I heard somebody on the TV the other day refer to a ‘wine
factory.’ It doesn’t seem right, does it? Beer is made in a brewery and whisky
in a distillery, so why does the most ancient of urbane intoxicants have to
make do with coming from a factory? Polystyrene receptacles and dog food come
from factories. Wine should come from some place with a posher name than that.
Maybe it does, and I just know what it is. I’ll bet the French have a posh name
for places where wine is made. Maybe some kind French person will enlighten me.
And did you know that pottery doesn’t come from a factory
either, at least not where I come from which is the traditional home of the
British commercial ceramics industry. Pottery is made in potbanks. Don’t ask me
why.
And on the subject of words, here’s a little mystery brought
up by Chief Inspector Mayo in the TV series:
Those who select are called selectors; those who elect are called
electors; those who prospect are called prospectors. So why are those who
detect called detectives?
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