“Claridge’s is a great training ground. One story we do like is that of the young couple who forgot some clothes during one visit and found them at their next visit, laundered and dry-cleaned, hanging in the same wardrobe.”
— Rene Lecler, The 300 Best Hotels in the World (1978)
Oft told story. I usually embellish by saying the couple are of modest means, and don’t return to Claridge’s for some years. As is frequently the case, the story needs no embellishment by me.
Lexicon. Not derived from Ulrika and myself having each lived in LA for decades, but calling out Fawlty Towers, and the relationship between Basil Fawlty and poor Manuel. Thus:
Having watched a fair number of Premier League matches, I just want to say…
…boy, the presenters use the word “quality” a lot.
Bernard: I believe you know each other.
Sir Humphrey: Yes, we did cross swords when the Minister gave me a grilling over the estimates in the Public Accounts Committee.
Hacker: I wouldn’t say that.
Sir Humphrey: You came up with all the questions I hoped nobody would ask.
Hacker: Well, Opposition’s about coming up with awkward questions.
Sir Humphrey: And Government is about not answering them.
Hacker: Well, you answered all mine anyway.
Sir Humphrey: I’m glad you thought so, Minister.
— Yes, Minister, S1E1, “Open Government,” written by Antony Jay & Jonathan Lynn
Lexicon for the final line, which those who know me have oft suffered from. Here’s the bit as performed:
At a pub called The Lincolnshire Poacher, in Nottingham, back in 2016.
