21 Sep 2024

Mr. Whippy Chippy Dunkaroo

Q. Think back to your middle school lunches or after-school snacks. You’re negotiating trades at the lunch table. You’re dashing en masse to the corner store. Which snacks are worth your hard-earned allowance money? Which snacks – whether available today or not – elicit the most nostalgia? . A. Nostalgia-inducing snacks

18 Sep 2024

Dial A Couplet

Q. Flash nostalgia is a curious thing. Suddenly, out of nowhere, the mind is abuzz: “remember when we used to…” Today’s random nostalgic nudge: the world of ‘Dial A.’  How many of us remember sneaking to the phone as kids to test out the much advertised Dial A services? Dial

16 Sep 2024

Deep Into The Spider-Verse

Q. Well, look who finally made their way Into the Spider-Verse. Wow. I get the nominations and the hype. The use of character, art, music; the seamless melding between comic book and film animation – it’s brilliant. Just how passionate are people about their favourite superheroes? It depends, of course,

13 Sep 2024

A Picture’s Worth A Thousand Bites

Q. New foods can both thrill and terrify when we are travelling. What should we be sure to try? Which foods from which countries are attracting the most attention? . A. Plenty of people neither take photos of their meals nor share their dining experiences on social media. Nevertheless, it

11 Sep 2024

Negroni. A Negroni

Q. The Negroni – another classic drink on James Bond’s ‘shaken not stirred’ list. Its three equal-part ingredients? Gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari. . In this excerpt from Ian Fleming’s 1960 short story Risico, we find 007 meeting with Kristatos. ‘The waiter came. ‘Good evening, sir. Signor Kristatos is at

09 Sep 2024

All Cloaks, Few Daggers

Q. Who knew there were so many words for cloak-like overgarments. What are some lesser-known or historic cloak words? . A. Abolla A thick, woollen cloak worn in Ancient Rome. Artois A loose, long cloak favoured by European women in the 18th Century. Capuchin A cloak with a hood, traditionally

07 Sep 2024

Family Jam Session

Q. If band class battles are any indication, we should all have triangles and glockenspiels in our music nooks. Which instruments are young people most excited to take home and play? . A. In 2022, London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra surveyed 1,000 students from the ages of 6 to 18. Did

04 Sep 2024

Why Is The Bin Still In?!

Q. We gentlefolk – reader, writer – are nothing but a delight. But, what habits do other people find annoying in their partners? . A. Hammonds surveyed 2,000 Brits on the partner habits that rankle the most. Their results? Top ten most annoying habits according to couples i.    Not

03 Sep 2024

Pits, Seeds + Unexpected Bones

Q. What are we supposed to do with fruit pits, seeds, and unexpected little bones when we’re eating out? . A. Perhaps you, too, have had that moment of horror when diner eyes are on you and your teeth crunch into some inedible innard. Now what? It’s hard to resist

31 Aug 2024

Fall Wanderlust

Q. For those lucky enough to avoid the summer rush: which destinations are exciting travellers right now? . A. Get ready Tulum and Cancun, Mexico (with its new international airport), and Mallorca, Spain. So says recent research coming from Expedia, who analyzed hotel and flight searches… . 2024 US. Trending