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Animal-Vegetable-Mineral-Abstract: The Pants Memorial Game
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The chairperson selects an object/idea/whatever and announces whether it's animal, vegetable, mineral, and/or abstract. The others have to ask questions to figure out what it is. Whomever guesses the object correctly is given the chair for the next round; repeat ad nauseam.
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[Bob] I can never decide whether to put Bob or BtD, no. [Raak]No. [Boolbar]I can't give you that. [Inkspot] Yes.
[Boolbar] Yes that was a hint.
Does it contain lemons?
Is it milk?
Kayl] Put 'Bob'. I sometimes use Btd (never BtD). Bob's nice, I like 'Bob'.
[i]Egg Nog?[/i]
D'oh. Stupid chat-board meta-tags. Egg Nog.
Is it milkshake?
smoothie?
Is it a fondue?
Moving off at a tangent and trying to tie up in my mind, Boolbar - Is the mineral part the glass container of the liquid? (no), and Ibid - Is it normally served in a bottle?(yes)
soya milk?
Riff - if you put your answer in the bit that says Apropos you don't need tags - its automatically italicised.
Is it sweet?
[Inkspot] Maybe it contains salt.
If this thing were milk or a product thereof, would that make it animal? And if so, eeeeoooo!
Coconut milk?
[Raak]No.
[Bob]Yes, but as a characteristic of the final answer.
[Riff]No.[Zoo Keep]No on both counts.
[Inkspot]No.
[snorgle]No.
[Breadmaster]No.
[Talky]No.
Is it a milk derivative, like yoghurt?
In a sense.
Lassi?
Sour cream?
I have to confess - all this talk of milk and milk derivatives is confusling me, knowing that this is a 'Vegetable/Mineral' thing.
Is it Danone Actimel Yogurt Drink?
or similar done by Yakult healthy bacteria drink.
Is it a product for people who can't have (or don't want) dairy products?
Ahh... Soy Milk.
[Raak]No.
[Khalcy]No. The mineral refers to the minerals you find in milk, like Calcium.
[Inkspot]No.
[Boolbar]No.[Riff]No.

You're following the wrong fish I should mention.

Irn Bru?
Made from girrders!
Mineral water?
Oooh!
A cup of tea?
Coffee?
A frappucino?
Or perhaps a nice hot mug of melted Cheddar?
Cafe Latte extra foam?
Danone Activ?
It is, in fact, Herbie, a plate of steak and chips...
Horlicks?
Yumma!
Is it purchased in liquid form? I'm thinking powdered milk?
I have to say, this is really confusing me...
Hot chocolate?
me too rab - I suppose the next batch of replies might help. Kayl?
Is it a hot chocoalte malt drink?
Is it normally consumed from the recepticle it has been bought in?
I've been trying to join together some of the yes answers with the maybes but to no avail put together they have completley thrown me; is a milk derivitive like yogurt(in a sense), that is a drink, can be served hot, normally served in a bottle, milk is a characteristic of the final answer, can be sold in cans.
Is it a sauce?
Stone soup?
Instant coffee?
which in my opinion is evil.
Is it made from a particular fruit?
Going back a couple of questions as I didn't chase up the 'yes' made from a particular fruit or vegetable.
Lovells milky lunch bar?
Cheesey Peas?
Would it be served in a café?
Oh dear. Having returned after 3 hours, I was rather hoping this one would be wrapped up by now. It is rather reminiscent of the PantsMC game - y'know the sort of thing - no replies for aeons; conflicting clues, etc etc. Some people [no names] used to get a bit tetchy. Great fun.
[snorgle]No.
[Bob]2(No)
[Chalkos]No
[Riff]no
[Angus]No
[Zoo Keep]No
[Bob]No
[rab]Usually liquid, extreme examples can be solid (clue!)
[Chucky]No.
[Inkspot]No.
[Inkspot]It isn't normally consumed.
[Boolbar]No
[Raak]No
[Lib]No
[Inkspot]No, vegetable: grass.
[Dixy]No.
[Boolbar]No
[Chalky] Not if you're lucky. Sorry about this, I've tried to give more clues.
Is it a cleaning product?
Is it some sort of plant food?
[Boolbar]No.
[rab]No.

Ok, you're veering off in the wrong direction here guys. Stick with types of milk.

Does it contain milk from a cow?
[Raak]Any milk is possible, but cow milk is how you've most likely come across it.
Is it mixed with someting else before being a drink?
Definitly a daft question when it is not consumed but is a drink.
Is it for human rather than animals to drink but not consume?
Chalky] ...and while I'm at it...!! who's getting tetchy?
sap?
Does it contain caffeine?
[Inkspot]No.
[Inkspot]Yes. Sorry, I see the confusion. It is a drink, a form of milk, I'm just saying you wouldn't want to drink it.
[Chalky]No.
[Raak]No.
To clarify the clarification: it is a drink in the measure that it is drinkable.
It's not milk of magnesia is it?
I mean, it's a laxative, so you wouldn't want to drink it...
Ibid - Medicinal was eliminated
[Ibid]No, form of cow milk that you wouldn't want to drink.
Is it beestings?
Raak]The sting of bees? No.
Ah, just looked it up. No.
the cud? [as in ...chewing the]
Milk that has gone off?
[Chalky]No.
[Boolbar] YES! YES! YES!
Well done Boolbar, that was quite painful. I was actually thinking of Sour Milk. Have a line:
Hmmmm
You see, I would have answered no to this question.
Sorry about that, I guess you have to set a definition of 'drink'.
Beestings
[Kayl] Beestings is the watery milk that is first produced after a cow has had a calf, a fact which I only know because it was the first or last entry in one of the pages of Chambers Dictionary (Mid-Century Edition, 1953) in our house when I was growing up, and therefore was repeated in the header of the page.
Hmmmm
Not that I was desperate to win that particular round because I have been in the chair quite recently - but my guess of 'Sour Cream' received an unequivocal thumbs down with nary a hint that I might be on the right lines. But I'm not bitter :-) We had 'milk' in a Pants game [sorry to keep banging on about Pantics] and it was definitely an ANIMAL. The bacteria that cause it to go 'off' are arguably animal aswell.
Clarse-ification
I was wondering whether the product of an animal should be defined as animal, and I decided no on the grounds that anything man-made would therefore by extension also be animal.
digging in
Butter? Lamb Chop? Surely anything 'man-made' should be classified by its material composition?
Well yes
Absolutely - hence why it would be inconsistent to describe milk as animal because it's made of minerals but produced by a cow, but a CD mineral cos it's made of plastic and produced by a human.
milking it
Now your tending towards syllogism :-) We're arguing on two fronts here - firstly 'What is milk'? which we disagree on; secondly 'anything man-made should be classified by its material composition' which we agree on. I don't see the logical step from one to the other. Perhaps I'm a bit tired.
it's brown and sounds like a bell
[Chalky] If milk, an animal by-product, is 'animal', what about dung? By your argument it's 'animal', but surely it's 'vegetable', since that's what the cow ate. Or possibly 'mineral', if you figure it's been broken down that far.
talking of turds
Yes, I hear [see] what you're saying, Riff. We had an extensive discussion when this game began, much along the lines of this little spat, ie. how far should we break things down. I can't remember whether it was on the first page of this game or in the Banter Game and I can't be arsed to search back 'cause it's way past my bedtime. But just as a parting shot, and because I'm feeling mischievous - further to your cowdung theory - would you differentiate between the solid waste products of a meat-eating human and a vegetarian?
Minutiae
Bloody Hell! It's hard enough when you are in the seat to attempt to answer questions in a manner which does not mislead without having each move analysed when the game is over.
Whilst I must admit the discussion has been most entertaining, Kayl, you have my sympathy. Regardless, carry on the discussion - assuming that Boolbar doesn't produce the gavel; as I said 'tis amusing to follow the arguments of logic. ... ;-)
poo ingredients
Mainly, I would hope that none of us would choose "the contents of a vegetarian's colon" for a topic. But, yes, I would probably call the vegetarian's waste 'vegetable' and the meat-eater's 'animal and vegetable' (since the meat-eater presumably doesn't live solely on meat... although, another animal -- a cheetah, say...)

I really shouldn't have brought this up, should I?

Bringing things up
[Riff] I hope you're not bringing it up, or you'd be suffering from major digestive malfunction!
Can we get on with it now, please?
[Riff] Rotter! "The content of a vegetarian's colon" was exactly the topic I was going to choose if I got into the chair. I would have set it as abstract since its animal, vegetable or mineral content could not be ascertained without removing it from the colon in question.
I do love sparking linguistic controversy.
Blimey! I thought that was a question leading towards the correct answer, not the answer itself. OK, I'll try and pick something simple that shouldn't lead to confusion (ha!) and get someone else in the chair. VEGETABLE
[Kim] I do apologise. Let me offer you, as a replacement, my backup idea: a chocolate-covered billiard ball. No one'll ever guess that.

Oops!

Oh, right, the game.
Is it commonly used as food?
[Riff] No. And it isn't a chocolate-covered billiard ball either.
Is it a single item made from wood that I can throw at my pc?
I'm only doing this because the server has been down all morning....STRESSED!!
Is it something manufactured?
Does it have a practical application?
[Chalky] Spat is not the word I would have used, friendly banter seems more appropriate somehow. Do we agree though that the classification is purely on composition, and method of production doesn't come into it?
[Inkspot] To answer your Q as a whole. Not likely.
[Raak] No.
[rab] By-products could have practical applications.
Is it A vegetable in its natural state?
[rab] Agreed - I should have prefaced the word 'spat' with the adjective 'friendly'. It was pure mischief on my part and I really should have remember that such posturing doesn't necessarily transfer well on to the screen. [Material composition - yes, which is why I still think milk should have in part an 'animal' classification :-)]
Riff's question?
[Boolbar] The food one.
Aha - just seen the answer to Riff's question
[Boolbar] Sorry - now where are my specs?
[Chalky] Using dictionary.com :
A plant cultivated for an edible part or the edible part of such a plant - No.
A member of the vegetable kingdom; a plant - Yes
Is it a living plant?
As in an oak tree rather than oak.

The public library - such an oasis of calm.

Is it Michael Howard?
Is it a whole plant?
Is it a single, particular thing (as opposed to, say, oak trees in general)?
Ha, nice to see I'm not the only one capable of starting minute pedantic arguments. See, everything is mineral really, and animal and vegetable are just more or less arbitrarily defined subsets of it, aren't they?

[Kim] Unrelatedly, some friends and I once spent a lunchtime trailing after Michael Howard surreptitiously through Folkestone town centre. Our stalking attempt was foiled when he drove off in a very flash car. Curses!
[Inkspot] Yes.
[Kim] Great Guess! But No.
[Raak] Yes.
[Breadmaster] Taking your 'Oak Tree' senario. I was thinking of a single thing like "An Oak Tree" as opposed to "All Oak Trees" or "Some Oak Trees", but I would give the chair to any of those three as they would be close enough.
Is it a tree?
Is it a maple tree?
Shame its not a Shrubbery! I want a shrubbery.
A rosebush?
[Lib]Don't we all? :)
[rab] YES!
[Lib] No.
[snorgle] No.
Is it indigenous to the UK? Silver birch?
Bugger, off for the weekend so probably won't get this one...
Is it an evergreen?
[rab] It can be found in the UK but AFAIK isn't a native (except possibly scotland?).
[Raak] Yes.
Is it a Christmas Tree?
[Btd] No. But I suppose it could be used as one.
Douglas fir?
Scots Pine?
*Sings* "Ohhh, aahm a lumberjack and aahm OK, aah sleep all night and aah work all day!"
Spruce?
[snorgle,Kim,Raak] - No, to all of you. Strange that is the second Monty Python reference (clue?)
Holly?
As in 'Holly Grail' and 'Hollywood Bowl". ... :-)
the Larch? The larch.
How to recognise trees from quite far away.
Cedar?
The tallest tree in the forest?
JGJG
OJVVNBVJKNNJNHVJ
Well done.
Goddammit it, Snorgle must have it. Ghfhj's guess was pretty good though.
Episode 12B. How to recognise different types of trees from quite a long way away. No. 1. The Larch. The Larch. - congrats to snorgle! Take it away . . . . .
Animal
the monty python hint gave it away, really..now, let's see..
Human?
Warm blooded?
Is it a living, entity with polymorhing abilities?
Moving right along to Red Dwarf.
...or is it something made from a dead animal?
Is it dairy?
To eliminate confusion as early as possible, or at least to try to! :)
Raak - yes; plump - yep; Inkspot - no and I'll throw in the fact that it doesn't have 4 eyebrows either for free; Inkspot - ugh, no!;ZK - no.
Is it Michael Howard?
Male?
Presently alive?
Some told me recently that there are currently more people living than have ever lived. Can this be true?
zk - no; kim - yes
kim - click here re:population for some info..
Four legged?
Spurned!
Oh sure, ignore my question, go on, I don't care. I hate this game anyway.
*sniff*
Are they lsted on celebdaq?would you recommend buying shares in them?
Is the person known as a politician?
Carefully phrased to be independent of whether the person is alive or dead.
British?
Riff (sorry! it was late!) Yes. Inkspot - yes (and no cheating and getting 2 questions in one!) Breadmaster - nope.
Are they a 'singer'?
By which I mean they get money to sing, not that they necessarily have any talent...
An entertainer, in the broadest sense?
i.e. including Frank Skinner, Nickel-arse Parsons etc.
American?
Is English his (their) first language?
Is it a member of the British Royal Family?
European?
Another spurnee
What about my last question?
Osama bin Laden?
David Blaine?
Arnie?
Ibid - no. Rosie - no. BM - no. Kayl - yes. Inkspot - no. Raak - you want to ask it again? Not Bin Laden, no. ZK - nope. barbacoa - nope.
It's not you, is it?
barbacoa - no.
Nice try, though..
BTW, when a said they're not an entertainer, I meant in the sense of Frank Skinner, Nicholas Parsons ,etc. All round entertainers. That's all.
A sportsman?
[snorgle] "Is the person known as a politician?" I don't see any answer to that question, or anyone else asking it. I notice Btd's "European?" has also gone unanswered.
Is he regularly on television?
I'd be very happy if it was one of the Knights who say NI but I fear it won't be.
A movie star?
Is he Australian?
Someone in the world of Pop?...and would they cost more than £1.50 a share?
One question but in two parts ...honest guv ;)
Raak-I'm not deliberately not answering, you know! Therefore - not a politician, not European, not regularly on tv, not australian, not a popstar and yes, Riff, he is a movie star!
sorry for ignoring you plump - not four-legged!
am presuming then - an american movie star?
Keanu Reeves?
ooh, yes please!
Chalky - YES! But ZK- he's canadian, I thought everyone knew that! Honestly, some people..
It's your go now, Chalky. I saw Matrix Revolutions yesterday. Am sorely disappointed! Action scenes good, characterisation awful, ending complete cop-out. At least I got to look at cute Keanu for long periods though. We actually waited until the end of the credits (through all that outrageously loud dance music) on the off chance something else would happen. I said "That is the suckiest ending ever! It's like the end of The Empire Strikes Back, but without another part to make up for it. It's just never explained." GRR!

Audience goes wild for Chalky, whoops, cheers, outrageous hand gestures, sausages, etc.

*coughing*
*Whilst cheering rapturously* would like to point out the order in which the entries came...I'm sure I knew he was canadian anyway. aren't all the stars canadian? eric mccormack is (I think), so is michael j fox, paul gross, mike meyers....
Z.K. - it was simulposted, and you were wrong anyway..
Dan Aykroyd, William Shatner, John Candy...
* a bit embarrassed*
I thankyou. That was somewhat akin to a lurker's victory. I haven't been around much this weekend, just popped in to catch up, hazarded a wild guess, and there you go ....
[snorgs] Yes - I thought Matrix Rev was a pile of cack, but at least I didn't fall asleep during it [which I did during Matrix Reloaded].
I'll post a new thingy tomorrow, if you don't mind. I HAD lined up a person, but we've just had one, so I'll attempt to think of something sparklingly original to brighten up a Monday morning :-)
It's Monday morning ....
... and time for an * A B S T R A C T * thing
Is it the gravitational relationship between Leonard Nimoy and Saturn?
I think I've got it!
snorgle
sausages etc??!?
Is it a human concept
average opening gambit
Can it be heard?
Is it p?
(Putting the question in the "Stance" because HTML doesn't work in Apropos.)
Is it a good book to read by Jeffrey Archer?
Is it found in a book?
Is it common knowledge?
[Btd]What is your problem with sausages? Do you want one?
Might it be commonly considered art?
Proper sausage
snorgle] Yes please! I'm sausaholic.
Is it fictional
Is it a saying or verbal expression?
Is it "the absence of Chalky"?
Sorry to keep you all waiting ...
Bob - the gravitational guess - No
Bob - the snorgle guess - No
Software - Sort of, yes
rab - No
Raak - No
Boolbar - the J A guess - No
Boolbar - the book guess - Yes, but most things might, wouldn't you say?
snorgs - indeed, it is common knowledge [but that's not the answer]
Breadmaster - No
Bob - the proper sausage guess - No
Marfa Farker - No
Inkspot - It can be
Rosie - No :-)
Does it have to do with language?
Is it something to do with the weather ?
Is it an emotion?
I really am a top sausage connoisseur. The best I've ever found come from here.
Bugg@r
got it wrong again, try this http://www.growingconcern.co.uk/homefarm.html
Raak - er ... No. It would be very misleading if I replied otherwise
Boolbar - No, not directly
Bob - Emotion - No, but it can have an effect on the emotions [Clue #1]
Bob - Buggary - No
is it a feeling ?
Does it have to do with music?
Is it an action?
Anything to do with water?
being a bit negative
Bob - No
Riff - No
Inkspot - Not really ... it could be ... sometimes ... vague, sorry
Boolbar - No
Is it an action?
We're not getting very far with this one, are we?
BM - no, especially if we don't read the last but one question :-)
Is is connected with the arts (other than music)
?
Would it have been known about in 1900?
Is it made of non-abstract things?
Kim - Not really
Boolbar - Yes
Raak - Yes, it is 'made' of abstract AND tangible things
Is it a scientific theory or principle?
Inkspot - mmmm ... tricky. I shall say No, but your line of questioning might lead you to the right place.
Is it 'historically'attributed to one person?
Is it a religion? (And if so, can I claim Christianity at this juncture)?
Can it exist/occur where there aren't any people around? Say, on Mars?
Is it a rule or law?
back again for a while :-)
Inkspot - No
rab - No
Riff - Yes
Bob - Sort of, yes.
Is it anything to do with mathematics?
Dazed [hello darling :-)] - In a way, yes.
Is it common sense?
...vague I know but I'm thinking...Oh!the pain,the pain! and going by William Hague's campaign, an oft misquoted commodity, which is what you would expect really.
Pythagoras Theorem
simulposted curses!!
Inkspot - that was one of the early questions .. snorgle's I think
Inkspot - No..not such an obvious mathematical connection
Is it possible for people to make one?
Gravity?
Coming in ... yawn ... rather late.
tending the night shift
Raak - I think we've established that it's an 'it'.. therefore, it's a common perception that people can make 'it' - although they may not be aware they are [Clue#2]
Duj - No
Sorry, Chalky, missed Btd's question earlier, I must only be slightly awake; I shall now retire.
Um... Is it something to do with physics?
I'm completely at sea.
throwing a lifeboat to Riff
Riff - No.
[all] Don't get too fixated on science [or even maths]. There are a whole bunch of questions that haven't been asked yet, which should simplify matters considerably.
Is it silence?
*throwing random things into the melting pot of ideas*
reading back...
i think I can count my own answer as no! :-) nvm, just me being inattentive...
Heat?
A quincunx?
Good morning :-)
Is it an effect rather than a cause?
Good morning Chalky, kettles on.
Can it be perceived by any of the five senses?
I'm away for the day from about 10am ....
.... so if this isn't wrapped up by then .. there will be a 10 hour hiatus ..
Rosie - No
Raak - What an interesting guess - it isn't correct but some might believe that the occurrence of such might have some bearing on 'it'.
Inkspot - It is both a cause and effect :-)
*coughs*
Is it one of the seven deadly sins?
& Rab's question?
Sorry rab :-) [I'm scurrying around a bit and missed the simulpost] Yes - and to save further questioning - All of them
Bob - No
Is it a maze?
Raak - That's probably a bit too tangible for an 'abstract' :-)
The choas theory
I googled quincunx and was pointed to the Law of Error, none the wiser so I'm stepping back as its time for a Kit-Kat.
Interesting - you answered "no" to the question "Can it be heard?"
Does it have something to do with the sun?
Inkspot - No
rab - Indeed I did. It was a specific question and I would have been misleading you if, at that time, I'd answered yes. However, as 'this' can be perceived by all the senses collectively, I answered yes. I feel it may be more helpful.
Boolbar - No, not really.
Sorry - I've got a train to catch
... but as I am continually astounded by your collective grey matter, I fully expect the answer to be here when I return this evening. Clue#3 - it has two sides - the one I'm thinking of is the happy/desirable side.
Is it beauty?
Is it good luck?
Is it the future?
I keep not noticing earlier questions/answers - I do apologise, it doesn't indicate any contempt for fellow questioners/answerers on my part...
This summarises all that chalky answered before catching the train. I’ve taken out the wild guesses and repeated questions and added the clues at the end.

This is an * A B S T R A C T * thing.
It is (sort of) a human concept.
It can’t be heard.
Is it found in a book? Yes, but most things might, wouldn't you say?
It is common knowledge [but that's not the answer].
It is not commonly considered art.
It is not fictional.
It can be a saying or verbal expression.
Does it have to do with language? er ... No. It would be very misleading if I replied otherwise.
It is not directly something to do with the weather.
It is not an emotion.
It is not a feeling.
Does it have to do with music? – No.
Is it an action? - Not really ... it could be ... sometimes ... vague, sorry.
Nothing to do with water.
It is "not really" connected with the arts.
It would have been known about in 1900.
It is 'made' of abstract AND tangible things.
Is it a scientific theory or principle? - mmmm ... tricky. I shall say No, but your line of questioning might lead you to the right place.
It is not 'historically' attributed to one person.
It is not a religion.
It can exist/occur where there aren't any people around e.g. Mars.
Is it a rule or law? - Sort of, yes.
Is it anything to do with mathematics? - In a way, yes.
Is it possible for people to make one? - I think we've established that it's an 'it'.. therefore, it's a common perception that people can make 'it' - although they may not be aware they are.
It is not Gravity.
It is not Heat.
A quincunx? - What an interesting guess - it isn't correct but some might believe that the occurrence of such might have some bearing on 'it'.
Is it an effect rather than a cause? - It is both a cause and effect :-)
It can be perceived by any of the five senses.
It is not one of the seven deadly sins.
It is not a maze.
It is not the chaos theory.
Does it have something to do with the sun? - No, not really.
- Sorry - I've got a train to catch

[Clue #1] It is not an emotion but it can have an effect on the emotions.
[Clue#2] It is an 'it'.. therefore, it's a common perception that people can make 'it' - although they may not be aware they are.
“There are a whole bunch of questions that haven't been asked yet, which should simplify matters considerably”.
Oops
[Clue#3] - it has two sides - the one I'm thinking of is the happy/desirable side.
Is it ambience?
Is it the act of winning?
Red Sky at Night?
From all that, I interperet it as being a natural occurance or event, the quincunx which I interperet from a quick browse as illustrating 'randomness'(is this right), is the scientific/maths a blind alley which leads down to something measurable even on Mars
Does is have anything to do with the weather?
it
Would I be pleased to have/be this?
Is it 'time'?
Is it a naturally occuring event?
I suppose I should ask in case I suppose erroneously
Even if Boolbar is not right, its a damn clever answer.
Analysing the analysing ...
rab - No, but getting closer
Boolbar - No, not exactly, but excellent guess. Winning could be considered a part of 'it'
Inkspot - No, but the portent itself has a connection
Kim - Not directly
Software - Yes
Dazed - No
Inkspot - Yes to 'occurring event' as for 'natural' - I would say more 'yes' than 'no', although the mathematics might prove otherwise [Clue#4]
Is it good luck?
Is it coincidence?
You know what Raak ....?
..... that's close enough. The answer was 'serendipity' but as this one has dragged on for a couple of days now, it may be best to leave it that a combination of your two guesses will do nicely. [insert smiley face here] I'm pleased because I was a-rootin' an' a-tootin' for you. So whilst ...
*the audience whoops and hollers [and exhales a collective sigh of relief] and waves handkerchiefs and garters and all manner of private apparel for that vair vair clever Raak*

... I shall prepare myself for the possible questioning of some of my replies :-)

The next object is MINERAL.
Stonehenge?
Congrats Raak, and about bl***y well time!
Man-made?
Metallic?
Inkspot: no. Btd: yes. Software: not usually
Used domestically?
Is it made from a combination of materials?
Does it have a practical function (as opposed to e.g. aesthetic)?
Is it consumable?
Is it unique?
Software: can be, but not primarily; Btd: yes; rab: yes; Chalky: no; Inkspot: no.
Does it require electrical power to function?
rab: no
Could you fit it inside a regular-size fridge?
Did it exist before the eighteenth century?
Is it today primarily manufactured on a factory production line?
Riff: yes. Breadmaster: yes (not a lot of people know that). Inkspot: yes.
Inkspot: But perhaps not on the scale that those words suggest.
Is it a tool?
Is it a musical instrument?
Chalky: yes. rab: no.
BTW, I've just realised that it can be VEGETABLE instead of MINERAL.
A dwelling?
This tool - is its function for the 'good of man'?
Software: no. Chalky: isn't that the function of every tool? But no, not specifically.
Is the mineral, stone?
Is it a calculating machine of some sort?
An abacus?
Is the 'vegetable' sort of this tool made of wood?
[Raak] Re 'good of man' - I meant the sort of tools that make killing machines - I should have been more precise
Inkspot: no; Boolbar: YES! snorgle: no; Chalky: yes
Slide rule?
A computer?
Boolbar: no; rab: YES.
Point to rab. Next!
Oops, meant to include one of these:
Coo
Despite being sorely tempted by an abstract, I did one of those last time so I think it's only fair I plump for a more tangible MINERAL on this occasion. Guess away.
Is it man- (or woman-) made?
Is it metallic?
Could you fit it in the fridge, next to the slide rule?
Outstep
Stepped out of the office for a moment to talk to my boss. We were discussing an integral and he suggested a few times that I "take it up the imaginary axis" which, I'm sorry to say, had me in schoolboy-snigger mode.

[Boolbar] Yes.
[Chalky] Bits of it are. (Oh, how I hate giving extra information away...).
[Riff] Probably not.

Was it created post-1940?
I'm afraid I don't know.
Does it contain electronics? (Valves count.)
Does it have anything to do with the arts?
Is it unique, being the one and only ever made?
Is it considered decorative?
Is it a device used for a specific purpose?
An atomic bomb?
I'm in a foul mood!
Do you own one?
Mornin'
[Raak] Yes.
[Bob] No.
[Inkspot] No.
[Dazed5] Not generally.
[Riff] It certainly has a primary purpose.
[Dujon] Bang.
[Boolbar] No.
Is it a calculating device?
[Raak] That is not its primary purpose.
Is it a computer?
Is it used for communication?
Does it have a screen for playing games?
Negativity
[Bob, Boolbar, Inkspot] No.
Is it used for transport?
Was it invented?
I mean that ships, the wheel are generic but vacuum cleaner, camreras where invented, does it fall in to either category?
Would one find it inside the home?
[Boolbar] No.
[Inkspot] Yes.
[Chalky] Possibly, but probably not.
Could it be considered a communication device?
Does it have wheels?
Is it a game machine of some sort?
[Boolbar] No.
[Breadmaster, Raak] I guess you could try and use this thing in those ways, but as that's not what it's designed for I'll say no.
Is it usually found in a hospital?
Was it invented before 1900?
Is it a photocopier?
Should every office have one?
[Boolbar] There are places where it is usually found, but I don't believe a hospital is one of them.
[Inkspot] I don't know when it was invented but that would be my guess.
[Chalky] No, but the way my mind works I can't help seeing at least a few similarities.
[Lib] That's a subjective question to which I would probably answer 'yes', but I expect the more usual answer would be 'no'.

Hmmm... not sure this spurious extra information would help anyone...

Is it a camera?
**** CORRECTION ***
To Inkspot's last answer, I would guess AFTER 1900. So, Boolbar, no - it's not a camera. Sorry...
Oh, so shall I go for a facsimile machine then?
Does it require electricity in order to function?
Would its primary use be for a particular profession(al).
ie stethoscope (doctor) V's a spanner (plumber/engineer/mechanic)
[Boolbar] You can, but I believe we have established that the primary purpose of this thing is not for the act of communication.
[Chalky] Yes.
[Inkspot] No.
Is it a machine for making something?
even though its primary function is not for communication, can you use it to communicate?
When in use, is it noisy?
That is, would it be obviously making a noise if you where (say) 20 feet away.
[Raak] I'll give a clue here - it is not used to manufacture something from raw materials, but it is a machine that processes something.
[Lib] Well, you could but I wouldn't sniff round this hole if I were you.
[Boolbar] No.
Is it a barcode reader?
Does it have an industrial application?
No to both, though Boolbar's notion of processing is closer than than of Ibid's, though I will throw in that this device contains no optics (e.g. lenses etc).
A punchcard reader?
A paper shredder?
A pasta maker?
printer?
although I'm sure that you could fit that in the fridge...:S
is it still in common use today?
Is it a scientific instrument?
An iron maiden?
Oh, wait -- those tend to be noisy.
A Thermostat?
An automatic cigarette-rolling machine?
Has it any connection with photo-processing?
Sorry for the delay
[Riff, 1] No
[Raak] No
[barbacoa] No
[Chalky, 1] Yes
[Inkspot] No
[Riff, 2] Ouch, no
[Boolbar] No - but (clue alert) it probably contains one.
[Breadmaster] No - although it might be adapted to perform this "roll"
[Chalky, 2] Probably not.
Would it cost less than ... say £200 to buy?
Cost
[Chalky] *googles* It seems so, yes.
A Laminating machine?
Does it process 'paper' in some way?
I ask because we seem to getting fixated on paper processing and for all we know, this machine could be a sausage maker.
[Boolbar] No, but you're getting warmer.
[Chalky] No, not paper.
It is some sort of alarm device?
Helping hand
[Raak] No.

Since I will wish to hand over the chair before leaving a little early this afternoon (probably about 4-5pm) I will give some hints as to what information would be very helpful, viz:

  • where it is most commonly found;
  • what it processes;
  • how it processes it.
I have a further clue up my sleeve which I will issue at about 3pm if we make no significant progress by then.
Is it a glue gun?
Is it a food maker of some sort?
Not a toaster but more along the lines of a breadmaker.
Does the application of heat 'mould' something, like glass?
Does it process a solid item?
Glue gun - Nah, it can't be that.
Is it found commonly in an office?
Just retract breadmaker,as you prevously said probably not found in the home.
Does it use water in the process?
Excuse the multi posting.
A hot water urn?
Hokey cokey
[Boolbar] No.
[Chalky] The heat is part of the processing, not really moulding, and almost certainly not glass.
[Boolbar] Yes.
[Inkspot, 2] Not an office.
[Inkspot, 3] I think not - although a small amount could be useful.
[Raak] Hence, no.
Is there a missing answer?
I keep searching back to find the answers to the food processing question. rab - I know you're probably fairly busy, but can we eliminate food as we have done with paper?
Is it something an interior decorator, electrician, plumber, or similar trademan would use?
[Chalky] Its primary function is not food related. However, less conventional uses of this device are limited only by our imagination, or perhaps an arbitrarily chosen numerical factor.
[Raak] No - or at least, not in order to do interior decorating, electrifying, plumbing or similar trades.
An iron?
as in shirts and all that
[Software] No - but you're not far off...
A steam engine?
A car crusher?
An electric seat warmer?
A trouser press?
[Chalky] Nope.
[Breadmaster] Nein.
[Raak, 1] Nay.
[Raak, 2] Hmmm... I was also looking for the manufacturer... should I give it him?
I see the light!
It's an orthopedic heated sleeping bag for midgets!
Oh, and yes, give it to Raak.
Raak the winner again!
Only if he can give 101 uses of the said Corby device.
Giving it to Raak
Go on. But refrain from over-effusive congratulatory words. I'm not sure Raak's really 'into' public displays of affection.
Kudos to Raak
[Chalky] However did you guess? [rab] Thank for those discreet and proper kudos. I shall arrange them artistically on my mantelpiece in a vase of water.

The next item is MINERAL and ABSTRACT.

A Jackson Pollack.
Erm....is it mainly chemical?
Is it mainly chemical?
Oops, sorry.
Is it The Rock of Ages?
Stab in the dark.
Does it exist only in the mind?
Is the mineral metal?
no question mainly because I'm unlikely to participate in this one.
I didn't guess - it was plain for all to see. It's only words on a screen.
[barbacoa] No, and no.
[Kim] (slight ripple from the audience, but) No.
[Btd] No.
[Riff] No.
Is it description for a collection of items?
[Inkspot] No.
Is it fictional rather than an actual place that appears in a work of fiction?
Is it Mount Doom?
...one of these days a questions will have so many riders it will run for several lines!!
[Inkspot] Yes; YES!!
Well done Inkspot.
Thank you Raak.

Lets see now, it's ABSTRACT and ANIMAL.

Cerebus?
Riff: No
Is it mythological?
Is it a cartoon?
Is it abstract solely because it is fictional?
Has it featured in a disney/pixar movie?
I say! Well done Inkspot - that must be a record? 6 questions and straight to the answer. Strikes me that you didn't get enough recognition for that, so to make up for it:
*Audience gasps in amazement, hesitates a bit, then breaks into rapturous applause for Inkspot!*
Is it an action connected to an animal?
*shuffles in late and starts handing out placards bearing the words "Congratulations Inkspot!!!!" for people to wave*
Thank you, both very much, *blushes*
Kayl [No]
Lib [No]
Raak [yes]
chalky [No]
Lotus [No]
Is the 'animal' element a human being?
a hobbit?
Is it originally from a book?
I too was most impressed by Inkspot's apparent use of ESP in the last one.
Chalky[Yes]
Zooological Keeper[No]
Breadmaster[No]
Is it a 'character' i.e. from a movie or play?
Zooological Keeper[No]
Flaubert's parrot?
Is it Gilgamesh?
Well, one-third human.
Is it someone we might have been told about in Childhood - like Jack Frost?
[Chalky] Wouldn't that be considered mythological?
Raak [No]
Breadmaster [No]
Chalky [Yes]

[barbacoa]in my mind, if is something is fictional it does not always follow that it 'mythological'.

Is this a Biblical character?
The sandman?
Raak [No]
Software [No]
Is this a character in a folk tale?
Father Christmas?
Jack Frost is though, isn't he? I don't mind if I'm wrong :)
The tooth fairy?
Raak [No]
Zooological Keeper [No]
Chalky [No]

[barbacoa] mythological and fictional is an old chestnut, and I still think there is a difference, even though it may be subjective and open to personal interpretation.

Summarising...
The answer is:
  • abstract solely because fictional
  • someone we might have been told about in childhood
The answer is not:
  • mythological
  • a cartoon
  • in a Disney/Pixar movie
  • a hobbit
  • a character in a movie or play
  • originally in a book
  • in a folk tale
  • in the Bible
  • Gilgamesh, Father Christmas, Flaubert's parrot, the Sandman, or the tooth fairy.
The bogey man?
Father Time?
Is it one person or a group of people?
Irritating curiosity
What was the answer to that link you posted?
Raak [No]
Boolbar [No]
Chalky [Yes, It is one person]

[barbacoa]Weapons of Mass Destruction

Is this person a nice person to have around?
Is this person male?
Boolbar]I would like to say yes, but very little in known about the persons character, as we are only told who they are and what they did...
Raak]Yes....muffled oohs in the audience
Mr Nobody?
The Man in the Moon?
Is it Solomon Grundy?
Did this person create something?
Would we find them in *any* form of literature?
Is this a character in a nursery rhyme?
Humpty Dumpty?
Jack Sprat?
getting warmer
Chalky [No]
Chalky[No]
Kim [No]
Boolbar [No]
Zooological Keeper[No] not directly but will be found in collections to do with the next question
Raak [Yes]audience brief muffled clapping
Raak [No]
Breadmaster [No]
The cow that jumped o'er the moon?
Is this a human person?
Software [No]
Raak [Yes]
Little Jack Horner?
the boy that stuck his finger in the dyke?
Is it Tom, Tom, the Piper's son?
Big Clue before bedtime!
Raak[No]You'll be getting this one aswell if your not careful ;)
snorgle[No]
Kin [No]
Looking for the person in the nursery rhyme about a man, who went somewhere (no animals other animals or people involved) but something happened, to make him never, want to go back ... ever!
Doctor Foster!
Take a chair!
Kim [YES]
A good win from Kim there coming up on the inside rail. Over to you.
Thanks, Inkspot, though you must admit, you gave us a lot of help.
OK...now then...Hmmmm.....Ah!
This next one is unquestionably MINERAL.
Is it man-made (oblig.) ?
Is it made of metal?

Nice one Kim
*Audience erupts into raucous cheering for Kim and his perfect recall of Doctor Foster's dubious exploits*

Would you like to have one?
[Boolbar] No.
[Chalky] No.
[Raak] No, but we may come back to the question of desirability later on.
Is it a combination of different materials?
Is it a geographical/physical feature?
Is it something one might have in one's home?
[Boolbar] No.
[Chalky] No.
[Raak] No.
Is it connected with the weather?
Is it the Moon?
Is there only one of this item?
Is it a particular object made of a particular substance, rather than the raw substance itself?
e.g. "diamonds", rather than "carbon".
[Chalky] No.
[Raak] No.
[Boolbar] *Murmur of interest ripples through the audience. Whispers of "interesting question" and "how can he answer that one accurately?".* Yes. Or, possibly, no.
[Riff] *More murmurs of excitement.*. If you had not supplemented the question, the answer to it would have been "Yes".
Is it an element?
[Boolbar] No.
Advance warning: I will be away from a PC for most of the afternoon and evening. I'll try to answer questions before I leave the office, but otherwise will probably not be able to get back on line between 2.00pm and 9.00pm tonight.
Is it larger than a telephone box?
Is it the Kaaba?
Might it be found underwater?
Is it found on this planet?
Is the object made from stone?
[Chalky] No.
[Raak] No.
[Breadmaster] No.
[Boolbar] Yes.
[Inkspot] Yes.
Is it a monument of some sort?
Is it presently located in only one country?
The Elgin Marbles?
The Rosetta Stone?
Is it *part* of a manmade thing (eg one of the stones in Stonehenge)?
Bear in mind here that the thing is neither a geographical feature nor manmade...
The Blarney Stone?
Going.....going.....
[Raak] No.
[Inkspot] I would refer the Hon. gentlemen to my answer to Boolbar's third question earlier today.
[Boolbar] No.
[Chalky] No.
[Breadmaster] No. It is itself, the thing, and what it is, too (A-hehhh-hehhh-hem!)
Nothing more from me until 9.00pm tonight.
Boolbar No3
How does Boolbar's third question
Is there only one of this item?your reply; Yes. Or, possibly, no
answer my question
Is it presently located in only one country
Is it a fossil?
The Stone of Destiny? (Also called the Stone of Scone.)
They may tak oor lives, but they will nivver tak oor friddom!
[Software] (Apologies for not having spotted your last posting.) No.
[Inkspot] I must confess I had some misgivings as to the quality of my response to your question. Boolbar's 3rd question was "Is there only one of this item? The strict answer to that question would be "Yes", but, it is alleged, there is at least one copy and there is some controversy as to which, if any, is the "real" one. The English, the Scots and the Irish all believe that they have the "one true stone". Given the rules of the game, I thought that my answer would be allowable. Turning to your question, "Is is presently located in only one country?", I considered that, given the (disputed) existence of at least one (alleged) fake, the same answer could be given. The strict answer to your question would, of course, have been "Yes" on the basis that the real one, to the extent that it even exists, could only be located in one country. I trust you will forgive me.
[Boolbar, again] No.
[Raak] YES! The answer is, indeed, the fabled Stone of Scone.
*Shouts of "Och, Aye!", "Hoots!" and "Nac Mac Feegle!" from the audience.*
 The stone belongs under a Chair, which now passes to Raak, with compliments.
Aye, 'tis a braw bricht moonlicht nicht the nicht, is it no?

Ahem. The next object is VEGETABLE.

Is it a living organism?
Raak]Congtrats on another superb win
Kim]The apology should be mine for not appreciating that the answer was the same and for the unintended brusque nature of the posting.
[Inkspot] No.
Is it edible?
Good guess, Raak. I'm determined to get one of these one of these days!
Is it a cricket bat?
Is it native to the UK?
Has it undergone a process of some kind to be in its present form?
[Inkspot] No offence taken, I promise.
[Breadmaster] Yes.
[Inkspot] Therefore, no.
[Software] Well, either maybe, or no. See the answer to Kim.
[Kim] Yes.
Is it associated with a cuisine from a particular country?
Although it is edible, is it usually thought of as something to eat?
[Inkspot] Not really.
[Boolbar] Yes.
Its not a tin of exploding peas, is it?
- topical, topical...!
Baked beans?
Does it contain fruit?
[Kim] No. [Software] No. [Boolbar] No.
Is it a vegetable?
Was it A vegetable?
oops
ignored the warning, sorry
[Inkspot] No. That is, it is VEGETABLE in terms of the game, but it does not contain anything ordinarily called a vegetable.
Is it usually consumed in solid form?
Is it somthing made from several ingredients like a jelly or a cake?
[Boolbar] Yes.
[Inkspot] Yes.
Compote?
[Software] No.
Is it usually served hot?
[Boolbar] No.
Are the ingredients all mixed together to form one homogenous product?
Is it a type of cake? cheeky supplementary question,Welsh cake?
[Kim] No. [Inkspot] No, hence no.
Is it seen as a seasonal food?
such as say a salad
Does it contain chocolate?
Is it sweet?
Confiture
It's Jam. With whole lumps of fruit in it. And my guess would be strawberry.
Is it trifle?
[Inkspot] No.
[Boolbar] Yes, and a ripple of applause from the audience.
[phahad] Despite the chocolate content, you wouldn't really think of this as being sweet.
[penelope] Not any sort of jam, marmalade, fruit preserve, or thing of like nature.
[Kim] No.
Would you describe it as being minty?
Is it made with choux pastry?
Exlax?
Is it a breakfast cereal?
Forget the homogenous choux pastry,(not paying attention....again!)
[phahad, Inkspot, Software, Inkspot] No.
Is it something contained within chocolate?
clapclapclapclapclapclap
[Boolbar] Yes.
Is it cocoa/cacao (bean or otherwise)?
[LotUS] I've already said it contains chocolate.
Er... a chocolate-covered billiard ball?
Wait a minute...
Boolbar - Does it contain chocolate?

Raak [Boolbar] Yes, and a ripple of applause from the audience.

Boolbar - Is it something contained within chocolate?

Raak [Boolbar] Yes.

I'm sorry. All I can say is.....WHAT?!
Is it a brand name?
Hmm. Another paradox strikes. Probably a good job there's no emaG esreveR here...
A chocolate centred chocolate covered caramel?
[ZK] I can't get past the 'not being sweet' thing either.
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