Snow all around…

In a week that we have been hampered by showers of snow, it’s strange that a Telegraph article rather strangely invokes CP Snow’s ‘Two Cultures’ speech to report the news of a new dictionary of scientific quotations from OUP.

With the re-running of the BBC radio comedy High Table, Lower Orders, all these things may becoming fashionable again……
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Irregular English Verbs

On the continuing saga of Charles Clarke’s demands for extraordinary powers in the face of the High Court judgement on the illegal imprisonment of foreigners:

I am a political prisoner held captive without charge.
You are subject to a Control Order.
They are a threat to our very existance.

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English Irregular Verbs

If I disagree with me, I appreciate the collective role of the Cabinet.
(Ruth Kelly’s private[??] opinions)

If you disagree with me, you are uninformed (with the implication that’s all easily reversible).
(Opposition to the proposed European Constitution)

If they disagree with me, they are on the side of the suicide bombers.
(Peter Hain over Control Orders)

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MP3 Players…

Still looking around for an MP3 player to replace my dead one.

My eye was caught by the Rio Karma, which has received pretty good reviews, mainly because it is packed with features, inc. a fantastic docking station that provides RCA outputs and an ‘ethernet’ [UTP/RJ45] connection. At $300 it represents a pretty good deal and has reasonable Mac support via iTunes.

Or it’s available even cheaper with TechForLess….
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The Clicking Of Kibaki

A column in The Times muses on the news that the President Kibaki of Kenya has retreated to bed to read Wodehouse after the pains of trying to reform the country.
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Irregular English Verbs (5)

…and on a day spend lazing around after a night at Po Na Na:

I have balanced work/play lifestyle.
You are lacking enthusiasm.
They are just lazy.

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Irregular English Verbs (3)

On news that Tony Blair is pursuing a new self-critical approach:

I am sorry.
You can apologise. ( see Labour Conference 2004)
They are a whining apologist.

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Irregular English Verbs (4)

On this most mixed-up days of romanticism:

I am a romantic.
You are under-the-thumb.
They have sold-out to the commercialism of our times.

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Irregular English Verbs (2)

On the news of frenzied mob fights at the opening of new Ikea, the apparent snobbery over Ikea has suggested a new irregular verb:

I can spot a bargain.
You are a bit of a cheap-skate.
They don’t seem to value quality and/or can’t afford real furniture.

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Irregular English Verbs (1)

I thought I should start some semi-regular feature, so, inspired by Bernard Woolley’s musings on irregular verbs, I’ll start the (hopefully topical) series now…

I am highlighting my oppponent’s weaknesses.
You are lowering yourself to negative campaigning.
He is Alastair Campbell.

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