We re-assembled our winning Pub Quiz team for another go last night, but this time we were not as successful, alas. We came in something like fifth place, out of maybe a dozen teams. Not terrible and embarrassing, but also not victorious.
I was particularly peeved by the question, "What is the only English word that ends in -mt?"
We all racked our brains but all we could come up with was verklemt, which is both misspelled and not English. I told my fellow players, "I bet it's a British past tense that in America would be spelled with an -med." But then I couldn't think what it could possibly be.
Spoiler alert: It's dreamt. So I was correct -- because in my part of the world, we say dreamed, do we not?
I did figure out the only anagram of the word impressive, so I can give myself a pat on the back for that one.
I went ballistic in the library yesterday. Some kids were horsing around and one of them yelled an obscenity -- "What the f*ck?!" -- so I threw the whole group out into the hall. Dave says it's good for them to see the adults get angry, so they know we're emotionally invested -- but I always feel stupid afterwards. The constant need to be a disciplinarian is by far the least pleasant part of my job.
We think we may have a line on a new apartment -- one being vacated by a coworker. I've made a call about it and we're waiting to hear back from the leasing agent. If it works out it would be terrific, because the current occupant also has some not-dreadful furniture that we could buy. Stay tuned!
(Photo: Lordship Lane, Tottenham.)
I like to think of you throwing the rude kids out into the hall. And that pub game sounds fun.
ReplyDeleteI probably would have yelled to the kids, "Get the F**K out of here!" Which would have been wrong, right?
ReplyDeleteI dreamt of houses again last night.
Jeez.
Impressive has just one anagram? Do tell!
ReplyDeleteLordship Lane? Wow.
ReplyDeleteI would hate having to yell at the kids. Sometimes that's the only way to set a boundary.
Yah, being an adult or an authority figure sucks sometimes. Hope the new apartment works out.
ReplyDeleteThose quizzes sound like a great way to spend an evening exercising your brain.
ReplyDeleteI hope the new flat works out!
To me it seems like it's even MORE powerful if you're the one who gets mad at the kids - because I'll bet you come across as really easy-going otherwise. They probably think, "uh oh, we must REALLY be in trouble if he's mad!"
ReplyDeleteElizabeth: These pub quizzes ARE fun, though it's tough when your memory has been somewhat impaired by beer!
ReplyDeleteMs Moon: Yeah, I don't think that's really teaching by example. :)
Angella: Apparently the only anagram of IMPRESSIVE is PERMISSIVE, which is what I came up with!
Reya: I really try NOT to yell, but sometimes they just push too far.
Ellen: It does!
Lynne: Yeah, maybe they help stave off Alzheimers??
Bug: That is exactly my theory. I try not to yell and nag much, because when I do, I want it to MEAN something. I think some librarians nag so often that they become invisible, you know?