Showing 1 - 8 of 8
A word that has me at sixes and sevens
Roger Crutchley, Published on 09/11/2025
» I try to keep up with the ever-evolving English language but after seeing the buzzwords provided by Dictionary.com this week I fear I am being left way behind.
It's important to know your onions
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 12/02/2023
» There was a news photograph recently in which a Filipina bride in Iloilo on the island of Panay carried a bouquet of onions down the aisle rather than flowers. She explained that while flowers would soon be thrown away the onions would last and ensure the newlyweds have something to eat in the ensuing weeks. Now that is a practical housewife.
Wagglers, winkers and grasshoppers
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 27/09/2020
» A half-hearted spring-cleaning session at home during the week came to a welcome halt when I unearthed a long-lost copy of Have Fun With Thai Proverbs collecting dust under a pile of disintegrating paperbacks. Written by Dr Duangtip Somnapan Surintatip, the book is a reminder that there is a common thread to proverbs around the world. As the title suggests, it can be fun putting long-standing expressions into a Thai context.
The everlasting appeal of Mrs Peel
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 20/09/2020
» I was saddened to learn of the death of actress Dame Diana Rigg at 82, best known by people of my vintage for her role as Emma Peel, the dynamic comrade of dapper secret agent John Steed in the idiosyncratic BBC series The Avengers. Rigg only appeared in two seasons, 1965-67, but she certainly made her mark, displaying a winning combination of charm, fashion, sophistication and martial arts. She was particularly proficient at karate chops.
The sun ain't gonna shine anymore
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 31/03/2019
» In last week's PostScript concerning the use of the word "ain't" in music, one song not mentioned was The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore, a big hit for the Walker Brothers in 1966. Sadly, the number is being remembered this week following the passing of Scott Walker at the age of 76.
A lovely weekend of silly hats, headlines
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 27/05/2018
» I'm not exactly a fan of weddings, but it was almost impossible to escape last week's knees-up at Windsor Castle with ball-by-ball coverage on the major cable stations. Horses, hats, castles, queens, princesses, lords and ladies, dukes and duchesses and Elton John. Even the weather behaved. The Brits still know how to put on a good show. At least it was more entertaining than the FA Cup final which followed.
When letters get in the wrong place
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 11/03/2018
» It will come as no surprise to readers that spelling is not one of my strongest attributes. I stand firmly alongside AA Milne's Winnie the Pooh when the bear admits: "My spelling is wobbly. It's good spelling, but it wobbles and the letters get in the wrong place." I know the feeling well.
Time is on your side … if the watch is fast
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 28/01/2018
» Recent debate about fancy timepieces had me thinking about my first ever watch, which my dad bought when I was a kid. He was a stickler for punctuality and hated being late for anything. When he gave me the watch it came with sage-like advice. He told me to always set it a few minutes fast so I wouldn't be late, and to this day it has proved wise counsel. Of course it didn't stop me being late, but at least I was two or three minutes earlier in my lateness than I would otherwise have been, if that makes sense.