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re language: perhaps it takes a cruciverbalist to appreciate the oddities.
I've tried Xwords in Latvian & German, and they're rather flat.
English is my 3rd, & my favourite.

Some gems:
http://listverse.com/2007/09/22/20-weird-english-words/

Old story.

A zoo's last mongoose died of old age so administrator wanted to order another. He decided two would be better so that they would have company.

First letter: "Please send 2 mongooses ..."
That didn't look right, so a 2nd attempt:
"Please send 2 mongeese ..."
That sounded worse, so finally:
"Please send a mongoose. Better yet, make it a pair."

Listverse, good one Syzygy.

From the D.M.
THE British winner of yesterday’s Tour de France is not Bradley Wiggins, it has been claimed.
Close examination of the winner revealed him not to be the only cyclist that everyone knows, but another person without sideburns, probably called Paul or Ian.
Father-of-two Roy Hobbs said: “When I saw that Britain had won the Tour de France, I yelled ‘Go on Wiggo!’
“But after a closer look I was like ‘Who the fuck’s that?’
“Fair play to this bloke I suppose, but I can’t help feeling a bit annoyed that I have to make room in my brain for the identity of another professional cyclist, one who even lacks memorable hair.”
Carolyn Ryan, who has an average amount of interest in cycling said: “Without a unique hairstyle he may as well be a giant pair of muscular legs without an upper body.
“Also, Bradley cycled backwards across the finish line in Paris while firing two pistols into the air and yodelling Jerusalem, then bunny-hopped up to the winners’ podium with a line of can-can girls.
“And then he rode through the night all the way back to Britain, arriving moments before the Olympic time trial where he won a gold medal and was joined onstage by The Jam for a killer performance of Going Underground. That’s how I remember it anyway.
“This guy seems like he probably enjoys pedalling more than having exciting fights with greasers on Brighton beach. He’s like Andy Murray, a bit too focused on his sport.
“Still, well done. I suppose.”

What do Paris and Slough have in common?

Is it anything to do with DES POND?

(The only other thing I know about Slough is John Betjeman's request for the "friendly bombs".)

Sorry Chrise - no.

Lutetia was the Roman name for Paris and this means "slough"?

http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/2839188

Well done Ab,

Try this one:-

What is the strongest creature on Earth?

From the DM:-

THE mysterious humming noise heard around the world is dads attempting to replicate popular music, scientists have claimed.
Prolonged exposure to ‘the hum’ can cause dizziness and nausea, which researchers believe is caused by dads’ inability to hold a tune.
Professor Henry Brubaker of the Institute for Studies said: “Initially we thought the humming could be high-voltage cables or atmospheric conditions. Actually it’s middle-aged men trying to remember how Sultans of Swing goes.
“Our research showed that the hum cannot be heard in dad-free areas, such as underground techno clubs, but was present near sheds, garages and garden centres.
“Even if a dad is not immediately visible, he may be behind a hedge tinkering with a mower while humming Summer of ‘69 which will then morph into an equally horrible version of Lady in Red.
“He may not even be aware he is doing it, or to him the atonal drone may sound exactly like the original record.”
Office worker Nikki Hollis said: “The humming used to drive me mad, but one day I noticed it sounded like a barely recognisable version of Blondie’s Heart of Glass.
“I immediately put two and two together, because dad always used to watch Top of the Pops when Debbie Harry was on. Now if he starts humming we make him sit in the car with the windows up.”
Father-of-three Roy Hobbs said: “I think humming is a very underrated art form.”