>I have learned so much about the culture and customs of other parts of the English-speaking world (and other parts as well, for that matter); learned so much about a variety of subjects of which I was totally ignorant and would not have thought to read up.

Me too. I find our cross-cultural discourse quite fascinating and it does tend to revolve around the way a word is used, rather than a strict definition of a word.

If it wanders off into sport or another area which doesn't inspire me, I read in brain-dead mode (I'm good at this). I've never been able to do anagrams, for example, so I leave those threads to the experts (but I do love to marvel at their expertise from a quiet distance, keep going PaulB - you'll get there).

As to puns. If they can't be posted here, then where?