Oh, c'mon Padre ... curling is a time-honoured sport, much older than American football or even (dare I say it) ice hockey. It was first developed in Scotland. It has very definite rules and, yes, all of the intended audience (which doesn't include USns) would have known them. Feel inferior if you like. It won't suprise us!

And, funnily enough, England are currently the Olympic champions. Well, four Scots lasses won it, but England are claiming it, natch. No point in being an imperialist without being imperious.

It has lots of things going for it. First there is the cold, bracing air of a frozen pond in deepest winter (for non-competition games, of course). Then there's the opportunity to have your hand stick to a frozen stone's handle. But, first and foremost (and last), there's the opportunity and perfect, inalienable, excuse which it presents to guzzle whiskey like it was going out of fashion.

Personally, I'm all for curling!