The Eternal Breakfast Debate in a New Place

[Don Petter]

Coming from the Baker's?

[antongould]

A couple of days ago I switched on and immediately thought that my radio was malfunctioning. Fortunately, I didn't rush to re-tune it which was just as well because a few minutes later I realised that it was RC playing one of his puerile little games. And this is what R3 has come to, and it is tragic.

And who are all these morons who tweet, phone, and e-mail? They just encourage this rubbish.

While we have a calm debate are we sure they are morons every one????

[Nick Armstrong]

its a perfect mix of pedantry corner meets Ed Reardon... Nyasaland isn't what it use to be

Ahem... thank you .... ahem... it's very fair comment and kinder than we used to receive....

Do pitch in!!

[french frank]

While we have a calm debate are we sure they are morons every one????

He didn't, grammatically, claim that they ALL were. He was inquiring of members of the forum whether they knew the identity of those (perhaps only three) who could be thus described. Of course, one might take him up on his reasons for wishing to know the identities of all, say, three (or more): if he intended to go round to their houses and let their car tyres down, that couldn't be condoned.

[Sir Stanford]

Just love this thread its a perfect mix of pedantry corner meets Ed Reardon with a side serving of Victor Meldrew and a garnish of grumpy old men/women please keep going. It reminds me of a lunch once, sitting next to a group old colonial types bemoaning the fact that Nyasaland isn't what it use to be.
cheers me up most weeks !!!!!

Mock if you like! I call it being open and honest about personal feelings, sadness in my case, for the BBC Radio 3 management trying to sex up and/or fix something that isn't broken. I don't call presenters talking nonsense, asking for texts and tweets off listeners, playing music backwards or playing two pieces simultaneously progress. I call it inane! I call it crass! I call it going backwards!

[antongould]

He didn't, grammatically, claim that they ALL were. He was inquiring of members of the forum whether they knew the identity of those (perhaps only three) who could be thus described. Of course, one might take him up on his reasons for wishing to know the identities of all, say, three (or more): if he intended to go round to their houses and let their car tyres down, that couldn't be condoned.

How do All become 3?

[Zucchini]

I don't call presenters talking nonsense, asking for texts and tweets off listeners, playing music backwards or playing two pieces simultaneously progress. I call it inane! I call it crass! I call it going backwards!

If people (other than a few old duffers and blue stockings) wanted to listen to classical music in the early morning, symphony orchestras would give their concerts at 7.30am so that said people can enhance their evenings by watching Danish dramas, snooker and talent shows on telly before picking up a couple of greasy kebabs after popping in the pub for a Babycham...

[clive heath]

Be all that as it may, we were given the prettified clarinetted "Scaramouche" in today's love-in with Clemmy and not for the first time. You can hear, see, the real thing, all of it, with Martha and Ebi here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9lXDobPjI8

and what a rollicking joyous experience it is.

[underthecountertenor]

Ahem... thank you .... ahem... it's very fair comment and kinder than we used to receive....

Do pitch in!!

Ah, but if were [sic] going to be pedantic, Cali, its [sic] roll of honour, not rôle (ut supra), hein?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

If people (other than a few old duffers and blue stockings) wanted to listen to classical music in the early morning, symphony orchestras would give their concerts at 7.30am so that said people can enhance their evenings by watching Danish dramas, snooker and talent shows on telly before picking up a couple of greasy kebabs after popping in the pub for a Babycham...

Actually, when I was at school/university, the Radio 3 content was sufficiently exciting for me to wake up early to listen to the radio. Now it's just annoying/frustrating/crass/pathetic/embarrassing…

[jean]

Ah, but if were [sic] going to be pedantic, Cali, its [sic]...

If we were going to be pedantic, it would be...

If we are going to be pedantic, it is...

(And shouldn't the commented-on phrase read kinder than we are used to receiving?

[Nick Armstrong]

(And shouldn't the commented-on phrase read kinder than we are used to receiving?

I was using 'used' in the past tense sense (I used to be unfamiliar with grammar but now I am more used to it...)

[budscott]

Actually, when I was at school/university, the Radio 3 content was sufficiently exciting for me to wake up early to listen to the radio. Now it's just annoying/frustrating/crass/pathetic/embarrassing…

Moi aussi!

[french frank]

How do All become 3?

You were the one who used 'every one' = in my view ALL i.e. I assumed, everyone who tweeted texted etc. Whereas the quote actually specified 'all these morons' which limits it to all the morons (but not necessarily all the texters, tweeters). That's why I mentioned the grammmatical point.

IOW 'all these morons' means all these who are morons, doesn't it? :-). I reckoned 'all' could not mean less than 3, otherwise it would have been 'both', or be singular. Well, we had been just accused of pedantry…)

[jean]

I was using 'used' in the past tense sense ...

I did consider that possibility, but rejected it on the grounds that the unkindnesses had not ceased.