ShortcutsDonald TrumpThe northern put down, which enjoyed popularity in the 90s, made an appearance in parliament this week with regards to the Republican hopeful. But what are the term’s origins, and what does it really mean? Donald Trump will be familiar with most abuse but the latest – “wazzock” – might leave him flummoxed. Northern slang for a stupid or annoying chump, wazzock had its moment in the corridors of power on Monday, when Conservative MP Victoria Atkins told the Westminster Hall debate over whether the Republican presidential candidate should be barred from Britain: “If he met one or two of my constituents in one of the many excellent pubs in my constituency, then they may well tell him he is a wazzock for dealing with this issue in this way. Read More...
Weird worldIndonesia holidaysMeant to be a dove, but looking more like a hen, one man’s vision of a temple for all faiths has enjoyed an unlikely resurrection
Who hasn’t at some time in their life dreamed of building a secret underground temple, a giant golden llama or a monument to Shirley Bassey made entirely of Nobby’s Nuts? Such singular visions, however, remain unbuilt without the necessary ingredients of money, monomania and several hundred spare weekends. Read More...
TelevisionThe teen actor from Rotherhithe on playing a young Burke, winning awards and joining Call The Midwife"God, you know what kids are like these days." Without the slightest touch of irony, Ami Metcalf, 18, throws a conspiratorial eyeroll. Saving a dramatic sigh specially for the supposed excesses of modern youth, Metcalf is sitting in the west London offices of a TV production company, romanticising the appeal of being a teenager some 30 years ago. Read More...