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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Jun 15, 2009 9:50:02 GMT 1
I couldn't agree more, Dray, well done to both teams. ;D Do I take it the Wolves don't want another Wildcat batting for them in the next challenge, as one's not been chosen yet? We know Viv's up to her neck in exams this week, and it sounds as if Jutta's the same but with typing for the NHS, so who will be the Wolves project leader for the second task? I'd suggest the teams get busy discussing their strategies in their dens, as decisions need to be made and dithering doesn't achieve owt! Someone needs to grasp the nettle, if either team is to cut the mustard... but where do those two expressions come from? Bonus points to the team that post the correct answers first. ;D
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Post by billywhippet on Jun 15, 2009 10:07:30 GMT 1
Cut the mustard Why cutting mustard was chosen as an example of high quality is unclear. As always in such circumstances, there are no shortage of guesses. Some of these allude to the literal difficulty of cutting mustard in its various forms; for example: - Mustard seed, which is hard to cut with a knife on account of its being small and shiny. - Mustard plants, which are tough and stringy and grow densely. - Culinary mustard, which is cut (diluted) and made more palatable by the addition of vinegar. There is no evidence to support these derivations and they give the impression of having been retro-fitted in an attempt at plausibility. Another supposed explanation is that the phrase is simply a mistaken version of the military expression 'cut the muster'. This appears believable at first sight. A little research shows it not to be so. Muster is the calling together of soldiers, sailors, prisoners, to parade for inspection or exercise. To cut muster would be a breach of discipline; hardly a phrase that would have been adopted with the meaning of success or excellence. This line of thought appears to have been influenced by confusion with the term 'pass muster', which would have the correct meaning, but which could hardly be argued to be the origin of 'cut the mustard'. The OED, which is the most complete record of the English language, along with all of the other reference works I've checked, don't record 'cut the muster' at all. The fact that documented examples of 'cut the mustard' are known from many years before any for 'cut the muster' would appear to rule out the latter as the origin. There has been an association between the heat and piquancy of mustard and the zest and energy of people's behaviour. This dates back to at least 1672, when the term 'as keen as mustard' is first recorded. 'Up to mustard' or just 'mustard' means up to standard in the same way as 'up to snuff'. 'Cutting' has also long been used to mean 'exhibiting', as in the phrase 'cutting a fine figure'. Unless some actual evidence is found for the other proposed explanations, the derivation of 'cutting the mustard' as an alternative way of saying 'exhibiting one's high standards' is by far the most likely. Whatever the coinage, the phrase itself emerged in the USA towards the end of the 19th century. The earliest example in print that I've found is from The Iowa State Reporter, August 1897, in a piece about the rivalry between two Iowa towns: Dubuque had the crowds, but Waterloo "Cut the Mustard" the use of quotation marks and the lack of any explanation of the term in that citation imply that 'cut the mustard' was already known to Iowa readers and earlier printed examples may yet turn up
Grasp the nettle This little figure of speech is known wherever Urtica Dioica, the Stinging Nettle, is commonplace, which covers most of the English-speaking world. The figurative advice to be bold and 'grasp the nettle' derives from the property of the plant to inject toxins into the skin of any person or animal who brushes against its stiff, hollow hairs. If the plant is grasped firmly, especially if that is done in the direction the hairs are growing, the hairs tend to be pushed flat and avoid penetrating the skin. Nettles favour disturbed ground and consequently are often found near human habitation. Fortunately, the antidote to nettle stings is found in the leaves of Dock, which also grows on disturbed soil and is usually to be found near nettles. The property of the plant was well enough known by the 16th century for John Lyly to have included a reference to it in Euphues, 1578: "True it is Philautus that he which toucheth ye nettle tenderly, is soonest stoung." Aaron Hill's Works, circa 1750, contains the first example that I can find that advises that a nettle be grasped: "Tender-handed stroke a nettle, And it stings you, for your pains: Grasp it like a man of mettle, And it soft as silk remains." FOR THE WOLVES!!!!!
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Jun 15, 2009 10:19:35 GMT 1
That looks like another bonus point win for the Wolves - 10/10, thanks to Billywhippet - but we are still awaiting their decision as to which products they are going for in the second challenge! Think I might as well take the day off and go and place 'chase the builders', whom I've not seen for a little while and thought to expect on the Llys Trerobert job today...
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Post by Viv on Jun 15, 2009 11:47:59 GMT 1
Viv i told you i'd whip you MMIIEEOOWWWWWWWWW Dray x Wolves: 54 points Wildcats: 48 points. Oy ,there was only 6 in it toad face, that's hardly whipped .
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Post by Jazz on Jun 15, 2009 12:46:04 GMT 1
beat you, we won, yep, whipped you
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Post by petdesigns on Jun 15, 2009 18:07:03 GMT 1
Poor little Viv... I'm sorry, Al, I haven't been able to get on here earlier. Are we allowed to "keep" Dray for the rest of the challenges or does he now have to be returned to the wildcats? (He's such a nice wildcat with LOADS more competitiveness than I possess! ) If he has to be returned -I'd like him back - if not, I'd like Viv, even if she's pretending to be working hard
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Post by Viv on Jun 15, 2009 19:59:41 GMT 1
Most know the TV show 'The Apprentice', well, we are going to adapt that format here and have our own version of The Apprentice, and with two teams - Wolves & Wildcats pitting themselves against each other for the honours, and various prizes for rescue. Further details will be announced soon, but for now, please can the teams find six or seven members each who would like to take part? Playing for the Wolves will be:
Jutta Jazz Jakeysmum KathyW Dray - Honorary Wolf for trying to wriggle out of this challenge
Playing for the Wildcats will be: Viv Murtle Brackensmum Millwallblue JusPoints Gained to date:
Wolves: 9 bonus points. (For guessing what the 2nd Task would be.)
First Challenge: 54 points - for 54 e-books sold at the end of the task, although additional sales count at the rate of 1 point per booklet, and towards the final points total.
10 Bonus points. (For giving the origins of sayings: 'Cut the mustard' and 'Grasp the nettle.')
Running Total: 73 points.
Wildcats: First Challenge: 48 points - for 48 e-books sold at the end of the task, although additional sales count at the rate of 1 point per booklet, and towards the final points total.
Running Total: 48 points.
. Was it 54 or 44 e-book sold ??
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Jun 15, 2009 22:41:09 GMT 1
It is certainly more than 44, Viv. Some people paid for more than one copy, therefore those count as additional sales.
Will go through the payments to treble check.
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Post by mysticalmidnight on Jun 15, 2009 23:20:27 GMT 1
The wolves won so i stay with the wolves and i nominate Viv from the wildcats to join us in helping us where she can with this one. If your happy with that Jutta then i say let the games begin and i also suggest as the winning side the Wolves should choose to promote the Double lead thingies Now that's what i call promoting an item ;D ;D ;D ;D What do ya think Viv can you become a Wolf and still do the best you can or not Dray x
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Jun 15, 2009 23:43:02 GMT 1
Viv, I have just gone through all the payments received for booklets, and have received 54 for the Wolves and 45 for the Wildcats, plus one that neither Mary nor I are sure if a Wildcat or Wolf booklet! S, the WOLVES definitely won the First Task, therefore we are still waiting for them to decide which products they will select for the next challenge.
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Post by mysticalmidnight on Jun 16, 2009 0:52:45 GMT 1
So Al if i'm still a Wolf and until Jutta confirms i would like to choose Viv and The 'Armargos Padded Sighthound House Collar' – these come in a variety of colours of webbing including: red, black, royal blue, navy, brown, orange, forest green, emerald green, olive green, yellow, pink, purple, lilac, lavender and fawn - and lengths (measured between the rings) from 12” to 18”, with wide and contrasting colour, sherpa fleece padding for comfort. (Price: £3.75p each OR 3 for £10.00p OR a pack of 10 assorted size/colour collars for £30.00p.) Dray x
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Jun 16, 2009 9:15:41 GMT 1
It sounds as if you are the Project Leader for the Wolves' and this task, Dray. ;D Jolly good. Am I right in thinking that you also want to promote the double ended lead as your second item? If so, would that be... 5/8" wide, plum web, double ended lead with an adjustable handle position, making it ideal for dogs of the same or different heights, or for two point contact with one dog - i.e. collar and harness. (F & G price: £6.00. 1" wide, green webbing double ended lead with an adjustable handle position, making it ideal for dogs of the same or different heights, or for two point contact with one dog - i.e. collar and harness. (F & G price: £7.00.)...? If so, I should have some of the plum and green webbings in 3/4" as well, and which we can do at £6.50p, BUT I am going to have to search for that. Perhaps it would be best if, when I do the sale thread for this, I list all the ones actually made up, and if anyone wants a different colour or webbing, they can ask and I'll make it up if we have the web available? Can do the same with all of the other chosen items for each team, too. I have to meet up with the sewing machine chap shortly, but will make a start when I return. Wildcats, am I right in thinking you want harness and lead sets to go with the belts? If so, I'll do the same as above.
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Post by Viv on Jun 16, 2009 9:41:49 GMT 1
Erm. it looks like I'm a wolf Mutle, Murtle, where are you Murtle .
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Post by murtle on Jun 16, 2009 10:00:26 GMT 1
Erm. it looks like I'm a wolf Mutle, Murtle, where are you Murtle . Hiding
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Jun 16, 2009 10:12:30 GMT 1
These things are sent to try you, girls... To bring out the very best in you... Why, just look at Dray... Put him in with the Wolves for a bit, a lone cat and what has happened? Why, he has become a project leader and is excelling himself. ;D Surely no one will allow him to get away with it? A cat ruling the wolfies? Can he hold them together without the fur flying? Do the wolves look upon him as their willing slave? Has he turned Viv into another slave or is he plotting something? So many questions... And I just had a phone call to say that the engineer can't meet me today to have the machines in for repair, and we have to reshedule for the end of the week, so I'd best get busy preparing the sale thread for the apprentices! I await your labels and marketting pitches for your items with interest, along with a delivery ofthe new packaging bags I had to order... Good luck, teams.
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Post by petdesigns on Jun 16, 2009 10:42:00 GMT 1
Yes, Dray is the leader for this task I suppose - IF he can be nice to billywhippet and Florrie and Jazz and convince them all that his choice of product is the right one!! There have been doubts about those collars, but if Armargo would be so nice as to let Dray and/or me and/or billywhippet know what exactly these collars are for and maybe let us have a photo or two?? I'm sure the leads can be sold, too! Does any wolf have a lead like that and could make good photos?? How long are the leads, Al? (Personally, I always prefer 2m leads for the dogs instead of standard length which I find too short for the dogs to be able to enjoy their walk even when on a lead!) I'm off to rest now, have the builders in and loads of work to do from home for my 3rd job and just want to sleep..... (and eat, of course!)
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Jun 16, 2009 10:44:40 GMT 1
I have now posted a sale thread for this, which you may wish to add some photos to, but please, if you are doing so, try to ensure that only one person is modifying the thread at any one time. I will need to be doing that at times, and to add additional items for both teams, so perhaps, if unsure, post the pictures you want to use in this thread and I'll add them to the sale's thread.
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Jun 16, 2009 10:49:43 GMT 1
Jutta, the double-ended leads can be adjusted to approximately 2 metres and as a single-ended lead (for one dog) if the one end is clipped onto the adjustable ring to make the handle. They can also be used for tethering a dog if required, and in the same way. I posted (air mail) a pack of the collars to Sheena yesterday, and sent you a belt, as ordered the other day, so perhaps a little trading for pictures could be arranged between the teams? ;D
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Post by Old Dragon (Al) on Jun 16, 2009 12:20:02 GMT 1
Bonus points to the team whose member can state from whom we have these quotations...
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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McChell
Wildcat Team Member
Chilli and Mooch
Posts: 114
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Post by McChell on Jun 16, 2009 13:09:24 GMT 1
1. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 2. Mark Victor Hansen 3. Karen Ravin 4. Anonymous 5 Walter Winchell
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