON'T KNOW
  • Raak - Self-referential?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    I was going to guess "The answer", but then I saw Raak's question :P
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Self-referential? NO
    [Tuj] P? NO
  • Projoy
    (I should own up to entertaing some doubt as to whether this is wholly, or indeed at all abstract, but OTOH, it is definitely none of the other three - abstract is probably a more helpful category than none at all)
  • Projoy
    s/entertaing/entertaining
  • Raak - Is it a physical thing?
  • Tuj - A measurement of some kind?
  • Rosie - Anything to do with elementary particles?
  • I Say, Porter! - a phenomenon of some kind?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Physical? NO
    [Tuj] Measurement? YES *applause*
    [Rosie] To do with elementary particles? YES, I GUESS SO
    [ISP] A phenumbenumenon? YES, I GUESS
    That was a successful round.
  • I Say, Porter! - Beaufort? Richter?
  • Raak - A measurement of something electrical?
  • Lib - To do with time?
  • Projoy
    [ISP] Beaufort, Richter? NO
    [Raak] Something electrical? NO
    [Lib] Time? YES *applause*
  • Raak - The number of vibrations of a cesium atom in one second?
  • I Say, Porter! - Carbon dating?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Wiggly Caesium? NO
    [ISP] Carbon dating? NO
  • LIb - A Second?
  • Uncle Korky - A leap year?
  • Lib - A moment?
  • Projoy
    [Lib] A second? NO
    [UK] Leap Year? NO
    [Lib] A moment? YES, but that's not The Answer *significant and sustained applause*
  • Raak - The Planck time?
  • Lib - The moment of truth?
  • Uncle Korky - *sings "One moment in time..."* ?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Planck time? NO
    [Lib] Moment of truth? NO
    [UK] Whitney Houston, we have a problem? NO
  • Projoy
    (espirit d'escalier: should have said "quick as a planck")
  • Raak - Half a mo?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Half a mo? DEFINITELY NOT!
  • Chalky - Is it a 3 - word answer?
  • I Say, Porter! - sings: Magic moments....
  • Raak - A pause?
  • ... - ...
  • I Say, Porter! - Something horrible and complicated to do with differential calculus?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] 3 word answer? NO, less than
    [ISP] Bacharach? NO
    [Raak] Pause? NO
    [ISP] Horrible and complicated? Probably horrible, but by no means complicated. No idea whether it involves calculus.
  • I Say, Porter! - [Projoy] Shurely 'fewer than'
  • I Say, Porter! - Fewer than three words rules out "No time Toulouse"
  • I Say, Porter! - ... and "That Condor Moment"
  • I Say, Porter! - Does the word 'moment' appear on the card?
  • Chalky - THIS moment?
  • Projoy
    [ISP] 'Moment' on card? NO
    [Chalky] That moment? NO (not this one either)
  • I Say, Porter! - big bang?
  • Projoy
    [ISP] Heavy fringe? NO
  • Projoy
    In retrospect, Raak's "Planck time" was entitled to some *hearty applause*.
  • Rosie - The half-life of a radioactive atom?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Half-life? NO, not half anything.
  • Raak - Closing time?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Closing time? NO *audience shivers slightly as the temperature drops*
  • Lib - Would putting 'moment' into a thesaurus help?
  • Projoy
    *tries that* No. Maybe in the future.
  • Lib - AArgghhh
    That's not a guess. Its just my frustration as I feel I should be very close but I'm not.
  • Raak - Opening time?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Opening time? *audience phones Mountain Rescue and prays for a St Bernard*
  • Rosie - The Big Bang, i.e. the beginning of the Universe?
  • Raak - A tick?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] The B of the Bang? NO
    [Raak] Tick? NO *audience stirs as if they'd seen a crocus or a rosebud, or a robin on the wing*
  • Projoy
    (worries he's going to get roundly slated for this one, which he thought was reasonably heard-of, but now not so sure)
  • Projoy
    Raak has gotten the closest by far of anyone so far.
  • Raak - A tock?
  • Raak - Or Tock himself?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Not a tock or Tock. Perhaps I shall be made to walk the Planck after all.
  • Rosie - Two ticks?
  • Lib - A jiffy?
  • Lib - Are we anywhere warm?
  • Chalky - Real time?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Two ticks? NO
    [Lib] Jiffy? NO
    [Lib] Warm? NOT REALLY :)
    [Chalky] Real time? NO
    Recap: It's a measurement of time, one that is definitely not a half-anything (except half of two of itself). It may or may not be fictional (thus the Planck time doesn't qualify, but is damned close), and may be described loosely as "a moment". If you don't get it from that, then I chose too obscurely. :)
  • Lib
    *scratches head*
  • Raak - Full time?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Full time? NO
  • Rosie - Is it literally an instant, i.e. having no length?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] A lengthless instant? NO *but audience breaks into wild cheering, stamping etc. Game on.*
  • Lib - So it has a defined lenght?
  • Projoy
    [Lib] Defined length? YES
  • Lib - scientific speak? eg. a parsec?
  • Projoy
    [Lib] Science Jargon? YES *applause*
  • Rosie - Is the length of time very short (i.e. a small fraction of a second)?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Very short? YES! *applause*
  • Lib - nanosecond?
  • Projoy
    [Lib] Nanosecond? NO
  • Lib - is it 10 to the power -x of a second?
  • Projoy
    [Lib] 10^-n? NO
  • Chalky - split second?
  • Rosie - A 440 (one oscillation)?
  • I Say, Porter! - Sueprluminar (i.e. faster than light)?
    When you say it 'may or may not be fictional' is it something that has not yet been, or may never be, proven?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Split second? YEEES, I suppose so.
    [Rosie] A440, NO
    [ISP] Faster than light? NO
    [ISP] Has not been/may never be proven? YES! *applause*
  • Raak - The end of the universe?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Goodbye to all that? NO
  • I Say, Porter! - Is it all relative?
  • Raak - The moment of religion, that divides the thought from the action?
  • Projoy
    [ISP] Relativity? Some might say quite the reverse!
    [Raak] Religious moment? NO (don't forget this is quite specifically a measure of time with a particular length and is also scientific jargon)
  • Raak - A chronon?
  • Raak
    (The maximum rate of thought being one psychon per chronon.)
  • Projoy
    [Raak] JUST IN TIME! It IS indeed a chronon, the proposed quantum of time, which is said (in one theory) to be 2x10−23 seconds - considerably longer than the Planck time and not strictly a second x 10-n. I apologise to those who are currently scratching their heads and going "a what?". I had heard of the chronon some years ago, and being an Arts Graduate, tend to assume that anything scientific that I've heard of has been heard of by everyone else at least ten years ago. However, the number of hits I belatedly googled on the topic suggest that perhaps it's not the household word I had at first supposed. I had every faith that Raak would get there eventually, tho! * hands the baton over to Raak so quickly that nobody sees it happen*
  • I Say, Porter!
    I've heard of Chronon the Barbarian... grone
  • Projoy
    (btw, another way of describing its length is 20 yoctoseconds)
  • Raak
    I onyl know the chronon from the SF story "Gulf", by Robert Heinlein.

    The next one is MINERAL, VEGETABLE, and ABSTRACT.

  • Projoy - Fictional?
  • I Say, Porter!` - Art?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Not fictional.
    [ISP] Not art. (The audience is amused as it imagines an exhibit with this title.)
  • I Say, Porter! - Occurs naturally?
  • Raak
    [ISP] Not natural.
  • Projoy - To do with food?
  • I Say, Porter! - Manufactured using machines?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Nothing to do with food.
    [ISP] Almost invariably.
  • Irouléguy - A household item?
  • Raak
    [I] Yes, although most households probably don't have one.
  • CdM - A luxury item?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Not a luxury item.
    [Tuj] Does not begin with P.
  • Rosie - A piece of furniture?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not furniture.
  • Rosie - A musical instrument?
    Having at last got my nice Yamaha digital piano.
  • Raak
    [Rosie] I can think of one musical piece where it might be used, but no, not a musical instrument.
  • ImNotJohn - Bigger than a toaster?
    (trad)
  • Raak
    [INJ] Bigger than a toaster.
  • Projoy - Newfangled?
  • Rosie - A gong?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Not at all newfangled.
    [Rosie] Not a gong. That has rather wider musical applications than this does.
  • I Say, Porter! - A snooker table?
  • Raak
    [ISP] As used in Herblfrontwick's Concerto for Snooker Table and Cue Ball? No.
  • CdM - Does the "abstract" refer to a metaphorical meaning of this mineral and vegetable thing?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Yes, metaphorical. (Actually, similitudinous, to be precise.)
  • Projoy - Victorian?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Not specifically Victorian.
  • CdM - Is the vegetable component wood?
  • I Say, Porter! - A useful item?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Yes, wood.
    [ISP] Yes, useful. *the audience approve of these steps along the path to truth*
  • I Say, Porter! - A fitting (as opposed to furniture)?
  • Rosie - A container of some kind?
  • ImNotJohn - Does it have moving parts?
  • Raak
    [ISP] Not a fitting.
    [Rosie] *applause* Part of it is a container.
    [INJ] No moving parts.
  • Projoy - bigger than a washing machine?
  • Lib - Does it function as a seat?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Smaller than a washing machine.
    [Lib] Not a seat.
  • Rosie - A tea-chest bass?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Neither a tea-chest bass, a kazoo, a mighty Wurlitzer, nor a bagpipe. The musical angle is really not going to be helpful.
  • CdM - Still widely used today?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Still in use.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the mineral part metal?
  • I Say, Porter! - A piece of equipment of some sort?
  • Raak
    [INJ] Yes, metal.
    [ISP] Yes, it's equipment.
  • Projoy - To do with safety?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Not to do with safety.
  • I Say, Porter! - Away in a Mangle?
  • I Say, Porter! - Bum. That has moving parts. Scratch it.
  • I Say, Porter! - Found in the kitchen?
  • Raak
    [ISP] Not found in the kitchen.
  • I Say, Porter! - Is the room in the house going to help? Found in the drawing room?
  • Raak
    [ISP] It might. But it is not to be found in the drawing room.
  • Lib - In the Bathroom?
  • Raak
    [Lib] Nor in the bathroom.
  • Lib - Downstairs (in a house, not a bungalow of average room structure)?
  • Raak
    [Lib] Could be. I think "household item" was misleading, this is merely something you might have in your house. Or in other places.
  • Raak
    That's all until this evening -- offline all day.
  • Chalky - Is it a barrel of some sort?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] Not a barrel.
  • CdM - Might you have it in your car?
  • Raak
    [CdM] You might, if you were transporting it somewhere.
  • Lib - Does it come in more than one size?
  • Raak
    [Lib] It could be of various sizes.

    To recap and give a nudge into a more fruitful path: it's a container of things made of wood and metal, which features in a well-known simile, and which could be found in various places, including the home.

  • Tuj - Is it made to hold one specific thing?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] It holds one specific type of thing.
  • Projoy - A wise old saw?
  • Projoy
    [Projoy] Er, saws don't contain anything.
  • Projoy
    [Projoy] Fair point.
  • Raak
    [Projoy] *a ripple of interest in the audience* Not a saw, especially not a wise one.
  • Projoy - Does it have a lid?
  • Projoy - Is it hardware?
  • Projoy - A hutch?
  • Chalky - A box of tricks?
    .. or something like
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Probably doesn't have a lid.
    [Projoy] *applause* Yes, hardware.
    [Projoy] Not a hutch.
    [Chalky] *for a moment the audience thought you were going to get it* Not a box of tricks.
  • Projoy - The sharpest tool in the box?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] *the audience are excited* Not the sharpest tool in the box.
  • Projoy - A toolbox?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] *applause* In a sense, yes.
  • CdM - Does either of the words "tool" or "box" appear on the card?
  • Raak
    [Cdm] Yes.
  • I Say, Porter! - Boxing Helena? Boxcar Willie? Box girder bridge? Jack-in-the-box?
  • Raak
    [ISP] None of the above.
  • I Say, Porter! - A jewellery box, a matchbox, Pandora's box, my kingdom for a box
    Isn't 'not the sharpest tool in the box' more metaphor than simile?
  • I Say, Porter! - "it's a container of things made of wood and metal"
    Is it a container of things, made of wood and metal; or is it a container of things made of wood and metal?
  • Raak
    [ISP] None of those either, including "not the sharpest tool in the box".
    [ISP] It's a container of things made of wood and metal. What the container is made of isn't important.
  • Projoy - Does the word "tool" appear on the card?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] "Tool" does not appear on the card.

    There are four words, including the indefinite article.

  • Projoy - A box of hammers (as in "as dumb as")?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] You are sharp as a tack. A box of hammers is the exact phrase on the card.
  • Projoy
    OK, here's a chance to go for something better known and redeem myself. ANIMAL
  • Lib - Giraffe?
  • Tuj - The Archbishop of Canterbury?
    Hmm, new one on me.
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Interestingly enough - googling " a box of ..." "simile" didn't produce 'hammers, which is a phrase I, personally, have never heard before [not that that is relevant because I've obviously led a sheltered life] - yet ... googling " as dumb as a box of hammers .. produced 1,040,000 results! < Thinks >*must learn to play this game betterer*
  • Chalky - Edible?
  • Rosie - Alive?
    "A box of hammers" is not a phrase I have ever heard used by anyone in my long and not-exactly-sheltered life. Maybe the Yanks use it. Well, I'm not a Yank. As if there aren't countless other subjects that could have been used, the words of which exist in everyone's brain, it just being a question of having the inspiration to dig them out. The whole point of the game is that you don't have to Google it, the original game being live with no access to any source of knowledge. Box of Hammers. Stupid.
  • Projoy
    [Lib] Giraffe? NO
    [Tuj] Primate? NO
    [Chalky] Edible? NO! *considerable laughter*
    [Rosie] Alive? YES

    [Rosie] While I had heard the expression 'box of hammers' somewhere in the dim and distant past, enough for me to consider worth googling it for credibility before making my guess, you didn't actually have to have heard of it in order to get the answer. Besides, this game (as CdM once pointed out) is different from the original, and both google, self-education and working outside one's comfort zone are much more part of its fabric. If that makes it harder for those good at rote memorisation of canonical knowledge and easier for those good at on-the-fly research then perhaps that's an unhappy circumstance, but it is at least an index of changes in the world around us! I tend to think it's a good thing, myself, but then I have succesfully googled/guessed quite a lot lately. :) Definitely would concede, having tested it, that chronon was very hard to google up without a fair amount of specialist knowledge and probably therefore inappropriate, but a box of hammers is a concept available to anyone who's heard of hammers and boxes. That said, I would say that my current one shouldn't require google (unless someone asks the wrong question, causing me to give a truthful but obscure and therefore counterintutive and hard-to-synthesise fact about the subject under question).
  • Projoy
    (Not that there's such a thing as a 'wrong' question in this game, obviously)
  • Tuj - A specific, unique thing?
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] Specific, unique? NO
  • Chalky - Does it have legs?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Leggy? YES
  • Chalky - 2 legs?
  • Chalky - 4 legs?
  • Chalky - 6 or more legs?
  • Projoy
    Legginess quotient? Two possible sets of answers. Either (ignoring the answer to Tuj's question) YES, NO, NO; or - taking Tuj's answer into account - NO, NO, YES
  • I Say, Porter! - A grouping of animals - e.g. a flange of baboons?
  • Projoy
    [ISP] A grouping? YES, but not of the type given in your e.g.
  • I Say, Porter! - Human race?
  • Tuj - A group of humans?
    Oh dear, did I cause some trouble? I'm confused, at least.
  • Projoy
    [ISP] Human race? NO
    [Tuj] Group of humans? YES *applause*
  • I Say, Porter! - Primate: no, human: yes. Now I'm confused too.
  • I Say, Porter! - OK, got it now. It was Projoy's use of the term 'primate'.
    Note to self: Read questions AND answers as answers alone may cause confusion.
  • Uncle Korky - Are these humans grouped together because of a shared interest?
  • Projoy
    [UK] A shared interest? YES
  • Uncle Korky - Is this interest politcal?
  • Chalky - Is it a spiritual/religious interest?
  • I Say, Porter! - Furries?
  • Projoy
    [UK] Political? NOT REALLY
    [Chalky] Spiritual/Religious? YES! *applause*
    [ISP] Furries? NO (my suspicion is that a lot of people would require google for furries!)
  • I Say, Porter! - I used to Google for furries and then I discovered Smirnoff
    A specific sect?
  • Projoy
    [ISP] A sect? DEPENDS ON POV.
  • Projoy
    (I would say "no", tho)
  • I Say, Porter! - Scientologists?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) If you have to look up the answer it's no longer a game but a research project brought about largely, I suspect, by the instant accessibility of Google and the desire of certain people to show their specialised knowledge. A bit puerile. It ought to be like the original, a test of general knowledge and the ability to quickly connect and recall what's already in you head. This is not the same as rote knowledge, BTW. So the game no longer depends on the ability to think but on the ability to look things up and is therefore no longer a game, or any fun, but tedious. I'll cross it off my list.
  • I Say, Porter! - Cross it off your list
    [Rosie] Whilst I am with you 100% in being irritated by the plethora of recent 'f**k me that was obscure' targets, I think that after you make your point, and people take it on board, you could enjoy the game once more and continue to contribute as fruitfully as you have in the past. (Hopes Projoy's religion is something that more than ten people have heard of). Please don't go!
  • Projoy
    [ISP] Scientology? NO.
    [Rosie, simul'd by ISP, but since you commented again] I must admit that I find looking stuff up fun (and success in this is totally about ability to think), but I do agree that some of the reward of this game is in either making the right lateral connections to perceive what in retrospect is obvious. Perhaps it would jolly the game up if we swing back for a while to obvious subjects, having had some obscurities on the trot, but equally I can't see any harm in being a bit more tolerant of stuff that falls outside 'Rosie's general knowledge' but within, say, 'Raak's general knowledge' (a category of knowledge in which I for one have found much fascination over the years).
  • Projoy
    either
  • I Say, Porter! - Harry H Krishna?
  • Projoy
    [ISP] Hare, Hare, while stocks last? NO
  • I Say, Porter! - Quakers?
  • Uncle Korky - Is this a Christian group?
  • Projoy
    [ISP] Quakers? NO
    [UK] Xian? NO
  • I Say, Porter! - Druids?
  • Chalky - The Peoples Temple?
  • I Say, Porter! - Scientologists?
  • Chalky - Paganism?
    *thinks ISPers may have a short-term memory problem* :-)
  • Projoy
    [ISP] Druidity? NO
    [Chalky] People's Princess Temple? NO
    [ISP] Scientology? NO
    [Chalky] Paganism? NO
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    Better get that in while I can...
  • Chalky - Humanism?
  • I Say, Porter! - Scient.. Arse!
    Hindus harmonizin' in the hall?
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] Parseeism (and its alliterative religions)? NO
    [Chalky] Oh, the humanity! NO
    [ISP] Hindus? NO
  • Chalky - Buddhism?
  • CdM - Is this abstract as well as animal?
  • Raak - Did it start within the last 500 years?
    [Rosie] "Dumb as a box of hammers" is a commonplace expression to me; it's difficult to know what will be commonplace to everyone.
  • Chalky - Should we be concentrating on -isms?
    simul ... What CdM asked.
  • Chalky - Sun worshippers [with legs]?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Buddhism? NO
    [CdM] Abstract? NO
    [Raak] Last 500 years? NO
    [Chalky] focusism? It might help you get there, but The Answer is not an ism.
    [Chalky] Solarists? NO
  • Irouléguy - Islam?
    dumb as a box of... I always thought it was "dumb as a bag of spanners", but the collective wisdom of Google thinks otherwise.
  • Projoy
    [Ig] Islam? *standing ovation* That is not the answer on the card.
  • Chalky - Could it be something as simple as 'Muslims'?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] IT COULD **audience applause**
  • CdM
    Never heard of 'em.
  • Chalky - LOL
    Easy-peasy :-)
    Now this next one should be well within everybody's intellectual and cognisant reach. However, it may require a smidgin of websearchery as we draw closer to the solution - which is the way I enjoy playing this game.
    M I N E R A L / A B S T R A C T
  • Raak - A figurative expression?
  • Irouléguy - Is the mineral metal?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Figurative? NO
    [Irouléguy] Metal? Largely, NO [there may be traces]
  • Raak - Rock?
  • Projoy - Is the mineral stone?
  • Projoy
    Oops. Misread Raak's simul. WHS.
  • Chalky
    [Raak, Projoy] Rocky/Stony stuff? YES, plenty of that
  • Tuj - A single unique thing?
  • Raak - A work of art?
  • Projoy - A human construct?
  • Chalky
    [Tuj] The one-and-only? YES
    [Raak] Artwork? NO
    [PJ] Human construct? NO
  • Projoy - Naturally occurring?
  • Uncle Korky - Fictional?
  • Irouléguy - A geographical feature?
  • Chalky
    [Projoy] Naturally occurring? YES
    [Uncle Korkers] Fictional? NO
    [Irouléguy] A geographical feature? Good question. I'm tempted to answer 'Yes' but in fact this is NOT a geographical feature
  • Uncle Korky - Does it have anything to do with molten rock?
  • Projoy - Does it move?
  • Chalky
    [Uncle Korkster] Anything to do with molten rock? Yes, molten rock might be in amongst all this.
    [PJ] Does it move? YES *audience starts to murmur*
  • Uncle Korky - Is this a description of a process?
  • Raak - The Marianas Trench?
  • Projoy - A sand dune?
  • Chalky
    [Uncle Korkee] description of a process? NO
    [Raak] The Marianas Trench? NO
    [Projoy] A sand dune? NO
    *audience goes quiet*
  • Projoy - Is it biiiiiiiiiig?
  • Chalky
    [Projoy] Biiiiiiiiiiig? It's Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge! *audience cheers*
  • [Chalky - aside
    I'm 'at home' today which is why I'm able to pay attention to my chairing duty. Haven't seen it in ages, but is anyone else watching 'Countdown'? There's a gargantuan bloke in place of the fragrant Suzie Dent. Wha ...?]
  • [Uncle Korky - reply to aside
    That's scandalous! I've spent years watching that show, just for Suzie Dent - she's seriously hot! OK, I do enjoy playing along as well...]
  • Uncle Korky - Is it on Earth?
  • Chalky
    At last! The key question.
    [Uncly Kork] On Earth? NO *thunderous applause from audience*
  • Raak - The planet Gliese 581 c?
  • Uncle Korky - Is it actually a planet?
    *smug*
  • Chalky
    [Raak] The Planet Gliese 581 c [rather than the star]? NO
    [UK] A planet? Well, actually, NO
  • Raak - Is it in the Solar System?
  • Projoy - A comet?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] In solar system? YES
    [Projoy] A comet? NO
  • Raak - A satellite?
  • Projoy - A dwarf planet?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] A satellite? YES
    [Projoy] A dwarf planet? NO
  • Projoy - A moon?
  • Projoy - The moons of Jupiter?
  • Chalky
    [Projoy] A moon? YES *audience senses the end game is here and start to pay attention*
    [Projoy] For pity's sake child - tie down the moons of Jupiter? er - NO
  • Projoy - A moon of Saturn?
  • Raak - *The* Moon?
  • Uncle Korky - Enceladus?
  • Chalky
    [PJ] A moon of Saturn-and-there-are-plenty-to-choose from? Er - NO
    [Raak] OUR moon? NO
    [Uncly Korkass] Enceladus? I refer the honourary member to my previous reply which went PJ-wise :-)
  • Projoy - Charon?
  • Tuj - One of Mars'?
  • Uncle Korky - One of Neptune?
    *no longer smug*
  • Chalky
    [Projoy] Charon? NO
    [Tuj] Marses moonses? No, neither
    [Uncle Korks] Neptune moon? YES!
  • Projoy - Proteus?
  • I Say, Porter! - Triton
    There are only eleven others, so we're nearly there...
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] If you like, you can assume I will ask all the other questions. :)
  • Raak - Does it have a name?
  • Uncle Korky - Nereid?
  • I Say, Porter! - What's in a name?
    [Raak] They all seem to have names. Are you confusing Neptune with Jupiter/Saturn?
  • Chalky
    [Projoy] Proteus? NO
    [Uncle Korks] Nereid? NO
    [Raak] A name? YES because ..

    *fanfare* The victory goes to I Say, Lurker who popped into this game just at the right time.
    TRITON it is, Neptune's largest moon, the seventh largest in the solar system, and one that even I've heard of. Thanks Raak, Uncle Korky and Projoy for your sterling efforts :-)
  • I Say, Porter! - Hey, Good Lurkin'
    [Chalky] That'll teach me to take a day off work.
    Another easy one? ANIMAL
  • I Say, Porter! - Hang on a mo... looks up 'Abstract' in dictionary. Decides 'bollocks to it' and leaves it as is.
  • Raak - A single individual?
  • Projoy - Human?
    [ISP] Maybe it's that the Greek minor god of the Sea, Triton, is abstract?
  • I Say, Porter! - [PJ] I wasn't thinking about Chalky's Abstract actual existing real satellite, but now you mention it...
    [Raak] Single individual - YES
    [Projoy] Human - YES. Told you it was easy.
  • Uncle Korky - Alive?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [UK] Living? Not as such.
  • Uncle Korky - Alive in the 20th Century?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [UK] Sorry, I meant 'Not alive as such'.
  • I Say, Porter! - ... enters into deep philosophical contemplation about whether he should have used 'Abstract'
  • Uncle Korky - Fictional?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [UK] Fictional - YES *applause*
  • Uncle Korky - Aha! British author?
    Definitely abstract then, as I found out to my cost a few games back! :-)
  • I Say, Porter! - Abstract schmabstract.
    [UK] British Author? NO
  • Uncle Korky
    I'm gonna let someone else have a go.
  • Tuj - Jumping in!
    Begins with a P? :D
  • Raak - \
  • Raak - Is the fiction set in the real world?
  • ImNotJohn - Does the character appear in more than one publication by the author?
  • Uncle Korky - Does this person originally appear in a book?
  • Irouléguy - Is the character female?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [Tuj] What an unexpected question! P? - NO
    [Raak] Real World? - I'll say a tentative NO to that one
    [INJ] More than one publication? - YES
    [UK] Book? "a set of pages that have been fastened together inside a cover to be read or written in" - YES
    [Irg] Female? NO
  • Uncle Korky - Did this person first appear in print in the 20th century?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [UK] C20? YES
  • Uncle Korky - Is there more than one author overall?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [UK] +1 Author? - YES
  • Raak - Doctor Who?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [Raak] Time Lord? - NO
  • Uncle Korky
    [Raak] Can't be - not a British author (see above). I'm going to have a wild stab in the dark at the answer (got a gut feeling...)
  • Uncle Korky - Is it Asterix?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [UK] Three points for a Gaul? NO
  • Uncle Korky
    Bo**ox.
  • Uncle Korky - However... this doesn't mean my line of questioning is dead... Are the authors Goscinny & Uderzo?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [UK] Goscinny & Uderzo? Nope. That rules out Lucky Luke an' all.
  • Uncle Korky
    Definite bo**ox.
  • ImNotJohn - Originally written in English?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [INJ] Written in English? YES
  • Uncle Korky - Have the works this character appears in been filmed?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [UK] Filmed? YES
  • Raak - A cartoon/comic/graphic novel character?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [Raak] cartoon/comic/graphic novel character - YES * thunderous applause *
  • I Say, Porter! - ... is off to dress rehearsal. Back tomorrow!
  • Projoy
    [Uncle Korky] re: Doctor Who and British Author. Don't forget that both Sydney Newman and Anthony Coburn were Australian! :)
  • I Say, Porter!
    [Projoy] Except for Sydney Newman, who was Canadian. But Korky's point was exactly that the roots of Dr Who are non-British. But, of course, the sixty thousand dollar question is "who cares?"
  • Inkspot - A Marvel character?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [Inks] Marvel? YES * audience applause *
  • Raak - Superman?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [Raak] Not Superman
  • I Say, Porter! - Superman's DC comics, I think...
  • CdM - Spiderman?
    although Peter Parker definitely begins with a P...
  • Irouléguy - Captain America?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [CdM] Not Spidey, and not Peter Parker Picked A Peck Of Pickled Peppers
    [Irg] Not Captain America.
  • Chalky - One of the X-Men?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [Chalky] Not one of the X-Men, but we're certainly getting warmer by a process of elimination.
  • Chalky - Conan the Barbarian?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [Chalky] Not Conan. I wasn't even aware he was a Marvel character.
  • I Say, Porter! - British Author
    [Projoy] I was talking nonsense earlier - rereading, Korky's point seems to indicate that Who had British roots, which is of course a load of dalek-poo.
  • Chalky - The Hulk?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [Chalky] Rapturous applause from the crowd but it's not the name on the card!
  • Chalky - The Incredible Hulk?
  • Chalky - or Dr. Robert Bruce Banner?
  • I Say, Porter!
    AWOOOOOGAH! We have a winner. Dr. Robert Bruce Banner is the name on the card. One first edition grey baton still in the original wrapping passed on.
  • Chalky - celebrating another lurker's victory
    Cheers ISPers - and 'break a leg' this weekend. Naturally we shall want YouTube evidence.

    V E G E T A B L E
  • I Say, Porter! - Thanks Chalky! Dress rehearsal went well yesterday, which bodes badly for tonight.
    Barry Took? oblig.
  • Projoy - Wood?
  • ImNotJohn - edible?
  • Chalky
    [IS,P!] Barry Took? Nah :-)
    [Projoy] Wood? No-o-o, not exactly, but you're on the right track
    [ImNotJohn] edible? No

    I won't be online much over the weekend, so apologies in advance
  • irach - Something to do with corK?
  • Chalky
    [irach] CorK? No [nice to see you in here :)]
  • CdM - Paper?
  • Phil - smaller than a toaster?
  • Chalky
    [CdM] Paper? YES!
    [Phil] Smaller than a toaster? Mmm - it can be
  • Projoy - Paper with something written on it?
  • Tuj - A specific piece of paper?
  • Raak - A single piece of paper?
  • Chalky
    [PJ] Paper with something written on it? Yes [and I know I should have added a tiny bit of M I N E R A L to the definition but I thought it might mislead, and also guessed that 'paper' would be arrived at fairly quickly]
    [Tuj] A specific piece of paper? Don't know what you mean by 'specific' so I can't answer that.
    [Raak] A single piece of paper? Yes, definitely
  • Lib - Laser display board used at the pilg?
  • I Say, Porter! - The piece of paper Chamberlain 'had in his hand'?
  • Chalky - *resuming normal service*
    [Lib] Laser Display Board? :) No
    [I Say, Porter!] Chamberlain's bit of paper? No
  • I Say, Porter! - Is the writing "now wash your hands"?
  • Phil - A voting card?
  • Inkspot - A map?
  • Uncle Korky - Does the piece of paper have monetary implications?
  • Chalky
    [IS,P!] "Now wash your hands"? No
    [Phil] A voting card? No
    [Inkspot] A map? No
    [Uncle Korks] Monetary implications? No
  • Raak - Is it in a museum?
  • Kim - Is it a piece of paper of historical significance?
  • Inkspot - A particular piece of paper?
    A particular piece of paper being something specific like the Magna Carta, I would interpret a single peice of paper as something more general like a calender. just so I don't go too far off track
  • Chalky
    [Raak] In a museum? No. [for clarification: when I replied 'yes' to a 'single piece of paper' I meant that only one sheet of paper was involved, as opposed to a pamphlet, magazine or book]
    [Kim] Historical significance? Yes
  • Chalky
    ah ...simul
    [Inkspot] A particular piece of paper? Well, it's 'particular' in that it's a suitable subject for AVMA - but if you're asking if it's the one-and-only of its kind - then NO
  • I Say, Porter! - 20th Century?
  • Uncle Korky - Does the piece of paper have musical implications?
  • Chalky
    [IS,P!] 20th Century? Would you kindly frame your question in a more precise manner m'dear?
    [Uncle Korky] Musicalimplications? No
  • Projoy - Is it a famous printed text?
  • Chalky - At last ! A question
    [Projoy] Famous Printed Text? No
  • Phil - Is there something "artistic" on the paper?
  • Chalky
    Hello [Phil] "artistic"? Well, YES, there is a pictorial representation of something.
  • Projoy - A cartoon?
  • Chalky
    [Projoy] A cartoon? No
  • Inkspot - Was it first printed before 1900?
  • I Say, Porter! - A map?
  • I Say, Porter! - Like a tube map?
  • Uncle Korky - Is the content of this piece of paper printed?
    [IS,P] 'fraid we already know it's not a map.
  • I Say, Porter! - A poster?
    [UK] Arse! Not paying attention. Anyway, that'd also be a "famous printed text" which we know it 'aint.
  • Chalky
    [Inkspot] First printed before 1900? Yes
    [ISPers] Wot UK said
    [Uncly Korko] Is the content printed? For the most part, yes
    [ISP!] A poster? No

    It may be worth checking back on my reply to Inkspot's "Is it a particular piece of paper?" question
  • Uncle Korky - A certificate of some kind?
  • Kim - Is it a document of title?
  • I Say, Porter! - Is it a Constitution or a Declaration of Independence?
  • I Say, Porter! - Or a treaty of some kind...
  • I Say, Porter! - OOOPS! Not famous. Bum. Probably no to both the above... OK I'm stuck.
  • Chalky
    [Uncle Korky] A certificate of some kind? YES!
    [IS,P!] Constitution/Declaration/Treaty? No
  • Uncle Korky - Is this a specifically British document?
  • I Say, Porter! - Some kind of award?
  • Chalky
    [Uncle Korky] Specifically British document? The one I'm thinking of IS - YES [although there are many other 'types']
    [IS,P!] Award? No
  • I Say, Porter! - A passport?
  • I Say, Porter! - A legal document of some kind?
    Scratch the 'passport' as it's no longer a single piece of paper.
  • Uncle Korky - Driving licence?
  • Lib - Is it money?
  • Chalky
    [IS,P!] Legal document of some kind? Yes
    [UK] Driving licence? No
    [Lib] Money? No
  • I Say, Porter! - Birth/Marriage/Death certificate?
  • Chalky
    [IS,P!]Birth/Marriage/Death certificate? Yes
  • I Say, Porter! - A Birth Certificate
    Relating to a specific person?
  • Uncle Korky - A Death Certificate
    Relating to a specific person?
  • I Say, Porter! - A Marriage Certificate
    Relating to two specific people (oblig.)
  • Chalky
    [IS,P!] A Birth Certificate? YES! Now how easy-peasy was that?

    [As for relating to a specific person, I did try to steer you all towards the fact that there are literally millions of these].
  • Uncle Korky
    AR*E!
  • I Say, Porter! - Korky's Arse
    [UK] As I did the one before Chalky's, why don't you do the next?
  • Uncle Korky - Does it look big in these?
    [IS,P] Very kind of you, my dear sir, but I wouldn't want to steal your thunder. Nor would I want to play a game where I couldn't be a good loser. :-) Please go ahead, and I'll redouble my efforts this time!
  • I Say, Porter! - Someone Post One Please
    I'm off to Rome tomorrow morning for six full days, I therefore cede the initiative to whichever of you buggers gets in first.
  • Uncle Korky - Why didn't you say?!
    Oh well, in that case... MINERAL & VEGETABLE
  • I Say, Porter! - Is it art?
  • Uncle Korky
    [IS,P] Oh, hello again! :-) NO, it's not art.
  • I Say, Porter! - It's still not tomorrow morning yet.
    Is the mineral rock?
  • Uncle Korky
    Rocky! YES - well, one of them...
  • Raak - Is thevegetable wood?
  • Tuj - Smaller than a toaster?
  • ImNotJohn - Normally found in the house?
  • Projoy - Also contains metal?
  • irach - Frying pan with a wooden handle?
  • Chalky - Is this an object that we might all aspire to own?
  • Inkspot - A mass manufactured item?
  • Uncle Korky
    Right... catch-up time!
    [Raak] Woody? YES
    [Tuj] Toaster or less? NO
    [INJ] Domestic as a rule? NO
    [Projoy] The clangy stuff? YES
    [irach] Full-English equipment? NO
    [Chalks] I Want One Of Those? QUITE POSSIBLY - MATTER OF PERSONAL TASTE
    [Inkspot] Rolls off the conveyorbelt? I WOULD HAVE TO SAY... NO
  • ImNotJohn - Does it contain any moving parts?
  • Uncle Korky
    [INJ] Mobile bits? YES applause
  • Chalky - Does it have a definite 'use'?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Chalky] Definite 'use'? YES
  • ImNotJohn - A tool of some sort?
  • Uncle Korky
    [INJ] Tool? NO
  • Raak - Is the rocky part artificial, i.e. concrete, brick, etc.?
  • Tuj - Smaller than a house?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Raak] Two parts sand, etc? NO
    [Tuj] Smaller than the average domicile? YES
  • ImNotJohn - Is it mobile?
    Not necessarily under its own steam.
  • Projoy - Bigger than a phonebox?
  • Juncle Korky
    [INJ] Mobilty? NO
    [Projoy] Size matters? YES - but not in all directions.
  • Projoy - Bigger than a phonebox in more than one dimension? (not counting time!)
  • Uncle Korky
    [Projoy] Dimension comparison: BIGGER IN TWO OUT OF THREE.
  • Inkspot - Is it a container?
  • Projoy - Is it made of more than just wood, metal and stone?
  • Chalky - Does it require power [ie.electricity] in order to function?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Inkspot] What's in da box? NO
    [Projoy] Ingredients? YES (Some may well have an additional ANIMAL component, but don't let this confuse you)
    [Chalky] Plug it in? NO
  • Projoy - Could you buy it as a single unit?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Projoy] One at a time? YES
  • Lib - Does it have wheels?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Lib] Let's go cruise the strip? USUALLY NOT (I'd consider them optional extras)
  • Raak - Is the purpose of the rock part to provide weight?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it's purpose to provide amusement?
  • ImNotJohn
    Ouch! - sorry about the apostrophe.
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Raak] Heaaavy, man? NO
    [INJ] Playtime? YES *copious applause*
    [Tuj] Snow, mushy or processed? NO
  • Raak - Would you find it at a funfair?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Raak] This way to the egress? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Used in a competitive sport?
  • Uncle Korky
    [INJ] They think it's all over? YES *standing ovation*
  • Raak - A curling stone?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Raak] Giant's bathplug? NO
  • Lib - A goalpost?
  • ImNotJohn - Hmmm?
    Well, I thought we were just about there, but I can't get it.
    Used in competitive sport, larger than phone box in 2 of 3 dimensions, contains wood, metal, rock (plus other), has moving parts but not wheels, except as optional extra, does not require a power source, not mobile, not mass-manufactured(ish). I think when someone does get it, it will be obviously correct. A fair summary?
  • ImNotJohn - snooker table?
  • ImNotJohn - anthropomorphism
    With balls, of course.
  • ImNotJohn - Pool table?
    To cover that base as well (though I would say they are mass-manufactured)
  • CdM
    I would also say that Pool Table could probably be judged to begin with P. Snooker table seems like a very good guess, though.
  • Lib - Billiard table?
  • Uncle Korky
    [INJ] It is, indeed, a snooker table. Congrats, and please accept this cue-shaped baton! Comiserations to everyone else.
  • ImNotJohn
    It's always a good idea to try to state the problem - it just came to me when I had written it all down.
    The next one is ANIMAL
  • Projoy - Alive, alive-o?
    (What's the stone in a snooker table?)
  • CdM
    OK, let's try writing down what we know so far. This one is animal.


    Hmmmmm... Nope, still not coming to me.
    [Projoy] Slate
    Human?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] kicking? - NO
    [CdM] Human - YES
  • Chalky - Male?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] He-Man? - YES
  • Lib - Historical?
  • Raak - Did he die in the 20th century?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Lib] been & gone? - YES
    [Raak] died in C20 - NO
  • Lib - Royalty?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Lib] crowned head? - YES (some murmurs in the audience)
  • Uncle Korky - British?
    By this I mean bearer of the Brtish crown, as opposed to having had to have be born on this island.
  • ImNotJohn
    [UK] UK? - NO
  • Lib - European?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Lib] European - YES
  • CdM - Charlemagne?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Big Charlie? - NO
  • Lib - French?
  • Raak - Napoleon?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Lib] French - NO
    [Raak] Boney - nor Corsican
  • Projoy - Died before 1500?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] Died before 3pm? - NO
  • Raak - Died this century?
  • Projoy - Died after 1800?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] C21? - NO
    [Projoy] C19? - NO
    To save time, the personage in question died in the 18th century.
  • Projoy - A pope?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] pontificating? - NO
  • Projoy - Does 'crowned head' in this case mean 'sovereign'?
  • ImNotJohn - Well asked
    [Projoy] lying uneasy? - NO (Loud and prolonged applause - plus a few murmurs from one or two of the audience)
    I realised afterwards that my way of rephrasing Lib's question might have been confusing, so for clarity: royalty, yes; sovereign, no.
  • Projoy - The spouse of a sovereign?
  • ImNotJohn
    spouse? - NO
  • Raak - Assassinated?
  • Projoy - French royalty?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Assassinated? - NO
    [Projoy] French Royalty - NO
  • Projoy - Spanish Royalty?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] Spanish? - NO
  • Projoy - Russian Royalty?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] Russian Royalty? - NO
  • ImNotJohn
    Check your assumptions.
  • Projoy - Died in Europe?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] Died in Europe? - YES
  • CdM - The Charlie formerly known as Bonnie Prince?
  • ImNotJohn - And the next one please
    Thought it wouldn't last long. It is Charles Edward Louis John Casimir Silvester Maria Stuart, aka The Young Pretender, aka Charles III of Britain, aka Bonnie Prince Charlie. Uncle Korky's 'British?' question was clarified in such a way as to allow maximum confusion.
    The true baton is passed over the water to CdM.
  • CdM
    OK, this is VEGETABLE and MINERAL possibly also with ABSTRACT connections.
  • CdM
    Actually, remove the "possibly" there.
  • CdM
    Possibly, remove the "actually" there.
  • I Say, Porter! - Is it art?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the mineral metal?
  • CdM
    Art? No.
    Metal? No.
  • I Say, Porter! - Is it bigger than a toaster?
  • Projoy - Or smaller than a semi-d?
  • Raak - Is it edible?
  • Uncle Korky - Does it begin with 'P'?
    [Tuj] Sorry
  • ImNotJohn - Is it normally found in a domestic situation?
  • Tuj - Does it begin with R?
    [UK] No worries, every little helps!
  • I Say, Porter! - Is is useful?
    Has anyone other than me actually heard Smith & Jones' head to head where they do 20 questions?
  • Uncle Korky - Is it musical?
    [IS,P] Not me, I'm afraid - you'll have to let me have a copy! :-)
  • CdM
    Bigger than toaster? Yes. Smaller than semi-d? No.
    Begin with P? No.
    Domestic? No.
    Begin with R? No.
    Useful? No.
    Musical? No.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the vegetable wood?
  • Tuj - Is there just one of this?
  • Raak - *cough* *points to his previous question*
  • I Say, Porter! - British?
    [Raak] Bigger than a semi detached house yet still edible. Never mind what's on the card, what are you thinking of?
  • Raak
    [ISP] A field of corn? A tanker of cooking oil? The wine lake?
  • CdM
    Wood? In part.
    Unique? Yes.
    Edible? No. (sorry)
    British? Yes.
  • Phil - The Cutty Sark?
  • CdM
    Cutty Sark? No.
  • Tuj - Is it a geographical area?
  • I Say, Porter! - Is it a building of some sort?
    [Raak] Fairy nuff.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the non-abstract part manufactured?
    To clarify, I mean deliberately constructed, not just man-made in the sense that say, a farmed landscape, is.
  • CdM
    Geographical Area? Yes! *applause*
    Building of some sort? No (although there are buildings in this geographical area).
    Manufactured? No.
  • ImNotJohn - In England?
  • Kim - Is it an island?
  • CdM
    In England? No.
    An island? No.
  • ImNotJohn - In Scotland?
    Eliminating
  • CdM
    Scotland? Aye!
  • Uncle Korky - Are we looking for a specific conurbation of some size?
  • ImNotJohn - The Bonny bonny banks o' Loch Lomond?
  • Raak - Is it on the Scottish mainland?
  • CdM
    Conurbation? No.
    Last one across the border's a sissy? No.
    Mainland? Yes.
  • ImNotJohn - Is it within a conurbation?
  • CdM
    Conurbtained? No.
  • Phil - Is it a mountain?
  • CdM
    Mountain? No.
  • ImNotJohn - The Trossachs?
  • Tuj - Is it a Scottish county?
  • CdM
    Trossachs? No.
    County? No.
  • ImNotJohn - An area known for its natural features?
  • CdM
    Known for natural features? No (except indirectly).
  • ImNotJohn - The Electric Brae?
  • I Say, Porter! - Gleneagles?
    sorry, just unsure as to the definition of 'geographical area'
  • CdM
    Electric Brae? No.
    Gleneagles? No.
  • I Say, Porter! - Glenfiddich?
    Glengarry Glen Ross? Glen Madeiros? Glen Nhoddle? Does the word 'Glen' or the word 'Loch' appear on the card?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it known for something produced there?
  • Uncle Korky - Is it a tourist attraction?
  • Projoy - Bannockburn?
  • ImNotJohn - linked to a historical event?
  • Lib - Urban?
  • CdM - Lochnesslessness
    Glen or Loch? No.
    Production site? No.
    Tourist attraction? Yes.
    Bannockburn? No.
    Historical? Yes. *applause*
    Urban? No.
  • Projoy - Glencoe?
  • CdM
    Glencoe? No. *Some members of the audience, sensing that this one is almost over, start leaving their seats in order to avoid the rush to the exits*
  • Raak - Culloden?
  • CdM
    Culloden Field, site of the downfall of Charles Edward Louis John Casimir Silv- well, what INJ said up there, is indeed the correct answer. *hands bloody baton to Raak*
    Incidentally, you will be glad to know that Wikipedia judges the battle of Culloden to have been a "decisive British victory"
  • Raak
    [CdM] It now says "decisive Hanoverian victory". (It wasn't me, honest.)

    The next is A B S T R A C T.

  • Uncle Korky - Is it fictional?
  • ImNotJohn - anarcho-syndicalism?
    One day, just you watch.
  • I Say, Porter! - Is it art?
    [INJ] Taking it in turns to act as executive officer for the week?
  • Lib - Three words on the card?
  • Projoy - A human construct
    (trad)
  • Raak
    [UK] Not fictional.
    [INJ] The anarcho-syndicalists will have their day...but not today.
    [ISP] Not art.
    [Lib] One word on the card.
    [Projoy] Yes, a human construct.
  • Uncle Korky - Created in the 20th century?
  • CdM
    Begins with TUJ?
  • Chalky - A state of mind?
  • Raak
    [UK] Created in the 20th century.
    [CdM] Few things begin with TUJ, and this is not one of them.
    [Chalky] Not a state of mind.
  • ImNotJohn - Related to the workplace?
  • I Say, Porter! - A belief system?
  • Raak
    [INJ] Yes, but not exclusively.
    [ISP] Not a belief system.
  • Chalky - A language of some kind?
  • I Say, Porter! - A quality control system?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] Not a language.
    [ISP] Not quality control.
  • Raak
    The workplace answer I would amend to "not specifically".
  • Lib - Can I touch it?
  • Uncle Korky - Is it a law?
  • I Say, Porter! - A language?
  • I Say, Porter! - bugger that should have been previewed. A system other than a belief system?
  • Raak
    [Lib] Cannot be touched. There is physical stuff to this thing, but one would not talk of touching the ting itself.
    [UK] Not a law.
    [ISP] Not a language.
    [ISP] "System" is a rather vague word, covering just about anything. Yes, it's a system, and not a belief system.
  • Chalky - A hierarchy?
  • I Say, Porter! - Something to do with I. T.?
  • Chalky - To do with finance?
  • I Say, Porter! - To do run ron ron, to do run ron?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] Not a hierarchy.
    [ISP] Yes! To do with I.T.
    [Chalky] Um...yes.
    [ISP] Can I get some of what you're smoking?
  • I Say, Porter! - SAP or Oracle or the like?
    [re: smoke] You need to live near the Dutch border to get the good stuff. It doesn't all reach Brussels.
  • Raak
    [ISP] *applause* The like.
  • ImNotJohn - A specific, named IT product?
  • Raak
    [INJ] Not a product.
  • Lib - a virus?
  • ImNotJohn - A generic IT feature?
    i.e. one produced by many suppliers in many guises under many names e.g. database, spreadsheet.
  • Lib - A website?
  • Phil - An IT company?
  • Raak
    [Lib] Not a virus.
    [INJ] Not a generic feature.
    [Lib] In a sense, yes; in a sense, no.
    [Phil] *more applause* An IT company.
  • I Say, Porter! - Apple?
  • Raak
    [Phil] Not Apple.
  • Raak
    That's [ISP] Not Apple.
  • Phil - IBM ?
    although, IMHO, IBM qualifies as a virus :-)
  • Chalky - Linux?
  • I Say, Porter! - Google?
  • irach - Dell?
  • Raak
    Not IBM, Linux, or Dell, but Google. Over to ISP.
  • I Say, Porter! - Bugger.
    Let's go for ABSTRACT and ANIMAL
  • I Say, Porter! - I wonder if this game would work as 'reverse'... Probably not.
  • Projoy - Fictional?
  • Raak - Symbolic?
  • CdM - Human?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [Pj] Fiction? YES
    [Raak] Symbol? NO
    [CdM] Human? NO
  • Raak - Talking?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [Raak] Talking? Yes
  • Raak - A cartoon character?
  • Projoy - From a book?
  • Phil - Is the animal, on which the fictional version is based, normally smaller than a domestic cat?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    *mutter*
  • I Say, Porter!
    [Raak] Cartoon? YES
    [Projoy] Book? NO
    [Phil] Smaller than a cat? Depends how big the cat is.
    [Tuj] Begins with a P? YES applause, and why not.
  • Phil - Pepe le Pew?
  • Projoy - Phil the Cat?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [Phil] Pheeeeew? No
    [Projoy] Phil the Cat? NO Never heard of him.
  • Phil - From a Disney animation?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [Phil the bigger-than-a-cat-landlord] Disney? NO
  • Phil - animated cartoon? (i.e. film cartoon rather than strip cartoon)
  • I Say, Porter!
    [Phil] Animated? Yes
  • Uncle Korky - Porky Pig?
  • I Say, Porky!
    [UK] Piggie? No
  • Lib - Pink Panther?
  • Phil - Pokémon?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [Lib] Pink Pussycat? NO
    [Phil] Pogue Mahone? NO
  • I Say, Porter! - Re: Cartoon - YES
    A pub discussion over the weekend, and the most recent posts in here, have put doubt into my mind about the above answer. I think on reflection I'll change it to Cartoon - NO. Apologies.
  • Uncle Korky - Computer animation?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [UK] PC? Nope.
  • Phil - Is the character listed at imdb.com?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [Phil] A search on IMBD under 'character' with the words on the card will produce the expected results, so YES.
  • Uncle Korky - Claymation?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [UK] Not Claymation.
  • Uncle Korky - Stop-motion stuff (eg Ray Harryhausen)?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [UK] Stop Motion? YES * applause * Ray Harryhausen? NO
  • Projoy - Originating on TV?
  • Projoy - Parsley the Lion?
  • CdM - Paper cutouts (such as South Park)?
  • Uncle Korky - Pugwash (Captain)?
  • Uncle Korky - PC McGarry No 452?
  • Uncle Korky - Professor Yaffle?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [Projoy] Originating on TV? YES indeed only available on TV afaik. Parsley? NO
    [CdM] Paper Cut? NO
    [UK] Pugwash, NO, PC McGarry NO, but PROFESSOR YAFFLE is the name on the card, and this piece of broken wood which could be 'fixed' into a winner's baton by the mice from the mouse organ is therefore passed on. I, Say Porter! goes to sleep.
  • Uncle Korky
    [IS,P] Ta! I believe the precedent is that all your friends now go to sleep too. *snores*
  • I Say, Porter!
    [UK] NO! Set a new one!
  • Uncle Korky
    [IS,P] Well, as it so happens, Emily has brought something new into the shop, so let's see if the viewers at home can work out what it is. This is ABSTRACT through and through.
  • I Say, Porter!
    Is it art?
  • Uncle Korky
    [IS,P] Arty? NO
  • I Say, Porter! - Bigger than a toaster?
  • Uncle Korky
    [IS,P] Toaster comparison. CANNOT ANSWER
  • I Say, Porter! - Intriguing. Is it a human concept?
  • Uncle Korky
    [IS,P] Human concept? YES *applause*
  • Raak - Is it related to the previous object?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Raak] Woodpecker et al? NO
  • Projoy - Connected with emotions?
    (As in, "my love is bigger by far than any toaster!")
  • I Say, Porter! - Religiously inclined?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Projoy] Emotional response? YES
    [IS,P] God-bothering? NO
  • I Say, Porter! - An emotion itself, or a reaction to an emotion?
  • Uncle Korky
    [IS,P] NO to both
  • Projoy - A subjective experience?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Projoy] I knew I shouldn't have gone for an abstract, because I'd end up getting confused when the discussion gets philosophical :-) ! As far as I can work out, the best answer I can give is YES.
  • Projoy - Yes, but what do we *mean* by subjective?
    :)
  • Projoy - To do with conscious thought?
  • Uncle Korky - *beginning to feel out of his depth! *
    [Projoy] Conscious thought? YES
  • Projoy - Is it something one can do?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Projoy] An action? Sticking strictly to what's written on the card, NO
  • I Say, Porter! - blubble blubble blubble...
    leaves Pj & UK to it
  • Projoy - Can it be quantified in numbers?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Projoy] Count 'em up? Technically, YES, but I feel this will not help in any way.
  • Projoy - The ways in which Elizabeth Barrett Browning loved Robert Browning?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Projoy] OK. You've lost me completely.
  • Projoy - Anything to do with Science?
    (Sorry, was being silly)
  • Phil - A sensation?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [uk] Could PJ mean "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways" - or was that Roger Rabbit...
  • Uncle Korky
    [Projoy] Scientific? NO
    [Phil] Sensational? NO
    [Pj & IS,P] Thanks for illumination!
  • I Say, Porter! - Hope you're not waiting for me. As soon as I see 'human concept - YES' I sit back and watch.
  • Tuj - *ahem*
    ...

    Begins with a P?
  • Chalky - To do with language?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Tuj] Standard opening? NO
    [Chalky] Language-related? YES (to an extent)
  • Projoy - Is it real (as opposed to explicitly fictional)?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Projoy] Real? YES
  • Projoy - Is it a process?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Projoy] Process? NO
  • Irouléguy - Is this universal, or culturally specific?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Irg] Naughty! How can I answer y/n to that?! I don't wish to be a pedant, however, so I'll offer:
    Universal? NO
    Culturally specific? YES (probably)
  • Raak - Probably specific to British culture?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Raak] UK? YES
  • Raak - To do with the media?
  • irach - Afternoon tea?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Raak] Media-related? NO
    [irach] One lump or two? NO
  • Projoy - A saying?
  • Raak - Specific to any region of the UK?
  • Irouléguy - To do with sport?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Projoy] A saying? YES (in a way)
    [Raak] Specific part of UK? NO
    [Irg] Sporty? NO
  • Projoy - a cliché?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Projoy] Cliché? YES - but don't let this mislead you.
  • Projoy - Is there more than one word on the card (not counting articles)?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Projoy] Multiple words? YES
    Free clue: you're looking for a generalisation rather than a specific phrase.
  • ImNotJohn - Child-related?
  • Uncle Korky
    [INJ] Kids' stuff? YES (but not exclusively)
  • Irouléguy - Fings ain't what they used to be?
  • ImNotJohn - A way of speaking?
  • Projoy - Young People Today?
  • Uncle Korky
    Before I answer specifics, I feel that the 'free clue' appears to have done more harm than good. Remember - the words on the card are not a specific phrase. I'll try to make it even easier: it's an "example", or a general description of one item from a category.
    [Irg] NO (specific phrase)
    [INJ] NO (see explanation above)
    [Projoy] NO (specific phrase)
  • Raak - Is it associated with a certain class of people?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Raak] Classy? NO
  • Projoy - Is it about young people in some way?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Projoy] Yoof? NOT "ABOUT", NO...
  • Projoy - Youth itself?
  • CdM - txtspk?
  • Phil - kthxbye ?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Projoy] NO - it's a saying, remember
    [CdM] Texting? NO
    [Phil] I have no idea what that means!
  • I Say, Porter! - A "saying" which is not "a specific phrase". See? That's why I took a back seat earlier.
  • Uncle Korky
    [IS,P] Funnily enough, I'm regretting picking this one now - I expect to get pilloried at the end of this.
  • ImNotJohn - A cliché?
  • Projoy - Do the words on the card describe some words?
  • Uncle Korky
    [INJ] See answer to Projoy further up
    [Projoy] YES *applause*
  • Raak - RP?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Raak] A manner of speech? NO - the answer to Projoy's most recent question should be taken as very significant.
  • Projoy - complaints about the weather?
    (you said it was a UK-specific thing)
  • ImNotJohn - Do the words on the card express or imply criticism?
    (Sorry, didn't look far enough back)
  • Irouléguy - Is it a good thing?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Projoy] Bit nippy? NO
    [INJ] Criticism? NO (and no worries!)
    [Irg] Good thing? WELL, THAT DEPENDS - subjective experience also, remember!
  • ImNotJohn - Do the words on the card describe a type of response?
    e.g esprit de l'escalier
    Hard to see how to carry on making progress with this
  • I Say, Porter!
    [INJ] Are you preparing the pillory or am I?
  • Projoy - Are the words referred to generally spoken as part of a conversation?
  • Irouléguy - Are the words referred to some sort of metaphor or simile?
  • Uncle Korky
    [INJ] Type of response? NO
    [Projoy] Part of conversation? COULD BE
    [Irg] Metaphor / similie? NO, but *applause* for a question relating to 'categories'...
    [IS,P] I'm putting my trainers on, and preparing to sprint. If you all want a new topic, I'll tell you what's on the card and run away very quickly.
  • ImNotJohn - Is it self-referential?
    Give it a bit longer - somewhere, there's a killer question lurking. Anyway we haven't got the pillory set up yet.
  • I Say, Porter! - Onomatopoeia?
  • Uncle Korky
    [INJ] Could you clarify, please?
    [IS,P] BZZZT? NO
  • Kim (lurking) - Is it a way of speaking?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Lurker (kimming)] Manner of speech? NO
  • Lib - Chav related?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Lib] Burberry bling? NO
  • Raak - To do with right and wrong language use?
  • Uncle Korky
    [Raak] Syntax, grammar, etc.? NO
    Next free clue: you're all being far too serious.
  • Raak - Furzigig wibble epoptolith?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it a joke or witticism of some sort?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] I was going to say that.
  • Projoy - British understatement?
  • Thos - A knock-knock joke?
  • Raak - Anything to do with comedy?
  • Irouléguy - 'Management bollocks'?
  • Irouléguy - Technobabble/nerd-speak?
  • Uncle Korky
    Thank God! INJ & Raak were close, but Thos, lurking with panache, has seized on the exact words on the card in one post. Dear all - the answer is "A knock-knock joke". Relay baton passed to Thos, whilst I sprint for the hills.
  • Thos - Who's there? Me? Oops.
    Oh dear. That was rather a lurker victory. Hadn't really imagined that I would chance upon the solution! Perhaps someone else might consider taking on the challenge of setting the next, since I am currently locked in the cupboard under the sink on Mother-of-Mine's instructions and unable to post for a few days.
  • Projoy
    "Knock knock"
    "Who's there?"
    "Control Freak. Now you have to say 'Control Freak Who?'"
  • Inkspot - little old man who?
    Control Freak Who?
  • Thos - A new one...
    Right-ho, I'm back in Blighty, so here goes with a new one (and apologies if you've had this before - I only glance in on this game occasionally): This is mineral but you used to be able to get it/this/them in vegetable too...
  • I Say, Porter! - Is it art?
  • Phil - Tennis racket?
  • Inkspot - Made of plastic?
  • Raak - Was it formerly made of wood?
  • Kim - Violin strings?
  • Thos
    [ISP] Art - no, [Phil] Racket - no, [Inkspot] Plastic - yes, [Raak] Formerly wood - no, [Kim] Strings - no.
  • Thos
    I must add that I would love to see a wooden one, as I can't imagine how it might work!
  • I Say, Porter! - A container?
  • Raak - Was the vegetable rubber?
  • Thos
    [ISP] Container - well, I suppose it could be used as one but that is not its purpose, so no. [Raak] Rubber - yes.
  • Lib - associated with a recreational activity?
  • I Say, Porter! - Takes batteries?
    Lib started it...
  • Thos
    [Lib] Recreational - only in the loosest sense in that you would indeed use it to bring you some form of pleasure and I can't see a business usage, but I think I would have to say no overall. [ISP] Batteries - no - and completely no to where you seem to be headed :)
  • Raak - Is it a protective covering?
  • I Say, Porter! - Used in a sport or game?
  • Inkspot - Would you normally store and use it in the kitchen?
  • Raak - A mackintosh?
  • Projoy - Wellies?
  • I Say, Porter! - Plastic that was formerly also rubber: An eraser
  • Thos
    [Raak] Protective covering - no [ISP] sporty/gamey - no [Inkspot] Kitchen based - no (although in fairness, you could use or store it there if you wanted - but it would be most unusual) [Raak] Mackintosh - no [Projoy] Wellingtons - no [ISP] Eraser - no.
  • Thos - Further Clarification
    Just to elaborate a bit on the response as to whether it was a recreational activity, I might have unwittingly misled you with my reply. The object is used as a recreational activity, in that you would utilise it in your spare time and for fun, but it would be unlikely to have a a long term usage, like a hobby, or a passtime, hence my answering with a no. Hope this helps...
  • Raak - Is it round?
  • Thos
    [Raak] Round - yes, it is!
  • Inkspot - Is it hollow?
  • Thos
    [Inkspot] Hollow - hmm, sometimes yes, sometimes no. I think, however, that in the traditional understanding of hollow, you would not say that it was, so once again I'd plump for overall no.
  • Raak - Is it commonly sold in packets of three?
  • Inkspot - Is it a disc?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Wouldn't that be a protective covering?
  • Raak
    [Phil] Yes, but the trend of all the other answers was too strong to ignore.
  • I Say, Porter! - frisbee?
    Lib has a lot to answer for.
  • Projoy - Has it moving parts?
  • Projoy - A rubber duck?
    OK, not terribly round and somewhat hollow, but I'll just throw it in and see if it causes any ripples.
  • I Say, Porter! - Hula Hoop?
  • Raak - Anything to do with wheels?
  • Thos
    Woof! What a lot of lovely guesses! [Raak] Packets of three - no (but arf!) [Inkspot] Discy, as Stanley Unwin might have it, - no [ISP] Frisbee - no [Projoy] Moving parts or rubber duckiness - no* and no [ISP] Hula Hoop - no [Raak] Wheeled - no.

    *BUT clarification (as always): Whilst I say there are no moving parts, one element of the object will move if the item is utilised...

  • CdM - Is it used in conjunction with some other thing or things?
  • Inkspot - Is it a sphere more than 50mm diameter?
  • Irouléguy - Is it associated with a particular country or culture?
  • I Say, Porter! - Used at home? Indoors?
  • Phil - Would it be somthing to be used "at the weekend"?
    Persisting with Raak's line of enquiry :-)
  • Chalky - Was this 'round' thing around before 1950?
  • Thos
    [CdM] Used with other things - not specifically: It can be utilised alone without any problem though you might get more out of it if you involve other items [Inkspot] Sphere - it is not a sphere, [Irouleguy] Associated with a country/culture - no [ISP] Used indoors - usually yes, but it could be used outside, and I am sure has been, [Phil] Weekend use - this little beauty can be used at any time and is, [Chalky] Did it exist prior to 1950? - not according to my sources...
  • CdM - Is it likely that I own one?
    Round, but neither a disk nor a sphere. Hmmmm.
  • Projoy - Prismatic?
  • ImNotJohn - A whoopee cushion?
  • Raak - Does one inflate it?
  • I Say, Porter! - Used in conjunction with water?
  • Projoy - Is it toroidal? A rubber ring?
    (fnar)
  • I Say, Porter! - Tubular?
  • Thos - Cut to the Chase....
    With a Greek Chorus chanting "More Tea, Vicar?" in the background, I am happy to declare that ImNotJohn is entirely on the button with a whoopee cushion. *Applause*. Actually, I thought Chalky was playing games with me (so to speak) when she actually picked the year that they were actually invented! *bows towards INJ and scarpers....*
  • ImNotJohn - Whoopee!!
    A fine bit of lurking, though I say so myself.
    We're off again with ABSTRACT with ANIMAL connections
  • ImNotJohn
    BTW would it be taken as an insult to say that having met Thos made it easier to guess?
  • Néa - Getting it out of the way
    Does it have to do with anarcho-syndicalism?
  • ImNotJohn - The key question
    [Néa] - anarcho-syndicalism? - NO (but one of these days...)
  • Projoy - Be it verily the construct of humanity?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] human construct - Yea verily
  • Thos
    [INJ] I wouldn't take it as an insult, at all. Now would you like to look through this telescope (ignore the wetness of the eyepiece)...?
  • I Say, Porter! - Re: Human Construct - yes. OH BOLLOCKS.
  • Uncle Korky
    [IS,P] Yes. You will note I'm still in hiding after the last one.
  • Kim - Is it a fictional human?
  • I Say, Porter! - An emotional response?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Kim] fictional human? - NO
    [IS,P] Emotional response? - NO
  • I Say, Porter! - Does it begin with a P?
  • Projoy - Is it fictional? (trad)
  • Rosie - An organisation?
  • I Say, Porter! - To do with religion?
  • ImNotJohn - We apologise for the break in transmission
    [IS,P] P.... - NO
    [Projoy] fictional - YES
    [Rosie] organisation - NO
    [IS,P] religious - NO
  • I Say, Porter! - Detective fiction?
  • ImNotJohn
    [IS,P] Sam Spade etc - NO
  • I Say, Porter! - Quiet in here, isn't it? Cartoon or animation related?
  • ImNotJohn - I'm getting quite lonely
    [IS,P] Cartoon/Animation? - The answer has to be YES (some applause), but that wasn't my original inspiration.
    BTW I think this is already quite close to a resolution.
  • Néa - Related to a myth or fairy tale?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Néa] myth/fairy tale - NO
  • I Say, Porter! - Super powers?
  • Uncle Korky
    [IS,P] I thought you didn't do abstract human construct stuff!
  • ImNotJohn
    [IS,P] Super-powered? - NO (a few chuckles in the audience)
  • Projoy - A particular genre of fiction?
  • Projoy
    (meaning is The Answer a word describing a particular genre, rather than The Answer being categorisable under one).
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] a genre? - NO
  • I Say, Porter! - A fictional story that was originally textual but which has since become an animated or cartoon representation of such?
    [UK] Generally not, but INJ was rather lonely, I thought, and I wanted to give the game a shove.
  • ImNotJohn - Well, thank you.
    [IS,P] book later animated - YES (applause)
  • ImNotJohn
    Just to clarify my last response. I could strictly have answered NO in that the answer is not a fictional story that etc. as such, but I gave the more helpful and leading answer. As ever, you may need to make sure you aren't making any unjustified assumptions.
  • CdM - Idéfix?
  • Projoy - Is The Answer the title of a book?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Idéfix - NO
    [Projoy] book title - NO (that was the point I was trying to hint at)
  • I Say, Porter! - Is the answer on the card the name of a character? (I know Fiction-YES and Human-NO)
  • ImNotJohn - Getting warm
    [IS,P] character's name? - YES (applause - some members of the audience start to put jackets on)
  • I Say, Porter! - Lewis Carroll?
  • Néa - Bambi?
  • I Say, Porter! - A.A. Milne?
  • Uncle Korky - Something From Rudyard Kipling?
    And his exceedingly good pies?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [UK] Shurely "cakes"
  • ImNotJohn - As the sands of time draw inexorably towards a close
    [IS,P] A.A. Milne - YES (further loud applause)
    The other answers are therefore superfluous
  • I Say, Porter! - As 'Pooh' has been ruled out, how about "Tigger"
  • Phil - Wol?
  • ImNotJohn - Keep Going
    [IS,P] Tigger - NO (I had been thinking of 'Paddington' originally, but remembered the 'P' question.)
    [Phil] - Wol - NO
  • ImNotJohn - Last chance for today
    I'll be leaving this laptop behind in about 15 mins and not connecting again until tomorrow.
  • Projoy - Piglet?
  • Projoy
    Wait, don't think of an elephant - is it a Heffalump?
  • CdM - Eeyore?
  • ImNotJohn
    And we have a winner.It is Eeyore.
    So I'll pass this baton to CdM, but I don't suppose it'll do him any good.
  • I Say, Porter!
    Rats! I thought I'd done enough to win it - indeed I was going to add Eeyore after Phil's Wol but thought others should be given a chance to chip in - at least it wasn't a lurker.
  • I Say, Porter! - Game stalled
    I think it's the phrase "And we have a winner. It is Eeyore". Everyone's waiting for Eeyore to post a new topic.
  • Eeyore
    I can't post a clue. I have this terrible pain in all the diodes down my left hand side.
  • CdM - *runs in*
    Sorry I'm late. All right, this is
    ABSTRACT with ANIMAL, VEGETABLE, MINERAL and ABSTRACT connections.
    I should warn you that I am traveling for most of the next 48 hours, so my connections will be intermittent.
    Oh, and [IS,P] -- thanks for doing all the heavy lifting on that last one. :-)
  • Projoy - Is it constructed humanly?
  • Raak - Is the answer "something"?
  • CdM
    [Projoy] YES. The words on the card are a human construct. However in another sense the answer is YES AND NO.
    [Raak] YES. The words on the card are a thing. However in another sense the answer is NO.
  • Projoy - Any religion/spirituality connection?
  • CdM
    Goddity? I can think of several. However, the least misleading answer is NO.
  • CdM
    [Raak] By the way, if you meant "is the word(s) on the card 'something'?", the answer is NO.
  • Projoy - Is it fictional?
  • CdM
    Fictional? NO, the words on the card are not fictional. However, in another sense the answer is YES AND NO.
  • Projoy - When you talk about "another sense", is it the same "other sense" for each question?
  • Irouléguy - Is the animal connection one particular species?
  • ImnotJohn - Is the answer a well-known or 'set' phrase?
  • I Say, Porter! - Is it connected with a sport or game?
  • Chalky - Is it a filament of our imagination?
  • Chalky
    figment obviously. Pardon me.
  • CdM
    Is another sense always the same sense? YES.
    One particular species? NO.
    Is the answer a well-known phrase? NO.
    Is the answer a 'set' phrase? YES. *laughter*
    Connected with a sport or game? NO. (But in another sense YES AND NO.)
    A figment of our imagination? I think the best answer is NO.

    Sorry about the absence. I was hellishly busy for the last two days. Normal service should be resumed shortly.
  • Projoy - Connected with mathematics?
  • CdM
    Connected with mathematics? Fundamentally I would say NO, although you are (I think) drawing the right conclusion from the earlier laughter. In another sense, of course, the answer is YES AND NO.
  • Dujon - Is this a form of reproduction?
  • Rosie - A form of communication?
  • CdM
    Reproduction? NO. (or YES and NO)
    Communication? NO. (or YES and NO)
  • Irouléguy - Six of one and half a dozen of the other?
  • CdM
    6 and 6? NO. (and in another sense, NO.)
  • Projoy - Is it anything to do with sorting?
  • CdM
    To do with sorting? To be honest, I am not exactly sure what you mean. It is not to do with sorting in the sense of, say, computer code, but it is to do with sorting in some sense, I suppose. Of course, in another sense the answer is YES AND NO.
  • Raak - Is the answer self-referential?
  • I Say, Porter! - Schroedinger's cat?
  • Projoy - Does the word "everything" appear on the card?
  • Chalky - Is it a matter of opinion?
  • CdM
    Self-referential? NO. *applause*
    Superpussition? NO.
    'Everything' on the card. *applause* As I have worded the card, NO. But it would be badly misleading to give that answer, so I will tell you that the phrase "all things" does appear on the card.
    Matter of opinion. 100% of those polled say NO.
  • Projoy - The phrase "Man is the measure of all things"?
  • Projoy
    No, it's not a well-known phrase, and it's not a matter of opinion...

    How about Are there more than four words on the card?
  • CdM
    More than four words? YES.
  • Phil - All things come to those who wait?
  • CdM
    Patience is its own reward? NO. (Not a well-known phrase, remember)
  • CdM
    (Incidentally, I'm rather surprised to find that 'superpussition' only has two googlehits. It's more original than I thought.)
  • CdM
    Looking back, I saw that I answered "connected with a sport or a game?" as NO (as well as YES AND NO). While that is still probably the least misleading answer, it occurs to me that the answer does have some connection to a game.
  • Raak - The end of all things?
  • Chalky - All things fall into one or more of the categories: Abstract, Animal, Vegetable or Mineral
  • CdM
    End of all things? NO.
    Everything AVMA? NO. *a tiny smattering of applause*
  • Phil - This game, of all things?
  • CdM
    This game? NO.
  • Raak - The universe?
  • CdM
    What's left after you take away life and everything? NO.
  • Projoy - More than six words on the card?
  • Projoy
    Is it All Things That Fall Into This Category as per the famous Chinese Encyclopaedia?
  • Projoy
    Mm. Or "Those That Fall Into the Present Classification". Altho, perhaps unsurprisingly, Borges may have made it up.
  • CdM
    More than six words? YES.
    All things that fall into this category? NO. Not self-referential, remember. But you are on the right track and so, to speed things along, I will tell you that the first six words on the card are "The set of all things that".
  • Raak - The set of all things that have not been played in this game?
  • Uncle Korky - Are you still sane?
  • Chalky - The set of all things that can be classified?
  • Projoy - The set of all things that may be classified under the headings Animal, Vegetable, Mineral, Abstract?
    Except that would be self-referential again.
  • Raak - The set of all things that do not exist?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] I suspect you had it with your previous question.
  • CdM
    Tsoatt !played? NO.
    Am I still sane? ARTICHOKE.
    Tsoatt can be classified? NO. (see self-referential=NO)
    Tsoatt can be classified as AVMA? NO. (see this comment)
    Tsoatt aren't? NO.

    Perhaps it's time to start asking some questions again?
  • Projoy - Is this set finite? i.e. could you, at least in theory, count the items in it?
  • Raak - Are there any chihuahuas in this set?
  • CdM
    Finite? I know enough mathematics to know I need to be careful around infinities, but I am pretty confident that this set is neither finite nor countably infinite.
    Chihuahuas? *applause for the question* There almost certainly are chihuahuas in this set. However, a much more helpful observation is that a chihuahua is not in this set.
  • I Say, Porter!
    <fastshow>What are the schools like in your area?</fastshow>
  • Projoy - Do all the chihuahuas in the set exist, or have they existed?
  • I Say, Porter! - Chihuahuas in the set (Shurely "badgers in the sett")
    Is this chihuahuas nonsense related to the famous Beyond the Fringe monologue:
    ... I opened the door accordingly and went in, and there was Moore seated by the fire with a basket upon his knees. ‘Moore’, I said, ‘do you have any apples in that basket?’ ‘No’, he replied, and smiled seraphically, as was his wont. I decided to try a different logical tack. ‘Moore’, I said, ‘do you then have some apples in that basket?’ ‘No’, he replied, leaving me in a logical cleft stick from which I had but one way out. ‘Moore’, I said, ‘do you then have apples in that basket?’ ‘Yes’, he replied. And from that day forth, we remained the very closest of friends.
  • Rosie - All things that on earth do dwell?
  • CdM
    *thinks he needs to google fastshow*
    Have all chihuahuas in set existed? NO.
    Badgers? For free, I will tell you that a badger is also not in the set or the sett.
    All earth-dwellers? NO.
  • Projoy - Is it connected with color?
    Why avoid the obvious?
  • Chalky - Tsoat plural?
  • CdM
    Connected to color? I can think of several connections to color. However, color is not in this set.
    Tsoatt are plural? NO. However, plurals are in this set.
  • Irouléguy - TSOATT - is the next word 'can'?
  • CdM
    Can? NO. Also, cans are not in this set.
  • ImNotJohn - Do the contents of the set change over time?
  • Projoy - Are any non-plurals in this set?
  • CdM - I'm having fun here
    Contents change over time? I suppose they do, yes, but I don't think that is very helpful. The contents of the set are not in the set, by the way.
    Any non-plurals in the set? YES. Non-plurals are not in the set, though.
  • Raak - The set of all things beginning with P?
  • Phil - The set of all things that have not been mentioned in this game
  • CdM - We have a winner!
    The set of all things that begin with P is indeed the answer. Raak is now in possession of a passed baton

    This reminded of me of the time I chose 'Human Construct' as an AVMA subject -- then, as now, everyone oddly failed to ask the standard question, making the quest much more difficult than I expected.
  • Raak
    The next one is MINERAL.
  • Projoy - Metal?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Doooh! Brilliant.
  • Phil - Ceramic?
  • ImNotJohn - stone?
  • Rosie - Man-made?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Not metal.
    [Phil] Not ceramic.
    [INJ] Not stone.
    [Rosie] Can be man made.
  • Phil - A substance?
  • Raak
    [Phil] Not a substance. (Substance is involved, but the answer is not some substance.)
  • Projoy - Plastic?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Not plastic.
  • Néa - Glass?
  • Projoy - reflective?
  • Raak
    [Néa] Not glass.
    [Projoy] Yes, reflective.
  • ImNotJohn - liquid?
  • Raak
    [INJ] *applause* Liquid.
  • Projoy - Mercury?
  • I Say, Porter! - Set of all things beginning with P
    The problem with 'does it begin with a P' is that it is really Lib's question and she hasn't been around for a while, so sometimes we forget to ask it...
    Meanwhile, in this game ... wonders how Mercury is not 'metal' and also how it 'can be man-made', then wonders about the varying definitions of 'man-made' and gives up.
  • I Say, Porter! - Does it begin with a P
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Not mercury (not a metal, remember?)
    [ISP] These things can be created deliberately, and (more usually) they can arise by themselves.
    [ISP] Does not begin with a P.
  • Rosie - Is a water surface involved?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] *cheering* A water surface is involved.
  • I Say, Porter! - Oil on the water?
    Smoke on the water? On the Waterfront? Watership Down? The Water Margin?
  • Raak
    [ISP] None of the above.
  • ImNotJohn - A flood?
    Mrs INJ's old school is closed because there are several hundred people sleeping in it at the moment, waiting for the water to go down enough to go home.
  • Projoy - moving water?
    [ISP] The "P" question is Tuj's, shurely?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Might or might not be moving, since...
    INJ has it: a flood. One slowly turning Poohstick handed on.
  • ImNotJohn - Well, that was quick
    Having wadwd out to collect the baton, may I propose:
    Vegetable
  • I Say, Porter! - Barry Took? (oblig.)
    [Projoy] Yes, but see above.
  • CdM - A Pea?
    [IS,P] The P question has been asked more often than not in recent rounds.
  • ImNotJohn
    [IS,P] Barrington Took? - NO
    [CdM] - Petit, marrowfat, snow, etc. - NO (though it did cross my mind)
  • Projoy - Is it teh edible?
  • I Say, Porter! - Is size important?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [Pj] re: Tuj/Lib - oops, yes, I meant Tuj. Tuj hasn't been around much either.
  • ImNotJohn
    [PJ] comestible - YES
    [IS,P] the big question - NO is probably the best answer, but I'm not sure what you're asking
  • Irouléguy - Normally eaten raw?
  • I Say, Porter! - A fictional vegetable?
  • Rosie - Can it be grown in Britain?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Irg] - Normally eaten raw? - NO
    [IS,P]Pomegrapeberry - NO
    [Rosie] Can be grown in Britain? - YES
  • Irouléguy - A particular dish/recipe?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Irg] particular dish - NO (but worth asking)
  • ImNotJohn
    Im away from my desk until Thursday, so connectivity may have to depend on finding a friendly wifi.
  • CdM - Is it widely cultivated in Britain?
  • Projoy - Does it grow on trees, you know?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] widely cultivated in Britain - Not very
    [Projoy] Like spaghetti? - NO
    I could have answered several questions as 'Not Applicable'
  • CdM - Is it typically eaten?
  • Projoy - Grows on a bush?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] eaten - YES
    [Pj] bushy - NO
  • Chalky - Is this a group of vegetables?
  • Projoy - Grows in the dark, dark soil?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] group of veggies - No
    [Pj] Grows in the dark? - NO
    needs dark soil - NO
    grows underground - NO
    Have I covered every meaning of the question? As ever, the watchword is check your assumptions.
  • I Say, Porter! - Checking assumptions:
    An edible vegetable, typically eaten cooked, doesn't grow on a tree or bush or underground, cultivated (though not widely in Britain), not a group of veg.
    So we are looking at vegetable as in "a plant, root, seed, or pod that is used as food"? how about 'rice'.
  • ImNotJohn - Nope
    [IS,P] rice - NO
    Several mistaken assumptions there. The main one is that it is 'a' vegetable.
    I may have been unhelpful in trying to be too helpful. So, the answer on the card is not cultivated as such. Try to sort that out and you'll be closer.
  • Rosie - Is it leafy?
  • Kim (lurking) - is it a class of vegetables (eg, brassicas)?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] leafy? - NO
    [K(l)] a class of vegetables - NO (although Mrs INJ is far more familiar with classes of vegetables than I am, since she is a teacher.)
  • ImNotJohn - clarification
    Had I been pedantic, instead of trying to be helpful, I could have answered NO to the questions 'Can it be grown in Britain? and 'Is it widely cultivated in Britain?'
  • Rosie - Does it contain mind-altering substances?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] Does it contain mind-altering substances? - Not usually, though it's not unknown for it to do so. (some laughter and applause)
  • Raak - Is this something that you put something else inside?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] something that you put something else inside? - NO
  • Projoy - Can contain alcohol?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] can contain alcohol? - depending on your definition of 'contain' (also true for Rosie's question), but YES, it can, although it normally doesn't
  • Raak - Is chocolate involved?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] chocolatey? - NO
  • Rosie - A trifle, or similar?
    A mere bagatelle.
  • Phil - Has it been processed?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] trifling - NO
    [Phil] Processed - YES (some applause)
  • Projoy - Does it taste sweet?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] sweet? - YES (loud applause)
  • Raak - Is this something you put into something else?
  • Chalky - Sugar
  • Chalky - ?
  • I Say, Porter! - Licorice?
  • I Say, Porter! - ... Pontefract Cakes?
  • ImNotJohn - Nearly there
    [Raak] something you put into something else? - YES
    [Chalky] Sugar? - YES - The word 'sugar' is on the card but that is not the full answer (sorry if you couldn't hear that above the applause)
    [IS,P] - NO & NO (obviously)
  • Raak - A sugar cube?
  • Projoy - Caster Sugar?
  • Projoy
    Scrub that... how about icing sugar, apropos MCiOS chat game as of now?
  • I Say, Porter! - Alan Sugar?
  • I Say, Porter! - A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] - YES, it is A Sugar Cube. One baton with the name 'Raak' down the middle handed on.
  • Raak
    The next object is MINERAL, with ANIMAL connections. (A ripple of laughter goes through the audience at the answer is revealed on the laser display board.)
  • Projoy - A milking machine?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Not a milking machine.
  • Dujon - Some sort of fossil?
    [Projoy] I'm still giggling.
  • Rosie - A secretion?
  • Raak
    [Dujon] Not a fossil.
    [Rosie] Not a secretion.
  • CdM - Red Bull?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Not Red Bull.
  • CdM - Manufactured?
  • Phil - A fake dog poo?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Made, yes, but you wouldn't say it was manufactured.
    [Phil] Ick? No.
  • Projoy - An example of a craft?
  • Rosie - Is it potable or edible?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Not a craft (in any sense of the word).
    [Rosie] You can't eat it or drink it.
  • Phil - Is it shaped like an animal?
  • Raak
    [Phil] Not shaped like an animal. *the audience start falling asleep*
  • Phil - Is the mineral metal?
  • Raak
    [Phil] Some of the mineral is quite likely metal. *the audience snore gently*
  • Phil - Bigger than a toaster
    *nudges audience*
  • Rosie - If the mineral is only "quite likely" metal would it be true to say that the composition of parts of this object is mostly unknown?
  • Raak
    [Phil] Bigger than a toaster. *the audence open one eye and close it again*
    [Rosie] Not unknown to the people who made it.
  • Projoy - Has it a function?
  • Phil - Is there one in the Raak household
  • Rosie - Is it used outdoors?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] It has a function.
    [Phil] I don't have one.
    [Rosie] YES and NO would both be both accurate and misleading.
  • Projoy - Does it have *one* function?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] One function? It depends on how you subdivide things. One more or less broad class of functions, yes.
  • Projoy - Have these/has this been around for more than a couple of centuries?
  • Raak
    {Projoy] 200 years old? No.
  • I Say, Porter! - A building?
  • Dujon - Is this 'thing' fictional'?
  • CdM - Is it a single unique thing?
  • Projoy - Have these/has this been around less than a hundred years?
  • Raak
    [ISP] *the audience awakens from its dogmatic slumber and cheers* Yes, a building.
    [Dujon] Non-fictional.
    [CdM] Yes, a unique thing.
    [Projoy] In one sense, definitely not, in another, I expect not. (Ditto for 200 years.)
  • Phil - A place of worship?
  • Raak
    [Phil] Not a place of worship.
  • CdM - In Britain?
  • Projoy - Does anyone live in it?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Not in Britain.
    [Projoy] Quite possibly, but it's not usual.
  • Projoy - In Europe?
  • I Say, Porter! - A place of worship? Sacrifice? Macchu Picchu?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Yes, in Europe.
    [ISP] I refer you to my last answer to Phil.
  • ImNotJohn - The Ice Hotel?
  • Raak
    [INJ] *Applause* Not the Ice Hotel.
  • Projoy - Is its nature dependent on the climate of where it is?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Not dependent on climate.
  • Phil - The European Parliament Building?
  • Projoy - In Western Europe?
  • Dujon - The Louvre Pyramid?
  • Raak
    [Phil] Not the EU Parliament.
    [Projoy] In Western Europe.
    [Dujon] Not the Louvre Pyramid.
  • Projoy - In Germany?
  • Uncle Korky - Does the building have a political purpose / significance?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Not in Germany.
    [UK] No political purpose.
  • Projoy - In France?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Yes, in France.
  • Projoy - So, it's between 100 and 200 years old, yes?
    (since you ruled out >200 and <100)
  • I Say, Porter! - Old age
    [Projoy] How do you work that out? You asked:
    more than a couple of centuries? ANSWER NO
    less than a hundred years? ANSWER In one sense, definitely NOT, in another, I expect NOT. (ditto for 200)

    I make that = non-existent, despite its non-fictional nature.
  • Phil - Is the animal connection human?
  • I Say, Porter! - Sports connections?
  • Raak
    Sorry, I misread the 100 years question. This thing is, in one sense definitely less than 100 years old, and in another sense I don't know. Or to be more explicit, as it's been established to be a building, its present use is less than 100 years old, but I don't know when it was constructed.
  • Raak
    [Phil] Yes, the animal connection is human.
    [ISP] No connection with sports.
  • Projoy - Ever used for a military purpose?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Military? Not that I know of.
  • Projoy - Is it in Paris?
  • I Say, Porter! - Is it a cave? note to self: Is a cave a building as such...
  • I Say, Porter! - "Discovered" less than 100 years ago? A settlement of some kind? Archeological ruins?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] *cheering* It is in Paris.
    [ISP] Not a cave.
    [ISP] Not discovered.
  • Raak
    Having found a picture of it, I can say that the building itself is definitely less than 100 years old.
  • Projoy - A government building?
  • Projoy - Bibliothéque nationale de France?
  • Projoy - + è - é
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Not a government building, nor the Bibliotheque.
  • Raak
    A hint: the animal connection is not merely that it is a building that people use.
  • CdM - Named after somebody?
    (I thought about guessing Centre Pompidou, but I would doubt that Raak would ever have thought that might have been old.)
  • Raak
    [CdM] Er...sort of named after someone.
  • Chalky - Marche aux Puces?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] Not the flea market.
  • CdM - A museum?
  • I Say, Porter! - A station on the Paris Metro?
  • I Say, Porter! - Aeroport Charles de Gaulle?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Not a museum.
    [ISP] Not a station.
    [ISP] Not an airport. (Close attention to the audience's reactions may suggest a less random direction to explore.)
  • I Say, Porter! - A park or public open space?
    [Raak] Re: reactions - I get that to be cheers at Builiding in Paris, and applause at the Ice Hotel.
  • Raak
    [ISP] Not a park or open space.
    (The audience murmurs approvingly at ISP's perspicacious summary.)
  • I Say, Porter! - A hotel or guest house?
  • I Say, Porter! - Somewhere at EuroDisney (although that's not paris per se)
  • Raak
    [ISP] Yes, a hotel.
    [ISP] Not at EuroDisney.
  • Projoy - Hotel George V?
  • Projoy - No, is it The Paris Hilton?
  • I Say, Porter! - The Ritz - named after the famous cracker.
  • Irouléguy
    simmed by Projoy - serves me right for lurking.
  • I Say, Porter!
    [Irg] Still in with a chance - there are five Paris Hiltons not counting the slapper.
  • CdM
    I think we can hand the baton to Projoy now; there is no need to wait for Raak.
  • CdM
    (In other words, the George V is clearly the right answer.)
  • Raak
    [ISP] There are indeed five Hilton hotels in Paris, but only one is...
    [Projoy] ...The Paris Hilton Hotel. One nth-generation videotape passed under the counter to Projoy.
  • CdM - An apostrophe?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Curses! So predictable! It is, indeed, an apostrophe. *hands over curly baton to Cd'M*
  • Chalky - Rapture?
  • Irouléguy - Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent?
  • CdM
    I'm assuming that Projoy is going to come back and set a real one.
  • Projoy
    Ah, then I've managed to be unpredictable for once, since I'm not. Must repeat this. Over to you. :)
  • CdM
    Very well.
    ABSTRACT with ANIMAL connections (and to a lesser extent mineral and vegetable connections also)
  • CdM
    Rapture? No.
    Witt and wisdom? No.
  • Irouléguy - Is the animal human?
  • CdM
    Human? Yes, the animal connections are human.
  • Kim - It is an activity?
  • Kim - It is/Is it
  • Projoy - Is it a contrivance of homo sapiens?
  • CdM
    An activity? No, although I suppose you could say it is connected to an activity.
    Done by folks? Yes.
  • I Say, Porter! - Connected to a sport or game?
  • Lib - A childhood thing?
  • CdM
    Connected to sport or game? No. I don't think the "activity" route will help.
    Childhood thing? No.
  • I Say, Porter! - Fictional?
  • Projoy - Describes a relationship?
  • Irouléguy - Is it a good thing?
  • Lib - Is money involved?
  • CdM
    Fictional? No.
    Describes a relationship? No (if I understand the question correctly)
    A Good Thing? That is a matter of opinion, but I think most people would be more inclined to answer yes rather than no.
    Money involved? Yes is I think the best answer. *a little applause*
  • Rosie - Is it an occupation?
  • CdM
    An occupation? No. *a little applause*
  • Projoy - Connected with art?
  • CdM
    Connected with art? No (except tangentially).
  • Projoy - Connected with social activity?
  • CdM
    Connected with social activity? Hmmm. I'm really not sure how to answer that -- it depends what you mean by 'social activity'. I will say that the animal connection involves a number of humans, all of whom are broadly engaged in some kind of activity.
  • CdM
    ...some kind of common activity...
  • Raak - Watching the Eurovision Song Contest?
  • Irouléguy - Has this happened throughout human history (AFAYK)?
  • CdM
    Eurovisioauraling? No.
    Happened throughout history? Well, it is something that exists, rather than happens. And the answer is No.
  • CdM
    I guess Raak actually asked about Eurovisiovisioing. The answer is still No.
  • Rosie - Do people need to meet to carry out this activity?
  • CdM
    Need to meet? In the case of the thing mentioned on the card people certainly do, but one could imagine the activity being carried out with minimal face-to-face contact. Even in the case of the thing mentioned on the card, some of the people involved probably never meet.
  • Chalky - Do these people have a political or religious belief in common?
  • CdM
    Politics or God? No.
  • Rosie - Is it The Morniverse, or similar community?
  • CdM
    Morniverse? No.
    Similar community? No, but it is in some ways a community (although that isn't the word one would usually use), in that involves a group of people engaged (as I said before) in some kind of common activity.
    As INJ would say, examine your assumptions.
  • Dujon - Is this some sort of 'fan' group (e.g. Trekkies)
  • Rosie - For most of its participants is this activity basically a hobby?
  • CdM
    Fan group? No.
    Hobby? No. *applause for the question*
  • Chalky - Is there a language connection?
  • Irouléguy - Do people get paid for doing this?
  • Rosie - Is it an academic activity?
  • CdM
    Language connection? Sort of, but I think that would be a red herring.
    Do people get paid for doing this? *some applause* People do get paid for the activity, yes. Note that the answer on the card is not the activity, though.
    Academic activity? No.
  • Raak - Is it something that happens online?
  • Rosie - Does the payment for this activity come from some Government department?
  • Irouléguy - Is writing involved in this activity?
  • CdM
    Online? Not exclusively, although there is a substantial online component these days.
    Government funded? No.
    Writing involved? Yes. *applause*
  • Raak - A type of journalism?
  • CdM
    Journalism? The activity is journalism, yes. *applause*
  • Raak - A newspaper?
  • Phil - Journalistic Licence?
  • I Say, Porter! - Paparazzi? Paparazzi? Ya no quieres caminar...
  • I Say, Porter! - sings... porque no tienes, porque le falta, marijuana que fumar...
  • Chalky - Poetic Licence?
  • Uncle Korky - A gossip column?
  • Irouléguy - The fourth estate?
  • Rosie - TV critic?
  • CdM
    Newspaper? No. *smattering of applause*
    Journalistic License? No.
    Pappa Paparra Papparra Obnoxious photojournalists? No.
    Poetic License? No.
    Gossip column? No.
    Fourth Estate? No.
    TV Critic? No.
    The audience has gone very quiet.
  • Dujon - A diary?
    OK, I'm reduce to guessing at the moment, sorry.
  • Rosie - Crossword compilers?
  • CdM
    Diary? No.
    Crossword compilers? No.
    "Fourth Estate" should perhaps also have had a smattering of applause.
    Perhaps a brief summary would help. This thing is abstract with animal connections. It is a non-fictional human construct that has not always existed. The animal connection involves a number of humans, all of whom are broadly engaged in the common activity of paid journalism.
  • Irouléguy - Cookery columns?
  • Raak - A prize of some sort?
  • CdM
    Cookery columns? No.
    A prize of some sort? No.
  • Raak - A press conference?
  • CdM
    A press conference? No.
  • Irouléguy - Does the connection involve a particular area of expertise (such as economics, sport, fashion)?
  • Rosie - City columnist?
  • Uncle Korky - Is this exclusively in the area of newspaper journalism?
  • Projoy - Has it been around more than two hundred years?
  • Irouléguy - Tony Blair's 'feral beast'?
  • CdM - Making some progress
    Involve particular area of expertise? No (that is, not beyond what is already implied by the fact that you know that there is a connection to journalism). *some applause for the question*
    City columnist? No.
    Exclusively newspaper journalism? No. *applause*
    More than 200 years? No (but I will give you a hint and tell you that I did have to check).
    Blair the wild things are? No.
    As one clarification, I want to stress that I have said that the animal connection involves people "broadly" engaged in journalism, but a pedant (not that there are any around here) might claim that the activity is not journalism per se.
  • Dujon - Letters to the Editor?
  • Dujon
    Ignore that question - your comment "engaged in the common activity of paid journalism" just nudged the penny.
  • Projoy - An interview?
  • CdM
    Yours sincerely, Disgusted of Katoomba? No.
    An interview? No.
  • Irouléguy - The parliamentary lobby?
  • Irouléguy - Obituaries?
  • CdM
    Parliamentary Lobby? No.
    Obituaries? No.
  • Projoy - The Groucho Club?
  • CdM
    Groucho Club? No. *the audience is asleep*

    I think you need more questions.
  • CdM
    I hope I haven't misled with the "not journalism per se". Journalism is definitely involved.
  • CdM
    I'm about to travel to France and so may be away from the internets for 24 hours or so.
  • Projoy - Is it a system?
  • Irouléguy - Does it involve writing for a specific section of a newspaper?
  • ImnotJohn - Leaders/Editorials?
  • CdM
    A system? Not sure what you mean, but I am pretty sure the answer is No.
    Specific section? No.
    Editorials? No.
  • Chalky - diarising
    ... am disinclined to suggest 'blogging' as that is an exclusively internetty experience
  • Raak - Reporting?
  • CdM
    Diarising? No.
    Reporting? No. *substantial applause from their audience, although their enthusiasm should not be overrated, stemming as it does partly from relief that they finally have an excuse to do something other than sit there mutely*
    Remember the answer on the card is not the activity itself.
  • Chalky - Is the answer an adjective describing a person who may be journalistically inclined?
  • Chalky again - Current affairs?
  • Irouléguy - Are the mineral and vegetable connections just ink and paper respectively?
  • CdM
    Adjectivally descriptive answer? No. The answer is not an adjective, and does not describe someone journalistically inclined.
    Electric adultery? No.
    Mineral and vegetable = ink and paper? Basically, yes. You could add computers, buildings, and so on, but I don't think these connections tell you anything you don't already know.
  • Projoy - so-called "Fleet Street"?
  • CdM
    Fast Track? No.
  • Irouléguy - Sub-editors?
  • CdM
    Subeditors? No.
  • Irouléguy - International/'foreign' coverage?
  • Uncle Korky - Reviews of some kind?
  • CdM
    Small earthquake in Chile? No. *smattering of applause*
    Reviews? No.
  • Raak - Travel writing?
  • CdM
    Travel writing? No. You all need to think bigger. Also, there has only been one guess that has even approximated the kind of entity that is on the card.
  • Projoy - The Murdoch Media Juggernaut?
  • Raak - News?
  • CdM
    Rupert the Bear? No. *audience applause that, by means of subtly shifting cadences, conveys the message that they are applauding not so much for the name Murdoch as for the fact that there have now been two guesses that approximate the entity on the card*
    News? OK, you don't need to think quite that big. Nevertheless *applause, tinged with relief that we may finally be getting somewhere*
  • Raak - Is it a specific organisation?
  • CdM
    Specific organisation? Yes. *applause*
  • Chalky - Reuters?
  • Irouléguy - The Rothermere press?
  • CdM
    Reuters? No. *sustained applause*
    Rothermere Press? No. *sustained silence*
  • Raak - A specific news agency?
  • CdM
    A specific news agency? Yes.
  • Raak - AP?
  • Chalky - AHN?
  • CdM - Really, what else could it have been?
    A P is indeed what is on the card. This just in from our correspondent: a baton has been delivered to East Anglia.
  • Raak
    A N I M A L
  • CdM
    H U M A N?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Not human.
  • Projoy - Mammalian?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Yes, mammalian.
  • Projoy - A specific species?
  • Rosie - Topical?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] To be very nitpickingly precise, not a specific species.
    [Rosie] Not topical.
  • Irouléguy - Feline?
  • Raak
    [[I] Not a cat.
  • CdM - A specific, individual animal?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Not an individual.
  • Inkspot - Does it live in the water?
  • Raak
    [I] Not alive.
    [I] Not in water.
  • CdM - An extinct creature?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Not extinct.
  • Inkspot - Animal byproduct?
  • Raak
    [Inkspot] Yes, an animal product.
  • Rosie - Food for humans?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Yum? Bleah.
  • Dujon - A stuffed animal (taxidermist wise)?
  • Inkspot - Is it from the male and female?
  • Raak
    [Dujon] (applause)Taxidermy is involved.
    [Inkspot] Could be from either.
  • CdM - Is the answer of the form "an <animal><part of animal>" (e.g., a moose head)?
  • Raak
    [CdM] *applause*! That is included in the answer.
  • Projoy - A stuffed moose head?
  • CdM - An elephant's foot umbrella stand?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Not a moose.
    [CdM] *wild cheering* The very words on the card! One Victorian sword-stick passed on.
  • CdM
    eeeek! Sorry. My internets access is intermittent right now. Let me set an easy one.
    MINERAL with ANIMAL connections
    *audience laughter, with a second wave of laughter as the first one is dying down*
  • Inkspot - Is the mineral man-made?
  • Raak - Is the mineral physically connected to the animal?
  • Rosie - Something to do with sex?
  • Néa - A parrot-handle umbrella?
  • Raak - A cast-iron elephant's foot umbrella stand?
  • CdM
    Man-made? Could be. *audience laughter*
    Physically connected to the animal? Well, yes. But then again, no. *audience laughter*
    To do with sex? Well, er, it could be, though it is probably fair to say, not normally. *audience laughter* Not that I am passing any judgment on what is normal, you understand. *audience laughter*
    Parrot-handle umbrella? No.
    Cast-iron efus? No.
  • Projoy - Is it bigger than a shoe box?
  • CdM
    Bigger than a shoebox? The question is not really meaningful.
  • Raak - I mean, *chastity* belt?
  • Raak
    Very strange, I posted with a misprint, hence the correction, which seems to have overwritten the original.
  • Raak
    Probably just clicked Preview by mistake.
  • CdM
    Chestity belt? Charity belt? Elastity belt? No.
  • Rosie - Is this a substance, or substances, as opposed to an object?
  • CdM
    Substance? Yes. *applause*
  • Rosie - My God, it's not a turd, is it?
  • CdM
    Looks like ... smells like ... tastes like ... thank god I didn't step in it...? No, but *sustained audience applause and laughter*
  • Raak - You're not taking the piss, are you?
  • Rosie - Bogies?
    And I don't mean those four-wheel assemblages you find under railway carriages.
  • CdM - Does it begin with...?
    Urine is the word on the card. One Andres Serrano representation of a baton returned to Raak.
  • Raak
    Let me try to raise the tone with this M I N E R A L and A B S T R A C T.
  • Irouléguy - Ancient Greek sculpture?
  • Rosie - A work of art?
  • I Say, Porter! - Bigger than a toaster?
    [Raak] Shurely your winning question last round should have been "Does it begin with pee"
  • Raak
    [I] The audience applauds, but only for your good taste. Not ancient Greek sculpture.
    [R] In a sense, yes.
    [ISP] Bigger than a toaster.
  • Raak
    On reflection, I think the ABSTRACT is inaccurate, and this should be classified simply as MINERAL.
  • Inkspot - A natural geographical feature?
  • Raak
    [Inkspot] Not natural.
  • Rosie - A building?
  • Irouléguy - A bridge?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Yes! A building.
    [I] Not a bridge.
  • Néa - In Europe?
  • Raak
    [Néa] In Europe.
  • Inkspot - Built after 1900?
  • Raak
    [I] Not built after 1900.
  • Irouléguy - In Britain?
  • Raak
    [I] Yes, in Britain.
  • Rosie - Open to the public?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Partly open to the public.
  • Néa - Prehistoric?
  • Raak
    [Néa] Not prehistoric.
  • Inkspot - A religious place?
    In narrow sense, excludes banks, sports grounds,....
  • Irouléguy - The Houses of Parliament?
  • Raak
    [Inkspot] Not a religious place.
    [Irouléguy] Not the H of P.
  • Néa - In England?
  • Raak
    [Néa] In England.
  • Rosie - St Pancras Station?
  • Dujon - Would this edifice be a tourist attraction?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not St. Pancras.
    [Dujon] Quite possibly, I'm not sure.
  • Inkspot - Is it a residence?
  • Irouléguy - In southern England?
    Using the 'south of a line drawn between the Wash and the Severn' definition.
  • Raak
    [Inkspot] Not a residence.
    [Irouléguy] In southern England.
  • I Say, Porter! - By the seaside?
  • Raak
    [ISP] Not by the seaside.
  • Irouléguy - In London?
  • Inkspot - Built before 1800?
  • Raak
    [Inkspot] Built before 1800.
  • Rosie - Do you have to pay to go in?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] (laughter from the audience) Quite the reverse.
    (I note an assumption of present tense that might usefully be questioned.)
  • Irouléguy - Newgate debtors' prison?
  • Raak
    [I] Not Newgate.
  • Inkspot - Is it still standing?
  • Raak
    [Inkspot] Partly.
  • Irouléguy - A prison?
    Ahem - my London question hasn't had an answer yet.
  • Inkspot - A fortification?
  • Raak
    [Irouéguy] Sorry -- it is/was in London. Not a prison.
    [Inkspot] Not a fortification.
  • Raak
    Have missing "l".
  • Irouléguy - Built before 1700?
  • Rosie - London Bridge?
    All stations to Tunbridge Wells West. Join the front coach for Hurst Green Halt.
  • Inkspot - Built by the Romans?
  • Raak
    [I] Not built before 1700.
    [R] Not London Bridge.
    [I] Not built by the Romans.
  • Projoy - Marble Arch?
  • Rosie - Is any of it still visible?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Not Marble Arch
    [Rosie] Some of it is still visible.
  • Irouléguy - North of the river?
  • Projoy - Is it underground?
  • Raak
    [I] North of the river. [P] Overground.
  • Inkspot - Did it commemorate an event?
  • Raak
    [I] Not commemorative.
  • I Say, Porter! - The British Museum?
    The British Museum? Pah! Who is this man, he is an insult to me. "It's primary purpose is of course functional". What a load of WILLIES! It's primary purpose is of course sexual. It is a massive assertion of the phallique power of London. These huge columns plunging into Mother Earth!
  • I Say, Porter! - Highgate cemetary?
  • Projoy - Would it have had an address?
    i.e. is it a building on a street, or is it in another context?
  • Irouléguy - Is there a health connection?
  • Raak
    [ISP on something] Not the BM.
    [ISP] Not Highgate.
    [Projoy] Yes, a building on a street.
    [I] No health connection.
  • Irouléguy
    Time for a summary: A building in London, north of the river, built between 1700 and 1800, part of which is still standing. It is (or was) partly open to the public, overground, and on a street. It is not: a religious place, a bridge, the Houses of Parliament, a prison, a fortification, St Pancras Station, Marble Arch, the British Museum or Highgate Cemetery. Nor does it have any health connection. The question “Do you have to pay to go in” produced laughter from the audience and the response “Quite the reverse”.
  • Irouléguy - The bank of England?
  • Rosie - Was it the residence of a well-known person?
  • Inkspot - Did it produce something for sale?
    add "Not a residence" to summary.
  • Raak
    [I] (applause!) Yes! These very words appear on the card! But that is not the whole answer.
    [R] I don't know if any of the Bank of England's officials ever had their residence there.
    [I] Not exactly.
    Google may be your friend at this pont.
  • Projoy - The Temple of Mithras?
    (Google is indeed a friend)
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Not the Temple of Mithras (which was built too long ago).
  • Projoy - Sir John Soane's Bank of England?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] The very words on the card. Over to you.
  • Projoy
    Hm. I should be doing other work, but here's an ABSTRACT .
  • Irouléguy - Sabbatarianism?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] The very words on the - actually, NO. :)
  • Kim - Human construct?
  • I Say, Porter! - Is it art?
  • Raak - Related to your work?
  • Projoy
    [Kim] Among the mighty works of man? YES
    [ISP] Is it art? Strictly, NO. *applause*
    [Raak] Clever question! Related to my work, YES. *applause*
  • Irouléguy - An artistic technique?
  • Raak - To do with museums?
  • Raak - (Scratch that last, I'm out of date.) Something to do with the theatre?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] Artistic technique? NOT EXACTLY *small ripple*
    [Raak] (I do occasionally still do something in a museum, but not often) To do with theatre? NOT BY DEFINITION (but can be)
  • Projoy
    (i.e. not intrinsically to do with theatre)
  • Irouléguy - To do with computers?
  • Projoy
    Computer-related? NO. (again, not intrinsically but could be)
  • Raak - To do with music?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Music? YES *muchos applausos*
  • Irouléguy - A particular musical form or format (ie overture, song, duet)?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] A form or format? NO
  • Raak - A degree in musical composition?
  • Projoy
    Faculty + Staff? NO
  • Phil - Furry fandom?
  • Rosie - Abything to do with technique?
  • Rosie
    Nearly got it right just then.
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Furry music? NO
    [Rosie] Technique? NO
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    ..and no, I'm not Lib...
  • Irouléguy - Is this specific to a particular type of music (ie rock, classical, folk)?
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] Begins with P? PNO
    [Ig] Particular type of music? NO, in the sense you give for type(however, it's not universal either).
  • Rosie - Is it a specifically musical term, eg a cadenza
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] YES, tho perhaps in a subtly different way to your e.g.
  • Phil - Is there more than one word on the card?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Multiple words? YES
  • Rosie - Are any of the words on card in Italian?
  • Irouléguy - Is it to do with electronic music?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Eye, Tie? NO
    [Ig] Electronic music? NO (not intrinsically, but could be)
  • Rosie - A time signature?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Time signature? NO *some applause*
  • Phil - Musical notation?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Notation? NO, tho it does manifest in same.
  • Raak - An accelerando?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] A fastening? NO
  • Rosie - A clef, bass or treble?
    Not tenor or alto for they are manifestations of the Marquis de Sade.
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Clef? NO *but an eruption of enthusiastic applause from the erudite audience*
  • Rosie - Key signature?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] YES, it is one key signature... *applause*
  • Irouléguy - B flat?
  • Projoy
    Slimmer's instruction to stomach? NO
  • Rosie - C major?
  • Projoy
    What Lamont failed to do on Black Wednesday? NO
  • Phil - A Flat Minor?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] A child under a bulldozer? NO, but soooo close!
  • Phil - A Minor?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Not A Minor nor a minor. Getting colder.
  • Phil - A flat major
    Surely?
  • Rosie - G flat (major)
    (Phil) Ab minor? That's bad spelling; it's G# minor. I dunno. You of all people. I suspect your Ab is correct, you bastard. :-)
  • Phil
    [Rosie] A flat minor is 7 flats isn't it? And also a very old punchline.
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Yes, you have it with One Squashed Bandleader. *hands over neat military cork-tipped conductor's baton*
  • Phil
    Many thanks - glad to get one again, at last :)

    Your next AVMA for consideration and interrogation is ABSTRACT

  • Projoy - All together now... a human construct?
  • Rosie - A bluesy minor third?
  • Phil
    [Projoy] Human construct, dagnammit? YES!
    [Rosie] 33% of a depressed child? NO
  • Projoy - An idea of the twentieth century?
  • Irouléguy - Related to your work?
  • Phil
    [Projoy] 20th century origin? NO
    [Irouléguy] Pub-related? NO
  • Rosie - Anything to do with music?
  • Irouléguy - Specific to a particular culture?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Musical? NO
    [ILG] Specific to a particular culture
    YES
  • Projoy - An idea from before 1000CE?
  • Phil
    [Projoy] <1000AD? NO
  • Irouléguy - Specific to a European culture?
  • Phil
    [ILG] A European culture? YES
  • Rosie - Specific to British culture?
    Converging on . . . . .
  • Phil
    [Rosie] British Culture? NO
  • Projoy - From before 1500CE?
  • Irouléguy - Specific to a western European culture?
  • Phil
    [Projoy] <1500? NO
    [Irouléguy] W. Europe? YES
  • Irouléguy - Anything to do with religion?
  • Phil
    [Irouléguy] To do with religion? *sharp intake of breath from some audience members* After some thought, officially, NO.
  • ImNotJohn - Anarcho-syndicalism?
    Atlast!
  • Projoy - From before 1800?
  • Phil
    [INJ] Anarcho-wotsit? Well, blow me down - NO
    [Projoy] <1800? NO *audience anxiously awaits Projoy's next era query*
  • Rosie - A celebration?
  • Projoy - From before 1850?
    May as well mine this seam out.
  • Phil
    [Rosie] celebration? NO
    [Projoy] <1850? NO *audience drums its collective fingers*
  • ImNotJohn - A Mediterranean country's culture?
  • Phil
    [INJ] Med Country? NO
  • Phil
    [Projoy] Just to make sure we're on the same wavelength, it did not come into being (inasmuch as an abstract entity can) in any of the timespans you've suggested.
  • Irouléguy - From Germany?
  • Phil
    [Irouléguy] From Germany? NO *Audience dozes quietly*
  • Projoy - So it did come into being between 1850-1900?
  • I Say, Porter! - Belgian or Dutch?
  • Phil
    [Projoy] Originating 'twixt 1850 and 1900? YES (21st century was the only alternative left, I think)
    [IS,P!] Belgian/Dutch? NO
  • Rosie - A sport?
  • Irouléguy - Irish?
  • Projoy - Specific to a Nordic Culture?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] A sport? My first thought was "yes", but it's actually "NO" *sudden re-awakening of audience followed by huge applause despite the "no"*
    [Irouléguy] Irish? YES *yet more applause*
    [Projoy] Nordic? see above.
  • Projoy - A political idea?
  • Projoy
    Scrub that, not easily mistaken for a sport (except by politics junkies like me). A game?
  • Phil
    [Projoy] A game? NO. Although, to clarify a little, games and sport are involved. *appreciative nods and applause from the audience*
  • Projoy - To do with children in particular?
  • Rosie - St Patrick's Day?
  • Rosie - The Gaelic Athletic association?
    Scrub previous - it's a celebration.
  • Irouléguy - A particular event or date?
  • Irouléguy - or the Celtic Revival (aka Irish Renaissance)?
  • Phil - Now we're getting somewhere...
    [Projoy] Children in particular? NO
    [Rosie] The GAA? Not the answer on the card, but you're getting warm *enthusiastic applause as the audience awaits the dénouement with eager anticipation*
    [Irouléguy] a date, event or the celtic revival? NONE of those
  • Irouléguy - The GAA rules?
  • Phil
    [Irouléguy] The GAA Rules? NO, but they are associated with the answer on the card. *hushed anticipation*
  • Irouléguy - The All-Ireland Championships?
  • Rosie - The Rules of Gaelic Football?
  • Phil
    [Irouléguy] The All-Ireland Championships? Two words missing from what's on the card (and if you get the second of them I'll be satisfied). *mutters of "harsh, but fair" from the Irish members of the audience*
    [Rosie] See Irouléguy's question.
  • Irouléguy - The All-Ireland Gaelic Football Championships?
  • Irouléguy - or the All-Ireland Senior Football Championships, even?
    Google is indeed our friend
  • Phil
    [Irouléguy] ARGH! No, not quite - SO close, yet I can't give it to you on either post.
  • Projoy - The All-Ireland Junior Football Championships?
  • Phil
    [Projoy] A-I JFC? NO, you changed the wrong word - sorry.
  • Rosie - The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Champuionships?
    Gotta be, so it has.
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Hoorah! Yes, indeed, 'tis the hurling. Here, take this camán and sliotar, and be off with you :-)
  • Rosie
    (Phil) Er, what do I do with them? Don't answer that.

    Right, earwig-o with ABSTRACT and MINERAL or ABSTRACT..

    Nothing whatsoever to do with steam engines.

  • Projoy - Is it to do with the weather?
  • Raak
    A ton of bricks?
  • Dujon - Related to 'the arts'?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) Yes, it's weather-related.
    (Raak) Not a ton of bricks.
    (Dujon) Nothing to do with the arts.
  • Raak - Is the mineral water?
  • Phil
    A measurement?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Water? Most of it is.
    (Phil) No, not a measurement.
  • Raak - Noah's Flood?
  • Projoy - Connected with climate change?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Notable historic widespread intense precipitation event? No.
    (Projoy) Nothing to do with climate change, manmade or otherwise.
  • Dujon - Perhaps something to do with short term weather forecasting?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) Not seaweed, hair, thunder-bottles, Positive Vorticity Advection or any other attempt at divination.
  • Raak - Fictional?
  • Irouléguy - A particular form of precipitation?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) No, it's real (both meanings)
    (Irouléguy) Not a hydrometeor, as they call it in the learned journals.
  • Phil - Is it a type of weather?
    By the way, you would hit the sliotar with the camán.
  • Inkspot - Is the water, ice?
  • Rosie
    (Phil) Not strictly a type of weather, but in effect yes. (Irish implements) Ah, it's becoming a little clearer. Neither would fit where the sun don't shine, then.
    (Inkspot) Ice? Most certainly not. *a few chuckles from the audience*
  • Irouléguy - Normally linked with a particular part of the world?
  • Phil
    Scotch Mist?
  • Phil - Scotch Mist?
    oops - forgot the protocol.
  • I Say, Porter! - Indian Summer?
  • Rosie
    (Irg) YES *audience applause*
    (Phil) Not reduced visibility due to half a bottle of GlenPissartist
    (ISP) Not an Indian Summer.
  • Raak - A monsoon?
  • Irouléguy - A hurricane?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Not the monsoon.
    (Irg) A hurricane? Not a bit of it. *cruel laughter by knowledgable audience*

    This is not a technical term but possibly used to be.

  • Dujon - A named wind?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) Not a named wind. *further audience chuckles*
  • CdM - The doldrums?
  • Irouléguy - The El Niño/Southern Oscillation effect?
  • Raak - A tsunami?
  • Rosie
    (Irg) Not ENSO (It's a technical term)
    (Raak) Not a tsunami.
    but:
    We have winner! It's the totally becalmed CdM. Well done, sir. (Local knowledge?). Over to you.
  • Rosie
    I think we ought to draw a line under this and move on, as they say.
  • CdM
    I certainly drifted into a lurker's victory there.
    This is ABSTRACT with very strong ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE connections, mainly MINERAL but also ANIMAL and VEGETABLE, and ANIMAL, VEGETABLE, MINERAL AND ABSTRACT. Also perhaps ABSTRACT.
  • Rosie - Life, The Universe and Everything?
  • CdM
    Indeed! *marks baton "Return to Sender"*
  • Projoy
    Ooh. Is that the first genuine hole in one in this game?
  • Rosie
    (CdM) Sorry about that. Sometimes it's worth a pop from the halfway line. :-)

    Now, this time it's MINERAL

  • Irouléguy - Rain?
  • Rosie
    (Irg) - Not rain. *some thoughtful chuckles from audience*
  • CdM - Naturally occurring?
    [Rosie] No apology necessary! An excellent piece of guessing. When I set it I thought there was some chance that it would just click for someone.
    [Projoy] What, my "apostrophe" wasn't a genuine hole in one? :-)
  • Dujon - Condensation of some description?
  • Rosie
    (CdM) Naturally occurring? Unfortunately not.
    The lavish definitions seemed to indicate only one thing. :-)
    (Dujon) Not a form of condensation.

    Switiching off at 3.45 BST, 2.45 GMT.

  • Inkspot - Made of plastic?
  • Rosie
    (Inkspot) Er, not plastic. *huge peals of laughter from audience*

    Clarification: This (or these) can occur naturally, but it is rare, and the words on the card are always thought of as not a part of nature.

  • Projoy - Solid, when at home?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) Yes, it's solid.
  • Projoy - Is it sold?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) You can't buy one of these. *audience split their sides. Paramedics called.*
  • Inkspot - Man made?
  • Raak - An artificial body part?
  • Rosie
    (Inkspot) Manmade? YES.
    (Raak) Not an artificial body part.
  • Irouléguy - Larger than a double-decker bus?
  • Rosie
    (Irg) YES, larger than a double-decker bus, though not equally in all directions.
  • Projoy - Made of stone?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) Made of stone? YES, but only partly. *audience now becoming animated*
  • Phil - Is there a metal part?
  • Rosie
    (Phil) Metal? There may be a very small proportion, but essentially NO.
  • Inkspot - Made of concrete?
  • Rosie
    (Inkspot) Concrete? YES, but only partly.
  • Phil - A monument?
  • Irouléguy - Are these specific to a particular culture or country?
  • Projoy - A pyramid?
  • Rosie
    (Phil) Not a monument.
    (Irg) Not specific to any culture or country though often popularly associated with one particular country.
    (Projoy) Not a pyramid. More utilitarian.
  • Phil - A building?
  • Rosie
    (Phil) NO, not a building.
  • Projoy - This "particular country" - is it in Europe?
  • Phil - Are there 10 or more in the world?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) NO, not in Europe.
    (Phil) Many, many more, but it is difficult or inappropriate to enumerate them precisely.
  • Projoy - Is the country in Africa?
  • Irouléguy - Is the name of the country (or a derivative thereof) part of the answer?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) Not in Africa.
    (Irg) No, the answer contains no reference to any country.

    REMINDER "The country" is nothing more than the instinctive answer most people would give to the question "Where would you find (words on the card)?" (Words on the card) can be found in many countries.

  • Projoy - Is the country in the Americas?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) In the Americas? YES.
  • Phil - Are they as high as a double-decker bus?
  • Projoy - South America?
  • Rosie
    (Phil) High as a double-decker? I'm sure some are even higher but some aren't.
    (Projoy) Not South America.
  • Phil - Is there eny writing on them?
  • Phil
    s/eny/any
  • Projoy - A bridge?
  • Projoy
    No, not a bridge - how about a freeway?
  • Rosie
    (Phil) No, there isn't eny. :-)
    (Projoy) Not a freeway, (or a bridge). *audience murmurings indicate some panel members may be showing detectable atomic motion.*
  • Phil - Should I pay much heed to the audience's laughter earlier?
  • Projoy - Is it something vehicles can use?
  • Rosie
    (Phil) YES. Shurely one always should. They aren't a collection of wannabe Machiavellis as far as I know. (Projoy) Used by vehicles? YES (in some cases), a literal but unhelpful truth.
  • Phil - Is water involved?
  • Dujon - Does this 'thing' enclose or partly enclose an open space?
  • Rosie
    (Phil) Water involved? Very much so, Des. (© M Lawrenson.)*audience now hyperventilating*
    (Dujon) Enclose an open space? YES, in a sense, but beware.
  • Projoy - Is ice involved?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) Ice? You're getting colder.
  • Phil - Is steam involved?
  • Rosie
    (Phil) Nothing to do with steam, believe it or not.:-)
  • Phil - A levee?
  • Rosie
    A LEVEE it is! Well done, Phil. I'm afraid that makes it your shout.
  • Phil
    Wow! That was a bit of a shot in the dark, but it was also the result of considered deduction of all previous answers. To be honest, I'm quite chuffed with getting that. I very nearly put "dam", but that would not be popularly associated with N America.

    Right, your next AVMA is

    ANIMAL or ABSTRACT

  • irach - Yankee?
  • Phil
    [irach] Yankee? NO
  • I Say, Porter! - Is it art?
  • Phil
    [IS,P!] is it art? Hmmmm....the Animal sense is not, the abstract sense is. *a little applause and a few whispers in the audience*
  • I Say, Porter! - [sounds like porn...] Is it deceased (e.g. pickled)
  • Uncle Korky - Is it something as straight-forward as a picture of an animal...?
  • Rosie - Depiction of a human?
  • Phil
    [IS,P!] Nothing is deceased (and filth is not involved).
    [UK] Picture of an animal? NO *a couple of audience members briefly sait forward part-way through the question*
    [Rosie] Depiction of a human? "NO" & "Sort of" are the two unhelpful answers
  • Phil
    A clarification: The words on the card can be construed in two different ways. One is animal, the other is abstract.
  • Rosie - Is the abstract meaning a figurative reference to some quality of an animal or human?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] figurative reference to some quality? NO
  • Rosie - Is the animal human?
    Back to basics.
  • Phil
    [Rosie] The animal from which I have elicited an "Animal" sense of the answer is indeed human. *a little cautious applause*
  • Irouléguy - A specific human?
  • Phil
    [Irouléguy] A specific human? YES - specific, but not fixed.
  • CdM - A position or title (e.g., Queen of Melanesia)?
  • Phil
    [CdM] Position/title? NO
  • Rosie - Is this person the same person for everyone?
    I.e. not "my mother-in-law".
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Is this person the same person for everyone? NO *considerable applause*
  • Rosie - One's "better half"?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Better half? NO *a little chuckling*
  • Rosie - Is the person some kind of inspiration?
    Breathe in.
  • Phil
    [Rosie] An inspiration? For the animal sense of the answer, NO. For the abstract sense, YES *appreciative applause*
  • Rosie - A fairy godmother?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] FG? NO
  • CdM - Always of one sex?
  • Phil
    [CdM] Always one sex? NO
  • Phil - A little summarisation and clarification
    There are two different senses or potential meanings arising from the words on the card. My answers have been very carefully worded, but I think an incorrect assumption may have been made. In particular, be careful what you infer from: The animal from which I have elicited an "Animal" sense of the answer is indeed human. See also my answer to IS,P!'s first question as well. I think that may have been overlooked.
  • Rosie - Is the "art" that of drawing or painting?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Drawing or painting? NO, but there is a connection to painting that might be misleading.
  • Uncle Korky - An artist's model, perhaps?
  • Phil
    Artist's model? No.
  • Kim - A muse?
  • Phil
    A Muse? No.
    I suspect you're all heading in the wrong direction, based on an incorrect assumption of what my careful use of the word "Animal" means.
  • Rosie - The Hand of God?
  • Phil
    Hand of God? NO
  • Rosie - Does the Animal refer to a part of the human body?
  • Phil
    {Rosie] A part of the human body? YES *the last remaining audience member fetches the rest from the bar, and they all applaud excitedly*
  • Rosie - The heart?
    Mm, only because they're all pissed.
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Heart? NO
  • Rosie - Is the body part involved in perception?
    It seems to be just you and me. Where is everybody? Do they know something?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Involved in perception? NO (unless you include the sense of touch).
    I think they're all too busy testing their nerdiness on MCiOS ;-)
  • Projoy - A limb?
    [Phil] I'm madbusy atm.
  • Dujon - Does the animal part of this puzzle refer to name of a person?
    Sorry if that sounds odd, but I'm trying to work out the logic of some of the earlier questions and answers.
  • Dujon - Hang on, hang on. Don't answer that one, Phil, if you don't mind. Rephrasing my query - does the card include the name of a person?
  • Phil
    [Projoy] Limb? NO *sharp intake of breath, and some applause*
    [Dujon] A person's name on the card? NO
  • Dujon - In that case, a guess: a hot head (or a hothead if you prefer)?
  • Phil
    [Dujon] hothead? NO
    Rosie's question of 30th August is worth paying attention to.
  • Rosie - Is the answer a phrase or
  • Rosie - Is the answer a phrase or saying?
    Hit the wrong key earlier.
  • Projoy - Is it an appendage?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] A phrase or saying? NO, not really.
    [Projoy] Appendage? According the dictionaries I've consulted, that's the same as a limb, in biological terms, so: NO
  • Rosie - Your father's moustache?
    Not yours but ones.
  • Phil
    [ROsie] "Your father's moustache"? NO, but getting towards the right lines. *some applause*
  • CdM - A joint?
    I haven't been ignoring this game; I've just been woefully short of inspiration.
  • Phil
    [CdM] Joint? NO, not in any sense of the word.
  • CdM - the moving finger?
  • Phil
    [CdM] The moving finger? NO
  • Irouléguy - Is the art representational art?
  • Phil
    [Irouléguy] Representational art? Ummmm....not really relevant as far as I can tell, as it's not drawing or painting.
  • Rosie - Do "the words on the card" include a relative?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] A relative? NO
  • Phil - Anyone for a summary?
    The words on the card, which are not a phrase or saying, and do not include a relative or the name of a person, can be taken in two ways:
    The first is "Animal" in its nature, and is a part of the human body, although the human is not the same person for everyone, or even the same sex. The body part is not a limb, appendage or joint. It is reasonable to assume from the audience's lack of reaction that it is not a moustache, finger or hand.
    The second is "Abstract" in nature, is art, is not painting or drawing. As such it is not "representational art", but could be said to be inspirational. There is, however, a connection to painting or drawing that is not implicitly mentioned on the card.
  • Phil - cont.
    The body part is also not a heart, and not involved in perception, other than the fact that it has nerve ending, and therefore has the sense of touch. There are also plenty of incorrect guesses that I've brushed over in order to concentrate on what's important.
  • Phil - Bugger
    I meant "explicitly", not "implicitly".
  • ImNotJohn - Is music involved?
  • Phil
    [INJ] Music involved? NO
  • Dujon - Does this involve the dermis (corium)?
  • Rosie - Does a smile come into it?
  • Phil
    [Dujon] Dermis? Only in that the body part is coated in it
    [Rosie] A smile? NO
  • Irouléguy - Does the art involve dance?
  • ImNotJohn - My Left Foot?
    Although I'm not sure that it's neither a limb nor an appendage.
  • Phil
    [Irouléguy] Dance? NO
  • Phil - Oops
    [INJ] "My Left Foot" are indeed the words on the card! Congrats, and thank God someone got it in the end. I looked up appendage and limb and, in biological terms, they are both attached directly to the body; so, reluctantly, I had to say no.
  • ImNotJohn - Somewhat easier I hope
    Try this one: Mineral and Vegetable
  • Raak
    [INJ] Salt and pepper?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Crueties - NO
  • Rosie - Edible?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] Edible? - I think I could justify both YES and PARTLY
  • Inkspot - A drink?
  • ImNotJohn - See - I said this would be easier
    [Inks] Drinkie-poos? - YES (applause - there would be more, but many of the audience have not yet retaken their seats after the last marathon and those that have are still arguing about 'appendage')
  • Phil - An alcoholic drink?
    (View the source to read the hidden text)
  • ImNotJohn
    [Phil] The devil's brew? - YES
    It depends on your dictionary - but you did make it clear when you rejected it that you'd taken it as a synonym for 'limb', so that's fair enough.
  • Kim - A cocktail?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Kim] Cocktail? - YES
  • Irouléguy - A Mojito?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Iroul] Get your mojito working? - NO
  • Inkspot - Main ingredient vodka?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Inkspot] Vodka-based? - NO
  • Inkspot - Rum based?
  • CdM - Tequila sunrise?
  • CdM - Would it be informative to pursue the "mineral" component, or is it something ordinary like "ice"?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Inks] A rum do? - NO
    [CdM] Tequila Mockingbird? - NO
    [CdM] NO and YES (It's not a Margarita)
  • Irouléguy - Long Island Tea?
    Getting quite thirsty now
  • ImNotJohn
    [Iroul] Long Island Tea - NO (and as a bonus, it's also not a Hairy Navel)
  • Phil - Is it fizzy?
  • CdM - Does it contain more than three ingredients, not including ice?
  • Irouléguy - Does it contain more than one spirit?
  • ImNotJohn - Homing in
    [Phil] plink-plink fizz? - YES
    [CdM] more than three ingredients? - NO
    [Iroul] more than one spirit? - NO
  • Inkspot - Gin and tonic?
  • ImNotJohn - Now to be pedantic
    [Inks] Jinnan Tonnyx? - YES, those words are on the card. However there are in fact 9 words on the card including the indefinite article, so I want a little more - though I won't insist on the exact wording. (catcalls from the audience)
  • Phil - Gordon's Gin and Schweppes tonic with ice and lemon?
  • ImNotJohn - No point in being silly about it
    [Phil] Well the actual answer (containing the indefinite article, remember) was A large gin and tonic with ice and lemon - It was just what was in my mind at the time!
    I'll let you and Inkspot fight over who deserves that one.
  • Phil - Oh God No! I'm still drained rfom the last one....
    I have a surfeit of both gin and tonic at my disposal, so I'll stand back and let Inkspot pick up the baton.
  • Inkspot - Gingerly picks up the baton
    Thank you Phil for your generosity in giving up the chair, very kind of you sir.

    Itsa MINERAL and ABSTRACT

  • Irouléguy - A geographical feature?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the mineral metal?
  • Inkspot
    [Irouléguy] A geographical feature - No
    [ImNotJohn] - mineral metal - No
  • ImNotJohn - Is the mineral stone?
  • Inkspot
    [ImNotJohn] - Is the mineral stone? No
  • Irouléguy - Is the abstract bit a human concept/construction/invention..?
  • Phil - Is the mineral water?
  • Rosie - An object with a figurative significance?
    (Phil) Is the mineral water what? Er, sorry.
  • Inkspot
    [Irouléguy] Is the abstract bit a human concept/construction/invention - Yes
    [Phil] Is the mineral water - No
    [Rosie]An object with a figurative significance - Sorry about this but I don't know, could you give me and example of what one is. I would prefer to hold up my hands and admit to being a idiot, rather than mislead you
  • Rosie
    (Inkspot) Yes, it is a bit elliptical. What I meant was an object used as a metaphor, eg target, ball-park, field-marshal's baton, roadmap, hurdle, dustbin, crown etc.
  • Inkspot
    (Rosie)After all that - No
  • Rosie - A manufactured object?
  • Inkspot
    [Rosie] A manufactured object - YES
  • Rosie - A latter-day gadget, i.e. not around in 1950?
    Any jokes about my age will be used as landfill.
  • CdM - Is it made of plastic?
  • Inkspot
    Rosie - A latter-day gadget, i.e. not around in 1950 - No (which means it was around in the 1950s)
    CdM - Is it made of plastic - YES
  • Rosie - Anything to do with communication?
    Not much plastic around in the '50's. Bakelite maybe.
  • Inkspot
    [Rosie] Anything to do with communication - No
  • Rosie - A household object?
  • Inkspot
    [Rosie] A household object......No mmmmmmm but found in the house - Yes
  • Rosie - Anything to do with electricity?
  • Inkspot
    [Rosie] Anything to do with electricity - No audience slump back into their seats
  • I Say, Porter! - A utensil?
    [Rosie] If you use bakelite does the cake have fewer calories?
  • Rosie - A container?
    (ISP) Nice, that. But bakelite, alas, is three syllables.
  • Inkspot
    [I Say, Porter!] A utensil - No [Rosie] A container - No
    The whatever was made originally in the very, very, very late 40s in plastic by a descriptive name, but later it adopted its present plastic formulation and present whatjamacallit.
  • Phil - To do with music?
  • Inkspot
    [Phil] - To do with music - No
  • Rosie - An object small enough to be carried around?
  • I Say, Porter! - Bakelite
    [Rosie] Ah! Bakelite must refer to Colin as opposed to Tom
  • Inkspot
    [Rosie] An object small enough to be carried around - YES, so light a child can [I Say, Porter!]- Bakelite - No
  • CdM - A frisbee?
  • Rosie - A hula-hoop?
  • Inkspot
    [CdM] A frisbee? No [Rosie] A hula-hoop? No
    the children in the audience start paying attention
  • Rosie - A toy?
    This include mobile phones.
  • Inkspot
    [Rosie] A toy - Found in a toy shop YES
  • Phil - Lego?
  • Inkspot
    We have a WINNER, well done Phil Lego it is, and special thanks to Rosie.
  • Phil
    A google for "invented in 1949" and "toy" revealed the solution (although it was interesting to see what else was invented that year).
    Next, I'll go for Vegetable
  • Raak - Wood?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Wood? NO
  • Raak - Edible?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Edible? Hmmmm.....after some checking, YES.
  • Rosie - The fruit of some tree or plant?
  • Kim - Or its root, stem or flower?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] fruit ? NO
    [Kim] Root, stem or flower? The most commonly consumed part of the plant falls into one of those categories.
  • Dujon - Related to medicine?
  • Rosie - Leaves?
    Having eaten and shot, of course.
  • Phil
    [Dujon] Medicinal? A correct answer is YES, but that's not what the answer is known for.
    [Rosie] Leaves? NO
  • Raak - Is this used for something other than eating and medicine?
  • Rosie - Is it easy to grow this vegetable in this country?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Used for something other than eating and medicine? YES *some applause*
    [Rosie] grown in this country? YES *a little more applause*
  • Raak - Is it used for textiles?
  • Phil
    [Raak] textiles? NO
  • Dujon - Is this an extract of the root/stem/flower rather than the item itself (if that makes sense)?
  • Phil
    [Dujon] Yes, it makes sense, but NO, the root/stem/flower itself is used (sometimes dried and slightly processed), not an extract.
  • Dujon - Ah well, in that case I'll nominate a liquorice stick - not the black extract one, the real chew-a-root variety. Yum.
  • Raak - Vanilla?
  • Phil
    [Dujon] Liquorice? NO
    [Raak] Vanilla? NO
  • Raak - Used as a flavouring?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Flavouring? YES, but not exclusively.
  • Raak - Hops?
  • knb - popeor
    Beer
  • Phil
    [Raak] Hops? Oh yes, Lordy, YES! A matter close to my heart :-) and hearty congrats, sir.
  • Raak
    The next is MINERAL.
  • Inkspot - Is it a mass produced item?
  • Raak
    [Inkspot] Yes, mass-produced.
  • Ki - Does it occur naturally?
  • Raak
    [Ki] Does not occur naturally. If it did, it wouldn't have to be mass produced.
  • Irouléguy - Money?
  • Raak
    [I] Not money.
  • Rosie - Mineral mostly (or entirely) metal?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Yes, mostly metal.
  • CdM - Bigger than a telephone box?
    I can think of things that occur naturally and are also mass produced. Diamonds, for example.
  • Rosie - A tool or implement?
  • Inkspot - Does it run on electric power?
    [CdM] I would say that Rakk answered the question on 'mass produced' correctly, as it means the production of large numbers or quantities standardised items, I do not see how this could apply to diamonds.
  • Raak
    [CdM] Not bigger that a telephone box.
    [Rosie] Tool? Only very broadly speaking.
    [Inkspot] Can be electric.
  • Kim (aka Ki) - Bigger than a toaster?
    Perhaps "mass-processed" would have been more accurate. Metals occur naturally but most have to be processed in order to have any use.
  • Raak
    [Kim] Smaller than a toaster.
  • Inkspot - Would it normally be used inside the home?
    Kikm I agree that minerals can individually be processed, however telephones, fridges, cars etc are not mass processed they are mass produced.
  • Raak
    [Inkspot] Normally used in the home.
  • CdM - Would most players of this game own one?
    [Inkspot] I'd say that this company and this company are pretty clearly mass-producing diamonds.
  • Raak
    [CdM] I expect most players would own one (or more).
    Those companies aren't digging them out of the ground.
  • CdM - A toothbrush?
    [Raak] No. They are producing them. En masse. Which is my point. If the answer on the card was "Diamonds", then the correct response to both "Occurring naturally?" and "Mass-produced?" would be "Yes".

    How about chicken eggs as another example? Unless you take a very narrow view of mass-production, I think they would qualify. Or what about fresh water from a desalination plant?
  • Irouléguy - A knife?
    I read Raak's answer as meaning that this particular thing doesn't occur naturally, rather than arguing that the two categories are mutually exclusive.
  • I Say, Porter! - Whisk?
    still wondering at CdM's "mostly metal" toothbrush...
  • CdM - A razor?
    [IS,P] Good point. I was actually meaning to ask razor before, but then somehow talked myself into toothbrush, along the way forgetting why I had dismissed that idea earlier.
  • Rosie - A watch or clock?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Ok.
    [I] Not a knife.
    [ISP] Not a whisk.
    ]CdM] Not a razor.
    [Rosie] *riotous applause* Yes, a watch or clock.
    BTW, I have not checked to see whether this is a repetition of an earlier object. If so, perhaps the time has come...
  • Rosie - A wrist-watch?
  • Irouléguy - An alarm-clock
    though mine seems to be mostly plastic.
    The time has come...? Noooooooooo!
  • Raak
    [Rosie] A wrist-watch could serve as one, but...
    [Irouléguy] An alarm-clock it is.
    And I see that not only has that been set before, but it was set by me before. Hm...
  • I Say, Porter!
    [Raak] Set before? Hmmm, wonder why it didn't go off. Better buy a new one.
  • Irouléguy
    Mine didn't go off this morning, either - though that was because I didn't set it :)
    Okay, our next is ABSTRACT WITH ANIMAL connections.
  • Rosie - The Labour Party?
    Totally topical.
  • Inkspot - A fictional cgaracter?
  • Inkspot
    doh! fat fingers!
    g/h
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie] Brown is the new blue? Wholly wrong (also not the answer)
    Inkers] Cgarlie in the Cgocolate Factory? No
  • Rosie - A creative activity?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie] Making something? No, but this could lead to a creative activity.
  • CdM - Are the animal connections human?
  • Irouléguy
    CdM - Person to person? Yes, essentially (other animals could be involved, and it could be argued that other animals do this, but this wouldn't be a useful line to explore.)
  • ImNotJohn - To do with communication?
  • I Say, Porter! - Mime?
  • Irouléguy
    ImNotJohn - To do with communication? In a broad sense, yes, but that's not how most people would classify this.
    I Say, Porter! - Mime? *shakes head, frowns*
  • Rosie - Is this an organisation of creative people?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie - Is this an organisation of creative people? No
  • Kim - Is it a communicative medium?
  • ImNotJohn - Does it involve a specific subset of people?
  • Irouléguy
    Kim - Is it a communicative medium? Not entirely sure what you mean by that (and a quick Google doesn't help me). I think the answer is the same as to INJ's previous question.
    ImNotJohn - Does it involve a specific subset of people? A specific instance of this would involve a specific subset of people, but in general, no.

    Being completely pedantic, this can also be done with/to an inanimate object, so the definition should strictly be ABSTRACT with ANIMAL and possibly VEGETABLE and/or MINERAL connections, but this is another red herring.
  • Rosie - Anything to do with sex?
    Nudge, nudge.
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie - Anything to do with sex? *applause* Yes (though the answer (and the thing itself) are quite SFW).
  • Phil - Mostly to do with sex?
  • Irouléguy
    Phil - Mostly to do with sex? I don't see how you could quantify it, but there are a lot of sexual connotations, yes.
  • Rosie - A dance?
    I don't recognise "SFW". *shrugs* So f------ what.
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Suitable for work
  • Rosie - Flirting?
    (Phil) Ah! Thanks. Now, what is this thing called work?.
  • CdM - Would a specific instance typically involve just two people?
    [Rosie] Do you do a lot of flirting with inanimate objects, then? :-) (Excluding the trombone, of course.)
  • Rosie
    (CdM) Yes - the sax section. Woo! subversive.
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie - A dance, or flirting? No to both (though you might well do this while engaged in either).
    Sorry about the jargon - I've seen people use 'NSFW' in Another Place, so I thought it would be understood (though I used it as 'Safe for Work')
    CdM - Would a specific instance typically involve just two people? *applause* Yes
  • Rosie - Eye contact?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie - 'Oo you lookin' at? No
  • Rosie - Does this involve physical contact?
    'E 'it I, so I 'it 'e.
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie] A touching enquiry? *loud applause* Yes
  • Phil - A massage?
  • Irouléguy
    Phil - A massage? No
  • Rosie - Hugging?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie - Hugging? Closer, but no
  • Phil - Kissing?
  • Irouléguy
    Phil] Kissing? YES - X marks the spot! Over to Phil
  • Phil
    In that case, your next problem to solve is ABSTRACT with ANIMAL connections
  • Rosie - Shagging?
    Worth a squirt.
  • Phil
    [Rosie] I presume you mean chasing and catching fly balls in baseball practice? Anyway, whatever you meant: Shagging? NO!
  • ImNotJohn - Is the animal connection human?
  • Rosie - An action?
    (Phil) Of course. Precisely that. :-)
  • Phil
    [INJ] Human? YES
    [Rosie] An action? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Culturally specific?
  • Phil
    [INJ] Relating to a certain group of people? YES
  • Irouléguy - Only found in a particular part of the world?
  • Phil
    [Irouléguy] One part of the world? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Is the group of people related by profession?
  • Phil
    [INJ] related by profession? NO
  • Irouléguy - Is there a religious connection?
  • ImNotJohn - Any artistic connection?
  • Phil
    [Irouléguy] Religious connection? YES *tumultuous applause*
    [INJ] Artistic? NO
  • CdM - Is the answer a religion/religious group/sect?
  • Phil
    [CdM] Religion/religious group/sect? YES *more applause*
  • Inkspot - Is it gender specific?
  • Phil
    [Inkspot] Gender specific? NO
  • CdM - Scientology?
  • Phil
    [CdM] Scientology? NO
  • Rosie - Christian?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Christian? YES, but not quite the word on the card *deafening applause, followed by a few disdainful grumbles*
  • CdM - Christianity?
  • Phil
    [CdM] Christianity is the word on the card - congrats!
  • CdM - Wot, me again?
    I think that the disdainful grumblers have a point, but in any case I'll accept the baton (which was manufactured from actual genuine pieces of the crown of thorns), and offer something

    ABSTRACT and MINERAL/VEGETABLE (I think), with ANIMAL and VEGETABLE connections.
  • Rosie - Something to do with the environment?
    Not grumbling, for once.
  • CdM
    Environmental? No. Not hereditary either.
  • Irouléguy - Something to do with food?
  • CdM
    Foody? The vegetable connection has something to do with food.
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Rosie - A method of cooking?
  • I Say, Porter! - Is it art?
  • CdM
    Begins with P? It does, as a matter of fact, although I hadn't noticed until you asked.
    Method of cooking? No.
    Art? *audience laughter* Well, it depends on how broadly you define 'art', but I think the best answer is No.
  • Rosie - Is the "p" followed by another consonant?
  • CdM - This is getting out of hand
    Is the P followed by another consonant? Yes, several.


    Oh, you mean immediately. No.
  • Chalky - Is it a one word answer?
  • CdM
    In a word? No.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the mineral/vegetable plastic?
  • Irouléguy - Is the mineral/vegetable manufactured?
  • CdM
    Plastic? In part (I think).
    Manufactured? Yes.
    (The "I think" is not any kind of trick answer; it simply reflects that I am having to take an educated guess at one aspect of the answer.)
  • Chalky - Is it a two word answer?
  • CdM
    Two words? No. I'll tell you for free (because I think it will be no help at all :-) ) that I vacillated between two different ways of expressing the thing on the card, one of which is six words long and does not begin with P, and on of which is shorter and does. I went for the latter.
  • CdM - All right, I'll be generous
    It is three words including the definite article.
  • Irouléguy - Passing the buck?
  • CdM
    The deer don't stop here? No. *a scrap of applause that quickly dies away, followed by laughter, scattered applause, and much chattering*
  • Rosie - Are both the Abstract and the Mineral/Vegetable descriptions of the same thing ?
    Feeling a bit thick. Shut up at the back there.
  • CdM
    Abstract and Mineral/Vegetable descriptions of the same thing? Yes. (Good question.)
  • Rosie - Is the abstract meaning figurative? (E.g. the cat's whiskers)
  • CdM
    Figurative? No. *more scattered applause, though*
  • ImNotJohn - Game-related?
  • CdM
    Game related? No. *amused discussion in the audience*
  • Rosie - Part of an animal?
  • CdM
    Part of an animal? No.
  • Irouléguy - Is this specific to a particular culture or country?
  • CdM
    Culturally and geographically specific? Yes. I would associate it primarily (and perhaps exclusively) with one country.
  • Rosie - Is that country the UK?
  • CdM
    UK-based? Yes.
  • Rosie - A dish (i.e an edible preparation)
  • CdM
    Edible preparation? No.
  • Rosie - Is the animal human?
    This one's a bugger, innit?
  • CdM
    Human? No.
  • Irouléguy - Is the animal one particular species?
  • CdM
    Animal = one particular species? Yes.
  • Rosie - Is the animal emblematic?
  • Irouléguy - Does this date from before 1500?
  • CdM
    Emblematic? No. *some audience laughter*
    Pre 1500? No.

    A summary: This is ABSTRACT and MINERAL/VEGETABLE, with ANIMAL and VEGETABLE connections. The answer is three words, including a definite article, and begins with P immediately followed by a vowel. The abstract and mineral/vegetable are different descriptions of the same thing. The mineral/vegetable description is in part plastic (I think) and is manufactured. The abstract meaning is not figurative. The animal connection refers to one particular non-human species, and is not emblematic. The vegetable connection is connected to food but neither it, nor the overall answer, is a dish.

    The answer is primarily or perhaps exclusively associated with the UK and dates from sometime after 1500. It is not art (except under a very broad definition), nor a method of cooking. It is not environmental, nor is it game-related.

    Three questions provoked odd reactions from the audience, viz: "Passing the buck?", "Is it game-related?", and "Is the abstract meaning figurative? (E.g. the cat's whiskers)". The suggestions that it was art and that it was emblematic also provoked amusement.
  • Rosie - The Pink Panther?
  • CdM
    Pink Panther? No *considerable audience applause, nonetheless*
  • Rosie - A fictional beast?
    Going from the particular to the general.
  • CdM
    Fictional beast? Yes. *applause*
  • Irouléguy - Originally from a novel?
  • CdM
    Once a novelty? No.
  • Phil - Twentieth century?
  • CdM
    Twentieth Century? Yes.
  • Rosie - A fearsome creature?
  • Irouléguy - Originally from TV?
  • CdM
    A fearsome creature? *audience laughter* No, not fearsome.
    Once a novelTV? Yes. *applause*
  • Rosie - Is the first word a name
  • Rosie
    Is there a question mark missing?
  • Projoy - Parsley the Lion?
  • CdM
    Parsley the Lion? Yes! *hands over garnished baton*
  • I Say, Porter! - [CdM] Was your first thought "A very friendly lion called Parsley"?
  • nights
    [CdM] Oh well done, didn't see that coming.
  • Projoy
    Well, that was a surprisingly successfull de-lurk. Here's a plain old ABSTRACT
  • Raak - 42?
  • Tuj - The letter P?
  • Rosie - Human construct?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] 42? NO
    [Tuj] The letter P? NOPE (nor does it begin therewith)
    [Rosie] A human construct? YES
  • Raak - Does it have to do with language?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Hot tongue action? NO (except inasmuch as all answers in this game do)
  • Phil - Is it a philosophy?
  • CdM - Science-related?
    [IS,P] That was indeed what I first planned to put on the card! I was amused by Irouléguy's early guess of "Passing the buck" because, even though it was completely wrong, it had the right opening syllable (at least in some accents), the right structure, and an animal as the last word.
  • Irouléguy - Anything to do with sport?
    CdM] Completely wrong but structurally similar - story of my life, really...
  • Raak - To do with the emotions?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Osophy? NO is the best answer. * some applause *
    [CdM] Sciencey-ness? NO, not really...
    [Ig] Sport? NO
    [Raak] Emotions? I GUESS SO.
  • Rosie - Something to do with mental health?
  • Raak - Stoicism?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Mental health? NO, not specifically
    [Raak] Stoicism? NO * scattered but uncertain applause *
  • Projoy
    In retrospect, maybe the is-it-a-philosophy guess should have had * sustained and enthusiastic applause*
  • CdM - Connected to a belief system?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] A belief system? YES is the least misleading answer *applause*
  • Tuj - It isn't anarcho-syndicalism, is it?
  • Dujon - Is this an attitude?
    By that I mean such things as homophobia, racism, nationalism, patriotism and their like.
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] Anarcho-whatsit? NO *a few Anarcho-syndicalists in the audience take audible issue with this statement*
    [Dujon] An attitude? NOT PER SE, but *some applause*
  • Irouléguy - Is this specific to a culture or country?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] culture or country specific? There are defensible YES and NO answers. I think NO is probably more helpful.
  • Raak - Is there a specific person associated with it?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Specific person associated? YES *applause*
  • Tuj - Is it a one word answer?
  • Chalky - Is this an -ism?
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] One word? NO
    [Chalky] ism? NO
  • CdM - A cult of some kind?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Reaching for one's Cult .44? NO
  • Raak - Is it a named law?
  • Phil - Is there a person's name in the answer?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] A named law? NO
    [Phil] Nominated? NO
  • Phil - A religion?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Religion? NO
  • Raak - Is it a theory of something?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] A theory? NOT AS SUCH, but for free I will mention it is theoretical. *applause*
  • Phil - An ideal?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] An ideal? YES! *some laughter and applause*
  • Phil - Is the associated person still alive?
  • Irouléguy - "Slow food"?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] living person? NO - (it's actually associated with two people)
    [Ig] Slow food? NO
  • Irouléguy - Marx & Engels?
  • Raaj - Are they Gilbert and Sullivan?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] Commies? NO
    [Indian Pooh-Bah] GODDAMIT NO, I hate G&S.
  • Raak - Svengali and Trilby?
  • Chalky - Has this anything to do with gay rights?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Hypnotist and Hat? NO
    [Chalky] Gay rights related? NO is the most helpful answer (altho it could have to do with it - but so could many other things).
  • Phil - Are the two people fictional?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Fictional people? YES and NO
  • Raak - A fictional character, and the creator of that character?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Fictional character? YES. Creator? NO.
  • Phil - To do with education?
  • Irouléguy - Doest
  • Irouléguy - Does the fictional character origina
  • Irouléguy - Does the fictional character originate from the last century?
    Sorry - work keeps getting in the way
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Education? TANGENTIALLY, but the most helpful answer is NO.
    [Ig] C20th character? NO
  • Projoy - RECAP
    This thing is an ABSTRACT human construct. It is connected to philosophy but is not a philsophy per se. It is theoretical, but not a theory per se. It is connected with an attitude but is not an attitude per se. It is connected to a belief system, but is not a belief system per se. It is associated with two people, one of whom is fictional. The fictional character does not originate in the C20th. I originally said flatly that it was not connected to Science or Religion, but on further research, I find it is connected to both, tho not in a particularly famous way. Although it might be connected to many things (anarcho-syndicalists, for instance, might consider it connected to anarcho-syndicalism and gay rights campaigners might consider it connected to gay rights), it is not especially connected to mental health, sport or cults, is not an -ism, named after anyone or a law.
  • Projoy
    Oh, and it is an ideal.
  • Projoy - Ooh, you've all gone quiet.
    Does that mean I win? I'm off to Rome on Saturday, so hopefully someone will ask a breakthru question before then.
  • Irouléguy - A field of study?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] Field of study? NO
  • Phil - To do with "rights", as opposed to specifics, such as "gay rights"?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Rights? NOT IN PARTICULAR
  • Phil - Is the fictional character British?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] British? NO
  • Irouléguy - Is the fictional character European?
  • Phil - Is the real person an actor? Playing the part of the non-fictional person?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] Character European? YES! *applause*
    [Phil] Actor? NO (but think about it the other way around...)
  • Phil
    I'm thinking, but nothing's happening :-(
  • Phil - Hamlet's soliloquy?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Happiness is...? NO, but you're getting warmer.
  • Phil - Is the fictional person acfually mentioned in a work of fiction (as opposed to just being an imaginary person)?
  • Tuj - Is the fictional character from Shakespeare?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Person from a work of fiction? YES! *applause*
    [Tuj] Bardish? NO
  • CdM - So, to clarify what I think I understand: the two associated people are (i) the author of a fictional work and (ii) a character in that work. However, the answer itself is neither the author, nor the character. Is that correct?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] The author? NO! *audience gasps*. A character? YES. The answer is neither? CORRECT.
  • Projoy
    I suppose you could associate it with the author, come to think of it, but I'm not sure that many people do. But I may be wrong in that, so if it helps you to consider that it's associated with three people, then plz do so...
  • Phil - Fiction from pre 1000AD/CE?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Pre-1000CE? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Man and Superman
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Clark Kent and alter ego? NO
  • Phil - Pre 20th century fictional character?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Pre-C20th, YES *applause*
  • Projoy
    Is anyone ready for a clue?
  • Phil
    I think I'm about ready, as my train of thought seems to be stuck for eternity at Clapham.
  • Projoy - a clue
    By far the most significant fact about The Answer so far revealed is that it is "an ideal".
  • Phil
    Oh drat - that's the fact that's confusing all my other thoughts. Better sleep on this one then.
  • CdM - Brave New World?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Miranda Huxley? NO
  • Projoy
    PS. [Phil] Bear in mind that there is more than one meaning for the word "ideal"...
  • Raak - A Platonic ideal?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Perfectly Plato? NO
  • Projoy - Hmm....Is/was the real person a writer?
    My Greek O-level already reminded me of that :-)
  • Phil
    OOPS!!! That was me, not Projoy, sorry!
  • Projoy
    [Projoy, er Phil] A writer? YES
  • ImNotJohn - Is it associated with a psychological condition?
  • Projoy - doo-de-doo, third week of this clue
    [INJ] Psychological condition? NO

    Another recap: This ABSTRACT - which could be called "an ideal" - is associated with two people: a European (non-British) fictional character from the period 1000-1900CE and a real person (from the same period), who was a writer. It could also be associated with the author (also from the same period) who created the fictional character, who is not the same person as the real-person-writer, and is not Shakespeare, Gilbert, Sullivan, Marx nor Engels. There is a strong philosophy connection, altho it is not "a philosophy" per se, nor "an attitude" nor "a belief system", but is connected to these ideas. There are also science and religion connections. It is not a law, stoicism, eponymous, a platonic ideal, to do with sport, anarcho-syndicalism, a psychological condition, a cult, a method of cooking, a field of study, Man and Superman, "Brave New World" nor to do with education. It could be argued that it is country/culture specific, but also that it isn't (I think no is the most helpful answer).

    Anarcho-syndicalists would associate The Answer with Anarcho-syndicalism. Gay rights campaigners would associate it with gay rights.
  • Chalky - Man and Superman?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] M&S? NO, see my reply to INJ. Not Nietzsche, Shaw or Siegel and Shuster.
  • Raak - Anything to do with utopia?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Utopia? VERY NEARLY!! *tumultuous applause*
  • ImNotJohn - The Lost World?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Lost world? NO *some applause*
  • Phil - Nirvana?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Nirvana? NO *audience muttering about Europe*
  • nights - Communism?
    Bit of a wild stab in the dark, this one.
  • Projoy
    [nights] Communism? NO, though a Communist would disagree.
  • Chalky - Is this anything to do with fascism or ethnic purity?
  • Chalky - Is the answer the title /author of a book?
    sorry if this has already been askeded
  • Phil - Eutopia?
  • Dujon - Were the ideas of this author reflected in the work of Bunyon's Pilgrim's Progress, though the latter was far more 'religious'?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Fascism/Ethnic Purity? NO (altho Fascists and ethnic puritans would disagree)
    [Chalky] Title/author? NO
    [Phil] Eutopia? NO, but that is arguably a closer guess than "Utopia" *a huge oooooh of approval from the audience*
    [Dujon] Were the ideas...? I haven't read/studied Bunyan, but going by Wikipedia's description of PP, I would be inclined to say NO.
  • Irouléguy - "The best of all possible worlds"?
  • Raak - Metaphysico-theologico-cosmolonigology?
  • Phil - Is the fiction 19th century?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] C19th, NO
    [Raak] All that jazz? NO, for
    [Irouléguy] YES!!. The very words on the card. I must admit I didn't read the Wikipedia entry on Leibniz before setting the clue, so didn't realise in time that the idea had such a close relationship with science and theology in its initial incarnation, having first heard of it via Voltaire's Dr Pangloss.
  • Phil
    Congrats, Irouléguy. I'd never have got that, as I'd never heard of it, alas, and my web-trawling didn't lead me anywhere near it :-(
  • Irouléguy
    Thanks, Phil - and well done Projoy - that must be a record! I can't claim any great web-trawling skills, it just came to me. I think I did the play in French A level *cough* years ago, but I didn't know of the connections with Leibniz.

    Well, our next should be a short one, so here goes - it's ABSTRACT, VEGETABLE and MINERAL with ANIMAL connections.
  • Projoy - Is it fictional?
    [Ig] Not sure what took so long on that one, altho there did seem to be a bit of a lack of deductive questions in the middle stages. [Phil] Well, there you go, and I was convinced, Candide aside, that it was an everyday expression...
  • Phil - Is the animal connection human?
    [Projoy] At least I've learn a new word ('theodicy'). Tangentially; I'm a bit concerned about where the "all" comes from in a translation of the French "le meilleur des mondes possibles", but I don't think it changes the meaning enough for me to lose sleep over, and I'm sure it's been discussed to death over the last 293 years already. That was a criticism of whoever translated it, not you, btw.
  • Raak - The seed that fell on stony ground?
  • Irouléguy
    Projoy - Is it fictional? No
    I thought it was an everyday expression too, but I just twigged it from your answer to 'Utopia' and the European connection.

    Phil - Is the animal connection human? Yes
    I thought 'theodicy' was Homer's follow-up...

    Raak - The seed that fell on stony ground? No
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] If that was a prediction rather than a guess, then you may be right.
  • Projoy - Is the vegetable wood?
  • Irouléguy
    Projoy - Is the vegetable wood? Yes, but there are other vegetables/vegetable products also involved.
  • Raak - Is any of it edible?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak - Filling your face? What it's made of isn't edible, but there are edibles in it.
  • Raak - Is paper involved?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak - Is paper involved? There's paper in it.
  • Chalky - Is it a place?
  • Irouléguy
    Chalky - Is it a place? *the audience awakes cheering* Yes.
  • Raak - Fictional?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Fictional? NO. See Ig's answer to me, above. :)
  • Projoy - Is it larger than a town?
  • I Say, Porter! - The Natural History Museum?
  • Irouléguy
    Projoy - Is it larger than a town? *applause* Than some towns, yes...
    Team-hosting - I like it!
    I Say, Porter! - The Natural History Museum? No
  • Projoy - An island?
  • Tuj - Is it a country?
  • Raak - Is it man-made?
  • Irouléguy
    Apologies for my long absence - back at the keyboard now.
    Projoy - An island? No
    Tuj - Is it a country? No
    Raak - Is it man-made? Yes
  • Projoy - A building?
  • Raak - Does it still exist?
  • Irouléguy
    Projoy - A building? No
    Raak - Does it still exist? Yes
  • Projoy - A defined municipal area?
  • Irouléguy
    Projoy - A defined municipal area? *collective "oooh" from the audience, mixed with the occasional muttered "cleverclogs" A most precise definition of the class of things to which this particular belongs.
  • Projoy - In England?
  • Raak - A green belt?
  • Irouléguy
    Projoy - In England? No
    Raak - A green belt? No

    Coincidentally
  • Projoy - In the UK?
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • Irouléguy
    Projoy - In the UK? Yes
    Tuj - Does it begin with P? No
  • ImNotJohn - A single specific named area?
  • Irouléguy
    ImNotJohn - A single specific named area? Yes

    In case it wasn't clear, the answer to Projoy's "defined municipal area" was an emphatic "yes".
  • Raak - Is it a place where things are sold?
  • Projoy - Scotland?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak - Is it a place where things are sold? Things are sold in this place.
    Projoy - Scotland? OCH AYE
  • ImNotJohn - The Gorbals?
  • Irouléguy
    ImNotJohn - The Gorbals? No
  • Raak - The Toy Parliament?
  • Projoy
    A current administrative division?
  • Projoy
    + <i>
  • Irouléguy
    Raak - Wholly rude about Holyrood? No
    Projoy - A current administrative division? Yes
    + </i>
  • Projoy - Does it incorporate any islands?
  • CdM - Does it incorporate any mainland?
  • ImNotJohn - Does it fall entirely within another defined municipal area?
  • Irouléguy
    Projoy - Does it incorporate any islands? No
    CdM - Does it incorporate any mainland? ;) It's on the mainland of Scotland
    ImNotJohn - Does it fall entirely within another defined municipal area? No
  • Projoy - Is "shire" anywhere in the name of it?
  • CdM - Does it have historical significance?
  • Irouléguy
    Projoy - Tolkein connections? No
    CdM - Does it have historical significance? *applause* Yes
  • CdM - Culloden?
  • Irouléguy
    CdM - Culled? No
  • Phil - Stirling?
  • Projoy - Does it have the word "and" anywhere in its name?
  • Irouléguy
    Phil - On the money? No
    Projoy - Does it have the word "and" anywhere in its name? *applause* Yes
  • CdM - The Highlands?
    (Couldn't resist)
  • Projoy - Dumfries and Galloway?
  • Irouléguy
    CdM - The Highlands? *applause* No
    (Couldn't resist) That's a little harsh - 1314, 1715, 1745?
    Projoy - Dumfries and Galloway? No

    CdM is both conceptually and geographically closer
  • Projoy - Perth and Kinross?
  • ImNotJohn - Ross and Cromarty?
    (Although that does contain a few islands)
  • Raak - But and Ben?
  • I Say, Porter! - [Raak] Flobble obble obble! Weeeeed!
  • Raak
    I take it that's a nobbleobble.
  • Irouléguy
    Projoy - Perth and Kinross? No
    ImNotJohn - Ross and Cromarty? No
    Raak - But and Ben? No
    I Say, Porter! - [Raak] Flobble obble obble! Weeeeed! Thank you, but I've given up

    People should look again at the various meanings of 'municipal', and at CdM's last question.
  • ImNotJohn - Callander?
    Aye Janet.
  • Projoy - So is this thing not "a settlement which has the status and powers of a unit of local government." (Wikipedia)?
  • Irouléguy
    ImNotJohn - Callander? Nae, Doctor
    Projoy - So is this thing not "a settlement which has the status and powers of a unit of local government." (Wikipedia)? Yes, it is - most of the previous answers didn't fit that definition, hence my reminder.
  • Raak - Is it uninhabited?
  • Projoy - Yes, it is not, or yes, it actually is? :-)
  • Projoy - If it is a municipal area, and it is a current municipal area, and if it is not incorporated wholly in any other municipal area, is it, in fact a unitary authority of Scotland?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak - Is it uninhabited? No
    Projoy - Yes, it is not, or yes, it actually is? :-) Yes, it actually is

    *deep breath* It is a current municipal area, not incorporated wholly in any other municipal area, but it is not a unitary authority.
  • Projoy - Is it a parliamentary constituency (for either parliament)?
  • nights - Is it a London Borough?
  • Irouléguy
    Projoy] Is it a parliamentary constituency (for either parliament)? No - though I'll throw in as a clue that the names of the two constituencies (one in each parliament) that this is located in consist of the same three words, but not in the same order.
    nights] Is it a London Borough? Barking & Dagenham up the wrong tree - it's in Scotland

    And so to bed.
  • Projoy - Presumably this thing also crosses a unitary authority boundary?
  • Irouléguy
    Projoy - Presumably this thing also crosses a unitary authority boundary? No

    Time for a recap? This is a place in Scotland, a defined municipal area, wholly on the Scottish mainland, not falling within another defined municipal area, which is a current administrative division. It is larger than some towns (a question which reaped applause). It has historical significance, and the word 'and' in its name. It could also be defined as "a settlement which has the status and powers of a unit of local government." It is not a constituency (for either parliament), nor is it a unitary authority, and it falls wholly within a unitary authority. Most of the specific wrong guesses have been neither settlements nor municipal areas (though the Highlands got applause despite being neither). It is not Callander, Culloden or Stirling.

    Are we working on different definitions of 'municipal'? My dictionary gives "of or pertaining to a town, city or burgh", and I'm using it as a synonym for 'urban' here. Apologies if different definitions have caused confusion.
  • Projoy - The Balmoral Estate?
    I feel that "falling wholly within a unitary authority" contradicts "not falling within another defined municipal area" (taking "municipal" to refer very specifically to local government, as per Wikipedia), but the clarification helps!
  • Projoy - Aberdeen?
    PS. I'm not sure what else in Scotland has "the status and powers of a unit of local government" other than unitary authorities (except the very small community councils), but I guess we can argue about it after the answer is revealed. :)
  • CdM - St Andrews?
  • Irouléguy
    Projoy - The Balmoral Estate? No
    I feel that "falling wholly within a unitary authority" contradicts "not falling within another defined municipal area" (taking "municipal" to refer very specifically to local government, as per Wikipedia), but the clarification helps!
    Sorry for the confusion- the dictionary I was using equated municipal with urban, but looking around Wikipedia that seems to be less than universal (though Wikipedia also has contradictory definitions of what exactly this place's status is).

    Projoy - Aberdeen? No (but *applause* for part of your PS) On further inspection, the answer to "a settlement which has the status and powers of a unit of local government" should have been "settlement" YES "status" UMM "powers" NOT REALLY, NO, UNLESS YOU COUNT ORGANISING BANDSTAND CONCERTS AND A FLORAL COMPETITION.

    CdM] St Andrews Yes - a hole in one! Well lurked, sir. Let me hand over this mashie-shaped baton while I prepare to debate the precise nature of Scottish local government after the 1973 settlement.
  • Projoy
    Heh. Well, I guess it does have a Community Council (According to Wikipedia and the BBC, tho, the two parliamentary constituencies are exactly identically named - however, the two sources disagree about the exact syntax of the name!). Ah well...
  • CdM
    Who are you calling a lurker? I asked five questions, until I got stuck on (a) the same problem that confused Projoy and (b) the differing constituency names. My guess of the Highlands was intended as a joke; at that time I was just assuming the answer was of the A and B variety. Anyway
    This is Mainly Mineral and Vegetable.
  • ImNotJohn - A geographical feature?
  • Quendalon - Is it unique?
  • CdM
    Geographical feature? No is the best answer.
    Unique? Yes.
    (You could also make a case that this is ABSTRACT, by the way, but I think that is less helpful.)
  • Raak - Is it a piece of countryside?
  • Quendalon - Is it man-made?
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • CdM
    Countryside? No.
    Man-made? Yes.
    Begins with P? The answer to that question begins with N.
  • Rosie - One or more buildings?
  • CdM
    One or more buildings? Yes, the mainly mineral part refers to one or more buildings. *applause*
  • CdM
    (More precisely, the mainly mineral part mainly refers to one or more buildings. Mainly.)
  • Projoy - Does it (physically) exist?
  • CdM
    Physical existence? Yes.
  • Irouléguy - The vegetable component - is that the building's contents?
    Projoy] Sorry about the constituency names - I got that from the Wiki page on St Andrews itself. The parliaments' official pages do have the same name. I really should know better than to trust Wiki...
    CdM] Good questions they were too - sorry about the lurker crack. The applause for the Highlands was meant to acknowledge that your joke was on target.
  • Quendalon - Was it established in the last 100 years?
  • CdM - I think this one will fall fast
    Vegetable component = building's or buildings' contents? Yes. *applause*
    Established in last 100 years? No.
  • Dujon - Is this edifice and contents a museum?
  • Tuj - Is it a university?
  • Phil - Spitalfields market?
  • Rosie - Kew Gardens?
  • ImNotJohn - In the UK?
  • CdM
    Museum? No. * a smattering of applause, none the less*
    A university? No.
    Spitalfields? No.
    Q? No, 007.
    Inuk? No.
  • ImNotJohn - Open to the general public? (with or without a fee)
  • irach - Houses of Parliament?
  • Projoy - It its purpose to display the vegetable matter?
  • Projoy
    s/It/Is
  • Quendalon - Is it in Europe?
  • CdM
    Open to Public? Yes.
    HoP? No.
    Purposeful veggie display? No. *some applause accompanied by some whispered debate*
    In Europe? No.
  • Projoy - Is the vegetable matter inside it by design?
  • CdM
    Vegetable matter by design? Yes.
  • Tuj - Is it in the U.S.A?
  • Dujon - Does your definition of 'Europe' exclude the U.K.?
  • CdM
    Inus? Yes.
    Does my definition of 'Europe' exclude the U.K.? Of course it doesn't! Does your definition of 'Australasia' exclude Australia? :-)
  • ImNotJohn - A park or public garden?
  • CdM
    Park or Public Garden? No. This may be a time to, as INJ often exhorts, examine your assumptions.
  • Irouléguy - Do the buildings have roofs?
  • Projoy - Is the vegetable matter alive?
  • CdM
    Do the buildings have roofs? Yes. *laughter*
    Living vegetables? No.
  • Néa - A church or other religious building?
  • CdM
    Godhouse? No. *some chattering and laughter in the audience from people who know Néa*
  • Graham III
    Is it Botanical gardens?
  • Projoy - In North America?
  • ImNotJohn - Is this a group of buildings mainly with a single purpose?
    (I suppose that's really two questions)
  • I Say, Porter! - Hershey's Chocolate Factory?
  • CdM - Nobody listens to CdM
    Botanical gardens? No. (See non-living vegetable matter)
    North America? Yes. (See in the USA, above)
    Group of buildings mainly with simple purpose? Yes. *applause*
    Willy Wonka? No.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the answer the name of a distinct metropolitan area?
  • Projoy - Is the vegetable mostly wood?
  • Quendalon - Is the vegetable matter intended to be consumed in some form?
  • ImNotJohn - Wall Street?
  • Néa - The White House?
  • CdM
    Metropolis? No.
    Mostly wood? Yes. *applause with that subtle timbre that indicates relief*
    Vegetable intended for consumption? No, at least for the standard narrow meaning of 'consumption' (see 'wood', above)
    Wall Street? No.
    The White House? No. *tiny smattering of applause*
  • Projoy - A government building?
  • ImNotJohn - The Bridges of Madison County?
  • CdM
    Government building? Yes.
    Bridges of Madison County? No.
  • Néa - The Supreme Court?
  • CdM
    Supreme Court? No.
  • Raak - Is it in New York?
  • CdM
    In New York? No.
  • Projoy - In DC?
  • Phil - Did you know you'd changed INJ's "single purpose" to "simple purpose" in your answer?
  • CdM
    In DC? Yes.
    Was I aware of my typo? No. The group of buildings mainly has a single purpose, and I suppose you could say that purpose is pretty simple as well.
  • ImNotJohn - Camp david?
  • Projoy - The Library of Congress?
  • CdM
    Camp David? No.
    Library of Congress? YES! One baton duly recorded and put into storage. Projoy can have this stick instead.
  • Projoy
    OK. VEGETABLE (+ some MINERAL), or ABSTRACT
  • Phil - The Woodentops?
    I feel thick after not knowing anything about 2 of the last 3 answers :-(
  • Rosie - Vegetable in its natural state, eg a forest, meadow etc?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] The most stupid, boring programme ever made? NO
    [Rosie] Natural state? NO
  • Quendalon - Is it unique?
  • Raak - Printed paper conveying ideas?
  • Projoy
    [Quendalon] Unique? The best answer from my research is NO.
    [Raak] Printed paper conveying ideas? YES
  • Rosie - An Abstract?
  • Raak - A book?
  • Quendalon - Does it have a single author?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] An abstract? NO, not in that sense.
    [Raak] A book? YES! *applause*
    [Quen] One author? YES.
  • Projoy
    (NB. just for simplicity, I'm going to take my facts for this round from Wikipedia)
  • Raak - Fiction?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Fiction? NO (some laughter)
  • Dujon - Is this a biography of some kind?
  • Phil - A reference book?
  • Projoy
    [Duj] Biography? NO
    [Phil] Reference? I would say YEEES.
  • Rosie - Magna Carta?
  • Raak - A record of the proceedings of some body?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Poor Hungarian Peasant Girl? NO
    [Raak] Proceedings of a body? NO *much audience laughter*
  • Kim - Encyclopaedia Morningtonia?
  • Raak - Available on Amazon?
  • ImNotJohn - Originally written in English?
  • Quendalon - Religious in nature?
  • Projoy
    [Kim] E.M.? N.O.
    [Raak] Amazonian? YES
    [INJ] English orginally? NO
    [Q] Religious? YES
  • Irouléguy - Originally written in a south Asian language?
  • irach - To do with Islam?
  • Phil - Christian?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] South Asian? YES
    [irach] Mecca-noid? NO
    [Phil] Crucials? NO
  • Phil - The Mahabharata?
    What a great Channel 4 series that was.
  • Raak - The Lotus Sutra?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Mahabarata? NO *applause*
    [Raak] Lotus Sutra? NO *sustained applause*
  • Raak - Does the answer have the form "The [X] Sutra"?
  • Irouléguy - The Kama Sutra?
    Lurking shamelessly
  • Projoy - He who lurketh laugheth lenthily
    [Ig] A hole in one! As it were. It is The Kama Sutra. * hands over slightly suggestive-looking baton*
  • Irouléguy
    Stolen from under Raak's nose, for which apologies. Our next is ABSTRACT with MINERAL and ANIMAL connections.
  • Rosie - Shagging?
    Going with the flow. Not too sure about the connections, though.
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie - Shagging? *sardonic laughter* No

    The KS does illustrate most possible permutations of connections...
  • Kim - Is it a human construct?
    Standard opening.
  • Chalky - Does it begin with a 'T'?
  • Phil - A recording?
    [Projoy] I'd just like to say how much I'm enjoying re-reading your "YEEES" answer to my "reference book" question.
  • Projoy - Anything to do with death?
  • Irouléguy
    Kim - Is it a human construct? Yes
    Chalky - Quick cuppa? No
    Phil - A recording? No
    Projoy - Anything to do with death? *applause* Yes, though not directly.
  • Projoy - A religious idea?
  • Dujon - An addiction?
  • Tuj - Is it fictional?
    [Chalky] Eh? You do have some funny ideas.
  • Irouléguy
    Projoy - A religious idea? Religiously derived, yes
    Dujon - An addiction? No
    Tuj - Is it fictional? *animated discussion among audience* Part of it (hopefully) is fictional.
    - Eh? You do have some funny ideas.*applause*

    I should say that the mineral bit of the definition is slightly tongue-in-cheek, and a dead end as an avenue of enquiry.
  • Projoy - Tithing?
  • Rosie - Is it an old idea, now largely ignored?
  • Kim - Does it pertain to a specific religion
  • Kim - ?
  • Irouléguy
    Projoy - Tithing? No
    Rosie - Is it an old idea, now largely ignored? It is an old idea (though I can't find any dating for it). The best answer for "largely ignored" is that it's not applicable.
    Kim - Does it pertain to a specific religion? No
  • Raak - The Golden Rule?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak - Whoever has the gold, makes the rules? No

    Amplifying the answer to Kim's previous question: the religious reference in the answer is common to many religions, but this would have originated as a reference to one particular religion.
  • Projoy - To do with the afterlife?
  • Irouléguy
    Projoy - To do with the afterlife? Yes
  • Projoy - From a Middle Eastern originated religion?
  • Tuj - To do with some kind of underworld?
  • Rosie - Re-incarnation?
  • Irouléguy
    Projoy - From a Middle Eastern originated religion? Yes
    Tuj - To do with some kind of underworld? *scattered applause* in some religions, yes (though not the originating one).
    Rosie - Re-incarnation? No
  • Rosie - Purgatory?
    Croydon on a Saturday afternoon.
  • Phil - Limbo?
  • Projoy - A Christian idea?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie - Purgatory? No
    Phil - Dancing? No
    Projoy - A Christian idea?*applause* Yes (though not exclusively - as above)
  • Rosie - Hell?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie - Hell? *applause* Damned right! 'Hell' is one of the five words in the answer
  • Projoy - A snowball in Hell/?
  • Projoy - A snowball in Hell's Chance?
    ... I meant. Altho I don't suppose there's any likelihood that's the answer.
  • Irouléguy
    Projoy - A snowball in Hell's Chance? *loud applause - the audience sit bolt upright awaiting the next move* Sooo close - but not the exact words on the card
  • Projoy - A cat in hell's chance?
  • CdM - The day hell freezes over?
  • Raak - A cold day in hell?
  • Irouléguy
    And the next move it is - "a cat in hell's chance" being the exact words on the card. One kitten now passed over to Projoy.
  • Projoy
    ANIMAL, VEGETABLE and MINERAL
  • Quendalon - Is it, or does it contain, an entire ecosystem?
  • Rosie - Animal human?
  • Projoy
    [Quen] Entire ecosystem? NO
    [Rosie] Animal human? NO
  • Quendalon - Culinary in nature?
  • Projoy
    [Quen] Culinary? YES.
  • Rosie - A dish, served hot? (both)
  • CdM - Is the mineral component substantial (i.e., more than a pinch of salt)?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] A dish? YEEES. Served hot? NO
    [CdM] Mineral substantial? NO
  • Raak - Food for humans?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Human beans? YES
  • Phil - Is it traditionally a starter?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] A starter? NO
  • Irouléguy - Made from a specific animal?
  • Kim - It is traditionally a dessert?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] specific animal? YES, altho check your assumptions
    [Kim] A dessert? YEEEES, but see answer re: dish. In fact in retrospect, NO would be a better answer to the dish question.
  • Quendalon - Lemon curd?
  • Projoy
    [Q] Citric Spread? NO
  • Graham III - Whipped cream?
  • Projoy
    [GIII] No, thank you.
  • Quendalon - A sauce?
  • Raak - Lassi?
  • Projoy
    [Q] Saucy? NO
    [Raak] Come Home? NO
  • Kim - Is it revenge?
  • Projoy
    [Kim] Revenge? NO (remember that the answer to "is it a dish?" has been revised to NO...)
  • Raak - Is it liquid?
  • Chalky - Does it contain an animal 'product'?
  • Tuj - Would it be eaten at a specific time of year?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Liquid? NO
    [Chalky] Animal product? YES
    [Tuj] Specific time of year? NO
  • Quendalon - Does it contain alcohol?
  • Chalky - Does it taste sweet rather than savoury?
  • ImNotJohn - Contains Dairy Produce?
  • Projoy
    [Q] Booze? NO
    [Chalky] Sweet? YES
    [INJ] Dairy? YES
  • Quendalon - Does its preparation require cooking?
  • Projoy
    [Q] I would say YES, but that's a broadly worded question.
  • Rosie - Is it a dressing?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Dressing? NO
  • Chalky - Is milk the animal product?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Got milk? YES!
  • Rosie - Rice pudding?
  • Projoy
    [Rpsie] Lovely rice pudding for dinner again? NO (remember that the answer to "is it a dish?" has been revised to NO...)
  • ImNotJohn - Cheese?
    Are we using the standard definition of cooking: 'preparing food by a process which includes the application of heat to it' - or the bachelor definition 'any part of meal preparation, including looking up the phone number of the local pizza delivery'?
  • Kim - Yoghurt?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Cheese? NO (this is sweet, not savoury, as per Chalky's question)
    Is it 'cooked' by the standard definition of cooking? YES, but be careful with your assumptions. It was a very broadly phrased question.
    [Kim] Yoghurt? NO
  • Projoy
    *recalls that there is such a thing as sweet cheese and apologises to INJ*
  • Graham III - Custard?
  • Projoy
    [Custard] Graham III? NO
  • Kim - Milkshake?
  • Chalky - Milk Chocolate?
  • Projoy
    [Kim] Milkshake? NO
    [Chalky] Milk Chocolate? *tumultuous applause* The Answer does indeed contain milk chocolate (but The Answer does not contain the words "milk chocolate")
  • Rosie - Angel Delight (milk choccy version)
    Hoping it doesn't count as a dish.
  • Quendalon - Is it a pudding of any sort?
  • Chalky - Walnut Whip? [teehee]
  • Dujon the lurker - An after dinner mint?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Angel Delight? NO (don't forget I only said Yeeees to "dessert", not "YES!")
    [Q] Pudding on the Ritz? NO
    [Chalky] Walnut Whip? NO *strongly supportive applause*
    [Dujon] After Dinner Mint? NO
  • Rosie - Is it ever eaten on its own, not as a part of a meal?
  • irach - Mocha?
  • Phil - Is it an item of confectionery?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Eaten on its own? CERTAINLY
    [irach] Mocha? NO
    [Phil] Confectionery? YES! *applause*
  • Projoy
    (and I've just looked up dessert in Wiktionary, and realised that this basically isn't one, so sorry about that)
  • Raak - Does the answer involve a brand name?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Brand name? YES! *applause*
  • Phil - Creme Egg (yum)
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Creme Egg? NO *exactly the same amount of applause as for Walnut Whip*
  • Raak - A Mars bar?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Mars Bar? NO
  • Rosie - A bar of chocolate as opposed to a box of sweets?
  • Irouléguy - A Cadbury's Flake?
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • Chalky - Is it crunchy?
  • Phil - Made by Cadbury's?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Bar? NO
    [Ig] Flake? NO
    [Tuj] Begins with P? NO *smattering of applause*
    [Chalky] Crunchy? NOT REALLY
    [Phil] Cadbury? NO
  • Phil - A Hershey Bar?
    May they rot in hell for inventing such an insult to chocolate.
  • Phil
    Oh bumbags, it's not a chocolate bar - scratch my last question please :-)
  • Phil - Made by Nestlé?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Hershey Bar? NO *some applause, all the same*
    [Phil] Formula pushers? NO
  • Chalkers - A Tim Tam?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Coffee straw? NO
  • Chalky - It's got to be Nestlé Power Bar? Shurely
  • Chalky - If not that brand - is it a Nestlé product?
  • Chalky - MilKy Bar?
  • Phil - A British confectionery?
    [Chalky] It's not Nestlé
  • irach - M&Ms?
  • Chalky
    Thanks Phil. Missed your question.
    [irach] M & M's - are they not 'crunchy'?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] British? NO! *audience gasps, several ladies faint*
    [irach] eminems? NO *and yet, a faint stirring in the audience as if they sensed a connection with The Answer, yet it is too obscure to express in more than a sigh*
  • Irouléguy - MMM...Maltesers?
  • Projoy
    [Ig] The lighter way...? NO
  • Chalky - Is this product made by Mars, Cadbury, Nestle or Hershey?
    Think we need to eliminate
  • Chalky - Is it a European manufacturer?
  • irach - Hershey's Kisses?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Is it one of those manufacturers? Strictly, YES, but beware.
    [Chalky] European? NO
    [irach] Hershey's Kisses? NO *some applause*
  • Projoy
    (please also note that previous questions have ruled out Cadbury and Nestlé)
  • Chalky - Rolo?
  • Chalky
    strike that. It's a Nestlé product.
  • Chalky - Almond Joy?
  • Chalky - Hershey's Bites?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] The joy of the almond? NO
    [Chalky] Hershey's bites? NO
  • Chalky - Hershey's pops?
    I'm getting bored now
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Hershey's Pops? NO (I fear you did not heed my "beware" on your manufacturer question!)
    Hint to avoid boredom: ask more deductive questions and stop making wild guesses :-P
  • irach - A seasonal confection?
  • Chalky - An M&M/Mars product? Like Minstrels, say?
    Wild guesses? I was riding on the applause meted out to Hershy-ness answers.
  • Projoy
    [irach] Seasonal? NO
    [Chalky] Mars manufactured? NO, which as you so rightly say leaves Hershey revealed as the manufacturer. But again, I say beware. :)
  • Phil - Is the brand name in the answer "Hershey" (or "Hershey's")?
  • irach - Does this involve chocolate chips?
  • Raak - Is it solid (i.e. does not flow, wobble, or ooze, even if cut open)?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Is "Hershey" in the answer? NO *more audience gasps*
    [irach] Chips with everything? NO
    [Raak] Solid? YES
  • Chalky - Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] YAY! It is indeed A Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. One baton filled with peanut goop handed over.
  • Projoy
  • Phil
    *sighs* Oh well, as wikipedia says "possibly one of Hershey's best-known products due to long-running massive advertising campaigns". Another never-heard-of one for me. Still, I shan't give up!
  • Rosie
    (Phil) Me neither.
  • Dujon - Ey?
    What in the world is a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup? Having read Phil's Wikipedia extract I am just as in the dark as would be a chocolate coated peanut. Yes I could, but no I won't, go a-Googling.
  • Chalky - *went a-googling*
    Phew! Thanks PJ for a challenging, yet somehow obvious, little puzzle [ie; not obviously Hershey, not a bar, not crunchy]. Having put SO much effort into it, I feel pleased to have finally nailed it :-)

    Next up:

    A N I M A L / A B S T R A C T

  • irach - Animal instinct?
  • Raak - A symbolic animal?
  • Chalky
    [irach] Animal instinct? NO
    [Raak] A symbolic animal? NO
  • Phil - Something I'm likely to have heard of?
  • irach - Is the animal human?
  • Chalky
    [Phil] Something you're likely to have heard of? YES :-)
    [irach] Is the animal human? YES
  • Raak - Fictional?
  • Projoy - Male?
  • Phil - Alive (if not fictional)?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Fictional? YES
    [Projoy] Male? YES
    [Phil] as above
  • Irouléguy - Originally from a novel?
  • Rosie - A young person?
  • Chalky
    [Irouléguy] Originally from a novel? YES
    [Rosers] A young person? YES is probably the most useful answer.
  • Projoy - A novel from before 1950?
  • CdM - Do some or all of the words on the card appear in the title of the novel?
    [Reese's] Have none of you ever watched E.T.? (OK, it's not exactly the same product, but it is close.)
  • Projoy
    [Reese's] They are on sale in the UK now, too. You can get 'em in my local corner shop, and very nice they are too.
  • Kim - Dorian Gray?
  • Raak - Has the character appeared in film?
  • Irouléguy - Is/was the novelist English?
  • Phil
    [CdM] I've only seen the re-release in 2000 (or whenever it was), and only because my children insisted. I didn't pay attention though.
  • Chalky
    [Projoy] A novel from before 1950? NO
    [CdM] Do some or all of the words on the card appear in the title of the novel? NO . But despite the negative answer the * audience applauses* because it was a significant question.
    [Kim} Picture in the Attic? NO
    [Raak] Has the character appeared in film? YES
    [Irouléguy] Is/was the novelist English? NO
  • Chalky
    CORRECTION! [PJ] A novel before 1950? YES YES YES
    sorry chaps - schoolgirl typing error
  • Dujon - Is/was the author (and indeed his character) French?
  • Projoy - A novel before 1900?
  • Phil - Is/was the novelist British?
  • Chalky
    [Dujon] Is/was the author [and character] French? YES!
    [Projoy] A novel before 1900? YES
    [Phil] British? NO
  • Graham III - Is the author Dumas?
  • Projoy - American author?
  • Chalky
    [Graham III] Dumas? YES *hoorah hoorahs from a very lively audience*
    [Projoy] American? Nah
  • Chalky
    I am now out and about for a couple of hours and will not have access to the 'net tomorrow - so keep 'em coming. We can wrap this up by mid-afternoon.
  • Projoy - D'Artagnan?
    Oops. Didn't read previous answer re: nationality of author
  • Irouléguy - Porthos?
  • ImNotJohn - 'The Man in the iron Mask'?
  • irach - All "Three Musketeers"- like the candy bar?
  • Raak - Edmond Dantès?
  • Graham III - The Count of Monte Cristo?
  • Chalky - Sorry - got delayed
    [Irouléguy] Porthos? NO
    [I'mNotJohn] The Man In The Iron Mask? NO
    [irach] All 3 Musketeers? NO
    [Graham III] The Count of MOnte Cristo? NO .. but .. * mega-cheering from audience* because ...

    [Raak] Edmond Dantès? HAS GOT THE ANSWER ON THE CARD!

    Chalké passés le baton to Raak.
  • Raak
    Free at last! Drat, I've only tunnelled into another cell. This one is VEGETABLE, with ABSTRACT connections.
  • Kim - Is it edible?
  • Raak
    Not edible.
  • Phil - Is it wood?
  • Raak
    Yes, it's wood.
  • CdM - Is it Norwegian?
  • Raak
    [CdM] No reason it couldn't be, but not specifically. (Norwegian?) Not a Christmas tree either.
  • Projoy - Is it alive?
  • Raak
    Not alive.
  • ImNotJohn - Is it a specific (one-off) article?
  • Phil - Is it a carving/sculpture?
  • Raak
    [INJ] Not a specific article.
    [Phil] *murmuring in the audience* Mm...no. Not a carving or sculpture.
  • Graham III - Is it the cross on which Jesus was crucified?
    [Raak, Chalky] Whoops, forgot they were the same person...!
  • Projoy - Does it resemble its original form (i.e. looks like, or rather like it did when it was alive?)
  • Raak
    [G III] Not the Cross.
    [Projoy] Does not resemble its original form.
  • Chalky - Has the wood been chopped/mash/shredded/generally bashed around to achieve its current state?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] The wood is undistressed.
    [Projoy, clarification] That is, it is not a tree.
  • Rosie - An outdoors object?
    Assuming being sawn, planed etc does not cause distress.
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not an outdoors object.
  • Projoy - So it has no bark?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] No bark. Wood, processed from its original state in the tree, but not in the destructive and ham-handed ways mentioned by Chalky.
  • Phil - Has it been carved?
  • Dujon - Would this have been created by a carpenter or cabinet maker?
    As opposed to an artist or lumber merchant.
  • Irouléguy - Is this specific to a particular country or culture?
  • Raak
    [Phil] Not carved.
    [Dujon]The audience murmurs at one of those words. Taking that as four questions: no, possibly, possibly, and no. (I had to look up Wikipedia to find out what a carpenter was, more precisely than someone who works in some way with wood.)
    [I] Not very specific.
  • Projoy - Is it created in order to contain something?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Does not contain anything.
  • Irouléguy - Is it a part of something?
  • Chalky - Has the wood been 'turned'?
  • Raak
    [I] Complete in itself.
    [Chalky] The wood has been turned.
  • Chalky - Ornamental and decorative?
  • Phil - Is there symbolism attached to this turned wooden item?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] Not ornamental or decorative.
    [Phil] Not symbolic.
    [Phil, re "carved'] Actually, carving might have a part to play in its creation.
  • Phil - Found in the home?
  • Irouléguy - Used in a game?
  • Raak
    [Phil] It can be found in some homes.
    [I] Not used in a game.
  • Chalky - Is it smaller than a telephone box [the proper red one]?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] Smaller than a telephone box.
  • ImNotJohn - Is it essentially long & thin?
    Defined as more than 3 times as long in one dimension than in either of the other two.
    P.S. Where's Tuj, we don't know this object's initial P-ness?
  • Chalky - Can you put something on it?
  • Raal
    [INJ] It could be long and thin, but not esentially so.
    [Chalky] You can put something on it. *sounds of demurral from the audience, whereupon the chairman produces one and demonstrates putting something on it. "Aha", say the audience.*
  • CdM - Does it have a primary specific function?
  • Chalky - Is it larger than a toaster?
  • Raak
    [CdM] It has a primary specific function.
    [Chalky] It can be larger than a toaster.
  • Rosie - A rolling pin?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not a rolling pin.
  • CdM - A wooden alarm clock?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Brrthbbthb? No.
  • Raak
    There is actually a smidgen of Mineral in this, but it's primarily Vegetable.
  • Chalky - Aah .. NOW you tell us :-)
  • Chalky - Does it frame something?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] Not a frame.
  • Chalky - Is this a tool?
  • Chalky - Is it a kitchen utensil?
  • Projoy - A mug tree?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] It performs a function, but it wouldn't ordinarily be called a tool.
    [ " ] Not a kitchen utensil.
    [Projoy] Not a mug tree.
  • Dujon - Is this a prosthesis?
  • Raak
    [Dujon] Not a prosthesis.
  • Phil - Is its cross-section circular for its entire length?
  • Rosie - A board of some kind?
  • Raak
    [Phil] Not wholly circular.
    [Rosie] Not a board.
  • CdM - Is it typically used in conjunction with some other object?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Yes. Various other objects.
  • Phil - Could you buy one in a depaertment store?
  • CdM
    [Phil] What's with the posh accent?
  • Raak
    [Phil] It's not the first place I'd look, but you might find one thaere.
  • CdM - Could you buy one in a haerdwaer store?
  • Graham III - Is it a hatstand?
  • Graham III - Is the mineral element nails? Or screws? or Glue?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Not found in a hardware store.
    [G III] Not a hatstand?
    [ " ] Could be nails; wouldn't be screws or glue.
  • Irouléguy - Are most of us likely to have one (or more than one)?
  • Rosie - Is it a piece of furniture?
  • Phil
    [Cdm} That's how it's spelt in Flemish.
  • Raak
    [I] Most of us are unlikely to have one. I have one, though.
    [R] Not furniture.
  • Quendalon - Does it have any moving parts?
  • CdM - An abacus?
  • Raak
    [Q] It has moving parts.
    [CdM] Not an abacus.
  • Chalky - Is it a descant, treble, tenor, alto or bass recorder?
  • Chalky - Or even a Sopranino?
  • Chalky - Is it a type of flute?
  • Raak
    {Chalky] Not a wind instrument of any sort.
  • Phil - Is it a musical instrument?
  • Raak
    [Phil] Not a musical instrument of any sort.
  • Phil - Is it used in sport?
  • Raak
    [Phil] Not used in sport.
  • CdM - Are the nails that could be present used simply to join pieces of wood together, or do they serve some other function?
    (The only way in to this problem that I am seeing right now is the odd notion that this could include nails but not screws.)
  • Chalky - Does one have to 'hold' this thing in order for it to function?
  • Raak
    [CdM] The nails (or other fasteners) hold it together.
    [Chalky] Hm...part of its function requires handling it, part requires not handling it.
  • CdM - Does it have a handle?
  • Projoy - Have these been around since before 1900?
  • Raak
    [CdM] No handle.
    [Projoy] I don't know, but I think it's very likely to have been around since before 1900.
  • CdM - Are they or could they ever be made of something other than wood?
  • Chalky - A wooden arras?
    [Hi CdM - seems like we're posting at the same time. Have to confess, I'm fascinated by this particular puzzle, but have to go out in half an hour so will miss any activity this afternoon].
  • Phil - Is it customarily of European origin?
  • Raak
    [CdM] They could be made of other things, but I've never come across them made of anything but wood.
    [Chalky] Not a wooden arras.
    [Phil] Yes, European.
  • Chalky - *going off on one, like she does*
    C'mon Raak. Does this audience have a pulse? Or does it merely murmur at the question of carpenter v cabinet maker and then 15 hours later summon up the energy to demur at the notion that something 'could be put on top' of this thing? Hey, I know you're a cool dude an' all that, but please - can we have a bit of encouragement, or even a clue? :-)
  • Dujon
    Time for a precis I think:

    It is or does:

    made of wood
    undistressed
    possibly created by a cabinet maker or artist (audience murmurs)
    complete in itself
    turned wood
    found in some homes
    smaller than a telephone box
    possibly long and thin but not essentially so
    able to have put something on it
    has a primary specific function
    can be larger than a toaster
    used in conjunction with various other objects
    have moving parts
    does have mineral fasteners to hold it together, but these are not screws or glues
    require handling as part of its function (CARE - see also the 'not' section)
    very likely to have been around prior to 1900 AD
    possible that this could be made of material other than wood, but the Chairman has not seen such
    European

    It is not or does not:

    edible
    alive
    specific (one-off) article
    carving or sculpture (though audience reacts)
    the Calvary cross
    resemble its original form
    an outdoor object
    retain bark
    carved (though might have a part to play in its creation)
    specific to a country or culture
    contain anything
    ornamental or decorative
    symbolic
    used in a game
    a toaster
    a rolling pin
    a wooden alarm clock
    normally purchased in a department store (though one might)
    found in a hardware store
    a hatstand
    something that most people would have, though the Chairman is blessed
    a piece of furniture
    a frame
    a tool (despite it performing a function)
    a kitchen utensil
    a mug tree
    a prothesis
    wholly circular
    a board
    a musical instrument of any sort
    used in sport
    requires not handling it as part of its function (CARE - see also the 'is' section)
    have a handle
    a wooden arras

    NOTE: Ruddy 'eck that's long. Please forgive me if I've missed something.
    Raak, you might run your eye over it in case I've misinterpreted anything. Ta.
  • Dujon - Sorry, CdM
    Nor is it an abacus
  • Raak
    [Dujon] I think you left out a "not" -- this is something that most people would not have, although I do.
  • Projoy - Is its purpose connected with art?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] *cheering in the aisles* Yes, connected with art.
  • Projoy - An easel?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Not an easel.
  • CdM - An artists palette?
  • CdM
    (For Projoys sake, Im leaving it unclear if Im talking about one or multiple artists.)
  • Raak
    [CdM] Not a palette.
  • Raak
    I took a closer look at mine, and there are a few screws in it.
  • Phil - A wooden posable model thingy for artists to use to get human forms right?
  • Raak
    [Phil] *applause* You have precisely guessed the words on the card! It is indeed a wooden posable model thingy for artists to use to get human forms right!
  • Phil
    [Raak] Is there an official name for a WPMTfAtUtgHFR?
  • Raak
    The simplest description I've found is an artists' manikin.
  • Phil
    Here goes another one: ANIMAL, VEGETABLE & MINERAL
  • Raak
    A cornet player dressed up (in natural fibres) as a pink fairy?
  • Kim - Is the animal element human?
  • Phil
    [Raak] As the costume was polyester, your guess falls by the wayside, I'm afraid. Not a bad effort, but completely off the mark :-)
    [Kim] Human? NO
  • Rosie - Is the Animal alive?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Live animal? NO
  • Graham III - Is it edible?
  • Phil
    [GIII] Edible? NO
  • Kim - Does the whole thing occur naturally?
  • Rosie - Part of an animal, eg fur?
  • Phil
    [Kim] A natural occurrence? NO
    [Rosie] Fur-esque? YES *Applause*
  • Raak - An item of clothing?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Confirmation that I was only referring to the animal element when answering your last question.
    [Raak] Item of clothing? NO
  • Raak - Is bone involved?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Bone involved? Not to my knowledge.
  • Rosie - Contains leather?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Contains leather? YES *Some applause*
  • Kim - Can you put things into it?
  • Phil
    [Kim] Can things be put into it? YES
  • Rosie - A HAND-baaag?
  • Graham III - A wallet?
  • nights - A suitcase?
  • Raak - A leather tankard?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Handbag? NO
    [GIII] Wallet? NO
    [nights] suitcase? NO
    [Raak] Leather tankard? NO
  • Rosie - A large object, not normally moved?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Two questions for the price of one! A large object? YES Not normally moved? NO
  • Raak - Is it a piece of luggage?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Piece of luggage? NO
  • Chalky - Is it a piece of furniture?
  • ImNotJohn - An elephant's foot umbrella stand?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Piece of furniture? NO
    [INJ] Nellie's brollies? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Used for transport?
  • Raak - A pair of clown shoes?
  • Phil
    [INJ] Used for transport? YES *Loud applause*
    [Raak] clown shoes? NO
  • Rosie - Part of a means of transport?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Part of a means of transport? NO
  • Chalky - A motor car?
  • Raak - A saddle?
  • ImNotJohn - A type of carriage?
  • ImNotJohn - A Surrey with a Fringe on Top?
    Forgive the simulpost, but that was what I was actually thinking of.
  • Phil
    [Chalky] A motor car? YES *More loud applause*
    [Raak] Saddle? NO, see above
    [INJ] Carriage or song from Oklahoma!? NO, see above
  • Chalky - Are we trying to guess the make and model?
  • Dujon - A Rolls Royce?
  • Dujon - No, damn it. Please ignore the previous and replace with "A Morgan". Ta.
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Make & Model? Yes please :-) *more applause*
    [Dujon] Moggie? NO
  • CdM
    [INJ] Good grief. I had been planning (since before this round began) "Surrey with a Fringe on Top" as my next AVMA subject.
  • ImNotJohn - Still in production?
  • Graham III - English?
  • Graham III - /British?
  • Phil
    [INJ] In production? YES
    [GIII] English/British? Hmmmm...British-built, but not owned (any more) *Audience gasps at how much information the usually-tight-lipped Phil is giving away*
  • Graham III - Mini?
  • Chalky - Is this a car that you own?
    What me? Nosey?
  • Phil
    [GIII] Mini? NO
    [Chalky] My car? NO *Laughter from the audience*
  • Raak - Is it a single, specific car?
  • ImNotJohn - Luxury/High performance?
    Yeah, yeah, I know that's two questions.
  • Phil
    [Raak] single, specific car? NO, presuming you mean something like "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" or "John Major's Nova", otherwise see Chalky's penultimate question.
    [INJ] Luxury/high performance? YES on both counts *a little more applause*
  • Graham III - Soft-top/convertible?
  • Phil
    [GIII] Convertible? YES *a bit more applause*
  • Red Wolf - Is it a Chevrolet (yes, the make them) Corvette?
  • Phil
    [Red Wolf] Chevvy? NO, see Graham III's third last question.
  • Red Wolf - Is it an Aston Martin DB9?
    [Phil] Graham III's last question was if it was a soft-top/convertible. Corvettes do have that option, they are luxury and high performance, at which they are only beaten out by the Dodge Viper (flames to come from that, I'm sure). Even then, a 'Vette is still preferred.

    The issue comes in that I forgot the British point 3 questions ago. See new guess above.

  • Phil
    [RW] DB9? Fraid not, even though a friend of mine has one...the lucky (rich) swine. Btw, if you look closely, you'll see that I said "third last question" :-)
  • Graham III - Bentley Continental GTC?
  • Phil
    [GIII] Bentley? NO
  • Graham III - Rolls Royce drophead coupe?
  • Phil
    [GIII] Not a Roller either - not quite that de luxe
  • Red Wolf - Is it an Aston Martin?
    I admit, I missed that and can be blind at times. Forgive me, all. The logic behind the above question: [Phil] said that it wasn't the DB9, then that it wasn't a Bentley or a Rolls, but he never specifically said it wasn't an AM. So, it isn't as dumb a question as it might seem... I hope...
  • Phil
    [RW} Nope, it's not any kind of Aston Martin.
  • Dujon - Is it a Lotus of some kind?
    I'm running out of marques. I am also struggling to find a niche for Lotus in the luxury class of vehicles.
  • Phil
    [Dujon] Not a Lotus either. It's a very well known make of car, worldwide.
  • Raak - Bentley?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Not a Bentley. Maybe my idea of luxury/high performance is not as high-spec as everyone else's, but the on-the-road price is about £70k
  • Graham III - BMW 6-series convertible?
  • Chalky - MG - Rover?
  • ImNotJohn - Jaguar?
  • Phil
    [GIII] BMW? NO
    [Chalky] MG-Rover? NO
    [INJ] Jaguar? YES, dagnammit, YES! *rapturous applause dies off rapidly as audience remembers that the model is required too*
  • ImNotJohn - Jaguar XK 4.2 convertible
    Well I bet there's an 'X' in there somewhere
  • Graham III - Jaguar XK 4.2L convertible
    Just a cheeky pedant's guess ;-)
  • Graham III - Jaguar XKR 4.2L supercharged convertible
    Although a more serious guess just to make sure all of the bases are covered ;-)
  • Phil
    [INJ] Not that one
    [GIII] Not that one either
    [GIII take 2] YES, that one!
  • Chalky
    Gosh. That was exciting. well played GIIIIIIII
  • Phil
    It was almost as exciting as a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.
  • Graham III
    Goodness me, well there's a turn-up for the books. Let's try something Abstract.
  • Projoy - Altogether now... a Human Construct?
  • Kim - Anarcho-syndicalism?
    Come on, let's keep in time.
  • Graham III
    [Projoy] If by that you mean something dreamt up by a human being, then YES.
    [Kim] Unionised chaos? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Does it begin with a 'P'?
    Well, if Kim is going to steal my lines, I'll just have to take TUJ's
  • Projoy - Did the idea originate before 1900?
  • Graham III
    [INJ] P? Ah, NO [Projoy] pre-1900? YES
  • Raak - Musical?
  • Graham III
    [Raak] YES! *applause*.
  • Kim - European?
  • Projoy - After 1700?
  • Graham III
    [Kim] No
    [Projoy] No
  • Red Wolf - Is it American?
    Prepare for a SPAM of 3
  • Red Wolf - Is it British?
  • Red Wolf - Is it Asian?
  • Graham III
    [Red Wolf 1] The USA didn't exist before 1700.
    [Red Wolf 2] See above
    [Red Wolf 3] NO.
  • Rosie - A scale?
  • Graham III
    [Rosie] Interesting, but NO.
  • CdM - A particular piece of music?
    [GIII] The Americas have been around for 100 million years or so, though.
  • Red Wolf - Is it anything to do with North African drum rhythms?
    [GIII] Sorry, I missed those... The Europeans have had records of the American continents, though, since the 11th century, thanks to the Vikings, and have been visited since about the 6th century, thanks to the Celts. American Indian music is noteworthy.
  • Projoy - Is it specific to any continent?
  • Rosie - A type of singing, chanting or other non-instrumental sound?
  • Graham III
    [CdM] Particular piece? YES
    [CdM] To say yes to it being American would have been misleading. The Americas have existed for a very long time, however in common parlance 'America' means nothing but the USA.
    [Red Wolf] Drumming? NO
    [Projoy] YES, though see CdM's question above.
    [Rosie] See answer to CdM.
  • Projoy - But is it, as Rosie asks, an exclusively vocal piece?
  • Graham III
    [Projoy] It is performed as such now, though it was probably performed with instruments originally.
  • Projoy - So, it originated in Africa?
    (just to rule out Australasia/Oceania)
  • Rosie - Wimoweh?
  • Graham III
    [Projoy] NO (you might want to look at my comment to CdM)
    [Rosie] NO
  • Chalky - Is it a Russian piece of music?
  • Rosie - Latin American?
  • Graham III
    [Chalky] Russki? NO [Rosie] Latino? YES! *warm applause from the audience*
  • Projoy - From before 1500?
  • Rosie - An accompaniment to a dance?
  • Raak - La Folia?
  • Chalky - does it begin with a 'w'?
  • Chalky - Does it begin with a vowel?
  • CdM - Does it begin with anything?
  • Graham III - Sorry, got called away...
    [Projoy] No
    [Rosie] No
    [Raak] No
    [Chalky] No and No, [CdM] YES!
    [all] Apologies for the delay caused by a work and Christmas combo. I would suggest a line of questioning along the lines of who might have written it. Then Wikipedia will be of massive help...
  • Rosie - Does it begin on the first beat of the bar?
  • Graham III
    [Rosie] In so far as there would have been bars (i.e. it begins on a stressed note), YES.
  • Projoy - Is it considered the work of one author?
  • Graham III
    [Projoy] YES
  • Raak - A piece of sacred music?
  • Graham III
    [Raak] YES! *applause*
  • Raak - A masterpiece of Mexican polyphony?
  • Graham III
    [Raak] Masterpiece? Subjective of course, and not on the disc of that name. Mexican Polyphony? YES! *audience applauds, excited discussion*
  • Projoy - Juan Gutiérrez de Padilla
    (he only has 700 surviving pieces, so it should be easy to narrow it down if it is him)
  • Graham III
    [Projoy] YES! *applause*
  • Projoy - The Missa ego flos campi
    (or, in English, the absent selfhood of effeminate Flossie)
  • Raak - A la xácara xacarilla?
  • Raak
    (Or in English, "To the Batmobile!")
  • Graham III
    [Raak] Thwack! Kapow! No, Robin.
    Projoy: YES! The exact words on the card! *The audience go wild and bleat with delight*.
  • Projoy
    Well, that was a stroke. I'm much too ill at the moment to set one and remember it later, so perhaps I could defer to someone else? Raak, maybe?
  • Chalky
    Get well soon PJ x
  • Raak
    Get well soon! Ok, if I'm on, then the next one is MINERAL.
  • Projoy - Human-made?
  • Raak
    Not human-made.
  • Quendalon - Unique?
    [Projoy] Best of health to you!
  • Raak
    Not unique.
  • ImNotJohn - A geographical feature?
  • Raak
    Not a geographical feature.
  • Rosie - A substance?
    Not necessarily psychoactive.
  • Raak
    Not a substance.
  • Phil - Bigger than a phonebox?
    Feeling thick again - never heard of de Padilla or his work :-(
  • Graham - Found in caves?
    [Phil] Apologies for that - it was a bit obscure, but I thought it was hunt-downable, even if you hadn't heard of the composer in the first place. He's not well known outside the world of choral music, but worth exploring if you like the genre.
  • Raak
    [Phil] Could be larger or smaller than a phonebox.
    [Graham] Not found in caves.
  • Projoy - The name of a continuous substance - e.g. "rock"?
    [GIII/Phil] It was definitely huntdownable, since I'd never heard of him/it either until I googled "Mexican Polyphony". :)
  • irach - A household object?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Not the name of a substance.
    [irach] Not a household object.
  • Rosie - Connected with weather?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] It could well be connected with the weather.
  • Phil - Is it liquid?
    [GIII/Projoy] I'm sure I could've found the answer if I'd tried (which I didn't) - I just felt thick that I'd never heard of him.
  • Rosie - A flood?
  • Raak
    [Phil] Not liquid, hence...
    [Rosie] Not a flood.
  • Red Wolf - Is it normally a gas in the atmosphere?
  • Raak
    [RW] Not a gas in the atmosphere.
  • Projoy - A gas to be found in outer space?
  • Rosie - Snow in some form?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Not a gas to be found anywhere.
    [Rosie] Not any form of snow.
  • Phil - Is it solid?
  • Raak
    [Phil] YES, solid.
  • Irouléguy - Is this found all over the world?
    PJ] Hope you're feeling better
  • Raak
    [I] Not found all over the world. Not at all!
  • Phil - A meteorite?
  • Rosie - Volcanic origin?
  • Raak
    [Phil] *applause* Not a meteorite.
    [Rosie] Not volcanic.
  • Phil - Something of non-terrestrial origin?
  • Phil - An asteroid, perhaps?
  • Raak
    [Phil] *Cheers and more cheering* Non-terrestrial, yes, and an asteroid.
  • CdM - Is it a single object of uncertain size? (cf phonebox)
  • Raak
    [CdM] Not a single object.
  • Rosie - Tectites?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not tectites.
  • Phil - Minor Planets?
  • Raak
    [Phil] Is that different from an asteroid?
  • Raak
    [Phil] If "minor planets" is a subset of asteroids, it's the wrong subset.
  • Rosie - A meteor?
  • Projoy - C-type Asteroids?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] *excited murmurs* Not a meteor.
    [Projoy] Not C-type.
  • Red Wolf - Are they found as trojan asteroids?
  • Red Wolf - Are they found as belt asteroids?
  • Red Wolf - Are they M-type asteroids?
    I know, bad form for three questions...
  • Raak
    [RW] None of them are trojans.
    [RW] I'm not sure if they count as belt asteroids or not.
    [RW] Not M-type, although individual examples might or might not be.
  • Chalky - The moons of Jupiter?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] Not the moons of Jupiter. Asteroids, remember.
  • Irouléguy - Members of a particular asteroid family?
  • Phil - NEAs (Near Earth Asteroids)?
  • Chalky - Hilda asteroids?
  • Raak
    [I] (pause to google the precise definition of an asteroid family) No. Hence...
    [C] Hilda Ogden? No.
    [P] *loud applause* Yes, they are all NEAs (but not all NEAs are of this particular type).
  • Rosie - An Amor-type object?
    Chanson d'Amor
  • Phil - PHAs (Potentially Hazardous Asteroids)?
  • Raak
    [Phil] *more applause* They are indeed potentially hazardous, but that is not quite the definition of the class on the card.
  • Phil - Apollo Asteroids?
  • Raak
    [Phil] Not the Apollos.
  • Rosie - Ahem - an Amor-type object?
  • Phil - Aten-type?
    Going to have to dig deeper if it's not one of those three.
  • Raak
    [Phil] Doesn't begin with A.
  • Raak
    [Phil] [Rosie & Phil]
  • Irouléguy - An extinct comet?
  • Raak
    [I] Not an extinct comet.
  • Phil - The earth's moons?
  • Raak
    [Phil] Not the earth's moons (I thought we only had one, unless Cruithne and the dust clouds at the Trojan points count).
  • Chalky? - Damocloids?
  • Chalky
    Despite the question mark - that really was me :-)
  • Rosie - Earth-crossing asteroids?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] Haemorrhoids on the point of fatally bursting? No.
    [Rosie] (An asteroid crashes into the theatre, vaporising everything for twenty miles in every direction and throwing up enough dust to begin an ice age. A million years later intelligent cockroaches emerge to build a new world.) Bullseye!
  • Phil
    Oh drat! Aten + Appollo = Earth-crossers...so near, and yet so far. Still, I've learnt more about asteroids in the last two days, than in the previous 40 years.
  • Rosie
    (Phil) Good heavens, are you 40?
  • Rosie
    This one is ABSTRACT, with ANIMAL connections. (Not cockroaches with HNC Building Practice).
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Yes - and so is Mrs Phil on Saturday.
  • Dujon - Electing for standard opening: - Is the animal connection human?
  • Rosie
    (Duj) Human it is.
  • Projoy - Is it, therefore, a human construct?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) Not strictly a deliberate construct but an off-the-cuff answer would be YES.
  • Dujon - Would the abstract then be something which humans learned rather than invented?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) You could certainly say that. *applause*
  • CdM - Mathematics-related?
  • Rosie
    (CdM) Nothing to do with maths.
  • Raak - Was it discovered by scientists?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Not discovered by scientists.
  • Dujon - Does this have to do with the skies?
    By that I mean anything above terra firma.
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) Nothing to do with the skies.
  • Quendalon - Is there a religious connection?
  • Rosie
    (Quendalon) No religious connection at all.
  • Chalky - Is this a state of mind?
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) Not a state of mind.
  • Chalky - Is it connected to language?
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) *prolonged applause* It certainly is.
  • Chalky - Is it A language?
    [Just me an' you at the mo, Rosers]
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) Not A Language *some scattered applause*
    Keep 'em coming!
  • Chalky - A 'part' of language?
    I'm trying Rosie - have even done a pub quiz [which we won - wahay] and come back....[Where IS everyone?]
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) Yes. *more vigorous applause*. (I wish you'd put a comma after your first two words because it reminds me that I haven't quite got the stamina I had 30 yrs ago.)
  • CdM - Specific to the English language?
  • Irouléguy - A smart-arse reply?
  • Rosie
    (CdM) Not specific to the English language.
    (Irouléguy) Try again. :-)
  • Graham III - A grammatical principle?
  • Quendalon - Onomatopoeia?
  • Rosie
    (Graham III) Not a grammatical principle.
    (Quendalon) Not onomatopoeia.

    A different aspect of language needs to be considered.

  • Bigsmith - Poetry?
  • Red Wolf - Is it to do with writing?
  • Graham III - Storytelling?
  • Rosie
    (Bigsmith) Not poetry.
    (Red Wolf) Definitely nothing to do with writing.
    (Graham III) Not storytelling.
  • Irouléguy - Is it usually spoken (rather than written)?
  • Dujon - Are we seeking some form of cant?
  • CdM - An accent?
  • Chorky - A dialect?
  • Phil - Is it a style of language (e.g. sarcasm)?
  • Rosie
    (Iroluléguy) Yes.
    (Dujon) Not cant.
    (CdM) Yes! *vigorous applause* Not quite the words on the card.
    (Tshauki) Not really, but *some applause*
    (Phil) Not a style of language.
  • Rosie
    (Irg) You know who I mean. Dreadful sorry.
  • CdM - Received Pronunciation?
  • CdM
    No, wait, it's not specific to English, is it...
  • CdM - A foreign accent?
  • Irouléguy - Does this occur in all languages?
  • Rosie
    (CdM-1)*audience laughter* No!
    (CdM-2) Not foreign.
    (Irouléguy) Almost certainly every language has this.
  • nights - An idiolect?
  • Raak - Slang?
  • Graham III - An ecolect?
  • Chalky - A regional accent?
  • Rosie
    Ayup, chuck, someone's gorrit. A REGIONAL ACCENT it is, and CHALKY is the winner!
  • Chalky - By 'eck - am reet choofed

    Thanks Mr Rosie.
    I shall now gleefully plunge into my chairpersonship with a tantalising
    A B S T R A C T / M I N E R A L with A N I M A L connections ......

  • Raak - The Lascaux paintings?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the way the subject is formatted on the laser scoreboard significant?
  • CdM
    [Rosie] Bzzzzzt Repetition!
  • CdM
    Huh. I don't know what went wrong there...
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Cave scribblings? NO
    [INJ] Notable display? NO

    [CdM - was that meant to be a link to a similar subject for guessing - a couple of years back?]
  • Kim - Is the animal connection human?
  • Chalky
    [Kim] Human? YES
  • Quendalon - Something inhabited by humans?
  • Raak - Is it a work of art?
  • Rosie - A building?
  • Chalky
    [Quendalon] Inhabited by peeps? NO
    [Raak] A work of art? NO ]
    [Rosie] Building? NO
  • Tuj - A one-word answer?
  • Chalky
    [Tuj] One word? YES
  • Quendalon - Unique?
  • Dujon - Would this, Chalky, be a construction variously referred to as a monument/astronomical observatory/religious site?
  • Chalky
    [Quendalon] One of a kind? NO
    [Dujon] Well now, Duj - now I have interpreted the thrust of your question - I feel I can quite categorically reply IN THE NEGATIVE :-)
  • Rosie - Graffiti?
  • CdM - Specific to a particular culture?
    [Chalky] Yes. Rosie set exactly the same subject a while back. Together with Raak's repetition of "alarm clock", this sets me wondering if the time is coming to put this game to rest awhile.
  • CdM
    (Also, pace Rosie's answer, I'm prepared to bet that some of the Papua New Guinea languages do not have regional accents!)
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Graffiti? NO but ...*murmers from audience*
    [CdM] Culturally specific? NO

    Re: this game. Correct me if I'm wrong, but is it the only really competitive guessing game over the 3 servers? Also it's a flagship game for MC5, is genuinely mind-expanding and happens to be a personal favourite. So I would hate to see it go. However, if others feel the same, I would naturally, go with the majority. :-)
  • CdM
    [Chalky] That was more of a random musing than a vote. I love this game as well, but it is striking that people are forgetting the subjects that they themselves have set in the past.
  • Phil - Poetry?
  • Chalky
    [Phil] Poetry? NO

    [CdM] An indicator that regardless of the trillions of potential choices, l'idée fixe has more power?
  • Rosie - An inscription of some kind?
    (CdM) re - PNG local accents - I won't argue (for once).
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Inscription? NO
  • Rosie - Is this a natural phenomenon?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] A natural phenomenon? NO
  • Rosie - Is it symbolic?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Symbolic? No - not really. In fact - NO
  • Graham III - Does it involve words?
  • Chalky
    [Graham III] Involve words? NO
  • Red Wolf - Does it have to do with sound?
  • Chalky
    [Red Wolf] To do with sound? NO
  • Irouléguy - is the abstract/mineral something built or constructed?
  • Phil - Is the mineral metal?
  • Raak - Peak Oil?
  • Rosie - Anything to do with transport?
    Nit necessarily steam trains.
  • Rosie
    BUGGER! Nit = not.
  • Chalky
    [Irouléguy] Built or constructed? SORT OF - but, then again, not in the way I think you mean
    [Phil] Mineral metal? NO ... it could be but I wouldn't like to mislead you.
    [Raak] Peak Oil? NO
    [Rosie] Transport? NIET
  • Raak - Is it bigger than a house?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Bigger than a house? NO ... not normally, although it could be but I wouldn't like to mislead you :-)
  • Raak - Is it ornamental?
  • Graham III - Is it conceptual?
  • Irouléguy - An artistic representation of some kind?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Ornamental? NO
    [Graham III] Conceptual? Er ... NO
    [Irouléguy] Artistic representation of some kind? NO
  • Raak - Could I buy one of these?
  • Rosie - Would you see one of these in a town?
  • CdM - Is it a, you know, um, whaddyacallit, humanly constructed thingy?
  • Graham III - Would you want one of these?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Would you buy one of these? NO
    [Rosie] Seen in town? YES
    [CdM] Humanly constructeded? OH YES *audience applauses mainly because there's been precious little to get excited about so far in this game*
    [Graham III] Would you want one of these? You might ... but you might not
  • Chalky
    add/ Talking of which, I'm wondering why the audience didn't hum and ha a bit when I answered Irouléguy's last question. They were obviously asleep. Apologs
  • Graham III - Billboard advertising?
  • Chalky
    [Graham III] Billboard advertising? NO
  • Raak - A monument?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] A monument? NO

    Hint: This is definitely ABSTRACT with MINERAL to help it on its way. The human connection means it's 'constructed' and used by humans rather than beasties.
  • Quendalon - A congeries of mineral objects?
  • Raak - Fictional?
  • Rosie - Some kind of open space?
  • Chalky
    [Quendalon] A congeries [a collection?] NO
    [Raak] Fictional? NO
    [Rosie] Some kind of open space? NO ... but there is a kind of connection with open space.
  • Red Wolf - Is it a square or a plaza?
    I consider them to be the same thing.
  • Rosie - Visually appealing?
  • CdM - Can it be discerned by any of the five senses?
  • CdM
    Scrap that -- if you can see it in a town, the answer is presumably yes.
  • Chalky
    [Red Wolf] Is it a square or a plaza? NOT IN THE WAY YOU MEAN ... but you are, quite possibly unwittingly, getting closer to the structure of this thing
    [CdM] 5 sensage? I'm replying because the 'in a town' answer could equally have been an 'out-of-town' answer and it would be unfair to mislead you. The answer is, however, YES :-)

    Second hint: Just look back at some of the questions you have all asked when presented with an ABSTRACT +.
  • Chalky - sorry - missed your question
    [Rosie] Visually appealing? It could be , but not really relevant at this stage of the game
  • CdM - Is there any connection to sport?
  • Juxtapose
    Does it commonly contain 90-degree angles?
  • Raak - An empty plinth?
  • Graham III - Is it entertaining?
  • Chalky
    [CdM] Sport connection? Ah. Tricky one to answer. Strictly speaking, NO ... but this line of questioning may be productive * audience nearly claps*
    [Juxtapose] 90 - degree angles? YES! *audience claps*
    [Raak] An empty plinth? NO
    [Graham III] Entertaining? YES *audience now getting very vocal*
  • Raak - Are tickets sold for it?
  • Bigsmith - Are we talking about the surface on which a particular activity is performed?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Tickets sold? NO not usually :-)
    [Bigsmith] Are we talking surface/activity? Guessing the mineral part will probably lead to the answer, so YES
  • CdM - A 147 break?
  • Chalky
    [CdM] 147 break? NO
  • Graham III - A bull ring?
  • Chalky
    [Graham III] A bull ring? NO

    Re: last 2 questions. Remember - tickets are NOT sold for this particular thing.
  • Graham III
    Hmm, perhaps that doesn't have too much to do with 90 degree angles...
  • Graham III - Parkour?
  • Chalky
    [Graham III] Parkour? NO
  • Irouléguy - Hopscotch?
  • Chalky - Hurrah hurrah
    Irouléguy chucks his stone into the square and hops to victory. HOPSCOTCH is the very word on the card. Well played!
  • Graham III
    Very well done Irouléguy. I was barking up totally the wrong tree for most of that.
  • Irouléguy
    Thanks, G III. My thanks go to Juxtapose - it was the 90 degree angle question that helped me put it together. Throwing the jack again, we next have an ABSTRACT, with ANIMAL and VEGETABLE connections (and a few MINERALS, strictly speaking, but they're not helpful).
  • Rosie - Animal human?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie] Animal human? Yes
  • CdM - Is it a human construct that begins with P?
  • Rosie - An activity?
  • Irouléguy
    CdM - Is it a human construct that begins with P? No (to both)
    Rosie - An activity? *hum of discussion in the audience* Ye-es - although there's a case for saying that 'no' is also a valid answer.
  • CdM - Growth?
  • Irouléguy
    CdM - Growth? No
  • Raak - Is the vegetable paper?
  • Quendalon - A process?
  • Rosie - Does this involve people meeting each other?
  • Chalky - Is it a place?
  • Irouléguy
    One installation of a new home PC later - Vista's very funny looking, but I forgive it everything I'm likely to discover for how fast it loads. Questions, questions...

    Raak - Is the vegetable paper? Paper isn't the primary vegetable, but it is involved (or not)
    Quendalon - A process? For some people, yes
    Rosie - Does this involve people meeting each other? It could do (though the opposite could also be true)
    Chalky - Is it a place? No
  • Rosie - Does it involve correspondence?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie] Does it involve correspondence? It could do, but I think it usually doesn't.
  • Raak - Is it a game?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] Is it a game? No
  • Quendalon - Related to language?
  • Irouléguy
    Quendalon] Related to language? No
  • Rosie - A learning process?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie] A learning process? Yes, it is - though it's not the most obvious description of this.
  • Quendalon - Requires more than one person?
  • Irouléguy
    Quendalon] Requires more than one person? No - though it's argued that people doing it together will have a better experience.

    Oh, and re-reading the above, there are no sexual connotations - the answer is perfectly SFW.
  • Chalky - Is there a musical connection?
  • Quendalon - Making marks on a surface?
  • Raak - Are computers involved?
  • Kim - Is it a social process (ie, concerned with the development or conduct of social relationships)?
  • Irouléguy
    Chalky] Is there a musical connection? No
    Quendalon - Making marks on a surface? No
    Raak - Are computers involved? No
    Kim] Is it a social process (ie, concerned with the development or conduct of social relationships)? *stirrings in the audience* If successful, it will almost certainly change the development and conduct of social relationships. And you could describe it as a social process, for particular definitions of 'social'.
  • Graham III - Counselling?
  • Irouléguy
    Graham III] Counselling? *more stirrings in the audience* No, though counselling can often help with this.
  • Juxtapose
    Divorce?
  • Chalky - is this something that happens to people?
  • Rosie - Rehabilitation?
  • Raak - An AA meeting?
  • Irouléguy
    Juxtapose] Divorce? No - see the answer to Quendalon's last question but one.
    Chalky] Is this something that happens to people? *applause* Good question - no, it's something that people do.
    Rosie] Rehabilitation? No
    Raak - An AA meeting? *applause and a few cheers from the audience* No, but nearer than any previous guess
  • Raak - Teetotalism?
  • Graham III - Cigarette addiction?
  • Rosie - Are these people trying to come to terms with a problem they have?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] Teetotalism? *shudder* No
    Graham III] Cigarette addiction? *cheering from the audience* So close!
    Rosie] Are these people trying to come to terms with a problem they have? *more cheering - the audience pick up their bags and coats preparing for the end* YES!
  • Chalky - A visit to the Doctor?
  • Irouléguy
    Chalky] A visit to the Doctor? *the audience put their bags down* No
  • Raak - Losing weight?
  • Tuj - Not to lurk, but...
    The answer's giving up smoking.
  • Irouléguy
    A lurky guess - Tuj wins! Those are the exact words on the card. One low-tar, filter-tipped baton passed over.
  • CdM - [Tuj] Does it begin with P?
  • Tuj
    [CdM]

    The very words on the card!

    *hands over baton*
  • Chalky
    Ha!
  • CdM
    O-kay... This one is ANIMAL.
  • Chalky - Is it a humang beeing?
  • CdM
    A human being? Not yet. *appreciative amused murmurs from the audience*
  • CdM
    [Tuj] I'm now worried about my victory. Were the words on the card "Does it begin with P?" or "Does it begin with P"? If the latter, then fine. But if the former, am I right in thinking your answer should have just been no, since I didn't ask "Does it begin with P??"?
  • Raak - A stem cell?
  • Irouléguy - The next Dalai Lama?
  • CdM
    Stem cell? No.
    Antereincarnate? No.
  • Raak - An embryo?
  • CdM
    An embryo? No. Examine your assumptions.
  • Raak - A humanoid?
  • Tuj - Edible?
    [CdM] To be honest, you had the question in before I thought of anything, but it amused me so much it merited that =)
  • CdM
    A humanoid? No.
    Edible? Strictly speaking, yes, but highly unlikely to be eaten!
  • Graham III - A primate?
  • Quendalon - Is it unique?
    My signature question.
  • Phil - A mammal?
  • Néa - Fictional?
  • Tuj - Hang on...
    Does it begin with a P?
  • Dujon - A spermatazoon?
  • Irouléguy - A body part or product?
  • CdM
    A primate? No (but examine your assumptions)
    Is it unique? That depends somewhat on your definition of "it", but I think the least misleading answer is No.
    A mammal? No (but examine your assumptions)
    Fictional? No.
    Begin with P? No. Spermatazoon? No.
    Body part or product? No.
  • Chalky - Is this a collection of things?
  • CdM
    Collection of things? Well, "collection" is not the usual word, and nor is "things", but Yes. *some audience applause*
  • Rosie - The genome?
    NB - "Not yet" a human being = a teenager.
  • Dujon - Well, my wife is due home shortly so I'll back out of here for a few hours. I do ever so hope that she has that glint in her eyes.
  • CdM
    Well, my wife is due home shortly so I'll back out of here for a few hours. I do ever so hope that she has that glint in her eyes.? No.
  • CdM
    (but an interesting guess, it has to be said)
  • Kim - Is it an egg?
  • Raak - A dismembered corpse?
  • Chalky - Shoal of fish?
  • Graham III
    I take it wasn't anything to do with Rosie's genome?
  • Quendalon - Is it alive?
  • CdM
    Genome? No.
    Teenager? No. *laughter* Sorry. I know I already composed those answers, but I must have previewed and failed to post.
    Egg? No.
    Dismembered corpse? No,
    Shoal of fish? No.
    Alive? Yes.*applause, as much from relief than anything else*
    I say again, you need to examine your assumptions. Some of my answers have involved very careful parsing of the questions.
  • Raak - A troop of monkeys?
  • CdM
    Troop of monkeys? No. *smattering of applause, none the less*
  • Raak - Dr. Frankenstein's collection of spare parts?
  • Dujon
    Just clarifying the answer to Chalky's initial question:
    Is this thing normally expected to become a human being?
  • CdM
    *Before he can even answer, the audience applauds the decision to return to Chalky's question*
    Normally expected to become a human being? The thing described by the words of the cards is definitely* expected to become a human being.

    *There are imaginable ways in which this might not happen, but they are highly improbable.
  • Rosie - Is the answer humorous?
  • Juxtapose
    a chromasome?
  • Juxtapose
    or even a chromosome?
  • Graham III - The glint in a father's eye?
    I suppose that is abstract really, but might at least clarify whether I'm thinking in the right ballpark.
  • CdM
    Humorous? Not at all. If anything, the opposite.
    Chromuhsome? No.
    The glint in Dujon's wife's eye? No. And not even the right ballgame, never mind the right ballpark.
    Dare I say: Examine your assumptions?
  • Raak - Posterity?
  • CdM
    Posterity? No. *smattering of applause*
  • Raak - The Second Coming?
  • Graham III - Descendents?
  • CdM
    Second coming? No.
    Descendants? No. It was only a smattering of applause!
  • Chalky - attempting a summary

    ANIMAL
    IT IS NOT     a stem cell, the next Dalai Lama, an embryo, a humanoid, a primate, unique, a mammal, fictional, a spermatozoon, a body part or product, the genome, a teenager, an egg, a dismembered corpse, a shoal of fish, a troop of monkeys [drew some applause], humorous, a chromosome, glint in a father's eye, posterity [drew a smattering of applause], the second coming, descendants, Dujon backing out of here for a few hours hoping for a wifely eye glint.

    IT IS: definitely expected to become a human being, edible [but unlikely to be eaten], a collection of things [but 'collection' and 'things' are not the best words to use], alive [drew relieved applause],
  • Chalky - Are there more than 100 of these?
  • Raak - And presumably not Frankenstein's stack of spare parts, asked earlier?
  • Raak - Would you need a microscope to see it?
  • CdM
    Are there more than 100 of these? No. *substantial applause*
    BRAAAIIIINNNSS? No.
    Would you need a microscope? No.
    Chalky's summary is accurate but must be, I will remind you, carefully parsed. And perhaps it should also include the answer to her first question: It is not yet a human being.
  • Chalky - Do we need to examine the definition of 'human being' in order to make some progress with your little cunundrum?
  • Quendalon - Does it exist at the present time?
  • Graham III - A human clone?
  • CdM
    Do we need to examine definition of human being? No. That's not where your confusion lies.
    Exist at present time? Yes. *some applause*
    Clone? No.
  • Juxtapose
    Is it the subject of any political controversy?
  • Quendalon - Is sex involved?
  • ImNotJohn - Would the answer to any of the things this is NOT, in Chalky's list, have been yes, if the question had been posed in the plural?
    e.g. more than one mammal.
  • CdM
    Subject of political controversy? It has a connection to political controversy but is not to my knowledge the subject of pc.
    Sex? No.
    Yes if plural? Yes! *substantial and relieved applause*
  • Raak - Siamese twins?
  • CdM
    Siamese twins? No.
  • Chalky - Is this a tribe?
  • Chalky
    ... and I think it has been fairly obvious for some time that the answer is in the plural - just look at the yesses.
  • Raak
    And yet it becomes a human being.
  • Graham III
    ...and isn't a human body part or product. Hmm.
  • Juxtapose
    Well, that disqualifies "dismembered corpses"... and you do not need a microscope to see it, which disqualifies stem cells, chromosomes, and a couple others... Is it pre-natal?
  • CdM
    A tribe? No.
    Prenatal? No.
  • CdM
    *(The audience is starting to enjoy this)*
  • Raak - Could you fit it into a telephone box?
  • Raak - That is, the whole group of whatever they are, all in to a single telephone box.
  • Quendalon - Vanishing twins?
  • Irouléguy - Are these mostly found on one continent?
  • Chalky - Are there less than 50 of these?
  • CdM
    Phittable in a phonebox? Not yet.
    Vanishing twins? No.
    Mostly found on one continent? Mostly, yes. *applause*
    <50? Yes.
  • Juxtapose
    Are they used in scientific research?
  • Graham III - Pigs bred for the purpose of human organ transplants?
  • Raak - Do they exist right now?
  • Irouléguy - Is the continent they are mostly found on Asia?
  • Chalky - Are there less than 12 of these?
  • CdM
    Used in scientific research? No.
    Porcine donors? No.
    Exist right now? Yes.
    Mainly in Asia? No.
    <12 No.
    The audience, rather belatedly, is thinking that Chalky's third-to-last question might have indicated a promising line of thinking on her part. Or it might not.
  • Raak - Can they talk?
  • CdM
    Can they talk? Yes. (It's conceivable that perhaps one or two of them in fact can't, but I have no special reason to think that is true.)
  • Irouléguy - Continent: North America?
  • CdM
    North America? No.
  • Raak - Are they human right now?
  • Projoy - An example of conjoined twins?
  • Graham III - Are they particularly small?
  • Chalky - Is this the group of 'nearly humans' but 'not quite yet' that have been in the news lately?
    ... which is what I was aiming for when I asked about a 'tribe'?
  • CdM
    Human right now? Yes. *audience applauds, more out of relief than anything else*
    Conjoined twins? No.
    Particularly small? No.
    Nearly but not quite human? No. *The audience now thinks they were in fact correct not to applaud Chalky's earlier question*
  • CdM
    Maybe it is time to look once again at your assumptions. You are all missing something rather obvious.
  • Chalky - Does this number of humans-right-now have a collective name?
  • Chalky - Are these human-right-now related?
  • Raak - Is this a collection of people who will eventually be just one, the rest having been excluded from the group in some manner, such as by dying or being knocked out of a competition?
  • CdM
    Collective name? That's actually a little tricky to answer. I think the best answer is No. However, the five words on the card might be thought of as a collective name for these humans right now.
    Are they related? No.
    Is this a collection ... competition? YES! *sustained applause*
  • Raak - The participants on Big Brother?
  • CdM
    Participants on Big Brother. *audience laughter* No.
  • Graham III - The candidates for US President?
  • CdM
    Mitt Hussein Rodham McCain? No.
  • Graham III - Are the members of this group members because of their own choices/actions?
  • CdM
    Members through choice or action? I suppose that some choices influenced their member ship of this group, but the best answer is definitely No.
  • Raak - Is there a definite date, already known, by which time only one will be left?
  • CdM
    Definite known date by which time only one will be left? No.
  • Graham III - Further to Raak's earlier question, is the point at which there will be only one member of the group remaining determined by the death of the other members of the group?
  • Raak - A tontine?
  • Chalky - Is 'survivor' one of the words on the card?
  • Juxtapose
    Five words... The members of my [CdM's] family?
  • CdM
    Point at which one left determined by death of others? Yes. *applause*
    Tontine? No.
    Is 'survivor" one of the words? No, but "surviving" is. *applause*
    Kind Hearts and Coronets? No.
  • Projoy - Speakers of a particular language?
  • Irouléguy - People in line to inherit a throne/kingdom?
  • Irouléguy - Oh - and continent: Europe?
  • CdM
    Speakers of a particular language? No.
    Kind Hearts and Coronets? No.
    Continent = Europe? Yes, although my earlier agreement that they were "mostly to be found on one continent" was in fact slightly inaccurate. A better statement is that the majority are to be found in Europe.
  • Chalky - Surviving Veterans of World War I?
  • Chalky - Last surviving veteran of WWI?
    ... just to cover the other possibility :-)
  • CdM
    We have a winner! "Surviving World War One Veterans" were the words on the card. Looking back, Chalky's first ("a human being?") question, which I couldn't resist answering as "not yet", led you all to run after a large number of untamed waterfowl. I was surprised to discover that there are still at least 15 (plus maybe another 8 depending on exactly how you count) living WWI vets.

    One batonet handed carefully to Chalky.
  • Chalky
    * who not-so-carefully wallops CdM's backside with it*
    ... and if I'd have missed out the indefinite article in that question, who knows how you might have replied ;-)
  • Chalky
    Will post a new one at 0730 GMT
  • Chalky - ... late on parade
    Next up - A B S T R A C T with Animal connections
  • Graham III - Are the animal connections human?
  • Chalky
    [Graham III] Animal connections Human? Not yet ......

    Only joking :-) YES
  • Irouléguy - A specific human?
  • Kim - A mythical character?
  • Bigsmith - A fictional character?
  • Chalky
    [Irouléguy] Specific human? NO
    [Kim] Mythical character? NO
    [Bigsmith} A fictional character? NO
  • Raak - To do with mathematics?
  • Rosie - A human characteristic?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] To do with mathematics? NO - not really
    [Rosers] A human characteristic? NO
  • CdM - Is the animal connection a reference to a human body part or parts?
  • Graham III - Is this an activity undertaken by human beings?
  • Chalky
    [CdM] Referencing human body or body parts? Strictly speaking ... YES [see next reply]
    [Graham III] Activity? YES! *applause*
  • Graham III - Is it sporting?
  • Chalky
    [Graham III] Sporting? Some may find it sporting, some may not :-)
  • irach - Sex?
  • Chalky
    [irach] Sex? Not sex per se - but some may find it sexy and some may not :-)
  • Raak - Is it a particularly energetic activity?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Particularly energetic? NO. Good question.
  • Graham III - Is it mostly carried out by one person at a time?
  • Dujon - Some form of research?
  • Chalky
    [Graham III] Mostly by one person at a time? Not sure of the stats - if indeed there are any. Can be one, can be two, can be three, can be four, can be .... am I boring you?
    [Dujon] Research? NO
  • Graham III - Scrabble?
  • Kim - Is it yoga?
  • Chalky
    [Graham III] Scrabble? NO
    [Kim] Yoga? NO ... but *audience cheers with considerable gusto*
  • Raak - Tai Chi?
  • Graham III - Pilates?
  • Rosie - Is it essentially play?
  • Chalky - sorry for delay - had to do hospital visiting

    Wow - an excellent deduction Raak and spot on. Tai Chi it is. I am a huge fan of this 'soft' martial art.

    *hands over baton in slow motion stylee*
  • Raak
    *grasps swallow's tail, waves hands like birds, repulses monkey, weaves with shuttles, and greets fair lady*

    The next is MINERAL, with VEGETABLE connections.

  • Graham III - Is it manmade?
  • Quendalon - Is it used in a culinary capacity?
  • Juxtapose
    Is it commonly referred to in the singular?
  • Chalky - Is it edible?
    [Raak] repulsing monkey is my favourite move :-)
  • Chalky - Is it a tool?
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • Rosie - Crude oil?
  • Raak
    Marmalade? No.
    Not culinary.
    You can have just one of these.
    Not edible.
    Tool? It performs a function.
    Does not begin with P.
    Not crude oil.
  • Irouléguy - Are the vegetable connections wood?
  • Chalky - Man-made?
    .. assuming Marmalade reply wasn't meant in jest :-)
  • Raak
    Wooden connections? Sort of.
    Oops, just my eyes going funny. IS man-made.
  • Chalky - vegetable = Paper?
  • Raak
    Yes, paper. Speaking of which, this thing could fairly be said to have ABSTRACT connections as well.
  • Irouléguy - Is it bigger than a toaster?
  • Rosie - Anything to do with a creative activity?
  • Raak
    Bigger than a toaster.
    Has to do with a creative activity. *sounds of the audience approving*
  • Quendalon - Is the abstract connection writing?
  • Raak
    [Q] Writing? Narrowly understood, no, broadly understood, yes.
  • Juxtapose - is one of the words actually "paper"?
  • Rosie - A keyboard?
  • Raak
    [J] "Paper" does not appear on the card.
    [R] Not a keyboartd.
  • Irouléguy - Chinese scroll-painting?
  • Raak
    [I] Not Chinese scroll-painting.
  • Graham III - Anything to do with musical notation?
  • Raak
    [G3] Nothing to do with musical notation. At least, not specifically.
  • Quendalon - Rubbings?
  • Raak
    [Q] Not rubbings.
  • Rosie - Ink?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not ink. *the audience once more make approving sounds*
  • Quendalon - Related to holes?
  • Juxtapose - Is there paint (or a coloring medium) involved with its typical use?
  • Raak
    [Q] No holes.
    [J] Yes, a colouring medium.
  • Tuj - Is it unique?
  • Rosie - The Blue Pencil?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] Not unique.
    [Rosie] Not the Blue Pencil.
  • nights - Is it a paintbrush?
  • CdM - Is it one particular colo(u)r?
  • Raak
    [nights] Not a paintbrush.
    [CdM] Not a particular colour.
    You're all thinking too small.
  • Juxtapose - could you fit it through a door?
  • Raak
    [J] You can't fit it through a door. Well, an ordinary door.
  • Dujon - Would this be a man-made construction which in turn produces something?
    The 'You can have just one of these' comment has me flummoxed though.
  • Raak
    [Dujon] Yes, a man-made construction producing something. "One of these" -- well, you can have one, or more than one, so answering Juxtapose's question, it can be referred to in the singular or the plural.
  • Graham III - a kiln?
  • Raak
    Not a kiln.
  • Rosie - A photocopier?
    That's probably a bum shot.
  • Raak
    Not a photocopier (but the audience have started to look cheerful again).
  • Graham III - A printing press?
  • Raak
    Bingo! A Printing Press.
  • Graham III
    Yay! An answer that was a good combination of sufficiently uncommon, yet not randomly obtuse giving me a chance there. For the next one we have:
    MINERAL AND VEGETABLE (normally).
  • Raak - Edible?
  • Graham III
    [Raak] Yummy? NO.
  • ImNotJohn - A geographical feature?
  • Rosie - Man-made?
  • Quendalon - Is it unique?
  • Graham III
    [INJ] Geographical? NO [Rosie] Man-made? YES *light applause from the audience* [Quendalon] Unique? NO
  • Raak - Metal and wood?
  • Graham III
    Mood/Wetal? YES, these are both normally involved.
  • Juxtapose - is it found on/near streets?
  • Dujon - Would this normally (or, at least often) be associated with visual art?
  • Quendalon - Would this normally (or, at least often) be associated with music?
  • Raak - Is it a tool?
  • Tuj - Is it a building?
  • Graham III
    [Juxtapose] Street dweller? NO
    [Dujon] Art? Normally, NO
    [Quendalon] Music? NO, not that I've ever heard of.
    [Raak] Tool? NO, not within the definition of Chambers.
    [Tuj] Building? NO
  • Raak - Does the metal part consist of fastenings holding the wooden parts together?
  • Graham III
    [Raak] Fasteners? NOT EXCLUSIVELY
  • CdM - In between the size of a toaster and a phone box?
  • Graham III
    Toast-box? YES!
  • Raak - Is it a piece of furniture?
  • Graham III
    [Raak] Furniture? NO in the conventional sense.
  • Rosie - A box or container of some kind?
  • Quendalon - Commonly found in one's home?
  • Graham III
    [Rosie] Box? NO
    [Quendalon] Homebased? YES *applause*.
  • Quendalon - Does it have any moving parts?
  • Quendalon
    Sorry, I forgot that I was the last one to post. How gauche of me! Please forgive the solecism.
  • Juxtapose - Does it have any moving parts?
    Problem solved.
  • ImNotJohn - Is it normally found in the same location (e.g. usually in the kitchen)
  • Graham III
    [Q/J] Moving parts? YES
    [INJ] One place? NOT USUALLY (as far as I know about people's homes...)
  • Dujon - Would this normally (or, at least often) . . . curse you, Quendalon. ;-)
    Does this have hinges?
  • CdM - Commonly found not in one's home?
  • Irouléguy - Would most owners normally own just one of these?
  • Raak - A door?
  • Irouléguy - *suspects Raak has nailed it*
  • Rosie - More wood than metal?
    (Irg) All my doors have screws. :-)
  • Quendalon
    [Irouléguy] I doubt it's a door, as we've been told it's not found on or near streets.
    [Dujon] You're too kind. :)
  • Quendalon - Grandfather clock?
  • Graham III
    [Dujon] Hinged? NOT IN THE CONVENTIONAL SENSE
    [CdM] Out of house and home? YES, though you may not come across it usually.
    [Iguy] Just one? YES
    [Raak] Door? NO
    [Rosie] Woody? DEPENDS ON YOUR MEASURE AND THE SPECIFIC EXAMPLE. Mine has more wood by volume if that's any help.
    [Quendalon] Clock? NOPE.
  • Juxtapose - Is it collapsible?
  • Graham III
    [Juxtapose] Collapsible? YES *audience excited now*
  • Tuj
    [GIII] Delectable italicise text, that *approves*=)
  • Quendalon - A folding ladder / stepladder?
  • Dujon - Is the unconventional hinge similar to, say, a piano accordian or bellows?
  • Raak - A Workmate?
  • Graham III
    [Tuj] Why thank you :-)
    [Quendalon] Ladder? NOPE
    [Dujon] according? NO
    [Raak] Workmate? NO.
  • Rosie - A piano?
  • Chalky - A panelled screen?
  • Quendalon - Associated with play?
  • Rosie - A deck chair?
  • Juxtapose - Ironing board?
  • Graham III
    [Rosie 1] NO
    [Chalky] NO
    [Quendalon] Only if you're very weird
    [Rosie 2] NO
    [Juxtapose] YES! The very words on the card! *audience goes wild and jumps up and down*. Here, have the baton:
  • Juxtapose
    Aa! It's my first time, so be gentle.
    Alright, here we go with ABSTRACT, involving multiple ANIMALish themes.
  • Irouléguy - Multiple animals meaning many different species?
  • Juxtapose
    [Irouléguy] Many different species? NO.
  • Chalky - Is this a 'saying' which references animals?
  • Rosie - A characteristic of animals?
  • Juxtapose
    [Chalky] a saying? NO, but quite a clever guess.
    [Rosie] A characteristic? A case for both sides here, but saying NO will be less misleading.
  • Rosie - Are the animals referred to in the plural?
  • ImNotJohn - Are the animals human?
  • Juxtapose
    [Rosie] plural? Situationally dependent.
    [ImNotJohn] human? YES, there is at least one human involved.
  • Chalky - is this a tale or a fable or a story-type thingy?
  • Dujon - Is this a form of 'art'?
  • CdM
    I'm confused by some of the answers here. We have multiple animals, at least one human, but not many different species. So, in the interest of clarifying this:
    Do the animalish themes ever involve a non-human animal?
  • Juxtapose
    [Chalky] fairy-tale? NO.
    [Dujon] Art? NO.
    [CdM] Non-human? YES.
    Sorry for the confusion. There are human(s) and non-humans involved, but not "many".
  • Chalky - Is this the name of a place?
  • Irouléguy - 'Old MacDonald had a farm'?
  • Graham III - One man and his dog?
  • CdM - Is this fictional?
    [J] Nonono, no need for apology; I was just clarifying.
  • Chalky
    What! 14 hours and NO replies? *grumblegrumblegrumble*
  • Juxtapose
    [Chalky]Place name? NO.
    [Irouléguy] Old Mac? NO.
    [Graham III] Man + dog? NO.
    [CdM] Fictional? NO.
    [Chalky] 14 hours and no replies? YES.
  • CdM - Connected to entertainment of some kind?
  • Juxtapose
    [CdM] Connected to entertainment? NO.
  • Irouléguy - Is there more than one non-human species involved?
  • Chalky - Is this the name of a group or society?
  • Chalky - A true life story?
  • Kim - Is it connected to farming or animal husbandry generally?
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
  • CdM
    What! 16 hours and NO replies?
  • Juxtapose
    [Irouléguy] More than one non-human species involved? KIND OF.
    [Chalky] Group or society? NO.
    [Chalky] A true life story? OFTEN.
    [Kim] Farming or animal husbandry? NO. A case might me made for YES by someone trying to throw you off track.
    [Tuj] One of the words begins with a P.
  • CdM - Do these true-life stories occur all over the world, or are they geographically specific?
  • Chalky - Medical connections? [illness, disease - that type of thing]
  • ImNotJohn - Are the animals specifically pets or similar companion animals?
  • Quendalon - Connected with birth?
  • Chalky - Are these animals alive?
  • CdM
    What! 17 hou- oh, never mind.
  • Chalky
    *chuckles*
  • Chalky - Is this an emotion?
  • Chalky - Is this a BAD thing?
  • Chalky - Is this a human construct?
  • Juxtapose
    [CdM] All over the world? YES. *audience members start nudging eachother awake*
    [Chalky] Medical connections? YES! *excited noises*
    [ImNotJohn] pets? NO.
    [Quendalon] Connected with birth? NO.
    [Chalky] Alive? YES.
    [Chalky] emotion? NO.
    [Chalky] Bad? Some might say no. I say YES.
    [Chalky] Human construct? NO. Now let somebody else ask some.
  • CdM - Animal testing? (of cosmetics, or pharmaceuticals, or, I dunno, airbags or something)
  • Juxtapose
    [CdM] Animal testing? NO.
  • Somebody Else
    What! 12 hours and no question from Chalky?
  • Irouléguy - Are the non-human animals fish?
  • ImNotJohn - Connected with agriculture / animal husbandry?
  • Quendalon - An anthropomorphization?
  • Juxtapose
    [Irouléguy] fish? NO.
    [ImNotJohn] agri-husbandry? NO. (see Kim's question above)
    [Quendalon] Antrhopomorphization? NO.
  • Tuj - Fictional or fiction-related?
  • Juxtapose
    [Tuj] Fictitious? NO.
  • Irouléguy
    Summary time, and the living is easy
    Fish are jumping...

    We have an ABSTRACT involving multiple ANIMALish themes.

    It is not: a saying (though the guess was described as 'clever'), fictional, art, a place-name, Old MacDonald had a farm, One man and his dog, connected to entertainment, a group or society, geographically specific (this question got applause), pets, connected with birth, an emotion, a human construct, animal testing, connected with agriculture or animal husbandry, an anthropomorphisation, or fictional. And the non-human animals are not fish, but they are alive. They belong to more than one species, but not to 'many' species.

    It is: involving at least one human, something that happens all over the world, and with medical connections.

    It might be: a true life story, and a bad thing. There may be more than one non-human animal involved (situationally dependent).

    The answer includes: a word beginning with 'P'.
  • Irouléguy - Are the non-human animals mostly one species?
  • Tuj - Is it a title of something (book/film/etc)?
  • Juxtapose
    [Irouléguy] mostly one species? YES.
    [Tuj] Title of media? NO.

    [Re: Recap] "situationally dependent" was the answer to the following question: "Are the animals referred to in the plural?" The question "More than one non-human species involved?" had the answer "KIND OF", which I stand by.
  • Quendalon - Does it involve words?
  • Tuj - Is it unique?
  • Irouléguy - Is the non-human species visible to the naked eye?
  • Kim - Is it animal testing?
  • Irouléguy
    Kim - Is it animal testing? I refer the Honourable Gentleman to the summary above.
  • Juxtapose
    [Quendalon] "Does it involve words?" I'm not really sure how to give a yes or no answer to that which would be helpful. It is not word/language-based.
    [Tuj] Is it unique? NO.
    [Irouléguy] Is the non-human species visible to the naked eye? NO!
  • Irouléguy - A bacterium/virus/etc responsible for a particular disease/medical condition?
  • Juxtapose
    [Irouléguy] A bacterium/virus/etc responsible for a particular disease/medical condition? YES.
  • Irouléguy - Is the answer the disease/medical condition?
  • Irouléguy - Feeling greedy - is the animal specifically a virus (as opposed to a bacterium or other thingy)?
  • Juxtapose
    [Irouléguy] Is the answer the disease/medical condition? YES.
    [Irouléguy] is the animal specifically a virus? YES. *audience begins to gather coats and hats*
  • Graham III - Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis?
  • Somebody Else - Poliomylitis?
  • Quendalon - The common cold?
  • Graham III - Does the disease affect one part of the body specifically?
    Just for the sake of satisfying my own pedantry, I feel duty-bound to point out that generally viruses are not considered by most scientists as animals, for example because they are not living things, cannot self-replicate, and don't have a membrane separating themselves from the outside world. But that's probably a debate for another time. And yes I know that Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis is (a) not a virus, and (b) only theoretical, but it's an amusing word.
  • Juxtapose
    [Graham III] Pneumonoultrafragilisticexpialidocious? NO.
    [Somebody Else] Poliomylitis? NO.
    [Quendalon] The common cold? NO.
    [Graham III] Does the disease affect one part of the body specifically? Hmm. As in 'athelete's foot'? NO.
    [Pedantry] I know there is some debate, but I did say "animal-ish" not simply "animal", and secondly if I had answered yes or no based on viruses being animals I think it would have been more misleading. I like to consider myself not an evil man.
  • Quendalon - Bird flu?
  • Irouléguy - Is the disease commonly fatal?
  • irach - Influenza? The common, non-avian kind?
  • Juxtapose
    [Quendalon] Bird flu? NO.
    [Irouléguy] Commonly fatal? NO.
    [irach] Influenza? NO.
  • Quendalon - Sexual contact as primary vector of infection?
  • Irouléguy - Is the disease usually known by a colloquial name rather than a formal one?
  • Juxtapose
    [Quendalon] STD? NO.
    [Irouléguy] A colloquial name? YES. *applause*
  • Somebody Else - Black Death Bubonic Plague?
  • Somebody Else - or any of the Bubonic Plagues?
  • Raak - The dreaded lurgy?
  • Quendalon - Chicken pox?
  • Juxtapose
    [Somebody Else] Assorted plagues bubonic? NO!
    [Raak] The dreaded lurgy? NO!
    [Quendalon] Chicken pox? SPOT ON! *audience goes wild* Thus the 'multiple animal-ish themes'. Please accept this sterilized and sanitized baton. Well done.
  • Quendalon
    Thank you! It's been a while since I've held the baton. So, let's try:

    MINERAL, with ANIMAL connections.
  • irach - "Tigereye" gemstone?
  • Rosie - Man-made?
  • Quendalon
    [irach] Tiger's eye? NO.
    [Rosie] Man-made? YES.
  • Raak - Are the animal connections human?
  • Rosie - A mousetrap?
  • Tuj - A mantrap?
    [Rosie] No vegetable as in wood?
  • Quendalon
    [Raak] Animal = human? NO.
    [Rosie] Mousetrap? NO.
    [Tuj] Mantrap? NO.
  • irach - Birdcage? La Cages aux Folles?
  • Juxtapose - Is the mineral/one of the minerals glass?
  • Raak - Is it a model of an animal?
  • Kinrah - Is it a fossil?
  • Quendalon
    [irach] Cage (aux Folles or otherwise)? NO.
    [Juxtapose] Is glass involved? OFTEN, after a fashion.
    [Raak] Is it a model of an animal? Strictly speaking, NO. *interested murmurs from the audience*
    [Kinrah] Fossil? NO.
  • Raak - A representation of an animal or animals?
  • Quendalon
    [Raak] Representation of an animal(s)? NO.
  • Rosie - A medical device?
  • Irouléguy - Are the animal connections just one species?
  • Kinrah - Is it a glass etching of an animal?
  • Dujon - Would this be an article manufactured for use on/with/for an animal (e.g. dog collar, cow bell, harness)?
  • Quendalon
    [Rosie] Medical device? NO.
    [Irouléguy] Just one species? Tricky, but I think the fairest answer would be NO.
    [Kinrah] Glass etching? NO.
    [Dujon] For use on/with/for an animal? NO.
  • Raak - Made of metal?
  • Rosie - Does a typical Morniverser own one?
  • Quendalon
    [Raak] Is metal involved? YES.
    [Rosie] Property of a typical Morningverser? NO. *sardonic laughter from the audience*
  • Rosie - Anything to do with farming?
  • Quendalon
    [Rosie] Connected with farming? NO. (One could make a case for YES, but that would undoubtedly be misleading.)
  • Chalky - Is the animal part a product of an animal, such as fur or skin?
  • Quendalon
    [Chalky] Contains actual animal parts? NO.

    To clarify, there are no organic animal components to speak of; if there were, it would have been MINERAL / ANIMAL. And in the interests of full disclosure, there are occasionally VEGETABLE elements, though pursuing that line of questioning is unlikely to be productive.
  • CdM - A building?
  • Quendalon
    [CdM] A building? NO.
  • Rosie - A shotgun?
    Y'know, one o' vem Japnese mo'ors.
  • Quendalon
    [Rosie] Shotgun? NO, neither single- or double-barreled.
  • Chalky - a geographical feature?
  • Quendalon
    [Chalky] Geography? NO.

    On further consideration, [Chalky]'s previous question was incorrectly answered due to an overly narrow reading of it. So, to revisit:

    [Chalky] Is the animal connection to a product of an animal? YES.
  • Chalky - Leather?
  • Raak - Is it a container?
  • Quendalon
    [Chalky] Leather? NO.
    [Raak] Container? YES, although this may be misleading.
  • Graham III - A milk bottle?
  • Chalky - Would one usually find this in a home?
  • Quendalon
    [Graham III] Milk bottle? NO.
    [Chalky] Usually found in a home? NO.
  • Rosie - Does this restrict hte movement on animals in any way?
  • Rosie
    "Of", not "on".
  • Rosie
    "The", not "hte". I dunno.
  • Quendalon
    [Rosie] Restrict movement of animals? NO.
  • Quendalon
    Time for a recap:

    We have a MINERAL with ANIMAL connections.

    It is NOT: "Tigereye" gemstone, human animal-ish, a mousetrap, a mantrap, a birdcage, a model or representation of an animal, a fossil, a medical device, owned by a typical Morningverser, connected with farming, made from an animal product, a building, a shotgun, a geographical feature, leather, a milk bottle, found in a typical home, used to restrain animals.

    It IS: Man-made, made using metal as a component, connected with an animal product, a container.

    It is SOMETIMES: made using glass as a component.

    A contestant aroused audience interest when asking if it was a model of an animal.
    A contestant aroused audience mockery when asking if a typical Morningverser owned one.
  • Dujon - Is the 'Animal Connection' a result of its name (colloquial or otherwise)?
  • Software - Glasses case?
  • Graham III - A cow creamer?
  • CdM - Bigger than a telephone box with a toaster on top?
  • Quendalon
    [Dujon] Animal connection originates from name? NO.
    [Software] Glasses case? NO.
    [Graham III] Cow creamer? NO.

    Clarification/hint: The fact that the subject is a container isn't central to its identity.
  • Quendalon
    [CdM] Bigger than a telephone box? NO.
  • Raak - Does it use a source of power?
  • Quendalon
    [Raak] Uses power? NO.
  • Graham III - Does it have artistic pretensions?
  • Quendalon
    [Graham III] Artistic pretentions? YES. *applause*
  • Raak - Is it by Damien Hurst?
  • Quendalon
    [Raak] Damien Hurst? NO.
  • CdM - Does a typical one cost in excess of two thousand pounds sterling ?
  • Quendalon
    [CdM] Typically valued at over £2000? YES.
  • irach - Faberge egg?
  • Quendalon - *KA-CHING!*
    [irach] YES! (The words on the card are "an authentic Faberge Egg", but that's more than close enough.) Passing over an ovoid, richly bejeweled clockwork baton...
  • CdM
    [irach] Are you there? It may be time for someone else to take over here...
  • CdM
    All right then, a nice quick ABSTRACT in the meantime.
  • Chalky - A human construct?
  • Kim - Begins with a "P"?
    I'd just like to point out that this is the first time I have asked this question.
  • CdM
    Humanly constructed? Yes.
    P-begun? No.
  • Quendalon - Is it unique?
  • Kim - Is it fictional?
  • CdM
    Unique? Yes is the best answer, although there is a case to be made for No.
    Fictional? Yes. *applause*
  • Raak - Is the answer a work of fiction?
  • Chalky - an apocryphal story?
  • Quendalon - Connected with politics?
  • I Say, Porter! - still doesn't understand the concept of "A human concept"...
  • I Say, Porter! - scratch -cept read -struct
  • Tuj - A one word answer?
  • CdM
    Work of fiction? Yes *applause*
    Apocryphal? No.
    Connected with politics? *amused laughter from audience* Some would say yes. Others (perhaps more?) would say no. One reasonable answer is "I don't know". Another is "if you like".
    One word answer? No.

    [IS,P!] At least as a working definition I take 'human construct' to mean something that requires the human brain for its existence. Most abstract things seem to be human constructs, but not all are. I would say that 'pain', for example, is not a human construct. There are thorny issues when we get into the old debate about whether mathematical issues are created or discovered. Is the following a human construct: on a Euclidean plane, any right-angled triangle has the property that the square on the hypotenuse equals the sum of the squares on the other two sides? I'm not sure.
  • Rosie - Religious?
    (CdM) The property of plane right-angled triangles that you mention exists regardless of whether humans are aware of it or not. Maybe a better example would have been imaginary numbers which have no physical meaning until humans invented them and ascribed a meaning to them (a frequency, for example) but are a supremely useful mathematical tool.
  • Quendalon - Written in the last 100 years?
  • CdM
    Religious? *more audience laughter*. It is not a religious work, but if you are asking if it has religious connections, I point you to the answer to "connected with politics", above.
    Written in last 100 years? Yes.

    [Rosie] Well, but there is also something odd about saying the Pythagorean theorem is not a human construct. As I say, the question of whether mathematics is invented or discovered has troubled philosophers of science for a long time, and I don't think it's as straightforward as you suggest, even in this case. Is the number "2" a human construct? But I'm getting out of my depth here, so I'll let the real mathematicians weigh in if they like.
  • Juxtapose - Written in the last 50 years?
  • Quendalon - (Originally) written in English?
  • Irouléguy - A novel?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie] Isn't the concept of a 'right-angle' a human construct?
  • CdM
    Last 50 years? No.
    Originally written in English? *audience gasps and starts disputing amongst themselves animatedly* The best answer is clearly no, but a case could be made for yes.
    A novel? No.
  • Chalky - A poem?
  • Quendalon - (Primarily) intended for children?
  • I Say, Porter! - Jabberwocky?
    Just a wild stab in the dark...
  • Irouléguy - Scots wha hae wi' Wallace bled?
    Speaking of wild stabs...
  • Chalky - Seedy M? Where are you?
  • Graham III
    [Chalky] No, I don't think it's that. :-)
  • CdM
    Poem? No.
    Kid-intended? *audience laughter*. No.
    Jabberwocky? *audience snickersnackering* No.
    Scots wha hae? *audience chants "Jon-ny Wil-kin-son, Jon-ny Wil-kin-son* No.
    Where am I? Sleeping. I live on the other side of the world from most of you lot, remember.
  • Raak - Is it a work based on another work?
  • CdM
    Work based on another work? Another surprisingly difficult question. The best answer is No (corresponding to the best answer to "originally written in English?"), but a case could me made for Yes (corresponding to the case that could be made for "not originally written in English").
  • Rosie - Anything to do with pseudoscience?
  • Quendalon - The Lord of the Rings?
  • CdM
    Pseudoscience? Not in any way that I am aware of.
    Lord of the Rings? No. (I'm pretty confident that was originally written in English. :-) )
  • CdM
    Chalky? Where are you?
  • Raak
    [CdM] I thought Tolkien translated it from the Red Book of Westmarch.
  • Chalky - Is there written evidence of this?
    [CdM] Sorry - I kinda thought I had the time difference worked out. [and, selfishly, fail to acknowledge that you may have 'other things to do' at the end of a working day].
  • CdM
    Written evidence? I'm not sure what you mean. You already know that this is a work of fiction written between 50 and 100 years ago, and that a case could be made for it having been originally written in English.

    As to where I was, it is true that your poem question came in before 10pm Singapore time, so on any given day there is a good chance I would be online then -- but not last night, as it happened.
  • Irouléguy - A play?
  • CdM
    The play's the thing? Yes. *applause*
  • Quendalon - Written by just one author?
  • CdM
    One author? Yes.
  • Raak - Was it originally written, if not in English, then in Irish?
  • CdM
    Originally written in Irish? No. *curiously, there is still a smattering of applause*
  • Quendalon - Irish author?
  • Rosie - Is it performed much these days?
  • CdM - any moment now...
    Irish author? Yes. *applause*
    Performed much? Yes.
  • ImNotJohn - Samuel Beckett?
  • CdM
    Beckett? Yes. *no sound from the audience because they have all left already*
  • CdM
    This might be a good time to remind you of the circumstances in which I set the clue. :-)
  • ImNotJohn
    Well yes, I did think of going straight there. I'll leave the last rites for someone else.
  • CdM
    [ImNotJohn] Shall we go then?
  • Chalky - Waiting for Godot [En attendant Godot]
    That was tricky.

    [CdM] Righty-ho. This may look nit-picky when it springs to life on screen but I promise, no criticism is intended - I'm thinking it's all down to my lack of understanding of the ABSTRACT word when used in this game. [which is why I asked the question "is there written evidence of this?" meaning "is this a tangible/material thing?"]
    If anyone is interested enough to join in the discussion, I'd welcome other views.
  • Chalky
    As for a new puzzle, perhaps irach will return soon to take up the baton .
  • CdM
    [Chalky] No, fair point, I should have probably added (with Vegetable Connections) to get at the physical incarnation that the play can take. I'm still not sure I exactly understand what you mean by written evidence, though. :-) Anything like a work of fiction is to my mind ABSTRACT, because it conceivably could exist without any direct physical incarnation (i.e., it could be stored as a bunch of ones and zeros, or simply by the neural firings of someone who has memorized it).

    By the way, the words on the card were "Waiting for Godot", which I was taking to be the English version, which is why the questions about its previous incarnation in French were tricky: when Beckett wrote waiting for Godot, he didn't simply translate En Attendant Godot, but also made changes. Anyway, I'm done here.


    He does not move.
  • Chalky
    yeah I know :-) You leap in to do a person a favour and some bozo wanders by and starts questioning everything. Still - I s'pose if no-one questioned anything in these forums, it would be a pretty dull place.

    And no move from me. Irach??
  • Chalky - missing persons
    Still no irach? Shall I start a new one?
  • Quendalon
    Sure, you did just win one. Take the baton.
  • Chalky
    [Quend] well - it wasn't really a 'win' as it had been signposted for some time. However, as I am home-based for a few days I'll happily take the chair.

    A N I M A L
  • I Say, Porter! - A fictional beast?
  • Software - Human?
  • Chalky
    [IS,P!] a fictional beast? NO
    [Software] human? YES
  • Rosie - Alive?
  • Quendalon - Unique?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Alive? NO
    [Quendalon] Unique? YES
  • Raak - British?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] British? YES *applause*
  • CdM - Died in the last fifty years?
    I hope everything is ok with irach; it's not like him(?) to be gone this long.
  • Chalky
    [CdM] Died in last fifty years? NO
    I think it's a 'he' and hopefully he's just on vacation.
  • Rosie - Is any structure named after this person?
    irach posted twice on Monday. I reckon he's forgotten about this game.
  • CdM - Boudicca?
    Let the wild guessing begin!
  • Kinrah - Male?
  • Raak - Royalty?
  • ImNotJohn - Connected with the arts?
  • Phil - Bigger than a toaster? (trad.)
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Is any structure named after this person? Excellent question! and YES - you might say that, in a manner of speaking, sort of. *audience already geared up for an early finish*
    [CdM] Boudicca the wild? NO
    [Kinrah] Male? YES
    [INJ] Connected with the arts? YES *more applause*
    [Phil] Bigger than a toaster? I'm sure he was :-)
  • Chalky
    sorry [Raak] Royalty? NO
  • Raak - Henry Tate?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Henry Tate? NO
  • Kim - Connected with the Theatre?
  • Chalky
    [Kim] Connected with the theatre? NO - not specifically
  • CdM - Is the person known primarily as a creator of art?
  • ImNotJohn - Sir Arthur British-Museum?
    Oh all right
    A writer?
  • Chalky - *straining to be heard above the cheering audience*
    [CdM] Primarily a creator of art? YES
    [INJ] A writer? YES to a lesser extent
  • Kim - Is the "structure" mentioned by Rosie a building?
  • Chalky
    [Kim] The structure mentioned by Rosie is NOT a building as such
  • Kim - Is it a bridge?
  • CdM - William Morris?
  • Rosie - Is the "structure" outdoors?
  • Raak - Is the structure a monument?
  • Chalky
    [Kim] A bridge? Not in the way you may mean
    [CdM] William Morris? NO
    [Rosie] Is the 'structure' outdoors? It could be.
    [Raak] A monument? Not really in the way you may mean. But in another sense 'monument' is rather an apt word.
  • ImNotJohn - Is this 'structure' actually a type of structure - i.e. there are many of them?
  • Chalky
    [INJ] Are there many of them? Ah, you picked up on my clue :-) YES, there are many of them.
  • Chalky - *was feeling guilty - having been away from the PC for 5 1/2 hours. Not so now*
  • Chalky
    Keep 'em coming. I be off to bed now. Will be back at 0730 GMT.
  • Rosie - Sir Christopher Wren?
  • Rosie
    No, can't be. That's rubbish. Get a grip, man.
  • Rosie - A household or garden ornament named after "the person"?
  • Raak - Leslie Hore-Belisha?
    Although if it is, someone else will have to set the next one. Off to pilg and Eastercon from today.
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] wren ...er ... Garden/Household Ornament? I don't think so - NO
    [Raak] Leslie Hore-Belisha? NO
  • Kim - Does the "structure" come in different sizes?
  • Chalky
    [Kim] Differently sized? YES
  • Kim - Is the "structure" normally fixed in one place?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the 'structure' a 3-dimensional solid?
    Taking something on paper or a flat surface to be 2-dimensional (to silence the quibblers)
  • Chalky
    [Kim] Fixed? Difficult to answer. Strictly speaking [insofar as the answer on the card is concerned] the 'structures' are fixed but under other circumstances might well be free-standing.

    [INJ] 3 - dimensional? To be exact [insofar as the answer on the card is concerned] - NO but under other circumstances I would reply YES.

    It may be helpful to find out more about the man rather than the 'structures', even though they are inextricably linked.
  • Rosie - Does the name of the objects contain the person's name?
  • Irouléguy
    Did he die in the 19th century?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Do the 'objects' contain the person's name - YE-E-ES.
    [Irouléguy] Die in 19th century? YES
  • Software - Sneaking in ...
    Thomas Bruce, the Seventh Earl of Elgin?
  • Chalky
    [Hi Software - welcome to this little conundrum] Thos Bruce, 7Th Earl etc? NO
  • CdM - Did this person develop a certain technique/style/method of doing something that is now named after him, so the objects are known as (something like) '<:Name>-ian <Things>'?
  • Rosie - Is he a painter?
  • Chalky
    [CdM] Technique/style/method etc. Hmmm - the way he did it is not necessarily named after him [see answer to Rosie's question] but the content of what he produced most certainly is. The 'objects' in question are definitely known the way you have described.
    [Rosie] Painter? A resounding YES!
  • CdM - William Turner?
  • CdM - When you are talking of structures or objects, is it correct that you mean something more this this gentleman's paintings?
  • Quendalon - Adolf Hitler?
  • Chalky
    [CdM] Turner? NO
    [CdM] I'm SO glad you've asked this question *wry grin* and need to construct a careful reply without giving you the answer :-).
    The structures/objects in question certainly define most of this gentleman's paintings. 'Something more'? - I would venture a YES in both an abstract and a material way.

    [Quendalon] Adolf Hitler? No - this chap is British
  • Phil - Is there a "school" of painting (e.g. Dadaism) named after him?
  • Chalky
    [Phil] Is there a school named after him? Not that I know of, or can find evidence of.

    Hint: He had a certain style of 'painting' both in the manner of execution and subject matter. This style then became synonymatic.
  • Chalky - signing out for Easter
    well- I'm sorry no-one seems to want to ask any more questions - because I'm now, due to family committments, 'not around' for a few days.
  • I Say, Porter! - Is synonymatic a real word?
  • I Say, Porter! - Turner and his clouds?
    ... yes I was in the V&A yesterday...
  • I Say, Porter! - Notices someone else has said Turner
    Frig. Constable, then.
  • ImNotJohn - Died in the 20th century?
  • Chalky - sorry for delay - am rather ill at mo
    [IS,P] Synonymatic? Yes
    Turner? NO
    Constable? NO
    [INJ] Died in 20th century? Yes
  • Phil - Ummmm...Do you believe in reincarnation?
    He died in the 19th and 20th centuries?
  • Dujon - Would this gentleman have 'dabbled' in more than one medium?
  • ImNotJohn - Beardsley?
    Ah yes, I missed Irg's question - So, we're looking for a poor late Victorian/Edwardian comedian who painted (and wrote a bit)
  • Chalky
    I'm too ill to carry on with this.

    The Answer Is: this chap
  • CdM
    Oh, damn. We should have got that. Good one. Hope you're feeling ok...
  • Kim - Red faces all round, I think.
    Get better soon, Chalky.
    In the absence of a winner, I'll happily take up the baton, as I've got a puzzler that I've been wanting to put forward for ages, if no one objects.
  • ImNotJohn - Of Course!
    [Chalky]Commiserations - I'll have a whisky on your behalf.
    [Kim] Please go ahead. Let me clear the way for you.
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
  • Rosie - Anything to do with arachno-syndicalism?
  • ImNotJohn - That's a frightening thought
    [Rosie] If those spiders get organised we won't stand a chance.
  • I Say, Porter! - bigger than a toaster?
    [INJ] My thoughts exactly. I was already tittering at Rosie's post when yours made me guffaw.
  • Kim - BANG! Oh, you've already started...
    This is ABSTRACT with ANIMAL, VEGETABLE and MINERAL connections, so the answers so far are:
    [Tuj] No.
    [Rosie] No.
    [IS,P] Minerally speaking, yes.
  • Rosie - A phenomenon?
    (INJ) Glad you read it accurately :-)
  • Tuj - A piece of fiction?
    [Rosie] You're a canny old thing, aren't you?
  • Kim
    [Rosie] Boo-booo be doo-boop! N-N-No.
    [Tuj] The answer least likely to lead you astray is No.
    I have a sense that this is going to hurt me more than it hurts you lot.
  • Raak - Is it a piece of music?
  • Dujon - Would this relate directly to religion?
  • Kim
    [Raak] No.
    [Dujon] Not directly, no.
  • Quendalon - Related to climate?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the animal connection human?
  • Rosie - Is the mineral part a structure?
    (Tuj) Possibly.
  • Kim
    [Quendalon] No.
    [INJ] Mostly.
    [Rosie] No.
  • Quendalon - A written work?
  • Rosie - A gathering of any kind?
  • ImNotJohn - A geographical entity?
  • Kim
    [Quendalon] No.
    [Rosie] No.
    [INJ] Yes. *sustained applause*
  • Irouléguy - A city?
  • Quendalon - Is it wholly or partially in the northern hemisphere?
  • Rosie - Does any Morniverser live there?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the Abstract an event associated with this feature?
  • Tuj - Southern Hemisphere?
  • nights - A country?
  • Kim
    [Irouleguy] No.
    [Quendalon] No.
    [Rosie] Almost certainly No and I hope to God not.
    [INJ] No.
    [Tuj] Yes.
    [nights] *applause*. The only adequate answer to this question is Yes and No.
  • ImNotJohn - Antarctica?
    Though that would lead us into the 'what is abstract?' debate again.
  • Bigsmith - Fictional?
    Would explain the 'abstract'?
  • Kim
    [INJ] No.
    If I were to devote much time to consideration of the "what is abstract?" question, I might conclude that the subject matter of our current discussion is actually ANIMAL/VEGETABLE/MINERAL with ABSTRACT connections, or even AMINAL/VEGETABLE/MINERAL/ABSTRACT. Fortunately, I'm far too busy to give it much thought.
  • Rosie - Río Gallegos, Argentina?
    A soulless dump, but with interesting weather.
  • ImNotJohn - The Roaring Forties?
    [Kim] You didn't answer Bigsmith's last question
  • Graham III - The Vatican City
    blatantly lurking
  • Graham III - Or the Holy See if you prefer
  • Graham III
    Bugger, ignore that. It would help if I read all of the answers.
  • Kim
    [Rosie] No.
    [INJ] No.
    [Graham III] Duly ignored, as requested.
    [Bigsmith] Apologies for missing your earlier question. It's a humdinger. The answer to it is Yes, but I fear that this will create more problems than it solves.
  • Quendalon - Based on a real country?
  • Rosie - The Falklands War?
  • Bigsmith - Is the answer a proper noun?
    I've not been credited with a humdinger before - thank you!
  • ImNotJohn - Is the answer the name of a fictional work?
    Sounds like we could be looking for a fictional account of a real place
  • Juxtapose - Mordor?
  • Kim
    [Quendalon] No.
    [Rosie] No.
    [Bigsmith] No. I've never dinged anyone's hum before, either.
    [INJ] No.
    [Juxtapose] No.
  • Irouléguy - Is this fictional place in Africa?
  • Kim
    [Irouleguy] No. Further trips along this route might (but only might) prove helpful.
  • Rosie - Van Daemon's Land?
  • Quendalon - Above sea level?
  • ImNotJohn - In Australasia/Oceania?
  • CdM - Was this once a country but is so no longer?
    I think the striking thing is that we are looking for a geographic entity that is not a proper noun, which rules out things like Shangri-La or Atlantis (both of which could also be ruled out on other grounds, I think, but anyway).
  • Chalky - Was this place called something else in the past?
  • Rosie - Is it defined by a physico-geographical property?
    (Chalky) You OK now, gel?
  • Irouléguy
    The Lost World?
    Chalky] Welcome back!
  • Chalky
    [Rosie, Iroulé] see chat.
  • Kim - With apologies for absence..
    [Rosie] No.
    [Quendalon] Y-Y-Yes.
    [INJ] Y-Y-Yes.
    [CdM] No.
    [Chalky] No.
    [Rosie] N-N-No. Can you clarify?
    [Irouleguy] No.
    [Chalky] Welcome back. Hope you are fully recovered.
  • Rosie - Polynesia?
    (Kim) What I meant was something such as an archipelago.
  • Dujon - A coral reef of some description?
  • Kim
    [Rosie] No (not Polynesia and not an archipelago).
    [Dujon] No.
  • Kim
    I am trying to devise some form of clue that won't give the game away. On reviewing what has gone before, I feel that I am being fairly consistent and consistently fair in my responses, but I have to acknowledge that my answer of "No" to INJ's question "Antarctica" is not wholly correct (although "Antarctica" is not the answer on the card). The "What is Abstract?" debate may be worth revisiting in this context.
  • Rosie - The ozone hole?
  • Quendalon - Depicted in sequential art?
  • Irouléguy - The Ross ice shelf?
  • Dujon - A migratory path?
  • Kim
    [Rosie] No. Animal, vegetable and mineral are all involved.
    [Quendalon] Not that I am aware of.
    [Irouleguy] No.
    [Dujon] No.
  • Rosie - An Antarctic base?
  • Kim
    [Rosie] No.
  • Quendalon - Is it on land?
  • Kim
    [Quendalon] To the extent that it is Animal, Vegetable and Mineral it is on land (inasmuch as it is not underwater, in the air, in space or anywhere else) but bear in mind that I have said that it is ABSTRACT, with A/V/M connections (or, possibly, A/V/M/A, depending on your point of view).
  • Rosie - anything to do with an Antarctic expedition?
  • Kim
    [Rosie] No.
  • Quendalon - Related to Jonathan Swift?
  • Kim
    [Quendalon] No.
    [Everyone] I'm willing to offer a clue at this point, as I am detecting a slowing of momentum. Takers?
  • Quendalon
    [Kim] Sure. I think we can also use a recap...
  • Rosie - The South Pole?
  • Kim
    [Rosie] No.
  • Kim - Clue
    When is a country not a country? Think about it.
  • Raak - When it's an independent autonomous region of a people's republic?
  • Kim
    [Raak] OK. Or...?
  • Dujon - A recognised region (e.g. Patagonia)?
  • Kim
    [Dujon] Yes! Recognised, or.....?
  • CdM
    The unclaimed part of Antarctica?
  • CdM
    only in italics
  • Raak - A place marked "Here be dragons"?
  • Kim
    [Raak] No. And it's not Wales, either. Listen, is Tibet a country?
  • ImNotJohn - Las Islas Malvinas?
  • Raak - The roof of the world?
    [Kim] Yes, except when it's an independent autonomous region of a people's democratic republic.
  • Kim
    [INJ] No, but you're getting closer.
    [Raak] Exactly. It all depends on your point of view.
  • Raak - Is it in South America?
  • Kim
    [Raak] No.
  • Rosie - South Georgia?
  • Kim
    [Rosie] No.
  • ImNotJohn - Is it covered by the Antartic Treaty?
  • ImNotJohn
    ...or even the Antarctic Treaty..
  • Quendalon - Is it on or connected to a specific island or group of islands?
  • CdM - Are you going to answer my question?
    (my fault, I know -- the italics thing)
  • Kim
    [INJ] Neither.
    [Quendalon] Difficult. I'd have to say Yes.
    [CdM] Yes. No. Sorry.
  • Rosie - Kerguelen?
  • Irouléguy - The British Antarctic Territory?
  • Kim
    [Rosie] No.
    [Irouleguy] No.
  • Software - Ilas Malvinas?
  • Kim
    [Software] No.
    Try asking me some questions about the country itself.
  • CdM - Does the country currently exist?
  • Bigsmith - Is it populated by humans?
  • Kim
    [CdM] Yes and no. It depends entirely on your point of view.
    [Bigsmith] Yes is probably correct here, but distinctly arguable, if, in fact, it does not exist.
  • Quendalon - Do the people who populate it currently exist?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it an entirely natural feature?
  • Rosie - Is it south of 45° S?
    I'm getting really pissed off with this, but that's just me.
  • Dujon - Is this a dissolved union/federation?
  • CdM - Is at an area of disputed territory that lies in part or wholly in Antarctica?
    (I'm thinking particularly Chilean and Argentine claims here, but I'll keep the question more general.)
  • CdM
    Actually, I think INJ's question may already have covered this...
  • Chalky - Can we have a proper CLUE please Kim :-)
    [Rosie] Agree. 18 days and counting is a bit much for this game.
  • ImNotJohn - Does it have military significance?
    I looked up disputed territories in Oceania & Antarctica and got to over 50! Everything within the Antarctic circle is covered by the Antarctic treaty, plus some more areas as well, it can't be Antarctic as such.
  • Bigsmith - Is this a fair summary of the facts gained so far?
    The answer is a fictional entity that may or may not be a country that may or may not currently exist, but not a named place as it is not a proper noun (abstract). It is located in Australasia/Oceana, and the guess that it is a geographical entity drew sustained applause (mineral/vegetable). It is mainly populated by humans - in as much as it is a fictional place (animal). This is the sum product of 18 days' work!
  • Graham III - Is it Mu?
  • Graham III - El Dorado?
  • Graham III - East Timor
    Just to get the hatrick you see.
  • Bigsmith
    [G3] All proper nouns...
  • Kim
    [Bigsmith] I have to acknowlege that I have misled everyone by stating, wrongly, that the answer is not a proper noun. It is. How I came to say that it isn't is beyond me. Truly sorry. *Hides face in embarassment*
  • Kim
    [GIII] None of the above three.
  • Kim
    [Everyone] I will answer all of the unanswered questions above AND provide a proper clue a little later on today.
  • Irouléguy - Does the fictional part of this derive from one book/author/film/series of films?
  • Bigsmith
    [Kim] No worries - everyone else seems to have ignored that answer!
  • Graham III
    [Bigsmith] It seemed absurd...
  • Kim
    [Quendalon] "It" is currently populated by living people.
    [Rosie] "It" is not exclusively in the South Pacific and therefore not exclusively South of 45oS. I fully understand and sympathise with your frustration and I think it will be necessary to draw this particular round to an end within the next 48 hours.
    [Dujon] "It" is not a dissolved union or federation
    [CdM] "It" could be said to be an area of disputed territory that lies partly within Antarctica.
    [Chalky] You deserve a better clue than my miserable efforts so far and I shall try to provide a decent clue in a separate post passim.
    [INJ] Some of "it" has military significance.
    [Bigsmith] A fair summary, which I would like to supplement, if you don't mind.

    1. We have recently established that, although it is abstract, it is a proper noun, despite my asserting the contrary, which will probably haunt me forever.
    2. The question of whether it exists or not depends entirely on your point of view, which is to say that some people would assert that it exists and others would assert that it does not. Its very existence is a matter of dispute. It is my belief that it does not exist and is therefore abstract.
    3. To the extent that it does exist, it purports to be a country, that is to say, those who believe that it does exist refer to it by a name (yes, a proper noun; sorry, again).
    4. To the extent that it does exist, it is substantially, but not exclusively in Australisia/Oceania. The question of the whole, or part of Antarctica has some up more than once and is relevant.
    5. To the extent that it does exist, its territorial rights are in dispute.
    6. To the extent that it does exist, it does not comprise a single landmass, but several.

  • Kim - CLUE
    There is a strong biblical connection.
  • Rosie - A diaspora?
  • Raak - Sheol?
    I don't recall Antarctica being mentioned in the Bible.
  • Chalky - Judging by your summary - is this 'place' really really big? Like - huge?
  • CdM
    {Bigsmith] Not me! It's been driving me crazy. In fact i almost asked a couple of days ago if Kim was sure. But I'll still forgive him. Maybe.
  • CdM - Is there any part/element of this that we would all agree *does* exist?
    In other words, is it the designation of this place that is under existential dispute, or the very place itself?
  • Chalky - Is it a 'Lost Civilisation' - like Atlantis?
    ... and I am aware that CdM mentioned Atlantis some time ago :-)
  • Kim
    [Rosie] No.
    [Raak] No.
    [Chalky] Its Wiki entry does not provide the landmass area in m2, but I would say that it is not "really, really big" (in comparison to, say, Africa).
    [CdM] We can all agree that the landmasses that comprise it all really do exist. They are, without doubt, the Animal, Vegetable and Mineral parts of this. What we are testing, I think, is the Abstract element.
    [Chalky] No.
  • Bigsmith - Is belief in God (the Bible version) linked to belief in its existence?
    [CdM] Yes, I too found the proper noun thing frustrating, glad it is clear now. I think I can bring myself to forgive Kim...just about!
  • Chalky - Terra Australis [Incognita]?
  • Phil - The Maori Nation?
  • Irouléguy - Do the landmasses that comprise it all include include Australia, or any part of the Australian continent?
  • Kim
    [Bigsmith] Yes.
    [Chalky] No.
    [Phil] No.
    [Irouleguy] No.
  • Kim - By the way...
    Is it still possible to attach links here? The answer, when it comes, will best be shown by its Wiki entry.
  • Chalky - Zealandia?
    [Kim] Yes - you can attach links. I did so when I gave away the last turn.
    Am confused by your reply to Irouléguy's recent question and Point 4 in your supplementary summary.
  • Chalky
    Sorry - scrub my last guess. Silly me. I'll try another one, if I may ....
  • Chalky - Does the Abstract element in this refer to something that has been predicted to happen in this area?
  • Quendalon - Do any of those who believe that it exists believe themselves to currently be resident citizens thereof?
  • Irouléguy - Do the landmasses that comprise it all include include any part of New Zealand?
    Chalky] I just asked about the Australian continent - according to the Wikipedia entry, Australasia also includes New Zealand, and sometime also Papua New Guinea and associated islands. I suspect Kim means the South Pacific more generally.
  • Kim
    [Chalky] No.
    [Quendalon] I cannot find a definitive answer to this, but I think it is very likely that those who claim its existence do not live there and those who inhabit the landmasses would not claim to be citizens of it.
    [Irouleguy] In the interests of getting this finished today, I am going to give away the physical location. CLUE: the landmasses that comprise the animal, vegetable and mineral parts of this are various Pacific Ocean islands and certain parts of Antarctica.
  • CdM - Is it connected to some specific Biblical event (e.g., the Flood)?
  • CdM - And is it connected to some particular flavor of Christianity?
  • Kim
    [CdM] To be helpful, I will say that it is connected to a biblical legend, but not an event as such.
    [CdM] I don't remember mentioning Christianity. If you question were "is it connected to some particular flavor of religion, the answer would be Yes and there would be some *applause*
    CLUE: Those who believe that it exists claim that it is an Ecclesiastical Sovereignty.
  • Raak
    That makes the result instantly Googleable, I think.
  • Quendalon
    [Raak] Yep, found it. Do you want to do the honors? I wouldn't mind, but I just went a couple of rounds ago and I don't want to hog the spotlight.
  • Chalky - The Dominion of Melchizedek (DoM)?
    I'll take it if Raak doesn't want it :-)
  • Chalky
    Also .... if I happen to be correct - I am definitely at a PC for the next few days so can reply promptly, which helps the game move along.
    *wishes she'd kept Heath Robinson under wraps*
  • Raak
    [Chalky] Go on then, I was losing the will to live during this round.
  • Quendalon
    [Raak] I was interested, but I was also way off on the wrong track -- I assumed it was some kind of Young Earth Creationist land bridge.
  • Kim - Whew!
    Chalky wins the marathon! I would welcome feedback/discussion on this. Some of those questions were really hard to answer succinctly. *Hands baton to Chalky and runs off to hide"
  • Chalky - *takes baton*
    Kim] Yup - being 'in the chair' is tougher than it looks. I shall choose carefully and post a little later this evening.
  • Chalky - later this evening
    M I N E R A L
  • CdM
    Oh, come on Chalky, that one's completely unreasonable!
  • CdM
    [Kim] So, I was skeptical of that AVMA for the last week or so, particularly when it became clear that the answer was going to be something that I (and I suspect many other people) had never heard of. But, now, having looked up the quite wonderful DoM on the internets, I have changed my mind: I think it was an excellent AVMA subject despite its obscurity. My only quibble (well, other than the proper noun thing) is that I think the Bible hint was kind of misleading, in that it suggested a true religious link as opposed to a made-up-in-order-to-defraud-people religious link.

    And you are right that the classification (A/V/M vs A) is very hard. I'm still not sure how I would describe it: my rules of thumb are letting me down here.
  • Rosie
    (CdM) As you say, the answer was something that very few people will have heard of and we would still be on this wild goose chase but for a very heavy clue from Kim. Frankly, I just can't see the point of this type of subject. It's a complete waste of one's time trying to get closer to an answer that is in effect not there as far as one's own general knowledge is concerned. I feel as if I and others have been made the butt of a rather stupid nerdy practical joke. It's really not what the game should be about.
  • Chalky
    [CdM] Huh. You might have at least asked a question [if only to give me a reason for being awake at this unearthly BST time].
  • CdM - Is it a human construct that begins with P and is bigger than a toaster?
    Oh all right then.
  • Quendalon - Is it unique?
    Tried and true.
  • Chalky
    [CdM] Human construct, P... , bigger than a toaster? YES, NO, NO
    [Quendalon] Unique? YES and NO
  • Bigsmith - Does it require batteries?
  • Chalky
    [Bigsmith] Batteries? NO
  • Bigsmith - Is it usually to be found in the home?
  • Chalky
    [Bigsmith] Found in the home? YES - it can be
  • Raak - Could one buy it in a department store?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Department Store? YES probably
  • Irouléguy - When you say it's both unique and not, do you mean that there's only one thing called this, but it's mass-produced (ie a 1980 Suzuki GS850-GT)?
  • Quendalon - Hand-crafted?
  • Chalky
    [Irouléguy] It IS mass-produced but individually remains unique
    [Quendalon] Hand-crafted? NO
  • Kim - Is it a proper noun?
  • Chalky
    [Kim] A proper noun? NO - but it's a bit prim
  • Rosie - Is each one of these prim mass-produced objects unique it itself?
  • Quendalon - Does each have a unique serial number?
  • Software - Is it made of pottery/ceramic/clay/glass type stuff?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] mass-produced but unique in itself? That's what I said :-)
    [Quendalon] Unique serial number? YES
    [Software] pottery/ceramic/clay/glass? NO - none of the FOUR you have specified. Dunno about the 'type stuff' - perhaps you can be more precise? :-)
  • Raak - Is it a piece of electronic equipment?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] A piece of electronic equipment? Good question. Mmmmm .. NO
  • Bigsmith - Does it inform one of the time?
    [Kim] Your question made me guffaw and frighten my workmates. You are truly forgiven!
  • Irouléguy - Is it bigger than a £1 coin?
  • Chalky
    [Bigsmith] Time piece? NO
    [Irouléguy] Bigger than a £1 coin? Bigger? How do you mean? Area? Thickness? Width? Height? Bulk? Mass? More famous?:-)
  • Chalky
    [Irouléguy] Re: the size thing - I've just dashed off a spot of differential calculus and come to the conclusion that it IS and it ISN'T.
  • Quendalon - Does it have any moving parts?
    I keep asking the same questions every time. Is this a sign of consistency or insanity?
  • Raak - Is it a battery?
  • Chalky
    [Quendalon] Moving parts? NO

    [Raak] A battery? NO
  • CdM - Is it primarily made of metal?
  • Rosie - Are these objects custom-made?
  • Chalky
    [CdM] Primarily metal? NO
    [Rosie] Custom-made? NO
  • Quendalon - Primarily ornamental in nature?
  • Chalky
    [Quendalon] Ornamental? Most definitely NOT
  • Raak - Does it have anything to do with security?
  • Dujon - Would this object contain a magnetic stripe?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Security? sort of
    [Dujon] Magnetic stripe? It's a bit late for me to look it up [mainly because I'm off to bed now], but YES - I think it could have one of those things
  • Chalky
    will be back at ten a.m. tomorrow
  • Rosie - A plastic card (debit, credit, etc)?
  • Quendalon - Currency?
  • Raak - Is it worth more than £1?
  • Chalky - late on parade
    [Rosie] A plastic card? YES! *audience cheers but not for the parenthesised bit*
    {Quendalon] Currency? NO
    [Raak] Worth more than a £1? To some - maybe

    Am entertaining the Sunday Lunchers today so may not be here til later this evening.
  • Raak - An Oyster card?
  • Rosie - An identity card of some sort?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Actually, I don't think it's either of those [Oyster?] - but please keep asking because you are on the right track ...
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] ....and, on reflection, it's not an identity card per se but damn close to one
  • Dujon - A driver's licence?
  • Dujon
    [rab] Your new system works well. I just hit the 'enter' key instead of the 'apostrophe' and managed to recover. Thank you.
  • CdM - Does it typically display a photograph of the owner?
    [Dujon] I'd imagine that a driver's license is worth more than a pound to most people...
  • Rosie - A library card?
  • Raak - A Nectar card?
  • Irouléguy - AA membership card?
  • Chalky
    [Dujon] Drivers licence? NO
    [CdM] Photograph? NO
    [Rosie] Library card? NO
    [Raak] Nectar card? NO
    [Irouléguy] AA membership card? NO

    Re: the point I made last night about being damn close to an ID card. Having slept on the matter, as it were, perhaps I should clarify:
    It identifies something but not necessarily someone
  • Chalky
    Oh - previously [Dujon] question. It DOESN'T have a magnetic stripe, ie. it's not for swiping.
  • Raak - A bar code?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] A bar code? NO
  • rab - Is it the same size as a credit card?
  • Chalky
    [rab] Does size matter? *audience applauds the question* It IS and then it ISN'T [see my reply to Irouléguy up the page] As an additional clue - not that it's needed at this stage because we're nearly there - in most countries, we think of it as somewhat smaller than a credit card.
  • Graham III - Is it something we would normally expect to use/see on a daily basis?
  • Chalky
    [Graham III] use/see on daily basis? Use - YES. See - depends on viewpoint - ie. if you were manufacturing it, then yes. But normally NO - not daily, but certainly occasionally.
  • Raak - A SIM card?
  • Chalky - Yay!
    Raak has the very words on the card.
    Well played. IMHO four days including a weekend is about right for this game. Of course, it depends on whether one is available to reply promptly, which I hope I was

    *hands smart baton over*
  • Raak
    Ok, the next is VEGETABLE and MINERAL, with ABSTRACT connections.
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
  • Chalky - Smaller than a toaster?
  • Irouléguy - A geographical feature?
    Chalky] Smaller? How do you mean? Area? Thickness? Width? Height? Bulk? Mass? Of lower social status?;-)
  • Raak
    [Tuj] Does not begin with P.
    [Chalky] Smaller in all of the ways which Irouléguy has enumerated.
  • Chalky - I think I've simulposted which may make nonsense of my words. [Editor] Nothing new there then.
    [Irouléguy] It's not really your place to say :-)
    I'm content with Raak's reply *giggles at lower social status bit. In retrospect, that was funny. *
    [Raak] See? That Iroulé bloke has distracted you - how about the geographical thing?
  • Raak
    [I] Not a geographical feature. (There's not many of those that are smaller than a toaster!)
    [C] I'm serious about the social status! This thing really does rank below the humble toaster.
  • Bigsmith - Is it used to perform some menial task?
  • rab - Is it manufactured?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the vegetable wood?
  • Raak
    [B] Not for a menial task.
    [r] Yes, manufactured.
    [I] Could be wood in part.
  • Software - Would one find it in the kitchen?
  • Raak
    [S] Not related to the kitchen.
  • CdM - Is it typically found in the home?
  • Bigsmith - Does it require a power source?
  • Chalky - Larger than a SIM card?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Not typically found in the home.
    [B] Requires no power source.
    [C] Larger than a SIM card.
  • Irouléguy - Would an owner normally have just one of these?
    Chalky] I know my place ;)
  • rab - Is it something of practical utility?
  • Rosie - Do people carry these things with them when out?
  • Raak
    [I] An owner would have many.
    [r] Very practical.
    [R] If they have them, they would.
    A clarification of my last answer to CdM: a typical home would not have any, but a typical one of these might well be in someone's home.
  • rab - Is it something one wears?
  • Raak
    [rab] One does not wear it.
  • Irouléguy - A golf tee?
  • Chalky - Is the mineral bit solid metal?
  • Dujon - Is this a projectile?
  • Rosie - A walking stick?
    Shut up at the back there.
  • Raak
    [I] Not a golf tee.
    [C] Not solid metal.
    [D] Not a projectile.
    [R] Not a walking stick.
  • rab - Is it mostly for use outside the home?
  • Kim - Is its practical utility restricted to one thing only (ie, does it have more than one use)?
  • Software - Is the vegetable bit wood?
  • Raak
    [rab] Yes, mostly used outside the home.
    [Kim] Um. It does one thing, but that one thing has many uses.
    [Software] See INJ's question earlier.
  • Chalky - Connected with travel or motion?
  • Kim - Does it include an implement for getting Scouts out of horses hooves?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] Nothing to do with travel or motion.
    [Kim] Not a Swiss Army penknife.
  • Bigsmith - Would one normally keep these objects in one's pocket?
  • Raak
    [Bigsmith] Yes, one's pocket is a typical place to carry these (although the typical pocket does not contain any).
  • Rosie - Is it an object that is only carried on particular occasions?
  • rab - Is it something one would look through?
  • CdM - Is there a particular kind of person (e.g., age, occupation, specialized interest) who is most likely to carry these objects?
  • Bigsmith - Are these objects more likely to be used by a specific gender?
  • Quendalon - Is there anything written on it?
  • Software - A box/book of matches?
  • Raak
    [R] Not related to particular occasions.
    [r] Not for looking through.
    [C] Yes! A particular sort of person would deliberately have these.
    [B] Not gender-related.
    [Q] Yes, there is stuff written on it (using the word "written" rather generally).
    [S] Not a book or box of matches.
  • rab - Is it used in a game?
  • Raak
    [rab] Not used in a game.
  • Irouléguy - Do people use these for work?
  • Chalky - Is it a form of 'currency'?
  • Quendalon - Is any part of it edible, potable and/or smokable?
  • Raak
    [I] In a sense, some people do use these for work.
    [C] *at last, the audience exercise their applause muscles* It is a form of currency!
    [Q] You can't eat or drink it, and one wouldn't want to smoke it.
  • CdM - A five euro note?
  • rab - Is it "sterling"?
  • Chalky - Is it a well-known phrase to describe a type of currency ?
  • Chalky - and was this currency used in the past?
    sorry .... a bit greedy with 2 questions - but I'm orf to bed now, have an early start, etc etc.
  • Raak
    [CdM] Not €5.
    [rab] Not sterling.
    [Chalky] Not a well-known phrase.
    [Chalky] I dare say that this form of currency is as old as currency itself.
  • Rosie - Change?
  • Chalky - Casino chips?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not change.
    [Chalky] Not casino chips.
  • Chalky - Is this paper currency?
  • Software - Beer token? :o)
  • Kim - Is it a voucher of some kind?
  • Bigsmith - From the U S of A?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] *cheering* It is paper currency.
    [Software] Not a beer token.
    [Kim] Not a voucher.
    [Bigsmith] Not specifically from the USA.
  • CdM - An IOU?
  • Chalky - A pawn ticket?
  • Kim - The thing you get from the dry-cleaners?
  • Raak
    [CdM,Chalky,Kim] None of these are what I would call paper currency.
    One of the earliest answers may now prove illuminating.
  • Chalky - OK - is it a banknote of some kind?
    Am intrigued by the 'wood in part' reply [or was that a reference to paper?] Also, the fact that it ranks below the humble toaster
  • Raak
    [Chalky] *applause* It's a banknote of some kind. The wood was indeed a reference to paper. *A ripple of anticipation as Chalky seizes on the significant earlier answer.*
  • Bigsmith - Is the monetary value of this banknote insufficient to conduct the purchase of an average price toaster?
  • Raak
    [Bigsmith] From one point of view, it could be, from another, it couldn't be enough to buy a toaster.
  • Graham III - A promissary note?
  • Graham III
    [by way of explanation] some bank notes are promissory notes, some are not.
  • Chalky - A forged banknote?
  • Rosie - Is its use confined to professionals in the world of finance?
  • Kim - A traveller's cheque?
  • Quendalon - Is it official currency of any nation at the present time?
  • Raak
    [G3,R,K,Q] No, because...
    [Chalky] It is a forged banknote.
    Hands over a wad of fivers all with the same serial number.
  • Chalky - Wahay!
    Thanks Raak. We seem to be on the same wavelength :-)
    [I thought I knew the solution when you replied half an hour after my 'banknote' question. But I did wait for 3 hours.)
    Now - we have this:

    A N I M A L with a tinge of ABSTRACTINESS

  • Rosie - A Cheshire Cat?
  • CdM - A human being who is bigger than a toaster and smaller than a telephone box?
  • Irouléguy - Cézanne?
  • Raak - Is this animal used as a symbol?
  • Software - A mascot?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] cat from cheshire? NO
    [CdM] A human being? YES :-)
    [Irouléguy] Cézanne? NON
    [Raak] Animal as symbol? N-N-NO
    [Software] A mascot? NO
  • Raak - A singloe, specific individual?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] A specific, singly individual YES
  • Phil - A figurehead in some way?
  • Irouléguy - Alive?
  • Chalky
    [Phil] A figurehead? Not sure what you mean but I'd say NOT
    [Irouléguy] Alive? NO
  • Rosie - Someone who has given his/her name to an idea?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Given name to an idea? GOOD QUESTION. YES - in a manner of speaking [that's the abstracty bit]
  • Kim - Robin Hood?
  • ImNotJohn - artistic connections?
  • Irouléguy - Died in the 20th century?
  • Chalky
    [Kim] Robin Hood? NO
    [INJ} Artistic connections? NO
    [Iroulé] Died in 20th century? YES
  • Quendalon - Is this person noteworthy in regards to religion?
  • Raak - An academic?
  • Chalky
    [Quendalon] Religion? NO
    [Raak] An academic? Of a kind - YES
  • CdM
    Belgian European?
  • Rosie - Sigmund Freud?
  • Chalky
    [CdM] European? Close YES
    [Rosie] Freud? NO
  • Graham III - Philosopher?
  • Chalky
    [Graham III] Philosopher? NO
  • Rosie - A writer?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Writer? NO
  • Chalky - A very dear friend died of cancer this afternoon. Can we convene on Monday ? I'm doubly sad today.
  • Raak
    [Chalky] Sorry to hear that.
  • CdM
    [Chalky] What Raak said. Such times are always hard. You've got friends who are thinking of you.
  • Irouléguy
    Chalky] What Raak and CdM said - imagine a collective hug wending its way to you.
  • Kim
    [Chalky] Take all the time you need. We'll just check in from time to time.
  • CdM
    [Irouléguy ] You means a wrappy wending?
  • Chalky - Thank you all :-)
    I must confess I was rather the worse for wine maudlin the early hours of Sunday. Many of his friends decided to go ahead with an already planned get-together Saturday night which was absolutely the right thing to do.
    OK - let's be having some more questions ... perhaps beginning with the sex/occupation of this person ...
  • Graham III - Is it a transsexual?
  • Chalky
    [Graham III] Transexual? Not as far as I can tell - although if one dug deeply enough ...
  • CdM - Did this person have a sex occupation?
  • Chalky
    [CdM] Sex occupation? NO - I've dug deeply and have found no record of any how's-yer-farver professionally, advisorililly, subversively or personally.
  • Graham III - Female?
    Suppose I ought to ask a sensible question.
  • Kim - Politician?
  • Chalky
    [Graham III] Female? NO
    [Kim] Politician? NO
  • Rosie - A composer?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Composer? NO
  • Software - Entertainer?
  • CdM - Heath-Robinson?
  • Chalky
    [Softers] Entertainer? NO
    [CdM] Heath-Robinson! NO! but it could so easily have been ...
  • Kim - Died in the latter half of the 20th Century?
  • Projoy - Rube Goldberg?
  • Chalky
    [Kim] Latter half of C20? NO - very much the first half [nearly the first quarter]
    [Projoy] Rube Goldberg? NO [nice to see you here :-)]
  • Projoy - A scientist?
  • Kim - Economist?
  • Chalky
    [Projoy] A scientist? YES! * audience emerges from its stupor and attempts a mexican wave*
    [Kim] Economist? NO *audience calms down a bit*
  • Projoy - French?
  • Chalky
    [Projoy] French? NO
  • Graham III - Albert Einstein
    Hmm, a scientist, but only a sort-of academic...
  • Chalky
    [Graham III] Albert Einstein? NO but ... very very close *gasps of genuine anticipation from audience*
    Scientist AND academic - aren't all scientists academic?
  • Projoy - Planck?
    Einstein wrote his most famous papers while working as a clerk, I believe, rather than being in a University.
  • Rosie - Werner Heisenberg?
    Of course I am Uncertain about this and have a feeling Projoy has it.
  • Quendalon - Schrodinger?
  • Chalky
    [PJ, Rosie, Quend] NOT Planck, Heisenberg or Schrodinger. Clue: All are the wrong nationality.
  • Raak - British?
  • Projoy - Died before 1920?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] British? NO
    [Projoy] Died before 1920? NO
  • Graham III - Niels Bohr?
  • Chalky
    [Graham III] Bohr? NO
  • Kim - German?
  • Chalky
    [Kim] German? I refer the Honourable Crescenter to my reply to PJ, Rosie & Quendalon
  • Quendalon - Enrico Fermi?
    [Chalky] As it happens, Schrodinger was Austrian. :-)
  • Phil - Sigmund Freud?
  • Projoy - Dutch?
  • Quendalon - Arrhenius?
  • Chalky
    [Quendalon] Yes, I know Schrodinger was Austrian [as I am also aware that the other two were German ]- which is why I said that all 3 were the wrong nationality. I rather thought I was being helpful ... and didn't expect it to come back and bite me on the bum... :-)
    [Q] Fermi? NO
    [Phil] Freud? NO
    [[Projoy] Dutch? YES! *audience girds its loins*
    [Quendalon] Arrhenius? NO
  • Rosie - van der Waals?
  • Chalky
    [Rosers] van der Waals? NO
  • Software - Anthony Fokker?
  • Graham III - Hendrik Antoon Lorentz?
  • Chalky
    [Software] Fokker? hell no :-)

    but Graham III proves that persistence pays off by nailing the man. Well played Sir!
    *passes on the electromagnetic baton*
  • Graham III - Yayyyy!
    We get there eventually. So, moving swiftly on:

    ABSTRACT with various mineral and animal (and probably vegetable) associations/manifestations
  • Chalky - The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo?
  • CdM
    [Chalky] Damn, but you're good. That's obviously correct.
  • Graham III
    [Chalky] TMWBtBaMC? No, 'fraid not.
  • Raak - God?
  • CdM
    [GIII] Oh come on! It's completely against the rules to change the subject after the first guess!
  • Irouléguy - A geographical feature/features?
  • Graham III
    [Raak] God? NO
    [CdM] That would make for a long game. I don't have the patience...
    [Irouléguy] Geography? NO
  • Quendalon - A written work?
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
  • Rosie - A human idea/invention etc?
  • Graham III
    [Quendalon] Written? NO.
    [Tuj] Pee? NO
    [Rosie] Human? YES!
  • Tuj - Invented in the last 100 years?
  • Quendalon - Connected with chemistry and/or biochemistry?
  • Chalky - Is this an emotion/feeling?
  • Rosie - A creative activity?
  • Dujon - Stigmata?
    I can be just as stupid as the next poster, GIII.
  • Graham III
    [Tuj] Last century? NO, but examine your assumptions.
    [Quendalon] Chemie? NO, except possibly indirectly (I say that for completeness - not a helpful line of thought)
    [Chalky] Emotional? NO
    [Rosie] Creative? NO, not obviously.
    [Dujon] Stigmata? NO, dur. ;-)
  • Quendalon - Named after a specific person?
  • Rosie - Is this concerned with the acquisition of knowledge?
  • Graham III
    [Quendalon] YES/NO - named after two people. Finding them is unlikely to be a fruitful avenue of questioning, but maybe a pertinent fact later on in the game.
    [Rosie] Knowledge-hungry? NO
  • Tuj - Discovered in the last 100 years?
    Any better? ;)
  • Kim - Is it a comet?
  • Graham III
    [Tuj] NO, and NO. :-)
    [Kim] Tailed sun-circler? NO
  • Quendalon - Connected with money and/or economics?
  • Graham III
    [Quendalon] YES! *audience applauds with vigour*
  • Raak - The Chicago school?
  • Rosie - Marxist-Leninism?
  • Phil - A unit of currency?
  • Dujon - Is this an index?
  • Graham III
    [Raak] Friedmanesque? NO, see Quendalon's question above
    [Rosie] Stalinesque? NO.
    [Phil] CU? NO
    [Dujon] Index? NO.
  • CdM - Do the names of the two people appear on the card?
  • CdM
    and since I'm feeling greedy
    Were the two eponymizing individuals both born before 1900?
  • Graham III
    [CdM] Difficult to answer your first question helpfully. I suggest you re-read Quendalon's question, and my answer.
    pre-1900? YES!
  • Software - Malthuniasism?
  • Graham III
    [Software] Malthusianism? NO, he was only one person I believe.
  • Graham III
    Clue: More questioning about the nature of this thing will yield much better results than the current line of questioning.
  • Chalky - Is it a game?
  • Software - Is it a theory?
  • Quendalon - Connected with representative money?
  • Graham III
    [Chalky] Game? NO
    [Software] Theory? NO
    [All] Game Theory? Two wrongs don't make a right
    [Quendalon] Representative? Certainly has some related aspects, but not a connection you would naturally think of if someone mentioned this.
  • Rosie - A piece of technology?
  • Quendalon - Connected with the transport of material goods?
  • Graham III
    [Rosie] Techie? NO
    [Quendalon] Transport? NO
  • CdM - Is it connected with economics but not necessarily with money?
    [GIII] Having reread Q's question and your answer I'm still none the wiser. :-) I get your advice to pursue other lines of questioning, but I'm puzzled as to why my pretty straightforward question is hard to answer (I don't doubt that it is; I'm just puzzled as to why). So let me look for clarification. We've established that this is named after two people.
    Does the name (or some word/variant directly derived from the name) of at least one of these individuals appear on the card?
  • Graham III
    [CdM] Connected with economics but not necessarily with money? NO, more the other way round
    Does the name (etc.) of at least one of these individuals appear on the card? YES!
  • Graham III
    [CdM] By way of a clue, if you were to remove one consonant from your original question (and twist the grammar to fit), I would have been able to answer YES, and you would have been further advanced. Because of that consonant, the answer (strictly) would have to be NO, but only because of pedantry and semantics. I therefore declined to answer in the hope of being helpful...
  • Phil - Do the two people have the same surname?
  • Rosie - Marks and Spencer?
  • Chalky - Barclays Bank?
  • Irouléguy - Gresham's law?
  • CdM
    [Irouléguy] Named for Thomas Gresham and John Law, right?
  • Graham III
    [Phil] YES! *audience applauds wildly, as Phil has got the key fact behind the name!
    [Rosie] M&S? NO
    [Irouleguy] Gresham & Law? NO, but:
    [Chalky] Barclays Bank? YES! *Audience goes wild, applauding and generally fawning over Chalky*
  • Linesman
  • Irouléguy
    CdM, GIII] According to Wikipedia, the expression "Gresham's Law" dates back only to 1858, and was coined (ho ho) by British economist Henry Dunning Macleod. Two people involved, only one surname in the answer, about money rather than economics - I was slightly straw-clutching, and it seemed possible.
    Well done, Chalky - you're on a roll at the moment!
  • Rosie - And another thing
    Has there beem some confusion between Barclays Bank, which is as old as the hills and owes it name to one individual, and the squillionaire Barclay brothers, who own the Torygraph amongst other things. I only arsk.
  • CdM
    [Rosie] Not according to Wikipedia. "The bank took its name from Alexander and David Barclay, who provided credit to transatlantic slave traders." I checked Barclays own site, but they don't seem to want to talk about their history...
  • Chalky
    Blimey - I wasn't really trying to win that one - particularly as I've been in the chair rather a lot recently. It's a busy week ahead for me [mainly away from my PC], so would anyone else like to take over?
  • Kim
    [Chalky] I'd better not.
  • Graham III
    [Rosie] What CdM said - as you say, there appears to be some confusion... ;-)
  • Juxtapose
    [Chalks] I'LL do it! That is, if it's okay with everybody.
  • Chalky - *in power-hungry mode*

    [Graham III] I've just looked back to the beginning of this game and now understand why the audience felt duty bound to 'generally fawn' over me when I answered correctly. Pure guilt. For what, you may ask? For not even a merest rustle of surprise and astonishment when my, and the very first question, was SO CLOSE! Even the esteemed CdM knew I was right on the button. And they didn't applaud him either. :-) :-)

    So if I am allowed to nominate - I shall choose CdM - and if he isn't available to take up the baton, I shall launch another one
  • Chalky
    ooh - simulpost.
    [Juxta] Are you available to reply to questions regularly - like, more than twice in 24 hours? because that doesn't 'arf drag it out
  • CdM
    [Juxtapose] Go for it!
    [Chalky] Go for it!
  • Chalky
    [Juxtapose] Perhaps it would be fairer to allow someone - if not CdM :-) - who actually contributed towards the last puzzler to come forward first?
  • Chalky - *maintaining stance*
  • Phil
    I don't mind doing one, as I really thought I was going to get the last one :-)
  • Chalky
    [Phil] Excellent. Was hoping you'd appear :-)
  • Phil
    Well, I do tend to check in about 8 times a day, and I haven't done one for yonks, so I vote for me ;-)
    If no-one objects, I'd like to set the next challenge as ABSTRACT with ANIMAL and VEGETABLE connections
  • Kim - Human construct?
  • Bigsmith - Begins with a "P"?
    Been dying to ask that one!
  • Raak - An artistic work?
  • Graham III - Does it have anything to do with fish?
    [Chalky] I suppose on reflection you were sort of close with your first guess... My bad, as they say somewhere.
  • Irouléguy - Is the animal human?
  • CdM - A philosophy?
  • Chalky - I've Got a Loverly Bunch of Coconuts?
  • ImNotJohn - An anarcho-syndicalist recipe
    [Chalky] No Comment.
  • Phil
    [Kim] Human construct? YES
    [Bigsmith] P? NO
    [Raak] Artistic work? NO
    [GIII] Piscine? NO
    [CdM] Phil O'Sophy? NO
    [Chalky] Your bunch? Very impressive, but NO
    [INJ] Anarcho-thingy-whatsit? NO
  • Tuj - Anything to do with mobile phones?
  • Phil
    [Tuj] Mobile phones? NO
  • Rosie - Some form of study?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Some form of study? Strictly-speaking, NO, although some study would normally be associated.
  • Chalky - Phil - Is this abstract thing something that people would do for a living, say?
  • Dujon - Would this be some form of skill?
  • Rosie - A legislative activity?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Done for a living? NO - a murmur of appreciation from the audience for an almost useful question
    [Dujon] A skill? NO
    [Rosie] Legislative activity? NO
  • Irouléguy - Is the vegetable connection paper?
    Phil] You missed out my previous question.
  • Phil
    [Irouléguy] Huge apologies:
    Is the animal human? YES
    Is the vegetable connection paper? Partly - some hesitant applause
  • Chalky - Is this a form of entertainment?
  • CdM - A recreational activity of some kind?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Entertainment? NO A couple of amused chuckles
    [CdM] Recreational activity? Having looked up definitions of "recreation", I fell compelled to say YES, but it might not be what springs to most minds as recreation.
  • Rosie - Anything to do with the law?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Law-related? NO
  • CdM - Is writing involved?
  • Kim - Is the animal a character of fiction?
  • Graham III - Is the definition of recreation under which you answered YES to one of the previous questions as a result of the second sub-definition within the second definition in Chambers?
    That's here.
  • Phil
    [CdM] Writing involved? Not necessarily, but it would be normal.
    [Kim] Fictional animal? NO
    [GIII] Did I mean "a new creation"? NO.
    In fact, using the Chambers definition, I would say a definite YES to CdM's earlier question on reacreational activities, rather than my earlier vacillation.
  • Quendalon - Does an instance of this activity involve more than one human?
  • Phil
    [Quendalon] an instance involving more than one human? It can do, but it doesn't have to.
  • CdM
    So, the definition is "a pleasant, enjoyable and often refreshing activity done in one's spare time." The answer is therefore clearly

    Drinking Beer.

    Phil's confusion was understandable, since he typically does not do this in his spare time.
  • CdM - Philately?
  • Chalky - Some kind of music making activity?
  • Phil
    [CdM] Drinking Beer? NO (remember, it's not done for a living)
    [CdM] Philately? NO - considerable applause from the suddenly-revived audience
    [Chalky] Music-making? NO
  • Bigsmith - So we are looking at a hobby of some sort, in which through study a level of expertise may be achieved?
  • Graham III - Does it involve the accumulation of items over time?
  • Phil
    [Bigsmith] A hobby? YES *some applause*
    [Bigsmith 2nd half of question] Gaining a level of expertise? I suppose so, but I wouldn't focus on that if I were you.
    [GIII] Accumulation of items? YES *vigorous applause*
  • Raak - Are the items made primarily of paper?
  • Chalky - Is the wearing of an anorak a requirement for the complete enjoyment of this hobby?
  • Graham III - Beermat collecting?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Made primarily of paper? After a little extra research, YES, the items accumulated are usually primarily made of paper (carefully-worded answer) - *some applause and a little discussion amongst audience members*
    [Chalky] Anorak-wearing? NO - *appreciative laughter*
    [GIII] Beermat collecting? NO
  • Graham III - Is the focus for collection the items themselves, or some feature (e.g. writing) on the items?
  • Phil
    [GIII] Items or writing on them? Strictly speaking the answer should be YES. But as it's Friday, I'll answer that the focus would be on some feature (e.g. writing) on the items. *Some more applause*
  • Raak - Made of papier mâché?
  • Irouléguy - Autograph-hunting?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Mashed paper? NO
    [Irouléguy] Philography? NO
  • Graham III - Cigarette card collecting?
    [Phil] Thanks. I was lazily trying to get two questions in at once...!
  • Phil
    [GIII] Cartophily? NO *audience is eagerly awaiting a correct guess, although a few think that Irouléguy's second question might be useful*
  • Graham III - Flower pressing?
  • Rosie - Some form of ticket?
    This may violate the specified non-anorakiness.
  • Irouléguy - Is the writing hand-written or printed?
  • Quendalon - Are the collected items mass-produced?
  • Phil
    [GIII] Oshibana? NO
    [Rosie] Ticket collecting? NO. On reflection, I think the activity is a bit anoraky, but I don't think it's required.
    [Irouléguy] written or printed? Printed
    [Quendalon] Mass-produced? YES
  • CdM - Is the collected item entirely vegetable?
    This is strongly implied by previous answers, but I wanted to confirm. Also, interestingly (or perhaps not), when I first asked about recreation, I almost said hobby.
  • Raak - Is it made of cardboard?
  • Quendalon - Sports card collecting?
  • Chalky - Top Trumps?
  • Phil
    [CdM] Is the collected item entirely vegetable? There may be small traces of mineral, namely printing ink and ingredients in paper, but otherwise YES. (Hobby would have been a much easier question to answer).
    [Raak] Made of cardboard? NO
    [Quendalon] Sport cards? NO
    [Chalky] Top Trumps? NO

    [Everyone] As I mentioned earlier. the items accumulated are normally primarily made of paper. The items collected to provide that accumulation are not, but are still almost entirely vegetable. If that doesn't confuse the matter, I don't know what will ;-)
  • Quendalon - Phillumeny?
  • Quendalon
    Scratch that, we've already established that it doesn't begin with a "P".
  • Phil
    [Quendalon] Phillumeny? NO. Nor is it matchbook/matchbox collecting, for that matter.
  • ImNotJohn - Are the items collected labels of some sort?
  • Chalky - [INJ] hmm - I was going to ask the same question ;-)
    ... and if the answer is 'YES' ...
  • Phil
    [INJ] Labels? NO
  • Rosie - Would this item cover a beermat?
    You know. Them things.
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Big enough to cover a beermat? NO - at least not in my experience or knowledge
  • Quendalon - Sucrology?
    Kind of a shot in the dark. But if it's a game-winner, that'd be pretty sweet.
  • Chalky - Do people [who don't indulge themselves] regard this hobby in a .... sort of, derogatory way?
    I can't help thinking about your reply to my question "Is this a form of entertainment" and you said NO and the audience actually chuckled.
  • Phil
    [Chalky] A disrespected hobby? NO - The couple of people who chuckled were (like me) amused by the thought of someone exhibiting their collection for entertainment purposes. Probably not very helpful chuckles, but chuckles nonetheless.
    [Quendalon] Sucrology? YES - Congratulations, it is the collecting of sugar sachets and sugar cube wrappings. The sweet smell of success is yours. The difference between the collected items (mostly not paper) and the accumulated items (mostly paper) is that sucrologists remove the sugar post-collection and pre-accumulation. The UK Sucrologists Club has around 320 members, publishes a quarterly newsletter called "Sweet Thoughts", and offers a link to (amongst others) the Berlin Museum of Sugar.
  • Rosie
    (Phil) A bit anorakky?? Positively pathetic, certifiable etc etc. I dunno.
  • Quendalon
    Well, that was interesting! Let's move on to the next item:
    Animal and/or Vegetable, with Abstract connections
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Quendalon
    [Tuj] Starts with P? NO. *amused laughter from the audience*
  • Irouléguy - Something people eat or drink?
  • Quendalon
    [Irouléguy] Edible/potable? NO.
  • Chalky - Is it bigger than a toaster?
  • Dujon - One of those blocks, often round, found in public urinals?
    Well, give me a break, I don't know what they are called. They usually have a (strong) scent and might have disinfectant properties.
  • Phil - Is the animal element human?
    [Dujon] "Urinal blocks" is the disappointingly mundane term you're after.
  • Rosie - Life?
    (Phil) May be disappointingly mundane but intriguingly ambivalent, given the undesirablilty of a blocked urinal.
  • Quendalon
    [Chalky] Bigger than a toaster? Bigger? How do you mean? Area? Thickness? Width? Height? Bulk? Mass? More famous? ;-)
    [Dujon] Urinal cake? NO.
    [Phil] A human(s)? NO.
    [Rosie] Life? NO.
  • Kim - Does it have anything to do with bodily functions?
  • ImNotJohn - Is there more than one of these?
  • Raak - Ends with P?
  • Irouléguy - Is there just one animal involved?
  • Tuj - Would you be most likely to find one of these in a house?
  • Quendalon
    [Kim] Bodily functions? NO.
    [INJ] Unique? NO.
    [Raak] Ends with P? NO. *audience laughs*
    [Irouléguy] More than just one animal involved? There are several ways to interpret this question; I think the least misleading answer would be YES.
    [Tuj] Likely to find one in a house? NO.
  • Rosie - Anything to do with food?
  • ImNotJohn - Any connection with language?
  • Quendalon
    [Rosie] Related to food? NO, not really.
    [INJ] Connection with language? YES. *applause*
  • Phil - Is it an embroidery sample of the alphabet?
  • Quendalon
    [Phil] Embroidery sampler? NO. *muttering from the audience*
  • Irouléguy - Does this involve the whole animal, or just parts of it?
  • Quendalon
    [Irouléguy] Whole animal or just parts? Just parts
  • Tuj - Is it a Scrabble tile?
  • Quendalon
    [Tuj] Scrabble tile? NO.
  • Phil - Is lettering involved?
  • Quendalon
    [Phil] Lettering? NO.
  • Rosie - Object or objects involved in writing?
  • Chalky - Would someone use this in their place of work?
  • Dujon - Would you describe this as an illustration?
  • CdM - Are these found throughout the world?
    So this is connected to language but the animal element is not human... Wow.
  • Quendalon
    [Rosie] Involved in writing? NO.
    [Chalky] Used in a place of work? NO, at least not in any modern workplace.
    [Dujon] An illustration? NO, I wouldn't describe it as such, though I suppose an argument could be made.
    [CdM] Found throughout the world? Technically YES, although a NO would be less misleading.
  • Quendalon
    [CdM] Fair enough, there's a human connection, but that's not the animal connection specified in the challenge parameters.
  • Graham IIII - Is the animal part leather?
  • Chalky - Is this a type of signage?
  • Quendalon
    [G3] Leather? NO.
    [Chalky] Signboard? NO.
  • Chalky - Is this an object that is best known because it features in a literary work?
  • Quendalon
    [Chalky] Featured in a literary work? NO, not to my knowledge.
  • Rosie - Primitive art?
    Eg Cave paintings, white horses, men with enormous plonkers etc?
  • Quendalon
    [Rosie] Primitive art? NO. *interested muttering from the audience*
  • Tuj - But is it art?
  • Quendalon
    [Tuj] Art? NO.
  • Chalky - Graffiti?
  • Quendalon
    [Chalky] Unartistic graffiti? NO.
  • Chalky - Did this exist in the past?
  • Quendalon
    [Chalky] Existed in the past? YES! *applause*
  • Rosie - Is the animal part feathers?
  • Quendalon
    [Rosie] Feathers? NO.
  • Rosie - That was quick. Bones, then?
  • Quendalon
    [Rosie] Bones? NO.
  • Irouléguy - Is the animal part skin?
  • Graham III - Is the vegetable element paper ?
  • Quendalon
    [Irouléguy] Skin? NO.
    [G3] Paper? NO.
  • Tuj - A single unique thing?
  • Quendalon
    [Tuj] Unique? NO. *approving nods*
  • Tuj - Fewer than ten?
    ;)
  • Quendalon
    [Tuj] < 10? NO. :-)
  • Graham III - Is this a catch-all description for multiple and variable instances?
  • Quendalon
    [G3] Could you rephrase? I'm not 100% certain I grasp the meaning of the question.
  • Graham III - Hieroglyphs?
    I possibly should have said "multiple and unique instances". For example, a solution which would require the answer YES would be "Impressionist paintings", or "skyscrapers", a solution which would require the answer NO would perhaps be "Tyres" or "Lenovo T62 Thinkpads". On reflection a crap question.
  • Quendalon
    [G3] Egyptian squiggles? NO.
  • Quendalon
    [G3] Per the "multiple and unique instances" question, it's a good question, but rather ambiguous. I think the thing under discussion falls somewhere in between your two examples.
  • Tuj - So... manmade?
    Well, we seem to have got a whole heap of nowhere so far!
  • Quendalon
    [Tuj] Manmade? Definitely YES. (Do you need a recap?)
  • Chalky - Would you find this in a museum?
  • Irouléguy - Does this always involve the same part of the animal (ie limb, organ)?
  • Quendalon
    [Chalky] In a museum? YES.
    [Irouléguy] Same animal component? YES.
  • Rosie - Is this a container of some sort?
  • Quendalon
    [Rosie] Something to put other objects into? NO.
  • Irouléguy - Does this involve multiple species?
  • Chalky - A totem pole?
  • Quendalon
    [Irouléguy] Multiple species? Collectively YES, individually I DON'T KNOW.
    [Chalky] Totem pole? NO.
  • Kim - Something to do with fossils?
  • Quendalon
    [Kim] Fossils? NO.
  • Chalky - Are we talking fur/pelt here - or BLOOD!?
    ..ahem - just trying to inject a touch of drama :-)
  • Quendalon
    [Chalky] Animal fur/hair? YES. (Blood? NO. :-)
  • Dujon - A form of apparel?
  • Quendalon
    [Dujon] Garment / accoutrement? NO.
  • Irouléguy - Inca 'talking knots' - quipus/khipus?
  • Quendalon
    [Irouléguy] Quipu? YES! *wild cheers from the audience* You've tied all the clues together and untangled a rather knotty problem. Good job!
  • Irouléguy
    Well, I can't claim all the credit - I was in cahoots with the others.

    For a change of pace, our next is ABSTRACT with ANIMAL and MINERAL connections.
  • CdM - Begins with S?
    [Quendalon] Nice one.
  • Irouléguy
    CdM] Begins with S? Sadly not.
  • Chalky - Begins with a vowel?
  • Raak - Fictional?
  • Kim - Observable in nature?
  • Irouléguy
    Chalky] Begins with a vowel? On
    Raak] Fictional? Dr. No
    Kim] Observable in nature? *animated buzz in the audience* I'm very glad you asked me that...

    I can see a case for answering either way, but I think 'yes' is less misleading
  • CdM - Is it visible or audible?
  • Quendalon - Is the animal connection human?
  • Irouléguy
    CdM] Is it visible or audible? Hmm...insofar as it is 'observable', you would have to say it's visible. Audible, no.
    (Quendalon] Is the animal connection human? Yes
  • Kim - Is it a meteorological phenomenon?
  • Irouléguy
    Kim] Is it a meteorological phenomenon? No
  • Quendalon - Related to astronomy?
  • Irouléguy
    Quendalon] Brother Sun, Sister Moon? *applause* YES
  • Kim - Is it a constellation?
  • Irouléguy
    Kim] Is it a constellation? You cannot be Sirius, man!
  • Dujon - Does this change from moment to moment even though retaining its description?
  • Rosie - A collection of objects?
  • Irouléguy
    Dujon] Does this change from moment to moment even though retaining its description? *cries of 'oooh' and 'aaah' from the audience* In one sense, that's a very good description of it, but it doesn't get you any nearer.
    Rosie - A collection of objects? No - this isn't a physical thing or things.
  • Chalky - An aura of some sort?
    [Iroulé] How do you know that your reply to Duj won't get him any nearer ? ;-)
  • Raak - Is it within the Solar System (understood as everything out to and including the Oort cloud)?
  • Irouléguy
    Chalky] An aura of some sort? No
    Good point - I suspect it won't get him or anyone else any nearer, then.
    Raak] Is it within the Solar System (understood as everything out to and including the Oort cloud)? Bearing in mind my answer to Rosie's question, yes.
  • Chalky - anything to do with Astrology?
  • ImNotJohn - Does it relate to the movement or path of some celestial object?
  • Irouléguy
    Chalky] anything to do with Astrology? Fortunately, no.
    ImNotJohn] Does it relate to the movement or path of some celestial object? *applause* YES - though 'relate' isn't perhaps the most appropriate verb.

    Some assumptions should perhaps be re-examined.
  • Chalky - When Venus is in conjunction with Mars?
  • Irouléguy
    Chalky] When Venus is in conjunction with Mars? No, no sexual connotations.
  • Quendalon - Named after a specific person?
  • ImNotJohn - The ecliptic?
  • Phil - An apogee?
  • Irouléguy
    Quendalon] Named after a specific person? *some giggling in the audience* For a particular value of 'person', yes.
    ImNotJohn - The ecliptic? No
    Phil - An apogee? No

  • ImNotJohn - A transit of Venus?
  • Chalky - The Clarke Orbit?
  • Quendalon - Currently accepted as scientifically valid/viable/real/true?
  • Irouléguy
    ImNotJohn] A transit of Venus? No
    Chalky] The Clarke Orbit? Well, I never knew that - a fitting memorial. Thanks, Chalky - that led me into a very pleasant Google. What Wikipedia doesn't say is whether there are other inventions/phenomena named after SF writers - does anyone know of others?
    It's not the answer, though.
    Quendalon] Currently accepted as scientifically valid/viable/real/true? Correct/accurate/exact/accepted even by flat-earthers and creationists.
  • Rosie - The Kirkwood Gaps?
  • CdM - Is the animal connection the "named 'person'" from Quendalon's question?
    It has animal and mineral connections, but no vegetable connections, which suggests the earth is not directly involved.
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie] The Kirkwood Gaps? No
    CdM] Is the animal connection the "named 'person'" from Quendalon's question? Not the main one.
    CdM thinking aloud] It has animal and mineral connections, but no vegetable connections, which suggests the earth is not directly involved.
    I don't agree - the answer could be 'the equator' or 'the stratosphere', neither of which I would think of as having vegetable connections. This is an abstract, after all - the animal and mineral connections are the physical things without which it wouldn't exist.
  • ImNotJohn - The Van Allen belts?
  • Quendalon - Is the Earth the mineral connection?
  • Rosie - A feature of the surface of the earth?
  • Irouléguy
    ImNotJohn] The Van Allen belts? No
    Quendalon - Is the Earth the mineral connection? *applause* It's the main one, but not the only one.
    Rosie - A feature of the surface of the earth? No

    Back after the match.
  • Raak - The Trojan points?
  • Phil - Gravity?
    Hooray, the "Whoops!" works :-)
  • Irouléguy
    Raak - The Trojan points? No
    Phil - Gravity? No
    Yes, the "Whoops" is a great invention.

    To quote CdM, "Again I say, re-examine your assumptions." It's worth re-reading Quendalon's second question, ImNotJohn's first, and Dujon's
  • Phil - Celestial Co-ordinates?
  • Rosie - Oppolzer's Canon of Eclipses?
  • Dujon - Is this a form of electro-magnetic effect?
  • Irouléguy
    Phil - Celestial Co-ordinates? No
    Rosie - Oppolzer's Canon of Eclipses? No
    Dujon - Is this a form of electro-magnetic effect? No
  • Kim - Is it the Kuiper belt?
  • Raak - Does this involve man-made spacecraft?
  • Irouléguy
    Kim] Is it the Kuiper belt? No
    Raak] Does this involve man-made spacecraft? No - complete abstract, remember?
  • Raak - Is it the intersection of two or more things?
  • Kim - Is it visible with the naked eye?
  • Chalky - A light year?
  • Chalky - or ... a parsec?
  • ImNotJohn
    Going back to my first question - 'relates to the movement or path of a celestial object' (answered YESish) and assuming that your last answer excludes all man-made celestial objects.
    Is the anwer the name or description of that path?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] Is it the intersection of two or more things? You could at a pinch define it like that, but it wouldn't be very helpful.
    Kim - Is it visible with the naked eye? Bearing in mind the earlier qualification of 'observable', yes.
    Chalky - A light year - or ... a parsec? Inside the solar system? However, a modicum of *applause* for these having something in common with the answer.

    INJ] Good question, but no (and your assumption is correct)
  • Raak - An Astronomical Unit?
  • Rosie - The rising or setting of some astronomical body?
  • Quendalon - Kepler's laws of planetary motion?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it related to navigation?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] An Astronomical Unit? No
    Rosie] The rising or setting of some astronomical body? *applause and some cheering* Related to, yes.
    Quendalon - Kepler's laws of planetary motion? No
    ImNotJohn - Is it related to navigation? No
  • Chalky - The man in the moon?
    silly guess - I know :-)
  • Raak - The precession of the equinoxes?
  • Phil - Tidal patterns?
  • Rosie - Atmospheric refraction?
  • Irouléguy
    Chalky]The man in the moon? No - but it would have been a good one ;)
    Raak] www - the world-wide wobble? No
    Phil] Tidal patterns? No
    Rosie - Atmospheric refraction? No

  • Quendalon - Dawn?
  • Chalky - OK - Is this 'man's' [the animal] perception of something that occurs in our universe [abstract] - meaning, does he need something [mineral] in order to 'see' or 'interpret' this thing [which is abstract]?
    ... a one-word answer will suffice ;-)
  • Irouléguy
    Quendalon - Dawn? *some applause* No, but getting warmer...
    Chalky] OK - Is this 'man's' [the animal] perception of something that occurs in our universe [abstract] - meaning, does he need something [mineral] in order to 'see' or 'interpret' this thing [which is abstract]? ... a one-word answer will suffice ;-)

    No >:)
  • ImNotJohn - Related to a shadow?
  • Raak - The Green Flash?
  • Rosie - Twilight?
  • Iroul&eacaute;guy
    ImNotJohn] The shadow? Noes
    Raak - The Green Flash? *Before Googling* No *After Googling Well, there you go - I've never seen one of those.
    Rosie - Twilight? *applause* For the same reason as Quendalon - both of those are necessarily contained in the answer.

  • CdM - Daylight Savings Time?
    (I know it's not right (named after a person?) but the audience reaction might be helpful...)
  • Dujon - A full moon?
  • Software - St Elmo's Fire?
  • Irouléguy
    CdM - Daylight Savings Time? (I know it's not right (named after a person?) but the audience reaction might be helpful...)*the audience shrug their shoulders* No
    Dujon - A full moon? *appreciative murmurs in the audience* This is sometimes contained in the answer
    Software - St Elmo's Fire? A wonderful Eno song, but not the answer

    A summary?
  • Kim - Is it Keith Moon?
  • Rosie - The dawn chorus?
    Shut up, dickybirds, I'm trying to get to sleep.
  • Irouléguy
    Kim] Is it Keith Moon? No, nor Freddy Mercury either ;-)
    Rosie] The dawn chorus? Oh don't deceive me, oh never leave me, how could you treat such a poor maiden - no

    A summary

    You’re looking for an ABSTRACT with MINERAL and ANIMAL connections. The animal connection is human. It is named after a particular person (for a given value of ‘person’). It doesn’t have a physical manifestation, though it is (arguably) observable in nature, and in that sense visible with the naked eye. It is inside the solar system. The closest guesses so far are that it is related to astronomy, related to the movement or path of some celestial object, and related to the rising or setting of some astronomical body. You might want to think about the scope of the word ‘related’. ‘Dawn’, ‘twilight’ and ‘a full moon’ also received some applause. It is also scientifically valid/viable/real/true (though some of these are more applicable than others).

    It does not begin with S, or with a vowel. It is not (leaving out guesses ruled out by the above): a meteorological phenomenon; a collection of objects; an aura; anything to do with astrology; the conjunction of Venus and Mars; the ecliptic; an apogee; a transit of Venus; the Clarke orbit; the Kirkwood Gaps; the Van Allen belts; a feature of the Earth’s surface; the Trojan points; gravity; celestial co-ordinates; Oppolzer's Canon of Eclipses; a form of electro-magnetic effect; the Kuiper belt; the intersection of two or more things (well, you could describe it as that, but it wouldn’t be useful); a light-year or a parsec (though these have something in common with the answer); a name or description of the path of a celestial object; an Astronomical Unit; Kepler's laws of planetary motion; related to navigation; the man in the moon; the precession of the equinoxes; tidal patterns; atmospheric refraction; related to a shadow; the Green Flash; Daylight Savings Time; or St Elmo’s Fire.

    It is much simpler than most of these. Much, much simpler. You will kick yourselves (you would probably also kick me, for sounding so smug…) Dujon’s definition of “something that changes from moment to moment even though retaining its description” is the closest so far, though my prediction that this wouldn’t be helpful hasn’t been proved wrong yet.
  • Raak - The horizon?
  • Raak
    Well, no, not named after anything.
  • Raak - Is the "person" a mythical one?
  • Kim - Is it the Aurora Borealis?
  • Rosie - Is it the effect whereby the sun or moon near the horizon appears much larger than when high in the sky?
    The moon's measured size is actually less for simple geometrical reasons.
  • Irouléguy
    Raak - The horizon? No
    Raak - Is the "person" a mythical one? *cheers and applause*YES
    Kim - Is it the Aurora Borealis? No
    Rosie - Harvest moon? Another great song, but no
  • Quendalon - Is the mythical figure Greco-Roman?
  • Rosie - Would this effect be present if we had no atmosphere?
    BTW what I asked about earlier is not a Harvest Moon, which is Something Completely Different and again involves geometry etc.
  • CdM - The tying down of the moons of Jupiter
  • Irouléguy
    Sorry for the delay - Bank Holiday weekend, so I slept in.

    Quendalon] Is the mythical figure Greco-Roman? No
    Rosie] Would this effect be present if we had no atmosphere? Assuming that we were somehow still present, yes.
    BTW what I asked about earlier is not a Harvest Moon, which is Something Completely Different and again involves geometry etc. Apologies - I'm not a scientist (which may, now I come to think of it, be relevant).
    CdM] The tying down of the moons of Jupiter? Hush, child oblig
  • Quendalon - Is the mythical figure Judeo-Christian?
  • Rosie - Does this involve some kind of catastrophe?
  • Irouléguy
    Quendalon - Is the mythical figure Judeo-Christian? No
    Rosie - Does this involve some kind of catastrophe? No
  • Raak - Thursday?
  • Rosie - Yesterday?
    Another song.
  • Irouléguy
    Raak - Thursday? *the audience rise to their feet as one person, cheering deafeningly* ALMOST!
    Rosie - Yesterday? Possibly the answer, but not when you posted it.

    Mate in five, at most.
  • Rosie - Wednesday?
    One down, one to go. THe winner owes much to Raak.
  • Phil - Friday?
    I have asked some questions, so it's not a complete lurk
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie] Wednesday? No
    One down, one to go. Yes, and as it turns out, no
    The winner owes much to Raak. Absolutely!
    Phil] Friday? Full of woe - still two to go
  • Quendalon - Tuesday / Tiw's Day?
  • Irouléguy
    Quendalon - Tuesday / Tiw's Day? YES! The baton goes back to Quendalon.
  • Quendalon
    Thank you, thank you. That was a good one!

    And now that it's Tuesday, let's start a new round:
    ABSTRACT / ANIMAL
  • Raak - Fictional?
  • Quendalon
    [Raak] Fictional? YES, though some would argue otherwise. *applause*
  • Raak - Aslan?
  • Quendalon
    [Raak] The Lion Messiah? NO.
  • Rosie - A figurehead?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Kim - A character of legend?
  • Quendalon
    [Rosie] Carven prow? NO.
    [Tuj] Begins with P? NO.
    [Kim] Character of legend? A very good question, but difficult to answer with the given phrasing. I'll have to go with a potentially misleading IT DEPENDS.
  • Tuj - Are we looking at reigious connections?
  • Quendalon
    [Tuj] Religious connections? YES, for a sufficiently broad definition of religion.
  • Tuj - Italian?
  • Rosie - Mentioned in The Bible or other holy book?
    such as Ian Allan ABC of British Railways Steam Locomotives 1952.
  • Irouléguy - Is the animal human?
  • Chalky - Are we talking about more than one animal?
  • Graham III - Someone that Dan Brown has 'written' about?
  • Kim - Anything to do with the Greek Myths?
  • Quendalon
    [Tuj] Italian? IT DEPENDS.
    [Rosie] Mentioned in the Bible? YES.
    [Irouléguy] Is the animal human? YES.
    [Chalky] More than one? YES.
    [G3] Dan Brown? NO IDEA, sorry. (Haven't read him.)
    [Kim] Mentioned in Greek myths? YES.
  • Tuj - Is it a one-word answer?
  • Chalky - Is this the name of a group of people that are connected in some way?
  • Kim - Gods?
  • Rosie - If Italian, then Romans?
  • Quendalon
    [Tuj] One word on the card? YES. *applause*
    [Chalky] A group of people connected in some way? Technically, YES.
    [Kim] Gods? NO.
    [Rosie] Romans? As before, IT DEPENDS.
  • Chalky - Is this a collective state of mind?
  • Kim - Giants?
  • Quendalon
    [Chalky] State of mind? NO. *laughter*
    [Kim] Giants? NO.
  • Tuj - Ghosts?
  • Chalky - Is this a disease or medical condition?
  • Quendalon
    [Tuj] Ghosts? *DING!* We have a winner!

    Passing the ectoplasmic, ethereal baton...
  • Quendalon
    *drawing the line...*
  • Graham III - Your answer to my last question
    [Quendalon] How refreshing. Neither have I.
  • Chalky
    [Gra III, Quend] I once tried reading a page or two. Failed [as in - didn't enjoy]. Actually - IMO he's crap :-)
  • Tuj - Gosh!
    Well, well. I'll set something ANIMAL.
  • Rosie - Human?
  • Chalky - Bigger than a toaster?
  • Kim - Begins with a P?
  • Quendalon - Unique?
  • Bigsmith - Alive?
    Please please PLEASE let it begin with a P!
  • Tuj
    Human? [R] YES, though that may be a touch misleading.
    Bigger than a toaster? [C] NO
    Begins with a P? [K] NO. Gosh, that was an oversight
    Unique? [Q] CERTAINLY NOT
    Alive? [B] Ooh, tough question. After Quenders' question I'll phrase it as DEPENDS WHICH PARTICULAR ONE YOU MEAN ;) Oh, and psorry.
  • Chalky - Is there more than one human [and are they midgets] ? :-)
  • Rosie - A human organ?
  • Tuj - This could be a quick one!
    More than one human? [C] NO (for a particular case). They could be midgets ;)
    A human organ? [R] NO, but *strong audience applause*
  • Quendalon - Organ donors?
  • Tuj
    Organ donors? [Q] NO *audience sigh and reseat*
  • Chalky - The hairs on the head?
  • Rosie - Lilliputians?
  • Phil - An embryo?
  • Graham III - Egyptians?
  • Irouléguy - Sperm?
  • Phil
    *giggles while wondering if GIII missed the "smaller than a toaster" thing, or if there's something I never knew about Egyptians...or toasters, for that matter :-)*
  • Tuj - The last five
    All NOs. The audience, for what it's worth, looked least interested when Rosie & Graham III posited what they posited.
  • Quendalon - A component of the human body?
  • Graham III - A type of cancerous growth?
    In my defence, I misread the toaster question.
  • Tuj
    A bodily component? [Q] YES! *audience cheer and high-five*
    Cancerous growth? [G3] NO
  • Raak - Is it in the interior of the body?
  • Tuj
    Interior? Strictly YES, though the name is generally used for an exterior area also.
  • Quendalon - A type of cell?
  • Tuj
    Cell? [Q] NO
  • Rosie - The ear?
    Though it's an organ.
  • Quendalon - Osseous in nature?
  • Tuj
    Ear? [R] NO. Right letter, wrong bit.
    Osseous? [Q] That's a definite PARTLY, bearing in mind what I said to Raak.
  • Tuj - By the way
    I'm at a wedding tomorrow & unlikely to be by a PC on Sunday, so unless someone knocks this one out by very early tomorrow (UK time) I may have to do a revealio.
  • Quendalon - Above the neck?
  • Tuj
    Above the neck? [Q] NO (unless you bent so as to place it there, of course ;))
  • CdM - An elbow?
  • Graham III - A muscle?
  • Graham III - Knee?
    READ THE ANSWERS GIII!
  • Phil - An eye?
  • Dujon - Brainy?
  • Dujon - Forget that, please,
  • Dujon - might this be termed an epiphysis?
  • Tuj
    Elbow? [CdM] CORRECTO!
    A bend of the arm passes on the baton.
  • CdM
    Oops. I hadn't checked here in a while, and indeed had forgotten that I had an outstanding guess. Also, that was a lurker's victory, for which I apologise.

    ABSTRACT with an ANIMAL connection and also ANIMAL/VEGETABLE/MINERAL connections.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the single animal connection human?
  • CdM
    Is the single animal human? Yes. *sprinkling of applesauce, er, applause*
  • CdM
    (that, by the way, is not an obscure hint; it's just what I almost typoed)
  • Chalky - Is this a piece of art?
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
    Outstanding in both meanings of the word =)
  • Irouléguy - Is the other animal a particular species?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the aforementioned human a particular individual?
  • CdM
    Piece of art? No.
    P's at start? No.
    Species part.? No.
  • CdM
    Particular individual? No.
  • Quendalon - Connected with a particular geographical area?
  • Software - A class of person e.g. musitian?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it fictional?
  • Kim - A character of myth or legend?
  • Irouléguy - Is it unique?
  • CdM
    Placed? No.
    Classed? No.
    Fictional? *some muttering in the audience* The words on the card do not denote something fictional as such, but there are definitely many fictional connections.
    Myth or Legend? No, but again there are many connections to myth and legend.
    Unique? No.
  • Dujon - Does this involve a circle?
  • CdM - wondering where that question came from...
    Circular involvement? No. I mean, I suppose it could, but not usually, and not in any way that would be helpful for finding the answer.
  • Chalky - Is this connected with language?
  • CdM
    Connected to language? I think the best answer is No. While there are some connections, there is neither a direct nor a necessary link to language.
  • Raak - Connected with religion?
  • CdM
    Connected with religion? Sometimes, but by no means necessarily. (That is a more positive answer than my first instinct, but I am being influenced by a particular dictionary definition I am looking at right now.) The question does also prompt me to say that I should perhaps have said "...and also ANIMAL/VEGETABLE/MINERAL/ABSTRACT connections".
  • Graham III - Thought?
  • Raak - A mental activity?
  • Kim - Is it "No Man's Land?"
  • CdM
    Thought? No.
    Mental Activity? I suppose, with a broad definition of mental activity, the answer is yes, but I'm not sure that is helpful.
    No Man's Land? No.
    Perhaps there is a bit more of a connection to language than I implied before, simply because this is most often made manifest through language (see "fictional connections").
  • Quendalon - Connected with politics?
  • Chalky - A manifesto of some kind?
  • Irouléguy - A ceremony or ritual?
  • Tuj - Is it musical?
  • CdM
    Poitical? No.
    Manifesto? No.
    Ceremony/ritual? No.
    Musical? No.
  • Chalky - Is this a form of entertainment?
  • CdM
    Entertainment? No.
  • irach - Pork Barrel Politics?
  • CdM
    Pork Barrel Politics? Since it is not connected to politics, the answer is No.
  • ImNotJohn - An observable phenomenon?
  • Raak - Is it an office that someone holds?
  • Chalky - Is this linked to ICT?
  • Quendalon - Is more than one human required?
  • CdM - I'm regretting this one big time...
    Observable phenomenon? I don't think it is best described as a phenomenon and it is only observable with a very broad definition of the term.
    Office? No.
    Linked to ICT? No.
    More than one human required? No specific human or humans are required.
  • Graham III - Is it something which wouldn't exist without humans?
  • Irouléguy - Any connection to eating and drinking?
  • Tuj - One-word answer?
  • Chalky - Any medical connections?
  • CdM
    Something that wouldn't exist without humans? Yes, in two distinct ways. *applause, tinged with relief for the modicum of progress*
    Connected to eating and drinking? No.
    One word answer? Yes. *applause* Medical connections? No.
  • Graham III - Is it, therefore, a human construct?
  • ImNotJohn - To do with relationships?
  • CdM
    Human construct? It is most definitely a human construct. *audience laughter and applause*
    To do with relationships? No.
  • Graham III - Is there a connection with philosophy?
  • Quendalon - Connected with science?
  • CdM
    Connected to philosophy? No.
    Connected to science? No.
    For most of these "connected to ...?" questions I can imagine some sort of connection. But the card talks about something relatively narrow and specific.
  • Chalky - To do with travel?
  • CdM
    To do with travel? No.
  • Graham III - Does it begin with a letter in the first half of the alphabet?
  • CdM
    Alphabetically privileged? Yes.
  • Quendalon - Discovered/invented within the past 100 years?
  • CdM
    Within last century? No.
  • Irouléguy - Is it a condition that affects some people but not others (eg baldness, unemployment...)?
  • CdM
    Condition that affects some people but not others? No. It's not a condition. Some people might be more prone to it than others, I suppose, but it is more something that you do than that you suffer from.
  • Chalky - Is this an invention?
  • CdM
    Invention? No, at least not beyond the fact that it is a human construct.
  • Kim - Is it a sin?
  • Irouléguy - Is it enjoyable?
    not quite the same question as Kim's...
  • CdM
    A sin? No.
    Enjoyable? No, not particularly. Nor is it not enjoyable.
  • ImNotJohn - A mental process?
  • CdM
    A mental process? Sort of. *cautious applause*. This AVMA isn't intentionally trying to be difficult or misleading. The questions are just hard to answer.
  • Graham III - Logic?
  • ImNotJohn - Could you tell if someone was doing this by looking at them?
  • Rosie - Is it some kind of physical movement?
  • Quendalon - Are the animal/vegetable/mineral connections concerned with the Earth as a whole?
  • CdM
    Logic? No.
    Can you tell by looking? No, in almost all cases. Mainly this is because it is almost always made manifest through language, as I said before.
    Some kind of physical movement? No.
    Connected to the Earth as a whole? No. It is not so much that there are A/V/M connections as a whole; rather each specific example of this will have an animal or vegetable or mineral or abstract connection.
  • Irouléguy - Is this something that we do every day?
  • Chalky - Is this an abstract noun?
    ... such as - Curiousity?
  • Graham III - Does it involve stories?
  • Kim - Is it suscepitble to cause and effect?
  • Quendalon - Does the word on the card start with a vowel?
  • CdM
    Something we do every day? Good question, and I actually not really sure of the answer. My first instinct was no. Most of us certainly do not do it consciously every day. On reflection, though, I suspect that it is something we often do without being aware of it, so the answer might well be yes.
    Abstract noun? Yes. *applause*
    Curiosity? No.
    Does it involve stories? Very often, yes (though it might be more accurate to say that stories can involve it). *some applause*
    Susceptible to cause and effect? I'm not exactly sure what you mean, but I think that the only helpful answer is No.
    Vowel at the head? Yes.

    Sorry this is so tricky. I have scattered a few obscure clues in my answers of the last several days. If the next few questions take you no closer I'll try to think of a better clue.
  • Phil - An explanation?
  • Chalky - Imagination?
  • ImNotJohn - An attitude of mind?
    (e.g. cynicism)
  • CdM
    Explanation, Imagination, Attitude? No.
  • Raak - A type of speech act?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it related to a lack of brevity/efficiency or the like?
    Trying to read something into the last (and earlier) answers
  • CdM
    Type of speech act? No (at least, not as I understand the term). Nevertheless, I think your answers are getting warmer, even if they still need several sweaters.
    Soulless wit? No. That was just me being long-winded.
  • Quendalon - Adjective?
  • Chalksy - Is this an -ism?
  • Rosie - Absent-mindedness?
  • ImNotJohn - Abstraction?
  • Irouléguy - Is it a gerund?
  • Chalky - anarcho-syndicalism? :)
  • CdM
    Adjective? No. Nor is it one.
    An -ism? Yes. *applause*
    Absent-mindedness?
    Abstraction? No, but *sustained applause and a little laughter*
    An -ing? No (although there is a gerund that is very closely related to the word on the card, and my answers would probably be identical had I picked that word instead). (In fact, pedantically speaking, I think my answer to, say, your (Iroul's) previous question was probably more about the -ing than the -ism.)
    AS? No.
  • Chalky - Anthropomorphism?
  • Rosie - Spoonerism?
  • CdM
    Spoonerism? On, but...
    Anthropormorphism? Yes! Chalky gets a highly relieved baton
  • Chalky - post -traumatic stress
    OK-a-a-aay. The baton enjoyed a few hours sleep but only after extensive counselling. Any temporary relief may be short-lived ....

    V E G E T A B L E / A B S T R A C T with ANIMAL/MINERAL connections
  • Raak - Is the abstract vegetable metaphorical?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Metaphorical? NO
  • CdM - Edible?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the abstract a state of the vegetable?
    [CdM] A good subject, but I'm trying hard to see how we could have got to it more logically (of course we could have been luckier at times)
  • CdM - Are the animal connections human?
    [INJ] No, I don't think it was a very good subject, actually. It seemed clever when I thought of it, but abstract nouns like that tend to be a bit too, well, abstract. I perhaps should have pointed you to think harder about my human construct ("in two distinct ways") answer. Otherwise you are right; my answers felt very vague to me, and it is hard to see how you could have found your way any better.
  • Irouléguy - The grapes of wrath?
    CdM] I thought it was a good one - I'd rather too difficult than too easy.
  • Chalky
    [CdM] Edible? NO
    [INJ] Abstract a state of the vegetable? If you mean the condition of the vegetable - then only in the broadest possible sense.
    [CdM] Human animal connections? YES
    [Irouléguy] The grapes? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Is the vegetable growing/alive?
  • Chalky
    [INJ] Growing/Alive? YES ;)
  • Phil - Is it a geographical entity?
  • Chalky
    [Phil] Geographical entity? NO
  • Quendalon - Fictional?
  • Rosie - One particular vegetable?
  • Chalky
    [Quendalon] Fictional? NO
    [Rosie] One particular vegetable? Worded thus, your question can only receive a NO/YES/SORT OF reply. Sorry.
  • Irouléguy - Is the vegetable wood?
  • Chalky
    [Irouléguy] Wood? NO
  • Bigsmith - I can't believe it has gone this long without someone asking, so.....does it begin with 'P'?
  • Chalky
    [Bigsmith] Does it begin with a 'P'? ONE of the words on the card does!
  • ImNotJohn - Many plants all of the same type?
    To try to resolve Rosie's question!
  • Kim - Is it "The Great Pumpkin"?
  • Quendalon - A quality or characteristic of a vegetable?
  • Tuj - Is it connected to a particular human?
  • Chalky
    [INJ] Many plants all of the same type? In a manner of speaking - YES. *audience applauses*
    [Kim] The Great Pumpkin? NO
    [Quendalon] Quality or characteristic of a vegetable? I shall say YES with slight reservations because I wouldn't wish to lead you astray :-)
    [Tuj] Any particular human? Most definitely NO - the human[animal]/mineral element merely supports the main definition, ie. these components make it happen.
  • Rosie - A forest or wood?
  • ImNotJohn - Does the answer relate to a particular sense?
    (As in smell, etc)
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] A forest or a wood? NO [but you're moving in the right direction re: the 'vegetable']
    [INJ] Relate to a particular sense? *audience applauds an excellent question* Not a straightforward YES here - the answer has connections with sensory organs.
  • Software - The scented garden?
  • Chalky
    [Software] Scented garden? NO
  • Quendalon - Tactile connections?
  • Chalky
    [Quend] Tactility? um ... NO - by saying that, I'm trying to be helpful :-)
  • Irouléguy - Are the vegetables trees?
  • Chalky
    {Irouléguy] Are the vegetables trees? NO! You have already asked the wood question :)
  • Rosie - An allotment?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] An Allotment? NO
  • Rosie - Are vegetebles mainly flowers?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Vegetables mainly flowers? They could be - in this particular instance [the Abstract element] they are not.

    CLUE: 'Vegetable' can mean something other than a fruit, a plant, an ebible vegetable, a tree, a forest, a flower etc.
  • Chalky - ebible? ebible?
  • Irouléguy - Roots?
    Chalky] What's wrong with an e-bible? God gave Moses the Ten Commandments on two Tablets, remember ;)
  • ImNotJohn - The Pollen Count?
  • Chalky
    [Irouléguy] Roots? NO - but much much closer because ..

    ImNotJohn has tapped straight into my wavelength with a perfect answer!
    *sneezes then hands over the baton*
  • ImNotJohn - Wipes the baton carefully
    I nearly guessed that a couple of days earlier
    So let's start again with ABSTRACT/MINERAL
  • CdM - A geological feature?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM]geological feature? - NO
  • Graham III - A work of art?
  • Quendalon - Fictional?
  • Bigsmith - Is the mineral metal of some kind?
  • ImNotJohn
    [GIII] But is it art? - NO
    [Quen] Fictional? - Might be, might not be
    [Bigsmith] Metal? - NO
  • Kim - Is it a mineral of myth or legend?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Kim] Mithril or legendary? - NO
  • Quendalon - Unique?
  • CdM - Human construct?
  • Raak - A figure of speech?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Quen] Unique - NO
    [CdM] Human etc. - YESish
    [Raak] Figure of Speech - YES (applause)
  • Graham III - Is it a saying specific to a region or country?
  • ImNotJohn
    [G111] Region/country specific? - NO
  • CdM - Language-specific?
  • Rosie - Feet of clay?
    Having a go from the halfway line.
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] The answer is in a specific language ;-)
    Could it be in another? - I don't know, and I don't think it would help if I did
    [Rosie] Floating like a butterfly? - NO (tipping it over the bar with nonchalant ease)
  • Quendalon - Is the word "rock" on the card?
  • Raak - A ton of bricks?
  • Dujon - Is the mineral iron?
  • ImNotJohn - This shouldn't take long
    [Quen] Rocky? - NO
    [Raak] ton of bricks? - NO
    [Dujon] ironic? - NO
  • Software - Grounds for complaint?
  • Raak - Isthe mineral water?
  • Rosie - Is the language English?
    (Raak) Is the mineral water what? I think it is, actually. We'll see.
  • ImNotJohn
    [Software] - Grounds for complaint? - NO
    [Raak] watery? - NO
    [Rosie] In English? - YES (sorry, I wasn't trying to be clever)
  • Graham III - Is the mineral silicon based?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Glll] silicon-based? - YES is the most helpful answer (*applause*)
  • Graham III - Burying one's head in the sand?
  • Software - cyber space?
  • ImNotJohn - Nearly there
    [Glll] - Ostriching? - NO (but plenty more applause)
    [Software] Cyber space - NO (they fall silent again)
  • Graham III - Is the word sand in the answer?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Glll] 'sand' in answer - YES
  • Raak - The sands of time?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] egg-timer? - NO
    Keep trying
  • CdM - Shifting sands?
    Cassandra? Sandra Day O'Connor? Pinsand needles?
  • Rosie - A line in the sand?
  • CdM
    oh, I bet that's right...
  • ImNotJohn - And the next one please
    And Rosie gets it! The answer is 'A line in the sand'.
    *Baton passed carefully without stepping too far*
  • Rosie
    *Somewhat startled, reaches over silicaceous demarcation zone and grabs the precious icon.*.

    This time, it's - A N I M A L

  • Graham III - Is it human?
  • Rosie
    (G III) Human? - certainly is
  • ImNotJohn - alive?
  • Raak - British?
  • Rosie
    (INJ) Alive? - Could be.
    (Raak) British? - Could be.
  • CdM - Is it, at any given moment , a single specific human being?
    (e.g., 200 meters hurdles world record holder)
  • Rosie
    (CdM) Not a single specific person in the way you mean.
  • Software - A class of being, i.e. police?
  • I Say, Porter! - Fictional?
    Since the "could be" I can't get "Hong Kong Phooey, number one superguy; Hong Kong Phooey, quicker than the human eye" out of my head. Thanks, Rosie. I wonder if that's what inspired Software (hello hello? Police Headquarters).
  • Rosie
    (Software) - YES, sort of.
    (ISP) It makes me think of Monty Python's Nudge, Nudge sketch.
  • Rosie
    (ISP) Just realised I hadn't answered your question. NO, not fictional.
  • CdM - Both male and female?
  • Dujon - Might this person oft times be referred to as 'religious'?
  • Rosie
    (CdM) No hermaphrodites. One sex only.
    (Dujon) Not essentially a religious person.
  • Raak - The occupant of some office?
  • CdM - It is more than one person, right?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) If you mean the office as a room, then NO.
    (CdM) slightly hesitantly, YES
  • Raak - The holder of some position?
    That sort of office.
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Holder of some position? - YES, but not quite in the usual sense. *approving murmurs from the audience*
  • Irouléguy - Male?
  • Rosie
    (Irg) Male? - Certainly is. *More approving murmurs*
  • Raak - The winner of some competition?
  • Irouléguy - The son and heir?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) - Not a competition winner.
    (Irg) No, that would be impossible. *some discreet sniggers amongst wittier members of the audience*
  • Bigsmith - Eunuchs?
  • Rosie
    (Bigsmith) "....and Goebbels had no balls at all"? NO, though strictly there is no reason why the subject(s) may not be differently-orchidised.
  • Graham III - A child?
  • Rosie
    (Graham III) - NO, not a child.
    Clarification:- My reply to Irouléguy has a temporal significance.
  • Irouléguy - Do you have to be a certain age to be this?
  • Tuj - The holder of some kind of record?
  • Rosie
    (Irouléguy) - Age limits? - YES, in effect, though not in a formal sense.
    (Tuj) Not a record-holder.
  • ImNotJohn - The oldest man in the world?
  • Tuj
    [INJ] I was going to ask that a day or so ago, but the animal's not necessarily alive. I asked my previous question to completely rule it out.
  • ImNotJohn - A group defined by having experienced/lived through a particular event?
    [Tuj] Yes, you're right - it's ruled out for a few reasons (like, not a single specific person) - Scrub that and try this one.
  • Rosie
    (INJ) (Qu. 1) Not the oldest man in the world. Nothing to do with his age, actually.
    (Qu. 2) NO, but an event is involved. *Sort-of approving noises from the audience*
  • Bigsmith - Is the event in the future?
    For example, the team to represent GBR in the men's 4x100m sprint relay at the Beijing Olympics.
  • Rosie
    (Bigsmith) A future event team? NO, the event is basically now but could be in the recent past.
  • Tuj - Associated with one particular country?
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) NO, not associated with one particular country.
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    Knew I'd forgotten something.
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) Perfectly preposterous proposition, pal - er, Not P.
  • Dujon - Does the word 'veteran' appear on the card?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) The word "veteran" - NO, no old soldiers.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the related 'event' to do with family?
  • Software - Dead man's shoes?
    Grasping at straws
  • Rosie
    (INJ) - Family? Very much so, Gary. *vigorous applause*
    (Softers) - The straws got away. Not "Dead man's shoes"
  • ImNotJohn - The father of the bride?
    [Rosie] Surely you meant 'Very much so, yes; Gary'
  • Irouléguy
    *suspects INJ has given it away*

    but just in case... A father-in-law?
  • Rosie
    (INJ) NO, not the bride's father. re "Gary" - you may well be right. :-)
    (Irg) Worth the shot, but not him either.
  • ImNotJohn - To do with a birth?
    (probably just as well - I won't be posting on Thursday or Friday, so I'd better not win this)
  • Phil - A godfather?
  • Rosie
    (INJ) Fear not; you haven't. It's nothing to do with a birth. Good luck on K2 and see you Saturday.
    (Phil) NO, not a godfather.
  • Quendalon - Defined by relationship(s) with others?
  • Irouléguy - A grandfather?
  • Rosie
    (Quendalon) NO, not defined by any relationship.
    (Irouléguy) Not a grandfather.
  • Software - Dutch Uncle?
  • Rosie
    (Software) NO, not a Dutch Uncle.
  • Irouléguy - The head of the family?
  • Rosie
    (Irouléguy) NO, not the head of the family.
  • Quendalon - Related to geographical location?
  • Rosie
    (Quendalon) NO, no geographical connection.

    Hint: You're all missing a feature of the answer that has been the subject of two questions and answers.

  • Irouléguy - Is there more than one of these in a family?
  • Irouléguy - Is there one of these in most families?
    Having seconds, as no-one else has had a go for a while.
  • Raak - A maiden aunt?
  • Quendalon - Sperm?
  • Rosie
    (Irg) Both questions - There could be. Not relevant, really.
    (Raak) Not a maiden aunt. (It's male)
    (Quendalon) Sperm? NO. A fully-formed male person.
  • Raak - Best man?
  • Rosie
    YESSSS! Raak is the best man! Speech!
  • CdM - An alarm clock?
    [Rosie] Good one, although the audience surely could have given INJ's 'father of the bride' a little encouragement. I'm still confused by the audience reaction to 'son and heir', though.
  • Raak - Unaccustomed as I am...
    [CdM] If the happy couple's son was the best man at their wedding...

    The next is M I N E R A L.

  • CdM - Metal?
    [Raak] Unusual perhaps, but not "not possible"
  • Graham III - Art?
    And the son & heir of whom was not defined. My best man was the son and heir of the father of the groom for example...
  • Raak
    [CdM] Made of metal.
  • Irouléguy - Unique?
  • Rosie - One metal only?
    (CdM) Raak's explanation of the "son and heir" audience reaction is what I was thinking of, though I agree it's a bit convoluted and overdone.
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    [Rosie] I was more confused as to why the answer to "Alive?" was "could be"
  • Raak
    [I] Not unique.
    [R] One metal? Possibly, perhaps likely, but not useful to know.
    [T] P.
  • Quendalon - Man-made?
  • Raak
    [Q] Man-made.
  • Rosie - Does it use electricity?
    (Tuj) Well, my Dad's best man is dead, as no doubt are Henry VIII's. I could have said "Yes, at the time" but that would have been giving too much away.
  • CdM - Any moving parts?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not usually electric.
    [CdM] Yes, there are moving parts.
  • Rosie - When not electric, is it powered by hand or foot?
  • Irouléguy - Larger than a toaster?
  • Raak
    [R] When not electric, it is powered by (at least one of) hand or foot. (Murmurings in the audience.) Ok, partly powered.
    [I] Not larger than a toaster.
  • Rosie - A timepiece?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] (the audience almost applaud) Not a timepiece.
  • Rosie - Is it a domestic item?
  • Irouléguy - Used in the kitchen?
  • Tuj - Scales?
    [Raak] I wonder what that sounds like ;)
  • Raak
    [R] Npot domestic.
    [I] ...hence not used in the kitchen.
    [Tuj] Not scales.
    [Tuj] The sound of two hands clapping, but not against each other.
  • Dujon - BELLOWS . . . whoops, sorry . . . bellows?
  • Rosie - Do people own these things?
  • Irouléguy - A tool?
  • Raak
    [D] Not bellows.
    [R] People own these.
    [I] In a general sense, yes. (Is a pencil a tool? Is a kettle a tool? In that sense, this thing is a tool.)
  • ImNotJohn - Associated with leisure?
    This weekend I was at a 20th anniversary celebration - we had also been at the wedding, where the best man was the son and heir of the groom (he was a widower).
  • Raak
    [INJ] Er...yes, associated with leisure.
  • Graham III - A compass?
    Also, can you answer my first question?
  • Raak
    [GIII] Sorry, missed that. Not art, and not a compass.
  • Rosie - Anything to do with television?
  • Quendalon - Can one person, alone, make full use of it for its intended purpose?
  • Raak
    [R] Not directly connected with TV.
    [Q] More than one person must be involved.
  • Rosie - Is it a game?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] (the audience grow alert but not yet excited) Not a game.
  • Phil - Is it a toy?
  • Raak
    [Phil] Not a toy.
  • Quendalon - Associated with sport(s)?
  • Raak
    [Q] (applause!) Yes, associated with sports.
  • ImNotJohn - Associated with a ball game?
  • Graham III - A boule?
  • Raak
    [I] Not associated with a ball game.
    [G] ...not even in French.
  • Rosie - Associated with athletics?
  • Software - a dart?
  • Phil - A starter's pistol?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] (cheering) Associated with athletics.
    [Software] Not a dart.
    [Phil] **BANG** A starter's pistol.
  • Phil
    Really? Gosh! I'll try and think of a new one in the morning.....way too "sleepy" right now.
  • Phil
    Till now, I'd even forgotten I'd won, that's how "sleepy" I was.

    OK, out next AVMA is VEGETABLE

  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Quendalon - Unique?
  • Irouléguy - Edible?
  • Phil
    [Tuj] P? NO
    [Quendalon] Unique? NO
    [Irouléguy] Edible? NO - a titter from the audience
  • Rosie - Made of wood?
  • Dujon - Potable?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Made of wood? Partially
    [Dujon] Potable? NO
  • Irouléguy - Something constructed?
  • Software - A British Rail Sandwich?
    surely inedible?
  • Phil
    [Irouléguy] Constructed? Not my first choice of word, but YES.
    [Software] BR Butty? NO - I wouldn't put too much emphasis on the audience's titter.
  • ImNotJohn - Normally found in the home?
  • CdM - Bigger than a washing machine?
    Toasters have been way too privileged in this game.
  • Phil
    [INJ] Normally found in the home? It can be.
    [CdM] Bigger than a washing machine? YES and NO - depends how you measure "bigness"
  • ImNotJohn - Main purpose decorative or display?
    I take your answer to CdM to mean: greater in at least 1 dimension, but with a lesser volume than a 600mm x 600mm x 900mm toaster.
  • Phil
    [INJ] Mainly decorative? Hmmmm... NO
    Re: CdM's question: My answer, in this instance, means larger in at least 1 dimension, but lesser in volume than a standard domestic washing machine (approx 900 x 600 x 600mm). By the way, you have a very big toaster!
  • Quendalon - Broom?
  • ImNotJohn - A tool?
    CdM may have said washing machine, but the traditions of the game dictate that he must have meant toaster
  • I Say, Porter! - does it begin with a P?
    [INJ] Maybe he said 'washing machine' because if you say 'toaster' to Phil he puts a bag on his head...
  • Phil
    [Quendalon] Broom? NO
    [INJ] Tool? NO
    [IS,P!] Begin with P? Still NO. And can I take the bag off now please?
  • Chalky - Is it used in sport?
  • Rosie - Part of the structure of a house?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Used in sport? NO
    [Rosie] Part of structure of house? NO *a little applause*
  • CdM - Is it significantly longer than it is wide?
  • Phil
    [CdM] Length much > width? Not necessarily, but can be.
  • Rosie - A crawling board?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Crawling board? NO
  • Dujon - Is this designed to protect?
  • Phil
    [Dujon] Designed to protect? Partially YES, but not exclusively to protect.
  • Software - Is it something like ivy, which covers a house and can project but may not be considered decorative?
    That was a lot of words!
  • Phil
    [Software] Something like ivy? NO
  • Chalky - Would it normally contain something?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] A container? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Easily portable?
  • Phil
    [INJ] Easily portable? NO
  • Rosie - Some kind of door or entrance?
  • CdM
    We know that it is wholly vegetable but only partially made out of wood. So
    Is it primarily (say, more than 90%) wood?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Door or entrance? NO
    [CdM] > 90% wood? NO
  • Chalky - Is the bit that's not wood some form of natural vegetation?
  • Phil
    [Chalky Ntural vegetation? Not in its original form. Don't forget that this has been "contructed", although that is not the most ideal word to convey what has happened to the vegetable constituents.
  • CdM - Is it fewer than 10% wood?
    [Phil] I just did that to annoy you. :-)
  • Rosie - If not "constructed" would "fashioned" or "sculpted" (either) be a more appropriate description?
  • Phil
    [CdM] <10% wood? NO (Me? Annoyed? Nonsense! *unclenches teeth*
    [Rosie] Fashioned/sculpted? NO. Probably further from ideal than "constructed", in fact.
  • Rosie - Essentially an outdoors object?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Outdoors? NO
  • Dujon - Does this comprise of wood (combined with something else) which has been shredded/chipped and then moulded?
  • CdM - Is this always 100% vegetable? (no screws, nails, glue, ink...)
  • Phil
    [Dujon] Shredded wood combined with something else and moulded? I think that warrants a YES - *relieved applause*
    [CdM] Always 100% vegetable? Good question. Further research reveals a trace of mineral that I was previously unaware of, plus some pigment that may be vegetable or mineral. But essentially I'd say YES, at least 99.5% vegetable. *some more applause*
  • CdM - Would the typical morniverser own one?
  • Software - Wood chipping mulch/dressing?
  • Phil
    [CdM] Would a Morniverser own one? Probably not, but possibly.
    [Software] Wood chippings? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Paper involved?
  • Phil
    [INJ] Paper? NO
  • Rosie - "Processed wood" eg chipboard?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Processed wood? NO
  • Kim - Is it MDF?
  • Phil - A little summary perhaps...
    The answer on the card is almost entirely vegetable (over 99%) with a trace of mineral, and perhaps some animal. Wood makes up between 10 and 90% of it. It is partially, but not exclusively designed to protect, but is not mainly decorative.
    Shredded wood combined with something else and moulded got a YES, but it's not perfectly accurate. It also got some applause. Other applause has been for "part of the structure of a house?", although the answer was NO. Also, querying if it was always 100% vegetable received some applause - mainly for being such a good question.
    It is larger, in at least one dimension than a washing-machine-sized toaster. It is not "fashioned or sculpted" from wood. Technically-speaking it is constructed, but that is not how I would put it.
  • Phil - ...more...
    It does not begin with P; is not a tool, broom, container or crawling board. It does not involve paper, and is not a type of processed wood (such as chipboard), not is it wood mulch. The typical Morniverser probably doesn't own one, but might. It is not used in sport, is not an outdoors object.
    Also, the non-wood part is not natural vegetation in its original form.
  • Phil
    [Kim] MDF? NO
  • Dujon - Is this wooden percentage made up mainly of bark?
    Thanks for the precis, Phil, but that's not the job of the Chair and should be attended by one of his or her fawning acolytes.
  • Quendalon - Is it part of the structure of any other thing?
    As opposed to, say, a house.
  • Irouléguy - Is the "other" vegetable hay?
  • Software - A hay stack?
  • Phil
    [Dujon] Wooden percentage mainly bark? It can be, but doesn't have to be.
    [Quendalon] Part of structure of non-house? NO
    [Irouléguy] Hay involved? NO
    [Software] A haystack? NO
  • Kim - A log cabin?
  • Phil
    [Kim] A log cabin? NO
  • Graham III - Do you own one?
  • Phil
    [GIII] Do I own one? NO
  • Rosie - Could one see this in a pub?
    Even if not in your revered establishment, my Lord. (Dujon) Will that do?
  • Quendalon - Related to animals?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Could it be seen in a pub? YES, but not all pubs.
    [Quendalon] Related to animals? NO
  • Chalky - A pool table?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] A pool table? NO - I think that would be less than 99% vegetable.
  • Software - A skittle alley?
  • Phil
    [Software] Skittle Alley? NO - I think that would be bigger than a washing machine-sized toaster
  • Phil
    Correction to previous answer I was only asked if it was bigger than the toaster in at least one dimension, to which I replied YES. No-one has yet established in how many (or indeed which) dimensions the item is bigger than a toaster (or washing machine).
  • IrecogniseacuewhenIseeonéguy - Is it longer than a toaster?
  • ImNotonetomissoutonthateitherJohn - Is it longer than a toaster standing on its end?
  • Phil
    [IRG] Longer than a toaster? YES
    [INJ] Longer than a toaster on end? YES
  • ImNotJohn - Typically painted?
    I've got the image of something shaped like a door or a kitchen worktop.
  • Quendalon - Is the wood from a specific type of tree?
  • Latchingontothesizechalkyclue - Is this a regular shape or is it a bit wigglyish??
  • Phil
    [INJ] Painted? Strictly speaking, NO.
    [Quendalon] Specific tree? NO
    [Chalky] Regular shape? YES
  • Irouléguy - Is it a cuboid (tall, long, not very thick)?
  • Phil
    [IRG] Cuboid? YES, but not as you've defined. Here's a clue, as I'm going on holiday on Saturday for a fortnight. Wide, long and not very tall.
  • Software - A doormat?
  • Phil
    [Software] Doormat? NO *Some encouraged applause*
  • CdM - Typically varnished or similarly treated?
  • Phil
    [CdM] Typically varnished? NO (although I did have to do some reading to check)
  • Quendalon - Are there typically pictures of any kind on it?
  • Phil
    [Quendalon] Typically pictures on it? NO
  • Irouléguy - A floor covering of some sort?
  • Phil
    [Irouléguy] A floor covering? YES *rapturous applause and whoops of delirious delight from the audience*
  • Software - Stair carpet
    or something like that, such as a hall runner?
  • Phil
    [Software] Stair carpet? NO *audience believes they may get to cheer today*
  • Graham III - Laminate flooring?
  • Phil
    [GIII] Laminate flooring? NO *ooohs and aaahs*
  • Irouléguy - Fitted wood flooring?
  • Phil
    [IRG] Fitted wood flooring? NO
    May I refer you all back to "Shredded wood combined with something else and moulded got a YES, but it's not perfectly accurate. It also got some applause." I think that's slightly helpful without giving it away. Note also that I have had to do some research in order to answer a couple of questions.
  • Irouléguy - Cork flooring?
  • Phil
    [IRG] Cork flooring? NO - the wood ingredient can be bark (which is what cork is), but doesn't have to be. Also, less than 90% of the total comes from wood.
  • Software - Coconut matting?
    Getting desperate
  • Phil
    [Software] Coconut matting? NO
    OK, here comes a major clue. Things don't always look like what they're made of.
  • Chalky who doesn't look like what she's named after - Vinyl floor?
  • CdM - Linoleum?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Vinyl floor? I'm afraid not.
    [Cdm} Linoleum? YES, dagnammit, YES!
    It's made of powdered wood or bark, linseed oil, canvas or burlap (both of which are vegetable), with some pigments (hence the traces of mineral). And in 13 hours' time I go on holiday for 2 weeks. ttfn!
  • CdM
    Well, I stood on the shoulders of giants that time. Excellent subject choice, and a very educational round. After Phil's clue I thought it had to be lino, but I needed to google to check because I realized I had no idea what it was made of. I'll be back later today to set a new clue.
    [Phil] Have a good trip!
  • CdM - although I suppose maybe you could argue for a vegetable component as well
    This one is ANIMAL and ABSTRACT.
  • ImNotJohn - An anarcho-syndicalist?
    Making a welcome return.
  • Irouléguy - Is the animal human?
    CdM] Well guessed
  • Rosie - A metaphorical character?
    E.g. Essex Man etc
  • CdM - But does it begin with P...?
    Anarcho-syndicalist? No.
    Human? No.
    Metaphorical? Yes, sort of. Character? No.
  • ImNotJohn - A well-known phrase or saying?
  • Dujon - In a general sense does the animal part relate to a particular type of animal?
    (e.g. cat, dog, cow)
  • CdM - It's a jungle out there
    Well-known phrase or saying? I think the best answer is Yes.
    Particular type of animal? Yes.
  • Rosie - Does the animal display some particular characteristic such as the smile of the Cheshire Cat?
  • CdM - Remember, remember, the 5th of November
    Particular characteristic? Yes (interpreting "characteristic" somewhat broadly).
  • Irouléguy - Is the animal a mammal?
  • Quendalon - Particular gender?
  • Néa - A fish?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Irouléguy - Cat got your tongue? ;)
  • Kim - Is it a sleeping dog?
  • CdM - Interesting constellation of questions
    Mammal? No.
    Particular gender? No.
    A fish? Yes. *applause*
    Begins with P? No.
    Feline tongue entrapment? No (but my internets were broken for most of the day; sorry)
    Sleeping dog? No.
  • ImNotJohn - A particular type of fish?
  • CdM - Under African Skies
    Particular type of fish? Yes.
  • Néa - A red herring??
  • CdM
    A red herring? Yes! One smoked baton passed to Néa.
  • Néa - Oh dear
    It was the aproposes that did it.

    Now for something MINERAL
  • Raak - Man-made?
  • ImNotJohn - metallic?
  • Néa
    [Raak] Yes.
    [INJ] Yes.
  • CdM - Unique?
    [Néa] Are you sure that shouldn't be "apropi"?
  • Néa
    [CdM] Yes. And yes. "Apropoi", possibly.
  • Graham III - Art?
  • Néa
    [GIII] Only in a limited sense of the word.
  • Raak - An architectural construction?
  • Néa
    [Raak] Yes.

    There is a small amount of VEGETABLE involved as well.
  • Software - A tin roof?
  • Raak - A particular building?
  • Graham III - Is/are metal(s) the only mineral element?
  • CdM - More than 200 years old?
  • Rosie - Could you (or I) lift it?
  • Irouléguy - The "wobbly" (or Millennium) bridge?
  • ImNotJohn - Kaknästornet?
    :-)
  • Néa - You've been inquisitive while I was gone
    [Software] Not a tin roof.
    [Raak] Yes, a particular building.
    [Graham III] There are some other mineral components as well, but again very small proportions.
    [CdM] Not more than 200 years old.
    [Rosie] You and I could not lift it together.
    [INJ] Not the Cake Nose Tower!
  • CdM - In Europe?
  • ImNotJohn - A building that is open to the public?
  • Néa
    [CdM] Yes.
    [INJ] No.
  • Irouléguy - In Sweden?
  • CdM - Less than fifty years old?
  • Néa
    [Irouléguy] No.
    [CdM] No.

    [Irg] Sorry, I missed your previous question - it also isn't the Millennium bridge.
  • CdM - Is it more than 119 years old and less than 122 years old?
  • Néa
    [CdM] No, it is not both of those things.
  • Raak - Is it in London?
  • Néa
    [Raak] Not in London.
  • Kim - Is it in Italy?
  • Néa
    [Kim] Nor in Italy.
  • Quendalon - Eiffel Tower?
    Because [CdM]'s question confused me.
  • Software - Would the small amount of vegitable be growing on the structure?
  • CdM - Is it a bridge?
    [Q] Unless I have also confused myself, Néa's answer rules out the Eiffel Tower. (Her answer is semantically interesting, because it can be parsed in two distinct ways, but only one of them is sensible.)
  • Néa
    [Q, CdM] No, it is not the Eiffel Tower. My reply to CdM meant that it is not between 119 and 122 years old.
    [Software] There may be vegetables growing on it but that was not what I meant.
  • Irouléguy - Is it less than 122 years old?
  • Néa - Progress at last!
    [Irouléguy] Yes, yes it is.
  • Rosie - The Forth (railway) Bridge?
  • Bigsmith - Does it perform a specific function?
    [Néa] You have missed out CdM's bridge question!
  • Néa
    [CdM] Not a bridge.
    [Rosie] No.
    [Bigsmith] Yes.
  • Quendalon - Is it in England?
  • Graham III - Is it a tower?
  • Néa
    [Quendalon] No.
    [Graham III] Yes.
  • Raak - Is its specific function to broadcast signals?
  • Néa
    [Raak] Yes! (audience starting to prick up their ears)
  • Irouléguy - Is it north of Paris?
  • ImNotJohn - Still in use?
  • Rosie - Functional rather than decorative?
  • Néa - Not it's getting more difficult
    [Irouléguy] Yes.
    [INJ] As far as I have been able to tell, the answer is no.
    [Rosie] Yes is probably the best answer, but it's not straightforward.
  • Kim - Is it on land?
  • Néa
    [Kim] Yes.
  • Graham III - Did it collapse in 1991?
  • Raak - A recap:
    A mostly metal broadcasting tower in Europe, but not in England, Italy, or Paris, built at least 50 years ago but less than 119, still in use, not open to the public, not the Cake Nose Tower, more southerly than Paris.
  • Irouléguy - The original Radio Luxemburg transmitter?
    Raak] More northerly than Paris.
  • Graham III - Resisting the temptation to get another question in
    [Raak] Probably not still in use.
  • Néa
    [Graham III] No, it didn't.
    [Irg] Not the original Radio Luxemburg transmitter.
  • Raak - Is it in Scandinavia?
  • Néa
    [Raak] No.
  • Graham III - Is it in Western Europe?
  • Graham III
    (i.e. one of Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, The Netherlands and outlying islands)
  • Néa - Being negative today, me
    [Graham III] No.
  • Rosie - Anything to do with astronomy?
  • Software - An early warning system?
  • Quendalon - On an island?
  • Néa - More negativity
    [Rosie] No.
    [Software] No.
    [Quendalon] No.
  • Irouléguy - Is it in a country that used to be in the USSR?
    (ie one of Belarus, Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Russia)
  • Néa
    [Irouléguy] Yes!
  • Irouléguy - Is it named after its designer?
    cheeky, but...
  • Néa
    [Irg] It is indeed.
  • Irouléguy - Is it a hyperboloid structure?
    going for the hat-trick...
  • Néa - He knows, really
    [Irg] Yes!!
  • CdM - Is it more than 86 years old and less than 89 years old?
    It's so tempting...
  • Néa - *rolls eyes (own)*
    [CdM] Yes.
  • Quendalon
    [Irouléguy, CdM] Stop grandstanding before I name the bloody thing myself. :-D
  • Irouléguy - Does it share one of its names with an underground station?
    CdM, Quendalon] Not grandstanding, but teeing you up - I'm away at the weekend,so for once I don't want to take the baton. This is fun, though...
  • Néa - It's in the CCCP, innit
    [Irg] Er. None that I know of, but there are many underground systems with stations whose names I'm ignorant of. Unless you mean its name in English translation, in which case the answer is Yes.
  • CdM
    Oh, all right then...
    Is it the Shukhov Tower in Moscow?
  • Néa - And about time, too
    [CdM] Of course. The hyperboloid baton returned to CdM.
  • Néa - Gah
    [Irouléguy] I'm sorry - I didn't remember that it's also called the Shabolovka. Which is of course also the name of a Moscow metro station.
  • Irouléguy
    Néa] No apologies necessary. I only learnt that yesterday from reading the Wiki page - and I should have said Metro rather than underground. It just amused me as an MC connection. Good topic!
  • CdM
    Credit for the last obviously goes first to Irouléguy.
    VEGETABLE and MINERAL. However, I will give an immediate clue that the vegetable element is much more fundamental than the mineral element.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the vegetable wood?
    I just managed to restrain myself, since I'm on holiday from this weekend for the next 2 weeks.
  • Software - And the mineral metal?
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • Quendalon - Unique?
  • Néa - Man-made?
  • CdM
    Wood? In part, yes
    Metal? No (or to the extent there is any metal involved, it is highly tangential and inessential --even more tangential than the rest of the mineral component).
    Begins with P? No.
    Unique? Yes.
    Man-made? Yes.
  • Néa - Is it more than 100 years old?
  • CdM
    More than 100 years old? Both Yes and No are defensible answers.
  • CdM
    One clarification. I said Yes to "man-made?", and that is the best answer. But No would also be defensible. There. That's clearer now, right?
  • Rosie - Can it be seen from a mile away (without optical aid)?
    Clearer? Clear as anything ever is with you, y'bugger. :-)
  • Dujon - Is this a monument or other well known structure which was formed, sculpted or roughly shaped within the last 100 years and made out of a substance formed over a hundred years ago which could possibly include vegetable material but is probably made up of various metals (i.e. anything 'heavier' than hydrogen) and which is still extant?
    A yes/no answer will suffice.
  • CdM
    Can it be seen from a mile away? I am very tempted to say that yes and no are both defensible answers. However, I will say that the answer is No (almost certainly) unless you are talking about a mile away vertically, in which case the answer is Yes.
    Is ... extant? Not exactly sure where you were going with that, but the best answer has to be No.
  • Néa - Is it in Europe?
    And if you answer "yes and no" I shall weep.
  • Rosie - Hampton Court Maze?
  • CdM
    In Europe? Yes.
    Hampton Court Maze? *The audience gasps collectively and bursts into sustained rapturous applause* No.
  • Rosie - A maze somewhere in England?
  • CdM
    A maze? Yes.
    Somewhere in England? No.
  • Néa - Is the mineral water?
  • CdM
    Water? No. For free, I will tell you that the mineral just refers to what is underfoot as part of this maze (that's why I said the vegetable element is much more fundamental). Most of the hard work has been done here; you just need to find out where this particular maze is.
  • Dujon - Is this maze in a church or cathedral?
  • CdM
    In a church or cathedral? No. (Visible from above, remember.)
  • Raak
    A maze in the grounds of one?
  • Software - In Wales?
  • Graham III - Is it in Belgium?
  • CdM
    In the grounds of a church or cathedral? No.
    In Wales? No.
    In Belgium? No.
  • Irouléguy - North of Paris?
  • CdM
    North of Paris? No.
  • Graham III - In France?
  • Irouléguy - Hellenic, like the hymn?
    (View the source to read the hidden text)
  • CdM
    Public Service Announcement: Do not reveal the message in the previous move. Just trust me, ok.
    Grecian? No.
  • Projoy - In England?
    (and GIII asked "in France?")
  • Projoy
    Oops, and Rosie asked about England. How about, In Eastern Europe (i.e. the old Eastern Bloc)?
  • CdM - You are winding your way in towards the center
    In France? No. (sorry)
    In England? Still No.
    In Eastern Europe? No.
  • Quendalon - Made within the last 200 years?
  • Kim - Is it, by any chance, in Italy?
  • Worried of Whitechapel
    Dear Auntie CdM, I know I shuddent of done, but I cuddent resist clicking the "reveal" button like you tole me not to and now my sides av split. Wat can I do? Yours etc. Worried of Whitechapel.
  • CdM
    Within last 200 years? Yes and No are both defensible. (See 100 years, above.)
    In Italy? No.
    Dear Worried. You can listen to me say, "I told you so".
  • Raak - The maze at Schönbrunn Palace?
  • CdM
    The maze at Schönbrunn Palace? Yes!

    "The Maze at Schönbrunn was laid out between 1698 and 1740... During the 19th century the Maze was gradually abandoned until in 1892 the last remaining hedges were felled. In autumn 1998 a new maze extending over 1.715 m with a viewing platform at its centre was laid out taking the historical model into account where possible."

    *leaves the baton at the center for Raak to find*
  • CdM
    By the way, I very nearly chose Hampton Court Maze, deciding only at the last minute to be a bit less Anglocentric. Had I stuck with that, Rosie's guess would have been one of the most impressive we have seen in the game to date.
  • Rosie
    (CdM) V kind! Unfortunately I know of no other mazes.
  • Raak
    Left, left, right, right, straight on, over, under, back three squares, up a ladder, half-twist, strile, left, right, flamethrower.

    The next is MINERAL (primarily) with an ANIMAL connection.

  • Rosie - Man-made?
  • Inkspot
    Does it comprise of more than one mineral?
  • Software - is it a tool?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Man-made.
    [Inkspot] Very likely more than one mineral.
    [Software] Not a tool.
  • Kim - Is the mineral predominantly wood?
  • Kim - Doh! Sorry, is the material predominantly metal?
    I don't know what's the matter with me these days. I must be getting old.
  • Raak
    [Kim] Not predominantly metal.
  • CdM - Decorative?
  • Software - other mineral is natural (as opposed to man-made)?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Yes, one could say that it is decorative.
    [Software] Natural, yes; in a state of nature, no.
  • Irouléguy - Is the material mostly stone?
  • Raak
    [I] Yes, mostly stone.
  • Software - But is it art?
  • Raak
    [S] Yes, it could be considered to be art.
  • Inkspot - Is it associated with one part of the world?
  • Raak
    [I] It is associated with one part of the world.
  • Rosie - Does it decorate the exterior of a building?
  • CdM - Unique?
  • Software - The Sphinx?
  • Projoy - Bigger than a phone box?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Does not decorate the exterior of a building.
    [CdM] Unique.
    [Software] Not the Sphinx.
    [Projoy] Definitely bigger than a phone box.
  • Graham III - Is the animal connection that it is manmade?
  • Irouléguy - Is it in Europe?
  • Raak
    [G III] It is manmade, but there is a more specific animal connection.
    [I] It is in Europe.
  • CdM - A statue or sculpture?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Not a statue or sculpture.
  • Irouléguy - The bear pits of Berne?
  • Raak
    [I] *Gasp of horror* "Not -- not the Dreaded Bear Pits of Berne!!!" No.
  • Software - The Bullring, Brum? :o)
  • Graham III - Is it a building?
  • Kim - Is the connected animal human?
  • Raak
    [S] Not the Bullring.
    [G III] It's a building.
    [K] The animal is human.
  • Kim - Is the surname of the human one of the words on the card?
  • Inkspot - Is the building pre 1900?
  • Raak
    [Kim] The human's surname is not on the card.
    [Inkspot] It is pre-1900.
  • Irouléguy - Is it north of Paris?
    Is this going to become my signature question?
  • Graham III - Was it built by an ancient culture?
  • Projoy - In Eastern Europe (i.e. the old Eastern bloc)
    (this is going to be my signature question)
  • Rosie - Is it in England?
  • Raak
    [I] After closely examining Google Maps, this is not north of Paris.
    [G III] Not ancient.
    [P] Not in Eastern Europe.
    [R] Not in England.
  • Software - In Austria?
  • Raak
    [Software] a ripple of near-applause Not in Austria.
  • Kim - Switzerland?
  • Raak
    [Kim] Not in Switzerland.
  • Graham III - Germany?
  • Raak
    [G III] Germany? Ja wohl!
  • Néa - A castle?
  • irach - Scloss Neuschwanstein? The animal connection being the Schwan?
  • Projoy - Cathedral Church of Our Lady, Munich?
  • Raak
    [Néa] Applause!
    [Projoy] Boos!
    [irach] Cheering! Neuschwanstein it is. The animal connection I had in mind was Ludwig II.
  • Graham III
    Rats, I nearly just guessed that outright last night.
  • irach
    Okay….. This one is “ABSTRACT, WITH AN ANIMAL CONNECTION”
  • Raak - A work of art?
  • irach
    [Raak] Not a work of art.
  • Rosie - The smile of the Cheshire cat?
  • irach
    [Rosie] No smile. No cat, Cheshire, or otherwise.
  • Kim - Is the animal in question human?
  • irach
    [Kim] Yes, the animal element is human.
  • Inkspot - A piece of music?
  • irach
    [Inkspot] Not a piece of music.
  • Rosie - Does the name of the human appear in the answer?
  • irach
    [Rosie] Yes. The name of the person is in the answer.
  • Inkspot - Is it a unit of measurement?
  • irach
    [Inkspot] Not a unit of measurement.
  • Rosie - Anything to do with the scientific world?
  • irach
    {Rosie] No scientific world connection.
  • Dujon - Does this encompass art?
    e.g. the [name of] school or style.
  • irach
    [Dujon] No, doesn't encompass art per se, except that the person named in the answer has been the subject of some works of art.
  • Rosie - Royalty? (any country)
  • irach
    [Rosie] The person in question was not royalty, but did associate with royalty.
  • Irouléguy - Was the person European?
  • irach
    [Irouléguy] The most pertinent answer is yes, the person was European.
  • Dujon - Was the human a military person?
  • irach
    [Dujon] The person was a warrior, yes.
  • CdM - Beowulf?
  • Kim - Was the human alive before 1800?
  • Irouléguy - Civis Romanum erat?
  • irach
    [CdM] Not Beowulf.
    [Kim] If the person actually lived, it was before 1800 AD.
    [Iroulëguy] No Civus Romanum erat.
  • Inkspot - A character from a fairy tale?
  • Néa - Male?
  • irach
    {Inkspot] Not acharacter from a "fairy tale".
    [Nea] Yes, male.
  • Kim - Is is a character of myth or legend?
  • Inkspot - Is he a God?
  • irach
    [Kim] Yes, a caharacter in myth or legend.
    [Inkspot] Not a God. A mortal, but with divine connections, nonetheless.
  • Irouléguy - From Celtic myth and/or legend?
  • irach
    [Irouléguy] Not Celtic.
  • Rosie - Scandinavian?
  • irach
    [Rosie] Not Scandinavian.
  • Software - Someone like Rob Roy?
  • Kim - Greek?
  • irach
    [Software] Not Rob Roy.
    [Kim] Yes, Greek.
  • Irouléguy - Achilles' heel?
  • Graham III - Sword of Damocles?
  • irach
    [Graham III] Not Sword of Damocles.
    [Iroulëguy] ACHILLES' HEEL is it! Take it away.
  • Irouléguy
    WOO-HOO! I've cheered so much I feel like a Trojan - (View the source to read the hidden text) . OK, our next is ABSTRACT with ANIMAL and VEGETABLE connections.
  • Irouléguy
    ...also involving MINERAL.
  • irach - Any Biblical connection?
  • Irouléguy
    irach] Any Biblical connection? No
  • CdM - Is the animal connection larger than a humanly constructed toaster?
  • Rosie - Vegetable connection trees?
  • Irouléguy
    CdM] Is the animal connection larger than a humanly constructed toaster? True pedantry offers a number of possible answers, but the useful answer is yes. Rosie] Vegetable connection trees? Noak.
  • Software - Is the human construction (larger than a toaster) a building?
  • Irouléguy
    Software] Is the human construction (larger than a toaster) a building? Not a building, and it's not a human construction.
  • Irouléguy
    More precisely, it's not a physical construction, or a physical anything. 'Bigger than a toaster' refers to the animal connection, not the thing itself.
  • Software - Is it something like 'on the horns of a dilema'?
  • Irouléguy
    Software] Is it something like 'on the horns of a dilema'? It's not entirely unlike, but it's nowhere close.
  • Rosie - Is the answer a phrase, proverb etc?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie] Is the answer a phrase, proverb etc? *applause, cheering, etc* Yes!
  • CdM - Is the animal connection human?
  • Rosie - Is the phrase a kind of warning?
  • Irouléguy
    CdM] Is the animal connection human? Yes
    Rosie] Is the phrase a kind of warning? No
  • Software - A white elephant?
    Though I struggle with the mineral.
  • Kim - Is the answer a proverb (pace Rosie)?
  • Irouléguy
    Software - A white elephant? No - the mineral is implied in the answer, but not named. And don't forget the vegetable.
    Kim - Is the answer a proverb (pace Rosie)? Barking up the wrong tree.
  • Inkspot - Is the vegetaale a fruit?
  • Kim - Is it the Jolly Green Giant?
  • Irouléguy
    Inkspot - Is the vegetable a fruit? *applause mixed with laughter from the audience* Yes
    Kim - Is it the Jolly Green Giant? No no no
  • Rosie - The apple of one's eye?
    (Irg) Kim wishes me peace.
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie] The apple of one's eye? No
    Or he's trying to drink at the same speed as you...
  • Rosie - Is the fruit a commonplace edible item?
    (Irg) No chance, then. :-)
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie] Is the fruit a commonplace edible item? Yes
  • CdM - Is the fruit a citrus?
  • irach
    The Big Apple?
  • Irouléguy
    CdM] Is the fruit a citrus? The answer's not a lemon
    irach] The Big Apple? NYet
  • Rosie - The Garden of Eden?
  • irach - Is the phrase in question also the title of a work of lliterature
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie] The Garden of Eden? Adam fine question - but no
    irach] Is the phrase in question also the title of a work of literature? No
  • Inkspot - So angry I could crush a grape?
  • Kim - Is the answer the title of an artistic work?
  • Irouléguy
    Inkspot] So angry I could crush a grape? Ire think not
    Kim] Is the answer the title of an artistic work? No
  • Kim - Is the fruit a berry?
  • Software - The fruit of our labours?
  • Irouléguy
    Kim] Is the fruit a berry? *laughter, followed by earnest audience discussion* Probably, yes
    Software - The fruit of our labours? No
  • Graham III - A berry by name, but not by strict definition?
  • Software - A blackberry?
    ** motions towards ear **
  • Inkspot - Is it green and goes up and down in a lift? A gooseberry?
  • Irouléguy
    Graham III] A berry by name, but not by strict definition? No - other way round (probably)
    Software - A blackberry? No
    Inkspot} Is it green and goes up and down in a lift? A gooseberry? Possibly, unlikely, and no.
  • Kim - Is it a berry within the botanical (as opposed to common) meaning of the word?
  • Irouléguy
    Kim] Is it a berry within the botanical (as opposed to common) meaning of the word? *applause* Yes (probably)
    'Probably' because the exact meaning of the word on the card is ambiguous, but this is the most likely meaning.
  • Kim - Is the human connection one or more actual persons?
  • irach - The phrase :"A loaf of bread, a jug of wine and thou beside me?"
  • Irouléguy
    Kim] Is the human connection one or more actual persons? *much discussion in the audience* If actual=named, then yes.
    irach - The phrase :"A loaf of bread, a jug of wine and thou beside me?" And wilderness is paradise, e? no
  • Kim - Are the named persons fictional characters?
  • Irouléguy
    Kim] Are the named persons fictional characters? I refer the honourable gentleman to his previous question. Fictional - almost certainly (though I have seen one website that says the opposite).
  • Graham III - Is the berry a grape?
    Resisting the temptation to ask whether it is "Attack of the killer kumquats"
  • Irouléguy
    Graham III] Is the berry a grape? No
  • ImNotJohn - I say tomahto and you say tomayto?
  • Kim - Is the human element a collection of individuals (eg, a class, a group, etc)
  • Irouléguy
    ImNotJohn] I say tomahto and you say tomayto? *some applause* No, nay
    Kim - Is the human element a collection of individuals (eg, a class, a group, etc) No
  • Software - Yankee Doodle Dandy?
  • Kim - Is the answer a popular food product?
  • Irouléguy
    Software - Yankee Doodle Dandy? No sirree
    Kim - Is the answer a popular food product? No - a food product is two of the words on the card, but it's not the answer
  • Graham III - Heinz Baked Beans?
  • Irouléguy
    Graham III - Heinz Baked Beans? No
  • irach - Is it a jam or marmalade?
  • Irouléguy
    irach] Is it a jam or marmalade? No
  • Kim - Is it ice cream?
  • irach - A fruit milk shake?
  • Irouléguy
    Kim] Is it ice cream? Nein (ty), nein
    irach - A fruit milk shake? No
  • Kim - Is the food product shown on the card normally sweet-tasting?
  • Irouléguy
    Kim] Is the food product shown on the card normally sweet-tasting? *applause* No
  • CdM - Is the berry an olive?
  • irach - Popeye and Olive Oil?
  • Irouléguy
    CdM - Is the berry an olive? *some applause* No
    irach - Popeye and Olive Oil? No
  • irach - Is the fruit pickled?
  • Irouléguy
    irach] Is the fruit pickled? *the audience rise as one person, cheering* YES!
  • Software - Can one find this on the supermarket shelf today?
  • Irouléguy
    Software] Can one find this on the supermarket shelf today? One can find products with the same name on supermarket shelves - whether they are exact product referred to is doubtful.
  • irach - Is it an ethnic food from the East?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the answer in the form 'so-and-so's such-and-such'?
  • Irouléguy
    irach] Is it an ethnic food from the East? No
    ImNotJohn] Is the answer in the form 'so-and-so's such-and-such'? *cries of 'oooh' from the audience* No, but not that far off - in two ways.
  • Irouléguy
    Actually, the audience should have applauded part of irach's question.
  • irach - Does it involve mango?
  • Irouléguy
    irach] Does it involve mango? No mag
  • irach - Does it involve citrus?
  • Software - Phileas Fogg's gentleman's relish?
  • Irouléguy
    irach] Does it involve citrus? No, Mel
    Software] Phileas Fogg's gentleman's relish? No

    It's Friday, it's five o'clock, it's Crackerjack! time for a summary, I feel

    The whole thing takes the form of something described by “a phrase, proverb, etc”, though it is not a proverb. It includes two words describing a food product, and the name(s) of one or more persons, who is/are almost certainly fictional. The human element is not a collection of persons.

    The food is derived from a fruit. Although the exact meaning of the word on the card is ambiguous, the fruit in question is almost certainly a berry, botanically speaking. The fruit is not lemon, blackberry, gooseberry, grape, mango, tomato or olive (though the last two got some applause), and it is not normally sweet-tasting. It is a common-place edible item.

    The food product is pickled (sale being the mineral implied in the answer). It is not Heinz baked beans, jam or marmalade, ice cream, or a fruit milk shake. You can find food products with the same name on supermarket shelves, though they are probably not the exact product referred to in the words on the card. It is not an ethnic food from the East, though part of that question garnered applause.

    The phrase is not a kind of warning, or the title of a literary or artistic work. [Note – the phrase may have been used as a title, but that’s not where you know it from] The phrase is not: the apple of one’s eye; so angry I could crush a grape; the fruit of our labours; a loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and thou beside me; Popeye and Olive Oil; Yankee Doodle Dandy. The phrase does not take the form 'so-and-so's such-and-such', but that is close in two distinct ways.

    This game is missing one of its usual players, who might well have got this by now, or at least posed a particularly pertinent question.
  • Kim - It is associated with Indian food?
  • Inkspot - A pound of....?
  • irach - Peter piper's pickled pepper?
  • irach - ... Or rather, the entire phrase "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled pepper" ?
  • Inkspot - Begin with the letter P?
  • Raak - Capers?
  • Irouléguy
    Well, we've a worthy winner! The complete Peter Piper phrase it is - one pepper-flavoured baton handed over to irach.
  • irach
    The next is ABSTRACT WITH MINERAL AND PROBABLE VEGETABLE CONNECTIONS `
  • Software - Is this a phrase?
  • irach
    [Software] Yes, a phrase.
  • Dujon - Does this phrase relate to extraterrestial bodies - or body?
  • irach
    [Dujon] Totally terrestrial.
  • Inkspot - Is the mineral a liquid?
  • irach
    [irach] Not a liquid.
  • Dujon - Is the mineral reference rock?
  • Rosie - Old as the hills?
    Shut up at the back there.
  • Irouléguy - is the probable vegetable wood?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it culturally specific to English?
  • irach
    [Dujon] Not a rock.
    [Rosie} Not "old as the hills".
    [Iroulëguy] The probable vegetable is not wood
    [ImNotJohn] the phrase was coined in English, but is not culturally specific.
  • Rosie - Is the mineral combustible?
  • irach
    [Rosie] The mineral is non-combustible.
  • Software - Could the phrase be construed as a "saying"?
  • irach
    [Software} Not a "saying", but a frequently used term.
  • Inkspot - Is the mineral component mainly metal?
  • Phil - Is the mineral metal?
  • irach
    [Inkspot],[Phil] The mineral IS metal.
  • Phil
    I feel rather silly now - oops!
  • irach
    [Phil] Actually, that was a great and very relevant question from you -there is a difference in the material being mostly metal or being metal entirely.
  • Rosie - Ferrous?
    Or ferric.
  • irach
    [irach] Not ionic as in ferrous or ferric, but ferrum, yes.
  • Rosie - Does "the phrase" refer to the strength or durability of the ferrous metal?
  • irach
    [irach] For the most part, yes. Actually the phrase or term also has/had a physical aspect to it; although it is generally used in an abstract sense.
  • Rosie - A cast-iron case?
  • CdM - Does the word "iron" appear on the card?
  • irach
    [Rosie] Not a cast=iron case.
    [CdM] It does indeed.
  • Rosie - An iron will?
  • irach
    [Rosie] Not an iron will.
  • CdM - The iron curtain?
  • irach
    [Cdm] The "iron curtain" it is. Take it away.
  • CdM
    A near lurker's victory there. Anyway, this one is ABSTRACT with ANIMAL connections.
  • Irouléguy
    Bach's 'Air on a G string'?
  • CdM
    A classical thong? No.
  • Software - Human animal?
  • CdM
    Human Animals? Yes. The animal connections are human.
  • Rosie - A human construct?
  • ImNotJohn - artistic connections?
  • CdM
    Human construct? Yes (with a fairly broad definition of 'construct')
    Artistic connections? There are some artistic connections, but they are tangential. The words on the card do not refer to something artistic.
  • Software - Is it a phrase or saying?
  • CdM
    Phrase or saying? Well, strictly speaking the words on the card do constitute a phrase, but it is not a saying or proverb or adage or aphorism or anything of that kind.
  • Irouléguy - Does this relate to a particular human being?
    Phew! That 'whoops!' button's really useful.
  • Raak - Anything to do with the law?
  • ImNotJohn - Any sporting connection?
  • CdM
    A particular human being? Not a particular human being, but the animal connections are to particular individuals, Yes.
    To do with the law? That's a tricky one. My first response was No, but on reflection a better answer might be Yes, absolutely!
    Sporting connection? The least misleading answer is clearly No, though you can make a case for Yes.
  • Rosie - Anything to do with the Olympic Games, current or otherwise?
  • CdM
    Olympian? No. (Again, I can make a case for a very tangential Yes, but sport is not a fruitful line of enquiry.)
  • Irouléguy - Are the particular individuals from a particular country or culture?
  • Software - Does the phrase relate to a human activity?
  • CdM
    From a particular country or culture? Yes. *applause*
    Human activity? Yes, for a reasonably broad interpretation of "activity".
  • ImNotJohn - Connected to political activity?
  • CdM
    Connected to political activity? Yes. *sustained applause*
  • Irouléguy - The US Democratic convention?
  • Rosie - British?
  • Graham III - A legislature?
  • CdM
    Denver Demfest '08? No.
    British? No. *some muttering in the audience*
    A legislature? No.
  • Phil - English?
  • Rosie - A referendum?
  • irach - Concerning the EU?
  • CdM
    English? No.
    A referendum? No. *some audience laughter*
    EU-related? No.
  • Dujon - Does this pertain to an African country's election process?
  • Irouléguy - Is the country/culture in Europe?
  • CdM
    African country's election process? No and No.
    In Europe? Yes.
  • CdM
    (I suppose that while my answer to African country was unequivocal, I should note that there is at least a tangential connection to "election process".)
  • ImNotJohn - A current news story?
  • Raak - A country or culture formerly part of the USSR?
  • Software - A Dutch treat?
  • CdM
    Current news? No.
    USSR? No.
    Dutch treat? No.
  • ImNotJohn - Does it involve a change in power in a country?
  • Rosie - Gerrymandering?
  • Irouléguy - Does it relate to a specific European country?
  • ImNotJohn - The French Revolution?
  • CdM
    Does it involve a change in power in a country? No. *applause*
    Gerrymandering? No.
    Relate to a specific European country? Yes. (A case could be made for No, but it would be misleading.)
    French revolution? No. *more applause*
  • irach - Treaty of Versailles?
  • CdM
    Treaty of Versailles? No. *audience sits in stony silence*
  • Irouléguy - Anything to do with royalty?
  • ImNotJohn - A failed revolution/coup/uprising?
  • CdM
    To do with royalty? No (except tangentially).
    A failed revolution/coup/uprising? Yes! *sustained applause*
  • Rosie - The Spanish Civil War?
  • CdM
    Spanish Civil War? No.
  • Raak - Did it happen in Czechoslovakia (as was)?
  • CdM
    Czequered past? No.
  • irach - The Landing at Dunkirk?
  • CdM
    Dunkirk Landing? No.
  • Rosie - Was the uprising against a colonial power?
  • irach - Involving Napoleon Bonaparte, 1812 and Russia?
  • CdM
    Uprising against a colonial power? Yes.
    Napoleonic? No.
  • Rosie - The Black Hole of Calcutta?
  • CdM
    Black Hole of Calcutta, Europe? No.
  • Irouléguy - The Easter Rising, Dublin 1916?
  • irach - Uprising of Gaul against Julius Caesar in 52 BC?
  • CdM
    We have a winner! The words on the card were "The Easter Rising". *hands an orange and green baton to Irouléguy*
  • Phil
    I agree with the mutterers when Rosie asked "British" and you said "No". Ireland was part of Britain in 1916, and remained so until 1920, IIRC. There are some that say Ireland is still part of Britain, but not "Great Britain", but I think that's a bit over(t)ly confrontational.
  • CdM
    [Phil] Well, it all comes down to the meaning of Britain.
  • CdM
    My preferred usage has always been to treat Britain and Great Britain as synonymous, referring (as a geographical term) to the island which makes up the bulk of England, Scotland and Wales, and more generally (and as a political term) to England + Scotland + Wales. Another view is that Britain (but not, I think, Great Britain) is synonymous with the UK; this seems to be your preferred usage. Wikipedia points me both to the Guardian style guide, which claims that "Britain is the official short form of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland", and also points to a quote from a British government website that says "the term 'Britain' is used informally to mean the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" [my emphasis in both quotes].

    So, having gone most of my life thinking I understood these demarcations perfectly, I'm now not sure. If anyone can point me to an official site which disambiguates "Britain" and "Great Britain" conclusively, I'd be grateful.

    There is another subtlety (and here I am convinced, or almost), which is that "British" perhaps has a wider meaning than simply "pertaining to Britain". It is true, for example, that my passport of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland describes me as a British citizen. On the basis of that distinction, I would accept that perhaps I should have said "yes" to "British?" though I might still disagree with your claim that "Ireland was a part of Britain in 1916". In any case, I thought my answer together with the audience muttering was a sufficiently non-misleading response.
  • CdM
    To follow up, here are two sites that both seem reasonably reliable and that, taken together, support the view that (i) "British" has a meaning that extends beyond Britain in the specific case of nationality, but that (ii) using "Britain" to refer to the UK is at best informal and at worst incorrect. Here, we read:
    BRITAIN. The informal name for the United Kingdom.
    BRITISH is the formal designation of the nationality of citizens of the United Kingdom, and of certain others.
    Compare with the following from here.
    The adjective "British" is, of course, used in relation to Great Britain but there is also a common tendency to use it when referring to issues relating to both Great Britain and the United Kingdom. This is inaccurate and from a legal point of view erroneous. [emphasis mine]

    Sometimes, however, in legislation the term "British" is used to refer to the United Kingdom as a whole, especially in matters relating to the question of nationality.

    I'm not sure I am much wiser.
  • Phil
    [CdM] I must re-examine myself. I have never in the past confused the UK with GB. I can't understand why I posted that. Although the time-stamp might explain it :-)
  • Irouléguy
    Phil, CdM] From another angle, I thought CdM's answer was fine, in that the participants in the 1916 rising certainly didn't think of themselves as British.

    At one point Wikipedia suggests that Britain might be used for the island alone, and Great Britain for England, Scotland & Wales (ie including the Isle of Wight, Anglesey and so on), but it doesn't give a source for this, and I'm not sure why anyone except geographers would need such a distinction.

    Anyway, our next is ABSTRACT, containing ANIMAL and VEGETABLE with a small amount of MINERAL.

  • Rosie - Animal human?
  • irach - A balanced diet?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie - Animal human? No
    irach - A balanced diet? *applause* No
  • CdM - Is the answer related to a food item?
  • CdM
    [Phil] But note from my first comment that the Guardian style guide supports your original objection.
  • Dujon - A loaded coffin?
  • Irouléguy
    CdM - Is the answer related to a food item? Yes
    Dujon - A loaded coffin? No
  • irach - A type of sandwich?
  • CdM - A pie of some kind?
  • Rosie - Part of a specialised diet?
  • Irouléguy
    irach] A type of sandwich? No
    CdM] A pie of some kind? Ye-es
    Rosie] Part of a specialised diet? *giggles from the audience* Possibly
  • irach - Shepherd's Pie?
  • Irouléguy
    irach] Shepherd's Pie? No
  • Rosie - A Cornish pasty?
  • Graham III - Named after a person?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie} A Cornish pasty? *applause* No
    Graham III] Named after a person? No
  • Raak - Humble pie?
  • Rosie - Named after a place or area?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] Humble pie? No. The ABSTRACT was probably a mistake - this is edible
    Rosie] Named after a place or area? *applause* Yes
  • irach - Yorkshire pudding?
  • Irouléguy
    irach] Yorkshire pudding? Nay, lad
  • Rosie - Devon cheesecake?
    Bet that's wrong.
  • CdM - Is the place or area in UK?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie] Devon cheesecake? You win the bet
    CdM - Is the place or area in UK? *applause* Yes
  • CdM - Is this an edible item with a metaphorical meaning?
  • Graham III - Is the animal element the meat of the animal?
  • Irouléguy
    CdM] Is this an edible item with a metaphorical meaning? Not really, no (it's not clear where the name comes from, but it's probably not a metaphor).
    Graham III - Is the animal element the meat of the animal? Yes!
  • Bigsmith - Is the animal a pig?
  • CdM - Is the animal named or directly implied (e.g., pork) by the words on the card?
  • Raak - The Dunmow Flitch?
  • Irouléguy
    Bigsmith] Is the animal a pig? Often (though not in all recipes)
    CdM] Is the animal named or directly implied (e.g., pork) by the words on the card? *audience members of a certain age giggle* No
    Raak] The Dunmow Flitch? No
  • Rosie - Scotch egg?
    That's wrong as well.
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie] Scotch egg? No
  • Rosie - Welsh rarebit?
    Thrashing around in the dark.
  • Graham III - Melton Mowbray Pork Pie?
  • Graham III - *hangs his head in shame*
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie - Welsh rarebit? No
    Graham III - Melton Mowbray Pork Pie? No
  • Rosie - Is pastry involved?
  • Bigsmith - Or bread?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie - Is pastry involved? Yes
    Bigsmith - Or bread? No
  • irach - The Fleet Street "Long pork" pies of Sweeney Todd?
  • Rosie - Is it a dessert?
  • Irouléguy
    irach] The Fleet Street "Long pork" pies of Sweeney Todd? No - see Rosie's earlier question about the animal being human.
    Rosie] Is it a dessert? *applause, followed by lengthy discussion* Yes and no (more accurately, no and yes)
  • ImNotJohn - Wakefield Pie?
    (Pork and rhubarb - delicious!)
  • Graham III - Is it sweet?
    as opposed to savoury.
  • Irouléguy
    ImNotJohn - Wakefield Pie? No, I've not come across that - sounds great!
    Graham III - Is it sweet? Partially
    as opposed to savoury? No (ie it's both)
  • CdM - Is this essentially a Cornish pasty by some other name and location?
  • Raak - Sweet and sour eel pasty?
  • Irouléguy
    CdM] Is this essentially a Cornish pasty by some other name and location? Um, no - it has a distinct USP. It might well look like a Cornish pasty, though, and parts of it might well taste like one.
    Raak - Sweet and sour eel pasty? Eww! No
  • Graham III - Shropshire Fidget pie?
  • CdM
    Just to clarify, I always understood the traditional Cornish pasty to contain two separate fillings: one meat-and-potato-based and one fruit-based. Is the USP that you refer to something other than this?
  • CdM
    (A little googling reveals that although this form of the Cornish pasty is mentioned in many places, it is much less of a defining feature than I had thought.)
  • Iroul;éguy
    Graham III - Shropshire Fidget pie? No
    CdM] *applause* Yes, that is the USP. But I took your earlier question to mean a present-day Cornish pasty, which as far as I know is just a savoury.
  • CdM - A Bedfordshire Clanger?
    wikipedia is my friend
  • Irouléguy
    CdM] A Bedfordshire Clanger? YES! Wikipedia is indeed your friend (where do you think I got it from?) One pork and raspberry baton handed over to CdM.
  • Rosie
    Never 'eard of it. Stupid. What's the point?
  • ImNotJohn
    I'm with Rosie on that (though maybe not quite so forcefully). Sometimes you may have to do research to get the answer, but it shouldn't be 'pick one from a list at random'. I think the best answers are ones where, either the majority of players will have heard of it, or you're pleased to have had this thing drawn to your attention.
  • Rosie
    (INJ) Yeah, a bit "forceful" (as usual) but I was annoyed that I'd wasted time and thought with no chance whatever of hitting on the answer. The only Bedfordshire Clanger I can think of is the management of Luton Town FC.
  • CdM
    This is obviously going to be one of those perennial debates here. There is room to disagree about where to draw the lines, but this is an online forum, which does make it different playing AVMA here rather than as a parlour game. I don't think there is any harm in subjects that require a bit of googling. As indeed this next one might for some people; I don't know.

    MINERAL
  • CdM
    (On reflection, this almost certainly has a significant VEGETABLE component as well.)
  • Raak - Is it fossilised?
  • CdM
    Fossilised? No.
  • irach - Used in construction?
  • CdM
    Used in construction? No.
  • Dujon - Is this a natural amalgam of its constituent materials?
  • CdM
    Natural? In the sense in which I presume you mean the term, No.
  • CdM
    Here is a clarification of the category that will hopefully make things nicely more muddled. :-)
    The words on the card refer to something that can be reasonably interpreted relatively narrowly, or a bit more broadly. In both cases we are talking about something primarily mineral, and I can do no more than make educated guesses about the vegetable component. Under the narrow definition, my guess is that the vegetable component is present, but small. Under the broader definition, the vegetable component is surely more prominent, but the mineral component still clearly dominates.
  • CdM
    (To be honest, you will probably make more progress if you ignore the vegetable component.)
  • Rosie - Rossington Colliery Grade 2B Hards?
    Bog standard food for steam locos.
  • CdM
    Diesel substitute? No.
  • flerdle - Is there only one of it?
  • CdM
    Unique? Yes.
  • Kim - Is it fixed in a single location?
  • CdM
    Fixed in a single location? Yes. *a smattering of applause*
  • Bigsmith - Larger than a telephone box?
  • CdM
    Larger than a telephone box? Yes.
  • Software - Is the mineral metalic?
  • CdM
    Metallic? There is some metal involved, but most of the mineral component is not metallic.
  • flerdle - Is it a building?
  • CdM
    A building? Yes. *applause*
  • Kim - Is it in Europe?
  • CdM
    In Europe? Yes.
  • Phil - Is it in the UK?
  • Irouléguy - Is it north of Paris? (oblig)
    Thanks to CdM for his defence, and apologies to those who thought my last was a waste of time - I mostly agree with INJ's criteria and thought it fitted :(
  • Rosie - A public building?
  • CdM
    In the UK? No.
    North of Paris? Yes.
    Public building? No. *animated discussion in the audience, plus applause for the question*
  • Rosie - Does the building house scientific activity?
  • CdM
    Does the building house scientific activity? Yes.
  • flerdle - Was it built before 1900?
  • CdM
    Built before 1900? Yes.
  • Software - Greenwich Observatory?
  • CdM
    Greenwich Observatory? No.
  • Graham III - Is it mostly made of concrete?
  • CdM
    Mostly made of concrete? No.
  • Irouléguy - Was it built before 1800?
  • CdM
    Built before 1800? No.
  • Kim - Is it in a Scandanavian country?
  • irach - Connected with astronomy?
  • CdM
    In a Scandinavian country? No.
    Connected with astronomy? No.
  • flerdle - Is it part of a university?
  • CdM
    Part of a university? No.
  • flerdle - To do with botany?
  • CdM
    Botanical? No.
  • Phil - Is it a museum?
  • Irouléguy - Is it in a Francophone country?
  • Software - Engineering?
  • CdM
    Museum? No.
    In a Francophone country? No.
    Engineering? If you mean, "is it connected to engineering?" then the answer is "only tangentially".
  • irach - Connected with power generation?
  • CdM
    Connected with power generation? No.
  • CdM - The dog that didn't bark
    Before you spend too much time on the current avenue of questioning, you might want to observe that there was a question where the audience was notable for its lack of reaction.
  • Kim - Was it Rosie's question about "scientific activity"?
  • CdM
    Was it Rosie's question? Yes. (The building in question does house scientific activity, but that is not its primary function.)
  • Rosie - Is it in the UK?
  • Phil - Is it a library?
  • Kim - Is it a museum?
  • Projoy - In Germany?
    [Rosie] Not in UK
  • irach - Maritime/ocean connections?
  • CdM
    In the UK? Still No. It is in a fixed location, remember. :-)
    Library? No.
    Museum? Still No.
    In Germany? No.
    Maritime/ocean connection? Yes.*applause*
  • irach - A structure in the ocean rather than on land?
  • CdM
    In the ocean rather than on land? No.
  • Phil - Is it in mainland Europe?
  • Dujon - Would this be an aquarium?
  • flerdle - Is it in Poland?
    Had to get the letter "p" in there somewhere.
  • CdM
    Is it in mainland Europe? No.
    Would this be an aquarium? It would not.
    Is it in Poland? Positively not.
  • Rosie - This is fictional, isn't it?
  • CdM
    Fictional? No. Not at all abstract. Very solidly mineral.
  • Irouléguy - In Ireland?
  • CdM
    In Ireland? No.
  • Software - Cleopatra's Needle?
  • Raak - Is it surrounded by water?
  • flerdle - Is it a lighthouse?
  • Phil - Eddystone lighthouse?
    (as flerdle beat me to my next question by an hour)
  • CdM
    Cleopatra's Needle? No. We've established (twice!) that it's not in the UK
    Surrounded by water? No.
    A lighthouse? Yes! *applause*
    Eddystone Lighthouse? No. (Not in the UK, remember...)
  • flerdle - Is it in a Nordic country?
    Splitting hairs, but...
  • CdM
    In a Nordic country? No.
  • Raak - In a Baltic country?
  • CdM
    In a Baltic country? No.
  • flerdle - Roter Sand lighthouse?
  • CdM
    Roter Sand Lighthouse? No.
  • flerdle - Is it in Iceland?
    Splitting atoms...
  • CdM
    Is it in Iceland? I am amazed it took this long for someone to ask!



    No.
  • Raak - The Low Countries?
  • CdM
    The Low Countries? No.
  • Irouléguy - Is it in Russia?
  • CdM
    In Russia? No.
  • Irouléguy - In which case - was it built in 1818?
  • CdM
    Was it built in 1818? Well, it was partly built in 1818, and partly prior to then, but ... *tumultuous applause*
  • Raak - Does it shine over an inland sea or lake?
  • Irouléguy - Is it actually a double lighthouse?
  • Software - In the Crown Dependencies?
  • Phil - The Casquets Lighthouse?
  • CdM
    Shine over an inland sea? No.
    A double lighthouse? There is a second light, yes. (Just answer it, Irouléguy!)
    In the Crown Dependencies? Yes! *applause, mingled with cries of "What took you so long, Software?!"*
    Casquets? No.
  • flerdle
    *grins*
  • Projoy - Calf of Man, High and Low?
  • CdM
    Calf of Man, High and Low? *applause* but ... No. (Maybe Irg had it wrong as well...)
  • Irouléguy - Is it on or around Guernsey?
    I was wrong - I thought it was Calf of Man too. And I'm probably away from my computer this weekend, which is why I'm avoiding taking the baton.
  • Software - Corbiere lighthouse?
  • CdM
    Corbiere? No.
  • CdM
    Perhaps someone should ask the other pertinent question.
  • Kim - Is it currently in use?
  • CdM
    Currently in use? Yes.
    There is easily enough information now for anybody to get the answer with 15 seconds of googling.
  • flerdle - Is it on the Isle of Man?
    I don't have the time to set one either, but this has been great fun.
  • CdM
    On the Isle of Man? Yes.
  • CdM
    (*The two remaining members of the audience applaud half-heartedly*)
  • Phil - Is it by any chance the Point of Ayre Lighthouse?
    Only because IRG & flerdle, who got to it before me, are too busy.
  • Projoy - Point of Ayre?
    Ha! Simulposted! Just what is the point of Ayre?
  • CdM
    The Point of Ayre Lighthouse, Isle of Man, !UK, is indeed the answer. *hands red and white flashing baton to Phil*
  • Phil
    I think this one will be quite quick, I think: ANIMAL
  • Rosie - Denis Wise?
  • Software - Human?
    As opposed to Rosie's choice.
  • Raak - An individual?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] The Poison Dwarf? NO
    [Software] A human? NO
    [Raak] An individual? YES (with a very, very, very nerdy trace of NO)
  • Rosie - A pet?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] A pet? YES *applause*
  • CdM - Lassie?
  • Phil
    [CdM] Lassie? NO
  • Rosie - Dick Whittington's cat?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] DW's Cat? NO
  • Dujon - Timmy?
  • Phil
    [Dujon] Timmy? NO
  • CdM - Currently alive?
  • Phil
    [CdM] Currently alive? NO
  • irach - Greyfriars Bobby?
  • Projoy - Scooby Dooby Doo?
  • Phil
    [irach] Greyfriars Bobby? NO (View the source to read the hidden text)
    [Projoy] The world's most famous Great Dane? NO
  • Rosie - A fictional character?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] A fictional character? NO *applause for a good question*
  • Rosie - The hamster allegedly consumed by Freddy Starr?
  • CdM - A mammal?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Freddie Starr's Hamster Jam? NO
    [CdM} A mammal? YES
  • irach - Canine?
  • Phil
    [irach] Canine? YES *more applause*
  • Irouléguy - Used to be on television?
  • Software - Rin-Tin-Tin?
  • Kim - Lassie?
  • Phil
    [Irouléguy] Used to be on TV? YES *quite a bit more applause*
    [Software] & [Kim] I hate to be the one to break the news to you, but Rin-Tin-Tin & Lassie are fictional, so that's a NO to both questions. :-)
  • Kim - Petra (original and surreptitious replacement)?
  • CdM - Shep?
    (a logical follow-up question)
  • Phil
    [Kim] Petra? YES! Congrats!
    I only read about the replacement last week, hence the nerdy "not an individual" answer to Raak's question earlier. Now I need some sleep, having worked about 60 hours in the last 4 days.
  • Kim - *Takes the baton in his mouth and buries it in the back garden*
    OK, given the brouhaha over my last attempt to set a poser, I am going to stick this time with a fairly safe ANIMAL
  • Irouléguy - A pair of hands?
  • Kim
    [Irouléguy] Not as such.
  • irach - Human?
  • Kim
    [irach] Human? Yes.
  • Rosie - Living?
  • Kim
    [Rosie] Living? No.
  • irach - Associated with music?
  • Rosie - Male?
  • Dujon - Fingers touching (or nearly so)?
  • ImNotJohn - European?
  • Kim
    [irach] Associated with music? Yes. *Burst of loud applause*
    [Rosie] Male? Yes.
    [Dujon] Fingers touching? Eh? Please clarify.
    [INJ] European? Yes.
  • Irouléguy - A composer?
  • irach - Mozart?
  • Kim
    [Irg] Composer? Yes.
    [irach] Which one?
  • Rosie - Wolfie, for the love of God?
  • Projoy - Leopold Mozart?
  • Phil - Franz Xaver Wolfgang Mozart?
    If all else fails....
  • Amadeus Theophilus Gottleib - aka Kim
    [Rosie, Projoy, Phil] Not Amadeus, Leopold, Franz Xaver, nor (to save anyone else the bother of trawling endlessly through Wiki) Maria Anne, Carl Bleedin' Philip Emmanuel, PDQ or any other Mozart. Sorry...
  • Projoy - What about Irouléguy's suggestion?
  • Projoy
    [Projoy] What about reading before posting?
  • Projoy
    [Projoy] Fair cop.
  • Projoy - A baroque composer?
  • Kim
    [Projoy] Baroque? Technically, no.
  • irach - German?
  • Projoy - Pre-Baroque?
  • Rosie - Handel?
    (Kim) CPE and PDQ weren't Mozarten; they were Bach(whatever the plural is).
  • Kim
    [irach] German? No.
    [Projoy] Pre-baroque? Technically, yes.
    [Rosie] Handel? No (and, yes, I knew that).
  • Projoy - European?
  • Kim
    [Projoy] I refer the Hon. Gent. to the answer I gave ImNotJohn yesterday.
  • Projoy - Born in the C17th
    Oh dear, my basic literacy skills don't seem to be up to much lately.
  • flerdle
    [Projoy] Mine neiver, that's why Im staying well away frm this one.
  • Irouléguy - William Byrd?
  • Kim
    [Projoy] 17th Century? No. That would make him/her Baroque era, I think.
    [IRG] Byrd? No.
  • Projoy - John Dowland?
  • Phil - Italian?
  • Kim
    [Projoy] Dowland? No.
    [Phil] Italian? No.
  • Rosie - Tomas Luis Vittoria?
  • Kim
    [Rosie] TLV? No.
  • irach - British?
  • Rosie - Wrote choral stuff?
  • Kim
    [irach] British? Yes.
    [Rosie] Choral "stuff"? Yes.
    *The audience applauds both questions and anticipates a swift conclusion*
  • Phil - Thomas Tallis?
  • Kim
    [Phil] Yes! Phil beats Rosie to the tape.
    *Hands over baton to Phil and walks off whistling Glen Miller's "In The Dorian Mood"*
  • Phil
    I would like to offer the baton to Irouléguy, or flerdle, who beat me to the lighthouse one, but were unable to spare the time at the time.
  • flerdle - Out of town, out of my mind
    I'll be away for a fortnight so not me, sorry.
  • Phil - As IRG has not shown up, I'll do what could be another quick one...
    ANIMAL or VEGETABLE or MINERAL
  • irach - The word "Thing"?
  • Phil
    [irach] "thing"? NO
  • irach - Fossil?
  • Phil
    [irach] Fossil? NO
  • Dujon - A horn?
  • Phil
    [Dujon] A horn? NO
  • Projoy - Clothing?
  • CdM - Was Dujon asking the right kind of question? That is, is do the word(s) on the card have three separate interpretations/meanings, one animal, one vegatable, and one mineral?
  • Phil
    [Projoy] Clothing? NO
    [CdM] Words on the card have three separate meanings, one of each type? NO - it's more that it's categorisation is undefined, but not abstract.
  • Dujon - Is this a part of a living body (e.g. brain, liver and so on)?
    [CdM] Thanks for your question.
  • Phil
    [Dujon] Part of a living body? YES, but not in the way you meant from your examples.
  • irach - Atoms?
  • Phil
    [irach] Atoms? NO - *Much applause*
  • irach - Molecules?
  • Software - Sub-atomic particles?
  • Irouléguy - Higgs' bosons?
    Phil] Thanks for the offer.
  • Phil
    [irach] Molecules? NO
    [software] Sub-atomic particles? YES *Enthusiastic applause*
    [IRG] Higgs' bosons? NO Expectant oohs and aahs
  • ImNotJohn - Gluons?
  • Phil
    [INJ] Gluons? NO *audience eagerly awaits the right sub-atomic particle*
  • Irouléguy - A quark?
  • irach - How about a less esoteric "proton"?
  • ImNotJohn - Or just the familial 'hadron'?
  • Phil
    [IRG] Three quarks for muster mark? 'Fraid not
    [irach] Proton? Postively incorrect
    [INJ] The humble hadron? YES, by Jiminy!
    *hands over a baton made of, amongst other things, hadrons*
  • Phil
  • ImNotJohn
    Slightly worried about what will happen when the hadrons in my hand collide with those in the baton.
    Ah, we appear to be all right.
    So let's try ABSTRACT with MINERAL connections
  • irach - Rock of Ages?
  • ImNotJohn
    [irach] - aged rock? - NO
    *A few members of the audience exchange significant glances*
  • Phil - A statue that no longer exists?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Phil] - Colossus of Rhodes, etc. - NO
  • irach - A proverb, aphorism or saying?
  • ImNotJohn
    [irach] - well-known phrase or saying? - NO
  • Raak - Between a rock and a hard place?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] - well-known phrase or saying about rocks and hard places? - NO
  • irach - Title of a literary or theatrical work?
  • Dujon - A site or construction of 'cultural significance'?
  • ImNotJohn - A flying start
    [irach] - Title of a literary or theatrical work? - YES *Applause*
    [Dujon] - building site? - NO
  • CdM - Written in the 20th century?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] - C20 - NO
  • Phil - Title of a book?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Phil]- Book title? - NO
  • Kim - Play?
  • ImNotJohn - This may not take long
    [Kim] - Play? - NO
  • irach - Opera?
  • Kim - Poem?
  • irach - Film title?
  • Phil - The jukebox musical "We Will Rock You" ?
  • Raak - Are mines involved?
  • ImNotJohn - Sorry - called away
    [irach] - opera - NO
    [Kim] - Poem - YES *Applause*
    [Phil] - never heard of it, so - NO
    [Raak] - the pits - NO
  • ImNotJohn
    [irach] - not a film either
  • irach - "Composed upon Westminster Bridge" by Wordsworth?
  • Rosie - Does the mineral connection occur in the title?
  • Phil - Does something to do with rock or stone appear in the title?
  • Dujon - Would this have a relationship to a peacock?
  • ImNotJohn - Just a matter of time
    [irach] - The commuters' poem - NO
    [Rosie] - Mineral connection in title - YES
    [Phil] - Rock or Stone in title - NO *a few audience murmurs*
    [Dujon] - Peacockery - Not to my knowledge
  • Kim - Is there a religious connection?
  • CdM - Does the mineral connection refer to something real (for example "Under Ben Bulben", rather than "The green eye of the little yellow god")?
  • irach - Is the mineral component water as in "Sea Fever"
  • Projoy - Written in C19th?
  • Kim - Does it have anything to do with Hay Fever?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Kim] - religious connection? - Best answer is NO
    CdM - is the mineral real? - Very tricky. I could argue for NO, given the examples you cite, but actually the real answer is 'I don't know (and AFAIK neither does anyone else), but I would guess it was YES'
    [irach] - watery - NO
    [Projoy] C19 - YES
    [Kim] - hay fevery? - NO where did that come from?
  • Projoy - Keats?
  • irach - Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem , "The Holy Grail"
  • CdM - Ode on a Grecian Urn?
    (shamelessly climbing on Projoy's shoulders)
  • Phil
    *I can't stop myself* - [CdM] What's a Grecian Urn?
  • ImNotJohn - Truth is beauty
    [CdM] Im sure it is not all ye know on earth, but it is all ye need to know to win this round.
    Ode on a Grecian Urn it is.
    ([Phil] Neither can I) - About 10 drachmas a day
    One baton passed on, despite the best efforts of Merlina Mercouri.
  • CdM
    VEGETABLE with ANIMAL CONNECTIONS
  • Phil - Bird Seed?
  • CdM
    Bird seed? No.
  • Raak - Welsh rabbit?
  • Kim - Is the animal connection part of the name or descriptor of the vegetable?
    [INJ] I thought it might be Gray's Allergy.
  • CdM
    Welsh rabbit? No.
    Animal connection part of name or descriptor of vegetable? Yes. *applause*
  • ImNotJohn - horse chestnut?
    [Kim] That's dreadful!
  • CdM
    She stoops to conker? No.
  • Phil - Is the animal a mammal?
  • CdM
    Mammal? Yes.
  • Software - Swede?
  • Rosie - Is the vegetable a fruit?
  • CdM
    Swede? No.
    Fruit? No.
  • Chalky - Edible?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it processed?
  • Kim - Is the vegetable a grass?
  • CdM
    Edible? Yes.
    Processed? No.
    A grass? No.
  • Kim - Is the vegetable a vegetable?
  • ImNotJohn - Is tha answer just the name of the vegetable?
  • irach - is the animal human?
  • Phil - King Edwards?
  • CdM
    Answer just the name of the vegetable? Yes.
    Is the animal human? Yes.
    King Edwards? King Edward's what? Oh, sorry, No.
  • irach - Broccoli?
  • CdM
    Is the vegetable a vegetable? No. (Sorry, I missed that earlier.)
    Broccoli? No.
  • Phil - Is the vegetable a berry?
  • Néa - Is the vegetable a flower?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the vegetable a seed or grain?
    Any other options?
  • CdM
    Berry? No.
    Flower? Yes. *applause*
    Seed or grain? No. But there is a connection. *brief puzzled pause, followed by audience laughter*
  • ImNotJohn - A specific named varietal?
    Not sure of my technical terms here - I mean are we looking for something like 'Rosa Alan Titchmarsh' rather than 'a tea rose'?
  • Projoy - Dog Rose?
  • irach - Queen Anne's Lace?
  • CdM
    A specific named varietal? Yes. *applause* (But it isn't Rosa Titchmarsh, whoever she may be.)
    Dog rose? No.
    Purple clover, Queen Anne's Lace? No.
  • Software - Female personna?
  • Kim - Is the animal a specific, named individual?
  • CdM
    Female? Yes.
    Specific named individual? Yes.
  • Projoy - Is it a rose?
  • CdM
    Rose? No.
  • irach - Is it a cultivar (as opposed to a wildflower)?
  • CdM
    Cultivar? Yes.
  • Néa - Flowering herb?
  • Software - A rose?
  • Kim - A bulb flower?
  • CdM
    Flowerin' 'erb? No.
    Rose? Still no.
    Bulb flower? No.
  • Kim - It is a flower whose type is often to be found in an English garden?
  • Software - Nelly Moser?
  • CdM
    In an English country garden? No.
    Nelly Moser? No.
  • irach - A female name?
  • CdM
    Female name? Still yes.
  • irach - Oops.. I. meant a female royal name?
  • CdM
    Royal name? *brief pause for thought* Er, no. *audience laughter*
  • Néa - It is a flower whose type is often to be found on an English window-sill?
    That is, would it be potted rather than growing in a flower-bed.
  • CdM
    In an English country windowsill? No.
  • Kim - Is the female person's name integral to the name of the flower (eg, "Violet") as opposed to a variety of flower named after a specific individual?
  • CdM
    Integral Name? No. INJ's Rosa Alan Titchmarsh is the exact form you are looking for: <flower><first name><last name>.
  • irach - A tropical variety ?
  • Néa - Camellia Hari Withers?
  • CdM
    Tropical? Largely topical, yes. *applause*
    Parker-Bowles-Googie-Withers? No.
  • irach - An aquatic plant?
  • CdM
    Aquatic? No.
  • CdM
    Er, in answer to irach's previous question, it is largely tropical. It is not particularly topical.
  • Dujon - Native to the S.E. of the U.S.of A.?
  • CdM
    Native to SEUSA? No. Which, um, you might have deduced from the fact that the SEUSA is not tropical...
  • ImNotJohn - Native to SE Asia?
  • Phil - Does it grow higher than a telephone box?
  • CdM
    Native to SE Asia? Yes. (I could give a rather more detailed and pedantic answer, but I think Yes is the most helpful.)
    Higher than a phone box? No.
  • irach - A fragrant flower?
  • CdM
    Fragrant? Hmmm... In general these flowers are often fragrant but I don't know for sure about this particular varietal.
  • ImNotJohn - In the orchid family?
  • irach - An oleander variety?
  • CdM
    In the orchid family? Yes. *applause*
    oleander? No.
  • Phil - Masdevallia Celine Dion?
  • CdM
    MCd? No.
  • Phil - Is the female person alive?
    As this could take a long time...
  • ImNotJohn - Vanda Miss Joaquim?
  • Software - Orchid Cyd (Charrisse) ?
  • CdM
    Living? Yes.
    Vanda Miss Joaquim? No, but *significant applause*
    Orcyd? No.
  • Phil - Vanda Annette Jones?
  • CdM
    Vanda Annette Jones? No. *significant silence*
  • ImNotJohn - Is it a 'National Flower'?
  • CdM
    National flower? No. At least, that's not a description I would use... *laughter*
  • CdM
    (I like this audience. It laughs at my jokes.)
  • CdM
    (Perhaps the 'significant applause' to Miss Joaquim was too strong. Think of it more as applause that recognized a connection to the answer.)
  • ImNotJohn
    N.B. We knew she was a national treasure, but it turns out that Linnea Borealis is also Sweden's national flower
  • Graham III - Is it in the sub-family Apostasioideae?
  • CdM
    Apostosio ... Apostasioioi ... Apastasio ... what he said? No.
  • ImNotJohn - Dendrobium Imelda Marcos?
    Must be a slipper orchid.
  • CdM
    Dendrobium Imelda Marcos? No. *the audience greets INJ's joke with stony silence*

    However, then *the audience applauds excitedly*. "Dendrobium" is indeed the first word on the card. And "Imelda Marcos"? No, but ... so very, very close. *guffaws of laughter from the audience*.
  • Néa
    I hate to have to say this, but [INJ], your sources have deceived you - the twinflower is the province flower of one of Sweden's provinces, it's not a national flower. (Sweden doesn't have one.) It's quite pretty though :-)
  • Kim - Aranthera Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo?
    Please ignore my earlier question. I cross-posted.
  • Phil - Dendrobium victoriae-reginae?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the named person connected with politics?
    [Phil] Good grief, is she still alive?
    [Néa] Sadly, you're right (of course), but it does appear as a factoid in quite a few places.
  • Phil
    D'oh!
  • Phil - Does the first letter of the second word come in the second half of the alphabet?
  • CdM
    AGMA? No.
    DVR? No.
    Connected with politics? Yes. *applause*,
    First letter of second word in third half of the alphabet? No (nor in the second half).
  • ImNotJohn - Was it initially hybridised in Singapore?
  • CdM
    Hybridised in Singapore? Yes. *applause*
  • ImNotJohn
    Well, I've got 2 that match all the criteria (though there are probably more, since it seems to be the norm that important visitors are given a tour of the Orchid Gardens and then have the latest cultivar named after them). However, etiquette demands that someone else gets a go first....
  • CdM
    [INJ] I don't know -- I think you asked the vast majority of the key questions in this round (identifying it as a specific named varietal, native to SE Asia, and as an orchid, for example), so I doubt if anyone would begrudge you victory. I'm surprised you found more than one, given all the audience reactions, although I haven't checked the list myself.
  • Kim
    [CdM] I agree. I think that INJ should deliver the cut of grass and take the baton. I was persuaded by the audience reaction and your response to INJ's "Imelda Marcos" suggestion that the connection was the Phillipines.
  • CdM
    Philippines? No. Don't listen to the audience; they are purposely being obscurantist.
  • ImNotJohn - Let's try Den. Kaneko Ikeda?
    Thank goodness that it wasn't in the 2nd half of the alphabet, or I'd have been forced to try den. Margaret Thatcher!
    If this is wrong then it's definitely someone else's turn
  • ImNotJohn - And then again.....
    Ah, I've just realised that you could take the 'second word' question 2 ways - I was thinking about the second word of the name, not the second word on the card. If I have misapprehended, then please amend my answer as appropriate - especially as St Margaret is a 'better' answer.
  • CdM
    Den. Margaret Thatcher it is! A delicate flower if ever there was one (and, yes, I puzzled over the meaning of "second word" too). *hands hybridized baton to INJ*
  • Phil
    *ponders the matter of how confusing the term "second word" can be, given that one had just been informed of the correctness of the first word* The list of 1900 dendrobia did not include that one :-(
  • CdM
    [Phil] Nothing wrong with your question, and I answered it correctly -- but I did have the same initial reaction as INJ. I think that, mentally, the first word was out of the way, and we were now concentrating on a two-word name, so it was easy to think of the second word in that delimited context.
  • CdM
    (Or, possibly, it's some kind of genetic defect.)
  • ImNotJohn
    I put it down to dipping in and out very quickly.
    The next one is MINERAL with ANIMAL connections
  • CdM - The Old Man of Hoy?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] - A Hoy there? - NO
  • ImNotJohn
    I'm pretty much in wall-to-wall meetings today, so may not get back to this until later. So here's a few answers in advance:
    - NO
    - Partly
    Damn, I didn't think you'd ask that - YES
  • Kim
    [INJ] Are you a carpet fitter by trade?
  • Phil - Is the animal human?
    [INJ] Is dipping in and out a genetic defect too? *grins*
  • Software - Mineral metallic?
  • Kim - Is it pig iron?
  • ImNotJohn - OK here we go
    [Kim] - Carpet Fitter? - NO ;-)
    [Phil] - Human? - NO (anticipated as first question)
    [Software] - Metal? - NO (wrong question)
    [Kim] - Rock Island Line cargo? - NO (you were obviously put off by Software getting it wrong)
  • Néa - Is the animal a bird?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Néa] - a bird? - NO
  • irach - Is the animal a mammal?
  • Phil - Rock lobster?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Irach] - a mammal? - YES
    [Phil] - Rocky Lobster Show - NO
  • irach - A farm animal?
  • Dujon - Is the subject a representation of said mammal?
  • ImNotJohn
    [irach] - cowsheepchickenllama? - NO
    [Dujon] - a representation? - NO (but *some applause*)
  • irach - Tiger-eye (the gemstone)?
  • Rosie - A natural feature?
  • CdM - Does it begin with P?
  • ImNotJohn
    [irach] - Eye of the tiger? - NO
    [Rosie] - Natural? - NO
    [CdM] - P-led? - Damn, I didn't think you'd ask that - YES
  • irach - Is it the animal component that begins with the letter "P"?
  • ImNotJohn
    [irach] - Panimals? - NO
  • Tuj - Unique?
    [INJ] Is that because you thought I'd ask that, not CdM?
  • irach - The "Pink Panther" gem of Clouseau infamy?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Tuj] -Unique - YES (No, just because it hadn't been asked so much recently)
    [irach] - La Panthère Rose? - NO
  • Tuj - Smaller than a toaster?
    [INJ] Ah. Well, I've not spent much time MCing lately =)
  • ImNotJohn
    [Tuj] < Toaster - NO
  • Dujon - Would this be a fossil?
  • CdM - A work of art?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Dujon] - Fossil? - NO
    [CdM] - Work of art? - NO is probably the most useful answer, though there will be dissenting voices
  • CdM - A work of architecture?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] - The Built Environment? - YES (I couldn't have made that much more obvious, could I?)
    Oh, and *audience applause*
  • Irouléguy - Is the animal feline?
  • ImNotJohn - Spooky
    [Iroul] - with cat-like tread? - YES *considerable applause*
  • Phil - Is it a building with a feline link in the name?
    Just to confirm
  • ImNotJohn
    [Phil] - Is it a building with a feline link in the name? - it is a work of architecture with a feline link in its name
  • Kim - Is the work of architecture in the USA?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Kim] - In USA? - NO
  • Graham III - Is it zoomorphic?
  • Rosie - Is the "cat" actually a puddy tat as opposed to, say, a lion?
  • Phil - A lion in Trafalgar Square
    A few weeks ago, only one team out of eight in my pub quiz got the correct answer to "How many stone lions are there in Trafalgar Square?" (View the source to read the hidden text)
  • ImNotJohn
    [GIII] - zoomorphic - NO
    [Rosie] - Minimog? - NO *applause*
    [Phil] - I knew the answer to that question, therefore I refer you to my answer to Software (OK then, - NO - to save you looking)
  • Irouléguy - Sports connected?
  • Kim - Arts connected?
  • Rosie - Is the work of architecture in England?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Iroul] - Sporty? - NO
    [Kim] - Arty? - NO
    [Rosie] - Anglo-Saxony? - NO
  • Software - The Pantheon
  • ImNotJohn
    [Software] - Pantheon? - NO
  • Phil - Is it in Asia?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Phil] - In Asia? - NO *audience remains interested*
    BTW - as a clarification - the words on the card do begin with a 'P'. However, I would accept an answer that doesn't. Is that confusing enough?
  • Phil - In Australasia?
  • Kim - Is it a club?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Phil] - OZ? - NO
    [Kim] - clubbable? - NO
  • Irouléguy - Is it on an island?
    ie as opposed to a continent
  • ImNotJohn
    [Iroul] - On an island? - NO
    Don't read too much into the audience reaction - it would be helpful to find out where this is, but that's not the only line of approach.
  • Rosie - In Europe?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] - In Europe? - YES
  • Kim - In Spain?
  • ImNotJohn - Homing in
    [Kim] In Spain - YES *audience applauds eagerly*
  • irach - "El Gato de Botero" en Barcelona?
  • ImNotJohn
    [irach] - Puss in Boots? - NO
  • Néa - Is it Moorish architecture?
  • Phil - Does the P stand for "Plaza"?
  • ImNotJohn - Worth waiting for
    [Néa] Moorish? - YES *loud applause*
    [Phil] - P-laza? - NO
  • CdM - Patio de los Leones?
  • ImNotJohn - It's the CdM and INJ show
    [CdM] Claro que si
    It is the Patio de los Leones, or Lion Courtyard, in the Alhambra in Granada.
    *hands an exquisitely carved baton to CdM*
  • CdM
    That was dangerously close to a lurker's victory. This next is I think best described as
    ANIMAL
    though some might make a case for ABSTRACT with ANIMAL connections.
  • irach - A lion's share?
  • CdM
    Lion's share? No. (For the record, that is much more definitely abstract than what is on the card.)
  • Irouléguy - An animal product?
  • Phil - A breed of animal?
  • Software - An expression?
  • CdM
    Animal product? No (at least not in the sense that I presume you mean).
    Breed of animal? No.
    An expression? No. *some muttering and discussion in the audience, however*
  • Phil - The title of a work of art/literature/other stuff like that?
  • Kim - Is it something that is made from Animal?
  • ImNotJohn - A collective term?
  • CdM
    Entitlement? No.
    Made from animal? No.
    Collective term? *audience goes "oooooh"* Yes, sort of. Or possibly No, not exactly.
  • Irouléguy - Is the animal a particular species?
  • irach - Is the animal human?
  • CdM
    A particular species? No.
    Human? I've been waiting for this question, yet I'm still not quite sure how to answer it. In a more narrow and literal sense, the best answer is probably No, but in a broader and/or figurative sense the answer is Yes, in some cases.
  • Dujon - Does this relate to intelligence?
  • CdM
    Related to intelligence? No. (There might sometimes be a connection with the figurative sense of the words on the card, but I think No is the best answer.)
  • Software - Herd instinct?
  • CdM
    Herd instinct? *a moment of surprised silence, followed by loud applause* No.
  • Chalky - Does the answer on the card describe a type of behaviour?
  • CdM
    A type of behavior? Yes (for a reasonably broad definition of behavior).
  • Rosie - Is the behaviour aggressive?
  • Software - Herd mentality?
  • Projoy - A swarm?
  • Kim - Migration?
    It being that time of year.
  • CdM
    Aggressive? Not aggressive as such, but still *a smattering of applause*
    Herd mentality? No.
    A swarm? No, but * applause*
    Migration? No, but *a little applause*
  • Rosie - A stampede?
  • CdM
    A stampede is correct! *throws the baton in Rosie's direction and runs out of the way as quickly as possible*
  • Rosie
    (CdM) Fear not. Now, where's Mandelson?

    This next one is A N I M A L.

  • irach - Non-human?
  • Rosie
    Non-human? No.
  • ImNotJohn - Alive?
  • CdM - A specific, named individual?
  • Rosie
    A specific named individual? - No. *mild audience amusement*
    Alive? - Some are, some aren't.
  • Phil - A race?
  • nights - A nationality?
  • Irouléguy - Holders of a particular office?
  • Rosie
    (Phil) Not a race. A race apart, some would say.
    (nights) Not a nationality.
    (Irouléguy) Not a holder of a particular office.

    The words on the card are singular, preceded by the indefinite article.

  • Kim - A Corporation Sole?
  • Rosie
    (Kim) Er, wossat then? I don't think it's the answer.
  • Irouléguy - The rich?
    ...being different from the rest of us.
  • Software - A spin-doctor?
  • ImNotJohn - A pejorative description applied to a group?
  • Graham III - A royal family?
  • Rosie
    (Irouléguy) No, not the rich.
    (Softers) Spinner/Spinster? No, but *some audience murmurs of appreciation.*
    (INJ) Not pejorative, but a group, yes.
    (Graham III) Not the royals. *some mild audience laughter.*
  • Phil - The Government
  • Kim - A Governmental or political post or office?
    A Corporation Sole is an entity in law comprising, at all times and from time to time, a single individual. It enables property to vest in the entity without having to be transferred each time the individual changes. Its helpful, for example, in ecclesiastical matters, where the property (churches, land, etc) subsisting in a particular diocese (eg, Chelmsford) vests in the Corporation Sole (eg, "The Diocesan Bishop of Chelmsford") rather than the particular individual who happens to hold that post at that moment (currently, The Rt Revd John Gladwin). Hope that helps.
  • Rosie
    (Phil) Not the government.
    (Kim) Not a political office. Not an office at all, really.
  • Dujon - Is this an occupation (e.g. Soldier, Sailor, Candlestick maker)?
  • CdM - Is one of the words on the card a collective noun?
  • Irouléguy - Is this specific to a particular culture or country?
  • Software - To do with the written word?
  • Bigsmith - Is it related to a game or pastime?
  • Raak - Related to the military?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) An occupation - YES
    (CdM) Any collective nouns? NO.
    (Irouléguy) Particular country or culture? No, but certainly more prevalent in some cultures.
    (Softers) Written word? YES. *vigorous audience applause*
    (Bigsmith) Game or pastime-related. Can be, but certainly not necessarily. *some scattered hesitant applause*
    (Raak) Militarily related? NO.
  • Rosie - Second thoughts
    The audience could possibly have made a bit more of Bigsmith's question.
  • ImNotJohn - Connected with education?
  • Chalky - Are there TWO words on the card in addition to the indefinite article?
  • Rosie
    (INJ) Connected with education? NO.
    (Chalky) Two words plus indefinite article? YES.
  • Chalky - Do either of the two words begin with P? :-)
  • Phil - A sci-fi writer?
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) Pinitial? - Psorry but NO.
    (Phil) NO, not sci-fi.
  • irach - A Poet Laureate?
  • Rosie
    (irach) The poet Laurie ate? NO. *cruel audience laughter*
  • Chalky - A Weather Forecaster?
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) Not a forecaster. (See Softers' last question).
  • Dujon - Are puzzles involved?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) Puzzles? NO.
  • ImNotJohn - related to journalism?
  • Software - A critic?
  • Rosie
    (INJ) Related to journalism? Strictly speaking no, but there is frequently a connection. *audience applause*
    (Softers) Not a critic.
  • Phil - An author?
  • Kim - Related to the law?
  • irach - A Movie (or Theatre) critic?
  • Rosie
    (Phil) Author? A case could be made out for YES. *applause*
    (Kim) Not law-related.
    (irach) Not any kind of critic. (see Softers' last question).
  • Software - A sports writer?
  • irach - A ghost writer?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) Could be, but not the words on the card.
    (irach)_ A GHOST WRITER it is. Well done, as long as it's your own words. :-). Over to you; make it easy.
  • irach
    Okay, this one is ABSTRACT WITH MINERAL CONNECTIONS
  • Rosie - Coal mining?
  • irach
    [Rosie] Not coal mining.
  • Software - A human concept?
  • Irouléguy - Neil Young's 'After the goldrush'?
  • Bigsmith - Between a rock and a hard place?
  • irach
    [Software] Not as such.
    [Irouleguy] No. [Bigsmith] No. (Smattering of audience attention)
  • Kim - Visible in nature?
  • irach
    [Kim] Figuratively, yes....
  • Tuj - Ahem...
    Begins with a P?
  • Graham III - Is it a saying?
  • irach
    [Tuj] Ahem...Ahem... No.
    [Graham III] Yes, a saying of sorts.
  • Rosie - Does it involve a natural feature?
  • irach
    {Rosie] Not so much a natural feature as a natural object.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the mineral rock?
  • Software - A gold mine?
  • Kim - Are precious metals involved?
  • irach
    [ImNotJohn] The mineral component is composed of rock, but not the word "rock" per se.
    [Software] Not a gold mine.
    [Kim] No precious metal.
  • Software - A stone's throw?
  • irach
    [Software] You got it! Close enough and yes, cigar."Just a Stone's Throw Away" were the exact words on the card.
  • Linesperson
  • Tuj - P
    This round begins with a "P".
  • Phil
    Perfect :)
  • CdM
    Looks to me like it began with a T.
  • Tuj
    [CdM] Hmm, I think you're right. Maybe we should wait 'til it's penelope's turn to set one.
  • startingagain
  • Software - Who? Me?
    Well I never! I actually guessed it!!

    Mmmm, bu**er! That means I'll have to think of something.

    I know!

    ABSTRACT with ANIMAL, MINERAL and VEGETABLE connections.

  • Kim - Anarcho-Syndicalist Recipe for Pot-roast?
    One day, mark my words....!
  • Raak - Does it appear in the works of Douglas Adams?
  • Tuj - A television series?
  • Graham III - Does it start with a B?
    [Tuj] ;-Q
  • Software
    Raak - No, but could easily have done so :o).
    Tuj - No.
    G III - B? No.
  • irach - "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe"?
  • Tuj - Is it unique?
    [GIII] Well, what face are you pulling there?
  • Rosie - A human construct?
  • Irouléguy - An imaginary planet from a science-fiction novel?
    Tuj] I think it's 'tongue-in-cheek'.
  • Software
    irach: Nope.
    Tuj: Well, yes and no. * audience mutters *
    Rosie: Yes, absolutely.
    Iro: No.
  • Kim - Is the answer the title of an artistic work?
    I'm assuming that Anarcho-syndicalist watsit was off the mark....
  • Rosie - Anything to do with the current banking crisis?
  • Software
    Kim: - That's a matter of opinion, but the least misleading answer is No.
    Rosie: - Yes.
  • Graham III - Is it a collaterised debt obligation?
  • Raak - A sub-prime mortgage?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it a financial vehicle?
  • Soft
    G III: - A what? er No.
    Raak: - No. * audience mutters *
    IMJ: - Not a financial vehicle.
  • CdM - Is the vegetable connection paper?
  • Rosie - A set of rules or protocols?
  • Software
    CdM: - Yes
    Rosie: - No.
  • Raak - A legal document?
  • Tuj - Is the word "money" in the answer?
  • Graham III - Frozen pig belly futures?
    Don't believe me?
  • Graham III
    Hmm, case of the disappearing web reference. Try Here
  • irach - Dow Jones' Industrial Average
  • Phil - The Financial Times?
  • Software
    Raak: - Not a free lunch for a lawyer, No.
    Tuj: - Not as such, No.* audience stirs *
    G III: - Interesting, but No.
    irach: - No. * audience nervous laughter *
    Phil: - No.
  • CdM - Monetary policy?
  • Irouléguy - Is a particular currency part of the answer?
  • Raak - The RPI?
  • Graham III - Was it originally 3 pages long?
  • Software
    CdM: - No.
    Irouléguy: - No.
    Raak: - No.
    G III: - No.
  • Rosie - Payment in cash?
  • CdM - Was it something that the typical player of this game was likely to have given much thought to a month or more ago?
  • Software
    Rosie: - No. * audience chuckles *
    CdM: - It's probably something that has been on many a morniverser's mind, so Yes.
  • irach - "The stock market"?
  • Raak - Anything to do with pensions?
  • Tuj - Is the answer an abbreviation?
  • Kim - Anything to do with mortgages?
    Is Tuj an abbreviation?
  • Chalky - Any chance that you might answer the questions by indicating which question you are referring to?
  • Irouléguy - The credit crunch?
  • CdM - Do the paper and mineral connections refer to money?
  • Software
    irach: - No. * audience mutters *
    Tuj: - No.
    Kim: - Yes. * a few claps from the audience *
    Chalky: - I didn't think there was any ambiguity.
    Irouléguy: - Spot on! YES. Over to you!
    CdM: - Close, but no cigar.
  • Irouléguy
    *steeples fingers* Ex-cellent! Smithers, throw another pauper on the fire.

    OK, our next is ANIMAL or VEGETABLE or MINERAL, or possibly a combination thereof.
  • irach - McDonald's Meal?
  • Tuj - Michael Jackson?
  • Irouléguy
    irach] McDonald's Meal? No
    Tuj] Michael Jackson? Nice one - but no
  • Software - Human animal?
  • Rosie - Is this one thing in three or more different versions?
  • Tuj - Is it always the same size/shape?
  • Irouléguy
    Software - Human animal? No
    Rosie - Is this one thing in three or more different versions? *murmurs of approval from the audience* Yes, though the versions part is a bit of a red herring.
    Tuj - Is it always the same size/shape? *hum of discussion in the audience* Size, no; shape - umm, sort of.
  • irach - Glue or Adhesive? It can be derived from animal, vegetable or mineral.
  • Dujon - Would this be a carving?
    I do not mean the head of the house at Sunday dinner.
  • CdM - Manufactured?
    [Software] I think you may have misread my extremely awkwardly worded penultimate question in your round, but no matter. :-)
  • CdM
    (or maybe not, I suppose -- I think that there was more credit crunch talk in the UK than in many other places following the Northern Rock failure...)
  • Irouléguy
    # irach] Glue or Adhesive? It can be derived from animal, vegetable or mineral. *applause* No, though glue or another adhesive could well be involved.
    Dujon - Would this be a carving? No
    CdM] Manufactured? Yes (though not necessarily machine-made)
    CdM] I think you're right the second time - my guess was a response to yours and Rosie's questions together, so Softers' answer worked.
  • Rosie - Can one make one of these things oneself?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie] Can one make one of these things oneself? *applause* Yes
  • Tuj - Is it a one-word answer?
  • Irouléguy
    Tuj] Is it a one-word answer? One word plus an indefinite article
  • CdM - Have you made one of these things?
  • Rosie - Is it decorative rather than functional?
  • Irouléguy
    CdM] Have you made one of these things? Yes, though not very well.
    Rosie - Is it decorative rather than functional? No - the other way round.

    Hint - sometimes it's plural rather than singular.
  • Software - Is the animal connection in the form of a material, like leather?
  • Kim - Is it an item of clothing?
  • Irouléguy
    Software - Is the animal connection in the form of a material, like leather? * loud applause* Yes
    Kim - Is it an item of clothing? *muted applause* No
  • Kim - Is it an item of footwear?
  • irach - A bag or similar functional container?
  • Irouléguy
    Kim - Is it an item of footwear? No
    irach - A bag or similar functional container? No
  • irach - A belt?
  • Rosie - Is the animal material actually leather?
  • Irouléguy
    irach - A belt? Yes
    Rosie - Is the animal material actually leather? It could be, but not necessarily.
  • Graham III - An item of national dress?
  • Irouléguy
    Graham III - An item of national dress? No
  • irach - Suspenders?
  • Irouléguy
    irach - Suspenders? No
  • Dujon - Is this an article into which an object (or objects) are inserted?
    I am thinking here about tool belts, bandoliers, holsters and their ilk.
  • Irouléguy
    Dujon] Is this an article into which an object (or objects) are inserted?
    Interesting guess, but no. Some of those things might have one (or more) of these, though.

    Hint the second - it's not any type of undergarment.
  • Software - A watch strap?
  • ImNotJohn - Would it normally be worn by a person?
    (Rather than an animal)
  • Irouléguy
    Software - A watch strap? No
    ImNotJohn - Would it normally be worn by a person? Person rather than an animal, yes - but it's not 'worn' as such.
  • Graham III - Is it associated with a particular profession?
  • Irouléguy
    Graham III] Is it associated with a particular profession? No
  • CdM - A buckle or similar fastener?
  • Rosie - Garters?
  • Software - A dog tag?
  • irach - Fanny Pack? Bum Bag?
  • Irouléguy
    CdM] A buckle or similar fastener? *some applause* No
    Rosie] Garters? No
    Software] A dog tag? No
    irach] Fanny Pack? Bum Bag? Nono
  • Rosie - A safety harness?
  • irach - A seat belt?
  • Irouléguy
    Rosie - A safety harness? An interesting guess, but no
    irach - A seat belt? Hardly
  • Phil - A bandolier?
  • Graham III - A noose?
  • CdM - Is its primary function to attach something to some other thing (for a broad definition of thing)?
  • CdM - Also, does it begin with P?
  • Irouléguy
    Phil]A bandolier? Er, no
    Graham III - A noose? My word, no
    CdM - Is its primary function to attach something to some other thing (for a broad definition of thing)? *applause* Attaching - yes, sort of. Something to something else - no.
    CdM - Also, does it begin with P? No (though it was Tuj who gave me the idea).
  • irach - Dog leash?
  • Software - A knee pad?
  • Irouléguy
    irach] Dog leash? No
    Software] A knee pad? No

    As CdM is wont to say, examine your assumptions. There's one assumption in particular that is leading people in the wrong direction.
  • Graham III - A pair of hand cuffs?
  • Raak - Or any other sort of bondage equipment?
  • Tuj - Is it usually part of a larger item?
    Oh dear.
  • irach - A Conveyer belt?
  • Irouléguy
    Graham III] A pair of hand cuffs? No (vegetable hand-cuffs?)
    Raak - Or any other sort of bondage equipment? No, perfectly SFW
    Tuj - Is it usually part of a larger item? *applause* Yes, always
    irach - A Conveyer belt? No
  • Graham III - A collar?
    they could be made of string? Not necessarily good hand-cuffs, but hand-cuffs all the same.
  • Irouléguy
    Graham III - A collar? No
    Hand-cuffs] Touché

  • Graham III - A dressing gown cord?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it elastic?
  • CdM - When you made this thing, did you also make the larger item?
  • CdM
    I think it is INJ who is wont to want you to examine your assumptions.
  • Irouléguy
    Graham III] A dressing gown cord? No
    ImNotJohn] Is it elastic? No (hypothetically, I suppose it could be)
    CdM - When you made this thing, did you also make the larger item? *murmurs of 'Good question' from the audience* No. If you made the larger item, you would also make this (or these) in the process, but people will also make (or remake) this (or these) having bought (or otherwise acquired) the larger item.

    Apologies for any false attribution - it's good advice, whoever said it.
  • Graham III - Is it decorative?
  • Irouléguy
    Graham III - Is it decorative? It can be, but it's primarily functional.
  • irach - A saddle?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it used to carry something?
    OK – let’s try to see what we know:
    It is a belt but it is not worn as such and is not an item of clothing. It is a part of a larger whole, but can be made separately (a replaceable part?) It may be made of A, V or M and is always ‘sort of’ the same shape although the size can vary. If Animal this could be leather. Manufactured although not necessarily by machine. Irg has made one. It is functional rather than decorative. It has some 'sort of' connection with 'attaching' but not of one thing to another (still slightly confused by that). The answer is one word plus the indefinite article, but this could exist in the plural. It is not normally elastic (although that is not impossible). It does not normally contain or hold other things (bandolier, tool belt)
    It is not: a buckle or fastener (applause), garters, dog tag or leash, safety harness, seat belt, handcuffs or other bondage gear, a conveyor belt or a number of other things excluded by the things we know.
  • Raak - Is it a drive belt?
  • Irouléguy
    Raak] Is it a drive-belt? YES! (Specifically a fanbelt, but that's good enough).Apologies for the 'connecting one thing to another' answer, which I think was wrong now - I was trying to get at the idea of it being internal. And the answer to Dujon's tool-belts question was misleading, as I didn't read it properly. Not one of my better ones. One baton improvised from tights handed over to Raak.
  • Raak
    That was unexpected. Hmm... MINERAL and ANIMAL, with ABSTRACT connections.
  • Graham III - Is it manmade?
  • Graham III
    By the by, the answer "Would it normally be worn by a person? Person rather than an animal, yes - but it's not 'worn' as such." rather threw me. Did you mean "NO"?
  • Raak
    [G III] Man-made? Something man-made is involved.
  • Software - Is the mineral metal?
  • Graham III - But is it art?
  • Raak
    [Software] Partly metal.
    [G III] Not art.
  • irach - Is the animal portion canine?
  • Rosie - An everyday object?
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
    [Irouléguy] Can I ask about the "it was Tuj who gave me the idea"?
  • Raak
    [irach] Not canine.
    [Rosie] Not an everyday object. Not in the sense you mean, that is. *laughter*
    [Tuj] Yes! It does indeed begin with a P! Is that a first?
  • Tuj - P-research
    [Raak] No, it is a seventh, though I have asked the question 59 times.
    People who aren't me have an improved success rate of 3 out of 12.
    Meanwhile Raak has asked if the word has ended in P, and CdM set the answer "the set of all words beginning with P".
  • Dujon - Does this relate to time?
  • Raak
    [Dujon] Relates to time? In a way.
  • Tuj - Is the animal part living?
  • CdM - Are the abstract connections to a work of art?
    [Tuj] Also related: around the same time I also set "A P" in the sense of the Associated Press, and "urine".
  • Raak
    [Tuj] The animal part is living.
    [CdM] Not related to a work of art.
  • Rosie - A horse and cart?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not a horse and cart.
  • Rosie - A cage?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not a cage.
  • irach - "Pig in a poke" ?
  • Raak
    [irach] Not a pig in a poke.
  • Rosie - Is the animal a source of energy to be used as, for example, motive power?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] The animal makes it happen? Yes.
  • Software - A Pony and Trap?
  • Raak
    [Software] Not a pony and trap. The "motive power" thing may be misleading.
  • irach - Is it the animal part that begins with the "P"?
  • Raak
    [irach] The animal part is not the part beginning with P.
  • Rosie - A rat-race?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not a rat-race.
  • Kim - Is there an agricultural connection?
  • Raak
    [Kim] Nothing to do with agriculture. *snoring from the audience*
  • Rosie - Is the animal a mammal?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] The animal is a mammal.
  • Graham III - Is the animal normally associated with human contact (e.g. pet or livestock)?
  • Raak
    [G III] Not a pet, not livestock. Associated with human contact? Well...you're thinking on the wrong lines. Hint: a frequently asked question has not yet been asked.
  • Rosie - Animal human?
    Why the FAQ didn't I ask that earlier?
  • CdM - Is the abstract connection a metaphor?
  • Tuj - Fictional?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] At last! The animal is himan.
    [CdM] The abstract connection is a metaphor.
    [Tuj] Not fictional. (Knowledgeable members of the audience and those who have just googled it murmur.) Not intended as fictional.
  • Kim - Is it "Manpower"?
  • Raak
    [Kim] Not "Manpower".
  • Graham III - Related to the bible?
  • Rosie - Is the mineral part a specific object?
  • Raak
    [G III] Not related to the bible.
    [Rosie] Yes, a specific mineral object.
  • Kim - Is the human currently living?
  • Raak
    [Kim] Not applicable. Not a specific human.
  • irach - "People Power"
  • Rosie - Is the mineral object implied rather than specified?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Yes to both.
  • Tuj - Is this a phrase?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] It is a phrase.
  • Kim - Is the word that begins with P "Power"?
  • Raak
    [irach, sorry I overlooked this] Not "People Power".
    [Kim] P is not for "power".
    Summary: the phrase describes a specified mineral object, an implied one, and some human activity, and the whole is also a metaphor. Not biblical, artistic, or any of the specific guesses so far. It begins with a P.
  • Rosie - The Press?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not The Press. The very first word of this begins with a P.
  • irach - Is the animal human part a plural noun?
  • Raak
    [irach] The animal human is not mentioned.
  • CdM - Is the mineral partly glass?
  • staniel - Platinum artist?
  • Raak
    [CdM] No glass.
    [staniel] Not a platinum artist. (Not an artistic thing.)
    *the audience sign up for cryonic suspension*
  • Kim - Is the metaphor assoicated with human endeavour (eg, nose to the grindstone, shoulder to the wheel, that kind of thing)?
  • Raak
    [Kim] Yes! Exactly that sort of thing!
  • CdM - Are the second and third letters U and T?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Putting? No.
  • Kim - Is it also the title of a film?
  • Rosie - First word a present participle?
  • Tuj - Are the second and third letters U and L?
  • Raak
    [Kim] Not the title of a film, according to IMDB. I think it ought to be, though. It would be rather a long one.
    [Rosie] The first word is a present participle.
    [Tuj] PULl the other one, it's got bells on.
  • Kim - Is there a mythical connection?
  • Raak
    [Kim] No mything links.
  • Rosie - Pulling your weight?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not pulling your weight.
  • Kim - Are the second and third letters of the first word "U" and "S"?
  • Raak
    [Kim] Pushy? No.
  • ImNotJohn - Any links to a game?
  • Raak
    [INJ] Nothing to do with a game.
  • Raak - There are four words on the card.
  • Raak
    I see my summary left out the information that this thing has a connection with time.
  • ImNotJohn - Painting the Forth bridge?
    Aha!
  • Raak
    [INJ] We have a winner! One bottomless bucket and a paintbrush handed over.
  • ImNotJohn - semi-lurking
    I didn't think anyone would object, given how long this one has been going.
    Rather more quickly, I hope, you will get to:
    Abstract with Animal Connections - (Actually I could claim it as Abstract with Animal connections on 2 counts and Animal with Abstract connections on 1 - but don't let that confuse you)
  • ImNotJohn - Leaving now
    Won't be looking at this until tomorrow morning now, I'm afraid.
  • Kim - Is the animal part human?
  • Rosie - An activity?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Kim] Human? - NO
    [Rosie] Activity? - NO
  • Software - An expression?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Software] Expression? - NO
  • Kim - Is the animal of a species that exists in the world today?
  • IMNotJohn - Good question
    [Kim] Animal species exists today? - NO (however, I am just a little wary of the exact form in which the question was asked)
  • Raak
    Is the animal mythical?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Mythical animal? - Hmm - NO, unless you mean 'is it fictional?', in which case, the answer is YES
  • CdM - A specific fictional animal?
  • CdM - (i.e., an individual animal like "White Fang")
  • Graham III - Animal common in fantasy literature?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Specific animal - YES
    [G3] Common in Fantasy Literature? - NO
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
  • Kim - Does the animal appear predominantly in books?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Tuj] THE question? - NO
    [Kim] booky animal? - NO
  • CdM - From a children's movie?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] From children's film? - NO (and he claims he doesn't speak American)
  • Kim - Is the animal a human construction?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Kim] Human Construction? - YES (in the sense that I think you mean)
    Also YES in another sense *a few chuckles from the audience* and NO in a very obscure sense.
    Confused enough now?
  • Graham III - An animal bred for some purpose?
  • Kim - Is it an animal of legend (as distinct from myth)?
  • ImNotJohn
    [G3] bred for some purpose? - NO
    [Kim] Legend rather than myth? - NO - If anything the reverse, but neither is a good description
  • CdM - Is the animal a member of a real species (dog rather than hipporhinocecow, for example)
    trying to hone in based on some previous answers...
    And I never claimed any such thing. I speak American almost fluently.
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Member of real species? - YES
  • Raak
    [CdM] "hone in"? **bang!!**
  • CdM
    [Raak] ooops...
  • Kim - An animal of folklore?
  • CdM
    [Raak] Although... maybe I was just demonstrating my command of fluent American for INJ. According to the M-W Dictionary of English Usage
    The phrase [hone in] seems to have become established in American English, and is apparently beginning to be used in British English (Garner has a British example). If you use it, you should be aware that some people will think you have made a mistake.
    Not surprisingly, the folks at Language Log have have also discussed it quite a bit. One of the interesting things is that though the verb to home has been around a long time, home in and hone in are both recent coinages. None of which is meant as a serious defense in my particular case, by the way; had I noticed it, I would have certainly chosen home in in preference.
  • ImNotJohn - Not well-honed
    [Kim] Folklore? - NO
  • CdM - Is this animal primarily known for some artistic representation of it?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] artiswtically represented - NO (except for fairly wide definitions of 'artistic' and 'representation')
  • Kim - Is it a species of animal, rather than a single example?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Kim] Species? - The answer would technically be a species, but it is known by a single example
  • CdM - From an adult film?
    Not an "adult" film, you understand. Just an adult film.

    (We now know that this animal is fictional, but not from a book, children's film, or known from an artistic representation...)
  • Kim - Would the aminal/species be known conventionally as a "dinosaur"?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Film for adults - NO
    [Kim] Dino? - NO
    So, by a process of elimination....
  • Tuj - From a teenage film?
  • Kim - Is the animal the subject of a poem?
    Building on CdM's summary, if I have this right, the individual animal has never actually existed but is a human construction, represented not in books or artistic representation (which I take to mean painting, drawing, sculpture, etc) and not in any film made for children, adults or teenagers but in some other artistic form; moreover, the species to which the animal belongs is a real species, but the species does not exist in the world today, nor is it what we would call a "dinosaur".
  • Graham III - Trojan horse?
  • CdM - From TV?
  • ImNotJohn - At last
    [Kim] Subject of poem? - NO *some chuckles in the audience*
    [G3] Trojan Horse? - NO
    [CdM] TV - YES *sighs of relief*
    The summary is correct, except around the 'species' (and this is my fault). It's probably best to say that the genus is real and current, but this particular creature isn't. After all, it doesn't exist, so has never been classified, so I'm extrapolating here - is it a species or a sub-species - search me. However, I suspect that you would probably think of it as part of an existing species.
  • CdM - Is/was there a real animal or animals who played the part of this fictional animal on TV?
    (e.g., Flipper the wonder horse, Lassie the bush kangaroo) (I'm assuming not, because otherwise I think INJ would have led with Animal rather than Abstract ... but INJ's original definition did seem to leave the door open for lots of things.)
  • Phil - Mister Ed?
  • Raak - Was it a TV cartoon?
  • Projoy - Associated with a particular actor?
  • Kim - Is the TV show named after the animal?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Real Animal played part? NO (or I certainly hope not)
    [Phil] Mr Ed? - NO
    [Raak] Cartoon? - NO
    [Projoy] Particular actor? - NO, not as such *Some muttering in the audience*[Kim] Named after animal? - NO
  • Raak - Mr. Blobby?
  • Kim - Is the animal a puppet?
  • CdM - Was the audience muttering because a known actor voiced this character?
  • Dujon - Is our elusive friend a puppet?
  • Dujon - Whoops! Sorry, Kim.
  • CdM
    I'm also going to request a clarification on the classification. Though you have classified this primarily as abstract, does (or did) it still have some physical (presumably vegetable or mineral) existence? (Although maybe that is just a very roundabout way of asking Kim's question for the third time!)
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Mr Blobby? - NO
    [Kim] Puppet? - NO
    [CdM] Voiced by well-known actor - NO
    [Dujon] - still no
    CdM - Some physical existence? - YES *some applause* (but the classification is still correct)
  • CdM - Was this animal played by an actor in costume?
    Not a real animal, not a puppet, and not a cartoon. Not many possibilities left.
  • Raak - Was the animal invisible?
  • Kim - Do we take your earlier rejection of "cartoon" to include all forms of amination?
  • Bigsmith - Is it a logo or mascot?
    I am thinking along the lines of something like Pudsey the bear (though not him of course as he begins with P).
  • Bigsmith - One of the Playschool toys?
  • CdM
    Just as an observation, we have nothing indicating that this is a children's show, though I think we are all tending to assume that it is.
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Gorilla-suited? - N)
    [Raak] Invisible? - NO
    [Kim] animated? - NO (I don't split hairs in this game)
    [Bigsmith] Logo/Mascot - NO
    Playschool? - NO
    [CdM] Good point, well made.
  • Software - Pantomime horse?
  • ImNotJohn - Well this is proving harder than I had ever imagined
    [Software] Panto pony? - NO (precluded by answer to CdM's previous question)
  • CdM
    Not a real animal, not a puppet, not a costumed actor, not invisible, not a cartoon or other animation. We are obviously missing something here but I am drawing a blank.
  • CdM - Was this animal ever seen (in some form or another) by the TV viewers?
  • irach - Avian?
  • ImNotJohn - getting warmer
    [CdM] Was the animal seen? - YES (it will become clear)
    [irach] birdy? - YES *relieved applause*
  • irach - "Phoenix rising from the ashes"?
  • ImNotJohn
    [irach] Phoenix? - NO
  • Raak - Did the animal have an individual name?
  • irach - "Eagle eye"?
  • CdM - Did the TV show feature a representation of this bird (e.g., a picture) rather than the bird itself?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Named? - NO *a few murmurs in the audience*
    [irach] Eagle eye? - Never heard of it, so NO
    [CdM] Representation? YES(ish), a picture? - NO
    There are 3 words on the card, including the indefinite article.
  • CdM - Is this from a comedy show?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] comedy show? - YES Loud and relieved applause*
  • Phil - Is it visible during the show?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Phil] Visible? - YES
  • CdM - A Liver Bird?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Liver Bird - Good guess, but NO
  • Dujon - Was this seen in a pet shop?
  • irach - "Dead Parrot" a la Monty Python?
  • ImNotJohn - Close enough for jazz
    I don't want to draw this out so I declare irach the winner! The answer on the card was A Norwegian Blue
    [CdM] The category that had not been suggested was 'a prop/model'
    (To explain the convoluted intro 'a Norwegian Blue' can also be an orienteering course or the nickname of the earliest fossil proto-psittacoid, which was found in Scandinavia.)
    One baton totally bereft of life handed on to irach.
  • CdM
    Simulposted with:

    That must be it, though I am guessing that "A Norwegian Blue" are the actual words on the card. (That's irach's win, not mine, if correct.)
  • irach
    Well, that one was put to rest at last. The psittacoid in question pining for the fjords is now in birdie Valhalla.... The next one is ANIMAL with an ABSTRACT Connotation.
  • CdM - Human?
  • ImNotJohn - A single individual animal?
  • Rosie - Is the answer a phrase?
  • irach
    [CdM] Non-human.
    [IMJ] More than one.
    [Rosie] Sort of a phrase.
  • Tuj - Lemmings?
  • CdM - A single species of animal?
  • Rosie - A team or pack?
  • irach
    [Tuj] Not lemmings.
    [CdM] Not a single species.
    [Rosie] A team of sorts, not a pack.
  • ImNotJohn - Domesticated animals?
  • CdM - Likely to be seen in the wild?
    (in counterpoint to INJ)
  • irach
    [INJ] Not domesticated.
    [CdM] Yes, and no.
  • Tuj - Fictional?
  • Rosie - Dickybirds?
  • Software - Land animal?
  • irach
    [Tuj] Fictional in part.
    [Rosie] Not dickybirds.
    [Software] Yes. Land animal
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
    To business.
  • irach
    [Tuj] 'Pologies, but no "P" whatsover, in either the beginning, middle, or end.
  • Tuj - The Circle of Life?
    Ouch.
  • irach
    [Tuj] Not the circle of life.
  • Kim - An animal of which there are both domesticated and wild examples?
  • irach
    [Kim] Only wild or presumed wild.
  • ImNotJohn - Does the name of an animal (or several) appear on the card?
  • irach
    [INJ] Yes, the animals are named.
  • Bigsmith - Indigenous to the UK?
    "Wild? I was absolutely livid!"
  • ImNotJohn - Do they form an heraldic or symbolic group?
  • irach
    [Bigsmith] Not indigenous to the US individually, but togeter, yes, very British.
  • irach
    [INJ] Yes, they form a heraldic or symbolic group.
  • Software - Lion and Unicorn?
  • irach
    [Software] The Lion and the Unicorn it is. The baton is passed
  • Software
    Bu**er! That means I'll have to think of something. Right, after 30 seconds deep thought here it is:

    VEGETABLE with ANIMAL and ABSTRACT connections.

  • Raak - Terry Schiavo?
    Sorry, couldn't resist.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the vegetable wood?
  • CdM
    I Can't Believe It's Not Bu**er!?
  • Tuj - Smaller than a toaster?
    [Raak] Yowzer!
  • Software
    [Raak] Terry? No
    [INJ] Wood? Yes.
    [CdM] er.. No.
    [Tuj] Toaster? Difficult one, probably Yes.
  • ImNotJohn - Are the animal connections human?
  • Kim - Is there only one of these?
  • Tuj - A board game?
  • Software
    [Raak] Human? Yes.
    [Kim] Unique? No.
    [Tuj] Boardo? No.
  • ImNotJohn - A tool?
  • irach - Found in a kitchen?
  • Rosie - Long and thin?
  • Software
    [INJ] tool? some may say so, but a sensible answer is probably No.
    [irach] kitchen? some would say Yes.
    [Rosie] phalic? No.
  • CdM - Edible?
  • irach - Chopsticks?
  • CdM
    *wonders about the short fat approximately toaster-sized chopsticks that irach eats with*
  • Software
    [CdM] edible? theoretically, Yes.
    [irach] ching-chang-chew? No.
  • Rosie - Part of a foodstuff that is not normally eaten? (eg fish bones)
  • Software
    [Rosie] Fishy? No.
  • Tuj - A container of some kind?
  • CdM - Specific to a particular culture or country?
  • Software
    [Tuj] Container? No.
    [CdM]Specific country/culture? No.
  • ImNotJohn - Serves a decorative purpose?
    I'm struggling with the edible wood.
  • Raak - Heart of palm?
  • Software
    [INJ] Decorative? No.
    [Raak]Swamp cabbage? Had to Google that! No.
  • Graham III - Advent calendar?
  • irach - About the size of a toaster in all three dimensions, two dimensions, or one?
  • ImNotJohn - Found in most homes?*
    * for a definition of home based on the Western European model
  • Software
    [G III] Chocolatey date thing? No.
    [irach] Toaster sized? In one dimension maybe. Yes.
    [INJ] Domestic? Yes. (random claps from audience)
  • ImNotJohn - Used in the preparation or serving of food?
  • CdM - Is the abstract connection something to do with the arts?
  • Software
    [INJ] Jamie Oliverish? Nah.
    [CdM] Arty-farty? No.
  • ImNotJohn - Associated with apparel?
  • Software
    [INJ] wear it? No.
  • Tuj - Clue?
  • CdM - Is the abstract connection a phrase or saying?
  • ImNotJohn - Does it begin with a 'P'?
    Sorry Tuj, but we can only wait so long for you.
  • Software
    [Tuj] Clue? OK. This is a give away: almost everyone has used one of these.
    [CdM] Abstract? Not a phrase or saying as such, but a familiar term.
    [INJ] P? Not in the answer itself. * audience murmurs.*
  • Chalky - Paper of some sort?
  • Graham III - Toilet paper?
  • Software
    [Chalks] Paper? Yes. *audience claps*
    [GIII] Bog roll? No.
  • Chalky - Advent Calendar?
  • Chalky - ooops - CANCEL THAT
  • Chalky - Box of Tissues
  • irach - Newspaper?
  • Software
    [Chalks] Advent calendar? You wish! And not paper hankies either. No.
    [irach] The fourth estate? No.
  • irach - Paper Towels?
  • Software
    [irach] Towels? No. Hint: it is paper, approximately toaster sized in one dimension.
  • irach - Is is typically written on, e..g. foolscap paper?
  • Software
    [irach] Written? Not by hand, but Yes. * audience claps * Foolscap? Are you a lawyer?
  • CdM - A Telephone Directory?
  • Raak - A fortune cookie?
  • Software
    [CdM] Directory? The exact words on the Card!!!

    Well done and over to you!! I'm glad that its gone because I'm away from a computer for the next 5 days and there would have been a big gap!

  • CdM - That was unexpected
    OK. I am going to designate this as ABSTRACT with ANIMAL connections, while acknowledging that many of you might have deemed this ANIMAL with ABSTRACT connections.
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Néa - Anubis?
  • Raak - Mythical?
  • Rosie - A well-known phrase?
  • CdM
    Pinitial? No.
    Anubis? No, but *a tiny smattering of applause*
    Mythical? No, but *some audience murmuring and consultation of dictionaries*
    Well-known phrase? In a sense, yes, although that's not the best way to think of what you are looking for.
  • Graham III - Fictional?
  • CdM
    Fictional? In part, Yes; in part, No.
  • ImNotJohn - extinct?
  • CdM
    Extinct? Er. I think the only reasonable answer is No.
  • Projoy - Legendary?
  • CdM
    Legendary? Yes, but *some audience murmuring and consultation of dictionaries*
  • Projoy - A single, named creature?
  • CdM
    Single, named creature? Yes. *applause*
  • Phil - An object of worship?
  • CdM
    Object of worship? No (except perhaps in the exaggerated metaphorical sense)
  • Rosie - An object of fear?
  • CdM
    Object of fear? No.
  • CdM
    In place of my rather convoluted introduction, it is probably better to describe this simply as ABSTRACT and ANIMAL.
  • Tuj - But does it begin with P?
  • CdM
    Pinitial? Still No.
  • Projoy - Is its existence controversial?
  • CdM
    Controversial existence? Not in the slightest. (I confirmed its existence a few days ago, as a matter of fact.)
  • Raak - Does it have a physical existence?
  • ImNotJohn - The MerLion?
  • Tuj - Connected with a particular country?
    [CdM] I'll believe you this time.
  • CdM
    The answers to several of these questions differ depending on whether I am focusing on the abstract or animal component of the answer. My answers to date have been primarily directed at the abstract component (although I don't think any of them would be badly misleading when thought of as applying to the animal component as well.* With that in mind

    Physical Existence? The abstract component has various physical manifestations (so I could also add MINERAL connections to the definition). As for the animal component, the best answer is probably No, (or perhaps Yes, of a sort), but had the question been phrased slightly differently I could have much more easily just answered Yes.
    Connected with a particular country? Not exactly, but *applause*.
    Merlion? No.

    *Though I have never confirmed the existence of the animal component.
  • Rosie - Does the animal represent in any way a particular human?
  • CdM
    Particular human? The animal is a particular human, yes. *applause*
  • ImNotJohn - Is the human the holder of a certain position or title?
  • Projoy - Connected with a particular religion?
  • CdM
    Holder of position or title? Not exactly, but *applause*
    Religious connection? No.
  • Rosie - The Statue of Liberty?
    Long shot.
  • CdM
    Lady Liberty? Nope.
  • Projoy - So is the animal fictional and the abstract nonfictional?
  • CdM
    Fictional status of animal and abstract: The animal is non-fictional. The abstract is partly fictional and partly non-fictional.
  • Software - Something like "Tom Thumb"?
  • CdM
    Like Tom Thumb? Not at all. I would call that totally fictional.
  • Software
    Tom Thumb fictional? Perhaps not.
  • CdM
    [Software] Ah. Well, that's what I get for taking Wikipedia as the last word on something. But, in any case, I think the answer is No.
  • CdM
    {Software] By the way, I love the picture at top right in your link. "Tom Thumb's Waistcoat," it is labeled. But since there is nothing else in the picture to indicate scale, the waistcoat in question might just as easily be too big for Kobe Bryant....
  • irach - Male?
  • CdM
    Male? Yes.
  • CdM
    This is proving harder than I expected, so I'll offer a clarification/clue with regard to the mythical/legendary questions. The answer on the card does not refer (in either the abstract or animal sense) to something mythical or legendary in a narrow, literal myth-or-fable sense of those terms. The answer (in both senses) is legendary in the broader celebrated-renowned sense of that term, and possibly even mythical in the very broad sense of that word ("idealized").
  • ImNotJohn - Is the human the holder of a particular record or accomplishment?
  • CdM
    Holder of record or accomplishment? The human is known for certain accomplishments.
  • irach - Dead?
  • Rosie - Sporting accomplishments?
  • CdM
    Dead? Yes.
    Sporting? No.
  • ImNotJohn - A war leader?
  • CdM
    A war leader? Sort of, yes. *applause*
  • Néa
    Well, this is starting to get silly.
  • Néa - Did the human die within the last 100 years?
  • CdM
    Alive sometime after1908? Yes.
  • irach - Notorious rather than universally celebrated?
  • Projoy - The Unknown Soldier?
  • CdM
    Notorious? The human in question is perhaps not universally celebrated, but certainly "celebrated" is a better term than "notorious". The abstract sense is pretty much universally celebrated.
    Unknown soldier? Hardly. *some laughter*
  • Graham III - Born after 1908?
  • CdM
    Born after 1908? The human in question was not born after 1908. The abstract sense cae into being after 1908 though.
  • CdM
    Because you will probably have forgotten most of this when you resume this game in a post-Christmas alcoholic haze, here is a review.

    The words on the card are sort of a well-known phrase that does not begin with P. The words have both an ANIMAL sense and an ABSTRACT sense. There is no controversy about the existence of either.

    The ANIMAL sense is a particular male human, who was born before 1908 and died after 1908. He is known for certain non-sporting accomplishments and was sort of a war leader. He is celebrated rather than notorious, though not universally celebrated. He is legendary in the sense of being celebrated and renowned, and possibly mythical in the sense of being idealized, but he is not legendary or mythical in the more literal senses of those terms. He is not exactly connected to a particular country, but the question earned applause. He is not exactly the holder of a position or title, but that question also earned applause. He has no religious connection. He is not Anubis, the Merlion, Tom Thumb, Lady Liberty, or the Unknown Soldier.

    The ABSTRACT sense came into being after 1908, and does have physical (mineral) manifestations. It is partly fictional and partly non-fictional, and it is likewise legendary in the broad senses of the words, but not in the narrow senses. I recently confirmed its existence.
  • Raak - T. E. Lawrence?
  • CdM
    T.E. Lawrence? The human is T.E. Lawrence, yes. *sustained applause*. But, though this one is now clearly there for the taking, I cannot declare Raak the winner.
  • Dujon - Come on, Raak, get a wriggle on.   ;-)
  • Raak - Lawrence of Arabia?
  • CdM
    Lawrence of Arabia is indeed the correct answer. One Aqabaton delivered from the Turks to Raak.
  • Raak
    The next is ABSTRACT.
  • Rosie - The Riemann ζ-function?
  • Raak
    n=∞
    Not
    Σ
    		 1/ns
    n=1
  • irach - Cognitive dysfunction?
  • Raak
    Could be regarded as a symptom of one.
  • Bigsmith - "Happy New Year"?
    Oh, and Happy New Year to all.
  • Raak
    Not a happy new year.
  • Rosie - A human characteristic?
    E.g. numeracy :-)
  • Raak
    Not a human characteristic.
  • Rosie - An organisation?
  • Raak
    Not an organisation.
  • Néa - Anything to do with religion?
  • Raak
    According to Wikipedia, no connection with religion.
  • Rosie - Christmas?
  • Raak
    Not Christmas.
  • ImNotJohn - A well-known phrase or saying?
  • Raak
    Not a phrase or saying. Well, there's a phrase on the card, of course, but the mystery object is what it refers to, not the words themselves.
  • Rosie - Is the mystery object Animal?
  • Raak
    No, it's ABSTRACT.
  • Graham III - Connection with science or scientific endeavour?
  • Raak
    No connection with sciency things.
  • CdM - A human construct?
    'cos somebody had to ask it.
  • Raak
    Yes, a human construct.
  • Rosie - Does the mystery object instil fear?
  • ImNotJohn - Any connection with the arts?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] (laughter) Does not instil fear.
    [INJ] No connection with the arts.
  • Rosie - Does the mystery object represent an achievement?
  • Dujon - Is this a sporting accolade?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] No, but there could be an achievement involved.
    [Dujon] Not sporting.
  • ImNotJohn - Related to Politics?
  • Raak
    [INJ] Not related to politics.
  • Kim - Is it an activity?
  • Raak
    [Kim] Not in itself, but activity could be involved.
  • ImNotJohn - Does it normally involve more than one person?
  • Raak
    [INJ] Generally involves just one person.
  • Software - Could it be considered enjoyable?
  • Raak
    Might or might not be enjoyable.
  • ImNotJohn - An attitude or state of mind?
  • Raak
    Not an attitude or state of mind.
  • irach - Scientific/technical connection?
  • Raak
    No scientific/technical connection.

    I expected this one to be really easy..

  • Dujon - Related to humour?
  • Raak
    Not related to humour.
  • Rosie - Anything to do with employment?
  • Raak
    Nothing to do with employment. (The audience devolve into cockroaches and scuttle away between the floorboards.)
  • irach - Any connection to sleep?
  • Raak
    Zzzzzz....
  • Software - How about a hint?
  • Hint machine - Seasonal relevance
  • Chalky - New Year Resolution?
  • Raak
    I resolve to hand the baton over to Chalky!
  • Raak
    Have we taken a resolution to terminate old games?
  • Rosie
    No, I don't think we have.
  • ImNotJohn
    It's been slowing down recently - but I still look at it and try to contribute at least once a day when I'm able to get online (though I try not to ask successive questions). Maybe we need fewer ABSTRACTs in order to get the thing moving along. After all, it's not as if other games are flying along.
  • Software
    Chalky appears to be fairly abstract at the moment ;o)
  • Kim
    I'm sure she's here in spirit.
  • Rosie - Absent friends
    I don't get the feeling we are going to see Chalky soon.
  • Chalky - EEEK!
    sorrysorry. Have been away for a few days - had completely forgotten I'd posted that. Thanks for your patience ....

    Next one: ANIMAL/MINERAL/VEGETABLE with ABSTRACT connections

    I should be around for mornings and evenings for a few days so pile 'em up ....
  • ImNotJohn - Life, the Universe and Everything?
  • Software - Animal is human?
    One step at a time ...
  • Raak - Is it manufactured?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it a place or geographical location?
  • Kim - Is it you?
  • Phil - Is it Animal AND Vegetable AND Mineral in one instance?
  • Chalky
    [INJ] Life etc? NO
    [Softers] Animal a Human Beeng? NO
    [Raak] Manufactured? mmmm ... erm ... sometimes.
    [INJ] Place or Location? NO
    [Kim] Moi? NON :-)
    [Phil] AVM in one instance? Good question - YES, it can be, but then, can, as likely, not be.
  • Raak - Objects that bear a miracluous resemblance to Jesus/Mother Teresa/Tony Blair/etc.?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Incredulous Looky-likes? NO - but I suppose one could discern a resemblance given a vivid imagination :)
  • Software - Would the animal be mythical?
  • CdM - foody?
  • Chalky - Sorry for delay
    [Software] Mythical? NO
    [CdM] foody-y? YES!
  • ImNotJohn - A dish?
    Food, not ceramic
  • Chalky
    [INJ] A dish? NO - not a dish
  • Raak - Some sort of convenience snack?
    Mmm, salted crisps cooked in lard....
  • Software - Pork Scratchings?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Salty snack? Yes - could be
    [Software] Pig scabs? Yes - could be

    [INJ] I have cast off my pedant's hat to amend my reply to your recent question: Yes - could be
  • Rosie - Normally eaten in a pub?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Pub Grub? Yes - could be
  • Raak - Is the occasion on which it is eaten significant?
  • Bigsmith - Cost under a quid? (£1 Sterling, whatever that's worth today?)
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Eaten on significant occasion? Yes - could be
    [Bigsmith] Low Cost? Yes - could be
  • Raak - Food in general?
  • ImNotJohn - A generic description of a meal?
    (like 'a square meal' or 'breakfast')
  • Software - A Tasty Snack?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Food in general? YES! *audience cheers because the Animal/Vegetable/Mineral boxes have been ticked*
    [INJ] Generic description of a meal? Not exactly 'generic' - but you're heading in the right direction..
    [Softers] Tasty Snack? Yes - could be
  • Rosie - A snack?
  • Raak - The "Mediterranean Diet"?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] A snack? Yes - could be
    [Raak] The Mediterranean Diet? Yes - could be

    It may be more useful if I change the definition to ANIMAL/MINERAL/VEGETABLE/ABSTRACT [rather than 'with Abstract connections']. We can discuss the rights and wrongs of such a move when this has been guessed :)
  • Kim - Is it to do with dieting in general?
  • ImNotJohn - Consumed at a single sitting?
    (I know - 'Yes - could be')
  • Chalky
    [Kim] Dieting? NO *audience chuckles*
    [INJ] Single sitting? Funny you should say that/ Yes - it could well be consumed at a single sitting :-)
  • Raak - Overeating?
  • irach - Munchies?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Overeating? Not exactly - but * the audience applauds your attempt to explore the Abstract nature of this little puzzle*
    [irach] Munchies? well - having the Munchies certainly links neatly with the words on the card.
  • Raak - Brunch?
  • Dujon - Does the card include the word "traditional"?
  • Chalky
    {Raak] Brunch? Yes - could be
    [Dujon] The card does NOT include the word 'traditional'
  • irach - Cocktail party?
  • Kim - Does it have to do with the enjoyment of good food, but not necessarily to excess?
  • Software - Who ate all the pies?
  • Chalky
    [irach] Cocktail party? Yes - could be
    [Kim] Non - excessive enjoyment of good food? Yes - could be
    [Software] Who Ate The Pies? No - but *audience applauds another attempt to explore the Abstract element*

    [Aside to Softers - Are you in Jersey or Guernsey? My memory fails me]
  • Raak - Eating in general?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Eating in general? The AotC certainly suggests eating in general *< mode:clue > however, it isn't an action < /clue >*
  • Software - A square meal?
    [Chalky] Guernsey? Wash your mouth out!
  • Chalky
    [Software] A square meal? Yes - it could include one of those
  • CdM - What I (you? someone?) ate last night?
  • Kim - Entertaining in general?
  • Chalky
    [CdM] What we ate last night? Yes - it could include this
    [Kim] Entertaining in general? Remember - The AotC is not an action. However, it IS entertaining :) <<<<< points to another clue
  • irach - Finger foods?
  • Sierra Mike - A TV Dinner?
  • CdM - Food groups, nutrition triangles, or some such thing?
  • Chalky
    [irach] Finger foods? Yes - it could include these
    [Sierra Mike] TV Dinner? Yes - it could include this
    [CdM] Food groups, nutrition triangles, or such-like? OK - it could include these 'though such dour terminology sits uneasily with the AotC.

    Hint: It may be helpful to approach this puzzle from the ABSTRACT angle as it's clear that the A/V/M part is 'food'.
  • Raak - Cookery programmes?
  • Irouléguy - Junk food?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Cookery progs? NO
    [IruleOK] Junk? NO
  • Raak - Related to any grading system, e.g. Michelin stars?
  • Rosie - A banquet?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Michelins? NON
    [Rosie] Banquet? NO

    The negative replies only indicate that the guesses are not the Answer on the Card. How can something so tangible as food become an Abstract?
  • Raak - Fictional?
  • Chalky - *applauds Raak*
    [Raak] Fictional? Ooh - good question. YES - but I reply with some hesitation.
  • Raak - A work of fiction containing embedded recipes?
    "Like Water for Chocolate", etc.
  • Chalky
    [Raak] fiction - embedded? NO
  • Software - Food for Thought?
  • Chalky
    [Softers] Food for Thought? NO - but you and Raak are moving in the right direction.

    Summary: The Animal/Vegetable/Mineral part is FOOD [any food in any guise]. The Abstract part originates from a work of fiction - but many things do! There is a key question that hasn't been asked yet. Oh - and it IS a well-known phrase or saying.
  • Rosie - The Food of the Gods?
  • CdM - Does it begin with one of the letters A-O or Q-Z (inclusive)?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] The Food of the Gods? NO - but *audience applauds with gusto!*
    [CdM] At last! Not P? YES :)
  • Raak - The Staff of Life?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] The Staff of Life? Not the AotC, NO.

    My response to Kim's question may provide a clue to the 'key question'
  • Software - A Bun Fight?
    getting desperate
  • Chalky
    [Softers] A Bun Fight? NO :)
  • Raak - Iron Chef?
  • CdM - The food of love / An aphrodisiac?
    sneaking in two related guesses for the price of one.
  • Sierra Mike - Clarification please
    AotC????????
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Iron Chef? [Who is this person?] NO
    [CdM] Aphrodis/Lovin'food? NO
    [Sierra Mike] Answer on the Card [as per the original ISIHAC game :)

    There is still a key question that should bridge the gap between 'originates from a work of fiction' and the answer. There is an intermediate level. Please keep asking Abstract-type questions and forget about guessing random food-related phrases.
  • Rosie - Supping with The Devil?
    Use a long spoon, they say.
  • Chalky - tum te tum te tum
    [Rosie] Suppin with Devil? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Is the work of fiction (primarily) a book
    i.e. best known as a book rather than say, the film of a book
  • Graham III - Was the phrase coined in the 20th century?
  • Chalky
    [INJ] Book/Film? Good question. Originally a BOOK - which is very well-known by a very well-known author. The book has been adapted [I use the term deliberately] to make a FILM - which is well-known in a different way. The AotC comes from the FILM.
    [Graham III] Coined in C20? Absolutely YES - the second half of the century.
  • Chalky - *hints that the Book has been mentioned in 'Ex Libri Bardus'*
  • SIerra Mike - Wuthering Heights
    In my own defense I Googled it before I asked.
    AOTC Attack of the Clones (Star Wars Episode Two)
    AOTC Australian Overseas Telecommunications Corporation
    AotC Ark of the Covenant (gaming)
    AOTC Ahead of the Curve
    AotC Aspect of the Cheetah (gaming, World of Warcraft)
    AOTC Associated Offices Technical Committee (UK)
    AOTC Ahead of Time Crew (band)
    AOTC Autodesk Official Training Courseware
    A.O.T.C. - Association of Orthopaedic Technologists California
    AOTC - Amarillo Obedience Training Club
    AotC Army of the Cumberland
    AOTC Atlantic OSHA Training Center
    AOTC Administrative Office of the Trial Court
    I also swept back in the game itself, though obviously not far enough.
  • ImNotJohn - The Naked Lunch?
  • Kim - Eats, Shoots and Leaves?
  • Chalky - la la lala la la lala
    [INJ] The Naked Lunch? NO
    [Kim] Eats Stuff? NO *audience sighs and seeks alternative entertainment*
  • Dujon - I might well have missed something or other in this rather drawn out seeking: Given that - is this (at least) something like 'Manna from Heaven' ?
  • Chalky
    [Duj] Manna from Heaven? Yes - it could be - but it's not the AotC
  • Chalky - *attempting to entertain the audience*
    In addition to the BOOK and the FILM there is also a STAGE production.
  • Software - Food of the Gods?
  • Chalky
    [Softers] Food of the Gods? I refer the honourable gentleman to my previous reply to Rosie. ^^^^

    ...and while you're up there - you may spot all the clues I've been giving. [Where's Projoy when you need him?]
  • CdM - food, glorious food?
  • ImNotJohn
    Damn! How did I miss that?
  • Chalky - Answer, Glorious Answer!
    At last dear CdM - the very Words on the Card *audience applauds, cheers and generally goes wild*

    The SONG from the FILM and the STAGE production which is an adaptation of the BOOK. A well-known phrase all about FOOD which is very entertaining.
    Thanks for letting me off the hook.
    [INJ] shame on you :)

    * hands over a stuffed baguette to CdM*
  • CdM
    [Chalky] Please miss, can I have another?
  • Chalky
    [CdM] um ... only if I can guess yours :)
  • CdM
    All right. This is ABSTRACT with ANIMAL and MINERAL connections.
  • Chalky - Is the answer an Abstract Noun?
  • CdM
    Abstract noun? No. The answer is a noun phrase that refers to something abstract.
  • Raak - A saying?
  • Chalky - A Place?
  • Kim - A human construction?
  • Software - Mineral metal?
  • Graham III - Fictional?
  • CdM
    A saying? No.
    A place? No
    Human construction? Yes.
    Metal? No.
    Fictional? Yes.
  • Dujon - Would this abstractness be . . . well . . . revelationary?
  • CdM
    revelationary? I'm really not sure I understand the question. But I can say that it would be useful to learn what kind of abstraction this is. Also, some claim that this abstraction is something some claim to be very revelatory or revelationary or something.
  • Raak - A book?
  • CdM
    Book? No.
  • Chalky - Anything to do with the internets?
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • CdM
    Internetty? No.
    P-begun? No.
  • Chalky - Science Fictiony?
  • CdM
    Sciffy? No.
  • Software - Mineral stone?
  • CdM
    Mineral stone? Yes.
  • ImNotJohn - Related to the arts?
  • CdM
    Arty? Yes, for a reasonably broad definition of "arts".
  • Raak - A statue?
  • CdM
    Statue? No. (abstract, remember)
  • Dujon - A pillar of some kind?
  • Rosie - A monument?
  • CdM
    Pillar? No. (abstract, remember)
    Monument? No. (abstract, remember)
  • Software - Between a Rock and a Hard Place?
  • ImotJohn - Is the animal connection human?
  • CdM
    Hard rock? No.
    Human animal? Yes.
  • Kim - Is it a painting?
  • ImNotJohn - A specific human?
    e.g. The Iron Chancellor
  • CdM
    Specific human? Yes, but be careful how you interpret that answer.
  • Kim - Err....is it a painting?
  • CdM - Oops
    Repainting? No. (abstract, remember)
  • Sierra Mike - The Theory of Evolution?
  • CdM
    Talking about an evolution? No.
  • Projoy - Related to a craft?
  • CdM
    Crafty? No.
  • Dujon - The Man in the Moon?
  • CdM
    Mr. Moonlight? No.
  • Phil - Is it a title (e.g president of blahland)?
  • Blob
    Religiousy, faithy ?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the human a single named real person
    (Now, how many questions is that?)
  • CdM
    Lady? No.
    Madonna? No.
    Single named real person? Yes, yes, yes and no.
  • CdM
    Perhaps I should punctuate that less ambiguously as: yes; yes; yes and no.
  • Raak - A fictionalised representation based on a real person?
  • ImNotJohn - A character in literature?
  • CdM
    Fictionalised representation based on real person? Yes.
    Based on a novel? No.
  • irach` - Political?
  • CdM
    You say you'll change the constitution? No.
  • Néa - Is it associated wih a specific country?
  • CdM
    Know where land? No.
  • CdM
    I should qualify that last answer. It is probably associated with a particular country but I don't think those associations are particularly relevant or useful.
  • Kick Start - Give us a clue
  • CdM - A little help
    It was getting lonely in this game without you; I thought you were all leaving. I've already peppered clues throughout my last few answers, being for the benefit of you all. Really, I thought you were all getting better at these, but now I don't think you are going to work it out for another fifteen years.
  • Softweare - John Bull?
  • Projoy - Is 2024 significant?
  • Bigsmith - Some connection with popular beat combo The Beatles?
    John, Paul, George and Ringo
  • Phil - Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds?
  • CdM - Such a lovely audience
    John Bull? Er, no.
    Is 2024 significant? I dunno, Projoy. Will you still be sending me a valentine?
    Beatly? The audience would applaud this preternatural leap of deductive logic, but they are all too distracted by something shiny.
    LitSwD? Yes! Phil gets the psychedelic baton.
  • Phil
    A hint of lurking, but I think I did ask a question earlier.

    Let us proceed with ANIMAL

  • Dujon - The obvious:
    Human?
  • Phil
    [Dujon] Human? YES
  • Rosie - Male?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Male? YES
  • Dujon - A male human. That reduces the chances so:
    Is this a male human who lives or lived?
  • Phil
    [Dujon] Extant or extinct? YES
  • Rosie - Alive?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Alive? NO
  • Raak - Was he alive some time in the 20th century?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Alive during 20th century? YES
  • Rosie - A political figure?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Political figure? NO
  • Dujon - Your answer to Rosie's and Raak's questions does indeed raise other buts and ifs:
    Was this man a scientist?
  • Phil
    [Dujon] A scientist? NO
  • Software - A writer?
  • CdM - Alive in the year 2001?
  • Phil
    [Software] A writer? NO
    [CdM] Alive in 2001? NO
  • Software - A celebrity?
  • Phil
    [Software] A celebrity? Hmmmm....if you mean "a famous person" then YES. But if you mean someone who seeks fame then NO.
  • Rosie - A performer of any kind?
  • Graham III - Alive in 1900?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Performer? NO
    [GIII] Alive in 1900? NO
  • CdM - Famous largely for a single thing (is a single event rather than a whole career)?
  • Phil
    [CdM] Famous for a single event? NO
  • Rosie - A novelist or playwright (either)?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Novelist/Playwright? Neither
  • Software - Someone who became accidentally famous?
  • Phil
    [Software] Became famous accidentally? Tricky...probably YES *some interest from an intelligent audience*
  • Graham III - Someone who was naturally reclusive?
  • CdM - Is there a sporting connection?
  • Rosie - An academic?
    Corpuschristitrimble.
  • Phil
    [GIII] Naturally reclusive? I think I'll go for YES, although there could be some debate on "naturally".
    [CdM] Sporting? NO
    [Rosie] Academic? NO
  • Rosie - A songwriter?
  • Dujon - A Nobel Laureate?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] A songwriter? NO
    [Dujon] A Nobel Laureate? NO
  • Rosie - A public servant?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Public servant? NO
  • Graham III - An actor?
  • Phil
    [GIII] An actor? NO
  • Rosie - Some who makes things?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Makes things? NO
  • CdM
    Did he live to more than fifty years old?
  • Phil
    [CdM] Lived > 50yrs? NO
  • Rosie - A soldier?
  • Dujon - Were cyanide and an apple involved in this man's death?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] A soldier? NO
    [Dujon] Cyanide and an apple? NO

    I'm tempted to give a clue, but I don't think it's needed just yet.

  • Rosie - Did he give his name to something known by people of all ages?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Gave his name to something? NO
  • Software - Eddie "the Eagle" Edwards?
    grasping at straws
  • CdM
    Notorious?
  • Phil
    [Software] The Eagle? NO (no sporting connection)
    [CdM] Notorious? YES *hearty applause*
  • Graham III - Did he disappear?
  • CdM
    A serial killer?
  • Projoy - Criminal?
  • Phil
    [GIII] Disappear? NO
    [CdM] Serial Killer? YES *Even heartier applause*
    [Projoy] Criminal? YES
  • Graham III - British?
  • irach - Hannibal the Cannibal?
  • Phil
    [GIII] British? NO
    [irach] Hannibal? NO
  • Dujon - Did this man 'operate' from a shack somewhere in the U.S. of A.?
  • Rosie - Mack the Knife?
  • Phil
    [Dujon] Various questions asked, but I'm guessing that what you want to know is that the person in question is from the USA.
    [Rosie] Mack the Knife? NO, it's a real person, as previously established.
  • Software - The Boston Strangler?
  • Phil
    [Software] Boston Strangler? NO
  • Phil
    This shouldn't really take long, now that we've established that it's a real American serial killer, who lived in died in under 50 years, some time between 1901 and 2000.
    A curious aside: no-one was ever arrested, charged or convicted of the "Boston Strangler" murders, and criminal theorists now believe that more than one person was involved.
  • Software
    Thanks Phil. That narrows it down to a hundred or so.
  • I Say, Porter! - Fried?
    That should narrow it down considerably.
  • ImNotJohn - Son of Sam?
    Aka David Berkowitz
  • Phil
    [IS,P!] Fried? If you mean did he fry his victims, then NO. If you mean was he executed on the electric chair, then also NO.
    [INJ] Son of Sam? NO
  • I Say, Porter! - Died of natural causes?
    [Phil] Bollocks. I was sure it was Ted Bundy.
  • Phil
    [IS,P!] Natural causes? NO
  • Dujon - Was this 'gentleman's' fate (read death) brought about by a fellow prison inmate?
  • Phil
    [Dujon] Done in by a fellow lag? YES *Intense applause*
  • Projoy - Jeffrey Dahmer?
    who I looked up last night on google, and have since been regretting ever reading about.
  • Phil
    [Projoy] J. Dahmer? CORRECT! I thought that would go quicker, as he was the first serial killer that sprung to my mind. Not a terribly nice chap, but I do find the US police's attitude to their inept, racist, homophobic officers rather disgraceful and distasteful. Anyway, I hand over a baton made of nothing ghastly, thankfully.
  • Rosie
    So, Jeffrey Dahmer, then. Not exactly a name on everyone's lips. What proportion of the people in this country have ever 'eard of the bugger? The square root of a mouse's ear'ole, at a generous estimate. What on earth is the point of all this? There are better things to do than ferret around websites looking for the name, amongs hundreds, of American serial killers. The answer should be in one's head, if the spirit of the original game is to be followed. This game is a waste of time.
  • ImNotJohn - Yes but
    As often happens, I find myself broadly in agreement with Rosie’s viewpoint, though not with his way of expressing it or conclusion. I lose interest in this game the moment it becomes evident that I’m going to have to start searching the web for the answer. I know others take the view that doing so is not unreasonable given the fact that this is an online game, so I won’t stop playing. However, if I get in again, I won’t select answers that I wouldn’t expect a good proportion of participants to know about.
    Having said all that, I had heard of Jeffrey Dahmer, although it was only passive knowledge and I doubt if I would ever have dragged the name up without googling.
    Over to Projoy
  • Phil
    [INJ/Rosie] I apologise. I thought Jeffrey Dahmer was as well known as, say, Peter Sutcliffe, Myra Hindley, Harold Shipman et al. I didn't expect anyone to need to search the web to find the answer. It appears that I know a dangerously disproportionate amount about serial killers, and I did not intend that one to be so hard. My thought process was "Umm...what to do? I think I'll make it simple by just doing a person. Who shall I do? How about someone infamous rather than famous. Oh, I know...Jeffrey Dahmer." I even had a mental image of his photo in my head. Soz!
  • Software
    [Phil] You are obviously the person to have on one's pub quiz team - or are you the one who sets them?
  • Rosie - Magnanimity
    (Phil) A generous apology. The thing is that it is very frustrating, having scratched one's head throughout over what the answer could be, to find that you could never have got it in the first place. It's not as if I lack general knowledge, or was born, er, yesterday. On with the show, then.
  • Projoy - Hm.
    Well, I certainly had heard of Jeffrey Dahmer. I only resorted to google to get the fact about his being killed by another prisoner (which I didn't know). I certainly think of him as sufficiently infamous to be on the tip of people's tongues.

    That said, I'm one of those who's happy to google and isn't disappointed to discover the answer was something I couldn't have guessed. For then I learn something new I did not know before and my life is just that bit brighter... and sometimes I still get to win the round despite only pretending to have known all along about the obscure answer. :-)

    Anyway, my turn. This is something players may or may not have in mind already. ABSTRACT
  • Phil - Murder? ;-)
    [Software] Both, actually - I write a quiz every week for the pub, so I tend to have a scant knowledge of a wide range of not terribly useful subjects.
  • Rosie - Spring?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] And when dey met, it wuz... NO
    [Rosie] Grass is riz? NO
  • Raak - To do with endings?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Terminates here? NO
  • Dujon - Homophobia?
    Just a thought.
  • Projoy
    [Dujon] Filthy Prancing Shirtlifters? NO
  • Software - A phrase or saying?
  • ImNotJohn - Connected with the arts?
    [Phil] No apology required - my comment read as more critical than I intended. I was trying to agree with Rosie's general point rather than criticising your choice of subject, which may well have met my criteria for reasonableness. Casting my mind back, some of my subjects were probably not justifiable by those criteria anyway.
  • Projoy
    [Software] Linguistic trope? NO
    [INJ] Artful? NO (only very tangentially and unhelpfully)
  • CdM - Scientific?
    I know we keep having the same discussions over and over again in the morniverse. It may be one of its defining features. Still, this one is a more than a bit tiresome, because the discussion really is identical each time. Someone (usually Rosie, to be honest) complains that the chosen subject was unsuitable because they hadn't heard of it, and they conjecture that most others have not heard of it either. Someone else (often me, to be honest :-) ) observes that there is no requirement for this game to follow the "spirit of the original game", because this game is on the internets, where we have search engines. Can we just agree to disagree on this one, and accept that people have different standards for what makes a reasonable/good subject?

    I'd add two points. First, I think Rosie may have actually misjudged Dahmer's notoriety. I certainly knew of him, and I suspect the majority here have heard of him as well (which probably says something good about Rosie and bad about the rest of us, come to think of it). Second, this is an international community, so I don't think the trivia of "this country" should be privileged: in the global scheme of things, I expect that Dahmer is much better known than Sutcliffe, Shipman or Hindley.
  • ImNotJohn - Specific to a single culture?
    [CdM] Point taken - and I think my lack of knowledge about Dahmer probably reflects on me (I do tend to avoid that sort of story). That said; to me, googling to get the answer feels like cheating.
  • Software - A human concept?
    I'd never heard of him but I did Google-up 5 US serial killers wiped out in jail. I do, however, suspect that Shipman and Hindley are much better known this side of the pond.
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Scientific? IN BROAD TERMS
    [INJ] Specific to a single culture? NO
    [Software] A human concept? YES *some discontented muttering from epistemologists*
  • CdM - Mathematical?
    [INJ] To be clear, if something can't be guessed with good questioning and a little googling, then I too would judge it a bad subject. I gave up on my experiment of using randomly generated topics from Wikipedia because they too often failed that test (an Estonian province comes to mind...).
    [Software] Well, for some definitions of "this side" and "pond", yes. Very possibly not for my current definitions of those terms. Which was my point.
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Numbery? NO
  • Dujon - Learning?
    Could we please cease to comment on the previous challenge? Thanks.
  • Rosie - Connectivity?
  • Projoy
    [Dujon] Learning? NO *a ripple of interest in the audience*
    [Rosie] Connectivity? NO
  • Chalky - Medical?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Medical? KIND OF *a couple of claps from the audience*
  • Software - An idea?
  • Projoy
    [SW] An idea? YES, a sort of idea.
  • Bigsmith - Related somehow to the discussions raised by the previous topic?
    Sorry Dujon!
  • Projoy
    [Biggsy] Related to the Internet vs. Rosie's general knowledge, and which is better debate? Thankfully, NO.
  • Harry Hill
    Hm. Rosie's General Knowledge and The Internet. They're both rather marvellous bases for games... but which is better? There's only one way to find out!
  • Rosie - Something to do with mental processes?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Mental processes? YES! *applause*
  • Dujon - Would this have a direct relationship to the lore of the Australian Aborigine?
  • Rosie - Risk aversion?
  • Projoy
    [Dujon] Dreamtime? NO
    [Rosie] Risk aversion? NO
  • Rosie - Is the answer a term for the analysis of certain mental processes?
  • irach - A Freudian slip?
  • Phil - Memory?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Term for Analysis? NO
    [irach] Saying one thing but meaning a mother? NO
    [Phil] Memory? YES! But that's not the whole answer *muchos applausos*
  • Dujon - Genetic memory?
  • Projoy
    [Dujon] Twisted to fit? NO
  • Dujon - Nostalgia?
    Projoy, you know perfectly well that my stockings are always seamless or straight. ;-)
  • Projoy
    [Dujon] Nostalgia? CLOSE! *"ooooh" from audience, and collective intake of breath, causing momentary decompression and fainting spells*
  • Phil - Long-term memory?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Long-term? NO a couple of applaus.
  • Software - Collective memory?
  • Projoy
    [Software] Collective? NO.
  • CdM - Folk memory?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Recollections of The Seekers? NO
  • Chalky - Is this a one-word answer?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Monolexical? NO. The word "memory" is on the card with one other word + an article.
  • Rosie - A Recovered Memory?
  • irach - Distant memory?
  • irach - ...Should have read "A Distant Memory?
  • Software - A false memory
  • Projoy - IIRC
    [Rosie] A recovered memory? NOT QUITE, but you're practically treading on its tail now.
    [irach] Distant memory? NO.
    [Software] A false memory? YES! That is the exact answer I started with on the card... or at least... I think it was.
  • Projoy
    You know, I could have sworn I put a line under that last move.
  • Software
    I find myself winning again. That's a bummer, now I'll have to think of something. Wait there, I'll be back in a jiffy.
  • Phil
    [Projoy] I was awake all last night trying to remember the proper word for memory loss...I ended up with insomnia...
  • Chalky
    I am obviously completely out of kilter with you lot, having never heard of the phrase 'false memory'...
    ;-)
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Don't worry, you're in kilter with me...I'd never heard of it before either. Actually, you might want to worry, on reflection.
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Not even in the phrase "false memory syndrome" (a frequently occuring concept in crime stories!)
  • Kim
    I'm fairly sure I've heard of false memory....fairly sure....
  • Rosie
    I knew it at one time - or did I?
  • Phil
    [Projoy] No. Not until I looked it up - I don't read much any more, alas :-(
  • Software - Got it!
    Abstract with Animal, Vegetable and Mineral connections.
  • irach - "An Iron hand in a velvet glove"?
  • Dujon - A religious icon of some sort or other?
    Software, you really must realize that this is a family friendly site and that the word 'vegetable' should never have any less prominence than the words 'meat' and 'three'. I bet you hate Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower too. ;-)
  • Rosie - Animal human?
    (Duj) And so do I. I'd rather chew on a baby toad.
  • Phil - This game?
  • Software
    [Irach] Saw? NO
    [Duj] Iconic? NO
    [Rosie] Manly? YES
    [Phil] Morniverse? NO
  • Rosie - An invention?
  • Dujon - Related to athletic pursuits?
    [Rosie] I love vegies, Brussels Sprouts in particular.
  • Software
    [Rosie] Genius? NOish
    [Duj] Humping? NO
  • ImNotJohn - An activity?
  • Rosie - IT-related?
    Including software.
  • Software
    [INJ] moving? NO
    [Rosie] Me related? NO - audience mermers
  • Dujon - Someone involved in the theoritcal construction of what we now know as a computer?
  • Software
    [Duj] Virtual Babbage? NO.
  • Rosie - Does the animal lend its name to this?
  • ImNotJohn - Related to the Arts?
    (defined as widely as you like)
  • Dujon - Does what some animals do lend its name to this?
  • I Say, Porter! - Does it begin with a P?
  • Software - ** Back from London conference **
    [Rosie] Animal cracker? NO
    [Duj] Beastly habits? In a loose kind of way, YES
    [ISP] P? NO, not a one.
  • Rosie - Is this a physical process?
  • Software
    [Rosie] A process? NO
  • Software
    [ISP] a slight update, there is actually a word beginning with P in the phrase
  • ImNotJohn - Is it a single specific mineral?
    And my previous question as well please - (Arty?)
  • Software
    [INJ] Arty? NO; Specific mineral? NO
  • Dujon - Would this be a mariner's term?
  • Software
    [Duj] A term? YES! but not a mariners
  • ImNotJohn - specific to a profession or trade?
  • Software
    [INJ] Trade or Profession oriented? Well, in a way, YES!
  • Dujon - Would this be a verancular expression - such as 'taking the piss'?
  • Software
    [Duj] Mickey? NO. Hint: This is a 3 word phrase very much in the news at present.
  • Dujon - Pigs might swim?
  • ImNotJohn - The Credit Crunch
    Someone had to say it
  • Software
    [INJ] Cash shortage? NO. Not the words on the card but on the right track.
  • Dujon - It's terribly, terribly quiet in here, Software. Perhaps all are awaiting the answer to my last?
  • Software
    [Duj] Swine fever? NO. [I've been on holiday :o)]
  • Chalky - Popeye Eats Spinach?
    This one was 'set' on 24th March - 7 flippin weeks ago!
    [Softers] Bearing the above in mind - is your clue/hint still valid?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it related to the world financial situation?
  • Software
    [Chalks] Bluto? NO! (Welcome back, Chalky. Yes, it is still valid)
    [INJ] Money, money, money? YES!
  • Rosie - To do with MPs' expenses?
    Simply gotta be.
  • ImNotJohn - sub-prime mortgages?
    [Rosie] I think this clue pre-dates the breaking of that scandal.
  • Software
    [Rosie] Parliamentary rip-offs? NO. INJ has it in a nutshell, this game has been like the Mouse Trap.
    [INJ] Toxic debt? NO. much less specific to the current times
  • Projoy - Is the word "recession" on the card?
  • Software
    [Projoy]Lack of business confidence? NO.
  • Projoy - To do with a healthy economy?
  • Software
    [Projoy] Boyancy? YES! actually can cut both ways but essentially correct
  • Projoy - Inflation?
  • Projoy
    (it probably says something about my age that I associate inflation with economic health)
  • Software
    [Projoy] Bulging cost? YES Remember 3 words on the card !! have we made this a private game? ;o)
  • Graham III - Any reference to bubbles?
  • Chalky - Retail Price Index?
  • Projoy - The housing boom?
  • Software - Ding!

    Passes the baton over to Chalks. Nice to see you back and in fine form!

  • Chalky
    [Softers] Thanks mate :-) Delighted and all that.
    However, is this a poisoned chalice/baton I be picking up? I really don't want to set a new one unless I know for sure that all interested parties are going to play nicely and in a regular manner. [In otherwords: I'm not sure if I can sustain a chairpersonship for 9+ weeks - which is what you had to do]
  • Software - Patience is a virtue ...
    or so it's oft said. Just dive in the deep end and let it flow. I'm sure some people will play.
  • Chalky
    Oka-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-ay. I shall keep it simple

    A N I M A L
  • Projoy - Alive?
  • Chalky
    [Projoy] Alive? YES
  • Graham III - Human?
  • Chalky
    [Graham III] Human? YES
  • Kim - Man?
  • Rosie - An entertainer?
    Promises to play nicely.
  • Software - British?
    That's m'girl :o)
  • Chalky
    [Kim] Man? YES
    [Rosie] Entertainer? YES
    [Software] British? YES
  • Raak - Does he work mainly on television?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Television? YES
  • Rosie - Involved in panel games?
    6 consecutive YES's must be near a record.
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Panel gamer? YES
    7 yes's!
  • Raak - On "Have I Got News For You"?
  • CdM
    Does he speak fluent Khosa?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] HIGNFY? At some point - YES
    [CdM] Fluent Khosa [Xhosa?] That's two questions. Please re-submit your question and play nicely from here on in.

    :)
  • Rosie - Has he been chairman of HIGNFY?
  • CdM - very well -- Does he speak?
    And, yes, Xhosa seems to be the much more common spelling, though both are in use
  • Chalky - keeping it simple
    [Rosie] Chairman of HIGNFY? NO
    [CdM] Does he speak? YES
  • Rosie - A comedian?
    (CdM) But can you speak it without causing yourself grave injury? If so, you should have no problem with Machynlleth.
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] A comedian? YES - amongst other things
  • Raak - A chat show host?
  • Software - Paul Merton?
  • ImNotJohn - Stephen Fry?
    He does everything else, so why shouldn't he be the answer to this as well?
  • Kim - Richard E Grant?
  • Rosie - Alistair McGowan?
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
    "...all interested parties are going to play nicely and in a regular manner..." check
  • Chalky - keeping it very simple
    INJ is correct!
    So I don't have to reply to all the other attempts. Even yours, Tuj :)

    It gives me enormous oodles of delicious pleasure to hand the baton over to a deserving winner - ImNotJohn
  • ImNotJohn - That's more like it
    Has the blessed Mr F never been a guest chairman of HIGNFY? Seems unlikely.
    Anyway, the next one is Mineral
  • CdM - FeS2?
    Because it begins with P
    [Rosie] I can make a passably good attempt at Macheelinneth. Remember, I am half-Welsh. :-)
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Fool's gold? - NO
  • Raak - A manufactured object?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Manufactured? - YES
  • Software - Mineral = metal?
    Well done Chalky! It must be your female wiles that can encourage such a swift result ;o)
  • Rosie - A portable device?
    (CdM) Nice one. :-) I believe you, BTW.
  • Chalky - Rock?
    [INJ - Unlikely but true. In this forum, I would never post a reply without checking the facts first -- you are all way too canny :)
    Here is a Wiki quote: "In April 2003, three-time guest panellist Stephen Fry announced that he was boycotting the show following the sacking of Angus Deayton. Fry described Deayton's disposal as "greasy, miserable, British and pathetic"."]
  • ImNotJohn
    [Software] Metallic? - NO
    [Rosie] Portable? - NO some chuckles in the audience
    [Chalky] - Rocky? - YES [Re SF - Actually, now you remind me, I do vaguely remember that.]
  • Raak - A portaloo?
  • ImNotJohn - hmmm
    [Raak] Portable, partly metallic structure with no rock in it? - NO
  • Rosie - A tunnel?
    (Chalky) Fry was right, even if Deayton is not everybody's cup of tea.
  • Dujon - Related to fire but not necessarily fired?
  • CdM - Artistic?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] Tunnel? - NO
    [Dujon] Flambé? - NO
    [CdM] Artistic? - NO (some murmurs in the audience)
  • Software - Found in the UK?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Software] UK-located? - NO
  • Raak - Is this a specific individual object?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Specific individual object? - YES
  • Rosie - The Great Wall of China?
  • Software - The Colluseum?
  • CdM - 100% rock?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] Mah Jong setup? - NO
    [Software] Colosseum? - NO
    [CdM] The rock, the whole rock and nothing but the rock? - YES (technically I don't know that, but don't worry)
  • Raak - Is it a work of sculpture?
  • CdM - Does it have a specific purpose?
  • Chalky - Rock of Gibralta?
  • Dujon - A rather large carving?
  • ImNotJohn - homing in
    [Raak] Sculpture? - YES
    [CdM] Specific purpose? - It may have had, but I don't know it
    [Chalky] Herculean Pillar? - NO
    [Dujon] Large Carving? - YES (Applause)
  • Software - The Sphinx?
  • ImNotJohn - The riddle is solved
    We have a winner! The Sphinx it is.

    The baton is passed inscrutably to Software.

  • Software - Oh, no. Not me again! Hope it doesn't take 6 weeks this time!
    Let me think ...

    Ah, I know!

    Abstract with Animal, Vegetable and Mineral connections.

  • Rosie - Animal connection human?
  • Dujon - The sign that swings outside Phil's pub?
  • ImNotJohn - Connected with the arts?
  • Software
    [Rosie] Human? - YES
    [Duj] Hostelry? - NO
    [IMJ} Arty-Farty? - YES
  • CdM - Theatrical?
  • Rosie - Musical?
  • Projoy - Pictorial?
  • Raak - Narrative?
  • Dujon - Topical?
  • ImNotJohn - Human connection a single individual?
  • Software
    [CdM] Luvvies? - YES
    [Rosie] Bandy? - NO
    [Raak] Talky? - NO (well, maybe a bit)
    [Duj] Newsey? - YES (in the UK at least)
    [INJ] Loner? - YES
  • Raak - On television?
  • Projoy
    Is The Answer the title of a play?
  • Software
    [Projoy] Play - Not a play exactly but YESish
  • Software
    [Raak] TV? -YES
  • CdM - Does the name of the loner appear as part or all of the title?
  • Rosie - The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin?
  • Software
    [CdM] see below -
    [Rosie] Boing! Spot on!

    Discretely hands the baton over to Rosie!

  • CdM
    [Rosie] Good luck putting that baton back together. :-)
  • Rosie
    (CdM) That's TNT for you.

    This one is MINERAL, sort of. Should be fairly easy.

  • Softwae - Mineral = stone?
  • CdM - Tangible?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) - Stone? - No, not as we recognise it.
    (CdM) - Tangible - *audience hilarity* I wouldn't try.
  • Raak - Lava?
  • Sierra Mike
    Salt?
  • Rosie
    Raak - Not lava.
    Sierra Mike - Salty? Ha-Harrr! Not loikely, me dearie.
  • Dujon - Related to nuclear fission?
  • Rosie
    Dujon - NO, not fission.
  • Raak - Is it deep underground?
  • Software - Extraterrestrial?
  • Rosie
    Raak - NO, nowhere on the Tube.
    (Softers) - YES, most certainly. *audience applause*
  • Raak - Pluto?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) - NO, not little Pluto.
  • ImNotJohn - Related to the sun?
  • Rosie
    (INJ) - Sun-related? Just about, but indirectly.
  • Raak - Within the solar system?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) - NO, not within the solar system.
  • Raak - An extra-solar planet?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) - NO, not an extra-solar planet.
  • Dujon - An expansion of some kind?
  • CdM - Without the solar system?
  • ImNotJohn - A star, or collection of stars?
  • Software - Inter-stellar dust clouds?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) - *cruel laughter from know-alls in audience* - Not a bit of it.
    (CdM) - YES, not within city limits.
    (INJ) - YES, in a way. (to one of your two questions, you naughty boy).
    (Software) - Space fog? - NO.
  • Raak - A neutron star?
  • Rosie
    (Raak)- NO, not a neutron star, but *audience applause*
  • Raak - A black hole?
  • Software - The event horizon?
  • ImNotJohn - A White Dwarf?
    [Rosie] No, just 1 question, to be followed up, depending on the answer.
  • Rosie
    (INJ) NO, far too big :-).
    (Software) V bad luck, but don't stand too close to it because it's RAAK's BLACK HOLE, if you see what I mean. Awesome deductive powers, sir. Have a newly-repaired baton.

    That was a bit quick. Next time it'll be a particular steam engine. *evil grin*

  • Raak
    ANIMAL.
  • Rosie - Human?
  • Raak
    Yes, human.
  • Dujon - Male?
  • CdM - Living?
  • irach - Fictional?
  • Raak
    Male? Could be.
    Living? When it exists, it is living.
    Fictional? Can be.
  • Rosie - Someone defined by their job?
  • Raak
    Jobsworth? No.
  • irach - Juvenile as opposed to adult?
  • Raak
    Could be either.
  • Bigsmith
    Communicates by speaking?
  • Rosie - Is this person known by a figurative reference?
  • ImNotJohn - Someone defined by their relationship to other people?
  • Raak
    [Bigsmith] Could speak, but not relevant.
    [Rosie] No figurative reference.
    [INJ] To other people? No.
  • Rosie - Someone noted for an achievement?
  • Software - Does the Animal occupy a titular position?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not an achievement.
    [Software] Not entitled.
    Everyone seems to be assuming that this is a single person.
  • irach - A dwarf?
  • Raak
    Not a dwarf.
  • Rosie - A gathering for a particular event?
  • Dujon - A group of people dedicated to a cause (e.g. a club)?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] *applause!* Yes, a gathering for an event.
    [Dujon] Supporting a tiddlywinks team? No.
  • Projoy - A demonstration?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] more applause! Not a demonstration.
  • CdM - A flash mob?
  • Software - An audience?
  • Raak
    [Software] Quite the opposite, for...
    [CdM] A flash mob it is. A sudden crowd of naked unicyclists appear and hand you their batons.
  • CdM
    That was unexpected. OK, MINERAL
  • Rosie - Metallic (mainly or wholly)?
  • CdM
    Metallic? Largely, yes.
  • Software - Man-made?
  • CdM
    Man-made? Yes.
  • Raak - An individual thing?
  • CdM
    Individual thing? Not sure what you mean. The answer on the card is a single named item, but there are many of them in existence. Or, to put it another way, the first word on the card is an indefinite article.
  • Rosie - Small, i.e. pocketable?
  • irach - An electrical implement?
  • CdM
    Pocketable? No.
    Electrical? Yes.
  • Dujon - An expression of a collection?
  • CdM
    Expression of a collection? No. A single named item, as noted above.
  • Software - High-tech?
  • CdM
    High-tech? There are probably high-tech incarnations of this, but the answer has to be no.
  • ImNotJohn - A domestic item?
  • CdM
    Domestic? Yes
  • Rosie - From the pre-electronics age, e.g. electric kettle?
  • Software - An electric iron?
  • CdM
    Pre-electronic? Yes.
    Iron? No.
  • Rosie - A gardening tool?
  • CdM
    Gardening? No.
  • irach - Curling iron?
  • Dujon - A coil of some kind?
  • ImNotJohn - A kitchen appliance?
  • CdM
    Curling iron? No.
    A coil? It contains a coil, yes.
    Kitchen appliance? Yes.
  • Rosie - A timer?
  • ImNotJohn - Used in food or drink preparation?
  • Graham III - Does it begin with K?
    Lurking
  • irach - Electric hot plate?
  • Raak - A toaster?
  • CdM
    A toaster is the correct answer! Sadly, no one asked the traditional size question. *hands Raak a baton, scarcely warm on one side and blackened and charred on the other*
  • Raak
    Oh, did I forget it was on? Never mind, the blackened bits are the best!

    ANIMAL with VEGETABLE and ABSTRACT connections.

  • Rosie - Animal human?
  • Raak
    Human? Yes.
  • ImNotJohn - currently alive?
  • Raak
    Can be alive or dead.
    I suspect people will begin this one with assumptions that will take a long time to overcome.
  • Rosie - Schrödinger as role reversal?
  • Raak
    Er, what? No.
  • ImNotJohn - A single named individual?
  • Raak
    Not a single named individual.
  • irach - Connected with the arts?
  • Rosie - A population?
    (Raak) If Schrödinger rather than his cat had been in the box it would be intrinsically impossible to know whether he was alive or dead, thus meeting one of the requirements. Just being a bit flippant.
  • Dujon - Is this a person referred to in a common description (e.g. 'carrot top')?
  • Raak
    [irach] Not arty.
    [Dujon] Not a type of person.
  • ImNotJohn - A part of a person?
  • Raak
    [INJ] *applause!* Yes! A part of a person.
  • Chalky - Cauliflower Ear?
    Shameless lurker's guess. Hope it's wrong
  • ImNotJohn - A gender-specific feature?
    Although I actually reckon Chalky's right - it's what I'd thought of, but I was waiting my turn.
  • Rosie - Figurative reference?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] Your wish is granted. Not a cauliflower ear.
    [INJ] Yes, gender-specific.
    [Rosie] Yes, figurative.
  • ImNotJohn - A bushy beard?
  • Raak
    [INJ] Not a bushy beard.
  • Rosie - Adam's apple?
    Assuming male.
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Yes, the Adam's apple. One fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil handed over.
  • Chalky
    Wahay. Well done Rosie.
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) Thanks.

    Now I've got to do bit of thinking - thinks - Ah, yes - It's ABSTRACT, with ANIMAL connections.
    Nothing whatsoever to do with steam engines.

  • Software - Animal human?
  • Chalky - Welsh Language?
  • Raak - Anything to do with the weather?
  • ImNotJohn - Artistic connections?
  • irach - A wolf in sheep's clothing?
  • Rosie
    Softers - YES, human.
    (Chalky) Nage.
    (Raak) NO, not weather-related.
    (INJ) NO artistic connections.
    (irach) NO disguised ferocity.
  • irach - Is the human element male?
  • Rosie
    (irach) - Could be either sex.
  • Dujon - A stereotype of some sort?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) Douse the barbie and I'll tell you, mate.:-) Not a stereotype.
  • Software - An expression?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) - NO, not an expression.
  • ImNotJohn - Related to emotions?
  • Raak - Fictional?
  • Rosie
    (INJ) Emotions are only very occasionally associated with this, so short answer, NO.
    (Raak) - Fictional? - Can be, but basically NO.
  • Software - A particular type of human being?
  • ImNotJohn - An action?
  • Rosie
    (Software) - NO, no particular type.
    (INJ) - NO, not an action.
  • Dujon
    I have an idea
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) - Forget it; it's not that.
  • ImNotJohn - Specific to a particular culture?
  • Software - A type of behaviour?
  • Rosie
    (INJ) - Culture-specific? - *some audience murmurs* - NO, not really.
    (Software) - NO, not a type of behaviour.
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) Pinitial? - Sorry, NO.

    As this seems to be a little slow I'll say that the Words on the Card are the indefinite article plus one other, and that the answer is exceedingly commonplace.

  • Chalky - A Place?
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) - NO, not a place.
  • Software - More than one human involved?
  • ImNotJohn - Is there a visible component?
  • Rosie
    (Software) - YES, more than one human.
    (INJ) - Visible? - Straightforward answer is NO, though in some circumstances there may be.
  • Raak - To do with the radio?
  • CdM - Sporting connection?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) - Nothing to do with the radio (or television).
    (CdM) - Play up, Wanderers? - NO.
  • Software - A queue?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) - NO, not a queue.
  • ImNotJohn - A human interaction?
  • Rosie
    (INJ) - Human interaction? NO, nothing so complicated.
  • Software - A thought?
  • ImNotJohn - Is there a technological connection?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) - A thought? - NO.
    (INJ) - Nothing to do with technology.
  • CdM - Associated with a particular part of the anatomy?
    You've got dirty minds, all of you.
  • Rosie
    (CdM) - To do with any of your bits, rude or otherwise? - Mmm, can be, but not normally.
  • Software - Is it in the Morniverse?
  • ImNotJohn - Connected with language?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) - This is almost entirely absent from the Morniverse.
    (INJ) - Connected with language? - NO.
  • CdM - Common sense?
  • Rosie
    (CdM) - That which "is almost entirely absent from the Morniverse"? - NO.
  • ImNotJohn - A number of people grouped together for a common purpose?
  • Rosie
    (INJ) - Purposeful gathering? - NO.

    Is it time for the gentlest of hints?

  • ImNotJohn - A round?
    It feels as if someone just needs to ask the right question and we'll home in quickly, but I'm struggling now.
  • Rosie
    (INJ) - What's yours? - NO, not this time.
    Everyone is associated with/acquires/posseses The Answer.
  • Software - Personal contact?
  • Rosie
    (Software) - Face-to-face? - NO.
  • Dujon - An ego?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) - An ego - NO, nothing so abstruse.
  • Software - Sense of humour?
  • Rosie
    (Software) - NO, not a sense of humour.
    As this is so slow I'll say that the answer is prosaic, and not a characteristic.
  • Phil - A soul?
  • Rosie
    (Phil) - NO, nothing so nebulous.
  • ImNotJohn - a type of utterance?
  • Rosie
    (INJ) - NO, not any type of utterance or any other type of action.
    I've checked back for any possibly misleading answers I may have given but there aren't any. Please, someone, ask the right question. Any further hint on my part would probably enable someone to get the answer almost immediately.
  • CdM - When you say "everyone is associated with/acquires/possesses The Answer", does "everyone" include the dead?
  • Graham III - Is it studied?
  • Rosie
    (CdM) YES - this includes the dead but not the very, very long dead in most cultures.
    (Graham III) - Studied? YES, but the answer itself is not a study.
  • Phil - A name?
  • Rosie
    (Phil) - YES, a name. Getting very warm. *audience stubs its fags out and returns*
  • Phil - A surname?
  • Dujon - Does the answer relate to an autopsy?
  • Rosie
    Sorry, Mr Belshaw, too late because THE WINNER IS MR JONES OF LEICESTER! A surname it is. Well done, Phil; carry on.
  • Phil
    Bit of a lurker's victory, but it came from very careful analysis. "almost entirely absent from the Morniverse" was the biggest indicator.

    So, next up is ABSTRACT with animal and vegetable connections

  • Rosie
    Drunkenness? ...with all due respects...
  • Phil
    [Rosie] How very dare you! NO, not drunkenness :-)
  • irach - The tale of "Jack and the Beanstalk"?
  • Phil
    [irach] Fee fie fo fum? NO
  • CdM - Animal = human?
    [Rosie] Nice one. I'm now trying to think of how many surnames do show up in the Morniverse. Off the top of my head I can think of 3.5.
  • Rosie - Anything to do with pubs?
    (CdM) Surnames - ImNotJohn, PaulWay, Simons Mith possibly? Not Herr Bratsche, despite appearances.
  • Phil
    [CdM] Human association? YES
    [Rosie] To do with pubs? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Artistic connections?
  • Phil
    [INJ] Arty? NO
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
  • Phil
    [Tuj] P? NO
  • Dujon - A tool?
  • Rosie - A feature of the natural world?
  • CdM - Specific vegetable?
    [Rosie] That was my list (PW=0.5), together with parslow.com.
  • ImNotJohn - Culturally specific?
    [surnames] Do you want to add another 20% for JLE - or is that just getting silly?
  • Phil
    [Dujon] A tool? NO
    [Rosie] Feature of the natural world? NO
    [CdM] Specific vegetable? YES
    [INJ] Culturally specific? I think that's a YES
  • CdM - Is/are the human(s) real rather than fictional?
  • Phil
    [CdM] Real humans? YES
  • ImNotJohn - Connected with food?
    And then there was the contibutor whose real name was Terence Ulysses Anorak.
  • Phil
    [INJ] Food-related? NO
    Let's not forget Mr Wild Pants or Suzy Creamcheese
  • Rosie - A phrase or saying?
    (CdM) Yes, I'd forgotten the landlord.
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Phrase or saying? Inasmuch as the words on the card are well-known, it's a phrase, but not in the sense that I think you meant. Therefore, NO.
  • Rosie - A figurative meaning?
  • CdM - Single real human?
    [INJ] It's quite a coincidence, when you think about it, that we have both the gentleman you mention and Terence Ulysses Jacket here in the morniverse.
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Figurative? NO
    [CdM] Single real human? NO
  • Chalky - Is this a group of humans who are linked in some way?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Linked group of humans? YES
  • ImNotJohn - Any sporting connection?
  • Phil
    [INJ] Sporting? YES *applause*
  • ImNotJohn - The Ashes?
    Yes, I know I went last, but I won't be able to guess again until tomorrow morning.
  • Software - Team spirit?
  • Phil
    [Software] Team Spirit? I like it, but NO
    [INJ] The Ashes? I was planning on insisting on "The Ashes Series", but I have lots to do tomorrow, so I'll say YES! Congrats!!
    I pass on to ImNotJohn an urn containing the ashes of a baton...
  • ImNotJohn
    Ah, right - better get thinking.
    Here we go then: This one is ANIMAL with Abstract connections
  • CdM - Human?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Human? - NO
  • Rosie - Figurative reference to some beast?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] Figurative reference to some beast? - NO
  • Phil
    Has the animal been processed?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Phil} Spam, spam, spam? - NO
  • Raak - Is the animal used as a symbol?
  • Rosie - Is tha animal a mammal?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Symbolic? - YESish - but that may be misleading
    [Rosie] - mammal? - NO
  • CdM - A black swan?
  • Rosie - A bird?
  • Dujon - A pet?
  • ImNotJohn - Sorry - busy weekend
    [CdM] Black Swan? - NO
    [Rosie] Bird? - YES
    [Dujon] A pet? - NO
  • CdM - Is the answer on the card a particular species?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] A particular species? - YESish - a particular species is named on the card
  • Rosie - Is the bird an indicator of something significant?
  • ImNotJohn - I think you're closing in on this one
    [Rosie] An indicator of something significant? - Not quite the wording I would have used, but YES is the best answer.
  • CdM - A part of a bird?
    (I'm thinking of something like 'a white feather' except of course with some species mentioned.)
  • Rosie - The miner's canary?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] drumstick? - NO
    [Rosie] early warning system? - NO
  • Software - Eagle eyed?
  • Phil - Is the answer the title of a "work"
  • Graham III - Is it a metaphor?
  • Dujon - The bald eagle?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Software] aquiloptic? - NO
    [Phil] A work? - NO
    [Glll] Metaphor? - NO (but some audience reaction)
    [Dujon] Haliaeetus leucocephalus? - NO
  • Software - Hens' teeth?
  • ImNotJohn - We have a problem
    [Software] Hens Teeth? - NO
    I'm about to go on holiday and don't know what access I'll have. If I can't get regular connection I'll let someone know.
  • CdM - The last dodo?
  • CdM
    (BTW, I can promise you that INJ will have internet connection.)
  • ImNotJohn
    He's right, you know - and he's right - THE LAST DODO it is.
    A moribund baton is passed across.
  • CdM
    ANIMAL
  • Rosie - Human?
  • CdM
    Human? No.
  • Rosie - A single animal?
  • CdM
    Single animal? Yes
  • Raak - Currently alive?
  • CdM
    Currently alive? No.
  • ImNotJohn - The second-last dodo?
  • Dujon - Is the amimal fictional?
    [ImNotJohn] Can you have a second-last dodo? Surely the first-last is the-last. ;-)
  • Rosie - My cat, 1990-2004?
  • Rosie - Was this animal significant in human affairs?
    Seriously this time.
  • CdM
    Well, I won't insist on the beginning-with-P wording on the card, so The Penultimate Dodo it is.
    *send baton back stamped "Return to Sender"*
  • ImNotJohn - I was only joking
    I didn't mean that seriously - I lose connection after tomorrow. So here's an easy one. Mineral
  • Rosie - Water in some form?
    (INJ) - Not Worthing, shurely?
  • CdM - A geological/geographic feature?
  • Software - A metal?
  • Graham III - Naturally occurring?
  • Raak - The Earth?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] - Water - NO
    [CdM] Natural feature? NO
    [Software] Metal? - The answer is metallic, but not a metal
    [Glll] Natural - NO
    [Raak] Gaia? - NO
  • Raak - The Eiffel Tower?
  • ImNotJohn - Phew! That was close.
    Tout à fait correcte! La Tour Eiffel est la réponse juste.
    A baton in the form of a gallic symbol is passed on
  • Raak
    Zut alors! Ze next is ABSTRACT.
  • Rosie - Essemtially to do with humans?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Yes, to do with humans.
  • Dujon - The Origin of Species?
  • Raak
    [Dujon] Ook? No.
  • CdM - Scientific?
  • Software - A human concept?
  • ImNotJohn - Connected with the arts?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Not scientific.
    [Software] A human concept.
    [INJ] Not artistic.
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Rosie - A human characteristic?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] Does not begin with P.
    [Rosie] Not a human characteristic.
  • Software - A phrase or saying?
  • Raak
    [Software] Not a phrase or saying.
  • Tuj - Single word?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] A single word, plus the indefinite article.
  • Rosie - A group of people?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not a group of people.
  • Software - A thought?
  • Rosie - To do with grouping or classification?
  • Raak
    [Software] Not a thought.
    [Rosie] Nothing to do with grouping or classification.
  • Chalky - A 'syndrome'?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] Not a syndrome.
    Time for a hint?
  • ImNotJohn - technology-dependent?
  • Rosie - A hint?
  • Raak
    [INJ] Not technology-dependent.
    [Rosie] Not a hint.
  • CdM - Commonplace?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Yes, quite commonplace.
  • Rosie - Is there some physical item associated with this?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] No particular physical item.
  • The Hint Fairy - Does this have seasonal relevance?
  • Raak
    [THF] Why, yes it does!
  • Rosie - The Silly Season?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not the Silly Season.
  • Rosie - Are we currently in the season for this?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] We are in precisely the season for this!
  • ImNotJohn - hay fever?
  • Software - A holiday?
  • Raak
    [INJ] Not hay fever.
    [Software] Yes! A holiday! Have this bucket and spade.
  • Software - Oh, dear. Not again ...
    Raak, thanks - mind my sand castle on the way out, please.

    Well, let me think. Ah, I have it! Vegetable and Mineral with Abstract connections.

  • ImNotJohn - vegetable = wood?
  • Software
    Timber! - YES.
  • Raak - Mineral = metal?
  • Rosie - A manufactured object?
  • ImNotJohn - A tool?
  • Software
    [Raak] Metalic? YES
    [Rosie] Man made? YES
    [IMJ] A Tool? NO (ish)
  • Dujon - A Mosquito?
  • ImNotJohn - One specific article?
  • Software
    [Duj] Mossie? NO ( er .. where is the ANIMAL in the definition - have you been bitten by one?
    [INJ] One item? NO. More than 1.
  • ImNotJohn - Found in the house?
    [Software] I assumed Dujon was referring to a De Havilland Mosquito.
  • Rosie - A drum kit?
  • Software
    [INJ] Domestic? YES (I was not in WWII aeroplane mode at the time of the answer, strangely)
    [Rosie] Percussion? NO

    I'm going off to chez nous for a short break, so I may not login every day over the next 10 days.

  • Dujon - A set of speakers?
    Seeing that our highly esteemed Software has buzzed off for a few days I'd like to thank INJ for his clarification of my previous.
  • Software - not gone yet ;o)
    [Duj] Stereo? NO
  • Rosie - Smaller than a toaster?
  • Software
    [Rosie] (you taking the piss?) Kitchen appliance sized? - YES & NO
  • Rosie - A fixture or fixtures?
  • Software - Bon soir
    [Rosie] Immoblier? NON
  • ImNotJohn - A container of some sort?
  • Rosie - Associated with domestic drudgery?
  • Software
    [INJ] Bag, man? - NO
    [Rosie] Nettoyage? - NON
  • Rosie - Anything to do with entertainment?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the answer a set (ensemble/collection - take your pick) of objects?
  • Software
    [Rosie] Fun? YES
    [INJ] Multi? YES
  • Rosie - A toy?
  • Software
    [Rosie] Distraction? - YES
  • Rosie - Meccano?
  • Software
    [Rosie] Liverpudlian toys? - NO
  • ImNotJohn - Aimed primarily at babies/toddlers/under 5s?
  • Rosie - Lego?
    Legere, lexi, lectum.
  • ImNotJohn - Known by a brand name?
    [Rosie] You must have had the original prototype lego made out of wood and metal.
  • Software
    [INJ] Toddlers? - NO (well not entirely as a kind of hint)
    [Rosie] Daneplay? - NO
    [INJ] Designer? NO
  • Rosie - A form of puzzle?
    (INJ) Oh, I did. Mahogany with brass inlay. They made things properly in those days.
  • ImNotJohn - A board game?
  • Software
    [Rosie] Enigma? - NO
    [INJ] Parlour fun? - NO
  • Rosie - An indoors activity?
  • Software
    [Rosie] On the carpet? - NO
  • ImNotJohn - Any musical connections?
  • Software`
    [INJ] Melodic - NO
  • Rosie - A game in the garden?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it a competitive activity?
    Are there winners & losers.
    BTW can I just confirm. This is found in the house, but it is not an indoors activity, is that correct?
  • Software
    [Rosie] External domestic fun? - YES (but not exclusively)
    [INJ] Competitive? - NO (well, not normally and not normally inside)
  • Software - Clarification and hint
    The answer is not an activity but contains items that are used therewith.
  • ImNotJohn - Does the activity involve throwing?
    Slightly diverted from the true path by your answer to my question:
    Q. Found in the house?
    A. Domestic? - YES
    Can you please clarify.
  • Software - [IN
    [INJ] Chuck? - NO
    In answer to your other query, the subject will be found in the house but not necessarily used there.
  • Lurkers needed - INJ ( not a guess!)
    I think Rosie and I need some lurker help here.
    We're looking for a man-made toy made of wood and metal, with some (as yet unexplored) abstract connection. It consists of a number of parts and is normally used outside although it may be found inside (when it's put away?). It is both larger and smaller than a toaster - don't know if that's the part vs whole thing or just that it comes in different sizes. It is not normally a competitive game and does not involve throwing. It is not known by a brand name. It is not a board game or meccano or lego or a puzzle or a container or a fixture or fitting or a domestic appliance or a tool (slightly hesitant NO to that one), nor does it have musical connections.
    There you are - should be easy now.
    Any thing significant I missed?
  • Dujon - Does the abstract involve a show/display/exhibition?
  • ImNotJohn - Does the activity normally involve more than one person?
    Ah, yes, one omission. It is not primarily aimed at young children (the under 5-s say). The response was: 'NO (well not entirely as a kind of hint)'.
  • Software
    [Duj] Beauty parade? - YES well, sometimes
    [INJ] Solo? - the correct answer could be YES and/or NO
  • Software - remember we are looking for mineral and vegetable with only abstract connections
  • Graham III - Does it have a sporting connection?
  • ImNotJohn - Are there more than 2 parts/elements to this?
  • Software
    [G III] Sporty? - NO
    [INJ] More than a pair? - NO
  • Rosie - Garden furniture?
  • Graham III - Does it require inflation?
  • ImNotJohn - Are there are other elements involved apart from wood and metal?
  • Software
    [Rosie] On the patio? - NO
    [G III] Puff? - NO
    [INJ] Construction> - YES (sometimes)
  • irach - Has wheels?
  • Software
    [irach] Mobility? - NO
  • ImNotJohn - stilts?
  • irach - Pogo stick?
  • Software
    [INJ] High handed? - NO
    [irach] Tigger? - NO. (remember earlier it was decided that the answer consisted of more than one part.)
  • ImNotJohn - Is it associated with a specific culture?
    - to be precise - 2 parts.
  • Software
    [INJ] Culture link? - NO. (yes 2)
  • irach - Primarily seasonal use?
  • Software
    [irach] Seasonal? - YES!
  • irach - Used in winter?
  • Software
    [irach] Winter? - NO.
  • Graham III - Summer?
  • Dujon - Owt to do wi' bonfires and parkin?
  • Software
    [G III] Summer - YES
    [Duj] Arcane winter celebrations? - NO
  • Projoy - Does it contain water?
  • Software
    [Pro] Wet? - YES
  • Projoy - Does it float?
  • Software
    [Pro] Floater? - YES and maybe NO (we have established 2 parts)
  • Projoy - Bucket and Spade? (the old kind)
  • Software - Hurrah!!
    A Bucket and Spade it is!

    Gladly hands over the stick of rock to Projoy!

  • Projoy
    Gosh, that's very retro. Makes me think of those daft wooden tubs of ice-cream you can get... *looks around lounge for inspiration* Ah. OK. Let's try this:

    MOSTLY MINERAL (+ some of the other two + abstract connections)
  • Raak - An ornamental geological specimen?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] OGS? NO, not really.
  • irach - A room furnishing?
  • Projoy
    [irach] Room furnishing? NO
  • Projoy
    Oh, I just realised what occasioned those last two questions. The lounge angle is very unlikely to help.
  • Dujon - Would this relate to archaeology?
  • Rosie - A manufactured object?
  • Projoy
    [Dujon] Old Fossils? NO
    [Rosie] Manufactured? YEEEES, for some values of "manufactured", anyway. Definitely more than not.
  • ImNotJohn - A sculpture?
  • Raak - Made of stone?
  • Software - Metalic?
  • Projoy
    INJ - Statuesque? NO
    Raak - Stone? YES, mostly
    Software - Metallic? Contains metal.
  • ImNotJohn - The toaster question
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Much bigger than said browning apparatus.
  • Raak - Is the metal part a plaque?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] The metal part?
  • Software - Concrete?
  • Raak - Does any part of this thing bear an inscription?
  • ImNotJohn - A building?
  • Projoy
    [Software] Probably some concrete involved
    [Raak] Inscribed? YES
    [INJ] Constructive? YES
  • Rosie - In London?
  • ImNotJohn - Open to the public?
  • Software - A memorial?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] London? YES
    [INJ] Open to the public? YES AND NO
    [Softers] Memorial? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Built before 1900?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Pre-Labour Party? NO
  • Projoy
    *murmurs of surprise from the audience*
  • Raak - Is it in Trafalgar Square?
  • Projoy's
    [Raak] Trafalgar? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Does it have a primarily commercial purpose?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Moneyspinning? NO
  • Raak - Is it a tourist attraction?
  • Rosie - The Royal Festival Hall?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Tourism? There are defensible yes and no answers, I think. If pressed, I would say NOT REALLY.
    [INJ] Herbert Morrison Remnant? NO
  • Raak - Do people work inside this building?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Workplace? YES.
  • irach - Mornington Crescent Tube station?
  • Rosie - Transport House?
    (Pj) Not the RFH, then?
  • Projoy
    [irach] The Hallowed Place? NO
    [Rosie] John Smith House? NO
  • Projoy
    Oops. Misnomer there. It's not either of the Transport House
  • Rosie - A place of entertainment?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] entertainment? *audience laughter* NO
  • irach - A location with political connections?
  • Projoy
    [irach] Poltical? YES, broadly.
  • Raak - Middlesex Guildhall?
  • Rosie - Toynbee Hall?
    Polly put the kettle on.
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Yes, you are correct. It is the Middlesex Guildhall, now the home of the UK Supreme Court, which starts work properly on Monday. I would have accepted "The Supreme Court" too, of course.
  • Projoy - *hands gavel to Raak*
  • Raak
    The next is mostly ANIMAL and VEGETABLE.
  • Projoy - The members of the Supreme Court?
  • Rosie - Dawlish Man U Supporters Club?
  • Rosie - Food?
  • JJ - A herbivore of some kind?
  • Raak
    [P] No :-)
    [R] Devonian Macunian ex-pats? No.
    [R] Not food.
    [JJ] Yes, a herbovore is involved, nay, committed.
  • Dujon - Damned beavers?
  • Rosie - A horse and cart?
  • Raak
    [D] No beavers.
    [R] Not a horse and cart.
  • JJ - A mad cow?
  • Software - A burger?
  • Graham III - Is it a predator?
  • Rosie - Is this one object?
  • Raak
    [JJ] Not a mad cow.
    [S] Not a burger.
    [GIII] Not a predator.
    [R] The answer is in the singular, but it's not a specific individual. (E.g. "A window-cleaner", rather than "The Eiffel Tower".)
  • ImNotJohn - Clothing?
  • Raak
    [INJ] Not clothing.
  • Raak
    This thing has Abstract connections as well.
  • Projoy - Is the animal part a by-product?
  • Raak
    [P] There are no byproducts, only products other than the one you were trying to make.
  • JJ - A Damien Hirst?
  • Raak
    [JJ] Sharks in formaldehyde? No.
  • Software - Is it a construction/building?
    Trying to clear the fog.
  • Projoy - Is it larger than a toaster?
  • Raak
    [S] Not a construction or building.
    [P] Yes! Bigger than a toaster.
  • Graham III - But is it art?
  • Raak
    [GIII] *applause* Yes! It is (associated with) art!
  • Rosie - Used in the display of a work of art?
  • JJ - Some kind of pigment?
  • Raak
    [R] Not an easel, picture rail, plinth, gallery, web site, or object of like nature.
    [JJ] Not a pigment.
    I am taking "art" in the general sense, not just pictures.
  • Projoy - Larger than a phonebox?
  • Raak
    [P] Not larger than a phonebox.
  • Software - Animal part human?
  • Raak
    [S] Not human. (Herbivore, remember.)
  • ImNotJohn - Is the animal part, leather?
  • Raak
    [INJ] *applause* The audience were getting desperate for something to applaud. The animal part is leather.
  • Software
    An armchair?
  • Graham III - Does its shape resemble a lamina (i.e., does it have immaterial depth)
  • irach - A saddle (the vegetable part being wood)
  • Raak
    [S] Not an armchair, however artistically made.
    [GIII] Not laminate.
    [i] (a) Not a saddle. (b) Yes! The vegetable part is wood.
  • CdM - Specific to a certain culture?
  • irach - A gaucho's bolas?
  • ImNotJohn - Elephant's foot umbrella stand?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Yes, specific to a certain culture.
    [i] Not a bolas.
    [INJ] Not an EFUS.
  • CdM - A drum of some kind?
  • Graham III - Does it have any stuffing?
  • Raak
    [CdM] *APPLAUSE* It is a drum of some kind.
    [GIII] No stuffing.
    I'll be away and offline for the weekend from mid-afternoon on Friday, so you'd better get it solved by then.
  • Rosie - A Lambeg Drum?
  • Graham III - A tabla?
  • Raak
    [R] Not a Lambeg.
    [GIII] Not a tabla.
  • ImNotJohn - A bodhran?
  • Graham III - Asian?
  • Raak
    [INJ] Not a bodhran.
    [GIII] Yes, Asian.
  • Projoy - dhol?
  • Raak
    [P] Not a dhol.
  • Dujon - Would this be more likely to be found in the Asian sub-continent than in Asia proper?
  • irach - A mridangam?
  • Raak
    [D] I'm not sure what distinction you're drawing there. Asia.
    [i] Not a mridangam.
  • ImNotJohn - Primarily Chinese?
  • Raak
    [INJ] Not Chinese.
  • Graham III - A Taiko drum?
  • Raak
    [GIII] *the audience burst into a 3-hour Miyake improvisation* You have hit the drum on the head! One bachi passed to the winner.
  • Graham III - Huzzah!
    Right, I'll try to be as responsive as I can, but may only be able to answer on a daily basis some of the time. We'll keep it reasonably easy (I hope).

    ABSTRACT
  • CdM - Human construct?
  • Rosie - A manifestation of the physical world?
  • Graham III
    [CdM] Made up by humans? YES
    [Rosie] Not 100% sure I get your meaning, but I'm fairly confident the answer is NO.
  • Software - Related to a specific culture?
  • ImNotJohn - linguistic connections?
  • Graham III
    [Software] Cultural? NO
    [INJ] Except insofar that the answer is formed of word(s), NO.
  • Rosie - A philosophy?
    (G III) (First question) - I meant something like heat, cold, humidity etc.
  • Graham III
    [Rosie] Thanks for the clarification. Still NO then.

    [Rosie] A philosophy? NO
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
  • ImNotJohn - Related to emotions?
  • Graham III
    [Tuj] P'ed? NO
    [INJ] Audience oohs and whispers. Emotional? NO, not directly.
  • Rosie - An intellectual process?
  • Graham III
    [Rosie] A process? NO
  • Software - To do with music?
  • ImNotJohn - Associated with a specific time period or place?
  • Graham III
    [Software] Laaa! NO
    [INJ] In general, NO, but to some people, probably YES.
  • ImNotJohn - artistic connections?
  • Software - To do with belief?
  • Graham III
    [INJ] But is it art? NO
    [Software] A believer? Good question. NO
  • Rosie - Some form of memory?
  • Tuj - A single word answer?
  • Dujon - Nostalgia?
  • Graham III
    [Rosie] A memory? NO
    [Tuj] Just one word? YES! *some applause and general relief*
    [Dujon] Vera Lynn? NO.
  • ImNotJohn - An action?
  • Tuj - Connected to this game?
  • Graham III
    [INJ] Action? NO
    [Tuj] Connected thinking? NOT DIRECTLY
    may be time for a clue soon.
  • Rosie - Intelligence, in some form?
  • Software - Dreaming?
  • Graham III
    [Rosie] Intelligentsia? NO, but not unrelated
    [Software] Nocturnal activity? *healthy applause*: NO
  • Rosie - Some form of wish?
  • Graham III
    [Rosie] Wishful thinking? NO
  • Tuj - An idea?
  • Software - Daydream?
  • Graham III
    [Tuj] Idea? YES, in a way
    [Software] Daydream? NO, wrong direction I'm afraid.
  • ImNotJohn - Insomnia
  • Rosie - Reality?
  • Software - Nightmare?
  • Graham III
    [INJ] Wakefulness? NO
    [Rosie] Reality? NO
    [Software] Mare? NO
    some lateral thinking required.
  • Rosie - Anything to do with sex?
  • Tuj - The mind?
  • Graham III
    [Rosie] Something to do with sex? YES make of that what you will
    [Tuj] The mind? NO, (and yes but that's less helpful).
  • Rosie - A result of sexual activity?
    I'm going to sleep.
  • Projoy - Necessarily to do with reproduction?
  • Software - A fantasy?
  • Tuj - Fictional?
  • Graham III
    Hmm, along rather the wrong lines at the moment.

    [Rosie] Afterglow? NO
    [Projoy] Necessary? DEPENDS ON YOUR POINT OF VIEW. For most people, NO
    [Software] Fantastical? NO
    [Tuj] A fiction? DEPENDS ON YOUR POINT OF VIEW ;-)
  • Projoy - A sexual activity?
  • Graham III
    [Projoy] Sexual activity? NO
  • Projoy - To do with sex in the sense of "gender"?
  • Graham III
    [Projoy] Gender specific

    Clue (but not really). Think about dreams (healthy applause but not the right answer) and being to do with sex.
  • Projoy - An imaginary thing?
  • Dujon - related to a man's world?
  • Graham III
    [Projoy] Imaginary? I think we can safely say YES
    [Dujon] Manly? Not specifically.
  • Software - An ideal?
  • Graham II
    [Software] Ideal? NO
  • Rosie - A fantasy?
  • Graham III
    [Rosie] I refer you to an earlier answer. NO.

    Think about dreams. Someone else did...
  • Projoy - To do with being female?
  • Projoy
    Actually, scrub that. Is it connected with the subconscious?
  • Graham III
    [Projoy] Subconscious? *audience applause* YES!
  • CdM - The id?
  • Projoy - The superego?
    [CdM] Let's not just rush in with a random guess.
  • Software - Subliminal?
  • Graham III
    [Software] Sublime? NO
    [Projoy] Superlative self? NO
    [CdM] Id? *Audience gasps with the audacious guess, then rapturous applause* YES! The word on the card was Id. One baton winging its way over to CdM...
  • The line maker
  • CdM
    A bit of a lurker's victory, I'm afraid. So I'll atone with a nice easy VEGETABLE.
  • Dujon - Is this a LARGE vegetable? ;)
  • CdM
    Large? It is neither large nor otherwise.
  • Raak - Edible?
  • Rosie - Grass?
  • CdM
    Edible? Yes.
    Grass No.
  • Tuj - *coff* Begins with a P?
    Got a feeling it will =)
  • Graham III - Is it a vegetable?
  • CdM
    Begins with a P? Absolutely not.
    A vegetable? No.
  • Rosie - A collective noun, e.g. blossom?
  • CdM
    Collective noun? No.
  • Tuj - Is it man-made?
    [CdM] Burst my bubble, eh?
  • CdM
    Man-made? I'm not sure one would usually use that term, but the answer is Yes in the sense that it is processed.
  • irach - Potato crisps/chips?
  • CdM
    Chrisps? No.
  • Software - Canned?
  • ImNotJohn - Tofu?
  • CdM
    Canned? Can be, but not usually.
    Tofu? No.
  • Dujon - Is this comprised of a type of tuber?
  • Kinrah - Can it be fed to animals?
    Just need to get that out of my head.
  • CdM
    Tuberous? No.
    Fed to animals? Um, I don't see any reason why it couldn't be, although perhaps there is something I don't know about animal digestion that would preclude it. I don't think it is fed to animals on any kind of established or regular basis. On the other hand, googling around to investigate that question, I discovered that -- to my surprise -- I should have labeled this "VEGETABLE AND SOMETIMES ANIMAL".
  • Graham III - Is it an ingredient in something that is consumed by humans?
  • ImNotJohn - Does it consist of multiple small elements?
    e.g. Muesli
  • Rosie - Some form of oil?
  • CdM
    Ingredient? Sometimes, yes.
    Mueslish? No.
    Oil? No.
  • Rosie - Is it something extracted from a plant (or sometimes animal)?
  • CdM
    Extracted from a plant? Yes. *applause* (Extracted from an animal? No.)
  • CdM
    As a small clue, the "sometimes animal" is not an avenue that you will find worth pursuing. I did not know of the animal connection and would be amazed if anyone here did.
  • Raak - Is it a liquid?
  • CdM
    Liquid? Yes.
  • Chalky - Fruit smoothie?
  • CdM
    Smoothie? No.
  • Tuj - Is it a brand name?
  • ImNotJohn - Does it have therapeutic qualities?
  • irach - A syrup (e.g. corn or maple?)
  • Rosie - An essential oil (i.e. perfume)?
  • Projoy - Does it come in a variety of flavours?
  • CdM - Cutting to the chase
    The words on the card are Maple Syrup, and so I will pass a fine hand-carved maplewood baton to irach. Apparently, manufacturers sometimes use a tiny amount of lard (or other animal or vegetable fat) to reduce foaming while boiling the maple sap. So your maple syrup may in fact contain about 0.003% lard. Vegetarians take note.
  • irach - Lard-dee-dah!!
    This one is Mostly MINERAL with possibly abstract connections
  • CdM - Mostly metal?
  • Raak - Does one wear it?
  • Software - Man made?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • irach
    [CdM] Not metal
    [Raak] Not worn.
    [Software] Not man-made
    [Tuj] No "P" involved.
  • CdM - Mostly stone?
  • irach
    [CdM] Not mostly stone.
  • Tuj - Does it currently exist?
  • Dujon - A terrestial object or phenomenon?
  • irach
    [Tuj] Does currently exist.
    [Dujon] Yes , a terrestrial object; many may also describe it as phenomenal.
  • CdM - Mostly harmless?
  • irach
    [CdM] Hmmmm... yes, for the vast majority of people it is, and has been harmless.
  • Tuj - Is it unique?
  • Raak - Bigger than Wales?
  • CdM - Mostly water?
  • irach
    [Tuj] Unique? Certainly.
    [Raak]Not bigger than Wales
    [CdM] Mostly water? Yes!!!
  • Raak - Is it a lake?
  • Dujon - The Ganges?
  • irach
    [Raak] Not a lake.
    [Dujon] Not the Ganges.
  • CdM - Mostly freshwater?
  • Raak - Is the water liquid?
  • irach
    [CdM] Freshwater.
    [Raak] Almost always liquid. In rare instances has been known not to be.
  • Tuj - In a single country?
  • CdM - Niagara Falls?
  • irach
    [Tuj] Two nations.
    [CdM] Yes.... Niagara Falls it is... the falls froze over completely in 1911...An icicle baton is handed off to you...
  • Line Maker
  • CdM
    Me again? OK, a nice easy ANIMAL this time.
  • ImNotJohn - Human?
  • CdM
    Human? No.
  • Chalky - Dead?
  • CdM
    Dead? Um. Well, I think the correct answer is that it was never really alive. Which might make you wonder if it is actually animal at all -- and I admit that I have had to think hard about that. My conclusion is that it *is* animal, though I could see someone making the case that it is vegetable. And still never really living. Or not exactly. Confused? So am I, despite the fact that it really is a simple AVMA topic.
  • Raak - Smaller than a pinhead?
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
  • ImNotJohn - Edible?
  • Software - Fictional?
  • irach - A Snark, as in the Lewis Carroll poem (Boojum or not)?
  • CdM
    Insufficient room for angels? It is of no specific size, but it is not smaller than a pinhead?
    Begins with P? No.
    Edible? Yes. *some audience chuckling at the juxtaposition of the last two questions*
    Fictional? No.
    Snarky? No.
  • Tuj - Is it unique?
  • Rosie - A mineral, despite the classification?
  • irach - Of marine origin?
  • Raak - Limestone?
  • CdM
    Unique? No. (actually, not really a relevant question)
    Mineral? No.
    Marinal? No.
    Limestone? No.
  • Dujon - A brain?
  • Chalky - A fossil?
  • CdM
    Brain? No. (I don't think there would be any ambiguity there.)
    Fossil? No. (Not mineral.)
  • ImNotJohn - Yeast?
  • CdM
    Yeast? No.
  • Software - Insect like?
  • ImNotJohn - liquid?
  • CdM
    Insect-like? No (but some *applause*)
    Liquid? Usually, yes.
  • ImNotJohn - Royal Jelly?
    Sorry to ask 2 in a row, but it's a long time between them.
  • Rosie - An oil?
  • CdM
    Royal jelly? No, but *loud applause*.
    Oil? No.
  • Raak - Honey?
  • Kinrah - Tree sap?
  • CdM
    Honey is correct. Is honey more like milk (surely animal), or regurgitated carrots (probably stlll vegetable)? I think the answer is milk, but I'm not sure. *hands somewhat sticky baton to Raak*
  • Raak
    The next is MINERAL and ANIMAL, with ABSTRACT connections.
  • irach - Water off a duck's back?
  • Raak
    [i] Not water off (or on) a duck's back.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the mineral component metal?
    Rats! I was hesitating between Honey & Royal Jelly and decided that I would have put honey as more vegetable-ish.
  • Software - Human animal?
  • Raak
    {S} Not human.
  • ImNotJohn - Exceeding dimensional equivalence with a domestic bread grilling machine?
    And my metal question?
  • Raak
    [INJ] Oops, yes, mostly metal. Bigger than a toaster.
  • Rosie - Animal leather?
  • Tuj - Is it unique?
  • ImNotJohn - Any artistic connections?
  • Raak
    [R] Not leather.
    [T] Not unique.
    [INJ] Yes, artistic, broadly understood.
  • Software - Movable?
  • Raak
    [S] Erm....yes, movable.
  • ImNotJohn - Associated with film or television?
  • Rosie - Found in the home?
  • Raak
    [INJ] applause! Associated with film or television.
    [R] laughter! Not found in the home.
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
  • Raak
    [T] Does not begin with a P. Bonus answer: there is not a single P on the card.
  • CdM
    [Raak] Have you checked on the back as well?
  • Raak
    [CdM] It's a Möbius card.
  • CdM - Associated with the *creation* of film or TV content?
    [Raak] Ah, ok. Have you checked the edge?
  • ImNotJohn - A dalek?
  • Raak
    [INJ] Not a dalek.
  • Software - Pinewood studios
  • Raak
    [S] Not a film director's tree hut.
  • Raak
    [CdM] Associated with the creation of film or TV content? Like, equipment, screenplays, production crew, etc? No.
  • ImNotJohn - TV?
    (Rather than film)
  • Raak
    [INJ] Yes, TV rather than film.
  • irach - Dr. Who's Tardis phone booth?
  • Raak
    [i] Bigger inside than out? No.
  • Rosie - A location or set?
  • Raak
    [R] Not a location or set.
  • Tuj - Associated with a specific TV programme?
  • Projoy - Associated with Star Trek?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] Yes, associated with a specific TV programme.
    [P] Boldly going? No.
  • Kinrah - Associated with a children's TV programme?
  • Raak
    [K] Not children's TV.
  • CdM - British TV?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Not children's TV.
  • Raak
    [CdM] Ahem. Yes, British TV.
  • Software - Red Dwarf?
  • Raak
    [S] Not Red Dwarf.
  • Kinrah - TV drama?
  • Raak
    [K] Not TV drama.
  • CdM - Is the animal a character in the TV show (such as Skippy the Wonder Horse)?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Not a character.
  • Software - Comedy?
  • Raak
    [S] Yes, comedy.
  • Software - Monty Python?
  • Raak
    [S] *applause* It is Monty Python!
  • Raak
    That is, it is from Monty Python. Still a way to go.
  • Rosie - The University of Wallamaloo?
    Bibo ergo sum.
  • CdM - A Norwegian Blue in a cage?
  • Raak
    [R] Not UW.
    [CdM] Not pining for the fjords.
  • irach - Dead bird and cage in the " Dead Parrot" skit?
  • Raak
    [i] CdM just asked that.
  • Graham III - Does it feature in one of their films?
  • Raak
    [GIII] It doesn't feature in any of their feature films, but I couldn't swear that it's not in things like The Secret Policeman's Ball.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the animal actually a single animal?
  • Raak
    [INJ] some applause Not a single animal.
  • CdM - All things dull and ugly?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Not all things dull and ugly.
  • Rosie - A bucketful of piranha?
    Only a bit larger than a toaster.
  • Raak
    [R] *a scattering of applause* Not a bucketful of piranhas.
  • Software - The zinc stoat?
  • Raak
    [S] Not the zinc stoat.
  • CdM - Spiny Norman?
  • CdM
    Never mind; that's a single animal.
  • Projoy - the name of a species?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Not a Spiny Norman.
    [P] (Consults Wikipedia.) Can be the name of a species.
  • Projoy - From Series 1?
  • Raak
    [P] (Consults Wikipedia.) (Consults Google.) (Consults Wikipedia.) (Consults Wikipedia again. Did you know that Line 6 of the Beijing Subway (北京地铁６号线) is currently under construction and is scheduled to be opened in 2012? And that the Öjendorfer See has an area of 460,000 m²?) Yes, Series 1.
  • Projoy - A blind bat
    (A nod's as good as a wink, know what I mean, say no more)
  • ImNotJohn - A hovercraft full of eels?
  • Raak
    [P] Not a blind bat.
    [INJ] *stock footage of women applauding* It is a hovercraft full of eels! I'm afraid we're all out of batons at the moment, will spam do?
  • Projoy
    My nipples explode with delight.
  • ImNotJohn
    Well if that hadn't been correct I think I would have given up.

    So, here we go again with a simple ANIMAL

  • Software - Human?
  • ImNotJohn
    [SW] Human - YES (there's a good start)
  • Rosie - Alive?
  • ImNotJohn - Couldn't last
    [Rosie] Alive? - NO
  • Projoy - Fictional?
  • ImNotJohn
    [PJ] Made-up name? - NO
  • Raak - Mainly known for artistic connections?
  • ImNotJohn - Rattling along nicely
    [Raak] Arty-farty? - YES
  • Projoy - Died in C20th?
  • CdM - Performer (broadly defined) rather than creator?
    (intending no slight to the creative aspects of performance...)
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Dujon - Pablo Picasso?
    Well, come on, Tuj has to be correct once in a while :)
  • Rosie - William Morris?
  • ImNotJohn
    [PJ] died in C20? - NO
    [CdM] Performer? - NO (* a few chuckles in the audience*)
    [Tuj] P starter? - NO
    [Dujon] Picasso? - I'm not going to tell you - (anyway, who's going to set an answer beginning with P now?)
    [Rosie] A minor Morris? - NO
  • Software - Politician?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Software] Politician? - NO
  • Projoy - Died in the C18th or earlier?
  • ImNotJohn
    [PJ] Ancient? - NO
  • Projoy - Died in C21?
  • ImNotJohn - By a process of elimination.........
    [PJ] Just gone? - NO
    OK I give in - died in the 19th century.
  • Projoy - Born in the C19?
    Deduction r us.
  • CdM - Female?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Pj] Born in C19? - YES
    [CdM] Weaker sex? - NO *ducks missiles from audience*
  • Rosie - A painter?
  • CdM - Was English his mother tongue?
  • Projoy - Novelist?
  • Software - British, dammit?
  • ImNotJohn - I always think not logging on over the weekend is a good sign
    [Rosie] - Painter? - NO
    [CdM] Anglophone? - YES
    [Pj] Novelist? - NO
    [Software] British? - YES
  • Raak - A poet?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Poet? - YES *applause*
  • nights - Tennyson?
    I know lurking on AVMA is bad form. I apologise.
  • ImNotJohn - It's OK if your guess is wrong
    [nights] Tennyson? - NO
  • Projoy - Ralph Waldo Emerson?
  • ImNotJohn - Let the guessfest commence
    [Projoy] RWE? - NO (he's not very British)
  • Projoy - Edward Lear?
  • CdM - Are his works typically found on school curricula?
    Just trying to get some sense of how major/minor a poet he is. If the question is too vague or difficult to verify, feel free to give me some other kind of answer to the question!)
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] Pleasant to know? - NO
    [CdM] Major/Minor? - I would expect to find him on some school curricula. I expect the vast majority of morniverse contributors to have heard of him without googling.
  • Projoy - Robert Browning?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] Gravy poet? - NO ([CdM] a poet of a similar public stature to Browning IMO, if that helps)
  • Software - Kipling?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Software] An exceedingly good poet? - NO (I haven't checked, but I know he made it well into the C20th)
  • Projoy - Gerard Manley Hopkins?
  • CdM
    [Projoy] That might or might not be right, but knowing INJ as I do, I can tell you that it is an inspired guess
  • Rosie - Associated with a particular region of the world?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] GMH? - YES!!! HOPKINS it is.

    One instressed baton handed on.

  • CdM
    [Projoy] Told you so.
  • Projoy
    The Projoypartner has recently been very into Inversnaid...

    ABSTRACT
  • Rosie - Photography?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] flash flash grin grin? - NO
  • Software - Phrase or saying?
  • imNotJohn - Related to the arts?
  • Projoy
    [Sw] phrase/saying? NOT REALLY (I suppose it is a phrase, strictly speaking)
    [INJ] Arts-related? NO.
  • Graham III - Something to do with Scotland?
  • ImNotJohn - culturally specific?
  • Software - Seasonal?
  • Projoy
    [GIII] Scottish? OCH, NO.
    [INJ] Culturally specific? YES
    [Software] Seasonal? YES *applause*
  • Kinrah - Christmas-related?
  • Projoy
    [You and Your Kin(rah)] X-mas the spot? YES! *more applause*
  • Software - A Christmas Carol?
  • ImNotJohn - Santa-related?
  • Projoy
    [Softers] Christmas Carol? NO
    [INJ] Fat trespasser? NO
  • CdM - Does the word "Christmas" appear on the card?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Christmas/Card? NO
  • Software - Seasons greetings?
  • Projoy
    [SW] Seasons Greetings? NO
  • Dujon - Also related to legs?
  • Projoy
    [Duj] Legs? Um, NO.
  • CdM - Musical connection?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Musicky? NO
  • Rosie - A state of mind or body?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] State? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Is the specific culture that of the English-speaking Christian peoples?
  • Chalky - Religiousness?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Specific to Anglophone Xtians? YES, pretty much.
    [Chalky] Religiosity? NO (I'm assuming that was a guess).
  • CdM - Primarily concerned with the religious rather than secular aspects of Christmas?
  • Chalky - The Nativity?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Spirit over Secularity? NO
    [Chalky] The Nativity? NO.
  • ImNotJohn - Primarily commercial in nature?
    [Chalky] Good to see you back contributing.
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Commercial? NO (although there is an historical link with commerce)
  • Phil - Food-related?
  • Projoy
    [Phil yer phace] Phood? NO.
  • Gusset Login - Merry Christmas?
  • Projoy
    [GL] "Merry Christmas" - NO, not the phrase itself but The Answer could form part of the phrase's referent.
  • Projoy
    *sounds of discontented pedantic muttering in audience*
  • Kinrah - The season to be jolly?
    Had that in my head for a while, need to get rid of it.
  • Projoy
    [Kinrah] TSTBJ? NO, but see referent comment above.
  • CdM - Connected to some specific Christmas tradition?
  • ImNotJohn - Does it describe a period of time?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Specific Tradition? YES
    [INJ] Period of time? YES *applause
  • Phil - New Year's Day?
  • Gusset Login - Christmas Day?
  • ImNotJohn - Boxing Day
    To complete the set
  • Projoy
    INJ has it! Whereas the other two are Xtian (in general) dates, Boxing Day is more a Commonwealth affair. Over to INJ. *hands box-shaped baton to INJ*
  • Line-Tamer
  • ImNotJohn - Pausing only to take the ribbon and bow off the baton
    OK then, this one is Animal or Vegetable (with Abstract connections)
  • Raak - A musical instrument?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Instrumental? - NO
  • Tuj - Is it edible?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Tuj] Food, glorious food? - NO
  • Projoy - Manufactured?
  • Chalky - As you state Animal OR Vegetable - is this an either/or - or can it be both?
    [and thanks INJ for welcome back. I am healing - slowly but shurely :)]
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] Manufactured - YES
    [Chalky] Animal/Vegetable? - Either/Or is probably the most helpful, but in both cases that would be predominantly, rather than entirely.
  • Chalky - Is it found indoors?
  • Rosie - If animal, then a specific part of an animal?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] Indoors? - YES
    [Rosie] Specific part of an animal? - YES (at least for the predominant part)
    Thinking about my answer to Chalky, the 'predominantly' bit, although true, is probably not helpful. From now on I will ignore the minor elements in my answers unless specifically asked.
  • Software - Sticky in texture?
  • CdM - Is the vegetable wood?
    (I don't think that's the same question as Software just asked...)
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    [Chalky] A hearty welcome back from over here too =)
  • Raak - Is the animal bone?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Software] Like a stick? - NO
    [CdM] Like a big stick? - NO
    [Tuj] P....? - NO
    [Rosie] Bonie? - NO
  • Projoy - Does its name describe its function?
  • Raak - Leather?
    Like Dan and Dunx, it is well known that Rosie and Raak are the same person, an 80 year old hedgehog-trapper living in the New Forest.
  • Gusset Login - Some sort of covering?
  • Rosie - Perfume?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] Does what it says on the tin? - NO
    [Raak] Leather? - YES - that is the animal component - at least, that's easily a better answer than No
    [GLog] A covering? - NO
    [Rosie] Smellie? - NO
  • Software - A lucky rabbits foot?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Software] Cruelty to lapines? - NO
  • CdM - Functional?
  • Chalky - Larger than a toaster?
  • Projoy - Is the vegetable a fabric?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Functional? - NO * A few 'tut's from a small minority of the audience*
    [Chalky] That toaster question - Similar in total volume, depending on the toaster, but differently shaped.
    [Projoy] A fabric? - NO (though we might get into a discussion of definitions)
  • Projoy - Is it written on?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] Written on? - YES *Applause*
  • Raak - Is it a scroll?
  • Projoy - Is The Answer the name of a type of document?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Scroll? - NO
    [Projoy] A type of document - NO - but *applause*
  • Chalky - Ornamental?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] Ooh, innit pretty? - NO - at least not primarily (or secondarily, or tertially, come to that)
  • Chalky - Not Functional/Ornamental - how about Educational?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] Educational? - NO (to most values of 'Educational') - some would disagree quite strongly
  • Software` - A plaster cast?
  • Chalky - A book?
  • Projoy - Is there a specific kind of writing to be found thereon?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Software] Plaster Cast? - NO
    [Chalky] Book? - YES
    [Projoy] specific kind of writing? - NO
  • Gusset Login - To summarise, it's a book primarily made of leather that isn't funtional, ornamental or educational?
  • Rosie - The Bible?
  • Projoy - A specific title.
    I hope Rosie has it.
  • Raak - An autograph book?
  • ImNotJohn - Getting close
    [GLogin] Remember: either Animal or Vegetable
    [Rosie] The Bible? - YES, *Applause* But you have not yet got the words on the card
    [Projoy] A specific Title? - YES
    [Raak] Sign here please? - NO
  • Chalky - The Authorised King James Version?
  • Projoy - A Gutenberg Bible?
  • Gusset Login - A Gideon's Bible?
  • ImNotJohn - We have a winner.
    Projoy has it - A/The Gutenberg Bible it is. There were about 180 Gutenberg bibles, about 40 printed on vellum and the rest on paper, giving the either/or.

    A leather-bound baton passed on to Projoy

  • Projoy
    Splendid. OK. Here's another. ABSTRACT/ANIMAL
  • Kinrah - Is the animal element human?
  • Projoy
    [Kinrah] Animal human? Strictly speaking, NO. *audience laughter and cries of "bad luck!"*
  • Gusset Login - Is it a mythical animal?
  • CdM - Fictional?
  • Projoy
    [GL] Mythical? NO
    [CdM] Fictional? YES
  • ImNotJohn - Best known from Film or TV?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Best known from film or TV? NOT SURE. I expect that some would say yes, others no, but no stats available.
  • Projoy
    (PS. For myself and probably for yourself, the answer would be NO, I suspect.)
  • Software - The Christmas elf?
  • Projoy
    [Software] Winterval wellbeing? NO
  • ImNotJohn - A character in literature later adapted for the screen?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Book > Screen? *much animated whispering in audience* Strictly, NO. *continued animated whispering in audience*
  • Rosie - Character in a comedy?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Comedy? YES *applause*
  • CdM - Associated with a particular actor?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Particular Actor? Mm. NOT SURE. To me the answer is YES, but it wouldn't be to everyone.
  • Dujon - Bottom?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Projoy
    [Duj] I beg your par... oh, you mean the series Bottom. NO.
    [Tuj] P-led? NO
  • Chalky - An animated character? [or have we established this and I'm being a bit thick]
  • Rosie - Archie Andrews?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Animated? NO
    [Rosie] The uneducated one? NO.
  • CdM - From children's literature?
  • Gusset Login - Were they adapted for the stage before TV or film?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Kidlit? NO
    [GL] A previous stage? NO
  • Projoy - Addendum
    [INJ] On further thought, I feel like I should change my answer to your adaptation question. As you phrased the question: "A character in literature later adapted for the screen?" the truthful answer is YES, but this isn't a wholly typical case, so check your assumptions.
  • Chalky - From works of Shakespeare?
  • Projoy
    [Chalks] Bardly? *audience laughter* NO.
  • Chalky - Is this more than one character?
  • Gusset Login - Is it related to The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Multiple? NO
    [GL] TLOEG? NO.
  • ImNotJohn - Adapted from comics/graphical novels?
  • Software - Supernatural?
  • Chalky - Male?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Graphic? NO
    [Softers] Supernatural? NO, at least not in the conventional sense.
    [Chalky] Male? YES].
  • ImNotJohn - In a radio programme?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Radio? YES *tumultuous applause*
  • ImNotJohn - Won't have 2 guesses in a row, but I think we're close
    Well - your addendum helped
  • Gusset Login - Slartibartfast?
  • ImNotJohn - From HHGTTG?
  • Software - Marvin?
  • Projoy
    [GL] He said it wasn't important? NO
    [INJ] H2G2? YES *applause*
    [Software] Brain the size...? NO
  • Gusset Login - Ford Prefect?
  • Kinrah - Zaphod Beeblebrox?
  • Projoy - Freow.
    [Kinrah] You have hit the subject on one of its two heads! It was ZAPHOD BEEBLEBROX, indeed. As you can see, my confusion over the adaptation question arose because of course, while the screen versions followed the book version chronologically, they didn't do so adaptationally, as it were. Plus of course, the character didn't originate in the books.

    Over to you, Kinrah. *Hands over a perspex baton shaped like a cricket stump, just before there is the sound of a million billion people saying "Wop"*
  • Kinrah
    I was trying to weigh up whether to go for Zaphod or the Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster (which has the potential to be part animal), even though I have just realised [Tuj] ruled that out with his 'P' question. Whee. Now, let's see if I can get the formatting right with
    ABSTRACT/ANIMAL connections
    This shouldn't be too difficult.
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
    Glad to see my usual question served a small purpose, Kinrah!
  • Gusset Login - Is it a fictional person?
  • Chalky - Rudolf The Red Nose Reindeer - the song?
  • Chalky - *correction* RudolPH The Red NoseD Reindeer - the song?
  • Kinrah
    [Tuj] P-aff? *audience laugh... then applause* YES
    [GL] Imaginary? NO
    [Chalky] Lyric of an oddly coloured creature? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Seasonal connections?
  • Projoy - A work of art?
  • Kinrah
    [INJ] Seasonally speaking? NO
    [Projoy] Arty-farty? NO
  • Tuj - Are the animal connections human?
  • Projoy - Connected with science?
  • Kinrah
    [Tuj] Humanimal? YES
    [Projoy] Psy-ense? After giving it some careful thought, SOMETIMES (but the connection there really isn't worth following)
  • ImNotJohn - Culturally specific?
  • Gusset Login - Is it related to psychology?
  • Rosie - Involves an action or actions?
  • Projoy - To do with religion?
  • Kinrah
    [INJ] Cultural terms? NO
    [GL] Psycho-analytic? NO
    [Rosie] Requiring effort? NO
    [Projoy] Belief system? NO
  • Rosie - A feature of the intellect?
  • ImNotJohn - Related to politics or public life?
  • Projoy - Is The Answer a noun or noun phrase?
  • Kinrah
    [Rosie] Intellectual? NO *audience whispers among itself*
    [INJ] Political? NO
    [Projoy] Nounal? YES
    I've also been considering the science question, and much like Projoy, I'm going to do a bit of a U-Turn; YES FOR A GIVEN VALUE OF SCIENCE. I believe it could be called a science by some people.
  • Projoy - A social science?
  • Gusset Login - Connected to the "Paranormal"?
  • Kinrah
    [Projoy] Socially scientific? NO
    [GL] Paranormal? NO
  • Projoy - To do with the natural world?
  • Tuj - Was it invented?
  • Kinrah
    [Projoy] Natural? NO
    [Tuj] Created? YES *audience applause*
  • Projoy - Is it a type of person?
  • Kinrah
    [Projoy] Demographic? NO
  • Rosie - A theory? (Of anything)
  • Projoy - Does it exist?
  • Kinrah
    [Rosie] Theory? NO but *very loud applause from audience*
    [Projoy] Existential? YES
  • Rosie - Heredity?
  • Projoy - Something that exists both in theory and in practice?
  • Kinrah
    [Rosie] Passed down? NO
    [Projoy] Works both ways? YES
  • Projoy - Connected to economics?
  • Tuj - Is it really really really small?
  • Chalky - Is it a one word answer?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it something that can be studied in a reasonably mainstream environment?
  • Gusset Login - Does it end with a Y?
  • Projoy - Is it a process?
  • Kinrah
    Sorry about the so long gap - had a LOT of stuff to do over the end of the weekend.
    [Projoy] Economical? NO
    [Tuj] Teensy-Weensy? DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU ARE COMPARING IT TO *audience laugh*
    [Chalky] Just the one? NO
    [INJ] Mainstream? YES
    [GL] Why-y? NO
    [Projoy2] Process? NO *more hushed whispers from audience*
  • Projoy - A human activity?
  • ImNotJohn - Related to games or entertainment?
  • Software - A cartoon?
  • Rosie - Any medical connections?
  • Kinrah
    [Projoy] Active? NO
    [INJ] Move that joystick? NO
    [Software] Cartoon? NO
    [Rosie] Doctor, Doctor? STRICTLY NO (There is one connection, but it's so far gone from the standard question bounds that it's also not worth looking into.)
  • Kinrah
    Since this is taking much longer than I anticipated (I really hope it's not because I'm giving the wrong answers) as a sort of first hint here's a roundup of what you do know.
    Begins with P
    Given value of science
    Noun
    It was invented
    Audience gave loud applause to Theory
    It exists
    It works in both theory and practice
    Studied in a mainstream environment
    Also, it seems the audience have changed their mind and decided to give some rather late *loud applause* for 'Process'.
  • Rosie - The Peter prinicple?
    Can we change the audience?
  • ImNotJohn - Associated with business or commerce?
  • Software - Parkinson's Law?
  • Projoy - To do with the internets?
  • Dujon - Pi?
    Sorry if it's been mentioned. I'm ever so wrung out.
  • Kinrah
    [Rosie] Incompetence rising? NO *audience laugh... then quickly fall silent*
    [INJ] Businesslike? YES (but in the same way as Theory and Practice)
    [Software] Filling the time available? NO
    [Projoy] Intarwebs? NO
    [Dujon] 3.14? NO-*is deafened by audience applause*
  • ImNotJohn - A pie-chart?
  • Projoy - Is The Answer a type of number?
  • Software - Probability?
  • Kinrah
    [INJ] Sliced diagram? NO
    [Projoy] Numerical? YES *more applause from the audience*
    [Software] What's the chance? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Prime number(s)?
  • Rosie - Pascal's triangle?
    INJ's got it.
  • Rosie - Planck's Constant?
    Please, miss, can I have another go?
  • Projoy - Pythagorus' Theorem?
  • Projoy
    No, not a theory. How about Fermat's Conjecture?
  • Kinrah
    [INJ] Itself and one? NO
    [Rosie1] Triangular numbers? NO
    [Rosie2] Quantum mechanics? NO
    [Projoy1] Square of the Hypotenuse? N- *audience explodes into applause* NO
    [Projoy2] Pythagoras no greater than two? N- *audience applauds even louder, if that's even possible* NO
  • Dujon - I'm probably spiraling out from the core but (it goes by a number of names) -"The Golden Square"?
  • Rosie - Phi, the Golden Ratio?
    If this is right, the winner should really be Dujon.
  • Kinrah
    [Dujon, Rosie] Shiny yellow maths? NO *audience shout "Colder!"*
  • Software - Pythagoreanism?
  • Projoy - Poincaré's conjecture?
    Had forgotten it started with P...
  • ImNotJohn - (a) Perfect Number(s)?
  • Kinrah
    [Software] Mathematician Philosophy? NO *a few claps from audience*
    [Projoy] Ball manifolds? NO
    [INJ] Something we've yet to hear from Colin Sell? NO *audience ooh quietly*
  • Projoy - Are we in the world of geometry here?
  • Projoy
    (I was about to suggest a platonic solid, but then realised that the whole point of them is that they don't exist in the real world.)
  • Projoy
    Oh, it's not a (mathematical) proof, is it?
  • Projoy
    Can I just say, btw, that this AVMA is (a) bloody hard and (b) very enjoyable.
  • Kinrah
    [Projoy] Shaping the world? YES
    (Taking the other one as a question as well) [Projoy2] Demonstrating true maths? YES
    Glad you like it. I still hope that it's not taking this long because I'm answering the questions wrong. Just for another hint though; one of the questions I answered NO to earlier has got something to do with the answer, but I took the question to mean the definite article, as it were, because that's what I suspect it was intended as.
  • Rosie - Pappus' Theorem?
    Getting a bit arcane.
  • Software - Polynomials?
  • Projoy - A protractor?
    I know it's wrong but I have to get it out of my head. I generally think it's a bad thing to know the first letter. Leads to all kinds of weird guesses.
  • CdM - Does the answer include the name of a mathematician?
    I was sure Software was right until I noticed the answer to the "proof" question.
  • Projoy - Is it, in fact a proof of Fermat's Last Theorem?
  • Kinrah
    [Rosie] Surface areas? NO
    [Software] Maths expression? NO
    [Projoy] Angle measurer? NO
    [CdM] Clue in the name? YES *audience applause*
    [Projoy2] Proving the square? YES *more applause*
  • Rosie - A Pythagorean Triple?
  • Kinrah - We're there.
    [Rosie] Correct, it was indeed a Pythagorean Triple!
    My confusion with some of the earlier questions arose when trying to work out whether mathematics could be classed as a science or not. But by reaching the correct answer I can rest easy knowing that if any of my answers were wrong, they weren't so wrong as to block out the answer completely.

    One triangular baton handed over to Rosie.
  • Projoy
    (I can't resist pointing out that although I had never previously heard of "a Pythagorean triple", I still came quite close to winning that round! Good clues.)
  • Chalky
    *can't resist pointing out that she has never heard of a Pythagorean Triple and didn't even come close to asking any relevant questions but happily embraces fresh knowledge*
  • Rosie - 3,4,5 and all that
    (Projoy, Chalky) Yes, I'd agree it doesn't quite trip off the tongue in the same way that Pythagorean Triangle does though it is a quite genuine mathematical term. BTW, did you know that 3 cubed plus 4 cubed plus 5 cubed equals 6 cubed?
  • Rosie
    OK, this is ANIMAL
  • Projoy - Human?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) Human? - YES.
  • Dujon - Watt?
    I'll go away now.
  • Gusset Login - Still Alive?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) Mr Steam Engine? - alas, NO.
    (GL) Alive? - YES. Still alive? - A separate question
  • Software - In entertainment?
  • Projoy - Fictional?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) Entertainment? - NO, and for some, not in any way whatsoever.
    (Projoy) Fictional? - NO. You may have been misled by my supplementary to Gusset Login in which I had taken his question to be "Alive and very old?" This person exists.
  • Gusset Login - Born before 21st December 1969?
  • Projoy - Born before 1940?
  • Rosie
    (Gusset Login) - A fortified over-forty? - YES.
    (Projoy) At least a couple of years older than me? - YES.
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    This question definitely coloured the last round strongly, although I'm not sure for better or for worse.
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) - Won't help here - does not begin with P.
  • Dujon - Would a wheelchair come into this equation?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) - Wheelchair-bound? - NO
  • Gusset Login - Male?
  • Rosie
    (Gusset Login) - Male? - He is.
  • Software - Political?
  • Projoy - British?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) - Political? - NO .
    (Projoy) - British? - NO.
  • Software - Scientific?
  • Projoy - American?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) - Scientist? - NO.
    (Projoy)- American? - YES.
  • Chalky - An entertainer?
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) - Entertainer? - Strictly speaking NO, but see Softers' first question. *some scattered mild applause*
  • Projoy - Sporting?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) - Sporting connection? - NO, none known.
  • Software - Professorial?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) - Not a professor
  • Projoy - Journalist?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) - Hacking away? - NO.
  • Projoy - In architecture?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) - NO, not an architect. I know very little about American architects.
  • Dujon - Does he belong in the broad category of 'religious'
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) - Known for his religion? - NO, although he is actually quite devout. Happy Christmas, mate.
  • Projoy - A writer?
  • Dujon - Would this man have connection with Jazz (perhaps as a clarinet player)?
  • Dujon - DAMN!
    Please ignore that question, Rosie.
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) - Not a writer.
    (Dujon) OK, if you insist. *audience turn to each other, bewildered.*
  • Projoy - Military?
  • Dujon - You brushed aside 'entertainer' (Chalky's query and Software's earlier reference). As I find jazz entertaining therefore my second thought.
  • Dujon - Would this man have connection with Jazz (perhaps as a clarinet player)?
    I'm a glutton for punishment, me.
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) A jazzer? - He certainly is. *audience cheers and applauds*
    (Projoy) - Not a military man.
  • Projoy
    Are you really saying you don't class jazz as entertainment?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) It can be, and the subject of this AVMA is undoubtedly grateful for the money it generates but he would not be flattered to be called merely an entertainer, unlike say a comedian, who needs an audience above all else.
  • Projoy - An instrumentalist (i.e. not a singer)?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) - Instrumentalist? - YES.
  • Projoy - Plays a brass instrument?
  • Dujon - Was this gentleman once a part of Lawrence Welk's orchestra?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) - Brass instrument? - NO.
    (Dujon) - A middle-of-the-roader? - NO. *audience splutters in embarrassed amusement*
  • Dujon - Is the man known for his artistry with a 'free reed' instrument.
    I'm just narrowing the field.
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) - Reed instrument - NO.
  • Chalky - Is this jazz instrumentalist NOT particularly entertaining?
    :-) :-)
  • Dujon - Given Chalky's drum roll: A percussionist?
  • Projoy - Dave Brubeck?
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) - YES, not always easy listening, you could say.
    (Dujon) Someone who hangs around with musicians? - well, actually he does, of course, because PROJOY has it. It's the great DAVE BRUBECK, 89 the other day. Well persisted, Pj. Your go.
  • Projoy
    Gosh! I must clearly take more pains in future to be less entertained when I listen to Blue Rondo à la Turk...

    The next is ABSTRACT/ANIMAL...
  • Raak - Figurative?
  • Rosie - Animal human?
    (Proj) Me too, but not everybody. Have you tried playing it? Brubeck must have colossal maulers.
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Figurative? KIND OF. Not sure which is the most helpful answer.
    [Rosie] Human? YES and NO, but then again, NO
    [Tuj] P-headed? NO
  • Rosie - Mortality?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Le Grand Mort? NO (for that would also apply to vegetable matter, I think)
  • Rosie - Does this apply to Life in the David Attenborough sense?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] I'm not quite sure how to interpret the question.
    Incidentally, I now realise there should have been some *applause* for your "Mortality" question.
  • Chalky - Music-y?
  • Rosie - Does it represent a state of mind?
    (Pj) penult. question - Yes, it is a bit obscure. I was knackered and not totally sober after a prolonged bout of pub piano-tuning and payment in kind.
  • Projoy
    [Chalks] Musical? NO
    [Rosie] State of mind? NO
  • Rosie - Is it an observation on the behaviour of animals, including humans?
  • Dujon - Sentience?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Observation? NO, a bit less abstract than that.
    [Dujon] Sentience? NO
  • Tuj - Was it invented?
    [Proj] "YES and NO, but then again, NO" was a beautiful answer.
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] Invented? YEEES, I guess so. Not in the same sense as seed drills and nuclear reactors were, tho.
  • Chalky - To do with ghosties and ghoulies?
  • Rosie - A theory of behaviour?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Grabbed by the... NO, but you're moving in the right direction.
    [Rosie] Theory? NO
  • Tuj - Fictional?
    Tough start here!
  • Dujon - Is this a human idea or construct?
  • Projoy - I think I see a glimmer of light...
    [Tuj] Fictional? YES *a single pedantic audience member (probably Breadmaster) clears his throat disapprovingly at this answer, but everyone else ignores him*
    [Duj] A human construct? YES
  • Chalky - connected with Religion?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Religious connection? YES! *applause*
  • Rosie - A dietary proscription?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Thou shalt not scoff? NO
  • Software - Nativity thingy?
  • Projoy
    [Softers] Nativity? NOT AT ALL *audience laughter*
  • Dujon - The Koran
    May Allah forgive me.
  • Gusset Login - The Priory of Sion?
  • Projoy
    [Duj] In the name of... NO
    [GL] Dan Brown fuel? NO
  • Rosie - Specific to one religion?
  • Chalky - The Resurrection?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Specific to one religion? YES
    [Chalky] And on the third day? NO
  • Rosie - A form of sacrifice?
  • Gusset Login - Nirvana?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Virgins and stone tables? NO
    [GL] Smells Like Jain Spirits? NO
  • Projoy
    Quick and helpful New Year recap, disregarding unhelful byways: This is fictional*, connected with religion, and the audience have reacted positively to "mortality" and negatively to "nativity".
    * unless you're amazingly pedantic
  • Projoy
    (oh, and the animal part is human to some extent, but then again not at all)
  • Dujon - A particular (i.e. specific) god?
  • Projoy
    [Duj] A specific god? YES *audience applause*
  • Software - Buddah?
  • ImNotJohn - In the ancient Greek pantheon?
  • Software
    [Softers] Fat guy? NO
    [INJ] Kronos 'n' Co.? NO
  • Projoy
    Oops. That was me.
  • Gusset Login - Is it one of the hindu gods?
  • CdM - Ganesh?
  • Projoy
    [GL] Brahma 'n' brigade? NO, and therefore
    [CdM] Elephant-Head? NO (smart guess :))
  • Dujon - An Egyptian deity?
  • Projoy
    [Duj] Egyptian? YES
  • CdM - Ra?
  • Software - Amun?
  • Projoy - I think we're nearly there...
    [CdM] Ra? NO
    [Amun] Amun? NO
  • Gusset Login - Horus?
  • CdM - Osiris?
  • Projoy - ...and ever closer...
    [GL] Horus? NO
    [CdM] Osiris? NO
  • Dujon - Anubis?
  • Projoy - The Day of the Jackal
    [Duj] You got it! ANUBIS is the answer on the card. *hands over baton inscribed with weird hieroglyphs*
  • Dujon - Accepts in terror the bottom end of the staff.
    As I typed my acceptance a flock of cockatoos flew over this my nest. Is it an omen or a red herring?
    To be honest I don't know how this will work given my/our time difference. Let me think for a short while, please?
  • Dujon
    ANIMAL ABSTRACT
  • Gusset Login - Is it a fictional human?
  • Rosie - Anything specifically Australian?
  • ImNotJohn - Connected with the arts?
  • Dujon
    [GL] A papier mache man? NO
    [Rosie] A beer drinking monotreme? NO
    [INJ] Perhaps - but in the sense of which I surmise you ask the question - NO
  • Dujon
    Don't take the 'perhaps' as a clue. It isn't.
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Dujon
    [Tuj] Err, well, NO
  • Dujon
    Ladies and gentlemens, this is not going to work. The time difference does indeed put up some sort of barrier.
    Perhaps Projoy might nominate a replacement?
  • Software - Mythical?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the animal element human?
    [Dujon] Don't give up on it yet. When CdM returns from his travels he'll be in your time zone, and Rosie operates on Hughestime, which is completely different from anyone else. Perhaps Flerdle needs to take a look in as well.
  • Gusset Login - Is the abstract element fictional?
    [Dujon] Don't give up. The game's more fun when a number of questions get backed up.
  • Rosie
    (INJ) I was just going to say the same thing. HMT has come into its own. I'll ask a question when I get back from the pub and Dujon has finished his breakfast.
  • Tuj - A single unique thing?
  • Chalky - Is this a well known phrase or saying?
  • Dujon - All right then.
    [Softers] As in feeble minds? NO
    [INJ] A bipedal brain? NO
    [GL] That, my friend, is a jolly good question. My answer must be that the subject exists but at the same time it doesn't. Therefore I am forced to YES
    [Tuj] The one and only? YES
    [Chalky] It is well known but it's not, other than by its description, that which you intimate. Ergo NO
  • Tuj - Do we seek a single-word answer?
  • Dujon
    [Tuj] To be brutal and honest - NO
  • Tuj - Invented?
    I've got to say I'm much better at throwing the odd curveball in than staging an inquisition myself! Maybe I should set my watch to HMT so I know when Rosie's due...
  • Dujon
    [Tuj] That could well depend on the hours that Rosie's publican keeps combined with the depth of snow and black ice?
    Invented? Not in the sense of the wheel, the steam engine or the loom, but invented it is. YES
  • Tuj - Specific to a particular country or culture?
    Ah, good international weather awareness! I can't imagine Rosie'd think a pub too bad a place to be snowed in.
  • Gusset Login - Is the animal aspect mammalian?
  • Dujon
    [GL] YES
  • Dujon
    [Tuj] Sorry, I missed your last. Cultural or otherwise NO
  • ImNotJohn - Connected with food?
  • ImNotJohn - Something that is significant because of its status?
    (e.g.the last mammoth)
    I think under the circumstances I can allow myself to stack up questions - normally I'd wait for another intervening one.
  • Gusset Login - Is it closely associated with literature?
  • Dujon
    [INJ] à la carte? NO
    [INJv2] Given the situation I have no objection, ImNotJohn, but it's really up to the other participants.
    In the sense that it is unique of its kind (although it has competitors in the fame stakes) YES
    *audience is now stirring and seems to be taking a little more interest*
    [GL] NO
  • Tuj - Is it related to a particular form of media?
  • Dujon - Mediation
    Ooh heck, you do toss down the odd googly don't you?
    In itself I would have to answer NO but in practical sense I would be inclined to YES
    In other words the question is a wee bit too loose to pass a definitive judgment.
  • Projoy - Was a particular writer responsible for this?
  • Dujon
    [Projoy] I would refer you to my earlier answer to Gusset Login relative to alphabetical verbiage. So NO
  • Dujon
    [Projoy] I will relent on my previous comment - but only to the extent that someone named it. To find out who did the deed I would need some more research, but I think that the effort would be pointless.
    *The audience has reverted to its (or their) original attitude - heads up and staring at the roof of the auditorium*
  • Projoy - Is the animal part of a particular mammalian species?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the abstractness because this is imaginary?
    Rather than real but not pin-downable.
  • Gusset Login - Does the answer contain more than three words?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the answer related to any form of entertainment?
  • Dujon
    [INJ] A viewpoint? YES
    *Lots of movement and a few murmurs in the dress circle*
    [GL] Triple plus NO
    [INJ] A three ring circus? NO
  • Dujon
    [Projoy] Sorry, I've done it again.
    A part of a mammalian species? NO
    CLUE: The animal portion refers to a particular mammal but not to one of its named variations.
  • Tuj - Is it a bear?
  • Kinrah - Is it a star constellation?
    Just getting it out of my head.
  • Dujon
    [Tuj] Ursine? NO
    *Every single audience member is now awake*
    [Kinrah] Join the dots? NO ... BUT
    *The audience has burst into applause, feet are being stamped on floorboards and a collective breath has been taken*.
  • Projoy - Sirius?
  • Rosie - An asterism?
    I think the audience are just trying to keep warm, like the rest of us "up" here.
  • Gusset Login - The Zodiac?
  • Projoy - Leo?
  • ImNotJohn - Within the solar system?
  • Dujon
    [I have instructed the audience to 'tone it down a bit'. As you probably know they do tend to become over excited at times]
    [Projoy] The dog with a waggly tail? NO
    [Rosie] A casually recognised pattern of stars? NO
    *The audience though is murmuring and beginning to look expectant*.
    [Gusset Login] The ecliptically organised? NO
    *Audience reaction was a decently loud ripple of applause.*
    [Projoy] The King of the jungle? NO (see the answer to Kinrah above)
    [INJ] Within the orbit of Sol? NO
  • Dujon
    [INJ] Sorry, my answer was looser than my collar. I should have said that it most surely does not orbit Sol, unless you take the sun's influence as the be-all and end-all of the Universe.
  • Kinrah - A galaxy?
  • Gusset Login - Horsehead Nebula?
  • Dujon
    [Kinrah] One of the Andromedan look alikes - elliptical, spiral or otherwise? NO
    *The audience has settled back but still looks interested*
    [Gusset Login]The equine embodiment of bodylessness? YES
    Offers a bed, sheets and the subject - plus a stick - to the winner.
  • Gusset Login
    OK, my turn I guess, MINERAL with ANIMAL (and possibly abstract) connections.
  • Kinrah - Human animal?
  • Gusset Login
    [Kinrah] YES and NO
  • Software - Android?
  • Gusset Login
    [Software] A dreamer of electric sheep? NO
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    Well played, Dujon =)
  • Gusset Login
    [Tuj] P...? NO
  • Dujon - Relative to palaentology?
    Congratulation on the win. To me it seemed like a pretty decent sprint to the finish. :)
  • Rosie - Depiction of a living thing in some material?
  • Dujon - A rubbing of sorts?
  • Gusset Login
    [Dujon] Dinosaur's Uncle? NO.
    [Rosie] Depiction of the living? YES, would be the more helpful answer, though not technically the more accurate.
    [Dujon II] Rubbing? NO
    *The audience members, who helped a lot with the last round, begin to return from the bar and retake their seats*
  • CdM - A tombstone or similar memorial?
  • Rosie - In stone?
  • Gusset Login
    [CdM] A memorial? YES
    [Rosie] Stoned? NO
  • Tuj - A unique item?
  • Dujon - A statue?
  • Gusset Login
    [Tuj] One of a kind? In that there is only one of it, YES.
    [Dujon] Statue? YES
    *A smattering of applause from the audience*
  • CdM - A statue of a specific dead individual?
  • Rosie - The Angel of the North?
  • Gusset Login
    [CdM] One Dead Person, Immortalised? YES, but not exclusively (See Kinrah's first question)
    [Rosie] t'Angel? NO
  • Projoy - An equine statue?
  • Gusset Login
    [Projoy] an equestrian statue? YES
  • ImNotJohn - Richard the Lionheart?
    You know - the one outside parliament.
  • Gusset Login
    [INJ] Cœur de Lion? NO, but I do know the one you mean.
  • CdM - In Britain?
  • Gusset Login
    [CdM] British? NO
  • Chalky - Colleoni statue in Venice?
  • Gusset Login
    [Chalky] Water Polo Pony? NO
  • CdM - In the US?
  • Gusset Login
    [CdM] Merkin? NO
  • ImNotJohn - European?
  • Gusset Login
    [INJ] Europe? YES
    *The Audience mutter, possibly in anticipation or possibly the bar is running low on spirits again*
  • Dujon - Does this reside in the Capitoline Museums (Rome)?
  • Gusset Login
    [Dujon] Roman Museums? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Is/was the human a monarch?
  • Gusset Login
    [INJ] The King/Queen? YES
    To clarify an early answer in light of what is now known, I feel I should point out that although the statue is not stone its pedestal may be.
  • Software - France?
  • Projoy - Germany?
  • Gusset Login
    [Software] French? NO
    [Projoy] German? NO
  • Chalky - Greece?
  • ImNotJohn - Western Europe?
    As defined by the pre-1989 'Iron Curtain'
  • Gusset Login
    [Chalky] Greek? NO
    [INJ] Capitalist Running Dogs? NJET
  • Projoy - Russia?
  • Gusset Login
    [Projoy] Russian? YES
  • Software - Lenin's statue in Red Square?
  • I Say, Porter!
    [Softers] The guy on the horse is not Lenin but I'm not going to name him here 'cos all I've been doing is lurking. It begins with Z.
  • I Say, Porter!
    Erratum. It can't be the Zhukov statue because it would fall foul of the "Monarch" question. The same goes for Lenin, for that matter.
  • ImNotJohn - The statue of Peter the Great in St Petersburg?
  • Gusset Login
    [INJ] Peter the Great? There's more than one famous statue of Peter the Great in St Petersburg. Which one did you mean?
  • ImNotJohn - The Bronze Horseman
    The one perched on the great big rock - which Wikipedia tells me is called the 'Thunder Stone'
  • Gusset Login
    [INJ] Медный всадник? YES. Well done ImNotJohn, have a batton.
  • ImNotJohn - And on we go
    This one shouldn't be too hard
    ABSTRACT with ANIMAL connections
  • Kinrah - A depiction of some kind?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Kinrah] - Depiction? - I think 'NO' is the most useful answer, although for some people the answer might well be different. It could be argued both ways.
  • Software - A statue?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Software] Statue? - NO
  • Gusset Login - Is it a fictional character?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Glogin] Made-up? - YES
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • CdM - Fictional human?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Tuj] Pplus - NO *some muttering in the audience*
    [CdM] Human? - NO
  • Tuj - Female?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Tuj] Distaff? - NO
  • Gusset Login - Anthropomorphic?
  • ImNotJohn
    [GLogin] Anthropomorphic? - YES, though there's room for discussion
  • Chalky - Cartoon character?
  • Tuj - Deceased?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] - Cartoon? - YES *considerable muttering in the audience*
    [Tuj] - RIP? - NO (or, more strictly, Not Applicable)
  • Software - Bugs Bunny?
  • Projoy - Began as a cartoon?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Software] Wabbit? - NO
    [Projoy] Originally Cartoon? - NO
  • Projoy - Originated in the C20?
  • ImNotJohn - Homing in on it quickly
    [Projoy] So last century? - YES
  • Kinrah - The Pink Panther?
  • Projoy - Began in books?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Kinrah] Panther? - NO
    [Projoy] Originally in books? - YES *audience are beginning to gather up bags, coats etc.*
  • Projoy - Winnie the Pooh?
  • Dujon - A small long eared mammal?
  • ImNotJohn - Didn't think that would take long
    We have a winner. Winnie ille Pu it is. I suspect Projoy might have been thinking of him for a couple of guesses.

    One hunny-covered baton passed on.

  • Projoy
    I wasn't, actually. It just so happened that Simon Hoggart's parliamentary sketch on Thursday mentioned a Heffalump trap, so that brought him to mind. Would Pooh also be vegetable? What's he made of?

    Anyhoo, here's a VEGETABLE.
  • ImNotJohn - edible?
    I started off thinking about a Teddy Bear (possibly Aloysius), but the 'what is it made of?' question was a bit of a problem, so Pooh was easier as an abstract.
  • Kinrah - Harvested?
  • Gusset Login - Living?
  • CdM - Edible?
  • Tuj - Round?
  • ImNotJohn - Wood?
    This obviously doesn't count as stacking questions since CdM's taken over my previous one (unless the initial capital is significant).
  • Projoy
    [Kinrah] Harvested? *considerable audience laughter* NO
    [GL] Alive, alive-o? NO
    [CdM] Edible? NO *more audience laughter*
    [Tuj] Round? NO *yet more audience laughter*
    [INJ] Wood? NO.
  • Rosie - An object made of vegetable matter?
  • Tuj - Unique?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Object made of veg. matter? YES
    [Tuj] One is one and all alone and evermore...? NO
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    Since more orthodox questions drew blanks
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] P, please, Bob? NO, not as the item is expressed on the card
  • Rosie - Is it more utilitarian than decorative or artistic?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Utility? Hm. Interesting question. I think YES is the most helpful answer, although the more strictly correct answer is NO.
  • Tuj - Is it associated with a particular room?
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] Its own space? NO, not really.
  • CdM - Culturally specific?
  • Rosie - Normally seen outdoors?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Specific to a particular culture? YES
    [Rosie] Predominantly an outdoor thing? NO
  • Gusset Login - Is it specific to a particular western culture?
  • Rosie - A rubber plant?
    ....American condom factory....
  • Projoy
    [GL] A particular Western Culture? YES
    [Rosie] Rubber? NO
  • CdM - Is the specific Western culture either Icelandic or British?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Björk/Boudica? YES
  • Gusset Login - Is it made of wicker?
  • Rosie - Can we eliminate Icelandic specificity?
  • Projoy
    [GL] Wicker, man? NO
    [Rosie] Non-Icelandic? YES
  • Rosie - Does this involve string?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] No strings attached.
  • Gusset Login - Does it involve paper?
  • Projoy
    [GL] Papery? YES! *applause*
  • Rosie - A globular paper lampshade?
  • CdM - The House at Pooh Corner?
    (the book, not the abode)
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Seventies interior decor nightmare? NO
    [CdM] Pooh-ey book? NO
  • Gusset Login - A book?
  • Projoy
    [GL] Big papery thing tied up with string? (or glue for that matter) NO
  • CdM - Is it likely that any member of the morniverse owns one of these?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Morniversal ownership? PRETTY LIKELY. I don't, as it happens.
  • Tuj - A periodical publication?
  • Software - Wallpaper?
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] Beano? NO
    [Soft] Anaglypta? *laughter* NO
  • ImNotJohn - primarily decorative?
  • CdM - Does it take the form of a single sheet of paper?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Primarily decorative? SEE ABOVE (I said that the most helpful thing is to think of it as functional, but the more strict answer in this particular case might be that it's decorative)
    [CdM] A single sheet? YES *applause*
  • Projoy - Recap, as there seems to be a generalised torpor...
    This "Vegetable" is a single sheet of paper (of which there are many instances), most helpfully described as functional, from Britain.
  • Gusset Login - Is it usually affixed to a wall?
  • ImNotJohn - A map or chart of some sort??
    Sorry - missed Rosie's previous question.
  • Software - Christmas card?
  • Projoy
    [GL] Wall? NO
    [INJ] Topographical? NO
    [Soft] Xmas card? NO
  • ImNotJohn - A doiley?
  • Rosie - Does it have words printed on it?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Like the Irish Parliament? NO
    [Rosie] Words thereon? YES!
  • Gusset Login - Is it something that would be used as advertising?
  • Software - Beer mat?
  • Projoy - I think you still need a couple more deductive questions...
    [GL] PR? NO
    [Soft] Beer mat? NO
  • Chalky - Is it smaller than a credit card?
  • Gusset Login - Is it larger than a bath towel?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky/GL] It is larger than a credit card and smaller than a bath towel.
  • ImNotJohn - Fish & Chip newspaper?
  • Rosie - Does one write on this?
  • Tuj - Is it a legal document?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Newspaper? NO
    [Rosie] For writing on? NO
    [Tuj] A legal document? YES. *hearty applause mixed in with a couple of questioning murmurs*
  • CdM - The Magna Carta?
  • CdM
    Although I doubt it, because checking back I see that Projoy set that before, and I guessed it...
  • Projoy
    [CdM] My memory is indeed that long and it isn't the Magna Carta :-)
  • CdM - Is there a requirement that it be on display in certain locations?
  • Tuj - Related to a specific city?
  • irach - A "Last Will and Testament"
  • Projoy - Hm. Still something you're missing.
    [CdM] Mandated display? NO
    [Tuj] City-specific? NO
    [irach] Give the spoons to Cousin Doris? NO
  • CdM - Is it blank on one side?
  • Software - Birth Certificate?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Blank on either side? NO
    [Software] Baby Receipt? NO
  • CdM - Are all the instances identical copies of a single identifiable original?
  • Rosie - A certificate of achievement?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Copies of a single...? YES, TO A CERTAIN EXTENT, AND YET, IMPORTANTLY, NOT QUITE.

    [Rosie] Achievement? NO
  • Gusset Login - A certificate of some sort?
  • Projoy
    [GL] Not a certificate.
  • CdM - A ten shilling note?
  • Projoy - Ah ha!!
    [CdM] A ten-shilling note? NO *tumultuous applause*
  • Rosie - A pound note?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Well carpe'd! The words on the card are: A Series D One Pound Note. Please accept this as your prize money:
    Isaac Newton's on the back

    *hands rolled up note to Rosie*
  • Projoy
    Oops. Sorry vincelewis. Here's how it looked...
  • Rosie - Oscar accpetance speech
    I owe everything to CdM. *breaks down and weeps uncontrollably*.

    *Pulls self together* Stop giggling at the back there and announces that the next subject is

    ABSTRACT with MINERAL and ANIMAL connections.

  • Projoy - Altogether now... a human construct?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the animal human?
  • Gusset Login - Is it a fictional location?
    e.g. Gotham City, Hogwarts or Moon Base Alpha
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) - Not in the way we all know and love.
    (INJ) Human? - YES, but this connection is not the most important.
    (GL) - Fictional location? - NO.
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
  • Projoy - Fictional?
  • Raak - Any sort of entertainment?
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) - Pinitiation? - NO.
    (Projoy) - Fictional - NO.
    (Raak) - Entertainment? - NO, not at all.
  • ImNotJohn - Connected with the natural world?
  • Projoy - An activity?
  • CdM - Science-related?
    (Damn! I was almost sure I had that last one right. I probably would have gotten it right, too, if I had remembered that pound notes weren't circulating any more (something that I knew but had not really absorbed , if you see what I mean).)
  • Tuj - A single-word answer?
    [CdM] Remind me not to ask you for change for a fiver ;)
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Strictly speaking, there are still RBoS pound notes in legal circulation in the UK, and there are also pound notes in the Channel Islands and probably other places, hence my being forced to choose a specific note series rather than just "a one pound note". I almost went for the Duke of Wellington fiver. I must admit, that last one seemed to go down a wrong turning, but I think I was right to say "yes" to "a legal document".
  • Rosie
    (INJ) - Mountains, typhoons, worms etc? - YES, partly.
    (Projoy) - NOT an activity.
    (CdM) - Science-related? - NO, not directly.
    (Tuj) - One word? - NO, four times NO.
  • Projoy - Does this occur naturally?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) - A natural occurrence? - NO.
  • Projoy - Do animals make it happen?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) - Caused by animals? - Let's say there's a contribution.
  • Projoy - Weather or Climate related?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) - Weather or climate related? - YES. *applause*
  • Gusset Login - The Greenhouse Effect?
  • ImNotJohn - Specific to a restricted geographical location or zone?
  • Rosie
    (GL) - Greenhouse effect, anthropogenic or otherwise? - NO.
    (INJ) - Specific location or zone? - YES.

    I should add that the weather/climate connection is by no means the whole picture.

  • I Say, Porter! - Chernobyl fall-out?
    That reminds me of a very old joke.
  • Projoy - Something that happens because of the weather?
  • ImNotJohn - Specific to wintry weather?
  • Rosie
    (ISP) - Growing extra fingers etc.? - NO.
    (Projoy) - YES. *some applause*
    (INJ) - Wintry weather? - NO, not speciifically, but...
  • irach - The rain in Spain ?
  • Rosie
    (irach) - Las lluvias? - NO, señor.
  • Projoy - Anything to do with cicadian rhythms?
  • Software - Windy?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) - Did you mean circadian?. The answer is NO, anyway.
    (Softers) - Windy? - Very much so, Gary. *applause*. But see my comment 3 answers back.
  • Gusset Login - A weather forecast?
  • Rosie
    (GL) - Weather forecast? - NO. See the penultimate reply to Projoy.
  • Projoy - Something that happens *after* the weather than causes it, then?
    (post hoc ergo propter hoc)
  • Projoy
    s/than/that. Dunno what's going on with my spelling lately.
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) - Caused by the weather? - YES, but by no means wholly. *Moderate applause. Good.* BTW, according to Derek and Clive it's "yer post hocter proc, mate."
  • Dujon - A geological feature?
  • Dujon
    Sorry I'm late. Computer illiteracy (continuing). Bah!
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) - Geological feature? - NO.
    (All) This is not a natural occurrence. See early question by Projoy.
  • Projoy - Does mineral activity also contribute to making this happen?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) - Mineral activity involved? Rather an unusual way of putting it, but the answer is YES. *some applause*
  • ImNotJohn - Wind power generation?
  • Projoy - Where animal activity contributes to making this thing, is this exclusively about human activity?
  • Rosie
    (INJ) - Big windmills? - NO.
    (Projoy) - Animal contribution human? YES.
  • ImNotJohn - Would this generally be considered unfavourable?
  • Chalky - Is this is 'A well-known phrase or saying in four words?'
  • Rosie
    (INJ) - Unfavourable? - Again, very much so, Gary.
    (Chalky) - "All men are fools"? - Not a phrase or saying but a well-known combination of 4 words, shall we say. Includes the definite article.
  • Projoy - "The Bloody English Weather"?
  • ImNotJohn - To do with erosion?
  • Rosie
    (Pj) - The vile elements? - NO, but there's a contribution.
    (INJ) - Erosion? - NO.
    Reminder: Weather is only a part of this.
  • Projoy - Anything to do with work?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) - Work-related? - NO.
    (All) A change of tense in some of the questions would be quite helpful.
  • Chalky - Is this something that happened in the past?
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) - An event in the past? - YES. *cheering, applause, etc*
  • Chalky - Did this happen in the UK?
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) - Happened in the UK? - YES.
  • Projoy - Before 1953?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) - When ah were a lad, or earlier? - YES
  • Projoy - Before 1900?
  • Gusset Login - After 1912?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) - Before 1900? - YES.
    (Gusset Login) - Not the Titanic. :-)
  • Dujon - If I said it was cold would I be getting warm?
  • Gusset Login - Before 55 B.C.?
  • Rosie
    (Duj) - Essentially cold? - NO. My guess is at the time of this event the temperature was about 6°C, which I suppose is a bit chilly for an Aussie.
    (GL) - Pre-Roman? - NO.
  • Gusset Login - Before 1812?
  • Projoy - Before 1700?
  • Software - The Little Ice Age?
  • Rosie
    (GL) - Before 1812? NO.
    (Projoy) - Before 1700? - NO?
    (Softers) - Global, or at least European, cooling? - NO.

    This is an event, caused mainly by the weather.

  • Projoy - A shipwreck?
  • Projoy - (The Mystery of the Mary Celeste, for instance?)
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) - Shipwreck? - NO, moving in the right direction. *some scattered applause*.
  • Projoy - A maritime event?
  • CdM - The weather-caused destruction of a building?
  • Software - A Tsunami?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) - Maritime event? - In one sense, YES, just about, but no ships involved.
    (CdM) - Building destroyed by weather? - Well, I wouldn't call it a building. *Some applause*
    (Softers) - Tsunami? - NO.
  • Kinrah - A hurricane?
  • Projoy - Happened on the coastline?
  • Projoy - The Tay Bridge Disaster?
    Topical, if so!
  • CdM
    Projoy has got it...
  • Rosie
    (CdM) - He has. It's THE TAY BRIDGE DISASTER. Well done, Projoy. Poetry, please. I hand you the single-line token and a piece of Dundee cake.
  • CdM
    It was on the second of February, and in the year two thousand and ten
    A day that will be remembered for a very long time by all men
    That a very good AVMA puzzle was solved by Projoy
    Causing all the players to jump up and down for joy.
  • Projoy
    [CdM] :)
    Glad I got that, but being a bit maxed out with work at the mo, I think I have to pass to someone else to set one. I guess first come, first served...?
  • Rosie
    (CdM) - Excellent. I chortle, not doing ROFLMAO. You could set the next one.
  • CdM
    All right, since I have had one in my head for a while. This is

    Possibly VEGETABLE with ABSTRACT CONNECTIONS but probably ABSTRACT with VEGETABLE CONNECTIONS
  • Gusset Login - Is the vegetable a tree?
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
  • CdM - Oh, the emotional rollercoaster of being an audience member...
    A tree? Yes. *excited applause*
    Beginning with P? No. *disappointed silence*
  • Rosie - A diagram of some kind?
  • CdM
    Diagram? No.
  • irach - The Wind in the Willows?
  • CdM
    Wind in the Willows? No.
  • Tuj - Alive?
  • Projoy - A specific, named tree?
  • Dujon - The Tree of Life?
  • CdM
    Alive? No. *laughter*
    A specific named tree? Yes. *applause*
    Tree of life? No.
  • Projoy - The Tyburn Tree?
  • ImNotJohn - In the UK?
  • I Say, Porter! - The Faraway Tree?
    I wonder why I haven't bought any Enid Blyton for my new daughter...
  • CdM
    Tyburn Tree? No.
    In the UK? No.
    Faraway Tree? No.
  • CdM
    A small clarification to my answer to Projoy: this is a specific tree, but it's probably not correct to call it a "named" tree. The words on the card describe rather than name it.
  • Rosie - The Tree of Knowledge?
  • ImNotJohn - The burning bush?
  • CdM
    Tree of knowledge? No.
    Burning bush? No.
  • ImNotJohn - Is it a specific tree because of a record property it has?
    Apologies for the double post, but I'm logging off in a couple of minutes
  • Gusset Login - Is it a palm tree on a desert island?
  • CdM
    Record property? No.
    Palm tree? No.
  • Dujon - Would this be symbolic tree (as on the flag of a nation)?
  • CdM
    A symbolic tree? Um. I think the best answer is No, or at most: Sort of, but not really.
    On the flag of a nation? No.
  • Rosie - Is it mentioned in an authentic historic text?
    Not a txt msg.
  • CdM
    Mentioned in a historical text? *applause for the question* I think the best answer is No, but I really need to know what you mean by "an authentic historical text".
  • Rosie - Mentioned in a document?
    (CdM) - Yes, a bit vague. I meant The Bible, Koran, etc.
  • Software - Oak Apple Day?
  • CdM
    Bible, Koran, etc? No.
    Oak Apple Day? No.
  • Kinrah - A family tree?
    Again, getting it out of my head.
  • CdM
    Family tree? No.
  • ImNotJohn - The tree chopped down by some ancient Usatian vandal?
  • Gusset Login - The Cherry Tree chopped down by George Washington?
  • Projoy - Is it a tree from an historical/semi-legendary story?
  • CdM - Yes, yes, and again yes.
    The words on the card are The Cherry tree allegedly chopped down by the young George Washington. The story is probably fabricated, hence my classification. I am pretty certain that this was exactly what INJ was referring to, so I think he should get the rather nicely turned cherrywood baton ahead of GL.
  • Gusset Login
    I agree, I would have had to turn it down anyway due to lack of free time.
  • ImNotJohn - Well, thank you
    [GL] Very gentlemanly of you Sir or Madam. Right, after a somewhat busy weekend, we'll start again with:
    ANIMAL with ABSTRACT connections - or - ABSTRACT with ANIMAL connections - Depends on your pov
  • Chalky - Is the animal human?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] human? - NO
  • Chalky - A mammal?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] mammalian? - NO
  • Gusset Login - A Dragon?
  • Rosie - The serpent in the Garden of Eden?
    News International get everywhere.
  • Software - Insect?
  • Kinrah - Fictional?
  • ImNotJohn - Not many more orders to try
    [GL] Hidden Dragon? - NO
    [Rosie] herpetological? - NO
    [Software] Insect? - NO
    [Kinrah] Made-up? - Well, that's why the question is posed as it is. FWIW, my answer is YES, and I suspect that would apply to most, but maybe not all, of the contributors to the morniverse.
  • Projoy - To do with religion?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] smells and bells? - YES (*a small ripple*)
    I did rather signal that, didn't I?
  • Projoy - Something from Judeo-Christian legend/history?
  • Dujon - Angelic?
  • Rosie - A sacred animal in some religion?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] Judeo-Christian? - YES
    [Dujon] Non angli sed angeli? - NO
    [Rosie] Baal-lamb? - NO
  • Software - Devilish?
  • CdM - A character from the Old Testament?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Software] From the very dark side? - NO
    [CdM] OTT? YES
  • Rosie - A bird?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] Avian? - YES *applause*
  • Software - Dove-ish?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Software] Dived? - NO
  • Projoy - A raven?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] Raven? - YES * Applause and the noise of coats being put on, bags being picked up, etc.*
  • Projoy - The raven that couldn't find the olive tree?
  • ImNotJohn - We have a winner
    Very impressive - I thought that would prove a little more difficult.
    The answer is indeed The Raven that was the first bird released from the Ark
    One gopher-wood baton handed on
  • Projoy
    Oops. Was working all day. I think I might have to pass again, as still rather behind with work. The floor is open.
  • Kinrah
    It's been sitting here for a while, so I'll take it.

    ABSTRACT with ANIMAL and sometimes MINERAL connections
  • Tuj - Fictional?
  • irach - Are the animal connections non-human and mammal?
  • Kinrah
    [Tuj] Made up? YES
    [irach] Mammalian but non-human? NO
  • Rosie - Does this come from a work of fiction such as a novel?
  • ImNotJohn - Animal human?
  • Kinrah
    [Rosie] Bookish? YES and NO
    [INJ] Humanity? YES
  • Projoy - From a non-novelistic work of fiction?
  • Gusset Login - Is the mineral metal?
  • Dujon - Religion based?
  • Kinrah
    [Projoy] Fictional? YES
    [GL] Metal? CAN BE
    [Dujon] Religous? NO
  • Dujon - A weapon?
  • Software - Science fiction?
  • Kinrah
    [Dujon] Object capable of harm? NO *animated whisperings from audience*
    [Software] SciFi? CAN BE, but it would be more helpful if I said NO
  • ImNotJohn - From the world of motion pictures?
  • Kinrah
    [INJ] YES and NO; however again NO is more helpful.
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the mineral liquid?
  • Kinrah
    [Tuj] P-to the rest of it? NO
    [INJ] Liquidity? NO
  • Rosie - Is the Abstract a quality ascribable to humans?
  • Kinarh
    [Rosie] Quality of humanity? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Is the animal a single identifiable person?
  • Kinrah
    [INJ] A single identity? VERY NO.
  • Tuj - A single-word answer?
  • Dujon - A particular battle?
  • Kinrah
    [Tuj] One word? To be honest it depends on whether you're being definitive, in which case the answer is YES, or whether you're being more abstract, in which case NO. Either way you won't get a very helpful answer.
    [Dujon] A battle? Some could call it a battle, but it's going to help more if I say NO
  • Rosie - A riot or similar unruly assembly?
  • Dujon - A cause? (e.g. Suffragettes)
  • Kinrah
    [Rosie] I predict a riot? NO
    [Dujon] Group with a common goal? NO
  • Tuj
    Any chance of a clue?
  • Kinrah
    [Tuj] I don't see why not.
    A run through of what you know:
    It is fictional
    Involves humans in some way
    The mineral can be metal at times
    Not a weapon but the audience seemed to like the word
    Nowhere near a single person

    If I had to give an extra clue: it is a game. I can't get more blunt than that.
  • Rosie - Does or has the game exist(ed) in the real world as well as the fictional one?
  • Dujon - Is it something akin to chess pieces?
  • irach - Lewis Carroll connection?
  • Kinrah
    [Rosie] I'm not quite sure what you mean. Could you please elaborate?
    [Dujon] Chess pieces? NO
    [irach] Alice related? NO
  • Software - Nought's and Crosses?
    (tic-tac-toe to our American Morniversers)
  • Kinrah
    [Software] O&X? NO
  • Gusset Login - Boardo?
  • Rosie
    (Kinrah) You say it's a game and is fictional, which to me could mean it only takes place in a story and could be a game that does not exist in the real world (e.g. competitive vole-polishing). Or it could be a known game between fictional contestants, such as Melchester Rovers etc.
  • Kinrah
    [GL] Checkmate, I'll take that card? NO some whisperings from audience
    [Rosie] Ohh. I meant fictional as in the story behind the game is fictional, as opposed to something based on a true story. I apologise if you didn't read it that way. Yes, the game exists in the real world, whether the players are fictional or not is entirely up to a writer's discretion.
  • Rosie - Is the result of the game significant to the story?
  • Software - Nonsense - is it?
  • Kim (lurking) - Fantasy Football?
  • Kinrah
    [Rosie] Result significant? YES
    [Software] Gobbeldegook? NO
    [Kim] Fan Made Foot Sports? NO
  • Kinrah
    Ok, since this doesn't seem to be going anywhere, I'm going to reveal the answer and pass the baton to somebody else.

    I was thinking of the game of Cluedo (or I believe it's called Clue in the US). Hence:
    Fictional
    Animal connection human
    There have been books and films made on the subject
    Pieces can be made of metal or other minerals
    Involves weapons (see audience reaction)
    Many identities
    A one or multi-word answer depending on whether you say 'A Game of Cluedo' or 'Cluedo'
    The end of the game is significant in that the true murderer is locked up

    In any case, a candlestick-shaped baton handed to whoever wants to take it.
  • CdM
    Well, reading back, I think that Tuj actually won the round at 3:48 pm on the 2nd of March. So it must be his turn.
  • Tuj
    [CdM] Very generous ;) I'll have to decline as this is about the busiest period of my life, certainly thus far. Baton, anyone?
  • Gusset Login
    I'll take the baton if no one is using it. MINERAL
  • Rosie - Metal?
  • Software - Stone?
  • Gusset Login
    [Rosie] Metal? No.
    [Software] Stone? No.
  • ImNotJohn - liquid?
  • Rosie - Gaseous?
    Excluding flatus, obviously
  • Gusset Login
    [INJ] liquid? No, is the most useful answer. Partly, is more accurate.
    [Rosie] Gas? Yes
  • ImNotJohn - Is the mineral water?
    In whatever state.
  • Gusset Login
    [INJ] water? Not to any significant extent, no.
  • Software - Found in the home?
  • Gusset Login
    [Software] Found in the home? No (Sounds of mirth from the audience).
  • ImNotJohn - meteorological/atmospheric?
  • Gusset Login
    [INJ] meteorological or atmospheric? Technically no, but it may be related.
  • Rosie - Flammable?
  • Software - Connected with transport?
  • ImNotJohn - Composed primarily of a single element?
  • Gusset Login
    [Rosie] Flammable? Depends what you do with it, but normally probably not.
    [Software] Transport? No.
    [INJ] Single element? Yes. (More than 75%)
  • Rosie - Compressed air?
  • Gusset Login
    [Rosie] Compressed air? No
  • Rosie - One of the Inert Gases?
  • Gusset Login
    [Rosie] Inert gas? No
  • Gusset Login
    Correction: [INJ] I have double checked and it might be slightly less than 75% composed of a single element.
  • Rosie - Anaesthetic?
  • Gusset Login
    [Rosie] Anaesthetic? No.
  • Rosie - The sun?
    Not the penny dreadful.
  • Gusset Login
    *Smattering of applause from the audience*
    [Rosie] Sol? No.
  • Rosie - Some other star?
  • CdM - Is the single 75%ish element hydrogen?
  • Software - Helium?
  • Gusset Login
    [Software] Helium? No.
    [CdM] 70-75% Hydrogen? Yes.
    [Rosie] A Star? No.
  • Rosie - Jupiter?
    By Jove, that had better be right.
  • Gusset Login
    [Rosie] Jupiter? YES. Have a baton.
  • :
  • Rosie
    Well, that was quick, and this may also be not too difficult .
    It's ABSTRACT
  • Dujon - A pseudonym?
    Don't ask, I don't know.
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) - Not a pseudonym.
  • Software - A human concept?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) - Human concept? - YES
  • Software - Specifically European?
  • Gusset Login - Does it begin with P?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) - Specifically European - NO. *one or two sniggers from the audience*
    (Gusset Login) Pinitialism? - NO. Not in English, at any rate.
  • CdM - Specific to some particular culture or place?
  • Dujon - Related to language?
  • Rosie
    (CdM) - Specific to some particular culture or place? - YES, but only in terms of the actual word (s) on the card.
    (Dujon) - NOT language-related.
  • Software - Any political connection?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) - Political connection? - YES, very much so, Gary. *vigorous audience applause*
  • irach - Pertaining to the erstwhile Soviet Union?
  • ImNotJohn - The Great Firewall of China?
  • Rosie
    (irach) - NO, not pertaining specifically to the USSR.
    (INJ) - Good thinking but NO, alas.
    Clarification regarding CDM's query - the best answer is really a straightforward NO. Anything else may be misleading.
  • Dujon - A joke of some kind?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) - A joke? NO, far from it.
  • Software - Anything to do with expenses?
    Although they are far from abstract.
  • Rosie
    (Softers) - Expenses? - YES, though not exclusively. *vigorous applause*
  • ImNotJohn - An Election?
  • Software - Obviously not imaginary duck houses??
  • Rosie
    (INJ) - NO, not an election.
    (Softers) - Mallard's engine shed? - NO, but *further mild applause.*
  • CdM - Corruption?
  • Rosie
    (CdM) - Corruption? Getting very warm. *more audience applause*
  • Dujon - A quango?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) - A quango? NO.
  • Software - Fictious parliamentary expenses?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) - One ball of string, one skewer, one pair of scissors as Representative of the All-Party Conker Committee? - NO, but that's part of it.
  • Software - An inquiry of some sort?
    Obviously dancing around it ...
  • Rosie
    (Softers) - An inquiry? - NO. Dancing round it is the very phrase. :-)
  • Dujon - A government policy of some kind (e.g. the budget)?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) - NO, not government policy at all, at least as they see it.
  • ImNotJohn - A Leak?
  • Rosie
    (INJ) - NO, not a leak.
    This is a rather general term.
  • Gusset Login - Sleaze?
  • Rosie
    SLEAZE it is! Well done GL. Over to you.
  • Gusset Login
    Oh, OK my turn, I guess.... ANIMAL
  • ImNotJohn - Human?
  • CdM - Alive?
  • Gusset Login
    [INJ] Human? Yes
    [CdM] Alive? At one time, but not now.
  • Software - Famous individual?
  • ImNotJohn - European?
  • Gusset Login
    [Softie] Individual of note? Yes
    [INJ] European? Yes
  • irach - Male?
  • Gusset Login
    [i,rach] Male? Yes
  • Rosie - British?
  • Gusset Login
    [Rosie] British? Yes
  • irach - In the entertainment field?
  • ImNotJohn - Artistic?
    In a broad sense
  • Gusset Login
    [irach] An Entertainer? Yes
    [INJ] Artistic? That's a matter of personal opinion. Some would say he was and some that he wasn't, I suspect.
  • Rosie - Born in the 20th century?
  • Gusset Login
    [Rosé] A 20th Century Boy? Yes
  • Dujon - A banjo/banjolele/ukelele player?
  • Gusset Login
    [Dujon] A banjo/banjolele/ukelele player? That's three questions. At least one of which would have the answer yes.
  • Software - George Formby?
  • Gusset Login
    [Software] Ooh, mother. Turned out nice again? YES have this baton that was leaning on a lamppost at the corner of the street.
  • Software
    *Blushes as that certain little lady passes by*

    Dammit, now I have to think ...

    I know - ABSTRACT with ANIMAL Connections

  • Gusset Login - A fictional character?
  • irach - More than one animal involved?
  • Rosie - A human construct?
  • Dujon - A G-string?
    [Gusset Login] I'm ever so pleased. ;-)
  • Software
    [GL] - Bugs Bunny? NO
    [irach] The Herd? - YES
    [Rosie] Imagination? YES
    [Duj] Airy stuff? NO
  • Rosie - An organisation of like-minded individuals?
  • Dujon - Would Calgary be related?
  • Software
    [Rosie] affiliation? NO * spattering of applause from audience *
    [Duj] Stampede? Not sure what you mean but NO is probably the answer.
  • Gusset Login - A fictional group of humans?
  • Juxtapose - Any connection with sports?
  • Software
    [GL] Imaginary? NO. * chuckling from audience *
    [Juxta] Fitness? NO.
  • Rosie - Any connections with politics?
  • Software
    [Rosie] Collective decision making? YES!
  • Projoy - A general election?
  • Rosie - A marginal constituency?
  • Software
    [Pro] Current mêlée? - NO. * some laughter and applause from audience *
    [Rosie] Tactical territory? - NO.
  • Projoy - Some kind of discussion?
  • ImNotJohn - A hung parliament
    Or a hanged parliament, if you prefer that idea.
  • Software
    [Pro] Debate? - NO.
    [INJ] Strung-up? (They should be). -NO.
  • FGZstar - Democracy?
  • Software
    [FGZ] Choosability? NO * laughter from audience *
  • ImNotJohn - A type of government?
  • Software
    [INJ] Party specific? NO.
  • FGZstar - A method of voting?
  • Rosie - The House of Lords?
  • Software
    [FGZ] Ballot? - NO.
    [Rosie] Feudalism?- NO.
  • Gusset Login - Is it related to a change in government?
  • Software
    [GL] Selection - YES. * some applause from audience *
  • Dujon - A coup?
  • Software
    [Duj] Junta? - NO. nothing so dramatic.
    Hint: two words on card.
  • Gusset Login - Regime Change?
  • FGZstar - Conservative government?
  • Projoy - To do with totalitarianism?
  • Software
    [GL] Revolution? - NO.
    [FGZ] Toryism? - NO.
    [Pro] Stalin and his mates? - NO.
    Hint: Remember this is largely ABSTRACT!
  • FGZstar - Is it a political term of phrase?
  • Rosie - Dissolution of Parliament?
  • Software
    [FGZ] Spin? - YES! (although not always what politicians themselves want to convey)
    [Rosie] End of Term? - NO.
  • Projoy - The truth?
  • FGZstar - Campaign Promises?
  • Dujon - A sudden shift in the structure of a hill?
  • Software
    [Pro] Veracity - NO (certainly virtual in the case of politicians)
    [Duj] Lib-Dem revival? - NO
    [FGZ] Promises, promises? - YES!
    FGZ has it! I pass on the over-egged baton and may the best man win!
  • FGZstar
    Thanks, Software, I dunno how to do the big letters thing, so here goes...

    ANIMAL
  • Software - Animal = human?
  • FGZstar
    [Software] Homo Sapiens? NO
  • Rosie - Four legs?
  • FGZstar
    Quadroped? NO
  • Gusset Login - Alive?
  • Rosie - A bird?
  • FGZstar
    [GL] Animate? YES
    [Rosie] Ornithological? YES
  • Rosie - A particular species?
  • FGZstar
    Specific? YES Just to warn you guys that i have started travelling again, so I may not be on as often to answer questions. I'll try to get on as often as I can.
  • Dujon - Extant?
  • FGZstar
    Sorry, I don't quite follow, please rephrase.
  • Phraseology for Dummies
    Extant (adj.) - A species which isn't extinct
  • FGZstar
    Currently in existance? - YES
  • Dujon
    [FGZ*] PfD is quite correct (Thank you PfD). I might stress that I am not PfD but also that this site does include a wide variety of pedants with an equal proportion of grammarians, lexicographers, etymologists and other related types - each of which insists on proving their existence.
  • Gusset Login - A bird of prey?
  • FGZstar
    [GL] Predatory? - No
  • Software - Found in Europe?
  • FGZstar
    European? NO
  • Gusset Login - A flightless bird?
  • Software - North America?
  • FGZstar
    Endemic to North America? NO
    Flightless? YES
  • Rosie - An ostrich?
  • Dujon - A Penguin?
  • Gusset Login - Kiwi?
  • FGZstar
    [Rosie][Duj][GL] All incorrect
  • Gusset Login - Emu?
  • FGZstar
    [GL] Nope.
  • Software - Penguin?
    not a Linux fan by any chance?
  • Gusset Login - Cassowary?
  • Juxtapose - Kakapo?
  • FGZstar
    All still incorrect so far... [Software] I take it that's not an AMVA question, and no, sadly I have never actually tried linux. I am currently windows only.
  • Gusset Login - Silkie?
  • Rosie - Any relevance to current events?
  • FGZstar
    [GL] Nope [Rosie]Relevant? - no
  • Gusset Login - Is it a member of the crane family?
    Gruiformes.
  • Dujon - A Chook?
  • Software - Rhea?
  • FGZstar
    [GL] Crane? NO
    [Duj, Soft] NO
    sorry guys but I've been stuck in Invercargill with no internet. Definitely not a great situation
  • ImNotJohn - Found primarily in Africa?
  • Gusset Login - Kakapo?
  • Dujon - Should I be trembling?
  • FGZstar
    [INJ] African? No
    [GL] Nope, as I told Juxtapose earlier
    [Dujon] If you did, I would laugh at you

    So far there have been some close guesses, but none spot on yet
  • Software - A sub-species of a current guess?
  • FGZstar
    [Software] Not that close
  • ImNotJohn - Australasian?
  • FGZstar
    [INJ] Yes
  • Gusset Login - Is it a kind of duck?
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
  • FGZstar
    [GL] No [Tuj] No
  • Dujon - Specific to New Zealand? (e.g. the Takahe)
  • FGZstar
    [Duj] Certainly
  • FGZstar
    [GL] My apologies, but I have answered a previous question incorrectly. Upon further research the animal in question belongs to the family of gruiformes. I am sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause, but Wikipedia has let me down.
  • Gusset Login - Takhe?
    If it is Dujon deserves the win.
  • FGZstar
    [GL] Not the takahe, or he would have won.
  • Dujon - Endemic only to the South Island?
    This could turn into a guessing game. ZL has a significant number of gruiformes so I am trying my best to start a narrowing down of the possibilities.
  • Gusset Login - Weka?
  • FGZstar
    And with that, the well contested baton is passed to Gusset Login. Well done and good luck to all. I am not sure if it is endemic only to the SI, Dujon, but that was the only place I saw them.
  • Gusset Login
    OK, time for another ANIMAL
  • Rosie - Human?
  • Juxtapose - Used as a mascot?
  • Gusset Login
    [Rosie] Human? Sometimes.
    [Juxtapose] Mascot? Almost everything has been used as a mascot at sometime, I don't believe that this is the exception.
  • CdM - A part of an animal?
  • Gusset Login
    [CdM] A chunk of someone? YES
  • Dujon - Is this literal 'chunk' used as a description of a human (e.g. He was built like the back end of an elephant)?
  • Gusset Login
    [Dujon] Describing a human? I can't think of a time I have heard it used in that way, but I guess it's possible.
  • Rosie - A particular animal or human?
  • Juxtapose - An organ?
  • Dujon - A werewolf?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Gusset Login
    [Rosie] Particular? No
    [Juxtapose] Organ? {Smattering of applause} No
    [Dujon] Lycanthrope? No
    [Tuj] P***? Not in english
  • Juxtapose - A gland, perhaps?
  • Gusset Login
    [Juxtapose] A gland, perhaps? perhaps not
  • Dujon - Relative to cardiology?
  • Gusset Login
    [Dujon] Cardiac relativity? No
  • CdM - Begins with P (to your knowledge) in some other language?
  • Rosie - A head?
    (CdM) Pen in Welsh, so Yes. :-)
  • Gusset Login
    [CdM] P-ing in foreign? I think it might in Czech but I'm far from an expert
    [Rosie] A head? {Much applause} No
  • ImNotJohn - Physiognomy?
  • CdM - Amygdala?
  • Gusset Login
    [INJ] Studying Bumps? Would be abstract
    [CdM] Amygdala? No
  • Juxtapose - A skull?
  • Gusset Login
    [Juxtapose] skull? YES Have a juxtaposed baton.
  • ImNotJohn - Minor pedantry
    Physiognomy = the face
    Phrenology = determining the character by studying the lumps & bumps of the skull
    Retro-phrenology = hitting the skull precisely with a hammer in order to achieve the configuration that gives the required character traits.
  • Gusset Login - Sorry NotJohn
    You're right, I misread. It was still wrong, if anything wrongerer.
  • Juxtapose - Ooh, only my second baton-receiving. How exciting!
    Alright-ah. This time we shall say: MINERAL.
  • FGZstar - Is it valuable?
  • Juxtapose
    [FGZ] Valuable? Yes.
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Rosie - An object or objects?
  • Gusset Login - More than 50% metal?
  • Dujon - Unique?
  • Software - Stone?
  • CdM - Is it radioactive?
  • Tuj - Second letter A?
  • Gusset Login - Last letter Y?
  • Juxtapose
    [Tuj] /^P/ No.
    [Rosie] An object or objects? Yes.
    [GL] More than 50% metal? Yes.
    [Dujon] Unique? Typically no.
    [Software] Stone? Stone is often involved.
    [CdM] Radioactive No.
    [Tuj2] /^.a/ No.
    [GL2] /y$/ No.
  • Rosie - A machine?
  • Juxtapose
    [Rosie] A machine? No.
  • Gusset Login - Decorative?
  • Software - A letter opener?
  • Juxtapose
    [GL] Decorative? I'm going to say Yes, though it's debatable.
    [Softers] A letter opener? No.
  • Tuj - Smaller than a toaster?
  • Gusset Login - Bigger than a bread van?
  • Juxtapose
    [Tuj] <"toaster" Yes!
    [GL] >"bread van" Nop.
  • Dujon - A depositary of some kind?
  • FGZstar - A Ring?
  • Juxtapose
    [Dujon] depositary - a facility where things can be deposited for storage or safekeeping? No.
    [FGZ] A ring? Yes. *much expectant applause*
  • Software - A millstone?
  • CdM - An engagement ring?
  • Juxtapose
    [Softers] A millstone? Not quite...
    [CdM] An engagement ring? YES! Well deduced, all. As it turns out, I am soon to be one half of "Mr. and Mrs. Juxtapose". The Mr. half, specifically. Have a ludicrously overpriced hand-made wedding baton.
  • CdM
    Almost a lurker's victory, there. And congratulations, Juxtapose! All right, this one is

    ANIMAL with ABSTRACT connections
  • FGZstar - Conservatism?
  • ImNotJohn - An anarcho-syndicalist rabbit?
    Making a welcome return.
  • Software - Supermouse?
  • CdM
    Conservatism? No. (Is that an animal?)
    Picketing Bunny? No.
    Supermouse? No.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the animal human?
  • CdM
    Human? No.
  • Juxtapose - Starts with P?
  • jim - David Cameron?
    Mind if I join you?
  • Rosie - Living creature(s)?
  • jim - Is it a mascot of some sort?
    OK, scratch that last one. David Cameron is human, as far as anyone knows.
  • CdM
    P-begun? No.
    The beast Cameron? No.
    Alive? No.
    Mascottish? Yes.
  • Dujon - A cartoon character?
  • CdM
    Cartoon character? No.
  • ImNotJohn - Represents a nation or geographical area?
  • CdM
    National Geographic? No.
  • jim - Is it associated with a particular company or product?
  • Software - Symbolic?
  • Kim - Extinct?
    Also making a (hopefully) welcome return.
  • irach - Of the feline ilk?
  • CdM
    Associated with company or product? Yes *applause*
    Symbolic? Yes, in the mascottish sense already noted. Did you have something more specific in mind?
    Extinct? No (or perhaps not applicable would be better)
    Catty? Yes.
  • jim - Is it Tony the Tiger?
  • Software - The British Lion?
  • Gusset Login - The Wild Haggis?
  • Juxtapose - Familiar to a resident of America?
  • Rosie - British company or product?
  • CdM
    Tony? Wrrrrrrrrrrrrong.
    British Lion? No.
    Wild Haggis? No.
    Familiar from California to the New York islands? Yes.
    British company or product? No.
  • jim - US company or product?
    To get the obvious follow-up out of the way...
  • Gusset Login - A product more than a company?
  • CdM
    US company or product? Yes.
    Product more than company? No.
  • irach - Morris the Cat?
  • CdM
    Morris the Cat? No.
  • FGZstar - The paddle pop lion?
    Very similar to the Merlion in Singapore
  • CdM
    Paddle Pop Lion? I think you will find that begins with P. Therefore, No.
  • irach - The MGM roaring lion?
  • CdM
    MGM lion? Close enough for a Yes! The words on the card were, strictly, The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Lions (plural), with the answer referring to the actual animals. (Not all the lions actually roared, by the way.) At least in my question-setting world, many of the guesses that people gave would be Abstract with animal connections, as opposed to the Animal with abstract connections that I specified.

    One celluloid representation of a baton passed on to irach.
  • irach
    This next one is just ANIMAL.
  • CdM - Unique?
  • Gusset Login - Human?
  • Software - Symbolic?
  • irach
    [CdM]Yes, unique.
    [GL]Yes, human.
    [Software] Hmmm... I presume could be considered a symbol of sorts.
  • jim - Alive now?
  • irach
    [jim] No, but in a sense will always be alive.
  • jim - Ronnie James Dio?
    RIP
  • irach
    [jim] No, not RJ Dio.
  • Gusset Login - Did they die before 17th May 1983?
  • irach
    [GL] The person in question was reported to have died prior to 17 May 1983, but will likely always be immortal.
  • ImNotJohn - An entertainer?
  • irach
    [INJ] No, not an entertainer.
  • Rosie - Jesus Christ?
  • irach
    No, not Jesus Christ.
  • Juxtapose - Fictional?
  • irach
    [Juxtapose] Yes, fictional.
  • CdM
    When you speak of this fictional human as "always being alive" and "immortal", do you mean that there is something about this particular character that is immortal, as opposed to the character being immortal simply by virtue of being fictional? If you see what I mean.
  • irach
    [CdM] Mostly just by being fictional, but perhaps a little more than just a character in this case.
  • jim - Did the character originally appear in a book?
  • irach
    [jim] Yes, the person first appeared in a book.,
  • Software - Main character in a book?
  • Juxtapose - Does the person's name appear in the title?
  • irach
    [Juxtapose] Yes, the person's name is in the book title.
    [Software] Yes, the person is the main character in the book.
  • Juxtapose - Was the book in question published prior to the year 1900?
  • irach
    [Juxtapose] The book was first pubished prior to 1900.
  • Dujon - Was this person a mariner?
  • CdM - Does this person appear in more than one book?
  • CdM
    By the way -- not as criticism, just as observation -- I would classify any fictional character (or place, or thing) as primarily abstract, with xxx connections as appropriate. Is that how others also think about these classifications?
  • irach
    [CdM] Research indicates that it was one book, published in two parts.
  • Juxtapose - Is the person female?
  • irach
    [Juxtapose] The person is male.
  • jim - British or Irish author?
  • irach
    [jim] Neither British or Irish author.
  • jim - Originally written in English?
  • Gusset Login - Oedipus?
  • irach
    [jim] Not originally written in English.
    [GLogin] Not Oedipus.
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    [CdM] I concur
  • irach
    [Tuj] Not beginning with "P".
  • CdM - The Count of Monte Cristo?
    You missed Dujon's "mariner" question, by the way.
  • irach
    [Dujon] The person was not a mariner.
  • irach
    [CdM] Not "The Count of Monte Cristo"
  • FGZstar - Hercules?
  • ImNotJohn - Written before 1800?
  • irach
    [FGZstar] Not Hercules.
    [INJ] Yes, written before 1800.
  • jim - Written before 1700?
    Original question, I know. Though irach did say "published in two parts", and we can't go too much further back before "published" stops being a meaningful concept.
  • irach
    [jim] Yes, both parts first came out in print prior to 1700.
  • jim - Don Quixote?
    Just a wild stab at a windmill in the dark...
  • irach
    [jim] The baton...or lance in this case is passed to you...Don Quixote it is! The books Part I, El Ingenioso Hidalgo don Quijote de la Mancha and its sequel were published for Cervantes ten years apart, in 1604 and 1614 by publisher Francisco de Robles. Incidentally, Don Quixote was one of the first bestseller books for which pirated editions soon appeared in the marketplace. The fact that I considered Don Quixote as being a little more immortal than just famous for being a fictional character (in response to CdM's question) is that the personality trait adjective "quixotic" has also been derived from his name.
  • jim - Takes lance with extreme caution
    Thank you, thank you. Another result of the first book's being so popular was a rash of what you might call "unofficial sequels", of rather poor quality. The second book was written in part as a response to these.
    I hope it's not considered too much bad form to guess like that straight after having a question answered. Actually, I couldn't think of any two-part foreign language books of that sort of antiquity, and was about to guess the Bible, although certain that wasn't it, just to eliminate the possibility, when another candidate suddenly struck me.

    Anyway, I am now thinking of an ABSTRACT, with ANIMAL and VEGETABLE connections. Game on.

  • ImNotJohn - Is the animal human?
    'En un lugar de La Mancha, de cuyo nombre no quiero recordarme...' - I've always liked that as an opening line - it's the 'no quiero' that gives it its interest.
  • jim
    [Animal human] In one connection, specifically yes. In another connection, yes, but not specifically so. In a sense, specifically no.
  • Juxtapose - Does the answer contain a verb?
  • Gusset Login - Is it a well known phrase or saying?
  • jim
    [Contains a verb] No verb.
    [Well known phrase] No. That is, the name of the thing is certainly well known, and you might make a case for its being a phrase or saying, but the thing itself is not one.
  • FGZstar - Minotaur?
  • jim
    [Minotaur] No.
  • Software - Character in a book?
  • jim
    [Character] No.
  • CdM - Does the human animal connection refer to a specific individual?
  • jim
    [Individual] The "specifically human" connection is to a specific individual human, yes.
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Gusset Login - Ends with Y?
  • jim
    [Tuj] Pno.
    [Gusset] Noy.
  • Dujon - A general reference to an unspecified constituent of a group (e.g. 'one of the mob', 'a club member')?
  • jim
    [General reference] No. There's a sense in which the AOTC could be said to refer to a group of closely related entities, but it would usually be considered as a single specific thing.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the answer a mythical creature?
  • jim
    [Mythical creature] No.
  • CdM - Does the name of the human connection appear on the card?
  • Juxtapose - Is the specific human a man?
  • jim
    [Name on card] No.
    [Male human] Yes.
  • Dujon - A leader?
  • CdM - Does the vegetable connection refer to a specific vegetable (such as a single identified tree, for example)?
  • jim
    [Leader] The person in question could certainly be considered a leader, but if you mean to ask if he is principally known as the leader of some group, nation, army etc., the answer is no.
    [Specific vegetable] No.
    I should clarify that when I say that the name of the human does not appear on the card, I mean precisely that. It would not be unnatural to describe the thing in terms of the person, but the name of the thing as I am envisaging it on the card does not contain the person's name.
  • FGZstar - IS it relating to a specific type of vegetable?
  • Juxtapose - Is the human fictional?
  • jim
    [Specific type of vegetable] No.
    [Fictional human] No.
  • CdM - Was the human involved in the invention or creation of the thing?
  • Tuj - Was this thing invented?
    (rather than, say, discovered)
  • jim
    [Human involved] Yes. Some murmurs of appreciation from the crowd
    [Invented] I'm not sure "invented" is the right word, but it was more invented than discovered, although there is a strong connection to discovery.
  • FGZstar - Is the vegetable connection in regards to its shape?
  • jim
    [Shaped like a vegetable] No.
  • jim
    (In the sense that the thing can be said to have a shape, which is debatable.)
  • Tuj - Was it "invented" in the last century?
    (assuming that question makes sense)
  • jim
    [Last century] It did not come into being during the 20th century.
  • ImNotJohn - Are we broadly in the realm of science?
  • jim
    [Science] Yes. Audience applauds
  • Juxtapose - Is the science in question astronomy?
  • CdM - Mathematical?
  • ImNotJohn - Newton's Law of Gravity?
  • jim
    [Astronomy] No.
    [Mathematics] No.
    [What goes up...] Nope.
  • CdM - Medical-related?
  • irach - Biological Evolution related (a la Darwin?)
  • jim
    [Medical] No.
    [Biological evolution] Yes. Cheers from the audience
  • irach - Natural Selection?
  • Gusset Login - Family tree?
  • jim
    [Natural selection] No, but there is a very strong connection. Audience are on the edges of their seats
    [Family tree] No. Audience sit back again
  • irach - The book title, "On the Origin of Species"
  • jim
    Yes! It is the book "On the Origin of Species", or to give it its full title, "On the Origin of Species by means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life", only that wouldn't fit on the card. Charles Darwin, of course, being the specific named human (not actually named on the card, but could have been); Darwin tactfully refrained from directly addressing human evolution in the book, hence the "specifically non-human" connection. Not that the book wasn't controversial enough anyway. One naturally selected baton goes over to irach.
  • irach
    Holy Galapagos! By the beard of the land iguana! Me again? The next one is quite simply ANIMAL.
  • ImNotJohn - Human?
    (oblig)
  • irach
    [INJ] Not human.
  • jim - Skippy the bush kangaroo?
  • Gusset Login - Mammalian?
  • irach
    [jim] Not the aforementioned marsupial, or any other kangaroo.
    [GL] Not mammalian.
  • Gusset Login - A fish?
  • Dujon - A monotreme?
  • irach
    [GL]Not a fish.
    [Dujon] Not a montreme.
  • CdM - A blue-footed booby?
  • FGZstar - A Bird?
  • irach
    [CdM} Not a booby- blue-footed, or otherwise.
    [FGZstar] Not a bird.
  • CdM - An insect?
  • Gusset Login - A reptile?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Juxtapose - Arachnid?
  • irach
    [CdM] Yes, an insect. Audience raises collective antennae attentively...
    [GL] Not a reptile.
    [Juxtapose] Not an arachnid.
  • FGZstar - Is it found in New Zealand?
  • all - Was it ever hidden in New Zealand?
  • CdM - Is it a beetle?
    Because that would really narrow it down. Also, why are you avoiding Tuj's question?
  • irach
    [Tuj] Does not begin with "P".
    Yes, it is found in New Zealand.
    [all] Hmmm... I don't really know.
    [CdM] It is not a beetle.... (Mark...Antennae, no Coleoptera).
  • Juxtapose - A weta?
  • Dujon - A form of Stonefly?
  • irach
    [Juxtapose] Not a weta.
    [Dujon] Not a stonefly.
  • CdM - Is it poisonous/venomous?
  • irach
    [CdM] Yes, it is poisonous.
  • FGZstar - A Fire Ant?
  • irach
    [FGZstar] Not a fire ant.
  • FGZstar - By poisonous, do you mean as in it will poison you if eaten, as opposed to venomous where it will bite you and poison you
  • irach
    [FGZstar] It will poison one if eaten.
  • FGZstar - Is it endemic only to New Zealand, or is it found in other countries?
  • irach
    [FGZstar] It is also found in other countries.
  • FGZstar - Is it a caterpillar?
  • irach
    [FGZstar] In one stage of its being it is a caterpillar, yes.
  • Dujon - Would this be a butterfly that holds its wings flat when at rest?
  • FGZstar - If Duj would happen to be wrong, would it be a moth, such as the Hawthorn Caterpillar's moth (can't remember the name)?
  • irach
    [Dujon] Not that I know of.
    [FGZstar] Not a moth.
  • CdM - Do the words on the card describe a butterfly?
  • irach
    [CdM] The words on the card refer to a specific butterrfly.
  • Software - Cabbage White?
    I know few others
  • irach
    [Software] Not a Cabbage White.
  • CdM - Is it, broadly speaking, a commonly known butterfly (like, say, Red admiral), or is it sufficiently obscure that we still need to ask other questions to narrow it down?
  • irach
    [CdM] Very commonly known butterfly... (and remember the clue that this species is known to be poisonous if eaten).
  • CdM - Is it a Monarch butterfly?
    (shamelessly taking advantage of my time zone to ask two questions in a row)
  • irach
    [CdM] Yes, a Monarch butterfly it is! Monarchs feed on milkweed and sequester the digitalis-like cardiac glycosides from the plant, rendering them poisonous to predators. The range of the species does now extend to New Zealand.

    A baton worthy of a monarch, nay... a sceptre... passed on to CdM.
    .
  • CdM
    MINERAL
  • jim - Uluru aka Ayers Rock?
  • Gusset Login - Pluto?
  • Raak
    Does it gush out of the sea bed in the Gulf of Mexico?
  • CdM
    Red rock? No.
    Dead rock? No.
    Bed rock? No.
  • irach - Any kind of rock?
  • CdM
    Igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic, soft, hard, folk, sheet, soap, sham, def, red, 30, cradle will, black, picnic at hanging, school of, jailhouse? No.
  • FGZstar
    Would I be correct in assuming then that it is metallic in composition?
  • Gusset Login - Made by man?
  • CdM
    Metallic? No.
    Manmade? Yes.
    My apologies. I am guilty of too cursory a reading of wikipedia. This is actually MINERAL and (probably) ANIMAL and/or (possibly) VEGETABLE.
  • jim - A single specific thing?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • CdM
    Single specific thing? In the sense I think you mean, the answer is No. The card does name some thing, but there is more than one instance of the thing named on the card. If you see what I mean.
    Begins with P? Why, yes, yes it does. :-)
  • irach - Can it be used for constructtion?
  • CdM
    Can it be used for construction? *some audience laughter* It really depends what you mean by construction. Can you be more specific?
  • Software - Plastic?
  • irach - Judging from the audience laughter, I presume it may be used, for example, for constructing crafts or small objects rather than homes or edifices. Is this presumption correct? [e.g. construction of objects by children with "Plasticine" (which by the way is mainly mineral calcium salts mixed in with plant or animal derived aliphatic fatty acids such as stearic acid, and begins with a "P", and therefore actually fits the bill quite nicely for the object on the card.!)]
  • Tuj - Play-doh?
    [CdM] Why thanks, it's been a little while =)
  • CdM
    And indeed Plasticene is the correct answer! (And I had planned to choose Play-Doh -- which is mineral and vegetable btw -- for my next chance at setting. Oh well.)

    One soft and slightly misshapen baton, dirty brown in colour yet still showing traces of the other brighter colours it once comprised, passed to irach.
  • irach
    Once more into the breach... okay, the next one's essentially MINERAL.
  • Rosie - Did you mean "Once more unto the beach?" If so, is it oil?
  • irach
    [Rosie] Not an oozing mineral.
  • Gusset Login - Man made?
  • irach
    [G Login] Yes, man-made.
  • Rosie - An object, fabricated with some mineral or other?
  • irach
    [Rosie] Yes, an object fabricated with mineral substances.
  • Gusset Login - More than 50% metal?
  • FGZstar - BP's broken saw blade?
  • irach
    [G Login} Yes, mo than 50% metal.
    [FGZstar] Not a BP saw blade.
  • Rosie - Works with electricity?
  • irach
    [Rosie] Does not require electricity to operate, but has electrical connections on it.
  • Dujon - A missile of some kind?
  • FGZstar - A generator?
    I am thinking this because it doesn't need electricity to operate, rather that it generates it. Unless of course you are generalising with electricity meaning the notion of electricity. Or am I reading far too much into this?
  • irach
    [Dujon] Not a missile.
    [FGZstar] It does not need electricity for its basic essential function for a good part of the day; the electrical needs of this object are secondary to its main purpose.
  • Rosie
    A dial or indicator on a car?
  • Dujon - Are the electrical connections related to output from the unit? (e.g. Solar Panel, Thermal Spring . . . )
  • irach
    [Rosie] Not a dial or indicator.
    [Dujon] Electrical connections are unrelated to the output from the unit. As indicated, the electrical connections are totally ancillary; not essential for the object on the card's proper functioning for a good part of the 24-hour day, and they are not what is generally thought of by one in connection with the object in question.
  • Software - Battery operated?
  • irach
    [Software] Not battery operated.
  • irach
    (The game has become side-tracked by everyone focusing on the electrical component. While in response to Rosie's question, I had to answer that there are electrical connections involved with this essentially mineral object, those connections are not what would normally come to mind in relation to the words on the card).
  • Gusset Login - Earth?
  • irach
    [G Login] No, not anywhere as large as Earth, and remember, the object is man-made.
  • Software - Any plastic content?
  • irach
    [Software] No plastic content.
  • jim - Bigger than a bread box?
  • FGZstar - An Oyster Card?
    Well, it works on the electrical side of things....
  • Gusset Login - Smaller than a phone box?
  • irach
    [jim] Considerably bigger than a bread box.
    [FGZstar] Not an Oyster Card.
    [G Login] Considerably larger than a phone box.
  • Software - Does it move?
  • Rosie - Big Ben?
  • irach
    {Software} Its primary purpose is not to move, but depending on environmental conditions it may indeed "move.
    [Rosie] Not Big Ben, but inching closer.
  • jim - A bridge?
  • Gusset Login - Tower Bridge?
  • jim
    [jim] Yes, a bridge! (Audience breaks out humming, "Sur le pont..." in anticipation of someone bridging the remaining gap to the answer.)
    [G Login] Not the Tower Bridge, though...
  • Dujon - It sounds a bit wiered to me.
  • irach
    [Dujon] ("Wiered" I don't know about, but "wire" is definitely a hint.)
  • Juxtapose - Located in the UK?
  • FGZstar - The Forth Rail Brige?
    Well, it is apparently the 8th wonder of the world...
  • ImNotJohn - The Gateshead Millennium Bridge?
  • jim - The wibbly-wobbly bridge, aka the London Millennium Bridge?
  • Software - Ironbridge?
  • ImNotJohn - A suspension bridge?
  • irach
    [Juxtapose] Not in the UK.
    [FGZstar] Not the Forth Rail Bridge.
    [INJ] Not the Gateshead Millenium Bridge.
    [jim] Not the wibbly-wobbly London Millenium Bridge.
    [Software] Not Ironbridge
    [INJ] Yes, a suspension bridge.
  • jim - In the USA?
  • ImNotJohn - In Europe?
  • irach
    [jim] Yes, in the USA.
    [INJ] As above, not in Europe.
  • Juxtapose - Golden Gate Bridge?
  • irach
    [Juxtapose] Yes, The Golden Gate Bridge it is! The bridge does have electrical connections primarily for lighting, and while its primary purpose is not to move, it can move during severe weather conditions. During the winter storms in 1982, the main span bowed and swayed approximately 6 to 7 feet. The baton made up of intertwined wire cable is passed.
  • ImNotJohn
    I shall have to stop switching rapidly between this and 'Where am I' since I had it in my head that we were in the UK - wrong game!
  • FGZstar
    I am afraid I am a bit to blame for that one, sice I created the latter. What do you think of it, by the way?
  • ImNotJohn - Easily confused
    [FGZstar] I was worried it would just be a copy of this game, but it has taken off at a bit of a tangent. I think there's room for both.
  • Juxtapose
    Okay, all, get ready to be stumped with a

    VEGETABLE

    .
  • Gusset Login - Is it alive?
  • jim - Is it edible?
  • Rosie - Wood?
  • FGZstar - A Cucumber?
  • irach - Tree stump?
  • Dujon - A specific plant?
  • Software - Found in UK?
  • ImNotJohn - A bail?
  • irach - Wicket?
  • Gusset Login - Found on a farm?
  • Juxtapose - The Answers:
    [Alive?] This could be debated, but I will say Yes.
    [Edible?] No.
    [Wood?] No.
    [Cucumber?] No.
    [Tree stump?] No.
    [A specific plant?] Yes.
    [Found in the UK?] No.
    [A bail] No.
    [Wicket?] No.
    [Found on a farm?] No.
  • jim - A specific individual plant?
  • FGZstar - A Member of the cactus family?
  • Rosie - A very ancient tree?
  • irach - Found in Africa?
  • Dujon - Insectivorous?
  • Juxtapose - More Answers:
    [A specific individual plant?] No.
    [A Member of the cactus family?] I don't believe so.
    [A very ancient tree?] No.
    [Found in Africa?] No.
    [Insectivorous?] Not to my knowledge.
  • FGZstar - A tree?
  • ImNotJohn - Used as a symbol or emblem?
    'This here's the Wattle, the emblem of our land
    You can stick it in a bottle, you can hold it in your hand
  • Gusset Login - Kelp?
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
    Better late than never
  • irach - Mainly found in the tropics?
  • Dujon - Is this a plant that, apart from its natural environment, is considered as a weed?
  • Juxtapose - Les Réponses:
    [A tree?] No.
    [Used as a symbol or emblem?] I would call the answer emblematic, but as far as a nation's flag or team logo or something, No.
    [Kelp?] No.
    [Begins with a P?] YES.
    [Mainly found in the tropics?] Mainly, no.
    [Considered as a weed?] Certainly considered a nuisance.
  • irach - Poison Ivy?
  • FGZstar - Primrose?
  • Juxtapose - De Antwoorden:
    [Poison Ivy?] No.
    [Primrose?] No.
  • irach - An aquatic plant such as pickerelweed?
  • Dujon - A specie of thistle?
  • Juxtapose - οι απαντήσεις:
    [Aquatic?] No.
    [A specie of thistle?] No.
  • ImNotJohn - A bush or shrub?
    I thought irach had got it.
  • Software - Pommegranite?
  • irach - Coniferous?
  • Juxtapose - Th' Ans'
    [A bush or shrub?] No.
    [Pom?] No.
    [Coniferous?] No.
  • ImNotJohn - A type of grass?
    BTW, when responding to 'Found in X' questions are you replying on the basis of 'native to' or 'at least 1 example grows there'?
  • irach - Known for its flowers particularly?
  • Juxtapose - FAQ
    [A type of grass?] No.
    [Known for its flowers particularly?] No.
    [BTW] I have been trying to answer the questions as they've been asked. The VEGETABLE is not _mainly_ found in the tropics, and is _not_ aquatic. This may mean that at least one example may be found in tropical climes, but it means that it definitely does not grow under / in water. Is this what you meant?
  • Software - Palm Tree?
  • irach - Seed bearing? (as opposed to spore-bearing?)
  • Juxtapose - Q&A
    [Palm Tree?] No.
    [Seed bearing?] Unknown. Applause from a single audience member who then wilts under the glares of the others
  • Rosie - Nasty in some way such as prickly or poisonous?
  • irach - Pipe-weed, a Middle-Earth plant, (smoked by hobbits with bad habits), as mentioned by JRR Tolkien ?
  • ImNotJohn - Does it have leaves?
    Clarification on 'found in' is fine thank you
  • Juxtapose - Answering Machine
    [Nasty in some way?] Quite. A bit of laughter.
    [Pipe-weed?] No. A lot of laughter, applause, and murmuring.
    [Does it have leaves?] Yes.
  • irach - Can it be smoked (and unlike Bill Clinton's claimed experience with a particular weed), actually inhaled?
  • Rosie - A tobacco plant?
  • Juxtapose - Ans her? I just met her!
    [Can it be smoked?] No.
    [A tobacco plant?] No.
  • irach - Is any part of it edible?
  • CdM - Should we be paying attention to your aproposeses?
  • Rosie - Does it "eat" insects?
  • Gusset Login - Given that two of the last three questions have already been answered can we have a summary?
  • irach - A dicotyledonous plant?
  • Juxtapose - I apologize for the gap in answers, life has been a blur for the last two days.
  • KagomeShuko - Is it pineappleweed?
    Pineapplweed
  • ImNotJohn - Is it a real, currently living plant?
    Growing on the Earth, not extinct, not fictional (though that should be Abstract).
    [Juxt] - Apology accepted, but you could have answered the outstanding questions at the same time.
  • Juxtapose - Late Answers
    Haste prevented me at the time. I have a terrible habit of remembering things only when I have no ability to address them.
    [Is any part of it edible?] No.
    [Should we be paying attention to your aproposeses?] I have attempted to relate accurately the reactions of the audience.
    [Does it "eat" insects?] No.
    [A dicotyledonous plant?] Unknown.
    [Pineappleweed?] No.
    [Is it a real, currently living plant?] No. As to category, I took my cue from Irach's latest outing - Fictional human, categorized simply as "Animal".
  • Juxtapose - Summary
    Vegetable. Alive by certain definitions, inedible, a specific plant, not found in the UK, not an individual plant, not a cactus, not an ancient tree, not found in Africa, not mainly found in the tropics, not aquatic, possibly an emblem, not a bush or shrub, not a thistle, not a type of grass, not known for it's flowers, definitely nasty, has leaves, cannot be smoked, not insectivorous, possibly a dicot, possibly seed-bearing, not a real, currently living plant, starts with P.
    Not: wood, cucumber, a tree stump, bail, a wicket, kelp, poison ivy, primrose, pomegranate, a palm tree, pipe-weed, pinappleweed.
  • ImNotJohn - Found on earth?
    Thanks for the summary
    Hmm, irach got a bit of criticism for his categorisation at the time. But, then I don't claim to set the rules for this game.
  • Rosie - Must be a ptrifid
    But obviously isn't, i.e. I'm stuck.
  • CdM
    Was this plant invented by JK Rowling?
  • Juxtapose - Answers
    [Found on earth?] No.
    [ptrifid] Pno.
    [Potter-ed plant?] No.
  • FGZstar - Phantom Fungus?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it from a book?
    I have a horrible feeling that I'm not going to have heard of this one.
  • jim - Is it from science fiction?
  • Juxtapose - Aaaaaanswers.
    [Phantom Fungus?] No.
    [Is it from a book?] No.
    [Is it from science fiction?] No.
  • Dujon - Would this be a Paleozoic plant (e.g. a Progymnospermopsida)?
  • FGZstar - From a TV series?
  • Juxtapose - Nswrs
    [A a Paleozoic plant?] No.
    [From a TV series?] The VEGETABLE has appeared in more than one tv series, but that is not the original source.
  • FGZstar - Puking tree of Mozambique?
    Just clutching at straws now...
  • jim - From a game of some sort?
  • Software - Potato?
  • Juxtapose - Getting warmer
    [Puking tree of Mozambique?] No, but I wish I had picked that instead.
    [From a game of some sort?] Yes!
    [Potato?] No.
  • jim - Pikmin?
    I know nothing of Pikmin save the name, but it turned up on Wikipedia's list of fictional plants, so it's worth a try.
  • ImNotJohn - Piranha Plant?
    See Jim's comment.
  • CdM - From "Plants vs Zombies"?
  • Juxtapose - Fireworks
    [Pikmin?] No, but an excellent guess
    [Piranha Plant?] YES! Audience goes wild. The pipe-dwelling sharp-toothed menace from Super Mario Brothers. I'm sorry, but the baton appears to be in another castle. Please accept this 1-Up mushroom instead.
  • ImNotJohn
    Well - never played the game, or seen anyone play it (actually I've never owned or held a games console, bizarre as that may seem to some people).

    After that short interruption in services we restart with MINERAL with ANIMAL connections

  • CdM - A building?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] edifice? - NO
  • FGZstar - Means of transport
  • Rosie - Mineral in its natural state?
  • ImNotJohn
    [FGZstar] Lead balloon? - NO
    [Rosie] Mineral in its natural state? - Hmm, I think the answer is YES, but I'm not sure what you mean by the question.
  • FGZstar - Metallic?
  • Dujon - A fossilised material with embedded animal?
  • Gusset Login - Made by man?
  • Juxtapose - Fictional?
  • jim - Mount Rushmore?
  • ImNotJohn - Where did that come from?
    [FGZstar] - Metal? - NO
    [Dujon] Fossil (with bits in)? - YES! (well, you could argue that it isn't a fossil and doesn't really have embedded animal - but that's being picky) (huge applause)
    [GLogin] Man-made? - NO
    [Juxtapose] - Invented? - NO - that would have been Abstract ;-)
    [jim] Mt Rushmore? - NO
  • irach - Crude petroleum ( "fossil" fuel) ?
  • ImNotJohn
    [irach] Eau de Gulf? - NO (the audience is looking much more subdued)
  • CdM - A particular individual fossil?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Individual fossil - YES (if you accept it's a fossil)
  • irach - Begins with a "P"?
  • ImNotJohn
    [pirach] The Tuj question? - There is at least one word begining with a 'P' on the card
  • Rosie - A coal pit?
    (Earlier question) I meant say, iron ore as opposed to stainless steel.
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] T'Pit? - Nay Lad - My answer to your earlier question stands, though it may be misleading.
  • irach - Precambrian shale?
  • Dujon - Does the answer include reference to a resinous preservative?
  • CdM - A geological feature?
  • Rosie - The ruins of Pompeii?
    Now on display at Fratton Park.
  • ImNotJohn - Homing in
    [irach] Remnants of the pre-cambrian explosion? - NO
    [Dujon] Resinous? - NO
    [CdM] Rocky? - NO
    [Rosie] Don't you think there's a bit more smoke than usual up there? - strictly speaking, NO, but the huge applause means that it's only fair to say that the word 'Pompeii' is on the card.
  • FGZstar - The Piltdown Man?
  • Software - Pompeii and Herculaneum?
    following Rosie's lead.
  • ImNotJohn
    [FGZstar] You can't see the join? - NO
    [Software] Pompeii and Herculaneum? - NO (the audience subsides)
  • ImNotJohn - An apology and correction
    The response to Gusset Login's question some time ago - 'Made by Man?', should have been 'YES - to some extent'. I don't think it's actually put you much off the scent.
  • irach - Pompeii ash?
  • jim - Or the casts of the victims buried by Pompeii ash?
  • ImNotJohn - Nearly there
    [irach] Put that cigarette out! - NO
    [jim] Casts of victims - YES, but still needs a bit more precision
  • irach - "Pompeii Plaster Casts" of victims
  • ImNotJohn - So close
    [irach] You need to consider the answer to one of CdM's questions. If yours had been the words on the card I would have given the baton to jim.
  • FGZstar - The reconstruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum?
  • jim - So we're talking a specific cast of a specific victim, then?
  • FGZstar - A plaster cast of a man-made object?
  • irach - The man made plaster cast of the "Dog of Pompeii"?
  • ImNotJohn
    To cut to the chase:
    irach has it. It is The dog of Pompeii
    I feel I lost the plot a bit there in that, although I knew when I set it that the object was a plaster cast of the natural void where the dog had been, I got that confused with a petrified object in some answers. Sorry.

    A plaster cast of where a baton once was is passed on to irach.

  • irach
    Hot-diggity dog! Canis diggiti-calidae!. Me again? The next one is ABSTRACT with ANIMAL and some MINERAL connections.
  • Gusset Login - Fictional?
  • FGZstar - The Adherence of the Repeated Meme?
  • irach
    [GLogin] Umm...hard one to answer...The entire phrase on the card is fictional in its overall abstract sense, but is based on a very real entity or phenomenon.
    [FGZstar] No Meme. Not by a long shot.
  • Dujon - Something to do with space travel?
  • Juxtapose - A saying?
  • Software - Single geographic location?
  • irach
    [Dujon] No space travel involved.
    [Juxtapose] Yes, a saying.
    [Software] Not a single geographic location.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the animal a domestic pet?
  • Software - Raining cats and dogs?
  • irach
    [ImNotJohn] Definitely not a domestic pet, except to perhaps the most intrepid pet owner.
    [Software] See above; therefore not feline and canine showers.
  • FGZstar - An Elephant in the room?
  • irach
    [FGZstar] No pachyderm involved, in the room, or otherwise.
  • CdM - Is the answer the title of some artistic work?
  • Rosie - The cow jumped over the moon?
  • irach
    [CdM] No, not the Moo-na Lisa or any title of an artistic work.
    [Rosie] A good guess, but no bovine-lunar connection here whatsoever.
  • Rosie - Does the answer involve action, essentially?
  • Dujon - Sneezing?
  • CdM - Is the animal an existing non-human species?
  • FGZstar - A Chinese proverb or an Aesop's Fable?
  • jim - Is the animal, as it were, a fierce creature?
  • irach
    [Rosie] There is a verb signifying an action of some sort on the card.
    [Dujon] Not sneezing.
    [CdM] Yes, an existing non-human species.
    [FGZstar] Not a Chiness proverb or Aesop's fable.
    [jim] The reputation of the animal in question is definitrly fierce and/or scary.
  • Juxtapose - Is the animal a member of the cat family?
  • Gusset Login - Is the animal doing something that it would habitually do in the wild?
  • FGZstar - The lion was not so much fierce as was painted.
  • irach
    [Juxtapose] Not a feline.
    [Gusset Login] In the literal sense, yes, doing what it does in the wild; in the abstract sense, not really.
    [FGZstar] Not leonine.
  • jim - Is it a mammal?
  • FGZstar - Live with wolves, and you learn to howl?
  • Dujon - Does 'cooling the blood' come to mind?
  • irach
    [jim] Not a mammal.
    [FGZstar] See above answer, therefore no. No Mowgli, or any dancing wth wolves.
    [Dujon] Nothing involving an subtantial "cooling the blood" as far as I am aware.
  • CdM - Is the animal a shark?
  • irach
    [CdM] Not a shark.
  • ImNotJohn - Crying crocodile tears?
  • Gusset Login - A Fish out of Water?
  • CdM - Is the animal an insect?
  • irach
    [GussetLogin] Not piscine.
    [CdM] Not an insect.
    [ImNotJohn] You got it! The exact words on the card! "Crying crocodile tears" it is! The crocodile baiting hook is passed.
  • ImNotJohn - Coo - me again!
    Well, I was going to edge myself towards it, but I decided just to have a stab.
    This one is simply Animal
  • Software - Human?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Software] Human? - YES - (I have awarded myself points for guessing the first question - and what do points mean?)
  • jim - Alive?
    Get the obvious ones out of the way...
  • Rosie - Topical?
    Points are measures of cider in Somerset, according to Jack Dee half an hour ago.
  • irach - An association with football?
  • FGZstar - Raol Moat?
  • CdM - Female?
  • Juxtapose - Younger than thirty?
  • ImNotJohn
    [jim] Still with us? - NO
    [Rosie] In the news? - NO, not particularly
    [irach] Football Association? - NO
    [FGZstar] Relate's man of the year? - NO
    [CdM] Distaff? - NO
    [Juxtapose] U30? - YES for 29 years and 364 days, then NO.
  • irach - An author?
  • ImNotJohn
    [irach] Author! Author!? - NO (he did have published and even prizewinning works, but that's not what you would know him for)
  • CdM - A clue!!
    Aha! So his 30th birthday did not occur in the last ten months of a leapyear, or in the two following months!
  • Projoy - Politician?
  • ImNotJohn - I knew I should have checked that
    I was in a hurry, OK? However, the answer to Juxtapose, should have been 'YES for 29 years and 365 days, then NO'
    [Projoy] Politician? - NO
  • Rosie - An artist?
  • Software - Nobel prize winner?
  • FGZstar - Albert Einstein?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] Arty-farty? - NO
    [Software] Up there with Kissinger? - NO
    [FGZstar] Mrs Einstein's relative? - NO
  • irach - Scientist and/or engineer?
  • ImNotJohn
    [irach] Practical type? - NO
  • CdM - Born prior to 1850?
  • Sierra Mike - Disraeli?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] pre-1850 - NO
    [SM] Dizzy? - NO
    That's 9 NOs in a row, let's go for double figures.
  • Rosie - Composer?
  • irach - Political figure?
  • ImNotJohn - And on we go
    [Rosie] Composer? - NO
    [irach] Politician - NO (except in the very vaguest of senses - never elected, never held any political office)
  • CdM - Alfred Wainwright?
    (Although I think you would have called him an author. He does fit the leapyear criterion, though!)
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] The late great AW? - NO
  • FGZstar - Begins With a P?
  • CdM - Someone known for one particular feat?
  • ImNotJohn - Aww! You've spoiled it
    [FGZstar] aka Tuj? - There is a word beginning with 'P' on the card (but you could get the answer without knowing that)
    [CdM] One-hit-wonder? - YES (I'm sure he'd disagree, but history is cruel)
  • FGZstar - Royalty?
  • ImNotJohn
    [FGZstar] Royalty? - NO *a little stirring in the audience*
  • Software - The Artist Formerly Called Prince?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Software] Tafkap? - NO
  • irach - A religious figure?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Irach] God-botherer (or god)? - NO *sounds of snoring from the audience*
  • FGZstar - A musician?
  • Gusset Login - Nobility?
  • CdM - A sporting personality?
  • ImNotJohn - Progress
    [FGZstar] Music Man? - NO
    [GLogin] Nobility? - YES (well aristocracy, at any rate)
    [CdM] Sporting Personality? - YES *a few exchanges of glances in the audience mixed with applause*
  • FGZstar - Pele?
  • ImNotJohn
    [FGZstar] Senhor do Nascimiento (etc.)? - NO
  • FGZstar - Died in or around Munich?
  • irach - British?
  • ImNotJohn
    [FGZstar] Died in Munich? - NO
    [irach] True Brit? - NO
  • Software - The Nawab of Pataudi?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Software] The Noob? - NO
    To clarify: the audience reaction to the 'Sporting Personality' question needs to be borne in mind. I wasn't sure whether to answer yes or no to that question. Pele and the Nawab of Pataudi would definitely be Sporting Personalities.
  • FGZstar - Died within the last 20 years?
  • ImNotJohn
    [FGZstar] Still warm? - NO
  • FGZstar - Died within the last 50 years?
  • ImNotJohn
    [FGZstar] Died in last 50 years? - NO
  • CdM - A chess player?
  • irach - American?
  • FGZstar - Percy McDonnell, or a Cricketer at least?
  • Juxtapose - Under fifty years old at the time of death?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Chess player? - NO, mate.
    [irach] Yank? - NO
    [FGZstar] Any of several thousand cricketers with a 'P' somewhere in the name? - NO (remember I said you wouldn't need the 'P' to get the answer - since I'm not going to insist you match the words on the card exactly)
    [Juxtapose] Died young? - NO
    A small clue in the form of a clarification: if CdM's question had been 'Sportsman?', the answer would have been 'NO'.
  • CdM - A sports commentator (in either a broad or narrow sense of the term)?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Bill McLaren etc? NO (He would probably have said YES in the very broadest sense, but that's not why he's known)
  • FGZstar - A member of some sort of sporting organisational body, possibly the president?
  • ImNotJohn - Warming up
    [FGZstar] Member/President of sporting organisation? - YES *Applause* You could quibble with the exact description but it's absolutely in the right area.
  • FGZstar - President of a sporting organisation?
  • CdM - Founder of some sporting organization?
  • Rosie - Pierre de Coubertin?
  • CdM
    [Rosie] Nice guess. I think you're right. At least it does seem to fit all the answers.
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] Correct! the words on the card are Pierre Frédy, Baron de Coubertin

    One baton in the shape of a laurel wreath passed on.

  • Rosie
    Bit of a lurker's easy victory, given the clues. It had to be Coubertin, or possibly Jules Rimet.

    Right - this one is essentially ABSTRACT.

  • FGZstar - Fictional?
  • Rosie
    (FGZStar) - NO, not fictional.
  • CdM - A scientific concept?
  • ImNotJohn - Artistic connection?
    Yes, I thought it was pretty clear after FGZstar's key question. Interesting how difficult it was to home in on the area of importance.
  • FGZstar - Can you touch it?
    I'm not saying anything. Whilst I concede that Rosie stated it first, I still must admit that I dislike the lurker's victory. No hard feelings, however, as I was convinced that the person in question had died within the last 50 years. I really must pay attention to the answers provided to my questions. I was thinking that it was a later president, anyway.
  • Rosie
    (CdM) - A scientific concept? - Hmm, the description is, but strictly NO. Nevertheless *cheers and applause from the audience*.
    (FGZStar) - Tangible? YES, very much so, Gary.
    It's normal to make some acknowledgement of a lurker's victory. The problem this time was that people were asking the questions before I had a chance to do so myself.
  • FGZstar - Electronic, possibly some form of microprocessor?
  • CdM - Is the thing that can be touched animal, vegetable or mineral?
    Just trying to clarify the mysterious abstract but tangible.

    It wasn't remotely a lurker's victory. Rosie had asked three prior questions in the round -- and even if he hadn't, he's a regular in the game, and the odd lurker's victory by a regular is no big deal. It's in the nature of AVMA that sometimes (probably most of the time) one person does the heavy lifting and opens up the answer for someone else.
  • Dujon - Could this relate to silk cloth and glass rods?
  • Rosie
    (FGZstar) - NO, not electronic.
    (CdM) - YES, one of the three, and most familiarly all three. The word on the card is Abstract in essence but can have a physical manifestation. Thanks for the endorsement, BTW.
    (Dujon) (aside) He speaks in riddles. The answer is NO anyway.
  • FGZstar - Is the thing the sense of touch itself, as in the sense, which is tangible because it only exists when touching something?
  • Rosie
    (FGZstar) - NO, not the sense of touch.
  • Juxtapose - Does the answer on the card contain a verb?
  • FGZstar - Air?
  • Rosie
    (Juxtapose) Contains a verb? - NO. Two words + the indefinite article.
    (FGZstar) - NO, not air.
  • Software - A printed document?
  • FGZstar - It's not another saying, is it?
  • Rosie
    (Software) - "Thank you for shopping at the Co-op"? - NO, not a document.
    (FGZstar) - A saying? NO, not this time.
  • CdM - Does this have both a metphorical and literal meaning?
  • Rosie
    (CdM) Both metaphorical and literal? - NO, literal only.
  • ImNotJohn - Is it related to a physical phenomenon?
  • Rosie
    (INJ) - Related to a physical phenomenon? - In one particular case, YES, but otherwise the general answer would be NO. *some polite applause from certain members of the audience*.
  • Juxtapose - Related to a specific emotion?
  • Dujon - Would this, Rosie, describe some possible future event?
  • Rosie
    (Juxtapose) - NO, nothing to do with emotions. The abstract nature of the answer is of a completely different sort.
    (Duj) - NO, not to do with the future.
  • FGZstar - Present in everyday life?
  • CdM - A naturally occurring phenomenon?
  • ImNotJohn - Essentially ephemeral?
  • Rosie
    (FGZstar) - Present in everyday life? In one sense, YES, but more realistically, well not really.
    (CdM) A naturally occuring phenomenon? Well, not really a phenomenon but an otherwise honest answer is YES. *some vigorous applause*
    (INJ) Ephemeral? Not really applicable but in some cases most certainly NO.

    Then answer is one example of an abstract property of a material or imaginary object.

  • FGZstar - Affecting the colour or shape of the object?
  • Rosie
    (FGZstar) - Colour or shape of an object? YES. *vigorous applause*
  • FGZstar - A fuzzy navel?
  • Rosie
    (FGZstar) - Big Boy's Belly Button? Not really. Not at all, in fact.
  • CdM - Is it something that most people here will have experienced in some way?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it specifically just to do with colour?
  • Software - A black look?
  • Rosie
    (CdM) - Experienced by the average Morniverser? - Mmm, difficult, that. You don't really experience it, but another answer could be YES.
    (INJ) Specifically to do with colour? - NO.
    (Softers) - If looks could kill - NO.
  • FGZstar - Specifically just to do with shape?
  • Rosie
    (FGZstar) - Just to do with shape? - YES. *Huge applause*
  • irach
    A square peg?
  • Rosie
    (irach) - Square peg - NO, nor even square.
  • ImNotJohn - A convex slope?
    The fellwalker's curse.
  • FGZstar - A round belly?
  • Software - A black hole?
  • irach - Making the rounds?
  • ImNotJohn - A sharp edge?
  • all - A love triangle?
  • Rosie
    (INJ) - Can't see where I'm going? - NO.
    (FGZstar) - Fat bastard? - NO.
    (Softers) - The gateway to oblivion? - NO.
    (irach) - "And how are we today?" - NO. (Not metaphorical).
    (INJ) - Honed to perfection?- NO.
    (all) - Equilateral promiscuity? - NO.

    The answer is simply a shape, with no specific object implied, though one particular object strongly suggests itself.

  • FGZstar - A perfect circle, or a perfect square?
  • Rosie
    (FGZstar) - Circle or square? - NO
  • Dujon - Is this some sort of crystaline structure?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) - A crystalline structure? - NO.
  • FGZstar - Is the shape in question 2dimensional?
  • CdM - An oblate spheroid?
  • irach - Diamond shaped?
  • Rosie
    (FGZstar and irach) - NO, because CdM has it. Well done. It's an oblate spheroid, a sphere that's fat round the middle. The obvious example is the earth, but any planet really, because they all rotate.
    I hand the angular momentum to CdM.
  • CdM
    ABSTRACT with ANIMAL, VEGETABLE and (perhaps) MINERAL connections
  • Juxtapose - Starts with P?
  • CdM
    P-begun? No.
  • irach - Is the vegetable component a fabric?
  • FGZstar - Darwin's Origin of the Species?
  • CdM
    Whole cloth? No.
    Talking about an evolution? No.
  • Rosie - A theory or hypothesis?
  • CdM
    Theory or hypothesis? No.
  • Dujon - Is the vegetable component usually a carrot?
  • CdM
    Carrot? No. *audience laughter*
  • Software - Phrase or saying?
  • CdM
    Phrase or saying? No (technically I suppose the words on the card are a phrase, but not in the sense I understand you to mean).
  • FGZstar - A book?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the animal connection human?
  • jim - An activity or event?
    [FGZstar] I did the Origin of Species about 10 clues back...
  • CdM
    Literary? No.
    Oh, the humanity!? No.
    Doing something? No.
  • ImNotJohn - Are the animal and vegetable elements edible?
  • CdM
    Animal and vegetable elements edible? Yes. *some applause, mainly because the audience was getting bored*
  • FGZstar - A recipe?
  • CdM
    A recipe? No.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the edibility of these elements important to the words on the card?
    In other words it's not just happenstance.
  • CdM
    The importance of being Edible? Yes *applause*
  • Software - A knuckle sandwich?
  • jim - Meat and two veg?
  • ImNotJohn - A square meal?
  • Rosie - Mineral salt?
  • FGZstar - a TV dinner?
  • CdM
    What, fisticuffs? No.
    Filet mignon a la Bearnaise, mousseline d'asperges and chips?* No.
    Pavé de boeuf? No. *some audience laughter*
    See how they run? No.
    Masterchef? No.

    *Which is a reprise of the answer I gave last time someone tried that guess in an AVMA I was setting
  • Rosie - A snack?
  • FGZstar - A 3 course meal, or 4 square meals a day?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the answer a description of a meal?
  • jim - A nutritional concept?
  • ImNotJohn - Does it relate to a diet?
  • CdM
    Afternoon elevenses? No.
    Aperitif, main course, digestif OR breakfast, lunch, dinner, another dinner? No.
    Mealy? No.
    Nutritional? No.
    Weight watchers? No. *laughter*
  • ImNotJohn
    Just to clarify - my previous question was not restricted to a weight-loss diet.
  • Software - A fat chance?
  • jim - Does it relate to production rather than consumption, i.e. agriculture etc.?
  • Rosie - Obesity?
  • CdM
    Diet of worms? Still No.
    Fluffy dice? No.
    Production rather than consumption? It doesn't particularly relate to either. It doesn't have any connection to agriculture.
    Obesity? No.

    I think you need to ask more questions. You are going down some very specific lines of guessing based on very little information. So far, just to reprise, the only useful positive information you have is that the animal and vegetable connections refer to something that is edible (and that the edibility is relevant rather than incidental).
  • Rosie - A figurative meaning?
  • CdM
    Figurative? I think the expression on the card may occasionally be used in a figurative sense, but the best answer is No.
  • ImNotJohn - Any literary or artistic connections?
  • CdM
    Arty? No significant literary or artistic connections that I am aware of.
  • CdM
    I'm trying to think of a clue. One route to the answer is certainly by trying to find out more about the edible connection. In another sense, though, this idea is broader -- I could have specified essentially the same idea without any necessary reference to food at all.
  • irach - "To live off the fat of the land"?
  • CdM
    Fatland? No. Pretty clearly figurative, that.
  • FGZstar - Would the edible part be offensive in any way to either Jews or Muslims?
  • CdM
    Not koshalal? No.
  • Dujon - Is the aminal/vegetable connection a concoction of some kind (e.g. 'Toad in the Hole' or 'Haggis')?
  • CdM
    Concoted? The AV connection is a prepared foodstuff of some kind, yes. *some scattered amused applause*
  • CdM
    s/concoted/concocted. Also, by "foodstuff" I do not mean to imply a single ingredient (obviously enough, since there are both animal and vegetable connections).
  • Projoy - To do with greed?
  • FGZstar - Is the foodstuff heavily processed?
  • CdM
    Greed-related? You could perhaps make a connection but the best answer has to be No.
    Heavily processed? Well, ingredients are combined and then cooked in a certain way. If that counts as heavily processed, yes. The ingredients themselves are also for the most part processed to some degree.
  • Dujon - *retires for the nonent*
    I love aminals
  • ImNotJohn - Does the answer describe a type of behaviour?
  • Software - Spam?
  • CdM
    Type of behaviour? No.
    Spam? No
  • FGZstar - Curry related?
  • CdM
    Vindaloo? No.
  • FGZstar - Do the words on the card describe an item?
  • CdM
    An item? I suppose the answer is Yes, though "item" seems a slightly odd word in this context, given that the words on the card are describing something abstract.
  • CdM
    By the way, as a follow-up to Rosie's question a while back, googling the phrase on the card does turn up one figurative use, and there may be others. But the one that shows up on a google search is pretty arcane (I'd never heard of it, and I would have been more likely to have come across it than most people here). So I don't think hunting for the figurative use will get you anywhere.
  • FGZstar - Eh?
  • CdM
    Eh? No.
  • Projoy - Anything to do with linguistics?
  • CdM
    Linguisticky? No.
  • CdM
    (I don't think this one is inherently terribly difficult. It's just no one has yet come up with a question that unlocks it in any real way. And no, that's not a clue.)
  • ImNotJohn - Any connection with politics /public affairs?
  • CdM
    Connection with politics? No. (Actually, the figurative meaning that I alluded to earlier is associated with a particular public policy question/debate, but as I said, I really can't imagine that will help you.)
  • FGZstar - Can this be used to help people in everyday life?
  • CdM
    Useful? No.
  • Rosie - Any connection with economics?
  • CdM
    Connected to economics? No.
  • FGZstar - Is it lickable wallpaper?
  • CdM
    Lickable wallpaper? Nope. Not abstract enough.
    When I was originally thinking of setting this I wanted to describe it simply as "this has animal, vegetable and mineral connections". Then I descided that it was still technically abstract.
  • Dujon - Is colour involved?
  • CdM
    Colour? No.
  • Juxtapose - Is the food a dessert?
  • CdM - Progress!
    Dessert? Not usually a dessert as such, but (almost always) sweet rather than savoury.
  • FGZstar - Food Pills?
  • ImNotJohn - Cake?
  • CdM
    Food pills? No.
    Cake? No (but a *smattering of applause*)
  • Rosie - A sweet tooth?
  • CdM
    Sweet tooth? No.
  • FGZstar - Brioche?
    I'm sure I've seen an episode of QI in which Stephen Fry said that Marie Antoinette actually said "Let them eat Brioche, and so I wonder if that is the thing you are referring to?
  • CdM
    Brioche? No. *another smattering of applause*. A reminder that the words on the card refer to something abstract, however.
    As for let them eat brioche, I have seen that too. However, I actually ended up researching* that story recently, and discovered that historians think it unlikely that Marie Antionette actually said anything of the sort.

    *Wikipedia
  • FGZstar - A croissant?
    I did see something about a mathematical formula for a croissant shaped tissue expander, and thought it could maybe be that.
  • CdM
    Croissant? No . *the smatterers provide another smatter, but more out of habit than anything else*
  • FGZstar - Pain Au Chocolat?
  • CdM
    Pain au chocolat? No. *smatter*
  • ImNotJohn - breakfast?
  • FGZstar - Any type of pastry?
  • jim - Is the shape of the foodstuff significant?
  • CdM
    Breakfast? No, though this is frequently a breakfast foodstuff.
    A pastry? Not technically, but sort of in the same space.
    Significantly shaped? Yes! *the audience leaps to their feet and gives a relieved standing ovation*
  • ImNotJohn - Doughnuts?
    Mmmm... Donuts....
  • CdM
    The word doughnut appears on the card, yes. But remember you are looking for something abstract. *applause*
  • ImNotJohn - The hole in a doughnut
    OK then!
    Excuse the double post - but I left it nearly an hour
  • CdM - Phew!
    The hole in a doughnut is correct! One baton bent into a circle and joined at the ends passed on. Not sure why that one took so long...
  • ImNotJohn
    OK - I think it was to do with the abstractness of the answer which nevertheless had to be defined purely in terms of the non-abstract 'frame' (so to speak).
    Anyway, having dealt with that without licking my lips I give you:
    primarily VEGETABLE with Animal and Abstract connections
  • jim - A turnip shaped like a thingy?
  • CdM - Any artistic connection?
  • ImNotJohn
    [jim] Turnip for the books? - NO (Funny you should say that, because I've got....)
    [CdM] Artistic connection? - YES *Sharp intakes of breath amongst the audience*
  • Raak - Made of wood?
  • FGZstar - Tracy Emin's bed?
  • CdM - Unique?
  • Rosie - Decorative?
  • Dujon - A form of pigment (e.g. paint)?
  • flerdle - A lovely bunch of coconuts?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Ligneous? - NO
    FGZstar - Open to all-comers? - NO
    [CdM] One is one? - YES
    [Rosie] Ooh innit nice? - NO
    [Dujon] Hogment? - NO
    See them all a-standin in a row? - NO
  • Phil - Floral?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Phil] Bloomin lovely? - NO
    [flerdle] - sorry, didn't mean to miss your name off - have a clue as an apology:
    I could have described it as Animal, Vegetable and Mineral with Abstract connections but thought the actual definition I used was more helpful.
  • Raak - Made of some sort of vegetable fibre?
  • FGZstar - A sculpture of someone made from vegetables?
  • FGZstar - Or the annoying orange?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] High-fibre? - YES
    [FGZstar] Oh, you mean the sculpture is made from vegetables - NO
    [ditto] Sarky seville? - NO (don't really understand the question, but I'm sure of the answer)
  • jim - Fictional?
  • ImNotJohn
    [jim] Made-up? NO (I'm one of those pedants who would call a fictional object 'Abstract')
  • Software - Paper based product?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Software] Papery? - NO
  • FGZstar - Clothing of some kind involved?
  • CdM - Are copies of the item available for purchase?
  • FGZstar - The 2012 Olympic Mascot?
  • Phil - Found in most households?
  • ImNotJohn
    [FGZstar] clothing? Hmmm. I think I'm going to answer NO, but I could easily justify YES as well.
    [CdM] Have you got that in pink plastic with fairy lights? - YES
    [FGZstar] The Olymprick? - NO
    [Phil] Domestic normality? - NO *some chuckles in the audience*
  • Raak - Is it worn for ornamental purposes?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Prettifying? - NO *some more chuckles in the audience*
    In case I didn't make it clear, the audience found my answer to CdM's first question controversial - some of you may think the same.
  • Phil - Used for recreational purposes?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Phil] Plaything? - NO *audience etc.*
  • CdM - Is it larger than a telephone-box-sized representation of a toaster?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Will he stop talking if I press this lever? - YES, Probably and NO
  • Rosie - Made of cotton?
    (CdM, INJ) I've told you two boys......
  • Raak - Are the copies the same size as the original?
  • ImNotJohn
    Rosie] Really reely? - NO
    [Raak] Life-size copies? - NO (in the vast majority of cases at any rate)
  • FGZstar - A building of some kind?
  • CdM - Should your answer to my previous question be interpreted as three answers, one for each dimension?
  • ImNotJohn
    [FGZstar] A (very small) building? - NO?
    [CdM] 3D? - YES (greater in 1 dimension, about the same in the 2nd and less in the 3rd)
  • ImNotJohn
    (That's than a telephone box not a toaster.)
  • CdM - Is it foldable?
  • jim - Is it rigid?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Pliable? - YES *the audience is looking interested*
    [jim] Board stiff? - NO
  • Software - Is it a tapestry?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Software] Gobelinish? - NO *a little ripple*
  • ImNotJohn - Closing in
    I think this may now well be guessable from the information you have.
  • FGZstar - A rug, possibly sheepskin or shagpile?
  • FGZstar - Or a red carpet?
  • ImNotJohn
    [FGZstar] Not any sort of floor covering.
  • FGZstar - Curtains, or maybe padded silk wallpaper?
  • ImNotJohn - It's all there, you know
    [FGZstar] Decor? - NO
    Check out CdM's first 2 questions again
  • FGZstar - Some form of designer Jute bag?
  • ImNotJohn
    [FGZstar] Bagette? - NO (Not exactly unique)
  • CdM - Did the earlier audience reaction indicate that some would view this as a work of art but others would disagree?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Yes, but is it art? - YES (and not on aesthetic grounds)
  • FGZstar - Tie Dye?
  • ImNotJohn
    [FGZstar] Aging Hippie stuff? - NO *faint snoring heard from audience*
  • Phil - Has it been in a museum/gallery?
  • Dujon - Is the colour(?) of this black?
  • CdM - Is this item located in Europe?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Phil] In a museum/gallery? - YES (to a fairly broad interpretation of the words - it has been on public display.)
    [Dujon] Black? - NO
    [CdM] In Europe? - YES
  • ImNotJohn
    I'll clarify my answer to Phil's question. To my (or wikipedia's) knowledge it has never been in a museum or art (or other) gallery. However it has on occasions been on public display in a dedicated space.
  • jim - Is there writing on it?
  • ImNotJohn
    [jim] Written on? - NO (actually there are claims that there is some writing on it, but I didn't know that when I set it - it's certainly not what you would think of).
  • Phil - Is there a religious significance to the item?
  • ImNotJohn - Aha!
    [Phil] Imaginary friends? - YES *Prolonged and relieved applause from the audience*
  • irach - The Shroud of Turin?
  • ImNotJohn - And the winner is...
    [irach] You got it. The Shroud of Turin it is!

    One slightly singed baton passed on.

  • irach
    [ImNotJohn] Thanks, but I am going to busy and away on business the next couple of days, so I'd like to pass the baton on in turn to Phil, who I really think was on to "The Shroud of Turin" as well with his question pertaining to the "religious significance" of the words on the card. So, Phil, it's all yours...
  • CdM - Ow!
    *kicks self*
  • Phil - ...third attempt to post without being interrupted
    [irach] You really are too generous. I wasn't THAT close to the shroud, but I did have a feeling it was some kind of religious artefact. Given your unavailability and kid offer, I will gladly take up the baton on your behalf, for the first time in absolutely yonks!
    Right, let's go for MINERAL, sometimes with a little vegetable
  • Raak - Is the vegetable wood?
  • FGZstar - Any precious minerals?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Wood? YES, but not exclusively
    [FGZstar] Precious minerals? NO
  • Dujon - A naturally occuring substance?
  • Rosie - A manufactured object?
  • Gusset Login - Is the vegetable unintentional?
  • ImNotJohn - A geographical feature?
  • Phil
    [Dujon] Natural? NO
    [Rosie] Manufactured? YES
    [Gusset] Accidental vegetable? NO
    [INJ] Geographical feature? NO
  • FGZstar - Some form of building?
    Maybe a skyscraper such as the empire stste building?
  • ImNotJohn - Bigger than a 4-slice toaster?
  • Phil
    [FGZ] A building? NO *some interest from the audience*
    [INJ] bigger than 4 slice toaster? YES, in all 3 dimensions
  • jim - Is it a unique object?
  • FGZstar - A statue or Sculpture?
    Maybe lady liberty?
  • Rosie - A garden object?
  • ImNotJohn
    Made of stone?
  • Gusset Login - Is it primarily functional?
  • Phil
    [jim] Unique? NO
    [FGZ] Statue? NO
    [Rosie] Garden object? NO
    [GL] Primarily functional? YES *a tiny suggestion of applause*
  • Raak - Can you pick it up with one hand?
  • FGZstar - A signal of some kind?
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Pickupable-onehandedly? NO *giggles from audience*
    [FGZ] Signal? NO
    [Tuj] P...... ? NO
  • CdM - Made of concrete?
    (Also, you missed INJ's related question.)
  • Rosie - A steam locomotive?
  • CdM
    [Rosie] I think that's what the psychiatrists call "transference".
  • Phil
    Apols to [INJ] Made of stone? NO
    [CdM] Made of concrete? YES *applause*
  • Phil
    [Rosie] A steam loco? NO. alas
  • Software - Unique?
  • CdM - Can a person go inside?
    [Software] You think all but one have been destroyed since Jim asked?
  • FGZstar - Some other form of structure?
    Such as a bridge?
  • ImNotJohn - Normally seen in groups?
    (Rather than being used singly)
  • Gusset Login - Usually found outside?
  • Software - A concrete bollard?
    [CdM] doh!
  • Phil
    [Software] Still unique? NO
    [CdM] Can a person go inside? YES *some applause mixed with mutterings from the audience*
    [FGZ] Other form of structure? YES *same mix of sounds from the audience again*
    [INJ] Seen in groups? NO
    [GL] Usually outside? YES *gentle applause*
    [Software again] Bollards? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Does it have an industrial purpose?
  • Rosie - A shelter of some kind?
    (CdM) Transference? Of course. But up to that point it fitted. :-)
  • irach - A shed or barn of sorts?
  • Phil
    [INJ] Industrial? NO
    [Rosie] Shelter? NO
    [irach] Shed/barn? NO
  • irach - About the same size as phone booth?
  • FGZstar - A bridge?
    Possibly tower bridge?
  • Phil
    [irach] Phone booth sized? NO
    [FGZ] Bridge? NO
  • Rosie - A tunnel?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] A tunnel? NO, but a tunnel might be incorporated.
  • Gusset Login - A sewer?
  • FGZstar - A tube station?
    Possibly the one that must not be mentioned as it would cause a game end sequence?
  • Phil
    [GL] A sewer? NO
    [FGZ] Tube station? NO *audience starts to lose interest*
  • irach - A highway or rail route?
  • Phil
    [irach] high- or rail-way? NO
  • Phil - Time for a summary, methinks.
    The words on the card relate to something that is Mineral, often with a little vegetable
    Positives established are:
    • The vegetable portion is wood
    • It is manufactured
    • bigger than a 4-slice toaster in all 3 dimensions
    • primarily functional
    • made of concrete
    • A person can "go inside"
    • some other kind of "structure" (other than building or statue/sculpture)
    • Usually outside

    Negatives established are:
    No precious minerals; not naturally occurring; no accidental vegetable material; not a geographical feature; not a building, not unique; not a garden object; not made of stone; can't be picked up in one hand; not a signal; doesn't start with P; not a steam locomotive; not seen in groups; not a bollard; not industrial; not a shed/barn; not a shelter; not phone-box-sized; not a bridge; not a tunnel per se (but may incorporate a tunnel); not a sewer; not a tube station; not a highway nor a railway.

    The audience were appreciative of it being outdoors, primarily functional and made of concrete. They were given to debate amongst themselves as to whether a person could go inside, or whether it was a form of structure. I am, however, confident of saying YES to both of these.

  • Raak - A subway?
  • FGZstar - Some form of outdoor furniture?
    Possibly a bench or picnic table?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Subway? NO (MAY incorporate a tunnel, but not in the majority of cases)
    [FGZstar] Outdoor furniture? NO (a person can go inside?)
  • FGZstar - A dam?
  • Gusset Login - A cooling tower?
  • ImNotJohn - Any military connection?
  • Phil
    [FGZstar] A dam? NO (it's not industrial)
    [GL] Cooling tower? NO (ditto)
    [INJ] Military? NO
  • jim - Would a person normally go inside it?
  • Phil
    [jim] Hmmm...*reconsults dictionary* (View the source to read the hidden text)
    Would a person normally go inside it? YES is the potentially misleading, but correct, answer.
  • FGZstar - Agricultural?
    Not sure if it would count as industrial, so a grain silo?
  • Gusset Login - A concrete overcoat?
  • Raak - Were these things ever made before the 20th century?
  • ImNotJohn - When you are 'inside' it, is there a roof over your head?
  • Rosie - A cellar?
  • FGZstar - Concrete Boots?
  • Phil
    [FGZstar] Agricultural? NO
    [GL] Concrete overcoat? NO
    [Raak] Made before 20th century? NO *Audience re-awakens*
    [INJ] "inside" = "indoors"? NO *applause*
    [Rosie] Cellar? NO
    [FGZstar] Concrete boots? NO
  • Rosie - A sports stadium?
  • Dujon - Would this be found in a Winter Olympics competition?
  • Raak - A wall of some sort?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Sports stadium? Using Wordnet's definition (View the source to read the hidden text) YES (other dictionaries would lead to "NO, not strictly" being the answer) *Best applause yet!*
    [Dujon] Winter Olympics? NO
    [Raak] A wall? NO
  • Gusset Login - Half pipe?
    As in skateboarding
  • Phil
    [GL] A half-pipe? NO *rapturous and enthusiastic applause in anticipation of an early conclusion*
  • Software - A sewer?
  • jim - A skate park?
    Blatantly taking off Gusset Login's guess, here.
  • Phil
    [Software] A sewer? Hmmmm...that's still a NO, as nothing has changed since Saturday :-)

    [jim] We have a winner! - a skatepark (or skate park) it is! (View the source to read the hidden text)
    So, one baton with its jeans hanging off passed on to jim

  • ImNotJohn
    [Phil] Just a quick query - why is that concrete and wood? The one I know best is all metal - I suppose the wood could be the boards.....
  • Phil
    [INJ] Metal skatepark...hmmm I've not come across one. All the ones I know are concrete, with the odd wooden ramp thrown in for old-times' sake (plus some trees and fencing). I've now done some further searching and found that you are right. I was working mainly from a quote from a skateboarding magazine that concrete is the industry standard these days. My apologies if that threw people completely off the scent.
  • jim
    Ooh, is it me? OK, I am thinking of a ABSTRACT, with animal, vegetable and mineral connections.
  • Rosie - Animal connection human?
  • Gusset Login - Fictional?
  • ImNotJohn - Related to the arts?
  • jim
    [Humanimal] Yes.
    [Pulp fiction] No.
    [Arty farty] You could say so, but in the way "The Arts" is generally understood, the answer is no.
  • Software - A published work?
  • ImNotJohn - A human construct?
    (oblig)
  • Raak - A geographical feature?
  • jim
    [Crime and publishment] No.
    [Constructive] Yes.
    [Geomantic] No.
  • ImNotJohn - A phlosophical idea/concept/construct?
  • FGZstar - Related to any form of government?
    The pledge of allegiance?
  • jim
    [Eeeeeeeeeeemannuel Kant...] Nope.
    [Governmental] No.
  • Dujon - An engineering design of some kind?
  • Juxtapose - Related to the sciences?
  • Software - A phrase or saying?
  • jim
    [Engine ears] No.
    [Scientism] In the same way as it's related to the arts, i.e. not really.
    [Rearrange the following...] No.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the animal connection a single specific human?
  • Software - A concept?
  • jim
    [Singularity] Nope.
    [Conceptuality] No.
  • Rosie - Is this an action?
  • jim
    [Action this] Not an action as such, although there is a particular activity involved.
  • FGZstar - Waterskiing?
  • jim
    [Waterskiing] Nope. Firefox doesn't even think it's a word.
  • Dujon - A deliberate 'no ball' in a game of cricket?
    Sorry, sorry, I'll go away now.
  • FGZstar - Some kind of sport involved?
    [Duj] Please stay, daft guesses keep the game running.
  • jim
    [Goebbels] Nope.
    [Sporty] Not unless you're using a broad definition of "sport".
  • FGZstar - A certain type of position?
  • Rosie - Does the action mentioned involve large numbers simultaneously?
  • ImNotJohn - Connected with human interactions?
  • jim
    [Assume the position] No.
    [Large numbers] If "large numbers" means what I think it means, then yes.
    [Interactivity] Yes, human interactions are involved.
    Some signs of interest from the audience, mainly due to finally getting a couple of affirmatives
  • FGZstar - A flash mob, or maybe a mexican wave?
  • Dujon - Would this be a board game?
  • Rosie - The Glastonbury Festival?
    I think that's its proper title.
  • ImNotJohn - A historical event (or series of events)?
  • jim
    [Flash ... AAAH!] No.
    [Bored game] No.
    [Festival of Mud] No, but you're getting warmer.
    [Hysterical event] No. Well ... no.
    Some members of the audience are nudging others awake
  • FGZstar - Some form of festival?
    Woodstock?
  • jim
    [Festivities] Yes. Audience applause
  • Gusset Login - Edinburgh Festival?
  • FGZstar - A Music Festival?#
  • Rosie - The Edinburgh Fringe?
  • ImNotJohn - Related to food or drink?
  • jim
    [Auld Reekie] Nope.
    [The sound of...] No, although there is music involved.
    [Fringey] No.
    [Alimentary, my dear...] Yes. Audience applause
  • ImNotJohn - The GBBF?
  • jim
    [GBBF] YES! Audience goes wild. The Great British Beer Festival it is! One slightly sticky baton passes to INJ.
  • ImNotJohn
    Well, that's what my previous question had had in mind, so I don't feel too guilty about asking 2 questions in a row - and I did leave over an hour between guesses.

    So the next one is ABSTRACT with Animal Connections

  • FGZstar - Does animal = human?
  • ImNotJohn
    [FGZstar] Human animal? - YES, mostly.
  • Gusset Login - Fictional?
  • ImNotJohn
    [GL] Tall tales? - YES
  • Rosie - A traditional tale such as Little Red Riding Hood?
  • ImNotJohn - Well this is going well
    [Rosie] Once apon a time? - YES (with slight reservations)
  • FGZstar - A Hans Christian Anderson story?
  • ImNotJohn - Aaah, you've spoiled it.
    [FGZstar] Danish and Scandinavian books? - NO
  • Raak - On a religious theme?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] God-bothering? - NO is easily the best answer
  • FGZstar - Made into a Walt Disney film?
  • Gusset Login - Made into a non-disney animated film?
  • Dujon - Related to knights in shining armour?
  • Rosie - Aesop's Fables?
  • ImNotJohn
    [FGZstar] Walt disnae? - NO
    [GL] Other animated film? - NO *some murmuring in the audience*
    [Duj] Tin Men? - NO
    [Rosie] Aesop? - NO *a small ripple of applause*
    The audience is definitely awake after that series of questions.
  • Raak - La Fontaine?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] The Urinal? - NO
  • Raak - Was this tale known in antiquity (say, BC anywhere)?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] BCE story? - NO, on current evidence.
  • FGZstar - Babes in the wood?
  • ImNotJohn
    [FGZstar] Pre-freudian paedophilia? - NO
  • Rosie - Anthropomorphised animal(s)?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] Bunnykins etc.? - NO
  • Phil - Greek connection?
  • FGZstar - One of the canterbury tales?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Phil] Attic? - NO
    [FGZstar] Chaucerian? - NO
  • Raak - Collected by the Grimms?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Eeh it's Grimm? - NO *the audience is settling down again for a long haul*
  • FGZstar - The Chronicles of Narnia?
  • Dujon - Is the human part of the animal part a part of a partitioned animal (in the sense, say, of a centaur)?
  • Gusset Login - The boy who cried wolf?
  • ImNotJohn - Going off at a tangent
    [FGZstar] Religious metaphors? - NO
    [Dujon] Part man, part ....? - NO (If I hadn't done some research, I would just have answered 'YES' to the 'Human?' question - so it's probably not a helpful angle)
    [GL] Serial false alarms? - NO
  • FGZstar - Both animals and humans in the story?
  • ImNotJohn
    [FGZstar] Animals & Humans? - Animals are not significant in the answer
  • Dujon - Attempting to adjust orbit:
    Something to do with 'artificial intelligence'?
  • ImNotJohn - Good thought, but actually getting colder
    [Dujon] AI? - NO
  • Software - A porky pie?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Software] Coo, what a whopper? - NO (Well, it's fiction, but I assume that isn't what you meant)
    A clue: There is one word on the card with no article.
  • Juxtapose - Related to a television program?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Juxtapose] Boxy? - NO *a few chuckles in the audience*
  • Dujon - Is the answer on the card the name of a mythical/legendary/fictional 'person'?
    Well, it's been a bit quiet in here of late.
  • ImNotJohn - I thought you'd all gone to sleep
    [Dujon] Mythical Person? - YES *the applause from some of the audience wakes the rest*
  • FGZstar - Rumplestiltskin
  • Software - Shrek?
  • ImNotJohn
    [FGZstar] I'll guess that name in 3? - NO
    [Software] Schrecklich? - NO
    None of the guesses have really been in quite the right genre, although you've got close to identifying it a couple of times
  • FGZstar - Magical in some way?
  • ImNotJohn
    [FGZstar] Just like that!? - NO *A very few audience members purse their lips*
  • Dujon - Is this word also the title of a book?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Dujon] Eponymity? - NO
  • Software - Blair?
    Which, you may ask.
  • ImNotJohn
    [Software] Journeyman? - NO
    You really don't know enough to be guessing actual names/answers. I'll try to think of a hint.
  • ImNotJohn
    You don't know language/culture, location, author, time set/written/drawn/sung, symbolic importance, etc. - some of these would help (but possibly not all)
  • FGZstar - Written by a british author?
  • ImNotJohn - Start with the hard one, why don't you?
    [FGZstar] British author? - Tricky one. I don't know. YESish is probably the best answer, but if there was a single author it's doubtful if they would have considered themself British.
  • FGZstar - An Anthology of short stories?
  • ImNotJohn
    [FGZstar] Short stories? - NO (technically the person does appear in a collection of stories, most of which are short, but yes would lead you wildly off-track)
  • ImNotJohn
    I'm going to be offline from later this evening until Sunday evening (for reasons known to people on Dan's site). I'll pop in again in a couple of hours.
  • Spangle - Rhyming?
  • Spangle - .. anxious not to offend
    (ImNotJohn) Should I be asking 'people on Dan's site' why you haven't returned?
  • ImNotJohn - Sorry about that
    I've just spent a week away in the South-West, but although I had my laptop and 3G card I had no connectivity at all. Anyway, back now, so:
    [Spangle] Rhyming? - NO (actually, I'm not quite sure of that, but I would be surprised if it were). I will attempt to get a definitive answer, but assume NO
  • Software - Where are we?
  • Gusset Login - Who am I?
  • Spangle - A Superhero?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Software] Ubi? - On a speck of dust
    [GL] Quis? - You are Gusset Login and I claim my £5
    [Spangle] Superhero? - YES, though possibly not in the sense you're thinking of.
  • Phil - Originating before 1000AD?
  • ImNotJohn - Ooh, a question!
    [Phil] 1st millennium? - This could be one of 2 questions - I'll answer them both.
    YES - the mythical person referred to is from pre-1000CE
    NO(ish) The written work(s) referring to the person are post 1000 (but with internal evidence of earlier works)
  • Software - Merlin?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Software] Rolls Royce? - NO
  • Dujon - Noah?
    OK, I'm down to guessing now. Sorry.
  • FGZstar - Is this something to do with the bible?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Dujon] Noah? - Ah NO.
    [FGZstar] Biblical? NO
    I know that I didn't help by my absence, but I'm surprised that this has got so stuck. I think you need to pin it down to a culture/location before guessing names.
  • FGZstar - Related to the Egyptians?
    Imhotep? (Actually an Architect)
  • Gusset Login - From Asia?
  • ImNotJohn
    [FGZstar] - Egypt? - NO
    [GL] Asia? - NO
  • Gusset Login - Europe?
  • ImnotJohn
    [GL] European? - YES
  • Gusset Login - Germany?
  • Phil - Ancient Greek character?
  • Software - Nordic?
  • ImNotJohn
    [GL] Germanic? - NO
    [Phil] Lost in the attic? - NO
    [Software] A Thor point? - NO
  • Phil - UK?
  • ImNotJohn - Aha!
    [Phil] UK? - YES (primarily) *the sole remaining member of the audience applauds*
  • Dujon - Is the word 'magician' relative to the answer?
  • I Say, Porter! - Is one of the authors Malory?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Dujon] Magician-related? - NO
    [IS,P] Malory? - NO
  • I Say, Porter! - Regal?
    Bat's dos. I notice that Knnnnniggets in armour was already a NO. Duuuh.
  • ImNotJohn
    [IS,P] Royalty? - NO (at least the named character is not a monarch although there are connections to royalty)
  • Phil - A person from legend/fable?
  • ImNotJohn - Thank goodness for that!
    [Phil] Legendary/fabulous/almost Beckhamesque? - YES
  • Phil - Male?
  • CdM - Beowulf?
    (I know it's not right, but I'm hoping I might learn something from the audience reaction.)
  • Spangle - Merlin?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Phil] Male? - YES
    [CdM] - Beowulf? - NO *the audience are all awake again and looking expectant*
    [Spangle] Merlin? - This would be a different Merlin to the last one that was suggested and not a magician, I assume? - Still NO I'm afraid
  • CdM - Pryderi?
  • ImNotJohn - Getting closer
    [CdM] Pryderi? - NO (he would have got a Yes on the Regal question)
  • Phil - From Celtic legend?
  • Spangle - Finn MacCool?
  • ImNotJohn - Nearly there
    [Phil] Celtic? - YES
    [Spangle] Finn MacCool? - NO *the audience is torn between loud applause and gathering up bags, coats etc. ready to head for the exits*
  • Phil - Cuchulain?
    A male legendary character from the UK, pre 1000AD, written about post 1000AD, one word, Celtic, not royalty...hmmm, don't think I'm right, but I need to rule Colin's Dog out.
  • ImNotJohn
    [Phil] - YES CUCHULAINN it is!
    The non-human element referred to the physical changes that affected him in battle when he suffered a beserker frenzy and turned into a sort of monster. As for the rest - exactly as you said - UK because he is mostly associated with Ulster.

    A dusty cobwebbed baton handed on to Phil

  • Phil
    Gosh - I was aware of the Ulsterness, and thought the animal smidgen might refer to his name, and status as Culann's hound (hence "Colin's Dog", which was a name I used in a few MUDs many years ago).
    This time I'll go for ANIMAL
  • FGZstar - Human?
  • Dujon - Mammal?
    Merely a fall-back question should the answer to FGZ* be 'no'.
  • CdM - Single specific human/mammal/something else?
  • Phil
    [FGZ] Human? NO
    [Dujon] Mammal? NO
    [CdM] A specific instance of a creature? NO (presuming I've interpreted the question correctly)
  • Raak - Aquatic?
  • ImNotJohn - Currently extant?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Aquatic? NO
    [INJ] Extant? YES
  • Dujon - Reptilian?
  • Phil
    [Dujon] Reptile? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Avian?
  • Gusset Login - Dodo?
  • jim - Naturally occuring in the UK?
    [GL] Extant, not extinct.
  • Gusset Login - Puffin?
    Damn these eyes. I must get them replaced.
  • Phil
    [INJ] Avian? YES *applause*
    [GL] Dodo or puffin? NEITHER
    [jim] UK-native? NO
  • Raak - A bird of prey?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Bird of Prey? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Generally found in a watery habitat?
    Waders, gulls, waterfowl etc
  • Gusset Login - Flightless?
  • Software - Parrot?
  • Phil
    [INJ] Found in a watery habitat? NO *a smattering of laughter*
    [GL] Flightless? YES *more laughter, mixed with applause*
    [Software] Parrot? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Alive?
    As opposed to, say, cooked.
  • FGZstar - Native to the continent of Oceania?
    My first instinct is to say 'Kiwi'
  • Software - Ostrich?
  • Gusset Login - Emu?
  • jim - Turducken?
  • Phil
    [INJ] Alive? NO *the distant echoes of previous laughter are replaced by rapturous applause*
    [FGZstar] Native to Oceania? NO
    [Software] Ostrich? YES-ish, but not the answer on the card. more applause*
    [GL] Emu? NO
    [jim] Turducken? eh? *sound of Phil googling* Ah! NO, alas.
  • Phil - A clue
    The answer on the card is three words, one of which is the indefinite article.
  • Raak - A wild goose?
  • Phil
    [Raak] A wild goose? NO
    To clarify - perhaps my answer to Software should have been YES, rather than YES-ish. It's not the complete answer, though.
  • CdM - An ostrich egg?
  • Phil
    [CdM] An ostrich egg? NO *much applause for two words out of three*
    I'm predicting there will be at least one more incorrect guess :-)
  • Dujon - sommat do with flaming resurrection?
  • Gusset Login - An ostrich omelette?
  • Software - Ostrich Egg Omlette?
    being more precise
  • Raak - An ostrich steak?
  • Phil
    [Dujon] Phoenix? NO
    [GL] Omelette? NO
    [Software] OMELETTE? NO
    [Raak] An Ostrich Steak? YES - the very words on the card! I was expecting feather first. Please accept this low-cholesterol baton of ostrich meat.
  • Raak
    Yum. The next is VEGETABLE and MINERAL.
  • Software - Vegetable = wood?
  • Gusset Login - A hammer?
  • Raak
    [Software] Not wood.
    [GL] Not a hammer.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the mineral metal?
  • Raak
    [INJ] Not metal.
  • Gusset Login - Is it man-made?
  • Software - Edible?
  • Raak
    [GL] Yes, man-made.
    [Software] Edible? the audience murmurs, wondering how the referee will adjudicate this Strictly speaking, no.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the mineral liquid?
  • Raak
    [INJ] It is liquid.
  • jim - A nice cup of tea?
  • Raak
    [jim] Not a nice cup of tea (but some applause from the audience).
  • Dujon - The brew of a witch?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the vegetable paper/card?
  • Raak
    [Dujon] Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble? No.
    [INJ] Not paper/card.
  • Software - A pint of beer?
  • Raak
    [Software] Not a pint of beer.
  • jim - A really bad cup of tea?
  • Spangle - Containing alcohol?
  • Raak
    [jim] Not bad either.
    [Spangle] No alcohol.
  • Gusset Login - Is it something that people normally choose to drink?
  • Raak
    [GL] Yes, people drink it. (Hence it not being "edible".)
  • ImNotJohn - Normally drunk hot?
  • Raak
    [INJ] Normally hot.
  • CdM - Associated with a particular place or culture?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Particular place or culture? Um...very broadly. We're not talking about boiled yak's milk or infusion of Patagonian lemurs.
  • Projoy - Ovaltine?
  • Dujon - Used on occasion to promote sleepiness?
  • irach - Cafe au lait?
  • CdM - A triple venti decaf skinny mocha latte with one shot of hazelnut syrup and whipped cream?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Not Ovaltine.
    [Dujon] laughter Does not promote sleepiness.
    [irach] applause! Not café au lait.
    [CdM] Not, erm, that thing you said.
  • ImNotJohn - Contains coffee?
  • Gusset Login - Is coffee?
  • ImNotJohn - I'll have a double espresso please.
  • Raak
    [INJ] *applause*
    [GL] *more applause*
    [INJ] *cheering in the aisles* Of the 40,000 ways to prepare an infusion of Coffea arabica, it is indeed a double espresso. One stainless steel lead-weighted rosewood-handled coffee tamper passed on.
  • ImNotJohn - Coo
    Moving along quickly then. This one is:
    ABSTRACT with Mineral (and arguably Animal and Vegetable) connections
  • Software - A human concept?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Software] That human question? - YES
  • CdM - Is the mineral stone?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Stony? - YES and NO (but more NO than YES)
  • CdM - Fictional?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Fictional? - NO
  • Puj - Begins with T?
  • Dujon - Unique?
  • CdM - Specifically cultural?
  • Gusset Login - Ends with Y?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Puj] FirstT? - YES (ish) - I would accept an answer with an initial T although it isn't the first letter on the card
    [Dujon] Unique? - YES (at least as a human concept)
    [CdM] Neither specifically cultural nor culturally specific in the normal sense of those phrases.
    [GL] Yending? At last, an easy question - NO
  • Software - Something people do?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Software] An Action? - NO
    BTW I've just looked again and technically 'T' is the initial letter on the card, but that's because it's the definite article.
  • Spangle - Two word answer incl the definite article?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Spangle] The Answer? - NO
    (4, 5 or 6 words will be accepted - the 6 word version is on the card and starts with the definite article)
  • ImNotJohn - Confused enough yet?
    Actually I can also think of a 2-word answer that I'd accept as well.
  • Raak - Does the answer contain a superlative?
  • jim - Does the answer contain a number?
  • Gusset Login - Do any of the words begin with P?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Bestest? - NO
    [jim] Numeric? - NO
    [GL] P-ness? - YES
  • CdM - Scientific?
  • Raak - A geographical feature?
  • Dujon - Does the answer involve damming?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Boffinology? - YES *considerable audience applause*
    [Raak] Geography? - NO
    [Dujon] Dam your eyes? - NO (where did that one come from?)
  • jim - A scientific law or theory?
  • CdM - Related to theoretical physics?
  • Projoy - Related to applied physics?
  • Gusset Login - Completely unrelated to physics?
  • ImNotJohn
    [jim] law/theory? - NO
    [CdM] Theoretical? - YES
    [Projoy] Applicable? - YES
    [GL] Unrelated? - I think you can guess this one;-) - NO
  • Raak - Does this have to do with standard weights and measures?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Weights and Measures? - NO (well, actually it has got quite a lot to do with them, but not in a helpful way)
  • Spangle - Might we poor souls who aren't very scientific have actually heard of this?
  • Spangle - Rephrase: Is it a phrase or saying that is in common usage?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Spangle] Well known to us poor non-scientists? - YES (I promise you'll know this). As to the rephrase, I wouldn't really call it a phrase or saying, but it is in common usage.
  • Raak - Does it have to do with levers?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Momentous? - NO
  • CdM - Does the word Principle appear on the card?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] You should know by now that I'm completely unprincipled, so: NO
  • Gusset Login - Does the word Power appear on the card?
  • ImNotJohn
    [GL] Powerful? - NO
  • Software - Electrical?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Software] Electric? - NO
  • ImNotJohn - A summary
    OK, it’s a non-fictional unique scientific human concept, but not a law or theory. It’s related to Physics, both theoretical and applied. The mineral connection is partly, but not predominantly to stone. It has nothing to do with electricity, levers, weights & measures (with some caveats – as a clue, I would say that you can draw a tenuous connection to an awful lot of things if you put your mind to it). There are 6 words on the card, one of which starts with P, the first word being the definite article – I will not insist on your getting the exact words. None of these words is a number nor a superlative.
    It is not an action, nor is it culturally specific, nor to do with geography.

    So, if it’s not a law or a theory but is a scientific human concept, what is it?

  • jim - The periodic table of the elements?
    Not really physics, but connected, and it fits the pattern of words.
  • ImNotJohn - Fallait y penser
    [jim] Indeed yes. The periodic table of the elements it is
    No-one asked the Chemistry question, but I couldn't really say it was not related to Physics.

    Here, have this glowing transuranic baton before it disappears.

  • jim - Takes glowing thingy with some caution
    My hair is falling out fast enough as it is, thankyou. No, the physics thing was definitely the right call. It's amazing how misleading one can end up being--completely unintentionally--by simply answering the questions as asked.

    Anyway, let's have a nice ANIMAL/ABSTRACT.

  • Kim - Is the animal element human?
    [Jim] Many of us will sympathise with that. I've gotten myself terribly tied in knots before now, just trying to say "yes" or "no" truthfully.
  • Gusset Login - Is the answer a fictional character?
    [jim, Kim] I know exactly how that feels, I remember trying to decide if Jupiter was flammable.
  • ImNotJohn - Unique?
  • jim
    [Kim] Human: YES
    [GL] Fictional character: YES
    [INJ] Unique: YES

    Well, it doesn't look like this is going to take long.

  • Raak - Related to Harry Potter?
  • Gusset Login - Male?
  • Raak
    [GL] "Is Jupiter Flammable?" There must be scholarly philosophical articles written on that very question.
  • jim
    [Raak] Potter: NO (phew!)
    [GL] Male: YES
  • ImNotJohn - In a work originally published post 1899 CE?
  • Raak - Originally in written fiction?
  • jim - Narrowing frighteningly fast
    [INJ] Post 1899: YES
    [Raak] Written: YES
  • Raak - Biggles?
  • Gusset Login - Was the fiction written by a British author?
    [Raak] Several, they generally conclude that there isn't enough oxygen (or mass if you want to use fusion to light it) but if you could provide that, then it would be.
  • ImNotJohn - An eponymous character?
  • jim
    [GL] British: NO
    [INJ] Eponymous: NO (that is, there are many things named after this character, but the book in which he originally appears isn't.)
  • Software - Raffles?
  • jim
    [Software] Raffles: NO
  • Gusset Login - In a work originally published prior to 1999 CE?
  • jim
    [GL] Pre 1999: YES
  • Raak - Was the author American?
  • CdM - In a work originally published in English?
  • jim
    [Raak] American: YES
    [CdM] In English: YES
  • ImNotJohn - Originally in a cartoon/graphic work?
  • jim
    [INJ] Cartoon: NO
  • Raak - Science fiction?
  • Dujon - Would the creator of this character be blessed with a name that relates to the provision of particular goods and services?
  • CdM - Did this character appear in more than one book?
  • Spangle - Is this character under the age of 20?
  • jim
    [Raak] Science fiction: NO
    [Dujon] Service industry: NO
    [CdM] Multiple books: As far as I know, NO. He's mentioned in other works, but the only book I know of that he actually appears in is a stand-alone.
    [Spangle] Under 20: NO
  • ImNotJohn - Is the work based in a war zone?
  • jim - Sorry, missed one
    [Raak] Biggles: NO (you might have been able to infer this from other answers)
    [INJ] War games: NO, it isn't Catch-22 :)
  • ImNotJohn
    Oh dear, that's a major, major disappointment!
  • Software - Sports connection?
  • jim
    [Software] Sporty: NO
  • Phil - "Other works" = film?
  • ImNotJohn - Written between 1950 & 1970?
  • jim
    [Phil] Film: That's not what I had in mind when I said it, but the original written work has been transferred to the silver screen.
    [INJ] 1950-1970: YES
  • CdM - In children's literature?
  • jim
    [CdM] Kid stuff: NO
  • ImNotJohn - Holden Caulfield?
    Getting the guess out of the way.
  • jim
    [INJ] Lousy...: NO (isn't he a "goddam minor"?)
  • Projoy - Written in the sixties?
  • ImNotJohn - Did the book win a prize?
    Yes, I missed Spangle's question. Also, of course, there has never been a film.
  • jim
    [Projoy] 60s: Mostly NO.
    [INJ] Prize: YES
  • ImNotJohn - Was it the author's only published novel?
  • CdM - Does the book cover a span of several years (say, more than a decade)?
  • jim
    [INJ] The one and only: YES
    [CdM] Decade plus: NO
  • ImNotJohn - Did the character share his name with a popular beat combo?
    Give or take a letter.
  • jim
    [INJ] Popular beat combo: YES
    If you don't put us out of our misery soon, you're going to get gazumped, and I for one will laugh :)
  • ImNotJohn
    There are still at least 2 possible answers - even if my suspicions are correct.
  • jim - Clarification
    Actually I'm taking "give or take a letter" to mean "give or take a letter plus the definite article" in my answer to the previous.
  • ImNotJohn - Boo Radley?
    Well, I know it's bad form to have 2 goes in a row, but it is over 24 hours since the last one. Assuming I'm heading in the right direction I should like to point out the existence of 'The Tom Robinson Band' and bands called 'Atticus Finch' and 'Scout', not to mention a singer called 'Jem'.
  • jim - We have a winner
    [INJ] YES! It is Arthur "Boo" Radley from To Kill a Mockingbird. A pale figure emerges blinking into the light and slips a baton into your hand before vanishing.
    Your point is taken, although you could probably find a band called just about anything if you looked. I suppose I'm the right age and nationality to immediately think of The Boo Radleys if TKAM and bands come up together.
  • ImNotJohn
    [jim] Sorry if that sounded like a complaint - I was thinking of The Boo Radleys as well when I asked the question (plus Tom Robinson in my comment afterwards). The rest were as a result of googling.
    Anyway, since it's me again we'll try not to be too tricky. This next one is VEGETABLE with ABSTRACT connections
  • Gusset Login - Is the vegetable wood?
  • Spangle - Is this a well-known phrase or saying?
  • CdM - Edible?
  • ImNotJohn
    [GL] Woody? - Mostly YES *some applause and a few chuckles in the audience*
    [Spangle] Phrase or saying? - NO (not that you won't have seen or heard the words on the card many times)
    [CdM] Edible? - NO (or at least, almost entirely No)
  • irach - Newton's apple tree?
  • CdM - Unique?
  • Dujon - A religious reference?
  • Gusset Login - Related to the Occult?
  • Raak - Related to Christmas?
  • ImNotJohn
    [irach] Newtonian? - NO
    [CdM] Only one? - YES
    [Dujon] Religious? - NO
    [GL] Wooooo? - NO
    [Raak] Yule-y? - NO
  • CdM - Toaster < Words on Card < Telephone Box?
  • Dujon - I'm a bit embarrassed given we have ladies present, but does this unique item have some sort of phallic symbolism (real or imagined)?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Toaster < telephone box < Words on Card
    [Dujon] Ooo-er Missus? - NO *a few chuckles*
  • irach - Sherwood Forest?
  • ImNotJohn - Wow!
    Hit the bullseye! Sherwood Forest it is.
    One baton disguised as a quarter-staff handed on.
  • irach
    For a while there I couldn't see the forest for the trees ... The next one is simply ANIMAL
  • FGZstar - The Conservative Party?
  • Gusset Login - Human?
  • irach
    [FGZstar] Good answer, but no.
    [Gusset Login] Yes, human.
  • FGZstar - Mammalian?
  • irach
    [FGZstar] Human, so, yes mammalian.
  • ImNotJohn - Alive?
  • Spangle - More than one human?
  • Software - Famous?
  • irach
    [ImNotJohn] Dead as a doornail.
    [Spangle] One human.
    [Softers] Yes, famous.
  • Raak - Was alive in the 20th century?
  • jim - A scientist?
  • Spangle - Male?
  • irach
    [Raak] Not alive in the 20th century
    [jim] Not a scientist
    [Spangle] Yes, male.
  • ImNotJohn - Connected with the arts?
  • irach
    [ImNotJohn] The arts were one of the things he was known for.
  • Software - European?
  • irach
    [Software] Yes, European.
  • ImNotJohn - A writer?
  • irach
    [ImNotJohn] Yes, a writer.
  • jim - British?
  • irach
    [jim] Yes, a British writer.
  • all - Warm Blooded?
  • Gusset Login - Born before 1800?
  • irach
    [all] Warm-blooded when he was alive, yes.
    [Gusset Login] Born after 1800.
  • Software - Popular novelist?
  • ImNotJohn - Known in other fields as well?
    Apart from writing
  • irach
    [Software] Not a novelist.
    [ImNotJohn] Known for at least one other field apart from writing.
  • FGZstar - Benjamine Disraeli?
  • irach
    [FGStar] Not Disraeli (but quite coincidentally all the letters in the last name of the person on the card are contained in "Disraeli"- HUGE HINT!)
  • Raak - Edward Lear?
  • irach
    [Raak] Right on. Edward Lear it is.
    A runcible spoon in lieu of the traditional baton is handed over to Raak.
  • Tuj - Begins with a...
    ...oh hang on, I'll come back later.
  • Dujon - Looking for a 'P', Tuj? I've left a few for you; down the hall and turn left.
  • Raak
    There was an old man of Morn. Crescent
    Who received a mysterious present
    "'Tis     MINERAL!" he said
    And nodded his head
    That puzzling old man of Morn. Crescent.
  • ImNotJohn - Metal?
  • Gusset Login - Begins with a P?
  • Raak
    [INJ] Not metal.
    [GL] Does not begin with a P.
  • Software - Man-made?
  • jim - Unique?
  • ImNotJohn - Liquid?
  • Raak
    [Software] Hmm..."yes" is probably the less misleading answer.
    [jim] There is only one.
    [INJ] Not liquid.
  • Gusset Login - Made of Stone?
  • Raak
    [GL] *murmurings in the audience* No. Not made of stone.
  • Phil - Made of glass?
  • Raak
    [Phil] Glass? Better not be. *laughter*
  • ImNotJohn - Used in a sporting context?
  • FGZstar
    Plaster of Paris?
  • CdM - Geographic feature?
  • Raak
    [INJ] Not sporting.
    [FGZ*] Not PoP.
    [CdM] Not geographic.
  • Dujon - Is the answer on the card the name of a famous jewel?
  • Raak
    [Dujon] *applause!* Spot on.
  • Phil - The Graff Pink?
    Guessing at topicality
  • Raak
    [Phil] Is that a reference to some royal betrothal? I haven't been following the news. Anyway, not the Pink 'Un.
  • jim - The Koh-i-Noor?
  • Raak
    [jim] Not the Koh-i-Noor.
  • Gusset Login - A diamond?
  • Raak
    [GL] Not a diamond.
  • irach - :"The Star of India" sapphire?
  • Raak
    [irach] Bollywood? No.
  • jim - Is it a corundum?
  • Raak
    [jim] It is a corundum.
  • irach - Red or reddish?
  • Raak
    [irach] Not red.
  • Dujon - Was this a gem from Sri Lanka?
  • Raak
    [Dujon] It is not known to be from Sri Lanka.
  • FGZstar - The sapphire in Kate Middleton'e engagement ring?
  • Raak
    [FGZ*} Ah, is that her name? Having checked the latest news, I believe the corundum I have in mind is still in its traditional setting.
  • Gusset Login - St. Edward's Sapphire?
  • Raak
    [GL] The very one. Have this sapphire-headed sceptre.
  • Phil
    [Raak] No, not royal. It broke the record for most expensive jewel this week.
  • Gusset Login
    That was unexpected. Let's go with a simple ANIMAL.
  • Software - A simple human?
  • Gusset Login
    [Software] Human? Yes
    [Software] Simple? I refuse to comment
  • Raak - Kate Middleton?
    I think I'm getting the hang of this "news" thing.
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] The Queen of the Future? No
  • Software - Alive?
  • Gusset Login
    [Software] Alive? Not anymore
  • Software - British?
  • Raak - Alive in the 20th century?
  • Gusset Login
    [Software] Brit? Yes
    [Raak] C20? Yes
  • Software - Writer?
  • Gusset Login
    [Software] Writer? No
  • ImNotJohn - Connected with the arts?
  • Raak - A political figure?
  • Gusset Login
    [INJ] Artsy? Yes
    [Raaak] Politics? No
  • Software - Entertainer?
  • Gusset Login
    [Software] Entertaining? Yes
  • ImNotJohn - An actor?
  • FGZstar - Michael Jackson?
  • Software - Comic?
  • CdM - Female?
  • Gusset Login
    [INJ] Actor? Yes
    [FGZ*] MJ? No
    [Software] Comic? If you mean stand up comedian, then no.
    [CdM] Girly? No
  • Raak - Has he won an Oscar?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raaak] Oscar? {Sounds of mirth from the Audience} No.
  • ImNotJohn - Better known from films rather than TV?
  • Gusset Login
    [INJ] Films > TV? No.
  • Software - Norman Wisdom?
  • Gusset Login
    [Software] Sir Norman? No
  • Raak - Is he known for sitcom roles?
  • CdM - Did he die before the age of sixty?
  • Dujon - Would half of an hour be an appropriate comment?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raaaak] Sitcom roles? He is known for a sitcom role but perhaps better known for other roles.
    [CdM] Dead before Sixty? No
    Hancock's Half Hour? No
  • ImNotJohn - Primarily known for roles on children's TV?
  • Software - Sid James?
  • Gusset Login
    [INJ] Primarily known for Kids TV? It depends on your age and/or opinion of the programme. But possibly Yes.
    [Software] Sid James? No
  • jim - English?
  • ImNotJohn - Whovian?
  • Gusset Login
    [jim] English? Yes
    [INJ] Related to Doctor Who? {Much applause from the audience that takes time to die down} Yes
  • Raak - Sylvester McCoy?
  • Gusset Login
    [Rak] Sylvester McCoy? Isn't English or Dead. So obviously, No.
  • Software - Wurzel Gummidge?
    Or rather Jon Pertwee.
  • Gusset Login
    [Software] Jon Pertwee? Yes! Have a sonic baton.
  • Software - Who? me?
    Well, well. Now I must think!

    After due consideration: ANIMAL and VEGETABLE.

  • Tuj - Is it unique?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the vegetable wood?
  • Gusset Login - Is the animal alive?
  • Raak - A leather-covered writing desk?
  • Software
    Tuj - Unique? - NO
    INJ - Wooden? - NO
    GL - Alive? - NO
    Raak - Bureau? - NO
  • ImNotJohn - Is it edible?
  • Software
    INJ - Edible - YES
  • Raak - Meat enclosed in bread?
  • FGZstar - Haggis, Neeps and Tatties?
    A guess, since it's St Andrews day.
  • Software
    Raak - Ham sandwich? - NO
    FGZ - Wee beastie? - NO
  • Gusset Login - Does pie enter into the equation?
  • ImNotJohn - Culturally specific?
  • Raak - Meat enclosed in pastry?
  • Software
    GL - Pie? - YES
    INJ - Non-universal? - YES, probably
    Raak - Snake and Sidney - NO
  • Spangle - Fish pie?
  • FGZstar - Shepherd's pie?
  • Software
    Spangle - Cod piece? - NO
    FGZ - Spudlike? - NO
  • ImNotJohn - Is the answer the name of a dish?
  • Raak - Is pasta involved?
  • Spangle - Is the animal part - meat?
  • Gusset Login - Is it a custard pie?
  • Software
    INJ - Menu item? - YES
    Raak - Italian? - NO
    Spangle - Cow pie? - NO
    GL - Laurel & Hardy? - NO
  • ImNotJohn - Is the animal part a dairy product?
  • Raak - Does the animal part include eggs?
  • Software
    INJ - Bovine? - Can be, YES
    Raak - Fowl? - AFIK NO
  • Spangle - *small voice*
    I'm having a bit of difficulty understanding your replies as you seem to alter the question asked prior to responding, egs: 'cow pie' [I didn't ask that] 'bovine' and 'fowl', 'italian' etc. Sorry if this is the way this game should be played. Clearly, I'm not very good at it!
  • Raak - Chessecake?
  • Raak - That is, cheesecake?
  • Raak
    Mind you, a chessecake would be interesting, with the chessemen made of plain and chocolate marzipan.
  • Software
    Raak - Cheesy? - NO
  • Software - Spangle
    Are you American?
  • FGZstar - Related to Christmas in any way?
  • Software
    FGZ - Seasonal? - YES
  • Phil - Mince Pie?
  • Software
    Phil - Yule fuel? - YES!

    Phil has it! I therefore hand over the cracker-shaped baton.

  • Where is Phil - ??
  • Phil - Ooops!!!
    Multiple and profuse apologies for my recent absence from this game. I offer no excuses, only reasons, which are too diverse and manifold to detail at this time.

    The challenge I set is ANIMAL

  • ImNotJohn - human?
  • Gusset Login - Alive?
  • CdM - Unique?
  • jim - One of the man-eating sharks of Sharm el-Sheikh?
  • Phil
    [INJ] Human? NO
    [GL] Alive? YES and NO is the most correct answer I can give
    [CdM] Unique? NO (which explains the previous answer)
    [jim] Sharm-el-Shark? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Avian?
  • Phil
    [INJ] Avian? NO
  • Raak - Do people eat these animals?
  • FGZstar - A sea anemone?
  • Dujon - A cellular construct?
  • Gusset Login - Aquatic?
  • CdM - Do the words on the card designate a particular species?
  • Spangle - Part of an animal?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Do people eat them? YES
    [FGZ] Anemone? NO
    [Dujon] Cellular construct? NO
    [CdM] A species? YES *applause*
    [Spangle] Part of an animal? NO
  • Spangle - Crustacean?
  • jim - Mammalian?
  • Raak - *points at GL's question*
  • Gusset Login - Aquatic?
  • ImNotJohn - Domesticated?
  • Gusset Login - Reindeer?
  • Raak - Christmassy?
  • Phil
    [GL] Aquatic? YES *Applause!!* and apologies for a disgraceful oversight
    [Spangle] Crustacean? NO
    [Raak] Thanks for pointing :-)
    [GL] Aquatic? HELL YES *More applause (& laughter at Phil for his stupidity)* ;-)
    [INJ] Domesticated? NO
    [GL] Reindeer? NO
    [Raak] Christmassy? Ghastly word, but NO
  • CdM - Are they likely to be served at a sushi restaurant?
  • Phil
    [CdM] Sushi-susceptible? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Regularly found in a UK fish market?
  • jim - *points at own question*
    :)
  • Raak - Found on the menu at Phil's pub?
  • Gusset Login - Blue Whale?
  • Phil - Oh gosh, I'm at it again.
    [jim] Very sorry. Mammalian? YES *applause*
    [INJ] UK fish marketable? NO
    [Raak] Cooked my me? NO *chuckles*
    [GL] Blue Whale? NO
  • CdM - Porpoise?
  • Spangle - Saltwater mammal?
  • Gusset Login - Tuna friendly dolphin?
  • Raak - Otter?
  • Phil
    [CdM] Porpoise? NO
    [Spangle] Saltwater? YES
    [GL] Amicable dolphin? NO
    [Raak] Otter? NO
  • Software - Seal?
  • Phil
    [Software] Seal? NO
  • Raak - Does it look like a fish?
    You know, in the way that dolphins, whales, and sharks do and otters and seals don't.
  • irach - Walrus?
  • Dujon - Is the name of this beastie related to an African plain dwelling carnivore?
  • Phil
    [Raak] vaguely fishy in appearance? YES-ish
    [irach] I am the Walrus? NO
    *some interesting whispers between audience members*
    [Dujon] nominally similar to African wotsit? NO (presuming there isn't some obscure African creature I don't know about)
  • Spangle - Sea Lion?
  • FGZstar - Manatee?
    Reminds me of a song..
    Du-gong, Du-gong, it's the cow of the see-hee-heeee
    Du-gong, Du-gong, also known as the manatee!
  • Phil
    [Spangle] Sea lion? NO (I suspect that was what Dujon was driving at)
    [FGZ] Manatee? NO
  • Phil
    On reflection, perhaps Gusset Login's "Blue Whale?" question deserved a ripple of applause.
  • Raak - Penguin?
  • irach - Narwhal?
  • CdM - Sperm whale?
  • Dujon - Is the colouring of this mammal generally accepted as being black and white?
  • Dujon
    [Phil] Your earlier suspicion was correct. :)
  • Spangle - from the Cetacea group/order?
  • Spangle
    [Phil, Dujon] Clearly obfuscation is the way forward in this game. I'll learn :^)
  • Phil
    [Raak] Penguin? NO
    [CdM] Sperm Whale? NO
    [Dujon] Geordie mammal? NO
    [Spangle] Cetacea? YES

    And finally, [irach] Narwhal? YES
    One spiral, 6-foot long baton passed to irach
  • irach
    This one is just ANIMAL as well.
  • Software - Human?
  • irach
    [Software] Yes, human.
  • Raak - Alive?
  • irach
    [Raak] Dead as a doornail.
  • Spangle - Did death occur in the last century 1910-2010?
  • irach
    [Spangle] Yes, the person died between 1910-2010.
  • FGZstar - Winston Churchill?
    I'm just gonna jump right in with a punt.
  • jim - British?
    [FGZStar] That was almost a candidate for the start of a very dirty limerick.
  • irach
    [FGZStar] Not Churchill.
    [jim] Not British
  • Raak - Male?
  • irach
    [Raak] Yes, male.
  • Spangle - Between 1960 and 2010 (death occurrence)?
  • irach
    [Spangle] No, his death did not occur between 1960-2010.
  • Dujon - Russian?
    [Spangle] (your earlier comment in the previous game) Of course!
  • jim - Connected with the arts?
  • Software - American?
  • irach
    [Dujon] Nyet. Not Russian.
    [jim] Not artsy-fartsy
    [Software] Not a Yank.
  • Gusset Login - Hitler?
  • irach
    [Gusset Login] Nein. Nicht Herr Hitler.
  • Software - Military?
  • FGZstar - from the southern hemisphere?
  • irach
    [Software] Not military.
    [FGZstar] Not from the Southern hemisphere, but with strong connections to it.
  • jim - Roald Amundsen?
  • irach
    [jim] Roald Amundsen it is!
    A flagpole baton plucked from the South Pole handed over to jim.
  • jim
    Well. A lucky guess indeed, though I admit I had quite a broad hint. Pulls on padded gloves before taking baton
    OK, I am thinking of a mineral, probably with elements of animal and vegetable depending on definition.
  • Software - Seasonal?
  • irach - A fossil?
  • jim
    [Software] Start off with a good one, why don't you. I should say YES, seasonal in at least one sense of the word, but if you mean specifically connected with the festive season, NO.
    [irach] Not a fossil.
  • Dujon - Naturally occuring?
  • Gusset Login - Snowman?
  • jim
    [Dujon] Au naturel: I think the best answer I can give to that is "mostly".
    [GL] Frosty: NO.
  • irach - Connected to a coastline?
  • FGZstar - Present solely during winter?
  • jim
    [irach] Littoral: NO (at least, not as I understand "connected").
    [FGZstar] Wintry: NO.
  • Spangle - A geographical feature?
  • FGZstar - A certain type of weather pattern?
    As in the wrong type of snow, although obviously not snow as that would be wintry.
  • Gusset Login - Related to Summer?
  • jim
    [Spangle] Not a geographical feature.
    [FGZstar] Not a certain type of weather pattern.
    [GL] Not (specifically) related to summer.
  • FGZstar - Coastline related?
    Possibly a portable book stand for use whilst reading on a beach?
  • CdM - Specific to a particular country or culture?
  • jim
    [FGZstar] Not coastline related.
    [CdM] Not culture specific.
  • Software - Man made?
  • jim
    [Software] Mostly NOT man-made. Though many would say the bit that is is extremely significant.
  • CdM - Unique?
  • jim
    [CdM] YES, unique.
  • Phil - bigger than a toaster?
  • Gusset Login - Smaller than a phonebox?
  • jim
    [Phil] YES, bigger than a toaster.
    [GL] Not smaller than a phonebox.
  • CdM - Is there a sporting connection?
  • jim
    [CdM] No specific sporting connection.
  • Software - Movable?
  • jim
    [Software] I would have to say yes, it is moveable, though moving it in the sense I take you to mean would be impractical.
  • nfras - Is it something that relates to water?
  • Software - seismic?
  • Projoy - Anything to do with the weather?
  • jim
    [nfras] I would have to say that yes, it relates to water.
    [Software] Not seismic.
    [Projoy] Yes, it has to do with the weather.
  • Dujon - Global freezing?
  • nfras - Is it a large swirly wind storm of some type?
  • FGZstar - The Day After Tomorrow?
  • Projoy - Bigger than a terraced house?
  • jim
    [Dujon] Not global freezing.
    [nfras] Not a storm.
    [FGZstar] Not the day after tomorrow, or "The Day After Tomorrow".
    [Projoy] Yes, bigger than a terraced house.
  • Projoy - Would you find it (roughly) at ground level?
  • jim
    [Projoy] Yes, you would find it at ground level, although it certainly isn't exclusively found there.
  • Projoy - Does it move?
  • Rosie - Is the mineral rock?
  • jim
    [Projoy] Yes, it moves.
    [Rosie] No, not rock.
  • Rosie - Carbon dioxide?
  • Projoy - Would you find it out at sea?
  • jim
    [Rosie] Not carbon dioxide, although CO2 is involved.
    [Projoy] Yes, you would find it out at sea, although again not exclusively so.
  • Software - icy?
  • Projoy - The atmosphere?
  • jim
    [Software] It contains ice, yes.
    [Projoy]YES! It is the Earth's atmosphere. One attractive combination baton-barometer passes on to Projoy.
  • Projoy
    Jolly dee. Wasn't expecting that to be it. (racks brains) um... OK, here's an ABSTRACT.
  • Gusset Login - Is it an emotion?
  • Dujon - A human proclivity?
  • irach - "Air on a G String" by JS Bach?
  • Raak - The feeling you get when you get that feeling?
  • Projoy
    [GL] Emotion? NO
    [Dujon] Human proclivity? ARGUABLY
    [irach] Happiness is...? NO
    [Raak] The feeling? NO
  • Software - Is it common?
  • Projoy
    [Software] Common? *audience laughter* YES.
  • CdM - Does it depend on human volition?
  • Spangle - Medical?
  • Raak - A human action?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Human volition? YES
    [Spangle] Medical? NO
    [Raak] Something folks do? YES
  • CdM - Do non-humans also do this?
  • Gusset Login - Could it be discussed on Sesame Street?
    Without unprecedented numbers of complaints, obviously.
  • Raak - Might one reasonably do this in the middle of Trafalgar Square?
  • FGZstar - Cleaning?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Non-human activity? NO
    [GL] Sesame Street? UNLIKELY (altho complaints would be highly unlikely if it were)
    [Raak] Do-able under Nelson's gaze? YES, but in practice unlikely.
    [FGZstar] Cleaning? NO
  • Raak - Does it involve talking?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Discursible? NOT OF NECESSITY.
  • Projoy
    (But in practice, highly likely)
  • FGZstar - Does it involve more than one person?
  • CdM - Is it culture-specific?
  • Spangle - Googling?
  • Projoy
    [FGZstar] More than one person? YES, almost inevitably
    [CdM] Culture-specific? NO
    [Spangle] Googling? NO
  • CdM - Science-related?
  • Dujon - Does this involve the lack of one of the accepted five senses?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Sciencey? NO
    [Dujon] Sensory deprivation? NO
  • FGZstar - Is it possible to do this alone?
  • Software - A sing-along?
  • Projoy
    [FGZstar] I doubt this is a helpful answer, but YES, strictly this is possible.
    [Software] Singalonga? NO
  • Spangle - a game?
  • Projoy
    [Spangle] A game? NO
  • CdM - Arty?
  • Spangle - Is this one of the seven deadly sins?
  • CdM - Is this all of the seven deadly sins?
  • Gusset Login - Is this original sin?
  • CdM - Is this seven original sins?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Arty? *hollow laughter from audience* NO
    [CdM et al] Sin City? NO, none of the above.
  • Projoy
    So, so far we have that it's a common human activity that is not particularly taboo. More than one person typically does it. For free I will volunteer that there are two words on the card.
  • Spangle - Is this - ahem - enjoyable?
  • Software - Group hug?
  • Projoy
    [Spangle] Pleasurable? I would say NO for those directly involved.
    [Software] Group hug? *much audience laughter* NO.
  • Software - Slagging off?
  • Spangle - Does it involve physical contact?
  • Projoy
    [Software] Slagging off? NO
    [Spangle] Physical Contact? NO
  • FGZstar - Public Execution?
  • CdM - Does it entail embarrassment or humiliation?
  • Spangle - Does it involve barking up the wrong tree?
  • Projoy
    [FGZstar] Tyburn Jig etc.? NO
    [CdM] Humiliation? NOT OF NECESSITY, tho it might.
    [Spangle] Barking up the wrong tree? NO
  • CdM - Does this activity typically have a (non-participating) audience?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Has an audience? NO, if you mean it's done in one go with the audience in the same room, or if it's broadcast in one go to people who give this their attention for a specific fixed amount of time. In a much broader sense it can have a non-participating audience, tho this is not necessarily entailed in the concept.
  • Dujon - Is the descritpion on the card one of a ploy which many television productions use?
  • CdM - Do all, or almost all, humans do this?
  • Spangle - Getting divorced?
  • Projoy
    [Dujon] ploy by TV producers? ARGUABLY, altho I doubt the word "ploy" would be the right one in that case, and it's certainly not something exclusive to TV producers.
    [CdM] All/Vast majority of humans do it? I honestly don't know and am not sure how one would find this out. That's a surprisingly hard question. I suspect there are defensible YES and NO answers, and I would expect you to have a better idea than me.
    [all] Sorry these answers are so messy. It's just that we don't quite seem to have hit on the perfect line of questioning so far!
  • Projoy
    [Spangle, simulposted] Nisi to not see you? NO
  • Spangle - Does this interplay constitute some form of contract?
  • Projoy
    [Spangle] NO, not a contract.
  • FGZstar - Would this constitute news if a famous person was involved?
  • Projoy
    [FGZstar] News/famous? It MIGHT BE news if a famous person were involved, depending on the circs. Equally, it might be news if no famous person were involved.
  • ImNotJohn - Is it related to communication?
  • Projoy - Keep on trying these "is it related to..." questions and you'll probably hit on it.
    [INJ] Comms? NO, except in the very broad ways suggested above.
  • ImNotJohn - Does it involve conflict?
    Hey, I'm just trying to catch up here.
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Involves conflict? IT CERTAINLY CAN DO, and often does, but not of necessity.
  • FGZstar - Student Protest?
    Or any form of protest?
  • Projoy
    [FGZstar] Student Protest? NO *a sudden enthusiastic burst of applause from the audience*
  • Spangle - Cutting spending?
  • ImNotJohn - Related to industrial disputes?
  • Projoy - From 0-60 in 4 hours
    [INJ] CAN BE related to industrial disputes.
    [Spangle] Congratulations on that logical leap, since YES, the words on the card are "budget cutting"! For a while there I thought that I'd made a silly choice, but then in you stormed. I'm afraid that the resource situation means there isn't a baton to pass over, so have this bread roll instead.
  • Projoy
    (I'm still not sure what would have been an appropriate answer to CdM's "does almost everyone do this?" question. In terms of personal budgeting, I guess that most of us do do it, but it's hard to say whether the degree of formality/prior planning involved means that sort of thing counts more as belt-tightening rather than budget cutting. Still puzzled!)
  • Spangle
    This is unexpected. I am unable to visit here on a regular basis. Would somebody else like to step in? Please.
  • Projoy
    I nominate FGZstar or INJ, who did most of the heavy lifting there.
  • ImNotJohn - Oh, all right then
    Well, since I was away for almost all of that, I think Projoy is overly kind, but in the interests of keeping the game going:
    This is ABSTRACT or ANIMAL with VEGETABLE connections. It doesn't matter much how you parse that, it still works.
  • FGZstar - Anything to do with the human race?
    Bugger it! Why must I always arrive late!
  • CdM - Is the tractor animal a mule?
  • ImNotJohn
    [FGZstar] Oh, the humanity? - YES
    [CdM] Ass
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Oh, I suppose you want a formal answer - Mule-related? - NO
  • Projoy - Fictional?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] Made-up? - NO
  • irach - Pork barrel politics?
  • ImNotJohn
    [irach] Normal politics? - NO (but I could make it 'Yes' for a small fee)
  • Projoy - Is the vegetable connection wood?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] Woody? - NO
  • CdM - Is the vegetable connection edible?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] edible vegetable? - YES
  • FGZstar - The carrot and stick approach?
  • Projoy - Is the vegetable connection a vegetable?
  • ImNotJohn
    [FGZstar] Carrot & Stick? Nice guess, but, NO
    [Projoy] Really vegetably vegetable? - YES
  • CdM - Does it begin with pea?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] pea? - NO, but one of the words on the card begins with a 'p'
  • Projoy - One specific type of vegetable?
  • FGZstar - Mr Potato Head?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] Specific veg? - YES
    [FGZstar] Mr Potato Head? - NO *some audience applause*
  • Projoy - A root vegetable?
  • Raak - A cauliflower ear?
  • FGZstar - Mrs Potato Head?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] Hmm - not sure what you're asking, so I'll answer both possibilities
    Is the subject on the card 'A Root Vegetable'? - NO
    Is the vegetable connection specifically to a root vegetable? - YES
    [Raak] Cauli lug? - NO
    [FGZstar] Distaff potato? - NO (there wasn't that much applause)
  • Raak - Knowing your onions?
  • Projoy - A thingy-shaped turnip?
  • Projoy - Or a turnip-shaped thingy?
  • Dujon - Do the words Swedish and Potato appear on the card?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Alliology? - NO
    [Projoy] Mr Turnip......? - NO
    [Dujon] Potatis? - NO and YES (*about the same amount of applause as FGZstar got*)
  • Software - A chip on the shoulder?
  • ImNotJohn - Go back and check previous answers
    [Software] messy eater? - NO
  • Projoy - Something to do with potatoes?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] Potatoist? - YES
    (I thought it was clear enough, but my reply to Dujon meant that the word 'potato' does appear on the card - so that's the word that begins with 'p')
  • Tuj - Is it related to a particular country?
  • Projoy - A couch potato?
    (I was just double-checking)
  • ImNotJohn - Well, that was relatively painless
    We have a winner! The answer is A Couch Potato

    [Projoy] I'm not going to get up and hand you the baton, you can come over here and get it.

  • Projoy
    VEGETABLE or MINERAL or ABSTRACT
  • irach - A "thing-a-ma-bob", or a related "doo-hickey" or a " thing-a-ma-jig"?
  • Projoy - Whatever you may call it...
    [irach] None of those.
  • ImNotJohn - An award of some kind?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Award? NO *applause* (there are cases, tho, where it might be thought of as an award).
  • Software - Beginning with "pea"?
  • FGZstar - Booby Prize?
  • Projoy
    [Software] P or pea-headed? NO
    [FGZstar] Blue-Footed Bird Recognition? NO
  • Raak - When it's vegetable, is it a specific vegetable?
  • ImNotJohn - When it's vegetable, is it a flower?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Specific veg? NOT REALLY
    [INJ] Florid? NO.
  • Raak - Does it have to do with things underground?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] ...but to bury him? NO, nor things Underground, for that matter.
  • Dujon - A (or the) wooden spoon?
  • Dujon - *Please ignore that attempt* You've answered it already.
  • FGZstar - Is the mineral precious?
  • Projoy
    [FGZstar] Precious? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Is it related to entertainment or the arts?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Entertainment/Arts? NO
  • Projoy
    Oh, well, actually, there is an arts/ents link, but not intrinsic.
  • Software - A saying?
  • FGZstar - Is the category mutually exclusive?
    So when vegetable, is it then neither animal nor mineral, and when animal, is it neither vegetable nor mineral, and when mineral, is it neither animal nor vegetable?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the mineral metal?
    On FGZstar's query - ignoring the 'animal' (since that's not in the definition) may I rephrase as 'When it is regarded as physical, is it exclusively either vegetable or mineral?'
    [FGZstar] Does that capture the essence?
  • Projoy
    [FGZstar via INJ] I have just applied that question to about five cases of The Answer that I can think of, and the answer for all of them was YES, so, I guess, TYPICALLY YES, based on a random sample.
  • Raak - Is the word "heart" on the card?
  • ImNotJohn - points North
  • Spangle - A vegetarian menu?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Heart of...? NO
    [INJ] Nanook etc.? NO
    [Spangle] Vege Diet? NO (I think someone set that once before).
  • ImNotJohn - Is the mineral metal?
    Since subtlety isn't working...
  • Software - Did you answer my last question?
  • Projoy
    [Software] Not a saying.
    [INJ] Metal? NO (and nothing to do with magnetism. I thought you meant as in "[location x, and] points north")
  • Projoy - Bugger
    Sorry, Metal? YES, often!
  • Raak - Is the vegetable wood?
  • Raak - An award?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Wood? YES, usually.
    [Raak] Award? I refer the hon. gent. to my second answer in this round, or, to put it another way, NO.
  • CdM - Functional?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Functional? YES
  • FGZstar - A spoon?
    As in Wooden Spoon, Metal Spoon and in Spooning?
  • ImNotJohn - A domestic implement?
  • Projoy
    [FGZstar] THERE IS NO SPOON.
    [INJ] Domestic? NO, in most cases.
  • Raak - When physical, is its primary function to be a symbol?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Symbolic? I would have to say YES and NO, but YES for the case I immediately thought of, and probably more YES than NO overall. Probably. I think.
  • Raak - Anything to do with music?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Music? In one case, YES, in others NO.
  • CdM - Is the wood in the form of paper?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Papery? NO.
  • CdM - Would citizens of the morniverse be likely to own one?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Not more likely to own one than the population at large. Perhaps most helpful to say that most cases of this can be owned by an individual.
  • FGZstar - string?
  • Projoy
    [FGZstar] String? NO
  • FGZstar - Could it be used in the preparation or consumption of food?
  • Projoy
    [FGZstar] Foody? NO (there is an edible case of this, but it it's not the one a person would first think of)
  • Spangle - Is this a syndrome or medical condition?
  • Projoy
    [Spangle] Medical? NO.
  • ImNotJohn - The toaster dimensional question
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Typically smaller than a toaster by volume, and usually by dimension.
  • Raak - Is it used in the kitchen?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Kitchen? NO (the only exception being the edible case, I guess).
  • Projoy
    Clue or summary required?
  • FGZstar - Is it tangible?
  • Projoy
    [FGZstar] Most cases of this are tangible, fewer are abstract.

    Here's a roundup and a bit of extra info: This is something that can be vegetable (usually wood) or mineral (usually metal) or abstract. Two cases of this that I can think of have a music connection. Two different cases that I can think of are edible. There is one case, a different one again, where this might be thought of as an award. In that case, and another one again, it acts as a symbol. Nearly all non-abstract cases of this that I can think of are smaller than a toaster.

    As you can see, different cases of this have different properties. Feel free to pick on a specific case to help you unfold the whole answer.
  • ImNotJohn - Does it have any moving parts?
    This feels like we are having a category problem and once someone asks the right question it will go quite quickly - but I'm stuck.
  • Projoy - As I say, maybe focus on one case rather than all.
    [INJ] Moving Parts? NO - I can't think of a case of this that has moving parts! Hooray for straight answers. :)
  • FGZstar - Are there less than three words on the card?
  • Projoy
    [FGZstar] Fewer than 3 words? YES.
  • Projoy
    (PS. the edible cases are vegetable but not wooden!)
  • FGZstar - A one word answer?
  • ImNotJohn - Do you have a (physical) one of these?
  • Projoy
    [FGZstar] One word? YES, plus the indefinite article
    [INJ] Do I have one? *checks* Hm. Apparently not any more. Wonder where it went?
  • Spangle - Does one wear this?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it some form of protection?
  • Projoy
    [Spangle] Worn? NO
    [INJ] Protection? NEARLY NO. One case of this is arguably for protection.
  • Software - A charm?
  • Projoy
    [Charm] NO.
  • Raak - Is there writing on it?
  • ImNotJohn - Does an individual viewpoint contribute to the definition?
    In other words could 2 different people look at the same object and disagree as to whether it was one of these?
    I'm trying to think how I can follow your exhortation to focus on one case, I can't actually identify one case well enough to ask about it!
  • Spangle - Is this a form of label or tag?
  • ImNotJohn - A container of some sort?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Is there writing on it? NO.
    [INJ] Could two people disagree? PROBABLY NOT, which is not to say that there aren't alternative words for this.
    Well, you could ask me about the metal one, for instance, or the abstract one, or one of the wooden ones.
    [Spangle] A label or tag? NO * a sprinkle of applause from a few audients*
    [INJ] Container? NO
  • Raak - Does it serve a symbolic function?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] A Load of Symbolics? As above, two cases of this that I can think of have a symbolic function.
  • FGZstar - A grade?
    Such as a grade of wood, gradings of fruit and vegetables, geades in class and grades of metal?
  • Projoy - You Tak The Low Road
    [FGZstar] A grade? NO.
  • FGZstar - A chip?
    Please tell me if I'm completely up the wrong tree.
  • Projoy
    [FGZstar] An inspired guess, but NO (but you're by no means up the wrong tree).
  • FGZstar - Could it be used to hold information?
  • Projoy
    [FGZstar] Holds information? NO. * a pedantic throat clearing from one audience member, who is thinking of one specific case *
  • CdM - Following from FGZ*, is this a set of completely disparate things that happen to be referred to be the same word?
  • Raak - Are these for sale on Amazon?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Disparate Things? YES *applause*, altho they do share a couple more properties than just the name.
    [Raak] *checks* YES, you can buy at at least two types of this on Amazon.
  • Spangle - Would one use this in the workplace?
  • Raak - Are they sometimes made of plastic?
  • Projoy
    [Spangle] YES and NO, depending. You could probably argue it either way for quite a few cases. Unlikely to help!
    [Raak] Sometimes plastic? YEEES. I did google an example up of a plastic one, but certainly wouldn't have known that if I hadn't.
  • Raak - Can you find these in hardware stores?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Hardware? I don't recall seeing one in a hardware store. Then again, I can't say I frequent hardware stores.
  • Spangle - The wooden one - solid wood or a by-product of wood?
  • Projoy
    [Spangle] I'll pick one of the wooden ones, for which the answer is YES, solid wood.
  • Raak - Do people who have one usually make it themselves?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Self-made? NO.
  • FGZstar - A wedge?
  • Projoy
    [FGzstar] A wedge? NO, but you are absolutely at the right level of generality.
  • Raak - A plinth?
  • Projoy - This message will self-destruct in 36 hours
    [Raak] Some day my...? NO, but again, the right level of generality

    I'm going to be without net access for a week as of late Thurs evening, so perhaps I can do a summary + hints in case it jogs your thoughts. We are looking for the one-word name for a set of mainly functional objects, (at the same level of generality as "chip" or "wedge"). They can be metal or wood. There are a couple other "vegetable" types which are not wood. All of these are typically smaller than a toaster by volume. There is an abstract type too. You could put The Answer into an Amazon search and be offered a couple of types of this. One of the wooden types of this is all wood and has a musical connection. The metal type has a symbolic function.
  • Spangle - Does the word begin with a vowel?
    ... apart from the indefinite article, naturally
  • Projoy
    [Spangle] Vowelish? NO.
  • Raak - A figurehead?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Figurehead? NO. Think smaller.
  • Projoy
    (I have found fibreglass and plastic examples of this on further research)
  • Raak - A bookend?
  • ImNotJohn - WRT the wooden/musical one - do you hit it?
  • FGZstar - A Wh
  • FGZstar - A Whistle?
  • Projoy - You're totally gonna kick yourselves and everything.
    [Raak] And the murderer was...? NO
    [INJ] Do you hit it? NO
    [FGZstar] Just purse your lips? NO
  • FGZstar - A pipe?
  • Projoy
    [FGZstar] A pipe? NO *applause*
  • Spangle - Is this a model or miniature of something?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it basically cylindrical in shape?
  • FGZstar - A drum?
  • Raak - Do most people have one of these?
  • Projoy
    [Spangle] Model/miniature? NO
    [INJ] Basically cylindrical? YES *applause*, most cases are cylindrical, if you're not too Platonic about it.
    [FGZstar] A drum? NO
    [Raak] Do most people have one? NO.
  • FGZstar - A recorder? or a flute?
  • Projoy
    [FGZstar] Recorder? Flute? NO (not a musical instrument per se, in fact).

    I realise this is probably a slightly annoying one (altho you will kick yourselves) but can I just say how gratified I am by the ingenuity of the guesses? Thank you.
  • FGZstar - A stick?
  • Projoy
    [FGZstar] Stick? OF SORTS! *tumultuous applause, and stirrings of anticipation for the endgame*
  • ImNotJohn - A crutch?
  • FGZstar - A drumstick?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Item best used in pairs? NO
    [FGZstar] Drumstick? NO (there's no animal type of this)

    Well, about five more hours before I might have to hand this over.
  • ImNotJohn - Does the letter string 'stick' appear on the card?
    Well, the only wooden, sticky, musical things that aren't instruments that I can think of are a baton (disqualified because they come in animal types and aren't obviously abstract) and the pole that some C18 & 19 conductors would use to beat time.
  • ImNotJohn
    Oh and I'm quite glad my previous guess was wrong, now I start to think of the 'edible' case.
  • Projoy
    [INJ] In that case, as we might disagree on the definition and you might have guessed it otherwise, I think it only fair to hand over the BATON to you, hoping to be enlightened about the animal case! The cases of which I was thinking are the wooden (or sometimes, apparently, fibreglass) conductor's baton, the military baton, the metal relay baton, the well-known small loaf, carrot batons and police batons, plus of course the abstract Baton Sinister from heraldry. Challenging subject, but I enjoyed attempting something a bit more hard to get hold of, as it were. Apols to anyone else who had foregone that guess on non-animal grounds, too.
  • ImNotJohn
    They make them in bone and ivory
    Anyway, moving on - Let's have a nice simple ANIMAL
  • Raak - An amoeba?
    They don't come much simpler than that.
  • irach - A duck-billed platypus?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] amoebic? - NO (not quite that simple)
    [irach] monotremic? - NO (but I had been thinking about that, so you were close to the quickest ever win)
  • irach - Reptilian?
    [ImNotJohn] Great minds think alike; what more can I say?
  • Raak - Extinct?
  • Gusset Login - Human?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Gone forever - NO *some audience reaction*
    [GL] Human? - NO
  • jim - Coelacanth?
  • ImNotJohn
    [jim] Latimeria chalumnae? - NO
    Actually, I think I set that a few years ago.
  • Software - Mammal?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Software] Mammalian? - NO
  • Raak - *coughs and gestures towards irach's last question*
  • Raak - Endangered?
  • ImNotJohn - Ah yes, sorry
    [irach] Reptilian? - YES
    [Raak] Endangered? - YES *applause*
    the audience were rather helpful earlier on, but they're a fair-minded lot
    Software is hereby awarded one free guess.
  • FGZstar - A sea turtle?
  • ImNotJohn - Said this was going to be simple
    [FGZstar] Chelonioidiac? - NO *further applause*
  • Raak - A tuatara?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Tuatara? - Happy to admit I had to look that one up, from which I assume you can guess that the answer is NO
  • irach - A Komodo Dragon?
  • ImNotJohn
    [irach] Varanidaeic? - NO
  • irach - Did Darwin likely see them during his voyages?
  • Raak - Would one fit in a toaster (perhaps coiled up)?
  • ImNotJohn
    [irach] Darwinian? - YES! - (to all intents and purposes)*applause*
    [Raak] Pop-uppable? - NO *some audience laughter*
  • irach - Galápagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra), which ironically is genus Chelonoidis, but not in Family Chelonidae?
  • ImNotJohn - Nearly there
    [irach] Galapagos Giant Tortoise? - YES - but curiously enough, none of those words are on the card (*the audience are shuffling towards the exit*)
  • irach - "Harriet of Australia Zoo" fame?
  • ImNotJohn
    [irach] Hattie? - Sorry, never heard of her, so NO
  • FGZstar - Lonesome George?
  • ImNotJohn - There, that wasn't so hard
    We have a winner! The words on the card are: 'Lonesome George': probably the last Pinta Island giant tortoise.
    I'll send him over with the baton.
  • FGZstar - This is gonna be a tricky one
    Abstract, with Animal connections.
  • FGZstar
    Sorry, forgot to include Mineral connections also
  • irach - A saying or phrase?
  • FGZstar
    [irach] adage? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Connected with a work of fiction?
  • FGZstar
    Fictitious? NO
  • Software - A human concept?
  • FGZstar
    A human concept? Erm, not sure how to answer this one. The animal connection is human, and so I would say YES.
  • CdM - Connected to science?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the mineral connection metal?
  • FGZstar
    [CdM] Science-y? There is definitely a major connection, but you need to look further than just the thought of science.
  • FGZstar
    [INJ] Metallic? YES, but not exclusively

    LOOK AT THIS! Erm.. okay, minor f*** up, realised that vegetable also comes into this. To make up for this, I shall give you a clue. This whole thing is related to heat and oxygen produced by one reaction.
  • irach - Internal Combuxtion?
  • irach - That is combustion...
  • Rosie - Photosynthesis?
  • FGZstar
    Combustion? YES, but this is not the only rection involved, and there is another, seperate reaction
    Photosynthesis? NO
    You need to back up a bit, as my clue was maybe a bit too close up for now. It will help you when you are closer to the answer.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the (human) animal a specific human?
  • FGZstar
    Not a specific human, but a specific group.
  • irach - Pertaining to only one of the sexes?
  • Dujon - Are dams involved?
  • FGZstar
    [irach] Single-sex? No.
    [Dujon] Dammit!? No.
  • Rosie - Is the combustion reference figurative?
  • ImNotJohn - Does this relate to a visible phenomenon?
  • Software - A specific nation?
  • FGZstar
    [Rosie] Figurative Combustion? NO, literal
    [INJ] Visible phenomenon? If you are thinking northern lights, then no.
    [SW] Specific Nation? No, even smaller than that.
  • CdM - Artistic?
    (also, could you actually answer INJ's question? :-) )
  • FGZstar
    [CdM] Artistic? No
    Well, I wouldn't define it as a visible phenomenon.
  • irach - Anything to do with ozone?
  • FGZstar
    [irach] Ozone? NO
  • irach - Anything involving Guy Fawkes?
  • FGZstar
    Burn it all down? NO
  • irach - Is the mineral connection a fossil fuel or derivative thereof?
  • Raak - Is this an industrial process?
  • FGZstar
    [irach] Fossil Fuels? Yes, but this is not the only mineral connection.
    [Raak] Industrial? NO
  • Rosie - Smelting?
  • irach - Is another mineral connection one of the states of water?
  • Software - Human connection artisanal?
  • FGZstar
    [Rosie] Smelty, smelty? NO, but metals are involved.
    [irach] Water? YES, and in its liquid state
    [Software] Artisanal? I'm not quite sure how you mean, but I can say that one artist that I know of is connected, but others are also connected. Please note that people are both directly and indirectly connected to this, but it will be easier if I refer to the people directly connected, because those are the ones I am able to confidently answer about.
  • Rosie - Firing a steam engine?
    Forgive me.
  • FGZstar
    [Rosie] Light the Rocket? No. But you are close on one aspect...
  • irach - Are the metals in direct contact with the water or an aqueous solution?
  • FGZstar
    [irach] Not initially, although most of them end up in direct contact with water or an aqueous solution.
  • irach - Is the water or aqueous solution saline?
  • Software - Rocket science?
  • FGZstar
    [irach] under the sea? NO
    [SW] It's NOT rocket science.
  • irach - Is one of the metals lead?
  • FGZstar
    [irach] Lead balloon? NO
  • irach - Does the metal ionise during the reaction that produces oxgen and heat?
  • Rosie - The electrolysis of water?
    You did say oxygen was produced.
  • FGZstar
    [irach] I am not sure of the answer to that question, but I cna tell you that no radiation is involved.
    [Rosie] Electrolysis? I like your thinking, but no.
  • Raak - Is this a means of propulsion?
  • FGZstar
    [Raak] The combustion reaction is a means of propulsion, but the Oxygen-producing reaction has a self-explanatory purpose.
  • Raak - Propulsion of manned spacecraft?
  • irach - Is the metal component a part of an actual chemical reaction that produces oxygen and heat, or merely a receptacle?
  • Rosie - Anything to do with fireworks?
    I'm thinking KNO3.
  • FGZstar
    [Raak] To infinity... NO
    [irach] The metal is certainly a reaction vessel, but I am not sure if it is present in the reaction, but I think it is.
    [Rosie] Sparks will fly? NO
  • Raak - To do with projectile weapons?
  • FGZstar
    [Raak] Fire? NO
  • irach - Is / are the metal(s) in question found in Group III of Dmitri Mendeleev's Periodic Table?
  • FGZstar
    [irach] Group III? I would presume some would be.
  • Rosie - Are the objects propelled routine means of transport, eg. bus, train, car, plane?
  • FGZstar
    [Rosie] Tranport? YES *Audience awakens from its slumber*
  • irach - Propulsion of the mode of transport through a fluid (liquid or gaseous) matrix?
  • Raak - Fuel cells?
  • FGZstar
    [irach] You've lost me completely. If that includes air, then yes.
    [Raak] Eco-cell? NO
  • Software - Hot air balloon?
  • Raak - A balloon of some other type?
  • irach - A blimp or dirigible airship?
  • FGZstar
    [SW,Raak,irach] Ballons, airships, etc... NO
  • irach - "Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines"?
  • FGZstar
    [irach] An aeroplane is involved, yes.
  • Software - Parachute jump?
  • FGZstar
    [SW] Jumper? NO
  • Spangle
    Hmm. This clearly hasn't captured our collective imagination, hence no questions for 12 days.
    (FGZstar) How's about a summary of the conclusions to date and then the final flourish - offering up a tasty clue?
  • Dujon - A ram-jet?
  • FGZstar
    Let's see if I can re-capture your imaginations...

    Abstract, with animal, vegetable and mineral connections,

    This is NOT *deep breath*: A saying or phrase, fictitious, photosynthesis, connected to a specific sex or nation, involving dams, a visible phenomenon, artistic, related to ozone, anything to do with guy fawkes, an industrial process, smelting, firing a steam engine, involving salt water, rocket science, involving lead, electrolysis, the propulsion of manned spacecraft, fireworks, projectile weaponry, fuel cells, any type of balloon or a parachute jump.

    However, it IS: A human concept, sort-of connected to science, involving metal, related to oxygen and heat produced by one reaction, including (but not exclusively) internal combustion, pertaining to a specific group of humans (at least one of which has artistic connections), resulting in the aforementioned metals being in contact with water, involving an oxygen-producing reaction which does not provide propulsion (and this reaction has a metal reaction vessel and does involve metals, which may be in group III of the periodic table) and importantly, this pertains to a propelled means of transport, more specifically an aeroplane.

    Right, got all that? Good., because now you can have a clue:
    Firstly, the cause of the second reaction (which is the main one in this case) is present in every airline safety demonstration. Secondly, there is only one specific airline and aircraft involved.
  • Knobbly - Blimey - OK, someone performing an electrolysis experiment onboard a BA Boeing 737, causing a fire to break out, the oxygen masks to drop and the 'plane to crash on the sea (don't worry, everyone got out fine)?
  • Software - Well, strike a light!
  • FGZstar - *audience sits up, expectantly*
    [Knobbly] You are actually quite close. this is a plane crash, however no electrolysis and not into the sea. Sadly no-one got out fine, or at all. I am looking for the name by which the plane crash is referred to. Oh, and no 737. There was fire, and oxygen masks did not drop, but the oxygen generator (for the masks) is the 'other' reaction.
  • Knobbly - Ah, ValuJet Flight 592
  • FGZstar
    *Audience goes wild*
    YES! I hand over this slightly charred baton.
  • Knobbly - Doh
    Didn't think of the fact that I'd have to think of one...
    I would like a go, though. It's very quiet here over the weekend, so I'll think of one before the end of tomorrow *subsides into thoughtful silence*
  • Knobbly
    Ok, this is hopefully not a 4 week one...
  • Knobbly - Animal
    Go!
  • Raak - Human?
  • Knobbly
    [Raak] No.
  • Raak - A single individual?
  • Knobbly
    [Raak] Yes.
  • Dujon - Recently deceased?
  • Gusset Login - Female?
  • irach - Knut?
  • ImNotJohn - European?
  • CdM - In captivity?
  • ImNotJohn - Mammal?
    Forget my last question - I hadn't read back carefully enough.
  • Knobbly - So much for my AVMA debut
    [Dujon]Yes.
    [GL] No.
    [irach] Yes.
    [INJ,CdM,INJ]Moot.
    *Sporadic audience applause for irach for being too clever*
    Actually, when I thought of it it wasn't very easy as he hadn't been news for years. How was I to know he'd go and die and make the papers again?
  • irach
    Thanks, Knobbly, but someone else will need to start the next one in my place. I am going to be away at a conference the next five days, and may not be able to log into mc5 as frequently as would be necessary to keep the game progressing.
  • CdM
    I think Knobbly should have another go!
    I wonder whether the choice of Knut was a massive coincidence, or whether Knobbly actually saw/heard some reference to Knut's death without being consciously aware of the fact.
  • FGZstar
    To be honest, I also think knobbly should have another go, although I will admit that my original categorising of my one was flawed, but I was having trouble fitting it successfully into one main box.
  • Knobbly
    Well, ok. This may not be very difficult, but it probably won't be in the news tomorrow.
    This is an Animal. Let the guessing commence.
  • ImNotJohn - Human?
  • Knobbly
    [INJ] No.
  • Software - 4 legs?
  • Knobbly
    [Software]Yes, one in each corner.
  • Gusset Login - A single individual?
  • Knobbly
    [GL] An individual? No. Although there's only one in the picture in my head it could be any of them.
  • Dujon - A deer of some kind?
  • Rosie - Normally regarded as edible by humans?
  • ImNotJohn - Mammal?
  • Raak - Found wild in the UK?
  • Knobbly
    [Dujon] Deer me, no.
    [Rosie] Not normally considered edible.
    [INJ] Mammal? Yes. *small ripple of applause*
    [Raak] In UK? No.
  • Raak - A bear of any sort?
  • Knobbly
    [Raak] No. I cant bear the tension. Oh dear. I apologise profusely and will hence just answer simply.
  • Raak - Bigger than a toaster?
  • Knobbly
    [Raak]Larger than a toaster? Yes.
  • Rosie - Kept as a pet? (By normal people)
  • Knobbly
    [Rosie] No.
  • Raak - Extant?
  • ImNotJohn - Hoofed?
  • Software - A Shetland Pony?
    Thelwell cartoons come to mind.
  • Knobbly
    [Raak] Extant - NO. Shouldn't be long now. *More sustained applause*
    [INJ] Hooves, yes.
    [Software] Not a pony.
  • Raak - An extinct species of horse?
  • FGZstar - A woolly Mammoth?
  • Knobbly
    [Raak] Not a horse. Although distantly related I think there are closer extant relatives.
    [FGZ] No, not a woolly mammoth.
  • irach - Of the genus Bos, like an aurochs or wisent?
  • Knobbly
    [irach] Bos? No.
  • irach - Pyrenean Ibex ?
  • Raak - A litoptern?
  • Knobbly
    [irach] Ibex? No
    [Raak]Litoptern - No
  • irach - An extinct camel or llama relative?
  • Raak - A brontothere?
  • Knobbly
    [irach] Not a camelid.
    [Raak]Nor a member of the Brontotheriidae, neither.
  • irach - Rhinoceros-like?
  • Knobbly
    [irach] Well, as you asked a subjective question I was going to say no, because I don't think it is; but I asked an impartial observer and they said it was, so - Rhinoceros-like? YES. *applause*
  • Rosie - Stegosaurus?
  • ImNotJohn - An Irish Elk?
  • Software - Unicorn?
  • Knobbly
    [Rosie, INJ, Software] Thrice no.
  • Gusset Login - A dinosaur of some kind?
  • ImNotJohn - Died out in the last hundred thousand years?
    [GL, Rosie] Hoofed mammal!
  • Knobbly
    [INJ] Less than 0.1 Mya? NO
  • FGZstar - Coelodonta or Stephanorhinus?
  • ImNtJohn - split hooves?
    According to wikipedia we're down to a choice of about 220 possibles now ;-)
  • Knobbly
    [FGZ] Neither of them.
    [INJ] Is it a member of the order Artiodactyla? - No.
  • Raak - Does it have an ordinary English name?
    Unlike "liptotern", "brontothere", or "madeupopodeaceae".
  • Knobbly
    [Raak] It does not, to my knowledge, have a common name. Maybe we can give it one once it has been guessed.
  • ImNotJohn - Borissiakia?
    Just cos I like the name
  • ImNotJohn
    Just to confirm - you have answered that this is hoofed and does not have split hooves - I have to assume that means it has a single hoof like a horse, not claws or any other multi-part foot like a deer or elephant.
    I notice that I automatically write 'hoofed', but 'hooves' - I'll have to follow that up, though I expect both will be acceptable.
  • Knobbly
    [INJ] Not Borissiakia.
    [INJ again] Yes, it does; although I'm getting a bit lost in hoof types. For one thing a deer is a hoofed mammal.
  • FGZstar - Of the family Brontotheriidae?
  • Knobbly
    [FGZ] No, it still isn't.
  • Gusset Login - Of the family Artiodactyls?
  • ImNotJohn - Does it have the letter string 'hipp' in its name?
    (re deer: Yes, but a deer, like a cow, has split hooves.)
  • jim - If you could still eat one, would it be kosher?
    I don't think the answer will be particularly edifying, I just want to see you try to work it out :)
  • Knobbly
    [GL] Artiodactyla? NO. Keep going, we're almost out of incorrect orders...
    [INJ] No, the syllable 'hipp' appears nowhere in the binomial name, nor in the rest of its taxonomic classification.
    [Jim] No, because it doesn't have cloven hooves (see above). That wasn't too complicated.
  • ImNotJohn - Of the order Perissodactyla?
  • Knobbly
    [INJ] YES. Indeed an odd-toed ungulate.
  • irach - One of the "rhino-like" amynodonts such as Gigantamynodon, Metamynodon , or Cadurcodon ?
  • Knobbly
    [irach] Not Amynodontidae.
    And when I searched for it the Popular Search Engine tried to change it to 'Amy - no, don't!' (Punctuation mine, three words its.)
  • Spangle - *wishes you lot would speak English*
    Are you all googling like crazy in order to ask questions with words that no-one uses in daily parlance? Or are you actually *experts* in this field? Whatever - clearly this game is not for me.
  • Rosie
    (Spangle) I agree. For some time this game has irritated the poo out of me and although I may contribute early on I usually drop out if it becomes clear the answer is some arcane piece of knowledge that very few people have. If it's not at the fingertips of a well-educated person (and all of us are that) then it's inappropriate. In the '50's this game was played live and the answers were always things that anyone would know of. This gives much scope for ingenuity without getting anorakky.
    In the past I have threatened to retaliate (in the unlikely event that I would ever win) with a Steam Engine. Just a Steam Engine? Dear me, no - a big one. A Big Steam Engine? Come on - be serious, this one is Quite Big but not Very Big. So it's a 4-6-0, then? Yes. Not just any old 4-6-0; there were loads of them, but a Great Western 4-6-0. A Great Western 4-6-0, then? Oh, get a grip; there were several different classes. This one is a "Hall Class". OK, a Great Western "Hall Class" 4-6-0, then? Yes. Now guess which one. It's no. 7921, (View the source to read the hidden text) , and one of 330.
    Isn't that clever? This game is for 8 - 12 year olds and a complete f****** timewaster.
  • Raak - A quagga?
  • Knobbly
    [Spangle, Rosie if they look in here again] I chose what I thought was a moderately well known extinct mammal after my living mammal was guessed in less than a day. It does say in the instructions that a search engine is useful, but I notice that further up the page, the items are a lot more general knowledge. Maybe a return to things most people have heard of wouldn't be a bad idea.
    [Raak] Not a quagga.
  • FGZstar
    I am sorry, I think I may have started this with my more specific topic. It happened to be an old episode of air crash investigation which I was watching at the time.
  • CdM
    [spangle, knobbly, FGZ*] This is not a new debate. Rosie has voiced his views on this numerous times, and I don't think it's worth rehashing. But one thought did occur to me, which is that the existence of google might lead us to approach the guessing completely differently. In other words, even if the answer is not really obscure (as perhaps this one isn't; we don't know yet), we might approach it in obscure ways.
  • Knobbly
    [CdM] Ah well, I'm a new player. Relatively. To this game anyway.
    Volunteers to return us to our regularly scheduled game?
  • Rosie
    The reason I object to some of the extreme arcane subjects is that it denies the players the opportunity for general intelligence, which I take to be the ability to put two and two together and see connections, quite independent of any database. Digging around in Google may suit some but it doesn't exactly lift the spirits.
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Yes, we know. You are given to saying so pretty much every few weeks.
  • irach - A type of tapir?
  • Knobbly
    [irach] No type of tapir.
  • ImNotJohn - A Chalicothere?
    On the grounds that I know I've come across that one.
  • Knobbly
    [INJ]Chalicothere? No.
    Free advice - maybe ask another question instead of guess?
  • ImNotJohn - I give up
    Frankly, although I've quite enjoyed some of the digging, I can't spare the effort to do more. I also have a problem in that I believe your answers have said that this animal has a single hoof (hoofed , not split). My sources state specifically that the only animals with a single hoof are related to horses, but you have said that is not the case.
  • Knobbly
    Raak asked if it was an extinct species of horse. I said it wasn't an extinct species of horse, but distantly related, i.e. it belongs in the order Perissodactyl, like horses do.
    There is a very important piece of identifying information that no-one has really tried to ascertain.
  • Knobbly
    [All who haven't drifted off] Here is a roundup of all helpful facts so far known:
    A non-human, extinct, quadrupedal mammal, of the order Perissodactyla (odd-toed ungulates). Died out more than 100,000 years ago, rhinoceros-like and larger than a toaster.
  • irach - With two horn like protuberances?
  • Knobbly
    [irach] Not with two horns.
  • Projoy - Baluchitherium?
  • CdM - You said that you had a particular exemplar in mind. Would it help us to try to find out which one? (e.g., skeleton in a museum, illustration in a book...)
  • FGZstar
    Has this creature evre been featured in a film?
  • Knobbly
    [Projoy] YES Baluchitherium.
    A prehistoric relative of the rhinoceros, featured in an episode of Walking With Beasts and the largest mammal ever to have existed. I would also have accepted Paraceratherium or Indricotherium. And I honestly thought it was fairly well known.
  • Spangle - Is that the answer?
  • Gusset Login - Is this a question?
  • Knobbly
    [Spangle] Yes that is the answer.
    Should I have added *Audience go wild, not untinged with relief* for avoidance of doubt?
    [GL] Is this a rhetorical question?
  • Raak
    Come to think of it, there's a talking baluchitherium in Brian Aldiss' short story "Old Hundreth".
  • Projoy
    It will not suprise onlookers to know that that was a triumph for Google rather than my prior general knowledge, but I for one am glad to know it now. Getting it to stick in memory will be the challenge...

    The next is MINERAL (there might be odd bits of the other two in there, I'm not sure).
  • Rosie - A structure?
  • CdM - Unique?
  • ImNotJohn - Primarily metal?
  • Software - manufactured?
  • Projoy - A flying start...
    [Rosie] A Structure? STRICTLY, YES
    [CdM] Unique? YES
    [INJ] Primarily metal? YES
    [Software] Manufactured? YES
  • irach - Used in transportation?
  • Knobbly - Do people go inside it?
  • ImNotJohn - Artistic connections?
  • Gusset Login - Found inside Earth's atmosphere?
  • Projoy - Gathering speed...
    [irach] Transportation? YES *applause*
    [Knobbly] People inside? YES
    [INJ] Artistic? NOT REALLY
    [GL] Earthly? YES
  • Raak - Airborne?
  • irach - Vickers VC-10 aircraft?
  • Rosie - Currently in use?
  • Dujon - The London Eye?
  • Projoy - Making progress...
    [Raak] Airy? NO
    [irach] Holy plane? NO
    [Rosie] In use? YES [Dujon] Sauron on the South Bank? NO
  • FGZstar - Great Western 'Hall Class' 4-6-0 number 7921?
  • Gusset Login - Related to te Railways?
    [FGZstar] Don't be silly, that's not still in use, it was scrapped in 1963.
  • Projoy
    [FGZ*] GWHC4607921? NO
    [GL] Rail-ated? YES! *applause*
  • irach - The Chunnel train?
  • Projoy
    [irach] Pancras to Paris? NON
  • Dujon - Is it a 'named' engine or train?
  • Projoy
    [Duj] Named engine or train? YES
  • Rosie - Is it a preserved steam locomotive?
  • Raak - The Flying Scotsman?
  • Spangle - Puffing Billy?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] A righted steamer? YES
    [Raak] The Airborne Jock? NO
    [Spangle] Drug-addled William? NO
  • Spangle - Stephenson's Rocket?
  • Rosie - Is it likely that I am the only Morniverser who has heard of this machine?
    I don't know quite why I'm going along with this monumental piss-take. Must be the nice weather.
  • FGZstar - Union of South Africa?
  • Gusset Login - Is it British?
  • Projoy
    [Spangle] Stockton to Darlington Express? NO
    [Rosie] Something only you'd know? NO (I've heard of it too).
    [FGZstar] Union of South Africa? NO *applause*
    [GL] British? YES
  • Rosie - Sir Nigel Gresley?
    Chifferty-chafferty chifferty-chafferty
  • Dujon - Does (or did) this locomotive hold the record (steam engines) for rapidity?
  • CdM - Mallard?
    (Pursuing the Gresley link (thank you Wikipedia) and going with an engine that I had also heard of.)
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Not the Mallard, as that is no longer operational
    [Dujon] Speed record? YES, this locomotive holds the postwar steam speed record, which means that Rosie, like The Answer, is entirely on track with...
    [Rosie] LNER Class A4 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley? YES! *appreciative whistles*.
    Please take this single-tracked-section token.
  • Projoy
    (I probably should have awarded a couple of claps for Flying Scotsman since the other still-operational Class A4, LNER Class A4 4464 Bittern, used to pull that train).
  • Winner's gracious comments
    I hate three-cylinder engines; they don't puff properly.
  • Rosie
    Right; nothing whatsoever to do with railways in any way, shape or form, nevertheless MINERAL
  • irach - Metallic?
  • ImNotJohn - Made of stone/rock?
  • Gusset Login - Found on Earth?
  • Rosie
    (irach) Metallic? Almost entirely not.
    (INJ) Stone or rock? YES, very largely.
    (Gusset Login) Found on Earth? YES.
  • Knobbly - A rock formation?
  • Rosie
    (Knobbly) - Not a rock formation.
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Manufactured or processed in some way?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) Manufactured or processed? - YES. *some mild applause*
  • FGZstar - Related to Transport?
  • Rosie
    FGZstar - Train and boats and planes - alas, NO
  • irach - A man-made wall?
  • Rosie
    (irach) - NO, not a wall.
  • CdM - Unique?
  • Raak - A building?
  • ImNotJohn - Artistic connections?
  • Software - A Welsh slag heap?
    ;0)
  • Projoy - A structure?
  • Rosie
    (CdM) - Unique? - By no means
    (INJ) - Aberfan? Nothing so sad
    (Projoy) - A structure? - YES.
  • ImNotJohn - Bigger than a washing machine?
    You answered Software instead of me
  • Rosie
    (INJ) - Whoops, sorry about that - a bit early in the "morning". NO artistic connections.
    Bigger than a washing machine? NO, at least in two out of three dimensions.
    (Raak) A building? NO (though a structure).
  • Projoy - Is it hollow?
  • Raak - A monument?
  • irach - A utilitarian object?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) Hollow? NO (very probably).
    (Raak) A monument? NO. *a few laughs and a little quickly stifled applause*
    (irach) - A utilitarian object? YES, very much so.
  • irach - Found outdoors rather than indoors?
  • Software - A Welsh slag heap?
    trying again
  • Rosie
    (Softers) I replied to INJ (qv) instead of to you. Not a slag heap of any nationality.
    (irach) Outdoors? YES. *some applause*
  • Projoy - Is there just one of this?
  • Rosie
    (Pj) Unique? NO, not at all. (see reply to CdM)
  • irach - Do humans typically need to touch this object with their hands and/or feet in the course of its normal use?
  • FGZstar - An electricity pylon?
  • Projoy - Is it typically a part of something bigger?
  • Rosie
    (irach) - Need to touch the object? NO, but they probably would anyway.
    (FGZstar) - An electricity pylon? NO.
    (Projoy) - Part of something bigger? - NO, not in a physical sense.
  • irach - Do all of its type have a specific geometric shape?
  • CdM - Would a typical morniverser own one?
  • Raak - A lighting fixture?
  • Chalky - A dry stone wall?
    Good to 'see' you in the chair, Rosie ;-)
  • Projoy - You say it's a "structure", but does that mean it is made up of separate stone parts?
  • Rosie
    (irach) - All the same shape? YES, probably; maybe a few exceptions.
    (CdM) - Ownership by typical morniverser? Good heavens, NO - we don't nick things, do we?
    (Raak) - Lamp-post etc? NO.
    (Chalky) - Dry-stone wall? Alas, NO. (View the source to read the hidden text)
    (Projoy) - Built up from stone blocks? - YES. *applause*
  • irach - Found on/along a roadway?
  • Projoy - Is it taller than a washing machine?
  • Software - A pyramid?
  • Rosie
    (irach) - On a road? - Almost entirely NO, but theoretically could be at the side of one.
    (Projoy) - Taller than a washing machine? - YES, but only a little.
    (Softers) Square geezer? NO, nor pyramidal geometrically.
  • Projoy - A triangulation pillar?
  • Rosie
    YESSS! Projoy wins. The actual "words on the card" were Trig Point, but that's the same thing. *Returns the single-line token*. Carry on.
  • Projoy
    There used to be a couple just down the road from my house where I grew up. OK, that's enough mineral, here's an ABSTRACT, with strong ANIMAL connections
  • irach - Is the animal connection human?
  • Projoy
    [irach] Animal connection human? Only at the less significant end.
  • irach - Animal instinct?
  • Rosie - Husbandry?
    Worth a punt from 75 yds.
  • Dujon - Wayne Rooney?
  • ImNotJohn - Does it relate to an individual animal?
    There was a trig point in the central strip of a stretch of dual carriageway in Leeds. (Scott Hall Road - may have been displaced by the guided bus route)
  • Projoy
    [irach] Instinct? NO
    [Dujon] Spudhead? NO
    [INJ] Individual animal? As in unique or an individual type? NO, if the former.
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Husbandry? NO
  • Rosie - Does this result in a specific action on the part of the animal?
  • Chalky - Is this a song?
  • Software - Human concept?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Action on the part of the animal? *some laughter* NOT EXACTLY
    [Chalky] A song? NO
    [Software] Human concept? YES
  • ImNotJohn - Related to a work of fiction?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Fiction-work-related? NO, not particularly. Might be mentioned in a few.
  • Rosie - A disease largely confined to animals?
  • Dujon - Is this a phrase (e.g. "he had the strength of a lion")?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Disease? NO
    [Dujon] A phrase? YES! *applause*
  • Software - A pig's ear?
  • CdM - Is the animal domesticated?
  • irach - A pig in a poke?
  • Rosie - Dead as the dodo?
  • Projoy
    [Software] Porcine Aural Apparatus? NO
    [CdM] Domesticated? NO
    [irach] Hog in a holdall? NO
    [Rosie] Dodo? NO.
  • FGZstar - Is it a proverb?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the referenced animal larger than a badger?
  • Projoy
    [FGZstar] Proverb? NO
    [INJ] >Badger? NO
  • irach - Is the animal in the phrase a rodent? As in "I smell a rat"?
  • Projoy
    [irach] Rodent? NO
  • irach - Is the animal a mammal?
  • Projoy
    [irach] A mammal? NO
  • CdM - Is the animal dangerous?
  • Gusset Login - Does the animal drink like a fish?
  • Dujon - (Guessing) A snake in the grass?
  • irach - A bird, such as one in the hand or two in the bush?
  • Rosie - Playing possum?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Dangerous? *laughter* NO
    [Gusset Login] Drinking like a fish? NO *applause*
    [Dujon] Grass Snake? NO
    [irach] Birdies? NO
    [Rosie] Marsupial? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Memory like a goldfish?
    Or have I already asked that?
  • irach - "Sleeping with the fishes"?
  • Knobbly - The one that got away?
  • Projoy - Fishing for answers...
    [INJ] What was that you said seven seconds ago? NO
    [irach] Unfortunate Mafioso? NO
    [Knobbly] Escapee? NO
  • CdM - Is a particular kind of fish named on the card?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Particular fish? NO
  • irach - Something's fishy here
  • Projoy
    [irach] Not sure if that's a question, but NO, that's not the phrase on the card.
  • irach - "A Fish called Wanda"?
  • FGZstar - Always a bigger fish?
  • Knobbly - Many more fish in the sea?
  • Gusset Login - A fish out of water?
  • Projoy - Who knew there was so much to say about fish?
    [irach] Cleese and Curtis? NO
    [FGZstarfish] Bigger fish? NO
    [Knobbly] A Fish in Sea? NO
    [GL] Landed and Gasping? NO
  • FGZstar - A big fish in small pond?
  • Dujon - Does the word 'fish' appear on the card?
  • Projoy
    [FGZstar] Parish Council Chair? NO
    [Dujon] Does the word "fish" appear on the card? I thought you'd never ask... YES.
  • Software - Fish face?
  • CdM - Begins with P(iscine)?
  • ImNotJohn - Fish for compliments?
    Now , what fish is it that doesn't drink like a fish, I wonder.
  • Projoy
    [Software] Fish face? How dare you? Oh, I mean, NO.
    [CdM] Pfish? NO
    [INJ] Am I answering these questions OK, cos I do worry? (NO)
    *the audience applaud INJ's other remark*
  • irach - Kettle of fish?
  • ImNotJohn - Is there a culinary connection?
  • Projoy
    [irach] Kettle? NO
    [INJ] Food? NO, not really.
  • irach - Shooting fish in a barrel?
  • Projoy
    [irach] Barrel? NO, but I imagine we'll be scraping the bottom soon...
  • FGZstar - A Flying fish?
  • ImNotJohn - Does the referenced fish have to be dead?
  • Projoy
    [FGZstar] Flying fish? NO
    [INJ] Dead fish? I think most people on hearing this expression would assume a dead fish, so YES. *applause*
  • Projoy
    (Strictly, its live/dead status isn't actually referenced, so it doesn't have to be)
  • Software - A slap around the face with a wet fish?
  • Projoy - Even better!
    [Software] The Answer is, indeed, A slap in the face with a wet fish. Please accept this wet fish as your reward.
  • ImNotJohn - D*mn You, Software, you bounder!
    I've just logged on with the intention of guessing that exact phrase.
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Yes, but it could be worse.
  • Software - What a surprise, such a slippery baton!

    Right, this one is Abstract with Animal, Vegetable and Mineral connections.

  • ImNotJohn - The anarcho-syndicalist world view?
    Making a welcome(?) return.
  • irach - The Internet?
  • Projoy - This game?
  • Raak - Life, the universe, and everything?
  • Rosie - The price of food?
  • Software
    [INJ] Back to barter? - NO welcome back BTW
    [irach] www? - NO
    [Projoy] Infinite loop? - NO
    [Raak] Quo vadis? - NO
    [Rosie] RPI? - NO
  • FGZstar - A Human Concept?
  • Software
    [FGZ] Conceptualized? - YES
  • irach - Cuisine?
  • Rosie - Is the Animal reference purely to humans?
  • ImNotJohn - Artistic connections?
  • Software
    [irach] Celebrity chefs - NO
    [Rosie] Homo Sapiens - YES (almost entirely)
    [INJ] Arty-Farty - YES
  • irach - Related to music?
  • Spangle - A straightforward question that requires a Yes or No answer?
  • Software
    [irach] Musical? - No not directly
    [Spangle] Michael Miles? - NO
  • Rosie - An artistic style, whatever the form of art?
  • ImNotJohn - Related to a performance art?
  • Projoy - Funny?
  • Software
    [Rosie] Impressionist? - NO
    [INJ] Acting? - NO though some say that could be the case
    [Pro] Humour? - NO
  • FGZstar - The mona lisa?
  • Rosie - Is this an organisation?
  • Software
    [FGZ] Enigmatic? - NO
    [Rosie] Corp? - NO
  • irach - A title of an artistic work?
  • Software
    [irach] Famous name? - NO
  • FGZstar - a piece of architecture?
  • Software
    [FGZ] bricks & mortar? - NO
  • Projoy - To do with literature?
  • Spangle - CGFC?
  • Software
    [Pro] Property boom?- NO
    [Spangle] CGFC? - NO probably
  • Software
    [Pro] Sorry wrong answer
    literate? - mostly NO
  • irach - Is the vegetable connection floral?
  • Rosie
    WTF's CGFC cos im FIIK.
  • Projoy - Related to painting?
  • Software
    [irach] petal based? - YES * a good portion of the audience claps *
    [Pro] Decoration? (As this question was answered previously I assume you refer to the industrial kind) - NO
    [Rosie] me too, in the absence of knowledge the safest answer is always NO
  • irach - Ikebana or other type of Flower Arrangement?
  • Spangle - CGFC
    [Rosie] I made it up because I wanted to find a question that wouldn't be changed when SW was giving an answer. The changes are sometimes inaccurate and misleading. They cause a double look-back to ascertain the response to a reasonable question. I really give up. I actually HATE the way that this game is played.
  • Spangle
    Therefore - I am not going to play it any more. :)
  • FGZstar - A bridal bouquet?
  • Rosie - The Guernsey Battle of Flowers?
    (Softers) Yes, I know it's The Donkeys, but it's all I can think of ATM. I like Guernsey, BTW.
    (Spangle) Yes, can be a bit annoying, especially if the meaning of the question appears to have been changed. I think one should always assume that it has not, and that the quizmaster is merely indulging himself a little.
  • Dujon - The Chelsea flower show?
  • Software
    [Spangle] Sorry, old mate, just doing as Rosie says.
    [FGZ] Blushing bridal flowers? - NO audience claps and talks among themselves enthusiastically
    [Rosie] Donkey Derby? - NO [Rosie, how could you?]
    [Duj] Annual display? - NO
  • Knobbly - Are the petals confetti?
  • FGZstar - A buttonhole?
  • irach - (Could you answer my last question? You seem to have missed answering it)
  • Software
    [Knobby] Confetti - NO not on the card but the audience applauds appreciatively.
    [FGZ] Carnation? - NO more loud applause
    [irach] Floral display? - NO audience murmurs appreciatively
  • irach - Horticulture?
  • Software
    [irach] Farmer Giles? - NO
  • irach - Boutonnière or corsage?
  • Software
    [irach] Formal floral decoration? - NO (see above, not what is on the card) audience claps again
  • FGZstar - a fleur-de-lis?
  • irach - Wedding arbour?
  • FGZstar - A wedding?
  • Software
    [FGZ] FdL? - NO
    [irach] Underneath the arches? - NO audience claps hard
    [FGZ] Nuptials? - YES! audience wild with anticipation
  • FGZstar - The royal wedding between Prince William and Catherine Middleton?
  • Software - Hurrah!
    [FGZ] Well done mate, exactly the words on the card!

    * passes over the bouquet shaped baton *

  • FGZstar
    Funny that, I had that about 3 turns ago, and dismissed it as too obvious. Anyway, my turn, ABSTRACT, with strong ANIMAL connections, as well as VEGETABLE and MINERAL connections.
  • Raak - A sport?
  • Rosie - Animal human?
  • FGZstar
    Sport? No, but will have minor sporting connections
    Human? Yes, but will have minor connections to other animals.
  • Dujon - A recipe ?
  • FGZstar
    Recipe? No
  • Software - Butchery?
  • FGZstar
    Butchery? A definite no.
  • ImNotJohn - A single specific human?
  • FGZstar
    Specific Human? No
  • Software - Quadruped ?
  • FGZstar
    Quadruped? As I have said before, the main focus is human, but non-specific. There are minor links to other animals which are quadruped, but it probably won't help with the answer to go into detail on them.
  • Dujon - Falls within the remit of the 'fashion' industry?
  • FGZstar
    Fashion? Nope.
  • Raak - Is it an activity?
  • ImNotJohn - Connected to the arts?
  • FGZstar
    Activity? No.
    Artistic Connections? Yes, but only minor ones.
  • CdM - A phrase or saying?
  • FGZstar
    Phrase or Saying? No
  • Software - Sporty?
  • FGZstar
    As before, not particularly sporty, but with sporting connections
  • Knobbly - Is it something everyone does?
  • Raak - Is it an award of some sort?
  • ImNotJohn - Related to food or the culinary arts?
  • FGZstar
    Something everyone does? No
    An award? No
    Food related? Yes, but not in the fine dining sense, and not exclusively involved in food.
  • Software - Something done with or to meat and/or vegetables?
  • Raak - A licence to do something?
  • FGZstar
    Done to meats or Veg? No (the food connection is not that strong)
    Licence to...? No.
  • ImNotJohn - A type of behaviour?
  • FGZstar
    Type of behaviour? No
  • Raak - Related to science?
  • FGZstar
    Science Related? No.
  • Dujon - Does the answer relate to a 'medical' condition?
  • FGZstar
    Related to a severe medical condition? Not completely, but I'm sure there is some small relation
  • Raak - Related to games?
  • FGZstar
    Related to games? No.
  • Raak - A ritual?
  • FGZstar
    A ritual? No
  • Raak - A dictionary?
  • FGZstar
    A dictionary? No.
  • Knobbly - Is it an activity?
  • Raak - Does this have a small relation to everything?
  • FGZstar
    Activity? No, but it has activities
    Small relationship to everything? Not quite, but is related to a lot of things.
  • Raak - Is this a human creation?
  • FGZstar
    Human Creation? Yes
  • Software - One particular country/nation
  • FGZstar
    One Country/Nation? No.
  • Raak - So to summarise...
    • Not: a sport, a recipe, butchery, a specific human, a quadruped, fashion, an activity, a phrase or saying, something everyone does, an award, something done with meat/veg, a licence, a type of behaviour, science-related, games, a ritual, a dictionary, an activity (but it has them), a country.
    • Connections to: humans, food.
    • Minor connections to: non-human animals, the arts, sports, severe medical conditions, a lot of things.
    • Is: a human creation.
    We haven't got very far, have we?
  • ImNotJohn - Related to a belief system?
    Always the problem with Abstract - You need to get a category or a link to something physical before you can begin to make proper progress. I generally try to avoid setting Abstracts for those reasons.
  • FGZstar
    Related to a belief system? This is NOT linked to a belief system in any way.
  • FGZstar - Time for a hint, methinks...
    This is multinational, and part of a major convention.
  • Raak - To do with climate change?
  • Software - Carbon trading?
  • FGZstar
    Global warming? No
    Carbon Trading? No
  • Raak - To do with military matters?
  • irach - An international banking connection?
  • FGZstar
    Military? Not connected to the military, but may become involved in military matters.
    International Banking? No
  • Raak - To do with medicine?
  • FGZstar
    Medicine? Has something to do with medicine, but not solely with medicine.
  • Dujon - Is the answer based on a televison/film series?
  • FGZstar
    TV/Film? No
  • Projoy - Anything to do with the law?
  • FGZstar
    To do with the Law? Sort of. it is specifically protected by it.
  • Projoy - A human right or rights?
  • FGZstar
    Human right? No, but it does help to protect them.
  • CdM - Does this have a specific United Nations connection?
  • FGZstar
    Specific UN connection? Not really, but I'm sure there will be some connections... It's sort of a grey area. Sorry I can't be more helpful on that one.
  • CdM - OK then ... does this have a specific connection to some other international organisation (e.g., World Bank, World Trade Organisation, World Health Organisation, International Monetary Fund, etc....)?
  • FGZstar
    Connected to a big international organisation? YES
    *Audience Awakens*
  • Raak - Does it have to do with the law?
  • Raak
    Oops, was just asked.
  • Raak - Does it have to do with humanitarian action?
  • FGZstar
    Humanitarian? Yes.
    *Audience look expectant*
  • Raak - The Red Cross?
  • FGZstar
    Red Cross? Yes
    *Audience Screams and goes wild*
    It was indeed the Red Cross. I therefore hand you over a red, cross-shaped baton.
  • Raak
    Phew. Ok, here's a concrete ANIMAL and VEGETABLE. Oh, and ABSTRACT as well.
  • Projoy - A statue of a gorilla eating a banana?
  • CdM - Human animal?
    [Projoy] Like this?
    [FGZ*] Odd that it took us so long to get something eminently guessable. As INJ said, abstracts can just be very hard to get a handle on. As a minor quibble, if it was "NOT linked to a belief system in any way", we probably wouldn't also have the Red Crescent.
  • Rosie - Can it be found in Milton Keynes?
    Can anything be found in Milton Keynes? Sorry to be so flippant.
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Oooh, close, but...no, nothing like.
    [Rosie] Surely, if one waits in Milton Keynes, all the world shall eventually pass by one's front door. Yes! This can be found in Milton Keynes!
  • Raak
    [CdM] Not a human animal.
  • Rosie - Should the word "concrete" be taken literally?
    (Raak) Is MK the new Crewe Station?
  • Raak
    No, concrete would be MINERAL.
  • FGZstar - Musical?
    [CdM] I suppose, but as a symbol it is not related to any religion, although there was some speculation by other religions which caused the red crescent and red crystal to come into existence.
  • Raak
    [FGZ*] Not musical.
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
    [Rosie] ...what do they say about Crewe Station?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] Does not begin with a P.
  • jim - Connected with agriculture?
    [Tuj] Dunno. Perhaps they pronounce its name as if it began with a P.
  • Raak
    [jim] Agro? Not really.
  • FGZstar - Connected to Architecture?
  • Rosie - Is it man-made?
    (Tuj) It is said that if you stand on Crewe Station you will see, either on the platform or through the window of a train, and within a reasonable length of time, the entire population of Britain, not to say the whole world.
  • Raak
    [F] No connection to architecture.
    [R] Is man-made.
  • Tuj - Is it unique?
    [Rosie] Thanks! Would've been nice to know when I went there every few weeks a few years ago... but at least that proves I could have been seen there, I guess
  • Raak
    [Tuj] Not unique.
  • Rosie - Vegetable wood?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not wood.
  • CdM - Edible?
  • Raak
    [CdM} Yes, edible.
  • CdM - Commonly eaten?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Commonly eaten.
  • Software - Eaten raw?
  • Raak
    [Software] Not eaten raw.
  • jim - A confectionary item of some sort?
  • Raak
    [jim] I don't think this is classed as confectionary. Or confectionery.
  • Projoy - Does it taste sweet?
    [CdM re: gorilla] "the recipient will simply love it to pieces." Are they using "love" as a euphemism for "smash"?
  • ImNotJohn - A dish?
    (I mean as in 'Fish and Chips', not as in a nice piece of Samian Ware)
  • Raak
    [Projoy] * a ripple of polite applause* It is sweet.
    [INJ] Not a dish.
  • jim - Honey?
  • CdM - A raspberry ripple of polite applause?
  • Raak
    [jim] Not honey (being neither cooked, nor -- apart from the occasional stray bee leg -- animal).
    [CdM] Not a raspberry ripple.
  • ImNotJohn - Is suet involved?
  • Raak
    [INJ] As near as I can judge from Google, this does not generally contain suet.
  • FGZstar - Jelly on a plate?
  • Raak
    [FGZ*] Not jelly on a plate.
  • Rosie - Can it be bought in a supermarket as a single item?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] That sounds like two questions. Can it be bought in a supermarket? Yes. Does one buy them individually there? No.
  • FGZstar - Sold ready to eat?
  • Raak
    [FGZ*] Ready to eat.
  • FGZstar - Rice pudding?
  • Raak
    [FGZ*] Not rice pudding.
  • ImNotJohn - Generally found in the chiller cabinet?
  • Raak
    [INJ] Brrrr? No.
  • Software - Marshmallows?
  • Raak
    [Software] Not marshmallows. (I'd class those with confectionery.)
  • Rosie - Sweet and sour pork?
    (Raak) Wasn't meant to be two questions but whether you could buy a packet of "it" in a supermarket, or anywhere.
  • CdM - Typically sold in a bottle, jar or can?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] You can buy a packet of it.
    [CdM] ...but not a bottle, jar, or can.
  • Raak
    It might be profitable at this point to consider the Abstract part of this.
  • Raak
    [Rosie] That was slightly misleading -- you can buy a packet of them.
  • irach - Involves chocolate in any way? Such as a packet of "Smarties" or "M&Ms" ?
  • Raak
    [irach] It can involve chocolate.
  • CdM - A cookie?
  • Rosie - Crunchy frog?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Only if it's a crunchy frog cookie, as...
    [CdM] ...a cookie it is. nom nom nom.
  • CdM
    [Raak] Um, where's the baton? There seems to be just a pile of crumbs here.

    This one is MINERAL and VEGETABLE.
  • Rosie - Vegetable wood?
  • CdM
    Wood? In part, yes.
  • ImNotJohn - mineral = metal?
  • FGZstar - A building?
  • Gusset Login - A garden?
  • CdM
    Metal? No.
    A building? No.
    A garden? No.
  • Rosie - Significant amounts of water?
  • CdM
    Significant amounts of water? It is going to come down a bit to the definition of "significant", but I think the best answer is No. Despite this, the audience *applauds*.
  • Gusset Login - mineral = stone?
  • Rosie - A natural feature?
  • FGZstar - A desert?
  • CdM
    Stone? In large part, Yes
    Natural feature? Yes.
    Desert? No.
  • Rosie - The Grand Canyon?
  • CdM
    Grand Canyon? No. (Besides, someone already did that, iirc)
  • Raak - Near the sea?
  • CdM
    Near the sea? Yes. *applause*
  • ImNotJohn - In Europe?
  • CdM
    European? No.
  • Raak - Do rock climbers climb it?
  • Rosie - A headland?
  • FGZstar - The hole in the rock, near Paihia, New Zealand?
  • CdM
    Climbing? Yes (parts of it).
    Headland? No. *tiny smattering of applause*
    Incredibly long-shot guess? No.
  • FGZstar - A mountain, possibly Everest?
  • irach - In the Americas?
  • Raak - Is it an island?
  • CdM
    Mountain? No.
    In the Americas? No.
    Island? Yes. *applause*
  • Rosie - Rockall?
    Long shot.
  • CdM
    Rockall? No. (That's in Europe, last I heard)
  • ImNotJohn - In Australasia?
  • Raak - Inhabited?
  • Software - Hawaii?
  • Gusset Login - Java?
  • CdM
    Australasian? No.
    Inhabited? Yes.
    Hawai'i? No.
    Java? No.
  • Raak - Has it been in the news recently?
  • Gusset Login - Volcanic?
  • ImNotJohn - Bigger than an Arran?
  • FGZstar - Tristan de Cuhna?
  • CdM
    Newsworthy? Not that I am aware of.
    Volcanic? No.
    Arranometricity? Smaller than an Arran.
    Tristan de Cunha? No.
  • FGZstar - Tropical?
  • Raak - Fernando Po
  • Raak - ?
  • CdM
    Tropical? Yes.
    Fernando Po
    ? No
    .
  • Rosie - Isolated, i.e. not part of an archipelago?
  • CdM
    Isolated? No.
  • FGZstar - A British Overseas Territory?
  • CdM
    BOT? No.
  • ImNotJohn - In the Indian Ocean?
  • Gusset Login - Bikini Atoll?
  • CdM
    In the Indian Ocean? As so often happens, seemingly easy questions end up being harder than I expect. But, based on my reading of Wikipedia, the best answer is Yes. Not to be cryptic about it, it is in a body of water with a separate name, but which is usually considered to be part of the Indian Ocean.
    Bikini? No.
  • ImNotJohn - Bay of Bengal?
  • CdM
    Bay of Bengal? No.
  • Raak - Is it an independent country?
  • FGZstar - South China Sea?
  • ImNotJohn - Al Hallaniyah?
  • Rosie - One of the Maldives?
  • CdM
    Independent country? No.
    South China Sea? No. (That's part of the Pacific.)
    Al Hallaniyah? No.
    One of the Maldives? No.
    I'll just clarify one thing: this island is part of an archipelago by the standard definition, which is pretty broad -- that is, it is part of a group of islands. But focusing on well-known archipelagos is unlikely to be helpful. (My first reaction when I read Rosie's archipelago was that this island is not part of an archipelago, and it was only when I checked the definition of the word that I decided that it in fact is.)
  • ImNotJohn - In the Arabian Sea?
  • Raak - Réunion?
  • FGZstar - Part of Africa?
  • CdM
    Arabian? No.
    Réunion? No.
    African? No.
  • irach - Andaman and Nicobar Islands
  • CdM
    Andaman and Nicobar Islands? No (Wikipedia tells me they are in the Bay of Bengal).
  • ImNotJohn - Sentosa?
    Interestingly, Wikipedia shows the Indian Ocean going as far as the Malay peninsula and therefore including my guess. However that does also mean that several hundred Indonesian islands are also possibles.
  • CdM
    Sentosa? No.
    My reading of wikipedia is, roughly speaking, that there is one pretty broad definition of ocean, whereby pretty much all salt water is included in one ocean or another. Within these oceans there are then various pieces of water that have their own names -- example, the Bay of Bengal is part of the Indian Ocean. But there is also a narrower definition, in which the oceans are basically all the unnamed left over bits.
  • ImNotJohn - In the East Indies?
    Excuse me for having 2 goes in a row - but at least it's not a guess at the answer.
    That was my understanding as well, but I hadn't really thought about the implications in that part of the world, if you're going to say that you go directly from the Indian to the Pacific ocean.
  • CdM
    East Indian? No.
  • FGZstar - Part of Australia?
  • irach - Komodo?
  • CdM
    Australian? No.
    Komodo? No.
    Not sure why it is proving so hard to narrow this down, other than the fact that people are doing a fair amount of guessing of places that have already been ruled out, and people are jumping perhaps too soon to guessing particular places.

    What you know: This is an inhabited non-volcanic tropical island, one of a group, smaller than the Isle of Arran, not recently in the news. Rock climbing occurs there, and it does not have significant amounts of water on it.

    It is located in a named body of water that is typically understood to be in the Indian Ocean. (As long as we are taking the broad definition of ocean there is no ambiguity about which ocean it is in.)

    It is not Sentosa, Réunion, Al Hallaniyah, Komodo, Java, one of the Maldives, or one of the Andaman and Nicobar islands. It is not in the Arabian Sea or the Bay of Bengal. It is not African or Australasian, or in the East Indies. It is not a British Overseas Territory.

    I will tell you for free that I think you are unlikely simply to guess it without more information. I don't expect everyone here to have heard of it (it may fail the Rosie test) but I would expect some or several people to have done so. It does have a couple of claims to fame. And there was a reason why I chose it as a subject; it's not just some random small island.
  • Dujon - Is this island inhabited by natives of the territory (as opposed to resident scientists)?
  • Rosie - Does it have a name in English?
  • irach - Phuket Island?
  • Raak - Was it affected by a tsunami a few years ago?
  • CdM
    Inhabited by natives? I'd guess that most of the inhabitants are natives of the country of which this island is part, but very few would have been born on the island itself. There are also certainly some foreign residents, but I doubt if there are many scientists.
    Name in English? Not exactly sure what you mean, but I think the best answer is No. (It can certainly be referred to using the English language, and in that sense the answer is yes, but I presume you mean something more than that.)
    Phuket? No. *applause* (As an example to clarify my previous answer, I would say that "Phuket" is not a name in English as I understand the term; it is simply an English phonetic representation of the island's name in Thai.)
    Tsunami-affected? Yes. *applause*
  • ImNotJohn - In the Andaman Sea?
    Though if the answer is yes then we may need a clarification on the meaning of 'East Indies'.
  • CdM
    Andaman Sea? Yes. My bad, sorry. I thought I knew the meaning of East Indies and didn't even bother to check. Turns out there's been a gap in my geographical knowledge all my life.
  • ImNotJohn
    Yes, wikipedia's definition was wider than I expected, but since you'd already quoted wikipedia I assumed you were going with it. BTW I think I have a very good candidate for the answer, but I'll wait a couple of hours or until someone else has had a go.
  • CdM - OK, I'm feeling a bit less stupid now
    According to Britannica online's entry on East Indies:

    "Historically, the term East Indies is loosely applied to any of three contexts. The most restrictive and best-known use is as a synonym for the islands that now constitute the Republic of Indonesia (formerly known as the Netherlands Indies, or Dutch East Indies); these include the Greater Sunda Islands (Borneo, Celebes, Java, and Sumatra), the Lesser Sunda Islands (stretching eastward from Bali to Timor), the Moluccas, and New Guinea (including Papua New Guinea on the eastern half of the island). In a second, larger sense, East Indies refers to the Malay Archipelago (including the Philippines), which now is more commonly called insular (or archipelagic) Southeast Asia. Finally, in its broadest context, the term East Indies encompasses the foregoing plus all of mainland Southeast Asia and India."

    By this account, islands in the Andaman sea would be included in the second definition or the third, depending in turn on the exact meaning of "Malay Archipelago", but not in the first.

    On the other hand, that discussion also suggests that perhaps I should not have had reservations about including this island in an archipelago.
  • Raak - Were you there, either during or shortly after the tsunami?
  • CdM
    Was I there? No. I have never been there.
  • ImNotJohn - Koh Phi Phi?
  • CdM - No, it begins with ผ
    เกาะ ผีผี (pronounced Pee Pee) is indeed the correct answer. Somehow, Tuj never shows up when he is really needed. (Phi Phi actually refers to a small group of islands, but when answering I had in mind the largest, Phi Phi Don.)

    One บะถน handed over.
  • ImNotJohn
    kob kun krab. I couldn't remember the name, but I searched for 'beach movie location' as I remembered about the fuss over bringing in palm trees etc.

    This next one is ANIMAL with Abstract connections

  • Gusset Login - Human Animal?
  • ImNotJohn
    [GL] Human? - YES
  • Rosie - Alive?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] Still with us? - NO
  • CdM - English-speaking? (Back when he or she was still alive enough to speak, of course)
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Anglophone? - NO
  • irach - Male?
  • ImNotJohn
    [irach] The stronger sex? - YES
  • FGZstar - Infamous?
  • CdM - European?
  • ImNotJohn
    [FGZstar] Infamy, infamy? - NO
    [CdM] European? - NO
  • irach - Real person based on whom a movie was made?
  • CdM - Alive at any time during the 20th century?
  • ImNotJohn
    [irach] Movie subject? - NO
    [CdM] Around in C20? - NO
  • irach - Biblical figure?
  • Rosie - A national leader?
  • CdM - A single individual?
    (We've been assuming that, but haven't confirmed it)
  • ImNotJohn
    [irach] Biblical? - NO
    [Rosie] National Leader? - Not as easy to answer as you'd think, as it depends on the definition of both words. I'll say NO(ish)
    [CdM] individual? - YES
  • FGZstar - A state governor?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    [CdM] For shame! Mea culpa
  • Projoy - Of African racial descent?
    (Within the last three hundred years, I mean, since I believe we all are in another sense).
  • ImNotJohn
    [FGZstar] gubernatorial? - NO
    [Tuj] Pstarting? - NO
    [Projoy] Out of Africa? - NO
  • CdM - From the East Indies?
    (proudly flaunting my new-found knowledge)
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] East Indiaman? - NO (by any definition)
  • Projoy - Alive in the C19th?
  • CdM - Sonam Gyatso?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] 19th century? - YES
    [CdM] Dalai Lama(III)? - NO
  • Projoy - From North America?
  • Dujon - Does the abstract part of the answer on the card result from this gentleman lending his name to something or somewhere?
  • CdM - Spanish-speaking?
    [Projoy] Unlikely (though not impossible) given that he was not an Anglophone. We're probably down to S. America, Russia or China.
    [INJ] The first or the third, depending on which Wikipedia page you go to...
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] N America? - NO
    [Dujon] Eponym? - NO (but don't give up on the abstract element - I reckon you need it as well)
    [CdM] Hispanophone? - NO
    BTW There was a slight murmur of appreciation in the audience at CdM's previous question. Also, to clarify, I don't know that the male in question spoke no English or Spanish, but it's unlikely and they certainly weren't his first language.
  • FGZstar - Hannibal?
  • ImNotJohn - Have you read any of the previous answers?
    [FGZstar] Hannibal? - NO (of course there could be a Hannibal who didn't come from Africa and was alive in the 19th Century)
  • Projoy - Associated with a specific religion?
    [CdM] Mm. Lots of non-Anglophones in Mexico, I'd've thought, in the C19th, not to mention now, and I daresay some indigenous North American people in the C19th might not have spoken English...
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] A specific religion? - YES *applause*
  • Projoy - From Asia?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] Asian? - YES
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM et al] An apology is in order from me this time. I have had another look at Wikipedia and by the longest stretch of the definition with the longest stretch he could be described as from the East Indies - just not by any use of the term I've ever come across. Can we agree going forward that we'll only use the term for the Malay/Indonesia/Borneo/Phillipines etc. archipelagos?
  • Projoy - From China (C19 borders)?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] Chinese? - NO
  • CdM - Do you know the name of this individual?
  • CdM
    [Projoy] I didn't mean unlikely in the sense that it was unlikely you'd be able to find a non-Anglophone in N. America. I meant unlikely that the solution to this AVMA would be North American and non-Anglopohone. If you see what I mean.
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Do I know his name? - YES, and I would accept that - but that's not what's on the card.
  • Projoy - from Asia Minor?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] Little Asia? - NO
  • Projoy - From the Middle East?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] Middle Eastern? - NO (Between you & CdM you've straddled the target very well)
  • FGZstar - From India?
  • ImNotJohn
    [FGZstar] From India? - Depends - Not from somewhere that is currently in India.
  • Projoy - From what is now Pakistan?
  • ImNotJohn - Well, that was a bit painful
    [Projoy] Land of the Pure? - YES *relieved applause*
  • Gusset Login - Gotama Siddhattha?
  • ImNotJohn
    [GL] Sid Arthur? - NO (wrong country and 2400 years too early)
  • Projoy - Dalip Singh Sukerchakia (aka The Last Maharajah)?
    (yes, I looked him up)
  • Projoy
    Actually, he probably spoke English, didn't he? Hm...
  • Projoy - Ranjit Singh, Lion of the Punjab?
  • Projoy - (aka "Napoleon of the East", to boot)
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] Last Maharajah? - NO
    Lion of the Punjab? - NO
    You're right, it's quite plausible that the person in question had some English given where and when he lived, but I don't know that and it wouldn't be helpful to know in any way I can think of.
    P.S. Don't forget the Abstract - there's more to it than just a nickname.
  • Projoy - Is this person popularly supposed to be divine in some way?
    And I'm not talking about a fabulous hairdo.
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] Divinity? - NO but *some applause*
  • Software - Imran Khan?
  • Projoy - Is The Answer the title of a person or an office they would hold?
    Hm. I must admit I'm even drawing a blank with Wikipedia on this one.
  • CdM - Does the abstract element link to some present-day phrase or saying?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Software] Imran Khan - NO
    [Projoy] Titular? - YES *another small ripple of applause*
    [CdM] Phrase or saying? - NO
    I think you're only a couple of questions away - in fact, if you came up with the answer I think you would have a pretty good idea that it was correct. The religious element was important, but I had no idea it existed when I chose the subject and I expect it's not really going to help much except as confirmation. The abstract link is probably the key.
  • Projoy - Does the title take the form "The X of X"?
  • Projoy
    (Or rather, the X of Y, I suppose)
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] 'X of Y'? - YES *the audience starts getting coats and bags together*
  • Projoy - Is the "Y" a specific city, such as Lahore?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] Why a city? - NO, not a city
  • Rosie - Not the Nawab of Pataudi, shurely?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] The Noob? - NO (Assuming you mean Iftikir or Mansoor Ali Khan, the cricketers, then it's wrong century & country again)
  • Projoy - Is the "Y" the name of a "nation" - e.g. a body of people even if not necessarily a recognised state?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] Nation/people - Let me put it this way. It's the name of a geographical area and, by extension, the people who inhabit it. Whether they constituted a 'nation' or 'people' at the time is less clear.
  • Projoy - Is the area Punjab?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] - Punjab? NO
    BTW it would be a bit of a blow if someone else were to jump in and get it now, wouldn't it? (This the last time I'll say it, but - Abstract?)
  • Projoy - OK - the abstract connection... to do with a published work of fiction?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] Printed Page? - YES *audience perk up again*
    Fiction? - Category Error (If forced, I would say Yes, but that's misleading)
  • Projoy - Is this person mentioned in a religious work?
  • irach - The Akond of Swat, as in Edward Lear's "Who or which or why or what, Is the Akond of Swat"...?
  • ImNotJohn - Well, there you go
    After all Projoy's hard work!!!
    It is The Akond of Swat (or Akhund, if you prefer) - Muslim Saint and key regional figure on the NW frontier of the late C18 and first half of C19, but much better known these days because of Mr Lear.
    The baton passes to irach.
  • Projoy - Not kicking myself
    It's OK. I hadn't actually heard of the AoS, so probably would have taken me several days more working solo!
  • Rosie - Profanity restraint.
    Two in succession I haven't heard of. This is so-ooo boring.
  • Projoy
    [Rosie, all] Constructive suggestion: perhaps when a player sets a new answer, they could email it to Rosie first, and he can confirm he's heard of it before the round commences. That way, there'll be a more level playing field.
  • irach
    This one is ANIMAL.
  • Gusset Login - Human?
  • Projoy - Alive?
  • irach
    [Glogin] Yes, human.
    [Projoy] Dead as a doornail.
  • CdM - Unique individual?
  • Dujon - Female?
    [CdM] ? . . . ;)
  • CdM
    [Dujon] As opposed to a collection of humans. And also, perhaps, as opposed to an individual defined by his or her role (e.g., 'The British Prime Minister'), so at any moment the answer is an individual, but that individual is not the only person to have held that role. But yes, "specific" rather than "unique" might have been a bit less of a tautological repetition of the same thing.
  • FGZstar - From a country which has English as one of its official languages?
  • Projoy - Died in C20?
  • irach
    [CdM] Yes, a unique named individual.
    [Dujon] No, not female.
    [FGZ*] No, no English speak.
    [Pro :)] Did not die in C20.
  • Gusset Login - Died in C21?
  • Projoy - Died in C19?
  • CdM - A political figure?
  • Dujon - A deeply religious chap?
    [CdM] My aplogies, but I couldn't resist. Your response had me chuckling out loud. Thanks.
  • ImNotJohn - European?
    [Rosie] Sorry you feel that way about it, but I don't consider one of Edward Lear's best-known poems to be obscure and the Swat valley has been in the news quite a lot in the last few years. The other information about him was new to me.
  • FGZstar - A renowned thinker?
  • irach
    [Gusset Login] Did not die in C21.
    [Projoy] Did not die in C19.
    [CdM] A political figure... yes, in a manner of speaking.
    [Dujon] As far as I know nothing is really known if or whether the individual was a deeply religious chap or not.
    [ImNotJohn] Not European.
    [FGZStar] He certainly had a following, but was not specifically known as a philosopher-type renowned thinker.
  • ImNotJohn - Primarily known as a warrior?
  • irach
    [ImNotJohn] In some biographical accounts, he is known as a warrrior.
  • Projoy - Died after CE1500?
  • Raak - From the Indian subcontinent?
  • irach
    [Projoy] Yes, he died after CE 1500.
    [Raak} Not from the Indian subcontinent.
  • Projoy - Died before CE1700?
  • irach
    [Projoy] Yes, died before CE 1700
  • Raak - Chinese?
  • Tuj - Was he an artist of some sort?
    [INJ] Well, the poem was about the fact he knew nothing about him... ;)
  • irach
    [Raak] Not Chinese.
    [Tuj] Not an artist.
  • Projoy - South American?
  • Dujon - So far this man seems to have been singularly unimpressive. Was he Russian?
  • irach
    [Projoy] Not South American.
    [Dujon] Not Russian.
  • ImNotJohn - The leader of a group of people?
  • Projoy - From North America?
    (by which I mean everything from the Panama isthmus to Alert)
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Raak - From the territory that would later be the USSR?
  • irach
    [ImNotJohn] Yes! The leader of a group of people.
    [Projoy} Yes, from North America (the audience sits up, roused from slumber induced by apathy, and now bristles with anticipation).
    [Tuj] Does not begin with "P".
    [Raak] See the last response to Projoy. Therefore, "Nyet".
  • Rosie - Of European ethnicity?
  • Projoy - From Mexico?
  • irach
    [Rosie] Not of European ancestry.
    [Projoy] Yes. Si, si! Méxicano.
  • Projoy - Moctezuma II?
  • irach
    Moctezuma II it is. A baton shaped like an Aztec battle mace, decorated with quetzal feathers is handed over to Projoy!
  • Rosie
    Koh Phi Phi (potassium hydroxide, half of one plus root five, half of one plus root five), The Akond of Swat, as opposed to the Akond of Chemical Insect Repellant, and Moctezuma II, presumably related to the Retributively Laxative One. You children are all far too clever for me.
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Yep, Moctezuma II is better known to many (including me up to a few moments before I made my guess) simply as Montezuma. I daresay irach would have accepted that answer too...
  • Projoy
    OK, the next is ABSTRACT
  • jim - The unbearable lightness of being?
  • ImNotJohn - The set of things Rosie knows?
  • Phil - Dismay?
  • Raak - Abstractness?
  • Projoy
    [jim] Lightness? *some audience laughter* NO
    [INJ] What Rosie Knew? NO, altho I considered very seriously setting that!
    [Phil] Dismay or Datmay? NO
    [Raak] A study in abstraction? NO, altho I wish I had thought to set that.
  • Knobbly - A way of life?
  • ImNotJohn - Related to the arts?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Projoy
    [Knobbly] A way of life? NO
    [INJ] Related to the arts? YEAH, SOMEWHAT
    [Tuj] Begins with P? YES
    (Hypothesis: the discovery of the initial letter always encourages players to start making random guesses much earlier than they otherwise would, resulting in slower actual progress toward the answer. However, drawing players' attention to this hypothetical phenomenon might counteract the effect by nudging them toward persistence with deductive questioning instead of randomly guessing words beginning with P for three days.)
  • Raak - Does it consist of words?
  • ImNotJohn - A condition that affects people?
  • Tuj - Is it you?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Not quite sure how to interpret the question. The Answer obviously consists of [the] words [on the card] but the words making up The Answer don't refer to something that consists of words (e.g. "a phrase") How'd I do?
    [!John] A condition? NO
    [Tuj] I'm so vain, you bet I think this clue is about me? NO (I've already been an answer in this game, in fact).
  • CdM - Paulo Picasso?
  • CdM - Musical connection?
    (I figure I'm allowed a serious question as well.)
  • FGZstar - Tangible?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] PP the Painter? NO
    [CdM] Music? NO.
    [FGZstar] Can be tanged? NO
  • Phil - Related to religion?
  • Tuj - Is it a human invention?
  • Gusset Login - Persistence?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Religious? NO
    [Tuj] A human invention? I WOULD SAY NOT, altho there are arguments either way.
    [GL] Persistence? NO :)
  • CdM - Related to mathematics?
  • Tuj - Is the answer on the card a single word?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Numbery? BARELY
    [Tuj] alloneword? There are three words on the card, but there's definitely a one word answer I'd accept.
  • Projoy
    So, so far, we have tenuous connections to both the arts and mathematics.
  • ImNotJohn - Did the Ancient Greeks know about this?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Greeks knew? I EXPECT SO, altho I know of no evidence they did.
  • Projoy
    (Having googled the topic of The Ancient Greeks and The Answer, and discovered it to be an extremely subtle matter, I'd put it another way: The Answer was certainly manifest in Ancient Greece and its existence was unlikely to have been overlooked, but for reasons that will become clear, a straight yes would be a significant oversimplification.)
  • Rosie - Would yer average Guardian-reading Surrey pensioner be aware of this?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] If you've never heard of this, I simply won't know how much lower it's possible to set the bar in future :P
  • irach - Related to physics?
  • Projoy
    [irach] Physics-related? YES, SOMEWHAT
  • Rosie - Something to do with light?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Light-related? YES.
  • Dujon - Is the word 'rainbow' relevant?
  • Rosie - The summer solstice?
  • Projoy
    [Duj] Rainbow-relevant? YES, to an extent.
    [Rosie] Wicker Man weather? NO.
  • CdM - Prism-related?
  • irach - Polarization of light?
  • Rosie - Lightning?
  • Raak - Maxwell's equations?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Prism sentence? NOT REALLY
    [irach] Pole dancing? NO
    [Rosie] Stormy weather? NO
    [Raak] Maxwell? NO
  • Rosie - Colour-blindness?
  • Knobbly - Photosynthesis?
  • CdM - Does a particular colour appear on the card? (Pink, purple, puce...)
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Color-blindness? *audience applause and cheering* NO
    [Knobbly] Sunshine into cells? NO
    [CdM] YES!! You have landed right on it. The words on the card are The Color Puce, all of which appear in your question, so I think you win. *hands over a purplish-brown sort of baton*
  • CdM
    Well! That was unexpected!
    This one is ABSTRACT, with various ANIMAL connections (and more tenuous MINERAL and VEGETABLE connections)
  • irach - Barbeque?
  • Projoy - An activity?
    Just in case anyone wondered about the Ancient Greek stuff, the name for the color puce dates back to C18 France, and there's no extant evidence that the Ancient Greeks had a word for it. In fact there seems to be considerable doubt that Ancient Greek words for colors even really map to current concepts of color, with the color words not necessarily describing a shade, but physical properties instead or as well as.
  • CdM
    Barbequan? No
    Acting Town? No. I doubt that I will be able to keep this theme up for long :-)
  • FGZstar - A Human Construct?
  • CdM
    Made-up Vale? Yes.
  • Raak - Animal sacrifice?
  • Projoy - Anything to do with the tube?
    (May as well be obvious if no-one else will)
  • CdM
    Killingdone? No.
    Tubish? Interesting question. The simple answer is No. Nevertheless, there is one connection, highly tangential yet perhaps still significant.
  • irach - Is the animal connection entirely human?
  • CdM
    Human animals? Yes. There are different kinds of animal connections, to various different humans.
  • Rosie - To any particular human is there just one type of animal connection?
  • CdM
    Types of connection? Let me try to clarify. There are, I would say, three distinct animal connections, each of a rather different kind. Each is a connection to a particular individual or group of individuals. (So I'm not sure I understand the question, but I think the answer is yes.)
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    [CdM] Phew! Can't wait for that answer to become clear at the end of this round!
  • Dujjon - Is this a form of commendation bestowed upon an individual, group of individuals or posthumously?
    If that makes sense.
  • CdM
    Begins with P? No.
    Commmmendation? No.
  • jim - Is the Tube connection to do with the name of a particular station?
  • Tuj - Is it artistic?
  • CdM
    Tangential tube connection to particular station? Yes *applause*
    Artistic? Um, yes. I suppose. *laughter*
    Sorry, I'm traveling right now so internet connection is a bit interrupted
  • Rosie - Is the human connection to specific individuals, alive or dead?
  • irach - The Butcher, the Baker and the Candlestick maker? With Baker Street being the tangential Tube connection and representing three different groups of individuals...
  • ImNotJohn - Connected with the world of work?
  • CdM
    Specific individuals alive or dead? As I said, I am thinking of three connections. One is to a group of specific individuals, all alive to the best of my knowledge. The second is to a single specific individual, alive. The third is to a specific individual who is fictional.
    BBC? No. (The tube connection is very specifically to an individual station. It is tangential in the sense that the link between that station and the answer is somewhat indirect. Pursuing that connection might not be the easiest way to the answer, but it is one possible route.)
    Work-related? No.
  • Tuj - Is it associated with a particular location?
  • CdM
    Associated with a particular location? Difficult to answer. In one sense, yes. But in the sense that you probably intend, I think the best answer is No.
  • Tuj - Invented within the last 100 years?
    Cor, right. Let's muck in.
  • CdM
    Invented in last hundred years? Yes (though "invented" is not the usual word).
  • CdM
    [Tuj] In response to your prior question, I'll add for free that the reason that it's difficult to answer is that the particular location is -- to the best of my knowledge -- fictional.
  • Tuj - Is it associated with television?
    [CdM] Very sporting of you, and very conscientiously answered =)
  • CdM - I'm glad someone's still playing!
    TV-related? No.
  • ImNotJohn - Harry Potter related?
  • Projoy - Do any of these people have something in common besides The Answer?
  • CdM
    Pottery? No.
    Things in common? The group of individuals have in common the fact that they are part of this group of individuals. The specific fictional individual is linked to this group. The specific real individual is, as far as I know, completely unconnected except through The Answer.
  • ImNotJohn - Any religious connection?
  • Projoy - Science-related?
  • jim - Is the group of individuals a popular beat combo?
  • Tuj - Any connection to sport?
  • CdM
    Religious connection? No.
    Science-related? No.
    Popular beat combo? Yes! *loud applause*
    Sporting connection? No.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the answer a song title?
  • CdM
    Song title? Yes. *applause*
  • Knobbly - The Diary of Horace Wimp?
  • Projoy - Is the fictional human a character named in the song?
  • CdM
    Horace Wimp? No.
    Fictional human named in the song? Yes. *applause*
  • Rosie - Eleanor Rigby?
  • Dujon - The rise and fall of someone or other?
  • CdM
    The unmourned Ms Rigby? No.
    Rise and fall? No.
  • CdM
    Incidentally, I seem to have beaten Wikipedia with this one. None the less, I am confident that many people here will know the answer. I am even tentatively confident that Rosie is one of them. :-)
  • CdM
    Also incidentally, it occurs to me that, for completeness, I should note that there are a large number of other animal connections, but these are uninteresting and unhelpful in terms of getting to the answer.
  • Rosie - My Old Man (who's a dustman)
    Tentatively confident that this is not the answer, but may help.
  • CdM
    Gorblimey trousers? No. You were warmer with Eleanor Rigby (though not warm enough to get applause, remember)
  • Rosie - Mr Postman (please)
    Another pot-shot before I start asking serious questions.
  • Knobbly - Is the fictional person, who is named in the song, male?
  • Projoy - Is the character named in the title?
  • CdM
    Postman Pat? No.
    Fictional person male? No.
    Eponymity? Yes.
  • Rosie - Mr Tambourine Man?
  • CdM
    [Rosie] That would have to be Ms Tambourine Man, so No.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the real person named in the song?
  • CdM
    Real person named in the song? The name of the real person appears in the song, but not as a reference to the real person.
  • Projoy - A song from before 1960?
  • Rosie - The Girl from Ipanema?
    re - Tambourine Person. It was getting late, even for me.
  • Gusset Login - Mrs Robinson?
  • CdM
    Pre-1960? No.
    Ipanemanian? No.
    Anne Bancroft? No.
  • Rosie - A British song?
  • CdM
    Let me summarise/recapitulate and answer Rosie's question as I do so.

    You are looking for a song, written since 1960. performed by a popular* beat combo. The title of the song includes (or perhaps is) the name of a female fictional person. The song also has a connection to a real person (actually, many real people, but only one is of interest); to clarify my earlier response to INJ, the real person shares a name with the fictional person named in the song.

    Now here is some more information for free: Wikipedia informed/reminded me that there are actually quite a few songs with the same or related titles. Some of these songs are better known than the one I have in mind (which is, remember, sufficiently obscure that it is not mentioned in Wikipedia). Of course, finding one of these other songs would be a possible route to the answer. The song that I have in mind is British. The song that I have in mind also has a tangential connection to a particular LU station. A fictional location is named in the song, but I don't think that's helpful.

    You are not likely to guess it outright (although that's not impossible). Your best route might be to focus on the real person at this point. Or, if you like, on the LU link. You are also welcome to ask questions about the other songs that share the same title, but I warn you that most of them are not songs that I know.

    *It's fair to say it was popular at the time. It's also fair to say it is largely forgotten now, I think.
  • Projoy - Nonetheless, is the song from the sixties?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the real person still alive?
    Taking the suggested route
  • CdM
    Song from the sixties? Yes.
    Real person still alive? Yes.
  • CdM
    (Oh, and two other LU stations are tangentially linked to the LU station that is tangentially linked to the song.)
  • Projoy - Is the character referred to by their given name (with or without surname)?
  • Software - Caroline by the Fortunes?
  • Rosie - A Beatles song?
  • CdM
    Referred to by given name? Yes.
    Caroline? No.
    Beatles? No. I remind you that I said that this particular group is largely forgotten.
  • ImNotJohn - Does the song title consist of the person's given name and family name and nothing else?
    as in 'Eleanor Rigby' or 'Jennifer Eccles'
  • Projoy - Is the surname mentioned in the title?
  • CdM
    [INJ, Projoy] The song title consists of a given name (which might or might not be a nickname) and nothing else.
  • CdM
    A propos of not much, I'm amused that there is a connection (via a rather better known performer) that I can draw between Software's guess and the answer. But that on its own is unlikely to be of help to you. If you need a clue later I might elaborate on that.
  • Softwareq - Lola?
  • CdM
    Lola? No. (I really do think it is unlikely you will just guess it)
  • ImNotJohn - Was the real person an adult when the song was released?
  • CdM
    Real person an adult? Good question. I'm almost certain that the answer is yes.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the real person British?
  • CdM
    British? Yes.
  • Projoy - The real person: renowned as a great beauty at the time of the song?
  • CdM
    Great beauty? *audience laughter* Whether the person was a great beauty I have no idea. I'm confident that the person was not widely renowned for the fact.
  • Projoy - Was she known mainly for her profession?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the person known simply by their first/given name?
  • CdM
    Real person known mainly for profession? No. (But the fictional person, perhaps yes.)
    Real person known simply by first/given name? The least misleading answer is Yes, though the strict answer is probably No.
  • Projoy - Is the real person most famous for being married to or in a relationship with someone substantively famous?
  • CdM
    Real person famous for relationship? No. Check your assumptions.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the real person the same for every questioner?
    So (trying to summarise it for myself). The answer is a song title from the sixties released by a group who are not particularly well-known now (I'm thinking of the stature of The Honeycombs). The title is a woman's given name/nickname . That name is also the name of a real individual also identifiable solely by that single given name (or perhaps more likely, nickname). The real individual is still alive and was probably? an adult when the song was released.
  • CdM
    Real person the same for every questioner? Yes. But if you had asked the question a bit differently I might have had to give a very different answer.
  • CdM
    And I think your summary is accurate. Don't think I know/remember the Honeycombs (but then I had forgotten the name of the band that sang the answer before I looked it up, even though I remembered several of their songs).
  • Projoy - Was the real person we've been talking about famous at all?
  • CdM
    Was the real person famous? No. *applause* Now question your other assumptions. :-)
  • CdM
    Having googled The Honeycombs, I think INJ has it about right. The group that sang the answer is perhaps a bit better known (although its Wikipedia entry is shorter), but certainly roughly equivalent in stature.
  • CdM
    Speaking of The Honeycombs, the first second of this video is worth seeing.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the real person only identified by a relationship?
    Like 'Grandma'
  • ImNotJohn
    BTW - Can't look at Youtube from work. This is getting to be more and more of a restriction.
  • Projoy - Is this non-famous real person also female?
  • CdM
    Real person identified by relationship? No.
    Non-famous real person female? No! *applause*
    (I'm reasonably confident, by the way, that INJ will know/remember the answer, and I think most Morniversers of my age or older will also know it. I'm less sure about Young Master Projoy and his contemporaries -- they may need to use the google -- although I think there is a good chance that he (they) would at least know another song by the group.)
  • ImNotJohn - Rosie?
    I can think of 2 60's songs with that title. The one by a group would be The New Vaudeville Band IIRC (not googled)
  • CdM
    INJ has it! Rosie by the New Vaudeville Band is the answer on the card. The timeless lyrics, for those of you who have forgotten, began
    There's a pub in town called the Rose and Crown
    And one day I met Rosie there.
    (dadada)
    She served my drink with a knowing wink
    I knew that I would get somewhere
    (dadada)
    I heard her whisper she was mine
    So we left before closing time

    Rosie was on the B-side of Finchley Central. Timeless lyrics:
    Finchley Central is two and sixpence from Golders Green on the Northern Line
    And on the platform, by the kiosk, that's where you said you'd be mine
    There we made a date
    For hours I waited
    But I'm blowed, you never showed.

    However, the NVB were most famous for Winchester Cathedral, a top ten hit in the UK, and number one in the US. I won't bother to reproduce the timeless lyrics. Part of my reason for choosing this answer was the discussion of music over at mcios, where INJ observed that a lot of that 60s music we thought was so great doesn't actually hold up all that well. And yet, and yet...

    The link to Software's Caroline guess was through Neil Diamond (Sweet Caroline and Cracklin' Rosie). I will leave it to Rosie himself to tell us if he was a (a) an adult and (b) a great beauty in 1967.

    *takes baton made of polyvinylchloride, drills very narrow hole through the center along its entire length, compresses the ends of the cylinder until it is a flat disc of about 17.8 cm diameter, and gives it to INJ*
  • ImNotJohn - Rosie, oh Rosie. It's raining when you look the other way.
    And again Projoy asks the key question and someone else does a Cavendish on him. I feel almost embarrassed (but not enough to give up my turn).

    OK, this one is VEGETABLE

  • Tuj - Is it a pea?
    Welp, I'm glad the cavalry arrived for that one =)
  • CdM - Edible?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Tuj] Begins with a 'P' (followed by an 'e' and an 'a')? - NO
    [CdM] Comestible? - NO
  • Knobbly - Is it classed as a tree?
  • Gusset Login - Is it Alive?
  • Tuj - Is it unique?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Knobbly] Tree-y? - YES *applause*
    [GLogin] Alive? - YES
    [Tuj] Oneique? - YES
  • Tuj - Is it notable for its dimension?
  • FGZstar - Tane Mahoute?
  • Rosie - Notable for other than physical reasons?
    (CdM et al) (a) Adult in 1967? I have never been an adult except where it matters. (b) A great beauty? Only two Morniversers, Software and Chalky, know what I really look like. Ask them, while I quietly yet viciously twist their arms. I was a little prettier in 1967 but not much, time having been kind to me.
    (INJ) That's the only Rosie I can remember. (Don Partidge). I started work at a perfume factory as a chemist in Jan 67 and immediately got called Rosie by the lads in the factory, from my first name, and hence the monicker. That having been established, when the song came out in 1968 they started singing it at me. All quite aimiable, despite my white coat and their boiler suits since I was quite young (25). I don't remember Rosie by the New Vaudeville Band BTW.
  • Dujon - A form of grass?
  • CdM - The Royal Oak at Boscobel?
  • ImNotJohn - This is going quickly
    [Tuj] - monster bonsai? - NO
    [FGZStar] Lord of the Forest? - NO
    [Rosie] Other than Physically famous? - Hmmm, I could argue that either way depending on what you mean by physical reasons. Let's go for NOish.
    [Dujon] Bamboo-ey? - NO
    [CdM] The original Royal Oak? - NO
  • FGZstar - Famous due to location?
  • CdM - In Europe?
  • Dujon - Would Robin Hood have strong connections?
  • ImNotJohn
    [FGZstar] Famous for site? - NO
    [CdM] European? - NO
    [Dujon] Majorly Hoodie? - NO (though that's where I started before deciding on the actual answer)
  • Projoy - Superlative in any respect?
  • Projoy - (physically, I mean)
  • Dujon - Is this a specific tree-y object (as opposed to a unique family or grouping)?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Projoy] x-est? - YES *prolonged applause*
    [Dujon] Specific tree? - YES
  • ImNotJohn
    Apologies for infrequent responses - heavy decorating weekend, and discovered the wireless router only works properly when it's in the room we've stripped out.
  • jim - Is it notable for its age?
  • Projoy - "Methuselah" the bristlecone pine from California?
  • ImNotJohn - We have a winner
    Projoy has it - it is Methuselah - the current oldest known living tree (I would have accepted that as an answer). After his efforts in the last few, I regard that as well-deserved.
    One slightly bristly baton passed on
  • Projoy - Timber!
    Phew. Glad to have finally felled one after so long (altho as with Akond of Swat, I wouldn't have gotten "Rosie" very quickly, if at all, using the deductive method. Still enjoyed both tho).

    This one is VEGETABLE and/or ABSTRACT (and topical). Probably a bit of mineral involved too, but unlikely to help.
  • Raak - The Great Pumpkin?
  • Tuj - Is it largely paper?
  • CdM - The Sunny Sun on Sunday?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Pumpkin? NO
    [Tuj] Largely paper? YES, typically.
    [CdM] The Even Newers of the World? NO
  • Raak - Does it have words on it?
  • ImNotJohn - A book?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Has words on? YES *applause*
    [INJ] A book? NO
  • Software - A printed apology?
    :o)
  • Raak - Related to the phone hacking scandal?
  • Projoy
    [Software] Desperate PR exercise? NO
    [Raak] Phone-hacking related? YES
  • Raak - A letter of resignation?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] YES! and please accept mine from the chairmanship. *hands over envelope*
  • Raak
    MINERAL.
  • jim - Unique?
  • Projoy - Stone?
  • Raak
    [jim] Unique.
    [Projoy] Not stone.
  • Knobbly - Man made?
  • Raak
    [K] Man made.
  • Dujon - An alloy?
  • Gusset Login - The Eiffel Tower?
  • Projoy - Unique?
  • Projoy - Oops. Already answered. Located in Europe?
  • irach - The Golden Gate bridge?
  • Raak
    [D] Not an alloy.
    [GL] Not the Eiffel Tower.
    [P] Mmm...slightly tricky. No, not in Europe.
    [i] Not the Golden Gate.
  • Projoy - Has it ever been in Europe?
  • Raak
    [P] (nerdish nit-picking mode) tricky... (common sense mode) No, it's never been in Europe.
  • Projoy - Bigger than a house by volume?
  • CdM - In the Middle East?
  • Raak
    [P] Bigger than a small house, maybe not bigger than a large one.
    [CdM] (common sense mode) Not in the Middle East.
  • Projoy - Is it a single, discrete structure (that has been made up of mostly the same molecules for the length of its existence)?
  • ImNotJohn - On the surface of the earth?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Raak
    [P] Roughly, yes, a single discrete structure.
    [INJ] *applause!* Not at the moment.
    [Tuj] Does not begin with P.
  • CdM - Space shuttle Atlantis?
  • Projoy - A non-geostationary manmade satellite?
  • Raak
    [P] no, because...
    [CdM] Atlantis it is. Have this space alloy baton carved out of the scrap metal of our space dreams.
  • CdM
    Standing on the shoulders of others' coattails there.
    This one should be easier than my last couple, I think. It is VEGETABLE (and I suppose technically MINERAL as well).
  • irach - Salted potato crisp or chip?
  • ImNotJohn - edible?
  • Tuj - Smaller than a toaster?
  • CdM
    Crispchip? No.
    Edible? Yes
    Smaller than toaster? Not really a well defined question.
  • Gusset Login - Smaller than a standard two slice toaster?
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wahl-Slice-Toaster-Touch-ZX515/dp/B000SZ085Y/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1311252738&sr=8-11
  • jim - Larger than a toaster in some dimension(s) but smaller in others?
  • Tuj - Is it unique?
  • ImNotJohn - Does it consist of a single vegetable ingredient?
    e.g. Mashed Potato rather than sliced bread
  • Rosie - Mineral salt?
  • Software - Solid?
  • Projoy - A single, discrete item?
  • FGZstar - Is its main purpose to be eaten?
    Or is its edibility merely because of material choice?
  • irach - Liquidy or pureed?
  • CdM
    Toaster questions? Still not well-defined.
    Unique? No.
    Single ingredient? No.
    Salty? No (I can't definitively say there is no salt, but it's not what I was thinking of and I have found no mention of it).
    Solid? No.
    Discrete item? No.
    Meant to be eaten? Yes.
    Liquid? Yes.
  • Tuj - Does it come in different flavours?
  • FGZstar - Does it come in a variety of sizes?
  • CdM
    Different flavours? Yes, at least sort of.
    Different sizes? Again, it's a liquid so the question is not really very well-defined. That said, Yes is a reasonable answer.
  • Projoy - Could I buy it in a British supermarket?
  • Dujon - A glass of something?
  • CdM
    Astescbury? Perhaps not every supermarket, but I'm sure you could find it easily.
    Glass of something? That's how you'd often encounter it, Yes. <*applause*
  • Rosie - Is it (gasp) intoxicating?
  • CdM
    Intoxicating? Yes. (No applause because the audience, knowing me, was taking that for granted.)
  • Gusset Login - Old Rosie?
    The brand of alcoholic beverage not the (relatively youthful) player of this game.
  • ImNotJohn - distilled?
  • CdM
    Old Rosie? No.
    Distilled? Yes.
  • Projoy - A whisky?
  • CdM
    Whisky? No. And for free, I'll tell you it is also not a whiskey.
  • jim - A particular brand of distilled beverage?
  • Raak - Tequila?
  • CdM
    Tequila? No. (I think I did that once before, years ago)
  • Projoy - A brandy?
  • FGZstar - amaretto?
  • ImNotJohn - A particular brand?
  • CdM
    Brandy? No.
    Amaretto? Yeeeuuuuch. No.
    Particular brand? Oops, sorry, missed that. No.
  • Gusset Login - Invented in Europe?
  • CdM
    European? Yes.
  • jim - Akvavit?
  • CdM
    Akvavit/aquavit? No.
  • jim - Associated with a particular country?
  • ImNotJohn - Distilled from a fruit?
  • Projoy - Distilled from a grain?
  • irach - Absinthe?
  • cfm
    Rock & Rye?
  • CdM
    Associated with a particular country? Yes.
    Distilled from fruit? Yes.
    Distilled from grain? No.
    Absinthe? No. *loud applause*
    Sex and drugs and fruit-flavored whiskey? No.
  • CdM
    I have a feeling that INJ is going to hit me with a few technical fouls on this one, revolving around certain definitions.
  • Projoy - Ouzo?
  • CdM
    Ouzo? No. *more applause*
  • Raak - Anis?
  • Projoy - Sambuca?
  • Projoy - Actually, no, not distilled from a fruit per se. How 'bout pastis?
  • CdM
    And it is indeed the one that begins with P -- pastis. The technicalities that I had trouble with were (a) do liqueurs such as pastis (which is technically a liqueur because it has sugar added) that have as their basis a distilled alcohol themselves count as distilled?; and should I have at least given some applause to brandy, given that the broad definition of brandy is alcohol distilled from fruit? It was actually surprisingly hard to find what kind of alcohol typically forms the basis for a pastis, since it is the added herbs etc rather the alcohol that are its defining feature.

    One provencale baton handed to Projoy
  • Projoy
    Gosh, I never knew of such subtleties. I thought they chucked fruit in a bucket, waited till it went off then poured off the juice into bottles...

    These last few have gone refreshingly quickly. Here's an attempt at another swift one (famous last words) ABSTRACT
  • CdM - Human construct?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] HuCo? YEAH, I guess so.
  • ImNotJohn - Topical?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Topical? NO
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • cfm
    One of the cardinal sins?
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] P? NO
    [cfm] Se7en? NO
  • FGZstar - Related to current events?
  • Gusset Login - An emotion?
  • Projoy
    [FGZstar] Currency? NO
    [GL] Emotion? NOT REALLY, altho there are connections to emotion.
  • Tuj - One word on the card?
  • FGZstar - A medical condition?
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] Monolog? NO
    [FGZstar] A medical condition? NO *a few laughs*
  • Projoy
    (PS. While I was unwell a little while ago I passed the time by listing all the answers in this game. This is the 439th clue. When we get to 500, I might post up the details).
  • cfm
    Something debunked?
  • CdM - Experienced by the typical morniverser?
  • ImNotJohn - Related to the arts?
  • Projoy
    [cfm] Debunked? NO
    [CdM] Experienced by us? HM. Not sure I can give a meaningful answer, and certainly not a helpful one.
    [INJ] Arts? YES, there is an arts connection.
  • Tuj - Related to a particular colour?
    [Proj] I did once list all the outcomes of the Begins-with-P question - so it'd be interesting to see what percentage of subjects actually have begun with P. Also, did you note how many questions it took to determine each answer?
  • ImNotJohn - Primarily the performing arts?
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] Color? NO
    [INJ] Performing? NO
    [Tuj] I'm quite sad, but not quite that sad! I did take a note of how many days each one took, tho, so that's a rough and ready guide.
  • CdM - Generally positive?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] +ve? *much audience laughter and some applause* YES, DEFINITELY.
  • Tuj - Connected to music?
  • ImNotJohn - An award?
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] Music-y? NO
    [INJ] An award? NO *some matey laughter*
  • Dujon - A board game?
  • Projoy
    [Duj] Board Game? NO
  • CdM - Specific to a particular culture?
  • ImNotJohn - Primarily confined to electronic media?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Culture-specific? NO (altho the artistic connection is)
    [INJ] Electronic media? NO
  • CdM - Related to, um, reproduction?
    Figuring that the audience is easily amused.
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Sexy? *audience laughter* NO (only in the most tangential manner, via the artistic connection)
  • ImNotJohn - Related to the visual arts?
    Painting, photography, etc. as opposed to performing or literary.
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Visual arts? NO (but it's one of the others you named)
  • Tuj - Related to the literary arts?
    Oblig.
  • ImNotJohn - A particular type of writing?
    [Tuj] Yes, that was the next question
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] Related to literature? YES
    [INJ] Particular kind thereof? YES
  • FGZstar - A specific literary work?
  • Projoy
    [FGZstar] Related to a specific work? YES
  • ImNotJohn - A novel?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Related to a novel? YES
  • Tuj - Is it the title of said novel?
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] Eponymous? NO
  • Chalky - Comedic?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Is the novel with which The Answer is connected comedic? NO
  • Projoy - More from the archives...
    (Incidentally, stats fans, I just checked to see if there was any evidence of familial bias in this game and discovered that, while CdM is better at guessing INJ's clues than anyone else, INJ is second to Raak at guessing CdM's.)
  • irach - Written in the 20th century?
  • CdM
    [re INJ] Yes, well, I've known him for longer than he's known me.
  • Chalky - Is this a well known phrase or saying which originated in a novel?
    [archives stats] I think INJ 'holds back' from guessing CdM's clues to avoid nepotismic accusatories [I made that phrase up] whereas CdM displays no such compunction when guessing INJ's clues.
    ;-)
  • Projoy
    [irach] C20 novel? NO
    [Chalky] Phrase from a novel? YES! *applause*
  • CdM - It is a truth universally acknowledged that it was the best of times so call me Ishmael?
    [Chalky] Maybe I'm related to Raak, and am just unaware of the fact.
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Three guesses in one question? NO, none of those. *tumultuous applause, nonetheless*
  • irach - A 19th Century novel?
  • Projoy
    [irach] C19? YES.
  • Chalky - "Happy families are all alike;"
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Small version of Olive from On the Buses? NO.
  • CdM - So, an opening sentence, then?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Dark and stormy? NO.
  • CdM - Ah. In that case the applause presumably means the author is Austen or Dickens or Melville?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Another sneaky three-guesses-in-one question? YES.
  • Chalky - "Barkis is willing ..."
    ... as the audience laughed and applauded the 'is it positive?' question
  • Tuj - Dickens?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Barkis? NO
    [Tuj] Dickens? YES.
  • Gusset Login - What the Dickens?
  • ImNotJohn - From Oliver Twist?
  • Projoy
    [GL] Shakespeare, Merry Wives, III, ii? NO
    [INJ] OT? NO
  • Chalky - 'something will turn up' as in The Micawber Principle
  • FGZstar - From A Christmas Carol?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Turn up for the books? NO
    [FGZstar] Bah Humbug , coffin-nail, surplus population, God bless us etc.? NO
  • ImNotJohn - From a book with the name of a character in the title?
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Nobody's name in the title.
  • Projoy
    Incidentally, I am at this moment standing in the room in which Dickens wrote parts of Oliver Twist, but not the work in question. The next room contains the desk at which (it says) Dickens wrote his last words. I assume they mean his last published words.
  • Projoy
    (There is a continual loop of As Long As He Needs Me sung by Shani Wallis playing upstairs. Classy.)
  • FGZstar - From one of Dickens' non-fiction works?
  • Projoy
    [FGZstar] Uncommercial Traveller et al.? NO
  • FGZstar - Was the book ever made into a film?
  • Projoy
    [FGZstar] Filmed? YES.
  • CdM - It is a far far better thing that I do?
    (figuring that at least counts as positive)
  • Projoy
    YES! We have a winner. The words on the card are simply A far, far better thing. *tumbrils and drums roll; Projoy hands CdM a knitting needle*
  • Projoy
    (And to think, we're not even related!)
  • ImNotJohn
    I knew that one ages ago, but I didn't want to discourage the others by 'guessing' it.
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Daddy?
  • PJ's secret sister
    Yeah. Me too.
  • ImNotJohn
    Oh damn, that's let the cat out of the bag.
  • CdM
    OK. This is MINERAL with ABSTRACT CONNECTIONS
  • Projoy - A discrete object?
  • Chalky - The Sword In The Stone?
  • CdM
    Discrete object? Discrete Yes, object No.
    Previously sized (ex-calibre)? No.
  • CdM
    Actually, I am not 100 percent sure if I would call it discrete; it depends on how tight a definition you are applying. It is, however, specific, if that helps.
  • cfm
    Involving a gemstone?
  • CdM
    Gemmy? No.
  • Projoy - Solid?
  • jim - A geographical feature?
  • Gusset Login - Bigger than an average breadbox?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • CdM - Positivity
    Solid? Yes.
    Geographical feature? In the broad sense of the term, Yes.
    Bigger than a breadbox? Yes.
    Begins with P? Yes.
  • Tuj - A specific region (such as a country or smaller)?
  • Gusset Login - Portsmouth?
  • Projoy
    Located on land?
  • Rosie - Feature of a desert?
    Noticing that there's no veg.
  • CdM
    Specific region? No.
    Portsmouth? No. (Nor Plymouth)
    Located on land? Yes.
    Desertish? No. (There might be some vegetable as well, depending on the exact interpretation of the words on the card, but any vegetable is inessential and unhelpful. Note again that i am using a fairly broad definition of "geographical feature".
  • Projoy - In a specific part of the world?
  • CdM
    In a specific part of the world? Yes.
  • Rosie - Is it man-made?
    Some argue that deserts are man-made, eg Basildon.
  • irach - In the Americas?
  • CdM
    Man-made? Yes.
    In the Americas? Yes. *a few audience members who have been looking puzzled since the round began now look a little less confused*
  • Projoy - Unique?
  • FGZstar - Made in the Americas?
  • Tuj - More than 100 years old?
  • CdM
    Unique? Yes.
    Made in Americas? Yes.
    More than 100 years old? Yes.
  • Projoy - Norths Americas or Souths Americas?
  • Projoy - er, I mean, Norths Americas?
  • Gusset Login - Centrals Americas?
  • Rosie - A ruin?
  • irach - Panama Canal?
  • FGZstar - Teotihuacan?
  • CdM
    Norths Americas? Yess.
    Centrals Americas? N0.
    Ruin? No.
    A man a plan? No.
    Teotiwhathesaid? No.
  • Rosie - A dam?
  • CdM
    Dam? No. (I'm getting a bit worried about my geographic feature answer. Let me just say you would find it on a map of non-ridiculous scale.)
  • Rosie - Transport-related?
  • CdM
    Transport-related? Yes (at least technically).
    You can probably find the answer on the card without exploring the abstract element, but I will say that it is significant.
  • cfm - is it a landmark?
  • CdM
    Landmark? *some audience applause* Not exactly. Or sort of. It depends again on how broadly you are prepared to define the term.
  • Projoy - Has it a function, from a human perspective?
  • FGZstar - A feature of an Air Traffic Control map?
  • cfm - Is it the sort of landmark you might mention when you were giving someone driving directions?
  • Tuj - But is it art?
  • CdM
    Functional? Yes.
    Air Traffic Controlling? No.
    Driving clue? You certainly might mention it when giving directions, but again I'm not sure I want to call it a landmark.
    Art? *some laughter* No.
  • Raak - A quarry?
  • Projoy - Is its area greater than, say, St Paul's Cathedral?
  • Chalky - A border of some kind?
  • irach - In the USA?
  • FGZstar - A certain road junction?
    Possibly the new jersey turnpike?
  • CdM
    Quarry? No.
    Bigger than a Paul? I'm not sure. They are not easy to compare, and my very rough calculations have too large a margin of error to be sure. Plus the boundaries of the answer on the card are not completely clear. I suspect I might be able to make a case either way.
    A border? No.
    In the USA? Yes.
    Counting the cars on the NJT? No. (but *two waves of applause*)
  • Projoy - To do with transport?
  • FGZstar - A city boundary?
  • CdM
    To do with transport? Is that distinct from Rosie's earlier question? :-) I say again, in a technical sense it is certainly to do with transport, though that's not what comes particularly to mind.
    A city boundary? Is that distinct from Chalky's earlier question? :-) No.
  • Raak - A rubbish dump?
  • Projoy - Is it, or a part of it, roofed?
  • CdM
    A rubbish dump? No.
    Partly roofed? Again, that might depend partly on interpretation, but the best and least confusing answer is No. Or I could just say that, if it is, you're doing very well. *audience laughter*
    Geographic feature reredux. By the Wikipedia definition this definitely is a (man-made) geographical feature.
  • Projoy - Is it, or are parts of it, underground?
  • CdM
    Underground? No.
  • Projoy - Coastal?
  • CdM
    Coastal? Nothing essentially coastal about it as such, but it is located very close to the coast.
  • FGZstar - Route 66?
  • Projoy - Near the West Coast?
  • CdM
    Route 66? No.
    West Coast? No.
  • Projoy - In a Southern State?
  • cfm - The Statue of Liberty?
  • FGZstar - The doughnut hole?
  • CdM
    In the south? No.
    Statue of Liberty? No. (Begins with P, remember)
    Doughnut Hole? No. (I have no idea what you are referring to. Although I think I might actually have set "A doughnut hole" as an answer in this game some time back.)
  • Projoy - In a State beginning with "N"?
  • CdM
    From the great state of N—? Yes.
  • Projoy - On, or in the immediate area around Manhattan?
  • CdM
    Manhattanish? No.
  • Projoy - In New York State?
  • CdM
    From the great state of New Y—? No.
  • FGZstar - In New Jersey?
  • ImNotJohn - Penn Station?
  • CdM
    I'm confused. I could have sworn I answered FGZ*'s question three hours ago. Maybe I previewed but forgot to stand. Anyway...
    In New Jersey? Yes. *no applause from the audience, since at this point it was either NJ or North Carolina*
    Penn Station? No. (I think a fair amount of that is underground.)
    Keep in mind that the abstract element is significant.
  • ImNotJohn - OK - Is the abstract element connected with music?
  • CdM
    Connected with music? No. To be clear, I'm sure you can mechanically work your way to the answer without thinking about the abstract element. But the answer would be uninteresting without it.
  • Tuj - Is this connected with a particular event?
  • Projoy - Does it appear in a work of fiction?
    (I'm sure New Hampshire has a bit of coast too)
  • ImNotJohn - Pier A?
  • CdM
    Connected with a particular event? No.
    Appear in a work of fiction? I suspect that, in its abstract sense, it has appeared in several works of fiction, and in its non-abstract sense it might have as well. I know of no specific examples, though; I'm just guessing. In other words, appearing in a work of fiction is not its claim to fame.
    [re New Hampshire} You are of course right. My bad.
    Pier A? No.
  • Projoy - Is it in or near Atlantic City?
  • CdM
    In Atlantic City? Yes. *loud applause*
  • Projoy - Park Place, as in Monopoly?
  • Projoy
    (part of which is "roofed", but which I guess has probably too much to do with transport to be right)
  • CdM
    Park Place is the correct answer! I had lots of trouble with what seemed like simple questions on this one; sorry. I wasn't sure where to think of the boundaries (is it just the street, or does it include buildings?). And I didn't mean to mislead on the transportation question, but looking back I can see that perhaps I did suggest less of a connection than I should have. I think I was too focused on how small a street it is, and the fact that it doesn't really go anywhere...

  • Projoy - *collects $200*
    Well, seems appropriate as I did slightly monopolise the questions at the end, there.
    The next is ABSTRACT (Yes, sorry, another abstract but everyone will definitely have heard of it and many will have first-hand knowledge)
  • Chalky - A medical condition?
  • ImNotJohn - Connected with the arts?
    Hmm. I did have a Rosie-like moment at that answer. It's only after the fact that I've discovered the Atlantic City - Monopoly link (that makes the question worthwhile from my pov). On my own I'd probably have needed another half-dozen questions to get there.
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Medical condition? *gales of delighted audience laughter that doesn't subside for about a minute* NO. Altho some might link it to one's state of health.
    [INJ] Arts-connected? NO.
    I had known the Atlantic City/Monopoly link (I used to work in a toy museum and an original Monopoly board was part of the standard tour) but must admit I had assistance from the internet to remind me after all these years, and also to find out the names of the squares.
  • Chalky - An emotion?
    [audience] Bring it on - more delighted laughter - see if I care ..
  • Raak - Related to sex?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] An Emotion? *hollow laughter from members of audience* NO, but again, could be linked to...
    [Raak] Sex-related? *man shouts "No!"; another minute's merriment* YES.
  • Projoy
    ([CdM] PS. If you take a shufti on Google Earth, you'll see that a stretch of Park Place is indeed roofed over by an upper floor of the casino/hotel building.)
  • Chalky - Is this gender related?
    [audience] Do your worst ...
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Genderelated? NO, altho some might argue otherwise.
  • cfm - Is it a physical sensation?
  • Projoy
    [cfm] Physical? *wag in audience calls "it is for me!" followed by much laughter* NO.
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    Gosh, they're a rowdy lot in tonight!
  • Chalky - *blatantly playing to the audience* Is this a double-entendre?
  • CdM - *also blatantly playing to the audience* Have you experienced it recently?
    {Projoy] I'd looked at Park Place on Google Earth when I first set the question, but didn't notice (or forgot) the fact that part of it is indeed covered.
    [INJ] Obviously, without the Monopoly connection it is just a random small street in America. I didn't expect people to know the entire board in the US version, but I thought most people would have come across references to Boardwalk/Place Place (the most expensive properties). I think I had heard of them even before I lived in the US, and I know I've seen several references over the years. I would have picked Boardwalk, but it doesn't begin with P.
  • Projoy
    [Tuj] P? NO
    [Chalky] A double-entendre? *audience completely silent* NO.
    [CdM] Have I experienced it recently? *a few titters* YES.
  • Raak - Marriage?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Marriage? *much applause* NO.
  • ImNotJohn - Civil Partnership?
    As opposed to large numbers of uncivil partnerships
  • Projoy
    [INJ] In-all-but-name? NO.
  • cfm - Is it a custom or ritual related to sex?
  • Projoy
    [cfm] I think you could call it a custom, but not a ritual.
  • cfm - Is it related to seduction?
  • FGZstar - Foreplay?
  • Projoy
    [cfm] Seduction-related? Best answer is probably NO, altho you could make a link.
    [FGZstar] Related to foreplay? *wag in audience calls out "I should be so lucky!"; more laughter*. Real answer: IT COULD BE (but not intrinsically).
  • jim - Connected with food or drink?
  • cfm - Birth control?
  • Projoy
    [jim] Nosh and Slosh? NO.
    [cfm] Birth control? *laughter* NO.
  • Projoy
    [cfm] But there is a defensible YES answer, on reflection.
  • Raak - Dating?
  • Giertrud - Contains the letter x, q or z?
  • CdM - Contains the letter a, e, i, o, u, w, or y?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Dating? NO!
    [Giertrud] Consenting to answer could set a dangerous precedent for this game, resulting in all subsequent clues being limited to a maximum 26 questions (possibly a logician could explain how it could be less), but anyway, NO, contains none of those.
    [CdM] YES.
  • cfm - Abstinence?
  • Projoy
    [cfm] Abstinence? *sustained applause* YES, but that's not The Answer.
  • CdM - Virginity?
    I know it's not right. I just want to hear the audience reaction.
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Virginity? *audience don't react much* NO.
  • FGZstar - Any connection to religion?
    Nuns, perhaps?
  • Projoy
    [FGZstar] Religious Connection? HM. The obvious answer is YES, but the connection is not intrinsic - you can have religion without this and this without religion.
  • Raak - A vow of celibacy?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Celibacy vow? *more audience laughter* NO.
  • FGZstar - Sexual consent?
  • Projoy - If it had teeth several of you would be bleeding by now...
    [FGZstar] Consent to sex? NO.
  • FGZstar - Love?
  • cfm - Masturbation?
  • Projoy
    [FGZstar] Lurve? NO.
    [cfm] Self-lurve? NO.
  • CdM - Tantra?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] Maithuna et al? NO (not something I've experienced, I have to say).
  • FGZstar - The karma sutra?
  • Projoy - Getting Colder
    [FGZstar] Kama Sutra? NO.
  • cfm - Is it an idea?
  • CdM - Monogamy?
  • Projoy
    [cfm] A kind of idea...
    [CdM] A series of consummations between a specifc two people, to the exlusion of all others? YES! *hands baton back again* Your turn to go.
  • ImNotJohn - This is getting incestuous
    Hmmm. I dismissed that because of the answer to 'Abstinence?', though I do see how you could give the answer you did. Examine your assumptions - as we keep repeating here.
  • Projoy
    Yes, I did think twice about that, but I couldn't see a way to deny that it was a form of abstinence (rather than, say, celibacy).
  • CdM - What, me again?
    ANIMAL/ABSTRACT with an essential MINERAL connection
  • cfm - [CFM] you're kidding, right?
  • CdM
    It doesn't feel right to be eavesdropping on cfm's interior monologues like this.
  • Dujon - The Lady of the Lake?
    Sorry, I was unable to suppress a wild and wet guess.
  • Tuj - The Pittsburgh Steelers?
    My shot in the dark begins with a P!
  • ImNotJohn - Samson in chains?
  • FGZstar - Activia yoghurt?
  • ImNotJohn - Human animal?
  • Projoy - Fictional?
  • Chalky - The Wicker Man?
  • Tuj - Chalky?
  • Gusset Login - Cave Paintings?
  • ImNotJohn - Burial at Sea?
  • irach - An iron fist?
  • cfm - Is it presently or was it once alive?
    [CDM] Funny. *checks to make sure name is correct this time*
  • CdM
    "What would the world be, once bereft/of wet and of wildness? Let them be guessed"? No.
    Steelers? No.
    Yoghurt? No.
    Human? Yes.
    Fictional? No (though there is actually a fictional connection, which I learned only today)
    Wicker Man? No.
  • CdM
    Chalky? No.
    Cave paintings? No.
    Burial at sea? No.
    Iron fist? No.
    Presently/once alive? Yes and yes.
  • CdM
    Samson? No.
  • Tuj - Male?
  • Projoy - Born in the Americas?
  • CdM
    Male? Predominantly.
    Born in the Americas? Not particularly, I don't think.
  • Projoy - A group of more than 10 people?
  • CdM
    More than 10? Yes. They are a group if you interpret the term loosely.
  • Chalky - Is this 'group' linked by a common cause?
  • Projoy - >1000?
  • CdM
    Common cause? Sort of.
    >1000? Yes. I will note, though, that it is hard to give a precise definition and It's nigh on impossible to count exactly how many people are in the group.
  • FGZstar - Priesthood?
  • Projoy - Are these people known to belong to this group (i.e. likely to avow it publicly?)
  • CdM
    Priesthood? No.
    Public avowal? Hmmm. I don't think most members of this group hide the fact, but membership of this group is not viewed particularly positively.
  • Tuj - Are they secretive?
  • Projoy - Connected with politics?
  • cfm - Are they collectors of something?
  • CdM
    Secretive? Sometimes, but not necessarily
    Connected with politics? Occasionally, but not necessarily
    Collectors? No, except in a very loose sense.
  • Projoy - To do with health?
  • FGZstar - Masons?
  • CdM
    Health-related? No.
    Bricklayers? No.
  • Projoy - Are members of this group more likely to be in a specific age bracket?
  • CdM
    Specific age bracket? Not really. They will almost all be adults (though some might be a bit younger, I suppose), I doubt that there are that many old people, and I'd guess most are young to middle-aged, but that might just reflect my ignorance or my stereotyping. I doubt if there is reliable demographic information available for this group, so I am just guessing.
  • Projoy - Do members join this group by choice?
  • CdM
    Choice? Yes.
  • CdM
    Just as a reminder, there is a mineral connection that you could pursue if you wish. Or not.
  • Projoy - Connected with sport?
  • Chalky - Is the mineral something that these people have to 'wear'?
  • CdM
    Connected with sport? Occasionally, but not necessarily.
    Something that people have to wear? No (unless you go with extremely liberal interpretations of "have to" and "wear").
  • Projoy - Are they all fans of something particular?
  • cfm - Is the mineral, however voluntary, what makes a person part of this group?
  • CdM
    Fans of something particular? *cynical laughter from the audience* No.
    Does the mineral make them part of this group? No. The mineral component is necessary but definitely not sufficient to make someone be part of this group.
  • CdM
    (With my usual habit of second-guessing my own answers, I want to downgrade my "sort of" answer to the "common cause" question. Obviously this group have something in common, but it is not really a cause.)
  • Projoy - Do they all oppose something particular?
  • CdM
    In opposition to? No. (Or at least that is not their defining characteristic. I can think of certain things that I suspect most would oppose, but I doubt if that is helpful to you.)
  • Chalky - Is there an element of criminality in what these people do?
  • FGZstar - Are these people donors of some kind?
  • CdM
    Element of criminality? *audience applause for the question* There doesn't have to be, but sometimes there is -- and I think it is fair to say that there is also dispute over how much criminality is involved.
    Donors? *more cynical laughter* No.
  • Tuj - Is it topical?
  • CdM
    Topical? Not particularly, as far as I am aware.
  • irach - Concerning motorcycles?
  • CdM
    Motorcycles? No.
  • Projoy - Are they coders?
  • Projoy - Or h4X0rz?
  • CdM
    Computer security? No.
  • Projoy - Trainspotters?
  • Projoy - No, not illegal. How about taggers?
  • CdM
    Anoraks? No.
    Spray paint? No.
  • Chalky - The mineral - is this a weapon?
  • cfm - Are they hunters?
  • Chalky - The Glorious Twelfth? [the date you set this clue] the start of the Game Shooting Season?
  • CdM
    A weapon? *more cynical laughter* No.
    Hunters? *laughter and loud applause* No.
    Glorious Twelfth? No.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the mineral connected with transportation?
  • Raak - To do with rioting?
  • Projoy - Do they all do the same activity?
  • CdM
    Transportation-related? No.
    Riot-related? No.
    All do the same thing? Yes, pretty much.
  • Projoy - Buskers?
  • Projoy - No, beggars?
  • CdM
    Buskers, with or without music attached? No.
  • jim - Is it a profession?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the mineral liquid?
  • Projoy - Alcoholics
  • CdM
    Profession? Yes (at least sort of).
    Liquid? No.
    Alcoholics? No.
  • Projoy - Metal Detection enthusiasts?
  • CdM
    Bottle tops on the beach? No.
    I thought you were all getting close, but now you're getting colder. As a clue: the mineral connection is a specific item, and if you worked out what it is you'd be almost there.
  • Raal - Metal-detecting?
  • Raak
    Oops, didn't notice Projoy just asked that.
  • Raak - A kazoo band?
  • CdM
    A kazoo band with more than 1000 members? No.
  • Projoy - Is the object made mainly of metal?
    [Kazoo Band] Now, that I would pay to see. Actually, I'd pay to join it.
  • Raak - The audience at some event?
  • Raak - Is the activity a collective one?
  • cfm - The paparazzi?
  • FGZstar - Brass rubbers?
  • CdM
    Mainly metal? No. (I think I would pay not to see a kazoo band.)
    Collective activity? No,
    Audience? No. *audience doesn't bother with hollow laughter because...*
    Paparazzi? YES! The CdM-Projoy cycle is broken!
    *hands baton to cfm, pulls collar up and hat down, and leaves by the fire escape*
  • Projoy
    [CfM, cdm] Are you two related?
  • CdM
    [Projoy] Um, not as far as I know. But then I remember INJ was on these boards for a week or two before I knew who he was, and it took him longer than that to identify me.
  • cfm - *regards baton ambivalently* Has anyone been harboring a secret desire to be the answerer? All reasonable offers considered... Alternatively, would someone kindly tell me how to switch the italics off and on?
  • Projoy
    [cfm] <i>italics</i> and <br />
    for a line break <br />
    <b>bold</b><br />
    <hr> gives you one of these lines:
  • cfm - [Projoy] Thanks, tried that but apparently I was tying in the wrong box.
  • cfm
    This one, then is ABSTRACT.
  • CdM - Does it begin with P?
    And if not, why not?
  • Gusset Login - A human concept?
  • ImNotJohn - Connected with the arts?
    (trad)
  • cfm
    P? No, I'm afraid not. Does it ever?
    Human? Yes, insofar as it is abstract.
    Arts-connected? Sometimes.
    *audience is outside having a smoke, apparently*
  • CdM - Specific to a particular culture?
  • cfm
    Specific culture, no.
    *audience shuffles back in slowly, smelling unpleasant*
    [CDM, Projoy] Separated at birth perhaps? And do I gather that would also make me related to INJ?
  • Tuj - Is the answer a single word?
  • FGZstar - Related to literature?
  • cfm
    Short and sweet? It could be reduced to one, yes.
    *ripple of applause*
    Literature? No. But it has made an appearance in literature.
  • Tuj - Related to emotions?
  • Projoy - Connected with specific arts, when connected at all?
  • cfm
    Emotions? DEFINITELY NOT! HOW DARE YOU ASK THAT?
    Specific arts? I thought I had already specified. More clearly stated, it is sometimes connected with some arts. :-) Sorry.
  • Chalky - Is your shouty reply [emotions] supposed to be some sort of clue?
  • CdM - Is there a musical connection?
  • Projoy - Were you aware of this before the age of, say, 10?
  • Tuj - Particularly associated with the Morniverse?
  • cfm
    Clue? Yes, you could construe it as such. But mostly I was just being goofy.
    Music? No. But it has made an appearance in music.
    Age 10? Me? Yes.
    Morniverse? Not as far as I know.
  • Chalky - Is it an illness?
  • CdM - Did this exist before 1850?
  • FGZstar - Religious?
  • Projoy - Is it something you can do?
  • Projoy - (well, that one can do, I mean)
  • cfm
    Illness? No.
    Before 1850? Yes.
    Religious: No.
    An activity (if I understand the thrust of your question correctly)? No.
  • Projoy - Is it something one can be?
  • Chalky - Is it some kind of theory or law?
  • cfm
    To be or not to be? No, except in a metaphoric sense.
    Theory or law? No.
  • Projoy - Is the one word with which this can be expressed a noun?
  • cfm
    Parts of speech? Yes, one may employ it as a noun.
  • Chalky - A proverb?
  • cfm
    Proverb? In one word: no.
  • Tuj - Would it still exist if you were the last person on Earth?
  • cfm
    Last person? Yes. Interesting question. :-)
  • Tuj - Is it related to a natural phenomenon?
    [cfm] Didn't seem to help, mind ;)
  • Chalky - Is it a force of nature?
    [Tuj - I was previewing and noted your question. I probably mean the same thing - but will let it stand ..]
  • cfm
    Related to a natural phenomenon? Yes.
    Force of nature? Depends on how you define that. I'm going to go with sort of, but not in the same sense as a hurricane or flood is a force of nature.
  • Projoy - Something you might learn about in Physics?
  • Tuj - Related to something not on Earth?
  • cfm
    Physics class? Yes.
    Unearthly? Yes, it exists beyond this planet.
    *sustained applause and a few hoots from the audience*
  • Chalky - The Moon?
  • cfm
    The Moon? No.
    [Tuj] Though this wasn't strictly part your original question, let me add that it is also exists on earth.
  • irach - Perseid Meteors?
  • Tuj - Gravity?
    [Chalky] Surely the Moon's mineral, not abstract? I didn't know there was such a thing as a Moon-denier, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised ;)
  • CdM - Can I ask for a clarification on your "human concept" answer?
    This has come up in the past -- different people interpret the term in different ways. My working definition of a human concept/construct is that it is something that would not exist if there were no humans. So, for example, "postmodernism" is a human construct, but "an elliptical orbit" is not, even though I would classify both as abstract. So -- by this definition, is it a human concept/construct?
  • cfm
    Human concept? [CdM] By your definition, I don't think it is a human concept.
  • cfm
    Meteors? No. Gravity? No.
  • FGZstar - Is it the concept of space itself?
  • cfm
    Space itself, no.
  • FGZstar - A vacuum?
  • Projoy - To do with time?
  • CdM - Is it visible?
  • cfm
    A vacuum? No.
    Timely? No.
    Visible? Yes.
    *audience visibly perks up and applauds*
  • ImNotJohn - Specific to a solar system?
  • cfm
    Singular solar? No.
  • Tuj - Sunshine?
  • cfm
    Sunshine? No.
    *audience applauds anyway*
  • irach - Somewhere over or under a rainbow?
  • Projoy - The visible spectrum?
  • cfm
    Spectrum: No.
    *audience, however, is visibly enthused*
  • irach - [cfm] No response to my rainbow answer above?
  • Chalky - Aurora Borealis/The Northern Lights?
  • Projoy - Aurora Australis?
  • Projoy - No, not specific to a solar system... so... is it the name of a color?
  • cfm
    [Irach] Apologies. Rainbow: No, nor the song lyric.
    Aurora x 2: No.
    Color name: i am gping with sort of. And you are almost there.
  • Chalky - Daylight?
  • Projoy - Transparency?
  • cfm
    Daylight: Again very close, and a component of daylight
    Transparency: No, you were warmer before.
    And I'm going to revise my answer on color name and say, yes, this is an element of the abstract concept I had in mind, if not the thing itself.
  • Projoy - Red Shift?
  • cfm
    Red Shift: No. [PJ] Your circling it. But it's simpler than that.
  • FGZstar - A blue moon?
  • Projoy - Light itself?
  • cfm
    Light itself: no. But light is involved.
  • CdM - ultraviolet light?
    (although that is not in the visible spectrum, I know...)
  • Dujon - Does the word 'wheel' appear on the card?
  • cfm
    I fear I am not so good at this game.
    Wheel? No.
    Ultraviolet? No, not ultra-anything. Nice and simple. A ten year old gets it.
  • Projoy - Does the letter string "light" appear anywhere in the answer?
  • FGZstar - The Blues?
  • Chalky - Daybreak?
  • cfm
    Letter string? No.
    The Blues? *audience sits forward in its collective seat* No, it isn't music.
    Daybreak? No, not a time of day. But it might make an appearance at daybreak.
  • Projoy - Bluesky [thinking]?
  • Projoy - Nah. How about Starshine?
  • cfm
    Bluesky: No
    Starshine: No
    I have observed by reading past rounds that others do this -- so I will summarize some of the more interesting information your questions have revealed:
    It can be expressed as one word.
    It can be used as a noun. I will add that it can also be used as an adjective.
    It is visible.
    Light is involved.
    You might learn about it in physics class.
    It is sometimes related to some art.
    A ten year old gets it -- I will add that I know two year olds who get it too.
    "The name of a color" is an element of the abstract concept but not the thing itself. I will add that it is not the name of something -- but of course it has a name.
    My shouted reply could be construed as a clue.
  • FGZstar - Feeling Blue?
  • cfm
    Dysthymia: No.
  • Projoy - Does it relate to a specific color?
  • ImNotJohn - Seeing Red?
  • Chalky - Sky blue pink?
  • Projoy - A shadow or shade?
    (Which I don't think is right as it fails the grammatical test, but interested in audience reaction)
  • Gusset Login - Sunshine?
  • cfm
    Seeing red, sky blue pink, etc:
    I'm going to give the baton to INJ. But perhaps Projoy should have it. The word on the card is simply "red." I got hung up on the philosophical distinction between the color itself as a physical phenomenon and the name that we give to the color. I ended up giving a misleading answer on PJ's "name of a color" question. Apologies all around -- I'm new to this. I should have watched longer before accepting any batons.
  • Projoy
    Fair enough, and I think outside of the name of a color q you answered the questions pretty fairly (altho I think I might have been entitled to at least a few claps from the audience for "red shift", tho!).
  • cfm
    [PJ] Agree, I was not so good at channeling the audience, either. :-)
    *offers compensatory applause and the baton* Do you want the baton, then? Or is it INJ's?
  • Projoy
    [cfm] Up to INJ, I guess.
  • ImNotJohn
    Well, provided that you promise to guess it before Friday lunchtime, after which I turn into a pumpkin, I'll have a go.
    This one is mostly MINERAL with ANIMAL connections
  • Projoy - Is it a discrete object?
  • CdM - A building or edifice of some kind?
  • ImNotJohn - A flying start
    [PJ] Discrete - YES
    [CdM] Building /Edifice? - YES
  • CdM - Constructed before 1800?
  • Projoy - Constructed before 1945?
  • cfm - Is it an aquarium?
  • Gusset Login - Constructed after 1792?
  • FGZstar - Architecturally significant?
    i.e. Is it significant enough that you would imagine architecture students studying it?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Pre 1800? - Not telling
    [PJ] Pre 1945 - NO
    [cfm] Fishy? - NO
    [GLogin] Post 1792? - I refer the honourable gentleman to my previous answers
    [FGZstar] Significant? - Probably - not sure how I would know.
  • Tuj - A statue?
  • CdM - Are there often more than 50 people inside it?
  • Raak - Is it a building for people to work in?
  • Projoy - Built after 1975?
  • FGZstar - Built in the modernist architectural style?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Tuj] statuesque? - NO
    [CdM] Contains multitudes? - YES small reaction from audience
    [Raak] Place of work? - YES
    [PJ] Built post 1975? - NO a few whispered conversations in the audience
    [FGZstar] Modernist? - Hmmm Modern YES (at the time) but probably not modernist. I may come back to this.
  • Raak - A government building?
  • Projoy - Open to the public?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Governmental? - NO
    [PJ] All and Sundry? - YES *a few chuckles*
  • Software - A Square?
  • Raak - Is it in Europe?
  • Projoy - Still standing?
  • FGZstar - Could it be referred to as an 'institution'?
  • cfm - Is some service provided there?
  • Gusset Login - Does it charge an entrance fee?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Software] Equilateral rectangle? - NO
    [Raak] European? - YES
    [PJ]Still There? - NO *large amount of audience unrest*
    [FGZstar] Like marriage? - NO
    [cfm] Service Provision - YES *a small ripple of applause*[GL] Entrance fee? - NO *a few more chuckles*
  • Projoy
    [INJ] Did the functions of this building subsequently transfer to a different site/ a newer building?
  • Projoy - + italics.
  • Raak - The Milennium Dome (or whatever it's called now)?
  • Raak
    +l
  • ImNotJohn
    [PJ] Moved/Rebuilt? - YES (one or the other) *proper applause*
    [Raak] O2? - NO
    N.B. The architectural style was not described as modernist in Wikipedia, but it was fairly aggressively modern when built.
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Projoy - The British Library?
  • Projoy - Ah, no. Wrong dates. Is it something to do with broadcasting/media?
  • Projoy - Just for the avoidance of doubt, are we talking about a building built between 1945 and 1975, subsequently demolished and its functions transferred elsewhere?
  • Projoy - Am I cheating by asking lots of consecutive questions?
  • Projoy - What are you going to do about it if I am?
  • FGZstar - More than 6 storeys high?
  • CdM - Clarification: I asked "are there often more than 50 people inside it?" (present tense) and you answered yes. You also said that it is not still there. I just want to confirm that there is no contradiction in those answers.
  • ImNotJohn
    [Tuj] Begins with P - NO
    [PJ] This
    [FGZstar] > 6 storeys? - NO
    [CdM] Technically, I suppose, the answer should have been NO, but YES was a lot more helpful, for more than one reason
  • Raak - Has it been in Europe throughout its existence?
  • Gusset Login - Was it German?
  • Projoy - The London Stock Exchange?
  • Projoy - Bleh - no, too tall. OK, *this* one is my question... was it demolished (as opposed to rebuilt)?
  • FGZstar - A station of some kind?
  • ImNotJohn
    [PJ] As you said, not the British Library
    Not connected to Broadcasting
    built/demolished/functions transferred elsewhere? - 2 YESes and a NO
  • cfm - Is it connected with health?
  • Projoy - So it wasn't demolished per se?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Always European? - YES
    [GL] Deutsch? - Neither is, nor was
    [PJ] Demolished? - YES - but that doesn't mean it wasn't rebuilt
    [FGZstar] - Stationary? - NO
    [cfm] Health related? - NO *some chuckles*
    [PJ] To clarify, since you've asked enough questions to get the picture. It was built, demolished and then (sort of) rebuilt on the same site - so the functions weren't transferred elsewhere.
  • CdM - Did the functions of this building exist prior to its being built -- in other words, did it also replace some other building or part thereof?
  • Projoy - Rebuilt after 1985?
  • CdM - Does the rebuilt building have the *same* function as the one it replaced?
    (I'm thinking building replaced by museum, or something of that sort.)
  • Raak - Is it in Britain?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Antecedents? - There was previous building on the site, some of which performed a similar function
    [PJ] Rebuilt post-1985? - YES
    [CdM] The king is dead? - YES
    [Raak] British? - YES *applause*
  • Projoy - Rebuilt since 2005?
  • CdM - Is it a collection of buildings rather than a single building?
    (paying careful attention to the article that did not bark in INJ's previous answer)
  • ImNotJohn
    [PJ] Rebuilt since '05? - NO - I'll tell you, since I don't think it will help, rebuilding was completed in 2003. You probably don't know it was rebuilt at all.
    [CdM] Collection of buildings? - Before the first incarnation: YES. The actual answer is more a question of definition, but was certainly designed and built as a whole.
    A clue: the animal connection will confirm to you that you have the right answer when you think of it. It's not just that this is a building with people in it.
  • Projoy - In Greater London?
  • Raak - A zoo?
  • ImNotJohn
    [PJ] Lahndahn? - NO
    [Raak] Zoo? - NO
  • Raak - A stately home?
  • Raak - Ashton-under-Lyne Station?
    I just googled "rebuilding was completed in 2003".
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] 'Brutalist' stately home? - NO
    Ashton-u-Lyne? - NO
  • Projoy - In the North of England?
    (In the EU regions North East, North West or Yorkshire & The Humber if you need a precise definition)
  • CdM - Can a random individual drive/walk up to this building and enter it unchallenged without invitation or other form of permission?
    I know you have already indicated that it is open to the public and that there is no entrance fee, but I am trying to establish if there are any impediments to general entry.
  • ImNotJohn
    [PJ] In t'grim regions? - NO
    [CdM] Anyone anytime? *some laughter* - Since I'll be incommunicado this weekend (no phone, no TV, no shops, in fact no road) I'll give a fuller answer. The building was not open 24/7, but when it was there were no impediments to entry - somewhat the reverse if anything.
  • ImNotJohn - A further hint.
    If you establish either exactly where this was/is or what its purpose was/is then I think getting the answer from there will be pretty trivial.
  • CdM - The (original) Birmingham Bull Ring Centre?
    I'm pretty confident that's correct, actually, given what INJ said about the animal connection. Oddly, I thought of Covent Garden several days ago. but never made the jump to think about other commercial areas.
  • ImNotJohn - Just in time
    And we have a winner.
    It is indeed The Bull Ring Centre (not to be confused with its 2003 successor the Bullring Centre which is a collection of buildings at ground level).
    Let me sell you a baton.
  • CdM
    All right. this is best described as ABSTRACT with major ANIMAL connections, although I suppose you might be able to make a case that it is simply ANIMAL.
  • ImNotJohn - Black Beauty?
  • ImNotJohn - The Wildebeest migration in the Serengeti
    OK, that's my random guesses done. Have a good weekend/long weekend everyone.
  • Projoy - Are any of the animal connections human?
  • Tuj - Begins with M?
  • CdM
    Well, INJ got it in one, but since he's going away I'll pretend he didn't
    Human? The animal connection I have in mind is human. It is possible -- I'd guess even probable -- that there are other animal connections, but I don't think we can know that for sure.
    Begins with M? No. What a stupid question.
  • Raak - Dolly the sheep?
  • cfm - Is it a biological function?
  • Gusset Login - Does the answer contain an L?
  • CdM
    Dolly the sheep? No.
    Biological function? Not exactly but sort of. *applause*
    Hangman? There are two acceptable answers on the card. One contains an L.
  • cfm - an emotional experience or response?
  • CdM
    Emotional? No.
  • cfm - a perceptual capability?
  • Raak - To do with medicine?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    Aw, shucks.
  • Dujon - Does evolution have a direct bearing on the answer?
  • CdM - That's more like it.
    Perceptual capability? No. (But *a smattering of applause*)
    To do with medicine? Best answer is No, though I can think of more than one indirect connection.
    Begins with P? Yes. Indeed, both the acceptable answers begin with P.
    Evolution-linked? No. There's presumably some connection, but it is not directly relevant.
  • cfm - do most people accept it as truth?
  • CdM
    Accepted truth? It's not really something you would describe as true or not true, but it is hard to imagine anyone thinking it does not exist.
  • cfm - does it concern human/animal relationships?
  • CdM - Excuse me? This is a family game, you know.
    Human-animal relationships? No. It concerns neither human relationships nor animal relationships, nor human-animal relationships.
  • cfm - *shakes head*
  • cfm - a behavior?
  • CdM
    A behavior? No.
  • Chalky - Is it an -ism?
  • cfm - can it be correlated to intellect? physical prowess?
  • CdM
    isitism? No.
    Correlated to intellect? No.
    Correlated to physical prowess? No (except occasionally in some indirect ways).
  • cfm - is it influenced by geography?
  • CdM
    Influenced by geography? No (at least not in any ways that I can think of or know of).
  • cfm - Related to time or the passage of time?
  • CdM - This is turning into a two-person game
    Maybe other people will be back from holiday soon...
    Related to time? No.
  • ImNotJohn - An action?
  • CdM
    An action? No.
  • Raak - A scientific concept?
  • CdM
    Scientific concept? I think the best answer is No, unless you take a broad view of the term. Let's put it this way: it would exist without science, although science has certainly analysed it.
    Just as gentle reminders, there was at least some audience reaction to "biological function" and "perceptual capability".
  • cfm - Hmmmm. Then perhaps it's somewhere between a biological function (suggests something pretty much unconscious) and a perceptual capability (which could suggest something too conscious)? Is it a physical sensation / experience? Is it a conscious experience at all?
  • CdM - Generous answers to double questions
    Physical sensation? Yes. *loud applause*
    Conscious experience? Depends which sense of "conscious" you intend. It is an experience of which one is aware, but it is rarely deliberate (I suppose it could be, but it's hard to imagine why.)
  • Raak - Borborygmus?
  • Chalky - pins and needles or paraesthesia?
  • CdM
    cfm did all the hard lifting, but Chalky has it! One tingly baton passed over.
  • Chalky
    Thank you both - for your pertinent questions [cfm] and your magnanimous replies [CdM].

    It's been a while since I've occupied the hotseat - - -
    I hope I can do it justice with this MINERAL/ABSTRACT

  • Tuj - Is it fictional?
  • jim - The One Ring?
  • Gusset Login - Made of Stone?
  • Raak - A particular object (fictional or not)?
  • FGZstar - The sword in the stone?
  • Chalky
    [Tuj] Is it fictional? NO
    [jim] The One Ring? NO
    [Gusset Login] Made of Stone? If you mean generic stone - YES, partly
    [Raak] A particular object (fictional or not)? YES - altho' beware use of the term 'object'
    [FGZstar] The sword in the stone? NO
  • Dujon - Would this have been a dividing line between territories (as defined at that time)?
  • Chalky
    [Dujon] Would this have been a dividing line between territories (as defined at that time)?
    *audience perks up* Mmmm .. kind of - in a way. However, there are a couple of elements in your question that make assumptions that have not yet been explored :)
  • Raak - A monument?
  • ImNotJohn - A geographical feature?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] A monument? Certainly monumental - but don't let this mislead you.*audience nods knowingly*
    [ImNotJohn] A geographical feature? YES *audience applause*
  • CdM - The Maginot Line?
    (c) Wild Guesses R Us
  • ImNotJohn - A mountain range?
  • Raak - A peak in Darien?
  • Tuj - Is it wet?
  • FGZstar - Niagara Falls?
  • Chalky - *taming the wild*
    [CdM] The Maginot Line? Nah
    [ImNotJohn] A mountain range? Not entirely no - but mostly No
    [Raak] A peak in Darien? Entirely NO :)
    [Tuj] Is it wet? Probably not. *audience muttering*
    [FGZstar] Niagara Falls? NO
  • Tuj - In Europe?
  • Chalky
    [Tuj] In Europe? No and Yes
    Remember - this has a dual definition
  • cfm - is it related to a border?
  • Raak - Is it in Turkey?
  • Tuj - Is it extant?
  • Chalky
    [cfm] is it related to a border? YES it is, in the very broadest sense of the word 'border'
    [Raak] Is it in Turkey? No and Yes
    [Tuj] Is it extant? YES
  • ImNotJohn - Kurdistan?
  • FGZstar - Is it in Istanbul?
  • Software - On an island?
  • Chalky
    [ImNotJohn] Kurdistan? probably Yes and No
    [FGZstar] Is it in Istanbul? I should imagine Yes and No
    [Software] On an island? Why not and No
    *audience getting fidgety*

    *nudge* This has dual definition MINERAL/ABSTRACT so what is Yes for one definition, may be No for the other ..
  • ImNotJohn - The surface of the earth?
  • CdM - Is the abstract sense metaphorical?
  • Chalky
    [ImNotJohn] The surface of the earth? NO but ... *audience perks up immediately and starts cheering*
    [CdM] Is the abstract sense metaphorical? It *could* be metaphorical - yes. But a metaphor was not what sprang to mind when labelling it 'abstract'.
  • irach - An earthquake fault line?
  • Raak - The Earth's crust?
  • Chalky
    [irach] An earthquake fault line? No
    [Raak] The Earth's crust? No
  • Dujon - Is the atmosphere in the amphitheatre somewhat atmospheric?
  • cfm - Is it a fence?
  • ImNotJohn - The horizon?
  • Raak - Is it to do with time zones?
  • Chalky
    [Dujon] Is the atmosphere in the amphitheatre somewhat atmospheric? Sorry - don't understand your question. :^D
    [cfm] Is it a fence? NO
    [ImNotJohn] The horizon? NO
    [Raak] Is it to do with time zones? Not really, no
  • ImNotJohn - The high-water mark?
  • CdM - If I ask "is it in X?", where X is anywhere in the world, will I get the answers "Some variant of Yes" and "No"?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Chalky
    [ImNotJohn] The high-water mark? NO
    [CdM] If I ask "is it in X?", where X is anywhere in the world, will I get the answers "Some variant of Yes" and "No"? You will get the answer NO/MINERAL AND YES/ABSTRACT <~~~ BIG CLUE
    [Tuj] Begins with P? None of the words on the card begin with P
  • Tuj - Anything to do with the Moon?
  • Chalky - Hoorah!
    [Tuj] Anything to do with the Moon? EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THE MOON!! * audience cheers and shouts and generally goes wild*

    Now what is required is EXACTLY the right words on the card. No more. No less.
  • Raak - An eclipse of the moon?
  • FGZstar - Moonshine?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] An eclipse of the moon? Not exactly. There is a connection though.
    [FGZstar] Moonshine? NO but good guess in that you have separated the Mineral and the Abstract, which is what was required.
  • FGZstar - Is it one of the twilight books/films?
  • Raak - The man in the moon?
  • Dujon - Does the word "Cis" appear on the card?
  • jim - The dark side of the moon?
  • Software - Moonshine?
  • Chalky
    [FGZstar] Is it one of the twilight books/films? NO
    [Raak] The man in the moon? NO
    [Dujon] Does the word "Cis" appear on the card? NO
    [Software] Moonshine? See my answer above

    [jim] The dark side of the moon? Now - if you were a Facebook friend of mine, you would totally understand why I should choose that.
    As you're not - more power to your guessing elbow, Sir!
    DARK SIDE OF THE MOON - PINK FLOYD aka biggest selling/stayed in the charts longest Album ever.
    Thank you, all guessers, for "ticking away the moments that make up a dull day ..."
  • cfm - *now wants to be FB friends with Chalky*
  • Chalky - facebook
    Please - you are welcome to join me, cfm - Kathy Davenport is my main facebook account name.
  • jim
    Chalky, this baton you've given me seems to be refracting the light in a weird way ...

    I feel a little bit guilty winning with a random guess when my only other move in the game was another random guess right at the beginning, but these things happen I suppose.

    I've not got a lot of time to play in this game at the moment, either, so I'll set a (I hope) simple one. This is simply ANIMAL.

  • Tuj - Human?
  • Raak - One of us?
  • jim
    [Tuj] YES, human.
    [Raak] Assuming that by "one of us" you mean somebody who is more or less active in the Morniverse, NO, not one of us.
  • Raak - A specific individual?
  • Tuj - Alive?
  • Gusset Login - Died in C21?
  • FGZstar - Osama Bin Laden?
  • cfm - A woman?
  • jim
    [Raak]YES, a specific individual.
    [Tuj] NO, not alive.
    [GL] NO, did not die in this century.
    [FGZstar] NO, not OBL.
    [cfm] NO, not a woman.
  • Software - 20th Century?
  • Tuj - From Europe?
  • Raak - A political figure?
  • FGZstar - Dead by natural causes?
  • jim
    [Software] NO, not 20th century.
    [Tuj] YES, from Europe.
    [Raak] NO, not a political figure.
    [FGZstar] NO, not dead by natural causes.
  • FGZstar - Unlawfully killed?
  • Raak - A scientist?
  • ImNotJohn - British?
  • jim
    [FGZstar]NO, not unlawfully killed.
    [Raak] NO, not a scientist.
    [INJ] YES, British.
  • Gusset Login - Byron?
  • CdM - Dead by his own hand?
  • Raak - Died in a war?
  • Tuj - A writer?
  • Dujon - Did his death occur in 1964?
  • FGZstar - Executed?
  • ImNotJohn - Known for contributions to the arts?
  • jim
    [GL] NO, not Byron.
    [CdM] NO, not a suicide.
    [Raak] NO, did not die in a war (although these days, with everything being a "war on something or other", we might say otherwise).
    [Tuj] NO, not a writer.
    [Dujon] NO, did not die in 1964.
    [FGZstar] NO, not executed (as we generally understand the term).
    [INJ] NO, not known for artistic contributions.
  • Software - Politician?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Raak - Died violently?
  • jim
    [Software] NO, not a politician.
    [Tuj] NO, neither of the names I will accept for this person begin with a P.
    [Raak] YES, died violently.
  • Raak - Dies in the 20th century?
  • FGZstar - Roman?
  • ImNotJohn - A member of the aristocracy?
    including royalty & nobility
  • Software - Nelson?
  • Gusset Login - Julius Ceaser?
  • jim
    [Raak] NO, did not die in the 20th century.
    [FGZstar] NO, not Roman.
    [INJ] NO, not a member of the aristocracy.
    [Software] NO, not Nelson.
    [GL] NO, and I'll tell you for free it isn't Julius Caesar either :)
  • Raak - Died accidentally?
  • Tuj - Did he spend a lot of time in boats?
    So it looks like: male, British, died (unnaturally) pre-C20, notable for as yet unestablished reasons...?
  • jim
    [Raak] NO, did not die accidentally.
    [Tuj] YES, spent a fair bit of time on boats.
    And violently. Don't forget the violently.
  • Dujon - Was this gentleman a well known navigator?
  • ImNotJohn - Captain James Cook?
    Just in case Dujon is right.
  • jim
    [Dujon] NO, in that although I'm sure he was involved in navigation, it isn't what leaps immediately to mind on hearing the name.
    [INJ] NO, not Cook.
  • ImNotJohn - Alive in the 19th century?
    Hmm - died violently, but not suicide, nor accidental, nor unlawfully killed, nor executed, nor in a war. What's left, I wonder.
  • Raak - Was he an explorer?
  • jim
    [INJ] NO, not alive in the 19th century.
    That about sums it up, yes :)
    [Raak] NO, not an explorer.
  • CdM - Died in a duel?
    (they used to be legal, right?)
  • Tuj - Does he have something notable named after him?
  • FGZstar - Died in the Great Fire of London?
  • Im NotJohn - Is he mainly known for his death?
    [CdM] Like the duel idea - more generally it must be an action which was deliberate, but which he did not intend to cause his death.
  • jim
    [CdM] NO, did not die in a duel.
    [Tuj] NO, nothing notable named after him (well, numerous stories based on his life and death, but nothing like I interpret your question to mean).
    [FGZstar] NO, did not die in the Great Fire.
    [INJ] NO, I should say not mainly known for his death.
    I think you guys are a bit too focused on the death angle. It's somewhat important, but not necessary to figure out how he died to find out who he is. And it's not as unusual as you're making out given the circumstances. You might do better to try to determine what he's actually famous for.
  • Raak - Was he involved in any wars?
  • jim
    [Raak] I think the best answer I can give is PROBABLY he was involved in a war in some capacity. I shall add that the capacity in question is not directly what he's famous for but closely connected with it.
  • Raak - Archimedes?
  • Tuj - Did he do something in the broad field of geography?
    [Raak] I didn't know he was British ;)
  • Raak - Did he invent anything?
  • jim
    [Raak] What Tuj said, so NO :)
    [Tuj] NO, unless you define the field very broadly indeed.
    [Raak2] NO, he didn't invent anything that I know of.
    I'll clarify: what he is believed to have done in wartime is essentially the same thing as what he is famous for doing, but under different circumstances. You might like to explore the angles from the last couple of YES answers.
  • FGZstar - Was he around before the 18th Century?
  • jim
    [FGZstar] YES, but he didn't become famous until the 18th.
  • jim
    I will clarify that: he was notable while he was alive, i.e. it isn't a case of some ancient person being (re)discovered in the 18th century or anything like that.
  • Raak - Was he involved with building things?
  • ImNotJohn - Was he known for his thinking/beliefs?
  • CdM - Is there a medical connection?
  • jim
    [Raak] NO, not involved in building.
    [INJ] NO, not known for his beliefs.
    [CdM] NO, no medical connection.
  • jim - Summary
    OK, we're looking for a British man, born in the 17th century, became famous and died in the 18th. He died violently, but not unlawfully (subsequent research suggests there might have been some doubt about the legality of the circumstances leading to his death, but that's probably misleading; he certainly wasn't murdered) although he was not executed, nor killed in a war or a duel, nor did he commit suicide or die in an accident. He is not mainly known for his death (although the manner of his dying is at least somewhat celebrated).
    He spent a lot of time in boats, but was not a noted navigator or explorer. Nor was he a politician, scientist, writer, aristocrat or inventor, and he was not involved in the arts, construction, geography or medicine.
    He is believed to have been involved in a war in some capacity closely connected with the way he became famous. He has nothing notable named after him.
  • Raak - Would his death be classed as justifiable homicide?
  • Tuj - Was he known for breaking the law?
    [jim] Ta for the summary, though it makes frustrating reading! Don't forget that his name doesn't begin with P.
  • jim - A breakthrough
    [Raak] YES, I should say justifiable homicide.
    [Tuj] YES, he was an infamous lawbreaker.
  • Tuj - Blackbeard?
  • jim - We have a winnARRRR!
    [Tuj] YES! Our mystery man was in fact the notorious pirate Edward Teach (or Thatch, or any of a variety of other creative 18th century spellings), aka Blackbeard.
    He probably acted as a privateer during Queen Anne's War and subsequently turned pirate. Killed in battle in 1718; his Wikipedia article suggests that the governor of Virginia overstepped his authority by sending troops into North Carolina to attack the pirates, hence the doubtful legality.
    One baton in the shape of a yard-arm with a severed head hanging from it goes to Tuj.
  • jim - Time to draw a line under this
  • Tuj
    [jim] It was your answer to "begins with P", hinting at a pseudonym, wot dun it.
    So! let's have a bit of

    MINERAL

    .
  • Raak - A famous jewel?
  • Gusset Login - An relatively unknown jewel?
  • Tuj - A shining example
    NO and NO =)
  • CdM - It might as well be me who asks
    Tell me, Master Tuj, this mineral object that you have chosen, would it happen to commence with the 16th letter of the standard English alphabet?
  • Tuj
    [CdM] INDEED 'TIS SO! And yea surely with such insightful queries from the outset ye are halfway there!
  • cfm - Is it radioacitve?
  • cfm - plutonium?
  • FGZstar - Praseodymium?
  • Dujon - Does this mineral also have a number?
  • Raak - Pluto?
  • Tuj
    Radioactive? NO
    Pu? NO
    Pr? NO
    Is this unknown item/items numbered? NO, not that I know of
    Pluto? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Stone of some form?
  • Software - Found in one particular location?
  • CdM - A unique object?
  • Gusset Login - Man made?
  • Tuj - Monday morning, straight down to business!
    Stone? NO, though it surely contains some
    In a particular place? YES *couple of disparate claps from the audience, and some talking*
    Unique? YES ("object", maybe)
    Man made? NO
  • Raak - Is it on, or part of, the Earth?
  • CdM - Is it wholly contained within a single country?
  • ImNotJohn - A geographical feature?
  • Chalky - Be it Pluto?
  • Tuj - Originality reaps reward
    On or part of Earth? YES
    In a single country? YES
    Geographical feature? YES
    Pluto? NO (again)
  • ImNotJohn - Larger than a supertanker?
  • Raak - Does it move around within the particular place that it is in?
  • Tuj - Interesting questions!
    Larger than? We always have trouble with these questions, don't we? I'm pretty happy to give a YES, though not uniformly
    Moving around? EUGH um... in the sense you probably mean, NOT MUCH, though in a different sense the answer would be YES
  • CdM - Is water involved?
  • Gusset Login - Are you sure it isn't Pluto?
  • ImNotJohn - A river - or part of one?
  • Tuj
    Watery? YES *audience applauds*
    Pluto? ...still NO I'm afraid *audience all sit down looking disgruntled*
    River or part of? YES! *standing ovation*
  • FGZstar - The Platte river?
  • ImNotJohn - In Europe?
  • Tuj
    Platte? NO
    European? YES
  • Gusset Login - Po?
  • Tuj - Ding ding!
    Po? YES!

    Congrats GL, the baton is yours!
  • ImNotJohn - Ying tong tiddle i
    Nice one GL - I was convinced enough you were correct not to bother with another guess.
  • Tuj
    [INJ] You could've asked if it was Pluto again ;)
  • CdM
    [Tuj] Funny thing is, when I first read your answer to my question, I wondered if you were hinting at a two-letter answer. But then I forgot that idea...
  • Gusset Login
    Oh! I was right. Darn, now I have to think of something...

    ABSTRACT with ANIMAL/MINERAL connection(s).
    And I apologise in advance for the delays giving answers.
  • ImNotJohn - Is it from a work of fiction?
  • FGZstar - A Human Construct?
  • Tuj - Connected to sport?
    [CdM] Mua. Ha. Ha.
  • ImNotJohn - Is it 'asking if the answer is Pluto'?
  • CdM - Is it Pluto (the cartoon character)?
  • Gusset Login
    [INJ] Fictional? Yes
    [FGZs] Conceptual? No
    [Tuj] Sporting? Not known for it certainly.
    [INJ2] Repeated Question? No
    [CdM] Pluto the dog? I almost wish I'd thought of that. No.
  • Raak - An entity of some religion?
  • Tuj - From a book?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] Close to God? No
    [Tuj] Book? Not originally although books do exist that feature him/her/it/them.
  • ImNotJohn - A sentient being?
    (Within the fictional construct, of course)
  • Software - Post 1900?
  • Gusset Login
    [INJ] A sentient being? No. Although at least one, fictional, sentient being forms part of the answer.
    [Softie] Post 1900? I assume you mean was the work of fiction first published/released/broadcast/exhibited/performed after 1900. In which case YES.
  • Tuj - Originally from a TV series?
  • CdM - Is it now, or has it ever been, animated?
  • Gusset Login
    [Tuj] From the world of TV? Yes
    [CdM] Animated at some point? Yes
  • Raak - From children's fiction?
  • ImNotJohn - Songebob's Square Pants?
  • Tuj - Is the answer on the card the title of a programme?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] For the kids? Yes
    [INJ] Spudgebob? No
    [Tuj TV Title? Yes
  • Tuj - Originating in the UK?
  • jim - Does the title take the form "X and [the] Y", where X is the named sentient being?
    James and the Giant Peach, Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons, that sort of thing.
  • Gusset Login
    [Tuj] British? No.
    [jim] Sentient and the Other Stuff? No.
  • Software - Sargeant Bilko?
  • FGZstar - A cartoon network production?
  • Gusset Login
    [Software] Bilko? No
    [FGZstar] Carton Newtwork? No
  • Knobbly - Earth-based?
  • Gusset Login
    [Knobbly] Set on Earth? Effectively, although if you saw anything remotely like the main characters on the street you'd be a bit puzzled. With that in mind, I'll say Yes.
  • Software - The Munsters?
  • Chalky - The Addams Family?
  • cfm - Tele-tubbies?
  • Gusset Login
    [Soft] Munsters? No
    [Chalk] Mr + Mrs Addams? No
    [cfm] Eh-Oh? No
  • Software - The Muppets?
  • FGZstar - Sesame Street?
  • Raak - The Magic Roundabout?
  • ImNotJohn - Only exists as animation?
  • Gusset Login
    [Software] Muppets? [Audience clap and cheer madly] No [Audience mutter restively]
    [FGZstar] Open Sesame? No
    [Raak] Magic Roundabout? No
    [INJ] Only as animation? I was only aware of it as an animation but as I have already stated there are apparently books. So, primarily Yes.
  • ImNotJohn - Fraggle Rock?
  • Software - Muppet character?
  • Gusset Login
    [INJ] Fraggle Rock? No.
    [Software] Muppet character?
    If you mean "Is the answer a character from the Muppets?" then No.
    If you mean "Does a character from the Muppets appear in the show?" the Yes.
  • FGZstar - Bear in the Big Blue House?
  • Software - Saturday Night Live?
    Must admit to Googling
  • Gusset Login
    [FGZstar] Blue Bear's House? Nope.
    [Software] Saturday Night Live? No
    Summary: So far you know... The answer is the title of an animated TV series created outside the UK after 1900 by someone other than Cartoon Network. A connection to the muppets has been hinted at (although the muppets are not animated).
  • CdM - Any connection to Jim Henson (above and beyond the Muppets connection)?
  • Gusset Login
    [CdM] Connection to Jim Henson? Yes. (Whether it was more than the Muppet connection is hard to say, but he got a mention in the credits of every episode)
  • FGZstar - Muppet Babies?
  • Gusset Login
    [FGZstar] Jim Henson's Muppet Babies? YES Have a youthful baton
  • FGZstar
    Right then, after very little deliberation, the next one is...
    ABSTRACT with ANIMAL connections
  • Software - British, damn it?
  • Gusset Login - Fictional Human(s)?
  • FGZstar
    [SW] British? - NO
    [GL] Fictional? - No, Human? - Yes.
  • Tuj - MC-related?
  • FGZstar
    [Tuj] MC Related? - NO
  • Raak - Alive?
  • Software - European?
  • Gusset Login - A specific individual?
  • FGZstar
    [Raak] Alive? - Somewhat
    [SW] European? - NO
    [GL] Specific? - NO
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • FGZstar
    [Tuj] Begins with P? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Any supernatural connotations?
  • FGZstar
    [INJ] Supernatural? NO
    Also, I would like to say that, to avoid ambiguity in my answer to GL's last question, whilst this is not related to one specific individual, it is related to a specific group.
  • Gusset Login - The Illuminati?
  • Dujon - A 'terrorist' organisation?
  • FGZstar
    [GL] Illuminati? - NO
    [Dujon] Terrorist? - NO
  • cfm - A political group?
  • FGZstar
    [cfm] Political? - NO
  • Gusset Login - A group of Entertainers?
  • FGZstar
    [GL] The Entertainers? NO
  • Dujon - Is this particular group of somewhat alive humans a class/caste?
  • FGZstar - An attempt at 2 questions in 1, methinks...
    [Dujon] Somewhat alive? - YES and NO
    Class/Caste - NO.
  • Raak - It is an organisation?
  • FGZstar
    [Raak] Organsation? - NO
  • Raak - Is it a symbol?
  • FGZstar
    [Raak] Symbol? - NO
  • irach - Relating to a particular profession?
  • FGZstar
    [irach] Professional? - NO
  • Gusset Login - Is there a link with education?
  • FGZstar
    [GL] Educationally linked? - Only insofar as I came across this during my studies at uni, but otherwise NO.
  • Tuj - Is it a group of humans, some of whom are alive, and some dead?
    Clarification needed! To "alive?" you answer "somewhat", then when Duj says "somewhat alive?" you say "yes and no"!
  • Raak - Is this abstract thing, a property that people can have or not?
  • FGZstar
    [Tuj] Yes, it is indeed a group of humans, some of whom are alive, and some of whom are dead.
    [Raak] Abstract? No.
  • Tuj - Are they from a particular location?
  • FGZstar
    [Tuj] Particular Location? YES
  • Dujon - For clarification purposes
    My reference to 'somewhat alive' came from the Chair's response to Raak's much earlier question.
  • Dujon - Please ignore my previous.
    Thanks Tuj.
  • Tuj - Is that particular location a town/city?
    [Duj] My pleasure =)
  • ImNotJohn - Do they share an occupation?
  • Raak - Were they all involved in some event?
  • Gusset Login - Clarification Required
    This is an Abstract with Animal connections but not an Abstract?
  • Dujon - Does the answer on the card describe a race of people?
  • FGZstar
    [INJ] Shared occupation? NO
    [Raak] All involved in some event? NO
    [GL] Not Abstract? I apologise, but I seem to have been mistaken in my answer. Upon further thought, this is indeed a property which a group of people can have, although I would class it more of a description than a property.
  • Gusset Login - A Nationality?
  • FGZstar
    Nationality? Not quite, but similar.
  • Software - Ethnic group?
  • FGZstar
    Ethnic Group? - According to dictionary.com's definition of an ethnic group, YES.
  • Tuj - Are they found in Europe?
    [FGZ*] When answering INJ, Raak and GL above you missed one from me and one from Dujon.
  • Software - Native North Americans?
  • Raak - Is there any dispute about whether this group of people exists?
  • CdM - Typically referred to as a tribe?
  • Gusset Login - Kurds?
    And/or whey
  • FGZstar
    [Tuj] Town/city? Not a specific one.
    [Dujon] Race of people? They are all generally of one race, but not a race in themselves.
    [Tuj] Found in Europe? No
    [SW] Native americans? No
    [Raak] Disputed existence? Nope, they exist.
    [CdM] Tribe? Not according to wikipedia
    [Muffet Login] Kurds and/or whey? No
    Well I think that's all.
  • Software - Mormons?
  • Raak - Are they found in Africa?
  • irach - Australian Abolrigenes?
  • irach - (That should be" Aborigenes"...)
  • FGZstar
    [SW] Mormons? -NO
    [Raak] Africans? - NO
    [irach] Aborigines? No, and it's not Abolrginies or Aborigenes, either.
  • Raak - In the Americas?
  • FGZstar
    American? NO
  • CdM - Ainu?
  • FGZstar
    Ainu? NO
  • irach - Do they share a religion or religious tradition?
  • FGZstar
    [irach] Shared Religion? - YES
  • irach - On the Indian subcontinent?
  • Raak - Is the ABSTRACT thing we are looking for, a religion?
  • FGZstar
    Indian Subcontinent? NO
    Religion? NO
  • Tuj - So! Are they in Asia?
  • Raak - Anything to do with shamanism?
  • FGZstar
    [Tuj] Asia? - Yes!
    [Raak} Shamanic? - No
  • Raak - Tibetan?
  • irach - Shias or Shiites?
  • FGZstar
    [Raak] Tibetan? - NO
    [irach] Shias or Shiites? - NO
  • irach - Bhutanese?
  • CdM - Do these people have some key identifying characteristic that we have not yet isolated?
  • FGZstar
    [irach] Bhutanese? - NO [CdM] Key characteristics? - NO, but there are probably some minor ones that would narrow down the search.
  • irach - From the Far East in Asia?
  • FGZstar
    Far East? According to wikipedia, YES
  • ImNotJohn - Mainly or totally within China?
  • Raak - Japan?
  • FGZstar
    China? Japan? NO
  • Raak - South-East Aisa?
  • Raak - that is, S.E. Asia?
  • FGZstar
    Southeast Asia? YES
  • irach - To do with Myanmar?
  • ImNotJohn - On an island?
    Rather than continental SE Asia
  • FGZstar
    Myanmar? NO On an island? YES and NO.
  • irach - Pertaining to Malaysia?
  • FGZstar
    Malaysia? YES and NO
  • CdM - Babas and Nyonyas?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the abstract a behaviour shared by these people?
  • FGZstar
    [CdM] Babas and Nyonyas? NO
    [INJ] No, the abstract is related to architecture.
    (Although a clue isn't called for, I didn't want you to all start questioning about the abstract when you are so close already)
  • irach - Is the architecture in question religious, e.g. a pagoda or stupa?
  • FGZstar
    The architecture can be religious, but not exclusively.
  • ImNotJohn - Stilt-house dwellers
    Although that's not restricted to parts of SE Asia
  • FGZstar
    Stilts do feature in the architecture, but are not the most distinctive part, and as you said stilts are not restricted to SE Asia. (View the source to read the hidden text)
  • irach - A kampong?
  • FGZstar
    A kampong? No.
  • irach - A kelong?
  • Raak - Gotong royong?
  • FGZstar
    Neither of these.You must surely be close. Would it help if I told you that there's one word on the card?
  • Raak - Rukun?
  • FGZstar
    Runkun (as in pillars}? Nope, although pillars do feature. I am looking for the people which give the name of the architecture, not the architecture themselves.
  • Raak
    [FGZstar] Rukun as in the Indonesian concept of "mutual adjustment". Presumably not, nor will it be tolong-menolong, adat, bayanihan, or العرف.
  • FGZstar
    [Raak] You presume correctly.
  • Raak
    We seem to have run to a halt. Time for a clue?
  • FGZstar
    Okay, Clue time. The word on the card is also the name of an international air port. The word is the name of a 'people' with a distinctive style of architecture which responds passively to the microclimate of the area.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the airport in Indonesia?
  • ImNotJohn - Minangkabau?
    OK, I assume that's going to put this question out of it's misery (if it's not right you won't hear from me again on this one). Frankly, without the clue it could have gone on for several more weeks.
  • FGZstar
    Minangkabau? YES! - Have a saddleback shaped baton.
  • ImNotJohn - Thank goodness for that!
    OK, let's have something that shouldn't need Google, Wikipedia and several empty hours.

    This one is VEGETABLE, possibly also ANIMAL and with ABSTRACT connections

  • irach - Is the vegetable component a potato?
  • FGZstar - Animal =Human?
  • Raak - Mr. Potato Head?
  • CdM - Edible?
    [FGZ*] Yeah, I'm afraid that one makes even me channel Rosie a little bit. It was pretty arcane; I lived in that part of the world for several years and had never heard of them. That could still have been OK if you had been a bit more helpful with your definition and answers, mind you. Part of the problem was that you told us we were looking for an ABSTRACT, but your answer was the people themselves; that had me confused for a while. And there were a few places where you could certainly have had the audience be more helpful. Finally, Raak was definitely on track when he mentioned Indonesia and adat, but you gave no hint at all that he was getting close. I don't mind obscure topics as such, but I think you have got to be willing to let the audience help out more in those cases.
  • ImNotJohn
    [irach] Earth Apple? - NO
    [FGZstar] human? - NO
    [Raak] Kartoffelkopf? - NO
    [CdM]Edible? - YES
  • Software - Manufactured?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Software] Manufactured? - YES or 'Can be', depending on your definition of the question. Shall we say it's 'made'.
  • Raak - A dumpling?
  • irach - Does the "making" involve a physical cooking process involving heat, such as baking or frying?
  • ImNotJohn - This won't take long
    [Raak] My leetle dumpling? - NO
    [irach] Cooked? - YES
  • Raak - Is it associated with a fesetive occasion?
  • Raak - (festive)
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Festiveive? - YES *audience chants of 'Easy, Easy*
  • Gusset Login - Mince Pies?
  • CdM - Christmas pudding?
  • ImNotJohn - There, that wasn't hard, was it?
    [GL] MINCE PIES it is!
    Of course, on reflection it's quite hard to get away without some animal (milk in the pastry), but much less so than for pudding or cake, when you're dealing with eggs and butter as well. I was thinking about the presence or absence of suet in the mincemeat.
    Now, would you just like to pull one end of this baton?
  • Gusset Login
    OK. Keeping it simple. MINERAL
  • ImNotJohn - Metal?
  • Tuj - Unique?
  • Gusset Login
    [INJ] Metal? Partly.
    [Tuj] Unique? No.
  • Raak - plastic?
  • CdM - A household object?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] plastic? No.
    [CdM] Household object No.
  • Gusset Login
    On reflection I think the answer to INJ question should have been "Mostly" rather than "Partly".
  • CdM - Valuable?
  • cfm? - Decorative?
  • ImNotJohn - Manufactured?
  • Gusset Login
    [CdM] Valuable? Depends on your definition of Valuable.
    [cfm?] Decorative? Not originally.
    [INJ] Manufactured? Yes.
  • Raak - Heavier than a car?
  • Software - Antique?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] Heavier than a car? Uncertain, but probably not.
    [Software] Antique? Yes.
    [Tuj] Begins with P? Not on the card, but a less formal description might.
  • irach - A piece of sculpture?
  • Raak - Is the metal wrought iron?
  • Software - Ironbridge?
  • Rosie - Contains moving parts?
  • Gusset Login
    [irach] A piece of sculpture? No.
    [Raak] Is the metal wrought iron? Iron, Yes. Wrought, No.
    [Software] Ironbridge? No.
    [Rosie] Contains moving parts? Y...yes I guess.
  • Rosie - Is this a "Heritage" contraption such as pit-gear, steam engine, guillotine etc?
  • Gusset Login
    [Rosie] "Heritage" contraption? I'm not sure I'd call it a contraption, but heritage is not an unfair adjective.
  • Tuj - Is it a weapon?
  • Gusset Login
    [Tuj] Weapon? No.
  • Rosie - Is there a large number of these things in the UK?
  • Gusset Login
    [Rosie] Are there a large number of these in the UK? Yes.
  • Software - A skip? (dumpster for our friends across the pond)
  • Tuj - Would you be surprised to find one of these indoors?
  • Gusset Login
    [Software] A skip? No.
    [Tuj] Would you be surprised to find one indoors? Normally I would, Yes (except in a museum), but after the evening I've just had...
  • irach - A suit of armor?
  • Dujon - Is this in the form of a wheel?
    [GL] 'A large number' is no different from 'A number' and thus is singular.
    G'day, Rosie, and welcome back.
  • CdM - Are these found throughout the world?
    [Rosie, GL, Dujon] I was going to agree with Rosie and Dujon here, until I looked it up. Certainly, in my writing to date, I have always treated "a number" as a singular object. But, to my surprise, Merriam-Webster's Concise Dictionary of English Usage has this to say (after noting that "all commentators agree" on essentially this idea):
    The rule of thumb for this construction is stated succinctly by Bernstein 1977:
    In general, a number takes a plural verb and the number a singular.
    Evidence in the Merriam-Webster files shows that the rule of thumb is generally observed. Even when the sentence begins with there, a number of commands the plural verb. {example] An adjective like increasing or growing tends to emphasise the word number in its singularity, and results in rather more mixed usage. [examples] But even in these constructions, the plural verb is the more common.
    My inclination would still be to treat Rosie's phrase as contained within standard English usage, but GL is certainly not incorrect; to the contrary, the usage he favours is apparently more standard.

    So I learned something today.
  • Rosie - Anything to do with transport?
    (CdM) French avoids the problem, it seems. Many people would say "Are there large numbers of....." which strictly is rather illogical but I'd probably use it colloquially.
    (Dujon) *snarls back* G'day. :-)
  • Gusset Login
    [irach] A suit of armor? No.
    [Dujon] In the form of a wheel? No.
    [CdM] Are these found throughout the world? No. But in more than one country.
    [Rosie] Anything to do with transport? No.
  • FGZstar - Related to a certain religion?
  • Raak - Does it have a picture on it?
  • ImNotJohn - Used in construction?
  • Gusset Login
    [FGZstar] Religious? No.
    [Raak] Does it have a picture on it? No.
    [ImNotJohn] Used in construction? No.
  • ImNotJohn - Related to communications?
  • Gusset Login
    [INJ] Related to communications? YES.
  • Raak - Does it contain a power source?
  • Tuj - A phone box?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] Does it contain a power source? No or not one you'd notice
    [Tuj] A phone box? Yes A K6 Red Telephone Box (Mint Condition) to be exact.

    Have a baton.
  • Tuj - Whoops!
    Let's try an ABSTRACT
  • CdM - Does it begin with B?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it from a work of fiction?
  • Tuj
    [CdM] Begins with B? NO!
    [INJ] From a work of fiction? NO (though its precise origin is likely unknown)
  • Gusset Login - Is it a well known phrase or saying?
  • Tuj
    [GL] Phrase or saying? YES!
  • Rosie - Related to health?
  • Software - Bless you?
    [Tuj] K6, eh? Sounds very anorak and THG to me
  • Tuj - Is it one question per player? Hope not...
    [Rosie] Related to health? NO
    [Softers] Bless you? THANKS. I mean NO
  • Rosie - If not health, then wealth?
  • irach - Does it contain a number or a numerical connotation?
  • Tuj
    [Rosie] Wealth? NO
    [irach] Numerical? NO
  • Software - An English saying?
  • ImNotJohn - A proverb or adage?
  • Tuj
    [Softers] English YES, saying NO (depends how you define these words, I suppose. It's certainly more of a phrase, though there are more appropriate terms for it as yet undiscovered)
    [INJ] The proverbial? NO
  • Software - Well, go-blimey?
  • cfm - An epithet?
  • FGZstar - A euphemism?
  • Gusset Login - A metaphor?
  • Tuj - Good guesses! But...
    [Softers] Cockney stereotype? NO
    [cfm] Epithet? NO
    [FGZ*] Euphemism? NO
    [GL] Metaphor? NO
  • Knobbly - A catchphrase?
  • Raak - A cliché?
  • Tuj
    [Knobbly] Catchphrase? NO
    [Raak] Cliché? NO - BUT arguably it is becoming so through notoriety
  • ImNotJohn - Business-speak?
  • Raak - Has it been notably used in public life recently?
  • Gusset Login - Is it a sound bite?
    "This is no time for sound bites. I feel the hand of history upon me"
  • cfm - Related to information technology?
  • Tuj - The audience awakes
    [INJ] Business-speak? NO *some audience laughter, followed by a pause and a second bout of laughter which rapidly turns into "shh"-ing*
    [Raak] Notably used? NO - not one use anyway, more a groundswell of ubiquity
    [GL] Soundbite? NO
    [cfm] IT-related? YES *audience applause; a few sounds of dissatisfaction*
  • irach - Related to "social media"?
  • cfm - is it an acronym?
  • Tuj - Penny dropping!
    [irach] YES, I suppose so! *audience begins to clap*
    [cfm] An acronym? YES *standing ovation*
  • cfm - LOL?
  • Tuj - Ding ding ding!
    [cfm] lol? YES!

    Hope I didn't give too many clues, I'd got worried it'd be too hard... Congrats and good luck cfm!
  • cfm
    [Tuj] Thank you. If my previous effort at twirling the baton is any indication, I will need it.
    This one is animal, vegetable and mineral. And it has heavy abstract associations.
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    [cfm] Don't worry, it gets easier the more you do it. It's taken me a very long time to find that out and take the plunge myself ;)
  • Dujon - A form of paint?
    [The hot seat] I try very hard not to win. My one and only stint in the seat which you now occupy was back in the days of yore. It was hard work. Good luck.
  • cfm
    [Tuj] 'Fraid NOt. Try another letter.
    [Dujon]Interesting! But NO.
  • Rosie - The natural world?
    Trying for a hole in one.
  • cfm
    [Rosie] Naturally, NO.
  • irach - The game of AVMA itself?
  • ImNotJohn - Unique?
  • Gusset Login - The Universe?
  • Tuj - Well, if you really want me to...
    Begins with M?
  • CdM - Is the animal component human?
  • Raak - Is any of it edible?
  • cfm
    [irach] Self-referential? NO
    [INJ] One of a kind? NO
    [Tuj] Twenty four more to go. NO
    [CDM] We, the people? Hmmm. *audience collectively leans forward in seats* A qualified YES to that. Most frequently but not always. And never entirely.
    [Raak] Culinarily significant? I suppose it is not beyond the realm of possibility. But it would definitely be frowned upon. (See animal component above.)
  • Rosie - Anything to do with farming?
  • FGZstar - Family?
  • Gusset Login - Geography?
  • cfm
    [Rosie] Reaping and sowing? NO
    {FGZsar]Family? *applause ripple ensues* YES as it relates to the abstract element.
    [GL] A particular place? NO.
  • Rosie - Chimpanzees involved?
  • FGZstar - Evolution?
  • cfm
    [Rosie] Too much monkey business? MAYBE. I've no first hand knowledge that chimps are involved. But it is not out of the realm of possibility.
    [FGZstar]More monkey business? NO
  • CdM - Is the vegetable component largely wood?
  • cfm
    [CdM] Vegetable recipe? Typically some wood is involved. But not largely wood, NO.
  • Raak - Seasonal significance?
  • CdM - Connected to entertainment?
  • cfm
    [Raak] Changes like the weather? NO
    [CdM] Applause worthy? NO
  • Raak - One man and his dog, who went to mow a meadow?
  • CdM - Connected to a specific country or culture?
    We are not getting very far here ...
  • Tuj - Would you be surprised to find one of these indoors?
  • Rosie - A zoo?
  • cfm
    [Raak] *audience is surprised and sounds delighted* YES, there is an association with mowing.
    [CdM] NO. Consider asking the opposite question.
    [Tuj] NO, I would not be surprised. Some of these or parts of these may be found indoors.
    [Rosie] NO.
  • CdM - Connected with sport?
    *considered asking the opposite question -- but decided against it*
  • cfm
    [CdM] Do you also eschew maps when you are lost? :-) NO.
  • Raak - Is the connection with mowing a figurative one?
  • cfm
    [Raak] NO. It is literal.
  • CdM - Is the mowing connection due to some use of the product obtained (grass, straw, or something similar)?
  • cfm
    [CdM] NO. The mowing is an end, not a means.
  • Gusset Login - Are other activities equally connected?
    Just a reminder to other players that while this is apparently linked to mowing it is not linked to geography or farming. (So the mowing is not on the ground and the mown items are not collected for sale or agriculture).
  • FGZstar - A haircut?
  • cfm
    [Gusset Login] YES. Other activities are equally connected.
    But perhaps I need to clarify my answer to the geography inquiry -- or at least your explanation of my answer, which may be misleading. It is not necessarily connected with a particular place (country, city, etc.) nor with a specific geographic feature (mountain, river, border.) I hope that helps.
    [FGZStar] Tonsorial connection? NO.
  • Raak - A level playing field?
  • CdM - Would you advise us to keep pursuing the mowing link (or is it too peripheral)?
  • cfm
    [Raak] *audience, which this evening appreciates irony, laughs* Metaphorically speaking I suppose, YES. But this thing is not a metaphor.
    [CdM] YES, I do so advise.
  • Raak - A cricket pitch?
  • cfm
    [Raak] NO. Not connected to sports.
  • Rosie - A garden of some kind?
  • Tuj - Was this thing invented?
  • cfm
    [Rosie] Flowers & stuff? YES at times.
    [Tuj] Conceived and executed? YES
  • Raak - A maze?
  • Rosie - A tourist attraction?
  • cfm
    [Raak] Amazingly, NO
    [Rosie] Some are, YES
  • Software - A park?
  • Raak - Is there a lawn involved?
  • cfm
    [Software] NO, not recreational.
    [Raak] YES, see mowing above.
  • Raak - Ok then, is it a lawn, and nothing but a lawn?
  • Tuj - Is the word "garden" on the card?
  • FGZstar - A botanical garden?
  • cfm
    [Raak] NO, the lawn is not the point.
    [Tuj] NO, that word is not on the card.
    [FGZstar]NO, the garden is not the point.
  • Software - A monument?
  • cfm
    [Software] A qualified YES. "Monument" is a related concept.
  • CdM - A cemetery?
  • Tuj - Is it typically owned by one person?
    [CdM] Cracking guess!
  • cfm
    [CdM] DEAD right.
    I believe this belongs to you?
    *hands baton*
  • CdM
    *inspects baton cautiously*
    Um. Are batons usually this white? And, um, do they usually have these strange shaped bulges at each end?
    This next one is MINERAL
  • irach - Is the mineral metallic?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    [CdM] Told you it was a good guess!
  • cfm - Is the thing composed a single chemical element?
  • Rosie - A manufactured object?
  • CdM
    Metallic? No.
    Begins with P? Of course it does.
    Unielementary? No.
    Manufactured object? That would be an odd phrase to use (neither word is really quite right), but Yes is certainly a better answer than No.
  • CdM
    Oh, it is actually possible that this also has a minor vegetable component (I don't know for sure), but that is more likely to confuse you than help you. So forget I said it, OK?
  • Raak - Stone?
  • CdM
    Stone? *smattering of applause* In part, Yes.
  • cfm - Does this not-exactly-an-object commonly exist/occur in the present day?
  • Tuj - Unique?
  • Raak - A plinth?
  • FGZstar - A Pilaster?
  • Dujon - A residue of a mining activity?
  • CdM
    Does it commonly exist today? It exists today, but you can't say that it exists "commonly" because...
    Unique? Yes.
    Result of kissing flogth? No.
    Pilaster? No.
    Slag heap? No.
  • Rosie - The result of human labours?
  • CdM
    Men at Work? Yes.
  • Raak - A work of art?
  • jim - A building?
  • Tuj - Is it in Europe?
  • Gusset Login - Is it in Asia?
  • CdM
    Work of Art? *hollow laughter from the more cynical members of the audience*. No.
    A building? No.
    In Europe? Yes.
    In Asia? No.
  • CdM
    Another technical clarification and minor clue. The answer on the card is a single word beginning with P (usually preceded by a definite article). However, a slightly more formal/precise answer is two words, of which the second is the word on the card. I can also think of a more informal answer that I would accept; this coincidentally begins with P but does not include the word on the card.
  • Raak - A work of civil engineering?
  • CdM
    Civilly engineered? Yes.
  • Raak - Generally regarded as an eyesore?
  • CdM
    Site for sore eyes? That's probably a bit too strong. But you'd have to hunt pretty hard to find someone who would call it beautiful.
  • Rosie - Portsmouth?
    I must have my little joke. Please ignore.
  • Rosie - Is it in the UK?
  • Raak - A work of engineered traffic circulation?
    I'd say "Magic Roundabout" but I can't get a P into that.
  • CdM
    Porstsmouth? No.
    In the UK? No.
    Traffic circulation? Yes. *applause*
  • irach - The Périphérique or Boulevard Périphérique in Paris?
  • CdM
    *standing ovation* Yes! It is indeed the Périphérique. An impressive leap, there.


    So, irach, here is the baton ... now you just have to run around the BP once, and then you can set your next clue.
  • irach
    Merci beaucoup, mon ami!. Carrying the baton is a welcome change from my having to carry around le plume de ma tante all this time. I was helped, perhaps, by having browsed through a coolection of pictures of my 2008 trip to Paris just two days ago.

    Anyhow, the next one is ANIMAL wth a strong VEGETABLE connection/connotation.
  • Rosie - Sylvan ursine defaecation?
  • cfm - Is the animal component human?
  • irach
    [Rosie] No bear scat - sylvan or rural or urban.
    [cfm] Yes, the animal component is human.
  • CdM - Alan Titchmarsh?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the human currently alive?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Software - Panda?
  • cfm - Single human or a group of humans?
  • irach
    [Cdm] Not Titchmarch.
    [INJ]Does not refer to a single human.
    [Tuj] Nope. No "P" at the beginning.
    [Software] Not a panda.
    [cfm] Pertains to a large group of humans.
  • Software - Vegitarians?
  • Tuj - Are these people all found in one country?
  • ImNotJohn - Connected with agriculture?
  • Rosie - Are these people defined by their job?
  • irach
    [Software] Good guess, but no. The persons in question could be vegetarians, vegans, carnivores, omnivorous.
    [Tuj] The words on the card pertain to some people ubiquitously distributed among the human race worldwide.
    [INJ] Not connected to agriculture.
    [Rosie] Not connected to agriculture.
  • irach
    [Rosie] (sorry) No, the persons in question are not defined by their job. [Clue] The words on the card pertain to a common characteristic of the persons involved.
  • ImNotJohn - People who can't stand Brussels Sprouts?
    I believe there is a genetic component to this.
  • irach
    [INJ] Nothing to do with Brussels Sprouts or any other Brassica species.
  • Software - Florists?
  • irach
    [Software] Not florists.
  • Raak - Anything to do with an allergy?
  • cfm - Okay--so there are two or more words on the card. Are all of the words required to identify the group?
  • CdM - Is the vegetable connection to a particular vegetable?
  • Chalky - People who use walking sticks?
  • irach
    [Raak] Not an allergy.
    [cfm] There are two words on the card. The answer is not an identifier of the group itself, but a particular characteristic possessed by all members of that group.
    [CdM] Yes, the vegetable reference is to a particular species in the vegetable kingdom.
    [Chalky] Not users of walking sticks, (or users of wooden crutches, or members of the Long John Silver Admiration Society with wood peg legs, or of the Geoorge Washington Emulation Society with wooden false teeth for that matter either).
  • ImNotJohn - Cauliflower ears?
    You know how it is, you get an idea and either ask it directly or give it away for someone else
  • CdM
    [INJ] Ruled out by the Brassica comment, I fear.
  • irach
    [INJ] Nope, due to to the Brassica comment as CdM indicates. However, the audience sits up in rapt attention at the nature of the response, and a few of them even applaud at the turn of events.
  • Rosie - Is the characteristic acquired as the result of some activity on the part of such people?
  • cfm - Do people acquire the characteristic bty choice?
  • irach
    {Rosie] No. It is not acquired as a result of any activity on the parts of such people.
    [cfm] No. Not that I know of.
  • ImNotJohn - Does the answer relate to an association of a body part to a vegetable?
  • Raak - Is the vegetable part a metaphor?
  • irach
    [INJ] Yes, it does relate to a body part with a vegetable kingdom association
    [Raak] I guess one could refer to the association as metaphoric.
  • Gusset Login - Is the vegetable a fruit?
    That question just feels wrong.
  • CdM - Is the body part above the neck?
  • irach
    [GLogin] Yes, the vegetable is a fruit. (The audience goes bananas)
    [CdM] Yes, the body part is in the general vicinity above the neckline.
  • Rosie - Apple cheeks?
  • irach
    [Rosie] Very close, but no.
  • irach
    In additional clarification to my answer to CdM's last question, the body part is located above a typical or conventional garment neckline (perhaps not a turtleneck), and may therefore be inclusive of the neck itself.
  • Dujon - Is the answer, in part, related to a particular tuber ?
  • Raak - The Adam's apple?
  • ImNotJohn
    Well I don't think there's any point in guessing further.
  • irach
    [Dujon} Not a tuber.
    {Raak}An Adam's apple its is! A banana in lieu of a baton is duly handed over.
  • Raak
    The next is MINERAL.
  • ImNotJohn - Stone?
  • Gusset Login - Unique?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • irach - Suit of armour ?
  • Raak
    [INJ] Not stone.
    [GL] Not unique.
    [Tuj] Not P-initial.
    [irach] Not a suit of armour.
  • cfm - Nutritionally significant?
  • Tuj - Would it fit in a postbox?
  • Dujon - Consists of an alloy?
  • Raak
    [cfm] Not nutritive.
    [Tuj] Not puttable into a postbox.
    [Dujon] The first yes! It consists of an alloy. [INJ] And on Googling to check that, I see that it can also be partly of stone, but is never wholly.
  • Rosie - Brass?
  • irach - Bronze
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not brass.
    [irach] Not bronze.
  • Gusset Login - Invar?
  • Rosie - Stainless steel?
  • Raak
    [GL] Not invar.
    [Rosie] *pause fo google* Sometimes made from stainless steel.
    BTW, "Alloy" is metallurgically correct, as far as I can see from Wikipedia etc., but possibly just a little misleading to anyone who isn't a metallurgist or industrial chemist (ret'd).
  • cfm - Is it utilitarian?
  • Raak
    [cfm] Yes, utilitarian.
  • Dujon - Is the 'alloy' naturally occuring (even though it might also be manufactured)?
  • Raak
    [Dujon] Not naturally occurring.
  • irach - A utensil?
  • Rosie - A saucepan?
    (Raak) I'm not a metallurgist but I'd say an alloy is any metallic mixture in which the minor component is metallic and deliberately added or not removed. So ordinary steel, minor component carbon, no, railway lines, 1% manganese, yes, and saucepans, duralumin (aluminium + a few percent copper) yes.
  • cfm - is the useful object commonly used in the present day?
  • Raak
    [irach] Not a utensil.
    [Rosie] Not a saucepan. According to the web, despite its elemental name, iron in all its engineering uses is an alloy with carbon and possibly other components. So that's what I went with.
    [cfm] Used in the present day.
  • irach - Does it sometimes have non-metallic parts as well?
  • Raak
    [irach] Yes, see earlier answer "partly of stone".
  • irach - Bigger than a toaster?
  • Rosie - Used indoors?
    (irach) It probably is a toaster.
  • Raak
    [irach] Bigger than a toaster.
    [Rosie] Not used indoors.
  • cfm - Agricultural connection?
  • Raak
    [cfm] Not agricultural.
  • ImNotJohn - Connected with transport?
  • Raak
    [INJ] Not connected with transport.
  • cfm - Connected with recreation?
  • Raak
    [cfm] Not connected with recreation.
    Currently batting 16 no to 4 yes and 2 partly.
  • irach - Connected to telecommunications?
  • Raak
    [irach] Not connected to telecoms.
  • ImNotJohn - Static?
    Once it has been placed in its functional position, that is.
  • Raak
    [INJ] Um...mostly static.
  • Rosie - A piece of road "furniture"?
    Static until someone drives into it.
  • irach - Lamp post?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] *applause* Yes, it is road furniture.
    [irach] Not a lamp post.
  • Dujon - Is this normally shaped in the form of a lens?
  • Rosie - A lamp-post?
  • ImNotJohn - A Lamp Post?
    Oh-Oh, Have we hit a 'lamp-post' loop?


    Hang on, I think I can see the problem.
    Pass me that Birmingham screwdriver.
    *Clannggg!*

  • ImNotJohn - A post box?
    There, that's better.
  • Raak
    [Dujon] Not lenticular.
    [Rosie,INJ] Not a lamp post, a lamp-post, or a Lamp Post. Nor even a lamppost.
    [INJ] Not a post box.
  • cfm - a fire hydrant?
  • Raak
    [cfm] Not a fire hydrant.
  • irach - Garbage dumpster?
  • Gusset Login - Bollards?
  • Raak
    [irach] Not a dumpster.
    [GL] Not a bollard.
  • irach - A Bus Stop pole?
  • Raak
    [irach] Not a bus stop pole.

    More general questions might be more helpful.

  • cfm - Related to the energy industry?
  • Rosie - If not a lamp-post, then a lamp-post?
    Oh dear me, more haste less speed.
  • Rosie - On the pavement, as opposed to in the road?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Could be in the pavement or the road.
  • Raak
    [cfm] Not related to the energy industry.
    [Rosie] Not related to lighting fixtures.
  • irach - Manhole cover?
  • Raak
    [irach] **CLANGGGGG** It's a manhole cover. *Peers down hole in ground* irach? irach?
  • irach
    Phew... Glad to ge out of that hole.... The next one is ABSTRACT with VEGETABLE AND MINERAL AND (STRONG).
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    (STRONG) as in Strong Animal Connections?
  • Gusset Login - Fictional?
  • irach
    [Tuj] Does does not begin with "P". Don't know what happened...Should have read ABSTRACT with VEGETABLE AND MINERAL AND (STRONG) ANIMAL CONNECTIONS.
  • irach
    [GLogin] Yes, fictional, I guess.
  • ImNotJohn - Connected with food?
  • irach
    [INJ] Parts (but not all) of the vegetable and animal connections are related to food.
  • Tuj - Is it festive?
  • irach
    [Tuj] Yes, festive.
  • Raak - Connected with Christmas?
  • irach
    [Raak] Yes, connected to Christmas.
  • Gusset Login - Related to snowmen?
  • Dujon - Anything to do with stables?
  • irach
    [GLogin] No snowmen.
    [Dujon] No, not really. Maybe a very peripheral connection to stables, but the best answer is no.
  • Raak - Santa's sleigh?
  • cfm - Twelve Days of Christmas?
  • irach
    [Raak] Not the Santa sleigh.
    [cfm] The "Twelve Days of Christmas" it is! Not only is a baton handed off to you, but because my true love and I have split up, and I have no need for them, I will also hand over Twelve drummers drumming, Eleven pipers piping, Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree!
  • cfm
    [irach] Oh my my, thank you. I am overwhelmed by your generosity. Curiously, was the tangential connection to stables related to the maids-a-milking? Next we have something

    ANIMAL with ABSTRACT CONNECTIONS

  • irach
    [cfm] Yes, the very periperally, tangential possible connection to stables was the "maids-a-milking".
  • irach - "Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer"?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the animal human?
  • cfm
    [irach] NO, not poor Rudolph.
    [INJ] YES, the animal connection is human.
  • Raak - Christmassy?
  • Rosie - Human fictional?
  • cfm
    [Raak] NO, nothing particularly festive about it.
    [Rosie] NO, not fictional.
  • irach - A specific, named individual, or a type/class of person such as a "Member of Parliament"?
  • CdM - Linked to a particular country or culture?
  • cfm
    [irach] Two questions posed there, I think. NO, not one named individual. YES membership is a relevant idea.
    [CdM] Hmmmmm. Very challenging to answer that one. But I think the best answer is YES, originally.
  • Rosie - Anything to do with sport?
  • Raak - An ethnic group?
  • ImNotJohn - Connected with an occupation?
  • CdM - Are there more than a million members of this group alive today?
  • Tuj - Related to religion?
  • cfm
    [Rosie]NO, unrelated to sport.
    [Raak] NO, ethincity is unimportant
    [INJ] YES, related to an occupation! *audience re-engages, claps*
    [CdM] NO, no million alive today.
    [Tuj] NO, secular in nature.
  • Raak - Did more people practise this occupation in the past than nowadays?
  • cfm
    [Raak] NO, the related occupation is more common now.
  • Raak - Did the occupation exist 100 years ago?
  • CdM - Are there more than a hundred members of this group alive today?
  • irach - Tattoo artists?
  • cfm
    [Raak] YES, the related occupation existed.
    [CdM] NO, there are not 100 members alive.
  • Rosie - Are members of this group generally viewed favourably?
  • irach - Repeating my above question....Tattoo artists?
  • cfm
    [Rosie] YES, they are well regarded.
    [irach] So sorry to have overlooked your question. NO, not tattoo artists.
  • irach - Are they involved in any of the fine arts?
  • CdM - The Beatles?
  • cfm
    [irach] YES. They are.
    [CdM] NO. More than four in the group--I'll throw that in for free. :-)
  • Dujon - Are these people members of an elite group of award winners?
  • cfm
    [Dujon] NO, award-winning is not what defines this group.
  • Rosie - Performers of music?
  • cfm
    [Rosie] NO, they are not musicians.
  • Rosie - Actors and/or actresses?
  • ImNotJohn - Monarchs?
  • cfm
    [Rosie] NO, neither on stage nor screen.
    [INJ] NO, they are commoners.
  • irach - Dancers?
  • cfm
    [irach] NO, but you are narrowing the field!
  • irach - Acrobats?
  • cfm
    [irach] NO. *re-directs you to the YES answer to your question about fine arts*
  • Raak - In the graphic arts?
  • cfm
    [Raak] YES. Related to the graphic arts.
  • Raak - Do they form an organisation?
  • cfm
    [Raak] YES. They organized.
  • Rosie - Young British Artists?
    As depicted in Private Eye.
  • cfm
    [Rosie]NO. Not YBAs.
  • Raak - Was this organisation founded before 1800?
  • ImNotJohn - Members of the Royal Academy?
  • cfm
    [Raak]NO. More recent than1800.
    [INJ] NO. Not the Royal Academy.
  • irach - The Impressionists?
  • cfm
    [irach] NO. Not The Impressionists.
  • irach - Did the group organise after 1900?
  • cfm
    [irach] YES. After 1900.
  • irach - Cubists?
  • RAAK - TO DO WITH MOVING PICTURES?
  • Raak
    Er, excuse the caps lock there.
  • cfm
    [irach] NO. Cubism did not define the group. *audience claps anyway* (which is to say there might just be a connection of some kind...)
    [Raak] NO. Not moving pictures. *audience claps anyway again*
  • irach - To do with cartoons/comic books?
  • cfm
    [irach] NO. Not particularly funny.
    Hint: Raak's questions about the related occupation were significant.
  • Rosie - Does the name of this group itself contain a name?
  • cfm
    [Rosie] NO. The name contains no name.
  • CdM - Was this group more important in the past than it is in the present day?
  • ImNotJohn - Is this primarily a European grouping?
  • cfm
    [CDM] Hard to say about importance. The group's influence is still significant but is pretty much taken for granted today.
    [INJ] No, not primarily European.
  • Rosie - Anything to do with photography?
  • cfm
    [Rosie] YES. Proceed. :-)
  • CdM - Any connection to Alfred Stieglitz?
    So (I presume) the related profession is photography, and we are looking for a group of individuals, fewer than 100 but greater than 4 in number, who had a significant influence on the profession in the past but whose influence is now taken for granted. We don't know if any of this group are alive today, but we do know that the group organized after 1900. It's possibly linked to a particular country/culture which is not primarily European.
  • cfm
    [CdM] YES. And well summarized. :-)
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    [CdM] Ta.
  • Dujon - Was Ansel Adams a leading light in the original group?
  • cfm
    [Tuj] Was waiting for you. YES. Begins with P.
    [Dujon] NO. Adams' group began with F. :-)
  • CdM - The Photo-Secessionists?
    I left a decent interval, but no one is stepping in...
  • cfm
    Click!
    [CdM] YES. Steiglitz was among the first to argue that the camera could be an instrument of fine art--an idea we rather take for granted these days.
    [Iraak] The connection to cubism is Steiglitz'a gallery 291, where many avant garde European artists, including the cubists, first exhibited in the U.S.
    *Hands CdM the baton, again.*
  • CdM
    This one is ANIMAL and VEGETABLE with a minor MINERAL component.
  • irach - Is it a food item with salt being the minor mineral component?
  • CdM
    Salted food item? Yes. *audience applauds the bright start*
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    *sigh*
  • CdM
    [Tuj] Are you feeling typecast?
    Begins with P? Yes.
  • Tuj - Is it festive?
    I've only got myself to blame!
  • cfm - Ham and bean soup?
  • cfm - Ooops. guess that doesn't begin with P. how about pea soup with ham? :-)
  • irach - Pork pie?
  • CdM
    Festive? No.
    Pam and bean soup? No.
    Pork pie? No.
  • irach - Is the animal portion meat (rather than dairy)?
  • cfm - A "snack" food or something more substantial?
  • CdM
    Meaty? Yes.
    Snacky? More substantial than a snack food. *a little murmured discussion in the audience*
  • Dujon - Would this be a food which most people are likely to have purchased in a 'take-away' form rather than in a restaurant (e.g. a kebab)?
  • CdM
    Take-away vs Restaurant? No simple answer to that. It could be purchased for consumption on the premises; it could be purchased in a take-away form for eating elsewhere; it could be purchased for consumption at home. All three are perfectly normal for this particular foodstuff.
  • cfm - A sandwich of some kind?
  • CdM
    Sandwich? No, but *considerable applause* nonetheless.
  • cfm - Some form of dough stuffed with meat?
  • Dujon - Does the 'meaty' bit come from a fowl?
  • CdM
    Meatfilled dough? No. *smattering of applause from the more generous audience members*
    Fowl? Not usually, but it can.
  • Raak - Something with dumplings in it?
  • ImNotJohn - Pizza?
  • irach - Pepperoni Pizza?
  • ImNotJohn - Pepperoni, pork and papaya pizza, with a side order of peanuts?
  • CdM
    Dumplinged? No.
    Pizza (with pepperoni, pork, papaya, peanuts, pumpkin, and peas)? No.
    (On reflection, the audience should not have applauded cfm's last question; the applause for his/her sandwich question was sufficient.)
  • irach - Pasty (or pastie)?
  • CdM
    Pasty? No.
    Edible pastie? Definitely no. This is a family game.
  • ImNotJohn - Are the words on the card English?
    e.g. Pasty rather than pasta.
  • Raak - Pilaf?
  • Gusset Login - Pastrami?
  • irach - Porchetta panini?
  • CdM - Ding! Ding! Ding!
    English? Yes-ish. Fortunately I don't have to think too hard about this one because...
    Pilaf? No, but...
    Pastrami? Yes! [From Wikipedia] It is cured in brine, coated with a mix of spices such as garlic, coriander, black pepper, paprika, cloves, allspice, and mustard seed, and then smoked. Finally, the meat is steamed..." and "...although beef navels are the traditional cut of meat for making pastrami, it is now common to see pastrami made from beef brisket, beef round and turkey."
    *hands GL one thinly sliced baton on rye*
  • Gusset Login
    Oh, darn um... OK MINERAL with ABSTRACT connections
  • Tuj - Is it festive?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the mineral metal?
    That's annoying - I'd thought of pastrami, but rejected it because I thought it had to be beef. YLSNED.
  • Raak - The star that the Three Wise Men followed?
  • Gusset Login
    [Tuj] festive? No.
    [ImNotJohn] metal? Yes.
    [Raak] the comet? No.
  • Raak - A musical instrument?
  • Tuj - Unique?
    [INJ] I like how that looks like a past participle.
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] musical instrument? No
    [Tuj] unique? Yes
  • cfm - Fictional?
  • ImNotJohn - The Angel of the North?
  • Gusset Login
    [cfm] fictional? It depends who you ask, I would say on balance - No.
    [INJ] the angel? No.
  • Raak - A work of art?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the abstract connected with literature?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] work of art? *Some tittering from the audience* No.
    [INJ] abstract connected with literature? No.
  • Raak - Bigger than a two-up-two-down?
  • cfm - Is the sometimes-considered-fictional element of the thing its abstract connection??
  • irach - To do with the Yuletide season?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] bigger than a house? Yes, more so if you include the concrete part I'd forgotten about.
    [cfm] sometimes-considered-fictional element; the abstract connection? The abstract connection is not universally considered factual... But is abstract either way
    [irach] to do with yuletide? Still not Festive
  • Raak - Is it a monument?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] monument? No
  • cfm - Is the abstract-connection-not-universally-considered-factual religious in nature?
  • Gusset Login
    [cfm] is the abstract religious? No.
  • Tuj - Is it in Europe?
  • Gusset Login
    [Tuj] in Europe? Yes
  • Tuj - In the UK?
  • Gusset Login
    [Tuj] UK? If the abstract is fictional it's in the UK.
  • Raak - Is it more than 100 years old?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] created before 1st Jan 1912? No.
  • Tuj - Is its whereabouts known and constant?
    Hmm!
  • Gusset Login
    [Tuj] fixed location? Yes
  • Raak - Is it a building?
  • Tuj - Sealand?
  • cfm - Is the abstract component related to government/politics?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] building? Yes
    [cfm] government related or political? Yes
    [Tuj] Principality of Sealand? YES. Have a semi-autonomous baton.
  • Tuj - Well, shiver me timbers!
    So! Let's have a nice bit of

    ABSTRACT

  • Raak - Related to the current season?
  • Tuj - Funny how that's become a default question this month
    Raak] Festive? NO
  • irach - A title? (Such as of a book, song, movie?)
  • Tuj
    irach] A title? Do you know what, the word(s) on the card do form the title of one of those things, so YES, though as far as my setting is concerned that's coincidental.
  • Dujon - Seeing as you cannot pose the quetion, Tuj, does the answer begin with a 'P'?
  • Dujon
    Sorry. My ring finger had a brief holiday. 'question' not 'quetion'.
  • Rosie - An emotion?
  • Raak - An imaginary character?
  • Gusset Login - A well known phrase or saying?
  • Tuj
    Dujon] I could hardly resist ;) YES!
    Rosie] An emotion? NO
    Raak] Imaginary character? *audience gives a brief burst of laughter, applause* NO. There are elements of truth in what you ask, like with irach's happy happenstance, but it's certainly not imaginary.
    GL] Phrase or saying? NO
  • Raak - Is it the name of a role?
  • Rosie - An activity?
  • Tuj
    Raak] Name of a role? NO
    Rosie] Activity? NO
  • Dujon - Does this have anything to do with Ovid and sculpture?
  • irach - Is the coincidental link a title of a movie?
  • Tuj - MC to all MCers
    Dujon] Ovid and sculpture? Not that I know of
    irach] A film title? YES
  • CdM - A human construct?
  • Tuj
    CdM] Human construct? NO
  • Rosie - A film made in the last twenty years?
  • Tuj - Will be asking the Internet all about this film
    Rosie] Was the film the answer on the card coincidentally shares its name with made after 1992? YES
  • Dujon - Is the answer to do with the 'arts'?
  • Rosie - Could animals be aware of this abstract quality?
  • Chalky - Penelope?
  • CdM - Did the film the answer on the card coincidentally shares its name with star that guy, name's on the tip of my tongue, you know, was in the movie with whatshername, you know, who got the oscar nomination for that movie about the guy and the other guy, played by that really tall bloke, and the girl who had the problem with whaddyacallit?
  • Tuj - Good questions all!
    Dujon] Arts? NO
    Rosie] Animal awareness? NO, I doubt it. Though I could imagine some bored scientist making a case about bees or something, like they do.
    Chalky] pen? NO =)
    CdM] ...? This was particularly hard to research, but I'm pretty sure the answer is NO
  • cfm
    Related to biology?
  • Rosie - Can it be measured?
  • Tuj
    cfm] Biological? NO
    Rosie] Measured? YES (though that may not quite be the right word) *some appreciative audience noise*
  • Rosie - Something to do with the weather?
  • Tuj - We're stalling. Time for a summary?
    Rosie] Your favourite subject? NO
  • irach - To do with magic?
  • Rosie - A purely physical effect?
    Favourite subject? Well one of them. :-)
  • Tuj - Keep fishing
    irach] Magical? NO
    Physical? NO
  • irach - Do do with something monetary?
  • jim - Related to mathematics?
  • Tuj
    irach] Monetary? NO
    jim] Mathematical? YES! *standing ovation*
  • ImNotJohn - Pi?
  • Tuj - Eureka!
    INJ] Pi? YES *audience fire party poppers*

    Here, have this cylindrical baton, and I won't even ask you to calculate its volume.
  • ImNotJohn - Lurker? Me?
    OK, this one is MINERAL
  • Raak - Metal?
  • Gusset Login - Manufactured?
  • Tuj - Unique?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Metallic? - NO
    [GL] Manufactured? YES (in the broadest sense)
    [Tuj] Unique? - YES is probably the most helpful answer *some muttering in the audience*
  • Merlyn - Assuming a unique instance
    Was it made in the last 20 years?
  • Raak - Concrete (in the concrete sense)?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Merlyn] Naughty nineties? - NO
    [Raak] Concretion? - NO
  • Rosie - A reservoir?
  • Tuj - Could it be seen from space?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] The big reservoy? - NO
    [Tuj] Spatial visibility? - Well, space is a big place - did you have any particular bit of it in mind? How big a pair of binoculars have you got with you?
    Anyway, the sensible and useful answer is NO
  • Rosie - Is the mineral water?
    Is the mineral water what?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] Perrier? - NO
  • Dujon - Is the 'manufacture' of this mineral natural, in the sense, say, of granite or pumice?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Dujon] Naturally manufactured? - I think I see what you mean and the answer is NO. I probably should have said 'In a broad sense' for manufactured, just as a clue that you shouldn't interpret it too narrowly. This is the product of a human process.
  • Dujon - Is the mineral a by-product of another process?
  • CdM - Is it in a specific fixed location?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Dujon] Mineral a by-product? - NO
    [CdM] In one place? - YES *a few appreciative murmurs in the audience*
  • cfm - Located in Europe?
  • ImNotJohn
    [cfm] European? - NO
  • Chalky - On Earth?
  • Rosie - Has this thing necessitated the shifting of large quantities of rock, soil etc?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] Terrestrial? - YES
    [Rosie] Moving rock/soil - YES *some applause*
    [Tuj] THE QUESTION? - NO
  • Raak - Fracking?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Fracking? - Frack NO!
  • Chalky - If it's not fricking fracking - is it in aNY WAYconnected to fuel extraction
  • ImNotJohn - Cold
    [Chalky] Drilling/mining/etc? - NO
  • Gusset Login - Is it linked to death?
  • ImNotJohn
    [GL] Morbid? - To some extent but not exclusively or even chiefly *whispered discussions in the audience*
  • Rosie - Connected with transport?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] Transport-related? - NO
  • Raak - Is this an individual object?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Individual object? - NO (this explains the hesitation over Unique). Strictly speaking it's a group, but the words on the card card refer to the whole group.
  • ImNotJohn - Current hours of business
    I will respond as quickly as I can between 8am & 6pm UK time, but I'm not carrying my laptop the 2 mile walk to my hotel.
  • Dujon - Is this collection to be found in China?
  • Rosie - The Pyramids?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Dujon] Sinitic? - NO (but it so easily could have been since I was in Xi'an in October)
    [Rosie] Pyramids? - NO, but *some applause*
  • CdM - Does it end with P?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] Pending? - NO
  • Raak - Stonehenge?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Stonehenge? - NO (it was still in Europe last time I looked)
  • Gusset Login - Does it contain a P?
  • ImNotJohn
    [GL] Pinternal? - NO
  • Rosie - Should the fact that you were in Xi'an in October (or at all) influence our search?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Rosie] China etc? No, not in any obvious way and if at all, then probably only after the fact. Certainly thinking along lines suggested by China and terracotta armies isn't likely to help. My comment was only because I thought that was what Dujon was thinking of.
  • Raak - The statues of Easter Island?
  • Tuj - In the Americas?
    [Raak] That looks a good guess.
  • Dujon - You were correct in your thoughts, ImNotJohn.
    *Awaits response to Raak's query before losing any more podumes*
  • irach - In the Middle East?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Moai? - NO
    [Tuj] American? - NO
    [Dujon] There you are, you could have had a go
    [irach] Mediaorientalist? - NO (but tying this down geographically is a good approach)
  • Tuj - Australasian?
  • CdM - Manufactured/constructed/whatever within the last 100 years?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Tuj] Built upside-down? - NO
    [CdM] - Less than 100 years old? - NO
  • Chalky - In Africa?
  • ImNotJohn - A bit warmer
    [Chalky] Africa? - YES *applause*
  • Tuj - Taller than a double-decker bus?
    Resisting guessing "the twin peaks of Mt. Kilimanjaro"
  • ImNotJohn
    [Tuj] The routemaster measurement? - In one sense, YES, in another, NO *audience nods knowingly*
  • Tuj - Is it in a single country?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Tuj] In 1 country? - YES
  • ImNotJohn
    BTW - with an arm up my back I'd plump for 'taller than a bus' but you'll understand why I answered as I did when you get the answer, or very shortly before.
  • Tuj - Do people live in it?
  • CdM - The Kimberley Mine (aka The Big Hole)?
  • CdM
    (Although I now see you answered the earlier fuel-extraction question with a general negative comment about mining, so I suspect my guess is not right.)
  • ImNotJohn
    [Tuj] Inhabited? - NO
    [CdM] Big 'ole? - NO
    *audience applauds both questions*
    Re mining/drilling - if it had been a diamond mine, even if open-cast, I wouldn't have replied as I did, but you have got the right idea as to the bus answer, so don't read too much into it - and don't forget Rosie's early question.
  • Dujon - Is this conglomeration situated in Ethiopia?
  • CdM - Celle-ci n'est pas une question
    So, if I am inferring correctly from the answers, we are looking for something underground or below ground level, but not linked to mining, not inhabited, created by humans more than a century ago and not containing water. Man-made caves? Tunnels? Tombs?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Dujon] Abyssinian? - YES! *loud and prolonged applause*
    Why didn't you just have a guess at it?
    [CdM] Fairly accurate, but Dujon has leap-frogged you.
  • Raak - The Sof Omar Caves?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Sof Omar caves? - NO, but they look fascinating - however they're too natural.
  • CdM - Royal Tombs of Aksum?
  • ImNotJohn - Isn't that in Earthsea?
    [CdM] Axum tombs - NO (my reading is that they are megalithic, which I would take as being above ground)
    Come on, someone must get it soon!
  • Raak - The pyramids of Meroe?
  • ImNotJohn - I didn't think there were so many possibilities
    [Raak] Pyramids of Meroe? - NO
    Basically below ground level, remember
  • CdM - Lalibela churches?
    That has to be it! :-)
  • ImNotJohn - At Last!
    YES
    It is the rock-cut (or monolithic) churches of Lalibela, where I hope to be in about a week's time.
    Here's a mountain and a chisel - carve your own baton.
  • Rosie
    (INJ) Could you and CdM conduct your nerdy little game in private and give the rest of us a chance? It seems pointless and time-wasting to ask questions when one has no chance whatever of guessing the answer, and this is not for the first time, either.
  • CdM
    [INJ] Exceedingly cool.
    [Rosie] Really? I had no idea you felt that way. In future you should make sure we all know if you are unhappy about how the game is played.
    MINERAL
  • Tuj
    In Ethiopia? Unique?
  • Gusset Login - Man made?
  • CdM
    Unique? Yes.
    Man-made? No.
  • Rosie
    (CdM) Fuck off, Cunt de Melbourne. What a pair of irritating nerdish selfish twats you and your brother are.
  • Dujon - Terrestial?
    [Rosie] Behave! :)
    [Tuj] Behave! ;)
    [INJ] Because I have no desire to 'win'. ;)
  • CdM
    Terrestrial? No.
    [Rosie] Your recurring temper tantrums really are getting a little tiresome. Perhaps it's time for you to take your ball and go home again for a couple of weeks. I don't think you've done that yet this month.
  • CdM - Oops
    Sorry. YES to Terrestrial
  • irach - Is the mineral water?
  • CdM
    Water? No.
  • Dujon - A geological feature?
  • CdM
    Geological feature? Yes.
  • Dujon - A mountain?
    Well, whilst I feel a little guilty in banging in consecutive questions no one else has bothered for a day or so.
  • CdM
    A mountain? Yes. *applause* [Dujon] Better be careful. You might end up winning. :-)
  • Tuj - In Africa?
  • CdM
    Yes it does! Er. Oops. I mean
    Under African skies? No.
  • cfm - Surely it's more obscure than...Kilimanjaro?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Gusset Login - In Europe?
  • cfm - Ooops :-)
  • CdM
    Under African skies? Still no.
    Begins with P? Yes. (That was what I meant with my last answer.)
    In Europe? No.
  • Gusset Login - Pinatubo?
  • Dujon - Does this edifice have an attraction for motor sport?
  • CdM
    Pinatubo? No.
    Motor sport? No.
  • irach - Popocatepetl?
  • CdM
    Popocatepetl? No. (I can't help feeling that there are a lot of non-European, non-African mountains beginning with P.)
  • Tuj - In the Americas?
    [CdM] Ahh, I wondered what that answer meant!
  • Gusset Login - Puncak Jaya?
  • irach - Pike's Peak?
  • CdM
    In the Americas? Yes
    More random mountains beginning with P? No.
  • cfm - In the US?
  • CdM
    In the US? Yes.
  • CdM
    This mountain does have a claim to fame, by the way, so it is certainly possible to approach the questioning by routes other than the purely geographic.
  • irach - Mount Palomar, with its additional claim to fame in astronomy circles?
  • Tuj - Famous for a specific event?
  • CdM
    Palomar Mountain? Yes! *hands irach hollowed baton with lenses in each end*
  • irach
    Dizzied with my success I see stars....!!!! The next one is ABSTRACT WITH A STRONG ANIMAL CONNECTION
  • CdM - Is the animal connection human?
  • Tuj - Is it a single-word answer?
  • irach
    [CdM] The animal connection is not human.
    [Tuj] The answer is multiple-worded.
  • Raak - A symbolic animal?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • cfm - a well-known phrase or metaphor?
  • jim - A phrase containing the name of an animal (e.g. lion's share, dog's breakfast etc)?
  • Gusset Login - Is it a fictional part of a real animal? (eg hen's teeth, horse feathers etc)
  • irach
    [Raak] The animal in qustion is not exactly symbolic or iconic, except in one limited way.
    [Tuj] Does not begin with "P".
    [cfm] YES, a well-known phrase.
    [jim] Yes, the phrase contains the name of the animal.
    [GLogin] No, not a fictional part of a real animal.
  • CdM - Is the answer a title (e.g., of a book, play, film, TV show, work of art by Tracey Emin...)?
  • cfm - Is the animal a mammal?
  • Gusset Login - Is it the Bee's Knees? (with or without an arrow through them)
  • irach
    [CdM] Not the title of anything, as far as I am aware.
    [cfm] The animal in question is not a mammal.
    [GLogin] Not the bee's (or any other arthropod's) knees.
  • cfm - Is the animal a reptile?
  • Tuj - Is the animal a fish?
  • CdM - Is the fish a reptile?
  • Raak - Does it fly?
  • Chalky - Is it a metaphor?
  • irach
    [cfm] Yes, the animal is a reptile.
    [Tuj] A reptile, therefore not a fish.
    [CdM] ibid.The fish is no reptile.
    [Raak] Does not fly.
    [Chalky] Not a metaphor.
  • cfm - Leaping lizards?
  • CdM - Is the animal a kind of snake?
  • irach
    [cfm] Not leaping lizards.
    [CdM] Not a snake (in the grass or otherwise).
  • irach
    (I had stated that this phrase was not the title of anything, as far as i was aware. Googling it now shows that it also happens to be the title of an obscure something, but the words on the card are much more well known to the public when used as the phrase itself).
  • Software - Crocodile tears?
  • irach
    [Software] Not crocodile tears; yet the audience is now all agog.
  • cfm - See you later, alligator?
  • irach
    YES, it is the phrase "See you later, alligator". In lieu of a conventional baton, a long stick, to keep the 'gator at bay while saying fond goodbyes to it, is duly handed over to cfm.
  • cfm
    Er...thank you. What? Hey! Oh dear...down boy!
    This one is VEGETABLE AND MINERAL WITH A STRONG ABSTRACT CONNECTION.
  • irach - Salt and pepper?
  • Raak - Chalk and cheese?
  • Raak
    Vegan cheese, obviously.
  • CdM - Edible?
  • Dujon
    [irach] Bill Haley and 'See You Later, Alligator' is obscure? Shame on you, sir, shame. ;)
  • Dujon - Darn it, I forgot, cfm. Short term memory?
  • cfm
    [irach] Well seasoned: NO
    [raak] Cuisine du pica: NO
    [CdM] Cuisine at all: NO
    [Dujon] Was there a question in there somewhere? :-)
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Gusset Login - Is the vegetable wood?
  • jim - Is the mineral metal?
  • CdM - Unique?
  • cfm
    [Tuj] NO, not this time.
    [G] YES, there is wood involved.
    [CdM] NO, not unique.
    And my apologies, players: as I reviewed the composition of the word on the card in my mind's eye, I realized there is sometimes a minor ANIMAL component as well.
  • cfm
    [Jim] YES, there is metal involved.
  • CdM - Is the wood component processed?
  • Chalky - Is the Animal component more minor than the Vegetable and Mineral-iness, which in themselves aren't as major as the obviously strong Abstractiness of this thingy?
    Alternatively - is this game quite difficult to play 'from the chair'?
    Just say yes.
  • cfm
    [Chalky} LOL! er....YES!
  • cfm
    [CdM] YES. The wood is subject to human/mechanical intervention.
  • CdM - Is the wood in the form of paper?
  • cfm
    [CdM] NO. There is no paper involved.
  • Chalky - *back to basics* Is this the name of a place?
  • cfm
    [Chalky] NO. Not a place.
  • CdM - Are there other significant vegetable and mineral components other than wood and metal?
  • Chalky - Is this a well-known phrase or saying?
  • irach - Is the animal component leather?
  • cfm
    [CdM] Complicated question. How do you define signifcant? Here is what I think will be a helpful answer. Plastic/resin elements may be involved. Plastics/resins may have both vegetable and mineral components.
    [Chalky] NO. Not a well-known phrase or saying.
    [irach] NO. The animal component is not leather.
  • irach - Would the wooden element likely be found indoors?
  • cfm
    [irach] You might encounter the word on the card indoors or outdoors. The wooden element is integrated with the other elements.
  • CdM - Do you think a typical morniverser would own one of these?
  • cfm
    [CdM] MAYBE Not knowing any morniversers, I can not say what is typical.
  • CdM - Fine, whatever... :-) Do YOU own one?
  • cfm
    [CdM] That's a pretty personal question. Can someone consult the rules? Is that allowed?
  • cfm
    [CdM] Well, alright. Since no one appears to be troubled by the nature of your inquiry... :-)
    YES. I own one.
  • irach - Is the wooden element a piece of furniture?
  • cfm
    [irach] NO. Not a piece of furniture.
  • Chalky - Are you male or female?
  • Fakename - If it's not a personal question: Are you a virgin?
  • Chalky - OK - I'll re-phrase that. Given your reply to CdM - is this more likely to be owned by a male?
    ... and there's no need to be rude. Trolling isn't tolerated here.
  • jim - Is it portable?
    [Chalky] I believe "Fakename"'s question is inadmissible anyway, since it doesn't refer to the item we're trying to guess.
  • cfm
    [Chalky] YES, is my best guess, men own more of these. But I have no statistics and Google isn't helping.
    The personal question comment was a joke, you know. :-)
    [jim] YES. It is portable.
    [Fakename] Fake off.
  • CdM - Is it functional?
    (and that's not a personal question)
  • cfm
    [CdM] YES, it is functional as opposed to decorative.
  • Dujon - An object often carried in a wallet or purse?
  • CdM - Bigger than a toaster?
  • cfm
    [Tuj] Between bills and baby pictures? NO.
    [CdM] YES. Even a DeLonghi 6-slice.
  • CdM - Is it powered?
  • Software - A microwave ready meal?
  • cfm
    [CdM] YES. Some of these are powered. But some are not.
    [Software] NO. See above, it is bigger than a 6-slice toaster.
  • jim - Is it connected with agriculture or gardening?
  • irach - Is it propelled on the ground?
  • Software - A barbeque?
  • cfm
    [jim] Seedy reputation? NO. No agricultural connection.
    [irach] Moving right along...? NO. Neither the ground nor propulsion are relevant.
  • cfm
    [Software] Toss it on the grill... NO. Fire hazard indoors, too. :-)
  • CdM - Would it typically be described as a tool?
  • cfm
    [CdM] NO. It would not be described as a tool.
  • irach - Is it used for recreational purposes?
  • Gusset Login - Is it stationary whilst in use?
  • cfm
    [irach] YES. Sometimes. But not in the sports sense of word recreational and it may also be used, in a professional context.
    [Gusset Login] YES. Sometimes. But it's never completely immobile.
  • CdM - Does it contain electronic components?
  • cfm
    [CdM] NO. Not necessarily. But electronic components may be added to increase its functionality.
  • CdM - A rabbit hutch with optional built-in clock radio and microwave?
  • cfm
    [CdM] NO. I think that would constitute a major animal component.
  • CdM
    [cfm] I didn't say anything about it containing a rabbit.
  • irach - Is the wooden bit a handle?
  • cfm
    [irach] NO. The object has no handle.
  • ImNotJohn - Any musical connection?
  • cfm
    [INJ] YES. There is a musical connection.
  • irach - Is the musical connection a guitar?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it a musical instrument?
  • cfm
    [INJ] The audience probably should have made a bigger fuss over your last question...but they were really sleepy that night. :-)
    [irach] YES. Bingo. *hands irach a rosewood baton with mother-of-pearl inlay*
  • irach
    (Strumming the newly acquired baton while contemplating the next puzzle should be, still wondering what the 'abstract" element in a guitar is)...ah, here goes, the next one is ABSTRACT
  • CdM - A human construct?
    [irach] Not presuming to speak for cfm, but s/he specified an abstract connection, which I take to be music/songs.
  • cfm - [irach] What he said. [CdM] What you said.
  • irach
    [cfm] Yes, a human construct.
  • Tuj - Connected to geography?
  • Raak - Connected to the arts?
  • Software - Bigger than a virtual toaster?
  • ImNotJohn - Anarcho-syndicalism?
    Mark my words, one day it's going to be right.
  • irach
    [Tuj] Tangentially, yes, related to a "geographical" location.
    [Raak] Not connected to the arts.
    [Software] In the abstract world, if bigger is better, it is better known than any virtual toaster.
    {INJ} Drat, not this time around.
  • Tuj - Topical?
    [irach] I like the toaster answer very much.
  • ImNotJohn - Related to a specific belief system?
  • Raak - An organisation?
  • irach
    [INJ] Not related to a belief system.
    [Raak] Not an organisation.
  • Gusset Login - Topical?
  • CdM - Does that include the flying toasters that were once ubiquitous on Windows PCs?
  • irach
    [GLogin] Not particularly topical. It would not come up in normal everyday conversations, except perhaps in very select limited circles.
    [CdM] Perhaps not, in retrospect.
  • Raak - To do with science?
  • irach
    [Raak] No scientific connection, but perhaps a tangential link to scientific method.
  • Software - A phrase or saying?
  • irach
    [Software] Not a phrase in the true sense of the word, or a saying.
  • cfm - A sensation?
  • Tuj - Related to sport?
  • irach
    [cfm] Not a sensation.
    [Tuj] Not sport-related.
  • cfm - A state of mind or emotion?
  • irach
    [cfm] Not a state of mind or emotion.
  • cfm - An activity?
  • irach
    [cfm] Not an activity, but rather a hub of "activity".
  • cfm - A location?
  • irach
    [cfm] Yes, a location.
  • cfm - A unique location or a common location?
  • CdM - Related to economic activity?
  • irach
    [cfm] A unique location.
    [CdM] Not related to econmoic activity.
  • cfm - A location in Europe?
  • irach
    [cfm] A location in Europe - "Yes", and no.
  • Raak - Does this location move?
  • irach
    [Raak] The location does not move, it is fixed, but remember, it is in essence ABSTRACT.
  • ImNotJohn - Is it defined by its position in relation to other things?
    Such as 'the pole of inaccessibility' or 'the centre of the UK'
  • irach
    [ImNotJohn] It is a much more specifically pinpoint-able locale than a place defined by its relationships to other things; yet it is abstract in that it is in fact not a "real" locale. Therefore my earlier answer "Yes" and no about it being located in Europe.
  • ImNotJohn - Does it appear in a work of fiction?
    Like the Reichenbach Falls
  • irach
    [ImNotJohn] Yes, it does appear in a work of fiction. It is not Reichenbach Falls, but quite a few in the audience clap and nod appreciatively at its mention.
  • Raak - 221b Baker Street?
  • irach
    YES, 221b Baker Street it is. See, 'twas elementary, my dear Watsons. It's through sleuthing with proper questioning, not by sheer luck one homes in to the right answer. A calabash pipe, in place of a baton, is handed over to Raak.
  • Raak
    The next is VEGETABLE, ANIMAL, and MINERAL.
  • Chalky - Does it begin with a P?
  • Raak
    Does not begin with a P.
  • Tuj - - oh
    Is it unique?
  • CdM - Is it edible?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it a domestic article?
  • irach - Is it Groucho Marx (the animal) smoking a cigar (vegetable) an dropping the ashes (mineral)?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] Not unique.
    [CdM] Inedible.
    [INJ] Not really a domestic article.
    [irach] Grouchy marks? No.
  • Gusset Login - Is the vegetable paper?
  • irach - Is the vegetable component wood?
  • Raak
    [GL] Not paper.
    [irach] The vegetable is wood.
  • cfm - Is the animal component leather?
  • Tuj - Bigger than a toaster?
  • Raak
    [cfm] Yes, leather.
    [Tuj] Bigger than a toaster.
  • cfm - A lacrosse stick?
  • Raak
    [cfm] Jolly lacrosse sticks? No.
  • irach - Is the mineral metal?
  • Raak
    [irach] Yes, metal.
    What can you make with wood, leather, and metal? Actually, technically I think the animal part is not "leather", but it is skin processed in some way.
  • irach - An old steamer sea trunk?
  • cfm - "skin processed in some way"? Whoa. Weirdness.
  • cfm - Just sayin....
  • cfm - Related to interment, memorialization?
  • Raak
    [irach] Not a trunk.
    [cfm] Not six feet under.
  • CdM - Bigger than a phone box?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Not bigger than a phone box.
  • jim - Would one normally find it indoors?
  • Tuj - Is it musical?
  • Raak
    [jim] Can be indoors or outdoors.
    [Tuj] *applause* It is musical.
  • ImNotJohn - A concertina?
    Oh, hang on, you said it was musical.
  • Raak
    [INJ] It is both musical, and not a concertina.
  • Tuj - A drum?
  • ImNotJohn - A tambourine?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] *more applause* It is a drum.
    [INJ] But not a tambourine.
  • irach - Bongo drums?
  • Raak
    [irach] Not bongos.
  • ImNotJohn - Associated with a particular people or location?
  • Raak
    [INJ] Yes, associated with etc.
  • Software - Bongo druums?
  • cfm - A djembe?
  • Raak
    [cfm] Not a djembe.
  • CdM - A Taiko drum?
  • Dujon - Is this a drum which is struck with an implement - as opposed to the hand?
  • irach - A tabla?
  • Raak
    [Dujon] Yes, [irach] No, [CdM] su-ku-DON!! YES, a taiko. Have this pair of bachi.
  • CdM
    Baci? Yum! *unwraps and eats*
    That was not a lucky guess; I just have a long memory :-)
    All right, this next one is probably best thought of as ABSTRACT with ANIMAL and VEGETABLE connections, although you might be able to make a case for ANIMAL with ABSTRACT and VEGETABLE connections
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • jim - Is it Malcolm's army approaching Dunsinane under cover of foliage cut from Birnam wood?
  • CdM
    P-begun? Yes.
    Branches of the military? No.
  • Software - Phrase or saying?
  • Phil - A work of art?
  • irach - A title of a movie or work of fiction?
  • Dujon - A particular recipe?
  • CdM
    Phrase or saying? No, or at least only if you adopt a very broad definition of that term.
    A work of art? I realise now that I should really say that, as well as being abstract, this has abstract connections. The answer, as I am interpreting it, is not a work of art. The abstract connections include a work of art, although that is unlikely to be helpful.
    Title of a movie/work of fiction? Both, as it happens, although that is also unlikely to be helpful. *some applause, but for the question rather than for the answer*
    Recipe? No.
  • Tuj - Was this invented by a specific person?
  • ImNotJohn - A branch of study or learning?
  • CdM
    Invented by a specific person? No.
    Branch of study? No.
  • jim - Mythical / legendary?
  • CdM
    Mythical/legendary? No.
  • ImNotJohn - Appears in a work of fiction?
  • irach - Is the animal in question human?
  • CdM
    Appears in a work of fiction? Undoubtedly in many. The principal abstract connection is also certainly referred to in works of fiction, though I know no specific examples.
    Animal in question human? Yes.

    As so often seems to happen, I'm finding it hard to give answers that don't mislead, so let me attempt to clarify. The words on the card have a fairly generic sense, and I am taking that as the main definition. However, the words on the card are more notable in reference to a particular abstract connection. Googling reveals that the words on the card have been used as a title for a book, a movie, and a painting, but none of these is the significant abstract connection.
  • Software - A werewolf?
  • CdM
    Werewolf? No.
  • cfm - Does the word "man" appear on the card?
  • CdM
    Word "man"on the card? No. *tiny smattering of applause*
  • cfm - Do the words on the card describe a human condition?
  • CdM
    Human condition? Not a human condition, but in their generic non-abstract sense, they do describe (an exemplar of) a class of humans.
  • cfm - Is the class of humans distiguished by some physical characteristic?
  • CdM
    Physical characteristic? No.
  • Software - Would this be more applicable to the female of the species?
  • Phil - Reference to angels?
  • cfm - Do the words on the card convey the vegetable element?
  • CdM
    More applicable to women? I don't know any statistics but there is no obvious reason to think so.
    Angelic? No.
    Vegetable element on the card? Yes.
  • cfm - Does the vegetable element begin with P?
  • ImNotJohn - A Paper Tiger?
  • CdM
    Does vegetable begin with P? Yes.
    Paper Tiger? No. *some applause*
  • Gusset Login - Is it only a paper moon?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the vegetable element paper?
  • Raak - Is the vegetable element papyrus?
  • irach - Paper Chase?
  • CdM
    Paper Moon? No.
    Vegetable = paper? Yes
    Papyrus? No.
    Paper Chase? No.
    Two clues, because I am feeling generous. First, the words on the card describe something less abstract than your guesses. Remember I said that this could also be described as Animal with Abstract/Vegetable connections. Second, the string of letters "paper" does appear on the card, but strictly speaking the word "paper" does not.
  • Raak - pDoes a word beginning with "paper" appear on the card?
  • CdM
    pWord beginning with Paper? pYes.
  • ImNotJohn - Paperback Writer?
  • CdM
    Dear INJ, that baton you took
    It took me years to make, won't you take a look
  • ImNotJohn
    Looks at baton, sees 'Lear' crossed out and 'CdM' written in its place
    OK, we'll go for Mineral
  • Phil - Is there only one?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Phil] Unique? - YES
  • Software - A monument?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Software] Monumental? - NO
  • Tuj - Does it belong to one person?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Tuj] Mine, all mine!? - NO
  • irach - Earthly, terrestrial, or otherwise on this planet?
  • ImNotJohn
    [irach] Third rockish? - YES
  • cfm - Is there metal involved?
  • Raak - A human artifact?
  • ImNotJohn
    [cfm] Metal involved - NO, well, only sort of... *audience chuckles*
    [Raak] Man-made? - NO
  • Dujon - A disputed territory?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Dujon] Disputed territory? - NO
  • Gusset Login - Uluru?
  • ImNotJohn
    [GL] Uluru? - NO
  • CdM - Watery?
  • Raak - Is it of substantial scientific interest?
  • ImNotJohn - Moving on a bit now
    [CdM] Watery? YES - *applause*
    [Raak] Scientifically interesting? - NO (IMO)
  • jim - A lake?
  • ImNotJohn
    [jim] mere, pond, tarn, inland sea? - NO
  • Phil - A geographical entity?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Phil] Geographical entity? - NO (by any reasonable sense of that term)
    [Tuj] P......? *audience sits up as one* - NO *audience collapses, deflated*
  • Raak - Is it underground?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Underground? - NO
    As is traditional at about this point can I suggest you examine your assumptions.
  • jim - Is the water actually what it is made of?
    As opposed to "watery" just being taken to mean wet.
  • ImNotJohn
    [jim] Made of water? - YES
  • Chalky - Is it potable?
  • Software - A glacier?
  • Tuj - Is it located in a specific continent?
  • Gusset Login - A Snowflake?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] Drinkable? - NO
    [Software] Glacier? - NO but *considerable audience applause*
    [Tuj] - In a specific continent? - NO
    [GL] Snowflake? - Nice idea, but NO
  • Raak - The Arctic ice cap?
  • Phil - The ice hotel?
  • CdM - The iceberg struck by the Titanic?
  • Software - Any old iceberg?
  • irach - An avalanche?
  • ImNotJohn - That's the way to do it!
    Well - without beating about the bush - CdM is right.
    It's the iceberg struck by the Titanic.
    The point that people were missing and that I hoped to catch you on was that it no longer exists.
    Take this baton before it melts.
  • CdM
    MINERAL AND VEGETABLE (and also, by my best guess, ANIMAL, as well as having ANIMAL connections)
  • Raak - A manufactured thing?
  • CdM
    Manufactured? Yes.
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Software - Larger than the toaster size standard ?
  • CdM
    Begins with P? Need you ask? Yes.
    Bigger than a toaster? Yes.
  • Tuj - Unique?
  • Raak - Partly made of wood?
  • CdM
    Unique? No.
    Partly wooden? Yes.
  • cfm - Is the mineral metal?
  • Raak - Is it a weapon?
  • Phil - Is it a vehicle?
  • Gusset Login - Is it a tool?
  • Tuj - Is it musical?
  • CdM
    Metal? In part, yes
    A weapon? No.
    A vehicle? Yes *applause*
    A tool? No.
    Musical? No.
  • Dujon - Is this 'vehicle' something that travels on water?
  • CdM
    Aquatic? No.
  • Raak - Does it fly?
  • Tuj - Is it more than 50 years old?
  • CdM
    Aeronautic? No. (A few audience members, who chuckled quietly at the notion of this being aquatic, find this question even more amusing.)
    More than 50 years old? Yes (although there are modern versions).
  • ImNotJohn - Is is restricted to a track?
  • cfm - A rickshaw?
  • Raak - Does it run on animal power?
  • Phil - A Phaeton?
  • CdM
    On rails? No.
    Rickshaw? No.
    Animal powered? Yes (though not the more modern versions)
    Phaeton? No. *smattering of applause* (but only a smattering; don't get too carried away)
  • irach - Plough?
  • CdM
    Plough? No.
  • Dujon - Is the answer a form of public transport?
  • CdM
    On the buses? No.
  • ImNotJohn - Is it a vehicle primarily for carrying goods?
  • CdM
    Primarily for goods? Yes. *applause*
  • Software - Ox-cart type of thingy?
  • ImNotJohn - Pantechnicon?
  • Raak - A milk float?
  • CdM
    A Pantechnicon (or more precisely, a Pantechnicon van, which is what the original horse-drawn vehicles of the Pantechnicon company were called) is the correct answer. Would you like us to store this baton for you, or should we deliver it?
  • ImNotJohn - When do you want me to email you the answer?
    Well, this is getting a bit embarrassing. But, since I had already thought of pantechnicon when I asked my penultimate question, I don't feel sufficiently awkward about setting another one.
    So, the next one is MINERAL, with some Abstract connections
  • Raak - Unique?
  • Phil - Metal?
  • Dujon - Whitney Houston's coffin?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Only one? - NO
    [Phil] Metallic? - YES
    [Dujon] The last resting place...? - NO (one of these days the pin in the encyclopedia method is going to work, but not today)
    [Tuj] Pfirst? - Why, YES
  • jim - A phone box?
  • ImNotJohn
    [jim] The oeuvre of G G Scott? - NO
  • cfm - A ubiquitous object?
  • jim - Bigger than a phone box?
    Which was what I was going to ask first, but I thought I'd cut to the chase :)
  • ImNotJohn
    [cfm] Can't get away from it? - NO
    [jim] - Dimensionally excessive K2-wise? - NO
  • Software - A toaster?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Software] The other toaster question - NO
  • Raak - Naturally occurring?
  • jim - A tool of some kind?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Naturally Occurring? - NO
    [jim] A tool? - NO
  • cfm - A decorative object?
  • ImNotJohn
    [cfm] Ooh, innit pretty? - NO (though it/they may be found attractive by some)
  • Tuj - Associated with a particular country?
  • CdM - Mass-produced?
  • Raak - Does it have moving parts?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Tuj] One country? - YES
    [CdM] Mass-produced? - YES
    [Raak] moving bits? - NO
  • Raak - Is it a model of something?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] A model? - NO
  • Raak - A bell?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Belly? - NO
    As a help, I can expand on my particular country answer to Tuj. They are/were associated with and produced in one country, but have/had a wider presence.
  • Phil - Still mass-produced?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Phil] Still in production? - NO (Thank you - that'll make it easier for me to write comments and clues)
  • jim - Does the answer contain a brand or company name?
  • ImNotJohn
    [jim] Branded? - NO (Well, actually, I wouldn't be at all surprised to discover that it has been used as a brand name at some point somewhere, but that won't help you)
  • Phil - Smaller than a toaster?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Phil] The first toaster question? - YES, smaller
    In looking up the answer to jim's question I discovered this had been used as the name of an album, a book and a shop amongst other things but I can't see that helping much.
  • jim - Associated with a European country?
  • ImNotJohn
    [jim] Associated with European country? - YES * a few murmurs, but no dissent, among the audience*
  • Phil - Entirely metal?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Phil] All metal? - YES *the audience are beginning to show some interest*
  • cfm - Is the abstract connection closely related to the country of origin?
  • Raak - Turkish?
  • jim - Russian?
    [Raak] We're thinking along the same lines, I think.
  • ImNotJohn
    [cfm] Abstract connection related to country of origin? - Not especially, though there is some link
    [Raak] Turkish? NO (I don't count that as European, despite Istanbul)
    [jim] Russian? - NO (I see how your minds are working, but that's not the reason for the (very minor) audience reaction - The country of origin is fully and completely European)
  • Raak - A coin?
  • Phil - A peseta?
  • ImNotJohn - Here we go
    [Raak] A coin? - YES *applause and even a couple of 'Huzzah's from the audience*
    [Phil] Peseta? - NO *some more applause*
  • jim - An Irish pound?
  • Gusset Login - A currency in common usage today?
  • ImNotJohn - Can't take much longer
    [jim] Taking a punt at a punt? - NO
    [GL] In common use? - NO
  • jim - Rendered obsolete by the Euro?
  • Phil - The pfennig?
  • Phil
    Arrgh, I think I know the answer, but I can't bring myself to double-guess :(
  • ImNotJohn
    [jim] The Belgian Drachma? - NO
    [Phil] I bet you're right, so it's not the pfennig. I admire your restraint.
  • Phil - Ahem, the peso?
  • ImNotJohn - Well, that's a let-down
    [Phil] Peso? - NO, that word is not on the card, but.....
  • Phil
    LMAO - back to the drawing board!
  • jim - A piece of eight?
    Which amounts to almost the same thing ...
  • Phil
    Oh sugar, beaten to it. Just what I was about to type
  • ImNotJohn - We have a winner!
    [Phil]Well, it's always easier when you know the answer, but I think we're now at the cryptic crossword clue stage so that when you think of the answer, you know it's right.(simulposted)
    [jim] You have just proved me right - The words on the card are Pieces of Eight (aka Peso de Ocho, aka Spanish Dollar)
    Polly, take this baton over to Jim lad.
  • jim
    I'm actually kind of tempted to concede the win to Phil, since "peso" is so nearly there and we practically simul'd it. If you've got a clue lined up, Phil, you can take it if you want, otherwise I've got one I can do.
  • Phil
    No, I haven't got one ready, so do go ahead, jim.
  • jim - "Apres vous!" "Non, apres vous!"
    OK, I am thinking of a ABSTRACT, with ANIMAL and MINERAL connections.
  • Raak - A kobold?
  • Tuj - Is this a question?
  • Gusset Login - Is Beauty Truth?
  • jim - One day, someone will get a hole in one ... but ...
    [Raak] NO, not a kobold.
    [Tuj] If this is an answer ...
    [GL] Only if the truth in question is particularly beautiful.
  • CdM - Human construct?
  • Tuj - Associated with a particular country?
  • jim
    [CdM] YES, a human construct.
    [Tuj] NO, not associated with a particular country.
  • cfm - Related to the arts?
  • jim
    [cfm] Depends how you define "the arts", but in a broad sense, YES, related to the arts.
  • Dujon - A rock carving?
  • Raak - Ancient cave paintings?
  • Tuj - Something that no longer exists?
  • jim
    [Dujon] NO, not a rock carving.
    [Raak] NO, not ancient cave paintings neither
    [Tuj] NO, it still exists.
  • ImNotJohn - Are the animal connection human?
  • cfm - Associated with a craft?
  • CdM - Is the mineral connection metal?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    Ach sorry, low on willpower.
  • jim
    [INJ] YES, human.
    [cfm] I have heard it described as a craft, but if you mean handicraft, NO.
    [CdM] YES, metal. some applause from the audience
    [Tuj] NO, alas, does not begin with P.
  • Software - A memorial?
  • Raak - A ritual?
  • irach - Blacksmithing?
  • ImNotJohn - Body Piercing?
  • jim
    [Software] NO, not a memorial.
    [Raak] NO, not a ritual.
    [irach] NO, not blacksmithing.
    NO, not body piercing.
  • Raak - Religious significance?
  • ImNotJohn - An Action?
  • Gusset Login - A Statue?
  • jim
    [Raak] It can have, but not in any sense that I think is going to help you.
    [INJ] In a certain sense yes, but as generally understood NO.
    [GL] A statue would be mineral with abstract/animal connections, so NO.
  • Raak - A figurative expression?
  • ImNotJohn - Connected with communication?
  • Tuj - Connected with personal relationships?
  • jim
    [Raak] YES, in that the words on the card denote the answer in a figurative rather than a literal sense, although the expression is not the answer.
    [INJ] YES, again in a broad sense, connected with communication.
    [Tuj] It frequently is, but need not be.
  • Raak - A speech act of some sort?
  • Tuj - Is the metal connection a specific metal item?
  • Software - An advertising sign?
  • jim
    [Raak] NO, not speech as such (although it can be involved, but generally isn't).
    [Tuj] NO, not a specific item.
    [Software] NO, not an advertising sign.
  • Dujon - Does it have a dircect connection with computers?
  • ImNotJohn - Involves the written word?
  • jim
    [Dujon] NO, no direct connection with computers.
    [INJ] NO, does not (directly) involve the written word.
  • irach - Is the metal in question as single metallic element found in the Periodic Table of Elements (such as iron or copper or lead), as opposed to a combination or alloy (e.g. brass, bronze, gunmetal)?
  • Raak - An astronomical constellation?
  • jim
    [irach] NO, not a specific metal, elemental or alloyed.
    [Raak] NO, not an astronomical constellation.
  • CdM - An emotion or state of mind?
  • Tuj - Associated with a particular place?
  • jim
    [CdM] NO, not an emotion or a state of mind.
    [Tuj] Certain kinds of it are associated with certain regions, but not exclusively, and I shouldn't say the answer as a whole was associated with a given place.
  • Raak - An organisation?
  • jim
    [Raak] NO, not an organisation, although it involves a large number of small organisations.
  • Raak - Freemasonry?
  • CdM - Connected to commerce, business, or economics?
  • jim
    [Raak] NO, not freemasonry.
    When I said "large number of small organisations" they wouldn't normally be referred to in those words, I should point out.
    [CdM] YES, but the business side isn't generally considered the important bit.
  • Dujon - A form of badge denoting membership of an organisation/club and their ilk?
  • irach - Heavy metal music?
  • CdM
    I like that guess!
  • jim - Makes the sign of the horns
    [Dujon] NO, not a badge, because ...
    YES! The words on the card are Heavy Metal. At the end of the game, I fling my baton out into the crowd, where it is caught by irach.
  • jim
    I found it quite difficult answering all the "connected with X" questions without being misleading, since of course it can be connected with just about anything, if somebody writes a song about it. Relationships and (in one form or another) religion are frequent themes. The "small organisations" I referred to above would, of course, normally be called "bands" :)
  • irach
    Okay then.... The next one is ABSTRACT with STRONG ANIMAL CONNECTIONS
  • Tuj - A unicorn?
  • CdM - Are the animal connections human?
  • ImNotJohn - Anarcho-Syndicalism?
    Surely, this time.
  • irach
    [Tuj] Not a unicorn.
    [CdM] The animal connections are not human.
    [ImNotJohn] Rats! Doggone it! No, not this time, either.
  • Phil - Is it more abstract than a rhetorical question?
  • irach
    [Phil] About as abstract, I would expect, although it is not a rhetorical question.
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • irach
    [Tuj} No "P" in the beginning.
  • Tuj - Is it from fiction?
    That's the formalities out of the way then.
  • CdM - Are the animal connections rats and dogs?
  • irach
    [Tuj] Not from fdction.
    [CdM] One of the animal connections is a dog.
  • Phil - Is it an event?
  • irach
    [Phil] The words on the card do describe an action, if that can be called an "event".
  • ImNotJohn - A well-known phrase or saying?
  • cfm - Related to something dogs do?
  • irach
    [ImNotJohn] Yes, a well known phrase.
    [cfm] Yes, related to what a dog does (or should I say doesn't do).
  • Dujon - Is the word 'bite' on the card?
  • ImNotJohn - The dog that didn't bark in the night?
  • Software - Hair of the dog?
  • irach
    [Dujon] The word "bite" is not on the card
    [ImNotJohn] See above, therefore, no.
    [Software] Not the hair of the dog.
    It may behoove one to consider my earlier response that one of the animal connections is a dog.
  • Chalky - Raining cats and dogs?
  • irach
    [Chalky] No, no felines involved.
  • Chalky - Is/are the other animal connection/s mammals?
  • irach
    Yes, the other animal connection is mammalian.
  • ImNotJohn - Let the dog see the rabbit?
  • Tuj - Is the other animal a cat?
  • irach
    [ImNotJohn] No, no rabbits involved.
    [Tuj] As indicated in my response to Chalky, above, there are no felines (including domesticated cats) involved.
  • cfm - "That dog won't hunt"?
  • Raak - "dog eat dog"
    Maybe the other connection is a dog as well.
  • irach
    [cfm] Not "That dog won't hunt".
    [Raak] Not "dog eat dog"; the other animal connection is not the dog, Canis lupus familiaris. Nevertheless, some dogged audience members do sit up and take notice.
  • Raak - Proverbs 26:11?
  • irach
    [Raak] No, not Biblically proverbial.
  • Phil - A wolf in sheep's clothing?
  • CdM - Does the word "dog" appear on the card?
  • ImNotJohn - Does it involve the idea of hunting?
  • Raak - A dog's dinner?
  • Chalky - The dog's bollocks?
    Well someone had to say it ...
  • irach
    [Phil] Not a wolf in sheep's clothing... (yet a few audience members give faint nods of appreciation)
    [CdM} The word "dog" does indeed appear on the card.
    [ImNotJohn] No, the words on the card do not involve the idea of hunting, yet there is a tangential connection.
    [Raak] Not a dog's dinner.
    [Chalky] No bollocks involved.
  • cfm - dog and pony show?
  • irach
    Time for a recap, perhaps - The answer is a well-known phrase that contains the word "dog'; does not refer to cannibalistic dogs; there is at least one other mammalian animal connection, non-human, which is not the domesticated dog Canis lupus familiaris or rabbits, or any Felidae; the phrase is non-Biblical; perhaps tangentially connected to hunting, and that the phrase "wolf in sheep's clothing" evoked a couple of faint nods of appreciation, as though tracking in the right direction.
  • irach
    [cfm]Not a dog and pony show.
  • Raak - A dog in the manger?
  • irach
    [Raak] Not a dog in the manger. (Remember, the phrase has another mammalian non-human animal connection in addition to "dog").
  • cfm - The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog?
  • ImNotJohn - Related to Sheepdogs/shepherding?
  • irach
    [ImNotJohn] Not related to sheepdogs/shepherding.
    [cfm] The pangram, "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" it is! A baton long enough to pole vault over the said lazy dog is duly handed off to cfm.
  • cfm
    *lands, none too gracefully*
    So let's try this:
    MINERAL WITH ABSTRACT AND HUMAN CONNECTIONS
  • irach - A diamond in the rough?
  • cfm
    [irach] No hole in one, sorry. :-)
  • cfm
    Hmmmm. None too gracefully indeed. Let's make that abstract with animal connections, which we now know are human. :-)
  • ImNotJohn - The Anarcho-syndicalist Society's crazy golf runners-up cup?
    [cfm] Can you just clarify - is it still Mineral (with A & A) or is it just Abstract with Animal.
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    I had to ask it this time, as it's one of those questions that works regardless of the confusion being cleared up.
  • CdM - Is the human connection animal?
  • Raak - A single individual?
  • Raak
    Meaning, the mineral thing, rather than its connections.
  • cfm
    [INJ] ASS cup? Nope. But Abstract and Animal, yes.
    [Tuj] Next time, I Promise.
    [CdM] *laughs*
    [Raak] Yes. One individual.
  • Software - Mineral = metal?
  • Tuj - Owned by a specific person?
  • Raak - Is it extremely valuable?
  • cfm
    [Software] To the best of my knowledge, sometimes yes, sometimes no.
    [Tuj] Multiple owners. *Audience raises a collective eyebrow*
    [Raak] Valuable, yes. Extremely? Depends on how much you have in your checking account, I suppose. But it ain't cheap.
  • CdM
    I'm still not clear on your answer to INJ. This is MINERAL with ABSTRACT and ANIMAL connections; is that right?
  • Raak - An item of jewellery?
  • cfm
    [CdM] So sorry. That is correct. Mineral with abstract and animal connections.
    [Raak] To the best of my knowledge, no. *A few murmurs from the audience* *
  • Raak - Some sort of regalia?
  • Dujon - Are computer/'phone screens pertinent to the answer?
  • CdM - Smaller than a toaster?
  • cfm
    [Raak] No, nothing royal about it
    [Dujon] [No, not at all.
    [CdM] i am guessing yes, once in a rare while. But not usually.
  • CdM
    I need another clarification. Raak asked if the mineral thing was a single individual, which I took to mean he was asking if it was unique, with only one instance in the world. You replied Yes. Am I misunderstanding your answer to Raak's question?
  • Tuj - Invented in the last 200 years?
    I would love to see video footage of the audience's response to my previous.
  • ImNotJohn - Related to arms or militaria?
  • cfm
    [CdM] Sorry for the confusion. No, the mineral thing is not a single item. The animal connection is to a single individual. And thank you for clarifying.
    [Tuj] Yes, invented in the last 200 years.
    [INJ] No, not related to militaria.
  • jim - Is the "single individual" the inventor of the item?
  • cfm
    [Jim] Yes, the single individual invented the words on the card.
  • Raak - A communication device?
  • cfm
    [Raak] No, not a communication device.
  • jim - Is the inventor still alive?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the name of the inventor on the card?
  • cfm
    [jim] No, the inventor is dead.
    [INJ] Yes, the inventor's name is on the card.
  • Raak - Related to medicine?
  • Tuj - Associated with a particular country?
  • cfm
    [Raak] No, nothing medicinal. Though it might make you feel good to encounter it. :-)
    [Tuj] Yes -- but not strongly so. I would guess that many people know the thing on the card but don't make that association.
  • CdM - Do you think that the typical morniverser owns one of these?
  • Raak - A household article?
  • cfm
    [CdM] No, the average morniverser probably does not have one stashed out back.
    [Raak]Yes, often but not always.
  • CdM - Functional as opposed to decorative?
  • cfm
    [CdM] No, not functional as opposed to decorative.
    You may wish to rephrase your question(s).
  • Dujon - Is the first of these reputed to have been made for Tsar Alexander III?
  • cfm
    [Dujon] No. We're not making omelettes. :-) Fun guess, though.
  • ImNotJohn - A timepiece of some sort?
  • cfm
    [INJ] Yes, sometimes. I know of at least one instance.
  • irach - Tiffany glass/window?
  • cfm
    [irach] Yes! The words on the card are indeed Tiffany glass. *very carefully hands off a fabulous opalescent baton (signed!) to irach Don't drop it. :-)
  • irach
    Ooofff! It's tough lugging that glass baton all the way from 57th and Fifth Avenue after a heavy breakfast at Tiffany's ... so let me pause and consider the next puzzle... ah, yes...ABSTRACT with a MINERAL connection.
  • Raak - A Tiffany design?
  • irach
    [Raak] Not a Tiffany design.
  • cfm - The title of somthing?
  • Gusset Login - Fictional object(s)?
  • Dujon - Is the mineral natural?
  • irach
    [cfm] Not a title per se, but has been used as a title on occasion.
    [GLogin] Not fictional object(s).
    [Dujon] The mineral component is made up of natural elements.
    ...Upon capitulation, there is also an element/aspect of "Animal", without which the overall abstract element would be incomplete.
  • Tuj - A human invention?
  • irach
    [Tuj] I guess the words on the card qualify as "a human invention".
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    ...more straightforwardly.
  • irach
    [Tuj] If you ignore an indefinite article in the beginning, yes it does in fact begin with "P".
  • ImNotJohn - Related to the arts?
  • irach
    [ImNotJohn] Unrelated to the arts.
  • Software - Paperweight?
  • Raak - A geographical feature?
  • cfm - Does the mineral connection appear as one or more of the words on the card?
  • irach
    [Software] Not a paperweight.
    [Raak] Not a geographic feature.
    [cfm] The mineral connection is one of the words on the card.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the mineral metal?
    Picking up on the answer to Dujon
  • irach
    [ImNotJohn] Yes, the mineral component is metallic.
  • Raak - Is it gold?
  • irach
    [Raak] Not gold.
  • ImNotJohn - A precious metal?
  • irach
    [ImNotJohn] Not a precious metal.
  • cfm - Is the metal connection the word on the card that begins with P?
  • ImNotJohn - Any reference to a weapon?
  • Tuj - Connected to a particular person or group of people?
  • Kim - Is it an article described in a work of fiction?
  • irach
    [cfm] It is the metal connection word on the card that begins with "P".
    [ImNotJohn] Not weaponry related.
    [Tuj] Connected to all people.
    [Kim] The metallic article itself is often mentioned in numerous works of fiction; yet the words on the cards are not directly related to a work of fiction.
  • irach
    [Hint- A standard question often asked for "abstract" categories has not as yet been asked in this case].
  • ImNotJohn - Is it bigger than the concept of a toaster?
    Was that the one you meant?
  • Gusset Login - Is it smaller than a hypothetical phonebox?
  • cfm - Related to a state of mind or emotion?
  • Raak - Fictional?
  • ImNotJohn - A human concept?
  • irach
    [ImNotJohn] Not the question I was thinking of...nevertheless, the metallic object in question is (considerably) smaller than a toaster.
    {GLogin] See response above.
    [cfm} Yes, related to a state of mind or emotion! (The snoozing audience awakes!)
    [Raak] Not fictional.
    [imNotJohn] Yes, a human concept.
  • ImNotJohn - Angels dancing on the head of a pin?
  • irach
    [ImNotJohn] No celestials or pins (or needles) involved.
  • Raak - A metaphorical expression?
  • irach
    [Raak] Not quite metaphorical, but yes, a relatively commonly used expression (with a metallic connection,related to a state of mind or emotion).
  • cfm - A penny for your thoughts?
  • irach
    [cfm] The expression, "A penny for your thoughts", it is! A newly minted penny is handed over to cfm to reward this mental acuity.
  • cfm
    Oh. Er...thank you, Irach. I will try not to spend it all in one place.
    So this one is ANIMAL with ANIMAL and ABSTRACT connections
  • CdM - Human?
  • cfm
    [CdM] No, not human.
  • cfm
    Also, upon further reflection, I think I must revise to say this one is ANIMAL and VEGETABLE with ANIMAL and ABSTRACT connections.
  • Raak - Toad-in-the-hole?
  • cfm
    [Raak] No, no sausages involved.
  • irach - Is at least one of the animal connections canine?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • cfm
    [irach] No, no pups involved in either case.
    [Tuj] No. And now I recall that I did promise. Ooops. :-(
  • CdM - Are either of the animals mammals?
  • cfm
    Yes. Both are mammmals
  • irach - Are either of the mammals ruminants?
  • CdM - Are either of the animals commonly eaten by humans?
  • cfm
    *audience applauds politely*
    [irach] Yes, one of the mammals is frequently ruminant.
    [CdM] Yes, one of the mammals is commonly eaten by humans.
  • Raak - Is this the name of a dish?
  • Software - Hamburger?
  • cfm
    [Raak] No, no culinary connection
    [Software] No, see above.
  • Raak - Is the abstract connection religious?
  • cfm
    [Raak] No, not religious.
  • ImNotJohn - Does the word 'Cow', 'Cattle' 'Beef' or 'Steak' appear on the card?
  • cfm
    [INJ] No, none of those words appear on the card.
  • irach - Counting sheep jumping over a wooden stile/fence?
  • Raak - Is the animal alive, at least when it's being the thing on the card?
  • cfm
    [irach] No (sheepishly).
    [Raak] Depends which animal. No, the primary animal element is not alive when it's being the thing on the card. Yes, the animal connection is alive.
  • irach - Is the non-ruminant mammal in question typically a predator of the ruminant one?
  • cfm
    [irach] Yes, the non-ruminant animal often eats the ruminant animal.
  • irach - Is the "non-ruminant" mammal that eats the ruminant mammal human?
  • Raak - Flogging a dead horse?
  • cfm
    [irach] Yes! That non-ruminant mammal is human.
    [Raak] No, not that common expression. Nor (hint) any other common expression.
  • Raak - Is the vegetable wood?
  • irach - Is the human component a specific individual, or a class/group of person? [cfm] There is a little confusion here, because in the very start, in response to the first question you indicated the animal was not human. Did you change the original "words on the card" after capitulation?
  • cfm
    [Raak] Yes. There is often a wood component.
    [irach] The words on the card have not changed. The thing named on the card is not human. The animal connection noted from the beginning is human. Does that clarify?
    No, not a specific individual nor a specific class or group of humans. However, in the sense that the humans are connected to the thing named on the card, they are involved in the same activity.
  • Raak - Is the vegetable paper?
  • cfm
    [Raak]No. Paper is not involved. When there is a vegetable component, I believe it is safe to assume the vegetable is wood.
  • irach - Is the the "primary animal element which is not alive when it's being the thing on the card" leather?
  • cfm
    [irach] Yes, the element is leather. Simply stated :-)
  • Raak - A drum?
  • cfm
    [Raak] No, not a drum. *a few rhythmic claps from the audience*
  • Raak - Some other sound-making instrument?
  • Software - Tamborine?
  • cfm
    [Raak] No. Not a sound making instrument.
    [Software] No. Not a tambourine. *more claps and murmurs from the audience*
  • Raak - Is the leather stretched over a wooden frame?
  • Dujon - Connected with dancing?
  • cfm
    [Raak] No, the leather is not framed.
    [Dujon] Yes, connected with dancing. *there is some dancing in the aisles*
  • Raak - Dancing shoes?
  • cfm
    [Raak] No, that is not the answer. But yes, the thing named on the card could be characterized as a dancing shoe.
  • Software - Surely not a leather clog, eee by gum?
  • cfm
    [Software] No, not a leather clog.
  • irach - Leather spats?
  • cfm
    [irach] No, not spats. But you and Software and Raak might want to....er...you know....put your feet...wait...i mean...heads together.
  • Gusset Login - Dancing spats?
  • Dujon - Does the answer have another meaning which relates, for instance, to the movement of water?
  • Software - Drum mallets?
  • cfm
    [GL] No, not dancing spats.
    [Dujon] No, there is no other meaning to the words on the card.
    [Software] No, not drum mallets.
    Here's what we know for sure -- that the words on the card represent an item made of leather and wood. The animal connection is human. The item(s) are connected with dancing and could even be characterized as dancing shoes. Drums and tambourines drew appreciative reactions from the audience. Do you think it might be helpful to explore some of the abstract connections?
  • Gusset Login - Tap shoes?
  • irach - Does the abstract term refer to a particular form of dancing, e.g. tap, flamenco, calypso?
  • cfm
    [GL] No, not tap shoes.
    [irach] Yes--although I am having a little bit of trouble with the word "refer" in your question. The abstract connection(s) call to mind a particular form of dancing, without naming it directly. The words on the card do so, as well.
  • Raak - Blue suede shoes?
  • cfm
    [Raak] No. Not blue suede shoes. *audience applauds encouragingly*
  • Raak - Are the words on the card connected with a specific performance piece?
  • cfm
    [Raak] No, they are not connected with a specific performance piece. However, they are connected with a specific style of performance piece.
  • irach - Wooden heeled stiletto shoes for dancing tango?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the style specifically associated with one country?
  • Chalky - Soft-shoe shuffle?
  • Raak - Reel shoes?
  • cfm
    [irach] No, not that kind of shoe. But shoes for dancing is still a valid general concept.
    I am not sure if this will be helpful but I think I should add a note that the words on the card name something that may also be constructed from synthetic materials.
    [INJ] Yes. Originally, the style of performance piece was strongly associated with one country. Then performers in a second country made a very strong contribution and a second strong association was created.
    [Chalky] No, not a soft shoe shuffle.
    [Raak] No, not reel shoes.
  • Chalky - Ballet shoes?
  • irach - Bluegrass clog dancing?
  • cfm
    [Chalky] No, not ballet shoes.
    [irach] No, not bluegrass clog dancing or bluegrass clog dancing shoes. But you are getting warm geographically. :-)
  • Raak - South American?
  • cfm
    [Raak] No, not South American.
  • irach - Is the type of shoe in question generally (or exclusively) worn by a female dancer rather than a male one?
  • cfm
    [irach] Yes, this particular style of footwear was far more likely to be worn by female dancers. I wouldn't swear to exclusively, though.
  • irach - A form of dancing in the United States?
  • cfm
    [irach] Yes, though not exclusively, the foremost association of the words on the card (and associated abstract concepts) is with the U.S.
  • Raak - Square dancing?
  • cfm
    [Raak] No, not square dancing.
  • irach - Can-can?
  • cfm
    [irach] No-no, not the can-can (or can-can footwear.)
  • Software - Flamenco dancing shoes?
  • Gusset Login - Line Dancing?
  • cfm
    [Software] No, not Flamenco dancing shoes. I think we covered that earlier.
    [GL] No, not line dancing per se, though I believe there have been instances of this type of dance which involved lining up for a set of choreographed steps.
    Here's a recap of what we presently know: the words on the card represent a type of footwear worn all but exclusively by women, while dancing in a particular way that is associated with another particular type of performance that is most closely associated with the United States but which also became associated with another country when performers from that country made a very strong contribution. Drums and tambourines drew favorable responses from the audience, which could suggest that what distinguishes the style of performance or dance is its rhythm or beat. You may also wish to consider that the kind of clothing worn on the foot is not always called a shoe. :-)
  • irach - Footwear connected to belly dancing with drums and tambourines?
  • cfm
    [irach] No, not related to belly-dancing.
  • irach - Connected to salsa/mambo?
  • cfm
    [irach] No, not connected to salsa, mambo, cha cha, tango or any other Latin-identified style.
    (I'm getting the feeling that the words on the card never made it too far outside of the U.S.)
  • Raak - Related to any sort of African dancing?
  • cfm
    [Raak] Yes. There is a strong African American influence/connection and I expect that influence traces back to Africa. *question engenders exuberant applause*
  • Raak - But definitely not clogs or taps?
    I've googled this, and that's all I can find.
  • cfm
    [Raak] No, not clogs or taps.
    *Wonders, should I offer a few suggestions to the players? Is that how this works?*
  • irach - Is the vegetable (often wood) connection previously referred to part of the footwear, or is it an entirely separate entity related to the words on the card?
  • cfm
    [irach] The wood is not a separate thing; it is what the heel of the footwear often is or appears to made from.
  • irach - I'll try "jazz dancing shoes" although the tambourine connection is rathe remote.
  • cfm
    [irach] No, not jazz dancing shoes. The word "shoes" does not appear on the card at all.
  • Raak - pattens?
  • cfm
    [Raak] No, not pattens. I had to look that one up; like the words on the card, they are not so much in fashion these days. Come to think, it might help to keep in mind that dancing, music and fashion all change with the times.
  • Raak - sabots?
    Running out of synonyms for "clog"...
  • cfm
    [Raak] No, not sabots. (Uhmmmm, did I say they were clogs?)
  • Raak - A type of sandal?
  • cfm
    [Raak] No, not a sandal. *audience applauds this line of inquiry nonetheless*
  • CdM - A boot?
  • ImNotJohn - Stilts or something similar that raises the participant a distance off the ground?
    I'm pretty certain this is going to be a subject that would annoy Rosie;-)
  • cfm
    [CdM] Yes. A boot. *audience cheers as if its team has just won the world cup*
    [INJ] No, not stilts. But yes, I have been expecting the hand of Rosie to come and smite me any moment now. :-)
  • Raak - Buskins?
  • cfm
    [Raak] No, not buskins.
  • Chalky - Gumboots?
  • cfm
    [Chalky] No, not gumboots. *a minor hullabaloo, however, arises from the audience*
  • ImNotJohn - Related to Mariachi/zapateado?
  • irach - Related to cheerleading?
  • cfm
    [INJ] No, not related to Mariachi/zapataedo.
    [Raak] Yes, I can think of at least one professional cheer leading squad I associate with this footwear. (However, the footwear was originally more connected with the runway than with running backs.) *Texans in the audience nod, approvingly*
  • Chalky - Gaucho boots?
  • cfm
    [Chalky] No, not gaucho boots.
  • irach - Sequined cowgirl boots ( a la Dallas Cowboys' cheerleaders? thigh-high, or otherwise?)
  • Software - Ballet shoes?
  • cfm
    [irach] No, not sequined cowboy boots. (but the DCC connection is a good one...)
    [software] No, not ballet shoes.
  • CdM - Were these boots in fashion in the second half of the twentieth century?
    (picking up on your fashion comment earlier)
  • cfm
    [CdM] Yes, originiated in the mid-20th century. *audience members rock in their seats! roll in the aisles!*
  • Chalky - Go-go boots?
  • Chalky
    Not sure why I keep guessing - I have no desire to be in the chair next time round. Guess I'm intrigued ... and if the solution turns out to be ridiculously obscure ... I can then 'do a Rosie' [sans swearage] :-D
  • cfm
    [Calky] Hallelujah, yes! *gratefully passes one white patent leather baton to Chalky (while doing the Froog)*
  • ImNotJohn - None the wiser
    Can't find any reference to these as either dance-specific or made of leather and wood (wikipedia refers to them in purely fashion terms and often/mostly made of plastic - which is what I would have guessed). Can someone point me at a helpful reference. Not annoyed, you understand, I just stopped guessing because I'd explored everything I could given the information available and I'd like to know how I could have got there.
    Oh, and:
  • cfm
    [INJ] Alas, I didn't check wikipedia before I chose the words on the card. My bad--I will remember to do so should I ever be handed the baton again. I relied on my memory of my first pair of go go boots: they where white patent leather and had a stacked wooden heel. I believe I answered the question about dancing shoes early on by saying the the item on the card could be characterized as a dancing shoe without saying it was a dancing shoe directly; I thought I was giving the best answer possible. Later when I realized that it was limiting everyone's thinking, I tried to draw attention to the fashion connection. I was surprised how few questions focused on the style of music connected with the dancing (particularly after some pretty direct hits and/or hints e.g. American-originated, distinguished by its beat, African American influence, etc.) or (until CdM) inquired whether the shoes were currently or historically popular. Anyway--while I am very glad you are not annoyed, INJ--still I am apologetic. This was a round of Painfully Difficult AVMA. Sorry.
  • cfm
    Oh...and
  • Chalky - Ah ... Ooo-Kaaaaay
    Thanks cfm - don't feel you have to apologise. It's tough in the chair.

    I'll have a go ...

    ANIMAL, MINERAL & VEGETABLE
  • CdM - Is it unique?
    I could have sworn I posted this helpful reference for INJ yesterday, but I guess I must have hit preview instead of stand, or something.
  • irach - Noah's Ark?
  • CdM
    [irach] Surely that would be ANIMAL, ANIMAL, MINERAL, and VEGETABLE?
  • Chalky
    [CdM] Is it unique? YES
    [irach] Noah's Ark? NO :)
  • ImNotJohn - Is it extant?
    [cfm] I've genuinely learnt a couple of things1 from your question, so no need to apologise.

    1. Although it's at least partly my era I didn't know that go-go was actually a style and I didn't know the boots had any descriptive name.

    [CdM] Not that helpful a reference to look up in an open office!

  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    Bad news, I'm back...
  • Chalky
    [INJ] Extant? YES
    [Tuj] P-word? NO
  • Raak - Salty bacon crisps?
  • irach - Edible?
  • Software - Would one wear it?
  • Tuj - Unique?
  • cfm - Primarily a decorative object (vs. ulititarian)?
  • Gusset Login - Unique?
  • Gusset Login - Hang on that's been asked twice already. Make that... Man made?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Salty bacon crisps? NO :)
    [irach] Edible? NO
    [Software] Wearable? NO
    [cfm] Primarily decorative as opposed to utilitarian? NO - mostly utilitarian
    [GL] Man made? In the main - YES.
  • Raak - Made of leather, wood, and metal fixings?
  • Tuj - *cough* Unique?
  • irach - A piece of furniture or home furnishing?
  • Gusset Login - Is the vegetable wood?
    [Tuj] It was unique when CdM asked I doubt that has changed.
  • cfm - Fictional?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Made of leather, wood, and metal fixings? The wording of your question requires a NO answer, even though leather, wood and metal are all components of this.
    [Tuj] YES - still unique :)
    [irach] Furniture/home furnishing - NO, not alone [although your question prompts a murmur from the very sleepy audience]
    [GL] Wood? YES - wood is one of the vegetably bits of this
    [cfm] Fictional? NO
  • Raak - Would it be used in an office?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Used in an office? NO. Definitely not used. It might be contemplated when in an office, but then I expect most things are ..
  • ImNotJohn - Does it move - i.e. change location?
  • Chalky
    [INJ] Move/change location? NO *audience nods approval for question*
  • Tuj - Uniq-... Is it for entertainment?
  • cfm - Do any of the elements operate upon or effect the other elements in some way?
  • Raak - Does it have moving parts?
  • Gusset Login - Bigger than a phone box?
  • Chalky
    [Tuj] Entertainment? NO not really ... aw, maybe in some respects but - my reply really won't help.
    [cfm] Elements effecting/affecting each other? Oh YES - absolutely.
    [Raak] Moving parts? YES
    [GL] Bigger than a phone box? YES - massively so.

    *is wondering if the word ABSTRACT should have been part of the opening clue*
  • cfm - A manufacturing facility of some kind?
  • Chalky
    [cfm] Manufacturing facility? Forms part of this - yes.
  • CdM - Located in Europe?
  • cfm - Is leather the only animal element?
  • ImNotJohn - Life, the Universe and Everything?
  • irach - Do some of the various moving parts (particularly the mineral components) need periodic lubrication for their proper functioning?
  • Raak - Is it a factory?
  • Chalky
    [CdM] Located in Europe? NO *audience vociferous in their approval of a CdM question*
    [cfm] Leather only animal element? NO
    [INJ] LtUaE? Life and Most things might be found within this :)
    [irach] Lubrication? I expect so - but knowing this isn't particularly useful.
    [Raak] Factory? The answer on the card is NOT a factory, although factories are part of the answer [as are moving parts and lubrication] ;-)
  • Raak - Does it have to do with extracting resources from the ground?
  • Tuj - Is it in North America?
  • Gusset Login - Is it a country?
  • cfm - Is the other animal element human? *wonders why CdM warrants cheering and if the rest of us are chopped liver*
  • Chalky - ... sorry for absence - holiday time, etc.
    [Raak] Extracting resources? Not really NO
    [Tuj] N America? NO *audience applauds this line of questioning*
    [GL] A country? NO ... but *audience sees no need to hold back ...*
    [cfm] Human? YES! *... claps, cheers and wild excitement accompany the reply to cfm's question*
  • CdM - Is it located in a single continent?
  • Raak - Is it at sea?
  • Gusset Login - Is it a planet?
  • Chalky
    [CdM] Located in a single continent? YES
    [Raak] At sea? NO - assuming I have grasped your gist .. ahem
    [GL] A planet? NO
  • cfm
    Is just one type of item produced at the manufacturing facility or are there many?
  • Chalky
    [cfm] I think the phrase 're-examine your assumptions' has been used in this game when it's fairly clear that a player is not moving in the right direction. Apologies if, by inaccurate replies, I have misled you. Having said that - I owe you an answer:

    [cfm] Many types of items are likely to be produced at the manufacturing facilities which are likely to be a part of the answer. :-)
  • Raak - Is it a city?
    [Chalky] You can grasp my gist any time. :-)
  • cfm - So, bearing in mind that the item is unique and yet is only _likely_ to encompass a manufacturing facility/factory, does that mean that the composition of thing on the card changes over time? It evolves?
  • Chalky - Allelulia!
    [Raak] A City? A City! YES - yes - it's a city *audience collectively faints with relief*
    [cfm] Sort of YES to everything you said - and now you know what you're looking for ... name that city :-)
  • CdM - Does it have more than 5 million inhabitants*
    *defining the city in terms that would be generally understood -- i.e., including a surrounding metropolitan area if appropriate.
  • Raak - Is it in Japan?
  • Chalky
    [CdM] 5m +? YES indeed
    [Raak] In Japan? NO
  • ImNotJohn - In Asia?
    Carrying on the process of elimination
  • Chalky
    [CdM] correction to above ... Just under 5 million incl surround but still classified as a Metropolitan City.
  • Gusset Login - Sydney?
  • Chalky
    [INJ] In Asia? YES
    [GL]. Sydney? NO
  • cfm - In China?
  • Raak - Singapore?
  • ImNotJohn - In East Asia?
  • Chalky
    [cfm] In China? NO
    [Raak] Singapore? NO
    [INJ] East Asia? YES! *thunderous applause from audience*
  • ImNotJohn - South-East Asia?
    Keeping going on this line.
  • Chalky
    [INJ] SE Asia? NO - which should narrow things down .. :-)
  • Raak - In Korea (either half)?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] In Korea? YES :-)
  • Raak - Pyongyang?
  • CdM - Busan?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Not Pyongyang oop north because ...
    [CdM]... BUSAN it is! [my eldest has just returned from a wonderful year there teaching primary school age kids]

    *hands the shiny clean and impeccably-mannered baton to CdM*
  • CdM
    Oops, sorry, busy day.

    MINERAL and VEGETABLE with various ANIMAL connections. Or possibly ABSTRACT with MINERAL, VEGETABLE and ANIMAL connections
  • irach - A zoological park?
  • ImNotJohn - A tool?
  • Tuj - ?
  • Chalky - A song?
  • CdM
    A zoo? No
    A tool? No
    ?? !!
    A song? No.
  • Software - Human construct?
  • CdM
    Human construct? Very definitely.
  • irach - A phrase or saying?
  • cfm - Would it fit inside a kitchen drawer?
  • Chalky - A book?
  • Raak - To do with music?
  • Chalky - A sporting activity?
  • Dujon - A building?
  • CdM
    Phrase or saying? No.
    Kitchen drawer? No. *laughter*
    Book? No.
    Music? No.
    Sport? No.
    Building? Yes. *applause*
  • Software - In UK?
  • ImNotJohn - Built before 1900?
  • CdM
    In UK? and Built before 1900? Here is where I need to remind you that I equivocated about defining this as abstract. Neither question really makes sense. (However, I can say that it has its origins in the UK before 1900.)
    I should also perhaps add that there are certainly connections to books and music. I wouldn't have found them helpful, but some here might, I suppose. This is the kind of thing where Wikipedia has a long list of references in popular culture/examples in modern society.
  • Raak - A type of building?
  • irach - A museum?
  • cfm - Does (or did) the thing on the card have an actual physical presence?
  • Chalky - Is this a fictional building?
  • Tuj - Did a specific person (or people) live there?
  • CdM
    Type of building? Yes *applause*
    Museum? No (although there are some connections).
    Actual physical presence? *audience applause for the question* The answer is debatable. I'm going to go with a qualified Yes.
    Fictional? No (although there are certainly fictional connections).
    Specific person or people live there? No, not exactly. Depends what you mean by "specific", I suppose.
  • irach - A palace?.
  • Raak - An industrial type of building?
  • CdM
    Palace? No. *ironic laughter from audience*
    Industrial? No. (Or at least only if you were to take a very broad definition of the term.)
  • Dujon - Related to the area known as St. George's Fields?
  • CdM
    Related to St George's Fields? No.
  • Raak - Related to farming?
  • CdM
    Agricultural? No.
  • Chalky - Are there several of these?
  • CdM
    Are there several of these? Well, as my earlier answer to cfm suggests, it is debatable whether there is (or was) even one of these. But I will again answer with a qualified Yes.
  • ImNotJohn - Does this maybe building have religious significance?
  • Raak - Is it mythical?
  • Chalky - BC?
  • ImNotJohn - Does it have a metaphorical meaning?
    (as for 'Skid Row')
  • CdM
    Religious significance? No.
    Mythical? No.
    BC? No.
    Metaphorical? Interesting question. I think it's more concrete and not as obviously metaphorical as your example. As against that, the Wikipedia article on this does include a section entitled "The P__________ as Metaphor", so the answer is clearly Yes. (I was/am more aware of the literal meaning, but it is possible that others here are more aware of metaphorical senses; I don't know.)
  • Raak - A Panopticon?
  • ImNotJohn - The Poorhouse?
  • CdM
    Yes! Following on my pantechnicon when I was last in the chair, this was Jeremy Bentham's revolutionary prison design that allows a single guard to observe all the prisoners. (It's still not clear what the single guard does when he observes all the prisoners rioting, mind you.)

    *hands Raak a baton that, rather curiously, can be seen on all sides at once from a single vantage point*
  • Raak
    MINERAL, with ANIMAL and ABSTRACT connections.
  • irach - The Bastille?
  • Raak
    Not the Bastille.
  • Software - larger that the toaster unit?
  • Raak
    Larger than a toaster.
  • Chalky - Begins with a P?
  • Raak
    Does not begin with P.
  • irach - Is the mineral component largely or entirely metal?
  • Raak
    [irach] Yes, mostly metal.
  • irach - A precious metal?
  • Raak
    Not precious.
  • Gusset Login - Bigger than a phone box?
  • CdM - Unique?
  • cfm - Unique?
  • cfm - Er. Sorry. That was not a unique question.
  • ImNotJohn - A statue?
  • Raak
    [GL] Smaller than a phone box.
    [Twins] Unique.
    [INJ] Not a statue.
  • CdM - A sculpture?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Not a sculpture.
  • ImNotJohn - Does it have moving parts?
  • Raak
    [INJ] No moving parts.
  • jim - Man-made?
  • Chalky - Found in a domestic environment?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the associated animal human?
  • Raak
    [jim] Man-made.
    [Chalky] Not found at home.
    [INJ] The animal is human.
  • CdM - Associated with a single, specific individual?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Not associated with a specific individual.
  • Tuj - In Europe?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] In Europe.
  • CdM - Of scientific significance?
  • Raak
    [CdM] No scientific significance.
  • Software - A pillar box?
  • Raak
    [Software] Not a pillar box.
    BTW, I've complained in the past that "ABSTRACT" is over-used, and I may have been guilty of that myself here. Pretty much everything has "abstract connections", and I don't think this is especially connected to the abstract. Just a unique object of non-precious metal, somewhere in Europe, with animal connections.
  • irach - Smaller than a toaster?
  • Raak
    [irach] (Still) bigger than a toaster.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the non-metal mineral part made of stone?
    I'll include stony stuff like brick & concrete in that.
  • Raak
    [INJ] Not stony.
  • Tuj - In the UK?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] In the UK!
  • Chalky - A fountain?
  • Raak
    Not a fountain.
  • ImNotJohn - Is this of historical importance?
  • jim - In England?
    It's Friday afternoon, I'm not up to thinking of original questions.
  • CdM - Is it partly constructed of wrought iron?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the non-metal mineral part glassy or crystalline?
    Anything from a pane of glass to the Cullinan
  • Raak
    [INJ] History has not yet spoken, but I expect the actual object will not be of historical significance.
    [jim] In England at the moment.
    [CdM] No wrought iron.
    [INJ] No glass or crystals.
  • Software - Olympic torch?
  • Raak
    *riotous cheering as Software crosses the finishing line* To be precise, the "London 2012 Olympic Torch", but I doubt that anyone cares where the 2011 torch is now (see last but one answer to INJ). Have this gold medal embossed with the Tube map and stand on the podium, please, while the band plays the ISIHAC theme.
  • CdM
    [Raak] Yeah. I can hardly remember a thing about the 2011 Olympics. (Excellent choice of subject, btw.)
  • ImNotJohn - How Many?
    Just to clarify the 'unique' question - there will in fact be over 8000 olympic torches used in the torch relay - each bearer will have their own (which they can then buy). On the other hand, there is only one in the stadium. Mind you, I only found all that out today.
  • Raak
    [INJ] I was going from this official page, which suggests there's just one.
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Yes - philosophically there's only one. However, to be mischievous, there's a picture on that page with 4 torches being held up. I also believe that on the route at any one time there will be 5 torches - one being carried and 4 in the support vehicles in case of malfunction, theft, vandalism, etc.
    I think, however, that saying YES to the 'Unique?' question was probably the right answer, or the least confusing one, since at any one time only the torch being carried by a bearer is the Olympic Torch.
    [Software] Come on in and stop this discussion - it's not really going anywhere;-)
  • Software - Who? Me?
    Well, then let's go for: ANIMAL with VEGETABLE and MINERAL connections.
  • Raak - A draft animal?
  • cfm - Mammal?
  • Tuj - Begins with K?
  • Gusset Login - A Human?
  • ImNotJohn - Unique?
    or unique-ish
  • Chalky - The head of Eric Morecambe - Pipe Smoker of the Year 1970?
  • Software
    [Raak] No
    [cfm] Yes
    [Tuj] No
    [GL] Yes
    [INJ] Yes
    [Chalks] Excellent attempt at a unique human, but No.
  • cfm - Is the unique human still alive?
  • Dujon - A sportsperson?
  • ImNotJohn - Associated with the arts?
  • Raak - Are the connections associated with food?
  • Chalks - Is this a two-word answer?
    Thanks Softers - but I did not know it was either 'Unique' or 'Human' when I asked the question ...
    ... while I'm here, may I humble suggest that you reference the question itself when replying. I'm having to do a double look to see which 'yes' or 'no' applies to which question and I have little enough time to come in here and play as it is. Thanks.
  • Software
    [cfm] living homo sap - NO (BTW, your moniker reminds me of a long defunct IT company)
    [Duj] sporty - NO
    [INJ] arty farty - Best answer is probably YES
    [Raak] nosh - NO
    [Chalky] two wordy -YES (your wish is my command)
  • cfm - A male human?
  • CdM - Alive in the 20th century?
  • ImNotJohn - Related to the performing arts?
  • jim - Involved with music?
  • Chalky - Died before 1950?
    Thanks.
  • Software
    [cfm] Male - YES
    [INJ] Performer - YES
    [jim] Musical - YES
    [Chalks] 20th Century death - NO
  • CdM - But was he alive in the 20th century??
  • Software
    [CdM] Post Victorian - YES
  • ImNotJohn - Was he a member of a popular beat combo?
  • cfm - Michael Jackson?
  • Raak - Are the vegetable and mineral connections the instrument he played?
  • Software
    [INJ] Group member - NO
    [cfm] Jacko - NO
    [Raak] veg/min - YES
  • ImNotJohn - In the Western classical tradition?
  • cfm - Plays a wind instrument?
  • Software
    [INJ] Classical - NO
    [cfm] windy - NO
  • Gusset Login - Ray Charles?
  • CdM - Was he also a vocalist?
  • ImNotJohn - USian?
  • Raak - Guitar?
  • Tuj - Died in the 70s?
  • Software
    [GL] Ray - NO
    [CdM] Singer - NO slight murmuring from audience
    [ING] Yank - NO
    [Raak] Guitar - YES audience claps
    [Tuj] Life on Mars departure - NO
  • Gusset Login - Died in the last 5 years?
  • Chalky - A classical guitarist?
  • irach - Andrés Segovia?
  • ImNotJohn - Bert Weedon?
    Author of 'Play MC in a Day'
  • Chalks
    You OK Softers?
  • Software - Sorry for the delay, for some reason yesterday's answers disappeared into the ether
    [GL] Recent deceased - YES
    [Chalks] - Classical - NO audience stirs
    [irach] Segovia - NO (see above)
    [INJ] is on the money - YES! The late great Bert of the "learn in a day" fame. Even I tried that but never got past strumming.
    [Chalks] - yes, thank you.

    * Hands plectrum shaped baton over to INJ *

  • ImNotJohn
    Why, thank you.
    Moving on to ANIMAL and MINERAL or, for some points of view ABSTRACT, with ANIMAL and MINERAL connections
  • CdM - A human construct beginning with P that is bigger than a toaster but smaller than a phonebox and that has anarchosyndicalist connections?
  • Raak - The drinking horn of Sigismund of Luxemburg?
  • cfm - Associated with religion?
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] - NO (apart from the bits that are YES)
    [Raak] Horny Letzeburger? - NO
    [cfm] Religious connection? - NO
  • Chalkeeeeee - Two word answer?
  • CdM - A human construct beginning with P?
    (OK, OK, I'll break it down)
  • Gusset Login - Bigger than a phone box?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] Gimme 2? - NO.
    [CdM]Pconstruct? - pNO
    [GL] Exceeds phone box? - YES. *audience laughter*
  • CdM - A human construct that has no anarchosyndicalist connections?
    Triangulating.
  • ImNotJohn
    [CdM] A human construct that has no anarchosyndicalist connections? - NO (though I suppose that depends on your definition of 'a human construct')
    Obfuscating
  • Chalky - Is it descriptive of a group of people
  • Tuj - Unique?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] Describes a group of people? - NO, *a few murmurs in the audience*
    [Tuj] Unique? - YES
  • Raak - Does the physical thing have a symbolic function?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Physical/Symbolic - OK, the simple answer to your question is NO, but actually I probably need to clarify what I meant when setting this.
    You can regard the words on the card as being purely physical with an animal element plus a mineral element (and I think that's the best way to approach it). However, within the constraints of the game I could quite reasonably say that this is an abstract thing, though still related to exactly the same animal and mineral elements - in either case if you get them, you have the answer. Hope that helps.
  • Raak - Bigger than your typical two-up-two-down?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Exceeds a house? - Oh YES
  • Gusset Login - Bigger than a city?
  • Raak - Is the animal human?
  • Tuj - Is it in a specific country?
  • ImNotJohn - Some assumptions building up...
    [GL] Exceeds a city? - YES
    [Raak] Human animal? - YES and NO (more YES than NO)
    [Tuj] Specific Country? - NO
  • Chalky - Is this a well-known phrase or saying?
  • Raak - Bigger than Wales?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] Saying? - NO
    [Raak] Exceeds Wales? - YESish. - One of the elements of the answer is bigger than Wales - the answer itself is hard to put a size to.
  • ImNotJohn
    BTW I should have mentioned that the audience perked up a bit at Tuj's last question.
  • Chalky - Is the mineral element water?
  • CdM - Is the human element the entire population of the world including those with anarchosyndicalist tendencies?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] Watery mineral? - NO
    [CdM] Globality? - NO (can't answer for the anarchosyndicalism, but unlikely to be significant)
  • Raak - Related to mining?
  • Tuj - Is it associated with a particular country?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Mining-related? - NO
    [Tuj] Related to specific country? - NO, not to one particular country *some applause for the line of questioning*
  • Raak - Is this one thing distributed over more than one continent?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Is this one thing distributed over more than one continent? - NO (or more precisely: NO, not really and NO)
  • Raak - European?
  • Chalky - On Earth?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] European? - YES
    [Chalky] On Earth - Unsurprisingly, YES
  • Chalky - Is the mineral element metal?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] Metal? - Almost entirely NO
  • Chalky - Is the mineral element rock?
  • CdM - The entire population of Europe?
  • CdM - (er, and the land beneath their feet)
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] Rocky? - YES *some relieved applause*
    [CdM] All Europe? (& Europeans) - NO *audience subsides*
  • Gusset Login - A mountain range?
  • ImNotJohn - At last
    [GL] - Mountain range? - YES, a mountain range is part of the answer *considerable applause*
  • Raak - Is the human part alive?
  • Chalky - *is wondering why no Vegetable element was part of the original poser - -given that mountain ranges would usually have vegetation about their person - *
  • ImNotJohn - making some progress
    [Raak] Living human - NO
    [Chalky] I did consider it, but thought it wouldn't really be very helpful. A bit like saying a person is animal and mineral because they have mercury amalgam fillings in their teeth.
  • Raak - Are prehistoric fossils involved?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Fossils? - NO
  • ImNotJohn - Do you need a leg-up?
    I think you're closer to it than it feels.
  • Raak - War graves?
  • jim - Are the Alps part of the answer?
    Well, there's only a finite number of mountain ranges in Europe...
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] War Graves? - NO *a slight stirring in the audience*
    [jim] Alps? - YES - the Alps are the mineral part of the answer *applause*
  • Raak - Dead mountaineers?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Ex-climbers? Well, YES and YESish, but NO, not as it applies to the answer.
  • Chalky - Otzi The Iceman?
  • CdM - Does it begin with P?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] The Iceman Cometh? - NO (But you do need to start sorting out the animal bit now)
    [CdM] P.......? - NO
  • jim - Hannibal crossing the Alps with his elephants?
    It randomly popped into my head ...
  • ImNotJohn - I didn't think it was THAT hard
    We have a winner!
    It is exactly as jim said: Hannibal's crossing of the Alps
    The abstract side of it being that it is an action or event rather than a thing.
    Have an ivory baton, sir.
  • Tuj
    I say, well done.
  • CdM
    Damn. I thought of that before my previous move, but then dismissed it because I thought we had established the animal element as (fully) human. I should read more carefully.
  • jim - Takes ivory baton quickly and hides it before the animal rights people get wind of it.
    Thanks! Hmm. Now I have to think of a clue, don't I? OK, have an ABSTRACT with ANIMAL connections.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the animal connection human?
  • Tuj - Is the animal connection elephant?
  • jim
    [INJ] YES, human.
    [Tuj] NO, non-pachydermic.
  • Raak - A particular human?
  • ImNotJohn - Is there any connection with the arts?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Gusset Login - A fictional human?
  • Chalky - A dead human?
  • jim
    [Raak] A qualified YES--there is more than one human associated with the answer, but one in particular stands out.
    [INJ] YES, in a more or less broad sense of "the arts".
    [Tuj] YES, give or take a definite article, begins with P.
    [GL] YES, there is a particular fictional human association (although again not unique).
    [Chalky] YES, in that the human alluded to in my answer to Raak is dead.
  • Dujon - Is the abstract portion of the question a field of endeavour?
  • ImNotJohn - Is there a musical connection?
  • Software - A phrase or saying?
  • jim
    [Dujon] NO, not a field of endeavour
    [INJ] NO, no musical connection (or one too tenuous to be useful)
    [Software] NO, not a phrase or saying.
  • Tuj - Related to a particular work (or works) of fiction?
  • Chalky - The Piltdown Man?
  • jim
    [Tuj] YES, related to a work of fiction.
    [Chalky] NO, not Piltdown Man.
  • Software - The Penguin (from Batman)?
  • Gusset Login - The Patrician?
  • jim
    [Software] NO, not the Penguin
    [GL] NO, not the Patrician either.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the answer the title of a book?
  • jim
    [INJ] YES, in that the words on the card form the title of several books; NO, in that none of the books with this title is the answer (although at least one is directly related).
  • Chalky - science fiction genre?
    ... then I can butt out if the answer is yes ..
  • jim
    [Chalky] That's quite difficult to say. There are certainly science-fictional elements, but I wouldn't place the answer as a whole within the science fiction genre. I'm sure some would disagree, though.
  • ImNotJohn - The name of a series of books?
    (e.g. The Alexandria Quartet)
  • jim
    [INJ] Again, YES, but the book series is not the answer.
  • Software - First half of 20th Century?
  • jim
    [Software] NO, not first half of 20th Century.
  • Chalky - Please can you confirm that there is NO connection with the Harry Potter series?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the author still alive?
  • jim
    [Chalky] NO, I cannot categorically deny any connection with Harry Potter. I mean, the HP franchise runs to getting on for a million words[1] and eight movies, it's quite likely that she slipped a reference in there somewhere. But if there is a connection, a) it's pretty tenuous and b) I'm not aware of it.
    [INJ] NO, in so far as the AOTC can be said to have "an author", not alive.
    [1]Wild-assed estimate.
  • Chalky - is Religion relevant?
  • CdM
    [Chalky] With such a broad question I think we have to begin by defining our terms carefully: we need to decide, for one thing, whether our discussion is restricted to organised religions, or whether we are willing to adopt a more all-encompassing definition that includes notions of personal spirituality (as a side issue, we might also ask whether there is a difference between religion and, as you chose to express it, Religion with a capital R); for another, we need to think about whether we mean merely relevant to certain individuals (surely not the meaning we want to adopt, for otherwise the question must be trivially answered in the affirmative), or whether we mean relevant to society, history, the body politic, the social order, or something else; and if any of the latter, then precisely which aspects of society, and what criteria for "relevance" are appropriate? If we take as a starting point the notion that --

    Oh wait. Never mind. As you were.
  • jim
    [CdM/Chalky] I was just going to say "NO", but whatever ... :)
  • jim - Stony silence
    Do we need a clue, or is everyone still thinking?
  • CdM - Is the human connection "who stands out" known as a leader of some kind?
  • Raak - Is the word that begins with P a title?
  • jim
    [CdM] NO, the principal (real, dead) human connection is not a leader.
    [Raak] NO, not a title (or at least, not an "official" title e.g. "The Prince", although it does describe a person without being a name).
  • Boolbar - Was the AOTC known of in the year 1900?
  • jim
    [Boolbar] NO, not known of in the year 1900.
  • Boolbar - Is it a TV series?
    Just trying to eliminate some thoughts in my head.
  • jim
    [Boolbar] YES, it is a TV series! Audience applause
  • Chalky - The Prisoner?
  • jim - Winner!
    [Chalky] YES! It is The Prisoner (the original TV series, of course). The "outstanding" real-life human being of course Patrick McGoohan; the principal fictional connection the Prisoner himself. I don't think JK Rowling slipped a Prisoner reference into the Harry Potter series anywhere, but I wouldn't put it past her.
    One baton with the number 6 engraved on it goes to Chalky.
  • ImNotJohn - Well done Chalky!
    Yes, we should have done better with that - nothing wrong with the subject or the answers.
  • Chalky - What a surprise - thank you :)
    Dipping into my special box of Answers On Cards - this found its way into my hand ..

    ANIMAL & MINERAL & VEGETABLE with a strong ABSTRACT element

    - just to keep it simple
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Boolbar - If we were playing this game in 1900, would this have been in your special box then?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it a location?
  • Chalky
    [Tuj] Begins with P? Ha - YES partly
    [Boolbar] 1900 - the year not the hour? YES
    [ImNotJohn] Location? NO .. but *audience mumbles a bit*
  • Raak - Is the audience mumbling because this thing is at a specific location associated with it?
    Such as Nelson's Column not being a location, as such.
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Reasons for mumbling? NO 'fraid not
  • Boolbar - Is the animal element human?
    ... or at least partly human.
  • Chalky
    [Boolbar] Human? YES
  • Tuj - Is it associated with a series of locations?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it a historical event?
  • Boolbar - Is the animal, mineral, vegetable part the planet Earth?
  • Raak - A specific individual thing?
  • Chalky
    [Tuj] Associated with a series of locations? NO
    [ImNotJohn] An historical event? NO
    [Boolbar] AVM planet earth? NO
    [Raak] Specific individual thing? It's specific but only in the way that most AOTC are. Do you mean a one-off? If so - NO
  • Tuj - Naturally occurring?
  • Software - In the 19th Century?
  • Boolbar - Is this something I can experience today?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it something that can be visited?
  • Chalky
    [Tuj] Naturally occurring? NO
    [Software] In the 19th century??? I think NO may be the answer to whatever it is you meant :)
    [Boolbar] Experience today? YES
    [ImNotJohn] Visitorable? NO
  • Boolbar - Does it involve eating food?
    I am hungry.
  • Chalky
    [Boolbar] NO - it does not involve eating food
  • Rosie - Does it involve a crowd?
  • Tuj - Is it associated with entertainment?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Involve a crowd? YES - it can do. Good question :)
    [Tuj] Associated with entertainment? YES - very much so
    *audience applauds progress made from last two questions*
  • Boolbar - Is there any singing involved?
  • ImNotJohn - Associated with a particular country or region?
  • Raak - Does it involve a sporting activity?
  • Chalky
    [Boolbar] Singing involved? NO
    [ImNotJohn] Country or regional associations? YES - absolutely - particularly in its origin
    [Raak] Sporting activity? No - well ... NO *wry chuckles from audience*
  • Dujon - A form of dancing?
    Sorry I'm late.
  • Raak - Morris dancing?
  • Chalky
    [Dujon] Dancing? NO
    ... therefore [Raak] Not even Morris Dancing
  • Rosie - A foxhunt?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Foxhunt? NO
  • Rosie - Essentially rural?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Rural? NO - whatever gave you that idea? ;-)
  • Boolbar - Is it a play?
  • Tuj - Is it associated with somewhere in Europe?
  • Chalky
    [Boolbar] A play? NO
    [Tuj] Europe? Originally ... NO
    *audience snoozes*
  • Chalky - ... again
    I would like to adjust one of my replies to ImNotJohn who asked "Visitorable?" and I replied unequivocally in the negative.
    On reflection, the AOTC, if not exactly visitorable, is certainly - spectatorable.
    This may help.
  • Boolbar - Is it originally associated with somewhere in Asia?
  • Rosie - Outdoors?
    (Chalks) I was hoping to confirm that the answer was Cheese Rolling.
  • Chalky
    [Boolbar] Asia? NO
    [Rosie] Outdoors? NO - not usually. However ..
    *audience wakes up with an anticipatory start*
    [Rosie] Cheese rolling? NO - but closer than some of the guesses so far :-)
  • Boolbar - Is it originally associated with somewhere in the Americas?
    I've eliminated having a picnic, Punch & Judy and panda breeding so far.
  • ImNotJohn - A Pastime?
  • Chalky
    [Boolbar] Americas? YES!
    [ImNotJohn] Pastime? Yes - mainly .. YES [rather a quaint word - pastime. I had to check on the meaning]
    *Audience ready to shout and scream and generally go wild for the winner*
  • Raak - Poker?
  • Boolbar - Does it involve a ball?
    If it doesn't then I'm going on strike.
  • ImNotJohn - Is food involved?
  • Chalky
    [ImNotJohn] Boolbar asked that question way back up there ^^^ and I said NO then :)
    [Boolbar] Balls? NO
    [Raak] YES - and the rest of the AOTC is .... ? [3 or 4 words]

    No-one else will be allowed to nick this one - it's got Raak's name all over it ..
    *Audience on their feet ready to jump about quite a lot ...*
  • Raak - Five-cadr Draw Poker? Stud Poker? Texas Hold-em? Red Dog?
  • Raak - Strip? Pai gow? Mexican Stud? Seven-card Razz? High Chicago?
  • Raak - The Poker World Series?
  • Chalky - Chips All Round!
    Well played Raak - t'would've been churlish indeed to allow someone else to slip in there with the precise AOTC Texas Hold Em Poker [currently and universally the most popular form of the game - which handily explains that location reference the audience got a bit mumbly about]

    No-one picked up on my CLUE when introducing this one and I quote:
    "Dipping into my special box of Answers On Cards - this found its way into my hand ..."
    But then - a clue is only a clue if one knows it's there.
    *hands over a baton made of 50 x stuck together $1000 chips*
  • Boolbar
    Nice one Raak! I was thinking of ten-pin bowling but couldn't really tie it in with the location hint.
  • Raak
    The next is MINERAL.
  • Tuj - Unique?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] Unique!
  • Gusset Login - Metal?
  • Raak
    [GL] Mainly metal.
  • CdM - Located in the Eastern hemisphere?
  • Raak
    [CdM] *murmuring in the audience* Not in the Eastern hemisphere.
  • Boolbar - Is it in London?
  • Raak
    [Boolbar] Not in London.
  • Tuj - Is it on Earth?
  • Chalky - Is it larger than the Airbus A380?
  • Boolbar - Is it human-made?
  • Raak - Well, that narrows it down.
    [Tuj] *applause* Not on Earth.
    [Chalky] Smaller than an Airbus.
    [Boolbar] Human-made.
  • Boolbar - Is it less than 2 AU from the Sun?
  • Raak
    [Boolbar] Less than 2 AU from the Sun.
  • ImNotJohn - On the moon?
  • Boolbar - In orbit around the Earth?
  • Raak
    [INJ] Not on the moon.
    [BB] Not in orbit around the Earth.
  • Rosie - A spacecraft that has crashed into either Mars or Venus?
  • Software - An asteroid?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] *applause* Not a spacecraft that has crashed into either Mars or Venus.
    [Software] Not an asteroid.
  • jim
    On or orbiting Mars?
  • Raak
    [jim] Yes! On or orbiting Mars!
  • Raak
    I confidently expect to see the right answer tomorrow morning.
  • Rosie - The Mars Odyssey craft?
    Or one of the other handful.
  • CdM - Spirit or Opportunity?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Nor the Odyssey.
    [CdM} Yes! Spirit or Opportunity. But which one?
  • ImNotJohn - Count me out
    I'll be incommunicado for the full 4 days of the weekend so I refuse to guess.
  • Raak
    Actually, one of the earlier answers is enough to decide the matter, with a bit of research.
  • CdM - Opportunity?
    I think that's right.
  • Raak
    [CdM] Yes! Mars does have a meridian defined, according to which Spirit is in the Eastern Hemisphere, Opportunity in the Western. *passes CdM a spare robot arm*
  • CdM
    [Raak] So if I had asked, "Located in the Western hemisphere?", you would have answered yes, and we would have been chasing wild geese for a long time.

    ANIMAL with VEGETABLE connections
  • ImNotJohn - A boar's head with an apple in its mouth?
  • Raak - Roast kid goat with anchovies, rosemary and lemon?
  • CdM - oh, so close
    Sundry banquet items? No. (Also, both of those include vegetables, rather than simply having vegetable connections.)
  • Boolbar - Is the animal human?
    Well someone has to ask a boring question.
  • jim - Jasper Carrott?
  • Tuj - Unique?
  • Gusset Login - Percy Thrower?
  • ImNotJohn - Woodworm?
  • CdM
    Human? No.
    Jasper Carrott? No.
    Unique? No.
    Percy Thrower? No.
    Woodworm? No. *smattering of applause*
  • cfm - Does the vegetable connection refer to the animal's diet?
  • Boolbar - Is the animal a mammal?
  • Raak - Death Watch beetle?
  • jim - Stick insect?
  • CdM
    Vegetable = diet? Yes. *applause*
    Mammal? No.
    Death watch beetle? No.
    Stick insect? No.
  • Boolbar - Is it a bird?
  • Rosie - A woodpecker?
  • CdM
    Bird? No.
    Woodpecker? The answer to this question is left as an exercise for the reader.
  • The Reader - Woody Woodpecker?
  • CdM - *ignores The Reader*
  • Dujon - Is the Animal portion an insect?
    Just for clarification purposes, like. :)
  • CdM
    Animal = insect? Yes.
  • Raak - A locust?
  • CdM
    Locust? No.
  • Gusset Login - Is it an insect with a vegetable in its name?
  • cfm - A fruit fly?
  • Raak - Among the lepidoptera?
  • CdM
    Veg in name? No.
    Fruit fly? No. *brief smattering of applause*
    Butterfly? No.
  • Dujon - Does this insect have a particular liking for cellulose?
  • CdM
    Taste for cellulose? No. (If anything, perhaps the opposite, although I may be over-interpreting what I have read.)
    As usual, there are other ways of approaching this AVMA rather than just guessing at insects.
  • Raak - Is any part of this insect used as a foodstuff?
  • CdM
    Insect used as foodstuff? No.
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Raak - Is the vegetable connection to its diet?
  • cfm - Does the insect have wings?
  • CdM
    Begins with P? It most certainly does.
    Vegetable = diet? Still Yes.
    Insect have wings? Yes.
  • CdM - Actually...
    The "does it have wings?" question really deserves a more detailed answer. This particular insect has a rather complicated life-cycle which includes several different stages; in one of these stages it may have wings.
  • Dujon - Does the answer on the card live out all its life cycles on land? (as opposed to, say, a mosquito.)
  • CdM
    Live on land? Yes. (Except for when it is flying, obviously.)
  • CdM
    Clarification/correction: I answered "No" to the question about whether the insect has a vegetable in its name. The technical term for this insect does in fact include a reference to a vegetable item. Non-technical references to this insect can also include a vegetable item, but more usually do not.
  • Raak - Is it a beetle?
  • CdM
    John Peul George or Ringo? No.
  • jim - Is it a social insect?
  • cfm - Is the insect destructive to vegetable gardens/crops?
  • CdM
    Social insect? You mean, like ants or bees? No.
    Destructive to gardens/crops? Yes. *applause*
  • cfm - Plant lice?
  • CdM
    Aphids? No (although I have seen this described as a "louse", and there is also *prolonged applause*).
  • Raak - The leaf-cutter ant?
  • CdM
    Leaf-cutter ant? No. *audience subsides back into their seats*
  • cfm - Potato moth?
  • CdM
    Potato moth? No.
  • cfm - Passion vine bug?
  • cfm - Phylloxera?
  • CdM - Enthusiasm brings reward...
    Dactylosphaera vitifoliae (Phylloxera) is the correct answer! I think cfm deserved that, since she (?) did most of the heavy lifting and got very close earlier with aphid (correct phylum, class, order, and suborder...)
    *hands cfm baton that has been grafted onto resistant N. American rootstock*
  • cfm
    *examines baton carefully for signs of infestation* Thank you.
    This next one is ABSTRACT WITH ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE CONNECTIONS
  • ImNotJohn - Any artistic connection?
  • cfm
    [INJ] A qualified yes to that, employing a somewhat broad definition of art.
  • Tuj - Related to food?
  • CdM - Musical connections?
  • cfm
    [Tuj] Delicious and nutricious? NO -- or, at best, only in a fairly obscure and not-very-helpful way.
    [CdM] Give it a 9 and dance to it? NO.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the animal human?
  • Tuj - A human invention?
  • Boolbar - Is it something I can experience now?
  • CdM
    Does it begin with U X A R P?
  • cfm
    [INJ] YES, the strongest animal connection is human, though I can think of other animal connections.
    [Tuj] YES, hence the strong human connection.
    [Boolbar] YES, it is a contemporary concept.
    [CdM] YES, it does indeed begin with P.
    *loud applause...several audience members faint, overcome by the excitement of so many yes-es in a row*
  • ImNotJohn - Is it an essentially technological invention?
  • Boolbar - Was it known of in the year 1900?
  • Raak - A culinary invention?
  • cfm
    [INJ] NO, not tech-y.
    [Boolbar] YES, it was known in 1900.
    [Raak]NO, still unrelated to food, except in an obscure, symbolic way.
  • Raak - Related to architecture?
  • cfm
    [Raak] Architectural? NO. That would be Frank Lloyd Wrong :)
  • CdM - Is the strongest animal connection to a particular individual?
  • cfm
    [CdM] NO. Not to an individual.
  • Tuj - Fictional?
    *proffers smelling salts to remaining audience members yet to come round*
  • Chalky - Is this a group of people with something in common?
  • Boolbar - Is it a method of creating something?
  • ImNotJohn - An area of knowledge?
  • cfm
    [Tuj] NO, the thing is quite real.
    [Chalky] NO, the thing is abstract with animal and vegetable connections, not in and of itself animal.
    [Boolbar] Tough one. But I think the best answer is NO, not a method. But creating is a relevant concept.
    [INJ, NO, not an area of knowledge.
  • ImNotJohn - Related to a craft?
  • cfm
    [INJ] YES, related to a craft. *enthusiastic applause ensues*
  • Raak - Does it involve writing?
  • Boolbar - Does it involve painting?
  • Tuj - Does it end in "ism"?
  • cfm
    [Raak] NO, not made with words.
    [Boolbar] NO, no paint required.
    [Tuj] NO, not a P-ism. :-)
  • Tuj - Is it a particular method or style of creating something?
  • cfm
    [Tuj] See my answer to Boolbar's earlier question. NO. It is not a method. But style is a relevant concept as well.
  • Chalky - Does religion have any relevance to this?
  • Raak - Some sort of weaving?
  • Tuj - Fashion?
  • cfm
    [Chalky] YES, there is an ancient religious connection--though ti seems that's the case with everything. :-) .
    [Raak]YES, the item can be related to weaving.
    [Tuj] YES, there is a fashion association.*audience swoons once again*
  • Boolbar - Is there a connection to clothing?
  • Raak - Fancy dress?
  • Chalky - Is it just the one word beginning with P on the card?
  • cfm
    [Boolbar] YES. Connected to clothing.
    [Raak] YES. And NO. By that I mean not necessarily and not always associated with fanciness.
    [Chalky] YES. There is single word on the card.
  • CdM - Pattern?
  • Gusset Login - Pinstripe?
  • cfm
    [CdM] NO. Pattern is not the word on the card. But it is a relevant concept. *enthusiastic applause from the audience*
    [GL] NO. Not pinstripe. *lingering applause nonetheless*
  • Boolbar - IS the AOTC a name of a pattern often found on clothing?
  • cfm
    [Boolbar] YES! It is a pattern found on clothing! *audience knows it's just a matter of time now until the other shoe drops and relapses into its regularly scheduled apathy
  • Gusset Login - Plaid?
  • Raak - Houndstooth?
  • cfm
    [GL] NO. Not plaid.
    [Raak] NO, not houndstooth. Or poundstooth, for that matter. :-)
  • Raak - Corduroy?
  • cfm
    [Raak] NO. Not corduroy. (See previous questions; the answer begins with P.)
  • Gusset Login - Paisley?
  • Chalky - Patchwork?
  • cfm
    [Raak] YES! Love it or hate it -- paisley is the word on the card. *turns up the Grateful Dead and extends a psychedelic baton to Raak*
  • Chalky - pointing out a simple error
    Well played Gusset Login - for t'was you, was it not, that gusseted the correct AOTC?
  • cfm
    *embarrassed* Sorry, GL.
  • cfm
    *turns up the Grateful Dead and extends a psychedelic baton to Gusset Login*
  • Gusset Login
    Either way is fine, but could you turn the music down a bit? I've got a headache... Now I feel old.
    Anyway new AOTC is MINERAL
  • Dujon - Occuring naturally?
  • Boolbar - Does it begin with a P?
  • Gusset Login
    [Dujon] Natural? - No
    [Boolbar] P...? - No
  • ImNotJohn - Metal?
  • Chalky - Rock?
  • cfm - Unique?
  • Boolbar - Was it first created after 1900?
  • Gusset Login
    [ImNotJohn] Metal? At least partly, often mostly
    [Chalky] Rock? No, at least not that I've seen
    [cfm] Unique? No *Audience laughs*
    [Boolbar] Created after 1900? Yes
  • Boolbar - Is it used as currency?
  • ImNotJohn - A feature of urban architecture?
  • Gusset Login
    [Boolbar] Currency? No
    [ImNotJohn] feature of urban architecture? No

    I have done some more research and discovered that in fact the AOTC was created *before* 1900. Please ignore my previous answer.
  • jim - Mobile?
  • Gusset Login
    [jim] Mobile? Depends on how you define mobile. It can be moved, but it isn't usually used while doing so.
  • cfm - A tool of some kind?
  • jim - Bigger than a phone box?
  • Raak - Are there currently more than a million of these?
  • Boolbar - Is it used in communication?
  • Gusset Login
    [cfm] A tool of some kind? I wouldn't say it was, but I've heard it both ways.
    [jim] Bigger than the Tardis? No.
    [Raak] 1,000,000+ extant? Yes.
    [Boolbar] Is it used in communication? Not to my knowledge.
  • Boolbar - Does it have moving parts?
  • ImNotJohn - Exactly the same size, shape and function as a toaster?
  • Gusset Login
    [Boolbar] Moving Parts? Yes
    [ImNotJohn] Effectively a toaster? No.
  • Tuj - Do parts of it get hot?
  • Raak - Is it an item of stationery?
  • Gusset Login
    [Tuj] Do parts of it get hot? They do generate heat but they are not well known for it.
    [Raak] Is it an item of stationery? No.
  • Dujon - A houshold utensil?
  • Gusset Login
    [Dujon] utensil? Never sure about that word, but it is used for a purpose so I guess, Yes... household? I tend to expect the AOTC more in offices, but I have one at home and items similar to the AOTC are not uncommon in houses...
    So:
    [Dujon] A houshold utensil? Yes
  • Boolbar - Does it do things to sheets of paper?
  • Gusset Login
    [Boolbar] Does it do things to sheets of paper? It depends what you do with it/them. Personally I try to avoid letting mine do anything to sheets of paper but not always successfully.
  • Raak - It is electrically powered?
  • Boolbar - Is it used to control temperature?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] Electric? Yes
    [Boolbar] Used to control temperature? Yes
  • CdM - An air conditioner?
  • Raak - A fan?
  • Gusset Login
    [CdM] Air conditioner? No
    [Raak] A fan? The AOTC is Electric Desk Fan but you are close enough.
    Have an air cooled baton
  • Raak
    The next is VEGETABLE.
  • ImNotJohn - Wooden?
  • Raak
    [INJ] Mainly wooden.
  • Tuj - Unique?
  • jim - Alive?
  • Boolbar - The Larch?
  • Chalky - Smaller than a toaster?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] Not unique.
    [jim] Not alive.
    [Boolbar] Not the Larch.
    [Chalky] Usually smaller than a toaster.
  • Chalky - Is the bit that's not wooden - paper?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • CdM - Mass-produced?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] I was a bit misleading there -- the paper is what's mainly wooden.
    [Tuj] Yes! Yes, it does begin with P!
    [CdM] I couldn't swear that no-one has ever set up a factory to make these, but no, not mass produced as far as I know.
  • Tuj - Of value?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] No particular value.
  • Boolbar - Is origami involved?
  • Raak
    [Boolbar] *applause and cheering* Yes, the craft of paper-folding is involved.
  • jim - A paper aeroplane?
  • Raak
    *the audience launch a hail of paper darts* Yes, a paper aeroplane.
  • Chalky - Crikey. We're damn good at this game.
  • jim - Oh, is it me?
    Most of the hard work was done for me ... I just supplied the answer. But then, it's always a communal effort.
    Let's try a MINERAL, with ANIMAL and ABSTRACT connections.
  • Gusset Login - Unique?
  • CdM - Metal?
  • Tuj - Bigger than a toaster?
  • Boolbar - Human-made?
  • jim - A fairly good start
    [GL] YES, unique.
    [CdM] NO, not metal.
    [Tuj] YES, bigger than a toaster.
    [Boolbar]YES, human made.
  • CdM - Functional?
  • Tuj - In Europe?
  • jim
    [CdM] NO, not functional. A few giggles from the audience
    [Tuj] YES, in Europe.
  • Boolbar - Is it inside a building?
  • Raak - Is it a statue?
  • Raak - Michelangelo's David?
  • Gusset Login - Is it a city?
  • jim
    [Boolbar] NO, not inside a building.
    [Raak] NO, not a statue, and hence not Michelangelo's David. Some audience approval of this line of questioning
    [GL] NO, not a city.
  • Tuj - But is it art?
  • ImNotJohn - Or architecture?
  • Raak - Made since 1900?
  • CdM - In the UK?
  • Chalky - Does it involve water in any way?
  • jim
    [Tuj] YES, it is art.
    [INJ] NO, it is not architecture.
    [Raak] NO, not made since 1900.
    [CdM] YES, in the UK.
    [Chalky] NO, does not involve water any more than anything else in the UK not enclosed in some sort of building :)
  • CdM - Is it a sculpture?
  • Chalky - Is it made of stone?
  • Tuj - Is it in London?
  • jim
    [CdM] NO, it is not a sculpture. (You could make a case for its being one, but on the whole I'd say no.)
    [Chalky] YES, it is made of stone. Some murmurs from the audience but no outright dissent.
    [Tuj] NO, it is not in London.
  • Chalky - The Stone of Scone?
    That looks *so* wrong when typed out
  • jim
    [Chalky] NO, not the Stone of Scone.
  • Raak - A monument?
  • cfm - Does it have some religious significance?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • jim
    [Raak] NO, not a monument.
    [cfm] POSSIBLY, but nobody knows for sure.
    [Tuj] NO, alas, does not begin with P.
  • Raak - An ancient stone circle?'
  • Boolbar - Is it in England?
  • ImNotJohn - The Cerne Abbas Giant?
  • jim - A very impressive guess
    Might as well cut to the chase ...
    [INJ] YES! It is the Cerne Abbas Giant, aka the Rude Man of Cerne, for reasons that should be obvious.
    It may be an Iron Age depiction of a god or a fertility symbol, or it may be a giant 17th-century satirical drawing. But it is quite rude.
    Over to ImNotJohn goes one baton in the shape of ... well, probably best not to go into that.
  • ImNotJohn - The giggles gave it away!
    Ah well, thinking cap on again.
    OK We'll go for ABSTRACT with MINERAL connections
  • cfm - A well-known phrase or saying?
  • Boolbar - Does it involve singing?
  • Tuj - Fictional?
  • ImNotJohn - A quick start
    [cfm] I say, I say? - YES
    [Boolbar] musical/vocal? - NO
    [Tuj] Fictional? - YES
    On the bike today, so leaving the laptop at work - normal service will resume in the morning
  • cfm - The title of a written work?
  • Tuj - Are the mineral connections metal?
  • ImNotJohn - Good Morning again
    [cfm] Literary? - YES (but I didn't think of that when I set it)
    [Tuj] Metallic? - NO
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Boolbar - Is a place name in the AOTC?
  • Chalky - Are mineral connections liquid?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Tuj] A P? - PNO
    [Boolbar] Locational? - NO
    [Chalky] Liquidity? - NO
  • Boolbar - Is it getting blood from a stone?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Boolbar] Petric exsanguination? - NO
  • Raak - Does it come from the Bible?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Biblical? - YES
  • cfm - Rock of Ages?
  • ImNotJohn
    [cfm] Old Rock? - NO (is that biblical or just from the hymn? I shall check.)
    Back again. The exact phrase seems to relate to the hymn although there are close biblical links turned up in my swift googling. BTW the rock that is referred to is on the Isle of Wight, but I've not been there myself.
  • Raak - The salt of the earth?
  • cfm - [INJ] Impulsive, misguided guess. Especially as you'd already said there was no connection to singing. But it's the name of a film playing in theaters now. So I thought it might be top of mind.
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Terrestrial salinity? - NO *the audience are fidgeting and getting their things together in preparation for an early getaway*
  • ImNotJohn
    [cfm] - Always worth a try. I did know the story of the writing of the hymn, but I didn't (and don't) know if the phrase came to mind because it was biblical.
  • Raak - The widow's mite?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] The potentially willing widow? - NO
  • Raak - From the Old Testament?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] OT? - Y
  • Raak - A column of smoke by day and a pillar of fire by night?
  • Gusset Login - A pillaf of salt?
  • ImNotJohn - Don't forget the first answer
    [Raak] Where there's smoke...? - NO
    [GL] Salty? - NO
  • Raak - The stone tablets of the law?
  • Chalky - Dust to dust - [ashes to ashes]?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Mosaic tablets? - NO
    [Chalky] Funereal soil? - NO
  • Raak - Is it from the Pentateuch?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] GenExoLevNumDeu? - NO
    You may not know this as biblical - I chose it first and then checked the origin, so picking biblical quotes that fit might take a long time.
  • Chalky - Is this a three word answer?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] I'll name that in 3? - YES
  • Raak - Is the first word "the"?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Raak] Starts with 'The'? - NO (and for a bonus, neither the second nor the third word are 'the')
  • Boolbar - Does the word "Stone" appear?
  • Chalky - *more lateral fishing* .. Would yer average young adult have heard this well-known phrase or saying in general conversation?
  • Raak - Is the middle word "and"?
  • cfm - A stone's throw?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Boolbar] Includes 'stone'? - NO
    [Chalky] Well-known in young adult conversation etc? - I think the average young adult would have come across the phrase, but not in general conversation. I'm sure everyone here will know it as a phrase and most also as the book title.
    [Raak] --- and ---? - NO
    [cfm] Glass House No-no? - NO
  • Boolbar - Is it from the Book of Daniel?
  • Gusset Login - Is the middle word "of"?
  • ImNotJohn - Aha!
    [Boolbar] Daniel-y? - YES *considerable applause*
    [GL] --- of ---? - YES *some members of the audience have put their coats on*
  • cfm - Feet of clay?
  • ImNotJohn - And the winner is....
    cfm - Feet of Clay is the phrase on the card

    Just make sure you keep the baton out of the rain.

  • cfm
    Thank you, INJ. Won't be difficult. It has been blazing hot and sunny for days with more of the same on the way.
    Let's try MINERAL with ANIMAL and VEGETABLE ASSOCIATIONS
  • Tuj - Unique?
  • ImNotJohn - Is the animal connection human?
  • Gusset Login - Made of Stone?
  • cfm
    [Tuj] NO, there are many to be found.
    [INJ] YES, among other animal connections.
    [GL] NO, not made of stone.
  • Raak - Metal?
  • cfm
    [Raak] YES. Metal. *audience applauds politely*
  • CdM - A household implement?
  • ImNotJohn - Larger than a 4-slice toaster?
  • Boolbar - Does it have a pointy bit?
  • Tuj - Does it have any moving parts?
  • Software - A watering can?
  • Gusset Login - Do you own more than one?
  • cfm
    [CdM] YES, the item is used by householders among other people. *a smattering of applause from the audience*
    INJ YES, larger than a 4-slice. *another smattering, plus a snicker or two*
    [Tuj] NOT NECESSARILY, but in some cases there are.
    [Software] NO, not a watering can.
  • cfm
    [GL] NO. I do not own more than one.
  • cfm
    [BB] NO, nothing pointy -- on mine at least. But come to think, the ones with moving parts might have some pointy bits.
  • Gusset Login - A sofa?
    This either inspired or silly, I'm too tired to tell
  • Raak - Is it used in gardening?
  • cfm
    [GL] NO, not a sofa. But YES! Totally silly. :)
    [Rakk] NO, not used for gardening.
  • Raak - Ornamental?
  • cfm
    [Raak] NO, not ornamental.
  • Gusset Login - Used in cooking?
  • cfm
    [GL] YES. Related to cooking. *a round of hearty applause*
  • Raak - An Aga?
  • Gusset Login - A barbecue?
    Or grill if you're american
  • cfm
    [Raak] NO, not an Aga. (But I want of one those--one of the minty-turquoise green ones. :-) )
    [GL] NO, not a barbecue/grill. *audience applauds nonetheless*
  • Software - A refrigerator?
  • CdM - A smoker?
  • Raak - Some other sort of oven?
  • cfm
    Cutting to the chase...
    [CdM] YES! The word on the card is indeed "smoker." (I recently inherited one from a relocating neighbor and have been having a fine time experimenting with it. One can only hope someone will leave me that Aga next.) *even as it is quickly handed off to CdM, the baton begins to vanish...*
  • CdM
    Italy is a wonderful country but they don't quite seem to have mastered this whole Internet thing yet. Two hotels in a row, now, where the wifi has worked hardly at all. So I think it best if I leave this baton here for someone else to pick up.
  • Gusset Login
    If the baton is just sitting around I'll grab it.

    ABSTRACT with VEGETABLE or MINERAL connections
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Boolbar - Was it known of in 1900?
  • cfm - Does the AOTC ever have both vegetable and mineral connections simultaneously?
  • Software - Connected to the arts?
  • Gusset Login
    [Tuj] P...? No
    [Boolbar] Known in 1900? Yes, but not in the context I thought of it.
    [cfm] Both vegetable and mineral together? The AOTC is abstract but were it not it may be vegetable, mineral or both depending on context and cultural preference
    [Software] The arts? The arts is too vague a term, no answer I give can be both accurate and helpful
  • Raak - Are the vegetable and mineral connections the things it can be made of?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] Made of vegetable/mineral? As I said to cfm, if it were not abstract, it would be.
  • Tuj - Fictional?
  • cfm - A well-known phrase or saying?
  • Gusset Login
    [Tuj] Fictional? If you mean "from a work of fiction", then No
    [cfm] Phrase or Saying? Yes
  • cfm - Does the AOTC refer to some kind of building?
  • Tuj - Is it the title of a work of fiction?
  • Gusset Login
    [cfm] Some kind of building? No
    [Tuj] A work of fiction? Not that I've heard of or can find searching Amazon.
  • Boolbar - Is it computer related (nowadays) ?
  • Tuj - Is it a phrase originating from a work of fiction?
    Strange furrow to be ploughing.
  • Gusset Login
    [Boolbar] Computer related? I've seen it used on the internet but beyond that, No, I'm not aware of a computer connection.
    [Tuj] From fiction? No, it is not fictional, from fiction, the name of a work of fiction, nor is it noatably associated with a fictional character, place or organisation.
  • Chalky - Is it a proverb?
  • Tuj - Does it include the word "of"?
    [GL] Your comprehensive answering is appreciated =)
  • Gusset Login
    [Chalky] Proverb? No
    [Tuj] Includes "of"? No.

    [Tuj] Your welcome I didn't want you worrying the wrong end of the stick for too long. It is safe to say if it is at all fictional it did not start out that way.

  • Boolbar - Is it associated with a particular place?
  • cfm - When the AOTC is made of vegetable, is the vegetable wood?
  • Gusset Login
    [Boolbar] A singular geographical association? No
    [cfm] Is the vegetable connection wood? Yes
  • cfm - When the AOTC is mineral, is it metal?
  • Gusset Login
    [cfm] Is the mineral connection metal? Usually.
  • Boolbar - Is the vegetable/mineral connection a household item?
  • Gusset Login
    [Boolbar] Linked to a household item? No.
  • Boolbar - Does the AOTC have a nautical connection?
    As no one else is guessing, I thought I'd get things moving again.
  • Gusset Login
    [Boolbar] Boating Connection? Not that I'm aware of

    To summarise: The AOTC is a physical object that has, through association with a phrase or saying, become not fictional but certainly metaphorical to the extent that it can appear on the internet (and not just as a picture). The original object may be/have been made of wood, metal or a combination of both. It is/was not a household object or related to boats and does not begin with P. Both the object and it's usage in the phrase date to before 1900, but it was not used on the internet until sometime later.

    If any of the above appears to contradict anything I've said before, then assume my previous answers were accidentally wrong and use the new information.

  • Tuj - Is there any connection to fire?
  • Gusset Login
    [Tuj] On fire? No
  • Boolbar - Is the "physical object" larger than a toaster?
  • Gusset Login
    [Boolbar] Originally larger than a toaster? No, in at least two dimensions, often all three.
  • cfm - When used as a phrase or saying, does the AOTC generally have negative connotations?
  • Gusset Login
    [cfm] Is it generally negative? No.
  • Boolbar - Is the "physical object" a weapon?
  • Gusset Login
    [Boolbar] A weapon? No, or not as such (depending on context)
  • Boolbar - Does the letter "b" occur in the AOTC ?
    Trying a different approach.
  • Gusset Login
    [Boolbar] Can I have a B please? Yes
  • ImNotJohn - Does it have a sporting connection?
  • Gusset Login
    [INJ] Sports? At least two of the contexts I can think of are sporting. Others are not.
  • cfm - Does the saying refer to something worn on one's body?
  • CdM - Are there one or more websites specifically devoted to the AOTC?
  • Gusset Login
    [cfm] Worn? No
    [CdM] Website(s)? Yes
  • CdM - Is the physical object essentially flat?
    Just want to verify something from the last sentence of your excellent summary: are you sure it wasn't used on the internet before 1900?
  • Gusset Login
    [CdM] Is it flat? No
    [CdM] Are you sure it wasn't used on the internet before 1900? I have found no websites using it with creation dates earlier than 1900, but they may exist.
  • Boolbar - Does the physical object have a sporting connection?
  • Gusset Login
    [Boolbar] Sports? At least two of the contexts I can think of are sporting. Others are not.
  • cfm - Are the sports team sports?
  • Boolbar - Does the AOTC contain the word "ball"?
    Either as a whole word or part of a word.
  • Gusset Login
    [cfm] Teaming with sports? Yes
    [Boolbar] Pass the ball? No, no "ball"s.
  • ImNotJohn - Jolly Hockey Sticks! ?
  • CdM - Does the AOTC refer to a particular piece of sporting equipment?
  • Gusset Login
    [INJ] Hockey Sticks? No
    [CdM] A piece of equipment? Yes, but that's not the only definition of the AOTC
  • Boolbar - Is the word "bowl" contained within the AOTC?
  • Gusset Login
    [Boolbar] You got a bowl in it? No
  • ImNotJohn - Do the sports use a ball?
  • Gusset Login
    [INJ] Use a ball? No and not at the same time as the AOTC
  • Boolbar - Does the letter "k" occur in the AOTC ?
  • Gusset Login
    [Boolbar] Does the letter "k" occur in the AOTC? In English? No. In Esperanto, Dutch or Slovak? Yes
  • Boolbar - Are the sports connected with the AOTC occuring at the 2012 Olympics?
    Topical!
  • Gusset Login
    [Boolbar] Are the sports in the Summer Olympics 2012? The obvious one is. The other one isn't and if it had been, the AOTC part would likely be omitted.

    If no one gets this by Monday morning (BST) I intend to quit and let the first person to say "baton" start a new one.
  • Boolbar - Does the AOTC have something to do with a Baton?
  • Gusset Login
    [Boolbar] A Baton? YES the AOTC is "The Baton" please take this thing off me.
  • Boolbar - I wasn't expecting that!
    Onwards :
    ANIMAL
  • cfm - Human?
  • CdM - Unique?
  • irach - Alive today?.
  • Boolbar - A flying start.
    [cfm] Human?   Oh yes.
    [CdM] Only one?   Oh yes.
    [irach] Unkicked bucket?   Oh yes.
  • Gusset Login - Did they win a medal at the London 2012 Olympics?
  • cfm - Female?
  • Raak - Bradley Wiggins?
  • Boolbar
    [Gusset Login] Gong?   No.   *Slight murmur from the audience*
    [cfm] Femella?   Yes!
    [Raak] Ginger sideburns?   No.
  • Raak - Disqualified from a medal at the London 2012 Olympics?
  • Boolbar
    [Raak] Gong gone? No.
  • Gusset Login - A competitor at the London 2012 Olympics?
    Or failing that an asian badminton player
  • cfm - A medalist at some past Olympics?
  • Boolbar
    [Gusset Login] Going for gold in 2012?   No.   *A few sniggers from the audience*
    [cfm] Old Olympian?   No.
  • ImNotJohn - Any connection with the 2012 Olympics
  • Boolbar
    [ImNotJohn] 2012 Olympics   Yes!
  • cfm - A politician?
  • Raak - Lord Coe?
  • CdM
    [Raak] I think you must mean Lady Coe.
  • Boolbar
    [cfm] Politician No.
    [Raak] Coe/Coette No.
  • ImNotJohn - British?
  • Boolbar
    [ImNotJohn] No. Not British.
  • cfm - A journalist?
  • Gusset Login - Asian?
  • Boolbar
    [cfm]   Journalist?   No.
    [Gusset Login]   Asian?   Yes!   *Audience applause*
  • Gusset Login - Were they disqualified from the 2012 Olympics?
  • Boolbar
    [Gusset Login]   Disqualified   No. "Not applicable" is a more accurate answer.
  • ImNotJohn - A member of the IOC?
  • Boolbar
    [ImNotJohn]   IOCilver Lining?  No.
  • Raak - Associated with any particular sport?
  • Boolbar
    [Raak]   Sporty?   No.
  • Tuj - Chinese?
  • Boolbar
    [Tuj]   Chinese?   No.
  • Boolbar - A busy weekend looming
    I have to admit, I don't know why this particular person popped into my head when I picked up the baton. She really shouldn't have been there.
  • CdM - Connected to the Opening Ceremony in London?
  • Boolbar
    [CdM] Yes! *Audience applause*
  • irach - Madhura Nagendra, the "gatecrasher" with the Indian contingent marchers?
  • Boolbar
    [irach] Yes! She is the answer on my card. I pass you these two batons. I'm not sure where the second one came from.
  • irach
    A lurker's victory this....the next one is ABSTRACT with a main ANIMAL connection, plus another somewhat more remote ANIMAL connection.
  • ImNotJohn - Is the main animal connection human?
  • Raak - Fictional?
  • Tuj - Connected with a particular country?
  • irach
    [INJ] The main animal connection is human.
    [Raak] Yes, fictional.
    [Tuj] Yes, originated in one particular country.
  • cfm - Is the secondary animal connection human?
  • irach
    [cfm] The secondary animal connection is not human.
  • Raak - St. George?
  • irach
    [Raak] Not St. George (or a dragon as the secondary animal connection, I might add).
  • Gusset Login - Calvin & Hobbes?
  • irach
    [GLogin] Not Calvin and Hobbes.
  • Tuj - Created in the last century?
  • cfm - Is the particular country in Europe?
  • irach
    [Tuj] Not created in the last century.
    [cfm] The country in question is European.
  • Tuj - Sport-related?
  • irach
    [Tuj] Not sport-related
  • Dujon - Is the country fictional but based on real one?
  • ImNotJohn - Literary?
  • jim - Connected with religion?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • irach
    [Dujon] The country where the abstract entity stems from is not fictional.
    [INJ] Yes, could presumbably be construed as "literary".
    [jim] Not connected to religion.
    [Tuj] Does not begin with "P".
  • jim - Created in the last millennium?
  • irach
    [jim] Created within the last millenium.
  • gil - Is the country Britain or a sub country thereof?
  • irach
    [gil] Yes, British.
  • Tuj - From film or television programme?
  • jim - Is the main human connection to an individual (fictional) human?
  • irach
    [Tuj] Not from TV or film.
    [jim] Yes, the fioctional human connection is a single individual.
  • CdM - Would this fictional human be described as a hero or heroine?
  • irach
    [CdM] Not a hero or heroine per se, but well known to man, woman and child alike.
  • cfm - Well known internationally?
  • irach
    [cfm] I'd say yes, at least in primarily English-speaking nations.
  • gil - Are we talking Bow Bells here?
    (Dick Whittington and Cat)
  • irach
    [gil] Not Dicky and his feline companion (Dick was not fictional), but you're certainly on the right track vis a vis a specific human and animal association.
  • Software - Greyfriar's Bobby?
  • irach
    [Software] Nae, laddy. Right animalspecies, wrong guess. I believe Greyfrirs Bobby was not fictional.
  • cfm
    A well-known English phrase or saying?
  • irach
    [cfm] Not a "phrase" or "saying" specifically but is universally known, widely read, read aloud or otherwise spoken in the English-speaking world.
  • Boolbar - Is the remote animal connection sheep?
  • irach
    [Boolbar] No, as noted above, the non-human animal species in question is the same as Greyfriars Bobby; i.e. canine.
  • CdM - When you say "not from TV or film", does that mean that these fictional creations have not been portrayed in these media?
    (All the famous fictional dogs I can think of have also been portrayed in film/TV)
  • jim - Created after 1999?
    Just to be completely sure what we mean by "not created in the last century".
  • irach
    [jim] The fictional characters most likely have been portrayed in an ancillary manner in some film or TV show, but were never the stars or central characters of a specific TV show or movie to my knowledge.
    [jim] Created (considerably) before 1999.
  • ImNotJohn - John Bull?
    and his British Bulldog, of course.
  • jim - Old Mother Hubbard?
  • irach
    [INJ] Not John Bull or his bulldog.
    [jim} YES!!! The rhyme "Old Mother Hubbard" it is! A long bone purloined from the infamous cupboard, laying it bare and depriving that lady's poor dog, is handed over to jim in lieu of a baton.
  • jim - Oh sorry, is it my turn?
    OK, let's have an ABSTRACT.
  • ImNotJohn - Related to literature?
  • Gusset Login - Life?
  • jim
    [INJ] YES, related to literature, although not exclusively so.
    [GL] Related to life, certainly, for without life there would be no (this thing). But if you mean is "life" the AOTC, then NO.
  • cfm - Related to creativity?
  • jim
    [cfm] YES, similarly to "literature" above.
  • ImNotJohn - A character in a fictional work?
  • cfm - Related to inspiration?
  • gil - Imagination?
  • jim
    [INJ] NO, not a character in a fictional work (or if so, it's a very strange work).
    [cfm] Borderline, but pretty tenuous in either case.
    [gil] NO, not imagination.
  • cfm - Do the words on the card refer to an intellectual process?
  • Dujon - Is this something which might be described as a 'skill'?
  • jim
    [cfm] NO, not an intellectual process.
    [Dujon] It MIGHT be, but any such description would be VERY tongue-in-cheek.
  • Tuj - A human invention?
  • CdM - Does it begin with P?
  • jim
    [Tuj] YES, in so far as it can be termed an invention. A human concept, certainly.
    [CdM] NO, does not begin with P.
  • gil - Is it useful?
  • jim
    [gil] I would have to say YES, it is useful in a sense, although some would disagree.
  • Boolbar - Was it known about in 1900?
  • jim
    [Boolbar] YES, it was known about in 1900.
  • Software - Flair?
  • jim
    [Softers] NO, not flair.
  • Phil - Luck?
  • CdM - Was it known 3000 years ago?
  • jim
    [Phil] Alas, no luck.
    [CdM] NO, it was not known 3000 years ago.
    I think we need to further narrow things down before guessing. All the guesses so far have been pretty wide of the mark. Oh, and re cfm's question above, it is certainly related to an intellectual process, but I couldn't say that it was one.
  • Phil - Is it related to religion?
  • jim
    [Phil] NO, it is not related to religion. (I could make a facetious comment here, but I shall refrain.)
  • Software - Do we do this every day?
  • jim
    [Software] I expect that very few, if any, people make/do this every single day. Some do more than others. Some pride themselves on never doing it at all.
  • Boolbar - Could I type this (using both hands) while making/doing it?
  • jim - Good question
    [Boolbar] You can certainly make/do/perpetrate this while typing (with any number of hands); it's possible that you did so while typing your last question, but I think it very unlikely.
  • CdM - Is this typically viewed negatively?
  • jim
    [CdM] I don't know about "typically". It is viewed negatively by many; I suspect most people are actually neutral on the subject.
  • ImNotJohn - an entertainment of some sort?
  • jim
    [INJ] NO, not an entertainment of any sort.
  • Software - A distraction?
  • Giertrud
    Wild guesses are hyperbole and exaggeration...
  • jim
    [Software] It can be distracting, if you encounter one and you are the sort of person who notices such things.
    [Giertrud] I'm sure they are; are they YOUR guesses? In which case, NO, not hyperbole or exaggeration, but you are sort of on the right lines.
  • Giertrud - Rhetoric
    Could it be rhetoric?
  • gil
    A figure of speech?
  • Gusset Login - A clue?
  • Phil - Do some people find it offensive?
  • Boolbar - Is it something to do with punctuation?
    Wild guess.
  • Phil
    As jim hasn't posted for 5 weeks, do we think someone else should perhaps take up the baton?
  • cfm - Yes. I nominate Phil.
  • cfm - Or will take it up myself if Phil prefers.
  • Phil
    Well, I am phenomenally bored at work, so I certainly have the time.
    Any objections?
    *waits a minute*
    Oh well, OK then.
    Let's start a new game with

    Animal

  • Boolbar - Is it a panda?
  • cfm - Is it a live animal?
  • Raak - Is it human?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Phil
    [Boolbar] Panda? NO
    [cfm] Live animal? NO
    [Raak] Human? YES!
    [Tuj] P? NO
  • Gusset Login - Is he female?
  • Raak - Did this person run a pub not so long ago?
  • Phil
    [GL] Female? NO
    [Raak] Ex-publican? No, not even a little bit.
  • Boolbar - Was this now dead person still alive in 1950?
  • Phil
    [Boolbar] Now dead confirmation? YES; Alive in 1950? YES
  • cfm - An artist of some kind?
  • Phil
    [cfm] An artist? NO
  • Raak - A sporting figure?
  • Dujon
    Did this gentleman die in April 1955?
  • CdM - European?
  • Gusset Login - Was this now dead person still alive in 2000?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Sporting? NO
    [Dujon] d. 04/1955? NO
    [CdM] European? NO
    [GL] Alive in 2000? YES
  • Raak - American?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Americano? NO
  • cfm - A politician?
  • Phil
    [cfm] Politician? YES *some applause*
  • CdM - A president, prime minister, or other similar leader?
  • Raak - Did they die this year?
  • Phil
    [CdM] Leader? YES
    [Raak] d. 2012? NO
  • Phil
    Oh, and a bit of *applause* for CdM, I would imagine.
  • Raak - Kim Il Sung?
  • cfm - Yassar Arafat?
  • Phil
    [Raak] The man that looked at things? NO
    [cfm] Yasser-al-briefly-exhumed-Arafat? YES - spot on.
    Here, cfm, take this baton that looks rather like a sandy femur.
  • cfm
    [Phil] Er...don't you think we should put it back?
    Okay, let's try this:

    ABSTRACT WITH ANIMAL CONNECTIONS
  • CdM - Connected to a specific human animal?
  • cfm
    [CDM] Somebody not anybody? NO
  • Gusset Login - A well known phrase or saying?
  • Phil - Is the animal human?
  • Boolbar - Did it originate in the Bible?
  • Tuj - A human invention?
  • Raak - A work of fiction?
  • cfm
    [GL] Just sayin'... NO
    [Phil] Only human? YES *Audience applauds in an early-in-the-game sort of way*
    [Boolbar] Word of God? NO *A smattering of snickers*
    [Tuj] Man/woman-made? YES *Audience applauds again*
    [Raak] No resemblance to persons living or dead? NO
  • CdM - Connected with the arts?
  • cfm
    [CdM] Art in part? YES. *more applause*
  • CdM - A song?
  • Phil - A book?
  • Boolbar - Was this invented/created in the last 100 years?
  • cfm
    [CdM] Can I hum a few bars? NO
    [Phil] Can I turn a few pages? NO *A sustained murmur from the audience*
    * [Boolbar] A modern invention? YES *applause*
  • Raak - Is the spoken word involved?
  • cfm
    [Raak] Speaking parts? YES *more applause*
  • Raak - A speech made on some occasion?
  • cfm
    [Raak] Special occasion? NO
  • Gusset Login - A connection to motion pictures?
  • cfm
    [GL] You oughtta be in pictures? NO.
  • Phil - Is it a joke?
  • Raak - Is it a catch-phrase?
  • cfm
    [Phil] Is this a joke? NO
    [Raak] Here--catch? NO but I am fairly certain the words on the card are well-known among this group.
    [Raak] One further comment on your SPECIAL OCCASION question: I still think the best answer to the precise words and spirit of your question is NO. But it bears repeating that there is speech involved with the thing on the card.
  • Boolbar - Does it originate from a Radio or TV program?
  • Raak - ISIHAC?
  • cfm
    [Boolbar] Broadcast first? NO
    [Raak] Clueless? NO
  • Raak - To do with a game?
  • cfm
    [Raak] Game on? NO
  • Phil - An eaves-dropping?
  • cfm
    [Phil] Rain on the roof? NO
    [Raak] Another revision. Related to a game, still NO. But the audience *applauds a bit* anyway.
  • Phil - A word?
  • Boolbar - Does the AOTC have a connection with a particular location?
  • cfm
    [Phil] The idea of word? A single word? NO *a ripple of applause nonetheless*
    [Boolbar] Here not there? NO
  • Gusset Login - An answer?
  • cfm
    [GL] The idea of answer? NO
  • Boolbar - Was this invented/created in the last 10 years?
  • cfm
    [Boolbar] Past decade? NO
  • CdM - Was this invented/created in the last 50 years?
  • Boolbar - Is the letter W in the AOTC ?
  • cfm
    [CdM] Past 50? YES *polite applause*
    [Boolbar] Can I have a W? There are two common ways of describing the abstract thing on the card and one of them does include a W, YES. *more applause*
  • CdM - Connected in some specific way with the internet?
    So this is connected to the arts, but not to movies, songs, radio, or TV, and is not a book or a work of fiction. (Though the book question elicited a response...)
  • cfm
    [CdM] As much as everything is on the internet (including some things one fervently wishes were not), this is connected to the internet. But in a more specifc way, NO.
    By the same token, it is also possible that there are movies related to the thing on the card -- just as there are movies about cooking or zombies or Watergate. But I think that is an overly broad interpretation of the question, so my answer stands.
    Please refer back to the form of the question on TV. The answer is still NO.
  • Boolbar - Is there or has there been a TV program with a title that is the AOTC?
  • cfm
    [Boolbar] I am aware of one TV program devoted to the thing on the card. I don't know how widely known it is. But the actual title of the show is not comprised of the words on the card. So I guess that is still a NO. Nonetheless *audience applauds encouragingly*
  • Raak - To do with theatre?
  • cfm
    [Raak] Take a bow? YES, there is a connection to theater. *applause*
  • CdM - A play?
    I am pretty sure the answer is no, but I just want to check.
  • cfm
    [CdM] The play's the thing? NO. But you already knew that. :-)
  • Phil - A libretto?
  • cfm
    [Phil] Operatic? NO.
  • Raak - A soliloquy?
  • cfm
    [Raak] Soliloquy is not the word on the card, NO. But the concept is related. *vigorous applause*
  • Boolbar - Connected with comedy?
  • Phil - A monologue?
  • cfm
    [Boolbar] Stand up and be counted? YES. I would say that there is some connection to comedy. (Though I would add that, like the internet, comedy can be connected to many things.) *more applause*
    [Phil] Monologue is not the AOTC, NO. But the concept is again strongly connected. *audience is highly engaged*
  • Phil
    *racking my brain*
  • Boolbar - Does the thing on the card usually involve one person speaking to an audience?
  • cfm
    [Boolbar] One and many? Splendid. YES.
  • cfm
    [Boolbar] *belated and extended applause*
  • Phil - A TED talk? (or whatever the correct term is for them)?
  • cfm
    [Phil] TED-ed? YES, there has been a TED talk on this subject. It is available online. (Also, while TED is not the AOTC, one might argue there is some kinship between the two abstract concepts.) *applause*
  • Boolbar - Something to do with the giving of awards?
  • Raak - Something to do with the receiving of an award?
  • cfm
    [Boolbar] Giving and [Raak] Receiving? In practice, there is frequently a competitive connection. But this is not a necessary component of the abstract concept. *encouraging applause*
  • CdM - A poetry slam?
  • CdM
    No, wait a minute -- just one person.
    A poetry reading?
  • cfm
    [CdM] *considers*
    Hmmmm. I can't think of a way to say "no" without seriously misleading the players. So while I actually had in mind the entire genre and not a specific event -- congratulations, YES! The AOTC is Slam Poetry a.k.a. Spoken Word Poetry. *invites CdM up to the mike to say a few very personal words about receiving the baton* :-)
  • Boolbar
    Blimey! I was miles away. Perhaps I will win another day. To CdM I will say well done, and thanks to cfm for so much fun.
  • CdM
    That was a surprise; it was a bit of a shot in the dark. OK.
    ANIMAL and VEGETABLE
  • cfm - Is the animal element human?
  • Raak - Steak and chips?
  • CdM
    Human? No.
    Steak and chips? No.
  • cfm - Is the animal element canine?
  • CdM
    Doggy? No.
  • cfm - Edible -- at least in the normal course of things?
  • Gusset Login - Is it strongly associated with a particular time of year?
  • CdM - Progress
    Edible? Yes.
    Associated with a time of year? Yes. *applause*
  • Gusset Login - Associated with summer?
  • Raak - Connected with Christmas?
  • cfm - More specifically...drinkable?
  • CdM - This won't take long
    Summer? Perhaps in the Southern Hemisphere
    Connected with Christmas? Yes. *applause*
    Drinkable? Yes. *sustained applause*
  • cfm - Is there nutmeg involved?
  • CdM - Now you are just toying with me
    Nutmeg? Typically, yes.
  • cfm - Is the drinkable thing associated with Christmas potentially intoxicating? :-)
  • Gusset Login - Egg-nog?
  • CdM
    Intoxicating? My version certainly is.
    Eggnog? YES! One baton with rum and grated nutmeg goes to Gusset Login.
  • Gusset Login
    Oh, how unexpected.
    The next item is MINERAL
  • Raak - A snowman?
  • cfm - Metal?
  • CdM - Naturally occurring?
    Such as, for example, a naturally occurring metal snowman
  • Boolbar - Gold?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] snowman? No.
    [cfm] Metal? Yes.
    [CdM] Natural? No. naturally occurring metal snowman? No.
    [Boolbar] Gold? Yes.
  • cfm - One of a kind?
  • Gusset Login
    [cfm] Unique? No.
  • cfm - Is the gold object symbolic in some way?
  • CdM - Gold cast or moulded into a quintet of tori?
  • Gusset Login
    [cfm] Symbolic? Yes, or at least probably.
    [CdM] FIVE GOLD RINGS!? YES

    Have a baton made of pear wood tied with partridge feathers
  • CdM - Me again? Oh dear.
    I'm travelling for much of the next two days, and not 100% sure of the internet connection when I reach my next destination. So if anyone wants to take over the baton, feel free. If nothing has been set when I am fully internetted again, then I will get back in the saddle.
  • CdM - Very well then
    Since no one has picked up the baton... This is best described as
    ABSTRACT with VEGETABLE and ANIMAL connections,
    but it could also be described as VEGETABLE with ANIMAL and ABSTRACT connections.
  • Gusset Login - Is it a fictional object?
  • Boolbar - Is the animal connection a human?
  • CdM
    Fictional object? I think the best answer is Yes. But, in some sense, real versions do or can exist, hence the two ways of describing it.
    Animal connection human? No.
  • cfm - A metaphor?
  • CdM
    Metaphor? Yes. *applause*
  • Gusset Login - Is the animal connection bovine?
  • Boolbar - Is the vegetable part wood?
  • CdM
    Bullish? No.
    Wood? Yes.
  • Raak - Is the animal a tiny creature that burrows through the wood?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • cfm - Does the abstract concept involve an object fashioned from wood?
  • CdM
    Carpenter termite worm? No.
    Begins with P? Yes.
    Object fashioned from wood? A cautious Yes, provided you take a broad interpretation of "fashioned".
  • Tuj - Is the animal connection a domesticated beast?
  • Boolbar - Is a horse involved?
  • CdM
    Domestic beast? No.
    Wild horse? No.
  • Boolbar - Is it in the Bible?
  • CdM
    Biblical? No.
  • cfm - Is the vegetable element paper?
  • CdM
    Paper? Yes. *applause*
  • Phil - Paper Tiger?
  • CdM
    Paper tiger? Yes! An inspired leap by Phil, there. *hands over illusory baton*
  • Phil
    Oh crikey - bit of a lurker's win, but "hey ho" all's fair in love and AVMA.
    So our next puzzle will be:

    Mineral, Vegetable and Animal

  • Raak - Fish and chips?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Cod n spud? NO
  • Gusset Login - France?
  • Phil
    [GL] La Belle France? NON
  • Raak - Is it edible?
  • Dujon - Does the mineral portion of the MV&A constitute the majority component of the answer?
  • CdM - Does the vegetable portion of the MV&A constitute the plurality component of the answer?
  • Gusset Login - Does the animal portion of the MV&A constitute the primary component of the answer?
  • Boolbar - Does the conjunction portion of the MV&A constitute the primary component of the answer?
  • Phil
    [Dujon] Mineral > Veg + Animal? YES
    [CdM] Veg > Animal AND Veg > Mineral? NO
    [GL] Animal is "primary component"? Not entirely sure what that means precisely, but I'm confident with a NO
    [Boolbar] "Conjunction portion"? As an Austrian friend of mine used to say in French lessons, "My friend, I am completely lost"
  • Software - Great answers but is it edible?
  • Raak - Is there just one of it?
    And is it edible?
  • Boolbar - Is the mineral part a liquid?
    [Conjunction] As mineral, animal and vegetable had already been taken, I was left with the "and" ;)
  • Phil
    My sincerest apologies:
    [Raak] Edible? NO
    [Raak] Unique? YES
    [Boolbar] Liquid mineral? NO {Re: conjunction - ah, very good :-)}
  • Gusset Login - Was it man-made?
    [Primary Component] Either the initial component or that from which the majority is made.
    If that doesn't make sense, I apologise. English is my first language, so I tend to play with it until I break it.
  • Boolbar - Is it in a building?
  • Phil
    [GL] Man-made? YES
    [Boolbar] In a building? NO *applause and hubbub*
  • cfm - A landmark of the type that a tourist would visit?
  • Phil
    [cfm] Tourist-magnet? YES *applause*
  • Dujon - I've forgetten my next question
    CdM, Gusset Login & Boolbar: Thanks, it's not often I get a chuckle out of MV&A.
  • Phil
    [Dujon] Imaginary next question? I've forgotten the answer ;-)
  • Boolbar - Is it in Europe?
  • CdM - Is the vegetable portion in Canada?
  • Raak - Is the animal part alive?
  • cfm - Is the animal part human in whole or in part?
  • Phil
    [Boolbar] In Europe? YES
    [CdM] Veg portion in Canada? NO
    [Raak] Animal part alive? NO
    [cfm] Animal part human? NO!
  • Boolbar - Is it more than 300 years old?
  • Phil
    [Boolbar] > 300 years old? YES and NO. You might wish to pick another number *a little applause and much chattering amongst the audience*
  • cfm - Is the animal part bone?
  • Boolbar - Is it in England?
  • Phil
    [cfm] bone? NO
    [Boolbar] In England? YES *some applause* (View the source to read the hidden text)
  • Software - Stonehenge?
  • Phil
    [Software] Stonehenge? NO
  • Raak - Is the animal part leather?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Leather? YES
  • Boolbar - Is it larger than an adult Old English Sheepdog?
  • Tuj - Is it smaller than the New York Stock Exchange?
  • Raak - Is it a vehicle?
  • cfm - Is it a building?
  • Phil
    [Boolbar] Bigger than the Dulux dog? YES
    [Tuj] Smaller than NYSE? NO (View the source to read the hidden text) *some applause*
    [Raak] A vehicle? NO
    [cfm] A building? YES *more applause*
  • cfm - Is the mineral element stone?
  • Phil
    [cfm] Mineral = Stone? YES *a bit more applause*
  • Chalky - Is it in London?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] In that London? NO
  • cfm - A famous library?
  • Boolbar - A Museum?
  • Phil
    [cfm] Library? NO
    [Boolbar] Museum? NO
  • Raak - A tannery?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Tannery? NO - I would just add that the leather is very much a minor component
  • cfm - Is the vegetable element wood?
  • Raak - A religious building?
  • Phil
    [cfm] Wood? YES
    [Raak] Religious? NO
  • CdM - A commercial location?
  • Phil
    [CdM] Commercial location? NO, using UPS's definition of a "commercial address".
    If you meant "has it been used in an advertisement?" then the answer is YES
  • Boolbar - Is it less than 50 miles away from Cambridge?
    The Cambridge in England that is. The one where half the boat race comes from.
  • Phil
    [Boolbar] <50 miles to Cambridge? NO
  • cfm - Associated with an academic institution?
  • Phil
    [cfm] Academic? NO
  • Boolbar - Is it a National Trust property?
  • Phil
    [Boolbar] NT? NO
  • Raak - Does anyone live in it?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Inhabited? YES *some applause*
  • CdM - Is the leather component, though minor, essential in some sense?
  • Phil
    [CdM] Essential leather? NO - not worth focussing on, IMHO.
  • Boolbar - Is its latitude less than 52° N?
  • Phil
    [Boolbar] Lat < 52oC? YES *much glowing of smartphones as audience members check the veracity of Phil's reply, followed by knowing smiles and a slow spread of applause*
  • Software - Buckingham Palace?
  • Phil
    [Software] Buckingham Palace? NO *applause and eager anticipation of a victory*
  • Raak - The Royal Pavilion at Brighton?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Brighton Pavilion? NO
  • Software - Tower of London?
  • Phil
    [Software] Tower of London? NO
  • Boolbar - Is it in a county that ends with "shire" ?
  • Raak - It is associated with royalty?
  • Software - Windsor Castle?
  • Phil
    [Boolbar] In a shire? YES
    [Raak] Associated with royalty? NO, not closely in the sense I think you mean.
    [Software] Windsor Castle? NO
  • Phil
    I think a couple of questions could be useful to revisit the answers to (and the audience's reactions). "Latitude" and "Older than 300 years" would be of interest, from memory.
  • Dujon - Would longitude be of particular importance?
  • CdM - The Royal Observatory in Greenwich?
  • Phil
    [Dujon] Longitude particularly important? NO, other than its importance for any building
    [CdM] Greenwich Observatory? NO
  • Phil
    I would also remind you that someone lives in it.
  • Software - Clarence House?
  • Phil
    [Clarence House] NO - it's in a "-shire" county
  • Raak - Blenheim Palace?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Blenheim Palace - YES. In retrospect, I might have left the leather element out altogether. The latitude at 51.84oN is just less than 52, and the palace was being built 300 years ago.
    So, I pass on the baton to Raak with Churchillian gravitas.
  • Phil
  • Raak
    The next is ANIMAL.
  • Raak
    Audience chuckles as the answer goes up on the laser display board.
  • Tuj - Human?
  • Raak - Not human
    More chuckling.
  • cfm - Alive?
  • Phil - A single animal?
  • Dujon - Mythological?
  • Raak
    Not alive.
    Not a single animal.
    Not mythological.
    The audience derives some merriment from all these questions.
  • Gusset Login - Is it manufactured from part or parts of a dead animal?
  • Phil - A dead parrot?
  • Raak
    [GL] *applause* Yes, manufactured from dead animals.
    [Phil] Not that dead animal.
  • CdM - Glue?
  • Phil - A Tesco economy beefburger?
  • ImNotJohn - Leatherwear?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Not glue.
    [INJ] Not leatherwear.
    [Phil] I think that's close enough to the words on the card, "a horsemeat burger". Have this rod of horse, um, jerky.
  • Phil
    The laughter was fun :-)
    So, next we'll have,

    ABSTRACT - with Animal associations

  • Boolbar - Is the animal connection human?
  • Phil
    [Boolbar] Human animal connection? YES
  • Gusset Login - A fictional human?
  • Phil
    [GL] Fictional human? NO
  • Raak - The regulations that prohibit horsemeat from human consumption?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Anti-equivoreal Regulations? NO
  • cfm - A unique human?
  • Boolbar - Is it found in the Bible?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • CdM - Culture-specific?
  • Phil
    [cfm] Unique human? NO
    [Boolbar] Found in The Bible? YES *a few chuckles*
    [Tuj] Begins with P? YES Applause, cheers, whoops and laughter
    [CdM] Culture-specific? YES
  • Boolbar - Are there other animal associations as well as human?
  • ImNotJohn - Philistine?
    Question, not insult (well, probably).
  • Phil
    [Boolbar] Other animals? NO
    [CdM] Me-istine? NO
  • Software - Pornographic?
    :o)
  • cfm - Paternalism?
  • Phil
    [Software] Rudey bits? NO!
    [cfm] Daddyness? NO
  • Raak - Pilates exercises?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Pilates? NO
  • cfm - Paganism?
  • Phil
    [cfm] Paganism? NO
  • Boolbar - Does the answer on the card have more than one word?
  • Phil
    [Boolbar] AOC has > 1 word? YES

    NB, on reflection for Tuj's "Does it begin with P?" question, I should add that the most important part of the answer on the card starts with "P".

  • Raak - A painted sepulchre?
  • Tuj - Is the important P-thing you?
  • cfm - Related to a particular belief system?
  • Gusset Login - Is it related to prayer?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Painted sepulchre? NO
    [Tuj] Me? NO
    [cfm] Related to a particular belief system? NO
    [GL] Prayer? NO
  • Raak - A plague of something?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Plague? NO
  • Boolbar - Is there a person's name in the answer?
  • cfm - Related to food?
  • Phil
    [Boolbar] A name? NO
    [cfm] Foody? NO
  • Raak - A prophesy?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Prophesy? NO
  • cfm - Is the specific culture geographically defined/distinct?
  • Phil
    [cfm] Geographically defined specific culture? NO - plus I have not strictly said it's one culture.
  • cfm - [Phil] Indeed, I should have asked is/are the specific culture(s) geographically defined/distinct? Thanks for the conscientious clarification, though. :)
  • cfm - Related to language?
  • Phil
    [cfm] Related to language? YES *Audience wakes up and applauds*
  • Raak - A parable?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it related to many other written works as well as the bible?
  • Phil
    [Raak] A parable? NO
    [INJ] Related to many other works? YES *enthusiastic applause*
  • Gusset Login - Page number?
  • Phil
    [GL] Page number? NO
  • cfm - A catch phrase?
  • Phil
    [cfm] A catch phrase? NO
  • ImNotJohn - Related to language?
  • Phil
    [INJ] Related to language? YES *more enthusiastic applause*
  • Raak - Is the P-word someone's name?
  • Phil
    [Raak] A P-name? NO
  • Gusset Login - Does it start with "Ph"?
  • ImNotJohn - A Proper Noun?
  • Boolbar - Has anyone done or used this in this game?
  • Raak - Anything to do with preaching?
  • Phil
    [GL] Ph- ? NO
    [INJ] A proper noun? NO
    [Boolbar] Has it been used in this game? YES, many, many times. *Applause, cheers and a few knowing chuckles*
    [Raak] To do with preaching? NO
  • Raak - To do with playing?
  • CdM - A pun?
  • Phil
    [Raak] To do with playing? NO
    [CdM] A pun? NO.
  • Phil - Some clarification
    While I have said no to playing, puns, preaching, proper nouns, philistines, page numbers, catch phrases and others, the answer on the card is related to all these things in a way.
  • Gusset Login - Printed words?
  • Phil
    [GL] Printed words? NO (but again, related as above).
  • Boolbar - The letter P?
  • Phil
    [Boolbar] The letter P? YES - plaudits, pleasantries, praise and power be thine. Passing this practically perfect pole of power from person-to-person in the pursuit of pedantic pleasure is a project of prime privilege. Phew!
  • Tuj
    [Phil] Bravo!
  • Boolbar
    Blimey! Funny enough, I needed a p after all that.
     
    Let's do this ...
    ABSTRACT (WITH ANIMAL, MINERAL & VEGETABLE ASSOCIATIONS)
  • NotJohn - An activity
  • Boolbar - A cracking start.
    [NotJohn] Being active? - YES   *Audience look keen*
  • Gusset Login - Creation?
  • Phil - Peeing?
  • Boolbar
    [Gusset Login] Creation? Did you mean The Creation or the act of creation in general? Either way, NO.
    However, the AOTC was created, if your meaning was "is it a creation?"
    [Phil] Micturate? NO.
  • Raak - A game?
  • Boolbar - this is going well.
    [Raak] Game-on! YES   *applause*
  • NotJohn - Normally takes place outdoors?
  • Boolbar
    [NotJohn] Normally done outside?   YES
  • cfm - Does the game involve a ball?
  • Phil - Is it widely played in England?
  • Boolbar
    [cfm] Ball Game?   NO.
    [Phil] Widely played in England?
    Hmmm. I suspect NO. It is played in England (as well as other countries), but not widely (as in often *and* all over the country, e.g. cricket or chess).
  • cfm - Does the game require forming teams?
  • CdM - Ultimate frisbee?
  • Raak - A spectator sport?
  • Boolbar
    [cfm] Teams? NO. I'm sure it can be played with teams, but it isn't usually.
    [CdM] Ultimate frisbee? NO.
    [Raak] Spectator sport? I think the best answer is NO. But there is nothing to stop people watching!
  • Phil - Are there organised competitions?
  • ImNotJohn - Is it normally associated with one culture
    e.g. Kabbadi (sp?)
  • cfm - Does the game involve equipment of some kind?
  • Raak - Do the players typically get muddy?
  • Boolbar
    [Phil] Competitions?   YES. I know of at least one.
    [ImNotJohn] One culture?   NO. I think.
    [cfm] Equipment?   YES-ish. Players need an item to play the game, but calling it equipment is perhaps misleading. Would the pies in a pie-eating contest be called equipment?
    [Raak]   Mud glorious mud? NO. But the opportunity is there.
  • Phil - Cheese-rolling?
  • NotJohn - Does the 'equipment' constitute the vegetable and mineral part of the definition?
  • Boolbar
    [Phil] Chasing Cheese?   NO.  
    [NotJohn] 'Equipment' vegetable/mineral?   YES for vegetable traditionally.   Some mineral items can also be used. *Audience applause and murmur*
  • Raak - Is it a game in which two people play against each other?
  • cfm - Is there a non-human animal connection?
  • Dujon - Does this involve the throwing/tossing of an object?
  • NotJohn - Does it involve climbing?
  • Phil - Is the vegetal matter wood?
  • Boolbar
    [Raak] One-against-one? YES.   Or more than two. At least two.
    [cfm] Non-human animal? In an abstract way, there is a connection, so YES.   *Audience mutter*
    [Dujon] Tossing? YES *A ripple of applause*   Or at least using gravity.
    [NotJohn] Climbing? NO.
    [Phil] Vegetable wood? YES! *A wave of applause*   The vegetable part could also be a mineral to play, but in the origins of the game, it was vegetable (wood).
  • NotJohn - Poohsticks?
  • Raak - Golf?
  • Boolbar - Winner!
    [Raak] A hole in one?   NO.
    [NotJohn] Poohsticks?   YES!!   Your stick has passed under the bridge first.
    Hands NotJohn a somewhat moist twig.
  • NotJohn - It's the little flick of the wrist as you drop it that makes all the difference.
    OK, this one is VEGETABLE or (ANIMAL with ABSTRACT connections)
  • Phil - Wooden Horse?
  • NotJohn
    [Phil] Sylvan equine? - NO
  • Raak - A vegetable?
    As in, "a vegetable" being the answer, metaphorical for someone irreversibly brain-dead.
  • NotJohn - Some great guesses here
    [Raak] Vegetable vegetable? - NO
  • Gusset Login - Trojan Horse?
  • Chalky - Is this a homograph?
  • Raak - A wooden sculpture?
  • Dujon - A swede?
  • NotJohn
    [GL] Trojan Horse? - NO
    [Chalky] Homograph? - Tricky, I think it could be argued either way, but I'd go for - NO
    [Raak] Wooden Sculpture? - NO
    [Dujon] Swede? - NO
  • Chalky - Is the Animal a human?
  • Boolbar - Is it usually eaten?
  • NotJohn
    [Chalky] - Human animal? - YES
    [Boolbar] Usually eaten? - NO
  • CdM - Made of paper?
  • NotJohn
    [CdM] Papery? - NO, but * a few suppressed chuckles in the audience*
  • Boolbar - Is it unique?
  • Phil - Made of wood?
  • NotJohn - Some progress
    [Boolbar] Only 1? - YES for the Animal
    [Phil] Woody? - YES for the vegetable
  • Chalky - Fictitional Animal?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Chalky] Fictional Animal? - NO
  • Boolbar - Is it a tree?
  • NotJohn - Aha!
    [Boolbar] A Tree? - YES *prolonged applause*
  • Software - Family tree?
  • NotJohn
    [Software] Genealogical? - NO
  • CdM - A specific kind of tree?
  • NotJohn - Warm
    [CdM] Specific kind of tree? - YES *further applause*
  • Phil - Rowan?
  • cfm - Tree of Life?
  • NotJohn
    [Phil] - Rowan? - NO? (So not ROWAN Atkinson, nor ASHley Cole, nor Gabriel OAK, etc)
    [cfm] Tree of Life? - NO
  • cfm - Joshua Tree?
  • ImNotJohn
    [cfm] U2 Tree? - NO (I wondered if someone would guess that)
  • NotJohn
    There is no cheating or discrepancy going on here - the answer, exactly as stated on the card, is both a kind of tree and a unique human animal. Attacking either part is possible. Perhaps inevitably some people will find one alternative easier than the other.
  • Raak - Sequoyah?
  • NotJohn
    [Raak] Sequoia? - NO (I'll look up your spelling - mine is that required to make it the equal shortest word containing all vowels once only)
  • NotJohn
    {Raak] Isn't that fascinating - thank you. It's also a very good guess. Just happens to be incorrect.
  • Boolbar - Is the tree an evergreen?
  • cfm - Is the unique human male?
  • ImNotJohn
    [Boolbar] Evergreen - YES
    [cfm] - male? - YES
  • Raak - Did he die before 1900?
  • NotJohn
    Died pre-1900? - NO *the audience is hushed*
  • Chalky - Courtney Pine?
  • NotJohn
    [Chalky] Courtney Pine? - NO
  • Phil - Stan Laurel?
  • NotJohn
    [Phil} - A laurel called Stan? - NO
    Just a a gentle prod, the person is probably the harder element to get for most of you.
  • Boolbar - Is it a pine tree?
  • NotJohn
    [Boolbar] A pine? - Technically NO, but commonly YES *applause*
  • cfm - Scots pine?
  • Raak - A fir?
  • NotJohn
    [cfm] McPine? - NO
    [Raak] Firry? - NO
  • Software - The monkey puzzle?
    I thank my dear late father for one of his useless facts.
  • Phil - Araucaria
  • NotJohn - We have a winner AND we have a winner
    The answer on the card is Araucaria, aka the Monkey Puzzle tree or the Chilean Pine.
    Araucaria is also the pseudonym of the Rev. John Galbraith Graham, the doyen of British cryptic crossword compilers, who recently announced that he is suffering from terminal cancer using the answers to clues in one of his puzzles to do so. (Araucaria is suffering from 18 down of the 19, where the clue to 18 down was 'Sign of growth (6)')
    Well then, now what do I do - Phil is exactly right, but he set the last one and in the absence of his answer I would have allowed Software's, so I will.
    One 'Stick to continue the innings (5)' passed on to Software.
  • NotJohn - Department of Corrections
    That's 'last but one'
  • Phil
    Indeed, I meant to add that if I got that right, I would give the baton to Software, as I would not have got it without him. I remember the day (probably early 1990s) that I discovered what the crossword compiler's name meant. I hadn't heard about his illness though. Anyway, onwards and upwards (or downwards and acrosswards)
  • NotJohn - Department of useless facts
    John Graham also sets puzzles under the pseudonym 'Cinephile', which is an anagram of 'Chile Pine'.
  • Software - Ah, that'll be me then accepting the prickly baton.
    Right, ANIMAL with ABSTRACT connections.
  • Gusset Login - Red rum?
  • cfm - Human?
  • NotJohn - Fictional?
  • Boolbar - Animal the Muppet drummer?
  • Software
    [GL] Horse meat? NO
    [cfm] One of us? YES!
    [NJ] Virtual? NO
    [Bool] Don't be a Muppet. NO
  • cfm - A unique human?
  • NotJohn - Currently alive?
  • Software
    [cfm] One-off? YES!
    [NJ] Living? YES!
  • Phil - A male?
  • Software
    [Phil] Manly? YES!
  • cfm - The creative type? (writer, visual artist, performer, etc.)
  • CdM - Does this person have some language other than English as his mother tongue?
  • Raak - British?
  • NotJohn - Is or was involved in politics?
  • Software
    [cfm] arty farty? NO
    [CdM] Bilingual? NO
    [Raak] True Brit? YES!
    [NJ] political animal? NO *some muttering among the audience*
  • cfm - Involved in government?
  • Phil - A member of the Royal Family?
  • Software
    [cfm] Elected? NO *more mutterings in audience*
    [Phil] Royalty?NO
  • Phil - A scientist?
  • Raak - Has this person received an honour from the Queen?
  • cfm - A non-elected government employee?
  • NotJohn - A journalist?
  • Software
    [Phil] Boffin? NO *guffaws from some of the audience*
    {Raak} Dubbed? YES! *mutterings among some of the audience*
    [cfm] Quangoish? NO *some of the audience have views on this it would seem*
    [NJ] Hack? NO
  • Raak - Sebastian Newbold Coe, Baron Coe CH KBE?
  • Phil - David Beckham?
  • Software
    [Raak] Superman? NO
    [Phil] Becks? NO
  • NotJohn - Involved in the Justice system?
  • Software
    [NJ] Judiciary? NO
  • Raak - Involved in the sporting world?
  • Phil - A broadcaster?
  • Software
    [Raak] Sporty?: NO
    [Phil] Pundit?: NO (not in the normal sense anyway)
  • Phil - Under 50 years old?
  • Boolbar - Over 70 years old?
  • Software
    [Phil] <50 years?: NO
    [Bool] >70 years?: NO
  • Raak - A businessman?
  • Software
    [Raak] Something in the city?: NO
  • CdM - Does he begin with P?
  • NotJohn - Involved with education?
  • Chalky - An Entrepreneur?
  • Raak - A celebrity chef?
  • Software
    [CdM] P?: NO
    [NJ] Tutor?: NO * mutterings among some of the audience *
    [Chalks] Wheeler Dealer?: NO
    [Raak] Cooking fat?: NO
  • Raak - Summary
    A living British man between 50 and 70 with a gong, but not any of: a creative, a non-native English speaker, a politician, a politician in power, employed by the government, a journalist, in the legal profession, a sportsman, a broadcaster, a businessman, a P_____, an educator, an entrepreneur, or a chef.
  • Raak - Was he formerly in any of those professions but is now retired?
  • Software
    [Raak] Retiree?: NO
  • CdM - Has he published written works?
  • Chalky - *focusing on the abstract* Do we know about him because of a song or piece of music?
  • NotJohn - Do we know about him because of something that happened to him?
    continuing the thought
  • Phil - Does he work in PR?
  • Software
    [CdM] Author?: NO not in the strictest interpretation, that is
    [Chalks] Musical?: NO
    [NJ] Events?: YES!
    [Phil] Spinner?: NO * chuckles from some of the audience *
  • Boolbar - Is he known for inventing something?
  • NotJohn - Was he the victim of a crime?
  • CdM - Did the "something that happened to him" happen outside the United Kingdom?
  • Software
    [Bool] Inventor? NO
    [NJ] Mugged? NO
    [CdM]Overseas? NO
  • cfm - Did he mount or inspire some kind of protest?
  • Phil - Does he have a Wikipedia entry?
  • Chalky - Is he a 'Sir .....'?
  • Software
    [cfm] Protester? NO * some heated discussion among part of the audience +
    [Phil] Wikied? YES!
    [Chalks] Knighted? NO * spontaneous sporadic claps from audience *
  • Boolbar - Has this person been stripped of his honour from the Queen?
  • Software
    [Bool] Demoted? NO
  • Gusset Login - Has he received the Order of the British Empire?
  • Phil - Does he have an employer?
  • Software
    [GL] OBE etc? NO
    [Phil] Employer? YES! * chuckles from some of the audience *
  • Chalky - Is he a 'Lord ...'?
  • Gusset Login - Is he a Duke?
  • Software
    [Chalks] Peer of the Realm? YES!
    [GL] Duke? NO
  • NotJohn - A life peer?
  • Software
    [GL] Lifer? YES!
  • Phil - A man of the cloth?
  • CdM - The Lord Williams of Oystermouth?
    (simulposted with Phil)
  • Software
    [Phil] Sky pilot? YES!
    [CdM] Lord Who? NO.
  • NotJohn - Justin Portal Welby?
  • Software
    [NJ] The Lord Archbishop? YES!

    Well done! Please accept this Shepherd's Crook shaped baton!

  • Phil - pedantry rears my ugly head
    He's not, technically, a life peer, is he? I know ex-Arch B's of C generally are given life peerages, but not until they're ex. I think. I could well be wrong, though :-)
  • CdM
    But no applause for my guess? That audience was harsh! Also, not to cavil, but saying "we know about him because of something that happened to him" seems to be dissing someone who rose to the highest possible point on his career path. A bit like saying we know David Cameron or Jack Welch because of something that happened to them (being elected, being appointed by a Board of Directors).
  • NotJohn - Hmmm.
    Yes, I think Sir Alec would have had a few things to say about the ref in that round - I didn't guess earlier because I was sure CdM was right.

    Moving on we'll have primarily VEGETABLE with major ANIMAL connections - In fact technically, there are also significant Mineral and Abstract associations as well, but that's not going to help at this stage

  • Boolbar - Can I eat it?
  • CdM - Can I eat it if Boolbar doesn't?
  • NotJohn
    [Boolbar/CdM] Edible? - NO?
  • cfm - Bigger than a breadbox?
  • NotJohn
    [cfm] > breadbox? - YES
  • Raak - Is the Vegetable part the Animal connection's habitat?
  • NotJohn
    [Raak] Is the Vegetable part the Animal connection's habitat? - YES, you could put it like that (a little ripple)
  • cfm - Is the animal a bird?
  • Raak - Is the animal human?
  • Gusset Login - Is the animal a fish?
  • NotJohn - Going OK so far
    [cfm] avian? - NO
    [Raak] Human? - YES
    GLogin] Piscine? - NO
  • Gusset Login - A log cabin?
  • NotJohn
    [GL] Log Cabin? - NO *audience is stirring, some applausse heard*
  • CdM - Unique?
  • cfm - A famous home?
  • NotJohn - Warm
    [CdM] just the 1? - YES
    [cfm] Famous home? - YES *sustained applause*
  • cfm - Located in Europe?
  • Tuj - In the USA?
    [GL] Bravo
  • NotJohn - Well, this is very efficient
    [cfm] European? - NO
    [Tuj] USian? - YES
  • cfm - Built in the 20th century?
  • NotJohn
    [cfm] C20? - NO
  • Raak - George Washington's home at Mount Vernon?
  • cfm - Is it famous because someone famous lived there?
  • CdM - Does it begin with the initial letter of Pennsylvania?
  • NotJohn - And the winner is
    [Raak] Mount Vernon it is!!
    I've just been reading a biography. Interesting that his greatness is as much about when he gave up power as when he wielded it.
    Here, have this branch of a cherry tree I've just cut down as a baton.
  • CdM
    Ah, so this is why my memory failed to conjure up a vision of a wooden house.
    Q: Is the mansion at Mount Vernon built of wood or stone?
    A: Mount Vernon is of frame construction, and the sheathing is beveled and covered with a mixture of paint and sand to give the appearance of stone.
  • NotJohn
    Never actually been there, so I just went straight to Wikipedia, which just says 'The mansion is built of wood in neoclassical Georgian architectural style'.
  • Raak
    The next is ANIMAL.
  • Boolbar - Is it unique?
  • NotJohn - Human?
  • Raak
    [Notboolbarjohn] A unique human.
  • cfm - Is the unique human male?
  • Boolbar - Is this human still alive?
  • Raak
    [cfm] Male.
    [Boolbar] Alive.
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    The odds aren't good on our 4-0 start continuing...
  • Raak
    [Tuj] **applause** Yes, I think it would be fair to say so.
  • CdM - Is this unique living male human beginning with P European?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Almost certainly European.
  • NotJohn - Is the answer a title rather than a name?
  • CdM - The next pope?
  • Raak
    [NotJohn] Yes!
    [CdM] The exact words on the card! Habemus papam! *a puff of white smoke emerges from a cottage in north Wales*
  • NotJohn - Fastest ever?
    Well, yes, that was what I was hinting at, but I didn't want to hog it.
    We got that one with 8 guesses, all answered 'Yes'. That must be a record.
  • CdM
    [NJ] Well, except for this. And, yes, I knew that you had probably guessed the answer, but I didn't want to let the streak be broken.

    All right. A nice easy MINERAL .
  • Tuj - Unique?
    Cor.
  • NotJohn - Primarily Rock/stone?
    Of course, if the Ghanaian or Canadian cardinal is appointed then we will have to come back and rewrite one of the YESs as a NO)
  • Raak - On/in the Earth?
  • CdM
    Unique? Yes. But, oddly enough, also No.
    Primarily Rock/stone? Yes. *applause*
    On/in the earth? Yes.
    Incidentally, there is also an animal connection, but I was unaware of it until I started reading Wikipedia, and I suspect it won't be useful.
  • Boolbar - Is it smaller than Kylie Minogue?
  • Software - Begin with 'P' ?
  • NotJohn - A human construction?
  • Raak - The remains of the Chelyabinsk meteor?
  • CdM
    Smaller than Kylie? No.
    Begins with P? Yes?
    Human construction? No. (*a few members of the audience whisper among themselves about some technicalities, but agree with the conclusion*)
    Meteoric remains? No. ( *a few members of the audience applaud the insight of the question*)
  • NotJohn - A natural geographic feature?
  • Phil - Pyramid of Cheops?
  • CdM
    Natural geographic feature? Well, yes and no. The spirit of the question points to Yes, but I am not sure it really qualifies as a geographic feature, and there is some potential quibbling about natural (see "Human construction?").
    Pyramid of Cheops? No.
  • NotJohn - The parallel roads?
    You know how it is - you have a thought and just have to throw the guess in even though there's plenty more digging to be done.
  • Boolbar - Is it south of the Tropic of Cancer?
  • CdM
    Parallel roads? No.
    South of Tropic of Cancer? No.
  • NotJohn - In one single geographical location?
  • Tuj - The North Pole?
  • CdM
    In one location? Strictly speaking, No.
    North Pole? No.
  • Software - Geographic location modified by man?
  • CdM
    Geographic location modified by man? I am really having trouble knowing how to answer this. The answer does not refer to a geographic location as such, though it does refer to something associated with a particular geographic location.

    I think you just asked this that so you can get revenge on my quibbling about your previous one. :-)
  • NotJohn - Does it move?
  • Dujon - Is this a jewel?
  • CdM
    Does it move? Not in general, no.
    A jewel? No.
    This is one of those topics that i thought would be relatively straightforward when I thought of it, but was a bit more complicated once I did a bit of research. You might find the best route is to think in terms of the geographic location.
  • Boolbar - Is the associated geographic location in Europe?
  • CdM
    In Europe? No.
  • Gusset Login - Is the associated geographic location in Asia?
  • CdM
    In Asia? No.
  • CdM
    You might also want to revisit the audience applause.
  • Chalky - Is the associated geographic location in N America?
  • CdM - Welcome back, Chalky
    North America? Yes.
  • Chalky - Is the answer on the card the name of the rock/stone?
    Thanks CdM.
  • ImNotJohn - Is it connected with mining/drilling?
  • CdM
    Answer on card name of rock/stone? Yes. *applause*
    Connected to mining? No.
  • Dujon - Is the geographical bit a mountain?
  • Chalky - Yellowstone Park?
  • CdM
    Mountain? No. *some laughter*
    Yellowstone? No.
  • NotJohn - Does it have a superficies of less than 1 square mile?
  • CdM
    Superficial superficies? Yes.
  • Boolbar - Is the word begining with P the location of the AOTC?
  • CdM
    P-word = location? Yes. *applause* (Technically, actually, the answer is Yes and No, but that would mislead much more than it would help.)
  • Chalky - Roxbury Puddingstone?
  • CdM
    Roxbury Puddingstone? *googles* No.
  • NotJohn - In the USA?
  • CdM
    In the USA? Yes. I think this is eminently guessable now.
  • cfm - Plymouth Rock?
  • CdM - And I was right!
    Plymouth Rock is correct!

    Never having been there, I had always assumed it was just this place on the coastline. But no. Turns out it is a smallish rock (though bigger than Kylie!) that has been split into two (not to mention having lots of smaller pieces chipped off it), and both pieces have been moved. One is still in Plymouth, and one is in Brooklyn.

    *chips off baton-sized piece and hands it to cfm*
  • cfm
    [CdM] *declines contraband baton* You can get arrested for that, you know. :-) Okay, let's try this:
    ABSTRACT with animal assocations
  • NotJohn - Is the animal association a single human?
  • Tuj - NotJohn's retired "Im"?
  • CdM - A piece of music?
  • cfm
    [INJ] Singularly human? NO. There are multiple associations.
    [Tuj] Nominal amputations? NO but *laughs*
    [CdM] Hum a few bars? NO
  • Phil - Are the animals referred to by association human?
  • Boolbar - Is it a well-known saying?
  • NotJohn - Is there a religious or spiritual connection?
  • Tuj - But is it art?
  • cfm
    [Phil Human association? YES and NO. There are multiple animal associations and at least one of them is human.
    [Boolbar] Just sayin'? NO.
    [NJ] Prayer and stuff? NO
    [Tuj] Artful? YES *applause*
  • NotJohn - The visual arts?
  • Phil - A story?
  • Tuj - Is the answer on the card a single word?
  • cfm
    [NJ] Eyes have it? YES *applause*
    [Phi] Tell me a story? YES *fair and equal applause*
    [Tuj] One word answer? NO
  • Tuj - Related to a TV series?
  • cfm
    [Tuj] TV-related? NO
  • NotJohn - Film/movie related?
  • cfm
    [NJ] Wide screen? YES *applause*
  • Gusset Login - Was it nominated for an Academy Award?
  • cfm
    [GL] Nods from the Academy? YES *three thundrous claps*
  • CdM - Was it a winner of the Best Picture award?
  • NotJohn - Came out since 1/1/2000?
  • cfm
    [Cdm] Top honor? NO
    [NJ] Post-2000? NO
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Boolbar - Is Meryl Streep in the film?
  • cfm
    [Tuj] I'll have the usual? NO
    [Boolbar] Meryl-y on our way? NO
  • Gusset Login - Did it win an Academy Award?
  • cfm
    [GL] Oscar winner? YES
  • CdM - Was it filmed in color?
  • Dujon - Does the answer on the card include the word 'king'?
  • cfm
    [CdM] Full spectrum? NO
    [Dujon] Royal treatment? NO
  • CdM - Did it star Jimmy Stewart?
  • cfm
    [CdM] That leading man? NO *audience perks up a smidge*
  • NotJohn - Was it a musical?
  • cfm
    [NJ] Musical? NO.
  • Software - Passport to Pimlico?
  • cfm
    [Software] P-to-P? NO (I don't think that won any Oscars.)
    (Players may want to revisit unresolved questions around animal associations?)
  • Phil - Was the Oscar won in the 1950s?
  • cfm
    [Phil] 50s vintage? NO *a little twitter from the audience*
  • NotJohn - earlier?
  • cfm
    [NJ] Pre-1950? NO
  • Software - The Poseidon Adventure?
  • Boolbar - Is it an English language film?
  • cfm
    [Software] Fish story? NO
    [Boolbar] English language? YES
    To recap, The AOTC is both an English language story and a non-musical, black-and-white film made between 1959 and 1999. It has won 3 Academy Awards, but none of those were for Best Picture. There is at least one human association (hard to imagine a story or film without one) but there may be other animal associations, as well. Oddly, the audience perked up at the mention of a leading man not connected to the film--perhaps because the players were getting warm in some way. It could also point to another productive line of questioning. :-)
  • Boolbar - Did it win the Academy Award for Best Actor?
  • Chalky - Is this black-and-white movie from the 60s?
  • Chalky - Psycho?
  • cfm
    [Boolbar] Leading leading man? YES *vigorous applause*
    [Chalky 1] Product of the 60s? YES *applause continues*
    [Chalky 2] Shower scene? NO
  • CdM - To Kill A Mockingbird?
    Has to be, surely...
  • cfm
    [CdM] TKAM, surely? YES. A favorite film. I came perilously close to naming a kid Atticus.
    *hands CdM the severed leg of a busted up chiffarobe* Careful now, don't get yourself a splinter.
  • CdM
    Well, once we know we were looking for a multiple-oscar-winning B&W movie post 1960, it was pretty easy, even without the answer to Boolbar's question.
    MINERAL with ANIMAL and VEGETABLE connections
  • cfm - Unique?
  • Software - metallic?
  • Boolbar - Bigger than Dame Judi Dench?
  • CdM
    Unique? Yes.
    Metallic? No.
    Bigger than Judi? *audience laughter* Bigger than Dame Judi and Dame Maggie combined!
  • Tuj - A statue?
  • CdM
    A statue? No.
  • Phil - A building?
  • CdM
    A building? No.
  • cfm - Human-made?
  • CdM
    Human-made? Most definitely not.
  • Software - Mountainous?
  • Boolbar - Is it in Europe?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • CdM
    Mountainous? No.
    In Europe? No.
    Begins with P? Yes.
  • Tuj - Does it have a border?
  • Dujon - Is it a desert?
  • CdM
    Does it have a border? Depends what you mean by a border. In a sense it does, yes, but you might want to clarify what you mean.
    Is it a desert? No.
  • Chalky - Of this earth?
  • CdM
    Of this earth? Yes. *a little muttering in the audience*
  • Chalky - Is there a connection to the earth's atmosphere?
  • Boolbar - Is it underground?
  • CdM
    Connection to atmosphere? Well, yes, for a fairly broad definition of "connection"
    Underground? No.
  • Boolbar - Is it less than 65 million years old?
  • Tuj - Is it wet?
  • CdM - Now we are getting somewhere
    Less than 65 million years old? No. *applause*
    Wet? Yes. *applause*
  • Chalky - Might this be an expanse of water?
  • Dujon - Is it likely to be a source of preciptation?
  • CdM
    Might this be an expanse of water? Yes it might.
    Source of precipitation? Only in the sense that an expanse of water is an indirect source of precipitation.
  • Gusset Login - Is it a pacific ocean?
  • CdM
    Pacific Ocean. No. *some more muttering in the audience*
  • CdM
    (I think that my No is the best answer, but the mutterers do have a point.)
  • Phil - The Philippine Sea?
  • CdM
    Phil's sea? No.
  • Phil - Is it contained within the Pacific Ocean?
  • CdM
    Contained within the Pacific Ocean? No.
  • cfm - Patagonian fjords?
  • CdM
    Patagonian crinkly bits? No.
  • Chalky - Panama Canal?
  • Raak - Is it bigger than Wales?
  • Raak - (clarifying) ...in surface area?
  • Tuj - In the possession of a single country?
    *pondering the audience applause for the age question*
  • cfm - Is it a glacier? *trying to imagine how a body of water gets classified as mineral*
  • CdM
    Panama Canal? No.
    Bigger than Wales? Yes.
    In the possession of a single country? No. *some laughter*
    A glacier? No. (And, yes, that is I guess a legitimate question/complaint. I think that in this game we generally take a broad definition of "mineral". For example:
    4 : something neither animal nor vegetable.
    The answer on the card certainly wouldn't fit the more narrow definition of mineral, which includes the word "solid". I am not sure how else I should classify a body of water, though. In any case, you (the group) have correctly figured out that this is a body of water, bigger than Wales, more than 65 million years old, with some muttering about whether or not it is a Pacific Ocean.)
  • Raak - Is it under the Antarctic ice cap?
  • CdM
    Under Antarctica? No.
  • cfm - *Stands corrected and clearly uninitiated* Does the P stand for Pacific?
  • CdM
    P for Pacific? No. (And I don't think you should stand corrected at all. Your definition is more standard than the one I was (unthinkingly) using.)
  • NotJohn - Panthalassa?
  • CdM
    Panthalassa is correct! Three hundred million years ago (give or take a decade), our current continents were joined in the single landmass of Pangaea. Panthalassa was the ocean surrounding that continent. Or, if you prefer, the giant salt lake in the middle of it. It can be thought of as the precursor of the current Pacific Ocean. I had originally planned to make Pangaea the word on the card, but when I checked some sources (ok, ok, wikipedia) I learned about Panthalassa, and thought that sounded more fun.

    *passes NJ some empty space with a baton-shaped hole in the middle*
  • NotJohn - Oops - Sorry for the lurker's victory
    Let's try ABSTRACT with significant Animal connections (Mrs NJ thinks it should actually be Animal)
  • Gusset Login - Is it fictional?
  • Raak - Is it a taxonomic class?
  • CdM - Does it refer to a group of animals (more broadly than in the sense of Raak's question)?
  • Tuj - Unique?
    [CdM] That's my one new thing for the day, ta!
  • NotJohn
    [GL] Unreal? - NO
    [Raak] Group of creatures? - NO
    [CdM] Group of creatures? - NO
    [Tuj] Just the one? - YES (though not a very meaningful question or answer)
  • CdM - Is it a characteristic or feature of an animal?
  • Tuj - A human invention?
  • cfm - Onomatopoeia?
  • NotJohn - Cold
    [CdM] Animalish thing? - NO
    [Tuj] Man-made-up? - NO
    [cfm] Sounds like? - NO
  • Software - Phrase of saying?
  • NotJohn
    [Software] I say, I say? - NO
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • CdM - Are the animal connections human?
  • NotJohn
    [Tuj] P-ness? - One of the words on the card begins with a P
    [CdM] Oh, the Humanity? - YES
  • Chalky - Is the AOTC a post/job/position held by a person?
  • Tuj - Connected with a particular geographic location?
  • NotJohn
    [Chalky] Gissa job? - NO
    [Tuj] In one place? - YES *for the first time the audience shows some interest*
  • Boolbar - Is the particular geographic location in Africa?
  • NotJohn
    [Boolbar] African? - NO
  • Software - Geo = Europe?
  • Tuj - Is the association a particular country?
  • NotJohn
    [Software] EU? - NO
    [Tuj] Is the association a particular country? - NO (but I'm not quite sure what the question is asking)
    (*the audience is still attentive at this line of questioning*)
  • Chalky - Is this a race or tribe of peoples?
  • NotJohn
    [Chalky] Race/tribe? - NO (Remember, it's abstract)
  • Chalky - A language?
  • cfm - A belief system of some kind?
  • NotJohn
    [Chalky] Lingo? - NO
    [cfm] Belief system? - NO
  • Chalky - A disease?
  • Boolbar - Is the particular geographic location a body of water?
  • NotJohn
    [Chalky] Poorly? - NO
    [Boolbar] Watery? - NO
  • Tuj - Connected with religion?
  • CdM - Is the particular geographic location in the Southern Hemisphere?
  • Chalky - Back to basics: Is the AOTC the name of a place?
  • NotJohn
    [Tuj] God-bothery? - NO
    [CdM] Meridional? NO
    [Chalky] Place Name? - Not as such but *considerable applause*
  • CdM - Do the animal connections involve more than 10 humans?
  • NotJohn
    [CdM] >10 people? - YES (quite a lot more, but I won't be able to give you an exact figure)
  • cfm - Related to a trade or skill?
  • Software - To do with a nation or race?
  • NotJohn
    [cfm] Artisanry? - NO
    [Software] Nation/Race? - NO (or only vaguely)
  • Phil - To do with a religion?
  • NotJohn
    [Phil] Religion? - Well, it wasn't when Tuj asked, but He does move in mysterious ways *checks* - Still NO
  • NotJohn - Clarification
    I should probably have been slightly less dismissive of Software's question wrt a nation. There is a bit of a link there, but I'm afraid it might lead you astray. The answer is still NO.
  • Phil - To do with politics?
    If it does suddenly become to do with religion, you will let me know, right?
  • NotJohn
    [Phil] Political? - NO (or only obliquely)
  • Boolbar - Is it something that people do at a particular location?
  • Tuj - Is it related to light?
  • Chalky - A website?
  • NotJohn - We apologise for the short break in service
    [Boolbar] Let's do the show right here? - NO - not 'do'
    [Tuj] Et lux erat? - NO
    [Chalky] Where the spiders are? - NO
  • Chalky - Is this a custom or tradition linked with a particular location?
  • Software - Race rather than nation related?
  • NotJohn
    [Chalky] Custom/tradition - I certainly hope not
    [Software] Race v Nation - a bit of both (depends on your pov), but I'd still answer NO to either.
  • Dujon - An area which covers part/all of more than one country?
  • cfm - Would you characterize this as a negative phenomenon or experience?
  • Chalky - Is this connected with death?
  • NotJohn - Progress of a sort
    [Dujon] >1 country? - NO
    [cfm] Negative? YES (phenomenon or experience? - NO)
    [Chalky] Connected with death - YES
  • CdM - Does it involve deliberate killing of humans?
  • NotJohn
    [CdM] You have deaded me? - YES *applause*
  • cfm - Is it a method of killing humans?
  • NotJohn
    [cfm] Method of Killing? - NO
  • Quendalon - The Black Plague?
  • Quendalon
    (I seem to have mashed up "Black Death" and "bubonic plague." Abomination!)
  • CdM - The death penalty?
  • NotJohn
    [Quendalon] Bubonic Death? - NO
    [CdM] Judicial killing? - NO
    (Remember - associated with a specific location) - let me re-answer Tuj's earlier question - the association is not a specific country, but is in a specific country. Also, I should probably have answered Phil's question about Politics a bit more positively - there is a link, but that's not the essence of the answer.
  • Chalky - Is this a mass graveyard?
  • Quendalon - Is the geographic region (in) North America?
  • NotJohn
    [Chalky] Mass Grave? - NO *a little ripple*
    [Quendalon] Norteamericano? - NO
  • Quendalon - Associated with a specific historical event?
  • NotJohn
    [Quendalon] Specific historical event? - YES *some relieved applause*
  • Phil - Did it take place in Asia?
  • Boolbar - Did the historical event occur before 1800?
  • Chalky - A WW1 Cemetary?
  • Quendalon - Named after a person?
  • NotJohn
    [Phil] Asian? - YES *more relieved applause*
    [Boolbar] pre-1800? - NO
    [Chalky] Rows of crosses?- NO
    [Quendalon] eponymous? - NO
  • Quendalon - Did the killings involve firearms?
    A shot in the dark.
  • NotJohn - Getting warm
    [Quendalon] Shots in the dark and light? - YES
  • CdM - The My Lai (Pinkville) Massacre?
    I was briefly sure that the answer had to be the My Lai massacre because INJ started this AVMA on its 45th anniversary. Then I was convinced that was wrong because of the lack of a P-word. Then googling revealed that My Lai was codenamed "Pinkville", which I hadn't known. So now I am convinced I am right again. :-)
  • NotJohn - Ha! I was waiting for that.
    [CdM] My Lai? - NO but *considerable applause*
  • Phil - The Panjiayu Tragedy?
  • NotJohn - Going off to look it up
    [Phil] Panjiayu? - NO
  • Phil - How about the Pingdingshan one then?
    (good old wikipedia)
  • NotJohn - Let me follow you through wikipedia
    [Phil] Pingpong? - NO (IMO it's less obscure - I didn't look it up)
  • Phil - Did this event take place in China?
  • NotJohn
    [Phil] Sinitic? - NO
  • cfm - Phong Nhi and/or Phong Nhat massacres?
  • NotJohn - Yet more wikipedia for me
    [cfm] Phong Not? - NO
    (Bonus answer 'Massacre? - NO')
  • Boolbar - Did the historical event occur before 1920?
  • Quendalon - Did more than one person perform the actual killing?
  • NotJohn
    [Boolbar] Pre 1920? - NO
    [Quendalon] >1 killers? - YES *a few chuckles in the audience*
  • Chalky - The 38th Parallel?
  • NotJohn
    [Chalky] Korean? - NO
  • Chalky - Was this a key event in a war?
    In Asia. Which has been established. I think.
  • NotJohn - Aha!
    [Chalky] Key event in a war? - YES *considerable applause* (and yes, Asia (not China or Korea) has been established)
  • Chalky - So .. are we talking Vietnam then?
    Which was NOT established by previous line of questioning.
  • Phil - or Japan?
  • NotJohn - The audience is beginning to pack bags.
    [Chalky] Vietnam? - YES
    [Phil] Therefore Japan? - NO
  • Raak - Dien Bien Phu?
  • Chalky - Has Raak scored a lurker's victory?
  • Chalky - The Battle of Dien Bien Phu?
    ... as you specifically stated earlier that this was not the name of a place.
  • NotJohn - There, that wasn't so hard, was it?
    [Chalky] It is indeed The battle of Dien Bien Phu where a small French force held out for weeks against overwhelming Viet Minh forces before being comprehensively defeated. The French inability to relieve or effectively resupply the garrison spelt the end of French colonial ambitions in Indo-China.
    Since I got this round as a bit of a lurker I feel disinclined to step into this quarrel, but the answer is specifically the battle, not the place.

    Throws a baton in the air to see who will catch it.

  • Chalky - Me!
    Thank you NotJohn for a splendid AVMA - spookily not dissimilar to a subject that'd crossed my mind a few weeks ago - should the chair beckon.
    So this is not that one, NotJohn - it's this one ..

    ABSTRACT
  • Quendalon - Related to mathematics?
    The #1 question on the board.
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
    Surely #2.
    [NJ] And well done for not getting impatient as the team worked at getting there! Bit worried about those black-humoured audience members chuckling near the end...
  • Gusset Login - Pi?
    In case the previous two were both correct.
  • NotJohn - Related to the arts?
  • Chalky - Some answers
    (Quendalon) Mathematics? - NO only obliquely
    (Tuj) P? - YES :)
    (Gusset Login) Pi? - NO
    (NotJohn) Arts? NO
  • Phil - Is the AOTC just one word?
  • NotJohn - Science-related?
  • Tuj - A human invention?
  • Chalky - Good questions
    (Phil) One word answer - YES
    (NotJohn) Science-related? - NO only obliquely
    (Tuj) Human invention? - YES although I'd question the word 'invention'
  • Phil - Perfection?
  • Chalky
    [Phil] Perfection? NO *audience begins to pay attention*
  • cfm - Does the AOTC describe a state of being or quality?
  • CdM - Would the answer on the card exist in a world without humans?
  • CdM
    (No, I don't think this question is rendered moot by Tuj's question...)
  • Chalky - Apologies for absence -
    (cfm) State of being or quality? - YES
    (CdM) Exist in a world without humans? - NO :)
  • Quendalon - Is the word on the card an adjective?
  • Chalky - Clever questioning ...
    (Quendo) Adjective? - NO, not in this instance.
  • Dujon - Is the word used in reference to animals (as opposed to homo sapiens solely)?
  • Chalky
    (Dujon) In reference to animals? - NO
  • NotJohn - Is it normally considered positive?
  • cfm - Is the AOTC a state of mind?
  • Quendalon - Is the word used in reference to humans?
  • Chalky
    (NotJohn) Positive? To some YES; to most, I suspect NO.
    (cfm) State of mind? YES
    (Quendalon) Humans? - still YES
  • Quendalon - Is the word used in reference to one gender significantly more than the other?
  • Chalky
    (Quendalon) Gender specific? - NO
  • Chalky - any more for any more?
  • CdM - Linked to a particular culture?
  • NotJohn - Is it a recognised medical condition or syndrome?
  • Software - Pleasure?
  • Tuj - Associated with a particular geographic location?
  • Quendalon - Does the word on the card start with a prefix?
  • Phil - Pedantry
  • Chalky
    (CdM) Linked to a particular culture? - Erm ... N0 - well maybe a small 'yes' but am not sure if that's helpful. Am struggling with the culture word to be honest.
    (NotJohn) Medical condition/syndrome? - NO
    (Software) Pleasure? - NO.
    (Tuj) Location location? - NO
    (Quendalon) Prefixed word? - NO
    (Phil) Pedantry? - NO but *appreciative sounds can be heard in the audience*
  • Quendalon - Related to religion?
  • Chalky
    (Quendalon) Religion-related? Could be - but not necessarily.
  • Dujon - An attitude?
  • Quendalon - Related to philosophy?
  • NotJohn - Related to language?
  • Chalky
    (Dujon) An attitude? - YES it is. And more. *audience has perked up* .
    (Quendalon) Philosophical? - if you scratch the surface, the AOTC might be ascribed to various philosophies - so I'd say more Yes than No. However, this could apply to most attitudes so my answer may not be too helpful.
    (NotJohn) Language? - NO

    *contemplating an earlier question by Quendalon regarding mathematics - perhaps I should have replied 'Yes, but only obliquely'*
  • NotJohn - Perfectionism?
  • Chalky
    (NotJohn) Perfectionism? - NO *audience remains perky*
  • Phil - Does the AOTC end with "ism" ?
  • Chalky - Aha!
    (Phil) -ism? - NO - although all three letters are contained within but not necessarily in the same order :)
  • Tuj - Promise?
  • Quendalon - Is the word on the card a noun (in this instance)?
  • Chalky - .. back in business

    (Tuj) Promise? - NO
    (Quendalon) A noun? YES indeed it is.
  • Software - Perfect?
  • Chalky
    (Software) Perfect? - NO more than when Phil asked the same on 28th March :)

    I chose this 'P' word because it has a succinct definition. A human trait, which we have established, which can easily be arrived at given some judicious questioning.
    However, this word has another use which necessitates a change to a couple of my replies. Mathematical/Scientific/Philosophical links are rather stronger if this path to the solution is chosen.
  • Chalky - ... and what's more
    ... a little research tells me that this alternative use of my P word is the crux of a Subject for guessing in this very game back in 2005.
  • cfm - Related to anger?
  • Gusset Login - Proof?
  • NotJohn - Is the 'P' silent?
  • Chalky
    (cfm) Related to anger? - NO
    (Gusset Login) Proof? - NO (see my last reply to Phil)
    (NotJohn) Silent P? - NO. A noisy one :)
  • Quendalon - Does the word on the card end with a suffix?
    Flailing around in the dark, because frankly I'm stumped.
  • Chalky
    (Quendalon) Suffix? NO - nor an 'ology' or 'ism'

    --- begins with a P and also contains the letters m, s and i within. One word. A human trait which is neither gender nor geographically related. Desirable to some but probably rather annoying for others.
    This particular word has another use and is key to a scientific/mathematical/philosophical principle which was the subject for an AVMA in 2005.
  • NotJohn - Parsimony?
    While I try to think of another way in.
  • Chalky - Result!
    Thank you and well played NotJohn - was hoping for an early solution today as I am in need of rescue ...
    For me - Parsimony is frugality or excessive economy which was my starting point all those days ago. As for the secondary meaning - Occam's Razor was the subject of the AVMA (with the principle of parsimony at its technical core).

    And I used the word 'rescue' advisedly. My daughter has just gone into early labour and I may needed at the hospital ...
    *swiftly hands over baton to NotJohn on way out*
  • NotJohn - Calling Raak
    [Chalky] Hope it all goes well
    Yes, the mathematical and philosophical connotations did come to me after I'd thought of the word.
    Now maybe I can remedy the unsatisfactory end to the previous game by suggesting that Raak gets his belated turn.
  • Raak - Who, me?
    Er, ok then. The next is ABSTRACT with ANIMAL connections.
    [Chalky] Best wishes for all three of you.
  • cfm - Is the animal connection human?
  • NotJohn - Any artistic connection?
  • Raak
    [cfm] Human
    [NJ] Not artistic.
  • Boolbar - Is it the act of giving birth?
    [Chalky] More best wishes winging their way to you.
  • Quendalon - Is there more than one word on the card?
    [Chalky] Best wishes and congratulations! Remember that "Mornington Crescent" is a lovely name for a girl or a boy.
  • Tuj - Is the answer a phrase or saying?
    [Chalky, Ms Chalky] All the best!
  • cfm
    An intellectual process?
    [Chalky] How lovely! Also you look far too young to be a grandmother. :-)]
  • Raak
    [B] Topical waaaah!!!? No.
    [Q] More than one word.
    [Tuj] Not a saying?
    [cfm] Not intellectual.
  • (Chalky - we are not a grandmother .. yet
    Thanks for all the good wishes! Bad News - daughter poorly. Good News - 32 wk foetus staying where it is for the time being.)
    Sorry to interrupt your game Raak. I have a question .. coming up shortly
  • Chalky - More than one human being?
  • Quendalon - Is it unique?
  • NotJohn - Is it an event?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] More than one.
    [Q] Not unique.
    [NJ] Not an event.
  • Chalky - Fictional?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] Not fictional.
  • Gusset Login - A group?
  • Raak
    [GL] Not an organised group, although the people associated with this have something in common.
  • Quendalon - Do any of the words on the card start with 'P'?
  • Raak
    [Q] No Ps anywhere.
  • Quendalon
    [Raak] To be clear, is this simply a flamboyant way of saying no to the question that was asked, or are you providing additional information to the effect that the letter 'P' does not appear anywhere on the card?
  • Raak
    [Q] The letter P does not occur anywhere on the card.
  • Quendalon
    [Raak] Excellent, thank you!
  • Chalky - This thing in common - medical/health connections?
  • NotJohn - Any political connections?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] No medical/health connections.
    [NJ] Yes, political connections.
  • Software - The Iron Lady?
  • Raak
    [S] Ding-dong? No.
  • cfm - A recognized voting block that is not formally organized?
  • NotJohn - Is it associated with a specific geographical area?
  • Raak
    [cfm] Not a voting block.
    [NJ] Not really. The thing on the card is found in many places.
  • Chalky - Anarcho-syndicalism?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] (laughter) Absolutely not anarcho-syndicalism.
  • Quendalon - The humans involved, are they politicians?
  • Raak
    [Q] Not politicians.
  • NotJohn - Is it a political or economic philosophy?
  • Raak
    [NJ] Not a philosophy, although it could be said to be connected with one.
  • Gusset Login - A trade agreement?
  • Raak
    [GL] Not a trade agreement.
  • NotJohn - Is there a fiscal or financial connection?
  • Raak
    [NJ] *applause from those members of the audience who haven't been holding their breath so long they've expired* To do with money! Yes!
  • Quendalon - Does each instance of the phrase on the card relate to more than one human?
  • Raak
    [Q] Er....no. Each instance involves one human.
  • A member of the audience - How about playing Hangman for it! Is there a Ⱙ?
  • Raak
    (hastily withdrawing his hand from the ventriloquist's dummy) No Ⱙ.
  • Quendalon - Is there a 'V'?
    Hmm. Related to both politics and money. Each instance involves one human, and the people associated with this have something in common. Could be said to be connected with a philosophy.
  • Raak
    [Q] No V.
  • NotJohn - Connected with individual wealth?
  • Raak
    [NJ] **applause** Yes! Very much connected with individual wealth!
  • CdM - Income tax?
  • Raak
    [CdM] Not income tax.
  • Gusset Login - Connected with an increase in individual wealth?
  • Software - Shareholder?
  • NotJohn - Unearned Income?
  • Raak
    [GL] *more applause* Yes, an increase in individual wealth.
    [S] Not shareholders.
    [NJ] *laughter* Legally speaking, it is not classified as unearned income.
  • Quendalon - Union strike benefits?
  • Raak
    [Q] Not strike benefits.
  • NotJohn - Expenses of some sort?
  • Raak
    [NJ] Duck houses? No.
  • NotJohn - Associated with gambling?
  • Gusset Login - Connected with Banker's Bonuses?
  • Raak
    [NJ] Not gambling.
    [GL] Not merely connected, but the very words on the card! Have this fat brown envelope.
  • Gusset Login
    Oh, um er... right

    thanks

    ANIMAL and VEGETABLE
  • NotJohn - Is the animal element human?
  • Chalky - Is the vegetable edible?
  • Gusset Login
    [NJ] Oh the humanity? (animal) No.
    [Chalky] Just eat it? (veg) Yes
  • NotJohn - Is the AOTC food?
  • Gusset Login
    [NJ] Glorious food? Yes, I believe most people would classify it as food.
  • Quendalon - Marmite?
  • CdM - Associated with a particular culture?
  • Gusset Login
    [Quenda] Yeeeach? No
    [CdM] regional speciality? I would say, no, but some people disagree.
  • Chalky - Savoury - as opposed to sweet?
  • Quendalon - Is it cooked?
  • Gusset Login
    [Chalky] Savoury? Yes
    [Quenda] Heated? Yes
  • CdM - Containing multiple distinct (as opposed to mixed or blended) ingredients?
  • Chalky - Is the animal part - meat?
  • Gusset Login
    [CdM] Clumps o'stuff? Yes
    [Chalky] meat? (animal) Yes
  • NotJohn - Is the AOTC in the form 'A and B'?
    As in 'Bangers and Mash'
  • cfm - Is there a liquid component?
  • Tuj - Is it a sandwich?
  • Chalky - Is it like a proper meal - Sunday Roast or suchlike?
  • Raak
    Is the vegetable part potatoes cut into strips and deep fried?
  • Gusset Login
    Sorry for the delay, I was at a friend's funeral and couldn't get to the net.
    [NJ] A + B? No
    [cfm] liquid? There shouldn't be, No.
    [Tuj] The Earl of foods? Yes
    [Chalky] A meal in itself? No, its a sandwich, see Tuj's question above.
    [Raak] Do you want fries with that? No.
  • cfm - A hero/hoagie/submarine sandwich?
  • Chalky - A BLT?
  • Gusset Login
    [cfm] One of those types? It can be
    [Chalky] BLT? Yes. Have a delicious baton.
  • Phil
    <mode=ultrapedant>So the bread was made without salt? Yuk.</mode> Sorry, once I thought of it, I couldn't keep it to myself. Sorry again.
  • Chalky - Gosh
    Thanks GL - that was a swift conclusion - probably due the early airing of the 'edible' question.

    Aiming for another quickie with:

    MINERAL and VEGETABLE with a pedant-sized trace of ANIMAL

  • NotJohn - Is it a tool?
  • Chalky
    [NotJohn] Tool? NO
  • Raak
    Something made of wood held together with metal?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Wood held with metal? NO
  • NotJohn - A geographical feature?
  • Tuj - Is it a sandwich?
  • Gusset Login - Is the vegetable part potatoes cut into strips and deep fried?
  • Chalky
    [NotJohn] Geographical feature? YES
    [Tuj] Sandwich? NO :)
    [Gusset Login] Stripped fried spuds? NO :)
  • Chalky
    ... furthermore - it doesn't begin with P.
  • Rosie - Is its name something-or-other forest?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie - hello:)] Something-or-other forest? NO *audience perks up*
  • Gusset Login - Is its name Mount something-or-other?
  • Chalky
    [GL] Mount ...? NO
  • Tuj - Is it in a single country?
    [Chalky] Oh, you answered a question I didn't ask! Perhaps "Is it a sandwich?" should become my default question...
  • Gusset Login - Is it unique?
  • Chalky
    [GL] Unique? YES
  • Chalky
    [Tuj] In a single country? YES
  • Tuj - In Europe?
  • Chalky
    [Tuj] Europe? Oh YES indeedy
  • Rosie - In the British Isles?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] British Isles? YES
  • Raak - Is it on a hill?
  • Rosie - Is it a range of hills?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] ON a hill? There is some undulation but contour lines indicate the AOTC isn't actually ON a hill. *audience applauds the question*
    [Rosie] A range of hills? NO
  • Raak - A site of archaeological significance?
  • Chalky - ... nearly there
    {Raak] Archaeological significance? YES! *huge cheer erupts from audience*
  • NotJohn - A henge?
  • Gusset Login - A stone circle but not technically a henge?
  • Raak - Is it about 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Amesbury and 8 miles (13 km) north of Salisbury?
  • Quendalon - Stonehenge?
    I may be wrong but I'm not proud.
  • Chalky - *audience on edge of their seats*
    [NotJohn] A Henge? YES!
    [Gusset Login] A stone circle/not technically a henge? NO - the AOTC is both
    [Raak] NO ... therefore
    [Quendalon] NO - not Stonehenge.
  • Phil - Avebury Stone Circle?
  • NotJohn - The Ring of Brodgar?
  • Chalky - It's a win!
    [NotJohn] Brodgar? Not in Scotland .. staying with my county of residence - Wiltshire - and
    Phil scores a stunning lurker's victory with the correct [more-or-less] AOTC - Avebury Ring.
    *gently passes neolithic baton to Phil*
    ,
  • Phil
    Apols for the lurk, but every time I thought of a question, someone else had asked it. I'll make this one quick (I hope).

    Mineral

  • NotJohn - Metal?
  • Phil - A good start...
    [NJ] Metal? YES
  • Gusset Login - Iron?
  • Phil
    [GL] Iron? YES or NO, depending on the specific meaning of the question.
  • NotJohn - A manufactured item?
  • Raak - Stainless steel?
  • Quendalon - Unique?
  • Tuj - But is it art?
  • cfm - An iron--like the kind with which one presses one's shirts?
  • Chalky - Smaller than a telephone kiosk?
  • Gusset Login - A bridge?
  • Phil
    [NJ] Manufactured? YES
    [Raak] Stainless Steel? YES, that's what it's made of *a ripple of applause*
    [Quendalon] Unique? NO
    [Tuj] Art? NO
    [cfm] An iron? NO
    [Chalky] < phone box? YES
    [GL] Bridge? NO
  • Raak - Medical connections?
  • Quendalon - Is it smaller than a breadbox / bread bin?
    Inverting the classic question.
  • Phil
    [Raak] Medical? NO (well, a small connection, but it won't help)
    [Quendalon] Smaller than breadbox? YES
  • NotJohn - Does it have any moving parts?
  • Phil
    [NJ] Moving parts? YES
  • Tuj - Is there one in your kitchen?
  • Phil
    [Tuj] In my kitchen? NO. Well, there might be, but I'd move it if I were tidying up.
  • NotJohn - A tool?
  • Phil
    [NJ] Tool? YES
  • Software - Calipers?
  • Phil
    [Software] Calipers? NO *Most of audience look slightly bemused by the handful that clapped, briefly*
  • NotJohn - A Leatherman?
    (On the grounds that a Swiss Army Knife has plastic as well)
  • Raak - A hole punch?
  • Phil
    [NJ] Leatherman? NO *some audience members explain to others what a Leatherman is, after which some of them make appreciative noises*
    [Raak] Hole punch? NO
  • cfm - Does it cut?
  • Phil
    [cfm] A cutter? YES *Applause*
  • Rosie - A tin-opener?
  • Raak - Garden shears?
  • NotJohn - A kitchen tool?
  • Phil - End game appears to have commenced
    [Rosie] Tin opener? NO (I wouldn't move that out of the kitchen when tidying)
    [Raak] Garden Shears? NO (I'd call them bigger than a breadbin) *appreciative applause*
    [NJ] A kitchen tool? NO (again, I'd keep that in the kitchen).
  • Software - Secateurs?
  • Phil
    [Software] Secateurs? NO *more applause*
  • NotJohn - Scissors?
    D'oh - I meant to ask 'garden', for that reason and then turned the question round without thinking.
  • Raak - Wire cutters?
  • Phil
    [NJ] Scissors? YES, but more detail required. *Lots of applause*
    [Raak] Wire cutters? NO, see above.
  • Quendalon - Pinking shears?
  • Raak - Nail clippers?
  • Phil
    [Quendalon] Pinkers? NO *some applause*
    [Raak] Nail clippers? NO *Thunderous applause, oohs, aaahs, gasps and winces*
  • Raak - Nail scissors?
  • Quendalon - Hair scissors?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Nail scissors? YES INDEED! *Deafening roars*
    Congrats! Here, have this toenail as a makeshift baton.
  • Raak
    VEGETABLE, with ABSTRACT connections.
  • Rosie - An object made from vegetable matter?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Yes, made from vegetable matter.
  • Gusset Login - Is wood involved?
  • NotJohn - Is it edible?
  • Tuj - Unique?
  • Phil - Is it smaller than a toaster?
  • Raak
    [GL] Would be wood.
    [NotJohn] Edible wood? No.
    [Tuj] Not unique.
    [Phil] Bigger than a toaster.
  • Gusset Login - Is it bigger than a cross-channel ferry?
  • Raak
    [GL] Smaller than a cross-channel ferry.
  • Software - Found domestically?
  • Quendalon - Does it have writing on it?
  • Tuj - Naturally occurring?
  • Raak
    [S] Domestic? Not really, at least nowadays.
    [Q] Probably not written on.
    [T] Not naturally occurring.
  • Rosie - A piece of furniture?
  • Chalky - Would one find it in a pub?
  • Raak
    [R] Not furniture.
    [C] *a ripple of applause* Yes, one might find it in a pub.
  • Quendalon - Does it have a picture or pictures on it?
  • NotJohn - Is it a container of some sort?
  • Phil - Is it used for a leisure activity?
  • Raak
    [Q] No picture.
    [NJ] *applause* A container.
    [P] A witty thought goes up on the laser display board. Laughter in the audience. Not used for a leisure activity.
  • NotJohn - Normally holds liquid?
  • Raak
    [NJ] Can normally hold liquid.
  • Rosie - A barrel?
    Might be my turn in it, innit?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] *cheering* A barrel is involved. I suggest the abstract connection would repay attention.
  • Chalky - Is it a well-known phrase or saying .. like Roll Out The Barrel?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] Yes! A well known phrase or saying.
  • Quendalon - "Over a barrel"?
  • Raak
    [Q] Not over a barrel.
  • Dujon - So it's a colloquial phrase along the lines of "a can of worms"?
  • Rosie - Scraping the barrel?
  • Quendalon - Barrel of laughs?
  • Raak
    [D] Yes.
    [R] *oooooh!!* Not quite.
    [Q] Not a barrel of laughs.
  • CdM - The bottom of the barrel?
    Attempted lurker victories R us
  • Raak
    [CdM] Yes! Rosie was nearly there, but you have nailed the exact answer! Have this recycled wooden planter. Ignore the rotten apple juice seeping out of it. And it can now be revealed that the Witty Comment on the laser display board was about the undemanding leisure activity of shooting fish in one.
  • Chalky - hmmm ...
    .. thought it might be that - was rather hoping that Rosie might get a turn 'in the chair'.
    May I respectfully suggest a slight change to the non-rules of this game, ie. you need to have asked at least one question before guessing the AOTC? Or is that altogether too regimentatious? < made up word alert >
  • CdM
    I am more than happy for Rosie to take the chair if he wishes. He definitely got 98.2 percent of the way to the AOTC. Mind you, I think this game has had its share of lurker victories, and I'm not exactly a lurker in the grand scheme of things. :-)
  • Rosie - Is flattered
    (Chalky, CdM) Generous, but let's play by the rules. In any case, if a lurker wins, their "punishment" will be to host the next one. That'll teach 'em not to just jump in and out.

    (CdM) Couldn't you have made it 98.4 - body temperature, the percentage of H2SO4 in conc. sulphuric, the number of feet in 30 metres . . . . I could go on.

  • Phil - While you're all being polite, I'll get the first question in: Would you find it in your kitchen?
  • Chalky - Is it a sandwich?
  • Tuj - Anarcho-syndicalism?
  • Rosie - Convectively Available Potential Energy (CAPE)?
    Where's CdM? Give us a category, man.
  • CdM
    This is ANIMAL and VEGETABLE with a trace of MINERAL. I had decided on this before I saw any of your questions, so I am going to go with it. Oh god, I hope Rosie has heard of it :-)

    In your kitchen? You could, but it's probably unlikely. I'm pretty sure I have never had one in my kitchen.
    A sandwich? Yes! *applause*
    Anarchosyndicalism? No.
    CAPE? No.
  • Quendalon - Is egg an ingredient?
    Explicitly not counting any egg(s) that are part of the bread-baking process.
  • Raak - A horseburger in a bun?
  • CdM
    Eggy? Interesting question. Not necessarily, and not in its own right. But there are versions of this that would include egg as an ingredient, I think.
    Shergarburger? No.
  • Tuj - Unique?
    [Chalky] You have taken the very wind from my sails!
  • CdM
    Unique? No. (A unique sandwich??)
  • Software - Edible?
  • That Masked Man - Is saurkraut involved?
  • Rosie - Contains fish?
  • Chalky - A Croque Monsieur?
  • CdM
    Edible? I certainly hope so. It's a sandwich!
    Sauerkrauty? It's possible (I can find examples online), but it is certainly not an essential or even a standard ingredient.
    Fishy? It sometimes contains fish, yes, but need not. For free, I will tell you that it is quite common for it to contain other seafood, however.
    Croque monsieur? Non, madame.
    Clarification on the egg: my reply was meant to imply that it would be very unusual to see egg listed explicitly as an ingredient, and I stand by that. But googling reveals that it is not unheard of.
  • cfm - A po' boy?
  • Software - Chip butty with mayo?
    could have been a knuckle sandwich :o)
  • Quendalon - Served hot?
  • Chalky - Smörgåsbord?
  • CdM - Slicing to the chase
    A po'boy? Yes! (It was the only sandwich beginning with P that came to mind.) Have this foot-long baton stuffed with fried oysters. [Software] Touché, even if I'm not sure what the vegetable component of a knuckle sandwich would be. :-)
  • Chalky
    Never heard of it ;-)
  • CdM - Yes, well...
    [Chalky] I'd bet big money that the number of people who have heard of a po'boy is at least an order of magnitude larger than the number who have heard of the Avebury Stone Circle. :-)
  • Chalky - Ah .. but
    .. we'll never find out so you may as well bet your big money on the 4.45 at Redcar :-)
    For the record - yet another Lurker Victory ...
  • Tuj
    [CdM] But which is Rosie more likely to know? ;)
  • cfm
    [Chalky] I wasn't lurking! It was just my first question of the round. And your first question plus the mention of fish made it easy. :-)
    However, I am glad to hand this yummy but calorie-laden baton to someone who would like a turn. Speak up if you'd like to give it a whirl.
  • Chalky
    [Tuj] Hehe!
    [cfm] Only teasing ... as you well know ;-) My mind's eye is seeing badly disguised AVMA players in the shadowy fringes of the game poised to pounce on the AOTC and it's given me an idea for a very silly game along the lines of Spot the Ostrich.
    By the way, I shall decline a turn/whirl as I'm a bit too busy this coming week.
  • Quendalon
    [cfm] I'm always glad to take a turn with the baton, assuming that no better candidate presents themselves.
  • cfm
    Take it away, Q. :-)
  • Quendalon
    Very well then! This one is unequivocally Vegetable.
  • Tuj - Unique?
    Well stepped into the breach, that Quenders!
    [Chalky] A game idea! Sounds good!
  • Quendalon
    [Tuj] Not unique. *laughter from the crowd*
  • Raak - Peas in a pod?
  • Gusset Login - Is it a sandwich?
  • Lovely Gravy - leaping in so if i win will not be a lurking victory :)
    It is some species of wood?
  • Quendalon - Victory goes to the swift
    The word on the card is "pea," for which Raak's guess is more than sufficiently accurate. Passing a small, round green baton...
  • Drawing the line
  • Raak
    Wow! Ok, the next is ANIMAL.
  • Quendalon - Human?
    I chose it largely so that I could giggle inanely if Tuj asked if it began with the letter 'P'.
  • Gusset Login - Is it unique?
  • Raak
    [Q] Human.
    [GL] In a sense, it is unique. But one could quibble interminably about it.
  • Tuj - Male?
    [Q] Apologies for letting you down! I do worry my poor history of questioning has skewed the game somewhat...
  • Phil - Currently alive?
    [Quendalon] For your giggling motive alone, you're my hero!
  • Raak
    [Q] OOPS! I meant to say "Not human".
    [Tuj] Male.
    [Phil] Quite likely to be currently alive.
  • Software - Quadruped?
  • NotJohn - Is it unique by virtue of something it has done?
  • Raak
    [S] Not a quadruped. [NJ] *applause* It is indeed unique by virtue of something it has done.
  • cfm - Is the thing that he has done a physical (versus an abstract) act?
  • Chalky - Is this bloke animal larger than the average domestic toaster?
  • Raak
    [cfm] A physical act.
    [Chalky] Smaller than a toaster.
  • Phil - Is it a bird?
  • Raak
    [Phil] Is it a plane? Is it Superman? No, it's a bird!
  • Chalky - Cock Robin?
  • Chalky - .. avoiding the lurker label
    Nah - that was a daft question. It's still alive, you say? And 'sort of' unique?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] Not Cock Robin. To clarify the uniqueness thing a little: the answer is a singular noun phrase beginning with "The".
  • Chalky - The Early Bird?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] Not the early bird, but you're thinking along the right lines.
  • Phil - The First Cuckoo of Spring?
  • Raak
    [Phil] The very thing!
  • Phil
    Woohoo! (or something that sounds remarkably like that). And not a lurk in sight.
    Pressing on rapidly with

    Animal (or Abstract, depending on your point of view)

  • Quendalon - Unique?
  • Software - Fictional?
  • Chalky - Is it an archosyndicalistic sandwich?

    ... and a 'woohoo' and 'wahay' [sounding exactly like they're spelled] for Phil's victoreee.
  • Tuj - Human?
  • Rosie - The bee's knees?
  • Gusset Login - Is it edible?
  • Phil
    [Quendalon] Unique? YES
    [Software] Fictional? YES
    [Chalky] A wossname sarnie? NO
    [Tuj] Human? YES
    [Rosie] Apiarian patellae? NO
    [GL] Edible? NO. Technically yes, but I really don't think you should eat it.
  • Quendalon - Abstract solely because it's fictional?
  • NotJohn - An eponymous character?
  • Phil
    [Quendalon] Solely fictionally abstract? YES
    [NJ] Eponymous character? NO
  • cfm - A male character?
  • Phil
    [cfm] Male? YES
  • CdM
    I don't have a question; this is just a place-marker to avoid accusations of lurker victory later.
  • Phil
    [CdM] This is not an answer, merely an acknowledgement of your statement.
  • Gusset Login - A detective?
    This is a question and also an acknowledgement of CdM's non-lurker status.
  • Phil
    [GL] Detective? NO
  • NotJohn - C20 Literature?
    This is a question but also a quibble as to whether a non-interrogatory interjection is sufficient to remove lurker status.
  • Phil
    [NJ] 20th Century Literature? YES
  • Rosie - Is the animal one of the big cats?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] A big cat? NO, he's human (see Tuj's question)
  • NotJohn - Originally written in English?
  • Phil
    [NJ] English lit? YES
  • Quendalon - Fantasy genre?
  • Software - Harry Potter?
  • CdM - Does an interrogatory interjection remove lurker status if the question is unrelated to the AVMA AOTC?
  • Phil
    [Quendalon] Fantasy? NO
    [Software] Harry Potter? NO, not eponymous
    [CdM] Questionable lurker? NO, you're not getting out of it that easily.
  • NotJohn - Appears in a series of books?
    Why is CdM so convinced he is going to score a lurker's victory? Is he in league with Phil? </ratsmelling>
  • Phil
    [NJ] In a series of books? YES *some applause*
    [NJ] Am I in cahoots with CdM? One question at a time, please.
  • Software - James Herriot?
  • Phil
    [Software] Herriot? NO
    I should add that when I said yes to '20th century Literature' I simply meant that there were books, not necessarily great works of literature.
    Also, although I have described the character as not eponymous, I have found that he is mentioned in the title of at least one book.
  • cfm - A detective series?
  • Gusset Login - Is CdM in league with Phil?
  • Raak - Is this person a restorer of antique sewing-machines who keeps an Afghan hound and lives within earshot of St. Paul's in an apartment that appears to be beyond his modest means?
    Does asking an apparently relevant question remove lurker status if the question was asked solely for the purpose of removing lurker status?
  • Phil
    [cfm] Detectives? NO
    [GL] Conspirateur de Moi? NO
    [Raak] Your main question? Oh so close! Actually, I lied. NO, not any part of it is correct, and a meaningless note has been made of your completely legal, yet immoral, lurk avoidance (as opposed to lurk evasion, which is strictly illegal).
  • NotJohn - Is there a connection to espionage?
    Any day now we'll be getting phone calls asking 'Do you believe you have ever suffered unfairly at the hands of a lurker?' and offering their services on a 'No Win No Fee' basis (once you've paid the £300 administration charge)
  • Phil
    [NJ] Espionage? NO *a couple of giggles from the audience*
  • NotJohn - Are they books for adults?
    Which is worse - lurking or taking successive turns?
  • Phil
    [NJ] Books for adults? NO *applause*
  • Gusset Login - Are they comic books?
  • Quendalon - Did the character first appear before 1960?
  • Phil
    [GL] COmic books? NO
    [Quendalon] Pre-1960? YES
  • Software - Tin-Tin?
  • Phil
    [Tin-Tin] NO, not eponymous.
  • Gusset Login - Do they share the books with an eponymous character?
  • Phil
    [GL] Is there an eponym? Well, only about a fifth of the book titles feature one character's name, but most people would automatically answer YES. It's a definite YES for other media. *applause for a very good question*
  • cfm - Does this character have a "sidekick"?
  • NotJohn - Violet Elizabeth Bott?
    If that isn't right I'll thcweam and thcweam until I'm thick.
  • Phil
    [GL] Has a sidekick? NO
    [NJ] Violet? NO, thcweam away.
  • cfm - Christopher Robin?
  • Phil
    [cfm] Christopher Robin? NO
  • Gusset Login - The Fat Controller?
  • Phil
    [Gusset Login] YES, dagnammit, YES !! It was indeed Sir Topham Hatt 1st Bt, of "The Railway Series", often referred to as the "Thomas the Tank Engine" books, although Thomas' name is only in the title of 9 of the 42 books. The Fat Controller is named in only one title, "Thomas and the Fat Controller's Engines".
    Nice to get that one finished off for the weekend. And not a hint of a lurk in sight. Please take this green flag in lieu of a baton.
  • Gusset Login
    Cool. I never expected having a three year old nephew would help me win anything.

    This next one is:

    Mineral.

  • Tuj - Unique?
    [Phil, GL] Excellent =)
  • Quendalon - Begins with 'P'?
    [Tuj] I see you have well and truly nicked my signature question! So I must claim yours in turn.
  • Gusset Login
    [Tuj] A one off? Yes
    [Quenda] P...? No.
  • cfm - Made of iron?
  • Gusset Login
    [cfm] iron? Depending on how loosely you define the terms 'made of' and 'iron' the answer could be either Yes or No.
    It is more than 5% steel (which is an alloy of iron).
  • Quendalon - A building?
  • CdM
    *lurks*
  • Gusset Login
    [Quenda] Building? No
    [CdM] Good to see you, feel free to stop lurking and join in.
  • cfm - Is it larger than a standard kitchen-size refrigerator?
  • Gusset Login
    [cfm] > average fridge? No.
  • Phil - A work of art?
  • Quendalon - Made before 1900?
    I'm assuming man-made because it incorporates steel rather than iron.
  • Gusset Login
    [Phil] Work of art? No. Although, as always with that question, some people might call it such.
    [Quenda] Made before 1900? Yes.
  • Rosie - Unique?
  • Raak - A scientific instrument?
  • Tuj - Is it in a fixed location?
    [Quenders] Apologies, but a change is a good as a rest!
  • Gusset Login
    [Rosie] Unique? Yes, still unique.
    [Raak] Scientific instrument? No.
    [Tuj] Unmoving? Yes.
  • Quendalon - Military in nature?
    [Tuj] A fair cop. Perhaps I will advance to asking whether a thing starts with 'Q'...
  • Rosie - Outdoors?
  • Chalky - Shaped like a human?
    *unlurks*
  • Tuj - In the USA?
  • cfm - Located in a museum?
  • Gusset Login
    [Quenda] Military in nature? Yes, although perhaps not in nurture. :)
    [Rosie] Outside? No
    [Chalky] Humanoid? No
    [Tuj] 'Merk'n? No
    [cfm] In a museum? That's a tough question. Personally, I wouldn't count it as a museum, as such but others might see it differently.
  • Gusset Login
    I seem to be very much in the minority. Yes, it's in a museum.
  • CdM - Does it have moving parts?
    Even though I have now asked a question, I would like to declare that I am immediately going to revert to lurker status.
  • Gusset Login
    [CdM] Moving Prats? (If you're lurking again, I don't have to answer.) No.
  • Tuj - Does it have royal associations?
  • Gusset Login
    [Tuj] Royal inclinations? *Drowned out by audience aplause and has to repeat* Yes
  • cfm - A sword?
  • Rosie - A suit of armour?
    Moving Prats? Sounds fun.
  • CHALurKerY - A crown?
  • Gusset Login
    [cfm] Sword? *More applause* Yes
    [Rosie] Suit a'more? No
    [Chalurkery] Crown? No
  • Quendalon - Sword of Mercy?
    Military in nature, although not in nurture.
  • Dujon - Is this a sword used only for ceremonial purposes?
    Pops out of the shrubbery hoping that no one will notice.
  • NotJohn - The Great Sword of State
    Lurker? Me? No! Just a slow starter.
  • Phil - "The Wallace Sword" (William Wallace's Claymore) ?
  • Gusset Login
    [Phil] The Gromit Sword? No
    [NJ] Greatsword of State? Nope
    [Dujon] Ceremonial? Yes
    [Quendo] Sword of Mercy? Is the AOTC.

    Have a baton with an inch broken off of one end.
  • Quendalon
    [GL] I accept! And with this baton, I dub thee Sir Gusset of Login.

    *ahem* This next one is MINERAL.
  • Phil - Is it unique?
  • Quendalon
    [Phil] One of a kind? NO.
  • Raak - Man-made?
  • Quendalon
    [Raak] Man-made? YES.
  • Tuj - Begins with Q?
  • Quendalon
    [Tuj] Q-ish? NO.
  • NotJohn - Made of metal?
  • Phil - Bigger than an average household microwave oven?
  • Raak - Electronic?
  • Quendalon
    [NJ] Metallic? NO.
    [Phil] Bigger than a microwave oven? NO.
    [Raak] Electronical? NO.
  • cfm - Made of stone?
  • Quendalon
    [cfm] Rocky? NO.
  • Rosie - Found indoors?
  • Software - Ornamental?
  • Phil - Solid?
  • Quendalon
    [Rosie] Can be found indoors? YES.
    [Softers] An ornament? Tricky, but I'll go with NO.
    [Phil] Solid? PARTLY. *polite applause*
  • cfm - A thermometer?
  • Quendalon
    [cfm] Temperature measurer? NO.
  • Raak - A barometer?
  • Chalky - Is water part of this?
  • Dujon - Is the AOTC related to light?
  • Quendalon
    [Raak] Atmospheric pressure measurer? NO.
    [Chalky] Partly water? My research suggests NO. *audience murmurs*
    [Dujon] Light source? NO.
  • NotJohn - Contains a liquid?
  • Boolbar - Can I eat it?
  • Chalky - Is it used for cleaning?
  • Raak - Contains alcohol?
  • Rosie - A Cartesian diver?
  • Gusset Login - Lava Lamp?
  • Quendalon
    [NJ] Contains liquid? YES. *applause*
    [Bools] Edible? NO.
    [Chalks] Cleaning device? NO.
    [Raak] Contains alcohol? My research suggests YES, but that may mislead you.
    [Rosie] Cartesian devil? NO.
    [GL] Lava lamp? NO. *audience murmurs*
  • Rosie - Is the solid part glass?
  • Quendalon
    [Rosie] Glass? According to my research, NO, although glass may have been involved at one point.
  • CdM - Is the solid part plastic?
  • Raak - An insatiable birdie?
    (Drinking bird, dipping bird, nodding duck...)
  • Quendalon
    [CdM] Plastic? YES.
    [Raak] Unappeasable avian? NO.
  • Rosie - A de-icing squirt bottle?
  • Quendalon
    [Rosie] Anti-icy squirty bottly thingy? NO. *audience yawns*
  • NotJohn - Does it measure anything?
  • cfm - Is it a common household object?
  • Quendalon
    [NJ] Measuring device? NO. *scattered laughter from the audience*
    [cfm] Common household object? NO, although a household is one of the most likely places to find it.
  • Rosie - Medicinal use in any way?
  • Quendalon
    [Rosie] Curative? NO.
  • Dujon - Is this usually dome shaped?
  • Quendalon
    [Dujon] Hemispherical? NO. *laughter from the audience*
  • NotJohn - Does it have medicinal purposes?
  • Gusset Login - Is it a saftey device?
  • Quendalon
    [NJ] Medicinal use? Still NO.
    [GL] Makes you safer? NO.
  • Phil - Does it contain ONLY liquid?
  • Quendalon
    [Phil] Contains only liquid? NO. *applause*
  • Raak - Does it have moving parts?
  • Quendalon
    [Raak] Parts that move? YES, though my answer may mislead you.
  • Phil - A glow stick?
  • Quendalon
    [Phil] Radiant rod? NO.
  • Tuj - Was it invented in the last 50 years?
  • Quendalon
    [Tuj] Invented after 1963? NO.
  • Phil - Is the plastic Bakelite?
  • Quendalon
    [Phil] Bakelite? Embarrassingly, I DON'T KNOW; my research doesn't say what kind of plastic(s) are involved.
  • Rosie - Is its purpose amusement?
  • Quendalon
    [Rosie] For amusement? YES. *applause, laughter*
  • Rosie - Shurely it's not a replica mannequin pis?
  • Quendalon
    [Rosie] Little peeing statue? NO.
  • Phil - A tip-up, clothed/naked lady pen?
  • Quendalon
    [Phil] Pen with lady floating inside? NO. *solitary golf clap from audience*
  • Software - One of those snow storm globe thingys?
  • Quendalon
    [Softy] Snow globe? NO. *audience murmurs*
  • Rosie - Is the mysterious plastic transparent?
  • Quendalon
    [Rosie] Transparent plastic? PARTLY. *applause*
  • Chalky - A Sand Sculpture?
  • NotJohn - Does it have a screen?
  • Quendalon
    [Chalks] Sand sculpture? NO, not sand, nor exactly a sculpture.
    [NJ] Has a screen? YES, of a sort, though this answer may mislead you. *nodding and murmuring from audience*
  • CdM - A magic 8 ball?
  • Quendalon
    [CdM] Magic 8-Ball? SIGNS POINT TO YES.
    *much applause, throwing of batons, etc*
  • CdM
    Hmmm. Maybe I'll use the eight-ball to answer all the questions for this round. That might make it more interesting.
    This one is ANIMAL with ABSTRACT connections.
  • Software - Animal = Human?
  • CdM
    Human? It is decidedly so.
  • Quendalon - Fictional?
  • CdM
    Fictional? My reply is no.
  • Raak - Is this person in the arts and entertainment professions?
  • CdM
    Arts and Entertainment? My reply is no.
  • Dujon - Is the human a politician?
  • CdM
    Politician? Yes definitely.
  • Software - American?
  • Tuj - Female?
    [Quenders, CdM] Well persevered! I think most, like me, wanted to know the answer but didn't have a clue how to attack it.
  • CdM
    American? Don't count on it.
    Female? Outlook not so good.

    Turns out magic 8-balls don't have many good ways of saying No.
  • Raak - British?
  • CdM
    British? My reply is no.
  • Phil - European?
  • NotJohn - Currently alive?
    Never heard of the Magic 8-ball - even after looking it up to check.
  • CdM
    European? You may rely on it.
    Currently alive? My sources say no.
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
  • CdM
    Begins with a P? Very doubtful.
  • Raak - Known for military achievements?
  • Software - Well known in UK?
  • Chalky - Is the AOTC a dead male European politician whose name doesn't begin with a P?
  • CdM
    Known for military leadership? Very doubtful
    Well known in UK? Reply hazy try again
    Dead male non-P European politician? Signs point to yes.
  • Tuj - Did this person die after 1900?
  • CdM
    Died after 1900? Without a doubt.
  • Phil - Did this person die after 2000?
  • NotJohn - Was he a francophone?
  • Gusset Login - Well known in UK?
  • CdM
    All right. Reluctantly I think I need to abandon the 8-ball, or I risk confusing and infuriating you all.
    Die after 2000? No.
    Francophone? I can't tell from the sources I have checked. French was not his mother tongue, but there are some reasons to believe he may at least have had a working knowledge of the language.
    Well-known in the UK? Concentrate and ask again. Oh, sorry. I do not think that, at the present time, you would say that. But the abstract connection is at least somewhat well-known.
  • NotJohn - Quisling?
  • CdM
    Quisling? It is decidedly so! An impressive leap there. The answer is indeed Vidkun Quisling, leader of the Norwegian collaborationist government from 1942-45. Tuj asked the wrong question. One baton inscribed "with best wishes, Adolf" handed over.
  • ...
  • NotJohn
    Yes, well, sometimes an answer just jumps into your head and you have to take a guess.
    This next one is ABSTRACT with ANIMAL connections
  • Software - Animal = Human?
  • NotJohn
    [Software] human animal? - YES is probably the most helpful answer
  • CdM - Fictional?
    (The next question is: "Is this person in the arts and entertainment professions?")
  • NotJohn
    [CdM] Fictional - YES
    The next answer is NO
  • NotJohn
    Actually, the best answer to Software would have been YESish and NO
  • Chalky - Gollum?
  • NotJohn
    [Chalky] 'well, sometimes an answer just jumps into your head and you have to take a guess' - this one happens to be wrong
  • Phil - is the animal a deity?
  • NotJohn - assumption alert
    [Phil] Godlike animal? - NO *a couple of audience members exchange significant glances*
  • Tuj - Begins with... um... R?
  • Quendalon - Proverbial?
  • CdM - Is the animal unique?
  • Phil - Is the animal mythical?
  • Raak - Aslan?
  • NotJohn
    [Tuj] R-start? - NO
    [Quen] Proverb? - Not as such but *some applause*
    [CdM] Just the one? YES and NO
    [Phil] Mythical? - YES and NO
    [Raak] Aslan? - NO
  • Software - Guardian Angel?
  • NotJohn - Mass assumption alert
    [Software] Grauniad Angle? - NO
  • Phil - A character from a book (or books)?
  • NotJohn
    [Phil] Character in book? - The human animal appears in at least one literary work.
  • Chalky - A well known phrase or saying?
  • Tuj - Is the AOTC more than one creature?
  • NotJohn
    [Chalky] I say, I say, I say? - NO
    [Tuj] >1 creature? - YES! *relieved applause*
  • Raak - All the creatures on Noah's Ark?
  • NotJohn
    [Raak] The animals went in seven by seven? - NO
  • Software - Devilish connection?
  • Quendalon - Does this human animal have any connection to nonhuman animals?
  • Dujon - Is the abstract part the occupation of a human?
  • NotJohn - Yes, don't forget the abstract
    [Software] Devilish? - NO
    [Quen] human/nonhuman connection (until they caught him at it)? NO, not particularly, except in the context of the AOTC
    [Dujon] Abstract = Occupation? - NO
  • Tuj - Is the AOTC the title of a book?
  • NotJohn
    [Tuj] Book title? - NO (at least not one I've heard of)
  • Software - Bigfoot?
  • NotJohn
    [Software] Size 17? - NO
  • Chalky - Are these creatures different species - apart from the human?
  • Quendalon - First literary appearance before 1900?
  • NotJohn
    [Chalky] multi-species? NO - (There's a misapprehension behind your question - I assume based on my answer to Tuj. I counted the human as a creature) So to be clear, the AOTC includes a human and another creature.
    [Quen] First written about pre 1900? - YES *some chuckles in the audience*
  • Software - Alice in Wonderland?
  • Chalky - Is Software's question a 'book title' which Tuj asked and to which you have replied NO?
    Thanks for clarification on the creature issue :)
  • Chalky - Is the human named ie. Jonah and The Whale?
  • NotJohn
    [Software] Miss Liddell and the Magic Mushrooms? - NO (I would consider that a 'Book Title'
    [Chalky] Named Human? - YES *appreciative murmurs*
  • NotJohn
    BTW - I've done some research and can't find a book title that matches the AOTC - though there are several which incorporate most of it, at least one of which is by a well-known writer. I don't think it's a useful approach for you.
  • Tuj - Is the non-human a mythical creature?
  • NotJohn - Beginning to get somewhere
    [Tuj] Non-human mythical? - NO
  • Tuj - Is the human from the Mediterranean?
  • NotJohn
    [Tuj] One of those 'Mediterranean' types? - YES
  • Software - Silvio Berlusconi?
    Shurely he is mythical by now.
  • Gusset Login - Perseus?
    Can I still pretend I'm lurking after making a guess?
  • Raak - First literary appearance BC?
  • NotJohn
    [Software] Super Silvio? - NO
    [GLogin] Perseus? - NO *some applause* (and NO)
    [Raak] BCE initially? - YES
  • Quendalon - Jason and the Golden Fleece?
  • Chalky - Is this from the Old Testament?
  • NotJohn
    [Quen] Jason &c? - NO
    [Chalky] OT? - NO
  • Quendalon - Is the non-human creature named?
  • Dujon - Was this fellow an early aviator?
  • NotJohn
    [Quendalon] e.g. Mrs Tiggywinkle? - NO
    [Dujon] Icarine? - NO
  • CdM - Is the named human known to us by just a single (i.e., one word) name?
  • NotJohn
    [CdM] Single name? - YES
  • Raak - Plato's man (i.e. a plucked chicken)?
  • Quendalon - Greek mythology?
  • NotJohn
    [Raak] Plato's Man? - NO
    [Quen] Greek Mythology? - YES (the human is from Greek mythology)
  • Chalky - Theseus and The Minataur?
  • Quendalon - Pasiphaë and the Bull?
  • NotJohn
    [Chalky] Theseus etc.? - NO
    [Quen] Pasiphaë etc.? - NO
    I said the human is from Greek mythology
  • Quendalon - Do the human and the non-human appear in combination in Greek mythology?
  • Chalky - Does the Human's name begin with 'H'?
  • NotJohn
    [Quen] Do the human and the non-human appear in combination in Greek mythology? - NO (and a good question)
  • Chalky - Ahem *coughs*
  • Chalky - Does the creature *belong* to the human from mythology
    Looking for the link ...
    Not a well known phrase or saying
    Not a book title
    Not a Greek myth as such
    Not a proverb
  • NotJohn
    [Chalky] H.....? - NO - didn't forget - just got interrupted.
    All your statements are correct
    You can derive from what I have told you that we have a mythical greek human and a non-mythical animal. If you get these you will not quite have the AOTC, but that will be obvious.
  • Gusset Login - Is there a constellation named after either of them?
  • NotJohn
    [GLogin] Constellation? - NO (at least not in the European tradition and the current standard list)
  • NotJohn
    Actually, there has been a constellation proposed as the animal, but it never caught on and is not in current use. (Thank You Wikipedia)
  • Phil - Is it the name of a band?
  • Tuj - Is the non-human a bird?
    [NJ] Chalky's list had a question above it, note.
  • Chalky - Is the AOTC formatted as " someone AND THE something "?
  • NotJohn
    [Chalky] Creature 'owned' by human? - NO
    [Phil] Band Name? - YES (or at least the name of a band is included in the AOTC, but I'd never heard of it - thank you Google)
    [Tuj] Birdy creature? - NO
    [Chalky] Someone & the Something? - YES *audience perks up* But that's not the entire AOTC
  • Phil - Is the animal a mammal?
    Clutching at straws for anything that might trigger some inspiration.
  • Quendalon - Is it the name of a song?
  • Tuj - Is the non-human aquatic?
  • NotJohn
    [Phil] Mammal? - NO
    [Quen] A song? - NO (I'm not going to bother to google that, so I may be wrong!!)
    [Tuj] Watery? - NO
    I'll see if I can think of a clue.
  • Quendalon - Is it a title of any sort?
    I'm currently stumped.
  • Gusset Login - Are either of them a reptile?
  • NotJohn - Quite a big nudge
    [Quen] A title? - NO
    [GLogin] A reptile? - Technically NO, but in common parlance some people may consider the non-human animal to be at least reptilian in some characteristics.

    A couple of clues:
    1. The format of the answer is actually 'THE something abstract OF someone AND THE something
    2. Consider what else has come down to us from the Greeks apart from their myths and legends

  • Quendalon - Does the 'something abstract' begin with P?
    Even more stumped than before.
  • Phil - The Ballad of John and Yoko?
    Sorry, couldn't resist.
  • NotJohn
    [Quen] P-abstract? - YES
    [Phil] Christ, you know it ain't easy? - NO
  • Phil - The Paradox of Achilles and the Tortoise?
  • NotJohn - See, it wasn't that hard!
    [Phil] YES!! It is Zeno's Paradox of Achilles and the Tortoise which gets most of a chapter to itself in 'Gödel Escher, Bach'

    Here, have half a baton and a quarter of a baton and an eighth of a baton, and ........

  • Phil
    The "reptilian in some characteristics" was the giveaway, once I spotted it. I am a herpetophobe, and once ran away from a girlfriend's pet tortoise, which she was holding to try and show to me. It was rather embarrassing, and gave me nightmares, but up to that point I'd thought my phobia only stretched to snakes. (View the source to read the hidden text)

    So, our next offering is

    Mineral

  • CdM - The plane from "Snakes on a Plane" after all the snakes have been removed?
    [NJ] Ah. I'd forgotten all about the whole "Achilles and the tortoise" bit; I always just think of it as Zeno's paradox.
  • Phil
    [CdM] The plane from the film I deliberately haven't even seen the trailer for? NO
  • NotJohn - Made of metal?
    [CdM] Yes but Zeno had 9 paradoxes including the one I quoted in handing over the baton, which is related to, but not identical to 'Achilles..'
  • Tuj - Unique?
    [CdM] Good guess - after all, simply "the absence of snakes" would've been abstract, right?
  • Gusset Login - Man made?
    [NJ] Tortoises are reptiles in the order Testudines. What technicality are you thinking of that that cancels out?
  • Phil
    [NJ] Made of metal? Partially
    [Tuj] Unique? YES
    [GL] Man-made? YES
    [NJ] Have a toffee for being the only person so far not to have mentioned snakes/reptiles.
  • NotJohn - Sculptural?
    [GLogin] I plead stupidity. For some reason I'd always thought that chelonians were a separate class and I didn't bother to check.
  • Raak - A bridge?
  • Phil
    [NJ] Sculptural? NO
    [Raak] A bridge? YES *Applause*
  • Quendalon - London Bridge?
    [NJ] I always get that one confused with the Fable of the Tortoise and the Hare.
  • Phil
    [Quendalon] London Bridge? NO
  • Raak - The Golden Gate?
  • NotJohn - In the USA?
  • CdM - The Sydney Harbour Bridge?
    [NJ] I just checked Wikipedia; I hadn't ever heard of (or perhaps had forgotten; I read GEB two-thirds of my lifetime ago) several of Zeno's paradoxes. But the ones you were referring to I simply classify together in my mind as the "Zeno didn't understand infinite sequences paradox".
  • Chalky - In UK?
  • Quendalon - In Asia?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Golden Gate? NO
    [NJ] USA? YES *Applause*
    [CdM] Sydney Harbour? NO
    [Chalky] UK? NO
    [Quendalon] Asia? NO
  • NotJohn - In New York New York?
  • Phil
    [NJ] NY NY? NO
  • Software - Chappaquiddick bridge?
  • NotJohn - In a state on the Eastern Seaboard
  • Phil
    [Software] Chupa Chups Bridge? NO
    [NJ] Right-hand side state? YES *some more applause*
  • Chalky - The Talmadge Memorial Bridge?
  • NotJohn - Is it well known because of an incident that happened there?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Talmadge? NO
    [NJ] Well known because of an incident? NO
  • CdM - The Seven Mile Bridge?
    (on the route down through the FL keys)
  • Phil
    [CdM] 7 Mile Bridge? YES - dang, you're good! Have this baton made of recycled railway line, and well done!
  • CdM - Well, that was unexpected!
    It was in my head because Geoguessr deposited me there a week or so ago.

    VEGETABLE and possibly ANIMAL
  • Gusset Login - Is the vegetable wood?
  • Raak - Is the animal leather?
  • Phil - Is it bigger than the 7 mile bridge?
  • Quendalon - Is there one in your [CdM's] home?
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
  • Dujon - A vegetarian meal of some sort?
  • CdM
    Wood? No.
    Leather? No.
    Bigger than 7-mile bridge? Not really a well-defined question, but the answer would have to be No if anything.
    One in my home? I am pretty sure (not 100% certain) the answer is currently no, although I have had the AOTC in my home at various times.
    Begins with P? One of the words on the card begins with a P.
    Vegetarian meal? No. *some applause, nonetheless*
  • Chalky - Is it a sandwich?
  • CdM
    Sandwich? No. :-)
  • Chalky - Potable/Edible?
  • Tuj - Is it liquid at room temperature?
  • CdM
    Potable/edible? Yes.
    Liquid at room temperature? Yes.
  • Gusset Login - Carbonated?
  • Tuj - Is the AOTC a brand name?
  • Quendalon - Is it a condiment?
  • CdM
    Carbonated? No.
    Brand name? No.
    Condiment? No.
  • Gusset Login - Is it a type of tea?
  • CdM
    Tea? No.
  • Quendalon - Alcoholic?
  • Suzierocket - Is it normally consumed cold?
  • CdM
    Alcoholic? No.
    Normally consumed cold? No. [SuzieR] Welcome!
  • NotJohn - Contains coffee?
  • CdM
    Contains coffee? No.
  • Chalky - A type of soup?
  • Quendalon - Tea?
    Sometimes served with milk, don't you know.
  • NotJohn - Is the animal element dairy produce?
  • CdM - That's ten noes in a row
    Soup? No.
    Tea? Still No.
    Dairy? No.
  • cfm - Is it a beverage?
  • Chalky - Is it medicinal?
  • CdM
    A beverage? No.
    Medicinal? No.
  • Gusset Login - Is it sold in an average supermarket?
  • NotJohn - Is its normal use as a foodstuff
    Just 'cos it's edible doesn't mean that's its primary purpose.
  • CdM
    Sold in an average supermarket? Hmmm. Good question. It can be. I have certainly seen it for sale in regular supermarkets in the US (and perhaps in other countries, though I am not sure). But would I expect to find it if I wandered into an average supermarket here in Australia, or in the UK? Probably not. So I will go with No.
    Normal use as a foodstuff? Yes. (But a good assumption-checking question!)
  • NotJohn - Argan Oil?
    Still with bits of goat mixed in.
  • CdM
    Argan oil? No.
  • Quendalon - Is it consumed by itself?
  • Tuj - Is the P-word on the card paste?
  • CdM
    Consumed by itself? No. *applause*
    P = paste? No.
  • Suzierocket - Is it a sauce for a dish?
  • CdM
    A sauce? Yes. *applause*
  • Chalky - More likely to be consumed in USA?
    As per
  • Quendalon - Pasta sauce?
  • CdM
    More likely to be consumed in USA? Um. Than where? It is more likely to be consumed in the USA than in some other places, and less likely to be consumed in the USA than in other other places. It is almost certainly more likely to be consumed in the USA than in the UK, if that is what you mean. :-)
    Pasta sauce? No.
  • NotJohn - Does it normally contain chili?
  • CdM
    Contains chill? Yes. *applause*
  • Phil - Tabasco Pepper Sauce?
  • CdM
    Tabasco? No. (I think I would have classified that as a condiment.)
  • NotJohn - Originates in Asia?
  • CdM
    Asian? No.
  • Chalky - *ouch*
    CdM - ooops. Thought I'd typed 'than in the UK' but didn't check preview. Thanks for clarification. I have a hunch this may be a foodstuff I haven't heard of so will withdraw from the chase ..
  • Quendalon - Pico de gallo?
  • CdM
    Pico de gallo? No. *some applause*
  • Chalky - *changes mind* Might this be classed as a Mexican sauce?
  • NotJohn - Piri-piri
    aka peri-peri or pili-pili
  • Quendalon - Mole poblano?
  • CdM
    Mexican sauce? Yes.
    Piri-peri-pili? No.
    Mole Poblano? Yes! It is indeed the Mexican sauce (or class of sauces, really) made from spices, peppers, nuts, and chocolate. And if you have never tasted a good Pollo con Mole Poblano, put that on your bucket list right now. The "animal" is because the sauce can be made with (typically chicken) stock or just with water.
    [Q] Here. There's a baton on this plate somewhere.
  • Quendalon
    [CdM] I will eat my way through the entire dish until I find the baton - and then keep on going! A good mole sauce dish is delicious indeed. Now I'm hungry...
  • Quendalon
    Anyway, I'm currently busy in town. I will post a new AVMA item when I get home in a few hours.
  • Quendalon
    By my decree, this one is MINERAL.
  • CdM - Unique?
    [Chalky] Well? Had you heard of it?
  • Phil - it is solid?
    [Cdm] I'd heard of "mole", but not the "poblano" bit.
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
    (Presumably it's not a sandwich)
  • CdM - Begins with a Q?
    [Phil] I had decided that I would accept "mole" as close enough. In most people's minds, I think mole = mole poblano.
  • NotJohn - Made of stone?
    I knew 'Mole mole' but not 'Mole Poblano'
  • Chalky - Is it metal?
    [CdM] Not only knew it but have made it - and also thought it might be the answer which is why I asked the 'mexican' question. I have always believed '.. mole' to be '.. sauce' ie. Guacamole. Be that as it may, and it may not - Quendo slipped in there before me which is probably for the best given my schedule over the next few days :)
  • Quendalon - Sorry for the delay
    [CdM] Unique? NO.
    [Phil] Solid? YES. *applause*
    [Tuj] Begins with 'P'? NO, not this time.
    [CdM] Begins with 'Q'? NOPE.
    [NJ] Rock? Technically YES.
    [Chalks] Metal? NO.
  • Phil - Made of glass?
  • Quendalon
    [Phil] Glass? YES. *audience murmurs*
  • Software - Ornamental?
  • Raak - Man-made?
  • Quendalon
    [Softers] Ornamental? SOMETIMES. *audience murmurs*
    [Raak] Man-made? NO.
  • Tuj - Smaller than a toaster?
  • Gusset Login - Is it made of obsidian?
  • Quendalon
    [Tuj] Smaller than a toaster? N/A.
    [GL] Obsidian? YES, that's the word on the card!

    Passing a black, glassy baton...
  • Quendalon
  • Chalky - *says gosh*
  • Tuj - *is impressed*
  • Gusset Login
    Oh. I'd expected something more specific.

    OK, this one is ABSTRACT/ANIMAL.
  • Tuj - Fictional?
  • Gusset Login
    [Tuj] Fictional? Yes
  • Quendalon - Fictional human?
    [GL] I figured that I might want to try something obscure next time I have the baton, so I thought I'd build up some compensatory karma in advance.
  • NotJohn - In literature?
  • Phil - Male?
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
  • Gusset Login
    [Quenda] Fictional Human? No
    [NJ] Literature? Yes
    [Phul] Male? Assumed to be but I don't remember it being confirmed. I'm saying Yes.
    [Tuj] Begins with P? No.
  • Chalky - Fictional Animal?
  • Gusset Login
    [Chalky] Fictional aminal? Yes
  • Quendalon - Talking animal?
  • CdM - Is/was the author of this fictional animal female?
  • Gusset Login
    [Quendo] Talking? Yes.
    [CdM] From the mind of a woman? No.
  • NotJohn - An animal native to asia?
  • Gusset Login
    [NJ] Lives in asia? No. *Some mutters of disagreement from the audience*
  • CdM - First written of before 1950?
  • Quendalon - Mammal?
  • Gusset Login
    [CdM] pre-1950? Yes
    [Quando] Mammalian? No.
  • Quendalon
    Ignore me, I accidentally posted twice in a row.
  • Gusset Login
    [Quenda] I'm sorry, did you say something?
  • CdM - Begins with Q?
  • Quendalon - Cheshire cat?
    Cats are native to Asia, but the Cheshire cat is native to Cheshire.
  • Gusset Login
    [CdM] Q...? No.
    [Quen Dalon] Grinning Cat? No. Also cat's are mammals.
  • NotJohn - A single individual animal?
  • Suzierocket - Is it a bird?
  • Quendalon - First written of before 1900?
    [GL] I thought that when you said "No" you meant "Yes."
  • Gusset Login
    [NJ] Singular? Yes.
    [Suzierocket] bird? No.
    [Quendal On] Pre-1900? No.
  • Suzierocket - Does this animal also exist in the real world?
  • Gusset Login
    [Suzierocket] Is it a real animal? If you mean is this fictional talking animal also a real talking animal... No.
    If you mean is it a member of a species that also exists in the real world... Also, no.
  • CdM - Smaug?
  • Gusset Login
    [CdM] Smaug? The very worm. Have a golden baton filtched from the dragon's horde.
  • CdM
    All right. It has been a while since I have done an ABSTRACT. This also has ANIMAL connections.
  • Quendalon - Fictional character?
  • CdM
    Fictional character? No.
  • NotJohn - The Origin of Species?
    If this is right the cries of 'Fix!' will be deafening.
  • Tuj - A human invention?
  • Raak - An emblem?
  • Gusset Login - Bestiality?
    Not that sort of animal connection? I'll get my coat.
  • CdM
    TOoS? No
    Human invention? No.
    Emblem? No.
    Animal Husbandry? No.
  • Raak - A metaphorical animal?
  • CdM
    Metaphorical animal? No.
  • Tuj - Is the AOTC a single word?
  • CdM
    Single word? Yes.
  • Quendalon - Unique?
  • CdM
    Unique? No.
  • NotJohn - Related to the Arts?
  • CdM
    Related to the Arts? The best answer is No. There are connections—probably a lot of them; for example the AOTC certainly shows up in book titles and song titles—but I don't think they will be useful to you.
  • cfm - Is the animal connection human?
  • CdM
    Animal connection human? Yes, but not exclusively so.
  • Tuj - Is it an emotion or feeling?
  • Suzierocket - Does it start with an S?
  • NotJohn - Does it start with a silent 'P'?
  • Gusset Login - Does it end in Y?
  • Quendalon - Is the word on the card a noun?
  • CdM
    Emotion or feeling? Yes. *applause*
    Start with S? No.
    Start with silent P? No.
    End in Y? No.
    Noun? Yes. (It is also a verb, but I am treating the AOTC as referring to the noun.)
  • Gusset Login - Hunger?
  • NotJohn - Is it normally considered negative?
  • cfm - Attributed more commonly to one sex--reasonably or otherwise?
  • CdM
    Hunger? No.
    Normally considered negative? Yes.
    Attributed more to one sex? I don't think so. I'm unaware of either an objective difference or a pervasive stereotype.
  • CdM
    OK, I have done a little research now, and discovered that at least one aspect of the AOTC is—objectively—associated more with women than men.
  • Chalky - Does it begin with a Q?
  • CdM
    Begin with Q? No.
  • CdM
    A pedantic clarification. I answered Yes to "Emotion or feeling?", and that is clearly the best answer. But we might be hesitant about applying those terms to non-human animals, so I should note that there are also senses of the AOTC that go beyond emotion/feeling.
  • Dujon - Does this involve killing?
    Sorry I'm late, it's the darned traffic.
  • CdM
    Involve killing? Not usually. Occasionally, yes.
  • Chalky - Would this type of behaviour be classified as a syndrome or even illness?
  • CdM
    Syndrome? Well, first, it isn't a "type of behaviour" as such, though it certainly can be associated with certain behaviours. And although it can sometimes be associated with a syndrome/illness, it isn't in itself one.
  • NotJohn - Is it normally considered rational in reasonably common circumstances?
  • Tuj - Do you know of an emoticon which expresses this?
  • Quendalon - Does it start with a non-silent 'P'?
  • Gusset Login - Is it drepressing?
  • CdM
    Normally considered rational? *audience applauds the question* No. In some circumstances quite the contrary. Although it is not always considered irrational, either.
    Emoticonned? I was not aware of one, but the google does give me examples. Mind you, if you had just shown me these examples, I would not have identified them as the AOTC.
    Begin with non-silent P? Yes. Of course.
    Depressing or drepressing? No, not in general. Maybe in some specific circumstances.
  • Chalky - Paranoia?
  • CdM
    Paranoia? No. (I did actually think about making that the AOTC when setting this AVMA.)
  • Quendalon - Panic?
  • CdM
    Panic? Yes! *throws the baton in Quendalon's general direction and runs away screaming*
  • Quendalon
    Eeek! Er, I mean, yes! Of course! Success!

    Our next selection is obscurely ANIMAL.
  • Tuj - Unique?
  • Quendalon
    [Tuj] Unique? YES.
  • Tuj - Human?
  • Quendalon
    [Tuj] Possesses personhood? YES.
  • NotJohn - alive now?
  • Gusset Login - Male?
  • Quendalon
    [NJ] Among the living? YES.
    [GL] Male? NO.
  • Tuj - A member of the Morniverse?
  • CdM - Does she begin with a Queen?
  • Quendalon
    [Tuj] Player of Mornington Crescent? UNLIKELY, but since I don't know your real names there's no way to be sure...
    [CdM] Name prefaced with female monarchical title? NO.
  • CdM - European?
  • NotJohn - In the entertainment business?
  • Tuj - A sportswoman?
    [Q] The best answers are often the scrupulously accurate ones =)
  • Raak - Has she received an honour from the Queen?
  • Gusset Login - Over thrity?
  • Quendalon
    [CdM] From Europe? YES.
    [NJ] In the business of providing entertainment? YES.
    [Tuj] Famed athlete? NO.
    [Raak] Received award from female monarch? NO.
  • NotJohn - A thespian?
  • Quendalon
    [NJ] Dramaturge? NO.
  • CdM - Does she begin with P?
    Also, you forgot to answer GL's question: is she over thrity? Enquiring midns wnat to konw.
  • Quendalon
    [CdM] Do any words on the card begin with 'P'? NO.
    [GL] Is this personage over thrity years old? YSE.
  • Tuj - A singer?
  • Quendalon
    [Tuj] Vocalist? NO.
  • Chalky - Is she a broadcaster?
  • Quendalon
    [Chalks] Casts broadly? NO.
  • CdM - OK. Does she begin with Q, then?
  • Chalky - Is she a writer?
  • Quendalon
    [CdM] Starts with 'Q'? NO.
    [Chalks] Writes? YES. *applause*
  • nights - Does she write for television?
  • CdM - Has she published a novel within the last year?
  • Quendalon
    [nights] Writes for the telly? NO. (In the interests of full disclosure, she has done a bit of TV writing but is not known for it.)
    [CdM] Novel with publication date after June 16, 2012? NO.
  • Gusset Login - Has she published a novel within the last ten years?
  • Chalky - Is she aged over fifty?
  • Phil - Is she married?
  • Tuj - British?
  • Quendalon
    [GL] Published a novel since 2003? YES.
    [Chalko] Over fifty years old? YES.
    [Phil] Wedded? YES.
    [Tuj] Brit? YES.
  • Gusset Login - Tanith Lee?
  • Quendalon
    [GL] Tanith Lee? YES. *wild applause*

    I guess that wasn't so obscure after all?

    *tosses Gusset Login the baton through a gate of agate, a gate of blue steel and a terrible gate of black flame*
  • ...
  • Chalky - *googles Tanith Lee*
    Well Guessed Guss!
  • Gusset Login
    I've only heard of Tanith Lee because my local sci-fi/fantasy book group are meant to be reading some of her stuff next month. The guess was meant to rule her out and confirm my own sanity... which clearly worked well.

    Time for an ABSTRACT, I think
  • Tuj - The letter P?
  • Chalky - Anarcho-Syndicalism?
  • Gusset Login
    [Tuj] P...? No.
    [Chalky] Anarcho-Syndicalism? No.
  • CdM - Human construct?
  • Tuj - Fictional?
  • Gusset Login
    [CdM] Human construct? I'm going to say No.
    [Tuj] Fictional? I've not seen evidence of it for a while but No, not fictional.
  • Chalky - Connected with the natural world?
  • Quendalon - Related to perception?
    [GL] Do you know which of Lee's books you'll be reading? Her 70s sci-fi/fantasy is excellent, but I gather her style shifted over time and I'm not sure what the more recent stuff is like. But if you're reading her Tales of the Flat Earth stories or The Birthgrave, you're in for a treat.
  • Gusset Login
    [Chalky] From nature? Unclear, much like the human construct thing. I'm saying Yes, with reservations
    [Quendalon] Perception? Not closely related, but possibly yes.

    [Quendalon] I'll find out on Saturday which one I get but the whole gammet of her work is being covered as far as I can tell.
  • Chalky - One of the seven deadly sins?
  • Gusset Login
    [Chaky] A sin? No. *Laughter*
  • Quendalon - Generally considered to be pleasing?
  • Gusset Login
    [Quend] Positive? Yes.
  • Tuj - Is it an emotion or feeling?
  • Gusset Login
    [Tuj] Emothing or feeling? Yes.
  • Quendalon - Is there more than one word on the card?
  • Gusset Login
    [Quendalon] Multi-word? No.
  • CdM - Does it begin with either P or Q?
  • Gusset Login
    [CdM] P... or Q...? No.
  • cfm - Related to attachment?
  • Gusset Login
    [cfm] Attachment? It can be but not always, depending on your definition of attachment.
  • Dujon - Is it some form of familial bond?
  • Gusset Login
    [Dujon] Bond, Familial Bond? No.
  • Chalky - Is it an '.. ism'?
  • Gusset Login
    [Chalky] ...ism? No.
  • Quendalon - Felt only by humans?
  • Phil - Does it end in "-ness"?
  • Gusset Login
    [Quendalon] Only human? I have seen it ascribed to other animals but who can tell? (Hence my earlier answers regarding human constructs and nature)
    [Phil] ...ness? Not on the card but a reasonable synonym does.
  • Chalky - Does it begin with a letter from the first half of the alphabet [incl M]?
  • Phil - Joy?
  • cfm - Empathy?
  • Gusset Login
    [Chakly] A-M...? Yes.
    [Phil] Joy? No.
    [cfm] Empathy? No.
  • Quendalon - Is it directed at someone or something outside oneself?
  • Gusset Login
    [Quendalon] Targetted? Yes.
  • Chalky - Generosity?
  • Phil - Love?
  • Gusset Login
    [Chalky] Generosity? No. *Much applause*
    [Phil] Love? No.
  • Chalky - Does the word begin with a vowel?
  • Gusset Login
    [Chalky] A... E... or I...? No.
  • Tuj - Does it end -ion?
  • Gusset Login
    [Tuj] ...ion? No.
  • Chalky - Is it an '.. ity'?
  • Gusset Login
    [Chalky] ...ity? No.
    The word on the card does have a fair number of acceptable synonyms, many of which would elicit different response to some recent questions. I'm not sure this is your best line of attack.

    Summary/Clarification/Hints
    This is a single word describing a felling or emotion directed by humans (and possibly other animals) towards something. Generally it is considered positive for at least one of the people involved.
    It starts with a consonant between B and M (G) and doesn't end with 'ity', 'ion', 'ism' or 'ness'. Although synonyms ending with at least two of those option and beginning with completely different letters may be acceptable answers.
  • Quendalon - Is it a noun?
  • Gusset Login
    [Quend] Noun? Yes.
  • Tuj - Can it be used as a name?
    I think the fact we've dropped to this poor line of attack is no-one's had a good idea how to approach it!
  • Quendalon - Friendship?
  • CdM - Is it typically directed at a single person (in any given instance) or at multiple people at once?
  • Gusset Login
    [Tuj] Can it be used as a name? Not traditionally but I wouldn't put it past some people.
    [Quendalon] Friendship? No.
    [CdM] Directed at a single person? In the last year, I have directed it at individuals, couples, groups, inanimate objects and the results of blind chance.
  • cfm - Gratitude?
  • Gusset Login
    [cfm] Gratitude? Yes. Have mine and a baton.
  • cfm
    [GL] Similar sentiments to you, dear. Let's try VEGETABLE AND MINERAL
  • NotJohn - Is it a geographical location?
  • Gusset Login - Is the vegetable wood?
  • cfm
    [NJ] Here or there? NO.
    [GL] Wooden? NO.
  • Quendalon - Unique?
  • cfm
    [Q] Unique? NO
  • Raak - Edible?
  • CdM - Is the mineral metal?
  • Tuj - Is it a sandwich?
  • Gusset Login - Would it normally be found in a sandwich?
  • Quendalon - Is it bigger than a breadbox?
  • cfm
    [Raak] Edible? YES
    [CdM] Metallic? NO
    [Tuj] Two slices plus? NO
    [Q] Big as a loaf or two? NO
    [GL] Sandwichable? NO
  • Chalky - Wet?
  • Raak - Is the mineral salt?
  • Gusset Login - Tea?
  • CdM - Is it a foodstuff?
  • cfm
    [Chalky] Watery? I think the best answer is YES, but in practice, it would be to varying degrees.
    [Raak] Salty? The best answer to your question is NO, that is not the primary mineral ingredient. But I know of at least one instance where salt is involved.
    [GL] Cuppa? NO, that is not the AOTC. But YES, tea may be involved.
    [CdM] Foodstuff? NO. *audience interest increases*
  • Quendalon - Is it found in a typical Western home?
  • Gusset Login - Is it generally considered valuable?
  • Chalky - Is it medicinal?
  • cfm
    [Q] Western staple? YES---though not as common as say, a carton of milk or a pair of scissors.
    [GL] Pricey? NO.
    [Chalky] Medicinal? I think the best answer is NO. *murmurs from the audience*
  • Phil - Is alcohol involved?
  • cfm
    [Phil] Alcoholic? NO, the AOTC does not involve alcohol. But there is a peripheral connection.
    [Chalky] By the same token, I guess that's true for your question, too.
  • Chalky - Is the AOTC the name of a meal?
  • Quendalon - Is it always both vegetable and mineral, or is it sometimes just vegetable or just mineral?
  • cfm
    [Chalky] Name that meal? NO.
    [Q] One not both? YES. While the vast majority of the AOTC is both mineral and vegetable, sometimes the answer is just one of those things. *applause*
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
    Hmm.
  • Quendalon - Is its primary function to be ingested?
  • Chalky - Energy drinks?
  • Phil - Would it normally be consumed towards the end of a meal?
  • cfm
    [Tuj] Having the usual? NO, not this time.
    [Q] Primarily ingestible? NO.
    [Chalky] Energy drink? NO.
    [Phil] Finishing touch? NO.
  • Quendalon - Intended for topical application?
  • cfm
    [Q] A dab here or there? YES. *generous applause from the audience*
  • Chalky - suncream?
  • Quendalon - Lube?
    How naughty!
  • cfm
    [Chalky] SPF-something? NO.
    [Q] Slippery stuff? NO. But I like the way you think. :-)
  • Raak - Moisturiser?
  • Chalky - Condoms?
  • cfm
    [Raak] Day or night cream? NO. *audience applauds nonetheless*
    [Chalky] Barrier method? NO.
  • Chalky - Cleanser?
  • cfm
    [Chalky] Good clean fun? NO.
  • Chalky - Lipsalve?
  • Quendalon - Toothpaste?
  • cfm
    [Q] Good clean teeth? NO.
    [Chalky] Lip salve? Well, not exactly -- hence my equivocating on the question of whether the thing was medicinal. The AOTC is actually the purely decorative (and much more fun) relative of lip salve --lip gloss-- but I think you are due the baton. Here, take this miniature one from my handbag! I hope Plum Passion is your shade.
  • A Chalk Line
  • Chalky - for the win
    [cfm] Mighty generous of you - in my mind lip balm, lip gloss and lip stick were also queuing for the limelight .. it was just a matter of timing.

    Now - dare I unleash this ABSTRACT with ANIMAL connections?
  • Gusset Login - Fictional?
  • CdM - Animal = human?
  • NotJohn - a work of art?
  • Phil - A philosophy?
  • Tuj - The bee's knees?
  • Chalky - round up
    [Gusset Login] Fictional? NO
    [CdM] Animal = Human? YES
    [NotJohn] Work Of Art? NO
    [Phil] A philosophy? Erm .. NO
    [Tuj] Knees of bees? NO
  • Tuj - A human invention?
  • Quendalon - Associated with governance?
  • Chalky
    [Tuj] Human invention? YES
    [Quendalon] Associated with governance? YES *audience stirs*
  • Tuj - Surely it's anarcho-syndicalism then?
  • Phil
    [Tuj] *fingers crossed*
  • Chalky
    [Tuj, Phil] Anarcho-syndicalism? Shurely NOT I'm afraid *audience murmuration*
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
    Phew!
  • cfm - Related to the making of laws?
  • CdM - Associated with a specific individual?
  • nights - A specific style of governance?
  • Chalky
    [Tuj] P? NO
    [cfm] Related to law-making? YES
    [CdM] Specific individual? YES
    [nights] Specific style of governance? YES
  • Gusset Login - Marxism?
  • Chalky
    [Gusset Login] Marxism? NO
  • CdM - Is the specific individual a politician?
  • Dujon - Summat like democracy and all people being equal and all that sort of malarky?
  • Chalky
    [CdM] A politician? NO
    [Dujon] Democracy equality malarky? NO
  • Quendalon - Named for the individal it's associated with?
  • Chalky
    [Quendalon] Named for the individual it's associated with? Am not clear what your "it's" is referencing (the AOTC?) - however I will respond with a cautious YES.
  • CdM - Does the individual's name appear as part of the AOTC?
  • Chalky
    [CdM] Name on AOTC? Not exactly .. *audience applauds question*
  • nights - Is it Thatcherism?
  • cfm - Is the individual an ancient historic figure?
  • Chalky
    [nights] Thatcherism? NO
    [cfm] Ancient historic figure? Could be.
  • CdM - Does the identity of the specific individual change over time?
    That is, at any moment there is just one such individual, but it is not always the same person.
  • Chalky
    [CdM] Changing identity? YES *more applause*
  • Phil - A dictatorship?
  • Raak - Associated with a particular country?
  • cfm - Is there a religious connection in addition to the connection to governance?
  • Chalky
    [Phil] Dictatorship? NO
    [Raak] Associated with a particular country? YES
    [cfm] Also a religious connection? YES
  • Quendalon - Connected with Christianity?
  • Raak - A monarch?
  • cfm - Pope Francis?
  • Chalky
    [Quendalon] Christianity connection? Yes-ish
    [Raak] A monarch? YES!!!! Yesyesyes!!!
    [cfm] NO - not the Popey.
  • Raak - The King or Queen of England, Defender of the Faith
  • Chalky
    [Raak] The King or Queen of England, Defender of the Faith? Absolutely YES. That's the ANIMAL bit - now guess the ABSTRACT *audience senses a dénouement*
  • Raak - The British monarchy?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] The British monarchy certainly relates to the AOTC but you are travelling away from the solution. Most questions so far have centred on the Animal connection - the Abstract is yet to be resolved.
  • Phil - Order of Succession to the UK Throne?
  • Gusset Login - Hair apparent?
  • Chalky
    [Phil] Order of Succession? NO
    [GL] Hirsuteness? NO
  • Raak - The Supreme Governor of the Church of England?
  • Chalky - Thought I'd answered this earlier ..
    .. sorry to keep you. Now ..
    [Raak] The Supreme Governor of the Church of England? If that's what she also is then I am bound to say YES.
    However, that is not the AOTC. Having established some guesses back that Her Maj is the 'animal' perhaps some lateral thinking is required to find the 'abstract'.
  • Dujon - In Her Majesty's case is this an event of some sixty years ago?
  • Chalky
    [Hi Dujon] An event? NO
  • Chalky - .. can't reply if no-one asks :(
    Am shortly away from the 'net until approx 2200 BST
  • Gusset Login - Summary
    We are looking for the name of a specific style of government. It was named after the current Queen of England and other people but only one at a time. It isn't Monarchy and doesn't begin with P.

    Have I missed anything?
  • Raak - Divine Right?
  • Quendalon - Ends with -ism?
  • Chalky
    [Gusset Login] Thanks for your brave attempt at a summary ..
    .. however - we are actually looking for an ABSTRACT which has the Queen of England as its ANIMAL connection ( and it still feels somewhat treasonable typing that ...)

    As you were ;-)
  • Chalky - continuum
    NOT a style of government ... NOT a title. It certainly has the Queen of GB, Ireland, Dominions blah be blah etc. as its core but if you guessed a memorial ceramic plate with her face on it .. well that would be mineral obviously ... but you'd be closer than you have been thus far :-)
  • The clever brigade - Elizabethanism?
    It is I, Rosie.
  • Chalky
    [Tcb] Elizabethanism? NO.
    My bad - didn't reply to [Raak] and [Quendalon] NO not divine right nor an -ism.
  • Rosie - Is it a doctrine?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Thanks for joining in - but NO - it's not a doctrine or a philosophy etc.

    Most of questions along these lines related purely to the Animal connection - very few have asked what type of Abstract this is. 'Is it a work of art' came the closest. For those that can be bothered I would suggest forget all that has gone before - concentrate on standard Abstract questioning ..
  • gil - Coinage?
  • Chalky
    [gil] Coinage? NO - but *audience applauds this line of questioning*
  • Phil - The Divine Right of Kings?
    Given that "to do with religion" was established.
  • Chalky
    [Phil] The Divine Right of Kings? Still NO. Religious connection was established to confirm the Animal, ie. Her Maj.
    Having said that - one of the words in the AOTC is 'God'. < < < clue!
  • Phil - "Dieu et Mon Droit"?
    straw-clutching
  • Raak - "God Save The King/Queen/Other"?
  • Chalky
    [Phil] Mon Dieu! Drat! NON
    [Raak] God Save The King/Queen/Other? - that well-known phrase or saying [another standard Abstract question that wasn't asked] is about as close as it gets without being the AOTC
    *audience cheering in desperation willing Raak, or anyone really, even a lurker, to make the leap .. *
  • Quendalon - Who are you, the Queen of England?
  • Phil - The National Anthem?
  • Rosie - Is this an alternative title for the monarch?
  • nights - Honi soit qui mal y pense?
    [Phil] Pass us a straw, mate.
  • Chalky - Allelulia Phil!
    The Abstract is a SONG - the SONG is the AOTC which was 'The British National Anthem - God Save Our Gracious Queen' [who was the Animal connection all the way through]
    Thank you Phil - here's a victorious, happy and glorious baton ...

  • Phil
    Golly, thanks Chalky. Long did you reign over us with that one - chortle chortle!
    Next up is

    Mineral

  • Rosie - Liquid?
  • Chalky - Metal?
  • Quendalon - Commonly found in the household?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Liquid? NO
    [CHalky] Metal? NO
    [Quendalon] Household object? NO
  • Chalky - Is it a mineral [ a naturally occurring inorganic solid etc] ?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] A (well-defined) mineral? YES
  • Raak - Perovskite?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Perovskite? NO
    Clarification: I meant that it is composed of a mineral.
  • Gusset Login - Man made?
  • Phil
    [GL] Man made? Ummm, YES is the best answer, I believe as it would not be recognisable as what it is without mankind.
  • Raak - Asbestos?
  • Quendalon - Is it unique?
  • nights - Does it naturally occur in nature?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Asbestos? NO
    [Quendalon] Unique? YES
    [nights] Naturally in nature? Speaking strictly about the AOTC, NO.
  • Rosie - Is it used as a building material?
  • Dujon - Is the metal extracted from an ore (e.g. Aluminium from Bauxite)?
  • Tuj - Does it move?
  • Gusset Login - Is it a landmark?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Building material? The AOTC is not, but the substance of which it is composed is.
    [Dujon] metal from an ore? NO
    [Tuj] Does it move? NO
    [GL] Landmark? NO
  • Rosie - A cairn?
    A wahoo from 60 yards.
  • Chalky - Made from stone/rock?
  • Tuj - Is it in Europe?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] A cairn? NO
    [Chalky] Made from stone/rock? YES. *some applause*
    [Tuj] In Europe? YES
  • Gusset Login - Made of diamond?
  • Rosie - A natural geographical feature?
  • Raak - A mine?
  • Phil
    [GL] Diamond? NO
    [Rosie] Natural feature? NO
    [Raak] Mine? NO
  • Tuj - In the UK?
  • Chalky - Smaller than a Range Rover?
  • Phil
    [Tuj] In the UK? NO
    [Chalky] Smaller than Range Rover? YES
  • Software - A monument?
  • Chalky - The Blarney Stone?
  • Phil
    [Software] A monument? NO *audience stirs*
    [Chalky] De Blarney Stone? NO
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
  • Chalky - A statue?
  • Phil
    [Tuj] P word? NO
    [Chalky] A statue? YES *much applause*
  • Software - In Italy?
  • Phil
    [Software] In Italy? NO
  • Gusset Login - The statue of liberty?
    The one in France, obviously.
  • Chalky - In Denmark?
  • Phil
    [GL] Liberté? NON
    [Chalky] .dk? NEJ
  • Dujon - Is this a creation of Claude Michel?
  • Phil
    [Dujon] Claude Michel? who? NO
  • Chalky - This statue - a female human?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Female human statue? YES *Applause*
  • Chalky - Venus de Milo?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] VdM (any relation to CdM, I've often wondered?) - YES.
    Congratulations, may I pass on this severed-arm-shaped baton to you.
  • Chalky - *curtseys*
    Thanks Phil. Not sure why I chased that one - given my absence from the internets, therefore this game, for the next week. I guess I enjoyed it :)

    * tosses severed-arm-shaped baton into the air hoping someone will catch it before it lands and shatters into a thousand pieces*
  • Quendalon
    *reaches for the baton, but not too aggressively on account of having held it twice recently*
  • Software - Shall I grab it? Oh, all right then.
    It is Abstract with Animal and Mineral connections.
  • Rosie - Animals human?
  • Tuj - Begins with a P?
    *jumps*
  • cfm - The title of some work?
  • Software
    [Rosie] Human? Mostly, I would say
    [Tuj] Pish? No P anywhere
    [cfm] Title of some work? Googling actually says YES, not sure that it is helpful though.
  • Tuj - A human invention?
  • Rosie - Do the humans have a common purpose?
  • Dujon - Is a horse likely to be associated with this person?
  • Quendalon - Supernatural?
  • Software
    [Tuj] Homogeneous? NO
    [Rosie] Common purpose? Mmmm, maybe but largely NO
    [Duj] Horsey? Perhaps figuratively but mainly NO
    [Quen] Eerie? NO
  • Gusset Login - A well knwon phrase or saying?
  • Phil - Is the mineral aspect metal?
  • Software
    [GL] Adage? YESish
    [Phil] Metalic? NO not exclusively.
  • Software - Whoops!
    I must also rap my own wrist for just noticing that I omitted Vegetable from the definition.
  • Phil - Is the vegetable element wood?
  • Rosie - Does the abstract result from human activity? (eg urbanisation)
  • Gusset Login - Are any of the aspects a geographical location?
  • Chalky - *taking an interest ..*
    Wow - a whole week away and not a lot has happened.
    So we have an Abstract with Animal Vegetable Mineral connections and have ascertained that it's a sort of well-known phrase or saying?
  • Chalky - Is it a place?
  • Software
    [Phil] Wood? NO not exclusively
    [Rosie] Global Warming? Mmmm, interesting but probably NO
    [GL] Geographic? NO non specific but much rarer in some locations
    [Chalky] Place? NO specific location.
  • Chalky - A naturally occurring phenomenon?
  • cfm - A mental process?
  • Software
    [Chalks] Natural? YES
    [cfm] Think? NO
  • Dujon - Is agriculture part of this?
  • Software
    rm? in a way YES
  • Chalky - A weather condition?
  • Software
    [Chalks] Meteo? YES
  • Rosie - Raining cats and dogs?
    Datsun cogs, old ladies and sticks etc.
  • Software
    [Rosie] Precipitation? - NO but chuckles and random clapping from audience
  • Phil - Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey?
  • Software
    [Phil] Chilly NO * audience chuckles and talks among themselves and some spontaneous clapping *
  • Dujon - Something to do with climate change?
  • Software
    [Duj] Global warming? - NO * chattering and sporadic clapping in audience *
  • Phil - A Weather Forecast?
  • Software
    [Phil] Wet seaweed? - NO * audience murmuring and sporadic clapping *
  • Rosie - Is the weather condition adverse?
  • Software
    [Rosie] Adverse? - YES. * audience getting excited *
  • Chalky - The Shipping Forecast?
  • Dujon - Does H2O (or lack of same) feature?
  • Software
    [Chalks] Forth, Tyne etc? NO
    [Duj] Wet n'dry? - YES! * audience getting excited *
  • Rosie - The Biblical Flood?
  • Dujon - Would Rosie's last comment be the antithesis of the AOTC?
  • Quendalon - Does the AOTC take the format, "X as a Y"?
  • Chalky - Does the AOTC relate to measuring weather?
  • Software
    [Rosie] Noah? - NO
    [Duj] Oposite? - in a way but probably NO< br> [Quen] Logic? - NO but close
    [Chalks] Meteo? - NO
    Clue time: 4 words 2 the same relating to weather.
  • Chalky - As right as rain?
  • Software
    [Chalks] Wet, wet , wet? - NO * gasps of anticipation and clapping from audience *
  • Raak - As dry as dust?
  • Rosie - Are the two identical words "the"?
  • cfm - Hot as hell?
  • Software
    [Raak] Dusty - NO
    [Rosie] Definite article?NO
    [cfm] Bong! Right on the money!

    As hot as hell is on the card. Well it felt that way when I kicked this one off! I hand over the iced baton to cfm.

  • cfm
    Now that's a surprise. I was pretty much lost during all of that that round.
    Well then, let's try ANIMAL WITH ANIMAL AND ABSTRACT CONNECTIONS
  • Quendalon - Is the primary animal human?
    [Chalky] I suppose that I should have asked "Does it have any supernatural associations?" rather than the vaguer "Supernatural?"
  • cfm
    [Q] Human first and foremost? YES.
  • Gusset Login - Richard the Lionheart?
  • Dujon - Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?
    I'll behave next time ;)
  • CdM - Is the secondary animal canine?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Chalky - Me And You And A Dog Named Boo - Lobo?
    [Quendalon] *confused face*?
  • cfm
    [GL] Dickheart? NO
    [Dujon] The end of the world as we know it? NO
    [CdM] Woof? YES *audience is too awed to applaud*
    [Tuj] Having the usual, I see? NO
    [Chalky] That 70s sound? NO
  • CdM - Is the canine a specific, identified dog?
  • cfm
    [CdM] Name that dog? After a bit of research (and also technically speaking), NO. But YES would not have been a bad answer. :-)
  • Gusset Login - One man and his dog?
    (Went to mow a meadow.)
  • Dujon - Would Julius Caesar be pertinent to the AOTC?
  • Quendalon - Anubis?
    [Chalky] Oops! That should have been aimed at Software.
  • Chalky - fictional?
  • cfm
    [GL] One plus one? NO
    [Dujon] Roman rule? NO--at least not as far as I know or could identify from a Wikipedia search.
    [Q] I want my mummy? NO
    [Chalky] Storytime? NO
  • CdM - Is the human a specific, identified person?
  • Chalky - Is this a well-known phrase or saying?
  • cfm
    [CdM] Can I see some ID, please? YES
    [Chalky] "It's like they say..."? NO
  • Tuj - Is this person alive?
  • cfm
    [Tuj] Still among us? YES
  • Software - Showbiz connection?
  • cfm
    [Software] You oughtta be in pictures? YES, but I fear this may lead you astray. *nods among the audience*
  • Gusset Login - Famous for doing something rather than who he/she is?
  • cfm
    [GL] Real life action hero? YES.
  • Chalky - Human=male?
  • cfm
    [Chalky] Dude? YES
  • Dujon - Has this man been depicted in film(s) but not appeared there?
  • cfm
    [Dujon] I don't have sufficient knowledge answer your question. But I will answer another. YES, this man has appeared in films.
  • Chalky - The abstract connection? Is that the 'films' bit? Documentaries?
    I don't think I have sufficient knowledge of man with dog appearing in films .. so may withdraw my participation. Hope others demonstrate a little more curiosity ...
  • cfm
    [Chalky] That's a big [YES] Don't drop out. :-( You've made an important connection!
  • Software - Steve Irwin?
  • cfm
    [Software] Mass market wildlife expert? NO
    Hint: It might help to probe a little more on the abstract connection...
  • Raak - One Man And His Dog?
  • cfm
    [Raak] Sheepdog drama? NO But one man and his dogs? YES :-)
  • Raak - Actaeon, torn apart by his own hounds?
  • cfm
    [Raak] Bloody mess? NO. Was there a film about that? :-)
  • Projoy - Are these multiple dogs all presented as if they were the same fictional dog (e.g. like when Lassie was periodically re-cast)
  • Gusset Login - Has Timmy fallen down the well, again?
  • Chalky - Is this USA-centric?
  • cfm
    [Projoy, GL] Lass-a-likes? NO
    [Chalky] Red, white and blue? YES and NO. The human is American. The dogs, I believe, are ethnically German.
  • Chalky - Is he an explorer?
  • Raak - Are the dogs Dalmatians?
    [cfm] Film? I don't know, but I'd watch it if there was.
  • Phil - Christopher Plummer and the Hounds of Munich?
    I am completely stumped!
  • cfm
    [Chalky] Explorer? NO, not unless you are speaking metaphorically.
    [Raak] Spot the AOTC? NO *audience applauds enthusiastically at this line of questioning*
    [Phil] Von Trapped? NO. (hint: the human is not an actor, although he has appeared on TV and in film.)
  • CdM - Is there a succession of dogs, rather than a number of dogs at one time?
    If that makes sense. I'm remembering when I chose the MGM lion and discovered there had been (I think) four of them.
  • cfm
    [CdM] YES and NO. There was at least one well-known succession but there have also been multiple simultaneous dogs. (Is it just me, or does that sound kinda dirty?)
  • Dujon - Are the dogs Alsations/German Shepherds?
    Just for my own clarification purposes.
  • CdM - Is the abstract connection musical?
  • cfm
    [Dujon] A/GSs? NO *audience still approves of this line of questioning*
  • CdM
    (Also, it's just you.)
  • cfm
    [CdM] Rhythm and rhyme and harmony? NO *audience applauds nonetheless*
  • Chalky - cartoon/cgi dachshunds?
    Clearly I haven't the foggiest what this is .. don't know why I'm bothering.
  • Chalky - Or even dancing dogs?
  • CdM - Is the abstract connection artistic?
    You did say we should pursue it...
  • Phil - Turner and Hooch?
  • cfm
    [Chalky] Dancing cartoon dachshunds? NO *audience claps encouragingly*
    [CdM] But is it art? YES *loud cheering*
    [Phil] Tom Hanks? NO The AOTC only has a tangential connection to show biz.

    To summarize, we are talking about a contemporary American artist (male) working with multiple dogs of a German breed that is not the shepherd or Dachsund. He has appeared on at least two famous American TV shows and in his own films. I will add that those appearances may not be the only connection to film. And I will apologize for choosing what appears to be an extremely obscure AOTC. My guess, however, is that many of you would recognize this man's (iconic, really) work, which is held in the permanent collections of major museums including the the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Smithsonian. A quick scan of his biography informs me that his work has also been exhibited in London, Paris, Madrid, Amsterdam, Munich, Seoul and Singapore.
  • Projoy - Pinschers?
  • cfm
    [Projoy] Police pup? NO
    And I think it's time I put an end to the misery of this round. Sorry I picked such tough one. The furry baton goes to the first person who grabs it. And for those who are interested, the AOTC is revealed here.
  • Chalky - It's good to learn new stuff
    [cfm] I feel sure the AOTC would have been solved at some point. We are also missing some of our more, shall we say - forensic? gameplayers.
    Chalky I'll take the fresh baton, thanks. I did give up a turn a few weeks back.
    And now for a puzzler that everyone will have heard of .. A N I M A L
  • CdM - Human?
    [cfm] You are too hard on yourself! I had certainly heard of the AOTC and know the photographs. I think I ended up getting stuck on the film angle, even though you did warn us that it might be a red herring.
  • Phil - An individual, unique animal?
    [cfm] I'd never heard of him, but one man's obvious being another man's obscure is part of the fun of life.
  • Chalky
    [Phil] An individual, unique animal? NO
  • Phil
    *points quietly at CdM's question*
  • Chalky
    [CdM] Human? NO
  • Dujon - A pet?
  • CdM - Alive?
  • Chalky
    [Dujon] A Pet? NO
    [CdM] Alive? YES
  • Software - Found in UK?
  • cfm - A mammal?
  • Chalky
    [Softers] In UK ? YES
    [CFM] Mammal? NO
  • Dujon - An arachnid?
  • Rosie - An insect?
  • Sir Bedevere - A duck?
  • Chalky
    [Dujon] Arachnid? Technically NO .. *applause*
    [Rosie] ... Insect? YES *enthusiastic applause*
    [Sir Bedevere] Duck? NO
  • Rosie - Can it sting?
  • cfm - Does one generally enounter them as a swarm or infestation -- as opposed to a lone bug?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Sting? Not 'sting' exactly ...
    [cfm] Swarm or infestation? YES *audience getting excited*
  • cfm - *chances it* Mosquitos?
  • Rosie - Midges?
  • Dujon - Does it belong to the order of Hymenoptera?
  • Dujon
    Please ignore that, Chalky. From personal experience I know only too well that some of them can indeed sting.
  • Chalky
    [cfm] Mosquitos? NO
    [Rosie] Midges? NO
    *ignores Dujon's question*
  • Raak - Locusts?
  • CdM - Do they fly?
  • Software - ladybirds?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Locusts? NO
    [CdM] Do they fly? NO
    [Softers] Ladybirds? NO
  • Chalky
    This can be solved within 20 questions if you look back to where the audience got a bit excited ...
  • Rosie - Ants?
    They're made of Formica.
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Formica Ants? NO
  • Rosie - Do they attack vegetation?
  • cfm - Fleas?
  • Dujon - Is this a common parasite found on humans?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Attackers of veg? NO
    [cfm] fleas? NO
    [Dujon] Common parasite found on humans? YES - three quarters of your question is correct, the other quarter half correct! *audience senses a result*
  • CdM - Lice?
    As soon as I typed the word I started scratching...
  • Software - Bed bugs?
  • Raak - Tapeworms?
    Being in humans rather than on them.
  • Chalky
    [CdM] Lice? NO
    [Raak] Tapeworms? NO

    But Software has it on the 21st question - the AOTC being Bed bugs.
    *gingerly hands over an insecticide-sprayed baton*
  • Software - Well I'm Blowed!
    * Carefully accepts baton from Chalky wearing surgical gloves *

    Twice in quick succession. Well, well!

    Now what do we have here? Another ABSTRACT with ANIMAL, VEGETABLE and MINERAL connections.

    * Scantily clad girl parades the answer card in front of the audience *

  • Phil - Pornography?
  • cfm - [Phil] *laughs*
  • Rosie - A human idea or concept?
  • Gusset Login - A fictional place?
  • Dujon - Unique?
  • Software
    [Phil] DIY passtime? - NO
    [Rosie] Man made? - YES
    [GL] Fairy story? - NO
    [Duj] Only one? - depends on pedantic interpretation but generally NO
  • Rosie - Humans with a common purpose?
  • Software
    [Rosie] Mass conciseness? - NO (although may be disputed when the AOTC is revealed, perhaps)
  • cfm - Are there animal connections other than human?
  • Rosie - Is this an idea, political or social, say?
  • Software
    [cfm] Bestial - NO (although some may dispute this)
    [Rosie] Conceptual? - YES
  • Gusset Login - Anarcho-syndicalism?
  • Software
    [GL] Direct Action - NO (I had to look that up so no chance of it being the AOTC!)
  • Rosie - Anything to do with economics?
  • CdM - Does it begin with P?
  • Chalky - Is it a sandwich?
  • Software
    [Rosie] Money, money money? - NO * a few claps from the audience and some chattering *
    [CdM] P-ish - NO
    [Chalks] Cheese and tomato on brown? - NO
  • Rosie - Virgin Trains?
  • Software
    [Rosie] West coast delays? - NO I suppose they could be described as abstract * chuckles from audience *
  • Dujon - Is this a symbol of something (e.g. a coat of arms or a flag)?
  • Software
    [Duj] Symbolic? - NO
  • Chalky - Is it a place?
    A whole week and very little interest in this one ..
  • Chalky - Is it a well-known phrase or saying?
  • Chalky - Is it connected to the arts?
  • Software
    Multi-Chalks: Place? - NO; Saw? - NO * stiring in audience * ; Arty-farty? - NO (only indirectly but that could be misleading)
  • Rosie - A political theory?
  • Software
    [Rosie]Dogma? - NO
  • cfm - A personal philosophy or way of living?
  • Software
    [cfm] karma? - NO
  • cfm - Something to do with language?
  • Software
    [cfm] Chatter? - NO
  • Gusset Login - Conneted to religion?
  • Software
    [GL] Belief? - NO
  • Rosie - A scientific theory or hypethesis?
  • Software
    [Rosie] Good science? - NO
  • Dujon - Is this a physical 'thing'?
  • Software
    [Duj] Physical? - NO this is an abstract concept that like many such has a physical side effect but the AOTC (3 words by the way) will make this clear
  • Chalky - Bored to death?
  • Rosie - Anything to do with fear?
  • Software
    [Chalks] Ennui? - NO maybe the participants are becoming that
    [Rosie] Scary? - NO
  • Rosie - Is this a relatively modern idea?
  • Software
    [Rosie] Newish? - YES end of 19 Century apparently
  • Chalky - Anything to do with health matters?
    Modern? Newish? End of 19th Century - that's 18 hundred and something! Did you just say YES so that it doesn't look as though everyone except Rosie has had a NO for the last fortnight? :-)
  • Rosie - Anything to do with Trade Unionism?
    (Chalky) 1899 is only yesterday. My Dad was alive.
  • Software
    [Chalks] Healthy? - NO not directly anyway- recent well not BC is it?
    [Rosie] All out? - NO * some stirring in the audience *
  • Chalky - Modern Olympic Games?
  • Rosie - Health and Safety?
  • Dujon - Is this a form of revolution?
  • Chalks
    [Chalks] 5 rings - NO
    [Rosie] H&S Gestapo? - NO
    [Duj] Uprising? - NO you are all drifting away from ABSTRACT.

    CLUE: there is more than one of these

  • The real Chalky - Is it a Lifestyle Choice?
    Softers - please can you do a summary to say what it's NOT. Ta :-)
  • Software
    [Chalks] My way? - NO anyone can do it, most do.

    SUMMARY - Concentrate on the ABSTRACT. It is not: a fairy story, a life choice, a saying, a game, a passtime, scientific, religious or other social theory, nothing to do with language, politics philosophy or art. ANIMAL connection is strong the others less so. Good luck, it ain't that hard!

  • CdM - Is it culture-specific?
  • Software
    [CdM] Foible? - YES - well to qualify, the AOTC is AFIK but the principle isn't
  • CdM - Associated primarily with the UK?
  • Software
    [CdM] Blighty? - YES, primarily, the AOTC is anyway.
  • Phil - Is it an activity, i.e. something that one does?
  • Software
    [Phil] Out and about? - YES and NO, perhaps is the best answer.
  • Phil - Is the AOTC a present participle?
    as "yes and no" isn't a very useful answer :)
  • Software
    [Phil] Grammatical? NO The AOTC has 3 words none of which are the definite or indefinite article. Hint: When the question was set it was in the future, now it is in the past.
  • Phil - Does the AOTC define/describe a period of time?
  • Gusset Login - The August Bank Holiday Weekend?
  • Software
    [Phil] Time slot? - YES
    [GL] August Bank Holiday - YES!

    Hurrah! * hands over Brighton rock shaped sticky baton to GL at last *

  • Gusset Login
    Well, that took a pointlessly long time. So, a simple ANIMAL this time.
  • Phil - Is it human?
    [Software] were the mineral and vegetable connections the bank?
  • Gusset Login
    [Phil] - Human? YES have a baton. (I said it was easy)
  • Phil
    Hahaha! Why thank you, GL!
    OK, so the next one is

    ANIMAL & VEGETABLE

  • Gusset Login - Is the vegetable wood?
  • Rosie - Food or drink?
  • Phil
    [GL] Wood? NO
    [Raak] Food/Drink? YES *Some early applause*
  • Dujon - A falling out between you and Rosie?
  • Phil
    [Dujon] Me and the old geezer coming to blows? NO! (View the source to read the hidden text)
  • Raak - Meat and two veg?
  • Chalky - Is it a sandwich?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Meat+2Veg? NO
    [Chalky] Sarnie? NO
  • Software
    Pork scratchings?
  • Rosie - Does it need to be cooked?
  • Phil
    [Software] Scratchings? NO
    [Rosie] Need to be cooked? NO (although a perverse minuscule part of me wants to say YES)
  • Dujon - Is the vegetable to be found in a greengrocer's?
    I decline to answer your previous question (hidden) on the ground that ... ;)
  • Phil
    [Dujon] Greengrocer's vegetable? NO
  • Chalky - Is it an animal product?
  • Gusset Login - Is the animal fish?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Animal product? YES *a little applause*
    [GL] Fish? NO
  • Raak - A traditional British sausage (50% breadcrumbs)?
  • Gusset Login - Is dairy produce involved?
  • Phil
    [Raak] A banger? NO
    [GL] Dairy involved? YES *some more applause*
  • Rosie - A pizza?
  • Dujon - Does the AOTC include a reference to a U.K. country?
  • Chalky - Is cheese the animal element?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Pizza? NO
    [Dujon] UK reference? NO
    [Chalky] and cheesey? NO
  • CdM - Is it sweet rather than savoury?
  • Phil
    [CdM] Sweet? The AOTC is not sweet.
  • Gusset Login - Is yoghurt involved?
  • Phil
    [GL] Yoghurt? NO
  • cfm - Is the vegetable element made from grain?
  • Phil
    [cfm] Grain? NO
  • Software - Milk?
  • Phil
    [Software] Milk? YES, milk is involved *applause*
  • Raak - Are cookies also involved?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Cookie? NO
  • Gusset Login - Is it in anyway responsible for bringing boys to the yard?
  • Phil
    [GL/Kelis] Your milkshake? NO
  • Chalky - Ambrosia Creamed Rice?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Devon knows how they make it so creamy? NO
  • Software - Is it casein?
  • Phil
    [Software] Casein? NO
  • Phil - A comment
    Rosie's question "Does it need to be cooked?" continues to weigh on my mind. No Anglophone would say that they cook the Answer on the Card, but cooking of some sort or other is involved in the process of turning naturally occurring ingredients into the AOTC.
  • Chalky - Is it a salad of some sort?
    Weirdly enough .. the cooking thing .. was the one reply which has completely thrown my train of thought ...
  • Rosie - A biscuit of some kind?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Salady? NO
    [Rosie] Biscuity? NO
  • Chalky - Butter?
  • Gusset Login - Custard?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Butter? NO
    [GL] Custard? NO
  • Phil - OH NO !!!!!
    I've just reviewed my answers and noticed that when Chalky asked "Is it an animal product", I said "YES". I should specify that only the animal part is an animal product, the vegetable part isn't. Hope that helps ! :-)
  • Chalky - PANIC OVER!!!
    [Phil] Fret ye not - that's what I meant.
    In summary: The AOTC is 'Animal Product' plus a 'Vegetable' (but not a vegetable to be found in a greengrocer) somehow linked together. Edible/Potable. Doesn't need to be cooked. Milk is involved.
    I'll now ask a question, if I may ...
  • Chalky - Is there an alcoholic content to this?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Alcoholic? NO
  • Phil - A bit more summary
    One would not "cook" the AOTC but some form of "cooking" is involved at some point in creating the AOTC from naturally occurring ingredients.
  • Chalky - Is yeast involved?
    [Phil] Thanks - I was thinking fermentation - hence the alcohol question.
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Yeast? NO
  • Chalky - Sour cream and chive flavoured crisps?
  • Phil - A hint...
    A follow-up to the 2nd question asked (Rosie's first) would be useful.
  • Chalky - Drink?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Drink? YES *relieved applause*
  • Chalky - A skinny latte or somesuchlike?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] A latte? CORRECT. Congratulations! Now does my dithering over "cooked" make sense? Anyway, have this tax-avoiding baton...
  • Chalky
    Thanks Phil - we managed to sort that one out between ourselves :)
    *raises a tasse of full fatte latte*

    Staying with the Keep It Simple agenda - here's a lively little A N I M A L
  • Rosie - Human?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Human? YES
  • Dujon - Is/was this person short in stature?
  • Chalky
    [Dujon] Is/was this person short in stature? YES
  • Software - Napoleon?
  • Chalky
    [Software] Napoleon? NO
  • Phil - Is this person alive?
    [Software] Napoleon wasn't short, apparently, he was just portrayed as short for propaganda purposes. A bit of googling, and my suspicions are confirmed. He was about 5'7" (1.70m), over 2 inches taller than average for France at the time, and just about exactly average for the UK. Reference here
  • Chalky
    [Phil] Is this person alive? YES
    re. Boney - grossly misrepresented ... poor sod.
  • Rosie - An entertainer?
  • Dujon - Does this person have a name consisting of two identical syllables?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] An entertainer? NO
    [Dujon] A name consisting of two identical syllables? NO
  • Software - Nicolas Sarkozy?
    keeping with the French theme ...
  • Chalky - There's a French theme..???
    [Software] Nicolas Sarkozy? NON
  • Gusset Login - Sandy Toksvig?
    (Appolgies for the spelling I don't have time to check it.)
  • Chalky
    [GL] Sandy Toksvig? NO
  • Rosie - John Bercow?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] John Bercow? NO

    This is supposed to be a nice easy quick one - random guesses of allegedly vertically-challenged individuals will lead nowhere .. and I'm already bored
  • Rosie - Male?
  • Software - British?
  • Gusset Login - Under 35?
  • Chalky - 3 yesses!
    [Rosie] Male? YES
    [Software] British? YES
    [Gusset Login] Under 35? YES
  • Dujon - Is he a 'child prodigy'?
  • Chalky
    [Dujon] Child prodigy? Not exactly a prodigy ..*huge cheer from audience*
  • Gusset Login - George, prince of cambridge?
  • Chalky
    YES - the very chap! HRH George, Prince of Cambridge.
    *Hands silver-spoon shaped baton to Gusset Login*
  • Gusset Login
    Thank you. I guess he is a little short for a stormtrooper.

    OK. This one is a MINERAL with possible abstract and animal connections.
  • Phil - Is this a unique object?
  • Software - Metallic?
  • Rosie - Manufactured?
  • Gusset Login
    [Phil] Unique? YES
    [Software] Metal? NO
    [Rosie] Manufactured? Um... it is man-made, if that's what you mean, but not mass produced, obviously.
  • Software - A monument or statue?
  • Gusset Login
    [Software] Monument or Statue? YES. *Applause*
  • Rosie - In England?
  • Gusset Login
    [Rosie] England? NO.
  • Dujon - A well known male sans fig leaf?
  • Gusset Login
    [Dujon] A well known male without a fig leaf? As written, the answer has to be 'partly'. As intended, the answer would be very much NO. Take your pick.
  • Software - Rodin's The Thinker?
  • Gusset Login
    [Software] The thinker? NO.

    To clarify my answer to Dujon, the AOTC involves the image of a man who is not wearing a fig leaf but does not involve naked men in any way that I know of.
  • Phil - Is it a statue of just one person?
  • Rosie - A political figure?
  • Software - In Europe?
  • Gusset Login
    [Phil] A statue of just one person? The statue part of it is of one person.
    [Rosie] A political figure? YES.
    [Software] In Europe? NO.
  • Lovely Gravy - In America?
  • Gusset Login
    [Gravy] 'Mer'ca? Yes
  • Phil - The Lincoln Monument?
  • Dujon - Does the word Washington appear on the card?
  • Gusset Login
    [Dujon] Does Washington feature? NO
    [Phil] Lincoln Monument/Memorial? YES. Have a baton purchased from the John Wilkes booth.
  • Phil
    I have to give credit to the film "Night at the Museum 2" for raising my awareness of the Lincoln Monument, and more recently the 50th anniversary of the "I have a dream" speech, without which I would never have guessed that.
    Anyway, onwards and upwards....our next AVMA is

    Abstract with Animal

  • Chalky - Is it a sandwich?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] A sandwich? Alas, NO
  • Software - Phrase or saying?
  • Phil
    [Software] Phrase or saying? NO
  • Chalky - One of the Seven Deadly Sins?
    ... or all of them?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] A sin or seven? NO
  • Gusset Login - A fictional person?
  • Chalky - Grand Theft Auto V?
  • Phil
    [GL] A fictional person? On this occasion I'll be generous and allow you the two questions in one - YES and NO
    [Chalky] GTA V? NO
  • Chalky - A fictional animal?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Fictional animal? YES *some applause*
  • Software - A mermaid?
  • Gusset Login - skippy?
  • Raak - A named individual fictional animal?
  • Phil
    [Software] Mermaid? NO
    [GL] Skippy? NO
    [Raak] Named individual fictional animal? YES *a little more applause*
  • Dujon - Created by A.A.Milne?
  • CdM - Has this named fictional animal appeared in more than one of the following media: book, film, TV, radio, grand opera?
  • Phil
    [Dujon] A.A.Milne? NO
    [CdM] In more than one of: book. film, TV, radio, grand opera? YES
  • Lovely Gravy - A Disney character?
  • Phil
    [Lovely Gravy] Disney? NO
  • Software - Human?
    Nobody has checked this yet.
  • Gusset Login - Dog?
    [Software] Actually, I did.
  • Dujon - Was the creator male?
  • Phil
    [Software] Human? NO (yes to fictional animal, no to fictional person, hence not a person. You are correct that nobody asked that question directly though)
    [GL] Dog? YES *more applause*
    [Dujon] Male creator? YES
  • Lovely Gravy - Any connection with the Simpsons?
  • Phil
    [Lovely G] Connection with the Simpsons? YES, but not an important connection, IMHO.
  • Software - Greyfriar's Bobby?
  • Dujon - Did this character first appear in print?
  • Gusset Login - Did they first appear on TV?
  • Phil
    [Software] Greyfriar's Bobby? NO
    [Dujon] First appearance in print? YES
    [GL] First appearance on TV? NO (see above)
  • Softeware - Lassie?
  • Phil
    [Ye Olde Softeware] Lassie? NO
  • Dujon - Was s/he introduced in a childrens' story?
  • Phil
    [Dujon] In a children's story? NO
  • Phil - Astonised of Berkshire
  • Phil
    Ooops, not sure what happened there, but I thought I'd add a summary, just to help out, as I thought this would be simple. Not that there's much to summarize.
    This is a fictional dog; created by a man; has appeared in multiple media (from the list: book, film, tv, radio, Grand Opera), but first appeared in print; has a slight link to The Simpsons (which is unlikely to be useful).
    The AOTC was not created by A.A.Milne; is not a Disney character; is neither Greyfriars Bobby nor Lassie; was not introduced in a children's story.
  • Gusset Login - The hound of the baskervilles?
  • Phil
    [GL] HotB? NO
  • Chalky - Toto
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Toto? NONO
  • Dujon - Created by Homer?
  • Phil
    [Dujon] A Homeric character? NO
  • Phil - A clue
    An assumption appears to have been made.
  • Chalky - Is it a cartoon dog?
  • Chalky - .. such as Scooby Doo?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] A cartoon dog? YES *Much applause*
    [Ibid.] Scooby Doo? NO *oohs, aahs and groans of disappointment*
  • Software - Snoopy?
    and the Red Baron
  • Phil
    [Software] Snoopy? YES!
    My childhood hero. I still drink out of a Snoopy mug at work, which even has a Snoopy stand to sit on. Such is my fondness for the special beagle, that when I tried this AVMA on family members, and as soon as I said "fictional dog", they guessed it. The assumption, of course, was that "print" referred to books. Also, The Simpsons makes several nods in the direction of Peanuts and Snoopy - e.g. "Hungry, Hungry Homer" which was on C4 last week finds Homer asleep on top of the kennel, and Bart says "Good grief!" more here.
    Here, Software, take this flying helmet, goggles and scarf set - may it serve you well!
  • Software - Well, well. I'm getting too good at this.
    Can I think of something that won't cause as much trouble as last time?

    Let's try this, then:

    MINERAL with ANIMAL and Vegetable connections.

  • Chalky
    Sorry Software - too complicated - only kidding.
    But whilst we're about it, PLEASE answer the questions in a straightforward manner ... takes bloody ages to work out what you're trying to reply to usually! ;-)
  • Software - :o(
    Sorry, sorry, sorry ...
  • Raak - A building?
  • Phil - Margarine?
  • Gusset Login - A planet?
  • Rosie - Man-made?
  • Software
    [Raak] A building? - NO (not as such)
    [Phil] Margarine? - NO can tell talk from mutter
    [GL] A planet - NO * some discussion and shuffling among the andience *
    [Rosie] Man made? - YES
  • Phil - A satellite?
  • Dujon - An international project?
  • Software
    [Phil] Satellite? - YES
    [Duj] International? - YES
  • Raak - The ISS?
  • Software
    [Raak} ISS? - YES!

    Please accept this SpaceX shaped baton

  • Raak
    The next is, nowdays, mostly MINERAL.
  • Gusset Login - man made?
  • Raak - Yes, man made
  • Lovely Gravy - Is it something that was previously made from wood?
  • Raak - Ex-wood? No.
  • Software - Concrete?
  • Raak
    [Software] *amusement in the audience* Not concrete.
  • Rosie - Made of plastic?
  • Software - < Toaster < ?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not really made of plastic, as ordinary people use the word, but an industrial chemist might disagree.
    [Software} Bigger than a toaster.
  • Lovely Gravy - Does it have moving parts?
  • Raak
    [LG] *more amusement* It certainly does.
  • Phil - Is it elastic?
  • Dujon - Something to support or suspend a human?
  • Raak
    [Phil] Not elastic.
    [Dujon] Yes! It supports or suspends a human. That might give slightly the wrong idea, but it definitely does that.
  • Lovely Gravy - Might this be found in a fairground?
  • Raak
    [LG] Not in a fairground.
  • Software - Float on water?
  • Raak
    [Software] About as well as a dog walks on its hind legs.
  • Lovely Gravy - Is it primarily a form of transportation?
  • Rosie - Some form of seating?
  • Raak
    [LG] *applause* It is a form of transportation.
    [Rosie] Not a form of seating.
  • Phil - Is it a form of footwear?
  • Raak
    [Phil] Not footwear.
  • Lovely Gravy - Does it have two wheels?
  • Software - Swing bridge?
  • Raak
    [LG] Does not have two wheels.
    [Software] Not a swing bridge.
  • Rosie - Is it "traditional" such as a rickshaw?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not traditional.
  • Phil - Does it have wheels?
  • Raak
    [Phil] No wheels at all.
  • Dujon - Is the 'transportation' generally vertical?
  • Raak
    [Dujon] Exclusively vertical, as in a lift? No.
  • Gusset Login - Bobsleigh?
  • Raak
    [GL] Not a bobsleigh.
  • Phil - Does on stand on it?
  • Lovely Gravy - Might this be found at an airport?
  • Raak
    [Phil] Interpreting the preposition strictly, one does not stand on this.
    [LG] Not primarily found at airports.
  • Gusset Login - Hang glider?
  • Phil - Is it a form of airborne transport?
  • Raak
    [GL] Not a hang glider.
    [Phil] *applause* Yes! A form of airborne transport.
  • Gusset Login - Parachute?
  • Dujon - Is heated air an important part of its propulsion?
  • Raak
    [GL] Not a parachute.
    [Dujon] *cheering* Yes! Heated air! Therefore it is...?
  • Gusset Login - a political campain?
  • Rosie - A hot-air balloon?
    (GL) I can see your point, but it's Mineral. :-)
  • Raak
    [GL] Not a political campaign.
    [Rosie] A hot air balloon! Hold this mooring cable for a moment, will you? Oops...don't let go!
  • Phil - Oh shoot!
    I was thinking hot-air balloon when I asked my last question, but didn't want to make the leap of faith. Congrats, Rosie.
  • Lovely Gravy - Moving parts? Where exactly?
    Also, did not get the 'dog on hind legs' reference to its ability to float on water. Surely an inflated balloon would float very well.
  • Raak
    [LG] The whole thing moves! The gondola wouldn't float very well, and once the water puts the fire out, neither will the balloon.
  • Rosie
    Yay! Let's hear it for Charles' Law.

    OK, this next one is

    ABSTRACT with ANIMAL CONNECTIONS

  • Phil - Are the animal connections of a human nature?
  • Rosie
    (Phil) Human? Just about, i.e. YES
  • Software - Phrase or saying?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) Not a phrase or saying.
  • Dujon - Is the abstract a human behaviour?
  • Rosie
    (Duj) Not a human beviour.
  • CdM - Is there a connection to football?
  • CdM - Or is there a connection to the Tory Party?
  • Phil - Is it an institution or organisation type thing?
  • Rosie
    (CdM) It would take a conspiracy theorist of a high order to connect this with either of your suggestions.
    (Phil) Strictly no, but possibly in a figurative sense.
  • Raak - Fictional?
  • Lovely Gravy - Is there a misical connection?
  • Lovely Gravy - Sorry, musical
  • Rosie
    (LG) Essentially no musical connection.
  • Software - Fictional human(ish)?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) No. Real humans.
  • Gusset Login - Is it a system of government?
  • Rosie
    (GL) Not a form of government. *slight amusement in the audience*
  • Lovely Gravy - If not strictly an organisation, is it an informal collective of individuals?
  • Rosie
    (LG) Rather the opposite of informal.
  • Phil - OK then, a formal collective of individuals?
  • Rosie
    (Phil) Not a collective.
    A different tack is needed.
  • cfm - Related to media?
  • Rosie
    (cfm) Media-related? YES.
  • Dujon - A business cabal of some kind?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) Not a business cabal.
  • Gusset Login - Related to the news?
  • Rosie
    (GL) Not connected with the news.
  • cfm - Related to entertainment?
  • Software - A spin doctor?
  • Rosie
    (cfm) Related to entertainment? YES.
    (Softers) Spin doctors? The very last thing need by the AOTC. So, er, NO.
  • Dujon - Are sattelites involved?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) No satellites, natural or otherwise.
  • Software - Related to prestidigitation?
  • cfm - Specifically related to television?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) No sleight of hand involved.
    (cfm) Telly? YES. *applause*
  • Software - An announcer?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) No, not an announcer, not even the mellifluous Charlotte Green. :-(
  • cfm - "Reality" television?
  • Rosie
    (cfm) Not "reality" television.
  • Lovely Gravy - Is it the name of a TV programme?
  • Rosie
    (Lovely Gravy) The name of a TV programme? YES. *audience animation*
  • Software - Surely not Paxman?
  • Rosie
    (Software) Paxman? He is certainly involved.
  • CdM - University Challenge?
  • Rosie
    (CdM) Morniverse - JOHN! Of course it is. Well done. I hand you the furry animal. And it's goodnightfrommegoodnight.
  • CdM
    Yes, well, that wasn't quite a lurker's victory, since I did ask questions earlier on, but I clearly stood on the shoulders of slightly-taller-than-average people, there.

    This isVEGETABLE with ABSTRACT and ANIMAL connections.
  • Raak - A leek?
  • Rosie - Edible?
  • CdM
    Leek? No.
    Edible? No.
  • Raak - The True Cross?
  • Phil - Paxman?
  • CdM
    True Cross? No. *tiny smattering of applause*
    Paxman? No.
  • Software - An artefact?
  • Lovely Gravy - Is it a cauliflower with aspirations to become a moose?
  • Gusset Login - Is it made of wood?
  • CdM
    Artifact? No.
    Upwardly-mobile cauliflower? No.
    Wooden? Yes.
  • Dujon - Is the abstract a religious matter?
  • CdM
    Abstract = religious? Yes. *applause*
  • Phil - Is the religion Christianity?
  • Gusset Login - A crucifix?
  • CdM
    Christianity? No.
    Crucifix? No.
  • Raak - Native American?
  • CdM
    Native American? No.
  • Dujon - In a round about way could the animal portion involve bats?
  • CdM
    Bats? Er. As far as I know it would have to be very roundabout.
  • cfm - Used in the course of prayer?
  • CdM - The use-mention distinction
    Used in prayer? No (though I am not sure if it is ever mentioned in the course of prayer; I suppose it might be).
  • Phil - Is the animal connection human?
    Just to prevent misplaced assumptions
  • Lovely Gravy - Is the religion Roman Catholic?
  • CdM
    Roman Catholic? No. (We already knew it is not Christianity)
  • Raak - Is it made in the form of the animal connection?
  • CdM
    Oops, missed Phil's question.
    Animal connection = human? The main animal connection is human, yes. (There are also many other less direct animal connections, both human and nonhuman.)
    Made in the form of the animal connection? No.
  • Dujon - Would this be most likely to have been constructed in Russia?
  • Lovely Gravy - Could this be lifted by a person of average proportions?
    Sorry, missed the Christianity bit.
  • CdM
    Constructed in Russia? No.
    Liftable? No.
  • Phil - Does it relate to a specific religion?
  • CdM
    Specific religion? Yes.
  • Lovely Gravy - Is the religion Buddhism?
    Let's home in a bit
  • CdM
    Buddhism? Yes. *applause*
  • Raak - A temple?
  • Chalky - The Bodhi Tree?
  • Phil - Is it carved?
  • CdM - Getting right to the point
    The Bodhi tree? Yes! *takes chainsaw, fells tree, and fashions baton for Chalky*
  • Chalky - Oooops
    A genuine Lurker's Victory - thanks to all who set up my re-entry to this game.

    A N I M A L
  • Gusset Login - Dame Shirley Williams?
  • Chalky
    [Gusset Login] Dame Shirley Williams? Inspired - but NO.
  • Rosie - Well, Dame Shirley bleed'n Porter, then?
    Sorry for not taking this too seriously at the moment. Things will improve.
  • Basics - Is the animal human?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Well, Dame Shirley bleed'n Porter, then? Eff'n NO.
    [Basics] Is the animal human? YES
  • Phil - Is the human alive?
  • Chalky
    [Phil] Is the human alive? YES
  • Lovely Gravy - Is this a female?
  • Rosie - A politician?
  • CdM - Is this person's native language English?
  • Chalky - .. thought I'd replied already
    And again ..
    [LG] Female? Might be.
    [Rosie] Politician? Might be.
    [CdM] Native language English? Might be.
  • Phil - Is this one specific person?
  • Dujon - Is it a group of people with a common goal (e.g. a choir or a football team)?
  • Chalky
    [Phil] One specific person? Most likely - so YES.
    [Dujon] Group of people? Most unlikely - so NO.
  • CdM - Culture specific?
  • Chalky
    [CdM] Culture specific? Not sure what you mean - culture is a big word. I'd say NO.
  • Software - A particular role or post?
  • Chalky
    [Software] Particular role/post? This person certainly has a role/part to play so a tentative Yes.
  • CdM - At the moment you are reading this, is the AOTC a single identifiable individual?
  • Chalky
    [CdM] Single identifiable individual? Well spotted - NO.
    .. but I still think the additional word ABSTRACT would have been misleading. You may disagree .. :)
  • Phil - Does the person who represents the AOTC know that they are the AOTC?
  • Chalky - Sorry - been out and about and away from t'interwebs ...
    [Phil] Does the person who represents the AOTC know that they are the AOTC? Not a scooby doo - NO
  • Rosie - Is the person a creation of one's imagination?
  • CdM - Is the AOTC a different person for each one of us?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Is the person a creation of ones imagination? NO
    [CdM] Is the AOTC a different person for each one of us? NO
  • Software - An actor?
  • Rosie - Does this person perform a service?
  • Chalky
    [Software] An actor? Unlikely but can't say for sure.
    [Rosie] Perform a service? Insomuch as they are the subject of this puzzle - I have to say yes.
  • CdM - Have you met someone who is an AOTC?
  • Chalky
    [CdM] Have I met someone who is an AOTC? This particular someone is the only one who *could* be the AOTC. Whether or not I've met them already is irrelevant.
  • Gusset Login - Will the AOTC be selected at birth?
  • Chalky
    [GL] Will the AOTC be selected at birth? NO .. what an odd question!
  • Rosie - Is the AOTC the person who is the AOTC?
    If so, it's Not Fair.
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Is the AOTC the person who is the AOTC? NO - but I like your thinking! *Audience senses a breakthrough*
  • CdM - CdM?*
    *(being the winner of this round)
  • Chalky
    I think that counts as a win, Monsieur C de M.
    The actual Words On The Card are The Person Who Guesses That They Are The Winner Of This Round.
    I toyed with the notion of adding ABSTRACT to the description but really couldn't be bothered with the standard questioning that might've come my way ;-)

    Besides - you ARE a real person, aren't you?

    *baton fashions itself into CdM-shape and flies to Daddy*
  • CdM
    Interestingly, though Rosie's answer was not the answer on the card, it was a correct answer.
    ANIMAL
  • Chalky
    Indeed it was.
  • Phil - Human?
    [Chalky] Congrats on your delightfully bewildering round - that was fun!
  • Gusset Login - Dame Shirley Williams?
  • Rosie - Human?
    (CdM) I'm flattered, despite the logical impasse. Not to worry - all statements made by ethnic-Welsh Londoners are false anyway.
  • CdM
    Human? Yes. *some audience murmuring, which abates when they read the footnotes on the card*
    Shirley Williams? No.
    Human? Yes. *no murmuring, because the audience members have read the footnotes on the card*
  • Chalky
    Human with footnotes?
  • Raak - An armless pianist?
  • CdM
    Human with footnotes? Yes. Your point? (OK. I think the most useful answer is yes. But it is possible to claim that a simple Yes is misleading.)
    Handicapped pianist? No.
  • Phil - Is this a named human?
  • Chalky - Is this more than one human?
  • Gusset Login - Is this less than one human?
  • CdM - Good questions
    Named human? No.
    More than one human? The AOTC is not more than one human. *smattering of applause, nonetheless*
    Less than one human? Yes. *some applause, and some discussion among the more pedantic audience members*
  • Rosie - A severed head?
  • CdM
    Severed head? No.
  • Software - A diminutive human?
  • CdM
    Small person? No. ("Less than a human", Software??)
  • Gusset Login - blood?
  • cfm - Only human?
  • Chalky - pre-birth?
  • Tuj - Part of a specific human?
  • CdM
    Blood? No.
    Only human? This is where the footnotes come in. I am thinking of the AOTC in a sense specific to humans, but it can apply to other animals as well. You will almost certainly find it more helpful just to think about humans, though.
    Pre-birth? No.
    Part of a human? Yes. Part of a specific human? No.
  • Rosie - A limb?
  • CdM
    Limb? No.
  • Phil - An organ?
    I nearly asked "Nigel Farage?" given the "Less than a human" answer :-)
  • Chalky - Alive?
  • CdM
    An organ? No.
    Alive? No. *a little audience muttering*
  • Phil - Anything to do with medical research (stem cells etc)?
  • Chalky - A cadaver?
  • Software - Fingernails?
  • cfm - A beard or whiskers?
  • CdM
    Medical research? No.
    Cadaver? No.
    Fingernails? No.
    Beard/whiskers? Not the AOTC, but *massive applause*
  • cfm - A mustache?
  • CdM
    A moustache? Yes! I am currently growing one as part of Movember (one of the founders of which is an alumni of the school where I now teach). I haven't had a moustache (without beard) since I was about 18, I think—and, if I do say so myself, I think it looks absolutely hideous. So if you feel like throwing support towards my Movember team, you can click here. It is a worthwhile cause.
    *plucks out hairs one by one* and weaves them into a baton for cfm*

    *ow!ow!ow!ow!ow!ow!ow!ow!ow!ow!ow!ow!ow!ow!ow!ow!ow!ow!ow!ow!ow!ow!ow!
  • CdM - Sorrysorrysorry
    Alumnus. As you were.
  • cfm
    *clicks*
    *is positively crushed to find no photo of moustachioed CdM*
    *donates*
    Okay, this next one is ABSTRACT WITH ANIMAL ASSOCIATIONS
  • Raak - The idea of CdM with a moustache?
  • cfm
    [Raak] *laughs* but NO :-)
  • CdM - A dog's life?
    [cfm] Thank you. For a sufficiently large donation I will send you a photograph of someone with a moustache that, for all you know, could be me.
  • Gusset Login - A fictional human?
  • cfm
    [CdM] Er...not that crushed. :-)
    Familiar phrase featuring pups? NO.
    [GL] NO. The AOTC is abstract. I think that is the proper answer to your question...
  • Dujon - Would many people consider the abstract to be a form of art?
  • Rosie - Is the abstract associated with animal behaviour?
  • Chalky - A well-known phrase or saying?
  • cfm
    [Dujon] Art for the masses? NO
    [Rosie] Oh, behave!? YES
    [Chalky] Famous expression? NO
  • Rosie - Is this behaviour regarded as a good thing?
  • cfm
    [Rosie] Well-behaved? YES and NO. There a number of animal behaviors associated with the AOTC. Some are good, some are not.
  • Rosie - The mating season?
  • cfm
    [Rosie] Fun and games? NO. *a few murmurs from the audience*
  • Dujon - A form of 'showing off'?
  • cfm
    [Dujon] Theatricality? YES. There is an element of theatricality associated with the behavior that is associated with the AOTC. (Reminding everyone that the behavior is not the AOTC.)
  • Software - Acting the fool?
  • cfm
    [Software] Fool me once? NO
  • Rosie - Is fear involved?
  • Chalky - A song?
  • cfm
    [Rosie] Scary stuff? YES, in some instances. But many other emotions might also be associated.
    [Chalky] A musical solution? NO. But come to think, there is a movie title closely related to the AOTC...FWIW. :-)
  • Dujon - A board contest?
  • cfm
    [Dujon] Board contest? Not sure what you mean. A board game like Monopoly? NO. A skate boarding contest? NO. Opposition to someone's nomination to a Board of Directors? NO. Or did you mean something else?
  • Chalky - Is the AOTC a result or consequence of the associated behaviors we've been discussing?
  • cfm
    [Chalky] A result of the behaviors? YES *audience applauds vigorously*
  • Phil - Is the AOTC a performance?
  • cfm
    [Phil] Showtime? NO. Not in the traditional sense. But metaphorically speaking, one could relate it to a finale. *audience applauds encouragingly*
  • Gusset Login - Is there a connection to sleep?
  • cfm
    [GL]Perchance to dream? NO
  • Dujon - Is this an abstract 'thing' awarded as a result of a result?
    Sorry for the earlier rather broad question.
  • cfm
    [Dujon] An award? I think the best answer is NO, not in the traditional sense of honoring or gifting someone. But but but...*audience encourages this line of thinking with hoots and hollers*
  • Phil - Is this an accolade?
  • Rosie - Peer pressure?
  • cfm
    [Phil] Highest praise? NO.
    [Rosie] Everybody's doing it? NO, that is not the AOTC. However, since peer pressure is frequently one of the behaviors that results in the AOTC...*audience continues to applaud*
  • Gusset Login - Posting to Youtube?
  • Rosie - The herd instinct?
  • cfm
    [GL] YouPost? NO
    [Rosie] Bovine behavior? NO
  • Chalky - Dieting?
  • cfm
    [Chalky] Losing it? NO.
    Let's have a look at where we are.
    The AOTC is not a behavior in and of itself. It is the result of more than one behavior. Though no one asked specifically, the AOTC is the result of human behavior. One of behaviors associated with the AOTC has an element of performance about it though it is not a performance in the traditional fine art or entertainment sense. If the behavior were a performance, however, the AOTC could be likened to the finale of same. Peer pressure is often involved. Though not an award per se, one or more of the behaviors associated with giving an an award are also associated with the AOTC. I will throw in for free that the AOTC is a noun.
  • CdM - Are the people engaging in these behaviours part of a specific profession?
  • cfm
    [CdM] On the job? YES. Professional behavior is involved.*approving applause*
  • Chalky - A degree?
  • cfm
    [Chalky] It's academic? NO. But *applause* because that's a noun and the final result of a series of behaviors.
  • Chalky - a job promotion?
  • cfm
    [Chalky] Climbing the ladder? NO.
  • Gusset Login - An ASBO?
  • Rosie - Anything to do with sport?
  • cfm
    [GL] An acronym I had to look up? NO.
    [Rosie] Sportsman-like? NO. But there are winners and losers associated. *applause*
  • Lovely Gravy - Is it generally a negative acheivement?
    By which I mean, for example, the 'wooden spoon' in a sporting tournament.
  • cfm
    [Lovely Gravy] Unhappy face? MAYBE. (See "there are winners and losers associated" above.)
  • Dujon - Does the noun relate to marriage?
  • Chalky - Does the abstract noun relate to death?
  • cfm
    [Dujon] Love or marriage? NO.
    [Chalky] Mortality? NO.
  • Chalky - Does this occur in a particular geographical location?
    Twenty-nine questions over twenty days might indicate scant interest in this little puzzler - even my curiousity meter is twitching around 'indifferent'.
    So it's not connected to love, marriage, birth, death, academia, job development, sport or the performing arts - is not a well-known phrase or saying or an an 'award', per se?
  • Chalky - Does it involve a voting procedure?
  • Chalky - Is it connected to the medical profession?
  • Chalky - Would this have been possible 30 years ago?
  • cfm
    [Chalky] Particular geographical location? NO, it happens in many locations.
    [Chalky 2] Involves voting? YES, often.
    [Chalky 3] Medical connection? YES and NO. It is not a critical connection but some of the most famous examples include a medical connection.
    [Chalky 4] Possible 30 years ago? YES. And also 300 years ago.
    *vigorous applause for the somewhat indifferent player*
  • Dujon - Is this a leadership matter?
  • Phil
    I've given up.
  • cfm
    I apologize. I guess I am really bad at this game. Next time i get the baton, I will just pass it on.
    The AOTC is "verdict" -- in the legal sense, the finale of a trial, which involves some degree of performance on the part of both attorneys and witnesses...and which also involves voting, at least in my experience as a juror.
  • Chalky
    [cfm] Sorry you feel the need to apologise - there was nothing wrong with your choice really.
    Something I've said before on more than one occasion ... I think it helps to reply to a question without changing the questioner's original wordage. Spinning a question forces a 'double read' which can get tiresome. It can also mislead, eg. your reply to CdM's key question regarding a specific profession didn't inspire a rigorous follow-up and perhaps should have?
  • cfm
    [Chalky] Thank you for the advice.
    *raises, then lets the baton fall once on the desk and leaves it for whomever*
  • Dujon
    [cfm] I've only been in the chair once. It can be quite difficult to respond to questions in a manner relative. Some people are quite adept at it. I wasn't. Don't dwell on it, regardless of the somewhat snide comments you might receive.
  • ..
  • Gusset Login - If no one else is taking it.
    [cfm] Don't worry about it. I've made the same mistakes before, we all have.

    To hurry things along I will pick up this discarded baton and offer an ABSTRACT with MINERAL & ANIMAL connections.
  • cfm - A work of art?
  • Gusset Login
    [cfm] Work of art? I would say Yes, but not everyone would agree.
  • cfm - A singular work (versus a category of same?)
  • Software - 20/21 century?
  • Gusset Login
    [cfm] A thing, not a type of thing? Yes.
    [Software] After 1900? Yes.
  • cfm - A piece of visual art?
  • Gusset Login
    [cfm] Visual Art? I said before, not everyone would agree it was even art. That said, if it is art, it probably qualifies as visual art. (I am guided solely by Wikipedia in this matter, however).
  • Rosie - Could it be regarded as a style?
  • Dujon - A monument?
  • cfm - Made of metal?
  • Gusset Login
    [Rosie] A style? No.
    [Dujon] Monumental? No. *Audience Mirth*
    [cfm] Metalic? No.
  • cfm - Was the AOTC intended as a work of art?
  • Gusset Login
    [cfm] Intended as art? No, at least I doubt its creator(s) would have used that word at the time.
  • cfm - Oh dear. Should have asked, is the mineral association with something metallic?
  • Gusset Login
    [cfm] Metallic association? No.
  • Phil - Is it man-made?
  • Chalky - Is it the name of a place?
  • Gusset Login
    [Phil] man-made? Yes.
    [Chalky] name of a place? *Audience Applaudes* Part of the AOTC is the name of a place.
  • Chalky - Is the mineral connection water?
  • Phil - Can I go to a specific place to see it?
  • Gusset Login
    [Chalky] Wet Stuff? No.
    [Phil] Can you see it in a specific place? Yes, I have seen it in several specific places.
  • cfm - Could it fit inside a microwave oven?
  • Chalky - If it can be 'seen' is it Abstract?
  • Gusset Login
    [cfm] Could it fit inside a microwave oven? Yes, it's an abstract.
    [Chalky] Is it really an Abstract? Yes.

    To clarify the point, the contents/title of a book, film or TV programme would all be examples of abstracts that can be seen. (I'm not saying it's one of those but they still exist).
  • cfm - Well then, is it a film or TV program? (I don't know why I keep losing sight of the fact that this is an abstract!) :-)
  • Gusset Login
    [cfm] Film or TV? No.
  • Chalky - Is it a logo?
  • Rosie - An illusion of some kind?
  • Gusset Login
    [Chalky] logo? No.
    [Rosie] A kind of magic? No.
  • Chalky - Is there a musical connection?
  • Software - Camelot?
  • Gusset Login
    [Chalky] Musical connection? Yes, music is involved to soem extent.
    [Software] It's only a model? No.
  • Chalky - Is it a play?
  • Chalky - I said: IS IT A PLAY!?
  • Chalky
    Typical example of my stupidity - Software asks "Camelot?"
    The reply comes back " It's only a model - No "
    Result: I spend more time worrying about my failure to make a connection between these two posts than I do about the actual resolution of this puzzle. Thus confirming why I shouldn't be playing this game.
  • Gusset Login
    [Chalky] A Play? No.
    Sorry, I've been preoccupied, my redundancy notice came through on Friday.
  • cfm - [GL] So sorry to hear that. I hope that another, better opportunity is just around the corner for you. (((((hug)))))
  • Gusset Login
    [cfm] Thanks, so do I. But now I've got my CV up to date etc. I'd welcome the distraction of getting the game back up and running.

    So, in summary The AOTC is the name of a work for the second half of the twentieth century that contains both visual elements and music. It is not a play, film, or TV programme but more than one copy exists. The title itself contains the name of a place, which is the mineral connection. The animal connection remains unexplored.
  • Phil - Is the animal connection human?
  • Phil
    [GL] Eek. Just spotted your redundancy posting. Been there, done that. Hope something turns up pronto.
    [Chalky] I don't understand the Camelot/only a model connection either.
  • Gusset Login
    [Phil] Human connection? Yes, but not exclusively.
    [Chalky/Phil] I'm sorry for the Camalot/Model thing, it was a reference to Monty Python's Holy Grail. Clearly I have seen it too recently. It was not a clue.
  • Gusset Login - It's been two weeks
    Is there anyone else still playing this?
  • Software - A novel?
  • Gusset Login
    [Software] A novel? No
  • Gusset Login
    OK. Either I, Christmas, or a combination of the two seem to have killed this round/game. Whatever the reason, it would seem wise for me to step down and offer the baton to someone else.
    The AOTC was The Secret of Monkey Island.

    I will place this baton here for anyone to take.
  • Projoy
    I know I haven't played for ages, but I have an idea for a very straightforward and unsubtle one... MINERAL.
  • Gusset Login - man made?
  • Projoy
    [GL] Manmade? YES
  • Phil - Made of metal?
    [GL] I thought many times about your AVMA, but never thought of a video game. Not that I've heard of Monkey Island, though :)
  • Projoy
    Metallic? NO.
  • Rosie - Wood?
  • Chalky - Is it edible/potable?
  • Gusset Login - Bigger than a bread box?
    [Phil] I don't think anyone else thought of video games either. Also, you should play Monkey Island.
  • Software - Found in the home?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Wood? NO
    [Chalky] Edible? NO
    [GL] Smaller than a breadbox
    [Software] Found in the home? YES is the best answer, albeit disputable.
  • Dujon - Plastic?
  • Gusset Login - Stone?
  • Projoy
    [Dujon] Plastic? NO
    [GL] Stone? NO, I think.
  • Chalky - Chalk?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] u-y=aotc? NO.
  • Rosie - Oil?
  • Gusset Login - Liquid at room temperature?
  • Chalky - A ceramic material?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Oil? NO
    [GL] Liquid? NO
    [Chalky] Ceramic? YES
  • Rosie - Some form of crockery?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Plates etc.? NO
  • Phil - Something deliberately artistic?
  • Gusset Login - A Garden Gnome?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Very seldom considered art
    [GL] GG? NO
  • Rosie - A gentlemen's urinal?
  • CdM - Associated with a particular culture?
  • Dujon - Is it used as an insulator?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Fountain? NO (but you are on the right track - that is if you really know your contemporary art very well!)
    [CdM] Culturally specific? NO
    [Dujon] Insulator? YES, I think you could say that.
  • Rosie - Any connection with Le Mannequin Pis?
    Long shot. Yes, it's bronze and older even than me, but my knowledge of contemporary art is not so much like the back of my hand as the sole of my foot.
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] P-boy? NO (getting colder)
  • Phil - Does water run through it?
    [Rosie] Google "Duchamp's Fountain", of which I've been aware for about a week, by pure chance.
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Water through it? *audience guffaws* Hopefully not!
  • Projoy
    (Advice to most: don't bother with the contemporary art angle unless you've been paying very close attention since the end of Duchamp's era)
  • Phil - Is it functional, i.e. was it created to serve a particular purpose?
  • Rosie - A swimming pool?
  • Projoy
    [Fil] Phunctional? YES
    [Rosie] Pool? NO.
  • Phil - Is it designed to prevent water flow in some way?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Prevents water flow? YES
  • Phil - Is it made of Bakelite?
  • Software - A ceramic tap valve?
  • Gusset Login - A ceramic bath plug?
  • Rosie - A bottle stopper (with or without rubber washer)?
    (Phil) Yeah, ceramic Bakelite - good stuff.
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Not Bakelite
    [Software] Tap valve? NO
    [GL] Plug it? NO
    [Rosie] Bottlestopper? NO
  • Phil - Is it bigger than a toaster?
    [Rosie] You know, something felt wrong as I typed it. What was I thinking!?
  • Raak - A brick?
  • Gusset Login - A roof tile?
  • Projoy
    *lobs baton through Raak's window, wrapped in a note reading: "Essential component of Carl Andre's Equivalent VIII? YES!"
  • Raak
    I think that’s my first lurker’s victory. Next is MINERAL and ABSTRACT.
  • Rosie - The atmosphere?
  • Gusset Login - The oncoming storm?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] No atmosphere, as Neil Armstrong said.
    [GL] Outlook for Viking, Fisher, German Bight? No.
  • Software - Phrase or saying involved?
  • Rosie - Mineral in its natural state?
  • Raak
    [Software] Not a phrase or saying.
    [Rosie] Unnatural.
  • Rosie - A man-made object with a significance beyond its immediate use?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Can you unpack that? The words on the card refer to a man-made object. They also refer to something abstract.
  • Rosie - The Sword of Damocles?
    Having carefully unpacked it from its vagina.
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not the Sword of Damocles, wherever it's been.
  • Rosie - Is the object made mainly of paper?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not paper.
  • Dujon - Is this larger than a 'phone box?
  • Raak
    [Dujon] Smaller than a phone box.
  • Gusset Login - Is it smaller than an iron atom?
  • Raak
    [GL] Bigger than an iron atom.
  • Rosie - Is it metallic?
  • Phil - but is it art?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not metallic.
    [Phil] Not art.
  • Rosie - Plastic?
  • Software - Stone?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not plastic.
    [Software] *mutters of "At last!" from the audience* Um, stone, sort of.
  • Gusset Login - a diamond in the rough?
  • Raak
    [GL] Not a diamond.
  • Dujon - Is this a grave matter?
  • Rosie - Depiction of a human?
  • Raak
    [Dujon] Not grave.
    [Rosie] Not a graven image.
  • Phil - Concrete?
  • Rosie - Used in building?
  • Raak
    [Phil] Not concrete.
    [Rosie] *some applause*   Is used in building!
  • Software - A pseudo-stone like Corian, for example?
  • Raak
    [Software] Not a pseudo-stone. (I suspect a retired industrial chemist might inform us that the thing on the card isn't stone at all.)
  • Gusset Login - A brick?
  • Rosie - Glass?
    I suspect GL has it.
  • Raak
    [GL] *applause* GL very nearly has it, but it would be bad form for me to have just reused the previously set object. No, this is not a brick.
    [Rosie] Not glass.
  • Gusset Login - A breeze block?
  • Raak
    [GL] Not a breeze block.
  • Phil - Mortar?
  • Raak
    [Phil] Not mortar.
  • Chalky - Another Brick In The Wall?
  • Software - A chip off the old block?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] Not Pink Floyd.
    [Software] *murmurs in the audience* Not a chip.
  • Rosie - A buttress?
    female butter
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not a buttress.
  • Software - Writer's block?
  • Raak
    [Software] Not writer's block. *the audience drift off to sleep as the team wander into the fog*
  • Rosie - The foundations?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not foundations. Smaller than a phone box, folks.
  • Phil - Pebble-dashing?
    With the abstract being the chundering euphemism.
  • Raak
    [Phil] Projectile vomiting? No.
  • Raak
    Some attention to the mineral aspect, and to the audience reactions, might be more fruitful.
  • Software - Stone the crows?
  • Raak
    [Software] Not corvicide.
  • Rosie - Ceramic?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Yes, ceramic. *the audience open their eyes a crack, for hope springs eternal*
  • Software - Down the toilet?
  • Gusset Login - on the tiles?
  • Raak
    [Software] Not a toilet.
    [GL] Not a tile.
  • Chalky - The Keystone?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] Not a keystone.
  • Dujon - Does the AOTC include the word 'stone' - compounded or otherwise?
  • Raak
    [Dujon] No occurrence of "stone". A hint: it does have an occurrence of a significant word that has been guessed already.
  • Gusset Login - Does the AOTC include the word 'brick'?
  • Raak
    [GL] *applause* It does contain the work “brick”!
  • Software - Drop a brick?
  • Raak
    [Software] Not a dropped brick.
  • Projoy - A brick ****house?
  • Gusset Login - I love my brick!
  • Chalky - A Few Bricks Short Of A Load?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Not a brick house.
    [GL] Not a sex toy.
    [Chalky] Not a few bricks short.
    Hint: neither of the words on the card is "brick".
  • Phil - Decorative Brickwork?
    Clutching at straws as I've ground to a mental block
  • Raak
    [Phil] Not decorative brickwork.
  • Projoy - Bricklayer's Arms?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Huge hands with no fingerprints? No.
  • Chalky - Bricking It?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] Not bricking it.
    Hint: the words on the card are an indefinite article followed by a noun.
  • Projoy - A brickbat?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] At last! A brickbat! Have this bouquet tied to a hurled half-brick.
  • Projoy
    OK, this one is ABSTRACT (with mineral and vegetable connections)
  • Gusset Login - A phrase or saying?
  • Raak - Bouquets and brickbats?
  • Phil - Anything to do with bricks?
    [Raak] We've taught each other a new word each in the last 5 days :-)
  • Projoy
    [GL] Phrase/saying? NO
    [Raak] Florid critiques? NO
    [Phil] Brick-related? YES.
  • Phil - Does the AOTC contain 'brick'?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] =*"brick"*? NO
  • Rosie - Does the Abstract convey a sense of strength?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Abstrong? NO
  • Rosie - What about permanence, then?
  • Software - Any building related terms in the AOTC?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Permanence? NO
    [Software] Building-related? YES
  • Chalky - Is there a music connection?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Music? NO.
  • Rosie - Vegetable wood?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Wood could be involved but I had something else in mind as the veg connection.
  • Phil - Is there a "wall" connection?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Walls? A connection, but not a crucial one.
  • Chalky - Is it a place?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] A place? NO
  • Dujon - Is the mineral/vegetable connection paint?
  • Chalky - Is it a building?
  • Gusset Login - Is it related to roofs?
  • Projoy
    [Dujon] Paint? NO
    [Chalky] Building? NO *applause*
    [GL] Roofesque? YES, related.
  • Chalky - Is it a collection of constructions?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Collection? NO
  • Chalky - A Monument?
  • Phil - Remains of a building?
  • Chalky - A Map?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Monumental? NO
    [Phil] Ruin? NO
    [Chalky] Cartograph? NO
  • Software - A house of cards?
  • Projoy
    [Sw] House of cards? *some cynical laughter from audience* NO.
  • Phil - Is it a well-known phrase or idiom?
    Just remembered it's Abstract!
  • Chalky - Is a human construct?
    [Phil] Gusset asked that question ^^^ up there. Apparently it's not.
  • Phil
    [Chalky] So (s)he did. Oops!
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Human Construct? YES.
  • Gusset Login - The concept of being indoors?
  • Projoy
    [GL] Withinness? NO
  • Rosie - To do with religion?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Secular.
  • Chalky - Is the AOTC generally regarded as a good thing?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] A Good ThingTM? Probably more YES than NO, but it would depend on whom you asked and when you asked them.
  • Chalky - Connected with the weather?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Weathery? NO.
  • Phil - Is it related to architecture?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Architecture? YES, basically.
  • Chalky - Is it a recognisable 'style' of architecture
  • Gusset Login - Is it a blueprint?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Style? NO
    [GL] Blueprint? NO
  • Software - An Englishman's home?
  • Projoy
    [Software] Well known phrase or saying? NO :)
  • CdM - Is it linked to a specific individual building?
  • Projoy
    [CdM] An exclusive address? NO.
  • Phil - Is the mineral stone?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Mineral stone? INTER ALIA.
  • Chalky - Does this relate to a piece of literature?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Literary? Most likely mentioned in literature but not specifically famous for that.
  • Chalky - Is it the name of a room?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Not the name of a room.

    CLUE: A lot of people reading will have direct personal experience of this, and for those that do they will have spent a lot of time thinking about it.
  • Phil - Is it an activity?
  • Chalky - A game?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Activity? SORT OF, not exactly
    [Chalky] A game? *audience laughter* NO.
  • Phil - Conveyancing?
  • Chalky - A profession or occupation?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Conveyancing? NO *some applause*
    [Chalky] Not a profession.
  • Raak - Buying a house?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Housebuying? NO *audience look pleased*
  • Raak - Selling a house?
  • Chalky - Moving House?
  • Projoy - still in the right area
    [Raak] Selling? NO
    [Chalky] Moving? NO.
  • Chalky - Gazumping?
  • Chalky - House-hunting?
  • Raak - is renting a house involved?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Gazumping? What a wonderful word. NO
    [Chalky] Hunting? NO
    [Raak] Renting involved? NO *applause* NO, not in the sense you probably mean.
  • Dujon - Is 'demolition' part of this?
  • Projoy
    [Dujon] Demolish? NO! Well, hopefully not.
  • Raak - Speculative development?
  • Projoy - still in the right area
    [Raak] Build it and they will come? NO.
  • Phil - Does a word in the AOTC end with "-ing"
  • Raak - Does it involve building a building?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Gerund? NO
    [Raak] Involves building? NO. (Involves a building? YES).
  • Raak - A mortgage?
  • Rosie - A survey?
  • Chalky - A valuation?
  • Chalky - Home Insurance?
  • Projoy - the default option
    [Rosie, Chalky] Not those, since...
    [Raak] YES! A MORTGAGE. The mineral connection is bricks and mortar and the vegetable connections are paperwork and cash. * hands over the baton in exchange for Raak's promise to pay him for it once a month for the next thirty years *
  • Projoy
  • Raak
    Don't worry, the government will bail you out.

    The next is MINERAL, with ABSTRACT connections.

  • Gusset Login - Does it involve bricks?
  • Raak
    [GL] No bricks.
  • Rosie - A man-made structure?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Man-made.
  • Software - Metallic?
  • Raak
    [Software] Nonmetallic.
  • Rosie - Made of stone?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Made of stone.
  • irach - Stonehenge?
  • Projoy - A building?
  • Raak
    [irach] Not Stonehenge
    [Projoy] Not a building.
  • Tuj - Unique?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] Unique.
  • Gusset Login - Rosetta Stone?
  • Rosie - In Britain?
  • CdM - Larger than a telephone box?
    (Damn. I actually thought of mortgage when Projoy gave us his clue, but then rejected it for some really compelling reason that I can't remember.) :-)
  • Raak
    [Rosie, CdM] Smaller than a telephone box in Britain, because...
    [GL] The Rosetta Stone!
  • Gusset Login
    Hmmmm...

    Let's go with an ABSTRACT with Animal connections.
  • Software - Human animal?
  • Gusset Login
    [Software] human? - No.
  • Phil - Is the animal a type of animal (as opposed to an animal product, such as leather)?
  • Chalky - A well-known phrase or saying?
  • Gusset Login
    [Phil] animal? - Not an animal product.
    [Chalky] phrase or saying? - No.
  • Rosie - Some sort of organisation?
  • Dujon - A book/story?
  • Chalky - the Animal connection - a living organism?
  • Gusset Login
    [Rosie] organisation? - No.
    [Dujon] book/story? - Yes.
    [Chalky] a living creature? - Yes.
  • Phil - A children's story?
  • Rosie - Moby Dick?
    Long shot.
  • Gusset Login
    [Phil] kids' tale? - Yes.
    [Rosie] The great white whale? - No.
  • Dujon - Does this animal have a tendency to sound like a clock?
  • Gusset Login
    [Dujon] Sounds like a clock? - No.
  • CdM - Is the typical/target readership under 8 years old?
  • Gusset Login
    [CdM] target readership<8? Why do you assume a story needs to be read?
  • Rosie - Tom and Jerry?
  • Raak - Winnie the Pooh?
  • Gusset Login
    [Rosie] T&J? - No.
    [Raa] A bear of very little brains? - No.
  • Raak - Has the story been filmed?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] on film? - Yes.
  • Chalky - Babe?
  • Software - Bambi?
  • Gusset Login
    [Chalky] Good Pig? - No.
    [Software] Bambi? - No. *Some applause*
  • Dujon - Did this involve some number of brooms?
  • Chalky - Cartoon?
  • Gusset Login
    [Dujon] brooms? - I don't remember any.
    [Chalky] cartoon? - No.
  • Chalky - Disney?
  • Gusset Login
    [Chalky] Sidney? - No.
  • Software - Peter Rabbit?
  • Chalky - has the film been on release for longer than 10 years?
  • Gusset Login
    [Software] Peter Rabbit? - No.
    [Chalky] film age>10 years? - Yes.
  • cfm - Old Yeller?
  • Gusset Login
    [cfm] Old Yeller? - No.
  • Chalky - A dog?
  • Gusset Login
    [Chalky] Dog? - No.
  • Chalky - a horse ... or maybe a kangaroo?
  • Gusset Login
    [Chalky] Horse/Kangaroo? - Not a horse. Not a kangaroo. Not some freaky cross-breed of the two.
  • Dujon
    You leave my black velvet coated skippy alone, Chalky. ;)
  • Dujon - Does this film involve hunters?
  • Gusset Login
    [Dujon] hunters? - No, not that I recall anyway.
  • Software - Mickey Mouse?
    Bambi/Disney?
  • Gusset Login
    [Software] Mickey Mouse? - No.

    Summary: The AOTC is a living, fictional, non-human character and the title of a live action film from more than ten years ago. The character is not a dog, horse, kangaroo or any traditional game animal (no hunters). It is not a book (I couldn't even find a novelisation) and the film was not made by Disney.
  • Chalky - Why did Bambi get some applause from the audience?
  • Chalky - King Kong?
  • Raak - Trigger, the Wonder Horse?
  • Gusset Login
    [Chalky] Bambi got the clap? - First time someone guessed a film with a title character.
    [Chalky] King Kong? - No.
    [Raak] Trigger? - Not a horse, not even Trigger.
  • Software - Babe?
  • Phil - Racing Stripes?
  • Gusset Login
    [Software] Babe? - Still not Babe.
    [Phil] Racing Stripes? - No.
  • Raak - A member of the cat family?
  • Phil - Is the AOTC humanoid?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] Feline? - No.
    [Phil] Humanoid? - Yes.
  • Raak - a Martian?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] Martian? - *Audience applaudes loudly* No, or at least probably not.
  • Dujon - Is the central character a being stranded on Earth?
  • Phil - Paul?
  • Gusset Login
    [Dujon] Stranded on Earth? - Yes.
    [Phil] Paul? - No.
  • Chalky - ET?
  • Phil - Superman?
  • Gusset Login
    [Phil] Kal-El? - No.
    [Chalky] Phone home? - YES it was ET The Extraterrestrial. Have a baton with one glowing end.
  • Chalky - Splendid! Thank you GL.


    Keeping it simple with A N I M A L and V E G E T A B L E and even a hint of M I N E R A L
  • Raak - Meat and two veg with a sprinkling of salt?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Meat and two veg with a sprinkling of salt? NO *audience applause*
  • Phil - Is it edible?
  • Raak - Smokey bacon crisps?
  • Chalky
    [Phil] Edible? YES
    [Raak] Smokey bacon crisps? NO - but *a huge roar of approval from an already excited audience*
  • Projoy - A full english breakfast?
  • Chalky - Oh, I say ...

    Thanks to some incisive questioning Projoy has it!
    Full English Breakfast is indeed the AOTC.

    Here you are, dear chap, please accept this amusingly-shaped sausage baton ... phnarr phnarr
  • Projoy
    How eggs-citing. Hopefully I won't make a hash of the next one.

    MINERAL
  • Gusset Login - Is it man made?
  • Projoy
    [GL] Human-made? YES.
  • Rosie - Metal, mostly?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] More metal than not? NO, but there is metal in it.
  • Dujon - Intended to be digested?
  • Chalky - Bricklike?
  • Projoy
    [Dj] Gustible? NO.
    [Chalky] Bricky? NO.
  • Projoy
    [Rosie, addendum re: metal] I guess that by mass the metal makes up less than 50% but now I think about it more, I'm not completely sure.
  • Software - Electrical?
  • Rosie - A device, gadget, tool etc?
    Yes or No to any - I'm not trying it on.
  • Projoy
    [Software] Electrical? I'd say NO * a murmur in the audience*
    [Rosie] "Device" is probably the best out of those options.
  • Dujon - A piece of equipment designed for the reception of radio signals?
  • Projoy
    [Dj] PoEDftRoRS? NO. *much audience applause*
  • Chalkster - battery operated?
  • Rosie - A router?
  • Gusset Login - A CD?
  • Projoy
    [Chalkeroonie] Battery? NO
    [Rosie] Router? NO
    [GL] CD? NO *tumultuous applause*
  • rab - A cassette tape?
  • Rosie - A DVD?
  • Projoy
    [rab] A cassette? YES!
    * hands over a biro so you can rewind to the start of a new round*
  • rab - Bollocks
    I should know better than to post before buffering off to the pub for six hours.

    Mine is ABSTRACT, potentially with connections to all three other categories.

  • Tuj - The colour red?
    [Chalky] Whence "phnarr phnarr", I wonder?
  • Gusset Login - Reality?
  • Dujon - Imagination?
  • Phil - music?
    [Tuj] I first encountered it in the 80s via "Finbarr Saunders and his Double Entendres" in Viz magazine (once the 3rd most popular magazine in the UK!)
  • rab
    Colours - not even close.
    Reality - only in the sense that this does have a physical manifestation.
    Imagination - components might transpire as a figment of the same.
    Music - no. But the general level of tangibility is not far off.
  • Tuj - A human invention?
  • Gusset Login - An artform?
    As opposed to a specific piece of art.
  • Dujon - Is this an emotion of some kind?
  • Rosie - A performance of some kind?
    (Tuj, Phil) I'm sure it was "Fnarr, fnarr".
  • Gusset Login - April Fool?
    Sorry for asking two questions but this one had to be asked.
  • rab
    Human? - very much so yes.
    Artform? - to say yes would be deliberately obtuse, but the level of specificity is spot on.
    Performance? - of some kind, I suppose so.
    Ha ha bonk? - no
  • Phil - Is this an emotion of some kind?
    On behalf of Dujon the Whisperer ;-)
  • rab - Sorrow.
    Emotional? No. Not that human.
  • Chalky - Academia?
  • rab - Lackademicals
    No, but I like the cut of your jib.
  • Rosie - Teaching?
  • Chalky - A theory?
  • rab
    Teaching - no, but keep thinking about performances in the broader sense
    A theory - no
  • Chalky - Might this involve 'letters after ones name'?
  • Software - Legal connection?
  • Gusset Login - A medical connection?
  • rab
    Postnomials? Probably, but not necessarily.
    Legal link? *applause* Yes, keep going
    Medical? Possibly, but not necessarily.
  • Raak - Being called to the bar?
  • rab - Mine's a small americano
    Nope.
  • Gusset Login - Evidence?
  • rab
    *ooh ahh* part of the performance certainly.
  • Raak - Cross-examination?
  • Chalky - Making a statement?
  • Projoy - A trial?
  • Gusset Login - Prosecution?
  • rab
    Grumpy looks? No, but this is definitely involved.
    Statement? Likewise
    Inspiration for Kafka? audience oohs, aahs and generally inhales in a "that'll costya" kind of way no
    Perspiration? No.
  • Projoy - A tribunal?
  • Rosie - Advocacy?
  • rab
    Tribunal? Not long, now.
    Advocacy? Less abstract.
  • Raak - A court case?
  • rab
    Luggage? Nope. Keep going though.
  • Chalky - Legal Aid?
  • Projoy - The Supreme Court?
  • rab
    Unexciting fizzy drink? No
    Cooked in stock and cream and served with rice to make an unfulfilling dish? Nein.
    You were closest with the tribunal-style performance.
  • Chalky - A Judgement?
  • Projoy - A judicial review?
  • Chalky - Public Inquiry?
  • Raak - A Royal Commission?
  • Gusset Login - A verdict?
  • rab - Got there in the end
    Yay, Chalky. It was a public inquiry. Well done.
  • Chalky
    Yay. Nice one. Good to see you, rab.
    As is my custom - a quickie ...
    A N I M A L

  • Raak - Human?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Human? YES - ish.
  • Gusset Login - Politician?
  • Software - Maria Miller?
  • Raak - An extinct hominid?
  • Projoy - Sajid Javid?
  • Rosie - Alive now?
  • Chalky
    [Gusset Login] - Politician? NO
    [Software]- Maria Miller? NO
    [Raak] - An extinct hominid? NO
    [Projoy]- Sajid Javid? NO
    [Rosie] - Alive now? n/a
  • Raak - A group of people?
  • Rosie - A post or position?
  • Dujon - To do with the military?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] A group of people? NO *a smattering of applause*
    [Rosie] A post or position? NO
    [Dujon] To do with the military? As much as 'it' is to do with any person or group of people.

    *clarification* Without the indefinite article I assumed the one-word opening question was an adjective as opposed to a noun - hence my vague-ish reply.
  • Raak - Humanity? I.e. everyone?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Humanity? NO - however, this relates to 'everyone'
  • Projoy - A specific individual?
  • Gusset Login - Part of a human?
  • Raak - The human genome?
  • Chalky
    [Projoy] Specific? NO
    [Gusset Login] Part of a human? YES! *audience whooop whoops*
    [Raak] The human genome? NO - although given my reply to GL above - more relevant than earlier guesses ;-)
  • Gusset Login - An internal organ?
  • Projoy - An organ?
  • Projoy - Oops. I meant, a bone?
  • rab - The bridge of the nose.
  • Chalky - hehe
    [GL] An internal organ? Arguably - YES, this is classified as an organ in most places [that classify such things].
    [Projoy] YES an organ, still ... but definitely not a bone.
    [rab] The bridge of the nose? NO - but *audience seems to like all the last few questions*
  • Dujon - Is this (or these) particular 'empty' spaces within the human body?
  • Raak - The skin?
  • Chalky
    [Dujon] Empty spaces? NO
    [Raak] The skin? NO
  • Raak - The blood?
  • rab - Is it found at one specific location in the body?
  • Phil - The appendix?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] The blood? YES! Need a little more for the AOTC .. *roars of approval from a very excited audience*
    [rab] Specific location? As confirmed above - several locations throughout the body.
    [Phil] Appendix? Nah :)
  • Gusset Login - The circulatory system?
  • Chalky
    [GL] Circulatory system? NO
  • Raak - The corpuscles?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Corpuscles - NO - although they are relevant ..
  • Rosie - Anything to do with the process of healing?
  • rab - Red blood cells?
  • Raak - The immune system?
  • Chalky
    No to all - it's about Blood!
  • Chalky
    Blood BLOOD
  • Projoy - Blood vessels?
  • Raak - A blood donation?
  • Raak
    Seeing the word so often on the page, the voice in my head is now making it rhyme with "mood". mood ... blood ... food ... blood ... hood ... blood ... wood .. blood ...
  • Software - Black pudding, then. So there.
  • Projoy
    [Software] I think Chalky said yes to "human?", so that would be quite some black pudding if it is right.
  • Chalky
    [Projoy] Not blood vessels
    [Raak] Not a blood donation
    [Software] Not a human black pudding.

    Remember ... it's all about the blood.
  • Raak - blood plasma?
  • Projoy - An armful (very nearly)?
  • Rosie - Haemoglobin?
  • Dujon - Is this a type of blood cell which has various types?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Plasma? Not the AOTC
    [Projoy] Not an armful
    [Rosie] Haemoglobin? Not the AOTC
    [Dujon] 'Various types' is a phrase which should lead to the AOTC ... *audience wakes up*
  • Projoy - A rhesus negative?
  • Chalky - What took you so long ..?
    [Projoy] 'A rhesus negative' is about as close as anyone has come to the AOTC, with the exception of Raak who guessed the 'blood' word. As the AOTC is Rhesus Negative Blood I am thrilled to hand over this gargantuan syringe-shaped baton to do with as you wish ..
  • Projoy - It may be just a smear to you, mate, but that's life or death to some poor blighter.
    OK, here's another.

    ANIMAL
  • Rosie - Human?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Human? YES.
  • Gusset Login - Alive?
  • Phil - A particular human?
  • Projoy
    [GL] Not alive.
    [Phil] A particular human.
  • Gusset Login - Died this year?
  • Projoy
    [GL] Mort MMXIV? NO
  • Dujon - A pianist?
  • rab - An actor?
  • Gusset Login - Died this decade?
  • Phil - Involved in "the arts"?
  • Chalky - ... or even "the sciences"?
  • Projoy
    [Dujon] Pianist? NO.
    [rab] Actor? YES.
    [GL] Mort -10? NO.
    [Phil] Arts? YES.
    [Chalky] Science? NO.
  • Phil - Male?
  • Rosie - British?
  • Projoy
    [Phil, Rosie] British and Male.
  • Raak - Has he starred in a major science fiction movie?
  • Chalky - Died post 1990?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] SF movie? Pretty sure that's a NO.
    [Chalky] Died after the Thatcher era? NO.
  • Gusset Login - Died before 1970?
  • Projoy
    Died before the Heath era? YES.
  • Rosie - Shakespearean roles?
  • Raak - Garrick?
  • Chalky - Died before 1960?
    #obsessingonthedeaththing
  • Projoy
    [Raak, Rosie] Not known for Shakespeare
    [Chalky] Died since 1960.
  • Gusset Login - Kenneth Horne?
  • Phil - Stan Laurel?
  • Software - Vocalist?
  • Projoy
    [GL] Stiff Horne? NO.
    [Phil] Resting Laurel? Another fine mess: NO.
    [Software] If you mean singer, then NO.
  • Rosie - Tony Hancock?
  • Projoy - The lad himself
    [Rosie] It IS Tony Hancock. Please take this radio aerial (and send a tray of bread pudding to Kuala Lumpur).
  • Rosie
    Part of my early teenage years. On the Home Service, no less, or was it the Light Programme? Can't remember. Now, what shall I do with this thing? Ah, yes -

    ABSTRACT and MINERAL.

  • Phil - The Philosopher's Stone?
  • Projoy - The last train?
  • Gusset Login - Sonic Screwdriver?
  • Raak - A legendary object?
  • Rosie
    (Phil) Nothing so concrete.
    (Projoy) Nice try, but alas....
    (GL) No, not a latter-day Swiss Army penknife.
    (Raak) YES, at least in the Abstract sense.
  • Dujon - A particular vision?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) YES, something specific. (View the source to read the hidden text)
  • Projoy - Human-made?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) NO, not a human creation though the Abstract indirectly involves humans.
  • Projoy - Something that might be studied by scientists?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) They might, as an incidental, but it's not the flavour of the AOTC.
  • Raak - Anything to do with steam engines?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Vocal traction? Not a scintilla, not a smithereen, not e'een a wisp of steam from a leaky cylinder gland.
  • Dujon - Is a lake often associated with this?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) NO, nothing to do with lakes.
  • Phil - To do with "The Arts"?
  • Raak - A corno da tirarsi?
    A brass instrument that Bach specifies in four of his cantatas, but no-one knows exactly what instrument he meant.
  • Rosie
    (Phil) Nothing to do with The Arts.
    (Raak) Not a little trumpet. (View the source to read the hidden text)
  • Software - Metallic?
  • Rosie
    (Software) NO, not at all metallic.
  • Gusset Login - A natural feature?
  • Rosie
    (GL) YES, a natural feature.
  • Gusset Login - Giant's Causeway?
  • Rosie
    (GL) NO, nothing so hexagonal.
  • Raak - In the UK?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Mineral - NO, Abstract - Mainly NO but could be.
  • Dujon - Is the AOTC a mountain?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) NO, not a mountain.
  • CdM - Are the abstract and mineral two distinct (essentially unconnected) meanings of the AOTC?
  • Rosie
    (CdM) The two are connected, one literal, one figurative.
  • Chalky - Is this a weather feature?
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) Weather? Broadly, YES. *audience stops texting and looks up*
  • Dujon - Does the word 'global' appear on the card?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) "Global"? NO.
  • Dujon - Is this a weather formation that was given a name?
    Confused as always.
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) YES, it has a specific name but this is not normally regarded as a meteorological term.
  • Dujon - Is this a form of wind pattern?
    I know that I shouldn't but everyone else seems to have knocked off for the weekend.
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) NO, not a wind pattern.
  • Gusset Login - Is it associated with deserts?
  • Software - A dust storm?
  • Rosie
    (GL) Maybe a stronger asssociation with deserts than other places but a long way from exclusively so.
    (Softers) Not a dust storm.
  • Dujon - Is this 'object' a form of visual 'trickery'?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) Visual trickery? NO, very real.
  • Chalky - Associated with water or lack of?
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) Nothing to do with water, most certainly not.
  • Chalky - Solar power?
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) YES, very much so. *audience goes positively orgasmic*
  • Chalky - So is that the AOTC ...?
    If it isn't I'm not quite sure where to go from here ..
  • Phil - Ra, the Sun God?
  • Projoy - Apollo?
  • Gusset Login - The sun?
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) NO, not the AOTC, but it's about the sun.
    (Phil) NO, not Ra, not a God.
    (Projoy) NO, not Apollo.
    (Gusset Login) Yes, but specifically....?
  • Software - halo?
  • Projoy - Sunshine?
  • Rosie
    (Software) Not a halo.
    (Projoy) The AOTC is much more specific.
  • Projoy - A little ray of sunshine?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) Rather more than that, it would seem.
  • Raak - A supernova?
  • CdM - A solar flare?
  • Projoy - Solar winds?
  • Rosie
    (Raak, CdM, Projoy) Nothing as technical as these. An earthbound phenomenon, not a scientific term.
  • Projoy - A sunbeam?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) Not a sunbeam. This is probably more Art than Science.
  • Dujon - Is this something like the sight of a huge cumulonimbus lit up by the setting sun?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) A nice image that conjures up but alas NO. HINT: The AOTC is the name of a pub.
  • Chalky - The Rising Sun?
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) NO, but very close. Move on a bit. *audience now hyperventilating dangerously*
  • Phil - The Midday Sun?
    Thanks to Google
  • Chalky - The Sun and Ferret Droppings?
  • Projoy - The Setting Sun?
  • Raak - The Sun and Heir?
  • Rosie
    (Chalky, Projoy,Raak) Not the Sun and Trouserpress, either, for

    Phil has it. The midday sun. Well done. Stay indoors.

  • Phil
    As soon as I saw it was in Surrey, it had to be right.

    Next, for your amusement and intellectual delight, we shall have:

    Vegetable & Animal

  • Raak - Edible?
  • Phil - Well, that's a nice easy start :)
    [Raak] Edible? YES
  • Projoy - A chicken salad sandwich?
  • Phil
    [Projoy] Chix Salad Butty? NO
  • Software - Pub grub?
  • Phil
    [Software] Is the AOTC "Pub grub"? NO, but it could be classified as such
  • Rosie - Is the animal red meat?
  • Software - Scampi and chips in the basket ?
    very 70s
  • Raak - Is the vegetable potatoes?
  • Dujon - A 'lunch' of some kind?
  • Chalky - Scotch Broth?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Red meat? According to the USDA, YES, but in my personal opinion, NO.
    [Software] Scampi? NO
    [Raak] Potatoes? NO
    [Dujon] some kind of 'lunch'? YES, it can be.
    [Chalky] Scotch Broth? NO *some encouraging applause*
  • Rosie - Some form of burger?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Burger? NO
  • Raak - soup?
  • Rosie - Does it contain sausage?
  • Gusset Login - Is bacon involved?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Soup? YES *more applause*
    [Rosie] Inc. sausage? NO
    [GL] Bacon involved? NO * A smattering of applause*
  • Dujon - Does this involve ham and peas?
  • Phil
    [Dujon] Ham & Peas? YES *Considerable applause*
  • Raak - Pea and ham soup?
  • Tuj - Does it begin with a...
    Ahem.
  • Phil
    [Tuj] But 3 hours too late :)
    [Raak] Pea and ham soup? YES
    Officially, as far as I could find, pork counts as red meat in the USA, and appears to be undefined here. But in my opinion, 3 categories of meat exist :red, white and processed, hence my awkward answer earlier.
    *passes a breadstick to Raak*
  • Raak
    The next is ANIMAL.
  • Gusset Login - Is bacon involved?
  • CdM - Does this animal consume bacon?
  • Raak
    [GL] Bacon is not involved.
    [CdM] Does not normally consume bacon.
  • Gusset Login - Is it human?
  • Rosie - Alive?
  • Raak
    [Gusset Login] Not human.
    [Rosie] Alive.
  • Rosie - One particular animal?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Um...yes and no.
  • Dujon - An animal foetus perhaps?
  • Raak
    [Dujon] Not a foetus.
  • Gusset Login - A swarm of bees attacking Topshop?
  • Dujon - Is it a parasite?
  • Raak
    [GL] Not a swarm of bees.
    [Dujon] Yes! It is a parasite.
  • Software - A louse?
  • Raak
    [Software] Not a louse.
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • Raak
    Does not begin with P.
  • Dujon - Is this an internal parasite (as opposed to a tick or its ilk)?
  • Raak
    [Dujon] Not an internal parasite.
  • Chalky - Is it a Benefit Scrounger?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] * laughter and applause* Yes, I suppose it is in a way.
  • Rosie - A mosquito?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not a mosquito.
  • Dujon - Was this once used by doctors as a remedy for various ills?
  • Raak
    [Dujon] Not a cureall.
  • Gusset Login - Tick?
  • Raak
    [GL] Not a tick.
  • Dujon - Does it have a relationship with bats?
  • Raak
    [Dujon] Not below the phylum level.
  • CdM - A bedbug?
  • Software - Flea?
  • Raak
    [CdM,Software] Not a bedbug or a flea.
  • Rosie - Does the average Morniverser harbour this creature?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] The average Morniverser probably does not harbour this creature.
    Hint: think bigger.
  • Dujon - Is this more likely to be found on something other than a human?
  • Raak
    [Dujon] Yes, does not parasitise humans.
  • Projoy - Some sort of worm?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Not a worm.
    Hint: bigger!
  • Dujon - Do the parasite and its host live in water?
  • Raak
    [Dujon] Not in water.
  • Projoy - A vampire bat?
  • Raak
    Dracula? No.
  • Software - Cuckoo?
  • Raak
    [Software] **riotous applause!!** Yes, a cuckoo! But which one?
  • Projoy - The first cuckoo of spring?
  • Raak
    [Projoy] Precisely so!
  • Projoy
    My mind went straight to Delius as soon as cuckoos came up.

    The next is MINERAL.
  • Dujon - Well it would wouldn't it? Dear old Fred.
  • Dujon - Is the mineral natural?
    Sorry, I forgot I was supposed to ask a question.
  • Gusset Login - Is it metal?
  • Chalky - Is it edible/potable?
  • Projoy
    [Duj] Natural? NO
    [GL] Metal? NO
    [Chalky] Edible? NO * a reflective chuckle from an audient*
  • Software - Stony?
    So close, oh so close :(
  • Projoy
    [Software] Stony? NO, this falls on stony ground.
    Sorry I pipped you. The late worm catches the bird, I guess.
  • Gusset Login - Plastic?
  • Projoy
    [GL] YES, a form of plastic.
  • Software - Decorative?
  • Rosie - A form of packaging?
  • Projoy
    [Sw] Decorative? YES, mainly
    [Rosie] Packaging? NO
  • Gusset Login - Lycra?
  • Projoy
    [GL] Lycra? NO *scattered applause*
  • Phil - A clothing fabric?
  • Software - Ladies clothing oriented?
  • Gusset Login - Latex?
  • Raak - Spray-on jeans of the sort that have lately become fashionable?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Clothing? YES
    [Software] Ladies'? NO
    [GL] Rubber? NO
    [Raak] Sprayon? NO
  • Dujon - Is this pants/trouser support?
  • Projoy
    [Duj] Keeps your panties on? NO.
  • blamelewis - Is it a codpiece?
    Though I suppose that could arguably be described as "packaging"...
  • Projoy
    [blame] Codpiece? NO *audience applause*
  • Phil - Is it used in the undergarment department?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Undies? NO
  • blamelewis - Cricket box?
    Not sure if that's undies or overies. Now I'm working on a pun involving overs... Meantime I'm emboldened to guess by the applause, if not by the html, but also aware they'll applaud anything remotely saucy that lot...
  • Projoy
    [blame] Overies unlikely to be found in a cricket box, shurely? NO.
  • Raak - Rubber?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Rubber? NO, definitely synthetic.
  • Projoy
    *googles* Oh, there is such a thing as synthetic rubber. Anyway, it's not that.
  • Rosie - Is the item visible on a normally-clothed person?
  • Chalky - a hat of some sort?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] I don't know about "normally clothed", but YES, it would be visible on a person wearing it.
    [Chalky] Hat? NO.
  • Chalky - A condom?
  • Phil - A wet suit?
  • Raak - A superhero's cape?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Une lettre? NON
    [Phil] Wet suit? NO *an audient smiles, teasingly*
    [Raak] Cape? NO
  • Software - Hi-Vis jacket?
  • Raak - Is it work-related apparel?
  • Projoy
    [Software] Jobsworth uniform? NO
    [Raak] Job uniform? NO
  • Raak - An umbrella hat?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] If you want to get ahead? NO.
  • Dujon - Is this designed to keep the wearer dry?
  • Chalky - Mainly decorative you say ... ?
  • Projoy
    [Duj] For dryness? NO
    [Chalky] Decorative? YES.
  • Phil - Is it made of neoprene?
  • Raak - A substantial fascinator?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Neoprene? NO
    [Raak] Fascinator? NO
  • Rosie - Does this item have any lascivious connections?
  • Chalky - Comedy apron?
  • Dujon - Is this normally worn above the waist?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Naughty? NO
    [Chalky] Apron? NO
    [Dujon] Above the waist? YES.
  • Chalky - below the neck?
  • Projoy
    [Chalky] Below neck? YES AND NO.
  • Software - Scarf?
  • Software
    [Soft] Scarf? NO.
  • Dujon - Is it a form of necklace?
  • Chalky - ... or necktie maybe?
  • Projoy
    [Dujon] Necklace? NO
    [Chalky] Necktie? YES, a form of... *applause*
  • Raak - A noose?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Synthetic noose? NO.
  • blamelewis - Bow Ties are cool
    Is it? A dickie bow?
  • Projoy
    [blame] Not a dickybird from the audience for that, I'm afraid.
  • Software - Cravat?
  • Projoy
    [Software] Cravat? NO.
  • Phil - PVC collar for the BDSM community?
  • Projoy
    ,[Phil] Of Human Bondage? NO. As per Chalky's answer, the AotC is a form of necktie, or 'tie', as we Brits call it.
  • Phil - A policeman's clip-on tie?
    In that case...
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Clip-on tie? NO.
  • Rosie - A clerical collar?
  • Chalky - Not female wear. .. and mainly decorative?
    Just so's we're all on the same hymn sheet ...
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Dog collar? NO
    [Chalky] YES, a form of male (by convention), decorative necktie.
  • Phil - "Bolo" tie?
  • Projoy
    [Phil] Bolo? X.
  • Software - One of those hideous things Texans wear?
  • Projoy
    [Soft] A "bolo" tie, as I believe they're called? NO
  • blamelewis - A kipper tie?
    Is that why they applauded codpiece? For the cod, rather than - as it were - the piece...
  • Projoy
    [blame] YES! the words on the card are "a nylon kipper tie", and the fish connection was indeed the reason for the applause. *turns the baton around itself twice, folds the end through the gap, passes it through the loop, tightens, and hands it over to blamelewis*
  • blamelewis - I was fishing from the shoulders of giants...
    Yay, whee, oh cripes do I have to do one now?

    Errrrr... ANIMAL
  • Phil - A human?
  • Gusset Login - A Duck?
  • Projoy - The Duck-Man of Oswestry?
  • Phil
    [Projoy] Oh I do hope that's right - we did a project on him at school.
  • blamelewis
    No to all above sadly...
  • Projoy - The Ocelot-Man of Oswestry?
  • Gusset Login - The Owl-Man of Oswestry?
  • Rosie - Part of a dead animal?
  • blamelewis
    I fear Owestry has no part in it... And it's less part of a dead animal than the whole of a living one.
  • Gusset Login - Mammal?
  • Phil - Fish?
  • blamelewis
    Neither Fish nor Mammal.
  • Rosie - Is it a bird?
  • blamelewis - dingdingding
    [Rosie] Yes!
  • Projoy - The Duck-Pigeon of Wrexham?
  • Gusset Login - A penguin?
  • Rosie - Associated with NE Wales?
    The chick of Chirk. I know this part of the world rather well.
  • blamelewis
    [Projoy] We need to have a talk.
    [Gusset] Not a penguin.
    [Rosie] Not to my knowledge.
  • Software - Mythical avian?
  • Rosie - A well-known phrase or saying?
    So much for the Albatross of Acrefair, then.
  • Phil - A species of bird?
  • blamelewis
    [Software] I have reasonably good reason to believe it's a real species
    [Rosie] None that I've come across
    [Phil] Yes, exactly that.
  • Dujon - Does this bird fly?
  • Rosie - Likely to be seen in a British back garden?
  • blamelewis
    [Dujon] Shrewd. No it doesn't.
    [Rosie] Alas no.
  • Phil - Is it a penguin?
  • Gusset Login - Is it a Kiwi?
  • blamelewis
    [Phil] Still not a penguin :)
    [Gusset] Neither a Kiwi
  • Rosie - An ostrich?
    But not the Oswestry Ostrich, obviously.
  • Software - Emu?
  • Gusset Login - A dodo?
    I know you said living but all the good answers were gone.
  • blamelewis
    [Rosie] Obviously. Also, no.
    [Software] U me? (no...)
    [Gusset] I can promise you that just fewer than two good answers remain.
  • Raak - Is it extinct?
  • Dujon - A bird that is to be found in northern Australia?
  • Gusset Login - Grebe?
  • CdM - A cassowary?
    (since Dujon never actually comes out with the guess) :-)
  • Dujon
    A gold star to CdM. What a morniverse-analytic person you are. :)
  • blamelewis
    [Raak] Nope
    [Dujon] Nope
    [Gusset] Nope
    [CdM] Nope
  • Software - Rhea?
  • Phil - A caracara?
  • blamelewis
    [Software] Not a Rhea, but Rare! (Not a Ratite, but a rarity)
    [Phil] it is not, but thanks for introducing me to a new bird name...
  • cfm - A steamer duck?
  • Gusset Login - Ostrich?
  • blamelewis - A recap
    It's a non-mythical species of bird, flightless and rare.
    It is none of the following:
    Penguin, Penguin, Kiwi, Ostrich, Emu, Grebe, Cassowary, Rhea, Caracara, Steamer Duck, Ostrich.
    A cryptic clue follows (View the source to read the hidden text)
  • Projoy - The Kakapo of Ludlow?
  • Software - The Po Bird?!
  • Rosie - Is it someting along the lines of the Oomegoolybird?
    This was posted via Eh-Oh L.
  • Rosie
    "Something". I have not gone Jamaican.
  • Gusset Login - Penguin?
  • blamelewis - Projoy has it!
    Apart from the Ludlow bit, as far as I'm aware...
    [Gusset] A droll lol...
    It is indeed the endearingly hopeless Kakapo, which I learned about from Douglas Adams' wonderful Last Chance To See and the later TV series with Stephen Fry and Mark Carwardine revisiting the species from the book years later.
  • blamelewis
    [Rosie] I remember that joke, is it from Clue? "very short legs..."
  • Projoy
    OK, here's an ANIMAL, VEGETABLE and MINERAL
  • Gusset Login - France?
  • blamelewis - Some form of food and drink?
  • Projoy
    [GL] France? NO
    [blamelewis] Edible/Imbibable? NO
  • Software - Can you wear it?
  • Gusset Login - A gold embossed, leather bound book?
  • Raak - Arty?
  • Phil - Does the animal part relate to humans?
  • Dujon - Is this an object once used in war and hunting?
  • Projoy
    [GL] Book? NO
    [Raak] Art-related? NO
    [Phil] Animal human? PARTLY/MAINLY, I suppose.
    [Dujon] An object? NO. Used in war? ARGUABLY (but probably not that helpful an angle).
  • Projoy
    [Softers] Wearable? NO.
  • Raak - Is/was there just one of it?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Just one? YES is the best answer.
  • Raak - The Earth, and all that is upon it?
  • Rosie - A man-made environment?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] The cloud-capp’d towers, the gorgeous palaces, the solemn temples, the great globe itself, yea, all which it inherit? NO
    [Rosie] A man-made environment? YES, I GUESS YOU COULD CALL IT THAT.
  • Raak - The Anthropocene Age?
  • Projoy
    [Raak] Humantime? NO
  • blamelewis - Is/was it in space?
  • Projoy
    [blame] In space? NO (except in the sense that everything is).
  • Blamelewis - A theatre?
  • Rosie - Can you see all of it at once?
  • Projoy
    [blame] Not a theatre.
    [Rosie] Can you see it all at once? NO, not from most angles.
  • Projoy
    (I guess it depends how strict your definition of 'it all' is).
  • Software - Bigger than a phonebox?
  • Projoy
    [Software] Much bigger than a phonebox.
  • Gusset Login - Bigger than Ireland?
  • Projoy
    [GL] Smaller than Ireland.
  • Rosie - About the size of Wales?
    1 standard unit.
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Smaller than a Wales.
  • Gusset Login - Bigger than Kent?
  • Projoy
    [GL] Smaller than Kent.
  • Software - A man-made island?
  • Gusset Login - Bigger than Central London?
    Within the M25
  • Projoy
    [Software] Not an island
    [GL] Smaller than London, both in M25 and 1965 and 1899 boundaries terms.
  • Projoy
    er, 1889, I meant.
  • Gusset Login - Bigger than the London Eye?
  • Projoy
    [GL] Yes, bigger than the biggest ferris wheel.
  • blamelewis - Is it an organisation?
  • Projoy
    [blamelewis] Organised? No, not as such.
  • Rosie - A specific urban area?
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] A specific urban area? YES.
  • Software - Slough?
  • Gusset Login - In the UK?
  • Projoy
    [Software] Come, friendly bombs? NO
    [GL] In UK? YES!
  • Dujon - Is this an area which might be loosely termed as an 'entertainment' district?
  • Projoy
    [Duj] Entertainment? NO.
  • blamelewis - Is it a City?
  • Gusset Login - Is it in Wales?
  • Rosie - Is it a distinctive part of some large city?
  • Projoy
    [blame] City? NO
    [GL] Wales? NO. *audience cries of 'bad luck, old chap'*
    [Rosie] Distinctive part? NO.
  • Gusset Login - Is it in England?
  • Software - Shropshire?
  • Projoy
    [GL] England? YES!
    [Software] Shropshire? YES!
  • Rosie - Gotta be Oswestry.
  • Projoy
    [Rosie] Oswestry, home of the famous duck-man? YES! Please take this very short section of the England-Wales border.
  • Rosie
    Well, well, I've been Offa'd a Dyke. Oswestry was "town" to my Dad's family from Glynceiriog.

    Enough of this rambling - the next object is

    ABSTRACT with ANIMAL and MINERAL connections.

  • Projoy - A human construct?
  • Rosie
    (Pj) A human construct? - YES.
  • CdM - Particularly linked to a specific human?
  • Rosie
    (CdM) Linked to a specific human? - NO.
  • Phil - Is there a religious theme to the answer?
  • Rosie
    (Phil) Religious theme - NO.

    Clarification/Correction: The "human construct" applies to the wording rather than the idea itself.

  • Software - Phrase or saying?
  • Rosie
    (Software) Phrase or saying? - YES.
  • Projoy - Wales-related?
  • Phil - Is the animal element specifically human?
  • Rosie
    (Projoy) Nothing to do with Wales, or its border towns.
    (Phil) Animal element human? - YES.
  • Rosie - Is there anybody there?
  • Rosie
    (Rosie) Not a soul.
  • Software - A fool and his money are soon parted?
    I am
  • Rosie
    (Softers) So true, but not this time.

    Hint: The AOTC contains no verb - it's a description.

  • Dujon - So that'd be along the lines of a 'Man Mountain' then?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) Possibly along those lines, YES.
  • Gusset Login - Duck Face?
  • Rosie
    (Gusset Login) Not "Duck Face". *some aduience murmurings of approval*
  • Gusset Login - Selfie?
  • Rosie
    (Gusset Login) Not a selfie.
  • Dujon - Is the mineral naturally occurring?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) Naturally occurring mineral? NO.
  • Gusset Login - A photo bomb?
    atomic or otherwise
  • Dujon - Is this something related to some thing people wear?
  • Rosie
    (GL) Er, not sure what that is, but it ain't the answer.
    (Dujon) No relation to anything worn.
  • Phil - Related to "The Arts"?
  • Software - Something somebody does?
  • Rosie
    (Phil) The Arts and How They Was Done? NO.
    (Software) Not a thing anybody does.
  • Raak - A type of person?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Strictly, NO, but we may be getting somewhere. *audience, previously somnolent, now considerably animated*
  • Phil - A fictional character?
  • Raak - A role that someone plays?
  • Rosie
    (Phil) Fictional? NO. This is about real people.
    (Raak) NO, not a role.
  • Phil - A job title?
  • Rosie
    (Phil) Job title? NO.
    Raak's penultimate: The AOTC is not a type of person but describes a type of person.
  • Software - A Fat Bastard?
  • Raak - A jobsworth?
  • Rosie
    (Software) Not a Fat Bastard.
    (Raak) Not a jobsworth.
    It's figurative - see the original definition.
  • Raak - Is this something one would be pleased to be described as?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) A nice description? Someone described thus may well say yes, but the vast majority, no.
  • Phil - Is the mineral metal?
    Trying different line of attack...
  • Rosie
    (Phil) Is the mineral metal? YES.
  • Software - Man of iron?
  • Rosie
    (Software) Not Man of Iron, nor Thatcher. Try just a little further up the Periodic Table.
  • Gusset Login - Is it related to Polonium?
  • Rosie
    (Gusset Login) Polonium? NO. Not that far up the Periodic Table, nothing like it.
  • Phil - copper?
  • Rosie
    (Phil) Copper? YES, but not solely.
  • Phil - Bronze Age Man?
  • Rosie
    (Phil) Bronze Age Man? NO.
  • Software - Brass neck?
  • Rosie
    (Software) Damn cheek, but the right answer! A Brass Neck it is. I hand you the brazen stick.
  • Software
    Gosh, I must get out the Brasso.

    Now what have we here? The laser display board is showing the audience and the players are getting the clues:

    This time it is ANIMAL

  • Raak - An individual?
  • Gusset Login - A human?
  • Phil - Living?
  • Software
    Multi-YES!
  • Raak - In the entertainment industry?
  • Gusset Login - Female?
  • Software
    [Raak] NO, would be the right answer
    [GL] NO
  • Gusset Login - Involved in politics?
  • Software
    [GL] In a way, YES.
  • Chalky - Seen on TV?
  • Projoy - Billy Bragg?
  • Software
    [Chalky] oh YES
    [Pro} NO
  • Rosie - In charge of a programme?
  • Raak - A presenter on current affairs?
  • Software
    [Rosie] NO
    [Raak] NO
  • Raak - A comedian?
  • Rosie - Anything to do with sport?
  • Software
    [Rosie] NO
    [Raak] NO
  • Phil - An actor?
  • Raak - A peer?
  • Software
    [Phil] Not as such, NO
    [Raak] NO
  • Gusset Login - Something to do with 'reality TV'?
  • Software
    [GL] Big Brotherism? NO
  • Rosie - Someone's side-kick?
  • Software
    [Rosie] Subordinate? NO very much his own man
  • Raak - Jeremy Clarkson?
  • Phil - Host of a TV programme?
  • Software
    [Raak] Wheel Spheel? absolutely NO
    [Phil] Still not a TV presenter NO
  • Phil - known primarily for tv work?
    Host of tv programme is not necessarily the same as in charge of one, or a news presenter.
  • Software
    [Phil] forget tv as a main issue NO
  • Phil - Involved in "the Arts"?
  • Rosie - A scientist?
  • Software
    [Phil] arty farty? NO
    [Rosie] Boffin? NO
  • Rosie - Part of the financial world?
  • cfm - A doctor?
  • Software
    [Rosie] Wheeler dealer? NO
    [cfm] Dr Whom? NO
  • Rosie - Is the TV presence of primary importance?
  • Software
    [Rosie] NO not really but it is of some interest
  • cfm - Well-known primarily in the (still) United Kingdom?
  • Software
    [cfm] NO, pretty well known worldwide I'd say

    Recap:
    male, well known, not especially TV oriented, not an actor or a presenter but (clue) newsworthy.

  • Software
    [cfm] NO, pretty well known worldwide I'd say

    Recap:
    male, well known, not especially TV oriented, not an actor or a presenter but (clue) newsworthy.

  • Rosie - A tycoon?
  • Software
    [Rosie] NO.
  • cfm - A musician?
  • Software
    [cfm] NO
  • Gusset Login - Journalist?
    You forgot to mention 'vague link to politics' in the recap.
  • Software
    [GL] Horrah! YES
  • Rosie - Works for the BBC?
  • Projoy - Mainly journalises for newspapers?
  • Gusset Login - Piers Morgan?
  • Software
    [Rosie] NO
    [Projoy] YES
    [GL] Smarmy? NO
  • Dujon - Would he be an ex-pat Australian?
  • Software
    [Duj] wizard of Oz? YES now we are cooking with gas!
  • Phil - Clive James?
  • Software
    [Phil] That Oz? NO
  • Rosie - Not Rupert sodding Murdoch?
  • Software
    [Rosie] Absolutely NOT! - NO
  • Rosie - John Pilger?
  • Software
    [Rosie] Not him either, but stick with the Oz theme. NO
  • Dujon - Does this chap have a surname which is also a common given name?
  • Software
    [Duj] Daily Telegraph top 10 boys names? NO
  • Phil - Peter Greste?
  • Chalky - Mark Austin?
  • Software
    [Phil] PG? NO
    [Chalks] MA NO stick with the Oz theme
  • Phil - Aged over 50?
  • Rosie - Leftish tendencies?
  • Gusset Login - Regularly published in a UK Newspaper?
  • Software
    [Phil] > 50? NO
    [Rosie] Red under the bed? YESish
    [GL] Regular contributor? NO
  • Dujon - Given your emphasis on OZ: Was this person involved with the OZ magazines?
  • Software
    Clarification: Oz = Australian. Anyway, the AOTC is under 50
  • Phil - Is this ex-pat Australian now based in the UK?
  • Gusset Login - Richard Flanagan?
  • Software
    [Phil] In the UK? Well, technically, NO (but ponder on that)
    [GL] had to Google him NO
  • Phil - Oh, it'll be that moron Julian Assange then, is it?
  • Software
    [Phil] That moron? - YES!

    I didn't think that this would have taken so long, never mind, I now hand over the leaky baton to Phil!

  • Phil
    Ithangyew, Software! Indeed, I think we could have got there earlier with the right questions. So lets be pressing on with

    Animal

  • Software - Human?
  • Phil
    [Software] Human? YES
  • Gusset Login - Alive?
  • Phil
    [GL] Alive? NO
  • Raak - Died this century?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Rosie - Male?
  • penelope - Western?
  • Gusset Login - Entertainer?
  • Phil
    [Raak] 21st century death? NO
    [Tuj] P-prefix? NO
    [Rosie] Male? YES
    [pen] Western? YES (unless you mean in the John Wayne sense)
    [GL] ENtertainer? NO
  • Gusset Login - Died before 1950?
  • Phil
    [GL] Dead pre 1950? YES
  • Gusset Login - Died before 1850?
  • Software - Political connection?
  • Phil
    [GL] Dead pre 1850? NO
    [Software] Political connection? YES-ish
  • Raak - A scientist?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Scientist? YES-ish, again
  • Dujon - Was he an American inventor?
  • Phil
    [Dujon] US Inventor? NO
  • Gusset Login - A non-American Inventor?
    Just to cover all bases.
  • Software - Pre WWII?
  • Raak - German?
  • Phil
    [GL] Any other inventor? NO
    [Software] pre WWII? Yes
    [Raak] German? NO
  • Software - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle?
  • Phil
    [Software] Sir A C Doyle? NO
  • Rosie - Lewis Carroll?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Lewis Carroll? NO
  • Phil - 72 hours without a question.
    Time for a quick summary: A non-German western man who died between 1850 and 1939. Minor scientific and political connections. Neither an inventor nor an entertainer. Neither Arthur C Doyle nor Lewis Carroll. In addition, neither his Christian name nor surname begins with P.
    On reflection I may have understated his scientific side, but would not call him a scientist.
  • Gusset Login - Was he famous for something other than science and politics?
  • Phil
    [GL] Famous outside of Science and Politics? YES *audience awakens from a short snooze*
  • Raak - Known as a philosopher?
  • Dujon - Was he a neurologist?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Known as a philosopher? NO
    [Dujon] Do. neurologist? NO
  • Gusset Login - A strong connection to medicine?
  • Phil
    [GL] Strong connection to medicine? YES *some applause*
  • Rosie - Louis Pasteur?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Pasteur? NON
  • gil
    Writer?
  • Gusset Login - Was he a native English speaker?
    (Yes, Americans and Australians count in this category don't be mean)
  • Phil
    [gil] Writer? YES (be careful)
    [GL] Native Anglophone? YES
  • gil
    Fiction?
  • Phil
    [gil] Fiction writer? NO
  • Software - British cinematic connection?
  • Phil
    [Software] British cinema connection? YES, but only rather tenuously
  • Phil - A week since the last summary
    So, all the previous summary plus: he has a strong connection to medicine and is a native English speaker who has written non-fiction works, has a rather tenuous connection to British cinema, is a native English speaker, and not Louis Pasteur, a philosopher or a neurologist. Other than "Western" we still don't know what nationality he is!
  • Gusset Login - Canadian?
  • Phil
    [GL] Canadian? NO
  • Gusset Login - Scottish?
  • Phil
    [GL] Scottish? YES *More Applause*
  • gil - Dr Livingstone, I presume...
  • Phil
    [gil] Correct. And have a bonus point for the question I was hoping to be asked.
  • gil - A, V, M, a combination of these, or A
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Raak - Smörgåsbord?
  • gil
    [tuj] Doesn't begin with P
    [Raak] not sm... what you said
  • Dujon - A Scottish 'dish'?
  • gil
    [dujon] not a Scottish dish
  • Gusset Login - Edible?
  • Rosie - A collective noun?
  • gil
    Edible? While some varieties of this object are edible, the majority are not. It would mislead you to follow that line.
    A collective noun? No. A noun? Yes.
  • Dujon - Is the animal part a reptile?
  • gil
    [Dujon] The object on the card may be constituted from one or a number of components, one of which might conceivably be reptilian, though it's unlikely. Equally, another meaning of the above-mentioned object may be abstract. You may therefore assume that the object on the card is general rather than specific. Hope that helps. Actually, I once heard a team on the radio deduce this object in 20 questions to which the answers were restricted to Yes or No.
  • Phil - A work of art?
  • gil
    [Phil] Not a work of art, though I suppose someone could construe a particular example of this object as one. But the general run of objects like this have relatively mundane purposes.
  • Software - An elephant's foot umbrella stand?
  • Gusset Login - A Ball?
  • gil
    [Software] .... Almost...
    [Gusset Login] You Win! Well done.
  • gil
    [Software] .... Almost...
    [Gusset Login] You Win! Well done.
  • gil
    Double keypress glitch... Sorry
  • Gusset Login
    Next is MINERAL
  • gil - Metallic?
  • Gusset Login
    [gil] Metallic? - No.
  • Raak - Solid?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] Solid? - No. (Assuming room temperature)
  • Phil - Liquid?
  • Gusset Login
    [Phil] Liquid? - No. (Assuming room temperature)
  • Dujon - Would the liquid form of this element be rather nippy?
  • Rosie - Part of the atmosphere?
  • Gusset Login
    [Dujon] Melting point more than 10 degrees Celsius lower than water? - Yes
    [Rosie] In the atmosphere? - Yes, but probably not naturally to any great extent.
  • Raak - One of the rare gases?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] Rare/Noble gas? - No
  • Software - CFCs?
  • Rosie - Methane?
    Flatulo ergo sum.
  • Gusset Login
    [Software] CFCs? *A smattering of applause* - No
    [Rosie] Methane? - No
  • gil - ozone?
  • Raak - Carbon dioxide?
  • Gusset Login
    [gil] ozone? - No
    [Raaak] CO2? - No
  • gil - helium?
  • Rosie - Does it have a smell?
  • Gusset Login
    [gil] He? - No.
    [Rosie] Smelly? - Yes.
  • Software - Butane?
  • Rosie - Hydrogen sulphide?
  • Gusset Login
    [Software] Butane? - No.
    [Rosie] Hydrogen sulphide? - No.
  • Dujon - Is this an NH compound commonly used in fertiliser and cleaning products?
  • Gusset Login
    [Dujon] NH? - No. Compound? - No. Commonly used in fertiliser and cleaning products? - Yes and No.
  • gil - Chlorine?
  • Gusset Login
    [gil] Cl? - Yes. Have a baton made of purest chlorine. (Best hold your breath for a bit).
  • gil - Abstract
  • Software - Phrase or saying?
  • Gusset Login - An emotion?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • gil
    Phrase? No
    Emotion? Yes
    Begins with P? Yes
  • Dujon - Do some people suffer attacks of this for no obvious reason?
  • Rosie - Panic?
  • Raak - Anything to do with fear?
  • gil
    Rosie wins. Raak a close second.
  • gil
    (Forgot to mention that Dujon was third. That was more like an attack of mass telepathy than an AVMA round)
  • Rosie
    Right then, it's ABSTRACT
  • Gusset Login - Justice?
  • gil - Is this usually a good thing?
  • Rosie
    (GL) Justice? NO
    (gil) To most, YES, but in moderation.
  • Gusset Login - Christmas Cheer?
  • Rosie
    (GL) Christmas cheer? NO.
  • Raak - Connected with the current season?
  • Phil - An emotion?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Advent? NO. (nor any other season)
    (Phil) An emotion? NO.
  • gil - A condition, like peace?
  • Rosie
    (gil) A condition, such as peace. NO
  • gil - An attribute, such as speed?
  • Rosie
    (gil) An attribute? YES, I'd say it is.
  • cfm - A skill?
  • gil - Is the attribute associated with human beings?
  • Rosie
    (cfm) A skill? Not as such, but you may need it to bring this about.
    (gil) A human attribute? NO.
  • gil - Existence?
  • Gusset Login - rpm?
  • Rosie
    (gil) Existence? Rather less all-encompassing, so NO
    (GL) The angular velocity of Resale Price Maintemamce? Sorry, but NO.
  • gil - ... stumped.
  • Phil - A sense?
  • Rosie
    (Phil) A sense? NO, but you need one of the senses to appreciate this.
  • Phil - A sound?
  • Rosie
    (Phil) A sound? YES.
  • Gusset Login - The sound of one hand clapping?
  • Phil - Anything to do with steam engines?
  • Rosie
    (GL) Monochiral applause? NO.
    (Phil) Steam engines? NO, although this has been mistakenly attributed to some of them by some writers. Hint I have another great interest.

    AOTC is one word, a noun.

  • Phil - Thunder?
  • Raak - The sound of a trombone?
  • Gusset Login - Music?
  • Rosie
    (Phil) Good guess, but alas WRONG.
    (Raak) NO, not the 'bone.
    (GL) Music? Well, actually, NO *audience now hyperventilating*
  • Phil - A whistle?
  • Rosie
    (Phil) A whistle? NO. (nothing to do with steam locos)

    "Music" is not the AOTC, but.....

  • Gusset Login - A Fanfare?
  • Rosie
    (GL) NOT a fanfare.
  • Gusset Login - Muzak?
  • gil - Melody?
  • Rosie
    (GL) Muzak? NO.
    (gil) Melody? NO.
  • Phil - Jazz?
  • Rosie
    (Phil) NOT jazz, but heavily related.
  • Dujon - Does this noun also describe animal droppings?
    Sorry I'm late. The train was delayed.
  • Rosie
    (Duj) Can't quite see what you're getting at, but NO. molto con cowpat.
  • Gusset Login - Blues?
  • Raak - A particular chord?
  • Rosie
    (GL) - NO, not the Blues.
    (Raak) NO, not as particular.
  • Phil - Improvisation?
  • Gusset Login - Is it a specific piece of music?
  • Rosie
    (Phil) Not improvisation.
    (GL) Not a specific piece of music.
  • Raak - A musical form?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) A musical form? Strictly speaking NO, but that is in some ways misleading. Call it a feature.
  • Phil - A glissando?
  • Rosie
    (Phil) A glissandOOOOOoooooo? NO, but you're in the right area.
  • Raak - A trill?
  • gil - crescendo?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) NOT a trill.
    (gil) NOT a crescendo.

    AOTC is one word.

  • Raak - Rhythm?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Rhythm? You're getting very close.
  • Phil - Pitch?
  • Gusset Login - Tempo?
  • Rosie
    (Phil) NOT pitch.
    (GL) NOT tempo.
    Not all music has the AOTC.
  • Raak - Swing?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) NOT swing, but swing often has this.
  • Phil - Syncopation?
  • Rosie
    (Phil) YES! Sin-coper-shone it is. Take this rather confused conductor's baton and proceed strictly alla marcia to The Next Object.
  • Phil - Ooh, a magical music stick
    OK, for today's new guess-target, I am going to opt for:

    Abstract and Animal

  • Gusset Login - Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer?
  • Rosie - Human?
  • Raak - Santa?
  • Phil
    [GL] Rudoplh? NO. Although I wish I had done that now.
    [Rosie] Human? YES
    [Raak] St Nick? NO
  • Rosie - Currently topical?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Topical? NO ... apols for the delay. And happy Christmas
  • Gusset Login - Female?
  • Phil
    [GL] Female? YES
  • Rosie - Holder of an office?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Office-holder? NO
  • Rosie - Alive at this moment?
  • Gusset Login - Fictional?
  • Raak - A witch?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Alive at this moment? NO (although see below)
    [GL] Fictional? YES
    [Raak] A witch? NO
  • Dujon - Did she have a few friends who were small in stature?
  • Raak - Did she once throw a metal bar torn off a street light at a talking lion?
  • Gusset Login - Did she die in the work of fiction for which she is best known?
  • Phil
    [Dujon] Friend of little people? NO, at least no more or less than anyone else, on average, I would surmise.
    [Raak] Talking-lion-abuser? NO (I'm pretty sure that would have been mentioned, if she had)
    [GL] Dead in fiction? NO
  • Gusset Login - Is she best known for appearing in a film?
  • Phil
    [GL] Best known as a film role? The answer would be different depending on whom you asked. For me it's a NO
  • Raak - Did she first appear in a book?
  • Gusset Login - Was she created before July 12th 1956?
  • Phil
    Raak - first in a book? YES
    GL - Pre 12/7/56? YES
  • Rosie - A child?
  • Raak - A children's book?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] A child? NO
    [Raak] Children's book? NO
  • Gusset Login - Is she the title character of the book?
  • Phil
    [GL] Title character? NO
  • Rosie - A literary character?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Literary? YES
  • gil - Nineteenth century?
  • Phil - A correction
    [Rosie] On reflection "literary" can be taken by some people to mean "from great works of 'Literature'", although I don't know how one would define them. The AotC is a character from fiction, and I have seen her mentioned as a "literary character", although I wouldn't rate the "literature" as "Literature", but some probably would. In all, she's a character from a book or books.
  • Phil
    [gil] C19? YES, but not exclusively.
  • Raak - Was the book in English?
  • Gusset Login - Mrs Hudson?
  • Phil
    [Raak] In English? YES
    [GL] Mrs Hudson? When one has eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, is indeed Mrs Hudson. CORRECT. Congratulations!
  • Gusset Login
    Hmm... OK, next up is: ABSTRACT with ANIMAL connections.
  • Phil - Is the animal connection human?
  • Gusset Login
    [Phil] Human? - No.
  • Rosie - Is it a characteristic of a particular animal?
  • Phil - A fictional animal?
  • Gusset Login
    [Rosie] A characteristic of a particular animal? No, but there is a connection.
    [Phil] Fictional animal(s)? Yes
  • Knobbly - Mammalian?
  • Gusset Login
    [Knobbly] Mammals? Not primarily but some.
  • Raak - Do they talk?
  • Dujon - Is it the cast of a particular childrens' book?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] Talking animals? Thankfully, No.
    [Dujon] Cast of a particular children's book? No.
  • Raak - Do such animals also exist (or have they) in the real world?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] Real animals? Yes. (Or at least something similar in most cases)
  • Software - Native to UK?
  • Gusset Login
    [Software] Native to UK? Some might be, others certainly aren't.
  • Gusset Login - The story so far...
    Fictional animals of multiple species almost all of which are non-mammalian and in as far as they can be identified, are probably based on real animals but not UK natives (probably). They are not from a children's book and they don't talk. The character of the animals is important but is not likely to be guessed in a "____ as a [Name of animal]" sense.
  • Dujon - Taking a backward step: Did they originally appear in a book?
  • Gusset Login
    [Dujon] originally from a book? No but apparently books have been made since (including children's books)
  • Raak - Mythical?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] Mythical? No.
  • Software - Bunnyish?
  • Gusset Login
    [Software] Non-mammalian bunnies? No.
  • Phil - Earth-based?
  • Gusset Login
    [Phil] Earth-based? Yes, but not earth-based versions exist.
  • Raak - Unicellular?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] Mono-celled? No
  • Gusset Login - Clues
    I think everyone is as bored of this as I am. Here are some hints to push the game forward to less boring, more finishing moves.

    1. The AOTC is two words. One of these describes the non-mammalian animals and the other is an attribute that sets them apart from the majority of their real world counterparts. The whole is the name of a 21st century abstract that was not originally literature but has since spread to various other media.

    2. The mammalian animals are a less well known aspect of the AOTC and except with regard to colour, clearly represent an animal that is common in the UK, US and several other places. The primary animals are less easily identified.
  • Phil - Desert Rats?
  • Rak - Cat girls?
  • Gusset Login
    [Phil] Dessert Rats? No (Rats are mammals)
    [Rak] Cat Girls? No (Cats and Girls are both mammals)
  • Raak - lizards?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] lizards? No
  • Raak - Fish?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] Fish No
  • Raak - Birds?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] Birds? Yes
  • Raak - Angry Birds?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] Angry Birds? YES Let me fire this avian baton at you.
  • An alarmingly intelligent species of ostrich - **>>PECK<<**
  • Raak
    Next: MINERAL
  • Rosie - Manufactured?
  • Gusset Login - Metal?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Manufactured.
    [GL] Partly metal.
  • Rosie - Can you (or I) lift it?
  • Raak
    Can we lift it? No, yes, or no, from various points of view.
  • Gusset Login - Unique?
  • Raak
    [GL] Unique.
  • Tuj - Does it belong to a single person?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] Does not belong to one person.
  • Dujon - Is it a pyramid?
  • Raak
    [Dujon] Not a pyramid.
  • Software - In UK?
  • Raak
    (amusement in the audience) Not in the UK.
  • Gusset Login - Bigger than a phone box?
  • Raak
    [GL] Smaller than a phone box.
  • Rosie - Could it be called art?
  • Gusset Login - Smaller than a breadbox?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not art. [GL] Larger than a breadbox.
  • Dujon - Is it assembled bit by discrete bit?
  • Raak
    [Dujon] Assembled piece by piece.
  • Rosie - A triangulation point at some particular place?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not a trig point.
  • Rosie - Does it have a technical application?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Yes, it has a technical application.
  • Rosie - A light?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not a light.
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] Yes! Yes, it DOES begin with a P!
  • Kim - Was it manufactured in the twentieth century?
  • Rosie - Is it associated with a particular type of geographical feature?
  • Raak
    [Kim] Made in the 20th century.
    [Rosie] Not associated with a type of geographical feature.
  • Dujon - Would it be a product of WWII?
  • Raak
    [Dujon] Not a product of WWII.
  • Raak
    Oops, my answer to Kim was wrong. On searching out the date of its completion, I find it was not in the 20th century.
  • Rosie - A telescope?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not a telescope.
  • Knobbly - Philae lander?
  • Raak
    And Knobbly scores a hole in one! Have this genuine Rosetta stone. My answer to the weightlifting question is explained by the fact that on Earth, it would weigh about 100 kg, which is more than I've ever bench pressed, but sitting on the comet it's estimated to weigh about 1 gram -- but you can't get there to lift it.
  • Knobbly
    Sorry Tuj, was that where you were heading?
    Next up is Vegetable
  • Dujon - Is it edible?
    Well, someone has to kick it off.
  • Gusset Login - Alive?
  • Phil - Wooden?
  • Tuj - Is it unique?
    [Knobbly] One letter at a time? No =)
  • Raak - Does it have a practical use?
  • Phil
    [Raak] (View the source to read the hidden text)
  • Knobbly - Some catching up to do...
    [Dujon] No, not edible (is the least misleading answer, although everything is edible once)
    [GL] Yes, alive
    [Phil] Yes, wooden *ripple of applause*
    [Tuj] Yes, unique (or at least specific)
    [Raak] No practical use
  • Dujon - Does it live in Sherwood Forest?
  • Raak - Is it unusually old?
  • Gusset Login - Is it a fruit tree?
  • Knobbly
    [Dujon] Not in Sherwood Forest
    [Raak] (Back from checking something I probably should have before starting) No, not unusually old
    [GL] Not a fruit tree
  • Rosie - Is it in the UK?
  • Knobbly
    [Rosie] Yes it is in the UK
  • Dujon - A specific sycamore?
  • Knobbly
    [Dujon] Not a sycamore, no
  • Raak - Royal?
  • Dujon - Is it a specific tree?
    I thought I'd ask in case we were heading in the wrong direction.
  • Gusset Login - Oak?
  • Knobbly - Why did the internet eat my post twice?
    [Raak] Royal connection, yes indeed
    [Dujon] A specific tree, yes
    [GL] Yes, an oak!
    *Audience beside themselves with mild interest*
  • Software - Oak Apple Day?
  • Knobbly
    [Software] Not the 29th of May... A custom worthy of revival but not really a specific tree
  • Dujon - Is it a son/daughter of a famous oak?
  • Raak - That Royal Oak wherein King Charles II hid from the Roundheads?
  • Knobbly
    [Dujon] Do you know, I can't find out if there was any genetic continuity, but I'd be surprised if there wasn't... I'm going to unilaterally change your question and say yes it is a successor to a famous oak
    [Raak] Not that Royal Oak, no
  • Phil - Merlin's Oak?
  • Knobbly
    [Phil] Not Merlin's Oak
  • Phil - One of the Tree Council (UK)'s "Great British Trees" in 2002?
  • Knobbly
    [Phil] Not a Great British Tree
  • Phil - In Kent?
  • Knobbly
    [Phil] Not in Kent
  • Phil - An extant oak tree?
  • Dujon - Does the royal aspect of the answer arise from a royal planting the acorn?
  • Knobbly
    [Phil] Yes, an extant oak tree
    [Dujon] Hmm... Well, the extant oak tree which is the AOTC was royally planted, but the royal connection was already there. I realise that wasn't a yes/no answer
  • Knobbly
    (Although I rather expect the 'planting' was a photo opp holding a spade next to a sapling rather than heeling in an acorn)
  • Gusset Login - Did the planting happen after the invention of photography?
  • Knobbly
    [GL] Yes, photography had been invented. Can't find a photo though...
  • Knobbly
    It's gone a bit quiet, shall I re-cap?
    This Vegetable is a living oak tree, which is not itself unusually old, nor is it one of the Great British Trees. It was royally planted (although a royal connection already existed) and is neither the Royal Oak in which King Charles mk.2 hid, Merlin's Oak or in Kent.
  • Dujon - Is it in England?
    Being an ex-pat for nigh on sixty years this is becoming something of a guessing game to me. It's time to narrow the focus.
  • Knobbly
    [Dujon] Yes, in jolly old England
  • Raak - Is it north of Watford?
  • Knobbly
    [Raak] Yes, north of Watford.
  • Software - South of Hadrian's Wall?
  • Software - Mmm,
    That was otiose, reading above.
  • Software - In Yorkshire?
  • Knobbly
    [Software] Yes, south of Hadrian's damp-course, and not in Yorkshire
  • Phil - North of London (Charing Cross, just in case)
  • Knobbly
    [Phil] Yes, north of London (as implied by being north of Watford)
  • Raak - The Midland Oak?
  • Knobbly
    [Raak] Not the Midland Oak
    I'm trying to think of a clue that isn't just giving away the answer...
  • Phil - Selly Oak?
  • Knobbly
    [Phil] Not the Selly Oak
  • The Clue Monster
    (View the source to read the hidden text)
  • Raak - Is the royal Queen Victoria?
  • Knobbly
    [Raak] Not Queen Vic
  • Phil - Is the royal female?
  • Knobbly
    [Phil] She is a female royal
  • Raak - Queen Anne?
  • Dujon - Our current Head of State?
  • Gusset Login - A British royal?
  • Knobbly
    [Raak] Not Queen Anne
    [GL] Yes, a British Royal
    [Dujon] Yes, the oak you could visit now was planted by our current Head of State but I'm not sure how helpful that is, she must have attended many tree plantings in her time... Keep finding out who the original connection was - I reiterate, she is a female British royal who is neither Queens Victoria nor Anne.
  • Software - The good old late Queen Mum?
  • Knobbly
    [Software] Not the Queen Mother
  • Raak - QE 1?
  • Knobbly
    [Raak] Yes, Queen Liz the 1th
  • Dujon - Is there also a direct connection to QE1's sister Mary?
  • Raak
    I think the answer must be what you find if you google "Queen Elizabeth I" and "oak", but I'm going to be away a lot in the next few weeks, so I'll leave it to someone else.
  • Knobbly
    [Dujon] Yes, a connection to Queen Mary also
    [Raak] You can find the answer that way, yes... Who will do so?
  • Phil - Queen Elizabeth Oak, at Hatfield House?
  • Knobbly
    Absolutely right... you even chose the right Queen Elizabeth Oak (not the one in Cowdray Park). The current tree was planted by QE2 in 1985 on the site of the original tree, beneath which Elizabeth was sat when told that Queen Mary had died and she was now the queen.
    I really didn't think I'd chosen a hard one...
    I pass Phil the baton, made of exquisitely turned english oak.
  • Phil - Re - hard ones
    [Knobbly] It happens. I remember setting Jeffrey Dahmer a few years ago, and was astonished to find no-one knew who he was. He's a household name in our family. But, thanks to Google, and Raak, I've know heard of Hatfield, its house, and its trees.

    Mineral, Animal and Vegetable

  • Software - Human construct?
  • Gusset Login - A town or city?
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
    [Knobbly] Well lasted =)
  • Phil
    [Software] Human Construct? Ummm, no, I don't think so (although I've always been rather vague about what "human construct" means).
    [GL] Town or city? NEITHER
    [Tuj] Pstarted? NO
  • Software - Bigger than a K6 telephone box?
  • Raak - Is there just one?
  • Gusset Login - Is either the Animal or Vegetable human?
  • Phil
    [Software] Bigger than telephone box? YES
    [Raak] Unique? YES
    [GL} Human? NO
  • Raak - Is it in Britain?
  • Phil
    [Raak] In Britain? YES. most definitely
  • Software - A building?
  • Phil
    [Software] A building? NO, although it includes a building or buildings
  • Knobbly - Is it a region of some description?
  • Rosie - Some form of animal sanctuary?
  • Phil
    [Knobbly] a region? NO
    [Rosie] an animal sanctuary? NO *much laughter*
  • Rosie - A farm, then?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Farm? YES, slightly surprisingly
  • Gusset Login - Chalk Farm?
  • Phil
    [GL] Chalk Farm? NO
  • Phil
    On reflection, my answer to Is the Animal or Vegetable human? could be YES - with a little chuckle from the audience.
  • Knobbly - A non-fictional real-life farm? (...which we've heard of?)
  • Phil
    [Knobbly] YES-ish. You will have heard of it, I expect, but you may not be aware that it functions as a farm.
  • Dujon - A royal estate?
  • Raak - Belonging to the Prince of Wales?
  • Phil
    [Dujon] Royal estate? NO *audience wakes up*
    [Raak] PoW-owned? NO
  • Raak - Belonging to a religious institution?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Religious? NO
  • Raak - Is it a tourist destination?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Tourist destination? NO, or if it is I'd be surprised
  • Dujon - Is this farm maintained by people detained at Her Majesty's pleasure?
  • Phil
    [Dujon] HMP-farm? NO
  • Raak - Is it in England?
  • Phil
    [Raak] In England? YES
  • Raak - Does anyone live there except the farmers?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Non-farming inhabitants? YES
  • Raak - Privately owned?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Privately owned? NO *some applause*
  • Rosie - Porton Down?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Porton Down? NO
  • Raak - Is it in a National Park?
  • Phil
    [Raak] in a National Park? NO, but it is in an AONB
  • Software - Stonehenge?
  • Phil
    [Software] Stonehenge? NO
  • Software - A similar monument?
  • Rosie - A research establishment?
  • Phil
    [Software] Stonehengey-type-monument? NO
    [Rosie] Research establishment? NO
  • Phil - Some clues from answers already given
    "Royal estate" woke the audience up, but it's not privately owned, and not owned by Prince Charles. It includes buildings and farmland, and is in an Area of Outstanding National Beauty in England.
  • Chalky - Longleat?
  • Chalky
    Ah ... just spotted the 'not privately owned' bit. Scrub that attempt please.
  • Chalky - The New Forest?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] New Forest? NO (and not Longleat either, of course)
  • Rosie - In Cornwall?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Cornwall? NO
  • Phil - Another clue
    In the Home Counties
  • Software - Legoland?
  • Raak - Hampton Court?
  • Chalky
    Aha! NOT a tourist destination eh?
  • Raak - Um, the estate surrounding Hampton Court containing the piggeries and grouse shooting, where tourists never go?
  • Phil
    [Software & Raak] Neither Legoland, nor Hampton Court. Nor the estate surrounding it.
  • Chalky - The Chilterns?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] The Chilterns? NO *huge applause from audience who thought it was all over, for a moment*
  • Raak - The Chiltern Hundreds?
  • Phli
    [Raak] Chiltern 100s? NO *Audience apologises for over-reacting earlier, leading to the thought that "chiltern" is in the answer*
  • Rosie - One of the nuclear places near the Kennett valley?.
  • Chalky - Is it an SSSI?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] One of those nuclear type things? NO
    [Chalky] An SSSI? NO, but I think it includes part of one, but I can't be 100% sure.
  • Chalky - The Ridgeway?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Ridgeway? NO, but the Ridgeway does pass through it. *Applause, from me for remembering where I've been recently, and from the audience too
  • Rosie - Salisbury Plain?
    So-called. Actually the very opposite.
  • Chalky - Chequers?
    ... piecing together the clues
  • Software - Uffington White Horse?
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Salisbury Plain? NO
    [Software] Uffington White Horse? NO (although I was there the day before I was at the AOTC, in Feb this year)
    [Chalky] Chequers? YES - the estate, that is, rather than just the house that lies within. And what splendid timing for me to hand over the leadership of this fine game to you, given that we don't yet know who'll be spending their weekends there for the next five years.
  • Chalky
    We do now.

    Time for an ANIMAL
  • Software - Human?
  • Raak - A politician?
  • Chalky
    [Software] Human? NO
    [Raak] A politician? NO
  • Raak - Is there just one?
  • Gusset Login - Is it a dog?
  • Rosie - A mammal?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Just one? NO
    [GL] A dog? NO
    [Rosie] A mammal? Yes
    [Tuj] Begins with a P? Yes! The latin name.
  • Gusset Login - Is it feline?
  • Chalky
    [GL] Feline? NO
  • Gusset Login - Orang-utan?
  • Chalky
    [GL] Orang-utan? NO
  • Knobbly - Carnivoran?
  • Phil - Generally considered edible in Europe?
  • Gusset Login - Bandicoot?
  • Chalky
    [Knobbly] Carnivoran? NO
    [Phil] edible in Europe? Doubt it .. No
    [GL] Bandicoot? NO
  • Raak - Bigger than a toaster?
  • Gusset Login - Chimp?
  • Rosie - Regarded as a pest?
  • Chalky - Thank you for your patience ..
    [Raak] Bigger than a toaster? About the same ... except for the sticky out bits
    [GL] Chimp? NO
    [Rosie] Regarded as a pest? I don't believe so.
  • Raak - Kept as a pet?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] Kept as a pet? Not usually but no reason why not ..
  • Rosie - Nocturnal?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Nocturnal? YES!
  • Gusset Login - Racoon?
  • Software - Sloth?
  • Chalky
    [ GL] Racoon? NO
    [Softers] Sloth? No ... but quite a good guess.
  • Rosie - A badger?
  • Raak - A pangolin?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Badger? NO
    [Raak] Pangolin? NO
  • Rosie - Found in the wild in Britain?
  • Dujon - Is it arboreal?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] ... wild in Britain? NO
    [Dujon] Arborial? YES! *audience cheers*
  • Phil - Is it a bird?
  • Gusset Login - Civet?
  • Chalky
    [Phil] Bird? NO
    [GL] Civet? NO
  • Dujon - Is its native continent South America?
  • Chalky
    [Dujon] native of S America? NO
  • Gusset Login - A Primate?
  • Chalky
    [GL] A primate? NO
  • Gusset Login - Koala?
  • Chalky
    [GL] Koala? NO. Are they nocturnal?
    clue: nocturnal ... arborial... nocturnal ... arborial
  • Knobbly - Is it native to China?
  • Gusset Login - African Native?
  • Chalky
    [Knobbly] native to China? NO
    [GL] ... or Africa? NO
  • Raak - A chimpanzee?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] chimpanzee? I refer the honourable gentleman to my reply above ...
    nocturnal ... mammal ... nocturnal ... arborial
  • Knobbly - Hmm... does it fly? - either actually or 'falling in style'
  • Rosie - Some lizardy thing like a chameleon?
  • Gusset Login - Phalangeriforme?
  • Chalky
    [Knobbly] YesYesYesYes! Now just name it.
    [Rosie] Not lizardy
  • Chalky
    [GL] phalangeriforme? Apparently no
  • Knobbly
    I think it's too soon to be my turn again... *I turn my back and feign great interest in that thingummy over there*
  • Chalky
    Please please release me from this Knobbly! #thoughtitwasgoingtobeaquickie
  • Gusset Login - Pteromyini?
  • Chalky - more googling ...
    [GL] Pteromyini? Veryvery close - but I believe they are omnivorous.
  • Chalky
    If somebody doesn't guess this before 0700 BST 27 May 2015 ...
  • Raak - Known for its winged fingers?
  • Chalky
    [Raak] winged fingers? Yes
    ... further investigation reveals it can be found in China, although it didn't originate there. (Apologies Knobbly)
  • Chalky - answer
    It was the Indian Flying Fox (pteropus giganteus) aka Greater Indian Fruit Bat in the Pteropodidae family.
  • Rosie - A certain degree of exasperation
    Who could possibly have guessed that? In any case all fruit bats are called Eric and come from Guildford.
  • Gusset Login
    [Rosie] Not me obviously, though I had a good try at guessing it.

    If no one objects, I guess I'll pick up the dropped baton. You have until 10am (BST) 29th May to object
  • Rosie
    Fire away, GL.
  • Line
  • Gusset Login
    OK. Hopefully a slightly harder one. VEGETABLE
  • Stevie
    A hard vegetable. Is it a turnip?
  • Gusset Login
    [Stevie] A turnip (for the books)? - No. *Someone claps briefly*
  • Raak - Celeriac?
  • Rosie - Grown for consumption?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Gusset Login
    [Raak] Celeriac? - No
    [Rosie] Grown to be eaten? - Yes
    [Tuj] Begins with P? - Yes
  • Rosie - A parsnip?
  • Gusset Login
    [Rosie] Parsnip? - Yes.
  • Rosie
    Good heavens, it's me. In that case it's

    ABSTRACT

  • Gusset Login - An Emotion?
  • Rosie
    (GL) I am disconsolately sad to tell you that it is not.
  • Raak - Weather-related?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Nothing to do with the weather
    (Tuj) Begins with P? NO (but it could do).
  • Software - Phrase or saying?
  • Tuj - Is the answer on the card a single word?
  • Rosie
    (Sofware) Not a phrase or saying.
    (Tuj) Single word? YES (plus the indefinite article).
  • Knobbly - Would it exist without humans?
  • Rosie
    (Knobbly) Exist without humans? YES.
  • Tuj - Is it an action?
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) Not an action.
  • Gusset Login - Is the indefinite article "an"?
  • Software - A phenomenon ?
  • Rosie
    (GL) The indefinite article? NOT "An".
    (Software) A phenomenon? NO, not really.
  • Tuj - Would it exist without lifeforms?
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) Exist without lifeforms? YES, it could.
  • Gusset Login - A sound?
  • Rosie
    (GL) A sound? YES. *audience erupts*
  • Knobbly - Is it onomatopoeic?
    Is this a useful question?
  • Rosie
    (Knobbly) Unlike a cat, does not on a mat appear. (Shurely all questions are useful).
  • Software - Whispering?
    to kick start this one again
  • Rosie
    (Software) NO, not whispering.
  • Knobbly - Is it geological?
  • Software - A tree falling in the forest?
  • Rosie
    (Knobbly) Geological? NO.
    (Softers) The unseen and unheard tree? NO.

    In a desperate bid to do something about the terrifying speed of this one I could mention that the AOTC is connected with an interest of mine, but not steam locos.

  • Software - Lost for words
    Not weather or locos? What does that leave, then? Sex? Beer?
  • Rosie - Flattered
    (Software) We have met, haven't we?
  • Software - The sound made by the opening of a can of London Pride?
    Oh, yes.
  • Rosie
    <mode="Lady Bracknell"> A CAN? </mode>. Not the sound suggested.
  • Software - Oh, all right - a bottle then?
  • Rosie
    (Software) Not a bottle. Nothing to do with booze.
  • Boolbar - Astronomy related?
    Just popping by.
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) Stargazing? NO.
  • Robin - Is it associated with music?
  • Rosie
    (Robin) Music? YESSSSS! *audience, previously comatose, now resembles a football crowd whose side has just scored.*
  • Gusset Login - A Flat?
  • Rosie
    (GL) Not A flat, not G sharp either.
  • Gusset Login - F Natural?
  • Rosie
    (GL) Not F. (Not a Key).
  • Software - A wind chime?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) NO, not a wind chime.
  • Knobbly - a rhythm?
  • Rosie
    (Knobbly) NO - not a rhythm. A different aspect of music.
  • Knobbly - If I may sum up, some
    So, an aspect of music which, moreover, would exist without life-forms... Beginning with a consonant which isn't P (but confusingly could be)
  • Rosie - Molto adagio
    (Knobbly) Orl krekt.
  • Rosie - The blistering pace of this one
    It's a musical term, found also in ordinary speech.
  • Knobbly - Is the AOTC an italian term?
    Is there anybody else out there?
  • Rosie
    (Knobbly) Italian? YES, it certainly is.
  • Software - Piano?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) Piano? NO.
  • Software - Fortisomo?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) ff? NO, but you're getting there.
  • Software - Allegro?
    Not the Leyalnd version - oh, no.
  • Rosie
    (Softers) Allegro? NO. The AOTC is not an adjective.
  • Software - Presto?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) Even faster? NO. Presto is an adjective. I dunno - man of your calibre.
  • Knobbly - Intermezzo?
  • Rosie
    (Knobbly) Not an intermezzo. The AOTC is usually abbreviated.
  • Knobbly - Ah, in that case is the abbreviation 'cresc.'?
  • Rosie
    YAY, it be that. Say it again, louder. KNOBBLY is the winner. Take this conductor's baton and whack it on the music stand louder and louder until everyone else has woken up.
  • Knobbly
    Actually I was trying not to win by not giving the AOTC, but since you've given me this baton I may as well wave it about a bit...
    OK, this is hopefully an easy MINERAL.
  • Rosie - Metal?
  • Knobbly
    (Rosie) Not a metal
  • Rosie - A manufactured object?
  • Gusset Login - Solid?
  • Knobbly
    (Rosie) Not manufactured
    (GL) Solid, YES.
  • Rosie - Something dug up from the earth?
  • Knobbly - What's mined is yours...
    (Rosie) No, not dug up.
  • Software - Found lying around?
  • Knobbly
    (Software) Lying around? I'm going to go with no... Although I'm not sure how helpful or right that is
  • Raak - Does it come from space?
  • Gusset Login - Is it unique?
  • Knobbly
    (Raak) Extra-terrestrial? No
    (Gussy[if I may call you that]) The one-and-only? YES (or at least, the AOTC is specific)
  • Rosie - A lake?
  • Software - A geographical feature?
  • Knobbly
    (Rosie) No, not a lake but...
    (Software) YES, a geographical feature
  • Raak - Bigger than the Isle of Wight?
  • Gusset Login - Smaller than the Isle of Wight?
  • Rosie - An area of sea-water?
  • Software - Ayres Rock?
  • Knobbly
    (Raak & GL) Smaller than IoW in area, which was surprisingly hard to find out. Strangely couldn't find it anywhere and had to work it out myself.
    (Rosie) Not sea-water
    (Software) Not Ayer's Rock
  • Tuj - In the Northern hemisphere?
  • Knobbly
    (Tuj) Not Northern hemisphere, no
  • Rosie - Zambesi Falls?
  • Gusset Login - A Mountain?
    [Rosie] I don't believe the falls or an area of sea water would count as solid.
  • Knobbly
    (Rosie) Zambezi Falls? No
    (GL) YES, a mountain *applause*
  • Rosie - Higher than 20,000 ft (6096 m)?
  • Gusset Login - Everest?
  • Knobbly
    (Rosie) Not higher than 20,000 ft
    (GL)Not Everest
  • Gusset Login - Shorter than 1,000 ft?
  • CdM - Kilimanjaro?
    Lurkers R Us
  • Knobbly
    (GL) Not shorter than 1,000ft
    (CdM) Not Kilimanjaro
  • Rosie - In Africa?
  • Knobbly
    (Rosie) Not African
  • Gusset Login - Vinson Massif?
  • Rosie - A volcano?
  • Knobbly
    (GL)Vinson Massif- Is he? I mean, no
    (Rosie) A volcano? YES. *Audience erupts...*
  • Rosie - Near the equator?
  • Software - Etna?
  • Knobbly
    (Rosie) Not near the equator (for any sensible value of 'near')
    (Software) Not Etna
  • Rosie - Calbuco, Chile?
  • Knobbly
    (Rosie) Not Calbuco
  • Raak - Erupted in the last 100 years?
  • Knobbly
    (Raak) YES, erupted in last 100 years
  • Gusset Login - Puyehue-Cordón Caulle?
  • Knobbly
    (GL) Puy-what-you-said - no
  • Rosie - On a small island?
  • Knobbly
    (Rosie) I wouldn't call it a small island, no.
  • Rosie - Mt Erebus?
  • Knobbly
    (Rosie) Not Mt Erebus
  • Raak - Erupted in 1956?
  • Knobbly
    (Raak) 1956 eruption? Not as far as I can find out
  • Rosie - In Antarctica?
  • Knobbly
    (Rosie) Not in Antarctica
  • CdM - in the Philippines?
  • Knobbly
    (CdM) Not in the Philippines neither
  • CdM - All right. How about Indonesia?
  • Knobbly
    (CdM) No, but keep going...
  • Knobbly - One week later round up...
    So, it's a volcano in the Southern hemisphere, between 1,000 and 20,000 ft high which isn't near the equator, in Antarctica, the Phillipines or Indonesia. It has erupted in the last 100 years, but not in 1956. It also isn't Mt Erebus or Puyehue-Cordón Caulle...
  • Gusset Login - Did it erupt this century?
  • Rosie - Did it cause much death and destruction?
  • Knobbly
    (GL) Erupted this century? YES. (Rosie) Much death and destruction? I'm not sure what the standardised scale of death and destruction is, but I would say no.
  • Rosie - In Chile?
  • Knobbly
    (Rosie) Not in Chile.
  • Software - Caribbean?
  • Knobbly
    (SW) Not Caribbean.
  • CdM - Somewhere in the Pacific Ocean on an island that isn't particularly small?
  • Knobbly
    (CdM) On a not-small island in the Pacific? YES.
    I wonder if anyone will disagree with any of my previous answers when the answer is reached?
  • Pablo
    Mt Ruapehu? Or failing that, another Kiwi volcano like Tongarairo or White Island?
  • Knobbly
    (Pablo) Mt Ruapehu? Why, YES. *Wild applause*
    Let us rub noses ... Thank you.
    Passing the baton to Pablo.
  • Rosie
    Pablo seems to have buggered orff.
  • Knobbly
    He was in the limerick game yesterday...
  • Rosie
    I think he's forgotten about this. Maybe a gentle nudge would be in order.
  • Where are you Pablo? - We're waiting for you
  • Rosie - Still waiting
    I gave him a gentle oblique nudge then a less gentle more direct one. What does one do, within the bounds of propriety and etiquette? FIIK.
  • Knobbly - Runner-up?
    I think CdM was coming up on the answer... maybe he (?) would like to take over?
  • Rosie - Impatience
    (knobbly) Somebody ought to. I can't understand why Pablo seems to have gone on the blink. Anybody got his phone number?
  • Phil - well...
    I'm not convinced that Pablo is the Pablo we think it is. Or someone (e.g. Gusset Login) typed 'Pablo' by accident instead of their own name, for reasons unknown.
  • Gusset Login - It wasn't me
    But, if it gets the game running again, I'd happily pick up the baton if asked.
  • Knobbly - Fine by me...
    (GL) I'm happy for you to pick up the dropped baton, if there are no objections from the floor - it is nearly a month since my round was won...
  • Rosie
    No objections from this bit of old linoleum so go ahead, GL.
  • Gusset Login
    Very well. A new one and it's an ANIMAL
  • Phil - Is it one unique animal?
  • Gusset Login
    [Phil] Unique animal? - Yes.
  • Rosie - A human?
  • Gusset Login
    [Rosie] Human? - Yes.
  • blamelewis - Living?
  • Software - British, be damned?
  • Rosie - In the news?
  • Gusset Login
    [blamelewis] Living? - Yes.
    [Software] British? - Yes.
    [Rosie] In the news? - Sometimes
  • Software - Royal connections?
  • Gusset Login
    [Software] Royal Connections? - They are not royal.
  • Knobbly - A performer of sorts?
  • Gusset Login
    [Knobbly] Performer of sorts? - Not as such
  • Chalky - Politician?
  • Gusset Login
    [Chalky] In Politics? - Yes
  • Software - Jeremy Corbyn?
  • Gusset Login
    [Software] The Jez Meister? - No
  • Phil - Male?
  • Gusset Login
    [Phil] Male? - Yes
  • Rosie - Any legal connections?
  • Gusset Login
    [Rosie] Legal connections? - Well, he is in politics. So, of course, there are connections to the law.
  • Software - Tory?
  • Gusset Login
    [Software] A blue-ribboner? - Yes
  • Rosie - A Cabinet member?
  • Software - Minister of Cockney Rhyming Slang - Jeremy Hunt?
  • Gusset Login
    [Rosie] Cabinet member? - Yes
    [Software] Total Hunt? - No
  • Rosie - George Osborne?
    As he insists on calling himself.
  • Gusset Login
    [Rosie] George "Dramatic Pose" Osborne? - No
  • Software - IDS?
  • Gusset Login
    [Software] Irritable Duncan Syndrome? - No
  • Phil - Michael Gove?
    (the MP that keeps on goving)
  • Software - Sajid Javid?
    working through ...
  • Gusset Login
    [Phil] Govey? - No
    [Software] Javid? - No
    Hint: Don't work through, work up.
  • Rosie - Not Dave? (Cameron)
  • Gusset Login
    [Rosie] Not Dave? - No it's not Not Dave. It is Dave. I don't whether that should count as a yes or a no.
  • Rosie - David Mundell?
    A fush oo' a wa'er.
  • Rosie
    Getting a little impatient.
  • Gusset Login
    I have internets again! Sorry for the silence.

    [Rosie] David Mundell - No, as I said, it's the Dave you guessed it wasn't.
  • Software - David Cameron?
  • Gusset Login
    Software DC? - Yes
  • Software
    Well I am blowed, who'd have thought, so obvious really Eton and all that. Now let me think .....

    Ah, yes!

    ABSTRACT with ANIMAL, VEGETABLE and MINERAL connections.

  • Rosie - Animals human?
    i.e. Not Millwall
  • Software
    [Rosie] people? - YES.
  • Raak - To do with politics?
  • Software
    [Raak] political? probably the right answer is NO
  • Rosie - Is the mineral connection water?
  • Phil - Is the vegetable connection wood?
  • Software
    [Rosie] water? - NO * much chuckling in the audience *
    [Phil] wood? - NO - well,not directly but it may figure somewhere, not sure that this is actually helpful
  • Raak - To do with mineral resources?
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • Software
    [Raak] ores? - NO
    [Tuj] P? - YES one of the three words on the card does. (including the definite article)
  • Phil - Is a liquid involved?
  • Rosie - A desert?
  • Software
    [Phil] Liquid? - YES. * chuckling in audience *
    [Rosie] Desert? - NO
  • Gusset Login - The Pacific Ocean?
  • Phil - Is it fit for human consumption?
  • Rosie - Is the liquid an organic compound?
  • Software
    [GL] Pacific? - NO
    [Phil] Drinkable? - YES
    [Rosie] Organic? - YES
  • Rosie - The petroleum industry?
  • Phil - Is alcohol involved?
  • Software
    [Rosie] Gas? - NO is probably the correct answer but I suppose it could be.
    [Phil] Booze? YES * spattering of claps from the audience *
  • Phil - A type of beer?
  • Software
    [Phil] A variety of the brewing process? - NO but certainly involved in the ATOC
  • Rosie - A bottle of champagne?
  • Software
    [Rosie] Bubbly? - NO but could certainly be involved in the ATOC
  • Tuj - Is the AOTC associated with a particular place?
  • Software
    [Tuj] Localle? - NO

    * HINT: the ATOC has 3 words including the definite article *

  • Knobbly - Is the word that starts with P pub?
  • Software
    [Knobbly] P = Pub? - NO * a smattering of clapping from the audience *
  • Chalky - Is the 'p' word = Punch?
  • Software
    [Chalky (welcome back)] P = Punch? - NO * more clapping in the audience *
  • Phil - A type of wine?
  • Software
    [Phil] Cru? - NO * a little more clapping in the audience *

    Reprise:
    ATOC 3 words including the definite article;
    One begins with 'P';
    Alcohol of some sort involved.

  • CdM - Does the word "party" appear on the card?
  • Gusset Login - Is it seasonal?
  • Software
    [CdM] Party - YES! * Audience goes wild with applause *
    [GL] Seasonal - YES! * Audience now agog with expectation *
  • Gusset Login - The Easter Party?
  • Software
    [GL] Easter? (* wonders why Easter? *) - NO * clapping from audience *
  • Phil - The Christmas Party?
  • Software
    [Phil] Xmas? - NO * audience wild with anticipation! *
  • Gusset Login - The Summer Party?
    Keep going, we'll find the right season soon.
  • Software
    [GL] Summer? you seem to have a penchant for the warmer weather - * audience wild with anticipation *
  • Phil - The Dinner Party?
  • Software
    [Phil] Dinner? - NO * audience still on the edge of their seats *
  • Gusset Login - The Hogmanay Party?
  • Software
    [GL] Jock do? - NO * audience cannot believe that nobody has got it yet! *

    HINT: There are lots this time of year

  • Software - I shall be on the plane to the USA in the morning so may not get back online for a day or two.
  • Gusset Login - The Hanukkah Party?
    Christmas party has already gone and I'm struggling to think of any other sort that happens at this time of year.
  • Phil - The Office Party?
  • Software - Ding!
    Phil has it. * Hands over the photocopied bum to Phil *
  • Phil
    When I was self-employed, the office party was a disaster. I got off with myself and didn't speak to myself for the whole of January. I tried to phone in sick the next morning, but it was engaged every time.

    So, onwards and outwards. Your next challenge is

    Animal

  • Software - Human?
  • Gusset Login - Alive?
  • Rosie - Male?
  • Phil - Apols for delay
    [Software] Human? NO
    [GL] Alive? NO
    [Rosie] Male? YES
  • Raak - Dead While Male?
  • Raak - Sorry, that was meant to be "Dead White Male?"
  • Gusset Login - Lassie?
    [Raak] Are you saying that white people aren't human?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Dead White Male? YNY (taking white strictly as a colour rather than race, as humans are not involved)
    [GL] Lassie? NO
  • Rosie - Fictional?
  • Raak - A specific individual?
    Oops, missed that the answer to human was no.
  • Phil
    [Rosie] Fictional? NO
    [Raak] An individual? YES
  • Chalky - a dead male dog?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Dead male dog? NO
  • Software - Mao Tse Tung?
  • Raak - Died since the start of the 20th century?
  • Rosie - The lion shot by that American dentist?
  • Gusset Login - Died in 2015?
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
    HNY!
  • Phil
    [Software] Mao Tse Tung? NO, I think he was human wasn't he?
    [Raak] died post 1899? NO
    [Rosie] Cecil the dentally-deceased Lion? NO
    [GL] died in 2015? NO (see also two lines above)
    [TUJ] P-something? NO, but HNY to you too :)
  • Raak - Bucephalus?
    The only named pre-XX animal that comes to mind.
  • Phil
    [Raak] Bucephalus? NO, not that long ago
  • Tuj - The last dodo?
  • Phil
    [Tuj] Last dodo? NO
  • Chalky - a dead male sea creature?
  • Software - Post AD 1?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] DM sea creature? NO
    [Software] Post AD 1? YES
  • Raak - Was it a bear?
  • Chalky - Was it a bird?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Bear? NO
    [Chalky] Bird? NO
    [Anyone who cares] It wasn't Superman either :-)
  • Chalky who cares - Was it a mammal?
  • Phil - Phil
    [Chalky wc] A Mammal? YES

    To summarise: A specific non-fictional individual male mammal that died between 1 AD and 1899 AD. It's not a human, a dog, a bird, a bear or a sea creature, and doesn't begin with P.

  • Raak - Did it spend any part of its life in the UK (including territorial waters)?
  • Tuj - Was it a horse?
  • Phil
    [Raak] UK-resident at some point? YES *some applause*
    [Tuj] A horse? NO
  • Knobbly - Did it live in a zoo?
  • Phil
    [Knobbly] Zoo-resident? YES, but not exclusively *more applause*
  • Chalky - Trim - the cat who sort of discovered Australia?
  • Software - Primate?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Trim the cat? NO
    [Software] Primate? NO
  • Raak - A domesticated zebra?
  • Rosie - Was it killed by a human?
  • Phil
    [Raak] Zebra? NO
    [Rosie] Killed by a human? YES (or human action, at least)
  • Software - Wild animal?
  • Phil
    [Software] Wild? Originally, YES.
  • Chalky - Was it larger than a standard sized Fridge-Freezer?
  • Knobbly - Was it the last individual of its species?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] bigger than a fridge freezer? YES *much applause*
    [Knobbly] last of its kind? NO
  • Tuj - Ooh, was it an elephant?
  • Gusset Login - Killed by a train?
  • Phil
    [Tuj] An elephant? YES *much applause*
    [GL] Killed by a train? YES *even more applause
  • Chalky - Then it must be Jumbo?
  • Phil
    [Chalky] Jumbo the Elephant? YES

    One of my favourite animals, simply because the word "jumbo" didn't exist prior to his naming. cf. Little Tich

    Here, Chalky, take this pre-1947 ivory baton.

  • Chalky
    Ooh thanks Phil. Nice one and kudos to Tuj and GL for paving the way.
    The next one is ABSTRACT with significant ANIMAL connections
  • Rosie - Is it an emotion?
  • Chalky - Aha! So there *is* life out there ..
    [Rosie] An emotion? NO
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Software - A human concept?
  • Gusset Login - A fictional person?
  • Dujon - Art?
  • Chalky
    [Tuj] Begins with a P? NO ... but ripple of applause can be detected
    [Software] A human concept? YES
    [GL] A fictional person? YES
    [Dujon] Art? What is Art?
  • Software - Character in a novel?
  • Chalky
    [Software] Character in a novel? YES *audience erupts into cheers*
  • Software - Tarzan?
  • Chalky
    [Software] Tarzan? NO
  • Software - Kim?
  • Raak - Is the animal connection a dog?
  • Chalky
    [Software] Kim? NO
    [Raak] Animal connection a dog? NO
  • Rosie - Does the character have a figurative meaning? e.g. Scrooge
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] Figurative meaning? NO
  • penelope
    Does it originate in the British Isles?
  • Gusset Login - Human?
  • Chalky
    [penelope] Originate in British Isles ? YES
    [GL] Human? YES
  • Rosie - Was the novel written after 1900?
  • CdM - Does the novel title begin with P?
  • Chalky
    [Rosie] After 1900? YES
    [CdM] P word in title? YES
    *audience senses a finish and cheers accordingly*
  • Chalky
    Is anyone willing to guess the obvious, thereby putting themself in the chair for the next puzzler?
  • Gusset Login
    Sure. What is it?
  • Tuj - Is the character male?
  • CdM - Ronny Heaslop
    That's got to be right. Because, seriously, how many non-figurative characters in post-1900 British novels with a word in the title that begins with P can there be?
  • Chalky - ... giving it all away
    [GL] It's a girl
    [Tuj] Male? NO
    [CdM] Ronnie Heaslop? NO. And the play/novel has two P words.
  • Chalky - ... and it's linked to Phil's previous solution.
  • CdM
    [Chalky] Oh, that's just darling.
  • Chalky - Remind me never to play this game again ...
  • Software - Aw, Chalks, don't be upset.
    Frankly this one has stumped me.
  • Rosie - Peter Pan?
    (Chalky) Memo: Never play this game again.
  • CdM
    [Chalky] I hope that comment made sense! If my guess is wrong, it probably just seemed weird (or worse, obnoxious).
  • Chalky - with a woo and a hoo
    A WINNER AT LAST! Wendy from Peter Pan it is!
    Well played Rosie and CdM :)
    Here - argue over this wand-shaped baton I nicked from Tinkerbell.
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) You beast.

    And the next object is ABSTRACT

  • Gusset Login - An Emotion?
  • Tuj - Is there but a single word on the card?
    [Chalky] I think when you said it was obvious, we all backed off presuming it must be obvious to somebody, somebody else...
  • Rosie
    (GL) Not an emotion.
    (Tuj) A single word plus the indefinite article.
  • CdM - A silent P, obviously
    Does the indefinite article begin with P?
  • Rosie
    (CdM) Of course - 's a particle innit.
  • Tuj - Is it a human invention?
  • Software - An expression?
    Well done you old bu**er
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) NO, not a human invention.
    (Softers) Essentially NO, but can be used figuratively, just about.
  • Software - A ghost?
  • Rosie
    (Software) Not a ghost.
  • Knobbly - Is it visible?
    There's not much to go on so far...
  • Raak - Is it fictional?
  • Rosie
    (Knobbly) Not visible, though its effects may well be.
    (Raak) Not fictional.

    I should add, perhaps, that the AOTC has a kind of material connection and that this would normally be thought of as Mineral.

  • Dujon - A type of air movement?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) Air movement? NO, but it could be said there's a connection, stretching a point.
  • Software - An unfortunate brush?
  • Rosie
    (Software) NO, not an unfortunate brush.
  • Software - Any political connection?
  • Rosie
    (Software) NO political connection whatever.
  • Tuj - Has it always existed as an idea?
  • Chalky - Is it bigger than a toaster?
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) I would say YES.
    (Chalky) Could be. Could be any size. Its dimensions in its physical manifestation are irrelevant.
  • Software - An emotion?
  • Rosie
    (Software) NO, not an emotion
  • Knobbly - OK, is it audible?
  • Rosie - At last a customer
    (Knobbly) Audible? NO, most definitely not.
  • Software - Iron will?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) Ferrous (or ferric) determination? NO. It's not a human quality.
  • Software - An ill wind?
    Oh, dear. I am struggling with this.
  • Rosie
    (Softers) NO, by definition impossible.
  • Software - Rock solid?
    Any chance of a clue?
  • Rosie
    (Software) Rock solid? NO, for the same reason as before. This is not difficult; in fact there's nothing to it, really.
  • Raak - A vacuum?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) YES! A total absence of material entities. Now give us something easy FFS.
  • Raak - Vegetable and Mineral, with Abstract connections
  • Rosie - Vegetable wood?
  • Raak
    Yes, the vegetable is wood.
  • Rosie - Is this some kind of machine or device?
  • Dujon - Abstract religious?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not really a machine or device.
    [Dujon] Not religious.
  • Gusset Login - Unique?
  • Rosie - Is the AOTC the title of some work?
  • Raak
    Not the title of a work.
  • Tuj - Is the mineral metal?
  • Raak
    Yes, the mineral is metal.
  • Gusset Login - Unique?
  • Raak
    Not unique.
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • Raak
    Does not begin with a P.
  • Software - Found in the house?
  • Raak
    Not typically. That is, the typical house would not contain any of these, and the typical one of these would not be in a house.
  • Tuj - Would I be in danger of cutting myself on it?
  • Raak
    You cannot cut yourself on one.
  • Dujon - Mass produced?
  • Raak
    Um...there are rather a lot of these, but I can't find any information about whether they are made on an automated production line.
  • Tuj - Used in a sport or game?
  • Raak
    Not used in a sport or game.
  • Dujon - Do they tend to be found in particular areas of the world?
  • Rosie - A fixture?
  • Raak
    Not in particular areas of the world.
    Not a fixture.
  • Software - A garden shed?
  • Raak
    Not a garden shed. I'd expect those to be fixtures, although I suppose you could put wheels on one and tow it on holiday with you.
  • Rosie - Can these things be lifted by one man?
  • Raak
    Yes, one man can lift one of these.
  • Raak
    That is, any reasonably fit man, not one particular Schwarzenegger.
  • Tuj - A barrel?
  • Raak
    *cheering* Yes, a barrel. But can you be more specific? Bear in mind the abstract connection.
  • Gusset Login - A Barrel of laughs?
  • Raak
    Not a barrel of laughs.
  • Software - A beer barrel
    Specifically, real ale :)
  • Raak
    Not necessarily a beer barrel.
  • Rosie - A firkin?
  • Raak
    Not a firkin.
  • Rosie - A biscuit barrel?
  • Raak
    Not a biscuit barrel.
    Hint: It's not about what's in it ? quite the opposite!
  • Raak
    The "?" was supposed to be a "?".
  • Raak
    Er, not quite. It was supposed to be a "—". Let's see if that gets through.
  • Gusset Login - Scraping the bottom of the barrel?
  • Raak
    Scraping etc.? No, but that's more in the right direction.
    The first word is the indefinite article.
  • Software - A barrel organ?
    Perhaps penelope could rustle a Dutch one up.
  • Raak
    Not a barrel organ.
  • Raak
    Do we have a stuck fermentation of ideas? A sort of barrel, that features in a figurative expression or saying.
  • CdM - A sort of barrel that has fish in it that can be easily shot
    OK, that's probably not right.
  • Raak
    There's a surprisingly lage number of figurative expressions involving barrels. Fish, for the shooting of, is not the one.
  • Raak
    "lage": a synonym for "several", used of a severality that due to attentional bias one experiences as surprisingly larger than 1.
  • Rosie - A barrel of laughs?
  • Raak
    Not a barrel of laughs. Hint: nor a barrel of anything else!
  • Software - An empty barrel?
  • Raak
    YES! *the crowd's applause is drowned out by a tap on the side of one*
  • Software - Oh, dear. Being a smartar*e I am now lumbered with the spile-shaped batton.
    Let me think. Ah, yes! abstract with strong animal, vegetable and mineral connections.
  • Raak - The sound made by a tree falling in the forest when no-one is present to hear it?
  • Software - [Raak] NO - abstract but not metaphysical
  • Gusset Login - A fictional animal?
  • Rosie - An organisation?
  • Raak - A stock phrase or saying?
  • Software
    [GL] Fictional? - NO
    [Rosie] Organization? - YES
    [Raak] Phrase or Saying? - NO
  • Rosie - Created after 1900?
  • Raak - A governmental organisation?
  • Gusset Login - Based in Europe?
  • Software - Sorry for delay, have been away.
    [Rosie] After 1900? - YES
    [Raak] Big Brother? - NO
    [GL] European? - YES
  • Raak - A scientific organisation?
  • Software
    [Raak] Scientific? - NO * audience chuckles *
  • Raak - A cult?
  • Bismarck - An NGO?
  • Software
    [Raak] cult? - NO * some guffawing in the audience * (well, some might say it is)
    [Bismarck] NGO? - Mmmm. Tricky, probably NO
  • Rosie - The National Trust?
  • Bismarck - Is it classed as a charity /not-for-profit?
  • Phil - A religion?
  • Software
    [Rosie] NT? - NO
    [Bismarck] Charitable? - NO * more audience chuckling *
    [Phil] Godbothering? - NO * further tittering *
  • Bismarck - Do they sponsor a football team?
  • Raak - Does it have its own URL?
  • Rosie - The Mafia?
  • Software
    [Bismarck] Sponsorship? - NO
    [Raak] URL? Why, YES
    [Rosie] Those nice Sicilian gentlemen? - NO
  • Knobbly - An organised religion, then?
    I'm taking a clue from the audience here...
  • Bismarck - Recapitulons, mes amis...
    Post-1900 European company, with pretensions among supporters to be quasi-religious and quasi-scientific, yet not an NGO and not important enough to sponsor the footie. Neither the Mafia, nor their cousins the NT. Links to animal, vegetable and mineral. Hmmmm.
  • Bismarck - Are they able to ban people from the exercise of their professions?
  • Software
    [Knobbly] Godbothering with form? - NO * Phil ruled that out *
    [Bismarck] - Big Stick? - NO
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
    ...just to show gratitude for Bismarck's efforts by making a considered contribution ;)
  • Raak - The East India Company?
  • Bismarck - Do ships enter into this at all?
  • Rosie - Eton?
  • Software
    [Tuj] P-ish? - NO (not one to be seen in the AOTC)
    [Raak] Bubble? - NO (the right number of words, though)
    [Bismarck] - Harbourish? - NO
    [Rosie] The origin of our present governing classes? - NO
  • Bismarck - Is this a real-life organisation, or one that exists only on a screen?
  • Software
    [Bismarck] Real or imagery? - er, YES. * sporadic clapping from audience *
  • Bismarck - Logical NOR should have been used in previous question. Ahem. Is this an imaginary company?
  • Software
    [Bismarck] Virtual? - NO

    Hint: The AOTC has 4 words one being the definite article it exists on screen.

  • CdM - The League of Gentlemen?
    Never watched it; only vaguely even heard of it; but it popped into my head after reading over the game so I thought I'd go for an audacious lurker's victory.
  • Software
    [CdM] LOG? - NO
  • Rosie - The Great Western Railway?
  • Raak - Is the third word "of"?
  • Software
    [Rosie] God's Wonderful Railway? - sadly, NO
    [Raak] of-ly? NO

    * audience shuffling *

  • Rosie - Is this organisation viewed favourably by the British population?
  • Software
    [Rosie] Favourable to the Brits - mmmm, NO (not lately, anyway)
  • Rosie - The European Court of Justice?
  • Software
    [Rosie] ECoJ? - NO * sporadic clapping from audience *
  • Bismarck - The Arsenal?
  • Software
    [Bimarck] The Gunners? - NO. * audience getting restless *
  • Bismarck - A political party?
  • Knobbly - Ah... do I hear a few bars of the prelude to Charpentier's Te Deum?
  • nights - The European Court of Human Rights?
    Well, it IS down the road from me...
  • Software
    [Bismarck] Party? - NO
    [nights] ECHR? - NO * a few random claps from the audience *
  • Knobbly - Was my guess a bit too subtle? Is it the European Broadcasting Union?
  • Software
    [Knobbly] EBU? - NO * audience wakes up with enthusiastic clapping *
  • Bismarck - Is this a European attempt to celebrate the diversity of culture?
  • Software
    [Bismarck] multicultural? - YES! * audience getting excited *
  • Bismarck - Musical culture?
  • Software
    [Bismarck] music? - YES! * audience wild with anticipation *
  • Rosie - The Eurovision Song Contest?
  • Software
    [Rosie] Tat for the masses? - YES!!!! at last.

    Hands over the tacky microphone-shaped baton to Rosie

  • Knobbly
    I could object that the Eurovision Song Contest is not an organisation (whereas the EBU is which is why I went for that), but I wouldn't want to be accused of taking this too seriously.
    I also don't want the baton at the moment.
    As you were...
  • Bismarck
    Blast! beaten to it. Rosie, congratulations. May your all dihydrogen oxide be changed to dihydrogen dioxide for twenty milliseconds.
  • Rosie - Peroxide blonde
    (Bismarck) Now you see it, now you don't.
  • Rosie
    And the next object is ABSTRACT with ANIMAL connections.
  • Software - Human animal?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) Human? Humans are involved but essentially NO.
  • Bismarck - Is it green?
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • Knobbly - Does it make a noise?
  • Boolbar - Can I live without it?
  • Rosie - Sorry for the delay
    (Bismarck) NO, not green.
    (Tuj) P? Not in any language I can think of.
    (Knobbly) A noise? YES, it must have done.
    (Boolbar) Essential for life? NO.
  • Bismarck - The Llangollen Amateur Vivisectionists' Society! It just came to me in a flash.
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) Dee-scission? I'm afraid not.
  • Raak - Fictional?
  • Raak - Fictional?
  • Raak
    Oops.
  • Gusset Login - Fictional?
  • Knobbly - The Big Bang?
    Going for an early attempt...
  • Tuj - Is it a human invention?
  • Rosie
    (Raak + Gusset Login) NO, not fictional.
    (Knobbly) NO, not the Big Bang.
    (Tuj) YES, human, but I wouldn't call it an invention.
  • Raak - A philosophical concept?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) NO, not philosophical, not a concept.
  • Bismarck - Does it still exist?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) Still exist? NO.
  • Tuj - Associated with a particular geographical locale?
    Also, could you clarify an earlier answer? When Boolbar asked "Can I live without it?", was your answer of "NO" directed to that question or your contrarily-rephrased "Essential for life?"?
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) Point taken. The rephrasing had got a bit out of hand. The answer to "Can I live without it?" is YES. As for your actual question, the answer is YES, followed by *audience animation*.
  • Raak - Todo with the planet taken as a whole?
  • Bismarck - Animal bit-were they raised for food?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) NO, not to do with the whole planet.
    (Bismarck) For food? YES.
  • Bismarck - May not be able to have another guess for a while, so I'll try bovine spongiform encephalitis.
  • Tuj - Did it exist for a specific period of time?
    [Rosie] An animated audience, eh? At least no people were harmed in the making of assistance-giving reactions =)
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) Mad cow? Now who am I thinking of? I'm afraid the answer is NO.
    (Tuj) YES. *even more audience animation*
  • Software - Powdered egg?
  • Raak - Some sort of public event?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) Powdered egg? Good stuff - it wasn't even on the ration IIRC. But NOT the answer.
    (Raak) A public event? Certainly not intended as such though most of the public would be aware of it.
  • Software - Cheese rolling?
  • Rosie
    Cheese rolling? Er, NO.
  • Bismarck - Did it happen in the UK?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) In the UK? Essentially NO, though I suspect some elements of it did.
  • Software - A global event?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) NO, not global
  • Bismarck - was the specific geographic locale in Europe?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) In Europe? Well, YES, sort of.
  • Bismarck - Confusticated... has a 'specific' locale (++audience animation) 'sort of' in the European continent and 'sort of not' in the UK. Ireland?
  • Rosie - Deconfustificationment
    (Bismarck) Specific locale, YES. European continent? NO, but a strict geographer may disagree. Ireland? NO. If I say much more I may as well tell you the answer.
  • Raak - a political event?
  • Bismarck - Thanks, Rosie. Let's try for the timing - did this happen within your living memory?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Political? YES.
    (Bismarck) Within my living memory? YES.
  • Raak - an event relating to the EU?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) NO, not related to the EU.
  • Bismarck - Did it happen in the previous century?
  • Software - Suez crisis?
  • Raak - in 1989?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) 20th century? YES.
    (Software) NO, not the Suez crisis.
    (Raak) In 1989? NO.
  • Bismarck - 1970's?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) 1970's? Partly, YES.
  • Bismarck - Were fish involved?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) Fish? YES, they were indeed.
  • Bismarck - Did Iceland win at least 3-0?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) YES. That, I recall, was the score.
  • Bismarck - "The Phantom Menace", the cut that left the fish-slapping dance scene in?
  • Rosie - Stop taking the piss
    (Bismarck) NO, it wasn't that one.
  • Bismarck - The library, you say?
    all right, all right... it's the Cod Wars.
  • Rosie
    It is, of course, the COD WARS. Well done. Take this giant baton-shaped fish finger and proceed to the next object.
  • Bismarck
    Well, nothing for it now (gulp)...
    The next object is MINERAL with a side order of location, as there may be multiple instances.
  • Raak - man-made?
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] YES.
  • Rosie - Metal?
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] NO, not so as you'd notice
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
    fffrrttt
  • Raak - Mainly stone?
  • Bismarck
    [Tuj] NO, not in any language I am aware of oblig.
    [Raak] YES
  • Raak - On Earth?
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] Terrestrial? YES.
  • Tuj - Habitable?
  • Bismarck
    [Tuj] NO.
  • Raak - underground?
  • Tuj - In Europe?
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] buried? NO
    [Tuj] EU-ish? YES
  • Software - Arc de Triomphe?
  • Bismarck
    [Software] Etoile? NO.
  • Rosie - Is it in an urban area?
  • Bismarck
    [Rosie] Downtown? YES.
  • Rosie - A statue?
  • Raak - A tourist attraction?
  • Bismarck
    [Rosie] YES
    [Raak] YES
  • Bismarck
    Oh and in general their is the odd approving noise from the audience
  • Raak - Nelson's Column?
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] YES - audience cheering but then subsiding as that's the main dish, but the "side order" needs to be found too.
  • Raak - The actual statue of Nelson?
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] Trafalgar Square? NO, that would be too easy... Some applause from the right wing of the audience.
  • Software - The Fourth Plinth?
  • Bismarck
    ^[Software] NO.
  • Knobbly - The Trafalgar Square lions?
  • Bismarck
    [Knobbly] Felines? NO.
  • Bismarck
    Hint - Nelson was quite well regarded in many placed.
  • Software - In Menorca?
  • Raak - Is it in London?
  • Bismarck
    [Software] Balearics? NO.
    [Raak] City? NO.
  • Knobbly
    So, the AOTC isn't in London, but the audience cheered Nelson's column...
  • Boolbar - Is it in Scotland?
  • Bismarck
    [Boolbar] North o' the border? NO. A few claps from the audience, though.
  • Software - Geordieland?
  • Bismarck
    [Software] Tyne? NO
  • Gusset Login - Ireland?
  • Bismarck
    [Gusset] YES. Audience sensation, as they say.
  • Raak - Then it is surely Nelson's Pillar.
  • Bismarck
    Audience goes wild for [Raak] Nelson's pillar is correct! Well done sir. Please take this green pillar-shaped baton and proceed with the next round.
  • Bismarck
    Remind me never to run a relay with Raak, won't you :-)
  • Raak - Oh, ah. Um. The next is ANIMAL and ABSTRACT.
  • Tuj - Snoopy's friend Woodstock?
  • Raak
    Not Woodstock.
  • Rosie - A wildlife programme?
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not a wildlife programme.
    [Tuj] Does not begin with P. (slight oohing sounds from audience)
  • Knobbly - Is the animal non-human?
  • Raak
    (Some laughter) Not non-human.
  • Boolbar - Is the non-non-human not male?
  • Gusset Login - Is the non-non-human principally famous for literary appearances?
  • Raak
    [B] Might or might not be male.
    [G] Not literary appearances, no.
  • Rosie - Does the Abstract refer to the title or role of the non-non-human of indeterminate sex?
  • Tuj - Be there a sporting connection?
  • Raak
    [R] (polite applause) Yes, the Abstract has to do with the title or role (but there is more to the Abstractness than that).
    [T] No sporting connection.
  • Boolbar - Was this known of in the year 1900?
  • Raak
    Was this known of in the year 1900? One could take different interpretations, about which I can imagine philosophers of language debating endlessly. I shall interpret the words on the card as implying the answer: Yes.
  • Tuj - Would you expect to find this mentioned in a book of World Records?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] Would not be mentioned in a book of World Records.
  • Rosie - Is/Was the person an inventor?
  • Raak
    An inventor? Unlikely, I think.
  • Bismarck - Is the Animal one specific example of its kind?
  • Raak
    [Bismarck] Not a specific example of its kind.
  • Dujon - Is this an unknown person?
  • Raak
    [Dujon] Yes, an unknown person. Although not totally.
  • Rosie - Something like The Bogeyman?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] (laughter!) Many would say there's a strong possibility of this thing being very like The Bogeyman.
  • Rosie - In the UK, is there only one of this?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] In the UK, there is none of this.
  • Software - The yeti?
  • Raak
    [Software] Not the yeti.
  • Rosie - Is this anything to do with politics?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] (applause!) It is to do with politics.
  • Rosie - To do with the EU?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not the EU.
  • Dujon - The leader of the first communal state?
  • Raak
    [Dujon] Not sure what a communal state is, but no.
  • Boolbar - Is this an American thing?
  • Raak
    (Applause!) It is an American thing.
  • Gusset Login - Are eagles involved?
  • Raak
    No eagles are involved.
  • Rosie - Is it currently in the news?
  • Raak
    Yes, it is currently in the news.
  • Rosie - The Republican Party campaign for the Presidency?
  • Bismarck - A lame duck, as in "Obama is a lame duck president?"
  • Raak
    [Rosie] (more applause!) Very close, but not the answer.
    [Bismarck] Absolutely not a lame duck.
  • Bismarck - The American Presidential race?
  • Raak
    [Bismarck] (the audience enthusiastically cheer on the runners) You are getting closer, but that is not yet the answer.
  • Rosie - Hillary Clinton's campaign to become President?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] (more cheering) Not Hillary Clinton's campaign either.
  • Software - The US election?
  • Raak
    [Software] (still cheering, you're thinking on the right lines) Not the US election.
  • Raak - You only have a few days to get this.
    I'm off on holiday to Switzerland this Wednesday.
  • Bismarck - Do any dead people come into this?
  • Raak
    [Bismarck] Dead people cannot come into this.
  • Raak - Going once...
  • Bismarck - The Canadian election?
  • Bismarck - Televised debates?
  • Raak
    Not the Canadian election, or televised debates.
    Hint: In a sense, this thing does not exist, but it is not fictional. For a period of time it does exist, and afterwards it again doesn't exist.
  • Raak - Going twice...
    The thing does not exist right now, but it will in the near future, for a while.
  • Knobbly - Election promises?
  • Raak
    Not election promises, but getting closer. It definitely has something to do with an election.
    The guillotine will fall before midnight today.
  • Bismarck - The wall between the US and Mexico, as suggested by one of the candidates?
  • Anonymous
    I've no time to take over... but I suspect the words "elect" and "president" might be needed.
  • Raak
    [B] Not the wall.
    [A] One of those words is on the card!
  • Raak - Another hint
    The word "next" is also on the card.
  • Raak - And the winner is...
    The first person to say "The next president of the United States."
  • The next president of the United States - Is it me?
    Assuming Raak is now away, I presume to draw a line
  • The next president of the United States
    Does that make it my go? Bugger... I mean goldarn it
    OK, this is mineral. Play on!
  • Software - Metallic?
  • Rosie - Oily?
  • Bismarck - In a state that was fashioned by humans?
  • Boolbar - Is there only one?
  • The next president of the United States
    [S] Not metal. (There may be some metallic atoms knocking around for aught I know or care.)
    [R] Not oleaginous.
    [Bi] Man-made, yes.
    [Bo] There is only one of the AOTC, although there are other similar... things.
  • Rosie - Stone?
  • Bismarck - Mount Rushmore?
  • Gusset Login - Stone Henge?
  • Boolbar - Is it in the USA?
  • The next president of the United States
    [R] Yes, stone. Almost entirely I should think.
    [B] (A solitary applau is hurriedly shushed) No, not Mt Rushmore
    [GL] It is not a henge of stone
    [B] Not in 'Murica (U S of)
  • Dujon - Is it a mountain?
  • Software - Cleopatra's needle?
  • Boolbar - Is it a statue?
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • The next president of the United States
    [D] Hmm... Well, it wasn't when I thought of it, but actually a mountain is called this too.
    [S] It is no part of Cleopatra's sewing kit
    [B] Not a statue
    [T] It literally doesn't begin with P
  • Bismarck - Does it exist today?
  • Bismarck - Is it in Africa?
  • The next president of the United States
    [Bi] Still there, yes, but not in Africa.
  • Gusset Login - Petra?
  • Software - The parthenon?
  • Raak - Is it a monument?
  • Bismarck - Is it a castle?
  • Boolbar - Is it inside a building?
  • The next president of the United States
    [GL & S] Not Petra, the Parthenon or anywhere else beginning with P.
    [R] It is a monument in the sense of 'site of historical importance', but not in the sense of 'structure erected to commemorate an event or person'.
    [Bi] Not a castle by any sensible definition.
    [Boo] Not found in a buiding.
  • Bismarck - Is it in England?
  • Boolbar - Is it in Scotland?
  • The next president of the United States
    [Bi] Not in jolly old England.
    [Boo] Not in bonny Scotland.
  • Raak - In Europe?
  • The next president of the United States
    [R] Not in Europe neither. Where's left that isn't Europe, Africa or the USA?
  • Boolbar - Is it in Australasia?
  • The next president of the United States
    [B] Not Down Under.
  • Bismarck - It might be South America. is it?
  • Gusset Login - Is it in Canada?
  • Raak - Is it on the Moon?
  • Boolbar - Was it man-made within the last 1000 years?
  • The next president of the United States
    [Bi] It sure is in South America..
    [GL & R] See above.
    [Bo] Last 1,000 years, yes.
  • Boolbar - Is it in Brazil?
  • Bismarck - Macchu Picchu?
  • The next president of the United States
    [Bo] Not Brazil.
    [Bi] Indeed yes, therefore *Wild applause for Bismarck*
    I'd better get back on the campaign trail...
  • Bismarck
    Oh. Oh! And I thought that had no chance because of the 'P' in Picchu, as perennially suggested by Tuj. But I shall humbly take it upon myself to climb down this peak and devise another riddle. But first, this line:

    Right, time for something Animal

  • Rosie - Human?
  • Boolbar - Does it have two eyes?
  • Bismarck
    [R] Not human
    [B] Indeed they all do
  • Software - Four legs?
  • Boolbar - Do these animals live on land?
  • Tuj - Hamsters?
    ...no P...
  • Raak - Native to the UK?
  • Rosie - Taste nice?
  • Bismarck
    [So] Yes.
    [Bo] Yes.
    [Tu] No.
    [Ra] Yes.
    [Ro] I have only eaten one of this type of animal and it was nice.
  • Gusset Login - Horses?
  • Bismarck
    [GuLo] That gets an outbreak of clapping, with the odd whoop, holler, and whinny. However, it's not right.
  • Boolbar - Hedgehogs?
  • Bismarck
    [Bo] No, we are spineless today.
  • Raak - Fillet of unborn horse, simmered in its own amniotic fluid?
  • Boolbar - Are these animals mammalian?
  • Software - Hare?
  • Bismarck
    [Ra] Ergh... No.
    [Bo] Yes, they are.
    [So] No.
  • Boolbar - Pig?
  • Bismarck
    [Bo] Pigs are not part of this family.
  • Boolbar - Are we talking bovine here?
  • Bismarck
    [Bo] No, there are no cows in this field.
  • Rosie - Rabbit?
  • Boolbar - Goat?
  • Bismarck
    [Ro] Rabbits are no part of this breed.
    [Bo] Caprids, likewise, are not typical.
  • Software - Deer?
  • Bismarck
    [So] Deer, no. Please stop the ruminating.
  • Rosie - Are these beasts regarded as pests?
  • Boolbar - Are these animals ungulates?
  • Bismarck
    [Ro] I don't believe that even hunters could maintain they were pests.
    [Bo] Yes, they all take their ungulation seriously.
  • Raak - Camels?
  • Rosie - A Shetland pony?
  • Bismarck
    [Ra] The Camelidae are out of reckoning. Audience, though, is getting the hump.
    [Ro] Well, that gets a clap, but [Gusset Login] got there firster and better.
  • Raak - Do they still exist?
  • Bismarck
    [Ra] They certainly exist today.
  • Rosie - A beast of burden?
  • Boolbar - Is it a crossbreed?
  • Bismarck
    [Ro] The horses certainly are, but I don't think anyone has ever tried the others.
    [Bo] No miscegenation involved.
  • Raak - Equids generally?
  • Bismarck
    [Ra] Gusset guessed that already. Still it gets a round vigorous if impatient applause and subdued cries of "Get on with it!" and "Can someone find us a zoologist?"
  • Raak - Odd-toed ungulates, a.k.a. Perissodactyla?
  • Bismarck - We have a winner!
    And the zoologist appears, and with sage wisdom provides the answer. Therefore *Wild applause for Raak!*
    For you sir, take your choice of baton engraved with a rhino, tapir, zebra, or what might be a horse, and follow the blue lights over there for the interview.
    (I was waiting for [Tuj] to ask the p-question...)
  • Raak
    The next is MINERAL and ABSTRACT.
  • Boolbar - Is it that boulder that Sisyphus has to push up a hill?
  • Bismarck - Is it decorative?
  • Raak
    [B1] Nice idea,but not Sisyphus? boulder.
    [B2] Not decorative.
  • Boolbar - Is the mineral in liquid form?
  • Raak
    [Boolbar] Not liquid.
  • Bismarck - Is it the name of a mineral?
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
    Whoops, am I late? Sorry Bism =)
  • Rosie - Stone?
  • Raak
    [Bismarck] Not the name of a mineral.
    [Zarquon] Does not begin with P.
    [Rosie] Yes, mainly stone.
  • Boolbar - Is this found in the Bible?
  • Raak
    [Boolbar] It is not in the Bible.
  • Rosie - A bridge?
  • Bismarck - A geologic term?
  • Tuj - Is it unique?
    [Raak] I see your reference, and I appreciate it =)
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not a bridge.
    [Bismarck] Not a geologic term.
    [Tuj] Er...the MINERAL thing is unique, and the ABSTRACT thing is, broadly speaking, unique, but the MINERAL thing and the ABSTRACT thing are not the same thing.
  • Bismarck - Mount Everest?
  • Raak
    [Bismarck] Not Mount Everest.
  • Raak
    (Not sure how Mount Everest could be abstract, unless there's a novel called that.)
  • Software - Stone me?
  • Raak
    [Software] Not a figurative expression.
  • Bismarck - A geographic term?
    Proper names are intrinsically abstract. I'm sure Wittgenstein said that, if not I'm making it up.
  • Raak
    [Bismarck] Not a geographic term. Also, whether it is a proper name (that would be another question), proper name-ness is not the ground for this thing's abstractness.
    (It seems to me, pace Wittgenstein, that The Royal Festival Hall (for example) is very concrete.)
  • Boolbar - Is the MINERAL thing human-made?
  • Raak
    [Boolbar] It is man-made!
  • Bismarck - Is it comestible?
  • Raak
    [Bismarck] Not comestible.
  • Bismarck - Does it involve a proper name?
  • Bismarck - Is this the Royal Festival Hall?
  • Boolbar - Is the mineral part a building?
  • Raak
    [B1a] It does involve a proper name.
    [B1b] But is not the RFH.
    [B2] Is a building!
  • Boolbar - Is this building in Europe?
  • Raak
    [Boolbar] It is, or was, in Europe.
  • Bismarck - Does it still exist?
  • Raak
    [Bismarck] That is argued over, but the simplest answer is that no, it no longer exists.
  • Bismarck - Is this building in the British Isles?
    Mysteriouser and mysteriouser... European building that may or may not exist, named by or after someone, but not decorative.
  • Raak
    [Bismarck] Not in the British Isles.
  • Rosie - Is its putative non-existence the result of politics?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Isn't everything the result of politics?
    Perhaps I have been too obscure about its existence. It was built; it was partly dismantled, and partly fell into ruin, which is why it no longer exists.
    [Bismarck] Although it does involve a proper name, the name is not the name of a person.
  • Bismarck - Right, this is far too vague up to here, could be anything from the Teutoburg Wall through Horta's Maison du Peuple to the Nurburgring Nordschleife. Is it in Germany?
  • Raak
    [Bismarck] Not in Germany.
  • Gusset Login - Alhambra?
  • Raak
    [GL] Not the Alhambra. (That still exists anyway.)
  • Bismarck - Was it in Scandinavia?
  • Rosie - A fortification such as a castle?
    (Raak) re. politics. Not my excessive smoking.
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Yes, this could be classified as a fortification. But was not a castle.
  • Bismarck - Was/Is it in France?
  • Raak
    [Bismarck] Not France.
  • Boolbar - Is/Was it in Greece?
  • Software - The Seigfried line?
  • Raak
    [Boolbar] Not Greece.
    [Software] Not the Siegfried line.
  • Boolbar - Did the Romans build it?
  • Raak
    [Boolbar] Not built by the Romans.
  • Bismarck - Was it in the Balkans?
    Scandinavia q still outstanding?
  • Raak
    [Bismarck] Not in Scandinavia or the Balkans.
  • Bismarck - We'd better try Italy, then. Is it in Italy?
  • Boolbar - Is it in Spain?
  • Bismarck - Is it in one of the Visegrad countries?
    getting there, getting there...
  • Raak
    Not in Italy, Spain, ...(pause to google)..., or in Visegrad.
  • Bismarck - Is it in one of the Benelux countries?
  • Raak
    [Bismarck] Not Benelux.
    The audience is yawning and fidgetting.
  • Boolbar - Was it in a country whose name ends with a vowel?
    As far as an English speaking person is concerned.
  • Bismarck - Is it in Switzerland?
    It's not just the audience... still got Romania, Moldova, European Russia, Liechtenstein, European Turkey, Slovenia, Austria, Malta, Cyprus, and the Baltic countries to go. Let's see who cracks first.
  • Bismarck - Oh yes, there's Portugal too. Is it in Portugal?
  • Raak
    [Bismarck] The country ends with a vowel. As indeed do most countries.
    Not Switzerland. One of that list does apply, though.
    Not Portugal.
    One might try other angles. After all, how much would the country really tell you? What sort of building, what time period, and that abstract thing that no-one is asking about. I expect the answer is quite well known to most people here.
  • Raak - There are five words on the card.
  • Boolbar - Was this building still in use in 1900?
  • Raak
    [Boolbar] Not in use in 1900.
  • Bismarck - That makes things clearer. Did people live in it?
  • Raak
    [Bismarck] This building was not for living in.
  • Bismarck - Did this exist before 1900?
  • Boolbar - Was this a place of entertainment?
  • Raak
    [Bismarck] Existed before 1900.
    [Boolbar] Not a place of entertainment.
  • Rosie - Any connection with horror stories?
  • Boolbar - A place of worship?
  • Bismarck - Did this exist B.C.?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Aaaaaaahhhhh???? No.
    [Boolbar] Not a place of worship.
    [Bismarck] Did not exist B.C.
  • Boolbar - Was this structure used for holding back or containing water?
  • Raak
    [Boolbar] Not waterworks.
  • Boolbar - Was this structure a defensive wall?
  • Raak
    A ripple of applause, as the stage of Discovery of the Footprints is attained. "These traces can no more be hidden than one's nose, looking heavenward."
    Not a defensive wall.
  • Bismarck - Was it built by a religious order?
  • Bismarck - Did it exist before the year 1000 A.D.?
  • Boolbar - Was it a gateway or entrance?
  • Raak
    [Bismarck] Not built by a religious order.
    [hi again!] Did not exist before 1000 AD.
    [Boolbar] Applause! It was a gateway or entrance!
  • Bismarck - triumphal arch?
  • Raak
    [B] Not a triumphal arch.
  • Boolbar - Is the AOTC a book title?
  • Raak
    [B] Not a book title.
  • Bismarck - Are the 5 words of the AOTC in English?
  • Raak
    [Bismarck] The words on the card are in English. (One might quibble about foreign proper names, but I won't.)
  • Boolbar - Was this gateway/entrance at the perimeter of a city?
  • Raak - I hear the song of the nightingale. The sun is warm, the wind is mild, willows are green along the shore - Here no Ox can hide!
    [Boolbar] (more applause!!) Yes, a gateway at the perimeter of a city.
  • Bismarck - (going back to a happy hunting ground) Is this in the Ukraine?
  • Raak - I seize him with a terrific struggle. His great will and power are inexhaustible. He charges to the high plateau far above the cloud-mists, Or in an impenetrable ravine he stands.
    [Bismarck] Yes, it is (was) in the Ukraine!
  • Raak
    [We're showing our age there. It's "Ukraine" these days, not "the Ukraine".]
  • Phi
    [Raak] "The Ukraine" still exists. It's a region, whereas "Ukraine" is the country.
  • Bismarck - Do precious metals come into this?
    [Raak] is so close to nirvana that it seems a shame to hinder the process. For only on super-Himalayan heights may the Answer be revealed.
  • Raak
    [Bismarck] Strictly speaking, no precious metals are involved in the building itself, although there is a popular connection.
  • Bismarck - All quietened down a bit now - how about the golden gate of Kiev?
  • Raak - Mounting the Ox, slowly I return homeward. The voice of my flute intones through the evening. Measuring with hand-beats the pulsating harmony, I direct the endless rhythm. Whoever hears this melody will join me.
    [Bismarck] (a round of applause!) Hm, should I award the prize? (Whispered conference with Mycroft, ending with Mycroft shaking his head.) The mineral thing is indeed the Golden Gate of Kiev (named golden only for the domes of a nearby church). But the words on the card name both this thing and an abstract thing which is not called the Golden Gate of Kiev.
  • Boolbar - Are we looking for a piece of music here?
    I don't think it is anything to do with Chicken Kiev.
  • Raak - Astride the Ox, I reach home. I am serene. The Ox too can rest.
    [Boolbar] We are indeed looking for a piece of music.
  • Bismarck - Gates, gold, Raak, Mussorgsky, all merge.
  • Raak - This heaven is so vast, no message can stain it.
    Bismarck has it: The Great Gate of Kiev.
  • Bismarck - Winners comments
    I said what? Plausible deniability, take a bow.
  • Bismarck - So let us return and mingle with this blissful world.
    Right, this next one is Mineral, to keep the ball rolling, and there are three words on the card.
  • Gusset Login - Is it man made?
  • Knobbly - Is it bigger than a toaster?
  • Raak - Is the first word "The"?
  • Boolbar - Is there only one of this?
  • Bismarck
    [GL] Artificial? No.
    [Kn] Bigger than small? Yes.
    [Ra] Definite article? Yes.
    [Bo] Unique? Yes.
  • Raak - A precious stone?
  • Bismarck
    [Ra] Gem-quality? No.
  • Gusset Login - Liquid?
  • Boolbar - Is it a mountain?
  • Rosie - Is it a natural feature?
  • Bismarck
    [GL] No.
    [Bo] No.
    [Ro] Yes, on balance.
  • Raak - A waterway?
  • Boolbar - Is it larger than Wales?
  • Bismarck
    [Ra] Wet? No.
    [Bo] Fwy na Cymru? Yes.
  • Rosie - England
    Oi! Mwy na Chymru, 'sgwelwch yn dda.
  • Boolbar - Is it not on the Earth?
  • Bismarck
    [Ro] Anglo? No.
    [Bo] Extraterrestrial? Yes.
  • Rosie - Mars?
  • Bismarck
    [Ro] Red planet? No.
  • Knobbly - The Milky Way? (Other chocolate bars are available)
  • Boolbar - Is it within our Solar System?
  • Bismarck
    [Kn] No.
    [Bo] No.
  • Boolbar - Is it a galaxy?
    Chocolate bar theme continuing.
  • Raak - A nebula?
  • Bismarck - Applause and the odd Janx spirit all around
    [Bo] Yes! (View the source to read the hidden text)
    [Ra] No.
  • Rosie - The Magellanic Clouds?
  • Bismarck
    [Ro] Star cluster? No.
  • Boolbar - The Andromeda Galaxy?
  • Bismarck - Take a bow, Boolbar!
    The winning move and within twenty questions, a fine effort. Take this complimentary Pan-galactic Gargle Blaster and proceed to the winner's enclosure.
  • Boolbar - Recovers from hard hitting but lemony hangover
    Wow! Winning this is out of this world! And thanks for the bow, I'll pop it in my hair. Um, the next one is
    ABSTRACT & ANIMAL
  • Raak - Aslan?
  • Bismarck - A painting?
  • Rosie - Animal part fearsome?
  • Boolbar
    [Raak] No wardrobe based lion.
    [Bismark] No framed masterpiece.
    [Rosie] To some I'm sure. Frightening. Audience nodding
  • Bismarck - is the animal one that might be found in the wild?
  • Rosie - Is the animal a snake?
  • Boolbar
    [Bismarck] You wouldn't really say that about this animal, so let's go for no.
    [Rosie] No.
    Thinking about it, the AOTC is abstract involving an abstract animal, so my answer to Rosie's "fearsome" question is more to do with the abstract animal and not the isolated animal alone. Sorry for any confusion caused. I'm more awake today. As you were.
  • Bismarck - Is the animal extinct?
  • Boolbar
    [Bismarck] Definitely not!
  • Software - A sacred cow?
  • Rosie - Is the AOTC an idiomatic phrase?
  • Boolbar
    [Software] No.
    [Rosie] No.
  • Raak - A mythological creature?
  • Superman - An heraldic animal?
  • Boolbar - Wonders when someone will ask the usual "animal" question.
    [Raak] The AOTC is not a mythological creature, but the animal part does appear in myths.
    [Superman] I can find examples of the animal part in heraldic crests, but is not usually thought of as such.
  • Raak - A snake in the grass?
  • Boolbar
    [Raak] Alas no.
  • Bismarck - Cheshire cat?
  • Boolbar
    [Bismarck] No grins for you either.
  • Superman - A quadruped?
  • Bismarck - Is the abstract bit a literary reference?
  • Boolbar
    [Superman] No.
    [Bismarck] Yes!   Audience wake up and applaud.
  • Gusset Login - Is the animal a human?
  • Boolbar
    [Gusset Login] Yes!
  • Bismarck - So we are looking for somebody in a book... Is the perspn one of those Hero With a Thousand Faces types?.
  • Gusset Login - The man with no name?
  • Boolbar
    [Bismarck] Not one of those types.
    [Gusset Login] Not without a name.
  • Superman - An historical (real) personage?
  • Bismarck - Is the personage male?
  • Boolbar
    [Superman & Bismarck] Can you share this "No" between you? I'm running out of them. Neither real or male.
  • Raak - Is she a religious figure?
  • KagomeShuko
    Does she have a statue in Denmark?
  • Software - Liberty?
  • Gusset Login - Britannia?
  • Boolbar
    [All] No! Although I can't guarantee that there is not a statue somewhere in Denmark made by a bored sculptor and placed in their garden :)
  • Raak - Associated with a particular country?
  • Boolbar
    [Raak] Yes!
  • Superman - Is that country in Europe?
  • Boolbar
    [Superman] Yes!
  • Bismarck - British Isles?
  • Raak - Bernadette Soubirous?
  • Boolbar
    [Bismarck] Yes!
    [Raak] Not her.
  • Raak - Boudicca?
  • Gusset Login - The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street?
  • Boolbar
    [Raak] Not her either.
    [Gusset Login] I like the way you think, but no.
     
    The basics so far... Animal=Human (humans are found in myths, not extinct, etc.) Human=female with a name, not a religious figure. Overall a literary reference and connected with the British Isles.
  • Superman - Alice in Wonderland?
  • Boolbar
    [Superman] Not her. Even through the looking glass.
  • Superman - Does this character have a pib named after her?
  • Superman - -pib+pub..
  • Boolbar
    [Superman] Not that I know of (pibs or pubs). Without a list of all pub names worldwide it is hard to be certain. But a google search shows nothing, although I did find a pub in the UK with a very connected name.
  • Raak - From Arthurian legends?
  • Bismarck - Does the good lassie turn up in a play?
  • Boolbar
    [Raak] No.
    [Bismarck] If she does (and she has) it is not the original source, so don't be distracted by that.
  • Raak - Maid Marian?
  • Boolbar
    [Raak] No.
  • Bismarck - Was the literary reference made after 1900?
  • Boolbar
    [Bismarck] Not that recent, no.
  • Raak - Royalty?
  • Boolbar
    [Raak] No.
  • Raak - Involved with the occult?
  • Bismarck - Scottish?
  • Boolbar
    [Bismarck] No.
    [Raak] Smattering of audience going 'oooh'   There is an aspect of the AOTC that would come under the broad sweep of the occult. However the fictional female in the AOTC was not involved with the occult.
  • Superman - Mother Shipton?
    Though I have admit she might have been real.
  • Boolbar
    [Superman] Not her.
  • Raak - Originating after 1600?
  • Boolbar
    [Raak] It is my great pleasure to say "yes".
  • Raak - Shakespeare's Dark lady?
  • Boolbar
    [Raak] Nor her.
     
    Just to clarify and hint : when I said earlier "...but the animal part does appear in myths." I was referring to humans in general for the animal part (as people were trying to identify the animal at that point), not this particular literary fictional human female character.
  • Superman - One of the royalty?
  • Superman - The White Lady?
  • Bismarck - Would it help to define the geographical appurtenance of said female more closely?
  • Boolbar
    [Superman] No to Royalty and not The White Lady but the latter gets the audience murmuring.
    [Bismarck] I suspect it would help.
  • Bismarck - I'm game... Welsh lady?
  • Boolbar
    [Bismarck] Best hide from those people with shotguns then... As for Wales, no.
  • Bismarck - it's the leg i was referring to, thanks for the sympathy. Ireland?
  • Boolbar
    [Bismarck] Nor Ireland. That should narrow it down a bit :)
  • gil - Wilkie Collins' Woman in White?
    (arriving late here, I am just reacting to the recent murmur from the audience)
  • Boolbar
    [gil] Nice try, but no.   Audience are looking more expectant now.
  • Raak - Irene Adler?
  • Boolbar
    [Raak] To Sherlock Holmes she may be always the woman. But not this time.
  • Bismarck - Lack of inspiration leaves brute force... North of Manchester?
  • Boolbar
    [Bismarck] Yes!
  • Raak - 19th century?
  • Boolbar
    [Raak] Yes! Yes!
  • Raak - from Dickens?
  • Superman - from the Bront?s?
  • Boolbar - Try &euml; for ë
    [Raak] Not the Dickens.
    [Superman] Shouting over the audience cheering   Yes! From the Brontës!
  • Superman - Oh great, never read any of them. Wikipedia suggests Jane Eyre as a possibility, is that it?
  • Boolbar
    [Superman & Wikipedia] Not that possibility.
  • Superman - Bront?s, Brontë, Bront. Testing. Still no idea, though.
  • Superman - Is the AOTC a personage in 'Jane Eyre'?
  • Boolbar
    [Superman] Not that book no.
  • Audience - Start to overheat with anticipation : someone opens a window.
  • Superman - Oh, go on then: Agnes Grey?
  • Boolbar
    [Superman] Not her, or any other shade of grey.
  • gil
    Lucy Snowe?
  • Superman
    C'mon Boolbar, we all want to know if gil has it!
  • Boolbar
    [Superman] Busy weekend and...
    [gil] No. [hint : wrong Brontë]
  • Superman - Nelly Dean?
  • Boolbar
    [Superman] No but... Some audience applause and whooping
  • Superman - Isabella Linton?
  • Boolbar
    [Superman] No. Still the wrong character. The audience fall silent. Only the sound of a branch tapping on the window can be heard.
     
    Note that the AOTC does have an extra part than just the character's name : see murmur above.
  • Superman - Is there nobody out there that has ever read this stuff and can put us put of our misery?
  • Boolbar - Nobody wants to take the baton at this time of year. :)
  • Software - I give up
  • Boolbar
    Not a ghost of a chance of anyone getting this? While I wait I shall listen to some music.
  • Chalky
    Did I really start this game 14 years ago? (see wordy intro above)
  • Knobbly - To narrow down to 1, hopefully: is she already dead at the beginning of the novel?
    It's one of 2 I had suspected... but I've had a go relatively recently
  • Boolbar
    [Knobbly] At the beginning of the novel she is dead.
  • Superman
    [Knobbly] Don't apologise, it's been me and Boolbar in here for the last how long, and Stockholm syndrome was beginning to set in.
  • Knobbly - Catherine Earnshaw?
  • Boolbar
    Audience goes wild with excitement
    [Knobbly] That'll do as I'm sure you muttered "The ghost of" just beforehand.  Plus I need a rest.  Have this baton made from a fir bough which oddly feels like a ice-cold hand...
  • Knobbly - Where did my post go?
    Did I forget to click Stand again?
    Anyway, as everyone drifts back from extended New Year breaks, this one is ANIMAL.
  • Boolbar - The dog ate it.
    Is it a human?
  • Gusset Login - Is it Arthur Pendragon?
  • Tuj - Made of meat?
    `
  • Knobbly
    [Boolbar] Not human
    [GL] Not -King Arthur
    [Tuj] I'll say yes, but only on the basis that all animals are made of meat, so that's not particularly helpful.
  • gil - Mammal?
  • Rosie - Fictional?
  • Boolbar - A bird?
  • Bismarck - More than four legs?
  • Knobbly
    [Gil] YES, mammalian ([Boolbar] and therefore not a bird)
    [Rosie] Not fictional
    [Bismark] No more than 4 legs.
  • Raak - A specific human?
  • Bismarck - A lolcat?
  • Chalky - Larger than a 2 slice toaster?
  • Superman - Extinct?
  • Knobbly
    [Raak] No specific human
    [Bismarck] No can has cheezburger
    [Chalky] YES bigger than a small toaster
    [Superman] The species is not extinct.
  • gil - bigger than a goat?
  • Knobbly
    [gil] No bigger than a goat
  • Boolbar - Is it a member of the subfamily Caprinae?
  • Rosie - A pet?
  • Knobbly
    [Boolbar] Not Caprinae
    [Rosie] YES, a pet.
  • gil - Sounds doggish
  • Bismarck - Carnivorous?
  • Raak - Is it a Thing That Should Not Be?
  • Knobbly
    [gil & Bismarck] YES, extremely doggish and indeed carnivorous
    [Raak] I had to Popular Search Engine it, but no.
  • Superman - Irish Wolfhound?
  • Knobbly
    [Superman] Not an Irish Wolfhound.
  • Chalky - Winner of Best In Show at Crufts 2016?
  • Boolbar - Is it a specific dog?
  • Knobbly
    [Chalky] Not BIS
    [Boolbar] YES a specific dog.
  • Bismarck - Lassie?
  • Knobbly
    [Bismarck] What's that, Lassie? No, not you.
  • Boolbar - Is this specific dog still alive?
  • Raak - Laika?
  • Knobbly
    [Boolbar] Not still alive
    [Raak] Not Laika.
  • CdM - Greyfriars Bobby?
  • Bismarck - Recap
    So we are looking for a dead pet dog Knobbly once knew. Hmmmm.
  • Knobbly
    [CdM] Not Greyfriars Bobby
    [Bismarck] Choosing to interpret that as a question: No, I didn't know the dog personally.
  • Boolbar - Did or does the dog advertise something?
  • Raak - Did the dog appear on children's TV?
  • Knobbly
    [Boolbar] YES, it is an advertising dog *Audience wakes up and begins to murmur excitedly*
    [Raak] Not children's telly, no.
  • Superman - ... the Andrex puppy?
  • Bismarck - The Dulux Old English Sheepdog?
  • Knobbly
    [S & B] Neither of them.
  • Boolbar - Used in a logo?
  • Knobbly
    [Boolbar] Logo, YES. *Murmuring increases - they were worried you'd been misled by the yes to adverts*
  • Software - The HMV/RCA dog?
    Jumping on the bandwagon
  • Knobbly
    [Software] YES - The AOTC was actually its name (for an extra point?), but I'm minded to give you that.
    Listen to this recording of me telling you you've won...
  • Superman
    And the winner of the invisible AVMA game is... Can't read it, it's faded.
  • Dujon
    It is undoubtedly that much commented storm. His cable out to the islands has probably been cut and he is working feverishly to recover from the outage. With a wee bit of luck Stevie et al will sort out a piece of code and float it over in a bottle in order to help us all out. Of course that code will, of necessity, be in plain French.
  • Rosie
    Anyone going to be bold enough to start another?
  • Rosie
    Right, then. This is quite straightforward.

    It's MINERAL. and nothing whatsoever to do with steam engines.

  • Bismarck
    Is this an element in the periodic table?
  • Raak - Is it an individual object?
  • Boolbar - Is it a human-made object?
  • Gusset Login - Is it a rock?
  • Tuj - Is it a plane?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) One of the elemnts? NO. *some muted giggles from the audience*
    (Raak) An individual object? YES
    (Boolbar) Human made? YES.
    (Gusset Login) A rock? NO.
    (Tuj) Aircraft, geometrical concept or carpentry tool? NONE of the above.
  • Boolbar - Was it human-made over 200 years ago?
  • Superman - Is it in the UK?
  • Raak - Is it a work of art?
  • Bismarck - Is it a monument?
  • Rosie - Possibly misleading
    It is an object but there are many of them. Loads of 'em, in fact.

    If the questions had been phrased "Are they.....?" the answers would have been:
    (Boolbar) YES, probably
    (Superman) They're probably found in almost every country.
    (Raak) Not a work of art.
    (Bismarck) Not a monument.

  • Raak
    [Rosie] It's an individual object, but they're found all over the place?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) It's an object, a thing, a whatsit, an oojamaflip. Individual in the sense of being different from other things. Not individual in the sense you meant though I suppose you could have a monogrammed one. Mea culpa.
  • Bismarck - A milestone?
  • Raak - A tool?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) A milestone? NO
    (Raak) A tool? NO.
  • Boolbar - Are these items usually made of metal?
  • Superman - Is it mobile?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) Metallic? YES, but they don't have to be.
    (Superman) Mobile? NO.
  • Raak - Can a person lift one of these?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Can it be lifted? YES, very easily.
  • Raak - A marble?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) NO, not that easily.
  • Boolbar - A weapon of some sort?
  • Bismarck - An anchor?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) NO, not a weapon.
    (Bismarck) An anchor? NO. Not terribly liftable.
  • Bismarck - Is this a household object?
  • Boolbar - Is this usually attached to, or part of, a building?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) Household object? YES
    (Boolbar) Part of a building or attached thereto? YES.
  • Software - A spoon?
  • Superman - A brick?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) NOT a spoon.
    (Superman) NOT a brick.
  • Raak - A piece of door furniture?
  • Bismarck - Is it as big as a toaster?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) YES, though it stretches the imagination to call it furniture.
    (Bismarck) Toaster-sized? NO.
  • Software - Footrest?
  • Superman - Knockers!
  • Rosie
    (Software) Footrest? NO.
    (Superman) Knockers? Where? Show me! NOT a percussive call-attention device..
  • Raak - A door-hinge?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) NOT a door-hinge but there is some association with the AOTC.
  • Raak - A jamb?
  • Bismarck - A door lock?
  • Software - Knockers?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Not a jamb.
    (Bismarck) Not a door lock.
    (Software) Knockers have been done, if you'll pardon the phrase. See Bismarck penult.
    A gentle nudge: Not every house has one of these.
  • Superman - A cat flap?
  • Raak - A tradesmen's entrance?
  • Boolbar - Is this visible when the door is closed?
  • Software - Letterbox?
  • Rosie
    (Raak,Boolbar, Software) None of those things but Superman has it. It's a cat-flap.

    Over to you, Superman.

  • Superman - So this is a cat-flap?
    Just let me sit here and meow plaintively for the next hour...
    Ok, this one is ANIMAL. Let's hear your suggestions.
  • Boolbar - Is it human?
  • Rosie
    Is it food (for humans)?
  • Superman - We are off to a flyer!
    [Boolbar] YES.
    [Rosie] NO. Definitely not available for cannibalism.
  • Software - A particular person?
  • Boolbar - Still alive?
  • Superman - First fence... going strong
    [Software] YES, a particûlar character.
    [Boolbar] Good question - the character is fictional, and as such never was alive, but nor has any death ever been mentioned.
  • Raak - A detective?
  • Boolbar - Was this fictional person created before the year 1900?
  • Superman - Second fence... jockeying for position
    [Raak] NO, not their style.
    [Boolbar] NO, more recent.
  • Raak - Female?
  • Superman - Early showing
    [Raak] NO, definitely male.
  • Boolbar - A character created for a television show?
  • Bismarck - Does the character appear in only one work?
  • Software - Tarzan?
  • Raak - Originally in a written work?
  • Superman - Third fence, a faller, leaders bunching
    [Boolbar] NO, not for TV.
    [Bismarck] NO, not an isolated incident.
    [Software] NO-OOOO OOOO OOOO (sorry)
    [Raak] YES, originally published on paper.
  • Raak - The principal character of the fiction?
  • Boolbar - Is this work the character appears in, a comic strip or graphic novel?
  • Superman - Fourth fence causes no problems to the leaders
    [Raak] YES, this is the central character.
    [Boolbar] YES, the character does appear in a comic strip or graphic novel.
  • Raak - A superhero?
  • Rosie
    Does the character appear in Viz?
  • Superman - At the fifth, over to Michael O'Hare
    [Raak] Hero yes, superhero... On balance, NO. [Rosie] NO, not Viz.
  • Bismarck - Was a film made of this character?
  • Boolbar - A character from the Eagle comics?
    That's going back a bit.
  • Superman - Loose horse, the field is split as they come to the sixth
    [Bismarck] YES, a film was made with this character.
    [Boolbar] NO, not from ye "Eagle".
  • Rosie - Cow pie
    Desperate Dan?
  • Bismarck - Did the character appear in a DC Comics publication?
  • Boolbar - Is the character a Marvel Comics creation?
  • Superman - At the sixth, a refusal, difficult landings but the race goes on
    [Rosie] NO, not Dan.
    [Bismarck] NO, not DC.
    [Boolbar] NO, Marvel not.
  • Boolbar - Created by Neil Gaiman?
  • Software - Dennis the Menace?
  • Bismarck - Did this character appear in a DC Thomson comic?
  • Raak - A character from 2000AD?
  • Superman - The water jump slows a few, but who is this coming up on the outside?
    [Boolbar] NO, but good inspiration.
    [Software] NO, though the character is certainly menacing.
    [Bismarck] NO, no Beano, Dandy, Bunty etc.
    [Raak] YES - Zarjaz! Won't be long now.
  • Software - King Kong?
  • Raak - Judge Dredd?
  • Gusset Login - Johnny Alpha?
  • Superman - Neck-and-neck finish!
    [Software] NO, not the monkey.
    [Gusset Login] NO, but it could have been the Dog.
    [Raak] YES, it's everyone's favourite bobby on the beat in Mega-City One.

    So Raak, you are the law! Please enter the winner's enclosure where Tharg will give you the keys to an enormous motorcycle: The rest of you into the weighing room where the Judges will execute a summary verdict.
  • Raak - The next is ANIMAL.
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] Does not begin with P.
  • Superman - Is it human?
  • Boolbar - Is it fictional?
  • Raak
    [S] Um... it is human, but not a human.
    [B] Not fictional.
  • Bismarck - A nationality?
  • Raak
    Not a nationality.
  • Boolbar - A profession?
  • Gusset Login - A Band?
  • Raak
    [B] Not a profession.
    [GL] Not a band.
  • Boolbar - Does this human collective still exist today?
  • Raak
    [B] (Q1) Not a human collective. (Q2) Exists today.
  • Tuj - Unique?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] Unique.
  • Boolbar - Is it a part of a human?
  • Raak
    [B] Yes, a part of a human.
  • Bismarck - Is it a visible part of said human?
  • Raak
    [B] It is visible (and not just to those who happen to know them rather well).
  • Boolbar - Is it still attached to the rest of the human?
  • Rak
    [B] Still attached.
  • Raak
    What Rak said.
  • Rosie - Is it a sense organ?
    Who nose?
  • Boolbar - Is it a hand?
  • Bismarck - Skin?
  • Raak - [R] Not a sense organ.
  • Raak
    [B1] Not a hand.
    [B2] Not skin.
  • Boolbar - Is it the hair on the head?
  • Raak
    [B] applause It is the hair on the head.
  • Software - A quiff?
  • Raak
    [S] applause!! Having done a google search to determine what is and is not a quiff, I believe that this is not, strictly speaking, a quiff.
  • Rosie - A duck's-arse haircut
    Very fashionable when ah were a lad.
  • Bismarck - An Afro?
  • Raak
    [R] Not, er, one of those.
    [B] Not an afro.
  • Boolbar - Is it an individual person's hair?
  • Raak
    [B] It is an individual person's hair.
  • Superman - This must be the hair of the Deal Leader whose initials are DT (and I don't mean Donald Tusk)
    setting myself up for a big fall here :)
  • Raak
    It is indeed Donald Trump's hair, and I have a really great baton for you, because our batons are the greatest in the world.
  • Superman
    What a great baton I have got. Carefully ignoring all the previous administration may have done, I and only I have the answer you are all looking for. This will be done speedily, and is Vegetable.
  • Boolbar - Is it a tree or part of a tree?
  • Tuj - Is it unique?
  • Rosie - Commonly part of the human diet?
  • Superman
    This is a great start, I am expecting to be able to choose my staff from among you boys and lady. Thanks for the questions, which are aligned to our solution and to which the following statement from Kellyanne, you know the one, will suffice:
    [Boolbar] Yes, great question
    [Tuj] Yes, of course, I don't do ordinary
    [Rosie] Not unless you're North Korean, and my solution delegated to our great ambassador Mr McDonald will soon sort that out.
  • Raak - Is it a work of art?
  • Bismarck - Is it alive?
  • Boolbar - Is it a piece of furniture?
  • Superman
    Amidst all the mess left by the previous incumbent and with no help at all from China during the eight days of our presidency, we are pursuing our way for greatness to become yours. Good thing! and in reply to these beauties, let me just say this:
    [Raak] Bigly, no, and certainly not to my taste. Some more paint and gilt might rescue it. Sure, I could sell it to the Mexicans.
    [Bismarck] I can deny that. Only Democrats could imagine it alive, though there is a resemblance in its aliveness to certain politicos I could mention. Wait for the revelations.
    [Boolbar] Well, listen, I'm not biased, it's standing against a wall and I can put things on it, just like the Sec of State. But it doesn't speak or fall over, so it's either furniture or in line for a promotion.
  • Raak - A type of table?
  • Superman
    Wait a moment while I hang up on some lady who thinks she's important. Ok. Yes, it is one of greatest types of table.
  • Bismarck - The desk in the Oval Office?
  • Superman
    Delay caused by having to go out for a Chinese. The staff are whooping an' hollerin', that's not a bad guess, they think. So yes it has been but we need more clarification.
  • Bismarck - Presumably a specific OO desk? The "Resolute" desk?
  • Rosie - King Arthur's Round Table?
    Night, night.
  • Superman
    Well now, that's mighty close. Not the Round Table, that's plain wrong. I sign all my presidential stuff on that Resolute desk, 'cos "resolute" is my middle name, like "you're fired." But while the staff are applauding you, Jared tells me you'll need the name of the desk given by a real industry dealer, not made out of some Limey boat.
  • Bismarck - The C&O desk?
  • Superman - And the winner is...
    I've just opened this envelope that Jared gave me and the winner is Emma Stone. A great, great lady, even if she doesn't support the NRA. Oh but wait, Pence us telling me that's his error, the prize of this baton round goes to Bismarck. Good military name, that. Now I have to deal with some bad, bad guys over a major, major issue, so bye, bye.
  • Superman - And the winner is...
    I've just opened this envelope that Jared gave me and the winner is Emma Stone. A great, great lady, even if she doesn't support the NRA. Oh but wait, Pence us telling me that's his error, the prize of this baton round goes to Bismarck. Good military name, that. Now I have to deal with some bad, bad guys over a major, major issue, so bye, bye.
  • Bismarck
    Oh, cheers, and by the way it looks like your communications are tapped, there's an echo.
    Here's one for the weekend: ABSTRACT, for a change.
  • gil - An emotion?
  • Rosie - Anything to do with politics?
  • Bismarck
    [Gil] NO, not an emotion.
    [Rosie] Whilst fairly universal, this should be associated less with politics than many other occupations.
  • gil - A quality not associated with politics? Veracity?
  • Bismarck
    [gil] NO, not truthfulness.
  • Rosie - Is it a quality that is normally regarded as good?
  • Dujon - Is self respect closely related to the AOTC?
  • Bismarck
    [Dujon] NO.
    Politics really isn't the way to go.
  • Bismarck
    [Rosie] Neither good nor bad, but neutral.
  • Boolbar - Anything to do with numbers?
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • Bismarck
    [Boolbar] YES, numbers are very frequently associated with the Answer.
    [Tuj] NO, though a closely allied concept does. Maybe we can do it next time.
  • Superman - Solidity?
  • Tuj - Is it a human invention?
  • Bismarck
    [Sup] NO, not solidity. [Tuj] NO, not a human invention.
  • Boolbar - Is it a physical constant?
  • Rosie - Gravity?
  • Bismarck
    [Bo] There are several physical constants and at least one law that describe the AOTC, or attempt to fudge it, but no self-respecting physicist would admit that that AOTC as stated comes into it. They might use Tuj's P-word, though.
    [Ro] NO, not gravity.
  • Superman - Chemistry?
  • Rosie - The vagaries of the weather?
  • Bismarck
    [Super] NO, not chemistry
    [Rosie] Applause breaks out but dies away. NO, not the weather.
  • Superman - Murphy's law?
  • Tuj - Is it... spooky?
  • Boolbar - Is it... sleazy?
  • Bismarck
    [Superman] Scattered applause... M's law is often invoked, but on reflection it indicates the opposite of the AOTC.
    [The Mighty Tuj] NO, unless you consider Forteana spooky
    [Boolbar of Asgard] NO, even if you're lucky.
    BTW it's none of the other five dwarves either.
  • Rosie - The movements of the planets?
  • Boolbar - Something to do with quantum mechanics?
  • Bismarck
    [Rosie] NO.
    [Boolbar] YES, though more common as the P-word.
  • Rosie - The structure of the atom?
  • Raak - Chaos theory?
  • Bismarck
    [Ro] NO. Hint - more general concept than physics.
    [Ra] NO, although the AOTC plays a role in it as well as in the film.
  • Dujon - Is the P-word physics?
  • Rosie - Philosophy?
  • Bismarck
    [Dujon] NO. [Rosie] NO.
  • Boolbar - Probability?
  • Bismarck
    [Boolbar the Not Improbable] Yay, that's the P-word, of which the AOTC is a synonym.
  • Raak - Statistics?
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] NO, not stats.
  • Rosie - Chance?
  • Bismarck - The winner of the lottery is...
    ROSIE, it's your lucky day, you have selected the six winning letters in the correct order! Come down into the arena and take this baton, as well as your cheque for sixpence, redeemable at any branch of the Midland bank.
  • Rosie
    There with the C-word, as usual.

    Now this one is

    MINERAL and VEGETABLE and nothing whatsoever to do with steam locomotives.

  • Boolbar - Is it pea gravel?
  • Raak - Salted licorice?
  • Gusset Login - A building?
  • Superman - Kew Gardens?
  • Tuj - A grandfather clock?
  • Rosie
    NO, five times NO. Gusset Login is closest but still a long way off.
  • Boolbar - Is it something made by a human?
  • Software - Stonehenge?
  • Superman - Does it still exist?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) Human-made? YES
    (Software) Stonehenge? *Brief audience excitement*. NO
    (Superman) Still in existence? YES, just about.
  • Bismarck - Was it deliberately made (rather than being the side-effect of having humans around)?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) Deliberately made? YES.
  • Boolbar - Is there only one?
  • Software - Woodhenge?
  • Superman - Is it a path?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) YES, there is only one.
    (Softers) NO, not Woodhenge.
    (Superman) A path? NO, but some will regard it as such.
  • Tuj - Is it in Europe?
    The continent, obvs.
  • Superman - Did it have a defensive purpose?
  • Bismarck - Did it exist before 1 AD?
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) In Europe? YES
    (Superman) Defensive purposes? YES, very largely.
    (Bismarck) Before 1 AD? NO.
  • Raak - The Berlin Wall?
  • Boolbar - Is it in Wales?
  • Superman - Was it built by a bloke called Offa?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Not the Berlin Wall.
    (Boolbar) YES, most of it.
    (Superman) Obviously not; he was a king FFS. For some reason or other his name is always associated with it.
  • Rosie
    I think we can say Superman has won, so well done you, aye. Take this baton, run with it and try not to fall into a ditch or make jokes about lesbians.
  • Superman - We go again. Here we go again...
    Thank you, dear. Llwbr coeheddus and all that.

    Without further ado, let me announce an
    ANIMAL subject on the card. Listen carefully as the mystery voice reads out the clue.

  • Tuj - Is it me?
  • Boolbar - Is it a human?
  • Superman - And as the game kicks off...
    [Tuj] I honestly don't know. Let's get to the answer and find out, shall we?
    [Boolbar] YES, and also NO.
  • Software - A person also in fiction?
  • Superman
    [Software] NO, not fictional.
  • Bismarck - *trying to think of something that both is, and is not, human* Is this a class of people?
  • Tuj - Is it alive?
  • Boolbar - Is it a trade or profession?
  • Superman - Play is defensive...
    [Bismarck] A clarification is needed. *clears throat*
    Mystery Voice:The Yes was for "human", the No was for "a".
    [Tuj] YES.
    [Boolbar] NO, although one comes into it.
  • Raak - The human genome?
  • Bismarck - Yer, roight, but is it a class of people?
  • Boolbar - Anything to do with elections?
  • Superman - A foray tries to break the defensive line...
    [Raak] NO, genetics doesn't come into it.
    [Bismarck] YES. This will come back and bite me.
    [Boolbar] NO, thank goodness, there has to be some respite somewhere.
  • Boolbar - Is it everyone who is going to win this game in the future?
  • Superman
    [Boolbar] NO. Though I wish I had thought of it.
  • Tuj - Are they found (or associated with) a single country?
  • Boolbar - Something to do with their names?
  • Rosie - A physical characteristic?
  • Superman - Still early doors, tackles and possession going backwards and forwards
    [Tuj] NO.
    [Boolbar] NO.
    [Rosie] NO.
    All good questions, though.
  • Rosie - Do these people have a common interest? (e.g vole-polishing, trainspotting etc)
  • gil - Politicians?
  • Boolbar - Have they all won or been awarded something?
  • Superman - Crossing the half-way line
    [Rosie] YES, on the grounds they must have or they wouldn't be doing what they're doing.
    [gil] NO. At least that was an easy one.
    [Boolbar] NO, not yet, although traditionally being there involves winning something.
  • Rosie - Anything to do with sport?
  • Superman - Rosie spots an opening and is off like a hare
    [Rosie] *stands erupt in applause* YES.
  • Raak - Are these people spectators?
  • Superman - Drinks break
    [Raak] No, this is happening on the pitch.
  • Rosie - Does the AOTC mention a specific sport?
  • Bismarck - Is this a football team?
  • Boolbar - Something to do with cricket?
  • Superman - Play slows as referee's guide dog takes a leak
    [Rosie] NO. Which surprised me when I looked it up.
    [Bismarck] NO.
    [Boolbar] NO.
  • gil - Anyone for Tennis?
  • Boolbar - An aquatic sport?
  • Rosie - An umpire?
  • Superman
    NO to all of you.
  • Raak - A team?
  • Rosie - A groundsman?
  • Superman - Stepovers and missed passes...
    [Raak] "YES!!" shout the assembled multitudes.
    [Rosie] NO, despite the valiant work of that undervalued person.
  • Boolbar - Are the team sitting down while competing?
  • Rosie - An indoor sport?
  • Superman - The line-breaking attack fizzles out...
    [Boolbar] NO, definitely not.
    [Rosie] NO, this goes on out in the elements.
  • Superman - The line-breaking attack fizzles out...
    [Boolbar] NO, definitely not.
    [Rosie] NO, this goes on out in the elements.
  • Boolbar - A sport using a ball (or balls)?
  • Rosie - Does this sport take place with large numbers of spectators?
  • Superman - They build patiently...
    [Boolbar] YES, this is a ball game.
    [Rosie] YES, it's quite popular.
  • Boolbar - Is rugby the name of the game?
  • Superman - Boolbar rises above the fray to claim the throw
    [Boolbar] YES! A chorus of a rugby song breaks out.
  • Raak - So, it's a team, and it's rugby, could it be a rugby team?
  • Superman - Swing low, sweet chariot
    [Raak] YES.
  • Raak - A specific rugby team?
  • Superman - Coming for to carry me home
    [Raak]'Ot, innit... Since you didn't win the contest outright for saying "rugby team", it is logical that we are looking for a specific rugby team. Orrigh'?
  • Rosie - The British Lions?
  • Superman - Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi...
    [Rosie] The massed ranks break into male-voiced harmony. NO, but only because that's not their full name, which will spell trouble in the green community of it ever gets out. However, it's closer than I came to winning last time out, so you'd better catch this pass from the bottom of the ruck and power onwards, leaving kiwis scattered in your wake like Barry John reincarnated. The British and Irish Lions it is.
  • Rosie - Gwyddwn i ddim dy fod Cymro.
    Actually I find Rugby absurd and incomprehensible but we had to play it in school.
    Never mind all that, the next one is

    ANIMAL
  • Tuj - Rats?
  • Dujon - Shouldn't that be Prats?
  • Rosie
    (Tuj, Dujon) Not the intention of the AOTC, but could be.
  • Bismarck - A beast of myth and fable?
  • Boolbar - Human?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) Mythical beast? NO.
    (Boolbar) Human? Yes.
  • Superman - Does politics come into this?
  • Tuj - Alive?
  • Boolbar - One human?
  • Rosie
    (Superman) NO politics in this.
    (Tuj) Alive? YES.
    (Boolbar) One human? Could be, but rather unlikely.
  • Bismarck - Has this anything to do with a game?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) - NO, nothing to do with a game.
  • Boolbar - Anything to do with railways?
  • Superman - A family?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) Surprisingly, NO
    (Superman) A distinct possibility, but not a requirement. *some audience animation*
  • Boolbar - Something to do with food?
  • Superman - The staff in a business?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) NO, nothing to do with food.
    (Superman) NO, not the staff in a business.
  • Bismarck - Does this group of people share a common goal?
  • Boolbar - Does this group of people share a common country?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) YES, but a rather undefinable one.
    (Boolbar) Share a common country? YES.
  • Bismarck - Has this group of people been around for a long time?
  • Boolbar - A group of musicians?
  • Software - From the answer to Bismark's question
    The Tory Party?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) In some form or other, YES
    (Boolbar) Musos? Essentially NO, though the AOTC does not exclude the possibility.
    (Software) The Tories? NO.
  • Bismarck - Is this a mixed group, or unisex?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) Could be unisex, but unlikely.
  • Boolbar - Does this group gather in one place from time to time?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) A very strange way to describe it but strictly speaking YES.
  • Superman - The Mafia?
  • Bismarck - Is the common country the UK?
  • Rosie
    (Superman) The Mafia? NO
    (Bismarck)UK? Need not be but all members of the group have a common country.
  • Superman - This sounds so much like the entrants for the Eurovision or the ruling party in a country or the footie team that it's annoying me that that has all been ruled out. It seems that a national interest group with no link to politics, sport or music is required. Even family connections are tenuous. The heads of the Commonwealth?
  • Rosie
    (Superman) NOT those worthies. Try not to explode. The AOTC is an instantly recognisable entity but has few if any definite characteristics except one which is of course the AOTC itself.
  • Boolbar - Do these people observe something?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) Observers? NO.
  • gil - Mornington Crescenters?
  • Rosie
    (gil) NO, not us lot
  • Bismarck - An orchestra?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) An orchestra? NO
  • Boolbar - Has this anything to do with an astronomical event?
  • Superman - Could this be the Merthyr Tydfil travelling supporter/s?
  • Bismarck - Shareholders at an AGM?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) Anything to do with an astronomical event? NO, not a thing.
    (Superman) NOT those intrepid worthies, nor those of Cefn Druids, Stenhousemuir or Warlingham and Whyteleafe Rovers.
    (Bismarcke) Shareholders at an AGM? NO.
  • Boolbar - Do the people in this group change from day to day?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) NO, not from day to day.
  • Superman - Does alcohol come into this at all?
  • Bismarck - Shopping?
  • Boolbar - Can you become a member of this group by being born?
  • Rosie
    (Superman) Booze? - NO
    (Bismark) Shopping? - NO.
    (Boolbar) A member of the group simply by being born? YES. *audience senses some insight into this utterly banal subject*
  • Bismarck - Queuing?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarcke) NO, not queueing.
  • Raak - The population of planet Earth?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) NO, not that extensive.
  • Boolbar - Something to do with royalty?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) Royalty? Could be theoretically, but extremely unlikely.
  • Superman - All people who share your birthday?
  • Rosie
    (Superman) Wot? Peter Cook, Jonafan Woss? NO, but you're moving towards the essential banality of the AOTC. (View the source to read the hidden text)
  • drquuxum - Could this be found in Pittsburgh, PA, USA?
  • Rosie
    (drquuxum) In Pittsburg, Pa., USA? YES, it certainly could.
  • Rosie
    Er, Pittsburgh, that is.
  • Tuj - Perhaps we're nearly there, but here's a recap:
    The AOTC is a group of living humans (less than the population of Earth; could be just the one person but not likely, and could be unisex but not likely) who have been around a long time in some form or other; who share a common country (which could be the UK but not necessarily; they could be found in Pittsburgh, PA); who could be a family but not necessarily so; who share a common goal but a rather undefinable one, and could be said to gather in one place from time to time (but this would be a very strange way to describe it). You could become a member of this group just by being born.
    The people in this group do not change from day to day, and they are not mythical, the staff of a business, a group of musicians (though this isn't excluded by the answer), the Tories, the Mafia, the heads of the Commonwealth, people who observe something, MCers, an orchestra, travelling football supporters, shareholders at an AGM or people who share a birthday, and are not connected with politics, a game, railways, food, an astronomical event, booze, shopping, queueing or royalty (well, could be, but extremely unlikely), and who are not intended to be rats or prats but could be.
  • Tuj - Do the people in this group share a notable physical or medical trait?
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) NO - no typical physical or medical trait.
  • Bismarck - Does age come into it?
  • Boolbar - Does everyone belong to such a group?
  • drquuxum - Are hospitals involved in any way?
    [Rosie] Your spelling of "Pittsburg" was canon from 1891-1911.
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) Age? NO, not relevant.
    (Boolbar) Not everyone but in a lot of countries nearly everyone. So in essence YES.
    (drquuxum) NO, no hospitals involved. The pronunciation fits the old spelling, yes? In England with the new spelling it would be Pittsbra, approximately.
  • Boolbar - Is it something to do with where you are born?
  • drquuxum - Is a monetary exchange generally involved?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) Where you were born? NO
    (drquuxum) Money? NO, not involved.
  • gil - Religion?
  • Rosie
    (gil) NO, religion is not relevant.
  • Boolbar - Do addresses come into this?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) Addresses? In one way, YES, certainly. In a more general way, NO, not really.
  • Superman - People applying for a passport?
  • Rosie
    (Superman) NO, not that.
  • Boolbar - The residents of a named location?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar)YES, literally so but not the AOTC.
  • Software - The general population?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) NO, more specific than that.
  • Superman - Those on the voter rolls?
  • Rosie
    (Superman) NO, not the electoral register.
  • drquuxum - Anything to do with education?
  • Rosie
    (drquuxum) Hedgumacation? Nope.
  • Superman - That part of the population living in cities?
  • Rosie
    (Superman) City dwellers? NO.
    The AOTC involves the location of people with respect to other people.
  • drquuxum - Do these people share their names with a television programme?
  • Rosie
    (dr Q) A TV programme? YES. *prolonged applause from audience, previously somnolent, not to say comatose*
  • drquuxum - Neighbours.
    I eschewed the American spelling just for this.
  • Rosie
    (Dr Q) A noble act and a winning one. The actual AOTC is "next-door neighbours" but this is near enough if we're not to be here until the sun goes supergiant. I declare drquuxum the winner.
  • drquuxum
    Thank you, Rosie. It's good to be back. Your next clue is…
    ABSTRACT
  • Boolbar - Is this something that would exist without humans?
  • drquuxum
    [Boolbar] NO.
  • Rosie - An association of individuals with a common purpose?
  • drquuxum
    [Rosie] NO.
  • Boolbar - Something to do with language or writing?
  • Raak - To do with art?
  • Bismarck - Can I perceive this through senses other than sight?
  • drquuxum
    [Boolbar] NO. [Raak] NO. [Bismarck] YES.
  • Rosie - Anything to do with music?
  • drquuxum
    [Rosie] NO. (or at best tangentially)
  • Boolbar - Anything to do with food or drink?
  • Raak - To do with philosophy?
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • drquuxum
    [Boolbar] NO. [Raak] NO. [Tuj] NO, and that's a little cheaty IMO ;-)
  • Rosie - An aesthetic quality, e.g. beauty?
  • drquuxum
    [Rosie] NO.
  • Raak - To do with mathematics?
  • drquuxum
    [Raak] *thinks long and hard, trying to figure out how to answer this, and a sheepish reply emanates* YES?
  • Bismarck - A logical construct?
  • drquuxum
    [Bismarck] Please define further?
  • Bismarck - Boolean logic?
  • Tuj - Associated with a particular group of people?
    [drq] =P
  • Boolbar - Something to do with sleep?
  • drquuxum
    [Bismarck] NO. [Tuj] NO. ;-D [Boolbar] NO.
  • Superman - Do maps come into it?
  • drquuxum
    [Superman] NO.
  • Boolbar - Does set theory come into this?
  • drquuxum
    [Boolbar] NO.
  • Bismarck - A symbol?
  • Boolbar - Would this have been known to humans over 100 years ago?
  • drquuxum
    [Bismarck] YES. [Boolbar] YES.
  • Rosie - A weather forecast?
  • drquuxum
    [Rosie] NO.
  • Bismarck - A mathematical symbol?
  • Tuj - Is this named after some person or people?
  • drquuxum
    [Bismarck] NO. [Tuj] YES. *smattering of applause*
  • Rosie - A unit?
  • Bismarck - A theorem?
  • drquuxum
    [Bismarck] NO. [Rosie] YES. *full audience applause*
  • Software - That of Pythagoras?
  • drquuxum
    [Software] NO. (Note: I changed around the order of Bismarck's and Rosie's posts for dramatic effect)
  • Rosie - Electrical?
    All units are named after someone with the exception of a Wales, an Olympic swimming pool and a London bus. This will be a long haul.
  • Bismarck - Tesla?
  • drquuxum
    [Rosie] YES. [Bismarck] NO.
  • Rosie - A three-letter word?
  • Raak - Does it contain a non-ASCII character?
  • drquuxum
    [Rosie] SOMETIMES. [Raak] NO.
  • Rosie - An Amp(ère)?
  • Bismarck - A British Thermal Unit should be good enough for anyone, what?
  • drquuxum - ROSIE IS CORRECT
    *rupturous applesauce* YES, it was the Ampere, the SI unit of electrical current.
  • Rosie
    Ohm eye Gawd, I've won. What now?

    Well, it's ANIMAL

  • Boolbar - Human?
    Or are we dancer?
  • drquuxum - Primarily an aquatic being?
  • Bismarck - Female?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) Human? YES
    (drquuxum) Aquatic? The mind boggles. NO.
    (Bismarck) Female? YES
  • drquuxum - Charlotte Green?
    It's been a while, but I still remember some of your proclivities, Rosie ;-)
  • Boolbar - Still alive?
  • Tuj - Just the one person?
  • Rosie
    (Dr Q) The mellifluous Ms Green? Alas NO. Did you know she now reads the football results on Five Live? Such a relief from the routine snarly sports types.
    (Boolbar) Alive? YES.
    (Tuj) Just the one person? YES.
  • drquuxum - Fictitious?
  • Boolbar - A political figure?
  • CdM - A factual non-political figure?
  • Rosie
    (Dr Q) NO - Not fictitious.
    (Boolbar) Political? - NO
    (CdM) Factual? Not quite sure what you're getting at. This is a live non-politician.
  • Boolbar - European?
  • drquuxum - Athletic-type?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) European? YES
    (drquuxum) Athletic type? NO. *audience crease themselves*
  • Bismarck - The Queen?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) Her Maj? NO. *audience amused*
  • drquuxum - Someone in the entertainment field (or at least purports to be)?
  • Rosie
    (drquuxum) Entertainment? YES.
  • Tuj - British?
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) British? YES.
  • Bismarck - Has she ever appeared on Just a Minute?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) Just a minute? I don't know. I'd have thought not. (View the source to read the hidden text)
  • Boolbar - Known for singing?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) Known for singing? Er, NO. *some amusement in the audience*
  • Bismarck - Anything to do with the TV news?
  • drquuxum - Does she appear on-stage (that is, in person) with any regularity?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) News? NO.
    (drquuxum) Not so much regularly as frequently.
  • Dujon - Is she a Dame?
  • Rosie
    (Duj) A Dame? NO, at least not yet.
  • drquuxum - Does the person usually work with a comedic bent?
  • Rosie
    (Dr Q) Comedian? YES, but there are other strings to her bow.
  • Boolbar - Has she appeared on Have I Got News For You?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) HIGNFY? YES. *audience cheers*
  • drquuxum - Does she change the colour of her hair frequently?
  • Boolbar - Scottish?
  • Rosie
    (drquuxum) Hair colour change? I can't say for certain, but the answer is probably YES.
    (Boolbar) Scottish? NO.
  • drquuxum - Jo Brand?
  • Rosie
    The splendid JO BRAND it is! Well done Dr Q. Your turn.
  • drquuxum
    Woot! I've only seen a bit of Jo Brand's work on QI & HIGNFY; I hope to see more. In any event, the new category is:
    MINERAL
  • Rosie - Stone?
  • Boolbar - Is it something created by humans?
  • Bismarck - Was it once alive?
  • Gusset Login - The Angel of the North?
  • drquuxum
    [Rosie] YES. [Boolbar] NO. [Bismarck] NO. [Gusset] NO.
  • Boolbar - Is it not on planet Earth?
  • drquuxum
    [Boolbar] YES, it is not on the Earth.
  • Superman - Is it real?
  • Raak - An exoplanet?
  • Rosie - An asteroid?
  • Boolbar - A comet?
  • Bismarck - The Moon, now it's back after the eclipse?
  • drquuxum
    Sorry for the delay.
    [Superman] YES.
    [Raak] NO.
    [Rosie] MAYBE.
    [Boolbar] NO.
    [Bismarck] NO.
  • drquuxum
    [Rosie] PS - Jo Brand has been on Just A Minute, but not since 1999.
  • Rosie - Pluto?
    I'd have thought Jo Brand is too laconic for Just a Minute.
  • drquuxum
    [Rosie] NO. Probably why she hasn't been on in 18 years.
  • Boolbar - Is it a collection of objects?
  • drquuxum
    [Boolbar] NO.
  • Bismarck - A moon of another planet?
  • drquuxum
    [Bismarck] YES. *audience woooooos*
  • Rosie - Phobos?
  • Bismarck - In the Jovian system?
  • drquuxum - ROSIE IS CORRECT
    Indeed, the Martian moon Phobos. That was quick.
    Your turn, Rosie.
  • Tuj - Does it be-
    Oh, too late!
  • Rosie
    And the next object is:
    ABSTRACT WITH MINERAL CONNECTIONS.
  • drquuxum - Is it a process?
  • Rosie
    (drquuxum) NO, not a process.
  • Raak - Is it Art?
  • Boolbar - Is it a well known phrase or saying?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Art? NO.
    (Boolbar) Phrase etc, NO.
  • drquuxum - Is it something that has existed/would exist without humans?
  • Rosie
    (drquuxum) Would it exist/have existed without humans? YES.
  • Raak - A physical theory?
  • Superman - Chemistry?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) A physical theory? NO.
    (Superman) NOT chemistry.
  • Bismarck - Is the mineral stone?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) Stone? NO.
  • Raak - A figurative expression?
  • Tuj - Is it associated with a particular location?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) A figurative expression? CAN BE, but there is an equally valid literal meaning.
    (Tuj) Associated with a partcular location? NO.
  • Bismarck - Geology?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) NO, nothing to do with geology.
  • Superman - Radioactive decay?
  • Rosie
    (Superman) Radioactive decay? NO.
  • drquuxum - Is it known to happen/exist anywhere outside of the planet Earth?
  • Boolbar - Anything to do with earth?
    As in soil.
  • Rosie
    (Dr Q) Elsewhere than Earth? In a literal sense YES but that is not at all helpful.
    (Boolbar) NO, nothing to do with earth in that sense.
  • drquuxum - Anything to do with communication?
  • Rosie
    (drquuxum) NO, nothing to do with communication.
  • Boolbar - Weather related?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) Weather related? YES. *audience cheers*
  • Software - A sh*t storm?
  • drquuxum
    [Software] I feel like that would be more of "Animal connections". :D
  • Superman - is the mineral water?
  • Rosie
    (Software) Explosive diarrhea? NO.
    (Superman) Water? YES.
  • Boolbar - Are clouds anything to do with this?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) Clouds? YES and NO.
  • Raak - Cloudy with sunny intervals and occasional rain spreading from the east with possible patches of fog and later on if the sky clears there may be some frost through the night?
  • Bismarck - The shipping forecast?
  • Boolbar - Red and yellow and pink and green, purple and orange and blue?
    They don't write them like that anymore.
  • Rosie
    (Raak and Bismarck) NO. It's not a forecast.
    (Boolbar) Most definitely NOT a rainbow.
  • drquuxum - Lightning?
  • Raak - Contrails?
  • Superman - A t(r)opical storm?
  • Rosie
    (drquuxum) Lightning? NO.
    (Raak) "Aircraft cirrus"? NO.
    (Superman) NOT a storm of any kind.
  • drquuxum - Humidity?
  • Rosie
    (Dr Q) Humidity? NO. *some rather unkind sniggers from the audience*
  • Boolbar - Precipitation?
  • CdM - Is the water standing? (As opposed to running. Or sitting with its legs crossed)
  • drquuxum - Is the water frozen?
  • Superman - Flooding?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) Precipitation? NO. *audience sniggers turn to giggling*
    (CdM) The water is not standing, it has withdrawn.
    (drquuxum) Frozen? Impossible to say.
    (Superman) Flooding? NO. *audience quite bewildered*
  • Boolbar - Is it something to do with a lack of rain?
  • Raak - The sudden withdrawal of the sea before a tsunami?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) A lack of rain? YES. *prolonged applause from the audience*
    (Raak) Preparing for the inundation? NO.
  • Superman - Evaporation?
  • drquuxum - Drought?
  • Rosie
    (Superman) NOT evaporation.
    (drquuxum)YESSSS! A total or very nearly total absence of aqueous entities. Well done Dr Q. We've got this little game sorted, haven't we?

    Your turn again.

  • drquuxum
    Given that Boolbar gave the clear winning clue, I'd be willing to let them have a go if they agree. [Offer expires in 48 hours]
  • Bismarck - The DrQ-Boolbar summit
    Are the negotiations proceeding well, and will a communiqué be released in due course?
  • drquuxum
    I suppose I'll defer to Boolbar at a later date. In the meantime, let's continue with the lesser-used...

    VEGETABLE

  • Raak - Trump?
  • Superman - Can you smoke it?
  • Rosie
    Is it a foodstuff?
  • drquuxum
    Raak: NO.
    Superman: NO.
    Rosie: YES.
  • Raak - Dairy-free yoghurt?
  • drquuxum
    Raak: NO. *audience oohs already*
  • Bismarck - Does it grow from a grain?
  • drquuxum
    Bismarck: PARTIALLY.
  • Rosie - Is it used in making a drink?
  • drquuxum
    Rosie: NO. *mild chortling from the audience*
  • Superman - Muesli?
  • Raak - A vegetarian form of imitation meat?
  • drquuxum
    Superman: NO.
    Raak: PARTIALLY.
  • Superman - Does soya come into it?
  • drquuxum
    Superman: POSSIBLY.
  • Superman - In the AOTC, is the foodstuff for human consumption?
  • drquuxum
    Superman: YES, but what does Star Wars have to do with this?
  • Bismarck - Ahem, WE'RE asking the questions, laddie. Is this fast food
  • Raak - Vat-grown meat?
  • drquuxum
    Bismarck: NO, and that's "lassie" to you >:P
    Raak: NO.
  • Boolbar - A vegetarian sausage?
    I see I should pop by more often...
  • drquuxum
    Boolbar: NO, and possibly so.
  • Bismarck - A breakfast cereal?
  • drquuxum
    Bismarck: NO.
  • Software - Quorn?
    Whatever that is
  • drquuxum
    Software: NO.
  • Boolbar - A complete meal?
  • drquuxum
    Boolbar: YES.
  • Bismarck - A TV dinner?
  • drquuxum
    Bismarck: NO.
  • Superman - Quinoa?
    Whatever that is.
  • Boolbar - A breakfast meal?
  • drquuxum
    Boolbar: NO, except if you're reaaaally hung over and just don't care.
  • drquuxum
    Boolbar: NO, except if you're reaaaally hung over and just don't care.
  • Superman - "Pop tarts"?
    I preferred the metal tarts, myself
  • drquuxum
    Superman: NO.
  • Raak - One of these meal replacement mixtures fashionable among geeks, like Solyent, Huel, etc.?
  • drquuxum
    Raak: NO.
  • Bismarck - Frozen pizza?
  • drquuxum
    Bis: NO.
  • Boolbar - Does this meal include potato?
  • drquuxum
    Boolbar: NO.
  • Raak - Do you find this in a fast food outlet?
  • drquuxum
    Raak: NO.
  • Boolbar - Is this barbecued food?
  • Bismarck - Recap
    Not sure we're getting close to the doctor's order. A recap:
    IS a human foodstuff, and a complete potato-free meal thereof.
    IS PARTIALLY grown from grain, vegetarian, and it might have some soya in it. You would only have it for breakfast if you're really wasted.
    IS NOT ... pretty much everything else, including a drink constituent, pizza, breakfast cereal, ready dinner, veggie meat substitute, and fast food.
    We're still waiting to find out if it's quinoa or barbecued.
  • drquuxum
    Leftover question regarding quinoa: NO.
    Boolbar (BBQ): NO.
    Bis: Per Raak's question of "Vegetarian form of imitation meat", the answer was PARTIALLY, not NO.
  • Bismarck - Is the food/meal associated particularly with a country?
  • drquuxum
    Bismarck: Debatable, but let's say YES.
  • Raak - Is it customarily eaten with chopsticks?
  • Superman - Steak and kidney pudding?
  • drquuxum
    Raak: NO.
    Superman: NO.
  • Bismarck - Are we looking for the constituent name of the ingredients like "Meat and two veg"?
  • Bismarck - Are looking for a name as It might appear on a menu, like "Waldorf salad"?
  • drquuxum
    Bismarck #1: NO.
    Bismarck #2: YES.
  • Bismarck - Is it Waldorf salad?
  • drquuxum
    Bismarck: NO.
  • Superman - Nasi goreng?
  • drquuxum
    Superman: Wot?
  • Superman
    Well, obvs ain't that, then *ticks another tofu-containing dish off the list*
  • Boolbar - Is it a spicy meal?
  • Bismarck - Full English breakfast?
  • Software - A vegie breakfast?
  • Superman - Rogan josh?
  • drquuxum
    Boolbar: CAN BE; NOT OBLIGATORY.
    Bismarck: NO.
    Software: NO (but see previous commentary)
    Superman: NO.
  • Boolbar - Some sort of soup?
  • Bismarck - Does salad come into it?
  • Raak - Can one obtain all the ingredients in the typical supermarket?
  • drquuxum
    Boolbar: NO.
    Bismarck: NO.
    Raak: MAYBE? I'm not sure what would be considered "typical" in a British supermarket. A sufficiently-large USA supermarket would be a YES.
  • Superman - A quick lorainney? (as they say in my parts)
  • drquuxum
    Superman: Wot?
  • Superman - Sheesh... a quiche lorraine?
  • Boolbar - Some type of pie?
  • drquuxum
    Sup: NO.
    Bool: NO.
  • Boolbar - Is it usually eaten hot?
  • drquuxum
    Bool: YES.
  • drquuxum
    Anyone? Bueller?
  • Superman - Does the meal include pasta?
  • drquuxum
    Superman: YES. *wave of applause emanate from the audience as they are awoken from their slumber*
  • Boolbar - A spaghetti dish?
  • drquuxum
    Bool: NO.
  • Gusset Login - Lasagne/Lasagna ?
  • drquuxum
    Gusset: YES. *Audience in resounding applause*
  • Bismarck - Lasagne pescatore?
  • drquuxum
    Bis: NO.
  • Superman - Lasagna vegetarian?
  • drquuxum - Close enough
    I was specifically going for "Vegan Lasagna" (with non-dairy Ricotta and TVP-like meat), but I figure with this lot it'd be a bit too pedantic.

    Superman takes the victory and the next subject!

  • Superman - Oh like wow
    I'd just like to thank you. And my lawyer. And my mother. And my brain surgeon. Without you it wouldn't be the same. And to all those millions who have contributed to this success, you're wonderful. Most of you are anyway. I sincerely hope vague praise is enough for you, because I'm keeping the rest.

    But on with the show! Now greater, better, yellower, and it's...
    ANIMAL !
  • Boolbar - Is it Tuj asking if it begins with P?
  • Raak - Edible?
  • drquuxum - Mammal?
  • Rosie - Can you eat it?
  • Rosie - Human?
    Can you eat it? I dunno. Stupid old fool.
  • Tuj - Unique?
  • Phil - Is it alive?
  • Phil
    Incidentally, my first post in this game for nearly 17 months. oops!
  • Superman - Hello class
    Your marks, in order:
    [Boolbar] NO, leave Tuj alone.
    [Raak] YES, but even so wait for lunch break
    [Rosie] NO, we are not cannibals, and do fifty lines "I must not insult myself, others are there to do it"
    [Tuj] NO, there are uncounted examples
    [Phil] YES, unlike certain pupils in class 2B. Don't forget to give your name for the register.
  • Rosie - Yeah, but is it human?
  • CdM - If Boolbar had instead asked "if Tuj were to ask if it begins with P, would you say yes?" would you have said no?
  • Superman
    [Rosie] NO, now move on to exercise two.
    [CdM] I see you have reached exercise 421, well done! NO, of course. Maybe you can sit next to Rosie and help him along.
  • drquuxum - Repeating: Mammal?
  • Boolbar - Is it a fish?
  • Superman
    [Drq] NO.
    [Boolbar] NO.
  • drquuxum - Green (or a relatively close shade)?
  • Boolbar - Is it a bird?
    Hmm, so you answered "No" to 'If Boolbar had instead asked "if Tuj were to ask if it begins with P, would you say yes?" would you have said no?'. So you would not say "No" (ie. you would say "Yes"*) to the question "if Tuj were to ask if it begins with P, would you say yes?". Hence it does begin with "P".
    * Or you might have answered "Maybe" which throws any attempt at logic out of the window.
  • Software - A parrot, dead perhaps?
  • Raak - Does it fly?
  • Bismarck - Is it alive?
  • Superman - Ill logic
    [Boolbar] I always wondered if "Bool" meant a Boolean logical construct and "bar" meant the logical inverse of that construct, thus permitting the assumption about the local valid of "true" and "false" of the "Boolbar" referential. Is it true?
    [Software] NO, unwanted dead or alive.
    [Raak] It does not fly of its own accord.
    [Bismarck] Dead or alive makes no difference, it's the name of the thing I'm after.
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
    Hopefully collapsing the waveform.
  • drquuxum - Repeating: Green (or a relatively close shade)?
  • Superman - Catching up
    [Boolbar] NOT a bird.
    [DrQxm] Colour is not important.
    [Tuj] One of the words on the card does.
  • Bismarck - A mushroom or fungus?
  • drquuxum - Macroscopic?
  • Superman
    [Bism] NO, not fungus. [DrQx] errrmmm... This cannot be seen by the unaided eye.
  • Software - botulism?
  • Superman - Applause from the audience
    [Software] NO.
  • Bismarck - A bacterium?
  • Raak - A virus?
  • Superman
    [Bismarck] Yes! Audience start clapping.
    [Raak] NO.
  • Raak - Yeast?
  • Software - Salmonella?
  • Rosie - Clostridium botulinum?
  • drquuxum - Would Porton Down take any interest in it?
  • Superman - Wee beasties
    [Raak] NO, that's a fungus.
    [Software] NO, this won't poison you.
    [Rosie] NO.
    [drquuxum] NO, though for all I know they might take a passing interest.
  • Raak - Amoeba?
  • drquuxum - Does it have a flagellum?
  • Superman
    [Raak] NO, amoebae are eukaryotic.
    [drquuxum] NO flagella.
  • Raak - E. coli?
  • Software - Streptococcus thermophilus?
  • Superman - Back-to-bacteria
    [Raak] Audience starts clapping, but it's NO.
    [Software] Audience now cheering! Still NO.
  • Raak - Staph?
  • Software - Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus?
    ?
  • Superman
    [Raak] N.
    [Software] NO. You were hot, but you're cooling.
    Reminder: One of the words begins with Tuj P.
  • drquuxum - Pneumococcus?
  • Superman - Oohs from the audience
    [drquuxum] NO, we're going around the answer without quite getting there.
  • CdM - Streptococcus pneumoniae?
    © Lurkers Я Us
  • Superman - Top of the class
    CdM has it! Streptococcus pneumoniae it is. Take this very small baton along with the Mrs Joyful prize for raffia work and look smug over there while the audience applauds.
  • CdM - Uh-oh
    Well, that technically wasn't quite a lurker's victory, because I did ask one previous question. But I have been basically absent here for a long time and have almost forgotten how to play this game. Let's go for an ABSTRACT with ANIMAL AND MINERAL CONNECTIONS.
  • Raak - Medusa?
  • CdM - Stony silence from the audience
    Medusa? No.
    On reflection it might be more accurate to call this: ABSTRACT and partly MINERAL (with ANIMAL connections).
  • drquuxum - Is it art?
  • CdM - The audience doesn’t know, but they do know what they like
    Art? No.
  • Boolbar - Is it a well known phrase or saying?
  • Raak - Is it a representation, in a mineral substance, of an animal?
  • Bismarck - The green eye of the little yellow god?
  • CdM
    Well-known phrase or saying? The words on the card make up a 12-word phrase (including the definite article) that is certainly not a well-known phrase or saying. However, I will also accept other shorter and more familiar phrases (the most common of which is five words long, including the definite article). That said, the point of the answer is not that it is a well-known phrase, if you see what I mean.
    Mineral representation of an animal? *smattering of applause* The mineral piece does include a representation of an animal.
    Green eye of yellow god? No.
  • Dujon - Is this a part of Arthurian legend?
  • CdM
    Arthurian? No. *a slight smile appears briefly on the face of a particularly well informed audience member*
  • Bismarck - Does it exist on this earth?
  • Tuj - Is it a representative symbol or logo?
  • CdM
    Earthly? Yes.
    Swoosh? No.
  • Raak - Is it part of some other body of legend?
  • CdM
    Legendary? No. (You should ignore the smiling audience member; I guarantee it won't help.)
  • Boolbar - Is this found in the works of Shakespeare?
  • CdM
    Shakespearean? No.
  • Bismarck - Is it representative of a person?
  • CdM
    Representative of a person? *some audience applause*     Taking this first as a narrow question, following on Raak's question before last, I would now amend my answer to say: Yes, The mineral piece does include a representation of an person. Thinking about the AOTC more generally, it depends a bit on how you interpret the word "representative", but the best answer is No.
  • Bismarck - The demolishing of the statues of Civil War generals in the South of the United States?
    A few o many words...
  • Tuj - But is it art?
  • Boolbar - Would the AOTC have been known in the year 1950?
  • CdM
    Confederasing? No.
    Art? No. *some laughter from the more cynical members of the audience*
    Known in 1950? No. *while this answer is indubitably correct, it nonetheless prompts some discussion in the audience*
  • Superman - Something to do with winning an award or a competition?
  • CdM
    To do with winning award or competition? Yes. *sustained applause*
  • Raak - An Oscar?
  • Boolbar - Connected to a sporting event?
  • CdM
    Oscar? No.
    Sporting? No.
  • Raak - A trophy or medal of some sort?
  • Bismarck - Does this refer to them what has won a game on this here page?
  • CdM
    Trophy or Medal? *applause* The mineral part of the answer is a medal.
    Local game winner? *laughter* The AOTC is not a winner of an MC game. And I am highly confident that no game-winner here has one of the aforementioned medals.
  • Raak - Is this medal awarded for scientific achievement?
  • Boolbar - Is this medal awarded for bravery?
  • drquuxum - Is a new medal created for each recipient?
    As opposed to passing it around.
  • CdM
    Scientific achievement? Yes. *some laughter from exactly the same cynics who we’re laughing previously*
    Bravery? No.
    New medal for each recipient? Yes. *applause for the question*
  • Raak - The Swedish National Bank's Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel?
    Also known as "The Nobel Prize in Economics".
  • CdM
    Well, technically, my card says "Sverige Riksbank", which is why it has 12 words as advertised, not 13. But, YES, Raak now has a gold baton with his name inscribed on the edge.
  • Raak
    Your Royal Highness, members of the Nobel committee, jealous also-rans, ladies and gentlemen. To begin a brief informal sketch of the work that led to this award, consider the topos of Liesenring-Schmethold operators over a symplectic manifold equipped with the Swale cohomology on its cotangent bundle...(contd. p.94)

    The next is MINERAL.

  • Rosie - Stone?
  • Raak
    By volume, almost entirely stone.
  • Superman - Sculpted into the likeness of something, like me for instance?
  • Raak
    Not a likeness.
  • Boolbar - Is it a mountain?
  • Raak
    Not a mountain.
  • Software - The pyramids?
  • Bismarck - A heavenly body?
  • Raak
    [S] Not the pyramids.
    [B] Not a heavenly body.
  • Rosie - Inscribed in any way?
  • Tuj - Is it unique?
    Well solved, btw!
  • Superman - Does it possess Buddha-nature?
  • drquuxum - Is it a geological formation?
  • Raak
    [R] Not inscribed.
    [T] Unique.
    [S] Mu.
    [d] *applause* A geological formation.
  • Boolbar - Is it entirely within one country?
  • drquuxum - Is it a desert?
  • Raak
    [B] Not within one country.
    [d] Not a desert.
  • Superman - Was it formed within the last fifteen million years?
  • Raak
    [S] Not formed within the last fifteen million years.
  • drquuxum - Is water or ice involved?
  • Rosie - The African Rift Valley?
    Long shot. I'm not sure how old that is.
  • Raak
    [d] No water or ice involved, except incidentally.
    [R] Not the African Rift Valley.
  • drquuxum - Is it primarily underground?
  • Raak
    [d] I think you could say that any geological formation is primarily underground, even Mount Everest. If the question is whether it is entirely underground, the answer is no.
  • Dujon - A specific archipelago?
  • Raak
    [D] Not an archipelago.
  • Bismarck - Mountains?
  • Raak
    [B] (Confers with Mycroft) Mountains would be part of it.
  • Rosie - Big? (More than 1000 miles in any direction except up)
  • Raak
    [R] (polite applause) Big.
  • CdM - A continent?
  • Raak
    [C] (more applause) A continent.
  • Superman - Does this continent exist today?
  • Raak
    [S] (even more applause) This continent does not exist today.
  • Bismarck - Rodinya?
  • Raak
    [B] Not Rodinya.
  • Rosie - Gondwanaland?
  • Raak
    [R] Not Gondwanaland.
  • Bismarck - Pangaea?
  • Superman - Laurasia?
  • Raak
    [S] Not Laurasia, but...
    [B] Pangaea it is.
  • Bismarck
    Moving quickly on a geological timescale, pausing only to thank the tectonic forces that fashioned this earth with the odd helping hand from extraterrestrial meteorites, read this carefully-arranged eruption which spells

    ABSTRACT
    (as well as trouble for a few geological theories when it's discovered).

  • drquuxum - Is it a thing known to exist on the planet Earth?
  • Dujon - The theory expounded by the Flat Earth Society?
  • Boolbar - Themyscira?
  • Raak - Counter-Earth?
  • Gusset Login - Hell?
  • Bismarck - Hadean epoch
    Welcome, welcome to one and all.
    [DrQ] It's abstract. Really quite abstract. So yes, if only in our minds.
    [Duj] Not the flat-earthers.
    [Boo] No Amazons here (with Black Friday coming, that may be a relief)
    [Raak] Not our twin from the dark side.
    [Gus] Topical in this epoch, but not relevant.
  • Rosie - Is it a human feeling?
  • Bismarck
    [Rosie] No, it isn't.
  • drquuxum - Is it something found in a work of fiction?
  • Bismarck - Archean eon approaching
    [DrQ] It is often used as a word and a concept in many forms of writing.
    Let me add that there is one word on the card.
  • Tuj - Does it begin with M?
  • Boolbar - Does it end with M?
  • Raak - Utopia?
  • Gusset Login - Is there an M in the AOTC anywhere?
  • Bismarck - Mesoarchaean
    [Tuj], [Boolbar], [Gusset Login], there is no M.
    [Raak]Utopia is nowhere to be seen.
  • Tuj - Is it an emotion?
  • Raak - Is it something mythical?
  • Bismarck - Proterozoic
    [Tuj] This cannot be felt.
    [Raak] Your myth does not hit.
  • drquuxum - Is it something that you might find on this website?
  • Bismarck
    [drquuxum] Most definitely.
  • Superman - Time?
  • Bismarck - Life appears with enough appendages to applaud
    (Sup) NO, but the audience wakes up and claps. A bit.
  • Boolbar - Language?
  • Superman - Does the word on the card have more than six letters?
  • Rosie - Wit?
  • Bismarck
    [Boolbar] Not language.
    [Superman] No.
    [Rosie] Not wit.
    Scattered applause here and there for all that.
  • drquuxum - Is it typographical in nature?
  • Raak - The Ding an sich?
  • Bismarck - Phanerozoic here, how are you?
    Lots of good stuff coming now. Both on the right evolutionary branch.
    [DrQuuxum] If you mean ems, ens and that sort of thing, no.
    [Raak] No, though in a sense, as you taught us to say, isn't everything?
  • Tuj - Is it a figure of speech?
  • Bismarck
    [Tuj] I don't think you could call it that.
  • Boolbar - A guess?
  • Bismarck - Cambrian era, when all was Welsh
    [Boolbar] Not a guess.
  • Superman - Is the word a noun?
  • Bismarck - Dinosauria?
    [Superman] oh boy, the difficult one... No, but there is a phrase in which this gets nouned.
  • Tuj - Is it the title of a film?
    Any ideas for a plan of attack anybody?
  • Bismarck - Time for Snowball Earth
    [Tuj] Not a film title. Doesn't begin with P either, but it does begin with a letter that is a rotation or reflection of P.
  • Boolbar - Beauty?
  • Bismarck - Tectonically...
    [Bool] That's pretty good guess, in a way, but... No.
  • Tuj - Could you say it was discovered?
  • Bismarck - Discovey of time
    [Tuj] No. But someone did, I suppose. Probably Eve when you look back at it.
  • Raak - Evil?
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] No, not the good answer.
  • Lurker - Related to the Grim Reaper?
  • Superman - Is it a verb?
  • Bismarck
    [Lurk] No, don't think so.
    [Soup] no, but as in your previous question, there is a famous phrase where it is treated as a verb.
  • Boolbar - Does it begin with B?
  • Bismarck
    [Boolbar] Yes!
  • KagomeShuko - I have not played this game before . . .
    Is it Bang the Drum Slowly?
  • Bismarck
    [KaShu] No but it doesn't half feel like it.
  • Boolbar - Banter?
  • Bismarck - Doesn't time fly
    [Boolbar] No, still simpler, still more abstract.
  • CdM - Black?
  • Boolbar - Be?
  • Bismarck
    [CdM] Not a colour.
    [Boolbar] That's getting close in abstraction to the answer. Not a verb
  • Raak - Being?
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] Unbearable lightness? No.
  • Boolbar - Begin?
    Borrowing Raak's letters.
  • Bismarck
    [Boolbar] No, but I regret it.
  • Boolbar - Does the answer on the card have exactly 1 letter "e" in it?
    Random guessing now.
  • Boolbar - Anything to do with mathematics?
    Anyone else have any ideas?
  • Bismarck - A move!
    [Boolbar] No "e" whatever, nothing to do with maths.
    Look, it begins with "b", it's short (hint: 3 letters), it's not a verb, a noun (notwithstanding a famous phrase in which it gets used as both a noun and a verb),or adjective and I'm regretting having used it. Not enough to give the answer?
  • Raak - But?
  • Bismarck - The winner
    [Raak] finishes the game in style. That'll teach me to take something small and easy.
  • Raak
    But...ah. The next is MINERAL.
  • Superman - Is this an astronomical body?
  • Raak
    Not an astronomical body.
  • Tuj - Unique?
  • Raak
    Not unique.
  • Boolbar - Is it natural?
  • Raak
    Not natural.
  • Tuj - Predominantly made of metal?
  • Bismarck - IS it the Angel of the North?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] Not predominantly metal.
    [Bismarck] Not the AotN.
  • Boolbar - Are they still being made today?
  • Raak
    Still made today.
  • Rosie - Made largely of plastic?
  • Raak
    Not largely plastic.
  • Rosie - Larger than a toaster?
  • Raak
    Can be larger than a toaster.
  • Superman - Is it made of brick?
  • Raak
    Not made of brick.
  • Boolbar - Does it have moving parts?
  • Raak
    No moving parts.
  • Rosie - A piece of furniture?
  • Raak
    Not furniture.
  • Boolbar - An ornament?
  • Superman - Stone?
  • Raak
    [B] Can be an ornament.
    [S] Not stone.
  • Rosie - Made mostly of wood?
  • Raak
    Smaller members of the audience fidget and ask, "Are we nearly there yet?" "Soon," say their parents unconvincingly.
    Not at all made of wood.
  • Raak - Actually...
    On further study, this IS made mostly of metal.
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • Boolbar - Where these being made before the year 1900?
  • Raak
    [T] Does not begin with P.
    [B] (a ripple of applause) Were being made before 1900.
  • Rosie - Used in the kitchen?
  • Raak
    Not used in the kitchen.
  • Superman - Does it have glass in it?
  • Raak
    Strictly speaking, the thing itself does not have glass in it.
  • Boolbar - Is it used to measure something?
  • Raak
    Not used to measure anything.
  • Superman - A lamppost?
  • Raak
    Not a lamppost.
  • Raak
    Summary: mainly metal (but note the "strictly speaking" concerning the glass question), made now and before 1900 (perhaps predominantly the latter, judging by the audience reaction), can be larger than a toaster, not unique, not naturally occurring, no moving parts, not furniture, not a measuring device, not a kitchen item, not a lamppost.
  • Bismarck
    Yeah, well, that pretty much sums it up, innit, Raak?
    - A mirror?
  • Raak
    Not a mirror.
  • Boolbar - Connected with illumination?
  • Raak
    One could say that it is indirectly connected with illumination.
  • Superman - A window?
  • Raak
    Not a window. More indirect than that.
  • Rosie - Electrical?
  • Raak
    Not electrical.
  • Rosie - An oil lamp?
  • Raak
    Not an oil lamp.
  • Boolbar - Usually used or found outdoors?
  • Raak
    Not usually used or found outdoors.
  • Bismarck - Connected with a fireplace?
  • Raak
    Nothing to do with a fireplace.
  • Boolbar - Something to do with beverages?
  • Raak
    Nothing to do with beverages.

    Hint: the connection with light might be the most promising approach.

  • Bismarck - Candles?
  • Rosie - Does the light connection involve natural light?
  • Raak
    [B] Not candles.
    [R] Can involve natural light.
  • Boolbar - Is it connected with photography?
  • Raak
    (The audience erupts at this sudden relief from their ordeal.)
    It is connected with photography.
  • Rosie - Some sort of reflector?
  • Raak
    Not a reflector.
  • Bismarck - Camera lens?
  • Raak
    Not a lens.
  • Software - Photo paper?
  • Raak
    (a ripple of applause) Not photo paper. (Made of metal, remember.)
  • Rosie - A camera tripod?
  • Raak
    (the audience sit with firmly folded arms.) Not a tripod.
  • Software - A photo plate?
  • Raak
    (applause) Yes, a type of photographic plate.
  • Raak
    The audience fumes impatiently while the hare decides to take a nap just short of the finishing line.
  • Rosie - A lantern slide?
  • Raak
    Not a lantern slide.
  • Bismarck - A speculum?
  • Rosie - Copper plate?
  • Raak
    [B] Not a speculum.
    [R] Yes, it is a copper plate.
  • Rosie - A Daguerrotype?
  • Raak
    YES, a daguerrotype. Have this framed daguerrotype of the baton used by the conductor at the opening ceremony of the Great Exhibition of 1851.
  • Rosie
    C'est magnifique, mais ce n'est pas daguerre. Oh yes it is.

    Right then, the next one is

    MINERAL with an ABSTRACT feel

  • Raak - A sculpture?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Nice try but not a sculpture.
  • Superman - is it fictional?
  • Rosie
    (Superman) Fictional? NO, it's real.
  • Boolbar - Is it on planet Earth?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) On the earth? NO. *some audience titters*
  • Bismarck - Can it be seen from Earth?
  • Boolbar - Is it within planet Earth?
  • Raak - The centre of the Earth?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) Visible from earth? NO. *audience visibly animated*
    (Boolbar) NOT within planet earth.
    (Raak) NOT the centre of the earth.
  • Superman - The centre of the universe?
  • Rosie
    (Superman) Centre of the universe? Who knows where that is? It's not the AOTC.
  • Tuj - Is it in our solar system?
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) YES, it's in the Solar System.
  • Boolbar - A dwarf planet?
  • Dujon - Pertaining to the Moon?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) NOT a dwarf planet.
    (Dujon) Pertaining to the moon? YES. *audience frenzy*
  • Bismarck - Tranquillity Base?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) Tranquility Base? NO.
    Sounds like a mood-altering alkaloid.
  • Superman - Is it man-made?
  • Rosie
    (Superman) Man-made? NO.
  • CdM - The dark side of the moon?
  • Rosie
    (CdM) The dark side of the moon? CLOSE but no cigar. *Confused reaction from audience. Some fighting.*
  • Bismarck - Eclipse?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) Eclipse? NO.
  • CdM - A specific feature on the far side of the moon?
  • Rosie
    (CdM) NO, not a specific feature.
  • Superman - The moon itself?
  • Rosie
    (Superman) The moon itself? NO.
  • Boolbar - A crater?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) NO, not a crater.
  • Superman - A sea?
  • Rosie
    (Superman) NOT a sea. I have a feeling the questioners have run past the target.
  • Raak - The Moon-Earth Trojan points?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Well, grab me by the Lagranges. Nothing so technical.
  • Raak - The near side of the moon?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Near side of the moon? NO. *audience jumps up and down in frustration*
  • Raak - The centre of the moon?
  • Superman - *roll of drums* The Crescent moon?
  • Boolbar - The roughly 41% of the moon's surface not visible from Earth?
  • Rosie
    YES! The synchronously rotating BOOLBAR has it. It's The far side of the moon. OK, your go.
  • Boolbar
    Oo! Let's end that phase and begin another. Something hopefully quick as I will be busy soon.

    ABSTRACT ANIMAL

  • KagomeShuko - I'm not really sure how to play this
    Is this a mythical creature?
  • blamelewis - How to Play
    [KagomeShuko] Welcome. Others who've played more will correct me if I get this wrong I'm sure, but I think it's pretty straightforward - ask a question to narrow down the possibilities (just as you have!), then await the answer from Boolbar - later on make specific guesses, once you've an idea. Scroll back to earlier rounds for the flavour of it...
    Q: Is it a heraldic animal?
  • Boolbar - Off to a flying start.
    [KagomeShuko] Questions should be those which can be answered with a simple "Yes" or "No". Speaking of which...
    (KagomeShuko) Mythical?  YES. But that wouldn't be the first thing you'd think of when the answer on the card is revealed. So I predict a lot of questions which are going to go down the wrong path.
    (blamelewis) Heraldic?  NO.
  • Raak - A metaphorical animal?
  • Boolbar
    I think it is better to say
    Mythical creature? NO as the AOTC is not a creature of ancient myths itself, but belongs to a group that is based on creatures of myth.
    (Raak) A metaphorical animal? NO.
  • Bismarck - The komodo dragon?
    As in a not so mythical beast, though I shall attempt to emblazon one on the family crest.
  • Boolbar - Dragging on.
    (Bismarck) Komodo NO.
  • Rosie - The Beast from the East?
  • Tuj - Originating from a specific work of fiction?
  • Boolbar - Still skirting around the edges.
    (Rosie) Cold weather? NO.
    (Tuj) Originating from a specific work of fiction? YES.
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Rosie - The Hydra?
  • Superman - Was the fiction concerned written in the last twenty years?
  • Boolbar
    [Tuj] P? - pNO.
    (Rosie) Hydra? NO.
    (Superman) Last 20 years? The original origin, NO.
  • Superman - Are we looking for a family or genus of animals
  • Boolbar
    (Superman) Family or genus? NO
  • blamelewis - Is it Frankenstein's Monster?
    Wild guess :)
  • Boolbar
    (blamelewis) Frankenstein's Monster? NO. But I believe we are starting to head a teeny tad in the right direction.
  • KagomeShuko - Double Identity?
    Does this monster exist within the same body as a "Dr."?
  • Boolbar
    (KagomeShuko) Monster/Dr.? NO (for both) but some of the audience got exited at the mention of double identity...
  • Superman - Is the source of the myth Scandinavian?
  • Boolbar - It's a mythtery.
    (Superman) From Scandinavian myth? NO
  • Knobbly - Are we in the world of Tolkien?
  • Boolbar
    (Knobbly) Tolkien related? NO
  • blamelewis - Is the original origin piece of fiction something that was originally published in English?
  • Boolbar
    (blamelewis) Origin fiction in English? YES
  • Bismarck
    Belonging to a class of mythical creatures, the specific animal was originally from an English piece of fiction from over twenty years ago (but possibly re-used since). Not a heraldic animal, nor a monster, not from Tolkien, not Scandinavian.
  • Bismarck - Is the animal a canine?
  • Bismarck - Was a song written about it?
  • Boolbar - Who let the dogs out?
    Note : English language but not necessarily English. And as I put it "belongs to a group that is based on creatures of myth" but that won't help much.
    (Bismarck) Doggy? NO
    (Bismarck) A song? YES (more of a by-product) and at least one other obscure and dreadful song that I know of.
  • Bismarck - Is the animal bit human?
    Reckon the animal bit us the wrong track. There's bet free that aren't heraldic, or monstrous.
  • Boolbar - Auto-correct strikes again!
    (Bismarck) Human? YES (in the broad sense of being human).
    Audience give a hearty cheer.
  • blamelewis - Is it from Chaucer?
  • blamelewis - Or originally in American English?
  • Boolbar - Flying Chaucers
    (blamelewis) Chaucer? NO   American English? YES
  • blamelewis - Is it a ghostly apparition in human form?
  • Boolbar
    (blamelewis) Ghostly? Woo! NO
  • Bismarck - A figure in American folk tales, like John Bunyan?
  • Boolbar
    (Bismarck) Folky? NO
    Just to confuse: I've found that the AOTC was a ghost on one occasion but I doubt that will help anyone here.
  • Superman - Was the original American English story written in the 20th century?
  • Boolbar
    [Superman] 20th Century? YES!
  • KagomeShuko - Transformation?
    Is this a human that turns into another creature?
  • Bismarck - Is science fiction involved?
  • Boolbar
    *Some of the audience hums at the mention of transformation*
    (KagomeShuko) Human that turns into another creature? NO but within their history, the AOTC has had a few methods of "changing" :)
    (Bismarck) Science fiction? Hmm, there are many Sci-fi elements that come into this, so it is involved, yes.
    I thought this could be simple but I forgot the AOTC has had so much variation over the years.
  • Superman - Little green men?
  • Boolbar
    (Superman) Little green men? I like your thinking, but NO. (The AOTC has met little green men though).
  • Raak - A superhero?
  • KagomeShuko - What is AOTC? And hatching?
    Is transforming not necessarily transforming, but like hatching from an egg?
  • Boolbar
    (KagomeShuko) AOTC = "Answer on the Card" or in other words : the answer you are looking for. As for the tiny hint about transforming: it is an everyday transformation that we are all capable of doing. The AOTC has a few nifty ways of doing it.
    (Raak) Superhero? YES. *cue audience going wild with excitement*
  • Superman - Superman?
  • blamelewis
    (If it's not that, I *bet* it's either a bird or a plane!)
  • Boolbar
    (Superman) Superman? (NO) NO.
    (blamelewis) No birds or planes, at least not that I can see. *some audience tittering*
  • Bismarck - The Incredible Hulk?
  • Boolbar - Having a smashing time
    (Bismarck) Hulk? Incredibly NO.
  • Superman - Is the superhero concerned a baddie?
  • Boolbar
    (Superman) Baddie? NO
  • Bismarck - A Marvel character?
  • Boolbar - A marvellous guess, but...
    (Bismarck) Marvel? NO
  • Bismarck
    This is bothering me. Everything I can think of that involves superhero persons changing doesn't involve little green men, and everything I can think of involving little green men doesn't involve changing. I'm stuck.
  • Raak - Can this superhero move incredibly fast?
  • Boolbar - Sorry... been busy
    (Raak) Fast? YES. "Incredibly fast"? Possibly. The AOTC can move faster than us, some versions extremely fast. Not usually as fast as the previously mentioned Superman though.
  • Boolbar
    (Bismarck) See note I made just above about changing to KagomeShuko. And "little green men" was only one or two story lines of many. Neither are particularly important in the grand scheme of things. Non-Marvel superhero : that does narrow things down a tad. :)
  • Superman - Anything to do with Star Trek?
  • Boolbar - Beam me up...
    (Superman) Anything to do with Star Trek? NO. (Aside from any actors who have appeared in roles connected with both Star Trek and the AOTC. Oh, and the occasional transporter use.)
  • blamelewis - (sound of possible penny)
    Is the hero occasionally invisible?
  • Boolbar - penny spins around...
    (blamelewis) Invisible at times? *Some muttering in the audience* Well, the AOTC can't become invisible themselves but can use something they own to make themselves invisible (even though within comics and other media they are usually still visible, otherwise you'd be looking at scenery for a few frames!)
  • Superman - Caped crusaders - as a general class?
  • Chalky - Supergirl?
  • Boolbar
    (Superman) Caped crusader? Given that the AOTC comes from the same era as most of the famous caped crusaders and has often appeared alongside other caped crusaders then I guess they would belong to that class. However the AOTC does not usually wear a cape (except for ceremonial or official duties).
    (Chalky) Nice to see you. And Supergirl? NO *Audience applauds guess though*
  • Raak - Catwoman?
  • Bismarck - Something from Thunderbirds?
  • Boolbar
    (Raak)  Catwoman?  NO, but I have a comic with Catwoman fighting the AOTC on the cover...
    (Bismarck)  Thunderbirds are NO.
  • Chalky - Batgirl?
  • KagomeShuko - I think the "invisible thing" gave me the answer . . .
    Is the AOTC Wonder Woman?
  • Boolbar - Merciful Minerva!
    (Chalky) Batgirl? NO
    (KagomeShuko) Wonder Woman? Great Hera! That is the right answer!

    Let me pass you this invisible baton... which I'm sure I left around here somewhere.

  • KagomeShuko - I THINK I've got this, maybe? Sorry if I don't quite get it yet . . .
    OCCUPATION ANIMAL
  • Bismarck - Is the animal a canine?
  • KagomeShuko
    Some of the audience gets a little too excited at the mention of a number
    A canine? Not even close.
  • Rosie - Human?
  • Tuj - Is it unique?
  • KagomeShuko - Human
    The audience laughs, but also hums at human The animals itself isn't a human, but a human can certainly have that occupation.
  • KagomeShuko - Unique
    There are certainly more than one person that holds the occupation and there are certainly more than one animal of this kind.
  • Rosie - A donkey?
    (KS) You are giving a little too much away. Your replies can be one-word if you want.
  • KagomeShuko
    Hmm, I'd have to say that guess is a bit "Ass"inine.
    Definitely not a donkey.
  • Dujon - Would the word used for this animal also be used to describe an illicit carrier?
  • KagomeShuko - illicit
    I've not heard of either word being one for an illicit carrier.
  • Rosie - Does this animal provide any useful material?
  • KagomeShuko
    This animal doesn't provide us with any useful materials.
  • Bismarck - A lion tamer?
  • Boolbar - Is the animal a bird?
  • KagomeShuko - Are we trying to guess a griffin here?
    There' no lion about this - no lions and no birds.
  • drquuxum - Is it unicellular?
    O HAI ERRYONE
  • Simons Mith - Does it have a little light? :-)
  • KagomeShuko - Cells and lights . . .
    While prison cells need more lights, this animal definitely has more than one cell (and nothing "uni" that I know) and definitely doesn't not have a light.
  • Bismarck - Is the animal a fish?
  • KagomeShuko - Here fishy, fishy
    No fish jump into your boat. No fish here . . .
  • Superman - Is the animal a mammal?
  • KagomeShuko - Many members of the audience start questioning . . .
    The animal itself isn't a mammal, but the descriptor of the animal in the front is . . .
  • Dujon - Is this a mythological being or beings?
  • KagomeShuko
    Nothing is mything. This animals is completely realistic.
  • Superman - Does politics come into this?
  • KagomeShuko
    No politics at play - or work - or rest.
  • Bismarck - A hybrid creature?
  • KagomeShuko - Vroom Vroom
    Hybrid? I thought those were cars . . .
    Nope, not a hybrid creature
  • Bismarck - Does theatre come into it?
  • Chalky - Four-legged?
  • KagomeShuko
    Theatre? There's nothing theatre specific, though the creature might come into the theatre and the human descriptor might be in the theatre, too.
  • Chalky - Audience oohs and ahs . . .
    Four legs? Definitely not a four-legged creature.
  • Boolbar - An insect?
  • Superman - Is the human reference the word "man" or "woman"?
  • KagomeShuko - The audience leans towards Boolbar in anticipation
    Yes, indeed, the animal is an insect!
    The descriptor that is human could be either a man or a woman, but it doesn't contain either word.
  • Bismarck - Butterfly catcher?
  • Dujon - Is this a flying beastie?
  • KagomeShuko - The audience makes uncertain noises
    This animal definitely does not catch butterflies (nor is it a butterfly). It can fly, but it usually isn't common to see them flying - nor is it usually a good sign, but that always depends on where they are flying and why . . .
  • Boolbar - Some sort of beetle?
  • KagomeShuko
    Nope, not a beetle.
  • Bismarck - Ladybird, ladybird, fly away home...?
  • KagomeShuko - Or stay put . . .
    Not a ladybird or a ladybug. The human descriptor could refer to either gender and thing in total is two words, not one word.
  • Boolbar - Some type of ant?
  • Bismarck - Queen bee?
  • KagomeShuko - The audience gasps in anticpation
    Not a bee, but definitely some type of ant! Getting warmer!!
  • Bismarck - The carpenter ant?
  • KagomeShuko - Ding! Ding! Ding! Winner, winner, Have a berliner!
    Yes, indeed Bismarck, it is the Carpenter Ant!!!!
  • Bismarck
    Well that was a surprise. Nice subject, thanks Mr Shuko. Here we go with a

    MINERAL

    objectithing for your ongoing delight.

  • Boolbar - Is it found on planet Earth?
  • Software - Metalic?
  • Rosie - Manufactured?
  • Raak - A spaceship built of stone?
  • Bismarck
    [Boolbar] Earthly? YES.
    [Software] Metallic? NO, not essentially.
    [Rosie] Artificial? NO.
    [Raak] NO. But a very good guess.
  • Rosie - A meteorite?
  • Raak - ?Oumuamua?
  • Raak - That should have been 'Oumuamua.
  • Superman - Is it in Australia?
  • Tuj - Is it unique?
  • Bismarck - This might be over quite quickly...
    [Rosie] NO, not a celestial object
    [Raak] NO, see above
    [Superman] YES, it's down under
    [Tuj] YES, there can be only one.
  • Rosie - Uluru?
  • Bismarck - Well blow down my didgeridoo
    Yup, that was easy enough. Ayers Rock did finish a little-known Australian SF story called The Mountain Movers by being revealed as a stone space ship. Nevertheless Rosie gets there first and will take this boomerang-shaped baton for the next round. Well done!
  • Rosie - Here we are at last
    Talking of boomerangs, I made one in 1974 from instructions in the New Scientist, which explained the aerodynamics. I've still got it; it's probably under a pile of junk in the garage somewhere. It really works but you need an area the size of a football pitch and preferably no wind. Boomerangs are chiral, i.e. -handed and mine, to suit, is a southpaw. Having said all that, it's now deduction time.

    The next object, which has but the most tenuous link with steam engines, is:

    VEGETABLE and MINERAL

  • KagomeShuko - Who knows she (Yes, Bismarck, KagomeShuko is female) is not making any sense, but wanted to be silly
    Is it a potato iron?
  • Raak - Salt and vinegar crisps?
  • Boolbar - A lemon battery?
  • Superman - A fossilized tree?
  • Software - The Golden Arrow?
  • Rosie
    (KagomeSuko) Ace silliness, but wide of the mark by some distance.
    (Raak) Well-known dehydrating agent? NO.
    (Boolbar) Lemon battery? NO. Nor a Van de Grapefruit machine.
    (Superman) NOT a fossilised tree.
    (Softers) The flesh door? NO, not even when steam-hauled, alas.
  • Boolbar - Any wood (or trees) in this?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) There ought not to be. Basically, NO.
  • Bismarck - A bowl of vegetable soup?
  • Software - Restaurant Car?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) Well, that's scrumptious thought but it ain't the answer.
    (Softers) Not a restaurant car. You wouldn't get this in a decent restaurant car.
  • Raak - Coffee in a paper cup?
  • Raak - s/paper/plastic/
  • Superman - Is the mineral metal?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Coffee in a paper cup. NO. *audience perks up*
    (Superman) Mineral metal? NO. *some tittering among audience*
  • Boolbar - A carbonated beverage?
  • Raak - A beverage and its receptacle?
  • Software - Mineral = stone?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) Carbonated beverage? Burp! NO.
    (Raak) Beverage + receptacle? NO.
    (Softers) Mineral not stone.
  • Bismarck - Is the mineral part glass?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) Glass? NO. *horrified laughs from the audience*
  • Superman - Is the vegetable human-edible?
  • Tuj - Be it liquid at room temperature?
    Lovely boomerang anecdote, Rosie :)
  • Raak - Massage oil?
  • Boolbar - Any chocolate in this?
  • Rosie
    (Superman) Veg part human edible? YES.*audience applause*
    (Tuj) Liquid at room temperature? NO, but *some uncertain and quickly stifled audience reaction*
    (Raak) NOT massage oil.
    (Boolbar) Alas NO choccy.
    (Tuj) I dug out the boomerang - it still exists. Tomorrow I'll see if I can still chuck it - theres a playing field at the back.
  • Bismarck - Is this anything to do with cookery?
    [Rosie] Good luck with the boomerang. I got one as a lad and after reading the instructions and having a long debate about whether '5-15 degrees inclination' was from the vertical or the horizontal, I chucked it into a tree thirty yards away in a dead straight line.
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) Cookery? Well, strictly YES, but I wouldn't quite dignifiy it with that term.

    (boo meringues) I'm not sure the throwing angle is all that important but you must hold the asymmetric end and impart as much spin as possible. Mine is quite big (14" arms, 2" wide, marine ply) and I wouldn't like to be hit by it.

  • Raak - Is the mineral part edible?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) Mineral part edible? NO, though it probably wouldn't do you much harm.
  • Boolbar - Some sort of preserve?
    [boomer angles] Many happy returns!
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) NO, not a preserve. (View the source to read the hidden text)
  • Boolbar - Is this something normally stored in a freezer
  • Boolbar - ?
    Clumsy fingers hitting first the enter key by mistake and then managing to bypass the "whoops" button.
  • Simons Mith
    Is the mineral part a wrapping?
  • Simons Mith
    I'm thinking British Rail sandwich...
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) Store in a freezer? NO.
    (simons Mith) Mineral part wrapping? Essesntially, YES, though this is not normally referred to as wrapping. But it's not a British Rail sandwich. *audience now showing considerable signs of animation*
  • Raak - q
  • Raak - oops
  • Raak - Is the mineral water?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Is the mineral water what? Oh, I see. The mineral is NOT water.
  • Superman - A plastic-wrapped lettuce?
  • Superman - And the subsidiary question - is the mineral plastic?
  • Boolbar - Is the mineral part sand or soil?
  • Rosie
    (Superman) Plastic wrapped lettuce? NO. Subsidiaritily, NOT plastic.
    (Boolbar) Mineral part NOT sand or soil.
  • Raak - Does the mineral part contain the vegetable part?
  • Tuj - Could you swallow one whole?
    Yes, I'm more baiting the audience than being useful, but at least I'm not asking about what letter it starts with.
  • Rosie
    (Raak) In one sense of the word "contain", YES.
    (Tuj) You probably could but it would defeat the purpose of the AOTC and people would start worrying about you.
  • Boolbar - Is the AOTC usually spherical in shape?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) The AOTC is NEVER spherical.
  • Raak - Is the mneral part gold leaf?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Mineral part gold leaf? NO, nothing so fancy.
  • Raak - Does it contain chocolate?
  • Boolbar - Is it something decorative?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Contain chocolate? NO. *audience somewhat amused*
    (Boolbar) Decorative? NO, very functional.
  • Boolbar - Is the mineral part made of crystals?
  • Raak - Is the mineral part an eggshell?
  • Superman - Is the mineral part clay?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) Mineral part made of crystals? NO.
    (Raak) Mineral part an eggshell? NO.
    (Superman) Clay? NOT made of clay.
  • Superman - Recap v1
    I'm running out of ideas for minerals here. It's a sort of container but it's not made of any metal, plant material like paper of course, clay, crystal, soil, sand, stone, plastic, eggshell, or glass. What's left? The veggie bit is edible, but not chocolate or lettuce. The whole thing is functional and not spherical and has a link to cookery. It's not too big as you could swallow it whole.
  • Raak - Some sort of medication?
  • Boolbar - Is hot or boiling water used with the AOTC to make something else?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) NOT The Tablets.
    (Boolbar) Hot water? YES. *audience goes wild*
  • Raak - Tea?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Tea? YES, but not quite the AOTC. *audience goes even wilder*
  • Software - Green Tea?
  • Raak - Is the mineral aluminium foil?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) NOT green tea.
    (Raak) Mineral NOT aluminium (foil or any other form).
  • Superman - A tea caddy?
  • Rosie
    (Superman) A tea caddy? NO.
  • Raak - Is the mineral mixed with the tea?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Mineral mixed with the tea? NO.
  • Raak - If you dropped one of these on a hard floor would it break?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) It would NOT break. *a few cruel audience sniggers*
  • Raak - Is the mineral rubber (synthetic, presumably)?
  • Boolbar - Is the mineral some sort of perforated container?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) NO, not rubber, synthetic or otherwise.
    (Boolbar) Perforated container? YES. *audience goes completely potty*
  • Raak - A nylon teabag?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Near enough. The AOTC is actually one of those accoutrements of haute cuisine, the teabag. I declare RAAK the winner and hand him the boiling kettle.
  • Raak
    The next is MINERAL, VEGETABLE, ANIMAL, and ABSTRACT.
  • Boolbar - Is it everything?
  • Raak
    [Boolbar] Not everything.
  • Software - Animal = human?
    Obviously not JRM or BoJo etc
  • Raak
    [Software] Partly human.
  • Bismarck - The statue (Mineral) in my local park of someone riding a large cow and surrounded by other people (Animal) and carrying a cornucopia whence fall fruits of all kinds (Vegetable), which is entitled "Plenty" (Abstract)
  • Raak
    [Bismarck] Not a statue.
  • Boolbar - Is it fictional?
  • Raak
    [Boolbar] Can be fictional.
  • Rosie - Are horses involved?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] No horses (except perhaps abstractly).
  • Bismarck - Is it proverbial?
  • Rosie - Is transport involved?
    Not necessarily a steam train, of course.
  • Raak
    [B] Not proverbial.
    [R] In a sense, everything could be involved with this, but in the sense you're thinking, there is no transport involved.
  • Dujon - A product of the brain?
  • Raak
    [Dujon] Yes! A product of the brain.
  • Superman - An allegory? (AL / Leg / Egg / allegory)
  • Raak
    [Superman] Not an allegory.
  • Rosie - A dream?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not a dream.
    Perhaps I should note that the MINERAL, VEGETABLE, and ANIMAL aspects of this are not at all abstract. So not a dream, an allegory, a figure of speech, an idea, a philosophy, or a dread foreboding of doom.
  • Boolbar - Is the Mineral/Vegetable/Animal part a particular area and its contents?
  • Raak
    [Boolbar] If I understand you, yes, this thing is made of its Mineral/Vegetable/Animal parts.
  • Bismarck - Does geography come into it?
  • Raak
    [Bismarck] Geography does not specifically come into it.
  • Simons Mith
    Is it the Crown?
  • Raak
    [SM] Not the Crown.
  • Superman - Does it cost a lot?
  • Raak
    [Superman] Yes, one of these does cost a lot. (This is not a unique object.)
  • Software - A mind map?
  • Rosie - An image of The Buddha?
    Long shot.
  • Raak
    [S] Not a mind map.
    [R] Not an image of the Buddha.
  • Superman - A private island?
  • Raak
    [Superman] Not a private island.
  • Boolbar - An island?
  • Raak
    [Boolbar] Not an island of any sort. Not a geographical feature, in fact.
  • Dujon - Do these objects have strong links to reproduction?
  • Raak
    [Dujon] No link to reproduction.
  • Rosie - Any connection to research?
  • Tuj - Do you own one?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] applause! YES, there is a connection to research.
    [Tuj] Yes, I think I could reasonably claim to have one.
  • Rosie - A library?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Yes, a library. Have this scroll containing the rules to Mornington Crescent, rescued from the Library of Alexandria.
  • Tuj - I say! Bravo, R & R
  • Rosie
    (Raak) A valuable historic document. Trouble is I can't lift it.

    Forever onwards with ABSTRACT with strong ANIMAL connections

    .
  • Boolbar - Is it an ostrich that has yet to be spotted?
  • Bismarck - Is it wild?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) The elusive ostrich? Unsurprisingly, NO.
    Bismarck) *audience cackles* In a restricted sense, to some people, YES .
  • Raak - Rewilding?
  • Tuj - Is it fictional?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Rewilding? NO.
    (Tuj) Fictional? This question is intrinsically unanswerable with present knowledge.
  • Tuj - Is it associated with a particular animal species?
    Well! There's an intriguing response.
  • Raak - Is it a story of uncertain factuality?
  • Boolbar - Extraterrestrial?
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) Particular animal species? YES, but that's not actually very helpful.
    (Raak) Uncertain factuality? YES. *mixed audience reaction. Some murmurs of approval; some belly laughs*
    (Boolbar) Extraterrestrial? NO, very much earth-bound.
  • Superman - A shaggy dog story?
  • Raak - A stand-up comic's act?
  • Tuj - Is it a future event?
  • Dujon - Does death play a part in this?
  • Rosie
    (Superman) Shaggy dog story? NO.
    (Raak) Stand-up? *some suppressed giggling* NO.
    Tuj) A future event? NOT KNOWN. It is certainly a possibility.
    (Dujon) Death? NO.
  • Raak - Is a specific individual involved?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Specific individual? NO.
  • Superman - Is sex involved?
  • Rosie
    (Superman) Sex? The mind boggles. NO, none whatever.
  • Raak - The afterlife?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) NO, not the afterlife. *cynical giggles from some of the audience*
  • Raak - A prophesy?
  • Bismarck - The horsemen of the Apocalypse?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Some prophecies have been made in relation to this but essentially NO.
    (Bismarck) NO, no gee-gees.
  • Tuj - Is it related to politics?
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) Related to politics? YES. *prolonged audience applause*
  • Raak - Related to Brexit?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Well, I think that's near enough. It is actually BREXIT and I hand you this toxic stick. Wear gloves.
  • Raak
    looks for a Brexiteer's arse to bury it in

    The next is MINERAL (I think, mostly) with ABSTRACT connections.

  • Bismarck - Is it found on the Earth?
  • Raak
    It is found on the Earth.
  • Boolbar - Is it in Europe?
  • Superman - Is it a weapon?
  • Raak
    [B] Some are in Europe.
    [S] Hmm...not, strictly speaking, a weapon.
  • Rosie - Is it a geographical feature?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not a geographical feature.
  • Software - A meteorite?
  • Raak
    [Software] Not a meteorite.
  • Bismarck - Is it a monument?
  • Raak
    [Bismarck] Not a monument.
  • Boolbar - Human made?
  • Raak
    [Boolbar] Yes, human made.
  • Superman - Did it originate in Germany?
  • Raak
    [Superman] Not from Germany.
  • Tuj - Is it predominantly metal?
  • Raak
    [Tuj] Not metal.
  • Boolbar - Did any of these exist over 1000 years ago?
  • Raak
    [Boolbar] None of them existed over 1000 years ago.
  • Software - Millennium Stones?
  • Raak
    [Software] Not Millennium Stones (whatever those are).
  • Rosie - Is it a work of art?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] applause! It is art.
  • Bismarck - One or more Henry Moore mobiles?
  • Raak
    [Bismarck] Not by Henry Moore. Not a mobile.
  • Simons Mith
    Does it have any watery connections?
  • Raak
    [SM] No watery connections.
  • Superman - Is it an island wrapped by Christoph?
  • Raak
    [Superman] Not an island wrapped by Christoph.
  • Simons Mith
    Is it associated with any particular date(s)?
  • Bismarck - Is it a representation of a fictional character?
  • Raak
    [SM] No particular date.
    [B] Some examples are representations of fictional characters.
  • Boolbar - Are these all by one artist?
  • Raak
    [Boolbar] Applause! Works of a particular artist.
  • Bismarck - The Dali museum in Barcelona?
  • Raak
    [Bismarck] Not Dali.
  • Simons Mith
    Hm, are they Banksies?
  • Raak
    [SM] A winner! Yes, A Banksy graffito is the words on the card. Excuse me while I run this baton through a woodchipper before presenting it.
  • Simons Mith
    Whoops, now I've gotta think of one.

    Um.

    OK. These are usually MINERAL.

  • Simons Mith
    Even worse, I gotta remember what I picked!
  • Boolbar - Garden Gnomes?
  • Simons Mith
    No.
  • Dujon - Decorative?
  • Simons Mith
    No.
  • Superman - Stones?
  • Simons Mith
    No again.
  • Electron Ghost - Trolls?
  • Simons Mith
    ... No.
  • Boolbar - Found on Earth?
  • Simons Mith
    Oh good, a YES at last. Found on Earth.
  • Raak - Is there just one of these?
  • Simons Mith
    No, many.
  • Dujon - Are these likely to be found in Antarctica?
  • Simons Mith
    No, not likely. (Very minor hint in comments)
  • Raak - Man-made?
  • Simons Mith
    YES, without exception. Well, um, except for all the ones that are woman-made, or any other gender variations.
  • Rosie - Is it likely to be found in the home of an average Morniverser, if there is such a thing?
  • Simons Mith
    YES.
  • Simons Mith
    Yep, they're present even in a Crescenter's house.
  • Boolbar - Used for preparing or eating food?
  • Simons Mith
    YES. [Applause]
  • Rosie - A chopping board?
  • Simons Mith
    No. Besides, I wouldn't have said chopping boards were usually mineral; I'd tend to assume wooden first, mineral second.
  • KagomeShuko
    Is it a cast iron pan?
  • Simons Mith
    Nuh uh.
  • Raak - A container?
  • Simons Mith
    No.
  • Raak - A tool for turning pieces of food into smaller pieces of food?
  • Bismarck - A piece of cutlery?
  • Simons Mith
    [Raak] Not really. [Bismarck] YES. [Audience checks contract, then whoops stamps and cheers.]
  • Boolbar - A Fork?
    Which way shall I go?
  • Simons Mith
    No, not a fork. You're so close!
  • Superman - A spork?
  • Simons Mith - I thought that might happen :-)
    No. But you're even closer than Boolbar was.
  • Raak - A sporknife?
  • Simons Mith
    No, and it's probably not spopsticks either.
  • Dujon - Does this magnificent utensil have a brand name ending in "ayd"
  • Simons Mith
    [Dujon] Alas, no.
  • Chalky
    Does it rhyme with 'swoon'?
  • Simons Mith
    YES! [Stretchers arrive to ferry out a couple of audience members who fainted from excitement.]
  • Rosie - Can it be preceded by the word "dessert"?
  • Simons Mith
    YES, it can. By Jove you're really narrowing it down now.
  • Chalky - Can it be made from wood?
  • Superman - I can see a theme coming through here.. it must be a - but I'll let Raak answer that.
  • Simons Mith
    Wood? YES.
  • Raak - Has the existence of this thing been notably denied?
  • Rosie - Can this object be bent, as if by magic?
  • Simons Mith
    YES. They may even have been a Japanese anime about it, although I could be wrong there.
  • Simons Mith
    [Raak] Utensil denial: YES.
  • Raak - Should one count these at the end of a dinner party, especially if a guest has talked overmuch of his honour?
  • Simons Mith
    Utensil census: YES.
  • Boolbar - Can two of these be used as a makeshift percussion instrument?
  • Simons Mith
    Utensil chorus: YES.
  • CdM - A fpoon?
  • Fimonf Mith - CdM if the winner!
    Utenfil claffification: YEF!
    I waf ftarting to get worried you wouldn't get it.

    Thankf to the great generofity of Raak I have hundredf of tiny (but rather fplintery) batonf to paff over. Here, have thif one.

  • Chalky - Fo clofe yet fo far ;^)
  • Bismarck - Ahem *taps micro* Chalky? You there?
  • Simons Mith
    Well I have plenty more tiny batons if anyone else wants one...
  • Boolbar - [CdM] Is it the concept of suspense?
  • Simons Mith - How about a Collective Consciousness round?
    I shall channel my inner CdM and answer, NO.

    Is it edible?

  • Superman - I can feel in my water...
    that the answer is YES.

    Is it an animal?

  • Tuj - By the pricking of my thumbs...
    that too is a YES

    Does it begin with a P?
  • Boolbar - Consulting the seaweed...
    Alas, that is a NO

    Does it live in water?

  • Bismarck - The flight of the birds says...
    that is also a NO

    Is it a ...bird?

  • Superman - Tossing the I Ching sticks...
    gives the answer YES.

    Is it a duck?

  • Simons Mith
    NO, I don't think it's a duck.
  • CdM - Carry on, please
    Yikes! Sorry! Forgot all about having made that guess.
  • Simons Mith - Is it a well-known pie filling?
  • Chalky - According to my latest tarot reading ..
    It might be
  • Bismarck - Ha! I've got it - it's an ostrich, and it's over there!
  • Ostrich - *Escaping from pie factory*
    Bugger! *hides in London underground network*
  • Rosie - 'S a tunnel. Scoddaby
    Rural Lincolnshire invoked.
  • Simons Mith
    What, an edible tunnel? Lincs people are weird.
  • Rosie
    Well, that's golf for you. Is it......a NIBLICK?
  • Dujon
    Enough of ostriches
    The next challenge is Animal

  • Tuj - Is it human?
  • Dujon - I was beginning to think that everyone had gone on strike.
    No, Tuj, nor does it start with a 'P'.
  • Boolbar - Is it a mammal?
  • Raak - Is it an individual?
  • Tuj - Does it... oh! Um... Is it alive?
  • Dujon
    (Boolbar) NO, Sir, although it might be described as such.
    (Raak) NO
    (Tuj)YES
  • Rosie - Is it native to Australia?
  • Dujon - Surprise! The audience gasps for air.
    (Rosie) YES
  • Tuj - Be it a monotreme?
  • Dujon - Single stringed tremes
    (Tuj) NO.Be it a treme or not, it don't lay no eggs, Sarr.
  • Rosie - Was it once a treme but now a sadly burnt out ex-treme?
  • Raak - A marsupial?
  • Dujon - Burnt alive?
    (Rosie) NO. Is not New Orleans still jiving?
  • Dujon - Pickpockets?
    (Raak) YES.*The audience comes again alive*
  • Rosie - A wallaby?
    Gotta be. :-)
  • Dujon - Hopping around the AOTC?
    (Rosie) NO. *The audience sighs and goes back to sleep*
  • Bismarck - A collective noun of wombats?
  • Raak - Mythical?
  • Dujon - Wombaticate dreaming?
    (Bismarck) NO.
    (Raak) NO, not at all - see the earlier answer to Tuj
  • Software - In Australia?
  • Dujon - *sighing*
    (Software) I refer you to Rosie's first post in this game.
  • Bismarck - A quoll?
  • Dujon - Quoll or quill the pen is mightier...
    (Bismarck) NO.
  • Software - Tasmanian Devil?
    (Bismark) Sorry, been away
  • Dujon - That Van Dieman fella?
    Sorry, Softers, the answer is NO. In fact there are none of these animals on that wonderful island.
  • Bismarck - A mob of kangaroos?
  • KagomeShuko
    Is it singular?
  • Dujon - Individual
  • Dujon - Individuals and 'roos
    (Bismarck) Hardly (i.e. NO)
    (Kago) Certainly not (i.e. also NO)
  • Software - Koala?
  • Dujon - Piss Pots?
    (Software) YESSSS!
    I pass to you a rough but furry baton. Be aware though that it has the propensity to leak.
  • Software - Gosh! Is it me? I have been dozing.
    Hmmm. Let me see: Ah, yes. Abstract with Animal, Vegetable and Mineral connexions.
  • Rosie - A human activity?
  • Bismarck - A piece of art?
  • Simons Mith - An academic study of some kind?
  • Raak - 42?
  • Dujon - An alarm clock?
    You deserved that, Software. :)
  • Software
    [Rosie]Something to do? Yes
    [Bismark]Arty farty? No
    [SM]Lurning? No
    [Raak]Hitching? No
    [Dujon]Wake up call? No
  • Raak - Physical law?
  • Rosie - Anything to do with politics?
  • Dujon - Related to agriculture?
  • Software
    [Raak] Physics? No
    [Rosie] General incompetence? Up to a point, yes
    [Dujon] Farmer Giles? No
  • Superman - Using a machine?
  • Bismarck - A law?
  • Raak - To do with Brexit?
  • Software
    [Superman] Mechanics? No.
    [Bismarck] Legal? No (a smattering of weak claps in audience)
    [Raak] The 'B' word? How dare you? No
  • Raak - A proverb?
  • Software
    [Raak] Proverbial? No
  • Simons Mith - Bureaucracy?
  • Dujon - Something to do with the armed forces?
  • Software
    [SM] Officialdom? - Yes (some of the audience clap)
    [Dujon] Military? No
  • Simons Mith - Hm, a little bit political and a little bit bureaucratic. But not military or educational. Religious?
  • Raak - An organization?
  • Software
    [SM] Faith? No (someone in the audience claps)
    [Raak] Organization? No
  • Bismarck - The House of Commons?
  • Software
    [Bismarck] The madhouse? - Definitely No.
  • Dujon - Red tape?
  • Rosie - Health and Safety bollocks I mean culture?
  • Software - I am on holiday for a couple of weeks so responses may be intermittent
    [Duj] Officialdom? - No a smattering of weak claps from the audience)
    [Rosie] More than my job's worth? - No
  • Raak - To do with a shared interest or activity?
  • Software - I'm back!
    [Raak]Common interest? YES some claps from audience
  • Boolbar - Are maps involved?
  • Raak - The Morniverse?
  • Bismarck - Sporting?
  • Software
    [Boolbar] Cartography? NO
    [Raak] Here? NO but of course it does overlap with the AOTC
    [Bismarck] Sporting? YES - in certain circumstances a few claps from the audience
  • Superman - Games of the board, card, and screen kind?
  • Simons Mith - A trivia game?
  • Raak - A game of any other sort?
  • Software
    [All above] Nothing to do with games per se. A few claps from the audience
  • Raak - Distraction desperately engaged in to avoid despair at the sins of the world?
    There might be a word for this, but I can't think what it is.
  • Superman - Commuting?
    A shared human activity of a bureaucratic nature, possibly related to politics, which may involve sport or the Morniverse in some way.
  • Software
    [Raak] Hermit like? NO
    [Superman] Daily grind? NO Hint: maybe the exact opposite - a couple of random claps from audience.
  • Bismarck - The Lotus Position ?
  • Dujon - Competition?
  • Simons Mith
    Opposite of commuting ... hm, is that travelling for pleasure, or staying in one place while stuff comes to you? Visiting ? Having things delivered ?
  • Simons Mith - Online shopping?
    [To expand on the thought I had earlier]
  • Software
    [SM] Lazy mall? NO audience chuckles I suppose this could be an aspect of the AOTC which BTW has two words.
  • Bismarck and Dujon
    Oi!
  • Software - How remiss of me. * cleans glasses *
    [Bismarck] Yoga stuff? - NO
    [Dujon] Adversaries?- NO
  • Software - Are we losing the will to live
  • Superman - Computers?
  • Software
    [Superman] Computers - NO.
    Hint: AOTC 2 words. There is a limited number of these. The term refers to the UK only.
  • Bismarck - Give way?
  • Simons Mith - Is there a connection to the calendar?
  • Software
    [Bismarck] Road signage, I presume. - NO
    [SM] Dates? - YES * audience claps furiously *
  • Bismarck - A bank holiday?
  • Software - Bingo!
    [Bismarck] You are on the money. Hands over damp baton.
  • Winner's comments
    Oohh, ta ever so much. I'll spend the money down at the seaside.
  • Bismarck - The game commences...
    This one is Vegetable in its essence.
  • Simons Mith - Is it tomato ketchup?
  • Rosie - Is it alive?
  • Raak - Is it something extracted from a plant?
  • Software - Beginning with 'P'?
  • Boolbar - Is it cubic?
  • Bismarck
    [Simons Mith] NOT a table condiment.
    [Rosie] NOT living.
    [Raak] YES, it is extracted from a plant.
    [Software] NOT beginning with "P".
    The audience that made it back from the interval are engaged in polite applause.
  • Tuj - Does it begin with E?
    [Softers] Cheeky :D
  • Bismarck
    [Tuj] Nice to hear from you. Let me state that there are two words on the card, NEITHER beginning with "E".
  • Raak - A spice?
  • Boolbar - Is it cubic and am I repeating myself?
  • Rosie - A poison?
  • Dujon - Is this generally brewed in hot water prior to ingestion?
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] NOT a spice.
    [Boolbar 1] NOT cubic, though this does usually have a geometric shape.
    [Boolbar 2] Sorry, dear.
    [Rosie] NOT a poison.
    [Dujon] NOT a hot drink, but it is cooked involving a little water. The audience is still showing signs of interest.
  • Raak - Pasta?
  • Software - Processed in some way?
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] NO, definitely not Italian.
    [Software] Hmmm... YES, on balance, in the sense that this requires mixing of ingredients and cooking.
    The audience is maintaining a polite silence.
  • Raak - A cake?
  • Superman - Bovril?
  • Software - A primary ingredient like sugar for example?
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] NOT a cake.
    [Super] NOT Bovril.
    [Software] NOT sugar, though it is the major ingredient.
    Smartphones have made their appearance among the audience. Bored? Surely not...
  • Raak - Is fruit involved?
  • Dujon - Fairy/Candy Floss?
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] NO, not as such.
    [Dijon] NO, but that deserves a round of applause.
    Hoots and skirls from the Scots in the audience, mumbles of approval from the Yorkshiremen. Some muted cries of "Not bad!" from the polite seats.
  • Simons Mith - Glacé cherries?
    A well-known Scottish delicacy, they are.
  • Software - Hot chocolate?
  • Raak - A sugar basket?
  • Bismarck
    [S.M.] NO, Nice try but no fruit.
    [SW] NO, not a drink.
    [R] Getting close, at least as far as the sugar goes, but a bit too high-class. Still a NO.
    The part of the audience who know what a sugar basket is give a restrained round of applause.
  • Simons Mith - … Glacé potatoes?
  • Superman - 1) Toffee? 2) Everton mints?
    [SimonsM] Sell that idea to McCain's!
  • Bismarck
    [Simons Mith] NO. Great idea though.
    [Superman] Nice thinking! Toffee is almost a yes, it could be argued that it's an ingredient, Everton mints are getting closer, but NO!
    The interest of the audience is being maintained, with some "Ooohs!" showing their appreciation.
  • Simons Mith
    So not glacé haggis either. Fudge
  • Raak - Tablet?
  • Raak - Scotch tablet?
  • Raak
    (The second of those was supposed to replace the first. )
  • Software - Caramel?
  • Bismarck
    [Simons Mith] NOT fudge. Quite the opposite, down-to-earth sort of thing, this.
    [Raak] NO, although that is the name of the next-but-one release of Android (with built-in joke).
    [Software] NOT caramel.
    This is all going a bit soft. Murmurs heard among the audience.
  • Raak - A boiled sweet?
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] YES it is made in that way.
    Sensation in the audience.
  • Bismarck - Audience snoring
    Two words on the card...
  • Boolbar - Is it some sort of mint?
  • Bismarck
    [Boolbar] Maybe mint flavouring is available, but the AOTC is not actually a mint.
    Hint: it doesn't come from Yorkshire
  • CdM - Brighton Rock?
  • Bismarck
    [CdM] What, the book by Graham Greene? But seriously, NO, but that is so close. Try a different coast.
    Audience give thunderous applause.
  • Bismarck - Gone quiet in here...
  • Simons Mith - Jailhouse Rock?
    Surely there's a prison somewhere that makes its own...
  • Dujon - Does the name on the rock also relate to a tower?
  • Raak - Is the place one of which John Clute, the science fiction critic, remarked that it was the first time he had seen pigeons pecking at human vomit in the streets?
  • Bismarck
    [Simon's Mith] No, although there is a prison not too far away.
    [Dujon] Yes indeed.
    [Raak] Among other things Mr Clute was shocked at, yes indeed. No doubt Canada is more cultured.
    A polite hush descends, breathlessly awaiting the answer...
  • CdM - Plymouth Rock?
    Got it, surely!!
  • Bismarck
    The tranquillity is breached by [CdM] getting it wrong. Not Inchcape Rock, Fraggle Rock or any other mineral, just to save you the trouble.
    Audience murmurs reach force three.
  • CdM - Morecambe Rock?
  • Simons Mith - Liverpool rock's more usually termed 'Mersey Beat', isn't it?
  • Bismarck
    [CdM] YES!! Actually NO, but I'm getting fed up.
    [Simon's Mith] Other than those witnesses to global warming, the Arctic Monkeys. Please stick to the subject.
    The audience has formed an action group and are shouting "What do we want? The Answer! When do we want it? NOW!"
  • CdM - Fleetwood Rock?
    Am I getting warmer?
  • Rosie - Blackpool Rock
    Gotta be!
  • Bismarck
    I was going to say that CdM was close enough for me, but Blackpool rock it is, so Rosie cannot be denied. Rosie will now take this sweet baton (not that end, I've been sucking it there) and note that it has the word WINNER written all the way through!
    Audience clap Rosie politely
  • Rosie
    Good heavens, I've won. There's lucky, inni' aye.

    We'd better quickly have another one.

    This is ABSTRACT and absolutely nothing whatever to do with steam engines.

  • CdM - Everything that has nothing whatever to do with steam engines?
  • Rosie
    (CdM) Multiple Choice answers are forbidden in that they violate the essential rigour of the Morniverse.
  • Superman - Does music come into it?
  • Rosie
    (Superman) Music? NO.
  • Bismarck - Philosophical?
  • Rosie
    (Bismark) NO, nothing to do with philosophy.
  • Dujon - Would this be related to the sub-conscience rather than conscienceness?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) NO, nothing to do with thought processes.
  • Simons Mith - Is it a method or plan of some kind?
  • Rosie
    (Simons Mith) No, not a method or plan.
  • Raak - A saying?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) NOT a saying.
  • Boolbar - Weather related?
  • Simons Mith - A measurement?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) Weather related? YES. *thunderous (sic) applause*
    (Simons Mith) A measurement? YES. *slight murmurs of disapproval*
  • Raak - A record?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) NO, not a record.
  • Bismarck - Is it localised?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) Localised? YES, sort of.
  • CdM - The eye of a hurricane?
  • Raak - Climate change?
  • Rosie
    (CdM) NOT the eye of a hurricane.
    (Raak) NOT Climate Change.
  • Superman - Is it too darn hot?
  • Rosie
    (Superman) Too darn hot? NO, but *considerable audience murmurings*
  • Raak - Something meteorologists do?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Something meteorologists do? NO. The AOTC is one word, a noun.
  • Chalky - Scorchio?
    ... actually that's a verb. Wrong again. Hi Rosie
  • Simons Mith - Is it 'isobar'?
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) Hello, m'dear, nice to see you again. Unfortunately your suggestion is wrong. Isn't scorchio an adjective? If I may indulge myself I would suggest that it is a Welsh verb, the -io- ending being the giveaway. Could mean "to burn the toast" &c.
    (Simons Mith) NO, not an isobar, nothing quite so technical.
  • Raak - Weather?
  • Bismarck - Fog?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) NO, not weather.
    (Bismarck) NO, not fog.
  • Chalky - Temperature?
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) Temperature? NO. *some murmurs from the audience*
  • Superman - Drought?
  • Rosie
    YESS! Superman has it. The total absence of aqueous entities. Take this baton and give it a wipe 'cos it's been standing about in the rain.
  • Superman - Ze next round
    Counters set to zero, AOTC generator enclenched, combobulator aligned, sphinx tube at operating temperature, and posting a live Facebook stream. Ok, that should do it. This is MINERAL, and may God bless all that sail in her.
  • Simons Mith - A bathtub?
  • Raak - Is it a single object?
  • Rosie - Mainly metal?
  • Superman - Episode 1, in which certain questions are raised
    [Simon] NO
    [Raak] NO
    [Rosie] On balance, and after some research showing that no-one is too clear what it is made of, NO.
  • Raak - Is it found on Earth?
  • Bismarck - Does water come in to it?
  • Superman - Chapter 2, in which questions do not reveal answers
    [Raak] On balance, NO, in the sense that the earth is not its natural habitat, but reports have mentioned it being found here.
    [Bismark] NO.
  • Raak - Is it found in the Solar System?
  • CdM - Edscottite?
  • Rosie - A hot plasma?
  • Superman - Section 3, in which our thoughts take us far away
    [Raak] NO, although some "reports" etc. etc.
    [CdM] NO, but that gets a big round of applause from the audience.
    [Rosie] NO.
  • Rosie - The material of an extremely dense object?
  • Raak - Is it found in our galaxy?
  • Bismarck - Dark matter?
  • Superman - Part 4, in which Jane realises that the Comte de Chambord is up to no good, and she says "NO" a lot.
    [Rosie] NO.
    [Raak] The galaxy being big an' all, who knows, there may well be some. But otherwise NO, though some "reports" etc. etc.
    [Bism] That gets a round of applause only for the inventiveness. NO.
  • Rosie - Is it fictional?
  • Raak - Is its existence anywhere speculative?
  • Simons Mith - Kryptonite?
  • Superman - Fit the Fifth, in which all is revealed
    [Rosie] YES. Now we're getting somewhere.
    [Raak] Also YES.
    [Simon] YES. Kryptonite it is.
    Studio tapes of hard static played, imitating applause.
    Please take this green, glowing baton, it's been having a bad effect on me.
  • Simons Mith
    Hm, well this green otherworldly glow I'm seeing is inspiring me. Let's try... VEGETABLE.
  • Rosie - Edible?
  • Superman - Is it processed or in a natural state?
  • Simons Mith
    [Rosie] NO
    [Superman] Also NO.
  • Raak - Wood?
  • Simons Mith
    [Raak] NO.
  • Raak - Some sort of fungus?
  • Boolbar - Fictional?
  • Software - Beginning with 'P'?
  • Simons Mith
    [Raak] NO.
    [Boolbar] AYE.
    [Software] NO.
  • Bismarck - Liftwood?
    I'm asking for Stevie, here
  • Simons Mith
    [Bismevie] NO.
  • Superman - Is this a piece of botany taken from the Harry Potter books?
  • Raak - The Luggage?
  • Simons Mith
    [Raak] NO. But that's another cool idea
  • Simons Mith
    [Superman] NO. Oops, nearly missed that one. Sorry.
  • Bismarck - Grass?
  • Simons Mith
    [Bismarck] NO.
  • Bismarck - A flower?
  • Superman - An alga?
  • Simons Mith
    [Bismarck] YUP.
    [Superman] NO.
  • Bismarck
    So we're looking for an imaginary, inedible flower which doesn't appear in Harry Potter.
  • Simons Mith
    [Bismarck] YES!
  • Boolbar - Is it from a television program?
  • Simons Mith
    [Boolbar] YYYYES.
  • CdM - Weed?
    (from Bill and Ben. Not that I remember that programme. Definitely not. My grandparents used to tell me about it.)
  • Simons Mith
    [CdM] NO.
  • Simons Mith - Clue?
    I'll give out a clue on Sunday if there's no movement.
  • Boolbar - Is it from a sci-fi programme?
  • Simons Mith
    [Boolbar] AFFIRMATIVE.
  • CdM - Is it carnivorous?
  • Simons Mith
    [CdM] ABSATIVELY.
  • Bismarck - Were triffids carnivorous?
  • Raak - Does it say "FEEED MEEEE"?
  • Simons Mith - A winner
    [Bismarck] YES. Well I thought they were. Don't they sting you, then leave you to rot and soak up the juices? Perhaps that technically counts as something else. But AIUI even carnivorous plants only use meat as a dietary supplement.
    [Raak] No, just clackclackclack as far as I remember.
    Bismarck has it.
    I'll just put on a nice thick pair of gloves and then hand over this... baton.
  • Bismarck - And so it begins again...
    No way I am touching that thing. Right, here is the mystery voice to tell the audience, but you lot only get to know that it's
    VEGETABLE.
  • Bismarck - Let's do it traditionally
    Forgot the line. So let's see your ideas for another
    VEGETABLE.
  • Boolbar - Fictional?
  • Bismarck
    [Boolbar] NO, my in-laws had one.
  • Dujon - Often found potted?
  • Bismarck
    [Dujon] NEVER found potted.
  • Raak - A tree?
  • Simons Mith - Air plant?
    You can get trees in pots. You just need a bigger pot. Or a smaller tree.
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] NOT a tree. Though it might once have been one.
    [Simons Mith] NOT an air plant.
  • Tuj - Unique?
  • Bismarck
    [Tuj] NOT unique.
  • Simons Mith - An item of furniture?
  • Bismarck
    [Simons Mith] YES, it is an item of furniture. Much braying and waving of IKEA catalogues in the audience.
  • Simons Mith - A dresser?
    I'm thinking, a slightly uncommon item of furniture.
  • Raak - Is it for putting things in?
  • Bismarck
    [Simon's Mith] NO, not a dresser. The AOTC might have turned up in the eponymous film, I shouldn't wonder.
    [Raak] I feel it would make a rather unwieldy tool, so NO.
  • Raak - Did Dr. Caligari have one?
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] He might well have done, though AFAIK there wasn't one in his cabinet. So NO.
  • Simons Mith - Is it commonly upholstered?
  • Bismarck - Half-way there, and it's looking good...
    [Simons Mith] NEVER upholstered, commonly or not.
  • Raak - A lampstand?
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] NOT a lampstand. Note for Chelsea supporters: there is no such thing as a "tand."
  • Boolbar - Is it for sitting upon?
  • Bismarck
    [Boolbar] NOT for sitting on.
  • Simons Mith - A hatstand?
  • Software - A footstool?
  • Simons Mith - A hammock?
  • Raak - A set of sstocks?
  • Raak - *stocks
  • Bismarck
    [Simons Mith] NOT a hat stand, NOR a hammock.
    [Software] NOT a footstool.
    [Raak] NOT a set of stocks.
  • Raak - Is it for sleeping on?
  • Simons Mith - Is it a notable example of a whatever-it-is?
  • Boolbar - Does it have a pointy end?
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] NO, that is not its primary function.
    [Simons Mith] NO, this is a generic item.
    [Boolbar] There MAY BE examples that have finials and thingummies, but it isn't necessary for the definition of the whatever-it-is.
  • Superman - Is it a dumb waiter?
  • Raak - A church pew?
  • Simons Mith - A lectern?
    Definitely not for sitting on.
    BTW the mental picture I'm painting of your in-laws is getting stranger by the minute.
  • Bismarck - Your twenty questions are up...
    [Superman] NOT a dumb waiter.
    [Raak] NOT a church pew.
    [Simon's Mith, who henceforth will be spelt with an apostrophe as I can't be bothered correcting it any more] NOT a lectern.
    A hint - found in a house.
  • Boolbar - Usually found in a kitchen?
  • Raak - Do IKEA sell them?
  • Bismarck
    [Boolbar] NOT usually found in the kitchen.
    [Raak] YES, in a very stripped-down Swedish sort of way.
  • Raak - Do you put things on this thing?
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] YES, you can put things smaller than this thing on this thing.
  • Software - A shelf?
  • Bismarck
    [Software] NO, not a shelf, but the thingy is shelfish to an extent.
  • Simons Mith - A mantelpiece?
  • Bismarck
    [Simon's Mith] NO, the whatchamacallit is not a mantelpiece.
  • Raak - Is it bigger than a toaster?
  • Raak
    Going back to the fundamentals...
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] YES, the thingy is larger than a toaster.
  • Superman - A Welsh dresser?
  • Bismarck
    You're on the right lines, look for the curios. [Superman] NO, the rabbit is not a Welsh dresser.
  • Raak - Is it for displaying knick-knackery, bric-a-brac, trinkets, curios, and the like?
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] YES, that is the most common usage of the whatever-it-is.
  • Raak - A cabinet of curiosities?
    Although I have a hard time imagining IKEA stocking one.
  • Simons Mith
    [Raak] Well, there's the KASSEBY...
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] NO, not a cabinet. IKEA still have a thing under the name of some fruit that could be described as the AOTC, but the version I found when the subject came up first has now disappeared from the catalogue.
  • Superman - I have no idea. Is that it?
  • Raak - Is it a display case sold with a subscription to receive a uniquely designed collectible thimble every month until you build up a treasured heirloom to pass on to your descendants, who will after a decent but short interval (say, on return from the funeral) chuck it in the bin?
    People who collect thimbles (it says on a thimble-collecting site) are known as Digitabulists. How very depressing.
  • Bismarck - Ideas for names of occasional furniture seem to be drying up
    [Raak] NO.
    [Superman] YES, the thingamajig does seem to be something you don't know.
  • Raak - A vitrine?
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] NO. No glass involved.
  • Raak - Does it normally stand on the floor?
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] YES. The audience has got up a petition to give you the prize for sheer effort.
  • Raak - Does it typically have (just) one leg?
  • Simons Mith - Does it have wheels?
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] Not sure if that's typical - the one my in-laws have has only one leg. Let's say YES.
    [Simons Mith] NO wheels on this whatsit.
  • Tuj - Would one typically put a specific type of item on this thing?
  • Boolbar - Is it usually found in a corner of a room?
  • Bismarck
    [Tuj] NO.
    [Boolbar] YES, I thank that's fair.
  • Bismarck - All gone away..
    Spoiler alert...
  • Raak - Is it characteristic of a particular region of the world?
  • Software - An umbrella stand?
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] I would have sworn that the whatsit was peculiarly British, but my in-laws also have one and they're Belgian. It was quite a culture shock.
    [Software] NO.
  • Raak - An elephant's-foot wastebasket?
  • Simons Mith - Is it foldable?
  • Boolbar - Is it usually fixed to a wall as well as standing on one leg?
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] NO, perish the thought.
    [Simons Mith] NO. The idea will be passed to MFI, though, you could be on to something.
    [Boolbar] NO.
  • Raak - Does anything hang from it?
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] NO, the thingummy does not so serve.
  • Simons Mith - Is it portable or mobile?
    I found some old-fashioned portable desks and things that seem to fit all the constraints applied so far.
  • Boolbar - Is it some type of table?
  • Raak - A tallboy?
  • Bismarck
    [Boolbar] NO, not some kind of table.
    [Raak] NO, not a tallboy, though I have no doubt that a room with a tall boy, a vitrine, an elephant's foot basket and maybe a Welsh dresser would also have one of the AOTC.
  • Raak - Is there a specific type of thing that this thing is designed to have put on it?
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] NO, quite the opposite.
  • Software - A drawer?
  • Raak - Is the Ikea LILLÅNGEN End Unit an example?
  • Bismarck
    [Software] NO, drawers are very rare.
    [Raak] SORT OF, but these whatchamacallits are always open framed, so you'd have to take the sides and door off, probably ditch the MDF for real wood, make the shelves smaller as they rose (optional, but traditional), and make the frame somewhat decorative carved.
    I asked the Internet again and while you can still buy these things (including a modern plastic and aluminium version which gave me a frisson of horror), their heyday was before WW1.
  • Bismarck - And the winner is...
    To be decided in a celebrity boxing match.
  • Simons Mith - Late inspiration
    It's not a box is it? A one-legged box?
  • Boolbar - Does part of the thing rotate?
  • Bismarck
    Simons Mith] NO, not a box. Clues have been made as to the nature of the wotsit, though.
    [Boolbar] NO, it doesn't rotate. No mechanism involved.
  • Software - A plant stand?
    No self-respecting Victorian would go without an Aspedestra.
  • Bismarck
    [Software] This is a typical usage of the AOTC, as a stand for aspidistras and objets d'art... but it has a specific name, so NO.
  • Raak - A jardinière?
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] NO. That's too specific, you can put bric-à-brac, mementoes and whatnot on this as well.
  • Raak - A cachepot?
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] NO.
  • Software - A whatnot?
  • Bismarck - Ah, grandchildren, gather round and I'll tell you the story of The Never-Ending Game.
    Or you can ask Uncle Software, he did win it.
    Congratulations - a whatnot it is! Take this baton-shaped objet d'art once owned by a lady from North Wales and give us your estimation of the insurance value.
  • Software - Bugger! Now I must think of something.
    OK, here goes: ANIMAL and VEGETABLE , that's it.
  • Boolbar - Is there a tree of some kind
  • Raak - Customarily eaten?
  • Bismarck
    Is this a symbiosis?
  • Dujon - A vegan? ;)
  • Software
    [Boolbar] In a way sometimes, YES.
    [Raak] YES
    [Bismarck] NO
    [Dujon] Vegan? There's a thought. NO.
  • Raak - A sandwich?
  • Boolbar - A pie?
  • Superman - Is it cooked?
  • Software
    [Raak] Sarnie> NO
    [Boolbar] Who ate them all? YES but not the AOTC
    [Superman] Oven ready - or is that a hackneyed phrase? YES
  • Raak - A pie containing four-and-twenty blackbirds?
  • Bismarck - Is the vegetable bit fruit?
  • Rosie - A mince pie?
  • Software
    [Raak] Close but no cigar
    [Bismarck] Fruity? Oh YES, but
    [Rosie] is on the money! YES. - Hands over the chocolate log shaped baton.
  • Rosie
    WOO! I jes lurve Min Spies. Sorry, I've had to eat the baton before it melts.

    And the next object is ABSTRACT

  • Boolbar - Is it the thought of eating a mince pie?
  • Raak - Christmas?
  • Superman - Is it the answer?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) Nice, but alas, no.
    (Raak) No - thank God
    (Superman) No. I'm not clever enough to do recursiveness.
  • Software - An English idiom?
  • Raak - Connected with the current season?
    Whether that be winter, Christmas, Kwanzanukkawali, etc.
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • Rosie
    (Software) Not an idiom.
    (Raak) Not seasonal in any way.
    (Tuj) Begins with a P? YES.
  • Bismarck - Is it property ?
  • Boolbar - Mathematical?
  • Raak - An art form?
  • Software - A state of mind?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) Property? Only in the sense that many people have one of these, but realistically NO.
    (Boolbar) There is a connection with maths but it is so broad and vague as to be worthless. So, NO.
    (Raak) I doubt even Tracey Emin could make art out of this, so NO.
    (Software) NO, not a state of mind.
  • Raak - A paradox?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) A paradox? NO.
  • Simons Mith - A science?
  • Raak - A pseudonym?
  • Rosie
    (Simons Mith) NO, not a science.
    (Raak) A pseudonym? NO, but *some audience animation*.
  • Bismarck - Is it psychological?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) Psychological? NO.
  • Simons Mith - Profession?
  • Rosie
    (Simons Mith) NO, not a profession.
  • Software - A nickname?
  • Radox The Green - Does it come from the Greek?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) A nickname? Strictly speaking NO but the AOTC does have some of the properties of a nickname. *alert members of the audience perk up*
    (Radox the Green) NO, not from the Greek.
  • Simons Mith - A patronym?
    I was wondering about that earlier.
  • Rosie
    (Simons Mith) Like all Welsh surnames? NO, not a patronym.
  • Raak - A secret identity?
  • Software - An acronym?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) An acronym? YES. *whoops of delight from thosemembers of the audience who know what an acronym is*
  • Simons Mith - Is it a socio-economic classification?
    I can't think of a 'P' word for it, but things like NIMBYs, DINKies, CHAVs, AMRAAMs and so on.
  • Rosie
    (Simons Mith) Socio-economic classification? NO.
    (Raak) A secret identity? YES. *great audience animation*
  • Raak - Peter Parker?
  • Simons Mith - Personal Identification PIN Number?
  • Radox The Green - Does the acronym contain more than three letters?
  • Simons Mith - Is it letters after your name?
  • Rosie
    SIMONS MITH has it! It's a PIN. Well done.

    The baton passes on.......

  • Simons Mith
    All right, let's go for MINERAL
  • Raak - Is there just one of this?
  • Simons Mith
    [Raak] NO.
  • CdM - Are there just fourteen of these?
  • Rosie
    Is this a manufactured object?
  • Boolbar - Is it found on Earth?
  • Simons Mith
    [CdM] No.

    [Rosie] Yes.

    [Boolbar] Yes.

  • Radox The Green - Is the quantity of these expressive as the sum of two primes?
  • Simons Mith
    [Radox The Green] Why yes, yes it is.
  • Software - Is it metallic?
  • Raak - Are you assuming Goldbach's Conjecture?
  • Simons Mith
    [Software] No.

    [Raak] No.

  • Raak - Made of plastic?
  • Bismarck - Is it liquid?
  • Simons Mith
    [Raak] No.

    [Bismarck] No.

  • Raak - Is it made of concrete?
  • CdM - Are there fewer than fourteen of these?
  • Superman - Is it a memorial?
  • Simons Mith
    [Raak] No. Although I presume some are.

    [CdM] No.

    [Superman] No again.

  • Rosie - Could the average Morniverser lift one of these?
  • Raak - Man-made?
  • Superman - Is it a type of gemstone?
  • Boolbar - Are these all in one country?
  • Simons Mith
    [Rosie] No.

    [Raak] YES

    [Superman] No.

    [Boolbar] No.

  • Superman - A building?
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • Raak - Bigger than a toaster?
  • Simons Mith
    [Superman] Nay.

    [pTuj] Nay.

    [Raak] Aye.

  • Raak - Bigger than an elephant?
  • Bismarck - Does it emit musical sounds?
  • Tuj - But is it art?
  • Boolbar - Do they come in pairs?
  • Simons Mith
    [Raak] No

    [Bismarck] No.

    [Tuj] No.

    [Boolbar] Also no.

  • Raak - Are they very valuable?
  • Rosie - A means of transport?
  • Superman - Ceramic?
  • Simons Mith
    [Raak] No.

    [Rosie] ... No.

    [Superman]... No.

  • Bismarck - Is it a rock?
  • Simons Mith
    [Bismarck] No. What would count as a man-made rock?
  • Raak
    [SM] Wouldn't a lump of concrete be a man-made rock?
  • Raak - Can you buy one on Amazon?
  • Rosie - Anything to do with gardening?
  • Simons Mith
    [Raak, man-made rocks] I suppose. I suspect a geologist might be harder to convince.

    [Amazon] No, they don't sell 'em. That eliminates a lot.

    [Rosie] No, not a thing.

  • Bismarck - Is it a tool?
    Fake rocks for sale and methods of manufacture are common on The Internet...
  • Simons Mith
    [Bismarck] Not a tool.

    [Fake rocks] This is getting philosophical, but if it's a fake rock, it's not a real rock, and if it's not a real rock, it's not a rock. Right?

  • Rosie - One of the Milton Keynes concrete cows?
  • Simons Mith
    [Rosie] No. Concrete had already been eliminated.
  • Superman - Is it made of stone?
  • Simons Mith
    [Superman] Nope.
  • Tuj - Does it require electricity?
  • Boolbar - Are they usually wet?
  • Simons Mith
    [Tuj, electrickery] No.

    [Boolbar, moistery] No, not even in Ireland or New Zealand. I admit in Kiwiland it might be close.

  • KagomeShuko - just a question
    So if mineral is chosen, is that just like a thing that isn't an animal or a plant (vegetable)?
  • Simons Mith
    [KagomeShuko] It does tend to get a bit blurry if you look at it too closely. I think we'd all agree coal and plastic are mineral, for example. [But if someone does pipe up to disagree, that shows it's even closer than I'd thought.]
  • Rosie - Are these concentrated in one particular area of the world?
  • Boolbar - Are they typically fixed to the ground?
  • Raak - Is anyone offering one on eBay?
  • KagomeShuko - question - is this correct
    Being American, mineral is something extremely specific. One site told me, "English people define everything as being either Animal (if it is alive) Vegetable (if it grows) or Mineral (if it isn't alive, doesn't grow and comes from the ground.)"
  • Simons Mith
    [Rosie, concentration] Not really.

    [Boolbar, fixed] Yes. You won't find any flying ones.

    [Raak, eBay] No.

    [KagomeShuko, minerals] I'd say that's a reasonable usage for this game. But a dead cat is still animal, and oxygen is still mineral even though it doesn't come out of the ground.

  • Superman - Does it have a common use?
  • Simons Mith
    [Superman, common use] Yes.
  • Raak - Do people usually make these themselves?
  • Simons Mith
    [Raak, self-made] No.
  • Raak - A natural phenomenon?
  • KagomeShuko
    Is it a bomb shelter? A septic tank? A port-a-potty?
  • Simons Mith
    [Raak, natural] No, man-made.

    [KagomeShuko] No, no, and thrice no. But those are the closest guesses yet.

  • Boolbar - Bollards.
  • Bismarck - Does glass come into it?
  • Simons Mith
    [Boolbar, the same to you!] No.

    [Bismarck, glass] No.

  • Rosie - Would the Average Morniverser, if there is such a thing, have one of these in his/her house?
  • Simons Mith
    [Rosie, average Morniverser] That's harder to estimate. On balance I think Yes.
  • Rosie - Does one place things in this?
  • Simons Mith
    [Rosie, xxxxplace] No... but I think you're getting warmer
  • Bismarck - An Aga cooker?
  • Simons Mith
    [Bismarck] No; I expect those would be buyable on eBay, at least occasionally.
  • Superman - Is this thing kept inside?
  • Simons Mith
    [Superman, indoors] No. But also see answer to Rosie's.
  • Raak - Is it related to gardening?
  • Simons Mith
    [Raak, gardening] Nope.
  • Raak - Can it be bought in a shop?
  • Simons Mith
    [Raak, shoppable] No.
  • Raak - Does it consist of empty space?
  • Tuj - Is it usually made of metal?
  • Simons Mith
    [Raak, empty space] Doesn't everything? No, it's not just empty space.

    [Tuj, metal] No.

  • Boolbar - Is this a part of a typical building?
  • Simons Mith
    [Boolbar] Yes.
  • Raak - It is related to the void spaces within a building?
  • Simons Mith
    [Raak, void] Yes.
  • Rosie - A rubbish chute?
  • Raak - A cavity wall?
  • Simons Mith
    [Rosie, chute] No

    [Raak, cavity] No.

  • Raak - A house extension?
  • Dujon - Does Father Christmas like these?
  • Boolbar - A room?
  • Simons Mith
    [Raak, extension] No.

    [Dujon, Xmas] I don't know whether he likes them, but they are a necessary component of his professional work. Let's class that as a YES.

    [Boolbar] No.

  • Raak - Are these things traditionally cleaned by Dick van Dyke, sporting an absurd Cockney accent?
  • Simons Mith
    [Raak, DVD] I dunno WTF he was cleaning; I couldn't get through the accent. But let's a assume a YERS or a YE-US or a YUS or however he would have pronounced it.
  • Rosie - The cupboard under the stairs?
  • Simons Mith
    [Rosie] No. Good try but no.
  • Superman - An inglenook?
  • Simons Mith
    [Supes] No, not one of them neither.
  • Rosie - The bog? Er, I mean the loo?
  • Simons Mith
    [Rosie] No, not a kludgie.
  • Rosie - Is this space large enough to enter?
  • Simons Mith
    [Rosie] Well, we know Father Christmas can, so YES, I guess.
  • Rosie - A chimney?
  • Simons Mith
    YES. A nice red-bricked chyimminny.
    Here, have this baton. Mind the soot.
  • Simons Mith
  • Rosie
    When ah were a lad it were a CHIMBLY, but now it's

    ABSTRACT WITH ANIMAL CONNECTIONS
  • Raak - A superstition?
  • Simons Mith - Racing of some kind?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) A superstition? NO.
    (Simons Mith) Racing? NO.
  • Bismarck - A live animal?
  • Boolbar - Is it weather related?
  • Raak - A work of art depicting an animal?
  • Rosie
    (Bismark) The Animal Connections are certainly alive but this is not the AOTC.
    (Boolbar) Weather related? NO.
    (Raak) NOT a work of art of any kind.
  • Raak - A work of writing?
  • Tuj - Associated with a particular place?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) NOT a written work.
    (Tuj) Associated with a particular place? YES *warm audience applause*
  • Software - Shangri la?
  • Simons Mith - Crufts?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) Shangri-la? NO, nothing so exotic.
    (Simons Mith) Crufts? NO. No doggies involved.
  • Tuj - Welsh? ;)
  • Raak - Fictional?
  • Bismarck - Would this be something primarily for children?
  • CdM - Are the connected animals four-legged?
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) Welsh? NO, believe it or not.
    (Raak) Fictional? NO, real.
    (Bismarck) For children? NO.
    (CdM) 4-legged animals? Now, that would be interesting, but the answer is definitely NO.
  • Boolbar - Is the associated place in the UK?
  • Simons Mith - Worm charming?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) In the UK? YES
    (Simons Mith) Can that be done? It's NOT the answer anyway, alas.
  • Simons Mith - Swan upping?
  • Tuj - Are the animal connections human?
  • Raak - Is this an activity?
  • Rosie
    (Simons Mith) Er, wassat, then? I'm afraid it's no nearer the answer.
    (Tuj) Animal connections human? YES.
    (Raak) An activity? NO.
  • Tuj - Be it connected to sport?
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) Connected to sport? NO.
  • Boolbar - Is this something that happens once a year?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) Annual event? NO, it's continuous.
  • Simons Mith - Is it an agricultural activity?
  • Rosie
    (Simons Mith) Agricultural? That would be a cruel if understandable interpretation of this. Short answer, NO.
  • Raak - Wool-gathering?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Wool-gathering? NO.
  • Tuj - Is it a job role or title?
  • Raak - Is it a metaphorical expresion?
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) Job role or title? NO.
    (Raak) Metaphorical? No, it's what it says on the tin.

    The AOTC is not in the least obscure but it is unusual for this game.

  • Bismarck - The Cerne Giant?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) Old Knobhead? The AOTC is Abstract.
  • Simons Mith - An accent?
    Abstract but associated with a particular area got me well stumped.
  • Rosie
    (Simons Mith) An accent? YES. *audience ecstatic*
  • CdM - Cockney?
  • Rosie
    (CdM) Cockney? Jokin' mate.
  • Raak - Welsh?
  • Simons Mith - Acute? Oh no, that'd be associated with somewhere in France. Cornish?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) NOT a Welsh accent, North or South. (Welsh has already been eliminated).
    (Simons Mith) Cornish? NO. A grave error.
  • Superman - Scouse.
  • Rosie
    (Superman) Scouse? NO, you're in the wrong areal.
  • Bismarck - Black Country...?
    [Superman] no such luck eh? Anyway you hardly spoke it.
  • CdM - RP?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) Yam flailing about, it seems. NOT Black Country.
    (CdM) RP? Oh, good heavens, no.
  • Rosie
    This is an urban variant of a regional accent. I have put a bit of a giveaway clue somewhere in here.
  • Software - Brizzle?
  • Bismarck - Geordie, then.
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) NOT Geordie, but SOFTERS HAS IT. Gert accurate, proper like. Award yourself the ceremonial bananal. (View the source to read the hidden text)
  • Software - What? Me again? Well I'm buggered! Tha's gurt lush m'deariol.

    Right then. MINERAL with ANIMAL and VEGETABLE connections.

  • Rosie - Manufactured item?
  • Boolbar - The salt on my fish 'n' chips?
  • Software
    [Rosie] Made up? In a way, YES.
    [Boolbar] Tasty, but NO.
  • Bismarck - A plate of fish and chips with mushy peas?
  • Raak - Is there just one of this?
  • Tuj - Does it have an alliterative name?
  • Simons Mith - A country?
  • Software
    [Bismarck] Luvly grub? NO
    [Raak] Unique? YES
    [Tuj] Lettered? NO
    [Simons Mith] National? NO
  • Simons Mith - On Earth?
  • Boolbar - Is it found inside a building?
  • Software
    [Simons Mith] Terrestrial? YES
  • Software
    [Boolbar] Internal? NO
  • Tuj - But is it art?
  • Rosie - A statue?
  • Simons Mith - Is it a natural phenomenon that has been 'defined' in some way, such as a nature reserve?
  • Software
    [Tuj[ Good question, some might say, some might not.
    [Rosie] Statuesque? NO.
    [Simons Mith] Phenomena? NO.
  • Bismarck - Is it in England?
  • Software
    [Bismarck] Blighty? YES.
  • Raak - Is it in a town or city?
  • Bismarck - A fossilized tree?
  • Bismarck - Is it ancient?
  • Tuj - Is it manmade?
  • CdM - Is it functional?
  • Software
    [Raak] Urban? NO
    [Bismacck] Coal? NO
    [Bismarck] Ancient? Depends on how you define "ancient"
    [Tuj] Man made? YES
    [CdM] Functional? YES
  • Simons Mith - A reservoir?
  • Raak - A bridge?
  • Software
    [Somons Mith] Water dump? NO
    [Raak] Over troubled water? YES
  • Bismarck - Recap v1
    So it's a bridge. In England, but not in a town. It may be of some antiquity. And possibly involving artistics.
  • Bismarck - The Severn bridge?
  • Rosie - A road bridge?
  • Software
    [Bismarck] First or second? NO
    [Rosie] Roadie? YES
  • Raak - The Iron Bridge?
  • Software
    [Raak] Mr Darby's masterpiece? NO
  • Rosie - Is the road either a main road or a motorway?
  • KagomeShuko - Building, Burning, or Falling Down
    Is it the Richmond Bridge, the Tower Bridge, or the Tarr Steps?
  • Bismarck - Humber Bridge?
  • Simons Mith - Is it the original 'Pooh Sticks' bridge?
    I do have some doubt that it's a road bridge, but can't tell for sure one way or the other.
  • Software
    [Rosie] Highway code? YES
    [KagomeShuko] A bridge too far? NO
    [Bismarck] Bridge north? NO
    [Simons Mith] AA Milne-ish? NO
  • Simons Mith - Does it need constant repainting?
  • Raak - Has it been proposed to keep it from rust by boiling it in wine?
  • Software
    [Simons Mith] Forth bridge style? YES (don't they all?)
    [Raak] Medoc rust preventer? Great idea but NO
  • Rosie - The Clifton Suspension Bridge, proper like
  • Software
    [Rosie] IKB's masterpiece, m'luvvy? YES! I'd have thought you would have leapt on that straight away, mate.

    (Hands over the SS Great Britain shaped baton.)

  • Rosie
    Grabs baton. Ouch, where are you supposed to hold it?

    OK, this next one is nothing to do with Bristol, or Wales, or steam engines. It is

    VEGETABLE with strong ABSTRACT connections.

  • Radox The Green - Is the vegetable edible?
  • Boolbar - Is it a wood or forest?
  • Raak - A work of art?
  • Simons Mith - Is it das erste Wiener Gemüseorchester?
    Just a stab in the dark...
  • Rosie
    (R the G) Vegetable edible? Only by dogs. Short answer is NO.
    (Boolbar) NOT a wood or forest.
    Raak) NOT a work of art.
    (SM) Das erste Wiener Gemüseorchester? Wooden a fought so. I'll check.
  • Raak - Arabidopsis thaliana?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Arabidopsis thaliana? Having Googled it, I can say with the greatest of confidence that the answer is NO.
  • Simons Mith
    Dogs'll eat almost anything, but it's hard to find something vegetable that only dogs will eat. Is the thing commonly found in a house??
  • Rosie
    (SM) Commonly found in a house? Probably NOT these days. Probably edible by other animals, e.g. rats, but a dog is the most likely.
  • Radox The Green - A stick, like you might throw for a dog?
  • Simons Mith - Is the vegetable manufactured/processed in some way?
  • Software - Marmite?
  • Boolbar - Is the vegetable part wooden?
  • Rosie
    (R the G) A stick? NO.
    (SM) Manufactured or processed? YES.
    (Softers) Lovely stuff? NO, alas.
    (Boolbar) Wooden? NO.
  • Simons Mith - Is it a fabric?
  • Tuj - Is it unique?
  • Rosie
    (SM) A fabric? NO.
    (Tuj) Unique? NO.
  • Software - A bird's nest?
  • Rosie
    (Software) A bird's nest? NO.
  • Superman - Is it a fruit?
  • Rosie
    (Superman) A fruit? NO.
  • Boolbar - A member of the Poaceae family?
  • Raak - Is the abstract part a saying?
  • Simons Mith - Rubber wellies?
    Eminently chewable for the canis familiaris and rattus norvegicus crowds.
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) Grassed up? NO.
    (Raak) A saying? NO.
    (SM) Nice try but still v. cold. So NO.
  • Boolbar - Is this something used for heating or lighting?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) For heating or lighting? NO.
  • Simons Mith - Is the abstract part a measurement or quantity?
  • Bismarck - Can it be bought derp-frozen?
  • Bismarck
    Deep-frozen of course.
  • Rosie
    (Simons Mith) It could certainly be regarded as that, so YES. *audience animation, previously absent*
    (Bismarck) Deep or derp frozen. NEITHER, I'm afraid.
  • Simons Mith - Is the abstract part included or acknowledged in the thing's name?
  • Raak - Is tobacco involved?
  • Rosie
    (Simons Mith) Abstract nature acknowledged in name? YES. *even greater animation from the audience*
    (Raak) Nicotinic involvement? NO. I dunno, just 'cos I like the fags.
  • Simons Mith - A grandfather clock?
  • Boolbar - Some sort of floor or wall covering?
  • Rosie
    (SM) Grandfather clock? NO.
    (Boolbar) Floor or wall covering? NO.
  • Simons Mith - A tape meaure?
  • Software - A bean feast?
  • Rosie
    (SM) A tape measure? Well, rather better than that, but NO. *audience murmurings*
    (Software) Accountant's holiday? NO, not a bean feast.
  • Boolbar - Is it some type of aide-memoire?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) An aide-memoire? NOT really. Maybe just an aide.
  • Simons Mith - For measuring distance?
  • Rosie
    (SM) Measuring distance? NO.
  • Software - A yard broom?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) A yard broom? NO.
  • Simons Mith - For measuring fluids?
  • Superman - An item of furniture?
  • Rosie
    (SM) NOT for measuring fluids.
    (Superman) Furniture? NO, except possibly as a word joke.
  • Software - A country mile?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) A country mile? I'm afraid your attempt is wide of the mark by precisely that amount.
  • Simons Mith - The Radio Times?
  • Rosie
    (SM) NOT the Radio Times. Maybe something less engaging.
  • Simons Mith - Old Moore's Almanac?
  • Rosie
    (SM) Old Moore's Almanac? NO. Even less readable than that.
  • Boolbar - Is this a book containing information?
  • Simons Mith - The Phone Book?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) Contains information? YES. *audience erupts*
    (Simons Mith) The Phone Book? NO, but in a way that sort of thing.
  • Raak - A quipu?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) NOT a Quipu but you're on the right road.
  • Superman - An LP?
  • Rosie
    (Superman) An LP? NO.
  • Simons Mith - An atlas?
  • Software - A bookmark?
  • Rosie
    (SM) An atlas? NO
    (Softers) A bookmark? NO.

    A recap - this is a book, uninspiring and of little use these days.

  • Raak - Originally published in England?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Originally published in England? YES, probably. Sources are not quite clear on this.
  • CdM - Logarithmic tables?
    (revealing my age)
  • Software - Old Moores Almanac?
  • Rosie
    CdM has it! It's Log Tables. Well done - a tricky one. Take this 'ere mantissa and proceed to the next one.
    (Softers) Sorry, NO.
  • CdM
    Lurker's Victory; sorry. On the brighter side, at least I noticed I won. I think the last time I won a round I completely forgot to check back for several days.

    ABSTRACT
  • Rosie - Cognitive ability?
  • Boolbar - Being sorry?
  • CdM
    Cognitive ability? I think not.
    Being sorry? Regretfully, no.
  • Simons Mith - Time?
  • CdM
    Time? No. *some applause from the audience*
  • Rosie - Is this essentially a human experience?
  • CdM - Oh, the humanity!
    Essentially human? No
    (I should perhaps note that I can certainly come up with animal (including human), vegetable, and probably even mineral connections, but I don't think that information is helpful.)
  • Bismarck - Growth?
  • Raak - Physical law?
  • CdM
    Growth? *rapturous applause* Growth is one of the words on the card.
    Physical law? No (though not entirely unconnected).
  • Simons Mith - Exponential growth?
  • CdM - Well that was quick
    Exponential growth is the answer. It seemed to follow naturally from Rosie’s log tables. Have this baton. It’s 10% longer than it was yesterday, and 33.1% longer than it was on Friday.
  • Simons Mith - A fresh slate
    OK, let's try a clean break for the next one.

    This is Animal

  • Boolbar - Is it human?
  • Simons Mith
    N- YES. I was initially going to give a firm no, but then I thought about it some more. YES.
  • Bismarck - Is there more than one of it at any one time?
  • Raak - Jesus?
  • Simons Mith
    [Raak] Not Jesus
  • Simons Mith
    [Bismarck] No, they're pretty singular.
  • Raak - Prehistoric?
  • Simons Mith
    [Raak] No.
  • CdM - A single living human being?
  • Simons Mith
    [CdM] Curiously, given my answer to Bismarck, no.
  • Boolbar - Can I go and see one of these beings (or their remains) on display in a museum?
  • Simons Mith
    [Boolbar] Turns out, yes.
  • Software - A hunter?
  • Simons Mith
    [Software] No.
  • Bismarck - A waxwork?
  • Raak - A mummified corpse?
  • Radox The Green - An idol?
  • Boolbar - Part of a human?
  • Simons Mith
    [waxworks] No.
    [mummy] No.
    [idol] No.
    [part of a human] ... For consistency with my previous answer, yes. I might owe you a hint, this answer is a bit misleading either way.
  • Raak - Sedlec Ossuary?
  • Radox The Green - Fictional?
  • Simons Mith
    [Ossuarial] No. That is such a cool place tho'
    [Fictional] Yes.
  • Software - A monster?
  • Simons Mith
    [monster] Yes.
  • Bismarck - A cyborg?
  • Simons Mith - Several good guesses in a row
    [cyborg] No.
  • Raak - Frankenstein's monster?
  • Simons Mith
    [Frankenstein's monster] No.
  • Rosie - Dominic Cummings?
  • Rosie - Samson?
  • Boolbar - A half-human hybrid?
  • Simons Mith
    [Cummings] Ugh. No.
    [Samson] No.
    [Hybrid] No. No breeding involved.
  • Software - The Incredible Hulk?
  • Simons Mith
    [HULK] NO. MADDER AND MUCH HAIRIER
  • Rosie - King Kong?
  • Bismarck - A were-being?
  • Simons Mith
    [King] No.
    [were] No. Not when or why, either, BTW.
  • Simons Mith
    Incidentally, I'd peg the audience as alert and poised to applaud, but you're not close enough for a clap just yet.
  • Bismarck - The Abominable Snowman?
    Not many fictional humanoid monsters occur to me that one can see in a museum.
  • Simons Mith
    [Abonimable anobinamal snow dude] No.
    The existence of the museum was a surprise to me too.
  • CdM - Bigfoot?
  • Simons Mith
    [Bigfoot] No. In fact, their feet are rarely seen at all,
  • Radox The Green - Is this fictional thing originally from a book?
  • Simons Mith
    [Bookish] No.
  • Raak - From a movie?
  • Simons Mith
    [Movies] No, not originally.
  • Bismarck - The Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal?
  • Simons Mith
    [Bugblatters] No, less hungry.
  • CdM - The Slightly Peckish Bugblatter Beast of Traal?
  • Raak - Do accounts of this go back to before the 19th century?
  • Simons Mith
    [Peckish] Yes, I think 'peckish' pitches things about right.
    [19th Century] No, they're a go-getting modern monster, all ready to face the challenges of the new millennium.
  • Boolbar - Are these from a children's TV show?
  • Simons Mith
    [Children's show] YES. [Claps and cheers from the audience]
  • CdM - Cookie Monster?
  • Simons Mith
    [COOKIES!] No. Getting close, but no. [More claps BTW]
  • Bismarck - Is there a Humphrey about?
    Always imagined them as hairy beasties, but since they were never seen IIRC, who knows.
  • Simons Mith
    [Humphreys] No, they were red and white stripey drinking straws, and they were seen, certainly in the TV ads.
  • Raak - A cross-eyed tomato on a spring?
  • Simons Mith
    [Tomato] No, not Zebedee.
  • Software - The Honey Monster?
  • Raak - A Disney character?
  • Simons Mith
    [Honey Monster] No.
    [Disney] Yes, of course Disney would have bought them out...
  • CdM - The Swedish Chef?
    I'm sticking with the Muppets until further notice.
  • Simons Mith
    [Bork? Bork!] No. [Nevertheless, applause returns in force]
  • Superman - Is it a Muppet?
  • Simons Mith
    [Muppet] YES. [Applause continues]
  • CdM - Oscar the Grouch?
    (If that's not right we may need to start asking more general questions again. Turns out there are a lot of Muppets. Wikipedia even makes what is apparently a key distinction between Muppet Show Muppets and Sesame Street Muppets.)
  • Radox The Green - Is it a Muppet in the shape of a recognizable animal?
  • Simons Mith
    [Oscar] No.
    [Recognisable] Teetering on a one-word giveaway here. I'll say no, but I wanted to say yes.
  • rab - Animal?
    I hope not... stalking is so unbecoming.
  • Simons Mith - A winner!
    [Animal] Sorry rab - be ready for disappointment. YES, it's Animal. Here's a drum-stick shaped baton for you. Don't mind the toothmarks.
  • rab - Drat!
    Sorry everyone.

    This next one is Abstract

  • Boolbar - Is it the thought of going out for something non-essential?
  • rab
    [Boolbar] That drew a very sharp intake of breath from the audience.
  • Raak - Self-isolation?
  • Simons Mith - Is it topical?
  • rab
    Self-isolation? No.

    Topical? Current, yes; relating to a surface, no.

  • Software - Hypochondria?
  • rab
    I told you I was ill? No.
  • Radox The Green - Solitude?
  • Rosie - Is it something experienced by a human?
  • rab
    Solitude? Not quite - and Raak was closer (and yet, at the same time, further away).

    Human experience? Yes, albeit diminished.

  • Rosie - A dream?
  • rab
    Dream? We might want it to be, but no.

    audience - *looks distractedly at Raak*

  • Raak - Quarantine?
  • rab
    Quarantine? No, but in this neck of the woods.
  • Simons Mith - The two meter gap?
  • Raak - R0?
  • rab
    Two metres? *audience bounces up and down, trying to avoid attracting the attention of the police*

    R0? No

  • Raak - Not being quarantined?
  • Bismarck - Social distancing as a 21st century ontology?
  • rab
    [Raak] no (but yes)

    [Bismarck] it says “social distancing” on the card so I think you can have that one.

  • Bismarck
    Had to wait a couple of days for the disinfection process to work on the baton. Can't be too careful. But hooray!
  • Bismarck
  • Bismarck
    This is MINERAL, though there is an ANIMAL connection (not the Muppet this time, though)
  • Rosie - A processed material?
  • Simons Mith - Is it made by animals - e.g. chalk, coral, concrete etc.?
  • Tuj - Is it unique?
  • Bismarck - Who needs 20 questions?
    [Rosie] Processed material? ... ... ... No. But sorta.
    [Simons] YES, it is made by animals. The audience cheers, even those who were still out at the intermission and haven't found their seats yet.
    [Tuj] NOT unique.
  • Rosie - An excretory substance?
  • Raak - A fossil?
  • Software - Dinosaur poo?
  • Simons Mith - Dinosaur eggs?
  • Boolbar - Is this a result of animals dying?
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • Simons Mith - A shell?
  • Bismarck - Just back from the Easter break...
    Right, to cut through all these very good suggestions, well done everyone! But Simons Mith wins the audience's chocolate bunny this round, it's a shell, NO to all the rest.
    The card still has another word on it, and the question count is at 10.
  • Simons Mith - Is it made by chickens?
  • Boolbar - Is it the shell of a sea dwelling creature?
  • Raak - Tortoiseshell?
  • Bismarck - Whispers in my shell-like
    [Simons ] NO, no fowl play here.
    [Boolbar] YES, there would be an audience sensation here but the Skype link went down.
    [Raak ] NO, not even a mock turtle.
    Question count up to 13.
  • Simons Mith - Is it sold by the sea shore?
  • Bismarck - She shells she shells...
    [Simons] YES, though in these gender-confused days I am unable to say by whom.
  • Raak - Cockles, winkles, mussels, and whelks?
  • Bismarck - Alive, alive-O
    [Raak] NO, none of them, but you are very close. Try a few more.
  • Simons Mith - Clam, crab or conch? Cowry? Barnacle?
    Bit of a shotgun approach...
  • Raak - Oyster shells?
  • Bismarck - Like shooting shellfish in a bucket
    [Simons] NO, your shotgun didn't hit the target.
    [Raak] NO.
  • Simons Mith - Limpet?
    That's me done, otherwise.
  • Raak - Scallop shells?
  • Bismarck - Getting closer and still hanging in there
    [Simons] NO, not a limpet.
    [Raak] NO, not a scallop.
    Very close. This is a common shell on most beaches. Question count up to 19.
  • Bismarck - Who needs 20 questions?
    Come on you lot, you can do it!
  • Software - Cuttlefish?
  • Bismarck - Bong!
    [software] NO. (Do you get cuttlefish on the beaches near you?)
  • Software
    Lots
  • Software - Oysters?
    Lots of cuttlefish bones on our beaches.
  • Raak - Razor shells?
  • Bismarck - And the winner is...
    I've never seen cuttlefish bones on beaches, if they're that common presumably I didn't know what I was looking at.
    [Software] NO.
    [Raak] YES, it's the razor shell. Take this baton covered in mother-of-pearl and go on to better things!
  • Raak - Neither ANIMAL, nor VEGETABLE, nor MINERAL, nor ABSTRACT
    That's right, it's Covid-19!

    Just thought I'd get that one out of the way.

  • Raak - MINERAL
    And nothing to do with The Current Situation.
  • Rosie - Metallic?
  • Simons Mith - Terrestrial?
  • Projoy - Oil-based?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Largely metallic.
    [Simons] *ripple of amusement from the audience* Strictly speaking...yes, terrestrial.
    [Projoy] Not oil-based.
  • Simons Mith - Is it a long way from home?
  • Software - A satellite?
  • Raak
    [Simons] It's a long way from my home.
    [Software] *applause!* Yes and no.
  • Bismarck - The moon?
  • Simons Mith - Is it about car-sized?
  • Rosie - The International Space Station?
  • Raak
    [Bismarck] Not the moon.
    [Simons] Not about car-sized.
    [Rosie] Not the ISS.
  • Simons Mith - Does it have harpoons?
  • Raak
    [Simons] Yarr! Bain't be havin' no harpoons nohow, matey.
  • Rosie - An artificial earth satellite?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Yes! An artificial earth satellite. Despite my yes and no answer earlier. When is a satellite not a satellite?
  • Bismarck - Part of a launch vehicle, like Apollo 11 second stage?
  • Simons Mith - Is it 40+ years old?
  • Raak
    [Bismarck] Not part of a launch vehicle.
    [Simons] Not 40+ years old.
  • Boolbar - Made by SpaceX?
  • Rosie - The Hubble Space Telescope?
  • Simons Mith - Is its mission solar observation?
  • Raak
    [Boolbar] Not made by SpaceX.
    [Rosie] *applause!!* Not Hubble.
    [Simons] Not for solar observation.
  • Simons Mith - So, JWST I reckon
  • Raak
    Yes, the James Webb Space Telescope, which will be a satellite when it's launched. Have this baton-shaped chocolate-covered sponge cake which philosophers can't prove isn't floating somewhere in the asteroid belt since last Tuesday.
  • Simons Mith
    Let's crack on with the next one then. Hmm. Perhaps I shall do an ABSTRACT.
  • Rosie - A human characteristic?
  • Simons Mith
    [Human] Yeeah.
  • Radox The Green - Has a monumental allegory to this item been constructed?
  • Simons Mith
    [Monument] No, I don't think so. (View the source to read the hidden text)
  • Raak - An emotion?
  • Simons Mith
    [Emotion] Nope.
  • Rosie - A co-operative characteristic?
  • Simons Mith
    [Co-operative] No.
  • Raak - A mental function?
  • Simons Mith
    [Mental] Not really.
  • Boolbar - Is this a human only characteristic (or can other animals have it)?
  • Simons Mith
    [Uniquely hooman] Yes, human only. Too much of a stretch to attribute it to animals IMO.
  • Bismarck - Big-headedness?
  • Simons Mith
    [Big-headedness] No. A few claps though
  • Raak - Consciousness?
  • Bismarck - The wearing of clothes?
  • Simons Mith
    [Consciousness, Clothing] No and no.
  • Bismarck - To do with speech?
  • Simons Mith
    [speech] Yyyes. Usually requiring speech, at any rate.
  • Rosie - Hubris?
  • Simons Mith
    [Hubris] Not really. A couple more claps, from different audience members to last time
  • Raak - A boast?
  • Simon Mith
    [Boast] ...No. Very strong applause though. Possibly even whoops.
  • CdM - The Dunning-Kruger Effect?
    That's definitely the right answer, even if it isn't.
  • Simons Mith
    [Duning-Krooger] Nuh-uh. Most of the clapping stops. What remains is probably unreliable.
  • CdM
    [Simons] You're just saying that because, unlike me, you're not smart enough to realise that it is in fact the right answer.
  • Simons Mith
    At least I can spell Dunig Kreuzfeldt.
  • Raak - Flyting?
  • Simons Mith
    [Flyting] No, nothing so new-fangled.
  • Radox The Green - Does it require modern technology to work properly?
  • Simons Mith
    [modern tech] No.
  • Boolbar - Is it done for entertainment?
  • Simons Mith
    [entertainment] Not usually. While it can be done for comic effect, that's not its normal objective.
  • Raak - Swearing?
  • Simons Mith
    [Cuss words] No...
  • Radox The Green - Exaggeration?
  • Simons Mith - Radox wins!
    Yes, 'Exaggeration' is the word on the card. Here, let me pass on to you this totally awesome baton of awesome awesomeness.
  • Radox The Green - Unaccustomed as I am ..
    Oooh, lovely! Awesome and then some.
    Bear with me as the Laser Display Board is updated for the audience. For the contestants, the subject is Abstract.
    (The physical object could be An, Veg, or Min, but I am looking for a property which is Abstract.)
  • Rosie - Isolation?
    Worth a pot, however unoriginal.
  • Tuj - A lucky charm?
    Ditto
  • Radox The Green
    [Rosie] NOT isolation.
    [Tuj] NOT as such, though no doubt someone, somewhere, uses one as a lucky charm.
  • Rosie - Any relevance to the current pandemic?
  • Radox The Green
    [Rosie] NO. Phew. Don't we all need a break?
  • Boolbar - A favourite thing?
  • Tuj - A human construct?
  • CdM - Does it begin with P?
  • Radox The Green
    [Boolbar] NOT a favourite thing.
    [Tuj] YES. No animals, vegetables, or minerals can have thought of this.
    [CdM] NO, though there is a P in it.
  • Simons Mith - Is it something animals, plants and [mineral] computers can all do?
  • Rosie - Is this related to a bodily junction?
  • Raak - Did this exist in Classical Rome and Greece?
  • Radox The Green
    [Simons Mith] NO, they cannot. The primary object can be made from something A, V or even M, but the property sought is not linked to the substance.
    [Rosie] NO. Not linked to a bodily junction in any way I can think of.
    [Raak] NO, it is more recent.
  • Bismarck - Is the object a household object?
  • Boolbar - Anything to do with food?
  • Raak - Is it to do with the shape of things?
  • Simons Mith - Is it numerically quantifiable?
    [I'm still pondering the lucky charm connection.]
  • Simons Mith - Or does it have religious connections?
    Hope I'm allowed two questions on the go at once
  • Radox The Green
    [Bismarck] YES, I have several in my home and I suspect most people have.
    [Boolbar] NO, food has nothing to do with this.
    [Raak] NO, as far as the objects go they are all rectangular.
    [Simons Mith] YES, numbers come into it.
    NO religious connections though, not even a chapel in Las Vegas.
  • Raak - Are the physical objects books?
  • Radox The Green
    [Raak] NO, not books. There was a stir in the audience, though.
  • Simons Mith - Are the physical objects placemats?
  • Radox The Green
    [Simons Mith] NO, they aren't placemats.
  • Simons Mith - Board games?
  • Radox The Green
    [Simons Mith] NO, not board games. Another stir in the audience.
  • Simons Mith - The game of dominoes?
  • Software - Crosswords?
  • Radox The Green
    [Simons Mith] NO, not dominoes. [Software] NO, not crosswords.
  • Simons Mith - Card games?
  • Radox The Green
    [Simons Mith] NO, but the audience liked that one.
  • Software - Jigsaws?
  • Bismarck - Will it help to know the name of the thing to which this property attaches?
  • Simons Mith - Are the physical objects boxes, whether fancy or plain?
    I'm fast running out of rectangular things...
  • Boolbar - Something to do with pictures, photos or paintings?
  • Radox The Green
    [Software] NO, not jigsaws.
    [Bismarck] YES, in fact someone has already mentioned it, but not in the right context.
    [Simons Mith] NO, not boxes.
    [Boolbar] NO, only a link of extreme tenuousness can be drawn with your three P's.
  • Bismarck - Are the physical objects playing cards?
  • Simons Mith - Maps?
  • Radox The Green
    [Bismarck] YES, it is playing cards. Audience sensation.
    [Simons Mith] NO, not maps.
  • Raak - Tarot?
  • Rosie - Abundance?
  • Simons Mith - A house of cards?
  • Radox The Green
    [Raak] Not as such.
    [Rosie] No.
    [Simons Mith] No.
  • Raak - A collectible card game?
  • Boolbar - An action or result of an action within a card game?
  • CdM - Trumps?
  • Radox The Green
    [Raak] No.
    [Boolbar] No. Some audience clapping.
    [CdM] Yes!! Audience cheering, clapping etc.

    CdM wins!
    Please take this deck and deal the next round.

  • CdM
    ABSTRACT with distinct Animal, Vegetable and Mineral connections—by which I mean I am thinking of one particular connection of each type above all. To add to the confusion, the Mineral connection has its own Animal and Vegetable subconnections.
  • Simons Mith - Something taxonomic?
  • Software - A well known phrase or saying?
  • Radox The Green - To do with the environment?
  • CdM
    Classified information? No
    Well known phrase or saying? No, but there is some immediate audience interest
    Green? No?
  • Rosie - A proverb?
  • CdM
    Proverb? No. Audience interest wanes.
  • Rosie - Some kind of official pronouncement?
  • Boolbar - Connected with food?
  • Raak - To do with current affairs?
  • CdM
    Hear Ye! Hear Ye!? No
    Foody? No.
    Current affairs? Not at all.
  • Simons Mith - Is it a song of some kind?
  • Raak - A scientific idea?
  • Boolbar - A game of some sort?
  • Bismarck - Fossils?
  • CdM
    Song? No. Loud applause, some muttering, and also a little laughter.
    Scientific idea? No.
    Game? No.
    Fossils? No. Curiously, there is a slight smattering of applause.
  • Rosie - Applicable to the elderly?
    Shuddup at the back
  • Superman - A museum?
  • Raak - To do with geology?
  • Bismarck - An orchestra?
  • CdM
    Applicable to elderly? The least misleading answer is surely No. But there is a sense in which I could say Yes. The question just doesn't actually make much sense with respect to the AOTC.
    A museum? No. Another smattering of applause.
    Geological? No. The audience considers retracting its smattering response to the "Fossils" question on the grounds that it was probably unhelpful.
    Orchestra? No. The audience considers smattering, then thinks better of it.
  • Simons Mith - Is it to do with myth and legend?
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
    Is it just me who, when reading through this game, mentally hears the audience reactions (which sound a lot like an ISIHAC audience during Sound Charades)?
  • Raak - To do with sounds that people make?
  • CdM
    Myth and legend? There is a connection. At the start I stated that the Mineral Connection to the AOTC has Animal and Vegetable subconnections; myth/legend are an Abstract subsubconnection of the Animal subconnection of the Mineral connection to the answer on the card, which is Abstract. I presume that clarifies matters. :)
    Begins with P? No.
    To do with sounds people make? It can, but need not, be connected to sounds that people make. (Also, sounds people make could be an Abstract subsubconnection of the Animal subconnection blahblahblah.)

    (To the extent the last question was prompted by the one occasion of audience enthusiasm, that might indeed be a profitable line of enquiry. Or you might want to pursue one or more of the A,V,M connections.)
  • Boolbar - Is the particular animal connection you are thinking of, human?
  • Bismarck - Life?
  • Bismarck - The music of the spheres?
  • CdM
    Animal connection human? Yes
    Life? No.
    Music of the spheres? No.
  • Radox The Green - Would civilisation come into it?
  • CdM
    Civilisation? I'm going to go with Yes. Some of these questions are so broad that they are hard to answer, but, I dunno, "Yes" just feels right in this case. That said, I'm not sure it's helpful.
  • Boolbar - Is it the game of rock, paper, scissors, lizard, Spock?
    A wild guess.
  • Bismarck - A musical instrument?
  • CdM
    Rock, paper, scissors, lizard, Spock? Finally, a question I can answer easily. No.
    Musical instrument? No, but musical instruments are a subconnection of the Mineral connection of the AOTC.
  • Superman - Communication?
  • Boolbar - Is the main mineral connection a metal?
  • Raak - Religious?
  • Simons Mith - Is it something like a cyclopedia?
  • CdM
    Communication? No.
    Mineral = metal? No.
    Religious? No, but there are certainly religious subconnections of the Mineral connection of the AOTC
    Cyclopedic? No. Despite all of the various subconnections and subsubconnections, the AOTC is actually something quite specific.
  • Simons Mith - Is it a team of superheroes? :-)
  • Boolbar - Are we looking for the title of a piece of fiction?
  • CdM
    Superheroes? No.
    Title of piece of fiction? The audience gasps and applauds loudly. No.
  • Raak - The title of some written work?
  • Simons Mith - A collection?
  • CdM
    Title of written work? Yes! Applause
    Collection? No.
  • Bismarck - Is the word "Rock" on the card?
  • Simons Mith - Is it a work about types of music?
  • CdM
    Rocky? No.
    About types of music? No, although types of music are referenced in the work.
  • Simons Mith - A biography?
  • CdM
    Biography? No.
  • Boolbar - Was this written before 1900?
  • CdM
    Written prior to 1900? Yes.
  • Raak - Was it written in English?
  • CdM
    Written in English? Yes.
  • Bismarck - Is the book about philosophy, natural or otherwise?
  • Simons Mith - Is the book about history? Gibbons' Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire?
  • Raak - Is it by a single author?
  • CdM - Check your assumptions
    Philosophical? The best answer is No, although there is a connection.
    History? The best answer is No, although there is a connection.
    Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire? No. (Some audience laughter.)
    Single author? Yes.
  • Simons Mith - Is is a single book?
    Checking one assumption...
  • CdM
    Single book? No.
  • Boolbar - Is it a periodical?
  • Raak - Is it the author's entire oeuvre?
  • CdM
    Periodical? No.
    Entoeuvre? No.
  • Bismarck - Is it poetry?
  • Simons Mith - Is it the works of a particular composer?
  • CdM
    Poetry? Yes. The audience puts down their phones and applauds.
    Composer’s works? No.
  • Bismarck - Recap
    So it's the title of a work of poetry written before 1900 (and possibly much older). It is not the author's entire work, but it is more than one book while not being a collection, and it doesn't begin with P. There are connections through the title to A, M, and V, as well as to legends in a way.
  • Bismarck - Virgil's Georgics?
  • Raak - "The Faerie Queene"?
  • CdM - Because I'm nice.
    Bismarck's recap is mostly right. However, I did not say the AOTC was more than one book. I said it was not a single book. I'll also tell you for free that I was thinking of the main animal connection as being the author, and the main vegetable connection as paper. The mineral connection, which has not been explored, has—as already noted—Animal and Vegetable subconnections, and various subsubconnections.

    Virgil? No.
    Spenser? No.
  • Raak - Was the author English?
  • CdM
    English author? Yes.
  • Simons Mith - Is this work in a medium other than a book?
  • CdM - I think you’re overcomplicating things
    Medium other than a book? No. I mean, like everything else, it now also exists on the internet, but otherwise you’d normally expect to find it in a book.
  • Raak - Later than Chaucer?
  • CdM
    Post-Chaucer? Yes.
  • Boolbar - Victorian?
  • Bismarck - Kipling's Barrack-Room Ballads?
  • CdM
    Victorian? No.
    Kipling? No.
  • Superman - Shakespearean?
  • CdM
    Shakespearean? No.
  • Bismarck - Was some at least of this poetry written before January 1, 1901?
  • CdM
    Written before 1/1/1? Yes. (We already knew that.)
  • Boolbar - Written in the Georgian era?
  • CdM - This is a very boring way of getting to the answer. :)
    Georgian? Yes.
  • Raak - By Alexander Pope?
  • Boolbar - Are any seabirds involved?
    Trying to be less boring. :)
  • CdM
    Popeish? No.
    Seabirds? No. (Except perhaps implicitly and very tangentially. Which means you should forget I even mentioned it.)
  • Raak - Dryden?
  • Bismarck - Hymns Ancient and Modern?
  • Boolbar - By William Wordsworth?
  • CdM - Only marginally less boring :)
    Dryden? No.
    Hymns? No.
    Wordsworth? No.
  • Superman - The mineral you talked about: we know it isn't a rock, but is it a jewel?
  • KagomeShuko - Mineral-ish
    Could this be about SHELLey?
  • CdM
    Rock? No.
    Shelley, with or without the EY? No.
  • Boolbar - A poem about a historic event?
  • CdM
    Poem about a historic event? (The audience applauds the question.) That's a bit tricky to answer, but at the risk of giving too much away, I'll do my best. The simple answer is No. Thinking about the AOTC in terms of a specific historic event is not in itself helpful.

    That said, there is definitely a historical aspect both to the AOTC (more specifically the mineral subconnection) and to the various subsubconnections of the mineral subconnection. And it is also correct to say that those historical subsubconnections involve an event or events, broadly understood.
  • KagomeShuko - What is that alluring scent?
    Could somebody been SLAVING over AN INGREDIENT FOR MAKING BREAD?
  • CdM - Er, what?
    I don't understand the question, but it has nothing to do with the AOTC.
  • Simons Mith - Longfellow?
  • Radox The Green - Lurker's guess - Is the name Ozymandias, King of kings?
  • CdM
    Longfellow? No.
    Ozymandias? No. (Shelley has already been suggested and rejected. Also, I don't know what you mean by "the name"; there has been no mention of a name in this AVMA.)

    I'm surprised this is proving so difficult. It's not that obscure. And you will get there eventually just by naming poets, but I'm not sure if it is the best route to the answer.
  • Boolbar - Is it based on an Arthurian legend?
  • CdM
    Arthurian? No.
  • KagomeShuko - less vague . . .
    Could we be singing about amber grains of WHEAT?
  • CdM
    Wheat? Nope? And I still have no idea what you are referring to :)
  • Simons Mith - Are they a poet laureate?
  • CdM
    Poet Laureate? No.
  • Boolbar - A poem about a location or country?
  • CdM
    About a location or country? No, but the audience wakes from their stupor and applauds, particularly when they hear the word "country".
  • Simons Mith - National anthems?
  • CdM - Because I'm still nice
    National anthems? No.
    As a tidbit of extra information to add to my previous answer, there is a strong connection to a particular country (which is not England).
  • Superman - Anything to do with Scotland?
  • CdM
    Scottish? No.
  • Boolbar - Is there a French connection?
  • CdM
    French? No.
  • KagomeShuko - hmmm
    Guess I need to Phyllis you in on this author . . .
  • Boolbar - Is there a Greek connection?
  • CdM
    Greek connection? Yes! Prolonged relieved applause from the audience!!
  • Raak - The ancient Greeks?
  • CdM
    Ancient Greeks? Yes.
  • Raak - Aristotle?
  • Dujon - Popping in a bit late
    Given that a Greek Ancient would not have penned his poetry in English I am forced to the conclusion that the AOTC must be one of the many translations of his works. I have no idea as to the name of any of those conversions but would suggest Homer as the poet.
  • CdM
    Homer? No. It's already been ascertained that it was written in English in the Georgian era.
  • CdM
    Sorry, I missed Raak's question. No obvious connection to Aristotle.
  • Raak - "On First Looking into Chapman's Homer"?
  • CdM
    Chapman's Homer? No. The audience bursts into huge applause.
  • Raak - Chapman's Homer itself?
  • CdM
    Chapman’s Homer? No. The applause peters out into a crestfallen silence.
  • Bismarck - Ode to a Grecian Urn?
  • Raak - Alexander Pope?
  • CdM
    Ode to a Grecian Urn? No.

    Rapturous applause is cut suddenly short by the judges' response. Audience members look at each other puzzled. Murmurings of discontent give rise to crescendoing boos from some, while others google frantically. Rotten fruit is hurled. The judges retreat, huddle briefly, and reverse their verdict.

    Ode on a Grecian Urn? Yes.

    The judges run away, leaving behind a baton inscribed with the words "Beauty is truth, truth beauty".
  • Bismarck
    So I have won by getting it wrong? I'm not even a politician, so this is a surprise. And just where that leaves us on truth-beauty spectrum is anyone's guess.
    Talking of "anyone's guess", would you care to hazard what might be this ANIMAL of which I am thinking?
  • CdM
    Is it unique?
  • Simons Mith - Is it mythical?
    [CdM] The judges made the right call. Otherwise we'd have had to have worked our way through Ode by a Greek Urn, Ode Under a Greek Urn, Ode In a Greek Urn and so on.
  • Bismarck
    [CdM] YES, there can be only one.

    The judges want to award you the palm immediately out of sheer nervousness, but the audience want their money's worth. Pierluigi Collina is drafted in to restore order.

    [Simons Mith] NO, its doings are well-documented with photographic evidence.

  • Boolbar - Are we talking about a human?
  • Dujon - Is this to be found in Caledonia?
  • Raak - A current public figure?
  • Tuj - Is it a tiger?
    I love tigers :)
  • Bismarck
    [Boolbar] YES, the animal is human.
    [Dujon] NO, not in Scotland, certainly not during lockdown.
    [Raak]
    • YES, the human concerned is alive;
    • DEPENDS what you mean by "public", the human has for instance been on the telly.

    [Tuj] NO, not a tiger, however much we may be fans of them.
  • Tuj - Are they connected with politics?
    Aw phooey :P
  • CdM - Is this human defined, for the purposes of this game, by the role they occupy?
  • Bismarck
    [Tuj] NO, there is no politics here. Thought that might make a nice change.
    [CdM] NO, insofar as I understand the question: I am expecting the name and surname of the human concerned. If you use any middle names, you will win points, and we all know what that means.
  • CdM - Do any of their middle names begin with P?
  • Audienceometer - Cries of "Prizes!"
  • Boolbar - Is this human a woman?
  • Simons Mith - Do they have musical talents?
  • Bismarck
    [CdM] NO.
    [Boolbar] NO.
    [SimonsMith] IRRELEVANT, it's not for music that they are known.

    Audienceometer: in repose.

  • Tuj - Were they born before 1980?
    [CdM] Delightful question.
  • Boolbar - An actor?
  • Bismarck
    [Tuj] NO, which means this person is a lot younger than most of you.
    [Boolbar] NO, although that may surprise some.

    Audienceometer: Muttered off-topic conversations.

  • Simons Mith - A sportsbeing?
  • CdM - Is this person currently to be found in England?
  • KagomeShuko - *putting on Mouse Ears*
    Was this woman on a Disney show?
  • Dujon - Are the initials of this person's middle names T E & E?
  • Bismarck
    [SM] YES, this person is best known for sporting prowess.
    [CdM] NO, and I'm pretty certain about this.
    [KS]
    • a) NOT a woman as previously intimated
    • b) NO, no mice involved

    [Duj] NO. Who on earth...

    Audienceometer : Applause recorded for Simons Mith.

  • CdM - Is this young mouseless male abroad-from-an-English-perspective sportsbeing of European nationality?
  • Tuj - Does he hit balls with a stick for a living?
    I thought I broke something...
  • Boolbar - Does this sport use wheeled transport?
  • Simons Mith - ... Such as golf buggies?
  • Bismarck
    [CdM] YES.
    [Everyone else] NO.

    Audienceometer : comatose.

  • Dujon - *Interlude to sate Bismarck's curiosity*
    Greta Tintin Eleonora Ernman Thunberg. She is not a woman, she's girl. Nor is she a politician.
    *End* Carry on.
  • CdM - Is this sportsbeing currently (or was he very recently) in either Germany or Portugal?
  • Bismarck
    [CdM] NO, at least if this is a reference to the football. He may well have been there, though given COVID19 I suspect he hasn't travelled.

    Audienceometer: Low buzz of conversation about Greta Thunberg, Tintin etc.

  • Boolbar - Is this person less than 20 years old?
  • Tuj - Would he have been competing at the Olympics had they taken place this year?
  • Bismarck
    [Boolbar] NO, he is older.
    [Tuj] NO.

    Audienceometer: dozing.

  • Raak - Is their sport an Olympic sport?
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] YES. Hint - it has figured in almost all the Olympics.
  • Raak - Is the sport running?
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] NO. However, to play it well, you need to be able to run. Hint: the sport does not fall under the IOC definition of athletics.
  • Boolbar - Is their sport a team sport?
  • Bismarck
    [Boolbar] YES, it is a team sport.

    Audienceometer: Applause.

  • Superman - Is it played indoors?
  • KagomeShuko - Does this non-rodentia male participate in a sport made up of sports?
  • Radox The Green - Is the person concerned British?
  • Bismarck
    [Superman] This sport, as with many team sports at the Olympics, has both forms. Thus one is outdoor, so a big hint and a big NO.
    [KagomeShuko] NO, just the one discipline here.
    [Radox The Green] NO.

    Audienceometer: Small effervescence for Radox.

  • Simons Mith - Are they a Commonwealth sportsperson?
  • Tuj - Is this person Irish?
  • CdM - Is the sport football?
  • Bismarck
    [Simons Mith] NO, not from the Commonwealth.
    [Tuj] NI, not Irish.
    [CdM] YES! I was wondering if all the Olympic stuff would have distracted everyone too much.

    Audienceometer: Hoots, cheers and mostly unprintable chants break out for CdM.

  • Tuj - Is this gentleman employed by a team in the English Premier League?
  • Bismarck
    [Tuj] NO.
  • Boolbar - French?
  • Superman - Has this character ever played for a team in the English Premier League?
  • Bismarck
    [Boolbar] NON. Although he can speak the language.
    [Superman] YES, he has.
    Audienceometer: Confrontation between supporters of different clubs being dealt with by security.
  • Raak - Did he pick up a French accent from having worked for a time for a French team?
  • CdM - Is this person currently playing at a professional level?
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] Not because of that, NO.
    [CdM] YES, he is still playing. Hint: Also at a well-known club.
    Audienceometer: A compromise deal resulting in incessant chants of "'Ere we go, earwig O, 'ere we go" is reached.
  • Tuj - Has he won the World Cup?
  • Bismarck
    [Tuj] NO WC on the honours board, I'm afraid. The more I go through this, the more it seems like he isn't a very good player, whereas he is well regarded. Paradise awaits him, no doubt.
  • CdM - Is he Belgian?
  • Bismarck
    [CdM] YES, he is Belgian.
    Audienceometer : Cheers, whistles and general noise for CdM.
  • Tuj - Has he been employed by a football club from Manchester in the past?
  • CdM - Eden Hazard?
    (I’m so certain that that is the right answer, given all the clues, that I’m tempted to just get the next round underway immediately. But I’ll observe proper protocol.)
  • Bismarck
    [Tuj] No. Fellaini, Lukaku, De Bruyne... not a bad guess.
    [CdM] YES! Mr Eden Michael Hazard it is, who incidentally is the most famous person to come from the area I live in. His club Real Madrid didn't make the final this year, and he's a born French speaker, if that helps clear up any lingering doubts. Also nobody won the extra points for his middle name, so they get rolled over. Please accept this Belgian ale and this spherical baton to kick off the next round.
    Audienceometer: Lots of Chelsea songs going on.
  • Tuj - CdM hits the back of the net!
    [Bism] I was trying to play it like 'Guess Who?', and narrow things down. But CdM was far ahead of me!
  • Bismarck - CdM rises majestically, like a salmon, and if it hadn't gone into the goal, it would have been close!
    I have [Tuj] in front of the microphone... Congratulations for making a game of it. I thought your build-up strategy was well thought out. Would you care to comment on the yellow card?
  • Tuj
    Well, y'know Bismarck, I thought I stuck to my game plan well, made a few key narrowings down, but all credit to CdM, he just executed his skills better on the day, he deserved to get his hands on the baton.
  • CdM
    Look, it was a team effort. All credit to the lads. Sometimes you just get a bit of luck on the day, but in the end I think we deserved the win. Now it's just all about the next round. (View the source to read the hidden text)
    Which is ABSTRACT and ANIMAL, I guess. You could make an argument for either one, but it's really a bit of both.
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
    I don't think my dear old Ipswich Town have ever had a Belgian player :D
  • Software - Human?
  • Raak - A real human being, who has taken on a symbolic significance?
  • Boolbar - A mammal?
  • CdM
    Begins with P? No.
    Human? Yes?
    Real human being who has taken on a symbolic significance? (*smattering of applause*) Yes, a real human being, but not a particular real human being. The "symbolic significance" part is trickier. The significance of this not-particular but real human being is indeed being defined in a symbolic way.
    Mammal? See "Human?", above.
  • Dujon - Is the fact that this person is not a particular s/he because their identity is unknown?
  • CdM
    Is their identity unknown? (*some applause and a little nervous laughter*) This person is not a particular s/he because there is more than one of this person. In some cases their identity is known; in other cases not—and this observation is germane to the AOTC.
  • Simons Mith - Superheroes?
  • CdM
    Superheroes? No. (Real human being, remember?) But heroes? Sometimes.
  • Boolbar - The head or leader of something?
  • CdM
    Head or Leader? Almost certainly not.
  • Raak - Medical workers?
  • Radox The Green - Secret agents?
  • CdM
    Medical workers? No
    Secret agents? No.
  • Bismarck - Is this concept linked to a particular political outlook?
  • Raak - The Unknown Soldier?
  • CdM
    Linked to particular political outlook. In principle and in general, No. But there certainly is a political link in some instances, and it's probably fair to associate those instances with (broadly speaking) a particular political outlook.
    Unknown soldier? No. The fact that the identity of these individuals is sometimes known, sometimes not is perhaps an interesting feature of the AOTC, but it is not central.
  • Tuj - Is the AOTC associated with a particular country?
  • Raak - The Tzadikim Nistarim?
  • Bismarck - is the concept linked to an ethnic group?
  • CdM
    Associated with particular country? No.
    Tzadikim Nistarim? ( (View the source to read the hidden text) ) No.
    Linked to ethnic group? No.
  • Software - Trade or profession?
  • CdM
    Trade or profession? No. That said, these people are defined (for the purpose of the AOTC) in terms of something that they do.
  • Radox The Green - Do they do this role in the interests of someone else?
  • CdM
    In the interests of someone else? Yes (*substantial applause*)
  • Tuj - Is there a medical connection?
  • Raak - Do they rescue people?
  • CdM
    Medical connection? No.
    Rescuers? No.
  • Bismarck - Civil servants?
  • Raak - To do with organised charities?
  • Superman - Members of an exclusive (or secret) club?
  • CdM
    Civil servants? No.
    To do with charities? No.
    Members of exclusive/secret club? No.
    (To be clear, these people could be any of these things, but they are essentially irrelevant to the AOTC.)
  • Simons Mith - Blood donors?
  • CdM
    Blood donors? No.
  • Bismarck - Do musical instruments enter into this?
  • Boolbar - Anything to do with transport?
  • CdM
    Musical instruments? (*after a moment, laughter followed by some applause*) In one very precise sense, the answer is Yes. At the same time I worry that this answer might be misleading. If you pursue this route, pay attention to your assumptions. :)
    To do with transport? No.
  • Dujon - Are these multiple s/hes akin to inventors/ideas/philosophers ... ad infinitum ... who loose the reins for others to take.
  • Boolbar - Do these people know that they are defined as the AOTC?
  • Tuj - Did these people exist 200 years ago?
  • Bismarck - Whistle blowers?
  • CdM - Well, that took a turn
    Philosophers or something? No.
    Do they know they are so defined? Usually yes.
    Did they exist 200 years ago? Presumably yes, but back then they weren't actually known as...
    Whistleblowers? Yes! One flute-like baton handed back to Bismarck.
  • Bismarck - Winner's comments
    Didn't manage to get it inside 20 goes, but your clues did help. The baton-flute is really something, I can get a tune out of it but it seems only to attract rats. Lots of them, too.
    Right, let's try for ANIMAL again. Off you go, put the thinking caps on and try to imagine what this could be!
  • Simons Mith - Old Yeller?
  • Boolbar - Mammal?
  • Raak - Human?
  • Tuj - Hamster?
    [Bism] Oh, shot, very well done!
  • CdM
    John Lennon?
  • CdM - John Lennon?
    (was of course what I meant to say) (View the source to read the hidden text)
  • Bismarck
    [Simons Mith] - I'm sure they might yell, and many may be old. But it isn't the dog.
    [Boolbar] - I am regretting picking this topic because it's going to make these normal types of questions quite difficult to answer. But I am not going to change horses in the middle of a stream. So let me clarify: I am looking for a class or type of animal, and not a specific one. If that adds a dose of ABSTRACT, so be it.
    YES, some are mammals. NO, the others aren't.
    [Raak] - NOT human.
    [Tuj] - Ah, at last an easy one. NOT a hamster. (View the source to read the hidden text)
    [CdM] - NO, though I can see your thinking .
    Audienceometer: Chuntering and shuffling of chairs.
  • Simons Mith - Mascots?
  • Raak - Extant?
  • Superman - Are they limited to z certain geographic area?
  • CdM - And, if so, is zee certain geographic area France?
  • Bismarck
    [Simons Mith] - Mascots? NO.
    [Raak] - Extant? Excellent question which will probably make this a short game. NO, based on lack of proof.
    [Superman] certain geographic area? NO.
    [CdM] - France? NO.
  • Bismarck
    Audienceometer : Applause for Raak, followed by an outbreak of arguments.
  • Simons Mith - Cryptids?
    probably stealing Raak's thunder

    PS, also testing Whoops! facility, and it does seem to work, although from the message I first got I thought it was failing. Perhaps the Preview interaction is different now? But anyway, I've now done multiple whoopses and they've all worked.

  • Raak - Aliens?
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] Could well be, could well be, but that isn't the AOTC.
    [Simons Mith] YES, cryptids it is. No doubt a Mith is an expert and I should have seen that coming.Take this rather oddly creepy baton and don't look behind you - just run.
    Audienceometer : Massive applause and some unearthly noises at the back, causing a rush for the exits.
  • Simons Mith - VEGETABLE
    I should say, historically these have been vegetable. Nowadays mineral ones are also prevalent.
  • Raak - Are the mineral ones fossils?
  • Simons Mith
    [Fossils] Nuh uh.
  • Boolbar - Historically made of paper?
  • Simons Mith
    [Historically paper?] Nope.
  • Tuj - Is it an item of clothing?
  • Simons Mith
    [clothing] Nay.
  • Bismarck - Means of recording things, like books?
  • Simons Mith
    [Means of recording] No again.
  • Raak - Are the mineral ones plastic?
  • Dujon - A toy?
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • Simons Mith
    [mineral=plastic] Possibly. I don't know for certain, having never encountered plastic instances, but I would assume so. So a provisional Yes.

    [Toy] No.

    [p] No.

  • CdM - Specific to certain cultures?
  • Simons Mith
    [culture-specific] No.
  • Bismarck - Is it a fruit?
  • Simons Mith
    [Fruity] Negative.
  • Boolbar - Is it historically made from a tree by-product?
  • Simons Mith
    [Treey] Yes.
  • Tuj - Is there one in your house?
    As usual, probably on the wrong side of the useful/fun line
  • Simons Mith
    [Housey] No.
  • Radox The Green - Would you find it in a tree?
  • Simons Mith
    [Found in a tree?] Nay.
  • Raak - Can you buy one in a shop?
  • Simons Mith
    [Shoppable] Yes.
  • CdM - Is it portable?
  • Simons Mith
    [Portable] Yes
  • Boolbar - Is it smaller than a tennis ball?
  • Simons Mith
    [<Tennis ball?] No.
  • Bismarck - Do IKEA make a self-assembly version?
  • Simons Mith
    [Self assembly] No.
  • Tuj - Is it solely decorative?
  • Simons Mith
    [decorative] No.
  • Boolbar - Is it designed to be sat upon?
  • Simons Mith
    [Sittable] No, very much not.
  • Raak - Is there a spoon?
  • Simons Mith
    [spoonfulness] Alas, no.
  • Tuj - Is it designed to be held in one hand?
  • Raak - An item of furniture?
  • KagomeShuko - Is it found in a school?
    Not in a house, not in a tree, Hey Simons, just let it be!
  • Simons Mith
    [single-handed] Yes!

    [furniture] no.

    [skool] yes.

    [KagomeShuko] :-) we should have a rhyming game of this. As if the normal version wasn't hard enough.

  • Bismarck - Is the vegetable part wood?
  • Simons Mith
    [wood] Yes, it wood have been.
  • Radox The Green - Is it used for art?
  • Tuj - Is it used to measure things?
  • Simons Mith
    [Art] no.

    [Metrics] Nuh uh.

  • Bismarck - Does music come into it?
    I am a bit stuck on the idea of a wooden hand-held instrument used in schools for which no plastic version has ever been seen by Simons Mith. So I am asking this question because it worked last time...
  • Raak - Does music come out of it?
  • Boolbar - Could it typically be maneuvered through a 5cm diameter circular hole?
  • Simons Mith
    [music I/O] No, either way.

    [5cm hole] Yes!

  • Simons Mith
    BTW, I did check on Amazon, didn't find any wooden ones at all any more, didn't spot any hard plastic, but I did spot some foam ones for sale. Hadn't thought of foam. Other than that the rest were all metal.
  • Raak - A broomstick handle?
  • Boolbar - Is it a piece of sports equipment?
  • Simons Mith
    [broomstick handle] No, and expunge any thoughts about Quidditch. :-)

    [sports] Yes! Audience applause

  • Raak - A golf club?
  • CdM - Is it used in an Olympic sport?
    So it is bigger than a tennis ball, which is 6.7cm in diameter, but can be manoeuvred through a 5cm diameter hole.
  • Bismarck - A javelin?
    [CdM] I assume long'n'thin fits both.
  • Simons Mith
    [Golf club] No

    [Olympic] Yes

    [Javelin] No. Granted, they used to be wooden and are now metal, but y'can't get foam ones.

  • Raak - An arrow?
  • Bismarck - Hockey stick?
  • CdM - Is it essential for playing the sport in question?
    [B] I dunno. I don't think it's obvious that a long thin thing is bigger than a spherical thing (where "long" means greater than the diameter of the sphere and "thin" means smaller than the diameter of the sphere).
  • Simons Mith
    [Arrow] No

    [Hockey Stick] No

    [Essential] After quite a lot of thought, No. It's quite important, but not as essential as, say, the ball in football.

  • CdM - Is it protective equipment?
  • Simons Mith
    [Protective] No.
  • Boolbar - Used in a team sport?
  • Simons Mith
    [Team] Yup.
  • Raak - Is it used to hit something with?
  • Simons Mith
    [Percussive] No.
  • Raak - Is it used to make a mark on something?
  • Simons Mith
    [Mark-making] Nope.
  • Raak - Is it used to poke something?
    I'm feel there's a Dr. Seuss poem in here somewhere.
  • Raak
    Does it hit things?
    Does it mark things?
    Does it push and poke and prod things?
  • Simons Mith
    No, this object does not hit.
    Neither does this object mark
    Does it push or poke or prod?
    Sadly none of those three gets a nod.
  • CdM - Ski pole?
    (View the source to read the hidden text)
  • Simons Mith
    [ski pole] No.

    [uniquely used] I'm not 100% sure what you mean, but the AOTC is not used in any non-team variant of the sport(s).

  • Raak - A cricket stump?
  • Simons Mith
    [Stumped] No.
  • Raak - Is it at least as flexible as a rope?
  • Simons Mith
    [Flexibility] No, it's rigid.
  • Boolbar - Can I buy something with the same name in a bakery?
    Trying not to take over due to busyness.
  • Simons Mith
    [Bread] Yes. I hadn't thought of that foody crossover.
  • Raak - Is "stick" one of the words on the card?
  • CdM - Do you want to rethink your answer to Tuj's question about "is it designed to be held in one hand?" ?
    Also avoiding taking over. :)
  • Simons Mith
    [sticky] No. Actually I had only put one word on the card, but you're narrowing in on the sporting variant.

    [rethinking] No. The circumstances under which two hands are used are a giveaway.

    And now you're all just toying with me, I think.

  • CdM - OK then. Is it, perchance, a Relay Handover Cylinder?
  • Simons Mith
    [Baton] Yes, it is.

    Flouting COVID restrictions, the audience claps one-handed with their neighbours.

    It's all yours, CdM, although I'm afraid I haven't got a symbolic object to hand over. Some bugger ran off with it.

  • CdM
    All right. This is, depending on how you think of it, either ABSTRACT, or MINERAL and VEGETABLE with important ANIMAL connections.
  • Bismarck - The world?
  • CdM
    The world? No.
  • Raak - Is the MV+A a physical representation of the abstract thing?
  • CdM
    Physical representation? I think "physical incarnation" might be a better phrase. In the M&V sense, the AOTC is very definitely real. Indeed, perhaps it is a mistake to call it Abstract; I think what I really mean is that the AOTC is a human construct.
  • Raak - A crucifix?
  • Radox The Green - Is this a universal concept?
  • CdM
    Crucifix? No.
    Universal concept? No on both counts. It's not a concept, and it's quite specific.
  • Superman - Is the Animal part one animal or many?
  • CdM
    How many animals? Many.
  • Simons Mith - Is it a cycle/circle/feedback loop of some kind?
  • Raak - The Terracotta Army?
  • CdM
    Feedback loop? No, much more concrete than that.
    Terracotta Army? No (much less interesting than that). :)
  • Raak - A dolls house?
  • Simons Mith - A city?
    They're quite concrete. Regrettably.
  • Software - A motorway?
  • Tuj - Is there a single person in charge of this thing?
  • CdM
    Doll house? No.
    City? Yes! *sustained applause*
    Motorway? No.
    Single person in charge? Well, it's a city. Do cities have a single person in charge of them? Depends on how you interpret "in charge", I suppose. Wikipedia does inform me that the person nominally in charge of this particular city holds an "uncommon office".
  • KagomeShuko - It USED to be boring before the water crisis . . .
    Is it Flint, Michigan?
  • CdM
    [KS] Flint? No. (I'm not saying this is an uninteresting city; I'd hate you to take offence.)
  • Simons Mith - If you're tired of this particular city, does that suggest you're tired of life?
  • KagomeShuko - Oh, say can you say?
    Does this city's spelling actually look like how the name of the city is pronounced.

    Cdm - It's a joke in the U.S. which isn't really true any more and I'm not sure when it changed - but at one point, Flint, MI was considered extremely boring - peole would say things like they drove through Flint, MI and saw a rock and a flower, nothing else.
  • CdM
    Tired of Life? Again without wishing to insult KS, were that true I suspect it would have a rather high suicide rate.
    Spelt as it sounds? I'd say yes. (View the source to read the hidden text)
  • Radox The Green - Has this city been the subject of a popular song?
  • CdM
    Popular song? Yes -- perhaps several (although that might depend on how strictly I'm supposed to interpret the word "subject"). Googling tells me there are at least half a dozen songs with the name of this city in their titles, and many many more that include the name in the lyrics. Most of these songs I had never heard of, but some undoubtedly qualify as popular songs.
  • Boolbar - Is this city in the Eurozone?
  • Tuj - Is it in Asia?
  • CdM
    In the Eurozone? No.
    In Asia? No.
  • CdM
    [KS] I've only just realised that when I wrote (in reply to your question re Flint) "I'm not saying this is an uninteresting city; I'd hate you to take offence", you quite reasonably understood "this" to mean Flint. I was actually speaking not about Flint, but the AOTC.
  • Tuj - Begins with P?
  • CdM
    P-initial? Sorry, no.
  • Simons Mith - Noo Yoik?
  • Superman - South American?
  • CdM
    New York? No.
    South American? No. (*some whispering and a little laughter from the audience*)
  • Bismarck - Does this city exist today?
  • Tuj - On the continent of North America?
  • CdM
    Currently in existence? Yes.
    North American? Yes.
  • Rosie - St Louis?
    Come on, you blues.
  • CdM
    St Louis? No.
    (Speaking of the Blues, Rosie, you missed your chance a few weeks ago when the AOTC, set by Bismarck, was a certain Mr Eden Hazard.)
  • Simons Mith - Chicago?
  • Rosie - Does this city have a name derived from Spanish?
    (CdM) I've no time for Hazard - he's a deserter.
  • Tuj - Is it South of the 40th parallel north?
  • CdM
    Chicago? No.
    Derived from Spanish? No.
    South of 40? Yes.
  • Bismarck - Is it named after a person?
  • Bismarck - While I'm at it, is it the state capital of North Dakota?
  • CdM
    Named after a person? No.
    Bismarck? No. ( 46°48′30″N > 40°00′00″N)
  • Radox The Green - Is it on an island?
  • CdM
    On an island? No.
  • Simons Mith - On a river?
  • CdM
    On a river? Yes. (*applause*)
  • Tuj - Does it host a team in one of the US' Big 4 sporting leagues (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL)?
  • CdM
    ABBFHLLLMNNN (not necessarily in that order)? No.
  • Tuj - Is it innnnnnn Texas?
    (and do hint if there's a more interesting way we could be hunting it!)
  • Radox The Green - Is it on Route 66?
  • CdM
    In Texas? No.
    On Route 66? No.
    I'm not sure what to offer in the way of hints beyond saying that there is a reason I chose this particular city; it is not just some random city in the US.
  • Rosie - Is its name the same as that of a British city?
  • Bismarck - Philadelphia?
  • Bismarck - r/ Philadelphia / Savannah
    My bad, it seems that Philadelphia does possess a sporting team.
  • CdM
    Brit name? No. (*some audience laughter*)
    Savannah? No. (View the source to read the hidden text)
  • Tuj - Is it in a state whose name begins with a vowel?
    In the title of quite a few songs, hmm.
  • Bismarck - Is it named after a geographical feature?
  • CdM
    Initially stately vowelly? No. (View the source to read the hidden text)
    Named after geographical feature? I think the best answer is Yes, though I am using a broad definition of “geographical feature”. (It’s not as obviously a g.f. as, say, Little Rock, if that’s what you were thinking of.)
  • Bismarck - New Orleans.
  • CdM
    New Orleans? No. (*Applause, and also some muttered and inconclusive discussion about whether New Orleans had already been ruled out by Radox's island question*)
  • KagomeShuko - The old one . . .
    Is it in New Mexico?
  • CdM
    New Mexico? No. (*a little audience laughter, not so much for the question as for the questioner*) (View the source to read the hidden text)
  • Superman - If a wall were built between the US and Mexico, would this city be on the side closer to Canada?
  • Dujon
    It wouldn't happen to be Lake Charles, would it? The city, I mean, not the AOTC.
  • CdM
    Closer to Canada? Yes.
    Lake Charles? No. (*more applause*)
  • Bismarck - Recap
    City in the US lower 48, on a river but not on an island, south of 40°N, not in a state starting with a vowel nor in New Mexico nor in Texas, does not begin with 'P', is not named after a person nor in Spanish nor a version of an existing British town, but the name is vaguely geographical and there are songs about it. It also possesses no team in any major US league of sporting mayhem, but has a specific reason for CdM to pick it.
  • Bismarck - Is it in a state that belonged to the Confederacy?
  • Raak - Does its name consist of two words?
  • CdM
    [Bismarck] Excellent summary. :)
    In the Confederacy? Yes.
    Two-word name? Yes. (*applause*)
  • Radox The Green - Is it the capital of the state?
  • Software - Baton Rouge?
    Don't really want it to be.
  • Bismarck - Oak Ridge?
    [Software] Can't see what is the geographical idea of a red stick...
  • CdM - Feeling near as faded as my jeans
    It is indeed the state capital of Louisiana, on the Mississippi, Baton Rouge, so whether he likes it or not, Software now has a new shiny crimson baton to replace the one that somebody apparently ran off with at the end of the last round. Garth Brooks' recording of Callin' Baton Rouge apparently reached number two on the US country charts, and there is also a Lou Reed song with the title Baton Rouge. And then, of course, there's Me and Bobby McGee, which Janis Joplin took to number one.

    As for the geographical connection, I did try to give a highly qualified answer. The red stick that Baton Rouge is named after was a boundary marker, and boundaries—even those that don't follow features of physical geography—do fall into the category of "abstract geographical features". But maybe I pushed the definition a little too far, and if so I apologise. :)
  • Bismarck
    Oh right, I see... also I looked it up and the mayor has a sonorous title, as you said right at the beginning.
  • Software - Oh, bugger, now I'll have to think.
    OK, here goes: VEGETABLE and MINERAL with possible ABSTRACT connotations.
  • Tuj - Lord Byron's Bicycle?
    Bravo to the setter and the guesser, lovely.
  • Rosie - Vegetable wood?
  • Radox The Green - Are the vegetable and mineral parts separate?
  • Raak - A work of art?
  • CdM - Does it begin with P?
  • Boolbar - Anything to do with batons?
  • KagomeShuko - Does it have gigantic silver wings that appear avove my head?
    Too silly tired for serious questions
  • Bismarck - Is it anything to do with software?
  • Simons Mith - Is the mineral metal?
  • Dujon - Is it, perhaps, people looking at computer screens awaiting answers?
  • Software
    Tuj - NO
    Rosie: wood? - Possibly
    RTG: separate - YES
    Raak: is it art? - Possibly
    CdM: P? - YES!
    Bool: baton? - NO
    Bismark: software (are you addresing me?) - Not as far as I'm aware
    SM: metal? mmmm! - Sometimes
    Duj: Sorry for the delay, everyone
  • Simons Mith - Is it a plastic replica of the Winged Victory of Samothrace?
  • Simons Mith - (On a plinth?)
  • Raak - A statue?
  • CdM - Bigger than a toaster?
  • Bismarck - Anything to do with the sea?
  • Boolbar - Anything to do with food?
  • Software
    SM: Plastic thingy? - NO, not even on a plinth
    Raak: Statue? - NO
    CdM: Toaster benchmark? - Well, sometimes much larger
    Bismarck: Maritime? - NO
    Bool: Grub? - Well, again, possibly.
  • Tuj - Is there only ever one of it at a time?
  • KagomeShuko - Is it vegetibles cooking in a metal pot?
    Mmmm . . . aroma.
  • Superman - Agriculture?
  • Software
    Tuj: Unique? - NO
    KS: Cookery? - NO
    Super: Farming? - In a way, YES
  • Simons Mith - A garden in a bottle?
  • Boolbar - Weather related?
  • CdM - A bottle in a garden?
  • Simons Mith - Bonsai?
  • Superman - A park?
  • Tuj - Is it a pub name?
  • Bismarck - Is it perhaps?
  • KagomeShuko - Does it involve a tractor?
  • Radox The Green - Does it have a use for the general public?
  • CdM - A pumpkin patch?
  • Software - Sorry for the delay
    CdM: Boozy agriculture? - NO *some clapping from audience*
    SM: Japanese effect? - NO *more clapping*
    Superman: A park? - NO
    Tuj: A Pub - NO (not in itself, although I have in fact seen a pub with this name)
    Bismarck: Far to cryptic for me
    KS: - mechanized? - NO
    RTG: Social amenity? er.. Not exactly, on balance - NO
    CdM: Halloween orientation? - NO.
  • Superman - Does a type of tree come into it?
  • Simons - Is it a seasonal event? Picking something, for example?
  • Chalky - Is it a man-made structure?
  • Boolbar - Weather related? (Said slightly louder this time.)
  • Software
    Superman: arborial? not specifically - NO *smattering of excitement in audience*
    Simons: Seasonal? - NO
    Chalky [nice to see you :) ] : Man made? - YES - in part *a few claps*
    Bool: come rain, come shine? - NO appologies for the oversight
  • Simons Mith - Pot plants?
  • Software
    SM: Pot Plants? Oh, YES, indeed, the AOTC was "A Pot Plant" but that'll do.

    * hands over the Maws indoor watering can *

  • Simons Mith
    A random whim has just struck me. Let's go for... MINERAL. I'm not going to worry about the connections. Let's just keep it simple.
  • Bismarck - Does it consist of one element only?
  • Simons Mith - Monoelemental
    No.
  • Raak - Is there just one of it?
  • Boolbar - Is it on or part of planet Earth?
  • Tuj - But is it art?
  • Rosie - An artefact?
  • Simons Mith
    [Singular] Yes.
    [Earthly] No.
    [Art] No.
    [Artefact] No.
  • Software - The ISS?
  • Tuj - Has it been on or part of Earth in the past?
  • Raak - Within the Solar System?
  • Simons Mith
    [ISS] No.
    [Earthly, in the past] No.
    [Solar System] ...No.
  • Raak - The Big Bang?
  • Simon Mith
    [The Big Bang? Mineral?] No. I think I'd class the Big Bang as abstract, personally.
  • Dujon - A particular galaxy?
  • CdM - An exoplanet?
  • Bismarck - A particular type of star?
  • Simons Mith - Clarification
    Just in case, I will clarify that I said no to Rosie's 'artefact' query because I took 'artefact' to mean a /historical/ object.

    [galaxy] No.
    [eoplanet] No.
    [star] No.

  • Superman - Dark matter?
  • Rosie - A Black Hole?
  • Dujon - A named constellation?
  • Radox The Green - Has it only figured in a fictional work?
  • Simons Mith
    [Dark Matter] No
    [Black Hole] No
    [Constellation] No
    [Fictional] YES
  • Raak - Science fiction?
  • Simons Mith
    [SF] YES
  • Raak - Does it appear in the works of Iain M. Banks?
  • Dujon - Did it first appear in print?
  • Software - The monolith in 2001 a space Odyssey?
  • Superman - The spaceship Enterprise?
  • Simons Mith
    [Banks] Y-

    Oh wait. Superman has employed his X-ray vision and jumped straight to the answer. Probably in a single bound. It was the Enterprise.

    Turns out, this is a repeat, but from a very long time ago. I suppose I could have picked something a little trickier, like the Heart of Gold or the Liberator.

  • Simons Mith
    Let me just polish up this Infiniite Improbability Baton, and hand it over before it turns into a sperm whale or something.
  • Superman - Oh, a bowl of petunias...
    It seemed only logical. So on with the next game.
    The laser display is being wiped as we speak, and the subject is ABSTRACT. Here is the mystery voice for those at home (apologies for the absence of subtitles):
  • Tuj - Is it related to sound?
  • Dujon - A still life painting?
  • Boolbar - An imaginary baton?
  • Software - A novel?
  • Simons Mith - Something mathematical?
  • Rosie - Lust?
  • Superman
    [Tuj] - No, unless you speak it out loud.
    [Dujon] - No.
    [Boolbar] - No.
    [Software] - No, although the expression has been used in the titles of novels.
    [SimonsMith] - No.
    [Rosie] - No, although if you do something about it, a vague link may appear.
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • Raak - Post-coital tristesse?
  • Rosie - Does the AOTC contain the word "birth"?
  • Software - A well known phrase or saying?
  • Bismarck - Is there more than one word in the AOTC?
  • Radox The Green - Improbability?
  • Simons Mith - Connected to emotions?
  • CdM - Is it a human construct?
  • Chalky - Old Times?
  • Rosie - The existence of Superman?
  • Superman
    [Tuj] No. One does make an appearance.
    [Raak] No.
    [Rosie] No.
    [Softers] No.
    [Bism] No. Some desultory applause.
    [Radox] No. Some more desultory applause.
    [Simons] On balance, no.
    [CdM] No, though philosophers may demur.
    [Chalky] No.
    [Rosie #2] No.
  • Raak - A scientific concept?
  • Superman
    [Raak] No.
  • Raak - Is mathematics involved?
  • Chalky - Medical?
  • Simons Mith - Luck-related - e.g. gambling?
  • Software - Some sort of pseudo science?
  • Superman
    [Raak] No.
    [Chalky] No.
    [Simons] No.
    [Software] No.
    That all denied, it is possible to relate all of the propositions made to the word, as in a medical AOTC, etc. But I still hold to NO.
  • Raak - An emergency?
  • Rosie - The cold?
  • Simons Mith - A compilation?
  • Radox The Green - Is it to do with politics?
  • Chalky - Anticipation?
  • Superman
    [Raak] No.
    [Rosie] No.
    [Simons] No.
    [Radox] Well now, not as I imagined it, but while checking I found several countries have a ministry for it.
    [Chalky] No.
  • Bismarck - To do with food?
  • Raak - Silly Walks?
  • Rosie - Religion?
  • Simons Mith - Is the AOTC hyphenated?
  • Superman
    [Bism] No.
    [Raak] Hopefully no country has that ministry. No.
    [Rosie] No.
    [Simons] No.
  • Raak - A sensation?
  • Simons Mith - 'Development'?
  • Chalky - A Surprise?
  • Bismarck - Privacy?
  • Superman
    [Raak] No.
    [Simons] The Zoom audience suddenly wake up and applaud. No.
    [Chalky] isn’t everything? Some more Zooming.
    [Bism] No.
  • Chalky - Unexpected?
  • Simons Mith - Productivity/Production?
  • Simons Mith - Competition?
    That's got a 'p' in it
  • Superman
    [Chalky] vide supra, "surprise"
    [Simons 1] Audience posts a couple of comments. No.
    [Simons 2] Audience definitely all awake, in so far as sixty-one thumbnails are in any way visible on Zoom. No.
  • CdM - Related to economics?
  • Chalky - Pertaining to LMIC?
  • Simons Mith - Imports / Exports ?
  • Superman
    [CdM] Yes, definitely.
    [Chalky] No. Not specifically
    [Simons] Could well be.
    Zoom getting quite animated, though I really don’t want to know what three up and eight across is doing.
  • Simons Mith - Transport?
  • Software - The bank rate?
  • Rosie - Income tax?
  • Raak - Money?
  • Superman - Getting close?
    [Simons] No.
    [Software] No.
    [Rosie] No.

    Audience all seem to have switched off their microphones again.
    It's related to economics, but it's not economics, it's like development but it isn't development. There is one word and one 'p' in the word and you find government departments named after it. The rest can be summed up as "No."
  • Superman
    Whoops. [Raak] No.
  • Raak - Sport?
  • Three up and eight across - Oops
    *hurriedly turns off video*
  • Simons Mith - Monopolies?
  • Radox The Green - Anything to do with festivities?
  • Simons Mith - Corporations? Companies?
  • Superman
    [Raak] No.
    [Simons] No, though thay may fall under the responsibility of the said department.
    [Radox] No.
    [Simons] Very much to do with such things, but a more general term is needed. No.
  • Raak - The economy?
  • Simons Mith - Employment?
  • CdM - Unemployment?
  • Superman
    [Raak] No.
    [Simons] No.
    [CdM] No.
    All worthy guesses but all circling round the plug hole. A little more ...oomph... is needed. The Zoom-ers are practising singing in chorus, the effect is terrible.
  • Raak - The National Debt?
  • Simons Mith - Enterprise?
    I'm scraping the government department-speak barrel so hard I'm getting splinters. There's got to be something else in here
  • Superman
    [Raak] No.
    [Simons] Yes! It is! You are! Correct! Take this faintly glowing baton into the new year with a beaming smile on your face! And don't forget to leave some deathless words in conclusion for the Zoom.
  • Simons Mith - VEGETABLE
    'nother vegetable one.

    [Deathless words for Zoom: arpeggio, manganese, pantaloon and clamp.]

  • Tuj - Is it unique?
  • Raak - Is it edible?
  • Bismarck - Is it a vegetable?
  • Rosie - Wooden?
  • CdM - Pomegranate?
  • Software - Beginning with "P"?
  • Boolbar - Fictional?
  • Chalky - Is it larger than a toaster?
  • Simons Mith
    [Unique] In the sense I intended, yes
    [Edible] No
    [A vegetable] No
    [Wooden] No
    [Pomegranate] Nuh uh
    [Pegetable] No
    [Fictional] Ironically, no.
    [>Toaster] No.
  • Rosie - Poisonous?
  • Raak - Is it in a museum?
  • Tuj - Does it belong to one particular person?
  • Superman - Is it like coffee a substrate for a drinkable decoction?
  • Bismarck - Is it a fruit?
  • Chalky - Is it a plant?
  • Simons Mith
    [Poisonous] No
    [Museum] No
    [Single owner] No
    [Drinkable substrate] No
    [Fruity] No
    [Planty] No
  • CdM - Is it currently alive?
  • Boolbar - Is it in Europe?
  • Raak - Is it art?
  • Bismarck - Parasitic?
  • Simons Mith
    [alive] No
    [In Europe] Yes
    [art] No
    [parasitic] No
    This game is a lot harder if you're strict about your Yes/Nos.
  • Raak - Is it a fungus?
  • Bismarck - Coal?
  • Chalky - A small dead european thing?
  • Boolbar - Did this exist in the year 1900?
  • Rosie - Brussels sprout?
    A punt from just outside my own penalty-area.
  • Bismarck - Is it green in colour?
  • Tuj - Does it have writing on it?
  • Simons Mith
    [fungoid] No
    [coal] No
    [S.D.E.T.] No
    [1900] No
    [Sprout] No
    [Green] No
    [Writing] Yes
  • Boolbar - Are the words a work of fiction?
  • Raak - Is it a physical copy of a book?
  • Radox The Green - Does it belong to you?
  • Chalky - An inscription ... on to parchment of some sort?
  • Tuj - Written by one specific person?
    I've never felt so useful! That'll wear off.
  • Simons Mith - Phew, suddenly homing in from miles away
    [fiction] yes
    [physical] yes
    [mine] no
    [inscription] no
    [one author] yes
  • Software - 1984?
  • Raak - Is it in on public display?
  • Tuj - Written last century?
  • Superman - Does it have pictures?
  • Simons Mith
    [1984] No
    [Display] No
    [20C] Yes
    [Pictures] No
  • CdM - Is the following a correct (not necessarily exhaustive) summary of what we have learned? We are seeking to identify a single specific physical copy of a not-green less-than-toaster-sized book that is a single-authored work of 20th century fiction without pictures, is located in Europe, is not on public display or in a museum, would not be classified as art, is not 1984, does not begin with P, and—and this is the most puzzling bit—does not have a single owner.
  • CdM - And a follow-up question on the puzzling bit: is the ownership of this book none the less clearly defined?
    (For example, owned by a household or an institution such as a school or library)
  • Boolbar - Is it a forgery?
  • Bismarck - Is it poetry?
  • Tuj - Written in English?
  • Raak - Is it hidden away because of its dangerous content?
  • Simons Mith
    [shopping list] No. Pretty good summary, but not perfect.
    [clearly-defined owner] No.
    [forgery] No.
    [poetry] No.
    [English] Yes.
    [dangerous] No.
  • Raak - Are there multiple copies of this book?
  • Tuj - Does it have the word 'The' in the title?
  • Simons Mith
    [multiple copies] Yes.
    [The] Yes.
  • Raak - Is this a work of reference?
  • Bismarck - Biographical?
  • Simons Mith
    [Reference, Biographical] No, fiction.
  • Boolbar - Is the author still alive?
  • Tuj - Was it written by an American person?
  • Simons Mith
    [living author] No
    [American] Yes
  • Raak - Does the book contain a collection of stories?
  • Bismarck - The stories of O. Henry?
  • CdM - Is it a single physical copy of a book?
    Just trying to work out where I am confused.
  • Simons Mith
    [Collection] No
    [Oh, Enry] No
    [single physical] Yes. I'll break my yes-no rule and say that it's not a specific physical copy, just any old physical copy. This hypothetical copy happens to be in Europe.
  • Radox The Green - Great Gatsby?
  • Simons Mith
    [GG] Yes!
    That's right, a copy of F. Scott Fitzgerald's 30,000,000-seller. Came out of US copyright at the start of the year.
  • Radox The Green - So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.
    Lucky guess there, I feel. So try your luck on the next subject which is ANIMAL.
  • Boolbar - Is it a blue footed booby?
  • Chalky - Human?
  • Tuj - Is it unique?
  • Bismarck - Is it bigger than a toaster?
  • Simons Mith - Is it a red footed booby?
  • Superman - Is it extinct?
  • Radox The Green
    [Boolbar] Nay.
    [Chalky] Nay.
    [Tuj] Nay.
    [Bismarck] Yea.
    [Simons Mith] see above, Boolbar.
    [Superman] Nay.
  • Raak - Is it alive?
  • Tuj - Is it found in a zoo?
  • Radox The Green
    [Raak] Nay, not in any conventional sense.
    [Tuj] Yea.
  • Simons Mith - Is it tiger food?
  • Raak - Is it an artefact made from animal material?
  • Radox The Green
    [Simons Mith] Nay.
    [Raak] Nay.
  • Simons Mith - Is it something animals grow and/or shed?
  • CdM - Is it a dead horse?
  • Boolbar - Is it a part of an animal?
  • Raak - Is it an animal product?
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • Radox The Green
    [Simons Mith] Nay.
    [CdM] Neigh. (View the source to read the hidden text)
    [Boolbar] Nay.
    [Raak] Nay.
    [Tuj] Hooray. One of the words does and it's the most important one.
  • Simons Mith - Is it an apex predator?
  • Raak - Is it fictional?
    Wondering how an animal in a zoo can be not dead yet not alive "in any conventional sense".
  • Radox The Green
    [Simons Mith] Nay, not in real life.
    [Raak] Yea.
  • Raak - Is this an individual, named animal?
  • Simons Mith - Is it something like an empty cage containing a 'water otter' or a drop bear or something?
  • Simons Mith - Or is it something like a dog masquerading as a lion or similar?
  • Tuj - Has it four legs?
  • Boolbar - A cartoon character?
  • Radox The Green
    [Raak] Nay.
    [Simons Mith] Nay to both.
    [Tuj] Nay.
    [Boolbar] Hooray! Not quite a Yea, though.
  • Simons Mith - Is it a pushmi-pullyu?
  • Raak - Does it speak for the trees?
  • Bismarck - Is it a collection of cartoon characters?
  • Radox The Green
    [Simons Mith] Nay.
    [Raak] Nay.
    [Bismarck] Yea.
  • Raak - Is it a mascot?
  • Dujon - Are a tiger and a six-year-old involved?
  • Simons Mith - Pingus?
    Do they live in a zoo?
  • KagomeShuko - I think they come from China . . .
    Is one of the words pandas?
  • Radox The Green
    [Raak] Nay.
    [Dujon] Nay.
    [Simons Mith] Pingus: Hooray ! but Nay. Zoolife: Yea!
    [KagomeShuko] Nay²
  • Raak - Is Dr. Doolittle involved?
  • Radox The Green
    [Raak] Nay.
  • Raak - Related to the Harry Potter franchise?
  • Boolbar - Is a lion involved?
  • Simons Mith - Are these animals movie stars?
  • Radox The Green
    [Raak] Nay.
    [Boolbar] The zoo has a lion which has been known to interact with the AOTC, but that is not what the AOTC refers to. Nay.
    [Simons Mith] Yea.
  • Raak - Related to a London Tube station?
  • KagomeShuko - P-p-p-p-latypus?
  • Radox The Green
    [Raak] Nay.
    [KagomeShuko] N-n-n-nay.
  • Raak - Is it a bird?
  • Boolbar - Are rabbits involved?
  • Bismarck - Are the animals found in the farmyard?
  • Radox The Green
    [Raak] Yea. Or Nay if I were feeling pernickety, as we've already established there's more than one of them.
    [Boolbar] Nay.
    [Bismarck] Nay.
  • Raak - Did they appear in the film “Creature Comforts”?
  • Radox The Green
    [Raak] As far as I can work out, Nay. Certainly not in the pilot and not one of the regular creatures.
  • KagomeShuko - Do these animals live in the water?
    Perhaps something fishy is going on here.
  • Boolbar - Penguins?
  • Chalky - So we still don't know what these animals are?
  • Chalky - Parasites?
  • Simons Mith - Pelicans?
    I've been struggling to think of non-four-legged animals beginning with P
  • Simons Mith - Psloths?
    (Psee what I mean?)
  • Tuj - Got whiskers?
  • Radox The Green
    [KS] Nay.
    [Boolbar] Yea. And Hooray!
    [Chalky] Nay.
    [SM] Nay, and Pnay.
    [Tuj] Nay.
  • KagomeShuko - Could it be 3-2-1 Penguins?
    3-2-1, Penguins!
  • Tuj - Is it the penguins from the Madagascar films?
    C'mon everyone, let's endgame.
  • Boolbar - The penguin waiters from Mary Poppins?
  • Raak - Do you p-p-pick up one?
  • Radox The Green - Smile and wave, smile and wave.
    [Tuj] Hooray! Hooray! Yea, it is indeed the group of penguins from the Madagascar films. Take this stick that might just be dangerous and leave some deathless words for the assembly.
    The rest - Nay. Special mention though to KagomeShuko and Simons Mith who were not far behind/ahead.
  • Tuj
    [RTG] Ta! I suspect there may have needed to be some abstract in the introduction. Anyway!
    MINERAL
  • Dujon - Natural as opposed to man made?
  • Raak - Is there just one of it?
  • Tuj - A positive start
    [Dujon] Yes!
    [Raak] Yes!
  • KagomeShuko - Is it the Blarney Stone?
  • Rosie - Rock?
  • Boolbar - Fictional?
  • Raak - The Ever Given?
  • Tuj
    [KS] No!
    [Rosie] Yes!
    [Bool] No!
    [Raak] No!
  • Raak - A mountain?
  • Rosie - In the UK?
  • Simons Mith - In the middle of Australia?
  • Boolbar - Is it found outdoors?
  • Tuj
    [Raak] No!
    [Rosie] No!
    [SM] No!
    [Bool] Yes!
  • Raak - Is it in (or under) the sea?
  • Boolbar - Not on (or in) planet Earth?
  • Tuj
    [Raak] No!
    [Bool] Yes! Extra-terrestrial!
  • Rosie - An asteroid?
  • Raak - Oo! Mwa! Mwa! ?
  • Tuj
    [Rosie] No!
    [Raak] *makes confused face, looks for option to turn on subtitles*
  • Raak's subtitler - 'Oumuamua?
  • Tuj - Thanks, it defied my internet search attempts!
    [Rs] No!
  • Simons Mith - On Mars?
  • Rosie - A dwarf planet?
    (Tuj) Do you have to shout?
  • Boolbar - Closer to Earth than Voyager 1?
  • Tuj
    [SM] No!
    [Rosie] Yes! and No!, but I've started so I'll finish
    [Bool] Yes! There's an ambiguity there I'm choosing not to think about...
  • Rosie - Ceres?
  • Bismarck - The Oordt Cloud?
  • Tuj
    [Rosie] No.
    [Bism] Um, no.
  • Dujon - Does it begin with a 'P'? ;)
  • Tuj
    [Dujon] No, not Pluto :D
  • Simons Mith - Is it a cubewano?
  • Rosie - A meteorite?
  • Tuj - Research, research...
  • Tuj
    [SM] No!
    [Rosie] No!
    If it wasn't clear, the answer to Rosie's question "A dwarf planet?" was "Yes!" – the "No!" was to whether I had to shout.
  • Rosie - Pallas?
    Come on da Palace.
  • Tuj
    [Rosie] No! (not a P-)
  • Dujon - Should
  • Dujon - Should I be silly enough to read this name backwards would it bring up images of an earthly mountain range?
    Sorry about the stutter.
  • Boolbar - Is it a cubewano?
  • Rosie - Is it a Kuiper Belt object?
  • Tuj
    [Duj] Um... ah! No! Not Sedna :D
    [Bool] Still no.
    [Rosie] No!
  • Raak - One of Haumea, Gonggong, or Eris?
  • Tuj - Three strikes...
    [Raak] Yes!
  • Rosie
    Those three are all Kuiper Belt objects.
  • Raak
    Wikipedia calls them trans-Neptunian, while calling some other bodies KBOs, so I think there is a distinction being made.
  • Tuj
    Raak's found the distinction I'd found. I should've known there'd be debatable categorisations when I picked the AOC, alas!
  • Rosierosie - Gonggong?
  • Tuj - Strike one...
    [Rr] Nono!
  • Boolbar - Haumea?
  • Tuj - Strike two...
    [Bool] No!
  • Rosie - Eris?
    Gotta be.
  • Tuj - Home run
    [Rosie] YES!
    Eris it is, named for the Greek goddess of strife and discord. A frozen methane baton is yours, sir!
  • Rosie
    Fear not, the baton will be stored in liquid nitrogen until such time . . . . . .
    And the next object is

    ABSTRACT

  • Chalky - Anarcho-syndicalism?
  • Boolbar - That moment you realise you can't remember what you went upstairs for?
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) No. I thought we'd done that.
    (Boolbar) Damned cheek! Not that.
  • Simons Mith - related to entertainment?
  • Tuj - Would it exist if human beings didn't?
    Just to wrap up the previous round, it's very disconcerting to set a mystery and have someone else start another game with the answer as the winning move!
  • Rosie
    (Simons) NOT related to entertainment.
    (Tuj) Probably, though I have little insight into the minds of animals.
  • Raak - Is it a feeling?
  • Tuj - Is the AOTC a single word?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) A feeling? NO, not really.
    (Tuj) YES, a single word.
  • Chalky - Is it a theory?
  • Boolbar - Does it rely on sight?
    [forgetfulness] I was thinking of myself to be honest.
  • Simons Mith - is it a cognitive ability, such as counting?
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) NO, not a theory.
    (Boolbar) NO, not specifically.
    (SM) NO, I wouldn't call it an ability.
    (Raak) more info Could arise from a feeling.
  • Raak - An action?
  • Tuj - Is it a Deadly Sin?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) NO, not an action.
    (Tuj)In effect, YES.
  • Raak - Generally considered to be a psychiatric disorder?
  • Simons Mith - Jealousy?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) NO, not normally considered a psychiatric disorder.
    (SM) NO, not jealousy.
  • KagomeShuko - Is it imagination?
  • Boolbar - Ennui?
  • Rosie
    (KagomeShuko) Imagination? NO.
    (Boolbar) Ennui? NO, wrong language for one thing.
  • Raak - Schadenfreude?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Good guess, but wrong.
  • Bismarck - Late entry - Greed?
  • Simons Mith - Is it a positive/beneficial trait?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) NOT greed though this may be one of the consequences.
    (SM) Positive/beneficial? Most definitely NOT.
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • Raak - Poverty?
  • Simons Mith - Spite?
  • Rosie
    (Tuj, and therefore Raak) NO.
    (SM) NOT spite.
  • Bismarck - Avarice?
  • Raak - Being a chav?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) Avarice? NO.
    (Raak) Being a chav? Not a Sin, unfortunately, so NO.
  • Tuj - So is it a German word?
  • Raak - Angst?
  • Raak - Ofermod?
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) NO, not German. (Dim y Gymraeg chwaith.)
    (Raak I) vide supra
    (Raak II) Not quite the word. *appreciative applause from a well-read audience*
  • Simons Mith - Well if it's not Swedish death metal is it some other musical form?
    That's what I found when I looked it up
  • Raak - Hubris?
  • Rosie
    Raak has it. HUBRIS it is. Now don't get cocky, mate.
    I withdraw the baton from its liquid nitrogen bath and carefully hand it to you. Wear all sorts of PPE, esp. gloves.
  • Raak
    The next is ANIMAL with MINERAL connections.
  • Simons Mith - A mollusc?
  • Boolbar - Rock Lobster?
    Here comes a bikini whale!
  • Tuj - Is it unique?
    [Ros,Raa] Well played.
  • Raak
    [SM] A nice literal interpretation of mineral connections, but not a mollusc.
    [B] Not Rick Lobster (in any meaning of the phrase)
    [T] Not unique.
    BTW, there are also VEGETABLE connections, but they seemed less salient than the MINERAl ones when I set this.
  • Raak
    [B] Nor Rock Lobster.
  • Rosie - An egg?
  • Raak
    [R] Not an egg.
  • Simons Mith - A mole?
  • Rosie - Is the animal edible?
  • Raak
    [SM] not a mole.
    [R] *laughter in the audience* Not edible. At least, not customarily.
  • Simons Mith - Is it an entire living animal?
  • Raak
    [SM] If I were being curmudgeonishly strict, I'd say no. It's many entire etc.
  • Radox The Green - Is it that famous relative of the elephant, the Rock Hyrax?
  • Raak
    [RtG] Not a rock hyrax.
  • Boolbar - Found in the sea?
  • Raak
    [B] I'm sure some of them could be, from time to time, but it's not a characteristic feature.
  • Simons Mith - Are they mountain/cliff critters?
  • Raak
    [SM] No association with mountains and cliffs.
  • Chalky - Human?
  • Raak
    [C] The audience heaves a sigh of relief at the first step of progress. Human.
  • Simons Mith - Rock stars?
  • Boolbar - Are any of these humans still alive?
  • Raak
    [SM] Not trolls singing music with rocks in.
    [B] Some are alive.
  • Simons Mith - Knights in shining armour?
  • Bismarck - Does sport come into it?
  • Rosie - Blaenau Ffestiniog quarrymen?
  • Raak
    [SM] Nor in white satin neither.
    [B] Sport can come into it, but not primarily.
    [R] Not quarrymen.
  • Bismarck - Do these humans work with the minerals referenced?
  • Raak
    [B] Yes, they work with the minerals.
  • Simons Mith - Sculptors?
  • Raak
    [SM] Not as closely as that.
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • Rosie - A navvy?
  • Raak
    [T] Not only does it not begin with a P, it does not end with a P, nor is there a P in the middle.
    [R] Not that closely either.
  • Bismarck - Geologists?
  • Raak
    [B] Not geologists.
  • Tuj - Do these people share a nationality?
  • Rosie - Are these people skilled?
  • Raak
    [T] Not compatriots.
    [R] The audience nods at another small step in the right direction. These people are indeed skilled.
  • KagomeShuko - Are they miners?
    Not to be confused with minors, or even minor miners . . . .
  • Rosie - Is the mineral metal?
  • Raak
    [KS] Not min*rs.
    [R] It can be metal.
  • Bismarck - Does building come into it?
  • Raak
    [B] The audience swoons in ecstasy. Building comes into it! Indeed it does!
  • Simons Mith - I was going to say bricklayers, even before the last clue. Bricklayers?
    See? I said it.
  • Bismarck - Is it, therefore, since building comes into it, though without wanting to take a leap in the dark, builders?
  • Raak
    [SM] Not bricklayers.
    [B] Not builders.
  • Rosie - Architects?
  • Simons Mith - Are they celebrated in song?
    I'm thinking of a ditty by Flanders and Swann in particular.
  • Raak
    I don't know if F&S have ever celebrated architects, but Rosie has the answer: An Architect. Have this 1:1 scale model of the Burj Khalifa.
  • Superman - Precognition?
  • Rosie
    Cheers, Raak. I'll put it in the garage until I find a place for it.

    Now, the next object is ABSTRACT

  • Dujon - An HTML <hr> tag?
  • KagomeShuko - A feeling?
  • Software - A well known phrase or saying?
  • Tuj - Related to music?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) Clever clogs :-). Sorry, NO.
    (KagomeShuko) NO, not a feeling.
    (Software) NO, not a well-known phrase or saying.
    (Tuj) Music? NO. Nor steam engines or Wales.
  • Raak - Artistic?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Artistic? NO.*audience cackles maliciously*
  • Raak - Vandalism?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) I smile, but NO.
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • Boolbar - Political?
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) NO, does not begin with a P.
    (Boolbar) Political? NO.
  • Rak - It is something one can look at?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) NO, not currently.
  • Simons Mith - An eclipse?
  • Raak - the Reformation?
  • Rosie
    (Simons Mith) Nice, but NO.
    (Raak) NO, nothing so fundamental.
  • Simons Mith - The Olympic flame?
  • Rosie
    (Simons Mith) NO, not the Olympic Flame.
  • Dujon
    Is this extra-terrestrial?
  • Rosie
    (Duj) Extra-terrestrial? NO, not at all.
  • Chalky - Weather-related?
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) Weather-related? NO.
  • Simons Mith - Is it an event happening at intervals?
  • Rosie
    (Simons Mith) Well, if it existed, YES
  • Raak - Is it fictional?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) In a literal sense YES, in most other senses NO.
  • Software - A month of Sundays?
  • Rosie
    (Software) Nice try but NO.
  • Bismarck - A paradox?
  • Raak - A real thing named after something fictional?
  • Rosie
    (Bismarck) NOT a paradox.
    (Raak) NO, not that.
  • Dujon - Something to do with the end of the world as we know it ?
  • KagomeShuko - Is it elevenses?
  • Simons Mith - The Long Dark Teatime of the Soul?
  • Radox The Green - By saying that this subject is something that we can't look at currently, are you referring to the effects of the coronavirus in that statement?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) Some would say that, but seriously, NO.
    (KS) NO, nothing as domestic as that.
    (SM)NO, far less poetic.
    (RtheG) No, COVID is not the reason we can't see it.
  • Chalky - Is it something we hear rather than see?
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) Seen rather than heard? NEITHER. In fact, in an important sense it doesn't exist.
  • Simons Mith - Halloween?
  • Rosie
    (SM) Nice, but alas NO.
  • Chalky - The Future?
  • Dujon - A type of dream?
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) The future? Not the AOTC but you never know.
    (Dujon) A type of dream? For the first time there's a non-NO answer, which in this case is COULD BE.
  • Superman - Imagination?
  • Rosie
    (Superman) NO, not imagination.
  • Simons Mith - A prophecy?
  • Rosie
    (SM) NO, not a prophecy. Maybe I should add the the AOTC does not now actually exist.
  • Boolbar - Did the AOTC exist at some point in the year 1900?
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar) Around in 1900? NO. *some suppressed audience giggles*
  • Software - Tomorrow?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) NO, not tomorrow.
  • Raak - Can it be expected to exist in the future?
  • Chalky - Déjà Vu ?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) I would say YES, but others with more knowledge may disagree.
    (Chalky) NON, c'est pas ça.
  • KagomeShuko - Is it next week, next month, next year?
  • Rosie
    (KS) NO, none of those.
  • Radox The Green - Does this mark the end of something?
  • Rosie
    (RtheG) End of something? NO.
  • Simons Mith - Is it the foundation of the United Federation of Planets?
  • Rosie
    (SM) NO, nothing as benign as that.
  • Raak
    A legend?
  • Bismarck - We had a pink moon the other day, so is it a blue moon? If not, is this something astronomical?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) NO, not a legend.
    (Bismarck) NO, nothing astronomical, so not a blue moon. Not shy blue or navy blue.
  • Rosie
    Er, sky blue, that is. Not royal blue, either.
  • Chalky - The Impossible?
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) The impossible? NO.
  • Tuj - Is the AOTC a single word?
  • Rosie
    (Tuj) Single word? NO. The AOTC is four words, one of which is the definite article.
  • Raak - Is the third word "of"?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Third word "of"? NO.
  • Chalky - End Of The Game?
  • Raak - Are the middle two words "of the"?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Middle two words "of the"? NO. There is no "of" in it.
  • Raak - All The King's Horses?
  • Tuj - Is it related to the Morniverse?
  • Superman - The sky?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) All the King's Horses? NO. None of 'em.
    (Tuj) Related to the Morniverse? NO.
    (Superman) The sky? NO. Remember the AOTC does not now exist in any true sense.
  • CdM - The European Super League?
  • Boolbar - Is it the next something or other?
  • Software - The next big thing?
    Underpinning Boolbar
  • Rosie
    (Boolbar & Softers) Alas, too late and wrong anyway because CDM, with a flash of inspiration and a huge wodge of cash, has the answer. It's the European Super League. "Let it fall among the weeds." (John Skelton ca. 1550).
  • CdM
    A lurker's victory coming out of the blue with no preparation or planning. Seems about right.

    ABSTRACT with ANIMAL CONNECTIONS
  • Tuj - But is it art?
  • Simons Mith - Heraldry?
  • Rosie - Animal human?
  • Boolbar - A well known phrase or saying?
  • KagomeShuko - Is it Schoedinger's cat?
  • Chalky - Bigger than an imaginary toaster?
  • CdM - Argh! I forgot about this; sorry.
    Art? No.
    Heraldry? No.
    Animal connection human? Yes
    A well known phrase or saying? Um. I guess it is a well known phrase, but it is not an aphorism or anything of that kind.
    Sch(r)ödinger's Cat? *opens box to check* No. *looks in box again* Wait. Why is there nothing but HOPE left inside?
    Bigger than imaginary toaster? Well, it definitely could be very big. But it is really incommensurable with a toaster, imaginary or not.
  • Tuj - Is it a human invention?
  • Rosie - Personal space?
  • Chalky - A sense of humour?
  • Stevie
    Is it Lionheart or Heart of a Lion? playing my Wild-Guess card
  • Raak - To do with emotion?
  • CdM
    And now some answers that I could have sworn I posted have disappeared; apologies again.

    Human invention? More of a creation than an invention, but I will go with Yes.
    Personal space? No.
    Sense of humour? No.
    Lions, Hearts? No.
    To do with emotion? No.
  • Rosie - Lebensraum?
    Sorry, my German is pretty crap.
  • Superman - Mankind?
  • Tuj - Is the AOTC a single word?
  • Dujon - Might one do this upon a star?
  • Simons Mith - Is it the shipping forecast?
  • Bismarck - Do computers play a part?
  • CdM
    That's twice I have posted some answers from my phone and they haven't shown up. Not sure what is going on; sorry
    Lebensraum? No.
    Mankind? No.
    Single word answer? No.
    The act of being instantaneously incinerated? No.
    Shipping Forecast? No.
    Computer-related? Well, these days, pretty much everything is computer-related, and the AOTC is no exception. But since the AOTC also predates computers, I think the answer has to be No.
  • Simons Mith - Did it arise before the Renaissance?
  • CdM
    Pre-Renaissance? No. (I suppose there might have been some related concept prior to that time but the best answer is clearly No. Also, please don't now ask me a whole bunch of questions in an attempt to date the AOTC, since I am unable to give a clear answer. I can tell you that the google ngram viewer suggests that the phrase on the card seems to have started coming into significant use in the mid 1800s.)
  • CdM
    Also, I guess I should clarify that the connection of the AOTC to computers is pretty tangential. I probably should just have said a simple No.
  • Radox The Green - To do with economics?
  • CdM
    To do with economics? No. (Except very tangentially blahblahblah.)
  • Tuj - Is it associated with a particular geographic location?
  • CdM
    Particular geographic location? Good question! In principle, no, and the AOTC has been relevant in various places in the past and in the present. But it's fair to say that, recently, it has a strong association with a particularly geographic location. So I'm going with Yes. (View the source to read the hidden text)
  • Superman - Anything to do with health?
  • Boolbar - Anything to do with politics?
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • CdM
    Health-related? No.
    To do with politics? Yes. *sustained applause*
    Begins with P? I'll tell you for free that there are three words on the card and the first is the definite article. One of the others does begin with P.
  • Rosie
    Is the word which starts with a P "party"?
  • Bismarck - The Monster Raving Loony Party?
    According to the MRLP, their moniker consists of three words.
  • CdM
    P = Party? No.
    MRLP? No.
  • Tuj - Does the P stand for 'principle'?
    Probably oughtn't be encouraging this line of attack...
  • CdM
    Principle? No. Nor Principal, in case that was going to be the next question.
  • Simons Mith - Is it a lying buffoon?
  • CdM
    Lying Buffoon? No.
  • Software - The Industrial Revolution?
  • Rosie - Is the P-word position?
  • CdM
    The Pindustrial Prevolution? No.
    Position? No.
  • Chalky - Is the P word Philosophy?
  • Chalky - Or even Parliament?
  • CdM
    Philosophy? No.
    Parliament? No.
    For free I will tell you that the P word is not particularly connected to politics in and of itself. It is the other word that has a clearer political connection.
  • Rosie - Is the P word pandemic?
  • CdM
    Pandemic? No. Tuj's observation is probably a good one. There are a lot of words beginning with "P" in the dictionary.
  • Boolbar - Anything to do with land borders?
  • Rosie - P-word proposition?
  • CdM
    Border-related? No.
    Propositional? No.
  • Bismarck - Is it to do with a war?
  • CdM
    War-related? No.
  • Boolbar - Has it had a strong association with the USA in the last year?
  • Bismarck - Is the definite article the first word?
  • Tuj - Is it directly related to voting?
  • CdM - Typical. You wait weeks for a Yes, and then three show up at once.
    Strong association with USA in last year? Yes. *applause*
    Definite article = first word? Yes.
    Related to voting? Yes. *rapturous applause, where the rapture is definitely partly born of relief*
  • Simons Mith - Is it a political position, such as Speaker?
  • Radox The Green - The Trump Presidency...
    About the one thing I didn't want to be reminded of. Hope it's wrong.
  • CdM
    Political position? No.
    Trump presidency? No. (View the source to read the hidden text)
  • Simons Mith - Is it 'The voting public,' or something along those lines?
  • CdM
    Voting Public? *sustained applause* No.
    Something along those lines? Yes. It is more of an established phrase than "voting public", though.
  • Raak - The hoi polloi?
  • CdM
    Hoi Polloi? No.
  • Bismarck - Democratic Party?
  • CdM
    Democratic Party? No. (P = Party has already been ruled out.)
  • Chalky - Is 'Primaries' one of the words
  • CdM
    Primaries? No. Also, the P word is not "photosynthesis", "parrot", "predestined", or "pickpocket". As I said before, the P word is not particularly connected to politics as such, so I don't think you will find this route profitable. Which is also not the P word.
  • Boolbar - Is it statistical?
  • Tuj - Is it a group of people who share a particular characteristic?
    Aware this may be too vague or broad to answer well, in which case so be it.
  • CdM
    Is it statistical? The most technically correct answer is Yes, but I worry that this answer could end up being misleading. *applause*
    Group sharing a characteristic? I am going to go with Yes (and *substantial applause*,) with the caveat/reminder that the AOTC is Abstract, not Animal.
  • CdM - Further clarification
    The AOTC is not a group as such. But it stems directly from a group who share a characteristic.
  • Simons Mith - Is it the popular vote?
    Maybe my close guess was even closer than I thought it was. And I'm stumped for anything else. I keep thinking of things where the p word has the political connotations.
  • Tuj - Do the words that aren't the definite article rhyme?
    Stalling for time while someone comes up with a better approach...
  • CdM
    Do they rhyme? No, because Popular does not rhyme with Vote. The Electoral College awards Simons the baton despite the fact that Tuj received more applause.
  • Simons Mith - Me again? All right...
    These things are VEGETABLE.
  • Superman - Are they edible to humans?
  • Tuj - Is it unique?
    [SM,CdM] Good show!
  • Boolbar - Something made of wood?
  • Raak - Are they used in the playing of a game?
  • Simons Mith
    [Edible] Yes.
    [Unique] No.
    [Wooden] No.
    [Gameable] No.
    Is that a record? A yes for the first ever question?
  • CdM - Well, they begin with P
    Potatoes?
  • Tuj - Comprising more than one ingredient?
    [SM] Last happened half a dozen rounds ago
  • Simons Mith
    [Spuds] No
    [Multi-ingrediented] Yes
  • Raak - Is it a dish? (Culinary, not ceramic.)
  • Simons Mith
    [Dishy] No.
  • Chalky - Bouquet Garni?
  • Tuj - Does it contain tomato?
  • Simons Mith
    [Bouquet and tomato] No and no.
  • Raak - Is it customarily eaten as part of a meal?
  • Radox The Green - Is it a fruit?
  • Simons Mith
    [Meal, Fruit] No and no.
  • Boolbar - Although edible, is this not normally eaten?
  • Chalky - A flower?
  • Simons Mith
    [not normally eaten, flower] No and no.
  • Chalky - Medication?
  • Boolbar - Are the components uncooked?
  • Simons Mith
    [Medicinal, uncooked] No and no
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • Boolbar - Does it include peas?
  • Simons Mith
    [Ps and peas] No and no.
  • Superman - Muesli?
  • Boolbar - Contains legumes?
  • Simons Mith
    [Legumes, muesli] No and no.
  • CdM - Is this normally eaten?
    Not unclarifying the double negative
  • Simons Mith
    [Normally eaten] Yes. :-)
  • Software - Eaten raw?
  • Boolbar - Is it drinkable?
  • Simons Mith
    [raw, drinkable] Nope and nuh-uh.
  • Tuj - Does it include potato?
    Cooked but among many "no"s, not a dish, nor customarily part of a meal... hmm.
  • Boolbar - Any nuts in it?
  • Simons Mith
    [Spuds, nuts] Nay and no.
  • Raak - Is it used to feed animals?
  • Simons Mith
    [Animal food] A clever twist, but no.
  • Boolbar - A biscuit?
  • Bismarck - Is there fish in it?
  • Simons Mith
    [Biscuits, fish] No twice more.
  • CdM - Does it contain sugar?
  • Simons Mith
    [Sugar] Oh yes.
  • Raak - Is it ornamental?
  • Software - Cake like?
  • Boolbar - Fried?
  • Simons Mith
    [Ornamental, cake-like, fried] Nay, no, and nuh-uh.
  • Boolbar - Are oats in it?
  • Tuj - Primarily eaten by animals?
  • Simons Mith
    [Oats, animals] No and no again
  • CdM - Does it contain cocoa butter?
  • Boolbar - Any rice in it?
  • KagomeShuko - Is it pulp for paper?
    I cooked lots of that for my fourth grade science project.
  • Simons Mith
    [Cocoa, rice, pulp] A full set of nopes.
  • Tuj - Does it come in a variety of colours?
  • Boolbar - Is it usually eaten cold?
  • Simons Mith
    [Colours] Yes

    [Cold] Yes

  • Bismarck - Salad?
  • Simons Mith
    [Salad] Back to no again. Your processes of elimination are being super thorough this time.
  • CdM - Is it associated with a particular location?
  • Boolbar - Is yeast needed?
  • Simons Mith
    Locational, yeasty] Nuh-uh and nope.
  • Software - Gaspacho?
  • CdM - Would most of us be able to find it for sale in our local supermarket?
  • Simons Mith
    [Gazpacho, supermarket] No and no.
  • CdM - Candy floss?
  • Tuj - Can you drink it?
  • Boolbar - Is it mainly composed of sugar?
  • Simons Mith
    [Floss, drinkable] No and no

    [Sugar] Yes. Audience applauds in relief

  • CdM - Rock?
  • Simons Mith
    [Rock] No. We did that one, not too long ago.
  • Raak - Might you buy this at a funfair?
  • Simons Mith
    [funfair] No, I don't think so. I'm not sure though. On balance let's play safe and stick with 'No.'
  • Bismarck - Recap
    Edible, cooked, ingredient, not to be found in a supermarket or funfair, mostly composed of sugar, and not anything else you can think of.
  • Bismarck - Sugar cane?
  • Chalky - Sugar Beet?
  • Raak - A sugar basket?
  • Simons Mith
    [Sugar*] All no, but Bismark's summary gets a weak smattering. Although I'm not sure what you mean by 'and not anything else you think of'. I can't relate that to any of the questions or my answers.
  • Mat
    Soda syrup? I don't know the culture of these games well enough yet to say whether you'd say no to drinkable in this case. I don't think you can drink the syrups for cola, etc. by themselves.
  • Simons Mith
    [Soda syrup] No. 'Drinkable' was asked earlier and I don't think I'd have answered yes for that. It's like, shampoo. Technically you could gulp it down, but it's still a no. TBH I shudder to think what the concentrated syrups would taste like.
  • Boolbar - Mint flavoured?
  • Simons Mith
    [Minty] Yes. I had to check, but it seems that's a rarer option.
  • Raak - The filling of liqueur chocolates?
  • Simons Mith
    [Liqueur filling] No, getting that specific would have been unsporting. :-)
  • Raak - Corn syrup?
    As used in almost everything :(.
  • Simons Mith
    [Corn syrup] No, not used in this, apparently.
  • Raak - Was this invented since 1900?
  • Simons Mith
    [Post 1900] No, a bit older, I think. I thought it was a firm no, but I'm struggling to confirm.
  • Simons Mith
    Can for sure say 'invented more than a century ago'.
  • Boolbar - A boiled sweet?
  • Simons Mith
    [Boiled sweet] No. Audience stirs, and there's some claps
  • Mat
    Is it a viscous substance, like honey or treacle?
  • CdM - Sherbet?
  • Simons Mith
    [vicious sherbert] No and no, but the audience remains alert
  • Simons Mith - Mat Mystery
    [Mat] BTW, your surname's not Lambert is it? I knew a 'Matt' who preferred to be 'Mat' and it stuck in my head these many years
  • Raak - A sugar loaf?
  • Simons Mith
    [Sugar loaf] No. Cool idea, but no. You know, I knew about the mountain, never once thought about where it got its name.
  • Boolbar - Are these normally bought in packets containing different colours and flavours?
  • Bismarck
    The problem with all this is I can't see what in this line is not available in a supermarket. I can get sweets and molasses and Mars bars for deep-frying in my local supermarket. So: is it a sugar chair, like those used in the movies to shatter over someone's head?
  • Simons Mith
    [Packets] No...? Yees...? I suspect that's too close to call nowadays. Nevertheless, solid clappage occurs

    [Sugar chair] No.

    [Supermarkets] Supermarkets may be pretty comprehensive, but they don't sell everything. I'd only expect this to show up in the biggest supermarkets (and the right specialist shops), so when asked about 'normal' supermarkets I said no. I don't think Twickenham Waitrose has 'em, for example, and that's a good-sized shop. But for Kingston Waitrose, which is quite a bit larger, I reckon the balance tips. You all need to tell me the precise square footage of your nearest supermarket, then I'll redo the calculations. :-)

  • Mat
    [SM's Mat Mystery] No, not Lambert. Besides, my government name is neither Mat nor Matt.
    Are they mostly used for commercial purposes? The supermarket thing had me believing it was some industrial ingredient only used in factories, so let's tease that one out if we can.
  • Raak - Would some type of restaurant use this?
  • Boolbar - Some type of pastille?
  • Radox The Green - Opal fruits?
    My favourite...
  • CdM - Is it medicinal?
    I thought of Fisherman's Friends a while ago, but the dating doesn't fit.
  • Simons Mith
    [Commercial] Yes. At least in the sense I think you mean. They're things people can buy, but unusual enough that only a larger-than average supermarket would stock 'em.
    [Restaurants] No.
    [Pastilles] No.
    [They're starburst now, bah] No.
    [Medicinal] No.
  • Boolbar - Used to decorate cakes?
  • Simons Mith - Correction
    Sorry, rereading Mat's query, I think I ought to change that to a No. Overlooked the word 'purposes'. This isn't, e.g. catering supplies, it's an ordinary thing bought for or by its end-user.
  • Raak - Dragees?
  • Simons Mith
    [Cake decor, dragees] No and no.
  • CdM - Do they typically come individually wrapped?
  • Simons Mith
    [Individually wrapped] No.
  • Boolbar - Are they spherical?
  • Simons Mith
    [Spherical] Yes! Strong applause
  • Raak - Are they more than 1cm in diameter?
  • Simons Mith
    [Diametrics] Yes! More applauses, possibly even whoops
  • Raak - More than 2 inches?
  • CdM - Gobstoppers?
    standing on the shoulders of giants
  • Simons Mith - A winner at last
    [Gobstoppers] Yes! Gobstoppers is the AOTC. Audience collapses in relief, and they're probably not alone By Jove you had to work hard for that one. I was genuinely surprised that no-one thought to ask 'Sweets' weeks ago.
  • CdM
    I think a lot of us were focused in on sweets for a long time, even if we never asked the question specifically. (That was my focus of attention ever since your reply when I asked if sugar was an ingredient.) The "no" to boiled sweets, though undoubtedly a correct answer, may have ended up taking us away from the right line of thinking.

    MINERAL
  • Raak - Marbles?
  • Tuj - Unique?
  • Software - Metallic?
  • CdM
    Marbles? No. (View the source to read the hidden text)
    Unique? Yes.
    Metallic? Yes. *some muttering and head-shaking in the audience*
  • Boolbar - Is it found on planet Earth?
  • Raak - Does it weigh more than a million tons?
  • Tuj - Is it smaller than a toaster?
  • Simons Mith - Is it a small blob of neutron star matter?
    (Just on the off chance that the answers to the previous two are both yes.)
  • CdM - Neutron Blob. The latest addition to the Mornington Crescent Cinematic Universe
    On Earth? Yes.
    > 1012g? Yes.
    < toaster? No.
    Neutron Blob? No.
  • Rosie - The totality of British steam locomotives in 1960?
    About 1.2 million tons give or take.
  • CdM
    Ancient locomass? I know you'll find this hard to believe, Rosie, but No.
  • Raak - The Earth's core?
  • Boolbar - Human made?
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • CdM
    Earth's core? No. *some applause*
    Human made? No.
    Begin with P? No.
  • Simons Mith - Is it the reserves of something?
  • Raak - Is it visible at the surface of the Earth?
  • CdM
    Reserves? No.
    Visible at the surface of the Earth? Yes.
  • Raak - Man-made?
  • Rosie - Iron ore?
  • Simons Mith - A specialised building?
  • CdM
    Man-made? No.
    Iron ore? No.
    Specialised building? No.
  • Tuj - A mountain?
  • Simons Mith - Is it thinly spread all over the planet?
  • Raak - All the uranium in the oceans?
  • Rosie - Is the metal in elemental form?
  • CdM
    Mountain? Yes.
    Thinly spread? No.
    Damp and salty U? No.
    Metal in elemental form? I am pretty sure the answer is Yes, though I know Rosie is a chemistry expert, while chemistry has never been my strong suit, so apologies in advance if I got this wrong.
  • Rosie
    (CdM) I meant metal as metal rather than chemically combined as in an ore, or rust even.
  • Raak - Does it begin with an E?
  • CdM
    [Rosie] *nods* You can tell me at the end of the round whether I was right or not. :)
    Begins with an E? No.
  • Software - Is it plated?
  • Raak - Is the metal metaphorical?
  • Tuj - Is it in a single nation?
  • CdM
    Plated? No.
    Metaphorical? No.
    In a single nation? Yes.
  • Boolbar - Is it in Europe?
  • Raak - Is the metal copper?
  • CdM
    In Europe? Yes.
    Copper? No.
  • Simons Mith - Does the metal end in 'um'?
    As so many of them do
  • Raak - Does the name of this mountain include the name of a metal?
  • CdM
    End in um? Yes. And also No. Check your assumptions.
    Name include name of a metal? No.
  • CdM
    A little more research also suggests to me that the correct answer to Rosie's last question (elemental form) might be Yes and No. But I am honestly not sure what the best answer is.
  • Raak - Is just one metal involved?
  • Tuj - Is it West of Prague?
    I should ask this more often.
  • CdM
    Just one metal involved? No. (View the source to read the hidden text)
    West of Prague? Yes. (View the source to read the hidden text)
  • Simons Mith - Does the mountain actually have Mount or Mountain in its name?
  • Raak - Is this mountain named on Google Maps?
  • Superman - The EU Butter Mountain it isn't, but it's too good not to play it
  • CdM
    Mount or mountain in the name? There are in fact two acceptable answers on the card. The answer is Yes for one and No for the other. *a little muttering from some of the more literal-minded audience members*
    Named on Google Maps? Yes. (Both answers on the card appear on Google Maps.)
    Butter Mountain? No. (Interestingly, the second one of those would clearly have been only a marginal Yes in response to Tuj's last question.)

    (This one is proving harder than I expected. I hope I haven't been misleading with any of my answers.)
  • Radox The Green - Is it in Wales?
  • Tuj - Is it South of Lyon?
  • CdM
    In Wales? No.
    South of Lyon? No.
  • Bismarck - What I would like it to be is the enormous yellow sulphur dumps you get at the end of some oil pipelines where they de-sulphurise the stuff. Is it that?
  • CdM
    Enormous yellow sulphur dumps you get at the end of some oil pipelines where they de-sulphurise the stuff? No.
  • Boolbar - Is it in the Alps?
  • CdM
    In the Alps? No.
  • Tuj - In the UK?
  • Radox The Green - Does mining come into it?
  • CdM
    In the UK? No.
    Mining-related? No.
  • CdM
    (And, as I keep reading, I now think that my answer to Rosie probably should have been No. But I'm still not sure. Did I mention that chemistry is not my strong suit?)
  • Raak - Is it south of Loen?
    You know, the village in Stryn Municipality in Vestland county in Norway.
  • Bismarck - Is it an island?
  • CdM - Oh, _that_ Loen
    South of Loen? No. Which means it is also north of every Loon, Lyon, Leon, Léon, and León listed in Wikipedia.
    An island? No.
  • Superman - Does water play a part?
  • Simons Mith - Is it in Iceland?
  • CdM
    Watery? No.
    In Iceland? Yes! *applause*
  • Chalky - Eyjafjallajökull?
  • Chalky
    Strike that suggestion - begins with an E
  • Boolbar - Is it a chocolate pavlova mountain?
    You can find them in Iceland.   :)
  • Raak - Does either form of the name end with "-jökull"?
  • CdM
    Eyjafjallajökull? No. *some applause*
    Chocolate pavlova mountain? No. (View the source to read the hidden text)
    Jökullsuffixed? No.
  • Radox The Green - North Atlantic Ridge?
  • CdM
    North Atlantic Ridge? No. *some applause*
  • Rosie - Surtsey?
  • CdM
    Surtsey? No. (Not an island) *applause*
  • Bismarck - Is it only in Iceland?
  • CdM
    Only in Iceland? Yes.
  • Boolbar - Does it begin with a K (in Icelandic)?
  • CdM
    Begins with a K? No.
    I'm surprised this is taking so long; I would have thought it was easy to guess by this point.
  • Bismarck - The amount of lava erupted from a volcano?
    I'll have you know I spent at least one microlife yesterday looking up the geology and geography of Iceland on Wikipedia, and I've still no idea what it is.
  • CdM
    Quantity of lava? No.
    Now I'm feeling guilty! The audience applauds at the word "volcano". (View the source to read the hidden text)
  • Raak - Fagradalsfjall!
  • Bismarck - Hekla, with lots of shouting
  • CdM
    Hekla? Hekno, because...
    ...Fagradsfjall, which commenced eruptions in March of this year and is still erupting (at least as of yesterday) is indeed the answer on the card. "Fjall" is Icelandic for mountain. The other acceptable answer on the card was Geldingadalir which is the more precise location of the eruption. (View the source to read the hidden text) (View the source to read the hidden text)
  • CdM
    (Careful with this baton, Raak. It's still a bit hot.)
  • Raak
    The next is VEGETABLE and sometimes ANIMAL, with ABSTRACT connections; or vice versa.
  • Rosie - An anorak?
    A wahoo from the centre circle.
  • CdM - Is it edible?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not an anorak.
    [CdM] Not edible, is the simplest answer.
  • Raak
    Rethinking the rubric, it might be better if more long-windedly expressed as VEGETABLE and MINERAL, with ABSTRACT, VEGETABLE and sometimes ANIMAL connections.
  • Boolbar - Human Made?
  • Simons Mith - A musical instrument?
  • Rosie - Would a Morniverser typically own one of these?
  • Raak
    [B] Yes, human made.
    [SM] Not a musical instrument.
    [R] I think a Morniverser would not typically own one of these, although they very well might.
  • Radox The Green - A fossil?
  • Rosie - A weapon?
  • Simons Mith - Is the vegetable wood? Is the mineral stone?
  • Raak
    [RtG] Not a fossil.
    [R] Not a weapon.
    [SM] There can be wood, peripherally. (murmur of amusement in the audience)
    [SM2] (Confers with Mycroft. Mycroft gives a definite nod.) Yes, the mineral is stone.
  • CdM - Are the animal connections just because it is human-made (and perhaps human-used?), or do they go beyond that?
  • Raak
    [CdM] The animal connections go beyond human make or use.
  • Bismarck - Is it a weapon? Is it a tool?
  • Raak
    [B1] Not a weapon.
    [B2] Not a tool.
  • Boolbar - Is it art?
  • Simons Mith - Is the item fire- or heat-related?
  • Raak
    [B] *applause!* It is art.
    [SM] Not fire- or heat-related.
  • Simons Mith - Is it commonly sited indoors?
  • Raak
    [SM] Yes, indoors.
  • CdM - Is it smaller than a toaster?
  • Bismarck - A painting?
  • CdM
    Is Mycroft the Highland version of Myspace?
  • Raak
    [C] Can be smaller than a toaster.
    [B] *rapturous applause* It is a painting!
    [C] Mycroft declines to say.
  • Boolbar - All done by one artist?
  • Raak
    [B] Not by one artist.
    In the previous, I should add that it is not a specific painting.
  • Superman - Impressionist?
  • CdM - A still life?
  • Simons Mith - A pet portrait?
    Trying to think of something arty that a Crescenter might have rather than probably has is a narrow area to work in.
  • CdM
    [SM] The exact phrase was “very well might”, which is even narrower. I mean, a Crescenter might own an original Chagall, (View the source to read the hidden text) but I wouldn’t stick a “very well” in front.
  • Raak
    [S] Could be.
    [SM] Not unless it's dead, because...
    [C] Yes. A still life. Have this tasteful basket of flowers, fruits, and roadkill.
    Everyone can now boast of their collection of still lives that every Crescenter should own.
  • CdM - Mmmmmmm ... roadkill
    Me again? OK. I'm about to head into a horrendously busy period, so here is a nice easy ANIMAL and MINERAL that we can hopefully despatch in a few days. *some immediate muttering and discussion in the audience*
  • Rosie - An item of clothing?
  • CdM
    Item of clothing? No.
  • Boolbar - Is the animal Human?
  • Dujon - Is this weapon?
  • CdM
    Human? *some more animated discussion in the audience* Given what was posted on the board, No.
    Weapon? *laughter* No. Although, for a sufficiently broad definition, and in some circumstances, Yes.
  • Tuj - Is it unique?
  • CdM
    Unique? No.
  • Lady Bracknell - A handbag?
    It is I, Rosie
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • Bismarck - A statue?
  • Simons Mith - Sports-related?
  • CdM
    A haaaaaaaaaaandbaaaag? No.
    Begin with P? No.
    Statue? No.
    Sports-related? No. (View the source to read the hidden text)
  • Rosie - Can you lift it easily with one hand?
  • Bismarck - Part of an animal's anatomy?
  • Simons Mith - Is the mineral salt?
  • CdM
    Lift easily with one haaaaaaaaaaaaand...
    Sorry. <mode "Edith Evans" = off>

    Lift easily with one hand? Yes, I can.
    Part of animal's anatomy? I think No is the best answer, but *some audience discussion*
    Salt? No. *a sprinkling of audience laughter*
  • Simons Mith - Are the connected animals domesticated?
  • Rosie - A paint brush?
  • Tuj - Is it edible?
  • CdM
    Connected animal domestic? Sometimes.
    Paintbrush? No.
    Edible? The best answer, though not actually 100% accurate, is Yes. *some applause*
  • Raak - Is it not merely edible, but eaten?
  • CdM
    Eaten? Yes. *more applause* (View the source to read the hidden text)
  • CdM
    I'm going to clarify the "anatomy" response: I think that No is probably the right answer, though there could be some room for some debate, and I'm quite sure that No is the least misleading answer.
  • Boolbar - Are eggs involved?
  • CdM
    Eggs involved? Well, an egg is, because that is the AOTC. One ovoid baton tossed carelessly in Boolbar’s direction.
  • Boolbar - The yolks on me.
    Oh! I didn't think it would be eggactly that. We can let CdM go and be very busy and begin once more with another nice easy one: ANIMAL with some MINERAL. And no it isn't an egg again.
  • Chalky - Is it human?
  • Tuj - A chicken (with a tinfoil hat)?
  • Raak - Salted cod?
  • Boolbar
    Human? No.
    Chicken? No. Not even with a bit of foil. *Some of the audience are licking their lips*
    Salted Cod? No. *'Oooh' comes from the audience*
  • Chalky - Dead animal?
  • Tuj - Is it unique?
  • CdM - Does it live in the ocean?
    tl;dr Being in the AVMA chair is surprisingly hard: (View the source to read the hidden text)
  • Boolbar
    Dead? I do hope so.
    Unique? No.
    Ocean dwelling? No. (View the source to read the hidden text)
  • Chalky - Is it a preserved creature?
  • CdM - The worm in a bottle of Tequila?
  • Boolbar
    Preserved? Well, yes. *A ripple of applause*   This might send people down the wrong path.
    Wormy tequila? No. But I guess that was worth a shot...
  • Tuj - But is it art?
  • Raak - Is the animal dangerous when alive?
  • Raak - ...to people, that is.
  • Boolbar
    Art? Isn't everything? In this case, NO. Although thinking about it, there is a connection between the word on the card and art...
    DANGER! DANGER? NO. Well, usually not. Some close relatives might be.
  • Superman - Is the animal a ruminant?
  • Boolbar
    Moo & Co.? NO.
  • Raak - Edible?
  • Chalky - Stuffed?
  • Boolbar
    Edible? YES! Stuffed? NO.
  • Simons Mith - Escargot?
  • Radox The Green - A tortoise?
  • Chalky - Pickled?
  • Boolbar - I remembered the line break this time...
    Snails? NO
    Tortoise? NO
    Pickled? Not usually, but apparently it can be found pickled (I did not know until I Googled it.)

    Note: There are some tiny grey areas here. For instance it is possible that the AOTC could be associated with a ruminant, but it is then described as such and not just the single word on the card. Best ignored.

  • Raak - Is the mineral part a shell?
  • Boolbar
    Shell? NO
  • Radox The Green - Extinct?
  • Raak - Is the mineral salt?
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • Boolbar
    Extinct? NO.
    Salt? YES! There is salt in there.
    P? NO. But a P beginning word is associated with the AOTC.
  • Simons Mith - Ham!
  • Boolbar - Overacts
    Ham? NO *Audience applause*
  • CdM - Bacon?
  • Boolbar
    *Audience goes wild*
    Yes! Bacon it is. The first thing I thought of after the previous "egg". It is wise not to play this game while feeling a tad peckish.
  • CdM
    Back to me? OK—another one that I hope will be reasonably easy. ANIMAL and VEGETABLE
  • Raak - FIsh and chips?
  • CdM
    Fish and Chips? No and No.
  • Simons Mith - Bangers and mash?
  • Boolbar - Is it food?
  • CdM
    Bangers and Mash? No and No.
    Food? Yes.
  • Raak - Sushi?
  • Chalky - Liver & Onions
  • Boolbar - Soup?
  • Rosie - Does it require much preparation?
  • Simons Mith - Burger and fries?
  • Superman - Meat and two veg?
  • CdM
    Sushi? No.
    Liver and Onions? No and No.
    Soup? No.
    Does it require much preparation? I'll go with No. It does require some preparation, but it is straightforward.
    Burger and fries? No and No.
    Meat and two veg? No and No and No.
  • Boolbar - Is the animal part, milk?
  • CdM
    Animal part milk? Yes, in part. (Technically, No is possible, but anything other than a Yes would be misleading.)
  • Raak - Is the mineral part the container?
  • CdM
    Mineral container? Is this a fiendish trick to make me admit there is a mineral component even though that was not specified on the board? If so, your dastardly plan has succeeded. It is very probable that there is a small amount of mineral. Is that useful? Almost certainly not. Is it anything to do with a container? Definitely not.
  • Raak
    Oops.
  • Raak - Milk and cookies?
  • Rosie - A cereal?
  • CdM
    Milk and cookies? No and No.
    A cereal? No. *a smattering of applause*
  • Simons Mith - Porridge?
  • CdM
    Porridge? No. *a smattering of applause by the same smatterers who smattered in response to the previous question*
  • Chalky - Does it taste sweet?
  • Boolbar - Is it baked?
  • CdM
    OK, now it is starting to get tricky. There are actually two acceptable answers on the card. I'd always thought of them as being essentially equivalent, but some perusal of the internet suggests some subtle differences. One of the two answers is probably more familiar to most people. With that in mind...
    Sweet? For the more well known answer, I would say Sometimes But Mostly No, although it can be—and an even more complicated answer might depend on how we think of the flavour profile of a common but not essential ingredient. For the less common answer, the answer seems to be Mostly Yes.
    Baked? Mostly No, but sometimes—and more likely in the case of the less common answer.
  • CdM
    All of that makes sense to me, but perhaps not to you. So, to keep things simple, if we stick to the more familiar AOTC:

    Sweet? Sometimes.
    Baked? Usually No.
  • Bismarck - Sausages?
  • CdM
    Sausages? No. *the serial smatterers smatter*
  • Boolbar - Are eggs used to prepare this food?
  • Software - Hamburger?
  • CdM
    Eggs used in preparation? Yes. *applause*
    Hamburger? No.
  • Simons Mith - A breakfast aliment?
  • Bismarck - Poached eggs?
  • Raak - A coddled egg?
  • CdM
    Breakfasty? Yes, my dear Watson. *applause*
    Poached eggs? No.
    Coddled egg? No.
  • Bismarck - An English breakfast?
  • Bismarck - Is toast involved?
  • CdM - I think we are just about done here
    English breakfast? No. *laughter*
    Toast involved? *loud applause* Toast is one of the words on the card. (Oddly, however, it is at least arguable that the best answer to the question might be No.)
  • Simons Mith - Soldiers?
  • CdM
    Soldiers? No.
  • Chalky - French Toast?
  • Rosie - Scrambled egg on toast?
    Yum-yum
  • Bismarck - Eggy bread?
  • CdM
    And Chalky has it! The AOTC is indeed French Toast (which, of course, is not toast as the word is usually understood, hence my answer to Bismarck's earlier question). The alternative AOTC was Pain Perdu, which is, er, the French version of French toast. Unfortunately, I never got the P question. While the egg mixture for French toast is typically not sweetened (even though of course it may typically be served with very sweet things like maple syrup), my casual googling suggests that it is more common to include sugar in the making of pain perdu, so I think there may be a subtle difference. I don't think I've ever actually heard the term "Eggy Bread" before, but I would have awarded it the win had Chalky not got there first; as far as I can tell from very quick googling it is equivalent to French toast.

    I have here one soaked and fried baton for Chal—hang on, where did I put it...?
  • Chalky
    Thought I might have nailed it in a moment of weakness ;^)

    To quote our friend and all-round gamestar CdM "Being in the AVMA chair is surprisingly hard .." I can but do my best although it may be helpful to set an alarm as a reminder to pop in at least once a day.

    Next up ANIMAL

  • Tuj - If you translate the answer into French, does it begin with P?
    CdM, I let you down :(
  • Boolbar - Is it human?
  • Raak - Alive?
  • Rosie - Catgut?
  • Chalky
    Translates into a French P? NON

    Human? - YES

    Alive? - YES

    Catgut? - NO

  • Rosie - Involved in the world of entertainment?
  • Raak - A sportsperson?
  • Superman - British?
  • CdM
    A single identified individual?
  • Chalky
    Involved in the world of entertainment? YES

    A sportsperson? YES

    British? NO

    A single identified individual? YES

  • Raak - Female?
  • Tuj - Plays in a team sport?
  • Chalky
    Female? NO

    Plays in a team sport? NO

  • Bismarck - Roger Federer?
  • Software - A cricketer?
  • Raak - Lately in the news?
  • Chalky
    Roger Federer? NO

    A cricketer? NO

    Lately in the news? NO

  • Boolbar - Have they won an Olympic medal?
  • Raak - European?
  • CdM - Retired?
  • Chalky
    Have they won an Olympic medal? NO

    European? NO

    Retired? YES

  • Chalky
    * rethink *
    Retired? YES and NO
  • CdM - Retired from the sporting activity for which they are known?
  • Radox The Green - Is this a footballer?
  • Chalky
    Retired from the sporting activity for which they are known? YES

    Is this a footballer? NO

  • Rosie - A lone yachtsman?
  • Chalky
    A lone yachtsman? NO
  • Software - A commentator?
  • Chalky
    A commentator? NO
  • Simons Mith - Not female. Trans?
  • Tuj - American?
  • Chalky
    Trans? NO

    American? YES

  • Bismarck - A golfer?
  • CdM - A F1 driver?
    They are regularly retired.
  • Bismarck - Are we looking for the name of the person?
  • Chalky
    A golfer? NO

    A F1 driver? NO

    Are we looking for the name of the person? YES (as confirmed to CdM above as 'a single identified individual')

  • Boolbar - A tennis player?
  • Chalky
    A tennis player? NO
  • Tuj - Has this person competed at a Summer Olympic Games?
  • Chalky
    Has this person competed at a Summer Olympic Games? Supportive of ... but NO - never competed
  • CdM - Has this person competed at a Winter Olympic Games?
    Original questions R Us
  • Chalky
    Has this person competed at a Winter Olympic Games? NO [unoriginal answers R Us]
  • Bismarck - Is being a sportsperson the main thing for which this person is mémorable?
  • Chalky
    Is being a sportsperson the main thing for which this person is mémorable? NO *audience stirs*
  • CdM - Under the age of 60?
  • Raak - Is what they are mainly remembered for their post-retirement involvement in the sports world?
  • Chalky
    Under the age of 60? YES

    Is what they are mainly remembered for (in) their post-retirement ... ? YES

    ... involvement in the sports world? NO

  • Chalky - *hint* the 5th question asked on this subject is an avenue worth exploring
  • Boolbar - Have they been in a few movies?
  • Raak - Schwarzenegger?
  • Bismarck - Recap
    We are to name an American man, still alive and under 60 though currently retired, who had some sporting links earlier in life, who has been involved in the entertainment industry and is known for this.
    That looks like less useful info than there should be...
  • Chalky
    Have they been in a few movies? YES! *sighs and murmurs of relief from the audience *

    Schwarzenegger? NO but a fine guess

    Recap? A somewhat timorous description of this character's previous sporting prowess and current status in the entertainment industry although, by and large, correct.

  • Rosie - O J Simpson?
  • Chalky - *sighs*
    A Schwarzenegger & O J Simpson are both 74 years young ... this chap is under 60 years of age
  • CdM - Does this person typically play himself in his movie appearances?
  • Chalky
    Does this person typically play himself in his movie appearances? NO
  • Superman - Keanu Reeves?
  • Tuj - Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson?
  • Chalky - *audience claps and cheers and generally goes wild for Tuj*
    So not all-round-good-guy Keanu.

    Dwayne Johnson it is! Not as Fast and Furious as some, I believe.

    Here Tuj - have this baton hewn from Rock

  • Tuj - What a gory baton!
    Thanks Chalks! Let's head over now to something VEGETABLE.
  • Raak - A record-breaking prize vegetable?
  • Superman - Is it alive?
  • Tuj
    Raak] YES and NO. I think in the sense you mean, NO ;)
    Supe] YES.
  • Simons Mith - Does it span many acres?
  • Rosie - A well-known forested area?
  • Boolbar - Does it begin with pea?
  • Tuj
    SM] No.
    Rosie] No. (A couple of audience members confusedly unmute themselves briefly)
    Bool] No
  • Rosie - A particular tree?
  • Superman - Is it edible to humans?
  • Tuj
    Rosie] YES. (applause)
    Supe] NO
  • Raak - A fruit tree?
  • Tuj
    Raak] NO
  • Simons Mith - Is it of great age?
  • Rosie - In the United States?
  • Raak - A bristlecone pine?
  • Tuj
    SM] YES.
    Rosie] YES (applause)
    Raak] NO
  • Rosie - The General Sherman?
  • Tuj
    Rosie] NO. (gasps)
  • Radox The Green - A creosote Bush?
  • Boolbar - Over 3000 years old?
  • Rosie - Methuselah, the bristlecone pine?
    Don't you dare make any ageist jokes.
  • Software - Giant sequoia
  • Tuj
    RTG] NO.
    Bool] NO.
    Rosie] NO
    Softers] YES. (clapping, then an expectant hush)
  • Superman - That redwood with the road going through it?
  • Tuj
    Supe] NO.
  • Software - Gerneral Sherman?
  • Tuj - Note to self: 4/4/4/1/3/2/
    Sorfters] NO.
  • Boolbar - In California?
  • Tuj
    Bool] YES
  • Software - General Grant?
  • Bismarck - Are we looking for the colloquial name of this sequoia
    I had to look this up and there's quite a few named trees.
  • Tuj
    Softers] NO (appreciative 'ooh' from some audience members)
    Bism] YES (if I'm understanding your question to be whether the AOTC is the name of a specific tree)
  • Simons Mith - Does the tree have a military rank?
  • Tuj
    SM] NO
  • Software - The President Tree?
  • Tuj
    Softers] NO.
  • Boolbar - Is it in the Giant Forest national park?
    I thought I'd give this game a nudge.
  • Tuj
    Bool] NO!
  • Dujon - A tree specific to the US of A DC and Christmas?
  • Tuj
    Duj] NO
  • Raak - Is it named after someone?
  • Tuj
    Raak] YES (some audience dissent, discussion and ooh-ing)
  • Raak - Is it named after some individual person by their name?
  • Simons Mith - Does the name have seasonal connections?
  • Tuj
    Raak] YES (well, depending on your definition of the word 'person')
    SM] NO (I began this 5 weeks ago :( )
  • Boolbar - Is it in the Mountain Home Grove?
  • Tuj
    Bool] NO
    Cmon everyone, let's get this done this year!
  • Raak - Is it in the Sierra Nevada?
  • CdM - Hyperion?
    I'll be very surprised if that's not right. :)
  • Tuj
    Raak] NO...
    CdM] YES!
    General Sherman popped into my head as a potential AOTC, but on research I found that this coast redwood, named after a mythical titan, is feted as the world's tallest known living tree. A very long wooden baton to you!
  • CdM
    OK. A nice easy VEGETABLE.
  • Rosie - An antivaxxer?
  • Boolbar - Is it a tree or made of something from a tree?
  • Raak - Edible?
  • CdM
    Antivaxxer? No.
    Tree or made from tree? Yes. *applause*
    Edible? No.
  • Simons Mith - Mainly paper?
  • Rosie - A piece of furniture?
  • CdM
    Paper? No.
    Furniture? No.
  • nights - A tool?
  • Raak - A work of art, or part of one?
  • Boolbar - Are there more than one?
  • CdM
    Tool? No.
    Art? No.
    >1? Yes.
  • Tuj - Christmas-related?
  • CdM
    Christmassy? No.
  • Raak - Would you typically find one of these in someone's house?
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • CdM
    Found in someone's house? No. * audience laughter*
    Begin with P? Regrettably, no. There is one P-adjacency that I can think of, but it does not appear on the card.
  • Rosie - Is it too big/heavy to be lifted by one person
  • Boolbar - Is it something made of wood?
  • Tuj - Alive?
  • nights - Is it something revered?
  • CdM
    Too big to be lifted by one person? No. *audience laughter, and considerable muttering*
    Made of wood? Yes.
    Alive? No.
    Revered? No.
  • Raak - Wood-chip mulch?
  • Rosie - Is it normally carried on one's person?
  • CdM
    Mulch? No.
    Normally carried on one's person? No. *considerable laughter*
  • Raak - Sawdust?
  • Bismarck - The stump of a tree?
  • CdM
    Sawdust? No.
    Tree stump? No.
  • Rosie - Is it a man-made object?
  • CdM
    Man-made? Yes. *audience mutter a little, but are generally in agreement*
  • Rosie - A cricket bat?
    Long shot (over silly point)
  • CdM
    Cricket bat? No.
  • Boolbar - Is it pointy?
  • Raak - A stack of wood for burning?
  • Tuj - Some sort of container?
  • CdM
    Pointy? No.
    Proto-bonfire? No.
    Container? No.
  • Raak - Is it made of fossilised wood?
  • CdM
    Fossilised? No.
  • Chalky - Is it functional?
  • Radox The Green - A hedge?
  • CdM
    Functional? Yes. (Perhaps not a word that would naturally come to mind for the AOTC, but that has to be the best answer.)
    Hedge? No (not alive, remember).
    I'll also slightly qualify my answer to the "Pointy?" question to add a parenthetical "well, sometimes, sort of". Probably not helpful, though; just trying to pre-empt appeals at the end of the round.
  • Boolbar - Used for a game?
  • Rosie - A weapon?
  • Radox The Green - Is it edible for human consumption?
  • CdM
    Used for game? Yes. *applause*
    Weapon? No.
    Edible? No.
  • Raak - A Pooh-stick?
  • Bismarck - A caber?
  • CdM
    Pooh stick? No *laughter*
    A caber? Yes! *applause*
    I now have this image of highlanders playing poohsticks with cabers tossed over the side of the Forth Bridge.

    I was handed a very long wooden baton, and I now hand on a shorter—but still very long!—wooden baton to Bismarck.
  • Bismarck
    This thing could do with some handles, you know. Also its swishability is lacking somewhat. But on we go!
    This is VEGETABLE with a bit of ANIMAL and MINERAL thrown in as accessories.
  • Boolbar - Is it an area of woodland?
    Just in case trees are the current trend.
  • Raak - Smokey bacon crisps?
  • Software - A Trifid?
  • Rosie - A manufactured item?
  • nights - Worcestershire sauce?
  • Simons Mith - A recipe book?
  • Tuj - Does it begin with S?
  • Superman - Is it portable by an average human?
  • Bismarck - Lights out - round 1!
    [Boolbar] No.
    [Raak] No.
    [Software] No.
    [Rosie] Yes.
    [nights] No.
    [Simons] No.
    [Tuj] No.
    [Superman] Yes.
    A pleasing symmetry in those answers.
  • Rosie - Is it found in a typical household?
  • Boolbar - Is it made to be eaten?
  • Raak - It is mainly made of wood?
  • Bismarck - They keep a-comin'
    [Rosie] Not uncommonly.
    [Boolbar] No.
    [Raak] Yes.
  • Tuj - Is it used for a game or sport?
  • Raak - Is it a tool, or part of a tool?
  • Radox The Green - Is it piece of furniture?
  • Bismarck - The Noes have it
    [Tuj] No.
    [Raak] No.
    [Radox] No.
  • Simons Mith - Foldable?
  • Raak - It is a human artefact?
  • Raak
    Oops, that ws effectively answered yes already.
  • Raak - Is it ornamental?
  • Chalky - Is it functional?
  • Bismarck - Ducks redux
    [Simons] No.
    [Raak] Yes, and then No.
    [Chalky] Ain't everything... Yes.
  • Rosie - A hatstand?
  • Software - A walking stick?
  • Rak - Generally of a stick-like form?
  • nights - Is it (intentionally) combustible?
  • Radox The Green - Does it belong in the garden?
  • Bismarck - Owed to joy
    [Rosie] No.
    [Software] No.
    [Rak] No.
    [nights] No.
    [Radox] No.
  • Software - Is the animal part leather?
  • Boolbar - A kitchen item?
  • Raak - Generally of a ball-like form?
  • Bismarck - Uncanny unanimity
    [Software] No.
    [Boolbar] No.
    [Raak] No.
  • Raak - Is the animal part hair?
  • Boolbar - Is it smaller than a house brick?
  • Bismarck - The burden of the animals
    [Raak] No.
    [Boolbar] No.
  • Simons Mith - A musical instrument?
  • Software - A footstool?
  • Bismarck - An applau
    [Simons] YES. The audience claps and sways.
    [Software] No.
  • Raak - A stringed instrument?
  • Boolbar - Woodwind?
  • Rosie - A guitar?
  • Software - Violin?
  • Bismarck - A ton of applause
    [Raak] Yes.
    [Boolbar] No.
    [Rosie] Yes! But there are two words on the card.
    [Software] No.
  • Raak - Flying V?
  • Rosie - A bass guitar?
  • Bismarck
    [Raak] No.
    [Rosie] Possibly a version.
  • Raak - Is one of the words "guitar"?
  • Rosie - A Fender?
  • Simons Mith - Is one of the words 'dusty', 'forgotten' or similar?
    speaking as part of the non-musical contingent
  • Dujon - Does the first word on the card begin with 'A'?
  • Bismarck - And now the end is near
    [Raak] Yes.
    [Rosie] No.
    [Simons] No.
    [Dujon] No.
  • Software - Acoustic guitar?
  • Rosie - Spanish guitar?
  • Bismarck - Lo hiciste a tu manera
    [Software] Yes, but not the answer on the card.
    [Rosie] Si! Si! The audience stamps and claps, Rosie has won.

    With a rose between your teeth, take this baton and lead us in an impromptu paso doble.

  • Rosie
    Arglwydd Mawr, dw'i wedi ennill. Be' sy'n ddigwydd? (View the source to read the hidden text)

    And the next object is

    ABSTRACT

    .
  • Radox The Green - Is it Welsh?
  • Rosie
    (R the G) Welsh? NO. Looks more Latin-based to me.
  • Superman - Did Kant refer to it in any of his works?
  • Rosie
    (Superman) Not having read all of Kant (or any of it, actually) I can't say but the answer is very likely NO.
  • Simons Mith - Does it have more syllables than 'breadbin'?
  • Dujon - Is it owt do wi' art?
  • Boolbar - Did it originate in the bible or Shakespeare?
  • Rosie
    (SM) YES, it certainly does.
    (Dujon) You cannot be serious. NO.
    (Boolbar) I very much doubt it so let's just say NO.
  • Radox The Green - Is it the steam that's on a winter's morning gently rises from the chimney of a steam engine which has just started to heat up for its first run up to York?
  • Boolbar - A well known phrase or saying?
  • Software - A load of bollocks?
  • Raak - From Wales?
  • Rosie
    (R the G) Alas, NO. That's smoke BTW. Lighting up a steam loco is a dirty job.
    (Boolbar) NOT a well-known phrase or saying.
    (Softers) Generally, though not always, YES.
    (Raak) NO. Not location-specific.
  • Raak - To do with current affairs?
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Current affairs? YES. *audience gets rather animated*
  • Dujon - Democracy?
  • Rosie
    (Dujon) NO, not democracy.
  • Software - Political rhetoric?
  • Boolbar - Social Media related?
  • Rosie
    (Softers) Political? YES. Rhetoric? NO.
    (Boolbar) NO. Predates social media by quite a lot.
  • Raak
    So nowt to do with Boris "not a complete clown" Johnson then.
  • Rosie
    (Raak) Not a thing. Nice link, BTW.
  • Superman - Does it involve death?
  • Simons Mith - Does it have royal connections?
  • Rosie
    (Superman) - NO link with death.
    (SM) - NO royal connections.
  • Chalky - A Political Ideal?
  • Bismarck - Was this linked to a specific event?
  • Boolbar - Something to do with voters?
  • Rosie
    (Chalky) A political ideal? Very often, YES. *audience sit up and take notice*
    (Bismarck) A specific event? NO.
    (Boolbar) YES, quite a lot to do with voters. *even more buzz from the audience.*
  • Superman - Votes for women?
  • Dujon - A ballot of some sort?
  • Raak - Universal suffrage?
  • Software - Brexit Opportunities?
    We do have a new smarmy incumbent, after all.
  • Rosie
    (Superman) Votes for women? NO.
    (Duj) NOT a ballot.
    (Raak) NOT universal suffrage.
    (Softers) Brexit Opportunities? I think they'd keep quiet about it, so NO.
  • Simons Mith - A method of voting?
  • Rosie
    (Simons Mith) A method of voting? NO.
  • Simons Mith - Manifestos?
  • Raak - Elections?
  • Rosie
    Simons Mith has it! The AOTC is actually A Manifesto but that's near enough. I hand you the baton, now reduced to a worthless scroll of A4.
  • Simons Mith
    Oh look, it's got 'get Brexit done' scribbled on it in crayon.
    Anyway, the next one for your delectation is ANIMAL.
  • Boolbar - Is it you?
  • Simons Mith
    No; too delectable.
  • Raak - Human?
  • Simons Mith
    Human - yes.
  • Rosie - Alive at this moment?
  • Bismarck - Is it a specific person?
  • Simons Mith
    Alive - Yes
    Specific - No
  • Raak - The members of some organisation?
  • Superman - A clan or tribe?
  • Boolbar - Is it more than 1000 people?
  • Simons Mith
    Organization - No
    Clan - No
    >1000? - No
  • Bismarck - A sports team?
  • Simons Mith
    sporty - No
  • Rosie - Flat-Earthers?
  • Boolbar - Music related?
  • Software - Honest politicians?
  • Simons Mith
    flat, musical or honest - all no.
  • Rosie - The inhabitants of some small remote place?
  • Chalky - Do they share the same name?
  • Simons Mith
    remote, common name: no again. A word related to the AOTC does come from a 'group' with a shared name. This is too broad to be a hint IMV - it's just a side observation.
  • Superman - Are all members of this group alive now?
  • nights - Is it a group which one has to apply to to become a member?
  • Simons Mith
    [Alive, alive-o] Nup.
    [Exclusive] Nu-uh.
  • Software - Prime Ministers?
  • Raak - All the winners of some competition or honour?
  • Simons Mith
    [PM, winners] No and no.
  • Boolbar - Connections with TV or Radio?
  • Simons Mith
    [media] Nope.
  • Tuj - From a specific country?
  • CdM - Are there more than five members of this group currently alive?
    [Rosie] (View the source to read the hidden text)
  • Superman - Anything to do with hats?
  • Simons Mith
    [country, hatty] No and no
    [5 alive] Yes.
    To clarify, the AOTC refers to a singular generic specimen. How many AOTCs there actually are would be difficult to estimate.
  • Radox The Green - Presidents of the USA?
  • Boolbar - Is it a profession?
  • Simons Mith
    [presidenty, professional] No and no
  • Chalky - Is it a one word answer?
  • Simons Mith
    [one-word] Yes.
  • Chalky - Is it a physical characteristic that links this group?
  • Raak - Is it a psychological characteristic?
  • Simons Mith
    [Physical] On balance, no.
    [Psychological] ... On balance, yes. Did have to think about that
  • Chalky - Age related?
  • Rosie - Sport related?
    My turn soon to manage Watford.
  • Simons Mith
    [Agey, sporty] Nah, twice.
  • Chalky - Fans of something?
  • Boolbar - Royalty?
  • Simons Mith
    [Fans, royals] Nope, everyone's still dead cold.
  • Boolbar - So alive on the 15th Feb but dead now? Or are we barking up the wrong tree?
    Looking at previous answers. Woof Woof!
  • Rosie - Any political connection?
  • Bismarck - The Illuminati?
    Following Boolbar's logic! And Rosie, why bother with Watford when you can buy Chelsea?
  • CdM - Is being a member of this group something that an individual can choose?
  • Simons Mith
    [alive and yet not] Treating that as a question, I think it highly probable that some AOTCs have met their end in the last few weeks, so, Yes.
    [political] No.
    [Illuminatuses] No
    [a matter of choice] Tricky. A hesitant Yes.
  • Rosie - Centenarians?
    (Bis) I think that nice Mr Abramovich may be asking a little more than my current budget. Chelsea fan since 1957, BTW.
  • Chalky - Connected with space travel?
    [Rosie] age-related question - see above.
  • Simons Mith
    [Aaaaaaaage] Nope.
    [Spaaaaaaace] Negatory, Houston
  • Boolbar - Connected with hair?
  • Rosie - Stunt-men?
  • Chalky - crime-related?
  • Simons Mith
    [hair-related] No
    [stunt-related] Nay
    [crime-related] Yes (Claps from the audience)
  • Superman - People on death row?
  • Raak - People let out on parole?
  • Rosie - The Kray gang?
  • Chalky - UK crime?
  • Simons Mith
    [Death row] No
    [Parolees] No
    [Krays] No
    [UK] Nope.
  • Bismarck - Is the crime organized?
  • Boolbar - Related to transport?
  • Simons Mith
    [organized] No
    [transport] No
  • Superman - Kleptomania?
  • Chalky - Cannibalism?
  • Boolbar - Did the crime exist in the 19th century?
  • Simons Mith
    [Kleptomania] No
    [Cannibalism] No
    [19th Century] Not sure how to answer. I did start with a firm no but then changed my mind to yes.
  • Radox The Green - Related to financial fraud?
  • Simons Mith
    [Frodulence] Nay
  • Chalky - Treason?
  • Simons Mith
    [Treason] No, not especially associated with that either.
  • Boolbar - Are we looking for victims of a crime?
  • Simons Mith
    [victoms] Nope.
  • Rosie - British?
  • Simons Mith
    [British] No, not really.
  • Boolbar - Does it end with a Y?
  • Simons Mith
    [-y?] No, they don't.
  • CdM - Does it begin with ... (*rolls 26-sided die*) ... P?
  • Boolbar - Trespassers?
  • Simons Mith
    [Trespassers] No. (Half a clap from the audience)
  • Simons Mith
    [Begins with P] No.
  • Bismarck - Anything to do with war?
  • SlySven - Anti-vaxers?
  • Simons Mith
    [warlike] Not really
    [antiva] Nope
  • Boolbar - Do they steal something physical?
  • Simons Mith
    [Forth from his den to steal he stole,
    His bag full of clink he clunk
    And many a wicked smile he smole
    And many a wink he wunk.
    —How the Thief Thove] No.
  • Raak - (this space intentionally left blank)
    Your poem led me to this curious issue of an old magazine. I cannot be sure if it is genuine or a complete invention. There are many places on the web where the poem can be found in various versions, but "How the Thief Thove" gets just this one hit.
  • Simons Mith - Those thivin' thieves
    My version was from a comic miscellany (Presto!) collected by Peter Dickinson, pub. 1975, Hutchinson. An old book I'm very fond of.
  • Superman - Thovery
    A Google search for "smole wunk" turns up a bunch of variants, including in the Transcript of Proceedings of the National Railway Labour Panel Emergency Board.
  • Bismarck - Identity theft?
    That all seems like a promising idea for the next V Difficult Poems on the other side.
  • Simons Mith
    [identity], No, they not thivs
  • Superman - Do these people enjoy political power?
  • Simons Mith
    [power] Nope.
  • Radox The Green - Squatters?
  • Simons Mith
    [Squatters] No, more likely to be slouchers
  • Chalky - Transportation?
  • Simons Mith
    [Transportation] No.
  • Boolbar - Hackers?
  • Simons Mith
    [Hackers] A clever guess, but no.
  • Radox The Green - Julian Assange?
  • Simons Mith
    [Assange] Nuh uh.
  • Chalky - Gizza Clue?
  • Boolbar - Do they cheat in some game or competition?
  • Simons Mith
    [Cheaters] No
    [Clue] Hm, well, as I said, the AOTC refers to a singular generic specimen. And it's never been illegal to be one - there'd be no way to enforce it
  • Superman - Is employment a factor?
  • Simons Mith
    [Employment] No, it's isn't.
  • Radox The Green - Does wealth come into it?
  • Simons Mith
    [Wealth] Nope.
  • Chalky - Cloning?
    Apologies if we've asked already. Can't be bothered to scroll back
  • Simons Mith
    [Clones] No. That's super cold.
  • Boolbar - Is there something you have to wear to become one of these?
  • Simons Mith
    [Wearables] No. Ordinary clothes are fine
  • Boolbar - Is sitting down a requirement to be this?
  • Simons Mith
    [Sitting] No, you don't need to be sat.
  • Radox The Green - Profiteering?
  • Simons Mith
    [Profiteers] No. Warmer than cloning, but no.
  • Chalky - Communism?
  • Simons Mith - Identity Thief?
  • Simons Mith - Talking to myself now :-)
    [ID Teef] No. In terms of warmness that's between cloning and profiteering, but all three are dead cold.
  • Simons Mith
    [Commies] No.
  • Radox The Green - Does this apply to a particular country or region?
    Bismarck did Identity theft some weeks ago, too.
  • Simons Mith
    [National or regional?] No, either way.
  • Chalky - Not UK was identified some time ago. Is this 'thing' American?
  • Boolbar - Queue jumpers?
  • Simons Mith
    [USAnian] No, not very American either
    [Queue jumpers] No.
  • Chalky - Ghosts?
  • Boolbar - In order to be the AOTC, do they create something?
  • Simons Mith
    [Ghosts] No.
    [Creators] No.
  • Superman - Recrap
    We seek a single word that describes a human, with a link to crime, but no specific crime we have yet been able to come up with - indeed these people, of whom a few are alive at the moment, cannot be accused of a crime themselves as there is no enforcing it. Whatever it is they are engaged in, it was more prevalent after 1900, and it has a psychological side to it. Not linked to a country, doesn't begin with P, and the type of person sought is less delectable than Mith himself.
    on balance, this gets the score "1/10. See me after class with your parents, guardians, house pets and anybody else I can shout at and blame."
  • Simons Mith - Yeah, pretty good summary
    I think "I give up" should be the 'winning' move, and maybe we should give this game a rest. This thing is nowhere near as obscure as some of the stuff the community has solved without even breaking sweat. We successfully got 'whatnot' for one.

    Do you give up?

  • Boolbar - Is it people who give up rather than persevering?
  • Simons Mith
    [Givers-up] No... but they are rarely among life's winners.
  • Superman - Toffs?
  • Raak - Chavs?
  • Simons Mith
    [Toffs] No
    [Chavs] No – but that's worth some applause
  • Raak - Welfare scroungers?
  • Bismarck - Spivs? Barflies?
  • Simons Mith
    [Scroungers] No, but a few more claps
    [Spivs] No
    [Barflies] No
  • Raak - Black marketeers?
  • Simons Mith
    [black marketeers] No - spivs basically are black marketeers, aren't they?
  • Chalky - Oiks
  • Chalky - Does this word begin with the letter G?
  • Raak - The underclass?
  • Simons Mith
    [Oiks] Yes, another smattering
    ['G-'] Nope
    [Underclass] No
  • Raak - Do these people have the vote (if of age)?
  • Raak - Are they mostly male?
  • Radox The Green - Beggars?
  • Chalky - Zombies?
  • Chalky - Dwarfs?
  • Simons Mith
    [Voters, Male] Yes and yes
    [Beggars, Zombies, Dwarves] No
  • Chalky - Eunuchs?
  • Boolbar - Do they usually have a fixed abode?
  • Simons Mith
    [Eunuchs?!] No. That's a real left-field guess. As cold as clones.
    [Of fixed abode] Yes, usually.
  • Superman - Kings?
  • Raak - Are they recognisable at sight?
  • Simons Mith
    [Kings] No
    [On sight] No. It's a bit like burglars. They might be supposed to wear a black and white stripey top and a mask, and carry a big sack with SWAG written on it, but uniform standards are dreadfully lax these days.
  • Boolbar - Incels?
  • Simons Mith
    [Incels] No, not that lame. [Audience consider clapping, then decide not]
  • Superman - Lottery winners? Does religion come into it?
  • Raak - People who don’t pay their library fines?
  • Simons Mith
    [Lottery] no
    [Religion] no
    [Non-payment] No, as if they'd ever read a book
  • Raak - Is this to do with them being unedicated?
  • Raak - Or uneducated?
  • Simons Mith
    [Non-edicated] Yes. A bit stereotypical, but yes.
  • Raak
    Another summary. They are: human, linked to crime in a general way, some (more than five) alive today and some not, disreputable, generally male, uneducated, usually of fixed abode, unlikely to read a book, eligible to vote, oiks, a one-word answer in the singular, linked by a psychological characteristic, more numerous after 1900.

    They are not (as a defining characteristic): flat-earthers, musical, honest politicians, a sports team, all having the same name, competition winners, Prime Ministers, US Presidents, members of a profession, connected to TV or radio, to do with hats, inhabitants of a small remote place, members of a group one must apply to, linked to a country, linked by a physical characteristic, age-related, sport-related, fans of something, royalty, the Illuminati, Centenarians, astronauts, related to hair, stunt-men, on death row, on parole, the Krays, organised crime, transport-related, kleptomaniacs, cannibals, related to fraud, related to treason, victims of crime, trespassers, to do with war, anti-vaxxers, beginning with P, beginning with G, hackers, Julian Assange, clones, wearers of a uniform, identity thieves, toffs, chavs (applause), welfare scroungers (applause), spivs, barflies, black marketeers, oiks, the underclass, beggars, zombies, dwarves, eunuchs, kings, ghosts, queue jumpers, creators of anything, recognisable at sight, lottery winners, related to religion, derelict about library fines.

  • Raak - Bouncers?
  • Simons Mith - Excellent summary, worth a clap
    Yes! However I see 'oiks' in both the am and the isn't sections. They're oikish individuals. But 'oik' is not the AOTC.
  • Simons Mith
    [Bouncers] No. But that's also worth a clap. And I suppose some of them might be bouncers.
  • Raak - The unemployed?
  • Rosie - A pejorative term?
  • Simons Mith
    [Unemployed] Generally yes. Not always officially employed, that's for sure.
    [Prejorative] Yes, I suppose. Milder even than oik though.
  • Bismarck - If there is a term for the Trotters out of Only Fools and Horses, would that be close?
    'Cos I'm sure there is one but I can't put my finger on it.
  • Simons Mith
    ['Entrepreneurs', of course] And no. [Audience titters].
  • Rosie - Class-based?
  • Raak - Wide boys?
  • Raak - (Although "according to the Oxford English Dictionary it is synonymous with spiv".)
  • Chalky - Charlatans?
  • Boolbar - Troll?
  • Simons Mith
    [Classy] Yes. But not classy.
    [Wide] No.
    [Charlatanny] No.
    [Trolley] No. [A small ripple]
  • Chalky - Yob?
  • Simons Mith
    [Yob] No. But getting warm at last
  • Raak - Hooligans (a.k.a. hoolies, hooks, or hoods)?
  • Simons Mith
    [Hooligans] No. Maybe a smidge warmer?
  • Rosie - Oafs?
  • Chalky
    The only other words I can think of are all rather sweary - so it's probably best I withdraw from the chase ;^)
  • Raak - Would members of this class deny their membership of it?
  • Simons Mith
    [Oafs] No. A bit colder with oafs.
    [Sweary] No, it's not sweary. After all, this is a family show. :-)
    [Denial] Yes, I think most would. Some probably revel in it, but even then self-awareness is not high on the list for these types.
  • Boolbar - Is some sort of bigotry involved?
  • Raak - Conected wth the military?
  • Rosie - Working class?
  • Raak - Do they go around in gangs?
  • Chalky - Any connection to public schools?
  • Simons Mith
    [Bigots] No, not particularly
    [Military] No, not especially
    [Working class] Yes, for a very broad definition of 'working'
    [Gangs] No, not 'gangs'
    [Public schools] No. Well, almost never.
  • Boolbar - Often under the influence of some drug or other?
  • Rosie - The riff-raff?
  • Software - The Hoi-Poloi?
  • Simons Mith
    [druggies] No.
    [riff-raff] No. That's one of the closest guesses yet though. [Audience sniggers]
    [hoi-poloi] No.
  • Rosie - Pikies?
  • Raak - Migrant workers?
  • Phil - Muggers?
  • Simons Mith
    [pikies] No
    [migrants] no
    [muggers] no, but a stronger ripple for that one
  • Boolbar - Does it begin with R,S or T?
  • Simons Mith
    [R,S,T] Yes. :-)
  • Rosie - Reprobates?
  • Raak - Travelling folk?
  • Simons Mith
    [Reprobates] Yes.
    [Travellers] No.
  • Raak - Recidivists?
  • Rosie - Teenage herberts?
  • Superman - Drop-outs? Hippies?
  • Simons Mith
    [Recidiv] No. Well, a few might be
    [Herberts] No.
    [Dropouts] No. Again, a few might be.
    [Hippies] Pah! No.
  • Superman - Blackmailers?
  • Superman - Forget blackmailers, that doesn't pass the no-apparent crime test.
  • Boolbar - Ruffian?
  • Rosie - Urchins?
  • Simons Mith
    [Rrrrruff!] Yes! Boolbar wins. Audience sensation - oh wait, most of them have died of old age. I did say plural, but honestly, I'll assume that was just a typo.
  • Simons Mith
    Wait - checking back, no I didn't, I chose a singular generic specimen. Boolbar wins double points for being righter than the wally who set this one.
  • Boolbar
    Oh blimey! I'd better quickly think of something. How about ANIMAL (with a vague link to vegetable and mineral for some parts of the world and for that matter vegetable and abstract as well, but let's ignore all that and stick with the basic ANIMAL or we'll be here all day year.)
  • Simons Mith
    Is it found on a coat of arms anywhere?
  • Boolbar
    [Arms] Yes, I've swiftly found one on Google.
  • Rosie - Popularly thought to represent a country?
  • Tuj
    Living in the sea?
  • Raak - Four-legged?
  • Boolbar - This should be quick...
    [Country] I would suspect a lot people would think of this animal if one country was mentioned.
    [Sea] Mainly.
    [Four] No.
  • Software - dolphin?
  • Simons Mith - Does it have a shell?
  • Raak - The Galápagos tortoise?
  • Bismarck - A capillary-challenged eagle?
  • Rosie - A whale?
  • Boolbar - Just Say No.
    [Dolphin] No
    [Shell] No
    [That Tortoise] No
    [That Eagle] No
    [Whale] No
  • Superman - Is it a bird?
  • Rosie - Could you lift one of these?
  • Boolbar
    [Birdy] Yes!
    [Lifty] Personally I could lift most of them, but I'd draw the line at the larger ones.
  • Rosie - A grouse?
  • CdM - A penguin?
  • Boolbar
    [Grouse] The bird rather than a grumbly person? No.
    [Penguin] Yes! That's the one. I said it would be quick.

    Do p-p-pick up this baton made out of chocolate covered biscuit and I can go and have a nice nap.

  • CdM - We apologise for the temporary interruption to transmission. Normal service has now been resumed.

    I need to pay more attention!

    This is ABSTRACT, although under another interpretation it is MINERAL (View the source to read the hidden text)
  • Raak - A mountain (mythical or real)?
  • CdM
    Mountain? No. *a tiny smattering of applause from the most generous members of the audience*
  • Simons Mith - A geological concept?
  • Rosie - A precious metal?
  • CdM
    Geological? No.
    Precious metal? No.
  • Superman - Is it an effect of animal work?
  • Raak - A figurative phrase or saying?
  • CdM
    Effect of animal work? Yes.
    Figurative phrase? No.
  • Simons Mith - Made by mammal(s)?
  • Rosie - A route or path of some kind?
  • CdM
    Made by mammals? Yes.
    Route or path? No.
    I should perhaps clarify that my answer to Superman's question took "animal" in the AVMA sense of the term.
  • Raak - Made by people?
    Reading between the line of CdM's clarification.
  • Simons Mith - A butter mountain?
  • CdM
    Made by people? Yes
    Butter mountain? No.
  • Rosie - An object of veneration?
  • Raak - A sculpture?
  • CdM
    Object of veneration? No (except maybe in a narrow and almost certainly misleading sense... so forget I said anything).
    Sculpture? No.
  • Raak - An award?
  • Rosie - An artefact of modern civilisation?
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • Radox The Green - The Anthropocene?
  • CdM - Now it starts to get interesting…
    Award? No.
    Artefact of modern civilisation. *applause* In the abstract sense, the best answer is No (though a case can be made for Yes; it’s a question of perspective). In the mineral sense, most definitely Yes.
    Begin with P? No—at least not any more.
    Anthropocene? No.
  • Raak - The scrap-heap of history?
  • Rosie - The Statue of Liberty?
  • Simons Mith - Is it rubbish?
  • Bismarck - A painting of Mount Fuji?
  • CdM
    Scrap-heap of history? No.
    Statue of Liberty? No.
    Rubbish? No.
    A painting of Mount Fuji? No.
  • Simons Mith - Did it have a western name which is no longer used?
    Ayers Rock/Uluru, for example.
  • Chalky - The Piltdown Man?
  • CdM
    Obsolete western nomenclature? No.
    Piltdown Man? No.
    Forget about the mountain. The audience were too enthusiastic.
  • Raak - Is there just one of it?
  • CdM - Another interesting question.
    Unique? Yes is clearly the best answer. In the mineral sense, definitely. In the abstract sense, also Yes—except, from a certain perspective, No.
  • Raak - Is it associated with a particular nation?
  • Simons Mith - Is it an unintentional creation of some kind?
  • Tuj - Does it have a flag?
  • CdM
    Associated with a particular nation? In the mineral sense, Yes. In the abstract sense, No.
    Unintentional creation? (*audience laughter*) No.
    Does it have a flag? No.
  • Raak - Is the mineral gold?
  • Simons Mith - A newly-formed island?
  • CdM
    Gold? No. (It’s conceivable there’s some small amount involved, I suppose, but even if so, it wouldn’t be a helpful line of enquiry.)
    New island? No.
  • Boolbar - Did the abstract sense exist before the mineral sense?
  • Raak - Metal?
  • Simons Mith - Transuranic?
  • CdM
    Abstract sense prior to Mineral? Yes.
    Metal? In part, Yes.
    Transuranic? No.
  • Radox The Green - Is it wearable?
  • Raak - Does the abstract sense have to do with a work of fiction?
  • CdM
    Wearable? *much mirth in the audience* No.
    Connected to work of fiction? No.
  • Bismarck - Anything to do with the hydrocarbon industry?
  • CdM
    To do with hydrocarbon industry? No. (There are surely some connections of some sort in the mineral sense (“anything to do with” is a vague phrase), but there’s no connection I am aware of that would be helpful or useful.)
  • Raak - Is there just one of the mineral thing?
  • CdM
    Just one of mineral thing? You already asked that! Yes.
  • Simons Mith - Is the physical thing some kind of token that represents the abstract thing?
  • CdM
    Some kind of tokeny representation? No. Because I'm feeling really generous, I will tell you that the physical thing is the current instantiation of the abstract thing.
  • Raak - Is it, by definition, the X-est Y in the world, for some X and Y?
  • CdM
    X-est Y? Yes *sustained applause*
  • Superman - The biggest pile of crap the world has ever seen?
  • CdM
    The US Republican Party? No.
  • Tuj - Is it the tallest Y?
  • CdM
    Tallest Y? Y! *applause*
  • Raak - The tallest building?
  • CdM
    Yes! The AOTC is “The tallest building in the world” which of course has had, and will have many specific instantiations.

    I don’t seem to have a baton, but here’s a lightning conductor instead.
  • Raak
    The next is a straightforward MINERAL.
  • Rosie - Is the material modified by man?
  • Raak
    Yes, it is modified by man.
  • CdM
    Is it unique?
  • Tuj - But is it art?
  • Raak
    [CdM] It is unique.
    [Tuj] Not a work of art.(A few grumbles in the audience)
  • Simons Mith - Is it a feat of engineering?
  • Raak
    [SM] (applause) It is a feat of engineering.
  • Tuj - In North America?
  • Raak
    (some chuckling in the audience) It is not in North America.
  • Rosie - A bridge?
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Not a bridge.
  • Boolbar - Is it fixed in one location?
  • Raak
    (The audience are alert to hear how the chair handles this tricky question.)
    [B] On balance, the least misleading answer is that yes, it is fixed in one location.
  • Simons Mith - Is it terrestrial?
  • Raak
    [SM] (applause) It is not terrestrial.
  • Simons Mith - It's not JWST again is it :-)
  • Raak
    It is indeed. I hadn't realised I did that 2 years ago. But some of the answers have changed since then! I'm afraid this baton has been punctured by several micrometeoroids, but it's still almost as good as new.
  • Simons Mith
    Well I feel like doing a MINERAL as well.
  • CdM - It’s not JWST again, is it?
  • Boolbar - Is it terrestrial?
    I'm not trying to do the last game's questions in reverse. :)
  • Simons Mith - JWST loop averted
    [JWST] I would hope that only a bunch of the uttermost lunatics could manage to get caught in a loop in a game of AVMA.

    ... So, um, I suppose I should double-check then. (Double-checks AOTC) Nope. Definitely not the JWST. (Phew)

    [terrestrial] Yes.

  • Tuj - Is it fixed in one location?
    oblig?
  • Rosie - WTF is the JWST?
  • Simons Mith
    [fixed] No.

    [Rosie] James Webb Space Telescope

  • Rosie - A means of transport?
    Jwst checking
  • Simons Mith
    [Transportation] No.
  • Boolbar - Is the material modified by man?
  • Simons Mith
    [man-modified] Yes.
  • Rosie - Is there only one of it?
  • Simons Mith
    [Can there be only one?] No, there's loads
  • Rosie - A drone?
  • Boolbar - Do you have at least one of these in your house or garden?
  • Simons Mith
    [drone] no
    [in my house] yes, come to think of it.
  • Rosie - A mobile phone?
  • Simons Mith
    [mobile] No. The oldest member of the audience peers farsightedly at their device and then claps, causing nonplusment among younger audience members
  • Raak - A remote control?
  • Superman - A pot? As in plants and cooking?
  • Simons Mith
    [Remote] No. Colder again
    [Pot] No.
  • Rosie - A ham radio device?
  • Simons Mith
    [Ham radio] No.
  • Boolbar - Did these exist in the year 1900?
  • Simons Mith
    [1900?] No, but in checking I was fascinated to discover that the fundamental discovery in use for the AOTC goes back to the late 1800s.
  • Rosie - A metal detector?
  • Boolbar - Something powered by electricity?
  • Simons Mith
    [Metal detector] No.
    [Electrickle] Yes.
  • Rosie - A walkie-talkie?
  • Simons Mith
    [Walkie and/or talkie] No. The audience member, by the way, was just looking at an older-model mobile phone.
  • Bismarck - A hand tool?
  • Simons Mith
    [Hand tool] No, tenuously hand-related at best
  • Raak - An immobile phone?
  • Simons Mith
    [immobile] No. In fairness, the AOTC is not unheard-of on some older immobile phones.
  • Bismarck - An electrical component?
  • Rosie - A loudspeaker?
  • Raak - An antenna?
    First built 1888 by Hertz.
  • Simons Mith
    [Electrical component] Yes. (Claps from audience)
    [loudspeaker, antenna] No and no. It took a long time before anyone found any application for the original discovery.
  • Rosie - A battery charger?
  • Simons Mith
    [battery charger] No, not a battery charger. And can I just say I think it's disgraceful that we still keep chargers in such cruel and cramped conditions in this day and age?
  • Boolbar - Does it emit light?
  • Rosie - A laser?
  • Simons Mith
    [emit?] No.
    [laser] No.
  • Radox The Green - A microphone?
  • Raak - A calculator?
  • Simons Mith
    [microphone] No
    [calculator] No, (but a few more claps.)
  • Bismarck - A Leyden jar?
  • Simons Mith
    [jar] No. Too early.
  • Raak - A keyboard? With physical buttons?
  • Bismarck - A capacitor?
    Quick consultation of the RS catalogue...
  • Simons Mith
    [keyboard] No.
    [capacitor] No. I think it should be in there though.
  • Raak - A crystal radio?
  • Bismarck - Does it have any mechanically moving parts?
  • Simons Mith
    [crystal] No, but a clap or two.
    [mechanically moving] No.
  • Raak - A movie prop?
  • Rosie - An aerial?
  • Simons Mith
    [Props, aerials] No for both, and audience boos for getting colder.
  • Raak - Does it have a visual function?
  • Bismarck - Solid state semiconductoion (aka rectification)?
  • Simons Mith
    [Visual] Yes. [Back from boos to strong claps]
    [rectification] No.
  • Raak - A liquid crystal display?
  • Simons Mith - Raak wins!
    [LCD] YES, that's the bunny.
    I shall now ceremoniously hand over this thin grey-green rectangle with circuitry hanging from it, bearing an ancient congratulatory message: 'PC LOAD LETTER'.
  • Bismarck - Raak is going to choose the James Webb Space Telescope
    I can tell...
  • Rosie - I think Raak has been swallowed up by one of the Black Holes discovered by the JWST.
  • Raak
    Let’s have another MINERAL. I can’t be sure that someone, perhaps even me, has not done this one before, but it’s not the JWST.
  • Rosie - Doeas
  • Rosie - Does it have a scientific application?
    Dunno what went wrong there.
  • Simons Mith - Is it a manufactured object?
  • Raak
    [R] There is no known scientific application.
    [SM] Not manufactured.
  • Software - Stone?
  • Simons Mith - Terrestrial?
  • Raak
    [S] Not stone.
    [SM] Non-terrestrial. At least, not specifically terrestrial.
  • Rosie - Can you lift it?
  • Raak
    [R] You cannot lift it.
  • Superman - Is there more than one of these things?
  • Raak
    [S] It is not a countable sort of thing.
  • Simons Mith - Is it the universe?
  • Raak
    [SM] Not the universe. (There's exactly one of those, by definition.)
  • Rosie - Is it an abstract concept?
  • Raak
    [R] That could be argued either way, but for the sake of definiteness I'll say it is not an abstract concept.
  • Rosie - The atmosphere?
  • Raak
    [R] Not the atmosphere.
  • Rosie - The ocean?
  • Raak
    [R] Not the ocean. Non-(specifically)-terrestrial.
  • Simons Mith - Related to planetary bodies?
  • Bismarck - Is it matter in one if the four basic forms?
  • Raak
    [SM] Not related to planetary bodies.
    [B] I’m not sure what the fourth basic form would be (plasma? neutronium? a black hole?), but this is not any form of matter.
  • Chalky - Is it a form of energy?
  • Raak
    [C] applause! It is a form of energy.
  • Rosie - Sunshine?
  • Raak
    [R] Not sunshine.
  • Radox The Green - Dark energy?
  • Rosie - Is motion involved?
    Motion, I said, not motions.
  • Raak
    [Rosie] Nobody knows, because...
    [Radox] It is Dark Energy. Have this invisible baton that no-one is sure exists.
  • Radox The Green - Energized
    That was rather enjoyable, I'm not sure anyone foresaw that as being a property of Dark Energy. I am hesitating between something easy and something ridiculously specific. Therefore MINERAL is indicated, and if you hear a mysterious voice you should consult a doctor.
  • CdM - Is it ridiculously specific?
  • Boolbar - Terrestrial?
  • Tuj - Is it made of glass?
  • Raak - Is it definitely known to exist (or have existed)?
  • Radox The Green
    [CdM] Yes. Not the James Webb Space Telescope, more like the receiver of the high gain antenna on the James Webb Space Telescope. Once you are getting close to this object, it will be fairly straightforward to get to the details (famous last words). And it's nothing to do with the James Webb Space Telescope.
    [Boolbar] Yes.
    [Tuj] No.
    [Raak] It exists, has existed, and all bets are that it will exist for a bit longer.
  • Tuj - The diagonal line forming the central part of the "N" on the Willie Rushton plaque at Mornington Crescent station?
  • Rosie - ex-Great Western suburban 2-6-2 tank locomotive no. 6106?
  • Raak - It is a component of a man-made device?
  • Simons Mith - Is it a doohickey?
  • Radox The Green
    [Tuj] No. Sadly.
    [Rosie] No. Nothing to do with trains.
    [Raak] It is part of something that was made by man, but hardly qualifies as a 'device'.
    [Simons Mith] No. Nothing to doo with hickeys.
  • Simons Mith - Is the capstone of a pyramid?
  • Boolbar - Are there more than one of this?
  • Tuj - Is it a single colour?
    Trying to be an increment more useful :)
  • Chalky - One of the nine detectors that have been constructed at the Large Hadron Collider?
  • Raak - The Green Eye of the Little Yellow God?
  • Radox The Green
    [SimonsMith] No.
    [Boolbar] There are, yes.
    [Tuj] Pretty much, yes.
    [Chalky] No. Hint: Far too recent.
    [Raak] Nor isn't it.
  • Rosie - Is it a weapon?
  • Tuj - Are they found on multiple continents?
  • CdM - Are they all smaller than a toaster?
  • Raak - Related to architecture?
  • Radox The Green
    [Rosie] No.
    [Tuj] No.
    [CdM] No. It is larger than the entry for "largest toaster" in the Guinness Book of Records.
    [Raak] Yes! (A collective mutter breaks out in the audience.)
  • Superman - Is this thing in the UK?
  • Rosie - A castle ruin?
  • Radox The Green
    [Superman] Yes.
    [Rosie] No.
  • Boolbar - Something to do with a bridge?
  • Simons Mith - Ancient?
  • Raak - Made of stone?
  • Rosie - Stonehenge?
  • Radox The Green
    [Boolbar] No.
    [Simons Mith] Let's say in the last millennium.
    [Raak] Yes!
    [Rosie] No.
  • Simons Mith - Concrete cows?
  • Raak - Related to ecclesiastical architecture?
  • Radox The Green
    [Simons Mith] No. But that would have been excellent had I thought of them.
    [Raak] Yes! Raak wins three exclamation marks in a row and can now go for the big prize.
  • Raak - Bell towers?
  • Rosie - A ruined abbey?
  • Radox The Green
    [Raak] No.
    [Rosie] No.
  • Raak - Is it visible inside the church?
  • Tuj - Are they in or part of a single building?
  • Simons Mith - Stained glass?
  • Radox The Green
    [Raak] Yes!
    [Tuj] Yes!
    [Simons] No.
  • Raak - A rood screen?
  • Simons Mith - The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior?
  • CdM - Is the church in question in England?
  • Bismarck - A font?
  • Radox The Green
    [Raak] No.
    [Simons Mith] No.
    [CdM] Yes!
    [Bismarck] No.
  • Raak - Are all of them in a single church?
  • CdM - The spandrels on the northern side of the nave of the Church of St Peter and St Paul, Lavenham?
  • Simons Mith
    [CdM] Awww. I didn't even know St Peter and St Paul was dog-friendly.
  • Radox The Green
    Raak] Yes! (These things do exist in many churches, but the one I'm thinking of is only in the one church.)
    [CdM] No. But definitely in the right sort of ballpark.
  • Raak - In London?
  • Simons Mith - A Cheshire Cat?
  • Boolbar - An entrance or arch?
  • Chalky - A Gargoyle?
  • Radox The Green
    [Raak] No.
    [SimonsMith] No.
    [Boolbar] No.
    [Chalky] No.
  • CdM - Is the church actually a cathedral?
  • Boolbar
    A pipe organ?
  • Boolbar - (Please assume the above is in italics.)
  • Simons Mith - Bespoke embroidered hassocks?
    I'm sure there's some church that has done something unique with its hassocks
  • Simons Mith - A great dome?
    [Being more sensible again]
  • Raak - A pulpit?
  • Radox The Green
    [Boolbar] No.
    [CdM] Yes!
    [Simons Mith] No.
    [Raak] No.
  • Raak - Is the church Durham Cathedral?
  • CdM
    [SM] I don’t think Great Domes are allowed into St Peter’s and St Paul’s.
  • Radox The Green
    [Raak] Yes! Out of all the cathedrals, why did you go for that one?
  • Raak - The Lego model of Durham Cathedral contained in Durham Cathedral?
    Pure chance. I am also modestly ahead on all the lottery tickets I have ever bought.
  • Simons Mith - A particular bible?
  • Radox The Green
    [Raak] No.
    [Simons Mith] No.
  • Raak - Durham Cathedral's World Heritage Marker?
  • Simons Mith - A collection box?
    You get those everywhere ;-)
  • Boolbar - Is there a Harry Potter connection?
  • Bismarck - Is this thing specific to Durham Cathedral?
  • Radox The Green
    [Raak] No.
    [Simons Mith] No.
    [Boolbar] No.
    [Bismarck] Yes! At least in the sense of the AOTC, which while all cathedrals have them to my knowledge, Durham's are unique, and don't forget the answer is quite specific.
  • Raak - The highest cathedra in Christendom?
  • Boolbar - Part of a tomb?
  • Radox The Green
    [Raak] No.
    [Boolbar] No.
  • Bismarck - Is it in the nave?
  • Radox The Green
    [Bismarck] Yes!
  • Raak - The tomb of a saint?
  • Boolbar - Something to do with the floor?
  • Radox The Green
    [Raak] No.
    [Boolbar] No.
  • Simons Mith
    I'm pretty stumped here. Am resisting Wikipedia though
  • Radox The Green
    There aren't that many things that you would find in the nave of a cathedral, Durham's are unique and there's a specific bit of one of them which is the answer on the card. Start with the obvious!
  • Boolbar - Something to do with the roof?
  • Raak - The first structural use of the pointed arch?
  • Simons Mith - Not the answer
    A sudden thought struck me - but it's Ely Cathedral that has a particular notable table in its nave at the moment.
  • 1 - 1
  • 1 - 1
    555
  • 1 - 1
    555
  • 1 - 1
    555
  • 1 - 1
    555
  • Radox The Green
    [Boolbar] ...No.
    [Raak] No.
    [Simons Mith] Hint : not movable.
    [1] No.
  • Bismarck - Since this is supposed to be a quite specific thing, the fortieth flagstone counting from the end?
  • Boolbar - Something to do with pillars?
  • Simons Mith - Skateboard ramps?
    It's a long shot, but I love the mental image of a bishop in full regalia doing an ollie
  • Radox The Green
    [Bismarck] No. Nice try, though.
    [Boolbar] Yes! A verse of Hymn 116 breaks out in the audience.
    [Simons Mith] No. Although there was that Bishop of Durham who might well have tried it had it been suggested.
  • Bismarck - They're carved, them pillars, is that it?
  • Raak - Is it a single one of the pillars?
  • Radox The Green
    [Bismarck] Yes! That is part of it.
    [Raak] Yes! It is a part of that, too.
    if you have never been to Durham Cathedral, then go now. If this is not possible, I don't suppose anybody would object to Googling some of the images of the pillars.
  • Radox The Green - And...so...
  • Boolbar - Something to do with what material is used?
  • Radox The Green
    [Boolbar] No. Try guessing which pillar.
  • CdM - The fourth one on the right?
  • Radox The Green
    [CdM] No. But you're very close.
  • Simons Mith - The fourth one on the left?
  • Radox The Green
    SimonsMith - Not that one. Hint: on the right.
  • Boolbar - Is it the way a pillar is carved?
  • Radox The Green
    [Boolbar] That is also an acceptable way of identifying the AOTC.
  • CdM - The fourth one on the left, coming from the other direction?
  • Radox The Green
    That wasn't quite as easy to work out as one might think. So
    [CdM] Yes!
    And I declare that to be the answer. Take this sculpted sandstone baton and go forth!
  • Boolbar
    Congrats to CdM.
    Is that pillar called the apprentice column? I have discovered a lot about Durham Cathedral (very educational this game) but that fact eluded me.
  • Radox The Green - Apprenting
    Yes, that's it. Luckily I stopped at ridiculously detailed answer and didn't go for asking for that error, or we'd still be here!
  • CdM
    Whew.
    Let’s follow that with a nice easy VEGETABLE
  • Simons Mith - Does it rhyme with 'parrot'?
  • Raak - Wood?
  • Boolbar - Would it fit in my fridge?
  • Tuj - Is it unique?
  • CdM
    Rhymes with parrot? No. (Nor does it rhyme with "faddish", "holly flower", or "dead Babbage")
    Wood? No.
    Fridgeable? Yes.
    Unique? No.
  • Simons Mith - Does it have three syllables?
  • CdM
    Trisyllabic? Yes!
  • Bismarck - Is it a fruit?
  • Raak - Is it perishable?
  • Tuj - Does it having writing on it?
  • Simons Mith - Is its Scrabble score > 15 ?
    Ignoring double and triple word scores, but counting blanks as zero if there aren't enough of the right letters in a standard Scrabble set, and assuming a 50 point bonus for 8 letters or greater.
  • Simons Mith
    Obviously a word not valid in Scrabble scores zero
  • CdM
    Fruit? No.
    Perishable? Yes—but perhaps not especially so.
    Inscribed? No.
    Scrabble >15? According to the rules you specified, Yes.

    A few clarifications/elaborations. I should have noted that there is usually a small MINERAL component and there can be an ANIMAL component. There is also a bisyllabic version of the AOTC (which would not score >15 in scrabble).
  • Software - A processed food product?
  • Bismarck - Is a sport involved?
  • Simons Mith - Is it commonly rectangular?
  • CdM
    Processed food product? Yes (at least by the broad definition of "processed").
    Sport involved? No.
    Rectangular? ( a little laughter from the easily amused members of the audience ) No.
  • Rosie - Is it green?
  • Raak - Amber?
  • Radox The Green - Would it be found in the supermarket aisle where the crisps are?
  • CdM
    Green? I hope not.
    Amber? Not exactly, but that's in the right part of the spectrum.
    Found with crisps? Interesting question. Sometimes, but it might also be found elsewhere.
  • Raak - Dried bananas?
  • Simons Mith - Fizzy?
  • CdM
    Dried bananas? No.
    Fizzy? No.
  • Bismarck - Peanuts?
  • CdM
    Peanuts? No.
  • Rosie - Something you spread on bread and butter?
  • CdM
    Opensandwichable? No.
  • Raak - Is it a rigid solid?
  • Chalky - Is it a rhizome?
  • Boolbar - Is it spicy?
  • Software - A crisp?
  • Simons Mith - Does it have a mole in it?
  • CdM
    Rigid solid? Solid—Yes. Rigid—It depends
    Rhizome? No.
    Spicy? Sometimes.
    Crisp? No. (but a smattering of applause)
    Moley? No.
  • Boolbar - Potato based?
  • Raak - Is the mineral salt?
  • CdM
    Potato-based? No.
    Salt? Salt is a very common ingredient. There might also be another mineral component, although it appears to be less common. (The possible ANIMAL component that I mentioned seems to be very unusual and is probably best ignored.)
  • CdM
    (Also, in my answer to the "crisps" question, I said it might also be found elsewhere. That should not be understood to mean that the crisps aisle is the most likely place to find it in the supermarket.)
  • Rosie - Crumpets?
    As opposed to crumpet
  • Software - Biscuit like?
  • Radox The Green - Is more than one vegetable involved?
  • CdM
    Crumpets? No.
    Biscuit like? Um. Depends which dimension of buiscuitness you’re thinking about. I’ll say more No than yes.
    More than one vegetable? Possibly, but the AOTC has one main distinctive vegetable ingredient.
  • Boolbar - Made from rice?
  • CdM
    Rice-based? No.
  • Simons Mith - Does it go hard when it's stale?
  • Superman - Bread?
  • CdM
    Hard when stale? *audience murmurs in appreciation of the question* No.
    Bread? See previous answer.
  • Chalky - Is this edible in its natural form?
  • Boolbar - Made from a legume?
  • Simons Mith - Originally Mesoamerican?
  • Bismarck - Do Kellogg's make a version?
  • CdM
    Edible in natural form? Yes, technically.
    Made from a legume? Yes.
    Mesoamerican? No.
    Made by Kellogg's? I'm pretty sure the answer is No.
  • Chalky - Made from chick peas?
  • Rosie - Baked beans?
  • Raak - A beanburger?
  • CdM
    Chick peas? No.
    Baked beans? No.
    Beanburger? No.
  • CdM
    Erratum: I have always identified the AOTC with one particular legume that has not yet been mentioned. However, further research reveals that there are variants, including the possibility of making the AOTC with chick peas.
  • Simons Mith
    Well now I can think of a two syllable word, but not the three.
    Is the AOTC tofu-related?
  • Simons Mith
    Also, TIalsoL about Burmese chickpea tofu.
  • Software - A waffle?
  • Bismarck - Pesto?
  • CdM
    Soybeanish? No.
    Waffle? No.
    Pesto? No.
  • Simons Mith - Poppadoms?
  • Boolbar - Lentil based?
  • CdM
    A Poppadom (just one, I'm afraid) is indeed the AOTC! (So, yes, lentil-based). No one asked the P question. I and the audience were very taken with the fact that a poppadom actually goes soft when stale.

    Have this rather fragile disc-shaped bato— erm, have these crumbs.
  • Tuj - Does it -
    Ah, too late, sorry.
  • Simons Mith
    Hmm. Thought of an ABSTRACT last night.
  • Software - Begin with 'P'?
    First mover.
  • Boolbar - Does it end with a 'P'?
    At my age most things end with a 'p' at night.
  • Rosie - Is it an -ism?
  • Simons Mith
    [P----P] No to both ends
    [ism] No
  • Raak - A dream?
  • Tuj - Is it the absence of something?
  • CdM
    Is it the presence of nothing?
  • Simons Mith
    [Privatives, vaccuum] [No and nope]
    [dreaming] Also no
  • Tuj - Is the AOTC a single word?
  • CdM - Thought?
  • Simons Mith
    [unmarried word] yes
    [thought] No.
  • Bismarck - Logic?
  • Rosie - Could it exist in the absence of life?
  • Simons Mith
    [Logic] No
    [Post-universal extinction] Yes.
  • Boolbar - Mathematical?
  • Rosie - Inclement weather of some sort?
  • Simons Mith
    [Mathematical, weather] No twice.
  • Bismarck - Artistic?
  • Simons Mith
    [Artistic] ... Yes.
  • Rosie - Beauty?
  • Superman - A colour?
  • Simons Mith
    [Beauty, colour] No and no.
  • CdM - Connected to music?
  • Simons Mith
    [Muscial] No...
  • Chalky - A natural creation?
  • Simons Mith
    [Natural] No.
  • Boolbar - Is it something observable?
  • Simons Mith
    [Observable] Yes. [I did change my mind about this answer, but on reflection I decided you would have to narrow the definition of 'observable' significantly before it no longer fitted.]
  • Radox The Green - A behaviour?
  • Chalky - An instinct?
  • Simons Mith
    [Behaviour, instinct] No, you're all getting colder again.
  • Chalky - When were we warm?
  • Raak
    [Chalky] For me, some time around last September.
  • Raak - Is it spatially located?
  • Simons Mith
    [Spatial] No, not especially.
  • Raak - Would it exist if no-one were there to think of it?
  • Simons Mith
    [thoughtless existence] yes, I think
  • Raak - Entropy?
  • Chalky - Aesthetic?
  • Simons Mith
    [Entropy] no
    [Aesthetic] yes, but isn't that repetition?
  • Raak - A law of nature?
  • Radox The Green - Recap 1
    Artistic, observable, concept that is universal. Not an ism, nor related to maths/physics, seems unrelated to a being or personality.
  • Chalky - Photosynthesis?
  • Simons Mith
    [legal, photonic] No and no.
    [recap] Yes, pretty much.
  • Raak - Beauty?
  • Tuj - Do you embody this?
    [Radox] I see your pessimistic "1" ;)
  • CdM - Would it exist if the Earth and all its contents did not exist?
  • Simons Mith
    [Beatty] No.
    [Tuj, embodiment] Do people embody it? No. If you meant in a broader sense, then maybe yes but you'll have to clarify.
    [Independent of Earth's existence] No. I suppose it could maybe arise independent of Earth, but based on current knowledge I can only give a firm no.
  • Radox The Green - Hygge?
  • Chalky - A view?
  • Simons Mith
    [Hygge] Cute, but no.
    [Views, whether vistas or opinions] No
  • CdM - Is it something observable using the sense of sight?
  • Radox The Green - Is it an extreme?
  • Simons Mith
    [Extreme] No
    [Observable using sight] No. I've been uncertain about the best answer to that for several days.
  • Raak - Would it be observable using a sensor for some other range of electromagnetic radiation?
  • Superman - Evil?
  • Simons Mith
    [Observable in EM] No.
    [Evil] No.
  • Chalky - Is it a sound?
  • Bismarck - Being foreign?
  • Simons Mith
    [Sounds] Yes (applause) Now you're getting somewhere...
    [Furrin] Nah.
  • Raak - The Last Trump?
  • Bismarck - That riff from Also Sprach Zarathustra?
  • Simons Mith
    [Any number of Trump] Ingenious, but no.
    [Also Sprach] Also no
  • Radox The Green - Is the sound a song?
  • CdM - Is it a sound that most of us are likely to have heard?
    It's an observable artistic sound which is unconnected to music. It's aesthetic, and not a natural creation, yet could exist in the absence of life and without anyone to think about it.
  • Bismarck - The Music of the Spheres?
  • Raak - Is it recorded on the Voyager discs, currently somewhere beyond Pluto?
  • Radox The Green - Traffic noise?
  • Boolbar - A sound made by a fluid?
  • Simons Mith - Zounds!
    [Omnes] No. CdM gets a smattering, but even amongst this erudite crowd I can't see many of us having heard the AOTC. Still, I am of a STEM bent, and who knows what perversions students of, say, English get up to in private.
  • Simons Mith
    On second thoughts, I said "having heard the AOTC". Slightly better phrasing would have been "having heard an AOTC".
  • Raak - The sound of a tree falling, when there is no-one there to hear?
  • Bismarck - Is the sound recorded?
    I remember in primary school I had a teacher who had a really old wax cylinder gramophone and once played a recording of Tennyson himself reading the "Charge of the Light Brigade".
  • Simons Mith
    [tree falling] No.
    [audio recording] No. (A borderline answer, for the same reasons as whether it was sight-observable)
  • CdM - Is it artistic as a sound _qua_ sound?
  • Bismarck - The sound of one hand clapping?
  • Simons Mith
    [Artistic as a sound] Yes.
    [One hand] No, too Zen
  • Bismarck - The sound of Raak hammering the taiko?
  • Bismarck - So I'm going for the double: is this a memory of a sound?
  • Tuj - Is it known when this sound first occurred?
    Over two months, better pull our socks up!
  • Simons Mith
    [taiko] No (Wish I'd thought of that as a q.)
    [memory] Good guess, but no. (That too)
    [known] Yes, actually. (Well, there's the usual scholarly quibbling)
  • Chalky - An echo?
  • Bismarck - Is this sound only speech?
  • Simons Mith
    [Echo] No.
    [Speech eech eech eech] No, more than speech.
  • Raak - The Big Bang?
  • Tuj - Is it in a specific language?
    Please ignore "in" of that's a better question...
  • Simons Mith
    [Bang] No
    [Specific language] No. Trivia: The first one was in French, though
  • Bismarck - Is this "My Way", originally recorded as "Comme d'habitude"?
  • Bismarck
    Since elapsed time is greater than a certain amount since the last proposition: is it anything to do with national anthems?
  • Simons Mith
    [Bismarck] No, twice. It's not musical
  • Boolbar - Something to do with recording sounds?
  • Bismarck - Is the sound made by a human?
  • Simons Mith
    [recordings] No
    [human-made] Yes. At least, I don't think ChatGPT has had a go, yet
  • Radox The Green - Is it linked to a specific occasion?
  • Raak
    Summary:

    Via negativa:
    Does not end with a P.
    Not an ism.
    Not a dream.
    Not the absence of something.
    Not the presence of nothing.
    Not thought.
    Not logic.
    Not mathematical.
    Not bad weather.
    Not beauty.
    Not a colour.
    Not connected to music... (those look like significant dots)
    Not a natural creation.
    Not a behaviour.
    Not an instinct.
    Not spatially located.
    Not entropy.
    Not a law of nature.
    Not photosynthesis.
    Not embodied by people.
    Not independent of Earth's existence.
    Not hygge.
    Not a view (whether vista or opinion).
    Not observable with sight.
    Not an extreme.
    Not observable by electromagnetic radiation.
    Not evil.
    Not being foreign.
    Not the last trump
    Not the 2001 theme.
    Not a song.
    Not a sound that most of us are likely to have heard.
    Not the music of the sphere.
    Not on the Voyager discs.
    Not traffic noise.
    Not a sound made by a fluid.
    Not the sound of an unheard falling tree.
    Not an audio recording.
    Not the sound of one hand clapping.
    Not taiko.
    Not the memory of a sound.
    Not an echo.
    Not only speech.
    Not the Big Bang.
    Not in a specific language. (But the first one was in French.)
    Not to do with national anthems.

    Via positiva:
    Is a single word.
    Could exist in the absence of life.
    Artistic.
    Observable.
    Would exist if no-one were there to think of it.
    Aesthetic.
    A sound! (The first real progress.)
    An artistic sound.
    A sound made by a human.

  • Raak
    And not "My Way", originally recorded as "Comme d'habitude".
  • Raak - Does this sound come from a human vocal tract?
  • Simons Mith
    [Occasional] No.
    [Human voice] Yes, it would do.
  • Raak - Is it the sound of someone imitating something?
  • Bismarck - Inarticulate?
  • Simons Mith
    [Imitation] No.
    [Inarticulate] No.
  • Simons Mith
    I hope no-one is finding this too frustrating. I find it interesting how close you got and yet the right path has still managed to slip through the gaps between questions.
  • Raak - Is it ceremonial?
  • Tuj - Is it humorous?
    [SM] Surely you're the one whose frustration limit is most tested?
  • Bismarck - But is it art?
    One originally French word is proving difficult, bien sur.
  • Simons Mith
    [Ceremonial] No
    [Humerus] No.
    [Repetition!] Yes
  • Bismarck
    So it is art, and I win!?
  • Bismarck - Is it to do with poetry?
    Presuming that artistic is the same as art, and so the puzzle continues. Now which of the Nine Arts could be referred to?
  • Simons Mith
    [winner?] No, but suddenly you're on the right lines
    [Poetry] Yes. It's poetry. Claps and cheers from the audience
  • Radox The Green - A sonnet?
  • Raak - Dies the Morniverse contain examples?
  • Simons Mith
    [Sonnet] No, but more claps
    [Morniversal examples] No, not as far as I know. But I wouldn't put my shirt on it, because I haven't followed the poetry games very closely. It's possible.
  • Tuj - Does it have a specific number of lines?
  • Simons Mith
    [Lines] Yes! Strong applause
  • Raak - Is the name of this form of poetry French?
  • Radox The Green - Does it figure on this list?
    Link to list here.
  • Simons Mith
    [Two more yeses] Si and Oui.
  • Raak - A lai?
  • Simons Mith
    [Lai?] Non.
  • Raak - Was the first example composed before the 19th century?
  • Bismarck - A triolet?
  • Simons Mith
    [Pre-19th C] Bien sur
    [Triolet] Non
  • Radox The Green - A rondeau?
  • Simons Mith
    [rondeau, more like nondeau] Guess again.
  • Bismarck - Villanelle?
    Raak did introduce this into the Morniverse over on Orange.
  • Simons Mith - Bismarck has it
    Villanelle is the right answer!

    Sorry to be inadvertently misleading about there being Morniversal examples. I didn't know that had been done.
    In lieu of a baton I shall pass over this lovely scroll sealed with wax.

  • Audience - *claps, cheers, generally goes wild*
  • Bismarck - Winning
    Sorry about the delay, I had to go and lie down in a darkened room for the excitement to wear off. Unscrolling the scroll, I find this
    MINERAL
    concept for your delight. At least in the AVMA scheme of things, M seems the most appropriate: it might have bits of all of them.
  • Software - Metalic?
  • Simons Mith
    Is it a Char D1 French light tank?
  • Boolbar - Is it fictional?
  • Raak - Is there just one of it?
  • Bismarck - And so it begins, unknowing...
    [Software] Yes, largely so.
    [Simons Mith] Not a French light tank of any kind. But a little bit warm.
    [Boolbar] No, there is surely nothing more real.
    [Raak] No, there are lots.
  • Raak - Something military?
  • Chalky - Functional?
  • Radox The Green - Would I have seen one frequently?
  • Bismarck - What roads cerebral will be taken...
    [Raak] Not military. There may be military versions, but you won't find any book called Jane's Whatever-this-is.
    [Chalky] What isn't?
    [Radox] I'm pretty sure you're familiar with this.
  • Simons Mith - A bicycle?
  • Rosie - A steam locomotive?
    Worth a shout even at the expense of cruel mockery.
  • Tuj - Has it wheels?
  • Raak - Is it a machine?
  • Bismarck - In the quest, for only you
    [Simons Mith] No.
    [Rosie] No.
    [Tuj] Yes.
    [Raak] Yes.
  • Raak - It is a means of transport?
  • Chalky - In the AVMA scheme of things is Metal always 'functional'?
  • Bismarck - Can comprehend the unseen way...
    [Raak] Yes. It's a machine with wheels.
    [Chalky] Yes. Mineral, like Animal, Vegetable and Abstract, all have functions.
  • Chalky - Does it transport people?
  • Tuj - Has it an engine?
  • Bismarck - In words and images unthought...
    [Chalky] Yes.
    [Tuj] Yes, it is motorised.
  • Simons Mith - Is it most gregarius?
  • Raak - Is it normally able to transport at least 10 people at a time?
  • Bismarck - To follow, lead or travel there...
    [Simons Mith] Not sure what that means.
    [Raak] After thought, yes, though it poses some uncomfortable questions.
  • Software - An escooter?
  • Rosie - A motor-bike and sidecar?
  • Radox The Green - A Tesla?
  • Tuj - Does it have a reverse gear?
  • Bismarck - To unreal phantomatic places ...
    [Software] Not an electric scooter.
    [Rosie] Not a motorbike with sidecar.
    [Radox The Green] Not a Tesla.
    [Tuj] !seY
  • Raak - Does it run on rails?
  • Chalky - Transport for the disabled/mobility impaired?
  • Software - Fork lift truck
  • Simons Mith - Has it been in a movie chase scene?
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • Bismarck - Where transports delightfully await...
    [Raak] Not rail guided.
    [Chalky] I hope not.
    [Software] Not a forklift.
    [Simons Mith] Had to look it up, but Yes!
    [Tuj] Sadly not, at least none of the common synonyms begin with P.
  • Simons Mith
    Was it able to achieve 0-60mph by 1970?
  • Boolbar - Does the machine stay in one location while moving people around?
  • Simons Mith
    [Boolbar] You've given me the idea, and now I want to see a movie with a chairlift chase in it!
  • Bismarck - Those lost and numb to ordinary love...
    [Simons Mith] Difficult to say. On balance, No.
    [Boolbar] No. Nice lateral thinking though.
  • Raak - Are these road legal?
  • Simons Mith - A steam roller?
  • Rosie - A light aircraft?
  • Bismarck - Though still the sea kisses the golden shore...
    [Raak] Yes, very legal.
    [Simons Mith] Not a steam roller.
    [Rosie] No. A piece of three-dimensional thinking there.
  • Tuj - Is it made by a particular marque?
  • Raak - Does it run on electricity?
  • Rosie - A boat of some kind?
  • Superman - One of those special airport vehicles?
  • Simons Mith - The Popemobile?
    I really want to imagine that's been in a chase scene
  • Bismarck - With skies aflame in the sun rising..
    [Tuj] No, there are many.
    [Raak] As of today, yes.
    [Rosie] Not aquatic.
    [Superman] I think you'd find them in airports too, but they aren't specific to airports.
    [Simons Mith] Not the Popemobile.
  • Tuj - Is it larger than the average car?
  • Bismarck - Of an endless dawn awaking...
    [Tuj] Yes it is.
  • Rosie - A railway coach?
    Diddly-dee, diddly-da.
  • Simons Mith - Is it a Bagger 288?
    I'm sure they're road-legal...
  • Raak - A low-loader?
  • Bismarck - Would you reject this heaven...
    [Rosie] Not a railway coach.
    [Simons Mith] Not a Bagger of any size.
    [Raak] Not a lo-loader.
  • Raak - Does it primarily carry things other than people?
  • Chalky - A vehicle transporter?
  • Simons Mith - A cherry picker?
  • Bismarck - And still remain, and still remain?
    [Raak] Yes, it does other things than carry people.
    [Chalky] Not a transporter.
    [Simons Mith] Not a cherry picker.
  • Raak - Is it for transporting fluids?
  • Simons Mith - Dustcart?
  • Bismarck - End on the high note, fat lady.
    [Raak] Not really, no.
    [Simons Mith] I had "bin lorry", but "garbage truck" and "dustcart" have been judged equivalent by Mycroft. Therefore take this recycled and slightly smelly baton and proceed!
  • Simons Mith
    [Bismarck] Thanks very much! I had been wondering whether the lyrics you've been posting were clues.

    I'm going to pick... another MINERAL

  • Simons Mith
    It might be about time to kill off this game and start a fresh one. It is ~40,000 moves. When I checked back for past repetitions my browser started to struggle.
  • Radox The Green - A diamond?
  • Rosie - A manufactured object?
  • Simons Mith
    [diamond] No.
    [manufactured] No.
  • Tuj - Unique?
  • Simons Mith
    [unique] Also no.
  • Superman - Is it mined?
  • Rosie - Is it solid?
  • Tuj - Does it begin with P?
  • Simons Mith
    [mined] No
    [solid] No
    [P] No
  • Raak - Is it a constituent of seawater?
  • Chalky - Is it bigger than Battersea Power Station?
  • Tuj - Is it safely potable?
    reasonably, to the average person, say
  • Simons Mith
    [constituent] Yes
    [station-sized] No
    [potable] Yes
  • Raak - Water?
  • Simons Mith
    [water] Yes Stock footage of WI ladies applauding
  • Raak - Bottled water?
  • Rosie - Is it the name of a river?
  • Tuj - Is the water contained within something specific?
  • Simons Mith
    [bottled] No
    [river] No
    [contained] No
  • Bismarck - Dew?
  • Simons Mith
    [dew] No Nevertheless, stock footage of large crowd cheering
  • Rosie - Is it the result of a natural phenomenon?
  • Raak - Rain?
  • Bismarck - A cloud?
  • Simons Mith - A winner!
    Stock footage of crowd on their feet, cheering. Fireworks explode, triumphant music plays
    [rain] Yes
    Raak wins this tiny 5¢ metallic-looking commemorative plastic baton whose most prominent feature is the writing on it saying MADE IN CHINA
  • Simons Mith - And let's call it a day
    High time for some turnover, methinks. Hope the winning move is standard.
  • Audience - *shouts, screams, generally goes wild for Simons Mith*

    • This is the end of the line. There is no more.