Yesterday: "You look like a man who'd have a large wrench."

"No, I don't, but I do have a large spanner."

On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 09:21:46 +0100, John Armstrong <jja@blueyonder.co.uk>
scrawled in the dust...

>Yesterday: "You look like a man who'd have a large wrench."
>
>"No, I don't, but I do have a large spanner."

I thought a wrench was adjustable, whereas if requiring a spanner you'd
need to specify the size more precisely.
--
Penny
Annoyed by The Archers since 1959

John Armstrong <jja@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:
> Yesterday: "You look like a man who'd have a large wrench."
>
> "No, I don't, but I do have a large spanner."
>

I have a number of spanners and also have a wrench.

--
Toodle Pip, Mike McMillan

On 19/10/2022 09:21, John Armstrong wrote:
> Yesterday: "You look like a man who'd have a large wrench."
>
> "No, I don't, but I do have a large spanner."

Don't know how Usians view these things, but to me a spanner and a
wrench are two different things.
--
Jenny M Benson
Wrexham, UK

Mike McMillan <toodle.pip1@virginmedia.com> wrote:
> John Armstrong <jja@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:
>> Yesterday: "You look like a man who'd have a large wrench."
>>
>> "No, I don't, but I do have a large spanner."
>>
>
> I have a number of spanners and also have a wrench.
>

Thinking about it, I have several wrenches, the smallest of which is only
about three inches in length and about an eighth of an inch thick - hardly
the sort of thing used in a farm or vehicle workshop - more for delicate
devices used in an electrical environment.

--
Toodle Pip, Mike McMillan

On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 09:21:46 +0100, John Armstrong
<jja@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:

>Yesterday: "You look like a man who'd have a large wrench."
>
>"No, I don't, but I do have a large spanner."

You are right, of course, John. And I'm a bit fed up with British
politicians who are forever "stepping up to the plate" - although none
of them are these days - they can't even get their forecasts into the
same ballpark most of the time.

Nick

On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 11:39:07 +0100, Nick Odell
<nick@themusicworkshop.plus.com> scrawled in the dust...

>I'm a bit fed up with British
>politicians who are forever "stepping up to the plate" - although none
>of them are these days - they can't even get their forecasts into the
>same ballpark most of the time.

What is the correct British metaphorical measure for such things? Olympic
swimming pool, cricket pitch or London bus?

--
Penny
Annoyed by The Archers since 1959

On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 12:24:57 +0100, Penny <spam@labyrinth.freeuk.com>
wrote:

>On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 11:39:07 +0100, Nick Odell
><nick@themusicworkshop.plus.com> scrawled in the dust...
>
>>I'm a bit fed up with British
>>politicians who are forever "stepping up to the plate" - although none
>>of them are these days - they can't even get their forecasts into the
>>same ballpark most of the time.
>
>What is the correct British metaphorical measure for such things? Olympic
>swimming pool, cricket pitch or London bus?

Definitely not olympic swimming pools: nasty metric things that they
are. But whilst the Americans have similar but different pints,
gallons, miles and the like, I think you are probably safe with
Cricket and Routemasters.

Nick

Penny <spam@labyrinth.freeuk.com> wrote:
> On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 11:39:07 +0100, Nick Odell
> <nick@themusicworkshop.plus.com> scrawled in the dust...
>
>> I'm a bit fed up with British
>> politicians who are forever "stepping up to the plate" - although none
>> of them are these days - they can't even get their forecasts into the
>> same ballpark most of the time.
>
> What is the correct British metaphorical measure for such things? Olympic
> swimming pool, cricket pitch or London bus?
>

The area of nn unfolded tory PM voting papers?

--
Toodle Pip, Mike McMillan

On 19/10/2022 10:25, Jenny M Benson wrote:
> On 19/10/2022 09:21, John Armstrong wrote:
>> Yesterday: "You look like a man who'd have a large wrench."
>>
>> "No, I don't, but I do have a large spanner."
>
> Don't know how Usians view these things, but to me a spanner and a
> wrench are two different things.

I have a number of spanners, a self adjusting wrench and mole grips of
various sizes.

Mike McMillan <toodle.pip1@virginmedia.com> wrote:
> Mike McMillan <toodle.pip1@virginmedia.com> wrote:
>> John Armstrong <jja@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:
>>> Yesterday: "You look like a man who'd have a large wrench."
>>>
>>> "No, I don't, but I do have a large spanner."
>>>
>>
>> I have a number of spanners and also have a wrench.
>>
>
> Thinking about it, I have several wrenches, the smallest of which is only
> about three inches in length and about an eighth of an inch thick - hardly
> the sort of thing used in a farm or vehicle workshop - more for delicate
> devices used in an electrical environment.
>

A man who has a tool for almost every job within his capability. :)

Chris <chris.mcmillan@ntlworld.com> wrote:
> Mike McMillan <toodle.pip1@virginmedia.com> wrote:
>> Mike McMillan <toodle.pip1@virginmedia.com> wrote:
>>> John Armstrong <jja@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:
>>>> Yesterday: "You look like a man who'd have a large wrench."
>>>>
>>>> "No, I don't, but I do have a large spanner."
>>>>
>>>
>>> I have a number of spanners and also have a wrench.
>>>
>>
>> Thinking about it, I have several wrenches, the smallest of which is only
>> about three inches in length and about an eighth of an inch thick - hardly
>> the sort of thing used in a farm or vehicle workshop - more for delicate
>> devices used in an electrical environment.
>>
>
> A man who has a tool for almost every job within his capability. :)
>
>

On a number of occasions in the last few years, I have found that many a
contractor who has been here to carry out a job has ended up borrowing one
or other tools to complete their task more easily.

--
Toodle Pip, Mike McMillan

Mike McMillan <toodle.pip1@virginmedia.com> wrote:
> Chris <chris.mcmillan@ntlworld.com> wrote:
>> Mike McMillan <toodle.pip1@virginmedia.com> wrote:
>>> Mike McMillan <toodle.pip1@virginmedia.com> wrote:
>>>> John Armstrong <jja@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>> Yesterday: "You look like a man who'd have a large wrench."
>>>>>
>>>>> "No, I don't, but I do have a large spanner."
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I have a number of spanners and also have a wrench.
>>>>
>>>
>>> Thinking about it, I have several wrenches, the smallest of which is only
>>> about three inches in length and about an eighth of an inch thick - hardly
>>> the sort of thing used in a farm or vehicle workshop - more for delicate
>>> devices used in an electrical environment.
>>>
>>
>> A man who has a tool for almost every job within his capability. :)
>>
>>
>
> On a number of occasions in the last few years, I have found that many a
> contractor who has been here to carry out a job has ended up borrowing one
> or other tools to complete their task more easily.
>

To the extent that a few months back I had an electrician installing the
armoured cable for my solar pv panels that were routed through the
workshop, envying (almost lusting after) my workshop environment as he
really would have liked such a facility of his own!

--
Toodle Pip, Mike McMillan

On 19/10/2022 12:24, Penny wrote:
> On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 11:39:07 +0100, Nick Odell
> <nick@themusicworkshop.plus.com> scrawled in the dust...
>
>> I'm a bit fed up with British
>> politicians who are forever "stepping up to the plate" - although none
>> of them are these days - they can't even get their forecasts into the
>> same ballpark most of the time.
>
> What is the correct British metaphorical measure for such things? Olympic
> swimming pool, cricket pitch or London bus?

They don't seem to be able to get all their forecasts into an area the
size of Wales at the moment.

--
Sid
(Make sure Matron is away when you reply)

On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 13:55:45 +0100, Nick Odell
<nick@themusicworkshop.plus.com> scrawled in the dust...

>On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 12:24:57 +0100, Penny <spam@labyrinth.freeuk.com>
>wrote:
>
>>On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 11:39:07 +0100, Nick Odell
>><nick@themusicworkshop.plus.com> scrawled in the dust...
>>
>>>I'm a bit fed up with British
>>>politicians who are forever "stepping up to the plate" - although none
>>>of them are these days - they can't even get their forecasts into the
>>>same ballpark most of the time.
>>
>>What is the correct British metaphorical measure for such things? Olympic
>>swimming pool, cricket pitch or London bus?
>
>Definitely not olympic swimming pools: nasty metric things that they
>are. But whilst the Americans have similar but different pints,
>gallons, miles and the like, I think you are probably safe with
>Cricket and Routemasters.

So they should be stepping up to the crease and batting on the same pitch
then.

--
Penny
Annoyed by The Archers since 1959

On 19-Oct-22 16:22, steve hague wrote:
> On 19/10/2022 10:25, Jenny M Benson wrote:
>> On 19/10/2022 09:21, John Armstrong wrote:
>>> Yesterday: "You look like a man who'd have a large wrench."
>>>
>>> "No, I don't, but I do have a large spanner."
>>
>> Don't know how Usians view these things, but to me a spanner and a
>> wrench are two different things.
>
> I have a number of spanners, a self adjusting wrench and mole grips of
> various sizes.
>
In my British English, your self adjusting wrench is a form of
adjustable spanner.
I do own an adjustable wrench[1] - my father must have acquired it in
the US in around 1942, so I think it's reasonable to address that one it
in its native tongue.

[1] A tiny little thing, and quite crudely made.

--
Sam Plusnet

On 19-Oct-22 18:05, Sid Nuncius wrote:
> On 19/10/2022 12:24, Penny wrote:
>> On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 11:39:07 +0100, Nick Odell
>> <nick@themusicworkshop.plus.com> scrawled in the dust...
>>
>>> I'm a bit fed up with British
>>> politicians who are forever "stepping up to the plate" - although none
>>> of them are these days - they can't even get their forecasts into the
>>> same ballpark most of the time.
>>
>> What is the correct British metaphorical measure for such things? Olympic
>> swimming pool, cricket pitch or London bus?
>
> They don't seem to be able to get all their forecasts into an area the
> size of Wales at the moment.
>
I wish Wales could stand entirely outside the current mess, but alas...

--
Sam Plusnet

On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 16:15:00 -0000 (UTC), Chris
<chris.mcmillan@ntlworld.com> wrote:

>Mike McMillan <toodle.pip1@virginmedia.com> wrote:
>> Mike McMillan <toodle.pip1@virginmedia.com> wrote:
>>> John Armstrong <jja@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:
>>>> Yesterday: "You look like a man who'd have a large wrench."
>>>>
>>>> "No, I don't, but I do have a large spanner."
>>>>
>>>
>>> I have a number of spanners and also have a wrench.
>>>
>>
>> Thinking about it, I have several wrenches, the smallest of which is only
>> about three inches in length and about an eighth of an inch thick - hardly
>> the sort of thing used in a farm or vehicle workshop - more for delicate
>> devices used in an electrical environment.
>>
>
>A man who has a tool for almost every job within his capability. :)

Whereas I even have tools for jobs which are beyond my capability.

Nick

On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 18:52:52 +0100, Penny <spam@labyrinth.freeuk.com>
wrote:

>On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 13:55:45 +0100, Nick Odell
><nick@themusicworkshop.plus.com> scrawled in the dust...
>
>>On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 12:24:57 +0100, Penny <spam@labyrinth.freeuk.com>
>>wrote:
>>
>>>On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 11:39:07 +0100, Nick Odell
>>><nick@themusicworkshop.plus.com> scrawled in the dust...
>>>
>>>>I'm a bit fed up with British
>>>>politicians who are forever "stepping up to the plate" - although none
>>>>of them are these days - they can't even get their forecasts into the
>>>>same ballpark most of the time.
>>>
>>>What is the correct British metaphorical measure for such things? Olympic
>>>swimming pool, cricket pitch or London bus?
>>
>>Definitely not olympic swimming pools: nasty metric things that they
>>are. But whilst the Americans have similar but different pints,
>>gallons, miles and the like, I think you are probably safe with
>>Cricket and Routemasters.
>
>So they should be stepping up to the crease and batting on the same pitch
>then.

I think "batting for the other side" has already been allocated.

Nick

On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 21:29:07 +0100, Nick Odell <nickodell49@yahoo.ca>
scrawled in the dust...

>On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 16:15:00 -0000 (UTC), Chris
><chris.mcmillan@ntlworld.com> wrote:
>
>>Mike McMillan <toodle.pip1@virginmedia.com> wrote:
>>> Mike McMillan <toodle.pip1@virginmedia.com> wrote:
>>>> John Armstrong <jja@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>> Yesterday: "You look like a man who'd have a large wrench."
>>>>>
>>>>> "No, I don't, but I do have a large spanner."
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I have a number of spanners and also have a wrench.
>>>>
>>>
>>> Thinking about it, I have several wrenches, the smallest of which is only
>>> about three inches in length and about an eighth of an inch thick - hardly
>>> the sort of thing used in a farm or vehicle workshop - more for delicate
>>> devices used in an electrical environment.
>>>
>>
>>A man who has a tool for almost every job within his capability. :)
>
>Whereas I even have tools for jobs which are beyond my capability.

Doesn't everyone?

An old friend of Ray's (who definitely had tools for jobs beyond his
capability, judging by the state of his house) explained that he remembered
as a young man wishing he owned all the tools he needed to do the jobs he
wanted to do. The trouble was, once he'd reached that point, his urge to do
the jobs had left him. His shed was literally full of tools, in such
disarray I don't suppose he could have found the one he needed anyway.
--
Penny
Annoyed by The Archers since 1959

On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 19:25:57 +0100, Sam Plusnet <not@home.com> scrawled in
the dust...

>In my British English, your self adjusting wrench is a form of
>adjustable spanner.
>I do own an adjustable wrench[1] - my father must have acquired it in
>the US in around 1942, so I think it's reasonable to address that one it
>in its native tongue.
>
>[1] A tiny little thing, and quite crudely made.

Hm, I have two pipe wrenches (identical), two monkey wrenches (different
sizes), several mole grips of various shapes and sizes, and at least three
'sets' of spanners, as well as a few odd ones, including a couple of
adjustable ones and a ratchet version. In theory this means I should have a
set for the house and another for the shed, but it never seems to work that
way.
--
Penny
Annoyed by The Archers since 1959

On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 21:32:30 +0100, Nick Odell <nickodell49@yahoo.ca>
scrawled in the dust...

>On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 18:52:52 +0100, Penny <spam@labyrinth.freeuk.com>
>wrote:
>
>>On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 13:55:45 +0100, Nick Odell
>><nick@themusicworkshop.plus.com> scrawled in the dust...
>>
>>>On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 12:24:57 +0100, Penny <spam@labyrinth.freeuk.com>
>>>wrote:
>>>
>>>>On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 11:39:07 +0100, Nick Odell
>>>><nick@themusicworkshop.plus.com> scrawled in the dust...
>>>>
>>>>>I'm a bit fed up with British
>>>>>politicians who are forever "stepping up to the plate" - although none
>>>>>of them are these days - they can't even get their forecasts into the
>>>>>same ballpark most of the time.
>>>>
>>>>What is the correct British metaphorical measure for such things? Olympic
>>>>swimming pool, cricket pitch or London bus?
>>>
>>>Definitely not olympic swimming pools: nasty metric things that they
>>>are. But whilst the Americans have similar but different pints,
>>>gallons, miles and the like, I think you are probably safe with
>>>Cricket and Routemasters.
>>
>>So they should be stepping up to the crease and batting on the same pitch
>>then.
>
>I think "batting for the other side" has already been allocated.

Things might go better in the government if they could all agree what game
they are playing...
--
Penny
Annoyed by The Archers since 1959

On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 19:29:46 +0100, Sam Plusnet <not@home.com> scrawled in
the dust...

>On 19-Oct-22 18:05, Sid Nuncius wrote:
>> On 19/10/2022 12:24, Penny wrote:
>>> On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 11:39:07 +0100, Nick Odell
>>> <nick@themusicworkshop.plus.com> scrawled in the dust...
>>>
>>>> I'm a bit fed up with British
>>>> politicians who are forever "stepping up to the plate" - although none
>>>> of them are these days - they can't even get their forecasts into the
>>>> same ballpark most of the time.
>>>
>>> What is the correct British metaphorical measure for such things? Olympic
>>> swimming pool, cricket pitch or London bus?
>>
>> They don't seem to be able to get all their forecasts into an area the
>> size of Wales at the moment.
>>
>I wish Wales could stand entirely outside the current mess, but alas...

Perhaps Jasper Fforde could take control with his People's Republic of
Wales and the black market in cheese (and water?).
--
Penny
Annoyed by The Archers since 1959

Penny <spam@labyrinth.freeuk.com> wrote:
> On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 21:32:30 +0100, Nick Odell <nickodell49@yahoo.ca>
> scrawled in the dust...
>
>> On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 18:52:52 +0100, Penny <spam@labyrinth.freeuk.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 13:55:45 +0100, Nick Odell
>>> <nick@themusicworkshop.plus.com> scrawled in the dust...
>>>
>>>> On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 12:24:57 +0100, Penny <spam@labyrinth.freeuk.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 11:39:07 +0100, Nick Odell
>>>>> <nick@themusicworkshop.plus.com> scrawled in the dust...
>>>>>
>>>>>> I'm a bit fed up with British
>>>>>> politicians who are forever "stepping up to the plate" - although none
>>>>>> of them are these days - they can't even get their forecasts into the
>>>>>> same ballpark most of the time.
>>>>>
>>>>> What is the correct British metaphorical measure for such things? Olympic
>>>>> swimming pool, cricket pitch or London bus?
>>>>
>>>> Definitely not olympic swimming pools: nasty metric things that they
>>>> are. But whilst the Americans have similar but different pints,
>>>> gallons, miles and the like, I think you are probably safe with
>>>> Cricket and Routemasters.
>>>
>>> So they should be stepping up to the crease and batting on the same pitch
>>> then.
>>
>> I think "batting for the other side" has already been allocated.
>
> Things might go better in the government if they could all agree what game
> they are playing...

Musical Chairs, isn't it?

--
Linda ff

On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 23:40:44 +0100, Penny <spam@labyrinth.freeuk.com>
wrote:

>On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 21:29:07 +0100, Nick Odell <nickodell49@yahoo.ca>
>scrawled in the dust...
>
>>On Wed, 19 Oct 2022 16:15:00 -0000 (UTC), Chris
>><chris.mcmillan@ntlworld.com> wrote:
>>
>>>Mike McMillan <toodle.pip1@virginmedia.com> wrote:
>>>> Mike McMillan <toodle.pip1@virginmedia.com> wrote:
>>>>> John Armstrong <jja@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>>> Yesterday: "You look like a man who'd have a large wrench."
>>>>>>
>>>>>> "No, I don't, but I do have a large spanner."
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> I have a number of spanners and also have a wrench.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Thinking about it, I have several wrenches, the smallest of which is only
>>>> about three inches in length and about an eighth of an inch thick - hardly
>>>> the sort of thing used in a farm or vehicle workshop - more for delicate
>>>> devices used in an electrical environment.
>>>>
>>>
>>>A man who has a tool for almost every job within his capability. :)
>>
>>Whereas I even have tools for jobs which are beyond my capability.
>
>Doesn't everyone?
>
>An old friend of Ray's (who definitely had tools for jobs beyond his
>capability, judging by the state of his house) explained that he remembered
>as a young man wishing he owned all the tools he needed to do the jobs he
>wanted to do. The trouble was, once he'd reached that point, his urge to do
>the jobs had left him. His shed was literally full of tools, in such
>disarray I don't suppose he could have found the one he needed anyway.

Ah. A bit like me then. Mind you, I have a pretty good idea where
everything is: I just can't easily reach the things without pulling
mountains of instrument parts, tools and timber out of the way first.

Nick