“Walking the dog and typing just now, my phone was blown out of my hand,” reports Michael Fox of Gerringong. “I guess these are the August winds?”
This will come in handy next time Peter Miniutti of Ashbury does a bit of DIY: “We all know that the band UB40 was named after the British unemployment benefits card and that HP sauce is named after the Houses of Parliament, but how many people know that WD40 got its name because it took 40 attempts to get the formula right?”
“A while ago I was looking for a law firm (C8) to represent me,” reveals Keith Sutton of Leichhardt. “I was advised not to use Argue and Fibbs, nor Dewey, Cheetham and Howe.” Edward Loong of Milsons Point had a colleague who felt blessed to be a partner at Sydney law firm Church and Grace.” And in closing, Brian Collins of Cronulla says the piece on Bull, Son & Schmidt reminded him “of the more affectionate colloquial name for a well-known pub at Charing Cross, London called the Ship and Shovell.”
“Further to the item on multiple choice answers in exams (C8), in our trivia team, the two most common default answers when in doubt are South Australia and John Farnham,” says Aidan Cuddington of Umina Beach. “If incorrect, our wonderful quizmaster often gives a bonus half-point.” One can only wonder what you’d get for a correct answer.
Lyn Robinson of Cooks Hills has an update on her grandson’s Survival Skills and Bush camp (C8) and we’re thrilled to report that he ... erm ... survived: “On his return he said it was ‘the best camp ever!’ He brought home his handcrafted staff which he made with an axe, blunt bush saw and penknife. He added the tree was fast-growing and plentiful to his greenie Gran. Highlights were making the staff and seeing a snake chase a frog. They also had to make breakfast and ‘got an extra turn’ he complained. Meanwhile, we took his brother to a barramundi farm where he refused to eat the fish as it had been swimming around only recently. He chose the chicken instead.”
Now that Paul the oracle octopus has passed away, Jack Dikian of Mosman wonders if it’s time for Dubai-based Shaheen the Camel to shine during the World Cup. “After all, he’s spitting distance from Qatar.” For the record, Shaheen has tipped Argentina who were knocked off by Saudi Arabia last night.
Column8@smh.com.au
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