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AVMA Take 2
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Yes, it's another round of that classic guessing game - Animal, Vegetable, Mineral, Abstract [or any combination thereof]. This effort - '03/'04 should address any queries, but then again, may just serve to confuse and baffle which some might say is the point of the game. Patience, integrity and a decent search engine may be useful ....
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[CdM] NO. I think that would constitute a major animal component.
[cfm] I didn't say anything about it containing a rabbit.
Is the wooden bit a handle?
[irach] NO. The object has no handle.
Any musical connection?
[INJ] YES. There is a musical connection.
Is the musical connection a guitar?
Is it a musical instrument?
[INJ] The audience probably should have made a bigger fuss over your last question...but they were really sleepy that night. :-)
[irach] YES. Bingo. *hands irach a rosewood baton with mother-of-pearl inlay*
(Strumming the newly acquired baton while contemplating the next puzzle should be, still wondering what the 'abstract" element in a guitar is)...ah, here goes, the next one is ABSTRACT
A human construct?
[irach] Not presuming to speak for cfm, but s/he specified an abstract connection, which I take to be music/songs.
[irach] What he said. [CdM] What you said.
[cfm] Yes, a human construct.
Connected to geography?
Connected to the arts?
Bigger than a virtual toaster?
Anarcho-syndicalism?
Mark my words, one day it's going to be right.
[Tuj] Tangentially, yes, related to a "geographical" location.
[Raak] Not connected to the arts.
[Software] In the abstract world, if bigger is better, it is better known than any virtual toaster.
{INJ} Drat, not this time around.
Topical?
[irach] I like the toaster answer very much.
Related to a specific belief system?
An organisation?
[INJ] Not related to a belief system.
[Raak] Not an organisation.
Topical?
Does that include the flying toasters that were once ubiquitous on Windows PCs?
[GLogin] Not particularly topical. It would not come up in normal everyday conversations, except perhaps in very select limited circles.
[CdM] Perhaps not, in retrospect.
To do with science?
[Raak] No scientific connection, but perhaps a tangential link to scientific method.
A phrase or saying?
[Software] Not a phrase in the true sense of the word, or a saying.
A sensation?
Related to sport?
[cfm] Not a sensation.
[Tuj] Not sport-related.
A state of mind or emotion?
[cfm] Not a state of mind or emotion.
An activity?
[cfm] Not an activity, but rather a hub of "activity".
A location?
[cfm] Yes, a location.
A unique location or a common location?
Related to economic activity?
[cfm] A unique location.
[CdM] Not related to econmoic activity.
A location in Europe?
[cfm] A location in Europe - "Yes", and no.
Does this location move?
[Raak] The location does not move, it is fixed, but remember, it is in essence ABSTRACT.
Is it defined by its position in relation to other things?
Such as 'the pole of inaccessibility' or 'the centre of the UK'
[ImNotJohn] It is a much more specifically pinpoint-able locale than a place defined by its relationships to other things; yet it is abstract in that it is in fact not a "real" locale. Therefore my earlier answer "Yes" and no about it being located in Europe.
Does it appear in a work of fiction?
Like the Reichenbach Falls
[ImNotJohn] Yes, it does appear in a work of fiction. It is not Reichenbach Falls, but quite a few in the audience clap and nod appreciatively at its mention.
221b Baker Street?
YES, 221b Baker Street it is. See, 'twas elementary, my dear Watsons. It's through sleuthing with proper questioning, not by sheer luck one homes in to the right answer. A calabash pipe, in place of a baton, is handed over to Raak.
The next is VEGETABLE, ANIMAL, and MINERAL.
Does it begin with a P?
Does not begin with a P.
- oh
Is it unique?
Is it edible?
Is it a domestic article?
Is it Groucho Marx (the animal) smoking a cigar (vegetable) an dropping the ashes (mineral)?
[Tuj] Not unique.
[CdM] Inedible.
[INJ] Not really a domestic article.
[irach] Grouchy marks? No.
Is the vegetable paper?
Is the vegetable component wood?
[GL] Not paper.
[irach] The vegetable is wood.
Is the animal component leather?
Bigger than a toaster?
[cfm] Yes, leather.
[Tuj] Bigger than a toaster.
A lacrosse stick?
[cfm] Jolly lacrosse sticks? No.
Is the mineral metal?
[irach] Yes, metal.
What can you make with wood, leather, and metal? Actually, technically I think the animal part is not "leather", but it is skin processed in some way.
An old steamer sea trunk?
"skin processed in some way"? Whoa. Weirdness.
Just sayin....
Related to interment, memorialization?
[irach] Not a trunk.
[cfm] Not six feet under.
Bigger than a phone box?
[CdM] Not bigger than a phone box.
Would one normally find it indoors?
Is it musical?
[jim] Can be indoors or outdoors.
[Tuj] *applause* It is musical.
A concertina?
Oh, hang on, you said it was musical.
[INJ] It is both musical, and not a concertina.
A drum?
A tambourine?
[Tuj] *more applause* It is a drum.
[INJ] But not a tambourine.
Bongo drums?
[irach] Not bongos.
Associated with a particular people or location?
[INJ] Yes, associated with etc.
Bongo druums?
A djembe?
[cfm] Not a djembe.
A Taiko drum?
Is this a drum which is struck with an implement - as opposed to the hand?
A tabla?
[Dujon] Yes, [irach] No, [CdM] su-ku-DON!! YES, a taiko. Have this pair of bachi.
Baci? Yum! *unwraps and eats*
That was not a lucky guess; I just have a long memory :-)
All right, this next one is probably best thought of as ABSTRACT with ANIMAL and VEGETABLE connections, although you might be able to make a case for ANIMAL with ABSTRACT and VEGETABLE connections
Begins with P?
Is it Malcolm's army approaching Dunsinane under cover of foliage cut from Birnam wood?
P-begun? Yes.
Branches of the military? No.
Phrase or saying?
A work of art?
A title of a movie or work of fiction?
A particular recipe?
Phrase or saying? No, or at least only if you adopt a very broad definition of that term.
A work of art? I realise now that I should really say that, as well as being abstract, this has abstract connections. The answer, as I am interpreting it, is not a work of art. The abstract connections include a work of art, although that is unlikely to be helpful.
Title of a movie/work of fiction? Both, as it happens, although that is also unlikely to be helpful. *some applause, but for the question rather than for the answer*
Recipe? No.
Was this invented by a specific person?
A branch of study or learning?
Invented by a specific person? No.
Branch of study? No.
Mythical / legendary?
Mythical/legendary? No.
Appears in a work of fiction?
Is the animal in question human?
Appears in a work of fiction? Undoubtedly in many. The principal abstract connection is also certainly referred to in works of fiction, though I know no specific examples.
Animal in question human? Yes.

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

I'll have a go ...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

* Hands plectrum shaped baton over to INJ *

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

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

ANIMAL & MINERAL & VEGETABLE with a strong ABSTRACT element

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Is it associated with a particular place?
When the AOTC is made of vegetable, is the vegetable wood?
[Boolbar] A singular geographical association? No
[cfm] Is the vegetable connection wood? Yes
When the AOTC is mineral, is it metal?
[cfm] Is the mineral connection metal? Usually.
Is the vegetable/mineral connection a household item?
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