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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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Solid (at normal pressure/temperature)?
BTW - I hope it's OK to have more than one question 'open' at a time. Otherwise, this one might just take a lifetime ...
Is it extra terrestrial?
What I mean is the astral stuff that falls out of the sky like meteors or moon rock, Is there a proper word for that type of geology?
Would I like to own lots of it?
Hello, wondering in on preceedings if that's ok with you all. But wandering off again to go to my nice new posh (and rather expensive!) gym.
Raak - no. Wol - yes. Inkspot - no. Lib - Probably not.
 
[Wol] Oh yes, 3-4 questions posed before a response is common. [Inkspot] Extra-terrestrial is an OK word for that, although the common public interpretation usually involves life forms.
Is it metallic?
And wondering if that question would also include metalloids...
LotUS - chemically, yes.
 
Would it be present in an average household?
[Inkspot] Being pernickety now, but meteors don't fall out of the sky, they get burned up in it. If it lands on Earth it's a meterorite. /pedantic
Is it used domestically?
Hi Dr, Hi all! We seem to have relocated since the mysterious demise of the Pants site. Wonder what went wrong? Will we ever find out? Speculation on how it came about could be a new game....
BM - No. Softers - No.
 
Does it have an everyday use to human beings?
Thinks: coo, this looks fun.
Tuj - No.
 
Is the answer the substance itself?
(Breadmaster) As the (late) semi-official Pants Pedant I see I have a serious competitor. You are dead right, of course.
Rosie - No.
 
Is it an alloy?
if its not mined I presume it is a combination of minerals.
A summary -
It is a mineral
Does not have four legs (!)
Not manufactured
It is rare
Not mined
Not an item of jewellery
Is solid at normal temp./pressure
not extra-terrestrial
Lib would probably not like to own lots of it
It is chemically metallic
Not used domestically
Does not have an everyday use by human beings
The answer is not the substance itself
Hmm...
Is it fictional or mythical?
Good one Dr Q!
Was it known before the eighteenth century?
[Rosie] Pedantic?... I?
Inkspot - Not as such. Bob - No. Breadmaster - I believe so.
 
[Bob] I do often bring up long-lasting games -- it took about two weeks for the Pants crowd to guess LBW. :)
Is it an ore - or oxidised?
A naturally occurring solid object made of metal or metals...hmm
Is it a geographical feature?
LBW? Was that animal, vegetable, or mineral...?
Is it a supercondutor?
man-made but not manufactuered! perhaps.
Bob - I don't think so. Breadmaster -YES. Inkspot - no.
Breadmaster makes the first breakthrough!
[BM] LBW is abstract.
Is there more than one?
DrQ]was that yes to both known before the 18C and being a geographical feature?
DrQ]forget may last stance. I'll be back after I've had a cup of tea and a lie down.
Inkspot - No (only one).
 
Is it in the Northern Hemisphere?
Breadmaster] You are too good at this...
Bob - Yes.
 
Is it in the U.K.?
So it's a solid, metallic geographical feature in the Northern Hemisphere, that didn't fall out of the sky, is not man-made, and has no everyday use.
Is it a hill or mountain?
Now we've got him on the run! Mush, halloo, and away!
Magnet Hill?
I beleive that there are several of these, actually
bugger
ignore that last one - missed the "man made" clue
eh?
I'm off to lie down.
Is it the earth's core?
I do not usually enjoy ironing.
Is it in a national park?
Big Dave] have a cup of tea I'll put the kettles on .
Rock of Gibraltar?
Wworth a punt.
Raak - No. Breadmaster - Sorta. Software - No. Bob - No. Inkspot - Don't know, I'll check. Chalky - No.
I should say --- don't focus much on the metallic.
CORRECTION: Raak - Yes.
Ooh, partial giveaway.
Is it an island?
Intrigued by it's being "sorta" a hill or mountain...
BM - No.
I'll say it's a hill, let's put it that way.
Is it actually on land (ie, or in the sea)?
*light bulb* has idea!
Angus - Yes.
 
Does it have some sort of spiritual or mystical significance? (e.g. a burial mound, etc.)
Is it the Sutton Hoo burial mound?
I should wait for Darren's question to be answered, but as I'm here... BTW, are we keeping score by the number of questins it takes?
Is it in the Emerald Isle?
Trying to clear up location after your first rejection of Raak asking about 'in the UK'
Is it Stonehenge?
I am starting to think this is much better as a spectator sport....
Darren - no. Raak - no. Inkspot - YES... Kim - no.
I think Inkspot's got it.
Is it the Giant's Causeway?
DARREN IS CORRECT!
Sorry Inkspot....Darren gets the chair.
Thanks DrQ. OK, this new thing is ABSTRACT.
...and, unlike on Pants, I shall be continuing with this until someone gets it. ;)
Is this a construct of the mind rather than a physical action/reaction?
Meaning; is it more like time/space/imagination rather than itch/sigh/dodge? If that's too broad, just say so, Darren.
Is it real or fictional?
Not sure how to play abstract yet...
Dujon - it's more a physical action, but arguably it's a construct of the mind too. Bob - it's real.
Is it a crime?
Goddamit, well done Darren!
Is it an everyday occurence?
BtD] With a straight bat, I guess...
A phenomenon?
Have just realised that one can't 'submit' without having a 'stance'. Ah well, who needs an excuse to twitter inconsequentially - not I!
Is it done solely by humans?
[Chalky] You can put   in "stance" to make it blank.
Breadmaster - no. Tuj - not usually. Chalky - no. DrQ - yes.
Or you can do what I do - type <b> </b> when you don't want to say anything. Chalky - almost anything could be called a phenomenon of some sort, of course, but in this case, you wouldn't really call it one.
Does it have anything to do with Mornington Crescent?
Are most humans likely to have done this?
Is it legal in the UK?
Proud as a goat.
Raak - yes and no. Breadmaster - yes. snorgle - yes.
For Raak's question, I can't really be more precise without either being misleading or giving too much away.
I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue.
 
Is it broadcast?
Jolly as a kipper
Is it inappropriate to do this in public, or with others present?
Glum as a bison.
Think of a MC move?
Hi Rosie!
Does it have anything to do with pilgrimages?
Apathetic as a flamingo
Is it a form of travelling?
Gyrating as a tuatara
DrQ - no. Chalky - it has been, but it's not usually. Rosie - no. snorgle - no. LotUS - no. Breadmaster - in a way.
Waiting for a train?
Would most children be able to do it?
To recap:
It's a physical action.
It's real.
It's legal.
It is not normally done every day.
Not a phenomenon.
Done solely by humans.
It has an unclear relationship with Mornington Crescent.
Most people have done it.
It is not I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue.
It has sometimes been broadcast but isn't usually.
It can be done in public.
It is not a MC move.
Nothing to do with pilgrimages.
It is a sort of travelling.
Is it humourous?
...in your opinion, I suppose
Raak - no. Breadmaster - yes. Tuj - often is.
Breadmaster's looking in vaguely the right direction here.
Playing conkers?
Although they all fell early, I almost got hit on the head by one a fortnight ago, as I looked up, wondering what the rustling noise was..
Is it a game?
Smug as a lobster.
Orienteeering?
(e)
Going on a pub crawl?
Dancing of some kind?
(Chalky) Ahhhh! Lobsters! Beware, Thrax and I are at large.
Is it done in the home?
Could someone clarify as to what a construction of the mind is following Darren earlier answer "it's a construct of the mind too".
snorgle - no. Chalky - YES. Raak - (1)no,(2)no. Rosie - to a point. Inkspot - sometimes.
[Inkspot] I just took it to mean something which has been constructed or formulated by the human mind.
...and naturally, all games fall into that category.
Monopoly?
Brain hurts...
Is it a type of race (in the sporting sense)?
Is it "Twister"?
Charades?
Is it "Scrabble"?
<thinks> If not this then... </thinks>
Pop Idol?
A stab in the dark...
Musical chairs?
Or sunnink.
"Give Us A Clue?"
Not . . . you have to give us a clue, Darren, but the Lionel/Una show.
Is it a team game?
And to think Wales is seeded above England in the Rugby World Cup!! mmmm sounds right to me
Rosie - CORRECT.
Rosie got it! I thought it would take you longer! So anyway, Rosie is now in the chair for the next game.
Applause
Well done Rosie!
I have one in mind... Start asking....
It's Animal, Vegetable, Mineral, any combination thereof, or Abstract by itself. The answer is two words - the indefinite article and a noun.
Oops... sorry, Rosie, I hadn't realised the winner gets to go. I withdraw.
Awww! gil! You had a special one all thought up!
Mornington Chairs
[Darren] What's the unclear relationship between musical chairs and Mornington Crescent?
Musical Mornington
Raak] Perhaps Darren is unaware of the last time Musical Mornington Chairs was played, back in the late 1970's, when it was played by some very enthusiatic Chelsea football supporters on there way back from another local London village derby.
Unfortunately the most important part of the ie getting rid of a seat at each station was miss interpereted by the London Transport Police as wanton vandalism.
As a result, this unfortunate event is usually glossed over and not normally discussed in polite company.
[Raak] I thought they did play musical chairs on ISIHAC once, or did I imagine that?
This next object is ABSTRACT with Animal connections
(Inkspot) Supported the Blues since 1956. Don't go these days - prices are absurd and you can't even stand up.
Is it a mythical being?
Eager as a salamander.
Is it an action?
[Darren] I thought you were obliquely referring to/associating it with Humph as a 'musical chair[man]' of MC.
The Cheshire Cat?
Is it a symbol or emblem, e.g. the Austrian two-headed eagle?
Is it the Welsh Dragon?
Standing.
Chalky - No. LotUs - No. Software - Nice guess, but no. Raak - No.
Concentrate on the Abstract. The Animal connection is just a help. BTW this is very early for me; it's 11.30 am. Back in a couple of hours. :-)
An event?
 
Is it solid?
one o' clock time for lunch
Is it a genus, species, or other taxonomic division?
Gil and Raak: Both No. Inkspot: Can't be - it's abstract!
(Snorgle) Apologies. I missed your contribution. Can't think why but there you go. But the answer is no. :-)
Can it be heard?
you'll be telling me next that Welsh Dragons don't exist.
Is it something you can do?
Is it musical?
Rosie]the previous 'abstract' musical chairs has requires several solid objects and corporeal bodies, I was attempting to discern whether your object has a physical presence, in the same way as a smile:)
Is it an EMOTION?
A mares nest?
Are we looking for some kind of mental picture?
Inkspot - No. Darren - No. Bigsmith - No. Chalky - NO!. Software - No.
(Inkspot)It requires the presence of an "animal", i.e. the broad definition, for this abstraction to be manifested.
Sounds like a Pigs Ear to me...
Software - Another good'un, squire, but like Thames Trains, you're on the wrong track.
Allergies.
Although it has vegetable connections as well....
Is it some sort of mythical beast?
... as a ...
Is it a human condition?
Is it ENTERTAINING?
Dr Q - No. Tuj - No. Kim - Yes, sort of. Chalky - No. Mildly interesting to the observant, perhaps.
Would this normally be considered to be 'indelicate' in polite company?
Bringing down the level of decorum.
Is it (a) thought?
Not sure if this doesn't actually qualify under one of Darren's earlier questions.
RECAP:
It is NOT a mythical being
It is NOT an action
It is NOT the Cheshire Cat
It is NOT a symbol or emblem
It is NOT a Welsh dragon
It is NOT an event
It is NOT solid
It CANNOT be heard
It is NOT musical
It is NOT something you can do
It is NOT an emotion
It is NOT a mare's nest
It is NOT a pig's ear
It is NOT an allergy
It is NOT a mythical beast
It is NOT REALLY entertaining

It IS ... sort of ... a human condition

Is it something than can affect EVERYONE?
Trying to narrow down the options
Poor? Rich? Hungry? Thirsty?
 
Is it something most of us have encountered/experienced/had?
This is a tricky one.
Sorry Chalky - overlapped with your question there, somehow didn't spot it.
Dujon - No. Lotus - No. Chalky - No. gil - No. Breadmaster - Yes/No/No.
Anthromorphism?
Wild guessing.
Is the animal aspect merely corroborative?
Boolbar - No. Kim - No, it's fundamental
This is a property/feature/characteristic of some humans. Logically it should also apply to some animals but I'm not sure how well documented this is.
Would it have a negative impact on those who've ENCOUNTERED it?
[BM] No worries. At least you got a positive reply.
A dark horse?
Assuming not the one I backed in the 2:00 at Lingfield
Is it some kind of mental phenomenon?
[Chalky] Not necessarily a helpful one though...
Is it done with other?
Up a gum tree without a clue at the moment
Is it left-handedness / the brain control feature of single hand/paw dominance?
Don't know if this reads too much into Rosie's statement
LOTUS HAS IT! LEFT-HANDEDNESS.
I'm left-handed myself. Very sinister. Carry on LotUs. BTW Are you still in Aberdeen Road?
Well thought out, LotUS :-)
Wow!
Again, Wow!
The next is ABSTRACT with mineral connections
Re clue: It could probably be the other way round as well but we'll argue about that after somebody has got it. (I suspect it will be obtained quickly).

[Chalky] *slightly abashed* thank you very much. Although Rosie's last clue was the key pointer I'm afraid.
[BM] I agree it was an extremely good one.
[Rosie] Yes, I still dwell nary 10-15 mins down the road from you (if memory serves correctly). I'm working in Purley now having left the hallowed halls in the Fens.

Rain?
Trying to score from my own penalty area, so to speak. (LotUs) Hamsey Green, Warlingham end.
Is it Kryptonite?
Is it the Philosopher's Stone?
Bravo BtD
Heaven?
Hell?
If this doesn't work, presumably some more general questions would be an idea ;)
Rosie - No; Bob - No; Tuj - No; Chalky - No; Darren - No
Darren] I think that would be a very good idea, although Rosie's is the only guess that is even in the same country as this <whatever>. And possibly yours. *smiles cryptically*
Is it fictional?
Bob - No...
...but it depends on what you mean by fictional. Not in the conventional sense of 'fictional' anyway.
Scotch mist?
Is it PLEASANT as in ENJOYABLE?
Is it hypothetical?
Software - No; Chalky - Not really; Raak - No
Chalky - the question doesn't really apply but you wouldn't be enjoying the results of this (or you might, I don't know ;) )
Noah's Flood?
Raak - No
The Midas Touch?
snorgle - No
You can tell I've got no work to do at the moment.
Is it a single individual (like the Philosopher's Stone, assuming there was just one) or a general thing (like rain)?
Breadmaster - that's not really a yes or no question but it is a single, specific thing/concept/idea/abstraction
Is it anything to do with the four ELEMENTS?
Does it involve movement?
Chalky - Yes; Raak - Yes (in a technical sense)
Is the Abstact whatsit dependant on the mineral connection?
The OZONE LAYER?
Could it be described as a phenomenon?
Inkspot - Yes; Chalky - No; Rosie - No (but then it depends on your definition - you may be more easily astounded ;) )
A Weather Forecast?
The Northern Lights?
Of the four elements is water the mineral connction?
Quickly going down a blind alley, anyone for checking the other Elements? or is that just a distraction?
Anything to do with fire?
Chalky - No; Software - No; Inkspot - Yes; Breadmaster - No
Crying?
Precipitation?
 
Is it clouds?
Chalky - No; gil - No; Inkspot - No
The story so far...
It is ABSTRACT with mineral connections ("It could probably be the other way round as well but we'll argue about that after somebody has got it")
It is not Rain, Kryptonite, the Philosopher’s Stone, Heaven or Hell, Scotch Mist, Noah's Flood, the Midas Touch, the Ozone Layer, a Weather Forecast or the Northern Lights
Not fictional, but it depends on what you mean by fictional. Not in the conventional sense of 'fictional'
It is not really pleasant or enjoyable (“you wouldn't be enjoying the results of this”)
It is not hypothetical
It is a single, specific thing/concept/idea/abstraction
Is has something to do with the four ELEMENTS
In a technical sense it involves movement
The Abstract whatsit is dependant on the mineral connection
It Could not generally it be described as a phenomenon unless you are easily astounded
Of the four elements water is the mineral connection
It is not to do with fire, crying, precipitation or clouds.
A Baptism?
Is it some sort of current like the transatlantic drift?
Assuming this 'abstract' is tangible.
Chalky - No
And here's your one for free: it's not tangible
oh and Bob - No
Drought?
Does it exist *solely* on Earth?
 
Chalky - No; DrQ - No
Anything to do with ice?
 
DrQ - yes and no (depends on how technical you want to get but you're in roughly the right ballpark)
Post-nasal drip?
I only just stopped myself putting Giant alien snowball up there.. :)
The North Pole?
Be it geographic or geomagnetic.
Is it a geographical feature? (well, it worked once...)
I'm puzzled how it can be a single individual thing but not be exclusive to a single planet...
Is this a physical law?
Giant alien snowball?
snorgle] One man's trash is another man's treasure, and all that...
Damn you LotUS, stop working and get back here!
If you get it, I'll scream.. :)
The Ice Age?
A comet?
Fog/mist?
(LotUs) What I meant by a phenomenon earlier didn't mean "phenomenal", i.e. incredible, outrageous etc, but just something that is observed or happens, eg any aspect of weather.
An isobar
snorgle- No; DrQ - No; Breadmaster - No; Darren - Sort of (I wouldn't say 'law' as such); Tuj - Nope; Chalky - No; Bob - No; Rosie - No, Dujon - No
[Rosie] Ah sorry, I misunderstood. Okay, well the result is observable/happens.
Darren is now the closest by far. Geez - Im glad I went for this one and not the one I thought was really fiendish.
Gravity?
I'm a very serious type, doncha know?
Does it occur on the moon as well as the planet?
Dujon - No; Inkspot - I'm sure it would hold on the moon although probably slightly altered from how we know it
Actually, Inkspot - Yes and...
the addition is :...what it is would be the same on the moon but how we know it would be altered (although I can't tell you how) - if that makes any sense.
Is it metaphorical?
My brain hurts...
The freezing point of water?
Bob - Nope; Raak - No
[Raak] ooohh!!
Dew point
Wild stab.
plump - Nope
The boiling point of water?
Golden Shower?
Coat!
Boolbar!!
Boolbar - The attendent will show you the way; Chalky - YES!!!!!!
DING DING DING!!!! Congratulations Miss Chalky!!! You have correctly guessed the boiling point of water. The floor is now yours m'lady.
(Raak)Oh so close!
It was going to be the sublimation point of iodine but then I realised that would probably have got me expelled from these boards ;)
O wow!
I'll admit that although I climbed on the shoulders of the estimable Raak for the final thrust - I did work hard on that one [witness - nauseating number of questions] so I don't feel too abashed.
Give us a mo ...
'the sublimation point of iodine'
LotUS] be glad you did not opt for Boolbars suggestion.
OK - New One - *A N I M A L*
Bring on the questions . . .
Is it a living creature?
we'll start nice and simple
Is the whole thing an animal?
though I do fancy a leg of lamb this Sunday.
Is ia an Aardvaark?
I've got this Wildlife dictionary on my lap, you see.....
Human?
(LotUs) Iodine doesn't have a sublimation point (at atmospheric pressure). Melts at 114°C and boils at 184°C. And I hope you've specified a pressure for the boiling point of water. At the top of Everest water boils at 70°C at which temperature it takes several days (by extrapolation) to boil an egg and tea is crap. Sorry to be such an arse-aching pedant but I've got a reputation to keep up. -:)
An air breather?
(Rosie) yes, I am aware of Boyle's Law, STP and such stuff (I did study Chemistry at uni), that's why I gave the clue as abstract because the answer was more 'the concept of the boiling point of water' rather than an actual figure (which would be an accepted standard against an arbitrary scale). Which is also part of why expected wrangling to take place.
LotUS - NO. Inkspot - whole thing YES - but an animal [as opposed to a human] NO. Kim - NO! Rosie - YES. Bob - Not any more, obviously.
Wrangling is good.
John Wayne?
are they recently deceased (last 20 years)?
Is it Otzi the Bog Man?
A mummy?
addendum
That is, not one's mother, you uderstand.
Is it fictitious?
BobtheDog - No. LotUS - No. Raak - if I didn't know better I would say you're being a silly-billy :-) Software - No and No. Darren - No.
sorrysorrysorry Raak - please forgive me for poaching your water.
Darren - if it WERE fictitious, wouldn't that make it abstract?
Was this human British?
 
Female?
DrQ - No. BobtheDog - No.
American?
probably my last q 'til tomorrow - d'oh
LotUS - erm ... broadly speaking YES.
Montezuma?
Singular as opposed to a grouping?
Chief Sitting Bull?
Born on the continent now known as North America?
Raak - No. Inkspot - YES. LotUS - No. Ibid - YES.
An American President?
Bob - No
Canadian?
 
An entertainer?
Lived during the 20th century?
Was it a native American?
Oh, by the way, I wouldn't call a fictitious person or animal necessarily abstract.
Albert Johnson, the Mad Trapper of Rat River?
Malcom X?
Thinking that he may be born in America but perhaps considers themselves to be maybe Hispanic or Jewish or black / American
DrQ - by parentage YES. Bob - not really known as such, but IMHO he WAS entertaining as a person. Tuj - YES. Darren - see DrQ. Raak - I'm SO sorry - how can I make it up to you . .
Now - I've had 4 [and a sneaky half] very very very large glasses of vinoplonko since I was here before - I've jus got home - DO tell me if I'm performing inappropriately - coz i's a sherious business this chairing a game thingystuff . . . and I would HATE to let you all down - *sobs* Oh god! You are ALL my beshtest friends and . . .
Inkspot - No [which you can now see because I shimulposted . .]
a politician?
Your performance is just fine.. ;)
snorgle - No.
Thank you dearest schnorgy worgy
Were they intentionally entertaining?
you're welcome.. ;)
snorgs - he was *intentionally* something else which is yet to be guessed - but as I said before - IMO he WAS entertaining, but perhaps not to all
Were other people involved in doing this IYHO entertaining thing?
hmmm
snorgle - I dare say
ahem
William Shatner?
This is moving faster than usual..
snorgs - he isn't dead, is he?
Certainly is.
Was it sexual?
It would explain his acting skills. I just had to read all that to work out that he is dead. So, a dead 20th century man of canadian extraction (ouch!) who did something that might be considered entertaining.
Involved in sport?
[snorgle] Where'd that last question come from?
Maybe I should go to bed. I meant was what he did sexual (as it amused Chalky).
[snorgle] Unless he was a eunuch, I'd say so. :)
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Tired, so no longer making sense.. g'night! (Just as well I previewed that, it was toooo long!)
A musician, of any kind?
Up late, as usual.
Pierre Trudeau?
Snorgle - No. DrQ - No. Rosie - No.
snorgle's summary above is OK - but don't be misled by the 'entertaining' part - I refer to my comments to BtD further back.
Raak - I think we eliminated 'politician' earlier , so No
Was he black?
We're getting there!
Breadmaster - No.
A scientist?
Or an artist? (of the non-entertaining kind)
Darren - No. Artist [as in painter?] No.
A sportsman?
Raak - " I refer the honourable member to my previous reply ..."
**brief recap**
So a dead, somewhat entertaining gentleman of Canadian parentage who wasn't a sportsman, scientist, artist, or politican. He lived in the 20th Century but died more than 20 years ago.
Lenny Bruce?
"I'm sorry if I'm not very funny tonight, but I'm not a comedian, I'm Lenny Bruce."
DrQ - No.
Recap fine, but forget the 'entertaining' part of it - that was more of an 'aside'.
It's why I suggested Lenny Bruce.
Was he the bloke who wrote the Kinsey Report, i.e. Kinsey?
Was he a published writer at all?
Rosie - No. Darren - YES!
At last - a breakthrough. Bring on the literati . . .
Ernest Hemingway?
Uh-oh...
I would check if he had Canadian parentage, but then that'd kinda take the fun out of it a bit. Plus, I think I'd make a mad chair.
Of course, I did mean bad chair. And no I wasn't talking about carpentry.
Is he best known as a writer of fiction?
Is he on this list?
Tuj - No. Inkspot - Yes ... but. Raak - ahem.
Inkspot - His work is considered somewhere between fiction and non-fiction.
Raak - He was American, but of Canadian extraction, so he may or may not be on your list.
Was he a columnist for a newspaper?
The output of some political sketch writers blurr the line between fact and fiction.
Inkspot - No ... but
...I'm sure he wrote magazine articles from time to time as a sideline.
Mark Twain?
Who's got a scanner? TWAIN = Thing Without An Interesting Name, so I'm told. :-)
Was he best known as an essayist?
That is, as opposed to a novelist. Knowing what you have on your bookshelves I leave the poetry until later.... :-)
Edgar Allen Poe?
His parents were travelling actors, but I dunno if they were Canadian...
Jack Kerouac?
He had French-Canadian parents.
Died in the first half of last century?
Rosie - No. Dujon - not really. Bob the dog - No.
.... but ... wait for it ... *drum roll*
Darren - YES! YES YES YES!!
Well done, me old mate - here's the man ... if anyone's interested.
Underlining Darren's victoreeeee
Crikey
*General applouse for Darren*
And some applause too, even...
This new one will be ABSTRACT, although arguably there are animal, vegetable and mineral connections..
Thanks all!
An organisation?
Chalky sounds very excitable these days. I wonder what's going on.
Fictional?
Incidentally, if the subject were, say, Frodo, would that count as abstract as well as animal? I would assume that "fictional" and "abstract" mean quite different things, but it looks to me like there might be a bit of fuzziness between them in the context of this game.
Not Frodo, is it?
Worth a try.
Einstein's Theory of Relativity?
Rosie - no. Breadmaster - yes and no. Tuj - no. Raak - no.
Breadmaster's answer is vague because it depends how you interpret it.
(a) God?
of any religion..
Is there or could there be more than one?
is it a huan concept?
Is it written down in some form?
Is it an event?
Magic?
Is it something whose existence is controversial, so that some people believe it is real but others believe it is only fictional?
Controversy already. Excellent!
snorgle - no. Raak - yes and no. Software - yes. Bob - yes. Inkspot - could be considered as one, I suppose. Boolbar - no. Breadmaster - hehehehehe, no.
Again, Raak's answer depends on how I interpret his question.
I assumed Software means "human."
The American Constitution?
Yes it was ,BTW.
Is it more than 100 years old?
Does it have a colour?
The Bible?
The Koran?
I think Raak's right.
Software - no. Inkspot - no. Boolbar - not a specific one, no. Raak - no. Breadmaster - no.
Raak and Breadmaster - you're way off!
And don't get misled by the "in written form" thing. It *has* been in written form, but that's not its main form.
Is it a subject of study?
Huxley - well, someone probably has studied it in academic terms at some time or another, but as a general rule, no.
Is it instructional in any way?
Is it a film?
Chalky - no. Big Dave - YES.
Big Dave has made the first major breakthrough.
released in the last two years?
Bob the dog - no.
Is it in colour? (as opposed to black and white)
Frankenstein?
Does it star anyone who has been a governor of California?
 
Boolbar - yes. Raak - no. DrQ - no.
Documentary?
 
gil - no.
was it made in America?
Is it funny?
Is it of the horror genre?
Bob - yes. Raak - yes (of course, different people have different opinions). Tuj - yes.
Is it Scream?
Though I equally laughed at The Blair Witch Project.
Evil Dead 2
Funniest horror movie I ever saw.
Sorry, that was a question... Evil Dead 2?
Inkspot - no. Bob - no.
Is is "Eraserhead"?
Kim - no.
I'd suggest you try narrowing it down a bit further!
Released before 1980?
 
DrQ - yes.
By the way, Kim, if I remember correctly, "Eraserhead" is in black and white, not colour.
Does it involve vegetables in a leading role?
Was it released after 1970?
"Plan 9 From Outer Space"
 
"Invasion of the Body Snatchers"?
Sci-fi?
Is it intended as a comedy?
I now give DrQ the kiss of death by saying I think he's right.
Ibid - no. Inkspot - yes. DrQ - no. Chalky - no. Kayl - no. Breadmaster - to a point.
BM's kiss worked, it seems. By the way, DrQ, you don't need to put &nbsp; in Stance any more, that problem seems to have been fixed.
Rocky Horror Picture Show?
Is it horror?
Did it win an Oscar?
Inkspot - no but you're on the right lines. Raak - see Tuj above. Boolbar - no.
Boolbar - ...but it was nominated for one.
The Mummy?
The kiss never fails.
Breadmaster - no.
Young Frankenstein?
Ibid - no.
The Exorcist?
Carrie?
The Little Shop of Horrors?
ah ... just realised it can't be, because you said No to Ibid's question about vegetables in a leading role. What the hell - I'll post this anyway.
The Amityville Horror?
The only Oscar nominated horror (for musical score) from the 70's that we haven't already mentioned that I can recall.
LSoH
Chalky... it was also made in the 80s.
Huxley - no. Chalky - no. Ibid - no.
Wol - no. (sorry for missing you first time round!)
Inkspot was pretty close with Rocky Horror.
Singalongasoundofmusic?
Shirley Thompson vs. The Aliens?
Raak - no. Huxley - no.
Summer of Secrets?
( I am assuming I'm only allowed to ask one question at a time )
Huxley - no.
Feel free to ask as many as you feel like, as long as you don't end up flooding the room with a million films!
Shock Treatment?
darren] I'll do my best not to, but I'm on a roll here!
Huxley - no.
You're still along the right lines though.
Is it really an oscar nominated horror comedy from the 1970s?
Since I can't think of any I haven't already mentioned, I'm puzzled.
Ibid - yes, it really is.
And all those characteristics are in the IMDB entry for this film. It can't be *that* hard to get!
Did Brian de Palma have anything to do with it?
'cos I can't remember the name of the film...
Fade to Black?
Huxley - no. Ibid - YES.
Ibid, I think you've got it, you just need the title!
Phantom of the Paradise?
Surely not
Phantom of the Paradise?
Simul'ed - but I'm not retracting, as Hux has just done!
That was an abbreviated "surely it's not Phantom of the Paradise is it?" thankyouverymuch.
Sisters?
(just in case)
[Hux] OK - I'll fight you for it ;-) Or, you have Sisters and I'll have PotP ...
You keep your grubby simul' posting hands off my guesses.
Huxley and Wol - CORRECT!
Yes, it was Phantom of the Paradise. So, Huxley is in the chair for the next round (sorry Wol, Huxley did post first!).
Gosh - that was quite exciting
Well done Huxley on the photo-finish. Better luck next time, Wol - and a worthy third place to Ibid the pacemaker.
Nice setup there Ibid! As soon as you mentioned De Palma, the movie just lept out of my long-term memory... a quick check on IMDB confirmed the facts.
I too will go with ABSTRACT
And, unfortunately, I am heading on home and will have not have time to check in tonight... I will answer guesses first thing in the morning.
Is there more than one of them?
Ah well, I was refusing to look it up on IMDB as a matter of principle. But I just couldn't remember the title.
Is it numerical?
Does it involve religion?
 
Is it unique to humans?
Could I pay money to buy some?
Can it be seen?
Does it have organoleptic properties (ie is it perceived by the senses)?
Going more broadly than Inkspot. [Hux] ... and I put my back out stretching for the line like that!
Does it involve emotion?
A very vague move but I'll stick with it.
Ibid - no. Kayl - no. DrQ - no. Darren - no. Tuj - possibly, yes. Inkspot - yes. Wol - yes. Noodle - yes.
[Tuj] the answer to yours is genuinely "Possibly yes". [Wol] ... me too, my neck hurts as well.
Love?
Bob - no.
Would it be considered one of the 'arts'?
Chalky - No.
Now of course wishing had gone for more specific move...
Is it generally considered a positive thing?
Ibid - no.
Is it a colour? [black?]
Is it an action?
Wol] Sorry, simulposted.
There is not more than one of them.
It is not numerical.
It does not involve religion.
It is not unique to humans.
You could possibly pay money to buy some.
It can be seen.
It can be perceived by the senses.
It does involve emotion.
It is not love.
It would not be considered one of the 'arts'.
Is it not generally considered to be a positive thing.
Is it one of the seven deadly sins?
Wol - 'fraid not. Ibid - nope.
[Bob]so far, so good.
Could it exist without animals or humans?
Does it tend to ilicit an emotional response?
Is it pain?
Inkspot - no. Kim - yes. Ibid - no.
Childbirth?
Mortality?
Raak - no and no.
[all] We're headed slowly in the right direction.
Does it cause physical damage?
Is it a disease?
Is it generally a positive thing?
Is it sex?
One track mind.
Ibid - not as a rule, Raak - it's not considered as one, Darren - no, Bob - no.
Getting warmer!! :)
Impotence?
Is it artificial (as opposed to natural)?
Rabies?
Chalky - no, Wol - no, Boolbar - no.
A short lifespan?
Is it exclusive to humans?
Death?
Along with Death of Rats!
Kayl]see Darren
Raak - no, Kayl - no, Inkspot - no.
Obesity?
I'm getting stuck here.
Ibid - no.
[ibid] You're close but not quite there.
[all]You may want to ponder on the fact that, oddly, Noodles superlatively vague question was about as close as anyone has come so far.
Does it involve one specific emotion?
Inkspot] Indeed.
Kayl - no
Is it dieting?
unhappiness?
Is it a celebtration?
Is it *an* emotion?
self-consciousness? (awkwardness, that sort of thing, not the 'awareness' track)
Is it crying?
Love?
Is it depression?
Is it something to do with physical appearance?
Anorexia Nervosa?
<serious >Having had a daughter go through it - it is not funny.</serious>
An aside
From comments I have seen in another place, this does not seem to be a problem with some of our posters! ... Tee hee!
Inkspot - no, Ibid - no, Bob - no, Tuj - no, Chalky - no, Dujon - no.
My last clue, regarding Noodles Vague Question, will require a little lateral thinking.
[Dujon]One of my sister in-laws has been going through it all of her life. she recovered for a short while a couple of years ago but we have noticed that she started back down that path again a few months ago.
Obesity?
Software - no.
RECAP
There is not more than one of them.
It is not numerical.
It does not involve religion.
It is not unique to humans.
You could possibly pay money to buy some.
It can be seen.
It can be perceived by the senses.
It does involve emotion.
It is not love.
It would not be considered one of the 'arts'.
Is it not generally considered to be a positive thing.
It isn't a colour.
It isn't one of the seven deadly sins.
It couldn't exist without animals or humans.
It elicits an emotional response.
It isn't pain.
It isn't childbirth.
It isn't mortality.
It doesn't, as a rule, cause physical damage.
It is not considered a disease.
It is not a positive thing.
It isn't sex.
It isn't impotence.
It isn't artificial.
It isn't rabies.
It isn't a short lifespan.
It isn't exclusive to humans.
It isn't death.
It isn't obesity [but 'close' said Hux].
It doesn't involve one specific emotion.
It isn't a celebration.
It isn't 'an' emotion.
It isn't crying.
It isn't love.
It isn't depression.
It isn't anorexia nervosa.

OK there seem to be some missing answers, if I've read it right:
Is it an action? [Bob]
Is it dieting? [Darren]
Is it unhappiness? [Chalky]
Is it self-consciousness? [LotUS]
Is it something to do with physical appearance? [Darren]
Phew!

Is it something that can affect anyone/anything?
I'm intrigued by the fact that it's not exclusive to humans.
Bravo Chalky.
Chalky - yes, It could affect anyone, but NOT anything.
First, the missing answers (apologies to all):
It is not an action
it is not dieting
it is not unhappiness
it is not self-conciousness and it is not something to do with physiscal appearance.
I am surprised at how long this one is going on... I thought it would be a case of "four questions and we're done".
A clue...
[Raak] You might want to break out the thesaurus for one of your earlier questions that was close but forced a rather vague answer from me.
Would it be considered a 'disorder'?
Albinism?
Chalky - not a disorder, no. Raak - no.
Is it associated with a loss of some sort?
Stabbing in the dark, slightly confused.
Infertility?
Inkspot - no. Chalky - no.
Let me recap the important questions (in descending order of relevance)... as it seems that all are confused...


(1) It is not considered a good thing.
(2) It can be perceieved by the senses
(3) It could not exist without animals or humans
(4) It is not a "disease"
(5) It is not a "disorder"
(6) It isn't unique to humans

and... If you think sideways, Noodle was so so so so so close with his vague question...
As for (4) and (5) you might want to consider a thesaurus.
Homesickness?
NOT homesickness
I am retracting my last question ... because homesickness is associated with a loss
Could my goldfish have it?
This is a killer. I am absolutely stumped by the fact that you could buy it.
Some sort of fear or phobia?
Can this manifest itself - without the influence/impact of another being?
awkwardly phrased, sorry - but I can't think of any other way to ask
Is it a virus?
I'm thinking influenza or some such
Breadmaster - I have no conclusive proof that goldfish have it, but in theory I don't see why not. Chalky - It doesnt need the influence of another "being", LotUS - it's not a virus.
Breadmaster - let's just say you dont buy "it" but spending money could could increase "its" likelihood.
But then again... if it's what you really wanted, then I suppose you could "buy" it... but I don't know who would!
*points Huxley towards his question*
Is is Poverty?
Is it a personality trait?
Arthritis?
If not a disease maybe an ailment or complaint like a bad back!
Boolbar - no, Kim - no, Chalky - no, Inkspot - no
I'll toss in a question and answer it:
Is it caused by environmental conditions?
Hux - yes.
Is it connected with breathing?
And is it audible?
Sorry to keep hogging questions, but just had another thought. Is it an addiction?
Hay Fever?
Darren: no, no, and no. Boolbar - no.
I fear that this one may never get solved.
Can it be heard?
S.A.D. syndrome?
Sun burn?
Ibid - not really, no. Chalky - no. Inkspot - no.
Being fat?
Vertigo?
Raak - no. Inkspot - no, but you're barking up the right tree!
Is it a phobia?
Repetition!
A nightmare?
clutching at straws
Chalky - no
Stomach ache?
Is it something to do with what you eat?
sea-sickness?
*ting* jetlag?
Breadmaster - no, Boolbar - no, Wol - no, Chalky - YES!
Well done Mr. Chalky!!!

I was thinking of Motion Sickness, and I dont think anyone will argue that Sea/air/car sickness is it.

So, I get to draw a line and let the Chalkmeister take over:
I must say...
...that I've never thought about motion sickness in such detail! I had to read Noodles "Does it involve emotion?" question at least three times to make sure the "e" was there.
Here have another line just to keep it clean...
Congrats to Chalky!!
Although I feel I must point out that when I was sea-sick, it had a lot to do with what I ate! :o)
PING
Gender Alert!! Chalky, SHE will not be amused, ;-)
Whoopseedaisie....
Chalky] Madamoiselle you have my sincerest apologies...
Parrots are us
Well solved Chalky and well set Huxely. Hindsight being wonderful perhaps if only homesickess had been answered.
Chalky swings...
I'd be interested in knowing what led Chalky from "clutching at straws" with "nightmare" to "sea-sickness".
Meisterful
[Hux] Oh I dunno ... it's quite nice being called the Chalkmeister. You won't remember the Trappist Spot the Ostrich game in YAMCS when I arrived, as it were. [By the way, that was a cracking game - sublimely silly ... we should do it in here sometime]

Aha ... have just previewed and seen your posting - it just struck me - a combination of lateral thinking [replacing emotion with motion] and your environment clue. I WAS going to ask if the 'condition' was temporary, but then thought b*ll*cks to all that namby-pambying around so just went for it ...

Trappist Spot The Ostrich
One of my favorites on YAMCS... I dont think I ever recounted the story of how I backed up YAMCS onto my hard disk after I brought it down and then my laptop gave up the ghost... YAMCS will remain forever a memory and nothing more :(
Sitting under a palm tree sipping tea
Chalky you can relive Ostrich, thanks to DrQ.
No....!
I forgot that I had emailed it to DrQ... I must get it back so that I can bring it back to life! :)
YAMCS
[Hux] Really, I never got it.... I just saved a few of the pages that I thought were excellent.
Ostrich revisited
[Inkspot] Lovely! Thanks.
New Object - *V E G E T A B L E *
Nice & easy this time.
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