Wordwizard

There is one associated sense of the word 'spunk' that is missing here; in addition to all those listed above, it also carries the meaning 'semen', which Cassell's Dictionary of Slang tells me dates from the late 19 C and has given rise to a number of other terms such as 'to spunk/spunk off' (ejacul...

Simon's comment about the perceived pun on Bag End and cul-de-sac makes me curious about how 'Bag End' was translated in the French version of The Hobbit.

Evah, this very phrase has already been discussed in http://www.wordwizard.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?t=5080

Speaking as the native of a country whose national drink is beer in all its various forms, I must nevertheless assert that the best stable of beers I know of is made in the USA -- to be precise, by the New Belgium Brewing Company of Fort Collins, Colorado, which happens also to be Ken's home town. I...

Doris, it seems that we are all pretty clueless in relation to the subject of your query. It is possible that you might have better luck either from consulting a history of obstetrics or posing your question in a medical newsgroup. Alternatively, you could try sending an email to a few UK medical sc...

You are assuming it is a quote, but I suspect that it is merely an ancient idiom whose origins are probably untraceable.

Russ, is this exegetic mode one of your specialities?

In general terms, if a multiple-word phrase is being used as an adjective, as it is here, it may need to be hyphenated: "Take advantage now of this never-to-be-repeated offer!" However, the necessity for the hyphen will depend primarily on whether its use will reduce the ambiguity or ease of reading...

Born (again) to be smiled?

A holy roller in the aisles?

Dale, I think your label for the 'Matrix' characters is accurate. Bob, the reason that there is a genuine market in computer gaming avatars is that it takes such a lot of effort and playing time to create an avatar with the most desirable attributes. The best ones can reputedly fetch hundreds of dol...

Good point, Russ. In the USA 'Chinese fire drill' also has a more specific meaning. It can refer to a prank or stunt in which all the occupants of a car leap out at a red light and get back in, but reoccupy different seats. The aim is to complete the manoeuvre and be ready to roll before the light t...

'Nuff said!

If this guess is wrong, I apologise in advance to McVane, but it's all starting to smell like a hoax assignment.

Yes, but John was referring to the bottles 'rattling through the rollers', not to the wine contained in them.