English is full of prefixes. A fun game is to remove a negative prefix, or letters that are the same as a negative prefix, to give you a humorous new word that means the opposite of the original. This has been going on since at least the C19th, and probably before. So you could describe a surprisingly well-mannered and cultured provincial person as ( Read more... )

How would you weigh an elephant without using scales ( Read more... )

So, for those of you don't spend your time there (perhaps wisely), Facebook have introduced Reactions, so instead of just being able to 'Like' posts, you can choose one of six icons to indicate Like, Love, Haha, Wow, Sad, or Angry ( Read more... )

I'm a huge fan of the House of Commons Library. They do some really excellent briefing papers setting out the evidence, context and background to issues.

They've compiled this excellent list of briefings relevant to the EU Referendum coming up in June:

That includes the House of Commons Library briefing paper "
EU referendum: impact of an EU exit ( Read more... )

Non-parent: Um. What's that stain?
Parent: Oh, that. It's just blood.
Non-parent: Blood?!
Parent: It's Ok, it's almost certainly children's blood. Couldn't tell you which one though. [self-deprecatory chuckle]
Non-parent: o_O

This entry crossposted to http://doug.dreamwidth.org/313545.html, where there are
( Read more... )

Negative results: despite several attempts to engage them, my cats are entirely unmoved by either Music for Cats or the rotating snakes illusion.

This entry crossposted to http://doug.dreamwidth.org/313149.html, where there are
( Read more... )

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m considering a career change. I’m not set on one, but I am setting out a bit more seriously about exploring the possibilities. And I’ve realised I’m a bit out of date about job hunting ( Read more... )

Here's a quick chart of the death rate by age group in the UK, with data from here.

( Cut for mention of death, including of parents, and sums... )

As an academic, I am now required legally to have "due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism" and other forms of extremism. The Government says "We also include in our definition of extremism calls for the death of members of our armed forces, whether in this country or overseas ( Read more... )

Leap days are a swizz ( Read more... )