Phrases/words that set your teeth on edge.

[ahinton]

It's a paradox, ah, but I've lost the will to explain.

You seem to be losing a great deal of will on a number of fronts but I will leave you to continue to do so with or without accompanying explanation/s at your discretion.

[Serial_Apologist]

You seem to be losing a great deal of will on a number of fronts but I will leave you to continue to do so with or without accompanying explanation/s at your discretion.

It might well be a paradox to have to make a will in order to explain anything.

[ahinton]

It might well be a paradox to have to make a will in order to explain anything.

That might depend on whether or not you are - or retain - an inheritance tax lawyer...

[P. G. Tipps]

"Our"? "Beautiful"? Game it may be, but it certainly isn't mine and I find no beauty in it even if others claim to do so.

You are absolutely correct, ahinton ... It certainly isn't your beautiful game .... nor mine either. It is simply 'ours'.

If you are unable to see any beauty in the game that is entirely a matter for you and certainly not me or 'we'.

At least you had the honesty and decency to pinpoint the precise source of human failure in the matter.

I therefore salute you and strongly believe that you thoroughly deserve an honorary degree, ahinton!

[ahinton]

You are absolutely correct, ahinton ... It certainly isn't your beautiful game .... nor mine either. It is simply 'ours'.

If you are unable to see any beauty in the game that is entirely a matter for you and certainly not me or 'we'.

At least you had the honesty and decency to pinpoint the precise source of human failure in the matter.

I therefore salute you and strongly believe that you thoroughly deserve an honorary degree, ahinton!

It isn't a "failure"; it is a viewpoint.

May I counsel you not to fall into the Sydney Grewish trap of resorting to this unidentifiable "we" or other first person plural expressions such as "ours"; it doesn't assist your cause (whatever it might be at any given moment of such use).

I accept your salute graciously but cannot see how what I wrote merits the granting of an honorary degree...

[jean]

I...cannot see how what I wrote merits the granting of an honorary degree...

The point being that that requires no merit whatsoever. The usage is meant to illustrate what previous contributors to this thread have already decreed.

A bit like Padraig's loss of will...

[Nick Armstrong]

The point being that that requires no merit whatsoever.

Goaaaaal !!!

[ahinton]

The point being that that requires no merit whatsoever.

But that would surely depends upon the definition of "merit"? An honorary degree differs from the other kind for one reason of "merit", but if such a degree is not warranted in the first place, there would be no reason for it to be granted and my point (insofar as it was one) was that Tippster's suggestion that I deserve one, in his view, seems to make little if any sense to the extent of his omission to clarify why and what grounds he takes that view; he does not even specify what kind of honorary degree in what subject/s it would be!

[ahinton]

Goaaaaal !!!

Owwwwwn goaaaaal, peut-être ???

[french frank]

The point being that that requires no merit whatsoever.

Although, leaving the present case aside, it could be disputed that an honorary degree 'requires no merit whatsoever'. Theoretically, they are awarded to people who have shown some merit or achievement in their lives subsequent to any formal possibility of an academic degree.

Though one might think that sometimes the honorary degrees is a bit pointless, since it is an 'academic award' without the necessary academic discipline. An MA might go to a long-serving departmental secretary and a PhD to a popular broadcaster (In the latter case, I believe etiquette is that the title 'Dr' is only used by the awarding institution in connection with the institution's business, not by the holder of the degree or others).

Wrong thread?

[MrGongGong]

In the latter case, I believe etiquette is that the title 'Dr' is only used by the awarding institution in connection with the institution's business, not by the holder of the degree or others

You could always go the Paisley route and simply decide to call yourself Dr anyway?

Where does this leave Professor Green?
or Dr Hook?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Where does this leave Professor Green?

In the Library with the lead piping?

[ahinton]

Although, leaving the present case aside, it could be disputed that an honorary degree 'requires no merit whatsoever'. Theoretically, they are awarded to people who have shown some merit or achievement in their lives subsequent to any formal possibility of an academic degree.

Though one might think that sometimes the honorary degrees is a bit pointless, since it is an 'academic award' without the necessary academic discipline. An MA might go to a long-serving departmental secretary and a PhD to a popular broadcaster (In the latter case, I believe etiquette is that the title 'Dr' is only used by the awarding institution in connection with the institution's business, not by the holder of the degree or others).

Wrong thread?

Well, that would surely be for you to decide, wouldn't it?...

[P. G. Tipps]

It isn't a "failure"; it is a viewpoint.

May I counsel you not to fall into the Sydney Grewish trap of resorting to this unidentifiable "we" or other first person plural expressions such as "ours"; it doesn't assist your cause (whatever it might be at any given moment of such use).

I accept your salute graciously but cannot see how what I wrote merits the granting of an honorary degree...

Firstly, and most importantly, I really miss the original, marvellously outrageous contributions of Mr Sydney Grew? Where has he gone, I wonder? Please come back, Mr Grew, 'we' miss you!!

Meanwhile, ahinton, I'm delighted you have graciously accepted my previous salutation. As Jean has already hinted there is absolutely no requirement for you, me, or indeed 'we', to see any merit whatsoever in the granting of an honorary degree.

Therefore I also see absolutely no reason for you to be so openly modest and self-effacing, ahinton!

[teamsaint]

In the Library with the lead piping?

which reminds me of LOL moment from a " Sherlock" that I watched the other night, ( been watching the odd bit of telly recently as middle sprog is at home for the moment and has a Netflix subscription and a big telly !!) when Dr Wotsit says to Sherlock " That's the last time I play Cluedo with you !!"

Anyhow, back to Honorary degrees, Steve Redgrave has at least four.
IMO, they are a bit disrespectful to people who have actually studied for an actual degree. But I imagine I have the wrong end of the stick.