[Rosie] I was surprised that you, Raak and Software hadn't spotted it (or had, but hadn't commented - that would have been more surprising).

Now I'm a press officer for a conservation charity, I don't think badgers are funny. They cause too many awkward questions from the press.

[pen] You weren't implicated in the jam-slapping scandal, were you?

I know from a friend's experience that when driving a Transit Van at 50 mph, a badger up the radiator grill is about as unfunny as it gets.

For the badger, too.

Badgers are the Holy Cows de nos jours. What's so wonderful about them, great lolloping things? They can be vicious and would make mincemeat of the average dog not that that would bother me.

[Rosie] ...unless it showed up in a pie you were eating, no?

(Tuj) Your are confusing mince with mincemeat, for which there is little excuse.

[Rosie] Not as bad as today's BBC news website (the front page story about the re-introduction of Moose to the Scottish Highlands) and their Science reporter confusing 'ungulates' with 'undulates'. Schoolboy error. I've emailed them about it already...
Oooh, and Polly Toynbee has replied in person to my quick email in praise of her column in this morning's Guardian, hehehehe! :o)

[Rosie] Both go in varying types of pies, no?

I appear to have developed an annoying peech habit, no?

(Tuj) Not to mention a typo habit, yes? It must be a bad day. :-) (pen) Pah! Small beer! I have received a personally-signed apology from none other than Ian Hislop for a very sick crossword clue in Private Eye, even if it did only consist of two words.

[Rosie] Now you must share the clue, so that we may all be properly shocked and outraged.

[Rosie] I find it hard to imagine you as Outraged of South London".

[Rosie] I should have seen that coming really. Ah well. Do carry on ;)

End of day, ready to go home, I put "stilletto (misspelt) gerundive" into Google, got a single hit and it was you. Hello. Now I feel I have come home: will you have me?

[MD] Only if you're wearing socks.

(Raak) All right. The answer was spittle and clue involved Hawking. Filth is OK, good even, but don't mock the afflicted. The apology said "Point taken" and my guess is there were more than a few of them to be signed by the splendid Hislop, from which one cam infer that he had a word or two in the crossword setter's ear. (Softers) South London!!!??? That's outrageous! I'm in Surrey (just). (Me Dick) Well, personally, I'd rather not but there must be somebody and we are by nature co-operative.

For "cam" read "can". One can get awfully obsessed by Caprotti Valve Gear.