Same mag "OpinionFeedback":You don't need to be a rocket scientist to realize it's dangerous to leave pressuriezed spray cans inside a car sitting in the hot sun. The danger was experimentally confirmed recently by someone who left a can of novelty "Wacky String" in a car in a southern California parking lot.
The sun heated the can until it exploded, propelling it through the windshield so that it bounced off an adjoining building and landed on the ground beside the car, strewing the car with glass fragments. Fortunately nobody was hurt, although the car's owner probably took some stick for his negligence. He was parked at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena.

Surely this doesn't mean he was sodomized with a nightstick?

You're right, it doesn't. Anywhere but LA.

Dear CK: nightstick sodomization is NYPD specialty. Here in LA, they are very much more civilized. They shoot to kill instead.

Here in LA, they are very much more civilized. They shoot to kill instead.

Hmm, yeah, here in Cinci too.

well some random violence aside, NYPD is actually pretty good. we just had the world economic forum here.. and while there were some arrests. and some street closing (there were fewer streets closed for the forum then were closed today when W came to visit.) there was not large scale protestor/police mahem.

now it could be, NY attracts a better class of protester.. or just that we are better at dealing with them..

in any case, no water hose, or teargas, or other stuff.. and only 150 arrests.

NYPD like a PD's has some bad apples.. but by and large, cops are not hated and feared in NY-- and shoot to kill incidents when the occur are big deals.. because they are rare.

What NYers really hate (instead of the police) are meter maids. and parking enforcement.. parking in the wrong place at the wrong time can quickly become a $278 error! and to resolve it takes hours, and cash only, please, no checks or credit cards..

Nope! It's actually terribly innocent. 'stick' in this context just means trouble in a joking way. Some friends probably took the piss out of him/gave him grief for being so stupid - as he worked at the jet propulsion lab he should have known better.

I've just realised while writing this how hard it is to explain 'stick' without resorting to even more Brit slang. So if none of that makes any sense, apologies in advance! At least it'll give all those US'ns another opportunity to say how odd our English is ;-)

My definition was going to be something like "stick aka niggle aka good-natured ribbing".

Ribbing?!? Anone?

Oooh, ribbing - good word - haven't heard that one in a *long time. Quite a 'Just William' kind of word.

I'd have missed out 'niggle' though, as I'd read that as something that was mildly annoying, as in:
it had been niggling him all day that he couldn't remember the word for....

Dear rkay: I just sent you PM thanking you for useful information. Now you put me back behind the eight ball. What is meaning of "Just William" signed: William Woodbridge Hunt ( please don't call me willie wanker)

Just William - the first in a series of children's books by Richmal Crompton. I think they first apppeared in the 1920's, but continue to be popular today.

The following is courtesy of Amazon:
Book Description
"There is only one William. This tousle-headed, snub-nosed, hearty, loveable imp of mischief has been harassing his unfortunate family for over 20 years. He's as famous over radio as he is in print. His name is a byword for irrepressible boyhood. His pranks are the scrapes of every healthy youngster, recorded with keen observation and an even keener sense of humour by one of our brightest writers. He is-- just William!" --From the jacket of an edition from the 1940s.

I'd have missed out 'niggle' though, as I'd read that as something that was mildly annoying...

Maybe I was thinking needling, although the stick would eventually be mildly annoying.

Caution - rude

William Woodbridge Hunt (please don't call me willie wanker)

Just be thankful you were not named Michael.

Dear doc_comfort: A very pretty nurse of Irish descent and I were pretending romance. She said: "We'll call our first son Michael." "Dottie," I said, "the engagement is broken." "Why?" she asked. I said:"Say it fast." About ten seconds later she belted me a good one.

He is-- just William!"

Sounds just like Denis the Menace.

Yup. They treat you like a King.

I've just realised while writing this how hard it is to explain 'stick' without resorting to even more Brit slang. So if none of that makes any sense, apologies in advance! At least it'll give all those US'ns another opportunity to say how odd our English is ;-)

When I was in NY last December I tried to see the Producers on Broadway but ended up going to see Ask Jeeves instead Well, you try getting cancellations. Knowing the stories of P.G. Wodehouse well, I was in fits of laughter all of the way through but found that I was almost alone. Looking around there were looks of bafflement on most of the patrons' faces. They were obviously confused by all of the '20s Brit slang and upper-class behaviour, something which I take for granted. I was even more surprised to see so many leave during the interval.

Do the USn's really have a problem with European slang?? We're inundated with US and Oz TV shows so we have no problem understanding you.

Do the USn's really have a problem with European slang??

i do for one.. when i read Wodehouse, i didn't like it at all.. i didn't get any of the jokes.. its was dull, boring and stupid.

later, there was a bbc series broadcast here (PBS, again) and i watch them. Now, i could see they were funny.. but some of the stuff--especially the golf jokes--(just why are niblic's funny?) made no sense. it was a while before i even figured out a niblic was a nickname for some sort of golf club.

I think it's just the sound of niblic (a combination of nibble and lick?) that's funny. I know it's something to do with golf but that's as far as my knowledge goes. I have seen a couple of the TV version of Jeeves, and didn't find them particularly funny, but in the books there's usually at least one scene that will leave me curled up gasping for breath.

Bingley

We'll call our first son Michael."
It took Dottie 10 seconds to pick up on the slight, Doc. But, 10 minutes later, I still don't get it. Do u need an Irish accent to pick up on this? Pls. explain, Doc.

Last name: Hunt. Common shortening of Michael: Mike. Put it together, then say it first slow, then fast. You'll see.

Plutarch! Wonderful to see you back! [delight e] Thanks, F-babe, I couldn't figure that one out, either.

Jackie and Plutarch, welcome to my gutter.