“I praise and thank Peter Riley for his accurate but slightly nostalgic use of the word dinkus (C8),” writes Susan Bradley of Eltham (Vic). “It is many decades since I was a night picture editor of a rival newspaper, but I fear those lovely old newspaper words are disappearing. I put many a dinkus on the page.” Worry not, Susan. The term is very much alive and well, although it’s been a long time since Granny heard anyone yell “shute!” on the editorial floor.
Don Bain of Port Macquarie has more on the state of Granny’s dinkus: “This week has seen some unkind remarks regarding Granny’s timeworn visage. Given that she was likely in her early sixties when the Column debuted, I hope I’ll have worn as well when I’m nudging 140!”
“The addition of Salt and Pepper (C8) would no doubt have added extra flavour to the English cricket team of a few years back, a team which included Cook, Swan, Bell, Trott, Root, Broad,” notes Dick Pollitt of Mosman. “As one local commentator said: ‘It sounds more like a night out than a cricket team’.”
“This is not quite the same as cricket names and coincidences, but it is amazingly noteworthy, nonetheless,” says John Sowter of Sandgate (Qld). “On February 2, 2013, in an English Football League game, Hartlepool FC beat Notts County FC 2-1. The goalscorers for Hartlepool were Peter Hartley and James Poole. True story.” We checked it, and it is.
“One place where I worked used to get long-term visits from a crew of people to install new equipment,” recalls Barry Galbraith of Cranebrook. “One such visiting crew was overseen by Mr Hackett, and his right-hand man was Mr Blade. Both of them delightful chaps.”
Mark Langdon of Mount Victoria and David Lance of Glenreagh have effectively put the brakes on the engine v motor debate (C8), with Mark explaining that “Australian cars are not fitted with engines or motors. They are fitted with donks!”
“When observing the roadside billboard from a large bank offering ‘simple tools to help manage your money’, I thought it was quite harsh on the bank staff,” says a sympathetic Scott Illingworth of Kiama.
“Can anyone enlighten me as to why the American baseball competition is called the World Series when only one country competes, please?” asks Merilyn McClung of Forestville. Dunno, but the Toronto Blue Jays send their regards.
Column8@smh.com.au
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