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 ....
eeeek! Sorry. My internets access is intermittent right now. Let me set an easy one. MINERAL with ANIMAL connections *audience laughter, with a second wave of laughter as the first one is dying down*
Man-made? Could be. *audience laughter* Physically connected to the animal? Well, yes. But then again, no. *audience laughter* To do with sex? Well, er, it could be, though it is probably fair to say, not normally. *audience laughter* Not that I am passing any judgment on what is normal, you understand. *audience laughter* Parrot-handle umbrella? No. Cast-iron efus? No.
The British Museum? Pah! Who is this man, he is an insult to me. "It's primary purpose is of course functional". What a load of WILLIES! It's primary purpose is of course sexual. It is a massive assertion of the phallique power of London. These huge columns plunging into Mother Earth!
Time for a summary: A building in London, north of the river, built between 1700 and 1800, part of which is still standing. It is (or was) partly open to the public, overground, and on a street. It is not: a religious place, a bridge, the Houses of Parliament, a prison, a fortification, St Pancras Station, Marble Arch, the British Museum or Highgate Cemetery. Nor does it have any health connection. The question “Do you have to pay to go in” produced laughter from the audience and the response “Quite the reverse”.
[I] (applause!) Yes! These very words appear on the card! But that is not the whole answer. [R] I don't know if any of the Bank of England's officials ever had their residence there. [I] Not exactly. Google may be your friend at this pont.
[Ig] Artistic technique? NOT EXACTLY *small ripple* [Raak] (I do occasionally still do something in a museum, but not often) To do with theatre? NOT BY DEFINITION (but can be)
[Projoy] Just to make sure we're on the same wavelength, it did not come into being (inasmuch as an abstract entity can) in any of the timespans you've suggested.
[Rosie] A sport? My first thought was "yes", but it's actually "NO" *sudden re-awakening of audience followed by huge applause despite the "no"* [Irouléguy] Irish? YES *yet more applause* [Projoy] Nordic? see above.
[Projoy] Children in particular? NO [Rosie] The GAA? Not the answer on the card, but you're getting warm *enthusiastic applause as the audience awaits the dénouement with eager anticipation* [Irouléguy] a date, event or the celtic revival? NONE of those
[Irouléguy] The All-Ireland Championships? Two words missing from what's on the card (and if you get the second of them I'll be satisfied). *mutters of "harsh, but fair" from the Irish members of the audience* [Rosie] See Irouléguy's question.
(Phil) Not strictly a type of weather, but in effect yes. (Irish implements) Ah, it's becoming a little clearer. Neither would fit where the sun don't shine, then. (Inkspot) Ice? Most certainly not. *a few chuckles from the audience*
(Irg) Not ENSO (It's a technical term) (Raak) Not a tsunami. but: We have winner! It's the totally becalmed CdM. Well done, sir. (Local knowledge?). Over to you.
I certainly drifted into a lurker's victory there. This is ABSTRACT with very strong ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE connections, mainly MINERAL but also ANIMAL and VEGETABLE, and ANIMAL, VEGETABLE, MINERAL AND ABSTRACT. Also perhaps ABSTRACT.