c4countdown

Andy Capp is a play on the word handicap.... how has it taken me twenty years to realise that?

The Little Miss series of books is all about (Mr) men. The female characters are almost always defined by their role with respect to male ones in the book, normally a subservient or inferior role.

We actually realised this a few years ago but have now had this independently corroborated by a 4 year old.

Cindy Sember is the sister of Tiffany Porter. I was wondering why all female British 100m hurdlers all speak with an American accent. Is it just a coincidence? No - they're sisters.

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Fri Aug 09, 2024 1:35 pm Cindy Sember is the sister of Tiffany Porter. I was wondering why all female British 100m hurdlers all speak with an American accent. Is it just a coincidence? No - they're sisters.

Apropos of nothing , but I wonder how many times , at high school , Tiny got asked what month is Christmas

The song by Beyonce Run the World (Girls) isn't about racing

I read somewhere that Gladiators would come out to the collesium with circus music being played
There is a piece of classical music called Entrance of the Gladiators written over 100 years ago.
Still not sure if this music was inspired by the Gladiators or the other way round

Slur words and swear words have changed their severity in western society in the past few years
When I was about ten singing songs with slur words were common and not frowned upon but I remember neatly getting my mouth washed out with soap for saying bloody let alone shit or the F bomb.
Nowadays and thankfully correctly the N word Is taboo but kids swearing isn't uncommon or indeed punished ( though I'm not sure about faith schools )

Saying the N word (as opposed to actually using it against someone) definitely used to be deemed more acceptable, whereas now even just referring to it by saying it is deemed completely unacceptable by a lot of people. I think they're misguided in their thinking, as I think has come up on this forum probably many times.

Mark James wrote: ↑Fri Aug 30, 2024 5:27 am https://youtu.be/S4pSp3Km6Mw?si=bSW1a5M5dwPBLyfD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOlNHXQCT_4

I mean I have said it on this forum on the past and may again.

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Fri Aug 30, 2024 8:28 am I mean I have said it on this forum on the past and may again.

I'm not up to speed with the Countdown dictionary.
Gave slur words been removed or can you still play GINGER and it's anagram ?

Still valid as far as I'm aware.

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Fri Aug 30, 2024 5:43 pm Still valid as far as I'm aware.

Presumably if someone declared it or it's plural they will edit it

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Fri Aug 30, 2024 5:51 pm

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Fri Aug 30, 2024 5:43 pm Still valid as far as I'm aware.

Presumably if someone declared it or it's plural they will edit it

Slur words are valid and will score you points, but they won't be broadcast. If there is an alternative, you may be asked to offer it instead for broadcast, if not then the declarations just won't get shown.

Fiona T wrote: ↑Fri Aug 30, 2024 6:23 pm

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Fri Aug 30, 2024 5:51 pm

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Fri Aug 30, 2024 5:43 pm Still valid as far as I'm aware.

Presumably if someone declared it or it's plural they will edit it

Slur words are valid and will score you points, but they won't be broadcast. If there is an alternative, you may be asked to offer it instead for broadcast, if not then the declarations just won't get shown.

But you dont have any issues at FOCAL events then ?

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Fri Aug 30, 2024 9:12 pm

Fiona T wrote: ↑Fri Aug 30, 2024 6:23 pm

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Fri Aug 30, 2024 5:51 pm

Presumably if someone declared it or it's plural they will edit it

Slur words are valid and will score you points, but they won't be broadcast. If there is an alternative, you may be asked to offer it instead for broadcast, if not then the declarations just won't get shown.

But you dont have any issues at FOCAL events then ?

What sort of issues? Were there issues at CSW19 scrabble events?

Fiona T wrote: ↑Sat Aug 31, 2024 6:31 am

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Fri Aug 30, 2024 9:12 pm

Fiona T wrote: ↑Fri Aug 30, 2024 6:23 pm

Slur words are valid and will score you points, but they won't be broadcast. If there is an alternative, you may be asked to offer it instead for broadcast, if not then the declarations just won't get shown.

But you dont have any issues at FOCAL events then ?

What sort of issues? Were there issues at CSW19 scrabble events?

Not issues at events but a fair few stopped playing tournaments over it and New Zealand left WESPA and started their own breakaway group.
My take has always been that Mattel virtue signalling was a bad thing as it isn't in anyway growing the game.
NASPA didn't give it's members a vote and ABSP went against it's members (80 +% voted to retain dictionary ) and aligned with WESPA.
Unlearning words is a chore but if all offensive words ,slur words and profanities were removed in one fell swoop then it would make the game Twitch and YouTube friendly.

Also aS a bonus the lexicograpgy would contain about 80,000 fewer words if a schools dictionary was adopted.

The squiggly pattern on the papaya McLaren F1 cars spells ‘Arrow’. Took me years to notice.

Did someone say Orange Arrows?

I was watching a 1966 episode of Call My Bluff, and apparently I've only just realised something about the format which now seems obvious.

See how the host, Robin Ray, describes the rules from 2:40 onwards. The implication from what he says is that when the panellists open their cards, of which one has the true definition and the others are blank, that's the first time any of them are seeing the word. The bluffers have to make up a plausible definition there and then, having only just seen the word for the first time.

I always assumed that before the show, the panellists were given the words they had to define, and so had some time backstage to decide what bluff definitions they were going to come up with. But thinking about it now, it seems obvious that it wouldn't be like that, because the challenge of having to come up with something believable in a few seconds like on Would I Lie To You would make for a much better game.

Perhaps they changed the format in later years to what I always assumed it was? I've seen an outtake (of which I can't find a clip) of an episode of the 1990s version, in which Alan Coren gives a definition of the word ZIFF. Sandi Toksvig patiently waits until he's finished then points out that the word on the board is LEEP. Presumably ZIFF was going to come up later in the show.

Mrs Doubtfire was an even bigger dead beat dad than you realise. Sally Field is giving Robin Williams money to be a nanny and he is only giving some of that money back in child support. It's a total scam. But because it was Robin Williams we are on his side.

Most of Jerry Seinfelds early stand up wouldn't work today thanks to Google

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Fri Oct 04, 2024 9:42 pm Most of Jerry Seinfelds early stand up wouldn't work today thanks to Google

Completely agree. Unlike many of his contemporaries or even much earlier comics, his stand-up just isn't funny enough nowadays.

People are always doing reboots and prequels of franchises but what I want to see is middle aged mutant ninja turtles.

The song 'Tender' is by Blur and not by U2, and 'Even Better than the Real Thing' is by U2 and not Blur. Bit of Mandela Effect crossed wires seeping in there too.

Ben Wilson wrote: ↑Thu Oct 10, 2024 10:46 pm The song 'Tender' is by Blur and not by U2, and 'Even Better than the Real Thing' is by U2 and not Blur. Bit of Mandela Effect crossed wires seeping in there too.

There are a few from yesteryear that I had wrong.
Here Comes the Night Is by Them and Not The Rolling Stones.
The Pushbike Song is by The Mixture and not Mungo Jerry.

More recently the song by Gotiye - Someone that I used to know sounds uncannily like Peter Gabriel

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Fri Oct 11, 2024 2:20 pm

Ben Wilson wrote: ↑Thu Oct 10, 2024 10:46 pm The song 'Tender' is by Blur and not by U2, and 'Even Better than the Real Thing' is by U2 and not Blur. Bit of Mandela Effect crossed wires seeping in there too.

There are a few from yesteryear that I had wrong.
Here Comes the Night Is by Them and Not The Rolling Stones.
The Pushbike Song is by The Mixture and not Mungo Jerry.

More recently the song by Gotiye - Someone that I used to know sounds uncannily like Peter Gabriel

Probably the biggest one for me was thinking that the song 'You've Got the Music in You' was by U2, and that it was called 'You've Got the Music in You'. It's actually called 'You Get What You Give' by the New Radicals

Ben Wilson wrote: ↑Fri Oct 11, 2024 6:22 pm

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Fri Oct 11, 2024 2:20 pm

Ben Wilson wrote: ↑Thu Oct 10, 2024 10:46 pm The song 'Tender' is by Blur and not by U2, and 'Even Better than the Real Thing' is by U2 and not Blur. Bit of Mandela Effect crossed wires seeping in there too.

There are a few from yesteryear that I had wrong.
Here Comes the Night Is by Them and Not The Rolling Stones.
The Pushbike Song is by The Mixture and not Mungo Jerry.

More recently the song by Gotiye - Someone that I used to know sounds uncannily like Peter Gabriel

Probably the biggest one for me was thinking that the song 'You've Got the Music in You' was by U2, and that it was called 'You've Got the Music in You'. It's actually called 'You Get What You Give' by the New Radicals

I used to think All The Young Dudes was by David Bowie. Just thought it sounded like his voice.

Callum Todd wrote: ↑Fri Oct 11, 2024 6:52 pm

Ben Wilson wrote: ↑Fri Oct 11, 2024 6:22 pm

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Fri Oct 11, 2024 2:20 pm
There are a few from yesteryear that I had wrong.
Here Comes the Night Is by Them and Not The Rolling Stones.
The Pushbike Song is by The Mixture and not Mungo Jerry.

More recently the song by Gotiye - Someone that I used to know sounds uncannily like Peter Gabriel

Probably the biggest one for me was thinking that the song 'You've Got the Music in You' was by U2, and that it was called 'You've Got the Music in You'. It's actually called 'You Get What You Give' by the New Radicals

I used to think All The Young Dudes was by David Bowie. Just thought it sounded like his voice.

Not altogether wrong as he wrote it and produced it for Mott The Hoople and probably sung backing vocals too.

On a similar theme , the greatest male British vocal group of all time.
Yes I mean the Bee Gees , nearly always sing backing vocals on the songs they write for others

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Fri Oct 11, 2024 7:57 pm

Callum Todd wrote: ↑Fri Oct 11, 2024 6:52 pm

Ben Wilson wrote: ↑Fri Oct 11, 2024 6:22 pm

Probably the biggest one for me was thinking that the song 'You've Got the Music in You' was by U2, and that it was called 'You've Got the Music in You'. It's actually called 'You Get What You Give' by the New Radicals

I used to think All The Young Dudes was by David Bowie. Just thought it sounded like his voice.

Not altogether wrong as he wrote it and produced it for Mott The Hoople and probably sung backing vocals too.

He offered them "Suffragette City", but they held out for "All The Young Dudes".

Callum Todd wrote: ↑Fri Oct 11, 2024 6:52 pm

Ben Wilson wrote: ↑Fri Oct 11, 2024 6:22 pm

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Fri Oct 11, 2024 2:20 pm
There are a few from yesteryear that I had wrong.
Here Comes the Night Is by Them and Not The Rolling Stones.
The Pushbike Song is by The Mixture and not Mungo Jerry.

More recently the song by Gotiye - Someone that I used to know sounds uncannily like Peter Gabriel

Probably the biggest one for me was thinking that the song 'You've Got the Music in You' was by U2, and that it was called 'You've Got the Music in You'. It's actually called 'You Get What You Give' by the New Radicals

I used to think All The Young Dudes was by David Bowie. Just thought it sounded like his voice.

He also recorded it; did you just hear his version?

I used to think All The Young Dudes wasn't by David Bowie.

Callum Todd wrote: ↑Mon Oct 14, 2024 12:40 pm I used to think All The Young Dudes wasn't by David Bowie.

There is recording of him singing it

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Mon Oct 14, 2024 6:07 pm

Callum Todd wrote: ↑Mon Oct 14, 2024 12:40 pm I used to think All The Young Dudes wasn't by David Bowie.

There is recording of him singing it

Are you sure it wasn't Mott the Hoople?

Ian Volante wrote: ↑Tue Oct 15, 2024 12:10 pm

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Mon Oct 14, 2024 6:07 pm

Callum Todd wrote: ↑Mon Oct 14, 2024 12:40 pm I used to think All The Young Dudes wasn't by David Bowie.

There is recording of him singing it

Are you sure it wasn't Mott the Hoople?

https://youtu.be/ToXGVcrgNZA?si=122f0EOZggZOujnp

I think there was a recording of him singing it in the excellent documentaelry Moonage Daydream
I found it
But it looks like Ziggy Stardust after all
https://youtu.be/JbCh-YeTKgM?si=rtsmdvLIbj5zJPpC

The spaceship on the front of the first Boston album is actually an upside down guitar.

I only realized today that the memetic phrase "hawk tuah" was an onomatopoeia - I thought it was a reference to the skateboarder Tony Hawk going on tour (albeit still somehow containing an innuendo)

I've no idea what any of that means.

Right, so, Gev, when a man and a woman love each other very much, or at least want to borrow some friction off each other....

Mark Deeks wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2024 10:49 am Right, so, Gev, when a man and a woman love each other very much, or at least want to borrow some friction off each other....

I generally find if there's friction involved in lovemaking then theres something wrong.

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2024 10:25 am I've no idea what any of that means.

Thanks?

Earthworm Jim and Lara Croft were created only two years apart.

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2024 11:48 am

Mark Deeks wrote: ↑Thu Nov 07, 2024 10:49 am Right, so, Gev, when a man and a woman love each other very much, or at least want to borrow some friction off each other....

I generally find if there's friction involved in lovemaking then theres something wrong.

To my mind, it's the best bit.

Ive only just realised Zendaya isn't Zenyada

Not heard of Zenyada.

A lot of Girls Aloud songs have a school curriculum link

Seafood sauce for prawn cocktail is essentially Tommy sauce and mayo mixed in equal measure

Arctic (bears) from the Greek Arktos
Antarctic (No bears)

People haven't fundamentally changed style or look for over 20 years.
If you think of 80s ,70s ,60s style they all have their nuances with clothing , hair etc.
But if you watch something contempory at the cinema or on tv made 20 odd years ago the only way of dating it is the computer screens or phones not hair or clothing

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Thu Jan 02, 2025 2:23 pm Arctic (bears) from the Greek Arktos
Antarctic (No bears)

Antarctic is anti-Arctic. Opposite the bears on the globe. But I do prefer your suggestion, which would be Anarctic

Phil "The Power" Taylor is a play on "Feel the power".

Paul Worsley wrote: ↑Sat Jan 18, 2025 11:18 am Phil "The Power" Taylor is a play on "Feel the power".

Not convinced!

I'm not seeing it.

They're there, the graphics back in 1980 just weren't sophisticated enough to render them.

Watching a rerun of The Bionic Man on legend I noticed the theme tune is virtually the same as Emerdale (though the tempo is different )

In the lyrics to Life on Mars by David Bowie the line is Lennons on sale again and not lemons as I thought

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Thu Jan 02, 2025 2:23 pm Arctic (bears) from the Greek Arktos
Antarctic (No bears)

I like this one!