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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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Was it made by Cosgrove Hall?
From The Magic Roundabout?
[GL] Yes
[Rosie] No, I think that was pre-1980.
Just checked Magic Roundabout = 1965
Dangermouse?
Count Duckula?
I'm aware I could go on for some time with this, but I'll be a semisportsman and not list out the lot.
Darren] Ooh, go on.
Sorry for the delay, the weekend interupted me.
[Darren1] No, but you're close
[Darren2] YES. Hoorah, take a bow.
Bow. Wow. Right. Let's see...

Vegetable/Abstract

It's Monet's waterlilies, obviously.
The flower of immortality that Gilgamesh was given by Utnapishtim?
That todger-shaped turnip in Blackadder II?
Is this directly related to art?
Is it an ent?
[CdM] Obviously no.
[Raak] Nope.
[Chalky] No.
[Dujon] No.
[Gusset Login] No.
Is it a geographical area?
Is it a fictional object?
Is it used as a metaphor?
Is it a living plant?
As opposed to a dead one.
[Chalky] No.
[Kim] Yes.
[Raak] Could be, but then again anything could be.
[Gusset Login] Yes and no.
Is it edible?
Is there just a single one?
[Irouleguy] I suppose it probably would be, but this is not specified.
[Raak] Yes.
Is it a tree?
A long shot - The Beanstalk?
[Raak] Not strictly speaking.
[Rosie] CORRECT! So it's your go next!
Right, earwig-o, earwig-o, earwig-o.

This one is ABSTRACT with ANIMAL connections.

Blimey Rosie - if you're going to take a random lurker's guess, the least you can do is return to see the result :-) Well done. OK, let's crank up the line velocity and try to get this game moving again - which leads me to ask ...
Are we to assume that you will be online to reply to our questions around 1pm - 3pm and 12am - 2am as per your usual pattern?
Is it a work of fiction?
Is it the Welsh dragon?
(Chalky) - I'll try and have extended opening hours.
(Gusset Login) - No
(Darren) - No
Is it a mythical creature?
Is it human?
Is it singular or plural?
Is it an emotion?
(Gusset) - No
(Raak) - The Abstract part normally refers to humans.
(Iroule) - Yes, one of the two. All right, singular. :-)
(Darren) - No.
Does it have anything to do with religion?
(Raak) - No.
Is it an attribute of a living thing?
Is it a saying?
(Darren) - Yes
(Gusset Login) - No
Is it something unique to humans?
Is it a figure of speech?
Is it "dog tired"?
Is it a praiseworthy attribute?
(Darren) - As stated, it must be, but in a broader sense almost certainly not.
(Tuj) - No
(Kim) - No
(Raak) No. It's neutral.
Is it some flavour of "-ness"?
Is it human nature?
Tuj - Yes. Find the flavour. :-)
(Darren) - No.
Happiness?
Consciousness?
Doggedness?
Has it anything to do with the sense of smell?
Maybe a fragrance?
Loch-ness?
Anything to do with a geographical location?
(All) - No
Anything to do with time?
Is there any connection with art?
(Darren, Raak) - Both No.
Clarification
In my previous reply "All" means everybody, not just "all".
Baldness?
Is it a physical attribute?
Is it anything to do with morality?
(Raak1) - No
(Raak2) - Yes
(Darren) - No.
Maleness?
Beardiness?
Trombonism?
(all) - No.
(Darren) - Now, now. :-) Er, no. A clue is that I do have this attribute.
Trombonism
(Darren) That's an illness, not an attribute.
Ambidextrousness?
Rosie] I always substitute "flavour" for "type" in that sort of context, and you wouldn't believe how few people accept it.
(Tuj) - No {No problem whatever with the word "flavour". Perfectly obvious what you meant :-)}
Is it an attribute shared by more than half the population?
(Darren) - No. Byebyes at 3 a.m. tonight; I'm tired.
Anything to do with age?
(Raak) - No. :-)
Is it a {flavour, -ness, attribute} common to males?
Is it unique to people of a certain region?
(Irouleguy) - No more than females, AFAIK.
(Tuj) - No
Someone, no clues as to who, almost stumbled on the answer.
Youth, then.
A religious faith?
Deafness?
Musicality?
(Raak, Inkspot, all, Darren) - All No.
Although I mentioned that I had this characteristic, I doubt if anyone here knows it.
Left-Handedness?
Forgetfulness?
Truthfulness?
(Tuj, all) - No
(Snodgrass) - THAT'S THE ONE! Well done. Here's the baton.
Mmmm, Satisfied smile creeps over visage closely followed by panic on realising I have to run the next leg.....

OK. Lets have an ABSTRACT with ANIMAL connections

The Great Bear
The ban on hunting?
Is the animal connection human?
Is it a character from a book?
Is it from Lord of the Rings?
Is it edible?
(Raak)(Rosie) Both No
(Dujon) Yes
Inkspot) (GL) (Irouleguy) Also All No
... but one of the NO's is strangely relevant!
Does this involve an activity?
Is it a character from a film?
Fox Mulder from the X Files?
Is it Orion?
A pig's breakfast?
Nudity or Nakedness?
[Rosie] Not as such
[GL] [Darren] [all] No No Thrice No
[Raak] No but I like your style
[Chalky] Absolutely not, what do you take me for?
Is the human female?
Is it a character from mythology?
[GL] It can be
[all] Nope
Is it an emotion?
Is it a dislike of The Lord of The Rings?
[Darren] Its not an emotion ut it can cause them
[Boolbar] No, although many do I understand.
Does it have a Latin name?
A film critic?
Is it a medical condition?
[Tuj] & [Duj] Both No I'm afraid.
[Chalky] Also no - but if it were there might be a cure! Dream on.
It's more conceptual..
A jelly baby?
Is the cause of the emotion another human?
Lust?
[Wol], [Raak] Sadly No.
[Rosie] Quite the reverse. The 'animal' may cause emotional feelings in others with this.
Is it a well-known saying?
Is it a little-know saying?
Is it connected with religion?
[Chalky] & [all] Fairly well understood phrase. Clue: 2 words with alliteration
[Darren] Far from it, quite un-Godly
Dog's Dinner?
[Chalky] I could see how these may end up as a Dog's Dinner but No
Cat's Cradle?
Is it an insult?
Re: dogs and cats, I think we established above that the animal connection is human. (Dujon's question.)
Is it some desirable characteristic?
Good God?
Tecnically connected with religion, possibly by being it's opposite
[all] No (both offerings)
[Darren] Not an insult but some may feel slighted by them
[Rosie] The 'giver' thinks they are but the 'receiver' may have a different opinion
Wolf Whistles!!!
Chat-up lines?
[Darren] No
[Rosie] In a very real sense these could be thought of as chat-up lines. :-)
Love letters?
I'm still not totally convinced that wolf whistle is wrong.
Valentines?
[Darren] No - and Wolf Whistles is wrong. So there!
[Raak] Valentines What? Volvo? Vermicelli? No, not Valentines anything
An honest opinion?
[Irouleguy] No but straying into the right area.
A practical joke?
[Raak] No - but arguably what I am thinking of can be mistaken for a joke.
A helping hand?
[Darren] Nope.
Clue. The road may be paved with good intentions!
Constructive criticism?
Full Frontal?
I thought the road to hell was paved with frozen door to door salesmen.
Sweet nothings?
Cat calls?
[Darren] [all] [Rosie] [Chalky] All No I'm Afraid
Is one of the two words an animal [not human]?
Do both the words begin with the same letter?
[Chalky 1] No. The reference is human, and points toward a job, profession or calling
[Chalky 2] Yes, hence the alliteration reference
The Devil's Dictionary?
[Raak] No, Wrong initial letter. Is being the Devil a Profession? Mmm, there are possibilities I suppose...
Evil Eye?
Busy body?
[Snorgle] [Darren] No No
Star signs?
Agony Aunts?
Cold callers?
[Chalky] No twice
[Irouleguy] No once
Clue: A statement is involved.
[Snodgrass] ... then make one and put us all out of our misery :-)
Turn your minds towards Election Time
Party Politics?
THATS CLOSE ENOUGH! I was thinking of Politicians Promises but
CHALKY has reached the gist of the notion of the glimmer of an idea so I willingly hand over the batton to CHALKY

Rousing cheers all round almost drowning out the sound of groaning and deep sighs of relief!

Well done Chalky. That was a toughy. I'd not heard "politicians' promises" used as a phrase before, but at least somebody got it in the end!
acknowledgements
Thanks Darren, and yes - my venacular doesn't encompass that phrase either, but hey ...
[Snodgrass] Thank you, kind sir [?] - some might say you've been over-generous.
OK - I'm conscious that weekend is due and this might be a slow-burner but here's a nice simple

M I N E R A L

[and if there are any animal bits then they're not important enough to redherring your efforts ... and I've just verbalised an abstract noun - so kill me :-)

Is it man made?
Is it bigger than a phonebox?
[GL] Yes
[GL] It could be but very unlikely
Do you own one (or more)?
[Bool] I do have it, yes. 'Owning', as such, may not be the correct word.
Is it a bone of some sort?
Is it a house?
Oh, a man-made bone isn't very plausible.
Smaller than a toaster?
Is it something more often owned by women than men?
I just realised a house smaller than a phonebox isn't very plausible either. I really should start paying more attention to Gusset Login's moves.
A fuse/circuit-breaker box?
If not "owned" is it shared?
Well, Raak stole my thunder. I was pondering on his contribution, a gas meter or a 'phone line. So, a 'phone line?
Should I by some misfortune be correct I would ask that Raak take the reins.
Is it metal?
A mobile phone?
... rushing in and rushing out
[Darren] No & No
[Tuj] It can be any size but not usually very large
[Darren] Yes
[Raak]No
[Rosie] can be
[Dujon] No
[Inkspot] No
[Darren] No.
Would most people usually have just one?
A Handbaaaaaaaaaaaag?
Is it to do with cosmetics?
Is it purely ornamental?
apologies
I've just realised I can't be here for a couple of days so I will hand the baton over to Darren [if that's OK with you D?] because he was the closest with his cosmetics question. I'll return to this later in the week, if an opportunity arises. :-)
Is it lipstick?
Speaking personally, I'm willing to wait for Chalky's return. We can just keep asking questions until she gets back and answers them all.
A silicone implant?
Mirror?
A dress?
[irouleguy] Usually
[Edith] No
[Darren] Yes!
[Tuj] No
[Darren] No
[Raak] No
[Tuj] No
[all] No

Oh yes - I realise now there's some vegetably bits in this but as it's cosmetics you'll soon guess it :-)

Mascara?
Lipstick?
[Darren] No
[GL] I refer the honourable gusset to my previous answer :-)
Wig?
I'm not honourable, I don't even read answers.
A lifetime subscription to "Facelift Monthly"?
Would you keep it in a handbag?
[GL] Nah
[Raak] No :-)
[Raak] You could keep it in a handbag, or anywhere really.
Is it a liquid?
[Raak] VERY good question. It can be quite liquid, but then again ...
Foundation makeup?
nail varnish?
[GL] No
[Inks] No
Is it a cream?
Vaseline?
Is it usually used on the face?
[Inks] yes, mostly
[Raak] No - altho' some use Vaseline for this purpose. It's a more generic term
[Darren] er .. ye-e-es but can be used on all the other bits aswell.
Petroleum jelly?
Suntan lotion?
Aqueous cream B.P.?
moisturiser?
So snorgs earns a Lurker's Victory! Moisturiser it is.

[Darren, Raak] Thanks for your contributions - your last guesses were relevant but those products have more medicinal applications, perhaps?

*hands over baton to snorgle*

Mineral
Is it man-made?
Do you wear in on your face?
(cutting to the chase, just in case)
Is it smaller than a phonebox?
Is it bigger than a breadboard?
Is there more than one?
Is it made of stone?
Anything to do with jewellery?
Can you eat it?
Gusset Login - Is it man-made? Yes. Darren - Do you wear in on your face? No. Gusset Login - Is it smaller than a phonebox? Yes. all - Is it bigger than a breadboard? No. Darren - Is there more than one? Yes. Inkspot - Is it made of stone? No. Raak - Anything to do with jewellery? No. Darren - Can you eat it? No.
Keyboard keys?
Are they soluble?
Can they be bought in packets?
Tuj - Keyboard keys? No. Botherer - Are they soluble? No. Darren - Can they be bought in packets? Yes.
Is it used in DIY?
Does each example contain a single mineral element?
Is it mainly metallic?
Does it run on electrical power?
A drawing pin?
Paper clips?
Screws?
Do they come in packets of three?
Extra strong mints?
CDs?
wtfRU snorgle?
Are they decorative?
[Rosie] Yes/no questions only, please.
Lives snorgle yet?
Teeth?
Are they exclusive to Cardiff?
(all, esp. Darren) Sorry for being so flippant.
Would most people find them pleasant to look at?
[Rosie] Oh, that's not a problem. I'm the one who was being flippant!
Has snorgle forgotten about this game?
Sorry! - off work yesterday due to horrendous incident, went to doctor etc..just remind me if I missed anyone.
Darren - Is it used in DIY? No. Kim - Does each example contain a single mineral element? No. Rosie - Is it mainly metallic? No. Inkspot - Does it run on electrical power? No. Chalky - A drawing pin? No. Gusset Login - Paper clips? No. Darren - Screws? No. Raak - Do they come in packets of three? No. Tuj - Extra strong mints? No. all - CDs? No. Rosie - wtfRU snorgle? *THWAP!* Darren - Are they decorative? No. Rosie - Are they exclusive to Cardiff? No. Darren - Would most people find them pleasant to look at? No. Gusset Login - Has snorgle forgotten about this game? No.Kim - Lives snorgle yet? Yes!
Is it mostly made of plastic?
Gusset Login - no.
Mostly ceramic?
Darren - no.
Are they made of glass?
Are they made of a man-made substance?
Nylon?
Is it made to be decorative or ornamental?
Is it something you wear?
Raak - Are they made of glass? No. Darren - Are they made of a man-made substance? Yes. Darren - Nylon? No. Inkspot - Is it made to be decorative or ornamental? No. Gusset Login - Is it something you wear? No.
Is it foruse in an office?
Microchip?
Mobile Phone?
Rosie - Is it for use in an office? Yes. Gusset Login - Microchip? No. all - Mobile Phone? No.
Is it an electronic gadget?
Raak - Is it an electronic gadget? No.
Summary:
Is it man-made? Yes.
Does each example contain a single mineral element? No.
Is it mainly metallic? No.
Is it made of stone? No.
Are they made of glass? No.
Are they made of a man-made substance? Yes.
Nylon? No.
Is it something you wear? No.
Do you wear in on your face? No.
Anything to do with jewellery? No.
Is it made to be decorative or ornamental? No.
Are they decorative? No.
Would most people find them pleasant to look at? No
Is it smaller than a phonebox? Yes.
Is it bigger than a breadboard? No.
Is there more than one? Yes.
Can they be bought in packets? Yes.
Do they come in packets of three? No.
Are they soluble? No.
Can you eat it? No.
Is it used in DIY? No.
Are they exclusive to Cardiff? No.
Is it for use in an office? Yes.
Does it run on electrical power? No.
Is it an electronic gadget? No.
Extra strong mints? No.
CDs? No.
Microchip? No.
Mobile Phone? No.
A drawing pin? No.
Paper clips? No.
Screws? No.
Keyboard keys? No.
Treasury tags?
Ink?
Glue?
Kim - Treasury tags? No. Darren - Ink? No. Gusset Login - Glue? No.
Is it something that can be used?
Darren - Is it something that can be used? Yes.
Is it anything whatsoever to do with stationery?
Are they the middle name of a famous author?
Left field
Are they / is it
Is it a container?
Rosie - Is it anything whatsoever to do with stationery? Erm, possibly. Tuj - Are they the middle name of a famous author? None that I know of, but maybe they changed their name because it was too embarrassing? Because it would be. Inkspot - Is it a container? No.
Time for another guess:   Would it be the clear plastic tabs used on top of file folders in a filing cabinet?
Can it be used on its own? (ie. without the need for additional equipment)
A bottle of Tippex?
Dujon - Would it be the clear plastic tabs used on top of file folders in a filing cabinet? No. Darren - Can it be used on its own? (ie. without the need for additional equipment)Yes, but it is usually used with something else. Rosie - A bottle of Tippex? No.
Screenwipes?
Irouleguy - Screenwipes? No.
Does it get used up by being used?
Raak - Does it get used up by being used? No.
Is it designed to be looked at?
Is it for use with a computer?
Does it require a source of power?
A floppy disc?
mouse mat?
Wow.
Tuj - Is it designed to be looked at? No. Inkspot - Is it for use with a computer? No. Darren - Does it require a source of power? No. Raak - A floppy disc? No. all - mouse mat? No.
Can we have a clue?
Is it something to do with fastening things to each other?
Would you buy it in a stationers'?
Gusset Login - Can we have a clue? No. Raak - Is it something to do with fastening things to each other? Yes. Darren - Would you buy it in a stationers'? Yes.
Treasury tag?
If I happen to be right, someone else needs to pick up the baton as this site is blocked at work by websense as, apparantly, a "game"...
Bothererereeerrr- Treasury Tag - no. Someone asked that already. And a recent question should give a big clue..
An edge binder?
Out of shear desperation
simulposted at this time of night!!!!
Staples?
I don't want to be right. I'm not on here often enough. I was simulposted by that Inkspot!!!!!!!
My excuse is two very generous whishkeys what's yours?
None really
Back from work late? Wrapping birthday presents for brother and a friend?
That's the next version of this game by the way - excuses for playing MC at stupid times.
Inkspot - An edge binder? No. Tuj - Staples? No. You're getting closer though!
Split pins
Ooh, they're fantastic!
Tuj - Split pins? No. Maybe fasten is the wrong word..
Dash and Bothereration
I really should read these things, shouldn't I?
Sellotape?
String?
Pritt stick?
A hole punch?
(I suspect Rosie or Inkspot may be right.)
Post-It notes?
A paper clip?
Twine?
Raak] Paper clips were ruled out some time back.
A key ring?
Rosie - Sellotape?No. Irouleguy - String?No. Inksopt - Pritt stick?No. Darren - A hole punch?No. (I suspect Rosie or Inkspot may be right.) Darren - Post-It notes?No. Raak - A paper clip?No. Irouleguy - Twine?No. Raak - A key ring?No. You're getting warmer! (Back a bit..near the start)
elastic band?
have we had that yet? haven't got time to do caps or look back
A key safe?
A (two- or three-) ring binder?
Maybe you should try narrowing it down descriptively again..
Chalky - elastic band?No. Raak - A key safe?No. CdM A (two- or three-) ring binder?No.
Is it made of plastic?
Is it small enough to put in your pocket?
Is it part liquid?
Rosie - Is it made of plastic? Didn't you ask this already? As it happens, I don't know exactly what it's made of, but I think of plastic as hard, so no. Raak - Is it small enough to put in your pocket? Yes. Inkspot - Is it part liquid? No.
Is it Blu-tak?
A fridge magnet?
A summary of the yesses so far:
  • there's more than one
  • can be bought in packets
  • of a man-made subsstance
  • for use in an office
  • can be used on its own (but usually with something else)
  • to do with fastening things to each other
  • can be bought in a stationers'
  • small enough to put in a pocket
Outstanding questions: is it Blu-tak (Botherer), or a fridge magnet (Raak)?
Botherer - Is it Blu-tak? YESYESYESYESYES!
I can't believe it took so long. I even put a hint in the limerick game!
Handing the torchy thing to Raak
ah sorry, I meant to Bothererererer, of course.
steals torch from Raak to give to Bothererererer
The trouble is...
I can't access this site from work (websense thinks it's a game!) and will be limited to late night visits for the next few days, so it would be unfair for me to hold the torch... I nominate the first person who gives a damn...
Not me - I had a go recently.
Congrats Botherer. I'll give a "Damn!"
Alright if you want someone else to do it, I'm game

Abstract and Mineral

The salt of the earth?
[Raak] No.
Is it fictional place from a book or film?
Is it supposed or alledged to have magical, mystical, supernatural or way-out-there sci-fi powers of any sort?
[Inkspot] Yes, technically, but may not be best known for being in a book or film.
[sadie] Yes (depending on your definition of "way-out-there")
A mythological place associated with a particular culture eg Valhalla?
Is it from a radio series?
[Inkspot] No.
[sadie] no
Is it somebody's home?
Is the fictional setting on Earth?
Kryptonite?
[sadie] People live there for extended periods, if that's what you mean.
[Iroulguy] No.
[CdM] No.
Is it a place Dr Who?
Babylon 5?
following up from inkspot ... the Tardis?
Is it a spaceship?
Za'Ha'Dum?
The USS Enterprise?
Red Dwarf?
Just doing a bit of spaceship carpeting there.
[Inkspot] No, (but I guess it would be kinda fun - anyone for fan fiction?)
[Irouleguy] No.
[CdM] No
[sadie] Yes
[Raak] No.
[Darren] Close. But I need more than that
[Darren] No
[Darren] I've been convinced that you were close enough. (Enterprise NX01, from Enterprise) So please take the helm.
The Enterprise NC-1701-D?
agh! simulposted.. But I had the wrong one, anyway.. ;(
Thanks Gusset Login, and thanks to the mysterious person who convinced you.

The new one is Animal.

Hamster?
p optional.
Quadruped?
Alive?
human?
One particular animal or a species?
bovine?
legless?
Are they dangerous?
[Tuj] No. [Botherer] No. [Rosie] No. [Raak] Yes. [Irouleguy] Yes. [Inkspot] No. [Chalky] No. [Gusset Login] Almost certainly not, but then again it might depend who you ask!
Male?
George Dubya Bush?
[Inkspot] Yes. [snorgle] No. Anyway, he's still alive!
One particular human being?
[irouleguy and darren] I love questions that are either/or being answered with yes/no. example from this morning being: nights - do you want tea or coffee mate? housemate - yes.
Did he die in the last 50 years?
Did he die when he was older than 50?
[Chalky] Yes. [Raak] Yes. [Gusset Login] Yes.
Was he an actor?
Willie Rushdon?
[Inkspot] Yes. [Gusset Login] No.
British?
[Nights] I once answered an either/or chemistry question with Yes, because I thought both applied! My teacher wasn't too impressed, though. Maybe your housemate just wanted a hot drink, and didn't care what.
American?
nights] How come you don't know what your housemate drinks?
Did he die in the last 5 years?
[nights] Why would he drink Coffee Mate?
Did he win an Oscar?
[snorgle] Yes. [Irouleguy] No. [Gusset Login] No. [Inkspot] No.
Did he die more than 25 years ago?
[Gusset Login] No.
Peter Sellers?
I would just like to mention that I posted that before checking the clerihew game...
Did he appear in any of the "Carry on" films?
[CdM] No. [Inkspot] No, but he did have a connection to them.
Frankie Howerd?
Tony Hancock
Was he chiefly a comic actor?
[Raak] No (and Frankie Howerd was in at least two Carry On films, so I think we've already ruled him out). [Inkspot] No. [Rosie] Yes.
Was his fame mainly through film roles, rather than tv or radio?
[Inkspot] For most people he's best known from TV/radio.
Did he die this century?
Morbid stuff.
Benny Hill?
[snorgle] good point, although more likely he just wanted to get up my nose at 07h15 [irouleguy] cos he keeps changing his damn mind [gusset login] excuse me for having south london lexical usage patterns... [darren] sorry I'll stop this and shut the hell up now.
Kenneth Horne?
Spike Milligan?
[Tuj] If you mean in the 21st century, then no. 20th, yes. [Raak] No. [Botherer] No. [Irouleguy] No.
Derek Nimmo?
John Le Mesurier?
[Raak] No. [CdM] Yes! CORRECT!

So, with that remarkable insight, CdM takes the chair for the next round.

PS. For those who aren't aware of John Le Mesurier's connection to the "Carry On" films, he was married to Hattie Jacques (well, until their divorce).
[Darren] Yes, it was the connection to the Carry On films that was the clue that got it for me -- though I was sure I was right with Peter Sellers before, when I posted and then saw you had started a clerihew with him.

Much as I would like to start running with the flaming chair (I even have an idea in mind), I think I must decline for the moment. I am not going to be online much longer today (seeing as how it's already evening here in Singapore), and I am spending the weekend in Khao Lak, far from the internets. Perhaps I can sneak in later sometime. In the meantime, anybody else want a go?
ooh ooh can I?
Go for it!
Expose our utter ignorance of youth culture
[nights] Yeah, if you've got an idea, go ahead.
[nights] please do
very well. our topic is a mineral. I think.
Is it a single object?
Is it man made?
Is it a hosuehold item?
Darren] Am I really likely to be half a decade out in my time-reckoning? That's a fair chunk of anyone's life.
Is there more than one of it?
[Tuj] I wasn't sure why you'd say "was it this century?" when "was it within the last five years?" would have been more to the point! I was just hedging my bets.
Is it a household item?
No hosuehold, that's quite unlikely really. Darren] Fair enough. All is forgiven ;]
answers
[raak] no, [inkspot] yes, [tuj] not exactly, [darren] yes. [tuj] that's the same question again you berk.
What do you mean "I think"?
Is it a dwelling?
[Irouleguy] Yes/no questions only!
Is it found in all societies?
Darren] We can have either/or as well, can't we? (not that mine was)
CD?
nights] Whoa! Steady on! I think you'll find the first contains a typo, as referred to in the corrected second.
[tuj] oh yes, silly me. you can put that down to the fact that 14h08 is a little early for a sunday. and no, not a CD.
[irouleguy] I've been thinking and it IS. sure of it now. and yes, all western societies at least, AFAIK.
[darren] no.
Does it have a connection with religion?
Is it big enough to get inside?
Is it made of metal?
Is it related to jewellery?
Telephone box?
Is it machine-made?
Smaller than a toaster?
answers
[inkspot] not as far as I'm aware.
[darren] yes.
[gusset login] no.
[raak] no.
[all] no.
[irouleguy] yes, probably.
[tuj] yes.
this is remarkably entertaining!
Is it part of a bigger thing?
Smaller than a toaster but big enough to get inside...?
Part of the engine from the Heart of Gold's infinite improbability drive
Is it some sort of container?
Does it have moving parts?
Is it bigger than a slice of toast?
Is it a vehicle?
Does it include a means of storing digital information?
Changing tack somewhat.
answers
[tuj] no. and I think I should have made myself a little clearer. I assumed that 'big enough to get inside' meant 'inside my house', as in 'not outside'. I now see that you or whoever meant 'so big I can fit inside this thing', which you certainly cannot. erk.
[inkspot] pardon me? no.
[raak] no.
[insport again] no.
[gusset login] yes.
[darren] no.
[darren again] no.
are we having fun yet?
Would it be found in offices?
Is it something that can be attributed to a particular inventor?
Does it have a practical use?
Do people usually refer to it in the singular?
answers
[raak] not usually, it's not associated with them.
[inkspot] not as far as I know.
[darren] definitely.
[juxtapose] no.
Scales (for weighing)?
Is it made of stone?
Is it a mirror?
answers
No to all three. Sorry.
Is it made of a ceramic material?
Compact discs?
answers
no and no.
Is it made of plastic?
Is it a pair of something?
Would I be most likely to find one in the kitchen?
Would you find it in the bedroom?
Is it a brick?
can you do a summary?
this one seems to have been hanging around for bloomin' ages!
Would you hang stuff off it?
Summary
They are: mineral, man-made, multiple objects, found in all Western societies (as far as nights knows...), machine-made, smaller than a toaster, bigger than a slice of toast, something that has a practical use, referred to in the plural.

They're not: a household item ('not exactly' was the actual answer), a CD, connected to religion, made of metal, related to jewellery, a phone box, a container, anything with moving parts, a car, a means of storing digital information, usually associated with offices, something that can be attributed to a particular inventor, scales, made of stone, mirrors, made of ceramic material.

The six questions immediately above are pending.

Are they something you mainly use outdoors?
Are they something that you use up by using them?
answers
[raak] yes. (murmurs from audience)
[inkspot] yes. (more murmurs from the audience)
[tuj] no.
[darren] no.
[all] no.
[darren again] no.
[irouleguy] thanks for the summary, that's all correct so I haven't contradicted myself which is always a bonus.
your answers are yes (which further woke up the audience) and no in that order.
Shears?
Wellies?
Although those are more likely rubber rather than plastic.
Sunglasses?
Flip-flops [plastic beach shoe thingies]?
I thought sunglasses - but they have moving parts
answers
[inkspot] no.
[raak] no.
[darren] no.
[chalky] as for your guess, it's...

RIIIIIIGHT!!!

I was beginning to think no-one would get it. the flip flops in question actually serve as slippers for me, as I like my feet to get lots of air, but our carpets are a little suspect. so I hand the baton on to Chalky...
surprised
er ... thanks nights :-)

And now for:

A N I M A L / A B S T R A C T

A character in a novel?
Scooby-Doo?
Living?
Is it a mythological being?
Male?
irouleguy] No
CdM] No :-)
Tuj] Abstract - so difficult to know, really :-)
Darren] No
nights] maybe, maybe not
Would this have anything to do with painting?
Is it from a nursery rhyme?
Long shot because I can't be bothered to think at this time of night - is it the Cheshire Cat?
Fictional?
Does it appear in one specific culture?
Is this a type of creature, rather than a specific (abstract) animal?
sorry about delay - weekends are difficult
Dujon] No
Inks] No
Rosie] No
Raak] No
nights] Yes
Darren] depends what you mean by 'creature' - but I would say No - if I understand your question correctly

.. and going back to Tuj's earlier question, ie. "Living?" - [to clarify] There is a possibility.

Is there a religious connection?
Loch Ness Monster?
Is it some sort of symbol?
Irouleguy] No
Darren] No
Tuj] No ... but I had to ponder a bit before I replied :-)
Is it a reptile?
Raak] No
Is this a depiction of a human form?
Does it have any nationalistic connotations?
Dujon] to cut to the chase - it IS human. I'm amazed no-one has asked yet.
Rosie] No. [good question]
Royalty?
The aristocracy?
Raak] No
Irouleguy] No
Does its image appear on coins or notes?
The one culture it's specific to - is it Western?
Raak] No
Irouleguy] Yes
American?
all] No
European?
British?
Darren] Yes
nights] Very much so!

So after all that kerfuffle, we've established that it's human and very British.

Biggles?
Is it a leader?
King Arthur?
Is it a particular person?
GL] No
Darren] No & No
Raak] Not A particular person ...
Is it Dr Who?
Is it a role that has been filled by various people?
Darren] No
Raak] It isn't a role, as such. But 'various people' wakes the audience up.
The House of Commons?
The Prime Minister?
Is it a collection of people? - (e.g. a choir or a rugby team)
Raak] No
Darren] No
Dujon] YES!
Do they appear on television?
Raak] No, I don't believe they did.

that was a clue

Does (or did - after looking at your last answer), this group of people have a common interest in music?
Duj] They had a common interest in something - music was a by-product
Did they appear (as much as one can) on radio?
Is it a fictional group of people?
Darren] Indeed they did!
Rosie] We've done the fiction question already, dear :-) No.
Did they appear on radio?
The Goons?
Raak] YESYESYESYES [see above]
CdM] No.
Have they appeared on radio in the last few years (excluding reruns and archive broadcasts)?
Raak I don't think so - they were very much 'of the time'
Was the time they were of in the 1960's?
ISIRTA?
GL] No
Raak] Whatever that is - it isn't that.
Are you old enough to have heard the original broadcasts?
Round the Horne, dear?
Is the answer of the form: "the cast of such-and-such a show"?
Raak] 'fraid not - and I suspect, neither were you :-)
nights] No, poppet
CdM] No

Clue: Inkspot's early question, if asked at this stage in the game, might receive a ripple of applause from the audience.

Were they on 'ITMA'?
Were they on any wartime radio programme, darling?
Was it meant for children?
Surely it can't be The Grove Family , m'dear?
Irouleguy] er .. wassat then?
Darren] Yes, sweetie - my mother tells me they were.
Inks] Oh yes. Loud applause.
Rosie] No :-)

I'm thinking this may be rather obscure.

Listen with mother?
Toytown?
The Ovaltineys?
Children's Hour?
all] No
Raak] No
Inks] No

.. as for CdM - once again, the Maestro strikes!
Well played . Hope you've time to stick around and set one :-)

I know about The Ovalteenies [- tineys?] through my mum, who was one of those 'heppay gels an' boys'. Apparently, if you sent away lid labels from Ovaltine, you received a bronze coloured badge. In my mind, I'd always sort of connected that song with WWII, but mother says it started before the war - in the 1930s, and had absolutely NO connection. She can be a bit fierce like that. I believed her - so didn't bother googling. Apologies if I therefore answered anything wrong.

Chalky] Well done - seriously obscure. ITMA's the ancestor of all radio comedy. Check out the cast list. "It's that man again"
I'd congratulate you on a job well done Chalky, but only if you call me 'poppet' again...
Getting in a quick comment before CdM surfaces
ITMA] I don't recall hearing the show, but I wouldn't be surprised if we listened to it. My father had a good sense of humour - he loved the Goons too. I do remember watching a movie ITMA not so many years ago and recall Tommy Handley reminding me constantly of Richard Briers. I'm not sure whether it was facial features, his voice or mannerisms.
[Chalky] Good one, my dear, although I don't recall the Ovalteenies.
oooooooh
[Chalky] And ISIRTA, which Raak mentioned, was "I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again", which was in some ways a predecessor to ISIHAC. Only much funnier.

Anyway, this next one is Usually Vegetable and Mineral, but could be Animal (and I supppose you could make a claim for abstract, but that would be unhelpful). I will do my best to keep up with answers, although the fact that I am eight hours ahead of most of you won't make it easy.
Too obvious! It's a pizza - the veges are veges; the mineral bit's the remains of the delivery person's helmet when you knock the whatsit out of 'em for being late and the animal portion is, well, best not say.
VERY CLOSE!
...er, or it would be, except it wasn't. So, no, it is not a pizza.
Is it edible?
CdM - ISIRTA] *doh* 'course it is - thanks - my brain doesn't see these programmes as initials.
A painting?
Ratatouille?
[Chalky] Edible? It's not inedible, but you wouldn't normally eat it.
[Raak] Painting? No (but perhaps an early ripple of applause).
[Irouleguy] Ratatouille? No.
Would one wear it?
[Chalky] Wear it? No. It is true that it could be associated with clothing, but one would not normally think of it in that context.
A tapestry?
[Raak] Tapestry? No.
Some form of artwork?
[Irouleguy] Artwork? Not normally, no, at least not in and of itself.
Is it man-made?
[Inkspot] Man-made? Yes.
Is it decorative?
[Raak] Decorative? Not normally, no. (It is possible to imagine circumstances where it would be, but I think that is probably more misleading than helpful.)
Has the vegetable part been processed in order to be a part of this?
Is it used by artists?
Does it contain writing?
Is the mineral part mostly or usually wood?
Oh my God - the bifurcation's spreading
Is part of it metal?
[Iroleguy]I thought wood as a vegetable?
Is it something that can be made from either natural or artificial substances? (eg rubber or neoprene)
[Raak] Vegetable Processed? Yes
[Raak] Used by artists? It can be.
[Darren] Contain writing? No.
[Irouleguy] Mineral part wood? No. And neither is the vegatable part.
[Inkspot] Part metal? No. [Rosie] Can be made from natural or artificial substances? Yes. (Some applause.)
[Irouleguy] er, or the vegetable part.
A paintbrush?
Ink?
[Raak] Paintbrush? No.
[Darren] Ink? (Major applause). Very close, but I want something more precise.
Is it used in a domestic environment?
[Chalky] It is not typically used anywhere. (Well, I can think of one place.) But focus on Darren's answer -- he has basically gotten there.
(And yes, it can be used by artists, as I said. But normally you would not think of this as something that was being used.)
Well, it is gone midnight here in Singapore, and I am about to go to bed. And so, since Darren really did get the answer, I think I should pass the baton to him, rather than keep you all waiting until tomorrow. I was surprised how hard it was to answer some of those questions; my apologies if I misled in any way. The exact answer I was looking for was:

An Inkspot.
CdM] Nice one
self] Write out 'Wood is not a mineral' 100 times
Thanks to CdM! (It's the second time I've won one of these on a "ohhh... close enough"!) [Irouleguy] What about petrified wood?
Now we are Abstract.
Is it a human construct?
Is it an action?
Is it part of, or found in, all cultures?
Darren] True...
Is it a belief system?
Is it related to music?
[Rosie] Yes, but not necessarily. But yes.
{Inkspot] Yes.
[Irouleguy] I'm not sure if it's found in all, but certainly many.
[Gusset Login] No.
[Tuj] Indirectly, it can be.
[Rosie] Actually, just make that yes.
Is it a narrative activity?
Is it a physical activity?
[Raak] No.
[Irouleguy] Yes.
Dancing?
[Raak] No.
Is it a sport of some kind?
Is it done with the whole body?
Does it involve more than one person?
Is it something that only humans can do?
sorry - I think you've answered that last one already with your 'human construct' answer.
Is it restricted to adults only?
[CdM] Mostly no, although some people treat it like one.
[Inkspot] No.
[Gusset Login] Yes.
[Chalky] (1) Well, this is the reason for my vagueness about the "human construct." I'm going to say yes and no, depending on how you look at it. (2) No.
[Gusset Login] I need to be a bit more vague again. A better answer is this: normally yes, but sometimes no.
Is it a game?
[Chalky] No.
Whistling?
[Irouleguy] No.
Sex?
[Raak] I was waiting for someone to say this. No, it's not sex.
Waving
[Inkspot] No.
Drowning? (oblig.)
Is the part of the body the head, or part of the head?
Does it involve communication of one form or another?
Is it legal?
[Irouleguy] (1) No. (2) What part of the body?! I never mentioned a part of the body.
[Kim] Yes.
[Gusset Login] Yes.
talking?
[Inkspot] No.
[Irouleguy] (2) I wasn't really fair there, was I? The answer is generally no.
Acting?
[Raak] No.
txtng?
Do you need equipment of some sort to do it?
[Raak] No.
[Chalky] No.
I'll provide a clue if anyone wants one.
Summary
It is...a human construct, an action, found in many (if not all) cultures, a physical activity, involving communication of some sort, legal
It could be...related to music (indirectly), a solo activity
It is not...a narrative activity, dancing, a sport (though some people treat it like one), done with the whole body, a game, whistling, sex, waving, drowning, restricted to humans, talking, acting, txting [sic], done with equipment, generally done with the head

I'm having trouble with the idea that this is a human construct but not restricted to humans. So, yes, a clue might help, but I'll have a couple of guesses as well.
praying?
pointing?
[Irouleguy] No, and no.
Here's a clue: Raak has guessed a number of activities which can be associated with this. Not always, of course, but certainly sometimes. In essence, you're getting towards the right area.
And in response to Irouleguy's doubts, there is at least one type of animal (other than humans) which can do this activity, although I don't think it does it for the same reason!
Performing?
[Chalky] No.
Is this something which would be acceptable if performed in public?
Well, Raak has guessed dancing, sex, and acting...
Yoga?
[Dujon] Depends where you do it, but generally yes.
[Raak] No.
[CdM] What would you hope would go with them?
Smoking ?
Drinking alcohol?
[Chalky] No and no. (You're getting colder.)
Partying?
[Raak] No.
Applauding?
Drinking alcohol?
Oops, didn't notice Chalky just asked that,
Conversation?
[Irouleguy] YES!!!! (Well, actually it was "a ripple of applause" but you're easily close enough.) Just to explain my animal comments above, I don't think I imagined seals clapping in circuses.
[Raak] (1) No. (2) No.

So, Irouleguy is in the driving seat for the next lap.

WOO-HOO!
Darren] No you didn't imagine that - it was when you said one type of animal that I started to work it out.
Anyway, this is something else completely different - MINERAL
Antimony?
Mainly metallic?
Tuj] Antimony? No
Darren] Mainly metallic? No
Is it a monument?
Is it man-made?
Is it a single thing?
Inkspot] Is it a monument? No
Darren} Is it man-made? No
Raak] Is it a single thing? Um...yes and no. It's a collective noun, like 'the Alps' (but it's not a mountain range).
Is it a geographical feature?
Is it, collectively, larger than the Earth?
Is it an astronomical feature?
ImNotJohn] Is it a geographical feature? No
Darren] Is it, collectively, larger than the Earth? Um...define 'larger'.
Raak] Is it an astronomical feature? Yes *murmurs of approval from the audience*
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