Column 8: Deckies on board
We love a bit of pun here in Column 8, and Grandma knows a lot of you enjoy arguing about your latin, so Richard Murnane from Hornsby sent something for us all. “‘Sutor, ne ultra crepidam’, otherwise ‘Schuster, [speak not] “beyond the shoe” is the origin of the term ultracrepidarism, expressing views on matters beyond one’s knowledge or expertise. Grandma, I ask you, has there ever been a word that describes the internet, mass media, or social media better than this?” That’s a question for Column 8 heads to answer. Grandma herself just likes to add this to her list of her favorite tongue-twisting polysyllabic words, and for a change it’s not German!
The late uncle of Alan Wells of Farmborough Heights, who “was in the Navy during World War II and then worked as a deckhand (C8) on tugboats in Newcastle, could not do a stroke of a stroke.” Fortunately, he was never pushed into the water to accommodate a passenger to rescue. However, he once fell into the harbor between the quay and the tug.”
Pyrmont’s Peter Wotton says the only thing that causes “a sailor to be pushed into the water (C8) is that it takes two rescues, not just one.” Who then rescues the two from the water? The captain of the ferry, who is obliged to keep control of the ferry?” All the talk about ferries and deckhands reminds Granny of that unique 90’s Australian children’s TV series. ferry fred, and Pete the pelican “Deckie”.
“Fork me! They’re asking from Blackwell to Bowral to Cranebrook,” exclaims Suzanne Saunders of Koonorigan. “The Splayds (C8) match the fondue forks in a very 70’s style.”
For Meri Will from Northmead, the question of where to put the cutlery pieces in the cutlery drawer (C8) does not arise. “They are constantly in circulation. From curry to casserole, risotto to fruit salad, there is no break for this versatile utensil.”
Visiting Kashgar in far western China, a city with very few western tourists, Hurlstone Park’s Grahame Burton recalls that when eating at local restaurants, “the locals were amused by our skill with chopsticks.” However, we noticed that we were the only guests doing this as all the locals used forks and spoons. Our duty guide informed us that chopsticks were only used by peasants. Forks and spoons were far more civilized.”
Column8@smh.com.au
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