Wednesday, October 30, 2013 Game Recap & Discussion [SPOILERS]

[El Jefe]

Would "spade" be acceptable for "trowel"? The clue's pretty generic -- "...is a hand one of these shovel-like tools used for planting and weeding".

I said "spade" as well and negged it, but am wondering too if it'd be acceptable.

1) HAND TROWEL is a thing; HAND SPADE is not.
2) spades usually have long handles and are not really practical for weeding
3) the flatter, squarish blade means it's not great for planting, either
4) spades' primary uses are digging and spreading soil

It might be a generic clue for those who don't garden much (10 years here, 50+ crops) but side by side for the uses mentioned, the no-contest winner is the trowel. I daresay you *could* plant using a spade in the same way you might use a steak knife as a bladed screwdriver (yes, a spade does not even rise to the butter knife comparison).

Interestingly, TIL what is found on most fancy clocks are SPADE HANDS.

Jeffrey

[BigDaddyJ]

I thought the same phrase was the TOM as well, but it made me think of the common (from my experience) expression "the onus is on you ..."

Ah, of course! That makes quite a bit more sense than what I wrote. Thanks!

[bpmod]

Once again, the clue writers managed to get the facts of the Borden family tragedy wrong. The murder weapon was never found. The killer most likely took it with him. The axe found in the cellar could not have done the damage that was inflicted on the victims, what with no handle and all.

Actually, Brian, the clue reads

On Aug. 4, 1892 the parents of this Mass. woman were found dead; the suspected weapon was an axe in the basement

This is completely appropriate because SUSPECTED does not mean PROVED, PLAUSIBLE, or even necessarily POSSIBLE. It reflects the prosecution's theory of the crime (if that!) which was evaluated to be insufficient by the jury (hence the acquittal). You don't even need to involve the relatively primitive state of 1892 forensics since even in current cases, weapons are suspected and (hopefully before trial) found not to be the crime implements.

Also does your 'once again' mean you have a beef with AFAIK-next-most-recent Borden clue from 1/10/13?

This accused ax murderess was back in the news in 2012 after her lawyer's original journals were discovered

Jeffrey

OK. I don't think I have ever seen anything IMPOSSIBLE referred to as SUSPECTED, but if that is the definition, I will concede that there was nothing wrong with the clue. I have a problem, I guess, less with the clue, than with the investigators who would even consider that an axe with no handle could do that kind of damage.

I don't see anything wrong with the other clue you have referenced either. Maybe I misread them when they come up, but I always seem to get the idea that they are assuming Lizzie guilty in spite of her acquittal, a la OJ Simpson. The former acquittal happened because there was not a shred of evidence against her (other than her being present on the property at the time), while the latter was, well, most people are smart enough to know that a famous person can get away with all sorts of things due to there not being available any impartial jurors, judges, etc.

Brian

[jeff6286]

So I guess what El Jefe is saying is that you can call a spade a spade, just don't call it a trowel.

[alietr]

It's about time to throw in the trowel on this hole discussion.

[Rex Kramer]

Don't push your puns too far, alietr; one bad shove'll make everyone groan. Dig?

Rex

[harrumph]

What is a hoe?

[seaborgium]

Also, Veronica is the the latinized form of Berenice, which means she who brings victory in Greek.

I'd heard "Veronica" meant "true image," like what Veronica got after she wiped Jesus' face.

[Vanya]

So I guess what El Jefe is saying is that you can call a spade a spade, just don't call it a trowel.

Or call it a f***in' shovel.

[alietr]

Also, Veronica is the the latinized form of Berenice, which means she who brings victory in Greek.

I'd heard "Veronica" meant "true image," like what Veronica got after she wiped Jesus' face.

Veronica would've been a good name for a Polaroid camera.

[Rex Kramer]

Also, Veronica is the the latinized form of Berenice, which means she who brings victory in Greek.

I'd heard "Veronica" meant "true image," like what Veronica got after she wiped Jesus' face.

Veronica would've been a good name for a Polaroid camera.

Or better yet, the Konica Veronica.

Rex

[seaborgium]

Veronikon? Veronicanon? Veronleica?

[bpmod]

Veronica would've been a good name for a Polaroid camera.

Or better yet, the Konica Veronica.

Rex

I was thinking Bronica Veronica.

Brian

[TomKBaltimoreBoy]

Veronikon? Veronicanon? Veronleica?

They call it a name that they never get right; and if they don't, then nobody else will [apologies to Elvis Costello]

[econgator]

Veronikon? Veronicanon? Veronleica?

And its instruction manual, the Necveronicacon.

[opusthepenguin]

I can't help it, it's vacillation season.

There's a shot for that - the vacillation vaccination.

The hardest part is deciding to get one.

[opusthepenguin]

Whereas in high school, and now, I was over 6 feet, skinny, and everyone said I should be on the basketball team. People forget that just because you can (or look like you can) play sports, doesn't mean you automatically should, as I had neither the aptitude nor the interest.

I hope you at least knew the correct response when people asked you if you played basketball.

Spoiler

"Why, no. Do you play miniature golf?"

[OrangeSAM]

I can't help it, it's vacillation season.

There's a shot for that - the vacillation vaccination.

The hardest part is deciding to get one.

"Indecision may or may not be my problem."