OneGuyFromBarlick

I didn't think I'd ever need "epicaracy"again, but I find that the news that NCP (National Car Parks) is going bust has brought on a sudden attack.
No idea why - they have never done me any direct harm - just don't like them.

Shouldn't it be spelt epicaricacy? That clever google AI says it's: Epicaricacy (pronounced
ep-ih-kar-IK-uh-see). I wonder if languages other than German and English have a word for it. I'll bet they have one in the US White House!

You're right. I stand corrected. I wondered who would be the first to spot that. © Capt. Mainwairing.

No wonder it has fallen out of use - just too complicated.

I had to look it up David..... I can see why the news about NCP triggered it off!

I tripped over this this morning..... 'castoreum'. I looked it up......
Castoreum is a yellowish, musky, and vanilla-scented secretion from the castor sacs of beavers, located near the base of their tail. It is used as a natural flavouring, often labelled as "natural flavouring" in foods (ice cream, candy) and as a fragrance fixative in perfumes. While FDA-approved, its use in food is now rare.

I came across this phrase recently "Digital Detox" - looks like a good idea. . . .


A digital detox is a planned, temporary break from using electronic devices like smartphones, computers, and social media to reduce stress and improve mental well-being. It involves setting boundaries, such as limiting screen time or going offline completely, to focus on in-person interactions, nature, and self-awareness.

Key Benefits of a Digital Detox
Reduced Stress/Anxiety: Breaks the cycle of "doomscrolling" and constant notifications.
Improved Sleep: Reduces exposure to blue light, allowing the brain to unwind.
Enhanced Focus & Productivity: Boosts energy by removing distractions.
Better Relationships: Increases presence in real-world, in-person interactions.

Tips for a Successful Digital Detox
Start Small: Set specific times, like no phones at the dinner table or during the first hour of waking up.
Designate "No-Phone" Areas: Keep bedrooms and dining areas free of devices.
Use Tools: Activate "Do Not Disturb" or app timers to curb usage.
Replace Screen Time: Engage in hobbies like reading, exercising, or socializing.
Plan a Time Frame: Dedicate a set period, such as a weekend, to go completely off-grid.

When Do You Need One?
Signs you may need a digital detox include feeling stressed or anxious, constantly checking your phone, feeling "FOMO" (fear of missing out) on social media, and experiencing disrupted sleep.

I don't detect any of the signs I need it David. Perhaps one of the actions constituting digital detox should be ignoring advice that you need it.....

My recent stupidity with a sharp knife led me to look this up.....
"Finger stall" originates from late Middle English (circa 1425–1475), composed of "finger" and "stall" (from Old English stæl), meaning a protective sheath or "place" for a finger. It historically referred to a thimble or glove finger. The term "stall" in this context implies a fixed position or a protective covering.

'Mithering' is a word I learned from my mother. How widespread is it? I have always thought of it as Local......

I use the word Withering sometimes, to describe something that is dying.

A search for "mither on this site brings up 29 responses, and all you need to know about mithering.
The I is long, and it doesn't rhyme with wither though.

Stop mithering about it. . . .

I looked in Wiktionary for the etymology and came up with this....
Possibly related to Middle English bemothered (“confused, perplexed”), itself probably related to Old English mēþe (“exhausting, troublesome”), Old Norse móðr (“angry, frustrated”), Middle Dutch moeden (“to tire, exhaust, disturb, trouble”).
Possibly allied to Welsh moedro (“to worry or bother”), though according to the GPC, the latter is borrowed from English.
Alternatively, possibly tied to Welsh meidda (“to beg for whey”), from maidd (“whey”).
Perhaps from Welsh meiddio (“to dare or venture”), a variant of beiddio (“to dare”).

Likewise, stop moithering!

I noted my use of a word in this morning's posts that I had forgotten about.
When I was Open All Hours at Sough and buying bacon from The Vale of Mowbray company at Leeming Bar I learned that the name given to a side of bacon that included the shoulder was called a spencer. The dictionary meaning I found was a short, close-fitting jacket, worn by women and children in the early 19th century. A thin woollen vest, worn by women for extra warmth in winter.

I tripped over 'tracklements' in an old cookery book and had to look it up. I think I have posted this before.... Not a word I have ever used.
a savoury jelly, pickle, or condiment served with cheese or cold meat.

I remembered something my brother told me when he was training at St Thomas's to be a nurse..... How many of you know about the Brompton Cocktail?
See THIS Wikipedia article on it.....

Stanley wrote: ↑30 Apr 2026, 11:13 I remembered something my brother told me when he was training at St Thomas's to be a nurse..... How many of you know about the Brompton Cocktail?
See THIS Wikipedia article on it.....

Sounds wonderful

Leslie told me that when it was administered to a patient they relaxed immediately and lay there with a faint smile on their faces so I think it actually did work. It's so powerful that it is actually a form of euthanasia.
Spuddle.... never come across the word but I recognise people who confuse activity with action!