The Circus — Ship of Fools http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/ Wed, 03 Jun 2026 11:53:24 +0000 en The Circus — Ship of Fools Alliterative Antics http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6779/alliterative-antics Sat, 17 Jan 2026 15:10:55 +0000 The Circus Boogie 6779@/index.php?p=/discussions Rules of the Game:

every round of the A to Z Two-Word Game has its own theme, or subject, throughout: e.g. animals, cars, cities etc.
each round goes from A-Z, using in order the letters of the English alphabet
each participant posts 2 words, an adjective and a noun, where the noun fits in with the theme, and where both adjective and noun start with the same letter of the alphabet
the next participant posts (in a separate post) 2 further words, both starting with the following letter of the alphabet, again an adjective and a noun (with the noun going along with the same theme as the previous post and current A-Z round)
the person who arrives at Z suggests please a new subject for the next round of A-Z

Special Rules

usage of an English dictionary or thesaurus book or online is explicitly allowed, as one of the fun elements can be to discover new adjectives, and possibly even new nouns. However, a dictionary or thesaurus is by no means necessary to participate.
There are some tricky letters, e,g, X and Y, or perhaps Z, where it is difficult to find words that fit the current theme. Just do your best. We will see how far we get.
if you can, avoid using the same adjective as in a previous round - if possible. It's about creativity!]]> Silly Point - the Cricket Thread http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6757/silly-point-the-cricket-thread Fri, 02 Jan 2026 19:27:34 +0000 The Circus la vie en rouge 6757@/index.php?p=/discussions Book and Film Titles with One Letter Changed http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6784/book-and-film-titles-with-one-letter-changed Tue, 03 Feb 2026 16:08:16 +0000 The Circus RockyRoger 6784@/index.php?p=/discussions
'Far from the Madding crow'
'Schindler's Lisp'
'The Wild Lunch'
'A Suitable Bog'
'Cold Comfort Fart'
My own favourite, Thomas Hardy's only erotic lighthearted sex comedy, 'Toss off the D'urbervilles' doesn't (quite) fit the rules, but what the hell.

More, please!

*Rules of the game: Change, add or leave out one letter of a film or book title in order to create a possibly light-hearted new version of the same.

* * * * *

[Hostly Add-On, 4 February 2026, 13.49 GMT]

Note: OP and thread title edited for clarity: a) Thread title adapted from 'Book and FilmTitles with one letter Changed'; b) implicit rules explicitly stated*, as per Circus Guidelines: [...] If you are starting a game, please spell out the rules in the opening post. [...] - Thank you.

Wesley J, Circus Host

[/Hostly Add-On]]]> Wordle http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/4080/wordle Wed, 12 Jan 2022 20:03:33 +0000 The Circus Piglet 4080@/index.php?p=/discussions Wordle?

I got into it when my nephew posted a link to it on our family Whats App group, and to be honest, it's just as well they only offer one per day, or I'd be doing nothing else!

I'm not sure quite how it'll fly here: I'm thinking of people posting about their successes and failures.

Just remember: try and avoid spoilers - bearing in mind that we're in several time zones.

For the church music geeks, someone on Farcebark has set up a spin-off called Byrdle.

I'm not usually one to boast, but I got the first Byrdle in one guess. :smirk: ]]> spring http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/187/spring Sun, 25 Feb 2018 20:41:54 +0000 The Circus Ariston 187@/index.php?p=/discussions The New, New Crew's Quiz http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/186/the-new-new-crews-quiz Sun, 25 Feb 2018 20:40:43 +0000 The Circus Ariston 186@/index.php?p=/discussions Guessometers ready?
Blasted Fillums are too hard
Dram of Highland Park.]]> Headlines of Utter Weirdness http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/470/headlines-of-utter-weirdness Sun, 08 Apr 2018 11:15:05 +0000 The Circus Wesley J 470@/index.php?p=/discussions this thread on strangely worded headlines from the papers we read, respectively their online counterparts. These could also be quotes Shipmates saw in an article, put into amazingly bizarre and/or funny ways. Some are conscious choices by a clever author, many are simple negligence and thoughtlessness.

A few of these curious wordings may be changed shortly after publication by a responsible and responsive proofreader, but more often than not, they aren't.

I hope this thread might make us wonder and marvel about the language used, and the entrapments thereof. Have fun!

* * *
Here's my gift for today, from the Washington Post, in an article about a fire in NYC's Trump Tower:
Sixty-seven-year-old Todd Brassner, 67, who was in the apartment, was taken to a hospital and died a short time later.

May he rest in peace, twice-agespecified Todd.]]> Casey at the Bat. Baseball 2026 http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6755/casey-at-the-bat-baseball-2026 Fri, 02 Jan 2026 17:12:54 +0000 The Circus Gramps49 6755@/index.php?p=/discussions Casey at The Bat written by Ernest Thayer, published in 1924. I remember learning it in sixth grade. I dedicated this thread to that poem.

Spring training yet to start. I hope the Mariners go all the way this year, but like Casey, they tend to strike out at the last moment.]]> 2026 Celebrity Death Pool http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6698/2026-celebrity-death-pool Sun, 14 Dec 2025 22:01:38 +0000 The Circus Sipech 6698@/index.php?p=/discussions
The rules are simple. You must pick up to 13 well-known people who you think will join the choir invisible during 2026. That is, starting from 00.01 GMT on 1st January 2026 and ending at 23.59 GMT on 31st December 2026.

The definition of "well-known" is that their deaths will be reported by at least one major news outlet. This would include (but is not limited to) The BBC, CNN, The New York Times, The Guardian, The Church Times, Baptist Times, Private Eye, etc.

All selections must be real natural born people. No fictional characters, abstract entities or "corporate persons" will be accepted.

Points are awarded according to the following formula: 100 minus the celebrity's age at the time of death. For example, if the person you choose dies at the age of 67 you will earn 33 points. Should you pick someone who is 100 years old when they die you will receive no points; should your person be over 100 you will lose points.

You cannot choose anyone under the age of 18.

You are disqualified if you contribute in any way to the death of one of your chosen candidates. So no poisoning the Archbishop of Canterbury if you work in the catering department of Lambeth Palace.

All entries must be submitted on this thread no later than 23.59 GMT on 31st December 2025. No entries will be accepted after this time. No exceptions. You may make changes to your list up until this time but only if someone pops their clogs before the beginning of the year or if you've put someone in twice.

There are also some bonus awards:

Inside Track with the Grim Reaper Award: given for picking the first death of 2026.

Quantity Not Quality Award: given for picking the most people who croak in 2026, regardless of their points value.

Sudden Death: given for picking the last death of 2026

This is only a game. The Ship, its management and their associated minions do not necessarily endorse the death any human being. This is not in any way a "wish list". Reviewing past years will show that truly evil and nasty dictators seem to have a habit of lingering while those figures we truly respect and admire often don't. The Circus is a place for games, not discussion of the rights or wrongs of those games. If you want to discuss the ethics of this one there are other places you can do that. If you find the game distasteful, that’s fine - you’re under no obligation to take part.

There are no prizes other than the warm fuzzy feeling you get for being a winner.

Good luck to all players and bad luck to your nominees.]]> Ship Quotes File (New Drawer) http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/214/ship-quotes-file-new-drawer Wed, 28 Feb 2018 06:57:48 +0000 The Circus Ariston 214@/index.php?p=/discussions over here, but it's only a matter of moments before Someone says Something worth remembering.

Remember it here.]]> Famous Most Recent posts http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/327/famous-most-recent-posts Thu, 08 Mar 2018 05:04:11 +0000 The Circus balaam 327@/index.php?p=/discussions Interpolation or spliff trip by balaam

Guilty as charged.]]> Hellmark Greeting Cards http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6294/hellmark-greeting-cards Thu, 27 Feb 2025 18:02:14 +0000 The Circus Gill H 6294@/index.php?p=/discussions @Hugal and myself. I wondered whether to post it in the 'Roses are red...' thread but I think it could be different enough.

Your task is to compose a suitable sentiment for a greetings card or small gift - the sort of thing that appears on cross stitched samplers or little plaques in the kitchen. But... as if you were the author of one of those 'hellfire and brimstone' tracts.

So for example:

Hope your birthday's really swell!
What a shame you're going to Hell!

A present for a grandma
Who loves to knit and stitch
I think you'd better burn her
She's probably a witch

Here's wishing you a wedding day
That's full of joy and hope
Unfortunately you're both damned
Because you like the Pope!

Over to you, Shipmates.]]> Up and Under - the Rugby Thread http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6759/up-and-under-the-rugby-thread Fri, 02 Jan 2026 19:32:09 +0000 The Circus la vie en rouge 6759@/index.php?p=/discussions Educate Me : Ceuta, Llivia & Melilla http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6320/educate-me-ceuta-llivia-melilla Fri, 21 Mar 2025 11:30:45 +0000 The Circus Quizmaster 6320@/index.php?p=/discussions
Please add a comment but leave room for others to find out and contribute themselves.

Just for fun and enlightenment.]]> Roses are red, violets are blue... http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/1272/roses-are-red-violets-are-blue Thu, 14 Feb 2019 14:55:57 +0000 The Circus NOprophet_NØprofit 1272@/index.php?p=/discussions
Roses are red, violets are blue
Vaccinate your lover
and don't get the measles.

Please add one.]]> American Football Playoffs (college or pro) http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6764/american-football-playoffs-college-or-pro Mon, 05 Jan 2026 20:42:42 +0000 The Circus Gramps49 6764@/index.php?p=/discussions
Anyone want to speak for the other bracket?

On the other hand, we are both in the same bed when it comes to the Seahawks on the pro side of the game. Seahawks all the way!!!]]> 2025 Celebrity Death Pool http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6142/2025-celebrity-death-pool Tue, 31 Dec 2024 14:13:07 +0000 The Circus The Rogue 6142@/index.php?p=/discussions
Welcome to the 2025 Celebrity Death Pool.

The rules are simple. You must pick up to 13 well-known people who you think will shuffle off this mortal coil in the latter part of 2025. That is, starting from 00.01 GMT on 10th January 2025 and ending at 23.59 GMT on 31st December 2025.

The definition of "well-known" is that their deaths will be reported by at least one major news outlet. This would include (but is not limited to) The BBC, CNN, The New York Times, The Guardian, The Church Times, The Tablet, The Beano etc. You get the idea

All selections must be real natural born people. No fictional characters, abstract entities or "corporate persons" will be accepted.

Points are awarded according to the following formula: 100 minus the celebrity's age at the time of death. For example, if the person you choose dies at the age of 67 you will earn 33 points. Should you pick someone who is 100 years old when they die you will receive no points; should your person be over 100 you will lose points.

You cannot choose anyone under the age of 18.

You are disqualified if you contribute in any way to the death of one of your chosen candidates.

All entries must be submitted on this thread no later than 23.59 GMT on 10th January 2025. No entries will be accepted after this time. No exceptions. You may make changes to your list up until this time but only if someone pops their clogs before the beginning of the year or if you've put someone in twice. Surprisingly this has happened in the past

There are also some bonus awards:

Inside Track with the Grim Reaper Award: given for picking the first death of 2025.

Quantity Not Quality Award: given for picking the most people who croak in 2025, regardless of their points value.

Sudden Death: given for picking the last death of 2025

This is only a game. The Ship, its management and their associated lackeys do not necessarily endorse the death any human being. This is not in any way a "wish list". Reviewing past years will show that truly evil and nasty dictators seem to have a habit of lingering while those figures we truly respect and admire often don't. The Circus is a place for games, not discussion of the rights or wrongs of those games. If you want to discuss the ethics of this one there are other places you can do that. If you find the game distasteful, that’s fine - you’re under no obligation to take part.

There are no prizes other than the warm fuzzy feeling you get for being a winner.

Good luck to all players and bad luck to your nominees.]]> Game, Set and Match - the Tennis Thread http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6758/game-set-and-match-the-tennis-thread Fri, 02 Jan 2026 19:29:36 +0000 The Circus la vie en rouge 6758@/index.php?p=/discussions Whamageddon http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6678/whamageddon Mon, 01 Dec 2025 10:36:25 +0000 The Circus Sandemaniac 6678@/index.php?p=/discussions
https://whamageddon.com/

I'm currently 3 hours past my earliest ever exit (2023, about 7.30am Dec 1st, thanks to a DJ who'd never heard of it) but we are in London today and if that doesn't do for me a week shopfitting nexr week surely will.]]> Biblical Reviews http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6591/biblical-reviews Thu, 18 Sep 2025 20:00:36 +0000 The Circus Gill H 6591@/index.php?p=/discussions
But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”

This struck me as an early example of a Tripadvisor review. I could imagine the response from the recipient going something like:

"Dear People
Thank you for your helpful feedback. We apologise that some aspects of your stay were not of our usual standard, and in order to compensate for this we have supplied you with the venomous snakes which we reserve for our most valued clients. We hope you enjoy the excitement of trying to escape the snakes, but if you do require medical attention, please bring this to the attention of our representative Moses, who will be able to administer first aid."

Over to you - pick a Bible story and give a review! ]]> Tom Swifty http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6549/tom-swifty Sun, 17 Aug 2025 05:09:32 +0000 The Circus Boogie 6549@/index.php?p=/discussions
"We must hurry,' said Tom, Swiftly"

A Tom Swifty is the use of the attribution of a quotation as a pun on some aspect of the content of the quotation.

The bit that says who said something and how they said it is a pun on what was said. It's a joke based on the Said Bookism used.

Some examples::

"Pass me the shellfish," said Tom crabbily.

"I might as well be dead," Tom croaked.

"Who discovered radium?" asked Marie, curiously.]]> Make it work appropriate http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6565/make-it-work-appropriate Fri, 29 Aug 2025 14:02:24 +0000 The Circus Gwai 6565@/index.php?p=/discussions You could say: Please see my recent email, where I shared my concerns on this topic.]]> You’ve just been killed… http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6557/you-ve-just-been-killed Sat, 23 Aug 2025 20:44:24 +0000 The Circus betjemaniac 6557@/index.php?p=/discussions
Anyway, you’ve just been killed. Which fictional detective (book, TV, film) do you want to investigate? Also anyone you wouldn’t want?

I think for me I’d want Foyle. There’s just something about him looking disappointed and essentially shaming a confession.

I wouldn’t want Morse. He (at best) inconveniences too many people whom he wrongly fingers before eventually getting the right person.]]> European Football Championship http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/5802/european-football-championship Tue, 18 Jun 2024 16:15:40 +0000 The Circus la vie en rouge 5802@/index.php?p=/discussions
(OTOH he's spent a lot of the week thoroughly pissing off the fash, so it's not all bad.)]]> Crosswords http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/6233/crosswords Sat, 25 Jan 2025 08:33:39 +0000 The Circus Foaming Draught 6233@/index.php?p=/discussions I'm a Guardian/Grauniad aficionado from yonks back. The trouble with the app/website in Australia, is that many clues are pommie specific, ie you need to have contemporary knowledge of UK happenings/people/places/TV programmes. Just as with Wordle you need to be ready for 'or' rather than 'our', or even complete nonsense (in use in nonsense America) "words" like emcee. Connections is even worse. American TV programmes (which thinking people don't even watch, so why include them in a supposed thinking person's game?) and American minority (I mean only Americans are interested) sports - baseball or NFL are often among the connections.
That rant over, back to crosswords. I'm an Australian pom, so I get most of the Brit-specific clues. But it gets worse. You need to have wider British geographical knowledge, often London knowledge, which some folk won't have. Luckily, I'm a Londoner too (cue 🎶 Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner ... ") so I immediately twigged a clue from this morning's Everyman:

Spooner's to cycle past Royal Courts of Justice? Let's hear some music. (6,2,3,4)

I think that the apostrophe is misplaced or redundant, btw.

It's hardly morning in pommie land, so I won't give a spoiler. I'm not sure that a non-Londoner or a non-lawyer would get it quickly.

So, crossword lovers, discussion will have to be post mortem (if the old English only rule is still in place, that's a Latin phrase which means put the fly killer in the mail) a day or two late to avoid spoilers.]]> The Circus Guidelines http://forums.shipoffools.com/index.php?p=/discussion/106/the-circus-guidelines Wed, 22 Nov 2017 10:28:26 +0000 The Circus Marvin the Martian 106@/index.php?p=/discussions FAQs & the ships 10 commandments. More importantly – have fun!

There are four main types of threads that will find a home here in The Circus: games, quizzes, polls, and conversation about sports. Here are the criteria used to determine if a thread qualifies:

Games
  • Offline games that most people will recognize (for example Cluedo or Mornington Crescent).
  • Has a specific set of requirements for posting (e.g., Everlasting Sentences, Thread without the Letter O).

Note: How to tell if your fun idea for a thread is a game: Do posts to it have to take a particular form, or meet a specific requirement? Then them's rules, and it's a game! If you are starting a game, please spell out the rules in the opening post. Naming other shipmates in Circus games, given the potential for hurt feelings, is usually best avoided.

New people join the Ship every day, and even if a game has been played countless times already, not everyone will know how to play it. If the rules are complex or long and involved, please consider simplifying the game, or link to a site that explains them clearly. Similarly, those wishing to join in with a game should read the opening post carefully to ensure that there's no confusion about the rules.

Quizzes
  • A quiz designed by a member (e.g., Knockout Quiz).,
  • Quizzes and tests on the Internet (e.g., Test Your Spiritual IQ, Political Compass).

Note: If you are starting a quiz in the latter category, please provide a link to the quiz so that others can find it easily.

Polls

Polls can be serious (e.g. about current affairs or theological issues), or frivolous (e.g. Whom should I marry? or What should I have for tea?). Please make sure that questions are phrased in an unambiguous way and that the answer selections provided cover a wide range of options.

Sports threads

These tend to focus on professional sports, but conversations of your own sporting pursuits are welcome too.

Note: conversations about sports can naturally get a bit partisan and a bit heated. That's absolutely okay in The Circus so consider yourself warned, but please be mindful that the 10 Commandments (especially numbers 1 and 3) still apply.

Your ringmasters are @la vie en rouge, @Piglet and @Wesley J. Feel free to give either one of them a shout if you're hopelessly confused.]]>