Here you'll find a variety of puzzle themed items and pieces of information to hold your interest. Learn about some of the wonderful words and phrases in our everyday language, find out about the health benefits of crosswords and puzzles, be entertained by Christine's Hello column… and there's much more on offer. The latest submissions appear below. Thanks for dropping by and we hope you enjoy your visit.
A red herring, as a metaphor, is anything used as a distraction to draw attention away from the central issue. It can be intentional or accidental.
A herring that has been dried, salted and smoked turns a reddish colour and these cured fish have a particularly strong smell.
One theory for the origin of the [more…]
The word rickshaw conjures up scenes from the British Raj of English government officials and their ladies being taxied about by two-wheeled carriages pulled by wiry runners.However, the vehicle is thought to have its origins in France.
In 18th century France there was a two-wheeled sedan chair called a brouette, which was pulled along by [more…]
A rookie is someone who is new to a game or occupation.
It is perhaps best known in sporting circles and the military.
But what is a rookie? Rookie is thought simply to be a corruption of the word ‘recruit’. A more interesting theory is found in reference to the European bird, the rook. [more…]
When you indulge in your favourite chocolate or relax in a soothing bubble bath do you think you are in seventh heaven? Well where exactly are you?
Seven is widely considered to be a lucky or ideal number. There were seven days of Creation in the Bible, Seven Pillars of Wisdom, seven loaves (to go [more…]
Shampoo comes from the Hindi word chhampo meaning ‘press’. To shampoo someone was to massage them.
The meaning changed over time and as shampooing was part of the Turkish Bath ritual it changed to mean part of the cleansing process.
To shampoo the hair was to cleanse and massage the scalp. Shampoo still has this meaning [more…]
We had quite a few enquiries about clue 135ac in The Demon of our February BIG Crossword. And we agree this was a devilish clue but we know you expect nothing less of us.
At 129dn Gold leaf needed to be GILT and not GILD and at 124dn Lingered (on) was DWELT, as in [more…]
My wife has a sore hip so she needs me to knead her,
I have a bad back so I need her to knead me,
So, it is needless to say that we both get relief from being needed (kneaded).
Ross La Spina
Bicton, WA
Have you ever wondered why it is thought that impatience leads to undressing?
This exclamation comes from a time before modern manufacturing technology allowed clothes to be mass produced.
A shirt was a much more expensive item than it is today and so if someone were to get into a fight, it made good economic sense [more…]
Could you please settle an argument for me? As I live by myself I always buy the monthly BIG magazine. I send in what I can do each month. My other favourite hobby is Bingo. Sometimes I take my book to Bingo and when we have a break I often ask the ladies some of [more…]
