Mineral

[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?

Chalks

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'

Chalks

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

Chalkeeeeee

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.

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?

[Boolbar] Linked to a household item? No.

Does the AOTC have a nautical connection?

As no one else is guessing, I thought I'd get things moving again.

[Boolbar] Boating Connection? Not that I'm aware of

To summarise: The AOTC is a physical object that has, through association with a phrase or saying, become not fictional but certainly metaphorical to the extent that it can appear on the internet (and not just as a picture). The original object may be/have been made of wood, metal or a combination of both. It is/was not a household object or related to boats and does not begin with P. Both the object and it's usage in the phrase date to before 1900, but it was not used on the internet until sometime later.

If any of the above appears to contradict anything I've said before, then assume my previous answers were accidentally wrong and use the new information.

Is there any connection to fire?

[Tuj] On fire? No

Is the "physical object" larger than a toaster?

[Boolbar] Originally larger than a toaster? No, in at least two dimensions, often all three.

When used as a phrase or saying, does the AOTC generally have negative connotations?

[cfm] Is it generally negative? No.

Is the "physical object" a weapon?

[Boolbar] A weapon? No, or not as such (depending on context)

Does the letter "b" occur in the AOTC ?

Trying a different approach.

[Boolbar] Can I have a B please? Yes

Does it have a sporting connection?

[INJ] Sports? At least two of the contexts I can think of are sporting. Others are not.

Does the saying refer to something worn on one's body?

Are there one or more websites specifically devoted to the AOTC?

[cfm] Worn? No
[CdM] Website(s)? Yes

Is the physical object essentially flat?

Just want to verify something from the last sentence of your excellent summary: are you sure it wasn't used on the internet before 1900?

[CdM] Is it flat? No
[CdM] Are you sure it wasn't used on the internet before 1900? I have found no websites using it with creation dates earlier than 1900, but they may exist.

Does the physical object have a sporting connection?

[Boolbar] Sports? At least two of the contexts I can think of are sporting. Others are not.

Are the sports team sports?

Does the AOTC contain the word "ball"?

Either as a whole word or part of a word.

[cfm] Teaming with sports? Yes
[Boolbar] Pass the ball? No, no "ball"s.

Jolly Hockey Sticks! ?

Does the AOTC refer to a particular piece of sporting equipment?

[INJ] Hockey Sticks? No
[CdM] A piece of equipment? Yes, but that's not the only definition of the AOTC

Is the word "bowl" contained within the AOTC?

[Boolbar] You got a bowl in it? No

Do the sports use a ball?

[INJ] Use a ball? No and not at the same time as the AOTC

Does the letter "k" occur in the AOTC ?

[Boolbar] Does the letter "k" occur in the AOTC? In English? No. In Esperanto, Dutch or Slovak? Yes

Are the sports connected with the AOTC occuring at the 2012 Olympics?

Topical!

[Boolbar] Are the sports in the Summer Olympics 2012? The obvious one is. The other one isn't and if it had been, the AOTC part would likely be omitted.

If no one gets this by Monday morning (BST) I intend to quit and let the first person to say "baton" start a new one.

Does the AOTC have something to do with a Baton?

[Boolbar] A Baton? YES the AOTC is "The Baton" please take this thing off me.

I wasn't expecting that!

Onwards :
ANIMAL

Human?

Unique?

Alive today?.

A flying start.

[cfm] Human? Oh yes.
[CdM] Only one? Oh yes.
[irach] Unkicked bucket? Oh yes.

Did they win a medal at the London 2012 Olympics?

Female?

Bradley Wiggins?

[Gusset Login] Gong? No. *Slight murmur from the audience*
[cfm] Femella? Yes!
[Raak] Ginger sideburns? No.

Disqualified from a medal at the London 2012 Olympics?

[Raak] Gong gone? No.

A competitor at the London 2012 Olympics?

Or failing that an asian badminton player

A medalist at some past Olympics?

[Gusset Login] Going for gold in 2012? No. *A few sniggers from the audience*
[cfm] Old Olympian? No.

Any connection with the 2012 Olympics

[ImNotJohn] 2012 Olympics Yes!

A politician?

Lord Coe?

[Raak] I think you must mean Lady Coe.

[cfm] Politician No.
[Raak] Coe/Coette No.

British?

[ImNotJohn] No. Not British.

A journalist?

Asian?

[cfm] Journalist? No.
[Gusset Login] Asian? Yes! *Audience applause*

Were they disqualified from the 2012 Olympics?

[Gusset Login] Disqualified No. "Not applicable" is a more accurate answer.

A member of the IOC?

[ImNotJohn] IOCilver Lining? No.

Associated with any particular sport?

[Raak] Sporty? No.

Chinese?

[Tuj] Chinese? No.

A busy weekend looming

I have to admit, I don't know why this particular person popped into my head when I picked up the baton. She really shouldn't have been there.

Connected to the Opening Ceremony in London?

[CdM] Yes! *Audience applause*

Madhura Nagendra, the "gatecrasher" with the Indian contingent marchers?

[irach] Yes! She is the answer on my card. I pass you these two batons. I'm not sure where the second one came from.

A lurker's victory this....the next one is ABSTRACT with a main ANIMAL connection, plus another somewhat more remote ANIMAL connection.

Is the main animal connection human?

Fictional?

Connected with a particular country?

[INJ] The main animal connection is human.
[Raak] Yes, fictional.
[Tuj] Yes, originated in one particular country.

Is the secondary animal connection human?

[cfm] The secondary animal connection is not human.

St. George?

[Raak] Not St. George (or a dragon as the secondary animal connection, I might add).

Calvin & Hobbes?

[GLogin] Not Calvin and Hobbes.

Created in the last century?

Is the particular country in Europe?

[Tuj] Not created in the last century.
[cfm] The country in question is European.

Sport-related?

[Tuj] Not sport-related

Is the country fictional but based on real one?

Literary?

Connected with religion?

Begins with P?

[Dujon] The country where the abstract entity stems from is not fictional.
[INJ] Yes, could presumbably be construed as "literary".
[jim] Not connected to religion.
[Tuj] Does not begin with "P".

Created in the last millennium?

[jim] Created within the last millenium.

Is the country Britain or a sub country thereof?

[gil] Yes, British.

From film or television programme?

Is the main human connection to an individual (fictional) human?

[Tuj] Not from TV or film.
[jim] Yes, the fioctional human connection is a single individual.

Would this fictional human be described as a hero or heroine?

[CdM] Not a hero or heroine per se, but well known to man, woman and child alike.

Well known internationally?

[cfm] I'd say yes, at least in primarily English-speaking nations.

Are we talking Bow Bells here?

(Dick Whittington and Cat)

[gil] Not Dicky and his feline companion (Dick was not fictional), but you're certainly on the right track vis a vis a specific human and animal association.

Greyfriar's Bobby?

[Software] Nae, laddy. Right animalspecies, wrong guess. I believe Greyfrirs Bobby was not fictional.

A well-known English phrase or saying?

[cfm] Not a "phrase" or "saying" specifically but is universally known, widely read, read aloud or otherwise spoken in the English-speaking world.

Is the remote animal connection sheep?

[Boolbar] No, as noted above, the non-human animal species in question is the same as Greyfriars Bobby; i.e. canine.

When you say "not from TV or film", does that mean that these fictional creations have not been portrayed in these media?

(All the famous fictional dogs I can think of have also been portrayed in film/TV)

Created after 1999?

Just to be completely sure what we mean by "not created in the last century".

[jim] The fictional characters most likely have been portrayed in an ancillary manner in some film or TV show, but were never the stars or central characters of a specific TV show or movie to my knowledge.
[jim] Created (considerably) before 1999.

John Bull?

and his British Bulldog, of course.

Old Mother Hubbard?

[INJ] Not John Bull or his bulldog.
[jim} YES!!! The rhyme "Old Mother Hubbard" it is! A long bone purloined from the infamous cupboard, laying it bare and depriving that lady's poor dog, is handed over to jim in lieu of a baton.

Oh sorry, is it my turn?

OK, let's have an ABSTRACT.

Related to literature?

Life?

[INJ] YES, related to literature, although not exclusively so.
[GL] Related to life, certainly, for without life there would be no (this thing). But if you mean is "life" the AOTC, then NO.

Related to creativity?

[cfm] YES, similarly to "literature" above.

A character in a fictional work?

Related to inspiration?

Imagination?

[INJ] NO, not a character in a fictional work (or if so, it's a very strange work).
[cfm] Borderline, but pretty tenuous in either case.
[gil] NO, not imagination.

Do the words on the card refer to an intellectual process?

Is this something which might be described as a 'skill'?

[cfm] NO, not an intellectual process.
[Dujon] It MIGHT be, but any such description would be VERY tongue-in-cheek.

A human invention?

Does it begin with P?

[Tuj] YES, in so far as it can be termed an invention. A human concept, certainly.
[CdM] NO, does not begin with P.

Is it useful?

[gil] I would have to say YES, it is useful in a sense, although some would disagree.

Was it known about in 1900?

[Boolbar] YES, it was known about in 1900.

Flair?

[Softers] NO, not flair.

Luck?

Was it known 3000 years ago?

[Phil] Alas, no luck.
[CdM] NO, it was not known 3000 years ago.
I think we need to further narrow things down before guessing. All the guesses so far have been pretty wide of the mark. Oh, and re cfm's question above, it is certainly related to an intellectual process, but I couldn't say that it was one.

Is it related to religion?

[Phil] NO, it is not related to religion. (I could make a facetious comment here, but I shall refrain.)

Do we do this every day?

[Software] I expect that very few, if any, people make/do this every single day. Some do more than others. Some pride themselves on never doing it at all.

Could I type this (using both hands) while making/doing it?

Good question

[Boolbar] You can certainly make/do/perpetrate this while typing (with any number of hands); it's possible that you did so while typing your last question, but I think it very unlikely.

Is this typically viewed negatively?

[CdM] I don't know about "typically". It is viewed negatively by many; I suspect most people are actually neutral on the subject.

an entertainment of some sort?

[INJ] NO, not an entertainment of any sort.

A distraction?

Giertrud

Wild guesses are hyperbole and exaggeration...

[Software] It can be distracting, if you encounter one and you are the sort of person who notices such things.
[Giertrud] I'm sure they are; are they YOUR guesses? In which case, NO, not hyperbole or exaggeration, but you are sort of on the right lines.

Giertrud

Rhetoric

Could it be rhetoric?

A figure of speech?

A clue?

Do some people find it offensive?

Is it something to do with punctuation?

Wild guess.

As jim hasn't posted for 5 weeks, do we think someone else should perhaps take up the baton?

Yes. I nominate Phil.

Or will take it up myself if Phil prefers.

Well, I am phenomenally bored at work, so I certainly have the time.
Any objections?
*waits a minute*
Oh well, OK then.

Let's start a new game with

Animal

Is it a panda?

Is it a live animal?

Is it human?

Begins with P?

[Boolbar] Panda? NO
[cfm] Live animal? NO
[Raak] Human? YES!
[Tuj] P? NO

Is he female?

Did this person run a pub not so long ago?

[GL] Female? NO
[Raak] Ex-publican? No, not even a little bit.

Was this now dead person still alive in 1950?

[Boolbar] Now dead confirmation? YES; Alive in 1950? YES

An artist of some kind?

[cfm] An artist? NO

A sporting figure?

Did this gentleman die in April 1955?

European?

Was this now dead person still alive in 2000?

[Raak] Sporting? NO
[Dujon] d. 04/1955? NO
[CdM] European? NO
[GL] Alive in 2000? YES

American?

[Raak] Americano? NO

A politician?

[cfm] Politician? YES *some applause*

A president, prime minister, or other similar leader?

Did they die this year?

[CdM] Leader? YES
[Raak] d. 2012? NO

Oh, and a bit of *applause* for CdM, I would imagine.

Kim Il Sung?

Yassar Arafat?

[Raak] The man that looked at things? NO
[cfm] Yasser-al-briefly-exhumed-Arafat? YES - spot on.
Here, cfm, take this baton that looks rather like a sandy femur.

[Phil] Er...don't you think we should put it back?
Okay, let's try this:

ABSTRACT WITH ANIMAL CONNECTIONS

Connected to a specific human animal?

[CDM] Somebody not anybody? NO

A well known phrase or saying?

Is the animal human?

Did it originate in the Bible?

A human invention?

A work of fiction?

[GL] Just sayin'... NO
[Phil] Only human? YES *Audience applauds in an early-in-the-game sort of way*
[Boolbar] Word of God? NO *A smattering of snickers*
[Tuj] Man/woman-made? YES *Audience applauds again*
[Raak] No resemblance to persons living or dead? NO

Connected with the arts?

[CdM] Art in part? YES. *more applause*

A song?

A book?

Was this invented/created in the last 100 years?

[CdM] Can I hum a few bars? NO
[Phil] Can I turn a few pages? NO *A sustained murmur from the audience*
* [Boolbar] A modern invention? YES *applause*

Is the spoken word involved?

[Raak] Speaking parts? YES *more applause*

A speech made on some occasion?

[Raak] Special occasion? NO

A connection to motion pictures?

[GL] You oughtta be in pictures? NO.

Is it a joke?

Is it a catch-phrase?

[Phil] Is this a joke? NO
[Raak] Here--catch? NO but I am fairly certain the words on the card are well-known among this group.
[Raak] One further comment on your SPECIAL OCCASION question: I still think the best answer to the precise words and spirit of your question is NO. But it bears repeating that there is speech involved with the thing on the card.

Does it originate from a Radio or TV program?

ISIHAC?

[Boolbar] Broadcast first? NO
[Raak] Clueless? NO

To do with a game?

[Raak] Game on? NO

An eaves-dropping?

[Phil] Rain on the roof? NO
[Raak] Another revision. Related to a game, still NO. But the audience *applauds a bit* anyway.

A word?

Does the AOTC have a connection with a particular location?

[Phil] The idea of word? A single word? NO *a ripple of applause nonetheless*
[Boolbar] Here not there? NO

An answer?

[GL] The idea of answer? NO

Was this invented/created in the last 10 years?

[Boolbar] Past decade? NO

Was this invented/created in the last 50 years?

Is the letter W in the AOTC ?

[CdM] Past 50? YES *polite applause*
[Boolbar] Can I have a W? There are two common ways of describing the abstract thing on the card and one of them does include a W, YES. *more applause*

Connected in some specific way with the internet?

So this is connected to the arts, but not to movies, songs, radio, or TV, and is not a book or a work of fiction. (Though the book question elicited a response...)

[CdM] As much as everything is on the internet (including some things one fervently wishes were not), this is connected to the internet. But in a more specifc way, NO.
By the same token, it is also possible that there are movies related to the thing on the card -- just as there are movies about cooking or zombies or Watergate. But I think that is an overly broad interpretation of the question, so my answer stands.
Please refer back to the form of the question on TV. The answer is still NO.

Is there or has there been a TV program with a title that is the AOTC?

[Boolbar] I am aware of one TV program devoted to the thing on the card. I don't know how widely known it is. But the actual title of the show is not comprised of the words on the card. So I guess that is still a NO. Nonetheless *audience applauds encouragingly*

To do with theatre?

[Raak] Take a bow? YES, there is a connection to theater. *applause*

A play?

I am pretty sure the answer is no, but I just want to check.

[CdM] The play's the thing? NO. But you already knew that. :-)

A libretto?

[Phil] Operatic? NO.

A soliloquy?

[Raak] Soliloquy is not the word on the card, NO. But the concept is related. *vigorous applause*

Connected with comedy?

A monologue?

[Boolbar] Stand up and be counted? YES. I would say that there is some connection to comedy. (Though I would add that, like the internet, comedy can be connected to many things.) *more applause*
[Phil] Monologue is not the AOTC, NO. But the concept is again strongly connected. *audience is highly engaged*

*racking my brain*

Does the thing on the card usually involve one person speaking to an audience?

[Boolbar] One and many? Splendid. YES.

[Boolbar] *belated and extended applause*

A TED talk? (or whatever the correct term is for them)?

[Phil] TED-ed? YES, there has been a TED talk on this subject. It is available online. (Also, while TED is not the AOTC, one might argue there is some kinship between the two abstract concepts.) *applause*

Something to do with the giving of awards?

Something to do with the receiving of an award?

[Boolbar] Giving and [Raak] Receiving? In practice, there is frequently a competitive connection. But this is not a necessary component of the abstract concept. *encouraging applause*

A poetry slam?

No, wait a minute -- just one person.
A poetry reading?

[CdM] *considers*
Hmmmm. I can't think of a way to say "no" without seriously misleading the players. So while I actually had in mind the entire genre and not a specific event -- congratulations, YES! The AOTC is Slam Poetry a.k.a. Spoken Word Poetry. *invites CdM up to the mike to say a few very personal words about receiving the baton* :-)

Blimey! I was miles away. Perhaps I will win another day. To CdM I will say well done, and thanks to cfm for so much fun.

That was a surprise; it was a bit of a shot in the dark. OK.
ANIMAL and VEGETABLE

Is the animal element human?

Steak and chips?

Human? No.
Steak and chips? No.

Is the animal element canine?

Doggy? No.

Edible -- at least in the normal course of things?

Is it strongly associated with a particular time of year?

Progress

Edible? Yes.
Associated with a time of year? Yes. *applause*

Associated with summer?

Connected with Christmas?

More specifically...drinkable?

This won't take long

Summer? Perhaps in the Southern Hemisphere
Connected with Christmas? Yes. *applause*
Drinkable? Yes. *sustained applause*

Is there nutmeg involved?

Now you are just toying with me

Nutmeg? Typically, yes.

Is the drinkable thing associated with Christmas potentially intoxicating? :-)

Egg-nog?

Intoxicating? My version certainly is.
Eggnog? YES! One baton with rum and grated nutmeg goes to Gusset Login.

Oh, how unexpected.
The next item is MINERAL

A snowman?

Metal?

Naturally occurring?

Such as, for example, a naturally occurring metal snowman

Gold?

[Raak] snowman? No.
[cfm] Metal? Yes.
[CdM] Natural? No. naturally occurring metal snowman? No.
[Boolbar] Gold? Yes.

One of a kind?

[cfm] Unique? No.

Is the gold object symbolic in some way?

Gold cast or moulded into a quintet of tori?

[cfm] Symbolic? Yes, or at least probably.
[CdM] FIVE GOLD RINGS!? YES

Have a baton made of pear wood tied with partridge feathers

Me again? Oh dear.

I'm travelling for much of the next two days, and not 100% sure of the internet connection when I reach my next destination. So if anyone wants to take over the baton, feel free. If nothing has been set when I am fully internetted again, then I will get back in the saddle.

Very well then

Since no one has picked up the baton... This is best described as
ABSTRACT with VEGETABLE and ANIMAL connections,
but it could also be described as VEGETABLE with ANIMAL and ABSTRACT connections.

Is it a fictional object?

Is the animal connection a human?

Fictional object? I think the best answer is Yes. But, in some sense, real versions do or can exist, hence the two ways of describing it.
Animal connection human? No.

A metaphor?

Metaphor? Yes. *applause*

Is the animal connection bovine?

Is the vegetable part wood?

Bullish? No.
Wood? Yes.

Is the animal a tiny creature that burrows through the wood?

Begins with P?

Does the abstract concept involve an object fashioned from wood?

Carpenter termite worm? No.
Begins with P? Yes.
Object fashioned from wood? A cautious Yes, provided you take a broad interpretation of "fashioned".

Is the animal connection a domesticated beast?

Is a horse involved?

Domestic beast? No.
Wild horse? No.

Is it in the Bible?

Biblical? No.

Is the vegetable element paper?

Paper? Yes. *applause*

Paper Tiger?

Paper tiger? Yes! An inspired leap by Phil, there. *hands over illusory baton*

Oh crikey - bit of a lurker's win, but "hey ho" all's fair in love and AVMA.
So our next puzzle will be:

Mineral, Vegetable and Animal

Fish and chips?

[Raak] Cod n spud? NO

France?

[GL] La Belle France? NON

Is it edible?

Does the mineral portion of the MV&A constitute the majority component of the answer?

Does the vegetable portion of the MV&A constitute the plurality component of the answer?

Does the animal portion of the MV&A constitute the primary component of the answer?

Does the conjunction portion of the MV&A constitute the primary component of the answer?

[Dujon] Mineral > Veg + Animal? YES
[CdM] Veg > Animal AND Veg > Mineral? NO
[GL] Animal is "primary component"? Not entirely sure what that means precisely, but I'm confident with a NO
[Boolbar] "Conjunction portion"? As an Austrian friend of mine used to say in French lessons, "My friend, I am completely lost"

Great answers but is it edible?

Is there just one of it?

And is it edible?

Is the mineral part a liquid?

[Conjunction] As mineral, animal and vegetable had already been taken, I was left with the "and" ;)

My sincerest apologies:
[Raak] Edible? NO
[Raak] Unique? YES
[Boolbar] Liquid mineral? NO {Re: conjunction - ah, very good :-)}

Was it man-made?

[Primary Component] Either the initial component or that from which the majority is made.
If that doesn't make sense, I apologise. English is my first language, so I tend to play with it until I break it.

Is it in a building?

[GL] Man-made? YES
[Boolbar] In a building? NO *applause and hubbub*

A landmark of the type that a tourist would visit?

[cfm] Tourist-magnet? YES *applause*

I've forgetten my next question

CdM, Gusset Login & Boolbar: Thanks, it's not often I get a chuckle out of MV&A.

[Dujon] Imaginary next question? I've forgotten the answer ;-)

Is it in Europe?

Is the vegetable portion in Canada?

Is the animal part alive?

Is the animal part human in whole or in part?

[Boolbar] In Europe? YES
[CdM] Veg portion in Canada? NO
[Raak] Animal part alive? NO
[cfm] Animal part human? NO!

Is it more than 300 years old?

[Boolbar] > 300 years old? YES and NO. You might wish to pick another number *a little applause and much chattering amongst the audience*

Is the animal part bone?

Is it in England?

[cfm] bone? NO
[Boolbar] In England? YES *some applause*

Hidden text

I confess, I had to use the Whoops! button earlier, as I said NO to Europe, forgetting temporarily that the UK is a part thereof. How 70s of me!

Stonehenge?

[Software] Stonehenge? NO

Is the animal part leather?

[Raak] Leather? YES

Is it larger than an adult Old English Sheepdog?

Is it smaller than the New York Stock Exchange?

Is it a vehicle?

Is it a building?

[Boolbar] Bigger than the Dulux dog? YES
[Tuj] Smaller than NYSE? NO

Hidden text

Being unfamiliar with NY, that took some research!

*some applause*
[Raak] A vehicle? NO
[cfm] A building? YES *more applause*

Is the mineral element stone?

[cfm] Mineral = Stone? YES *a bit more applause*

Is it in London?

[Chalky] In that London? NO

A famous library?

A Museum?

[cfm] Library? NO
[Boolbar] Museum? NO

A tannery?

[Raak] Tannery? NO - I would just add that the leather is very much a minor component

Is the vegetable element wood?

A religious building?

[cfm] Wood? YES
[Raak] Religious? NO

A commercial location?

[CdM] Commercial location? NO, using UPS's definition of a "commercial address".
If you meant "has it been used in an advertisement?" then the answer is YES

Is it less than 50 miles away from Cambridge?

The Cambridge in England that is. The one where half the boat race comes from.

[Boolbar] <50 miles to Cambridge? NO

Associated with an academic institution?

[cfm] Academic? NO

Is it a National Trust property?

[Boolbar] NT? NO

Does anyone live in it?

[Raak] Inhabited? YES *some applause*

Is the leather component, though minor, essential in some sense?

[CdM] Essential leather? NO - not worth focussing on, IMHO.

Is its latitude less than 52° N?

[Boolbar] Lat < 52^oC? YES *much glowing of smartphones as audience members check the veracity of Phil's reply, followed by knowing smiles and a slow spread of applause*

Buckingham Palace?

[Software] Buckingham Palace? NO *applause and eager anticipation of a victory*

The Royal Pavilion at Brighton?

[Raak] Brighton Pavilion? NO

Tower of London?

[Software] Tower of London? NO

Is it in a county that ends with "shire" ?

It is associated with royalty?

Windsor Castle?

[Boolbar] In a shire? YES
[Raak] Associated with royalty? NO, not closely in the sense I think you mean.
[Software] Windsor Castle? NO

I think a couple of questions could be useful to revisit the answers to (and the audience's reactions). "Latitude" and "Older than 300 years" would be of interest, from memory.

Would longitude be of particular importance?

The Royal Observatory in Greenwich?

[Dujon] Longitude particularly important? NO, other than its importance for any building
[CdM] Greenwich Observatory? NO

I would also remind you that someone lives in it.

Clarence House?

[Clarence House] NO - it's in a "-shire" county

Blenheim Palace?

[Raak] Blenheim Palace - YES. In retrospect, I might have left the leather element out altogether. The latitude at 51.84^oN is just less than 52, and the palace was being built 300 years ago.
So, I pass on the baton to Raak with Churchillian gravitas.

The next is ANIMAL.

Audience chuckles as the answer goes up on the laser display board.

Human?

Not human

More chuckling.

Alive?

A single animal?

Mythological?

Not alive.
Not a single animal.
Not mythological.
The audience derives some merriment from all these questions.

Is it manufactured from part or parts of a dead animal?

A dead parrot?

[GL] *applause* Yes, manufactured from dead animals.
[Phil] Not that dead animal.

Glue?

A Tesco economy beefburger?

Leatherwear?

[CdM] Not glue.
[INJ] Not leatherwear.
[Phil] I think that's close enough to the words on the card, "a horsemeat burger". Have this rod of horse, um, jerky.

The laughter was fun :-)
So, next we'll have,

ABSTRACT - with Animal associations

Is the animal connection human?

[Boolbar] Human animal connection? YES

A fictional human?

[GL] Fictional human? NO

The regulations that prohibit horsemeat from human consumption?

[Raak] Anti-equivoreal Regulations? NO

A unique human?

Is it found in the Bible?

Begins with P?

Culture-specific?

[cfm] Unique human? NO
[Boolbar] Found in The Bible? YES *a few chuckles*
[Tuj] Begins with P? YES Applause, cheers, whoops and laughter
[CdM] Culture-specific? YES

Are there other animal associations as well as human?

Philistine?

Question, not insult (well, probably).

[Boolbar] Other animals? NO
[CdM] Me-istine? NO

Pornographic?

:o)

Paternalism?

[Software] Rudey bits? NO!
[cfm] Daddyness? NO

Pilates exercises?

[Raak] Pilates? NO

Paganism?

[cfm] Paganism? NO

Does the answer on the card have more than one word?

[Boolbar] AOC has > 1 word? YES

NB, on reflection for Tuj's "Does it begin with P?" question, I should add that the most important part of the answer on the card starts with "P".

A painted sepulchre?

Is the important P-thing you?

Related to a particular belief system?

Is it related to prayer?

[Raak] Painted sepulchre? NO
[Tuj] Me? NO
[cfm] Related to a particular belief system? NO
[GL] Prayer? NO

A plague of something?

[Raak] Plague? NO

Is there a person's name in the answer?

Related to food?

[Boolbar] A name? NO
[cfm] Foody? NO

A prophesy?

[Raak] Prophesy? NO

Is the specific culture geographically defined/distinct?

[cfm] Geographically defined specific culture? NO - plus I have not strictly said it's one culture.

[Phil] Indeed, I should have asked is/are the specific culture(s) geographically defined/distinct? Thanks for the conscientious clarification, though. :)

Related to language?

[cfm] Related to language? YES *Audience wakes up and applauds*

A parable?

Is it related to many other written works as well as the bible?

[Raak] A parable? NO
[INJ] Related to many other works? YES *enthusiastic applause*

Page number?

[GL] Page number? NO

A catch phrase?

[cfm] A catch phrase? NO

Related to language?

[INJ] Related to language? YES *more enthusiastic applause*

Is the P-word someone's name?

[Raak] A P-name? NO

Does it start with "Ph"?

A Proper Noun?

Has anyone done or used this in this game?

Anything to do with preaching?

[GL] Ph- ? NO
[INJ] A proper noun? NO
[Boolbar] Has it been used in this game? YES, many, many times. *Applause, cheers and a few knowing chuckles*
[Raak] To do with preaching? NO

To do with playing?

A pun?

[Raak] To do with playing? NO
[CdM] A pun? NO.

Some clarification

While I have said no to playing, puns, preaching, proper nouns, philistines, page numbers, catch phrases and others, the answer on the card is related to all these things in a way.

Printed words?

[GL] Printed words? NO (but again, related as above).

The letter P?

[Boolbar] The letter P? YES - plaudits, pleasantries, praise and power be thine. Passing this practically perfect pole of power from person-to-person in the pursuit of pedantic pleasure is a project of prime privilege. Phew!

[Phil] Bravo!