All clear in the name games

Given that we are in the advanced stages of lockdown fatigue it was to be expected that attention would turn again to the perennial Column 8 favourite of nominative determinism (C8). Before it goes any further,yes,the gloriously named Serena Lillywhite,CEO of Transparency International Australia,is clearly one of the best examples of nominative determinism ever recorded. Thank you to all the readers who remind us of this every time her name appears in the news.

To augment the billy can detail (C8) provided by citizen Ward,Toby Tyler of Metford advises that “safe camping should include surety regarding handle integrity. This is to safeguard against failure when boiling-hot can of tea is swung over the head to hasten separation of the tea leaves.”

Donald Hawes of Peel adds a correction. “There is no ‘raw steel’ surface on a billy can (C8),it is tin-plated. The tin physically protects the underlying steel from reaction with liquids. Once the tin surface is pierced,the unprotected steel rusts like billy-o.”

Russell Hill from Hobart remembers “being asked if he knew the difference between a dozen eggs (C8) and an elephant. Unable to answer this query,his mother said that she would never send him to the shops for eggs as he may come home with an elephant.”

A resounding “Nooooo!” from Heather Lindsay of Woonona to Dick Barker’s chaotic prune (C8) suggestion. “Don’t do it Hugh Barrett! Put five,put two,but never four. With all seeded foods four is bad luck.”

No “gifts” in this embarrassment of riches. Paul Hunt of Engadine proudly admits to having purchased the wry-titled albums (C8) that adorn his collection. “Dinner Music for People Who Aren’t Very Hungryby Spike Jones and his city slickers,The Stripper and Other Fun Songs for the Family by big-band leader David Rose and his orchestra,andAlfred Hitchcock presentsMusic to be Murdered by.”

Bob Phillips of Cabarita sees due diligence with the bank’s “whistler” notation (C8). “After all,he might well have morphed into a ‘whistle-blower’. On another note,as it were,I have always admired the ability to put two fingers in the mouth and emit a whistle that could curdle milk.”

“Growing up in England my lovely mother always told me never to whistle (C8) because it was ‘common’,” laments Jean Stiller of Bowral. “I took her advice and to this day,no matter how hard I try,I am unable to whistle.”

Column8@smh.com.au

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