Olympinonsense

[scottycelt]

Loath as I am to leap to Eva's husband's defence, it is "hiccoughs" which is the corruption, (as any occasional viewer of QI might confirm ).

Certainly, I'm now rather loath to admit my own apparent loathing for interjection ...

[Pabmusic]

Certainly, I'm now rather loath to admit my own apparent loathing for interjection ...

Don't be so hard on yourself. Here's Michael Quinion on hiccups: http://www.worldwidewords.org/nl/uwvn.htm

"Well meaning, but wrong" is hardly disastrous. In fact, it's a good example of people in a later age having forgotten the origins of a word, and substituting something that makes contemporary sense.

[Flosshilde]

Undoubtedly pedantry has its critics, and I'm therefore loathe to interject, but wouldn't all persons of refinement tend to use the term 'hiccoughs' rather than the more colloquial corruption observed here?

For information, I think your own particular ailment is commonly diagnosed as 'a fit of the giggles', and more generally associated with young ladies. Though rare in males, often it can be greatly exacerbated by the presence of excess facial hair,

But not body hair, Scotty?

[Northender]

Inspired by an item on today's 'Today', I'm going to sign up for a crash course in competitive cycling.

[amateur51]

Inspired by an item on today's 'Today', I'm going to sign up for a crash course in competitive cycling.

not literally I hope

[Northender]

May I recommend Mark Easton's excellent blog, on the BBC News website, on the subject of empty seats and privilege?

[amateur51]

May I recommend Mark Easton's excellent blog, on the BBC News website, on the subject of empty seats and privilege?

That ever-useful link

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19109997

[Lateralthinking1]

That ever-useful link

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19109997

People fly out of their houses to shooting or volleyball with all of the media buzz in their heads. We might all remind ourselves more readily of the reality. Was it Robert Elms who hinted that these Olympics are almost a parallel universe that we hadn't previously realised existed? Probably, and I do see the point. But a woman described her experience on failing to get a ticket for any sport and yet obtaining a £10 entry to the Stratford Park. She was disappointed on her arrival. The buildings were unremarkable, there was just one big screen, there were very few seats, there were hardly any flags, there was nowhere that people could shelter from the rain if they weren't buying food, it was obligatory to exit through the big shopping centre and the ticket was time limited.

Had she succeeded in getting into, say, the Aquatic Centre, there would have been no Lineker or Logan there to greet her. She would have had to rely on her own running commentary, remind herself of the little history she knew, and sing a song in her head to jazz it all up a bit. As for interesting camera angles, those would have been beyond her. And as she made her way home with the thousands of commuters, what would be her memory? An afternoon not unlike one spent as a spectator at her local pool with loads of noisy kids and their adoring, often childish, parents. Back in her living room, the television would be switched on. An altogether different event, interspersed with photo opportunities for Cameron, Hunt and Johnson. The one that the day was supposed to be like rather than something far more down-to-earth. Or is it mundane? If I were her, I'd feel that I had volunteered to be conned by the mega-rich yet again. That isn't competitive sport, as most should know now, but rather a one-way train.

Don't get me wrong. I am pleased that the human spirit is such that all of the bad organisation, the lies, the crass commercialism and the kowtowing to those who have far too much already haven't destroyed it completely. I am happy that even now there is for children a time and space for magic and inspiration. This week has had some enjoyable moments even for old cynics like me. But at the same time I have never known an event which I have quite liked and yet will be so relieved to see over. The end date can't come quickly enough although we will hear of little else for many months. For if we were to find a similarity between racial and economic discrimination, and I do, there is just a little too much of Sun City about this circus and there has been since 2005.

And I think it is useful to ask what one is left with when the Olympics label is ripped out. I don't mean here the economic legacy for few believe in all of those hyped up hopes. After all, Blair has been given that responsibility. No, I mean in terms of the spectator and here I surprise myself. It isn't wholly turn on, tune in and drop out. Yes, on the two occasions when I hovered at the website wondering whether to cave in and attend the Paralympics, I decided against it. I found myself saying "wait until afterwards". And that's different. Canoeing, rowing, gymnastics, boxing, cycling........I have never wanted to see them live before. Now I just might do, once, as a novelty, as a part of an event with far less razzmatazz, certainly outside London and maybe somewhere abroad.

[Roehre]

The way the Beeb is presenting the news at all the available channels, one would start thinking that the Syrians have won gold medals for killing civilians

[Lateralthinking1]

Evidence of further dire planning and mismanagement as the Olympics pleasure gardens go bust.

No appearances from Boris, Dave, Jeremy, Ken, Seb or Tessa, on his matter. Limelight fatigue perhaps.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-19114930

[Nick Armstrong]

Evidence of further dire planning and mismanagement as the Olympics pleasure gardens go bust.

No appearances from Boris, Dave, Jeremy, Ken, Seb, Tessa, on his matter. Limelight fatigue perhaps.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-19114930

I'd never even heard of it...

[Lateralthinking1]

I'd never even heard of it...

Funded by a 3 million pound loan from local authority Newham council, the project was one of several intended to regenerate the capital's docklands spawned by Meanwhile London, a competition backed by Mayor of London Boris Johnson.

Harnessing public enthusiasm for the Olympics, organisers aimed for a reincarnation of the cultural amusement parks of the 18th and 19th centuries on the scruffy 20 acre site.

London Pleasure Gardens was due to open to the public last weekend, with free entry to all, a big screen showing the Games and a programme of theatre, live music and cabaret.

But restrictions on visitor numbers during the Olympics left the open half of the site - a dusty, barren stretch with bars, tents and food stalls - all but empty.

Across the water, are the outlines of the run-down Millennium Mills and a huge grain silo, bearing testimony to the docks' industrial heritage. A nearby boat intended to be a floating cocktail bar sits abandoned.

The only green spaces, a large grassy mound and an overgrown meadow intersected by winding paths, are closed because the forecast revenue did not cover their operational costs, according to the site's managers.

[mangerton]

Evidence of further dire planning and mismanagement as the Olympics pleasure gardens go bust.

No appearances from Boris, Dave, Jeremy, Ken, Seb or Tessa, on his matter. Limelight fatigue perhaps.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-19114930

What did Churchill say about whelkstalls?

But hey, guys, it's only public money. Nothing to worry about here.... move along.

[Flosshilde]

Evidence of further dire planning and mismanagement as the Olympics pleasure gardens go bust.

No appearances from Boris, Dave, Jeremy, Ken, Seb or Tessa, on his matter. Limelight fatigue perhaps.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-19114930

Not surprised - judging by the photograph in the news story, there is no evidence of anything resembling a garden, & as it seems to be yet another 'retail opportunity', very little pleasure.

[Old Grumpy]

BRONZE Yay!

Thanks for setting this up Flosshilde

OG