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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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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.
Straightening the way
[ZK] I took Boolbar's first question to mean, does the thing partly consist of chocolate? It does. I took his second question to mean, does the thing consist of chocolate enclosing something else? It does.
[barbacoa] No. Concerning sweetness, I personally wouldn't call chocolate sweet, especially plain chocolate. The thing that it is enclosing is certainly not sweet at all.
[Everyone] So, what unsweet vegetable thing might be coated with chocolate? I'm sure the answer will be waiting for me in the morning.
Oops, missed Riff's question. No, not a chocolate-covered billiard ball. (I think the billiard ball would be either ANIMAL or MINERAL, depending on its source.)
Is it those chocolate-covered coffee bean things you get in places like Starbucks?
We have a winner!
[Kim] Yes, it is indeed chocolate-coated coffee beans.
*blushes*
I'm so sorry, everyone. I feel I have once again crept up on the side rail and snuck in while others' back were turned. Oh, well, what the hell...
ANIMAL
I'm off to Milton Keynes now, so no responses to questions until about 9.00am GMT tomorrow. Line 'em up!
Is it human?
Is it a single, living organism?
Do worms get married?
Is it/are some of them alive just now?
Has someone been tapping my brainwaves?
[Breadmaster] No.
[Inkspot] Yes.
[Raak]Yes.
Is it a worm?
Native UK?
*Aaaargh* - Rewind!!!!
My response to Raak's last question contained a typographical error. The answer to his question is not, in fact, "Yes", but "No". Apologies to all for being asleep at the keyboard. Boolbar and Software invited to review their last questions in the light of this.
Does it end in "Saurus" ?
Was it native to a region of the world?
[Boolbar] No.
[Inkspot] My research indicates that the answer to your question is Yes.
Was it alive at any time since 1900?
How old?
[Raak] No.
Dodo?
Is it the pre-historic single-cell Radiolaria?
[Boolbar] No.
[Inkspot] No.
Is it a reptile?
Could it fly?
Was it a sea creature?
Clarification plase
Living or dead? Does the answer to Inkspot's first question mean that it is alive right now, or merely that it was alive when it, er, was alive?
Oooh, aaah!
[Inkspot] My research indicates that the answer to your question is "No".
[Boolbar] Yes. *Excited murmurs and a burst of applause from the audience.*
Is it a fossilised bird?
Clarification plase (sic)
*Struggles to resist urge to answer Raak's question with "Yes". Just succeeds.*
[Raak] My answer to Inkspot's first question may be interpreted to mean that, when they were alive (which, clearly, from my answer to your first question, they no longer are) they were individual, living organisms. I trust this is clear.
[Inkspot] Yes.
Archaeopteryx?
Paleontologists unite!
[Boolbar] Yes!
Boolbar wins by a head from Inkspot! The answer is indeed Archaeopteryx.
I was hoping someone would go for Pterodactyl first, so that I could come back with a witty remark about how I thought that was a verse form, but never mind. I pass the Chair in Jurassic Studies over to Boolbar, with compliments.
Yey!
Thank you! From an old bird to the next mystery item . . . ABSTRACT.
Is it a human concept
Standard opening
[Software] Yes it is. (standard answer)
Is it pleasant?
* collective sharp intake of breath as the audience first marvel at Boolbar's knowledge of flying creatures that have been dead for ages ... then break into well-deserved applause*
Takes a bow
[Chalky] It might be, but then again it might not be. Or then again, the question might not have any meaning.
Is it an emotion?
It's not The Matrix or some philosophical thing like that is it?
Is it the mind?
As technically speaking, the mind is not regarded as animal (apparently)
Was it ever thought of before the seventeenth century?
Another day, another question.
[Tuj] No.
[Zooo Keeper] No.
[Breadmaster] Yes.
Manichaeanism?
Wot?
[Raak] *looks in a dictionary* No. This game is sure educational!
Is it connected with religion?
[Raak] No. It's a very general thing so I'm sure it could be said to be connected with lots of things if you really wanted to try and find connections.
Do animals have this concept also?
Does it have its origins in philosophical writings?
Is it 'thought'?
"Manichaean (n): Someone from Manchester."
[Tuj] I wouldn't have thought so, but you never can tell . . .
[Kim] No.
[Riff] No.
BTW, saying that it is a human concept might lead you astray. If all life vanished from this planet (or any planet for that matter) then it could be argued that this concept still existed. A bit like the tree falling in the forest when there is no-one around making a sound.
Is it, therefore, logic?
Donning thoughtful Bertrand Russell pose.
[Software] No.
Is it life itself?
[Boolbar] Isn't it arguable that a concept must de facto be capable of conception (by beings capable of thought) and that if all life on any planet vanished then there would be nothing left capable of abstract thought and, accordingly, the concept itself would cease to exist. *Lao Tse: "When a tree falls in a forest and you are not there to hear it, does it make a sound?"
Lord Vetinari: "Yes."
Lao Tse: "How do you know?"
Lord Vetinari: "My sources are generally reliable."*
[Kim] No. oh, and yes I agree it is arguable.
Can you give us a clue? :)
Clueless
[ZK] Yes, I will if no-one has got it by tomorrow.
Is it the passage of time?
Can it be expressed in equations?
Audience start muttering and saying "ooooh"
[Chalky] No. But you have come out of the snow and are warming your toes in front of the fire whilst supping from a good hot soup.
[Ibid] I can see a way of doing it but it isn't something that you would expect to see in an equation.
Life, the universe and everything?
Or is it the restaruant at the end of the universe?
The ageing process?
[Software] No on both counts, but I guess the second question allows you to look at the fire through a telescope from about a mile away.
[Chalky] No. Could you put your soup down and move away from the fire please?
Finality? as in The End?
[Chalky] No. *opens door for Chalky*
Nostalgia?
[Boobar] Aha ... so I was closer with the passage of time thing then?
Is is Death?
I'll repeat that: "Is it death?"
[Chalky] No. *hands back her soup*
[Kim] No. *opens door a crack so Kim can see inside*
Evolution?
Darn you Boobar! I'm supposed to be cooking dinner, now I'll be glued to this until it's resolved :-)
Is it the Afterlife?
Is it purely a temporal phenomenon?
[Chalky] No
[Kim] No
[Ibid] I'd say it always exists (but with above silent tree argument noted).
C'mon let's get this cracked before tomorrow!
Is its time zones and British Summer Time?
Coming in late, been at home on leave and hardly managed to get near the pc, things to etc....makes note for back at the office must remember to work;)
Resurrection?
Tricky this.
Reincarnation?
[Inkspot] No, but you are in the right area.
[Tuj] No.
[Kim] No.
I may or may not be around until Monday. Hopefully someone will have a brainwave tomorrow.
Is it a measurement of time?
...not quite tomorrow yet where I am...
Is it a phrase to describe a 'time' event? or a phrase with a time element?
first example-high noon or sunset.
second example 'golden years/days'
Good guess, that. When you're metaphorical, you can't go wrong in terms of abstract.
The answer never comes . . . .
[Tuj] Not quite.
[Inkspot] Yes!! (to first part).
Is it one of the Seasons?
Or am I going too broad with this again?
Is it a relative time phrase?
As in yesterday, tomorrow, or the like, I mean.
Is it the passage of time?
This month?
[Kim] Bzzzzt - Repetition!
Is it "Now"?
[Chalks] Saaary! Must remember to read through previous postings....
...on which the sun never sets.
Bit of a long explanation this. Some mumbling and rambling. My assumption begins with some events such as calender months and weeks are subjective 'man-made'. On the moon with on side always in the dark the normal definition of night/day does not apply nor would yesterday,sunsets/dawn, time zones etc.. I've tried to word the question to avoid confusion with as seen from earth events, eg crescent moon, except eclipses.
1. Does it occur on the moon, if you were to live there?
2. Does it occur on earth and on moon?
3. Is it subjective man made??
The more I try to think the more I get confused ;)
Do I have to mention it again?
[Zooo K] No.
[Tuj] Yes! *An audience member faints, the rest gasp*
[Kim] No.
[Chalky] No. But the right area (see answer to Tuj)
[Kim] No.
[Inkspot] (1) I suppose you could define it on the moon using some sort of astronomic framework. (2) It occurs on the Earth because we have defined it. If we visited the moon, we would just use the Earth system and definition. (3) Taking your definition, yes. The more I try and answer these questions, the more I get confused.
Is it one of the seasons? a previous season?
bzzzzt
Repetition!
Does it descibe a period of more than seven days?
ZK]apologies, and only six moves previous. I promise not to do it again till next time.
Back tomorrow
[Inkspot] No to both!
Big Clue
Tuj came the closest - in fact I could give it to him, but he didn't put something in the right place. . .
Is it 'today'?
Or just a day?
Nostalgic for yesterday! Not me I'm far too busy, it's not like in the old days but then the summers were longer and hotter.
...and on the moon there is only today, there is no yesterday and tomorrow never comes...Mr Bond
An answer, an answer, there's always an answer . . .
[ZK] Try again . . .
[Inkspot] Is there a question in there (or an answer?)
The answer has been mentioned so many times but not as an answer.
I think it has to be "tomorrow".
...but, if it is, I shall abrogate the Chair in favour of Tuj.
Boolbar]I was hoping Tuj was around to step in and take the chair, but he does not seem to have been around much yesterday.
Heaves huge sigh of relief.
[Kim] It is indeed. If you want to give it to Tuj then by all means do so.

* Audience awakens from a long snooze and breaks into huge applause shouting out Kim and Tuj's names and slapping Inkspot on the back before dashing for the toilets *

plaudits
Well done Kim & Tuj et al. Last night, on returning from 36 hours of 'celebrating', I was surprised to find that this one hadn't been 'nailed'. Good choice Boobar :-)
re: the next one - I think whoever is 'around' now and for the next few hours should take the chair.
We want Tuj!
Where is Tuj based? If he's out of commission for any reason, then I'll supply the next one, but I propose to wait until 5.00pm UK time, to give Tuj a chance to play. Any objections to this?
Waaaah! Combination of monitor failure at work (not to mention the slowest-responding IT helpdesk in Europe and a son distinctly under the weather at home have prevented me from posting since this lunchtime. Sorry, one and all for the hiatus. OK, I see that Tuj is otherwise occupied, so I will take the chair once more. OK, since collaborations seem to be all the rage (cf. Britney, featuring Madonna), lets say: Abstract, featuring Vegetable.
Is the vegetable a food item?
Is it a biological process, like transpiration?
Is it a musical group?
like Boyzone featuring Robbie Williams?
Is it a figurative vegetable?
E.g. the apple of one's eye, the tree of life, etc.
Is it an insult, like Turnip Head?
Ping!
[Riff] Yes.
[ZK] No.
[Dazed5] No.
[Raak] Yes.
[Software] No.
Is the vegetable a fruit?
The Great Pumpkin?
Is it the title of a book and/or film?
Is it chocolate?
[Chalky] Yes.
[Raak] You're a good man, Charlie Brown, but no.
[Boolbar] Yes.
[Lib] No.
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes?
Some people classify tomatoes as a fruit.
Are Oranges the Only Fruit?
Is it a recent book/film .... say post - 1990?
Temparature's rising...
[Raak] Super, but no.
[Inkspot] No.
[Chalky] No.
The Grapes of Wrath?
James and the Giant Peach?
oops - too recent.
Peachy
[BtD] The book isn't.
Four Weddings and a Banana?
A clockwork orange?
Here we go round the Mulberry Bush?
only guessed this after discounting Last Mango in Paris
Boolbar wins again!
Another fine drop goal sails majestically between the uprights from the golden boot of Boolbar. The answer is, indeed, Steinbeck's searing indctment and merciless evocation of loss and displacement, The Grapes of Wrath.
Consolation prizes to Software and Dazed5 - there must be a new game in there somewhere (perhaps a replacement for the current Pants game, which, to my mind, had run its course some time ago).
The Chair passes to Boolbar.
* audience, having just got settled, tosses aside popcorn and malteser boxes, and erupts into noisy raucous cheering for Boolbar - who has proved himself master of the Abstract Vegetable genre*
Surprised
Oooh, better do a quickie then. Animal
Is it a ... erm .... 'quick' animal?
Is it a person? are they alive?
[Chalky] Depends what you compare with. Faster than a dead tortoise, slower than a tortoise traveling at the speed of light.
[Inkspot] Yes, and yes.
Is he a he?
I was hoping to do a line about "It it a quick animal, as opposed to a dead animal?" Never mind....
[Kim] He is a he.
Osama bin Laden?
[Raak] No.
Is this person an artist of some kind?
As opposed to a big-nosed, pointy-chinned, syrup-wearing, washed up light-entartainment has-been, like for instance Bruce Forsyth.
George Bush?
A politician?
American?
Aan]
Please tell me it isn't a rugby player.
An actor?
oops pressed return instead of shift
Is he a writer?
Is it J. Wilkinson, the flavour of the week?
Waking from a slumber, I spotted that I almost won something up there. Never mind. Thanks, Kim - I don't think I'm on here frequently enough to be the chair for this fast-paced game!
No to you all!
[Dazed5] No. Although aren't we all artists in some way?
[Software] No.
[Raak] No.
[Riff] No.
[Breadmaster] No.
[Inkspot] No.
[Kim] No, he doesn't write for a living.
[Tuj] No.
British?
Is it an active sportman or has he retired?
[Breadmaster] Oh yes.
[Inkspot] Oh no. Not a sportsman - not retired.
Is he a TV presenter?
Ian Huntley?
Morbid - I know, but I had to get off my chest.
[Chalky] No.
[Inkspot] No.
A musician?
Does he have a connection with ISIHAC?
[Inkspot] No.
[Raak] Ooooh, there is a vague connection. * audience look interested *
Is he a known homosexual?
Just trying to narrow it down, you understand.
Is he an actor?
Does he work for one of the major UK broadcasting organisations (albeit not in an acting, writing, musical, TV presenting or sporting capacity?
)?
[Breadmaster] No.
[Dazed5] No, he still isn't. (See answer to Inkspot above).
[Kim] No.
Is he funny?
Is he a chef?
[Lib] He doesn't make people laugh for a living (he's not an entertainer).
[Inkspot] No.
Is he known primarily for appearances on TV or radio?
Does he read the News?
Or would that be regarded as an entainer? hmmmmm....
swap:- entainer/entertainer
Ian Hislop?
Is he involved with production or direction?
Is he alive?
[Breadmaster] No.
[Lib] Not out loud, but he probably does read newspapers. :o)
[Inkspot] No.
[Chalky] No.
[Software] Yes.

Clue - that vague connection that I mentioned, is it staring you in the face?

Is he a normal guy who acheived some fame, or infamy?
Apologies for my repetition above. We can, therefore, conclude he is not an actor.
[Dazed5] Yes, he's a normal guy. No he's not had his 15 minutes of fame yet.
Is it YOU [+y]?
And if not, is it one of us?
Is it me?
Deep Breath
[Chalky] You are correcto!!!!!!
I was going to pick someone else, but if the questions got too personal then I know a lot about me.

* Audience applaudes Chalky's sudden insight and carries her aloft to the chair chanting her name *

*makes the sound of one hand clapping*
Wahay
Gosh - that was a surprise. Now for a *V E G E T A B L E*
Is it edible to humans?
Ruling out such things as dining room tables
Is 'a' vegetable a clue?
A carrot?
Well, a basic answer's not out of the question, surely?
Dazed - No, not really, although it wouldn't kill you if you did eat it.
Duj - It isn't a clue :-)
Beth - No [basic answer :-)]
Is it a *product* made from vegetable materials?
Can't think of an example, but still...
Is it something made of wood?
Is it something manufactured?
Does it float on water?
Is it made of paper?
sorry to keep you waiting ....
Beth - Yes
Riff - No
Raak - Yes
Boolbar - Yes
Bob - No
Is it something made by humans in order to travel on water?
Is it more usually manufactured by hand, rather than by automated process?
Does it have moving parts?
Is it an item of furniture? A table perhaps?
Boolbar - No
Kim - Both nowadays
Breadmaster - No
Hi Lib :-) - No
Is it woven?
Do you own one?
..... (or more)?
Is it wicker-work?
Is it a piece of clothing?
Although a towel for example can be 'worn' it is not clothing, but a dressing gown as a piece of clothing could be made from towelling.
Is is machine-washable?
Does it have a specific colour?
Did they have it in the Middle Ages?
Did they have it in the Stone Ages?
back from lunch
Raak - No
Boolbar - Not at the moment ... therefore No to second question
Bob - No
Inkspot - No
Kim - No
rab - Yes
Breadmaster - Interesting. Define Middle Ages and I can give you a more specific answer.
Beth - No
Is it larger than a phone book?
rab - No, not usually. Extreme examples might be.
Is it manufactured for specific purpose or function?
Inkspot - Yes
Is it white?
Is it from the husk of a nut?
Boolbar - No
Inkspot - No
Is it orange?
Is it coal?
Is it a book?
Boolbar - No [but close]
Raak - No
Lib - No

Nobody has really guessed even close so far. A combination of Dazed's original question and Raak's recent question - even though they both received a 'No' might give some direction.

Is it a liquid?
Boolbar - No
ooooops
Sorry Boolbar - that was ME appropriating your name without permission :-)
Just a thought - I am assuming you meant the colour orange as opposed to the fruit orange in your last question? If you meant the fruit, then the answer is an even more resounding No.
Does it readily combust?
Is it amber ?
As in Jurrasic Park trapped mosquito
A charcoal biscuit?
back from 'Oklahoma' rehearsal
Tuj - Yes [excellent question]
Inkspot - amber-coloured? sort of
Raak - No
Is a produced from a particular vegetable ?
Inkspot - Yes
Is it brandy?
Is it any alcoholic liquid?
D'oh, it's not a liquid at all. Ignore me.
Is it anything to do with wax?
*random guessage*
To recap
vegetable

not edible to humans although it wouldn't kill you if you did eat it

"a" vegetable isn't a clue

not a carrot

Is a product made from vegetable materials

Not made of wood

something manufactured

Floats on water

not made of paper

not something made by humans in order to travel on water

Nowadays it is both manufactured by hand and by automated process

does not have moving parts

Not an item of furniture (including a table)

Not woven

Chalky does not currently own any

not wicker work

not a piece of clothing

not machine washable

has a specific colour

depending on your definition of middle ages, they might or might not have had it then

didnt have them in the stone ages

not usually larger than a phone book but extreme examples might be

manufactured for specific purpose or function

not white

not from the husk of a nut

not orange (but orange is close)

Not coal

not a book

It readily combusts

is not amber but as a colour is close

not a charcoal biscuit

is produced from a particular vegetable

Arriving late - as usual
A tennis ball?
Is it a animal feed for cows?
thanking ZK for recap
ZK - No, nothing to do with wax
Dujon - No
Inkspot - No

I'm trying to think of a clue that doesn't give away the answer, although 24 hours is probably quite long enough to be guessing something as straightforward as this. The recap didn't mention my clue so to reiterate: Tuj's question should lead you straight to it. The ambiguity of its 'edibility' is also relevant.

Whisky?
Oops, it's already been said to be not a liquid.
A cork?
Raak - No. The whisky guess was closer :-)
Is it something you would apply to the outside of the body?
Methylated spirits?
Would it normally be found in a kitchen?
Raak - You would not 'apply' it, but you would 'do' something with it.
Inkspot - No
Dazed - It could be found anywhere.
Is it a kumquat?
Hmm - not particularly combustable.
Cointreau?
Bob - No & No and 'combustible' is the key word, but I've been hinting at that for some time.

clue: Within the last month, several new games have started in the three MC servers. One of them is very closely connected with this object.

A cigar?
A packet of Woodbine cigarettes?
At last! The answer is A CIGAR. Well done Raak.
*polite round of applause from the sudience*
cigars aren't orange!
Who said they were?
Thank you, thank you, and the next object is MINERAL.
is it an element?
Is it something made from a mineral substance, as opposed to the mineral itself?
Learning from the masters....
[Beth] No.
[Kim] It is something made.
Have been watching this recently, hope no-one minds if I join in! Is it hard?
In a word...
Well, yeah. But it seems you get better with practice.
Is it hard?
No, I meant is the object hard
Aah..
Well, I'll join in with that I think!
Is it a liquid?
[Uno] Yes, and therefore [Beth] No.
Is it something manufactured for a specific purpose?
Unashamedly nicking questions from Inkspot...
Is the finished item wholly of man made materials?
Does it have any practical use in someone's line of work?
Apologises and hangs head in shame for earlier ineptitude
Is it valuable?
[Beth] Yes.
[Inkspot] Yes.
[Uno] Not specifically: anyone would have a practical use for it.
[Lib] No. (Amused murmurs from audience.)
Is it manufactured from a single material (element, compound or mixture) or more than one?
Is it manufactured from a single material (element, compound or mixture)?
Oops
Is it Fool's Gold?
Except that's naturally occuring...
Did they have it between the years c.800 and c.1500?
Shamelessly carrying on with my question from the last round here. It was of no help then, it's probably of no help here.
Does it have a practical application?
You are most welcome Uno!
[Uno] Yes (it is either from either a single material or from more than one); No (not made from a single material).
[rab] No.
[Breadmaster] No.
[Btd] Yes (already had that one).
Is it a coin?
Used in the home?
Does it use electricity?
Is it made from a particular metal?
[Chalky] No.
[plump] Not specifically: it can be (and is) used almost anywhere.
[Btd] I had to look on the web to answer this: no.
[Inkspot] No.
Could you buy one in a typical hardware store?
[Riff] No.
To amplify my answer to Inkspot: it is made of metal, but while there are no doubt metals which are more or less well suited to the purpose, it is not part of its nature to actually be made of a particular metal.
Does it have moving parts?
Does it tell the time?
[Inkspot] Yes.
[Chalky] YES!! (round of applause)
deliberately not guessing ...
... so that someone else can have a turn :-)
A watch?
May as well get the easy one out of the way.
Is it a digital watch?
Since Raak had to look it up on the internet, and I can't believe he wouldn't have heard of clockwork watches, so it has to be a type of timepiece that you'd think would need a battery - except there are those kinetic ones which apparently don't. Hence my guess.
A carriage clock?
available as wedding gifts in either clockwork or with batteries(not included)
A Rolex Cosmograph Daytona?
Following Ibid's comments I shall have to be more specific.
[rab] Yes.
[Ibid] No. (Some clockwork watches are driven by a quartz crystal powered by a battery, but as far as I can determine, all of the watches in question are entirely mechanical.)
[Inkspot] No.
[rab] *mixture of applause and laughter from the audience* Definitely not.
A Mickey Mouse Watch?
Is it a wristwatch?
As opposed to a pocket-watch or some other type.
Is it a pocket-watch?
As opposed to a wristwatch or some other type ;)
[Btd] No.
[Riff] Yes.
[barbacoa] No.

The sharks are circling around the mystery object...

A hint: this type of wristwatch is definitely not valuable, made of a specific metal, or a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona.

A timex?
[Riff] Actually, I don't know who makes these. One thing is certain, the maker's name does not appear on them.
Was Bob the dog close in guessing it as a "character" watch?
Have you got one?
[Z.K.] No.
[Btd] No.

Hint: it is not a Rolex.

Is it a *fake* Rolex?
It is indeed a fake Rolex.
aaaaaaaargh!
ooh! popped up randomly and guessed the answer right! goodness me! Okay. Um...give me a few minutes while I think of something!
Wahey!
Okay. The next object is VEGETABLE.
Edible?
Standard opening.
[BtD] Technically, yes, but I don't know anyone who would.
Is it a manufactured object?
Hate having to answer vaguely!
[Raak] No. If it was (in this case) I'd have to call it mineral.
Coal?
Ooh
[BtD] No.
Oil (the stuff pumped out of the ground)?
Still vegetable
[Raak] No. I thought oil was made of long-dead sea creatures that had been crushed and whatnot?
Is it something made from a vegetable?
[Beth] No.
Is wood involved?
Isn't oil made of fossilised vegetable matter, like coal? Particularly squishy vegetable matter, maybe...
Lol at squishy
[Breadmaster] Yes. I don't know about the composition of oil, to be honest. But let's just say for now, definitively, it is not oil.
Is it something fashioned (ie manufactured, to go back to Raak's first question) from vegetable matter?
Eg: Vegemite.
Is it wood from a particular tree?
Is it hard?
[Kim] No.
[Inkspot] Yes....mostly (audience muttering excitedly)
[rab] Hard or solid?
A cricket bat?
[Riff] No.
I'm worried my answer to Inkspot's question might be a bit misleading...
A Christmas tree ?
'Twas the first day of advent, and all through the house...

Yes! It is indeed A Christmas Tree. Not very challenging then, but worth a go!
Over to Inkspot!
*peels off the label from computer reminding self of own answer :)*
Cheers and wild clapping as Inkspot flicks the switch on the lights of the Christmas Tree.
lucky guess
ZK]Your clues at the end about a tree were just enough to tip the balance.

...and the next one please, Vegetable *gasps from the audience*

Sprouts?
Is this vegatable associated with Christmas dinner?
Is it edible?
Whether or not that would preclude its being sprouts, I won't comment.
Is it native to the UK?
and we're off...
[Bob the dog]No
[Kim] No
Bread Master [No] But this is misleading as the 'whatever it is', is not meant to be eaten but eating it would do you no harm, "Edible-Something fit to be eaten" def Dictionary .com
[Software]No
A banana skin?
Orange peel?
[Raak] No
[Kim] No
Would it be classed as a fruit?
[Software] No
Is it customarily eaten by some animal?
Is it processed an any way?
[Raak]No
[Bob the dog] Yes
Is it something made of paper?
And if so, is it the recently-released fifth book in Stephen King's Dark Tower series, Wolves of the Calla?
Might it be found in the average household?
Is a beverage made from this?
[Riff]No *oooo's, two claps and a murmur from the back row * what do you mean harsh.
[Breadmaster] Yes *brief clapping and a cheer from the back*
[Dazed5] Yes *more clapping and a chair from the back falls over*
A tea-bag?
Coffee beans?
[Raak] YES!
[Riff]No
A Tea bag it is, well done Raak, your chair is ready, two secs while I rearrange the cushions to how you like them ;)

The next object is MINERAL.
Is it found in the average home?
I am going to get one of these, doggonnit!
[Bm] No.

Come to think it of, I'm not entirely sure what this is made of. It's at least partly MINERAL, but might be partly VEGETABLE.

Is it often seen on a road-side?
Is is manufactured?
[Boolbar] No.
[Lib] Yes.
Could I use it to shelter from the rain?
[Boolbar] Yes.
Is it colourful?
[Lib] No.
Is it movable?
Is it bigger than an averaged sized car?
Well - is it an umbrella?
[DrQ] With difficulty, even if it isn't screwed down.
[Lib] No.
[Wol] No. (You could use it to shelter from the rain, but that's not its purpose.)
Is there more than one of these?
Could it be a form of transport?
[Boolbar] Yes.
[Bm] Er...no. (Audience goes "oooooooooh".)
Is it some form of structure?
Does it have moving parts (even when screwed down)?
Is it something that would normally be screwed down?
[Dazed5] Yes.
[Chalky] No.
[Riff] Well, fixed in some way, yes.
Does it use electricity?
A tent?
[DrQ] Yes.
[Software] No.
Is it a telephone box?
wild cheers
[rab] Oooh, sort of.
One of those tardis/police box things you get in Edinburgh?
Or some sort of booth? Maybe Cherie?
Just recapping
MINERAL. At least partly MINERAL, but might be partly VEGETABLE.
Is it found in the average home? No
Is it often seen on a road-side? No
Is it manufactured? Yes
Could I use it to shelter from the rain? Yes
Is it colourful? No
Is it movable? With difficulty, even if it isn't screwed down.
Is it bigger than an averaged sized car? No
is it an umbrella? No. (You could use it to shelter from the rain, but that's not its purpose.)
Is there more than one of these? Yes
Could it be a form of transport? Er...no. (Audience goes "oooooooooh".)
Is it some form of structure? Yes
Does it have moving parts (even when screwed down)? No
Is it something that would normally be screwed down? Well, fixed in some way, yes.
Does it use electricity? Yes
A tent? No.
Is it a telephone box? Audience - wild cheers Oooh, sort of.
[rab] I think rab gets the prize. It is a police box.
Audience cheers, claps, and goes wild for rab.
So not Cherie Booth then...
Predictable, I know, but this one's ABSTRACT.
Is it natural?
... as opposed to 'created'.
Well done rab. I've always wondered what a police box was - and now I am none the wiser :-)
Is there only one of these?
So if police boxes are not often seen on road sides, where are they often seen then?
Is it fictional?
[Boolbar] They aren't, these days.
Should be working...
[Chalky] Yes.
[Boolbar] No.
[Raak] No.

The only place I've ever seen police boxes is in Edinburgh. Some are now used as police 'info boxes' (with a computer touch screen thinghy), others have been converted to coffee-vending booths.

Is it pleasant?
Would it exist if humankind didn't?
Is it a mathematical entity?
Effective repulsion
[Chalky] It can be.
[Boolbar] Yes.
[Raak] *an audience member nods sagely*... but no.
Is it something astronomical?
Like the orbit of Jupiter, the age of the universe, the constellation Orion, etc.
Has it always been known about?
Would it exist if there were no animals?
[Raak] No.
[Inkspot] I would say so.
[Breadmaster] Yes.
Is it anything to do with the passing of time?
Can we measure it in any way?
[Dazed5] No.
[Boolbar] Nnnyieahh... Possibly, although I probably wouldn't follow this avenue of thought just now.
Would a child [under age of 10] know about this?
Is it a natural reoccuring event?
[Chalky] Oh yes.
[Inkspot] No.
Can we see it occuring?
[Boolbar] We can see it, but it's not something that occurs.
Is it a term for a collection things?
When we see it, does it usually have the same colour (if any)?
[Inkspot] No.
[Boolbar] Yes. *Audience begins whispering excitedly*

I have a feeling Boolbar really wants to get this one...

Is it the sky?
Is it a symbol of some sort?
So, if it doesn't occur does that mean its there all the time?
Is it a rainbow?
[rab] I'm just bored . . . .
[Breadmaster, Raak] No.
[Lib] Um. I could get all philosophical and ask how would we tell... All I can say is that it just 'is'...
[Boolbar] No.
Shadows ?
Not the guitar plucking popular beat combo.
A reflection?
[Boolbar, Chalky] No.

I'd like to offer a hint without giving the game away, but I'm finding that difficult so I shall say for now that the the last three guesses are quite cold.

Is it light?
[Breadmaster] Warmer.
Is this detectable by any of our other senses apart from vision?
Darkness?
[Dazed5] No.
[Raak] I think you want to go back the way Breadmaster came from.
Is it anything to do with the seasons?
Is it something that produces light?
Is it a *kind* of light?
Like sunlight, starlight, moonlight, etc...
Is it a Sunset?
Sneaking in half-way through the class and looking over the shoulders of other students....
Photosynthesis?
Can it be seen underground?
Is it the colour green?
Moonlight?
Is it a superintelligent shade of anything?
Is it the light that shines out of someones backside?
All good guesses, but only one of them is right. And the winner is...

*Fanfare*

Chalky! Yes it was green. I had considered peach puff, but thought I might get lynched.

*curtsies to fanfare*
That'll teach me to take some time to read the questions and replies. That's the first time I've actually deduced the answer [and rab - peach puff would have been my next guess] :-)

And now, a nice easy peasy * A N I M A L *

Is it a whole animal or some part of an animal?
Is it a person?
cutting to the chase
Boolbar - Neither, because ....
Inkspot - Yes [but you're only part way there]
Is it a player of MC?
[crosses fingers]
Are they female?
MF - Not that I know of :-)
Inkspot - No, they are not female
It is the England Rugby Team?
Is it a team of people who play a sport?
simulled
Kim, Boolbar - Neither - you can eliminate sport.
Is it a group of musicians?
Is it Sean Connery?
....as he watches Ursula Andres emerge from the sea in Dr No.
Ant and Dec?
whoever they are.
Are they all currently alive?
Is it more than one person?
sorry .... forgot I was in the chair
Uno - No
Inkspot - No
Software - No
Kim - No
rab - Yes
Were they royalty?
Were they a tribe?
(I would include Ancient Romans, Greeks etc in that definition).
Is it more than 4 people?
Inkspot - No
rab - No
Boolbar - No
Is it the triumvirate of Mark Antony, Lepidus, and Octavius Caesar?
The Holy Trinity?
(Although there'd be an argument for at least two of the three to be abstract)...
BM - Nah
rab - Nah [these peeps were unequivocally 'animal']

I'm Oklahoma-ing now until about 11.30 - please leave your questions/guesses in an orderly pile :-)

Was he a writer published before 1900?
Is it a film duo?
Ignore previous one about the writer, I blame my runny nose!
Are they English?
The Beatles?
Is it a famous duo?
eg morecambe and wise, fred astaire and ginger rogers...
Inkspot - Yes [2nd question]
Riff - No
Raak - No
ZK - Yes
Is it Laurel and Hardy?
Duuhh I'd like to blame my runny eyes for not seeing Inkspot's question! :)
ZK - No
It wasn't Fred and Ginger, was it?
ZK - It wasn't :-)
Is it Bob Hope and Bing Crosby?
R2D2 and C3PO?
Not being alive, technically they can presumably be considered as, well, not alive..
Leaping out of the hot seat .....
Dazed - YES!

* audience gasps in amazement at the audacity of Mr Dazed - then cheers wildly for a rare 'poachers victory' *

*whoops for Dazed5*
poachers victory?
ZK] poachers victory? - when someone 'steals' the game without doing any of the hard work :-) It happens.
Poachers victory
Thanks Chalklette. Next one up is ABSTRACT
A poachers victory?
Is it a human concept?
ZK - no
ZK - not a concept
is it weather-related?
Is is a condition or state of being?
Is it a fictional human ?
Is it a law of some kind?
Is it a sin?
Does it exsist?
Can I make one?
Sorry for the delay...so to work...
Riff, no.
Kim,on balance I would say yes.
BM, no.
Chalky, no.
Lib, yes it does exist.
Raak, you can but do not think of it in the singular..it is abstract.
Is it tangiable?
Or is it a feeling? love, for example.
A suggestion?
War?
Is it an action?
Lib, yes.
Lib, no.
Raak, no
Ibid, yes
Is it a gesture?
Is it an action expressed by a transitive verb?
Is it an action that a shark would normaly do?
Sorry software..missed you out from the above answers but it is not a suggestion.
Raak. It could be construed as being a gesture but it's more than that.
Kim. It is all that and much more.
Inkspot. Sharks may do this, I am no expert.
Is it naughty?
Is it a sense of humour?
Is it slapstick comedy?
Is the thing to which this is done another person?
Riff, it can be naughty.
rab, no.
BM, one person would do this with another person.
Is it dancing?
A sense of humour?
You missed out Chalky!
A kiss?
plump,no.
So sorry Chalky darling. It could be argued that a sense of humour is part of this, but it isn't the answer.
ZK, see above.
Raak, no.
Is it something the two people involved would enjoy?
Is it, in fact, the physical act of lovemaking?
Is it cutting hair?
Kim asks what we were all thinking...
But
Don't sharks have sex?
Raak, yes two people could enjoy this, but it is not necessarily confined to two, it can involve thousands.
Kim, no, not lovemaking or indeed sex in itself.
BM, no.
ZK, I guess they do but I am not entirely sure if they do this.
'Extra Clue' All the above mentioned activities take place after, and as a result of, this
Recapping as I do
ABSTRACT
A poachers victory? No
Is it a human concept? Not a concept
Is it weather-related? No
Is it a condition or state of being? On balance I would say yes.
Is it a fictional human? (No)
Is it a law of some kind? No
Is it a sin? No
Does it exist? Yes it does exist
Can I make one? You can but do not think of it in the singular...it is abstract.
Is it tangiable? Yes
Or is it a feeling? Love, for example.No
A suggestion? No
War? No
Is it an action? Yes
Is it a gesture? It could be construed as being a gesture but it's more than that.
Is it an action expressed by a transitive verb? It is all that and much more.
Is it an action that a shark would normally do? Sharks may do this, I am no expert.
Is it naughty? It can be naughty.
Is it a sense of humour? It could be argued that a sense of humour is part of this, but it isn't the answer.
Is it slapstick comedy? No. Is the thing to which this is done another person? One person would do this with another person.
Is it dancing? No
A kiss? No
Is it something the two people involved would enjoy? Yes two people could enjoy this, but it is not necessarily confined to two, it can involve thousands.
Is it, in fact, the physical act of lovemaking? No, not lovemaking or indeed sex in itself.
Is it cutting hair? No

'Extra Clue' All the above mentioned activities take place after, and as a result of, this.
Does it actually involve physical contact?
Looking back on that lot...
Could this be successfully done if the two people didn't speak the same language?
Is it a greeting?
ZK[nice recap]
ZK, It can involve contact, but it does not need to.
BM, It might be successful after much trying...*very big ooohs from the audience*
Sunday golf
Will be away for a few hours so I fully expect this to be nailed by then:)
Conversation?
Meeting and greeting?
V random guess as my mind is now going 'aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh...'
Surfing the web?
I think I meant ....Surfing the 'net?
Wot about mine?
See above -- a greeting?
rab, close, very close, but its bigger than that. Conversation is a form of this.
ZK, as for rab.
Chalky, getting cooler.
Raak, sorry must have been a simulpost, you weren't there before. A greeting is part of this but it's the bigger picture I'm after.
Simply 'talking'?
Socializing?
rab, talking is certainly a form of this, but expand the idea.
Raak, socialising is again only a small part.
A conference?
Brain still v much in the argh department, but it's worth a try.
celebrating Christmas/
getting increasingly random
Society?
ZK, not a conference. People actually do this at a conference.
ZK, nothing to do with Christmas per se.
Raak, the 'conversation' tack was closer.
Communication?
aaah
sounds good to me rab!
Victorious rab
Crowd goes wild!.well done rab. Communication was precisely the word I was looking for.
Well done rab :-)
Intercourse!
Well, I wasn't that far wrong then, was I? Nice one, Rab.
Back in the chair.
Ok, to complete the set, this one's ANIMAL.
Colymbosathon ecplecticos?
Is that the dead fish with a big cock? Well, a humourist might make a connection.... but no.
Human animal?
Is it a reptile?
[Bob and Inkspot] Human.
Living?
Is it a specific person?
Female?
[Chalky] Probably.
[Raak] No.
[Dazed5] Not gender specific.
A group of humans?
[Bob] Ting! (That means 'yes' by the way).
A geographic grouping?
A group/crowd at a specific celebration?
[Bob] Yes.
[Inkspot] No.
English as first language?
Name given to people from a particluar city or town?
eg Londoners/Mancunians
I think either Bob or Inkspot's going to get this one :)...

[Bob] Straight answer: yes.
[Inkspot] No, but there are some murmerings in the audience.

From a particular country?
A particular group of musicians?
[Chalky] Yes, but Inkspot was closer with the previous question.
[Inkspot] No.
Glaswegians?
A group of NIMBY's? ;)
[Raak, Inkspot] No.

Maybe I should clarify - it's not a name given to people from a particular city or town, but they are associated with a particular city or town.

Pearly Kings and Queens?
Pie-eaters?
Manchester United fans?
[Inkspot, Chalky, Bob the dog] No.
Is the city or town in the U.K.?
[Raak] Yes.
Is the 'association' of an academic nature?
[Chalky] No.
Is it anything to do with sport?
Nope.
Isit in Southern England (south of Brum)?
*audience laughs* No.
Does the answer contain a number?
Yorkshiremen?
[Dazed5] No... but the audience likes the way you're thinking.
[ZK] No.
Is it a midlands city?
Is it in England?
[Dazed5] Yes, so...
[Raak] yes.
Are they a group of workers?
*Geography of England never was my strong point, (now if it was Wales!) off to find out where Strattford and potteries are, see you at work tommorrow!*
[Inkspot] They were.
The West Bromwich Seven?
The [some place] [some number]?
No, can't be, given the answer to Dazed5 a moment ago.
The [some place] [some collective concept that is not a number]?
Is it a Guild?
Someone in my office said Coventry was once a thiving wool town with a Cappers Guild - nothing to do with checking the tyre pressure at Longbridge then!
Anything to do with Stoke on Trent?
[Chalky] Does that exist? There might be a connection to something along these lines.
[Raak, 2nd question] Yes.
[Inkspot] Nope.
[Lib] Maybe, but not primarily.
Is there a connection to the Longbridge car plant?
Feels generally very close...
[Dazed5] No, you're getting colder.
Would it be The Birmingham Six, by any chance?
Like moths to the flame....
Duuuuh!
Retraction, given the answer to Dazed5's question some while ago.
Are any of them still alive?
Is it a collective name for a group of towns associated with pottery ?
Is it anything to do with the armed forces?
Staffordshire?
[Kim] You shouldn't retract, because you're getting warmer.
[Raak] I should think so.
[Inkspot] No.
[Ibid] Not the armed forces.
[Lib] No.
Is this a group it is possible to join?
A particular part of the police?
[Raak] Not any more, I think.
[Inkspot] Yes! I think we're nearly there...
The West Midlands ... er .... sommat?
[Chalky] Half-way there. I'll accept one of two possible completions.
[Chalky: West Midlands] [Kim: Constabulary]?
The West Midlands Serious Crime Squad?
Kim was soooo close, but it was Raak wot won it.

*shakes Raak by the hand*

*counts fingers*
The next object is ABSTRACT.
Could it exist if there were no humans?
Is it a recent invention, or an age-old concept?
Is it a function of time?
[Riff] No.
[Tuj] Not recent.
[Kim] Yes.
Is it a measure of time?
[Kim] No.
Does it have to do with the process of ageing?
Is it anything to do with religion?
Is it scientific in nature?
[Kim] No. (BTW, I took "a function of time" to mean "having something to do with time".)
[Chalky] (ripple of laughter from the audience) To some people it is. (More laughter.) No, not really.
[Riff] No.
Last orders at the bar?
Yesterday?
Is it an action carried out by humans?
[Chalky] No.
[Software] No.
[Inkspot] People doing things is an essential part of it, but that's not actually the thing itself.
ISIHaC?
Does it take place in all cultures?
[Chalky] No.
[Inkspot] No.
Bar Mitzvah?
er ... back to the chuckle-inducing 'religious' question .... is it an addiction of some kind?
[Inkspot] No.
[Chalky] (more chuckles from the audience) No, not in itself.
Is it anything to do with sport?
[Inkspot] No.
So far, Software's question sniffed closest to the Snark's bum.
Is it an historic event?
[rab] No.
Memories?
[Software] The Snark is nowhere in sight.
Is it being early/late?
Is it the Karma Sutra?
[Chalky,penelope] The Snark is in the vicinity of the Antipodes.
Is it the Rugby World Cup tournament (or part therof) ?
sorry - two questions in close succession, but I can sense myself sniffing quite close to the Snark's Bottom now.
[penelope] The Snark is nowhere to be seen (or sniffed).
Is it connected with literature?
[Chalky] No.
Keeping a diary or appointments?
[Inkspot] No.
Everyone is barking up entirely the wrong ocean.
Might this be the study of some academic discipline?
[rab] No, wrong planet now.
Time. It has to do with time.
Christmas?
Going back to Cultures, anything to do with western work ethic?
Pushing the lilo out into the pool a bit further to see if it floats.
[rab] (applause from the audience) No.
[Inkspot] sssss...glug glug glug
Easter?
Actually, remove that, it's something to do with religion only for some people. So...
Is it some sort of festival?
[rab] Yes! (But not Easter.) The footprints of the Snark have been found.
Is it celebrated in the UK?
(And can I sneak in Bonfire Night to get the obvious festival out of the way)?
Is it the Summer Solstice?
[rab] Yes. At least, in a part of the UK. But not Bonfire Night.
[Kim] No.
Burns night?
Up Helly Aa?
[Lib] No.
[Inkspot] No.
The hunters are circling around the Snark's lair...
Is it celebrated in Scotland?
Glastonbury Festival?
Hogmany?
Jools Holland New Years Eve Hootenanny?
Pushing out a flotilla of rubber ducks!
Beltane?
[rab] The Snark's tail has been grasped.
[Inkspot] The Snark gulps them down and burps.
[Chalky,Penelope] The Snark flings two of its hunters into the top of a tree.
[Software] Wielding the Sword of Truth and the Shield of Fair Play, Software has captured the Snark! (Hogmanay, actually, rather than the festival of stocktaking at the piggery, but I'll give you that.)

Audience presents Software with the mounted head of a Snark.

The longboat is nearly ready for Hogmany or a some call it Up Helly Aa .
[Shetlander] Alas, the audience were insufficiently knowledgeable to give the necessary applause for the near miss.
A pre-emptitive guess. Is it man made?
*muttering from top of tree* ... pesky Snark ...
Is it alive?
Hey! There's a whole new game here. We ask a whole load of questions (say, 20) and then, only when 20 questions have been asked, the winner of the previous round thinks of something that fits some of the questions, but not all of them. On second thoughts.....where is Software, anyway?
A most unexpected surprise! * Takes Bow *. Now What?
Ah a little complex I think but Animal and Vegetable with Abstract connexions.
The Abominable Snowman?
Is it a place?
Is it customarily eaten?
Is it something someone would normaly wear?
Is it alive (in real or fictional terms)?
Hello everyone, welcome to the first batch of answers.
Chalks: No
Raak: No
Inky: No (although slight fidgeting in audience)
Lib: Yes (mostly)
Is the animal human?
Is the Vegetable part a vegetable product?
Raak - I nearly simulposted exactly the same question as you. I have adapted.
I will be away from a PC for the weekend, so no hair tearing, please. My last dip into MC will be about 1700 hours tonight.
Raak: Yes.
Chalks: No.
Is it anyone or a particular person?
Does the answer have to do with the forthcoming holiday season?
Is the vegetable part a fruit?
One more go:
Inky: No
Raak: Yes (slight ripple of clapping and murmering from audience)
Chalks: No, well not exactly, oh, all right, technically yes. (one lonely individual in audience claps a loud, embarassing single clap).
Anything to do with the story of the Nativity?
Is it a party game?
Is it the fat guy who dressses in red?
Sorry, his name escapes me right now. Father something?
Sneaking in a quick visit to MC
Chalks: No
Raak: No (Slight titter from audience)
Tuj: No. No transvestites, please.
Is the fruit mistletoe berries?
Does it involve alcohol?
Sneaking in to MC away from the entertaining.
Inkspot: Yes (Audience: ripple of applause)
Raak: Err.. yes and no (audience titters)
Kissing under the mistletoe? (or involving doing so?)
Quite abstract though in the main, I grant you...
Amazing! ZK has it.! (Audience, goes wild, stamping feet and cheering.)
Shock and surprise
Ooh! Goodness! *stands up and takes a brief bow, blushing furiously* I apologise for keeping you waiting so long, have been out doing the Christmas necessaries with the relatives. Okay, the next one is ABSTRACT.
Is it to do with Christmas?
Are you a bloke?
Is it an activity?
[Software]Yes (clapping from audience)
[Chalky] Not last time I checked. Why?
[Raak](audience mumbling) Settling eventually on no.
Is it a carol?
Is it connected with religion?
[ZK] Well - mainly because it makes a difference to the sort of questions I would ask :-)
[Breadmaster] No. [Chalky] Yes, technically. Generally, probably not. *wonders what kind of questions you'd be asking otherwise* :)
Is it a Christmas tale or story?
Is it connected with the giving of presents?
[Chalky] *Echoes ZK's thoughts* Explain! Explain!
[Inkspot]No.
[Kim]Hmmm...that depends...possibly. I'll say: for me, personally, no.
Is it festivities?
[Software] No. It generally involves them but is not festivities themselves. The usual questions seem to be missing from this round; they might help.
Is it fictional?
[Raak] No.
Is it an emotion?
[ZK, Kim] ahem ... like Ann Elk - I have a theory. However, it would be unfair to hijack this game in order to expound it. I'll mention it in Banter one day, I'm sure :-)
Is it an expression or saying?
Is is a measure of time?
[Chalks] I'll look forward to that. P.S. I think it's Anne, not Ann.
Seasons Greetings?
Is it Christmas?
Is it a 'sin'?
[Chalky] No.
[Inkspot] No.
[Kim] In a way.
[Software] No. [Raak] (excited murmurs from audience)OOOoooh....no.
[Chalky] It depends what you do with it :)
Is it the season of goodwill?
ZK] Not a bloke? That means we males are outnumbered.
[BtD] No.
Was everyone assuming up to this point that I was? Ah well.
It might help to follow Kim's lead. Or Raak's.
Boxing Day?
[Raak].........no.
Is it the Twelve Days of Christmas?
Is it a film?
[Kim] No. [Inkspot] Not to the best of my knowledge. I daresay it has featured in many.
Christmas Eve?
New Year?
is it an event like the Queens Christmas Address to the Commonwalth?
[Chalky, Inkspot] No.
[Kim] Yes!
*whooping, cheering, goes generally wild for Kim*
Gosh!
Thank you one and all and especially to ZK for a festive and entertaining go. Right: this one is.....*flattened trumped makes ham-fisted attempt at fanfare*....ABSTRACT!
New Years Day?
Can we discard the seasonal theme now?
Is it a fictional character?
Is it an action? (oblig.)
I had assumed that ZK was male, on the basis of my theory that the more strange the nickname, the more likely the person is to be male. But I really want to hear Chalky's theory now.
Is it a measure of time?
I want to hear Chalky's theory too! My name is filched from "Insurance - the White Man's Burden", if anyone ever wondered...
Is there only one?
isn't my nickname strange?
Is it alive?
Is it related to ISIHAC?
Sorry I'm late!
Sorry, everyone, but I had no chance to get to a computer today. Right, let's see..
[Raak] No.
[Software] Y..y..y..y..y...just about.
[Inkspot] No.
[Breadmaster] No.
[ZK] No. That's my favourite opener!
[snorgle] Strictly, yes. And Yes.
[Lib] No.
[Tuj] Not in any conventional sense.
Would all adults recognise this concept?
[snorgle] Yes, a bit. It's not a hard and fast rule. But your name is less silly than, say, "DrQu+xum", "I Say! Porter!" or indeed my own. What is the origin of "Snorgle"? Or do I not want to know?
[Breadmaster] Almost certainly not all adults. P.S. Wan't to know why I call myself Kim?
Is it connected with the arts?
OK, why do u call yourself kim?
Is it a scientific concept?
I too would be interested to hear the origins of 'snorgle'
Would all of us recognise this concept?
This is all getting very intriguing, isn't it?
Would all children recognise it?
Snorgling is a noise my dog makes - it sounds like a snore and a gargle - usually when he wants some food or attention. It's quiet but effective at getting your attention, although it can be quite annoying! (I also saw the name in a comic book letters page once, and fancied it...)
Is it connected with religion?
View Halloo!
[Chalky] No.
[Fridge] Sorry, you have to post a question or a guess as well.
[LotUS] No. I'd be interested to hear the origins of a lot of these names. Perhaps we could turn it into a game.
[Breadmaster] No.
[snorgle] No.
[Raak] Yes. *The Snark is sighted in the distance. Raak rallies the hounds with a clarion call on his bugle and sets off in hot pursuit.*
Is it connceted to Judaism?
Picky, picky
It is connected to Judaism.
Chanukkah ?
So why Kim? The origin or Lib is rather underwheling, but i still and quite fond of it!
Ok, that makes no sense. I meant to say.... The origin of Lib is rather underwhemling, but I'm still quite ford of it. (I've got a cold and my head isn't working!)
Innocence?
Passover?
Is it a particular event?
[Lib] No.
[snorgle] No.
[LotUS] No.
[Raak] Nnnnnnnn...no.
Is it a ceremony particular to this faith?
[Inkspot] No.
The Exodus?
Is it a place?
Is it unique to Judaisim?
[Raak] No.
[Inkspot] No.
[LotUS] I cannot answer that definitively, without researching other faiths, which I am not in a position to do. I *think* that it is uniquely associated with Judaism.
Is it a name for a collection of things?
Is it a Bat Mitzvah?
the girl's version..
Yom kipur?
Circumcision?
[Inkspot] No.
[snorgle] No.
[Software] No.
[Raak] No.
Is it conected to language or speech?
Is it an action?
A historical event?
[Inkspot] Yes. *One of the hounds has picked up the scent of The Snark. "If he turns down that way, shouts Inkspot, we can run him to ground!"*
[Raak] No.
[Tuj] In the sense that it was something that supposedly happened a long time ago and got written about, yes.
Was it written about in the Old Testament of the Bible?
Is there an interesting reason why you call yourself Kim? Also, if we had a game about the origins of all our screen names, how long would it last? *schizophrenic voice chips in* I suppose it would depend on what you made the rules...
the 10 commandments?
Snark at bay
[ZK] Yes!
Well, I had this idea that it could be played within the general boundaries of Animal-Vegetable-Mineral-Abstract. People ask yes/no questions and from the answers given slowly uncover the truth.
[snorgle] No.
Was it written in Genesis?
Ooh, good plan!
Was it written in Exodus?
Was it written in Leviticus?
Was it written in Numbers?
Is it something Man built or tried to build?
No idea what I'm babbling on about, but my name is not very well disguised, I keep posting the latest Celebrity MC tables on an of and on weekly ad hoc basis, so players would have to diliberatley not get it right;)
Was it written in Deuteronomy?
*leaves it for now*
The plagues of Egypt?
[ZK] No, no, no, no and no.
[Inkspot] No.
[Raak] No.
I'm tempted to post a clue, but Inkspot is perilously close to a breakthrough with his last two postings and ZK may get there by a process of elimination. I'll provide a clue, if asked.
If it's not in the Pentateuch, that cuts out most of the OT events I can think of...
The walls of Jericho falling down?
Is it in any of the prophets?
By which I mean, of course, Isaiah onwards, and including Lamentations and Jonah because they're nice and short.
The Snark is running out of breath
[Raak] No.
[Breadmaster] Yes.
Are they from the second section of the Tanakh (one of the books of Neviim)?
The 10 commandmants?
The
[Inkspot] No. Go back to your question before last.
[Software] No. I think we've already eliminated the Torah.
One more go, then I think we'll put up a clue.
The tower of babel(fish)?
Something made by the big man upstairs ?
Is it a prophecy?
Belshazzar's Feast?
Jonah preaching to Nineveh?
Crikey, I haven't guessed one yet, and if I don't get this one at least I will have to retire ashamed.
Clue time
[Software] No. Isn't that what Inkspot was *babbling* on about before?
[Inkspot] Yyyy...yes. In the sense that it is something that He caused to happen. Now, go back again to your question about language and your question about the Tanakh and put them together. If you don't get this one, I will be disappointed.
[Ibid] Not as such.
[Raak] Not as such.
[Breadmaster] No.
*But the Snark is utterly trapped between several of the hounds and cannot move one way or another. Surely one of them will now deliver the fatal blow...*
Is it the valley of dry bones?
I'm clutching at straws here, at least until I get home and can start listing every event from the start of Isaiah onwards...
[Breadmaster] No.
"Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin"?
Hagiographa?
Have I backed up too far and overshot the mark
Bang!!
[Raak] Yes! The exact words I was looking for were "Mene Mene Tekel Upharsin", although I would, at this point, have accepted "The Writing on the Wall". I was sure that Inkspot would succeed. It is from the Ketuvim, the third section of the Tanakh, it had everything to do with language, it was not a prophesy as such, although it did tell the king what would happen to his kingdom and it was not Balshazzars feast, as such, although it did occur at the same time. Many contestants came within a gnats, but Raak hits the spot once again. Congratulations, Raak! The chair is yours, but with an honourable mention to Inkspot for incisive questioning.
A fiery hand writes: ANIMAL and VEGETABLE.
Meat and two veg?
A sparse dinner, at Christmas.
Is the animal living?
[Zk] No to both.
Is the vegetable, a vegetable.
drat and double drat
Does it have anything to do with Christmas?
[Inkspot] Partly.
[Kim] No.
Is it a single thing?
Goddammit! That was going to be my next question. I had forgotten that the book of Daniel is traditionally considered one of the prophets, although today it is always classified as an apocalyptic work. Arrrgh!
Is it edible?
[Bm] Yes. Commiserations on the last one -- sounds like you knew too much!
[Lib] (amusement in the audience) Yes. Definitely.
Is it a combination of animal and vegetable ingredients known by a specific name (eg "Duck á L'orange")?
[Kim] Yes!
Is it a work of art?
Is it toad-in-the-hole?
Is is a dish usually associated with a particular country?
Is the 'animal' part poultry?
Is a sauce involved?
[Bm] No.
[ZK] No.
[Kim] Yes!
[Inkspot] No.
[rab] No.
Paella?
Is it a dish usually associated with France?
Is it a dish usually associated with Italy?
Is it a dish usually associated with China?
Is it a dish usually associated with the USA?
Is it a dish usually associated with Britain?
I'm liking this new annoying habit of mine :)
*Farkle*
Biding my time and letting ZK do all the hard work.....
:)
[Inkspot] No.
[ZK] No, no, no, no, and er um sort of but no not actually.
[Kim] *fring*
Is is a dish associated with one particular country in Great Britain?
[Kim] Yes.
Is it Scotland?
Haggis, Neeps and Tatties?
(seeing as Kim simul'ed the same question as I)
Is it Haggis?
[rab] Thief! That was to be my next question!
Actually I just dismissed 'haggis' on account of not being veggy, but then I remembered the oats. And here we learn the importance, finally, of checking our oats.
[Kim] Yes.
[rab] You have, alas, overshot the mark.
[Kim] It is indeed HAGGIS.
The audience carries the triumphant Kim on their shoulders round the room, to the accompaniment of massed pipers.
Impressively swift, but is that really a single thing?
[Bm] Well, pick up a haggis. Do you have a single thing in your hand? Or is it two things, the skin and the contents? Or is it a trinity of skin, animal edibles, and vegetable edibles? If three, is it simultaneously one? Does the process of combining the ingredients to make a haggis subsume their three natures into a single nature, or do they retain three separate natures which in the cooking process become like, but still separate? Will you be hunted through every glen in Scotland for confusing homoousion with homoiousion?
A wacky idea....
How about the next one...whose turn is it?
As the last winner, Kim has first refusal on the chair.
[Raak] Ha! Very good. You and your sneaky iota. When I said "single thing" I meant a particular, unique individual, but I should probably have phrased it better. I shall retire to a monastery in the Thebaid and secretly write self-vindicating books to be discovered 1500 years in the future.
Errr....right....
OK. This next one is.....MINERAL and VEGETABLE
Whisky?
Is it liquid?
Is it something manufactured from mineral and vegetable materials?
*doi* actually that kind of goes without saying, but you know what I mean... as opposed to "a rock and a couple of carrots" :)
Is it edible?
Is is something that is normally worn?
Petrified wood?
And....they're off!!
[raak] No.
[ZK] No.
[ZK] Yes.
[ZK] Err...yes. It could have been a snowman (which would fit the "carrot and a couple of rock" idea (but isn't).
[Breadmaster] No.
[Inkspot] No.
[Toby] No.
[All] P.S. I will have limited playing time today. My wife is on call (she's a midwife) and so I shall have to keep our telephone line free (we only have one, which does double duty as land line and internet line) from 9 O'clock this evening. I'll try to get back to this game at least once between then and now.
Is the vegetable part wood?
Is the mineral a metal?
Is it normally found in the home?
Triple whammy!
[Raak] Yes!
[Inkspot] Yes!
[plump] Yes!
Is it a particular piece of furniture?
A door?
[Inkspot] Not furniture in the conventional sense.
[Raak] No.
A house built of wood, with metal fixings?
Is it made for a particular use?
[Raak] No.
[Inkspot] Yes.
Is it possible to pick it up with one hand?
A door knob?
[Raak] No.
[plump] No.
A window?
Does the wood form more of the structure than the metal?
Is it most likely to be used in one particular room more than any other?
Is it a fixture?
Is it just as likely to be found NOT in the home?
[Toby] ooh, i like that....
[Good news] No.
[Good news] Hmmm....difficult. Let me say that the thing could not exist without both, but the wood holds the whole thing together.
[Inkspot] Yyyyyyyes.....most likely to be used in certain rooms rather than others...
[Raak] No.
[Toby] Yes!
[ZK] I see you've been lurking....(!)
Is it a container of any sort?
Is it made to be sat on?
Is it a desk? (of office style)
[Raak] No.
[Inkspot] *Clue* Not on.
[Lib] No.
I have been looking at plump's first question, which, I think, is capable of more than one interpretation. Comments, supplementary questions invited.
Is it a support for something?
Is it powered by electricity?
A coffin?
A child's swing?
An Analytical Engine executed in Victorian walnut and brass?
Is it meant to be sat under?
[ZK] Ta.
Prepositions, prepositions.....
[Raak] No.
[Inkspot] *Clue* Mine isn't, but there are some varieties you can get that are.
[Software] No.
[Dazed5] No.
[Raak] Nice, but no. (*Thinks*) "Hmmmm, walnut and brass......"
[Toby] No. Try again.
Fine. Sat between beyond above for to - oh, there's one. Sat in?
Is every home likely to have one?
Sat at - is it a piano?
A early Victorian jacuzzi, with hand bellows attachments?
I only use it to tinkle on.....
[Toby] Oh, bad luck. None of the above. And not every home is likely to have one, although I think that every home should.
[ZK] Bingo! *sings*"Sitting at my pi-a-no the other day...".
[Inkspot] I would love to visit your home one day....
Congratulations, and the antique birthing stool with bronze attachments goes to Zoological Keeper with compliments. Lurking clearly works.....
*lurk lurk lurk*
Hurrah! [Kim] Gratefully received and sitting next to my medieval teak espressomatic. Right, I shall endeavour to offer another one for all to get their metaphorical teeth into. And it shall be ABSTRACT. How do you get colour tags?
[ZK] <font color=red>Like this</font> for standard colours, <font color="#80FF28">or like this</font> to roll your own.
Can it be seen?
Is it a fictional character?
Messing around with colours!
Is it an activity?
Colour me baaaaaaaaaad!
A good start to the day
Righto.
[Inkspot] mmmmmmmmm...for now, I'll go with no.
[snorgle] Not mainly but has featured as such in at least one book I know of.
[Kim] No.
Is it anything to do with time?
[Raak] *ripples of applause in the back row of the audience] Yes.
Is it a date or event on the calender?
Is it the shortness in duration of an eclair?
[Inkspot] Yes and no.
[Raak :)] Same answer.
The winter solstice?
Tea-time?
Does it occur once every four years and will it, in fact, occur next year?
Is it a unit of measurement?
[Inkspot, Raak] It includes both.
[Kim]Um, no.
[Breadmaster]No.
Is it the title of a book?
Is it connected with religion?
Does it have a duration?
much checking needed
*trolling back from amazon* [Inkspot] I've found it included in a few, but it is not the title of a book in itself. [Inkspot once more] Not to the best of my knowledge. [Raak] Possibly.
Does it occur on a regular schedule?
Is it one of the seasons?
Is it an anthropomorphisation?
Like Jack Frost.
*waiting for Breadmaster to pounce*
[Raak] Er, not as such....no.
[Dazed5] Technically, no.
[Breadmaster] Umm, I think so.
But it's not Jack Frost. :)
crimbo
I can't promise to be back before the end of today; I need to clean my room, wrap presents, help around the house and attend midnight mass and this may involve arranging with my friend for her to come stay with us for crimble so Merry Christmas all if I don't see you again soon, and I hope some brilliant period of enlightenment visits you and tells you the answer - I suspect Breadmaster's onto a winner anyway, if someone else doesn't filch it first. christmas blessings all! xx
*breathes*
(going for the obvious:) Santa Claus?
popping back long enough to be a spoilsport
[Raak] Sorry, but no.
The Wings of Time?
Or should that be 'the Sands'?
and again
[Toby] Exceedingly sorry, but no.
Chronos- a personification of time?
Merry Christmass all!!
[snorgle] Oh, so excruciatingly sorry!!! But, specifically, no. If no-one else gets it before the 27th I may have to concede.
Old Father Time?
And with the dawn of Boxing Day, we usher in a new age of guessing as Kim rides home with the victory and an extra glass of egg-nog. It was indeed Father Time. :)
I would have got away with it if it weren't for these pesky kids!
Oh damn yer eyes, why do I always unwittingly nearly get it and then not return to the computer for 48 hours? Curses!!
Ho Ho Ho!
They say revenge is a dish best served cold. This much it does not have in common with turkey.
OK, folks, this one's ABSTRACT
Is it FICTIONAL?
You'll be eating increasingly tough revenge sandwiches for months, if I have my way!
[Breadmaster] In the broadest sense, yes. (...and of course there's always a nice warming cup of revenge soup on day three.)
Would it be comprehensible to the average 10-year-old?
I'll get this. By hook or by crook.
Is it related to the present festive seeason?
Is it a philosophical conceit?
Kim - are you planning to appear soon?
Sorry I'm late!
[Breadmaster] I would say the average 10 year-old would not know about this.
[Raak] In the broadest sense, yes.
[Toby] Please clarify, or give an example.
[Chalky] Yes. Sorry, I was out of commission yesterday.
Is it closely related to ISIHAC, in anything less than the broadest sense?
Ah. A meta-abstraction, really, such as: "Das Ding an sich", existential Angst, Jeffersonian democracy...
Is it, in your opinion, a positive thing?
[Toby] Das Ding an sich was of course Kant's attempt to write a Christmas carol - not sure why it never caught on.
[Raak] No.
[Toby] Ahhh, I see. No.
[Breadmaster] In my opinion it can only either be both positive and negative, or neither.
Is it Occam's Razor?
Which is of course related to the current festive season in that the introduction of the assumption of the existence of Father Christmas is a necessary premise; and is also of course pure fiction.
[Breadmaster] I thought it did - Ding, an sich, Dingalingaling - which was subsequently corrupted by the uncomprehending rabble.
[Toby] No.
[All] *Clue* It may help to think along the lines of Raak's first question, omitting the word "festive".
The 28th of December?
Is it a calender event ? eg winter solstice?
Toby] I liked Chuck Berry's version!
Is it weather-related?
[Inkspot] I think you're the only person who did!
A white 28th of December?
[Inkspot] *Sporadic applause from the audience.* Strong calendar association, but not a solstice, nor an equinox.
[Breadmaster] No.
[Raak] No.
Is it a Bank Holiday?
The Eve of the New Year?
Your birthday?
Back to work!
[Chalky] No.
[Toby] *More applause*. No. It is not a calendar event as such, but something that has an association with that particular calendar event.
[Inkspot] No, but thank you for thinking of me.
A resolution?
[Breadmaster] No.
A Burns Supper?
[Raak] No.
Sylvester? Hogmanay? A kiss at midnight?
Or would that last one be 'animal'?
[Toby] None of the above.
[All] I'm getting concerned that if we get too far into this month, my choice will cease to be aposite. There is one very popular question arising out of "abstract" that has not yet been asked.
Is it an action?
And if so, is it first-footing?
[Breadmaster] No, not an action.
Is it a human concept?
Is it getting to second base on first date?
Obviously very important during the winter and broadly fictional though more mythical to some.
First footing?
Hogwatch?
Is it an anthropomorphisation?
[Chalks] No.
[Raak] No.
[Toby] Yes! *Applause*
Jack Frost?
So I guess that's a yes to mine too!
The old guy with the '2003' banner stumbling out on his cane while the little '2004'-bannered baby crawls in?
Is there a name for that?
[snorgle] No. But yes to your previous. Apologies for missing it.
[Toby] No, and I have no idea what that is called, but you are getting closer.
[Inkspot] Apologies for missing your earlier post. Nice, but no.
Janus?
Is it a tall dark man carrying coal?
Or some such thing.
Hallelujia!
[Raak] Yes! The answer is the god JANUS. The kissing stool to Raak with compliments.
[Dazed5] Sorry, we have gas.
A blind guess, after having been sure snorgle must have had it with Jack Frost.

The next object is ANIMAL, with ABSTRACT connections.

A brontosaurus?
HE-HE-HEM. I have a theory...
[Toby] No.
Is it an actual animal, known to exist or to have existed in the past?
That's an "A-N" not "A-N-N-E" animal.
[Kim] An actual entity classed as ANIMAL, yes.
Is it a person?
I'll up my number of guesses once I'm back at work tomorrow;)
Is it extinct?
[Inkspot] Yes.
[Tuj] Not applicable, given that it's a person.
Is the person living?
[Bm] No.
Is it Mark Rothko, or another abstract artist?
Is it Mark Rothko, or another abstract artist?
[momus] Neither Mark Rothko, not any other abstract artist.
s/not/nor/
Is it a real person who has been 'fictionalised'?
"fictionalised" is almost the word I mean, someone who lived but their life has been 'embroidered' like Robin Hood or King Arthur, but not mythical.
Is it a scientist?
[Inkspot] No.
[Toby] Ah. Um. There is room for multiple opinions and flame-wars on that topic.
Was he Italian?
Nostradamus?
Von Danniken? (sp?)
that was a triple simulpost
Urrgh
He's still alive. I think ... please ignore. (More elbow jogging, Chalky! Sorry.)
Sigmund Freud?
And is he, in fact, a he?
Paracelsus?
Leonard of Quirm?
[Inkspot] No.
[Chalky] No.
[Dujon] No. (And he isn't still alive, according to a previous answer.)
[Toby] No, yes.
[Bm] No.
[Kim] No.
Was he' alive' before 1800 BC
... perhaps we should nail the time of this slightly abstracted chappie.
L. Ron Hubbard
I've no idea if he's dead yet, but there ya go.
Has he given name to theory/principle/law?
Has he given name to theory/principle/law?
oops!
half ten...phew...time for a cuppa tea
[Chalky] Yes.
[Thrax] No.
[Inkspot] No.
Was he alive before 1000AD?
The late and, IMHO, not enormously great L. Ron Hubbard died in 1986. His spirit is probably floating around near us as we speak.
Was he an astronomer?
back refreshed and ready for more of the same till lunchtime
[Bm] Yes.
[Inkspot] No.
Was he recognised as a philosopher?
[Dazed5] Yes!
Plato?
Aristotle?
[Inkspot] No.
[Chalky] Bullseye!
My toast lands on the floor jam side down aswell!

[Irkspot] Er, right
And cats always land on their feet. So if you strap a piece of toast and jam to the back of a cat....
Goddammit! I'm curious why it would be considered controversial to call Aristotle a scientist. He did, after all, pretty much invent biology.
Freakout
He didn't invent my biology. I'm fairly certain that two sexually-inclined Yorkshirepersons were responsible for my spawning. I believe they were doing their service to the nation, in an attempt to prevent us from being outnumbered by the Germans, as is the time-honoured custom in this fair land of ours.
[Bm] A scientist by the standards of the time, maybe.
getting a word in edgeways ...
Ooh - that was lucky. It's ages since I had a turn in the chair. I'm office based for the next few days, so will try to keep it simple:
M I N E R A L with 'vegetable' connections . . .
Yukon gold potatoes?
And I see the boys are at it again ;-) Maybe we need a Jesting Pilate game for the what is art/what value philosophy/science to whom/why a duck? discussions?
Is it art?
[Toby] Great idea - in the unlikely event of my starting a band, our first album will now be called Jesting Pilate.
Is it "The Potato Eaters?"
I forget which artist painted it. I like the sound of a band though. I always wanted to be in a band when I were a lad. Unfortunately I have no musical talent whatsoever. (Cries) I can't read write or play music to save me life, though I'd be at home on the mic, butchering Pink Floyd tracks and pretending I was doing them justice.
Toby - No
Breadmaster - No, not really
Thrax - No
Is it something I could go and see today?
[Thrax] When I was a student I had a burning ambition to start a band called Asymmetrically Repulsive and release an album entitled Messianic Duck. Like you, I was hampered by an actively negative musical ability, being semi-tone deaf. One day, though...
Is it made of stone?
I was a drummer in a rock band for a while. We were originally going to call ourselves Thundering Imbeciles but settled, in the end, on Barok. Well, it was 25 years ago...
Is it unique?
Is it made from metal?
Is it an article of cutlery?
apologies for delay
Breadmaster - Yes
Kim - No
Dazed - No
Inkspot - Metal, yes, and other stuff
Raak - No
[I may not be able to get back here before 6pm. Keep piling on the guesses - it's quite straightforward].
Is it a kitchen device like a breadmaker or kettle?
Is it a kitchen non-device like a baking tray or a pan?
Would it commonly be considered a household item?
Is it larger than a microwave oven?
Inkspot - No
Raak - No
B'master - Yes [and could be found in a kitchen]
Software - No
Is it a tool, in the conventional sense, that is?
Is it for gardening?
Is it a Garlic Crusher?
Software - No
Raak - No [although I suppose it could be found in a garden]
momus - if I'm not mistaken, a garlic crusher is a kitchen device [but of course, you may use one for entirely different purposes :-)
Is it for woodworking?
Raak - No
Would it be connected to a particular household area?
Is it powered by either batteries or mains electricity?
Tuj - Not really
Inkspot - YES!
Is it an electric pencil-sharpener?
Raak - No :-)
whilst this sounds cheap I can assure you that some are rather pricey..is it a lazy cucumber styled dildo?
Is the vegetable connection wood?
B'master - Yes, on most occasions [from what I can ascertain]
A paper shredder
Is it usually always switched on?
eg a radio could be but is not usually
Is it used for entertainment?
Would most homes in this country probably have one?
sorrysorrysorry
Eek - I thought I'd replied to the first 3 questions above at about 3pm... I'm so sorry, I must have left it on preview. To repeat:
Raak - No
Inkspot - Not always ... and a *'hearty cheer* for a superb example. SO close!
Dazed - YES!
Breadmasterly person - Not yet ;-)
A digital radio?
Grow-lights for growing pot?
A five-speed walking stick?
Digital wallpaper?
An intelligent door?
He may be Dazed [& Confused] but he's SPOT ON!
Well done Dazed - DAB it is - and very much on my mind as the grateful recipient of such a wondrous beast this Christmas [Pure Evoke 1]. I think Bob's got the same toy :-)
Inkspot - commiserations ...
... and apologies to all for being so busy just at the wrong time - which rather lost the momentum of the game.
What were the wooden vegetable connections?
Garden path's come to mind, Chalks.
Amazement
Here we go...next one is Abstract with Animal connections.
Is it a fictional character from a book?
Is it an action?
Standard secondary opener number 3.
Is it an animal of legend?
Is it evolution?
Is it a feeling/emotion?
Inkspot, no.
Breadmaster, no.
Kim,no.
Raak,no.
Bigsmith,no.
Is it a metaphorical or similitudinous concept?
E.g. wily as a fox, the owl of wisdom, etc.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAZED :-)
Backtracking ...
[Raak] Digital radios - most of the popular new models [including mine] are in a nice wooden casing. I dare say there are some that are NOT, which is why I qualified my reply to B'master. It was there for all to read.
[Software] Erm ... don't understand your comment. Surely you're not implying I led you up the garden path? And why the apostrophe?
Can it be seen?
Thanks Chalky...although I am only a day older than I was yesterday...:)
Raak, no.
Inkspot, not in the form that I am thinking.
Can it be experienced directly by any of the sense?
Ibid, yes it certainly can.
Can it be heard?
Is it something experienced by only an individual?
[Chalks] it is a grocer's apostrophe (see Eats, Shoots and Leaves).
Inkspot, yes.
Softers, it is experienced by everyone
Is it a fart?
The sound of a cheetah breathing noisily through its nose while tucking into the antelope it ha just run down?
Bigsmith, no.
Raak, good guess but no.
Is it connected with the weather?
It's raining here again, well more like indecisive drizzle really.
Inkspot, nothing to do with weather.
Can it also be seen, touched, tasted and smelled?
... collectively or severally
Is the animal connection human?
Chalky, none of those, it can only be heard (in this form).
Raak, yes.
Is it a song?
Kim - YES
Does the Animal connection form part of the title/subject?
Is it a pop song?
Or possibly from an opera?
Chalky, no. The animal connection is purely because it is written and performed by humans.
Toby, no and no
Does it date from before the last century?
What I mean is, there are 'original' recordings by the Beatles but not 'original' recordings of say Handel.
Is there an 'original ' recording?
Tuj, yes it does.
Inkspot, I do not think there is an original recording of this.
Is it from before the 19th century?
Raak, no. I believe it was written late 19th century.
Does it have a patriotic flavour?
Chalks, no.
Is it a hymn?
Inkspot, no.
Is it a song everybody knows?
Like Happy Birthday or Auld Lang Syne.
Is it written in, or usually sung in English?
"The Last Rose of Summer"?
Toby YES...it is the song..Happy Birthday to You..and with that..over to you
Ah, gosh. Gee. I'm overwhelmed.

OK, here we go. Common-or-garden ABSTRACT, she says.
Is it fictional?
Is Toby a woman too? Goodness, I'm getting confused now.
Would this be a purely human trait?
Me too, BM. I'm fairly sure that I was the one who treated nights as a lady in the MCiOS chat room - mind you, no-one bothered to disillusion me.
Is it capable of being experienced through one or more of the senses?
[Breadmaster] No. And yes. No confusion intended ;-)
[Dujon] No.
[Kim] No.
Is it a depiction of a person?
No.
Is it something mathematical?
[Raak] Yes.
Is it some kind of law?
[Breadmaster] Not so much. No one ever talks about 'the law of this-particular-thing' in the way they would refer to 'the law of gravity.' But it is a reflection of a truth.
Is it pi?
Is it zero?
Is it logic?
Is it a theorem?
Is it a saying or experssion? ie stitch in time saves nine
Yes, Bigsmith, it is indeed &pi!
And with that, over to you.
Oh Bugger
I'm not really going to be around enough to take the chair here (those ex-Pants-o-Philes may remember I was in the chair when Pants MC went belly-up, and I was annoying every one then with my slow responses). May I suggest Inkspot takes up the challenge as he/she was so close with Chalky's radio.
A Welshman in exile
Bigsmith, thank you, I am honoured indeed by your invitation, and I'm sure that despite the rumours, the demise of Pants MC wasn't totally your fault. ;)

mmmmm by 'ere I'd say Mineral .

Is the mineral metalic?
Sotware; No
Is it a specific item made of this mineral?
Is it plastic?
Kim] Yes
Raak]No
Is it an item made of stone or rock?
Earthenware?
Kim]Yes
Raak]No
Is it a geographical feature?
Is it a gnomon?
Worth a throw;)
Breadmaster] *a slight murmur from the audience* No
Tuj]No, an interesting guess, I'll tell you why later.Stonehenge came from quarries near here
Does this thing stay in one place?
Is it man-made?
Is there more than one of these things?
Breadnaster]Yes, definitely.
Toby]Yes
sorry simulpost there
plump]Yes and No
Stonehenge?
Would this be a monument?
Is it a building?
Toby]No
Dujon]Yes
Breadmaster}No
Is it Cleopatra's Needle?
Come to that, is it in Britain?
Breadmaster]1.No 2.Yes
Is it the Cenotaph?
In England?
Bigsmith] No
Software] No, and I'll be sending a raiding party for your sheep later.
Is it in South Wales?
snorgle]*excited clapping* yes
Is it a prehistoric monument?
Cardiff Docks?
Swansea Docks?
Milford Haven Docks?
Raak]YES *almost there*
Bigsmith]No
Bigsmith]No
Bigsmith]No, my bedroom widow used to look out over Milford docks, towards the BP and Texaco refineries.
Crick Barrow?
There's quite a few prehistoric monuments in South Wales.
[Inkspot] Why, did she enjoy the view?
To the hills!
Raak]No. There is a hidden clue in my reply to Tuj which may help with the location.
Raak]...curses foiled again!
Harolds Stones?
If you're wondering why - look here.
snorgle]No, not a stone circle, try further west.
clue: This early Neolithic ancient monument was built for a purpose which we kmow for certain, and is one of the best examples of its kind in the U.K.
Was it built as a tomb?
Was it built to make astronomical observations?
Given the earlier mention of gnomons...
Is it on the Gower Peninsula?
Raak]Yes; Burial tomb or cromlech
Raak] No; Stonehenge being the tenuous link, the stones came from the Preseli hills 200 miles away *hint*? extra points will be awarded for guessing how they got them there, and we all know what points mean.
Bigsmith]No; further west
Pembrokshire blue stone?
stoking up the Aga
Software]Yes; It is in the Preseli Hills, Pembrokeshire and made from blue stone
Pentre Ifan?
Just google-guessing...
Cooking with gas
Raak] Yeeeeeeessssssssss, on the button, well done Raak, an excellent guess.

that was educational to me as to what not to chose or almost risk killing the game

The next item is MINERAL.
Are we moving away from stone?
....and towards metal?
Plastic, anyone?
Is it a gnomon?
Maybe some day this'll be a standard opening question for Mineral.
Is it heterogeneous?
i.e., metal and plastic?
Is it a(n) household item?
[Software] Yes.
[Kim] Yes, almost entirely.
[Breadmaster] Not to any significant degree.
[Tuj] No.
[Toby] Somewhat, but primarily metal.
[Dujon] No.
Is it manufactured?
[Dujon] Yes.
Does it use either battery or electrical mains power?
refreshed by sleep and with my morning cup of tea at the ready
[Inkspot] Ah...yes, it does actually. (This is a Misleading Answer.)
Is it a battery?
[Software] No.
Am I likely to possess one?
Is it made for a specific purpose?
Despite not being a(n) household item (per Dujon), is it nonetheless most likely to be found in the home?
[Bm] It's unlikely, but not impossible.
[Inkspot] Yes.
[Kim] No. It will never be found in the home.
Does it use solar panels to collect energy to move around?
[Inkspot] No.
A particle accelerator?
Just a wild guess that popped into my head.. :-)
[snorgle] No.
Will it never be found in the home because it's too big to fit?
Or maybe because it has to be outside?
Does it need to be switched on to perform its function?
Toby stole my question :)!
Would it be used by a mechanic in a garage?
[Toby] Yes.
[Toby] It usually is.
[Tuj] Yes.
[Inkspot] No.
A searchlight?
All right, it's a wild guess. Well, a bit big for the home - usually uses its own generator (with batteries) - and so on.
[Dujon] No.
Do we want a hint yet?
Does it make something else?
Is it some sort of vehicle?
This seems unlikely, as Raak said Breadmaster was unlikely to have one, but I suppose it could be atank or something.
Would it be likely to be too expensive for the average household?
[Tuj] Actually I'm highly unlikely to own any kind of vehicle!
[Inkspot] No.
[Tuj] YES!
[Bm] Probably. Depends how wealthy the average household is.
Does it have wheels?
[Chalky] Some do.
That's assuming you mean, does it travel on wheels.
One of the Mars rovers?
[Toby] Good one, but no.
Could it legally go on the roads?
[Bm] Yes.
Is it a military vehicle?
Would the alternative to wheels be tracks?
[Inkspot] No.
[Dujon] Yes.
I'm not sure what you call them, but a 'bobcat' - i.e. a machine - often with a loader/digger in the front and often a hoe or similar on the back.
Bulldozer?
[plump] Close...
[Dujon] Yes! The word I had in mind was "backhoe", but you have the article.
Cheering audience lifts Dujon onto their shoulders and carries him around the room.
I've never heard either of those words. Do you mean a JCB?
[Bm] Well, JCB isn't the only firm that makes them, but yes.
*Takes embarrassed bow.*
I really had no intention of selecting the correct answer. I've done this before (when the Pants site was alive) - because I'm in a significantly different time zone to most participants it makes it awkward for everyone if I take the chair.
Accordingly I invite someone else to volunteer for the position ... perhaps, as Tuj got us on the right track (sorry) and Chalky the wheels/track, one of them might care to break the champagne and launch the next subject? Please!
Thanks Duj. Nice thought, but I don't feel I made a significant contribution. Perhaps Tuj would like a crack at the next one? If not - perhaps someone else is burning for a turn?
Noted
Fine, Chalky. I am unsure as to when Tuj normally posts but perhaps we could all wait until, say, 11;00 GMT on Monday (It's around 01:50 as I type) to allow time for a response. After that time I suggest the 'first in, best dressed' option be invoked.
Filling in space
[Breadmaster/Raak] On the 'bobcat' term: Yes, 'backhoe' is also used here. I suspect that 'bobcat' (well, I'm 90% sure) is a trade name - something like 'Biro' for a ballpoint pen, although the latter term does seem now to be fading somewhat.
Marking time
Well, neither Tuj nor anyone else has posted. I haven't had a go in the driving seat yet, because I'm not very good at guessing, but unless anyone objects I could have a go, if that's OK with Dujon et al...?
Yes
[BM] I was thinking that if Tuj wasn't available - you might take the chair - I say go for it :-)
Excellent. OK. This one is ABSTRACT, but it arguably has both mineral and animal overtones.
Is it connected with religion?
Raak - not notably.
Is it a fictional, mythical or legendary being of some kind?
Is it connected with science?
Kim - Nope.
Toby - Again, not notably.
Is it connected to a famous saying or cliche?
Ibid - It is not.
Is it made of words?
Raak - It is not.
Very negative so far, isn't it?
Does it involve fish in any way?
Sorry about my absence - this has happened before. Really I'm far too sporadic for this, the fastest paced game on MC5, so I've carefully avoided the chair so far.
Can it be seen or heard?
Tuj - Once more, not notably. But never mind about being absent, I'm enjoying this bit of negativity...
Inkspot - Tricky one - I would say yes, it can - both directly and, very much, indirectly.
Is it an emotion?
The Giant Rat of Sumatra?
Would this be dream like?
Only attempting to narrow the field.
Just a thank you!
Tuj, sorry you missed out - although it seems you are not too disappointed with that.
Breadmaster, I thank you for taking up the reins.
Is it something negative, like silence or emptiness?
Is it an event?
Chalky - No.
Toby - No. Not fictional, remember.
Dujon - No.
Raak - No.
Inkspot - No.
I thought this would be fairly easy, but no-one's made the breakthrough yet.
Is it a piece of music?
Is it a period of time?
Inkspot - No.
Raak - No.
Is it the sound of silence?
Is it a reflection?
Software - No.
Inkspot - No.
I'll give you a clue. It did not exist before the twentieth century.
Is it the artistic merit of a dead cow in formaldehyde?
RECAPPING
IT IS NOT:
notably connected with religion
fictional, mythical or legendary
connected with science
connected to a famous saying or cliche
made of words
notably involved with fish
an emotion
The Giant Rat of Sumatra
dream-like
something negative like silence or emptiness
an event
a piece of music
a period of time
the sound of silence
a reflection.

IT IS:
something that can be seen or heard, both directly, and very much, indirectly.
CLUE: It did not exist before the twentieth century.

Could this be seen/heard anywhere on this earth?
Is it television?
Raak - Yyyyyyyyy - no.
Chalky - If it is possible to see or hear this thing directly, then there are places on this earth where one can do so, although not many. In theory, one could see or hear it indirectly anywhere.
Kim - No. But getting a little closer...
Is it related to mass communication?
Whalesong?
Request for clarification: What category does something like a soundwave fall in? It's not technically abstract - it can be measured, heard, and felt. Does it retain the property of its creator, as its quality and existence depend on it - i.e. the bark of a dog is animal and the whirring of gears mineral? Or does "abstract" really just mean none-of-the-above?
Wireless?
Tuj - It is indeed.
Raak - No.
Toby - Gosh, I don't know. Fortunately it's not a problem that affects this round, because that's not it.
Software - No.
It might help if I told you that this a particular individual thing.
Can it be seen AND heard?
The 'or' is confusing me.
the World Wide Web?
Is it the Internet?
Cyberspace?
Toby - Yes.
Kim - No.
Toby - No.
Is it the tile of a programme?
Inkspot - Nope.
Is it a language?
Chalky - It is not.
News broadcasting?
A broadcasting corporations channel?
The War On Terror?
Chalky - No.
Inkspot - Not quite, but very close!
Raak - No (not mythical, remember...?)
Is it the view through the Jennicam?
Raak - Alas, no.
The BBC?
Rounds of applause
Chalky - YES! It is indeed the BBC.
Looks like it's the turn of the Chalky one!
"Ooh, ta Sir!" *curtsies*
Have only just remembered to look in here ... was rather busy playing Thwack the Penguin [see MCiOS Hyperlynx].
As there have been a string of Abstracts lately - I'll choose A N I M A L . . .
Is it human?
Nice one, Chalks, picking the Bah Beh Seh!
aw shucks
Kim - it is indeed human :-)
Is it a politician?
Are they living?
Tony Blair, Anne Widecombe? hope not.
Is it a living person?
Are they well known in the UK?
Clearly I have gone blind.
Is it male?
Obvious, but useful ...
[Brendan] You might as well have asked "Is it female? (ornamental, but useless)" ;-)
... some answers
Toby - No
Inkspot - No
Software - No
snorgle [2nd question] er .. tricky to reply to - I guess one asked 100 people in the UK [random] if they'de heard of this person, 50% might reply in the affirmative - but I'm assuming that the players of this game would all be aware of her.
Brendan - No
JLE - *thwack*

*BONUS ANNOUNCEMENT* .. and well done all, because you have succeeded in narrowing this down to a single being without asking the question directly

Was she born before 1900?
Was she famous in field of entertainment?
Mrs. Trellis?
Inkspot - No
snorgle - ah, that depends on how you define 'entertainment'. A cautious 'yes' but don't be misled by that.
Raak - No :-)
Was she British?
Is she an occasional ISIHAC pannelist?
Was she famous in a sports-related way?
Mae West?
That covers sport and entertainment, possibly.. ;-)
Mary Whitehouse?
Inkspot - er ... yes [although not born on UK shores, she was certainly perceived as British]
Kim - Not as far as I know
Breadmaster - No
snorgle - No :-)
Software - No :-)
Was she famous for writing-related activities?
Breadmaster - Oh yes indeedy! *cheers from studio audience*
Is she best known as a columnist?
Kim - No
A novelist?
Agatha Christie?
Iris Murdoch?
Breadmaster - YES!
Well done - is this a first? :-)
*cheers, applause, goes generally and then specifically wild for Breadmaster*
Crikey
Huzzah! Yes, it is indeed a first. At last. I feel I can take my place among you as an equal.
OK then, I think this is slightly harder than the last one, which probably means it will be guessed in two goes. MINERAL
Metallic?
Stone?
Software - No.
Kim - No.
Plastic?
Glass?
Raak - No.
Inkspot - No.
Magma or lava?
is it in liquid form?
Is it from the element table?
Brendan - No. That would sort of be stone, I think.
snorgle - No. At least, it would be misleading to say otherwise.
Inkspot - No.
Is it gaseous?
(which would be "mineral" by the eccentric definition thereof that AMV uses) [Bm] Thought you might say that, but I wanted to check. [Chalky] I'm curious why you thought we'd narrowed Iris Murdoch down to a "single being" so early on ...
Brendan - No.
Is it a man-made material?
Is it a geographical feature?
[Brendan] Groups of people [or even whole races] qualify as 'Animal' [we've had them in the past] so the gender question has always been tricky to reply to without giving the game away. In Iris's case, the questions were asked in such a way that I had to respond in the singular.
(per Inkspot) Does it have a known chemical composition?
The empty plinth in Trafalgar Square?
Is it fictional?
[Chalky] Ooooooooooh. I thought you meant that the answers to our questions uniquely identified her as being her, if you see what I mean ...
Inkspot - No.
Chalky - No.
Kim - Yes, pretty much.
Raak - Ooh, where do you get these ideas? No.
Brendan - No.
On reflection
My answer to Chalky's last might be a bit controversial or debatable. I will stand by it, though.
Is it made largely of solid water?
Is it located in one particular part of the world?
Raak - A breakthrough! Yes.
Inkspot - It is not fixed to one spot, if that is what you mean.
Obviously ice is involved?
[Brendan] I see what you mean, yes :-)
Chalky - Very involved indeed.
Jakobshavn Glacier?
Inkspot - No.
Going for simplicity, an iceberg?
My bloody Mrs?
Software - Yes. But be more specific...
Bigsmith - Ha, probably not.
The North Polar ice cap?
The iceberg that sank the Titanic?
And put all the crew in a panic?
Oh, sorry, wrong game.
What a waste! Such a shame!
Does it live in the northern Atlan[t]ic?
I foresee a new twist to the rules
Does it like sex games that are tantric?
Sorry for brief absence
[Raak] Yes! It is indeed The iceberg that sank the Titanic, for lack of charms talismanic. Well done all round.
The next is both MINERAL and VEGETABLE.
Is it edible?
Splendid - a different category mix :-)
Is it man-made?
Is it found in the home?
Is the vegetable, wood?
Does the vegetable grow on the mineral?
[Toby] Nice idea. Let's keep the limerick lines within the "apropos" postings.
The answer to Chalky is yes.
Bm also makes a good guess.
Dazed5 is quite right
Inkspot's not -- what a fright!
And Kim's wrong, I have to confess.
Is't a recipe that I could make?
Breadmaster a black mark must take.
Would one eat it by choice?
Is it a sauce?
With something warm and moist
Like a recipe for devilled snake?
The audience slightly amused
Toby's wrong, but the laughter's a clue
Inkspot's further away
In ev-e-ry way
Kim's a country mile out of our view.
Is it medicinal?
More laughter from the audience.
It can be.
Is it made to be eaten?
[Inkspot] No.
Does it contain alcohol?
Is it a drink?
...and there was me ready to suggest a slice of burnt toast
[Kim] Yes.
[Inkspot] Yes.
Bushmills Whiskey?
Well, it covers most bases including medicinal;)
Is the vegetable constituent grapes?
[Kim] No. [Inkspot] Well, I had any type of whisk(e)y in mind, but I reckon you're close enough. Inkspot wins!
...and a small nip for everyone, seeing as it's a bit parkey out there today.

Let's kick this one off then, ANIMAL

Is this human?
Well done Inky. Cheers for the wee nip. I understand that we are about to be subjected to extreme parkyness this week. *wondering how that word originated*
Is it alive?
Maybe parky is from parka jackets? Googling for it, I haven't had any luck with the etymology other than the fact it seems to have been around since before WWII.
Chalky] Yes
snorgle]Yes
Some in the office are claiming that its probably too cold to snow. In this part of Wiltshire I've only been able to build two snowmen in the last 14 years, so my wife is looking forward to a couple of inches.
Is it Michael "Parky" Parkinson?
Too cold to snow?! Never could understand that one. It's bloody cold at the South Pole but it still snows there!
Is it male?
Bigsmith]Definitely too cold to snow, No
Breadmaster]Yes
If this keeps up we may have snowdrifts by tea time.
Is he a sporty type person?
Snowdrifts, really. I was amused watching the weather the other day to see big red patches on the map as the weather person talked urgently of the chances of each part of the country having snow. All this for what would be perhaps a centimetre of the stuff. If this were America no-one would get worked up over anything less than six feet. When I grow up I shall move to Canada, just you wait.
Is he well known in the UK?
re:couple of inches - fnarr fnarr!

I lived in Canada and it snowed however damn cold it was! Besides, it's not that cold, you wimps.

Breadmaster]Yes
snorgle]Yes
But was it proper snow? I suppose your going to say in Canada you you had several inches every night! Not like the stuff that we get roundabout here that turns to slush by lunchtime!
Has he been involved in any scandals?
Still too warm for snow here; should get some tomorrow, though (they say). Better not affect my getting to other half's graduation.
Is he a footballer?
With any luck, tomorrow or Wednesday, I shall have the perfect excuse to stay away from work - the wrong type of snow.
Is he still playing whatever sport he's famous for professionally?
I only wish I had several inches every night. *Ho-hum* Snow finds it difficult to go slushy in Ottawa, at least, until about, oooh, end of March?
I'll probably be on strike on Thursday and Friday. And definitely not on any picket lines. Far too cold for that! (all the standing around, see..)
Does his sport involve ball play?
[Inks] Are you in North Wilts? The forecast says we're unlikely to get any here in mid south
Is he famous primarily for playing sport (as opposed to managing, punditing, etc)?
Brendan]No
Kim] No
snorgle]No
Chalky] Yes
Breadmaster]Yes, like many has been pundit briefly and even was a team captain on a well known sprots quiz between, 1979 - 1982. But he will be best remembered as a player.
A two day strike, a perfect way to catch up on Trisha.
Yes' I'm in North Wilts, and don't mention Swindon, folks here are very touchy about that metropolis.
Is he a cricketer?
I don't know why I'm asking, the only sports people I have ever heard of are those I am forced to subtitle at work, so I won't know any retired ones. Especially cricketers.
Bill Beaumont?
Hurricane Higgins?
Emlyn Hughes?
Gareth Edwards?
Breadmaster]No
Chalky]No
Raak]No
Kim]1 No
Kim]2 YES
The crowd at the Arms Park stand and cheer and burst into song.

Who?
Raak] Very, very thin ice ;P
[Raak] You may well ask. Rugby player, I think. Which just goes to show that it's not always a question of who you know.....
[All] Righty-ho, then, eyes down for a full house. This next one's........ABSTRACT/VEGETABLE.
The grapes of wrath?
A tree falling in an emptyt forest?
Is the vegetable bit wood?
Is it the title of a book?
This one's going to be over quickly, methinks.
[Raak] No.
[ZK] 1. No. 2. Yes.
[Inkspot] Yes.
A tree grows in Brooklyn?
The Grapes of Wrath?
The Camomile Lawn?
Wind in the Willows?
The Tree Musketeers?
Under Milk Wood?
Twiggy's autobiography?
The Wood Beyond the World?
[Raak] I've never heard of Gareth Edwards either. See? I was right!
The Ringing, Singing Tree?
Eats Shoots & Leaves?
Pinocchio
Plankenstein
[snorgle] No.
[Bigsmith] No x 6.
[Breadmaster] No.
[Raak] No.
[Chalky] Lol, no. Have you read it? I put it down after the first chapter. She is clearly just trying to take all of the fun for folk like us out of pointing out the grammatical and syntactical errors of others. Publish, crap and make lots of money.
[Inkspot] Nice, but no. I think that would have to have been Abstract/Animal/Vegetable.
[Bigsmith] No.
Like I said at the start, its not just a question of who you know....
Is the author still alive?
The Faraway Tree?
The Name of the Rose?
The Man Who Wood Be Queen: The Science of Gender-Bending and Transsexualism?
The Readers' Digest Book of Carpentry?
Would the wood part be the book itself or is does the wood part form part of the title?
well... someone had to ask.
[Kim] Eats Shoots and Laughs All The Way To The Bank ... noooo - have not and shall not read it [see Advice Game MCiOS about 2 weeks ago]
[Inkspot] Apparently, yes.
[Breadmaster] No.
[Raak] No.
[Inkspot] No.
[Bigsmith] I used it to put up the shelf on which it now sits, but No.
[Chalky] Yes.
[All] When I thought of this, I was not aware of the existence of a book of the same name. Like I said, it's not just a question of who you know.
Is it a list book of people?
bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzt!
[Kim] Sorry to be picky, but you have answered yes to an "either /or" question from Chalky, at what I feel may be a crucial turn of the game! So for clarification I'll re-ask the first part of the question and deduce accordingly: would the wood part be the book itself?
Errrr......
[Inkspot] No.
[Bigsmith] I always thought that one of the key rules of this game was that you have to ask questions that have a yes or no answer. It has already been established that the answer is the title of a book. Would the wood be part of the book itself? If you mean "is the book made of wood?", the answer is I expect so, as most books are. If you mean "is it a book about wood" then the answer is I don't know, as I have never read it.
Is it more commonly a phrase or saying, that just happens to be the title of a book?
Is it a work of fiction?
Is it a book of spot facts?
....or even sport facts?
[Toby] Yes. Pursue this line.
[Chalky] The book that happens to bear the phrase as its title is not a work of fiction. According to my research, it is a series of lectures by the co-authors.
[Inksport] No, no.
Was the book first published before 1980?
Would the authors be well-known celebrities?
This is wide open - well-known phrases/sayings are invariably used for book titles, particularly non-fiction and biographies.
[Inkspot] I don't think so, but I can't tell from Amazon when the book was first published. I think it was in the early 1990's.
[Chalky] They may be well known in their field, but are not celebrities in the general sense.
Are they scientists?
[Raak] Yes, I think so.
Was the subject of the book the worlds environment?
Was the subject matter to do with the joy, or otherwise, of sex?
The green, green grass of home?
[Inkspot] No.
[Chalky] No.
[Raak] No.
Is it an anthropomorphisation?
It doesn't sound like it's a book we'll ever have heard of, certainly not all of us.
Is it about DIY in space?
If its not who you know, but what you know, all I know so far is its a factual book about lectures by people that may be scientists, and the title is a commonly used phrase. Perhaps Raak is holding back 'cause I haven't the foggiest; time to bow out.
Is the book by Jack Cohen and Ian Stewart?
I haven't the foggiest either.
Newton's Apple?
[Toby] No.
[Inkspot] No. Please persist.
[Raak] No and no.
[All] I've been trying to think of a clue that won't give the game away, but it's hard. Inkspot is closest so far. Think of something that is abstract and vegetable and has something to do with what you know.
is it one of those interminably dull books about parenting?
The tree of knowledge in the garden of Eden?
Actually, there are 3 books at Amazon, first listed is The Tree of Knowledge: Biological Roots of Human Understanding, which seems to match the one so far described - essays by scientists that no one's ever heard of. (I'll leave it to you if that's the book, the scientists, or both.)
Would this book (apart from the phrase/saying which constitutes its title) be known to the man-in-the-street? That is, as opposed to those interested in the particular field involved.
The Observer Book of Trees?
Do I remember Kim saying something about this one going quickly?
Whew!
[Chalky] No. What's that got to do with Abstract and Vegeta....oh, I see.
[Toby] YES! The answer I was looking for was the Tree of Knowledge. Congratulations (and the Chair) to Toby after a rather tortuous struggle.
[Dujon] Probably not. It's certainly of no interest to me.
[Bigsmith] I did, didn't I? That's called "tempting fate".
back patting
That was a good 'un, Kim, and well deduced, Tobes. We [in UK] will wait until you wake - time difference GMT -8 on the Pacific coast??
Thanks Chalky, and also Kim. Oddly enough, it looks like something I'll be interested in reading. And yes, that's the time difference, so you've got my attention from more or less 4pm through 2 in the morning. Let's try ANIMAL .
Is it human?
This game's equivalent of e4.
[Kim] Yup.
Alive now?
1. ... e4.
Male (oblig.)?
[Raak] No. [Dazed5] No.
A monarch?
[Raak] No.
English?
[plump] No.
Actress?
Brevity round, then?
Did it die after 1960?
[Brendan] No.
[Inkspot] No.
Is she American?
[Inkspot] Also not.
Was she born in Europe?
G'evening Toby, just a couple more before cocoa and bed.
[Inkspot] Yes,she was.
Was she born after 1800?
Drink is ready, last one then, see you roundabout tea time tommorrow
[Inkspot] Nope. Sleep well.
Does this mean I have to pay attention to my work now?
Famous for discovering something?
[Toby} No.
[Tuj] Nope. phew.
Hypatia of Alexandria?
French?
[Raak]No.
[Chalky] Also no.
Was she around prior to AD years?
[Dujon] No.
Was this lady known for her literary endeavours?
[Duj] Possibly somewhat during her lifetime. Not particularly so today.
Would this person perhaps be the wife of a monarch?
Well, it appears that there are no others with questions at this time.
[Duj] Ooo, tricky. There is a sense in which the answer is yes, but for most intents and purposes, no. Good question.
Did she live between 500AD and 1500AD?
Was she a religious figure?
Would her maiden name have been Tascher?
Should I be right I shall leave it for the coup de grâs to be delivered by someone else. If I am wrong I shall retire anyway.
Not tonight......
[Dujon] Guess we'll have to wait until later to get the answer to that one...
Was she a Kings mistress?
Come now Dujon you can't slip away from the chair that easily.
[Bm] Yes.
[Raak] Yes!
[Dujon] No.
[Inkspot] No.
Hot potato!
Was she an Emperor's wife?
Hildegard of Bingen?
[Raak] Indeed, yes! Woo-hoo. We have a winner!
As for the "married to a monarch" - nuns are, I believe, considered to be married to God, who is considered to be the King of Heaven...

Is the time difference a huge problem? I've had the fun of chairing now, and am happy to yield in future if it works better that way. (But I'm still going to guess.)
understands all in a blinding flash of inspiration, but then has a migraine and has to lie down.....
The next object is MINERAL
Is it man made?
Re: previous. In retrospect that was somewhat presumptious of me - I was feeling confident. :-( ... *chuckles at self* ... Hildegard and Josephine, as people, couldn't be much further apart!
Is it stone?
Is it metal?
Ah yes, Hildegard of Bingen - interesting fact: she wrote the first known description of the female orgasm. Only thing I know about her, except that she suffered from migraines and invented an imaginary language.
[Dujon] No.
[Toby] No.
[Breadmaster] Um...no.
Is it solid?
[Brendan] No.
Is it a liquid?
[Inkspot] No, at least, not as customarily understood.
Is it a plasma?
[Brendan] Yes.
Would it still be in a plasma state when its temperature is 20deg C?
What I mean is blood plasma would still be but volcanic plasma would have changed state to solid at 20degC.
[Inkspot] No. But I do not think that word means what you think it means.
lightning?
Out of depth stab in the dark.
ball lightning?
The Aurora Borealis?
Is it more than 20% Helium?
(erm, by mass)
[plump] No.
[snorgle] No.
[Toby] No.
[Brendan] Yes!
I expect to see the answer by tomorrow morning...
Just after the Big Bang?
Raak]yes you are right, an electrically neutral, highly ionized gas composed of ions, electrons, and neutral particles was not the first thing sprung to mind. If only the word plasma had only one definition. Next time it will be a translucent to opaque chalcedony and I'll still off in the long grass and in the wrong garden...again ;)
the Sun?
Or a new thin-panel television screen...
[Inkspot] No.
[Toby] YES!
Gosh, that would make it me again.

Stumbling in from a night of debauchery where I never actually *spoke* to John Adams.... I kept wanting to say to the people who wouldn't leave me alone in the loo, "Yes, I'm going to a party with the conductor/composer..." And so I did. And there was lots of lovely red wine... Right. But of consequence: ABSTRACT
Can it be perceived by one or more of the senses?
[Kim] Yes.
Is it an event on the calender?
[Inkspot] no.
Can it be percieved by the sense of smell?
Is it a wave of some kind?
Is it an action?
Can it be seen?
[Inkspot] No.
[Brendan] Technically I suppose it is, but I'm not sure that's very helpful.
[Breadmaster] No.
[Raak] The thing itself, no. The creation of the thing, yes.
Software?
Is it a sound?
[Software] No. [Brendan] Sure.
Can it be felt?
not touch, but you can feel the sun and wind.
[Inkspot] Again, I'm not sure how helpful this is, but yes, some parts more than others may generate a kinaesthetic response.
Music?
[Dujon] Yes!
Is it a drum beat?
[Inkspot]Some of it.
Is this a particular piece of music?
[Dujon] Yes!
The 1812 Overture?
Wild guess and retiring.
[Dujon] It is not.
Was it written before 1950?
The national Anthem
That'll be "Hen Wlad fy Nhadau"
Is it pop music?
The Hen who laid Ralph Nader? (my welsh isn't that good) ;-)
Ravel's Bolero?
Was it written by (an) American(s)?
Would it generally be considered "classical" as opposed to "pop" or "folk"?
Interesting fact: there is no official British national anthem. "God save the Queen" has never been made such, either by royal proclamation or parliamentary vote.
[Brendan] Yes.
[Inkspot] No.
[snorgle] No.
[Raak] No.
[Kim] No.
[Breadmaster] Yes.
Was the composer Italian?
[Inkspot] Nope.
German?
Russian?
Was it written before 1850?
Was it written for full orchestra?
[Chalky] Yes!
[Kim] So no.
[Kim] Yes.
[Inkspot] Yes.
Something by Beethoven?
[Chalky] Yes!
1812 Overture?
Scratch that, it's by Tschaikovsky.
Wellington's Victory
His fifth symphony?
The fourth movement of his ninth symphony?
(aka Ode to Joy) (aaka the EU anthem [where's JLE when you want to raise his blood pressure? ;) ])
[Raak] Scratched.
[Inkspot] No.
[Breadmaster] No.
[Brendan] Well, I'm tempted to say "No" and make you all discover that I intended the whole thing; but I think that's close enough. Chair to you, sir!
Ooh, wow, my first time! Thank you for being so flexible, Toby. Let's have an ANIMAL/ABSTRACT.
Mythical?
Is it a person?
An expression?
An anthropomorphism?
[Raak] No, not "mythical" exactly ...
[Inkspot] Yes.
[Software] No.
[Kim] No.
Are they fictional?
Is it a charater from a play?
If not "mythical", then "legendary"?
[Breadmaster] Certainly not! I'm shocked you could even suggest such a thing.
[Inkspot] No.
[Kim] Again, no, by a strict definition of "legendary" as coming from a legend. But possibly "legendary" in a looser sense amongst people here.
Are they someone like Robin Hood, legend loosely based on 'fact'?
[Inkspot] No, I would have said "Yes" if it was Robin Hood.
Is there a connection with ISIHaC?
Man?
[Chalky] Yes.
[Kim] Yes.
Mrs Trellis?
Pretty legendary, I'd say. And certainly NOT fictional!
Mr Trellis
(just noticed the sex)
[snorgle] Nope!
An occasional panel member like Jeremy Hardy?
[Inkspot] No. (Don't forget the abstract/quasi-legendary side of things; snorgle's on the right lines, but not quite there.)
Sven!
[Breadmaster] Correct! I was going to have Samantha but I decided she was a little too easy ... Your turn.
applauding widly whilst fixing Brendan's forgetfulness ...
Yay!
Well, who else could it have been?
Well, just for a change, let's go for something MINERAL.
Is it man-made?
Well timed, B'meister - must be that new yeast you started using a couple of weeks back, you're certainly proving that you can rise to the challenge by using your loaf and turning out some tasty guesses ..

.. now where's that butter?

[Chalky] - No. You're playing a good roll in this game, though, despite your crusty exterior.
Is it made of stone?
[Inkspot] On the whole, I think.
Is it a geological feature?
[Kim] No.
Is there only one of this thing?
[Toby] There is.
Is it an English landmark?
[Tuj] Nope.
Is it above ground?
Is it a building?
Is it the Grand Canyon?
Making a pointlessly specific guess, just for fun.
[Inkspot] That's a hard one to answer. In one way yes, in another way no.
[Raak] Nope. Not manmade, remember.
[Brendan] Nope. Alas.
Is it found on earth?
[Toby] It is not.
The moons of Jupiter?
For pity sake, child.
Is it somewhere on Mars?
Halley's Comet?
Does it orbit something other than the Sun?
[Inkspot] Mostly ice, isn't it, Halley's Comet?
Is it a planetary body?
[Toby] None of them.
[Raak] It is not.
[Inkspot] No.
[Brendan] Yes.
[Kim] Technically, no.
Surely it can only be a matter of time now!
Does it orbit something that orbits the Sun?
Is it further than 8 Astronomical Units from the Sun?
(8 AU being between the orbits of Jupiter and Saturn)
Is it The Moon (ie, ours)?
[Raak] It does.
[Brendan] It is.
[Kim] It is not.
Charon?
Pluto being 39.4 AU from the sun and Saturn orbiting at 9.5AU
[Inkspot] Nope.
The rings of Saturn?
One of the moons of Saturn?
I'm busy with these ones, Mudder!
[Brendan] Yes indeed.
Sorry, I forgot - [Raak] Nope.
Pass
I think Brendan's done all the hard work on this one....
Titan?
just one out of 31
Iapetus?
[Inkspot] I think you're right, actually, given Breadmaster's enthusiasm for the Huygens probe. But I like Iapetus for being the real location of the monolith in 2001.
[Kim] Sorry if I've been monopolising it a bit. I think Toby deserves a lot of credit for the initial realisation that it was extra-terrestrial.
[Inkspot] Yes indeed!
Inkspot snatches the answer from Brendan, who foolishly plumped for an obscure moon about which I know nothing, except for a vague recollection that it is piebald, being dark in front and light behind, or possibly the other way around, from its passage through the dust that orbits Saturn.
Thank you, Breadmaster, very close at the end there.

ABSTRACT / ANIMAL

Is it a human concept?
Is it something fictional?
Software] No, I think I understand what your asking.
Breadmaster]No...
Is it an anthropomorphism?
I have this strange sense of deja vu...
Kim] No
Can it be detected with one or more of the senses?
Deja vu, what? [Inkspot] Very close indeed; you simulposted me!
Brendan]Yes, so that's one thing (probably the only thing) I've got right today
Is it mythical?
I have this strange sense of deja vu...
Kim] Yes
Is it a mythical human?
Or possibly legendary?
I have this strange se-...no, stop it.
The Medusa?
Breadmaster]No
Kim]No
Toby]No
Is it an animal of myth (or fable)?
Kim]Yes, this particular animal is mythological, not fable though others may appear in fables
is it a particular one (eg Smaug) as opposed to a kind (eg dragons)?
Breadmaster]Yes it is one particular dragon.
The Welsh Dragon ?
Kalessin?
snorgle] YES, an inspired guess
Kim]so sorry no.

snorgle once the crowd have put you down again and the cheering has subsided,the chair is yours

Abstract
Yay! And not really inspired, considering where I live and one is gazing at me as I type. But who is the Dragon Kalessin? Google throws up a bunch of rock websites - and some Ursula LeGuin excerpt I'd never heard of. Do tell, Kim.
Can it be seen?
Not in and of itself, no.
Is it fictional?
Erm, sort of.
Do people pretend that it's real?
Is it mythical?
Ursula le Guin's "Earthsea" quartet is why I read the first Harry Potter book and then never went back.
Is it a human concept?
A badly phrased question; feel free to give a badly ophrased answer!
Would it be a religious icon?
Would you experience it in a dessert?
Raak - I'd say yes.
Kim - Not really.
Tuj - Yes. Or Eys, if you want it badly phrased.
Dujon - Nope.
Inkspot - Are you on drugs? That means no.
Is it an anthropomorphisation?
Did Inkspot perhpas mean desert? Although I've experienced some rather heavenly moments inspired by my dessert...
So a troll from Mount Blancmange can be discounted then?
Is it from folk lore?
getting colder!
Toby - no.
Inkspot - no and no.
Is it a scientific concept?
Is it connected with ethics?
Transubstantiation?
Brendan - Assuming you mean like a law or theory, then no.
Breadmaster - No.
Raak - no.
Does it have anything to do with ways of measuring or measures of time?
So to paraphrase (for my own benefit, since I'm having more trouble following this one for some reason), what we do know is that it's sort of fictional, people pretend it's real, and it's a human concept. It is not mythical, folkloric, a religious icon, a scientific or ethical concept, nor visible in and of itself. Nor is it experienced in a dessert.

That lets out the Easter Bunny, whis is a folkloric religious icon frequently experienced as a dessert...
CAn it be percieved be any of the senses?
Marriage?
Toby - No, and you're on target with your precis.
Inkspot - well, taking into consideration what Toby said - erm, not really, but yes.
Raak - No, you wierdo.:)
Is it an expression or saying?
Toby] at least one of us knows what we're doing, and its not me.
Money?
Gravity?
[Inkspot] That makes none of us.
Is it in some way related to economics?
Generalising from Raak's inspiration.
Is it a universal human concept?
The law?
Something associated with the weater?
s/weater/weather
Lunchtime?
this is dragging on a bit, innit?
Inkspot - not really an expression or saying.
Raak - not money.
Toby - not gravity really obscure reverse referential cough
Brendan - not related to economics.
Raak - not the law.
Inkspot - not weather-related.
Raak - not time-related, remember?
An emotion, like love?
Or a convention we all accept to make life a little simpler?
Like the international date line.
An inquiry into the state of someone's health, uttered merely as a ritual move in the game of smalltalk, and without any intention that it be taken literally?
Is it a speech act of any sort?
Toby - not an emotion, like love, and not a convention we accept to make life simpler.
Raak - Dear God, no! Stop taking those drugs now! And it's not a speech act! You're all going completely the wrong direction - (go the other way!)
Witchcraft?
Some kind of art?
Yes, but what is the other way from everything?
Magnetism?
A form of alternative medicine?
A rainbow made from moonlight?
I just like the idea and wondered what clour it would be....wanders off to have a cup tea
Is it a direction?
Is it related to the arts or entertainment?
Do people want it?
Raak - no....(!)
Toby - no. (Nothing? Upwise?)
Inkspot - not magnetism, or a form of alternative medecine, or a rainbow made from moonlight. Look here for info about it
Brendan - no.
Snodgrass - No, not really.
Guest Login - a catamaenic person, perhaps?
A Clue! So, it is something a woman might want at that time of the month? Valium? A blood transfusion? A divorce? A heavy machine gun? Two heavy machine guns? All those are rather concrete, except the divorce.
A vow of silence?
immaculate conception on the astral plane?
Something I might want upwise at that time month? Hmm.
This one seems to have been hanging around for AGES. I guess that's what happens when we overdose on Abstract. I'll remain detached until it's done.
[Chalky] I decided that a while ago. I'm stumped with this one. It's so Abstract it's not actually conceivable (Berkeley is vindicated!).
Not that direct a clue, Raak. So none of those. Think of characters who particularly fulfill that definition. And something about them.
Toby - nope.
Chalky, Breadmaster - COWARDS!
What clue?
Points upwise.
Hothead Paisan, Lesbian terrorist?
Or Tank Girl, Charlie's Angels, Shelob, Death, Desire, Delirium, or...running out of catamenics and catamaenads.
I need a bigger dictionary!
*riffling through* catamaenic?
Weightlessness?
I really didn't think it was that hard! Think HORROR!
If I said "UFO" would I be headed in the right direction?
Cthulhu?
Black Magic?
what is catamaenic? Google could find no matches, and I don't count made up words like upwise clues either, and I have found some of the answers cofusing, but thats just me reading reading things far too literally. Perhaps if I take a nother print of the game thing may look clearer
Something cosmetic, like a Boob job for instance
PMT?
[Inkspot] I couldn't find catamaenic anywhere, even the OED, but catamenic means menstrual. Catamaenic could be a formation from catamaenad, the Maenads being the Furies, and cata- being a prefix of rather vague meaning.
Count Dracula?
Can it be seen? Not in and of itself, no
Is it fictional? Erm, sort of
Do people pretend that it's real? I'd say yes
Is it mythical? Not really
Is it a human concept? Yes.
Would it be a religious icon? Nope
Would you experience it in a dessert? Are you on drugs? That means no
Is it an anthropomorphisation? No
Is it from folk lore? No
Is it a scientific concept? Assuming you mean like a law or theory, then no
Is it connected with ethics? No
Transubstantiation? No
Does it have anything to do with ways of measuring or measures of time? No
CAn it be percieved be any of the senses? erm, not really, but yes
Marriage? No, you wierdo
Is it an expression or saying? not really an expression or saying
Money? not money
Gravity? not gravity really obscure reverse referential cough
Is it in some way related to economics? not related to economics
Is it a universal human concept? This question not answered
The law? not the law.
Something associated with the weater? not weather-related
Lunchtime? not time-related
An emotion, like love? not an emotion, like love
Or a convention we all accept to make life a little simpler? and not a convention we accept to make life simpler
An inquiry into the state of someone's health, uttered merely as a ritual move in the game of smalltalk, and without any intention that it be taken literally? Dear God, no! Stop taking those drugs now! And it's not a speech act! You're all going completely the wrong direction - (go the other way!)
Is it a speech act of any sort?
Witchcraft? no....(!)
Some kind of art? no. (Nothing? Upwise?)
Magnetism? Inkspot - not magnetism
A form of alternative medicine? not a form of alternative medecine
Is it a direction? No
Is it related to the arts or entertainment? No, not really
Do people want it? a catamaenic person, perhaps?
A Clue! So, it is something a woman might want at that time of the month? Valium? A blood transfusion? A divorce? A heavy machine gun? Two heavy machine guns? All those are rather concrete, except the divorce.
Not that direct a clue, Raak. So none of those. Think of characters who particularly fulfill that definition. And something about them.
A vow of silence?
immaculate conception on the astral plane?
What clue?
Points upwise.
Hothead Paisan, Lesbian terrorist?
Or Tank Girl, Charlie's Angels, Shelob, Death, Desire, Delirium, or...running out of catamenics and catamaenads.
Weightlessness?
Think HORROR!really didn't think it was that hard!
I am just stabbing at straws now for a character that is sort of non-anthropomorphisation fictional human concept, that people pretend is real, that can and cannot be percieved by any of the senses with Catamaenic HORROR
Is it the frustration we are all experiencing?
Is it a character from a book?
After seven days I still have no real idea, perhaps there is a important question about this Abstract that still needs to be played.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer?
Inkspot] Thanks for that, although I think maybe the question is 'What's the point?'

C'mon snorglekins - we're practically dead from attrition here. Give us some help before we just declare another topic altogether.
maenads...
[Raak] It contributes absolutely nothing to the game, but then nor does the game seem to at this current moment, so may I point out that the Erinyes or the Eumenides are the Furies, and the Maenads are the crazed female followers of Dionysus (famous for going berserk during bacchanals and ripping things apart). Just so you know.
oxford pocket dictionary
cata- prefix 1 down. 2 wrongly. [Greek]
oh yeah...I'm guessing this is just the greek word, the preposition meaning "down" (and, I suppose, wrongly :p). Although quite what plonking this with maenic means (that'll be the english english spelling) I have no idea.
The light of a master mason, which is darkness visible?
Just guessing now, perhaps you can tell.
[ZK] Thanks for the correction. "-maen-" may be a hypercorrection of "-men-", as even the complete OED doesn't list it.
men
[Raak] Are you in america?
Vampires?
Wow, this is impressive...
The difference between 5 cubed and 125 in very strong gravitational fields?
[ZK] No, the UK.
No to everyone, except Inkspot - well, it's no to you too, really, but yes, think of a character in a book, how many damn horror writers do you know!?! And also think of the Maenads - just come on, you damn eejits!
The upending of a vat of menstrual blood at a senior prom caused not by psychokinesis but as a side-effect in the outpouring stream of casaulity generated by the gentle flapping of the wing of that moth I should have crushed instead of setting free when I was seven?
Well, see, that's helpful now, since we know it is and isn't a character in a book.
Is this a nom de plume?
You know I'll give it to Toby - since he mentioned PSYCHOKINESIS! Yes, that was the answer - it just popped into my head after last week's episode of Dark Place.
Know you now the answer, wasn't it obvious? :-P
oo-er. After that I'm inclined to say, "Vegetable. (And it's a turnip.)"

However.
MINERAL
A fossilised turnip?
A metal container (for turnips)?
A modern art installation in which a rusty nail represents the turnip in all of us?
No, no, & no. Not at all related to a turnip.
Is it made of stone?
snorgle] Oh yeah, I remember now .
Yes, predominantly.
Is it a monument of some sort?
Of some sort quite possibly, but not as I think you or I would commonly understand it.
Is it on the American continent?
Is it a unique thing?
I.e. like Cleopatra's Needle, and unlike obelisks in general.
[Inkspot] No.
[Raak] Yes.
Is it man made?
Is it a swede?
[Dujon] No.
[snorgle] Yes, in the alternate universe of tragical mirth, brief tedium, hot ice, and wondrous strange snow. In this one, swedes, nor yet Swedes, are not mineral ;-)
Is it in Britain?
No, it isn't.
Is it on land? [as opposed to underwater or floating in the cosmos]
Is it in Asia?
Table Mountain?
Is it smaller than Nelson's column?
Is it bigger than a pony?
[Chalky] Yes.
[Breadmaster] No.
[Software] No.
[Inkspot] No.
[snorgle] Yes.
Is it more than 1000 years old?
Yes, fundamentally.
Is it Ayer's Rock?
No, but it's closer to all of you (including Dujon) than it is to me.
Is it in Europe?
Nor there.
Is it in an Arabic country?
Does it have religious site?
[Raak] Also not.
[Inkspot] Well, I suppose it may, but a desultory web search turns up nothing in particular, and it's not what we associate with this in general.
Is it in Africa?
Does it lie between the equator and the Tropic of Capricorn?
double straddle due to time zone invoked ;)
Yes and yes.
Is it a mountain at all?
Does its name begin with the letter "K"?
Is Dujon trying to steal my idea?
Sorry, it's late and I've been eating Frosties.
Not at all, Ma'am - Just narrowing it down... :-) No, I will not gazump you - I don't wish to win. So, if there is a yes/yes it's all yours - if you are fast enough and still awake!
yes/yes
arrow_circle_down
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