Oh, come on Chalky, that one's completely unreasonable!

[Kim] So, I was skeptical of that AVMA for the last week or so, particularly when it became clear that the answer was going to be something that I (and I suspect many other people) had never heard of. But, now, having looked up the quite wonderful DoM on the internets, I have changed my mind: I think it was an excellent AVMA subject despite its obscurity. My only quibble (well, other than the proper noun thing) is that I think the Bible hint was kind of misleading, in that it suggested a true religious link as opposed to a made-up-in-order-to-defraud-people religious link.

And you are right that the classification (A/V/M vs A) is very hard. I'm still not sure how I would describe it: my rules of thumb are letting me down here.

(CdM) As you say, the answer was something that very few people will have heard of and we would still be on this wild goose chase but for a very heavy clue from Kim. Frankly, I just can't see the point of this type of subject. It's a complete waste of one's time trying to get closer to an answer that is in effect not there as far as one's own general knowledge is concerned. I feel as if I and others have been made the butt of a rather stupid nerdy practical joke. It's really not what the game should be about.

[CdM] Huh. You might have at least asked a question [if only to give me a reason for being awake at this unearthly BST time].

Oh all right then.

Tried and true.

[CdM] Human construct, P... , bigger than a toaster? YES, NO, NO
[Quendalon] Unique? YES and NO

[Bigsmith] Batteries? NO

[Bigsmith] Found in the home? YES - it can be

[Raak] Department Store? YES probably

[Irouléguy] It IS mass-produced but individually remains unique
[Quendalon] Hand-crafted? NO

[Kim] A proper noun? NO - but it's a bit prim

[Rosie] mass-produced but unique in itself? That's what I said :-)
[Quendalon] Unique serial number? YES
[Software] pottery/ceramic/clay/glass? NO - none of the FOUR you have specified. Dunno about the 'type stuff' - perhaps you can be more precise? :-)

[Raak] A piece of electronic equipment? Good question. Mmmmm .. NO

[Kim] Your question made me guffaw and frighten my workmates. You are truly forgiven!

[Bigsmith] Time piece? NO
[Irouléguy] Bigger than a £1 coin? Bigger? How do you mean? Area? Thickness? Width? Height? Bulk? Mass? More famous?:-)

[Irouléguy] Re: the size thing - I've just dashed off a spot of differential calculus and come to the conclusion that it IS and it ISN'T.

I keep asking the same questions every time. Is this a sign of consistency or insanity?

[Quendalon] Moving parts? NO

[Raak] A battery? NO

[CdM] Primarily metal? NO
[Rosie] Custom-made? NO

[Quendalon] Ornamental? Most definitely NOT

[Raak] Security? sort of
[Dujon] Magnetic stripe? It's a bit late for me to look it up [mainly because I'm off to bed now], but YES - I think it could have one of those things

will be back at ten a.m. tomorrow

[Rosie] A plastic card? YES! *audience cheers but not for the parenthesised bit*
{Quendalon] Currency? NO
[Raak] Worth more than a £1? To some - maybe

Am entertaining the Sunday Lunchers today so may not be here til later this evening.

[Rosie] Actually, I don't think it's either of those [Oyster?] - but please keep asking because you are on the right track ...

[Rosie] ....and, on reflection, it's not an identity card per se but damn close to one