Dave Dunford
@birchdave.bsky.social
Semi-retired IT person, walking writer, quizzer, musician, pubgoer, Oxford United fan.
Good work by the Wikipedia editor who needed an English example to illustrate the sound of a glottal stop. It's difficult to think of a word that isn't pronounced with a "t" by careful or RP speakers, but "uh-oh" does the job admirably.
July 28, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Good work by the Wikipedia editor who needed an English example to illustrate the sound of a glottal stop. It's difficult to think of a word that isn't pronounced with a "t" by careful or RP speakers, but "uh-oh" does the job admirably.
Two good facts I came across today.
The current president of the Royal Horticultural Society is called Keith Weed.
The name of the Wild Service Tree (Torminalis glaberrima) is nothing to do with service but actually comes from the same root as "cerveza". Its fruits were once used to flavour beer.
The current president of the Royal Horticultural Society is called Keith Weed.
The name of the Wild Service Tree (Torminalis glaberrima) is nothing to do with service but actually comes from the same root as "cerveza". Its fruits were once used to flavour beer.
March 23, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Two good facts I came across today.
The current president of the Royal Horticultural Society is called Keith Weed.
The name of the Wild Service Tree (Torminalis glaberrima) is nothing to do with service but actually comes from the same root as "cerveza". Its fruits were once used to flavour beer.
The current president of the Royal Horticultural Society is called Keith Weed.
The name of the Wild Service Tree (Torminalis glaberrima) is nothing to do with service but actually comes from the same root as "cerveza". Its fruits were once used to flavour beer.
A rather good joke, or a mangled idiom?
"I know loads of teachers who are in it for the long hall."
(Hat tip to Rachel.)
"I know loads of teachers who are in it for the long hall."
(Hat tip to Rachel.)
February 13, 2025 at 12:03 PM
A rather good joke, or a mangled idiom?
"I know loads of teachers who are in it for the long hall."
(Hat tip to Rachel.)
"I know loads of teachers who are in it for the long hall."
(Hat tip to Rachel.)
That picture of Tower Bridge really captures the essence of...er...Bath. (Hat tip to my dear brother Andy who came across this clearly high-quality product.)
February 12, 2025 at 2:00 PM
That picture of Tower Bridge really captures the essence of...er...Bath. (Hat tip to my dear brother Andy who came across this clearly high-quality product.)
Wow.
"Even in a country as big and populous as India, the scale of the Kumbh Mela is staggering. This time round, the government said it expected 400 million visitors – larger than the population of the US – to turn up over the total 45 days of the Kumbh Mela."
"Even in a country as big and populous as India, the scale of the Kumbh Mela is staggering. This time round, the government said it expected 400 million visitors – larger than the population of the US – to turn up over the total 45 days of the Kumbh Mela."
January 29, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Wow.
"Even in a country as big and populous as India, the scale of the Kumbh Mela is staggering. This time round, the government said it expected 400 million visitors – larger than the population of the US – to turn up over the total 45 days of the Kumbh Mela."
"Even in a country as big and populous as India, the scale of the Kumbh Mela is staggering. This time round, the government said it expected 400 million visitors – larger than the population of the US – to turn up over the total 45 days of the Kumbh Mela."
Enjoyed this path (and the southward views) from the Devil's Punchbowl, Hindhead. We think we could see the Shard in the other direction...is that possible?
January 25, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Enjoyed this path (and the southward views) from the Devil's Punchbowl, Hindhead. We think we could see the Shard in the other direction...is that possible?
Maybe a walk along the Mersey valley on a frosty day in the aftermath of a massive flood wasn't the best idea in the world. GM Ringway Stage 2, Sale to Didsbury.
January 14, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Maybe a walk along the Mersey valley on a frosty day in the aftermath of a massive flood wasn't the best idea in the world. GM Ringway Stage 2, Sale to Didsbury.
I might as well join the crowd. Cos I need a new timewaster, obvs. Hello everyone.
November 22, 2024 at 11:10 PM
I might as well join the crowd. Cos I need a new timewaster, obvs. Hello everyone.