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November 11, 2003

Rem acu tetigisti

Pronunciation: rem-'Š-"kŸ-"te-ti-'gis-tE
Etymology: Latin
You have touched the point with a needle : you have hit the nail on the head.

June 25, 2003

Red Telephone Boxes

As with Bobbies on the Beat these English icons are used by Hollywood accountants, sorry 'film makers', to give a sense of authenticity to any scene supposedly set in England.

What they universally miss are the following.
They've never actually had working phones in them.
They were and are used for displaying pictures of naked ladies who will do rude things for money.
They are used as public lavatories, hence are not conducive to standing in for longer than you can hold your breath.
There aren't any anymore, except here and there.

June 02, 2003

Routemaster

The Routemaster is the fast disappearing traditional London bus distinguished by the open footplate at the back from which eager young people have traditionally hung to symbolise carefree youth in any movie featuring Swinging London.

See: Cliff Richard in Summer Holiday (if you dare).

Offers the same cheap cinematic shorthand as...

Scooter :- Rome
Yellow Taxi :- New York City
Idiotic stretch limo :- Los Angeles
Datsun with failing brakes, no door linings and fake insurance :- Anywhere South of the Thames

May 23, 2003

The Russian and Turkish Baths

Located at 268 East 10th Street in New York the Russian and Turkish Baths have Russian and Turkish rooms, a redwood sauna, a steam room, an ice cold plunge pool, a terrace for sun or snow exposure but interestingly, no baths

Nonetheless the Two Chaps heartily recommend the place

May 21, 2003

Rentiers

\Ren`tier"\ (r?N`ty?"), n. [Noun].

One who has a fixed income, as from property, lands, stocks, or the like.

First against the wall after revolution - well, first after Tories, freelance car clampers and child molesters.

April 19, 2003

Roller Bowl

Roller Disco in Bournemouth

Scene of many a rite-of-passage for young men from '81-'83

Not to be confused with the bins behind the Roller Bowl which were the scene of altogether different rites-of-passage