Today's Daily Dispatch

UNDER A BARREL

Posted September 12, 2009

The definition of kilderkin was used today, and I believe that
the contributed question had an errant answer.  I have checked
several sources, and the term relates to beer containers in older
Imperial measures of volume.  The correct unit appears to be 18
gallons or a half barrel rather than a half gallon.  Other
conversions are:

1 kilderkin = 2 firkins = 4 pins
2 kilderkins = 1 barrel
3 kilderkins = 1 hogshead
2 hogsheads = 1 butt
2 butts = 1 tun

John Gibson of Springville, AL

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HAD OUR FILK

Posted August 21, 2010

When “filk” came up on the bluffing round today, I got excited as I’ve been a filker for over 30 years. But I take exception to the definition provided. Had it been described merely as “science fiction music,” or used only the last part of the definition as music performed at science fiction events, it would have been a little general, but accurate. However, the primary description given as music in science fiction movies (which led the panelists erroneously toward sound effects) is completely off the mark.

Filk came from folk music tunes for which musicians wrote new lyrics based on science fiction/fantasy themes. It has since evolved to include original songs on those same themes as well as parodies on any theme of interest to the science fiction community (such as cats and computers) and Celtic tunes (particularly seafaring and drinking songs). But the only filk I know of in a film is Leslie Fish’s “Banned from Argo,” which appeared in “Trekkies 2”.

Brooke Smith of Houston, TX

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“Says Sprew!”

Posted July 11, 2010

Last week you gave a word that was defined as the empty parking space in front of your parking space that you can pull forward through as opposed to backing up.  We want to help you establish it in the American lexicon but it may be an uphill battle since we can’t remember what it is.  Maybe we need to get out more…

Juju Cooper of Santa Cruz, CA

The Gang says:  We look forward to your efforts on behalf of ‘sprew’ and hope you can galvanize a nation.  And while you’re at it, put in a plug for ‘bolly’ (a now obsolete word which means covered with bubbles).

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