Like all the best villians they creep up without warning. Seconds later, their deadly effect has been suffered. As sudden and unexpected as we see in the movies, or in the endless succession of gory TV dramas. Or read in the plethora of crime fiction. It’s all over before the victim has time to sense there is danger in the air, the garotte has been tightened or the knife thrust hard into the ribs and given a vicious twist. Or some other bloody ending has been rendered. Like a speeding car hurtling out of nowhere towards the unsuspecting victim. Just… Continue reading
Lifestyle
Diction: a person’s way of pronouncing words Such a simplistic (and I do mean simplistic) definition of a word with so many shades of meaning. And one that is widely open to a plethora of subtle differences. Surely the emphasis should be less on the speaker’s way of pronunciation and… Continue reading
AMONG the many misused words littering modern communication there is surely none more abused than smart. It has several meanings. These include clever, quick-witted, brainy, shrewd, astute and intelligent. Other synonyms on offer include savvy, perceptive and quick on the uptake. Thus expectations run high of any product or service… Continue reading
Hold that ball and be set for life A double-take was needed. Are my weakening eyes truly failing me? Did I read that correctly? Surely it could not have been £370,000? A wage of £370,000 a week? In underpaid, impoverished, breadline Britain? Definitely has to be another typo. One not… Continue reading
CAN’T help wondering how many of the doubtless thousands of air fryers bought in the Christmas shopping madness will end up discarded, re-gifted or otherwise dumped. This must surely be the most useless bit of kitchen gadgetry ever. Over-publicised, over-promoted and oversold it is destined for the dump once reality… Continue reading
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TWENTY-FIVE thousand? Really? Did I read that correctly? Surely someone with stuttering fingers has been clicking the head-counter at Sharm-al-Sheikh. Or perhaps Rishi has seconded a number-cruncher from the Treasury (you know how good they are with numbers) to lend a hand with collating the stats at Cop27. Whatever the answer, it seems staggering beyond belief that there are 25,000 people gathered in “an Egyptian resort town known for its sheltered sandy beaches, clear waters and coral reefs.” And which winds around Naama Bay with its “palm tree-lined promenade, filled with bars and restaurants.” Not dozens of them, or even… Continue reading