Since reading about Lake Superior State University’s annual survey of the year’s worst cases of word abuse in The Guardian I was inspired to share some of my own. The Michigan university awarded its top prize to the word ‘amazing’, which I don’t find specially offensive and it was followed closely by strong Americanisms such as ‘baby bump’ in second and ‘shared sacrifice’ finishing a close third.
Read moreArchive for the ‘Interests’ Category
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Slimming Katie’s blog – spice up your life
A few years ago I created a ‘30 things to do before I am 30’ list and, with that deadline fast approaching and a marathon definitely not on the cards, I decided to aim for the one that had topped my resolutions list for quite some time…
Read moreCrazy Traditions + Weird Superstitions
Last week I had the absolute pleasure of helping my Czech friend prepare for her wedding- one of the most bizarre traditions was to abduct the bride half way through the wedding day, take her 10km away to a bar and then run up a massive bar tab whilst the groom tracks her down. The groom then has to pay the tab and is also charged a hefty ransom for her release… the tradition was that the bride keeps the money, but since they are a modern couple (and the groom Welsh) the money came from their joint account!
Read moreToo much professionalism spoils chances of success
Driving home last night I happened upon Four Thought – BBC Radio 4’s series of talks ‘which combine thought provoking ideas and engaging storytelling. Recorded live in front of an audience at the RSA in London, speakers take to the stage to air their latest thinking on the trends, ideas, interests and passions that [...]
Read moreIt’s not clutter, it’s a collection
What do you think of when you hear the word ‘collector’? I imagine neatly organised cigarette cards, a full set of Ordnance Survey maps from the 1950’s, or perhaps every single orchid ever discovered, all neatly labelled and grown in identical pots. For me collecting is something done by more disciplined and focused people than myself: people who are systematic and perhaps a little obsessed.
Recently though, we have been talking to royal memorabilia collectors building up case studies for our client Peter Jones China. And it made me realise that collections aren’t all about cataloguing and seeking out rare examples.
Read moreMCG book challenge tackles sex education
The competition in our latest newsletter asked people to tell us their favourite book and why they chose it to be in with a chance to win the full MCG reading list.
The winner was Matt Cooper who chose The Throwback by Tom Sharpe. Matt says:
“It’s not the best book I have read (by a long way), but I love it because it makes me laugh and also because it taught me about the birds and the bees. I secretly think that is exactly why my dad gave it to me which is another reason I love it. Both because he needed a book to do it instead of explaining himself and because it’s still the only book he’s ever given me.”
Read moreA Week in Numbers
1 – pie made by Shazza’s fair hands in celebration of British Pie Week 1 – sunny, springtime lake walk enjoyed by Kate and Sarah 3 – people giving up chocolate for Lent 3 – directors take a trip to the theatre to see the lovely Maxine Peake 4 – dresses worn by Joss throughout [...]
Read moreEvolving English
As I may have mentioned before in this blog I’m an Essex girl living in Yorkshire. So my accent is a real mish-mash of southern inflection and Yorkshire phrases and words. When I visit my family they laugh at my comical Yorkshire accent and imitate me badly, whilst in Yorkshire I’m quite obviously not from round here.
Of course I’m not unusual. Everyone’s voice speaks volumes about them.
The British Library wants to capture the evolving English language for posterity. It’s not just about where you’re from of course: young people use different pronunciation from their parents and grandparents and each of us has our own preferences and bugbears. How do you say the six words that the study has chosen to illustrate the major differences in the way we all speak? Don’t think too much about it…
Read moreConstructive Criticism
Having just returned from one of my favourite places in the world, New York, I find myself one of the privileged (?) few who has actually seen the much talked-about new musical Spiderman. Due to open in February, preview performances have made the headlines on safety issues, with four actors injured, one seriously after he plunged some 30 feet into the orchestra pit when a safety rope snapped.
Now New York theatre critics have broken the traditional embargo on previews by writing damning preliminary assessments. Like circling vultures they are predicting early closure for the $65 million production – New York Post columnist Michael Riedel said: “I don’t think Spiderman can overcome the publicity”.
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