Word Up!

Welcome to South Manchester where it has been absolutely throwing it down today in a way that is typical of my least favourite season. I can’t wait for winter to be over. 

You may have heard about a royal scandal this week and, of course, it happens to involve Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the Andrew formally known as prince. He was arrested this week for allegedly releasing material to Jeffrey Epstein that he shouldn’t have and the picture of him looking totally distraught in the back of a police car has made headlines worldwide. The last time a member of the royal family was arrested was back in the 17th century and that man was King Charles I. While Andrew was in custody, police searched his homes for evidence and while he has been released, it’s not looking good for him. 

The Epstein files are causing a lot of turbulence in the UK at the moment with this arrest and also the former UK Amabassador to the US, Peter Mandelson, has had to resign and give up his peerage. That is another chapter that will be reopened soon, I think. 

It’s little wonder that in America, there is surprise and irritation that more is not being done over there because there will be far more people who will be more than a little concerned. 

Anyway, enough of that. Let’s have some Sunday Stealing silliness. 

Word Association. Share what comes to mind when you hear the word ...

1. Biscuit

Custard Creams

In the UK a biscuit is the equivalent of a US cookie. What Americans call a “Biscuit” is more like what we call a “scone”. 

A custard cream is a variety of English biscuit that I used to love as a child. It is basically two small biscuits with a very sweet light yellow cream in the middle of them. They are still very popular today and I haven’t had one for years. I think the last time was when I used to work because people randomly used to bring in packets of biscuits for others. At home we rarely eat biscuits which is a good thing for my teeth and weight I guess. 

Having said that, I might just treat myself to a packet when I go shopping this week. 

2. Crayon

Wax

I haven’t used a crayon since I was a young child. We used to have wax crayons and use them to either colour pictures in a colouring book or just use them to draw stuff. 

The second thing I thought of was “crayon eaters” and this is a term used to describe people who struggle to think for themselves and just gobble up rubbish that certain politicians tell them no matter how ridiculous it is and support these charlatans no matter what. For example people who love the Orange Goblin in the White House despite the fact that he blatantly lies and is a convicted felon. 

3. Warmth

Cats

My cast, Ziggy and Star(dust), have the uncanny ability to find the warmest spot in the house. It’s usually a human hot water bottle, and they have two to choose from (me and Mrs PM). Star(dust) in particular will lie so close to my leg that Mrs PM says “She has become one with your leg”. 

Both of them do it though as you can see from this picture.

4. Flip

Flop

When I say flip-flop I don’t mean those used in electrical circuits. I am talking about what Australians call “thongs”, which are very uncomfortable rubber sandals that people wear on beaches and in hot climates. 

I hate wearing them because they irritate my toes. I prefer proper sandals. 

Incidentally, in the UK, “thongs” are extremely skimpy swimwear like this. 

And no – I never have and never will ever wear them myself. Mrs PM would never allow it. 

5. Slush

Winter

In Manchester, it rarely snows. We are far more likely to get rain in the winter. However, when we do get snow and it is followed by rain, the settled snow starts to melt and becomes a sopping mess of half melted snow called slush. We have had some this winter actually and I think it is worse than snow because it is wetter. I hate snow but I hate slush more. 

6. Wing

Holidays

You may think that is a bit of a stretch for word association but when I go on holiday I usually fly and on short flights I like to sit by the window and look out over the wing. 

7. Candle

Scent

Mrs PM used to buy (and be given) scented candles as a gift. I think as far as presents go, they are a bit rubbish – just my own personal opinion of course. Granted, they can smell nice when lit, but sometimes the smell is just overpowering. She is less inclined to buy them these days but she does get the odd one as a gift. 

                                                    

8. Cinnamon

Stick

I like cinnamon and Mrs PM uses it sometimes when she is trying new recipes. I don’t think that I have ever used a cinnamon stick personally, because we tend to use ground cinnamon instead. However, the phrase is quite common and I know people who buy cinnamon sticks for cooking.