Divided by a common language....

[Vulture]

Lucy!

Sort him out, please!

[The Peepmaster]

I'm hardly likely to post such an image on a public forum, Vulch!

I've got Diane's email address.

[Roger Kettle]

Er...back to the subject of the divisions of a common language, I got an email from a puzzled cartoon editor at The Mirror. I mentioned in a Horace strip that someone's "hat was squint". I had no idea that "squint" is a Scottish word. It means "crooked" or "not straight". To be honest, I'm surprised this kind of thing doesn't happen more often.

[The Peepmaster]

Er...back to the subject of the divisions of a common language, I got an email from a puzzled cartoon editor at The Mirror. I mentioned in a Horace strip that someone's "hat was squint". I had no idea that "squint" is a Scottish word. It means "crooked" or "not straight". To be honest, I'm surprised this kind of thing doesn't happen more often.

Shall I run this through Babelfish?

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

Er...back to the subject of the divisions of a common language, I got an email from a puzzled cartoon editor at The Mirror. I mentioned in a Horace strip that someone's "hat was squint". I had no idea that "squint" is a Scottish word. It means "crooked" or "not straight". To be honest, I'm surprised this kind of thing doesn't happen more often.

It's definitely not a Scottish word, Roger. Sam knew what it meant instantly, and it's in dictionary.com with no mention of a regional or dialectical origin. I can only imagine the Mirror's cartoon editor is such a perfectionist that he's never come across the word in his daily life before. How odd!

[Diane CBPFC]

I knew what squint meant Roger - it must be related to skiwiffie (however I have no idea how to spell that word).

Nige, why did you email me a photo of a bag of onions?

[The Peepmaster]

I'm familiar with the word "squint" too, Roger, and I'm not Scottish (other than by name).

You, of course, are something of a wordsmith, they being the tools of your trade, so it's tradlient that there would be any words that you were still unfamiliar with.

[lucy]

Sorry Vulch, Nigel who? Don't know the guy

[Vulture]

Sorry Vulch, Nigel who? Don't know the guy

Lucy, I didn't mention Nigel......  Who's he?

[Roger Kettle]

I tried to update you on the "squint" busines last night but, for some reason, I couldn't get into the site. Anyway, the cartoon editor asked around the London office and NOBODY knew what I meant so the word has been substituted with "crooked".

[The Peepmaster]

That's playing it safe, Roger. I suppose it's wise in such a pherpacious situation, with their being the paymasters!

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

I'd say it was being a little over-equiphillibrous myself, but I suppose they know their diasprints.

[Vulture]

<< sigh >>

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

Something hinckling you, Vult?

[Vulture]

Nope!