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Hello, Doglet!
Sorry I didn't reply earlier but I've been to the dentist. I only returned a short while ago.
Oh dear, I didn't mean to start a hoo-haa with my remark about the different terms for gipsies! they are called by different terms according to where one lives, I think.
I've always said 'gipsies', so will continue to do so.
In our park we are having great trouble as not only is rubbish left lying around but they are using the woods as a public toilet- it really is disgusting!
The trench idea you mentioned as a deterrent sounded a good idea, but seemingly they got around that very quickly.
I don't know what the answer is?
I cannot understand why they are not prosecuted for trespassing ,and causing damage?

Rusty, Jazzgirl and Malone
Again may I please reiterate that I personally do not use this word! I only listed some common usage words for "travellers"! (altho I say gipsies)
I hadn't come across what you've just said , Jazzy, and certainly have never heard it used in that context.
but I wouldn't use it myself anyway!
I'll now go and boil my head in oil!
I hope I don't get banned by Admin!

Elle
You haven't insulted anyone personally by calling another member here by that word. That is the only reason why you would receive a warning from admin. You were merely saying what other people call "them".
Now, have a cup of whatever you fancy and a bun if you wish :)

Thanks, elle. I really did wince when I saw your earlier references! I know the politically correct stuff can get out of hand, but it was hard not to read 'to overcome the pikey problem' and not feel a shiver of distaste.
There is no need to boil your head - the only oil we need is to pour on troubled waters!

Hello, Malone!
My Chambers is a mystery volume!
It was published in 2003, but nowhere inside can I find out what edition it is!
It has a foreword by Melvyn Bragg!
I fully agree with your comments about "pikey".
Up here, in Scotland, the word pike or piking, is often used to denote someone "sneaking a look" surreptitiously, or in the manner of a peeping Tom. Cannot see that in my dictionary either! Maybe a dialect word, or a derivation of "peeking"?
Elle, what a stooshie (look it up!) you and your morning walk have created! May be an idea to stay home and gaze longingly out of the window in future!
You have encouraged an intelligent debate so that is a positive! Go to the top of the class!

PS. Postie has brought me good news from the bowel screening folk. All clear!

Hi, Rusty!
You seem to have a similar problem with your Chambers as I have with my 'old' Brewers? I managed to find out the year in which it was published by googling its IBN number, but have been unable to discover what edition it is!
Yes, I did create a "stooshie" (I've looked it up), didn't I? All unintentionally as I was only listing words I'd heard in common usage. No harm meant and hopefully none done.
It did provide an interesting discussion but a pleasanter topic might have been had.
I can't see 'pike' as meaning to 'sneak a look' in my edition of Chambers, either, but I've discovered that it also means 'to renege on a commitment'.
I didn't know that, did you?
I'm glad you had good news abut your screening tests. You can relax now - it's always horrible waiting for test results of any nature.

Hi elle

The word gypsy conjures up a horse drawn caravan etc
our travellers are not in the least bit romantic have state of the art caravans and their cars are Mercs or top of the range 4X4 but they still manage to be a thorn in most peoples flesh a friend had her two border terriers stolen and they were found at a camp site With their micro chips removed when the police raided it after shots were fired. Whatever people call them they are reviled all Europe

My son used to live in a place where lots of people lounged round all day. In spite of working hard he couldn't afford a better place. He was, and always has been, extremely nice to everyone. One day one of his car windows was smashed, just for the hell of it, nothing in the car to steal and he had to have a car to get to work. That Saturday (a beautiful sunny day) he worked inside all day long stuffing envelopes to pay for the replacement window.
You guessed it, it was broken again the day after he had it fixed.
Those who did it are pikeys. They are.
Elle, did you know that pouring oil on troubled waters did happen sometimes? While researching my book on a sea captain, I found an occasion where someone was rescuing the sailors from another ship in a storm and literally caused oil to be spread between the two ships.

Hello, Ros.
Actually, yes, I did know about literally pouring oil on troubled waters!
The surface tension of the oil would help calm the rough sea (acting like a thin skin)
This is obviously where the saying comes from - maybe Rusty can confirm that by looking in his new Idioms book?
Did you order "Snakes and Ladders"? My youngest grandson (aged 3) wanted to play it when he visited on Thursday . He did very well - counting the squares and moving his counter. No help needed! He also won!

Hi elle
I have been clearing out some boxes in the loft and have come across a lot of books which I cannot remember putting there but I found an old copy of Newnes dictionary of dates and anniversaries,it is wonderful and may come in useful for X words.There has been crashing and curses from the kitchen as husband removes old machine and the floor is wet again.