MikeL

This is a joke told by Red Skelton, when he met Margaret Thatcher, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Red Skelton: I turned to Margaret Thatcher and said, "Ain't this beautiful?" and she replied, "Not ain't, isn't. Don't you know the Queen's English?" Red replied, "I heard she was, yes."

Scallies? Scousers?

I know it's good to read a story in one's own dialect. I've read a couple of chapters and have a bit of trouble with the dialogue. I can usually figure out what a word is based on context. I'm curious to know what the dialect is. I don't know if it's Cockney or hackney or just slang. I do know it's not the received standard or received pronunciation. Would appreciate one of the UK members enlightening us.

Disposal mechanism

Happy Birthday, Michael!

Tim, do you drive from Texas to Oklahoma to do your Christmas shopping?

Not authorized

Happy Birthday, Steve!

Who dat?

It is I...the newest member of C James's team. There are two things that I need to say at the outset. 1. I am pleased to be working with one of the best authors at GA and I thank him for the kind things he said about this humble amphibian on his team page. The other frogs are green with envy. 2. I hereby disclaim all responsibility for any cliffhangers which are found in C James stories past or future. As the author himself acknowledges on the team page, "Although the writing is very much a team effort, as the author I'm in effect the manager of the team. I'm the one who decides if something is in or out, and I decide when a chapter is ready to post."

My best wishes for your friend. I hope he will be found free of cancer or will, at the very least, not require treatment. From personal experience, I can tell you the whole process can be long and unsettling for those diagnosed with the disease.

The current issue of the National Cancer Institute Bulletin contains a report on the recent discovery of a previously unknown virus which appears to have a link to the most aggressive forms of prostate cancer. Early studies indicate that the xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV) clones itself and positions itself next to the growth promoting gene of each cell in a tumor. This indicates that some forms of the cancer may be caused by the infection of a single cell. If the virus is found to be transmitted from person to person by seminal and cervical fluids, the best prevention method may safe sex practices. It will be some time before studies are complete and it is known for sure if XMRV causes, or is a marker for, prostate cancer. If it does, a simple blood test could be the first that would identify aggressive cancers which require treatment. Unnecessary treatment of less aggressive cancers may then be avoided.

My, how times have changed! I don't understand the hesitation some have expressed in exposing their bodies to other men in certain situations that, as a matter of convenience, would call for it...namely in locker rooms and communal showers. Is the younger generation a bunch of prudes? All through high school and college, we were all exposed in the locker room and showers after PE classes. The same was true in basic training and Officer Candidate School in the Army. As the saying goes, "There's nothing private about a private." Or a private's privates for that matter. None of this ever bothered me because of my early training. I learned to swim at my local YMCA. Not only did we use a large changing room and a communal shower room, we swam in the nude. That's right...no swim trunks, just skinny dipping. The Y was all male then and swimming suits were not permitted. Men and boys of all ages were in the natatorium (how appropriate a word is that?) at the same time. I lost my inhibitions early.

Research laboratory

Files recovered

Jelly belly

Walk wobbly

Bread pudding

Lipreaders pet

Change daily

Happy Birthday, Tom! Tanjoubi omedetou!

Matty, when I was your age, being a young adult meant military service. I can tell you now, don't feel like you're being cheated by not having to serve. I made the most of my three years active duty, but I can't recommend it to you as something to consider.

Prereleased

Parted ways

Shielded ape