Search found 13195 matches

by Gavin Chipper
Mon Mar 18, 2024 5:56 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
Replies: 1609
Views: 624074

Re: Questions you've always wanted answered

Why do they have them on some motorways but not others and how do they decide which one?
by Gavin Chipper
Mon Mar 18, 2024 2:07 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
Replies: 1609
Views: 624074

Re: Questions you've always wanted answered

If chevrons are 40 metres apart, then logically to me that means 80 metres (although that would be two chevron gaps really). However, if we are talking about visible chevrons, that will keep changing as the cars cross over them. But to always keep two chevrons visible, you would need to be just over...
by Gavin Chipper
Sat Mar 16, 2024 9:12 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: REALLY obvious things you've just realised
Replies: 627
Views: 273984

Re: REALLY obvious things you've just realised

It's possible I was aware of this at the time but forgot, but India apparently overtook China as the most populous country last year.
by Gavin Chipper
Sat Mar 16, 2024 8:31 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: What films have you watched lately?
Replies: 419
Views: 239427

Re: What films have you watched lately?

Oppenheimer. Mostly tedious and far too long. Also what a coincidence that when the hive mind decides a film is the best of the year, it also has e.g. the best actor in it as well. Not sure why people pay attention to the Oscars. It's just the incestuous film industry getting together to self-congr...
by Gavin Chipper
Sat Mar 16, 2024 5:26 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: What films have you watched lately?
Replies: 419
Views: 239427

Re: What films have you watched lately?

Oppenheimer. Mostly tedious and far too long. Also what a coincidence that when the hive mind decides a film is the best of the year, it also has e.g. the best actor in it as well. Not sure why people pay attention to the Oscars. It's just the incestuous film industry getting together to self-congra...
by Gavin Chipper
Fri Mar 15, 2024 3:13 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Friday 15th March 2024 (Series 89, Heat 54)
Replies: 2
Views: 146

Re: Spoilers for Friday 15th March 2024 (Series 89, Heat 54)

Some very hard conundrums in the last few days/weeks.
by Gavin Chipper
Thu Mar 14, 2024 10:34 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Countdowners in the news
Replies: 237
Views: 116331

Re: Countdowners in the news

"He received some positive feedback" - that's news.
by Gavin Chipper
Thu Mar 14, 2024 10:32 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
Replies: 1609
Views: 624074

Re: Questions you've always wanted answered

Perfect for this thread - why's it called a forecourt? Doesn't seem quite right.
by Gavin Chipper
Thu Mar 14, 2024 10:31 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
Replies: 1609
Views: 624074

Re: Questions you've always wanted answered

I would say driving in and out of the forecourt is more dangerous than using your phone. They should have a rule where you have to stop 50 metres away and push your car in. All that combustion going on...
by Gavin Chipper
Thu Mar 14, 2024 6:15 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
Replies: 1609
Views: 624074

Re: Questions you've always wanted answered

Is it a rule everywhere? I've never noticed a sign at my local Tesco when filling up. I wouldn't know not to play on my phone at the same time.
by Gavin Chipper
Thu Mar 14, 2024 11:07 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold
Replies: 242
Views: 30313

Re: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold

People walking their dogs should have poo bags on them anyway and are part of the wider dog walking community, so if they see some dog poo that didn't come from their own dog, they should pick it up anyway and not be all "Well it's nothing to do with me" about it. Especially on that bridg...
by Gavin Chipper
Wed Mar 13, 2024 6:31 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold
Replies: 242
Views: 30313

Re: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold

People walking their dogs should have poo bags on them anyway and are part of the wider dog walking community, so if they see some dog poo that didn't come from their own dog, they should pick it up anyway and not be all "Well it's nothing to do with me" about it. Especially on that bridge...
by Gavin Chipper
Tue Mar 12, 2024 9:31 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Tuesday 12th March 2024 (Series 89, Heat 51)
Replies: 2
Views: 160

Re: Spoilers for Tuesday 12th March 2024 (Series 89, Heat 50)

Geezer was quite good today. A bit early on, but another potential octochamp perhaps.
by Gavin Chipper
Sun Mar 10, 2024 9:56 pm
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: The 1% Club
Replies: 50
Views: 4730

Re: The 1% Club

Cool, thanks.
by Gavin Chipper
Sun Mar 10, 2024 8:41 pm
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: The 1% Club
Replies: 50
Views: 4730

Re: The 1% Club

I've still not watched this. Is it like 1 vs 100 (which I've also not watched)?
by Gavin Chipper
Sat Mar 09, 2024 7:59 am
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Thursday 7th March 2024 (Series 89, Heat 48)
Replies: 4
Views: 326

Re: Spoilers for Thursday 7th March 2024 (Series 89, Heat 48)

Howie Myers wrote: Sat Mar 09, 2024 5:55 am r3 alt: 10*(75+8+6-2)-1=869
r7: UNCITED
r13: PROPHASES
Neither valid on Apterous. PROPHASE is though.
by Gavin Chipper
Fri Mar 08, 2024 12:44 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
Replies: 1609
Views: 624074

Re: Questions you've always wanted answered

Why did people have to wire their own plugs in the past? Stuff came without a plug on. Insane.
by Gavin Chipper
Thu Mar 07, 2024 2:55 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Thursday 7th March 2024 (Series 89, Heat 48)
Replies: 4
Views: 326

Re: Spoilers for Thursday 7th March 2024 (Series 89, Heat 48)

Her highest score of 98 but her total of 686 is still 10 short of Jack Harvey's 696, so fifth of the five octochamps. She needs to hope the octowell dries up!
by Gavin Chipper
Thu Mar 07, 2024 2:26 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Who is better: Carol Vorderman or Rachel Riley?
Replies: 62
Views: 12630

Re: Who is better: Carol Vorderman or Rachel Riley?

Can someone explain the magic in "the product of two primes", Rachel mentions it often and I feel I should know it but I'm afraid it has escaped me. Thanks. I think it's just that there is a way of getting the target by multiplying 2 smaller numbers, but only one so it's hard to spot. If ...
by Gavin Chipper
Thu Mar 07, 2024 11:00 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Should I be worried?
Replies: 6
Views: 381

Re: Should I be worried?

Seems a bit weird. Is that a forum thing or local to you, do you think?
by Gavin Chipper
Wed Mar 06, 2024 6:29 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: CO:parkrun Recaps
Replies: 579
Views: 287557

Re: CO:parkrun Recaps

By the way, I've added Tom Rowell to the PB list, with his time of 35:37, but I haven't gone through all the times to check for new PBs, so I won't quote the whole list again.
by Gavin Chipper
Wed Mar 06, 2024 6:23 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: CO:parkrun Recaps
Replies: 579
Views: 287557

Re: CO:parkrun Recaps

OK, so CO:Liv was on 24th Feb, and Fiona T did Crosby , whereas Stephen Read did Warrington . 146 (1). Fiona Titcombe - 29:42 (60.98%) (500 points) 91 (1). Stephen Read - 25:56 (51.48%) (500 points) And the table: 1. Gevin Chapwell - 889 2. Dan Byrom - 778 3. Fiona Titcombe - 722 4. Thomas Carey - 6...
by Gavin Chipper
Tue Mar 05, 2024 6:00 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Tuesday 5th March 2024 (Series 89, Heat 46)
Replies: 5
Views: 273

Re: Spoilers for Tuesday 5th March 2024 (Series 89, Heat 46)

I thought Colin's "I wonder..." in the REBENDING round could be seen as leading the contestants.
by Gavin Chipper
Mon Mar 04, 2024 5:08 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Monday 4th March 2024 (Series 88, Heat 45)
Replies: 4
Views: 346

Re: Spoilers for Monday 4th March 2024 (Series 88, Heat 45)

That's the 5th win then. But at an average of 82.2 (if I've worked it out right), she might need some higher scores if we do get more than 8 octochamps.
by Gavin Chipper
Sat Mar 02, 2024 7:20 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Ask Graeme?
Replies: 1740
Views: 682599

Re: Ask Graeme?

Which day has had the most series champs appear over the years? Could you elaborate? Day of the year or day of the week? And by "appear" do you mean their first game, or all games? According to this , octochamps tend to start on the third of the five episodes on a recording day, so a Wedn...
by Gavin Chipper
Sat Mar 02, 2024 6:48 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: REALLY obvious things you've just realised
Replies: 627
Views: 273984

Re: REALLY obvious things you've just realised

I suppose people are using "sub" to just mean "not as good as" in this case, rather than "numerically less than", but it is slightly weird. On a related note, people often talk about something having really low odds when they mean low probability. Low odds is the opposi...
by Gavin Chipper
Sat Mar 02, 2024 5:25 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Ask Graeme?
Replies: 1740
Views: 682599

Re: Ask Graeme?

There's a Mike C Daysley that played as recently as 2020. The profile picture is of him with the trophy.
by Gavin Chipper
Sat Mar 02, 2024 7:39 am
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Friday 1st March 2024 (Series 89, Heat 44)
Replies: 2
Views: 338

Re: Spoilers for Friday 1st March 2024 (Series 89, Heat 44)

I saw FOULEST as well but jargons isn't on Apterous. Maybe a mass noun but possibly someone with Premium access can adjudicate.
by Gavin Chipper
Sat Mar 02, 2024 7:36 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Ask Graeme?
Replies: 1740
Views: 682599

Re: Ask Graeme?

There's a list of Mastermind champions on the Wikipedia. It would take someone about five minutes to look for potential matches on the Countdown wiki and we could determine likely actual matches from there. I might have a look later when I'm on my laptop if I can be bothered.
by Gavin Chipper
Thu Feb 29, 2024 9:38 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The Dead of 2024
Replies: 54
Views: 3786

Re: The Dead of 2024

I thought both fat ladies died.
by Gavin Chipper
Thu Feb 29, 2024 4:42 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Interesting things that aren't necessarily completely obvious
Replies: 8
Views: 2646

Re: Interesting things that aren't necessarily completely obvious

I think I did that once. Was quite low grade though.
by Gavin Chipper
Thu Feb 29, 2024 1:49 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Ask Graeme?
Replies: 1740
Views: 682599

Re: Ask Graeme?

The equivalent would surely be winning a series of Countdown.
by Gavin Chipper
Thu Feb 29, 2024 12:57 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Wednesday 28th February 2024 (Series 89, Heat 42)
Replies: 3
Views: 297

Re: Spoilers for Wednesday 28th February 2024 (Series 89, Heat 42)

Fiona T wrote: Thu Feb 29, 2024 12:32 pm
Gavin Chipper wrote: Thu Feb 29, 2024 12:14 pm GOSSAMER to equal DC's MEGARONS in round 10. Much better word.
Mostly seen on condom packets back in the day...
You've spoilt it now.
by Gavin Chipper
Thu Feb 29, 2024 12:14 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Wednesday 28th February 2024 (Series 89, Heat 42)
Replies: 3
Views: 297

Re: Spoilers for Wednesday 28th February 2024 (Series 89, Heat 42)

GOSSAMER to equal DC's MEGARONS in round 10. Much better word.
by Gavin Chipper
Thu Feb 29, 2024 12:58 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The Dead of 2024
Replies: 54
Views: 3786

Re: The Dead of 2024

Richard Lewis. I know him mainly from Curb Your Enthusiasm so quite a shocker. I always thought at the beginning of Curb he looked younger than Larry David, but Larry stayed the same age, whereas Richard aged terribly and was way older looking than Larry later on.
by Gavin Chipper
Wed Feb 28, 2024 7:28 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Politics in General
Replies: 1592
Views: 1635621

Re: Politics in General

I haven't mentioned Owen Jones for a while, and I don't rely on him. I just think he puts points across well sometimes. The last video I linked to was from the ICJ. My arguments aren't one-dimensional and I have in any case explained why I have focused more on criticising Israel. You "play the ...
by Gavin Chipper
Wed Feb 28, 2024 5:00 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Politics in General
Replies: 1592
Views: 1635621

Re: Politics in General

My intention has never been to downplay the Hamas terrorist attack on 7/10. I've just focused more on the Israeli response because it's ongoing, larger in scale, and has western support (so seen as acceptable by many people), and so is more of a political talking point in that respect. As for the &q...
by Gavin Chipper
Wed Feb 28, 2024 1:20 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Politics in General
Replies: 1592
Views: 1635621

Re: Politics in General

I think it's best described as a clear call for the destruction of the state of Israel. Either just a "soft" destruction of the regime, or outright ethnic cleansing, doesn't matter. Making out new complicated meanings to defend idiots? I pass. Would a single secular state in the region wi...
by Gavin Chipper
Wed Feb 28, 2024 12:15 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: OED vs ODP: what’s the difference?
Replies: 9
Views: 524

Re: OED vs ODP: what’s the difference?

The decision seems quite arbitary in places, including RUINEYAT as Fiona mentioned. With a print dictionary, which has to be a reasonable size, it makes sense that they would have to make these decisions, but online it seems less important to have the two distinct dictionaries, except maybe for Coun...
by Gavin Chipper
Wed Feb 28, 2024 12:04 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: OED vs ODP: what’s the difference?
Replies: 9
Views: 524

Re: OED vs ODP: what’s the difference?

Well that's the difference between the OED and ODP. There's an all-time dictionary and a current usage one. I don't think it's that insane.
by Gavin Chipper
Tue Feb 27, 2024 4:38 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Politics in General
Replies: 1592
Views: 1635621

Re: Politics in General

This is quite an interesting speech at the ICJ about Israel's crimes against Palestine over the years.
by Gavin Chipper
Mon Feb 26, 2024 6:01 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: CO:parkrun Recaps
Replies: 579
Views: 287557

Re: CO:parkrun Recaps

Yeah, you'll both get 500 points!
by Gavin Chipper
Mon Feb 26, 2024 3:20 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Co-Event Suggestion Box
Replies: 137
Views: 12569

Re: Co-Event Suggestion Box

The discussion in the "You are the Ref" thread starts here I think with the scenario put by Noel Mc. But I don't think whether playing like this is a valid tactic is the main point of contention here. It's whether you should set up the game to allow for this to happen when you can just as ...
by Gavin Chipper
Mon Feb 26, 2024 2:22 pm
Forum: apterous.org
Topic: Words You Would Have Thought...
Replies: 479
Views: 160793

Re: Words You Would Have Thought...

Limbic.
by Gavin Chipper
Mon Feb 26, 2024 9:07 am
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Co-Event Suggestion Box
Replies: 137
Views: 12569

Re: Co-Event Suggestion Box

The standard declaration isn't used on Apterous as there isn't a separate length/word part of the declaration. But there is an argument for consistency, although different TV hosts in the past have done it differently and it could change again overnight. As it is, I think I will cease reversing the ...
by Gavin Chipper
Sun Feb 25, 2024 9:48 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Co-Event Suggestion Box
Replies: 137
Views: 12569

Re: Co-Event Suggestion Box

I'd consider that a good thing.

You can just write down loads of plausible-ish words and hope your opponent declares one, and then go with that.
by Gavin Chipper
Sun Feb 25, 2024 9:16 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Co-Event Suggestion Box
Replies: 137
Views: 12569

Re: Co-Event Suggestion Box

This is a perfect example of why Nick should swap the order when asking for the words. If C1 is asked for their length first, and they're the same length, C2 should be asked for their word first. This is the system my wife and I use when we play against each other at home. We can't be bothered with...
by Gavin Chipper
Sun Feb 25, 2024 8:14 pm
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: The 1% Club
Replies: 50
Views: 4730

Re: The 1% Club

For the record I don't really think EFF is commonly used enough to be a valid answer, regardless of how many times I used it during last night's episode. I was trying to avoid spoilers. OUR and WHY definitely are though "Common" is too vague to use in a quiz question. I wouldn't say EFF i...
by Gavin Chipper
Sun Feb 25, 2024 8:07 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The Dead of 2024
Replies: 54
Views: 3786

Re: The Dead of 2024

Wilson Fittipaldi died the other day by the way. He was the brother of F1 champion Emerson, but also a driver and team owner in his own right.
by Gavin Chipper
Sun Feb 25, 2024 8:02 pm
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: The 1% Club
Replies: 50
Views: 4730

Re: The 1% Club

You could potentially also have ESS, like the ess bends at Suzuka (racing track).
by Gavin Chipper
Sun Feb 25, 2024 7:58 pm
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: The 1% Club
Replies: 50
Views: 4730

Re: The 1% Club

OK, thanks.
by Gavin Chipper
Sun Feb 25, 2024 6:57 pm
Forum: Other game shows
Topic: The 1% Club
Replies: 50
Views: 4730

Re: The 1% Club

What were the actual questions and "correct" answers? Might as well make it explicit at this point.
by Gavin Chipper
Sun Feb 25, 2024 6:09 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Co-Event Suggestion Box
Replies: 137
Views: 12569

Re: Co-Event Suggestion Box

I'm the same hosting order as Graeme, except I usually look up the maxes (jack's thing is best for this since it gives sub maxes etc) before writing the thing down, so that I can then tab back in to the timer and put the phone visible to the players as early as possible (usually 10 seconds in or so...
by Gavin Chipper
Sun Feb 25, 2024 5:52 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Co-Event Suggestion Box
Replies: 137
Views: 12569

Re: Co-Event Suggestion Box

I tend to time on my phone (except for numbers rounds where I use my watch and use a random number generator on my phone) as I think it's helpful to have a timer the players can see. So I check for maxes etc. after the round. Edit - This is also why it's useful to write the selections down, as someo...
by Gavin Chipper
Sun Feb 25, 2024 3:06 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Co-Event Suggestion Box
Replies: 137
Views: 12569

Re: Co-Event Suggestion Box

I don't tend to really play along as host. I'll glance at the letters and might spend a few seconds on the numbers but if I don't solve it I leave it to watch the time. Also has this been said - as host, don't write the letters down on the scoresheet until the time starts. You don't need to interrup...
by Gavin Chipper
Sat Feb 24, 2024 8:06 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
Replies: 1609
Views: 624074

Re: Questions you've always wanted answered

They didn't have chains back then and the pedals were directly on the wheel and you had to sit above that, so the drive wheel had to be big. Two big wheels means just extra mass to carry around so you have a big wheel and a small wheel.
by Gavin Chipper
Fri Feb 23, 2024 3:55 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: What TV programmes have you been watching lately?
Replies: 753
Views: 560800

Re: What TV programmes have you been watching lately?

Looking forward to watching that.
by Gavin Chipper
Fri Feb 23, 2024 12:44 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold
Replies: 242
Views: 30313

Re: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold

Too many Mar(k/c)s.
by Gavin Chipper
Thu Feb 22, 2024 10:54 pm
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: You Are The Ref
Replies: 345
Views: 146838

Re: You Are The Ref

This is a perfect example of why Nick should swap the order when asking for the words. If C1 is asked for their length first, and they're the same length, C2 should be asked for their word first. This is the system my wife and I use when we play against each other at home. We can't be bothered with...