A wee bit of psychology? (From Gazette & Herald)

A wee bit of psychology?

MARCH 26. No longer do we know whether we have caught or missed the post now that the clearance tabs are no longer used, and so we are left with a feeling of uncertainty. Michael Perrett-Young of Hartoft first drew my attention to the changes, having been told by Royal Mail spokesmen on different occasions that (a) it is Government instructions, (b) EU regulations and (c) to eliminate unfair competition with alternative mail contractors. This week he's come up with another story, which he's passed on to me, which is that "the changes are all about making information more accessible to partially-sighted and blind people. Collection times haven't changed, it's just the design of the information on the plate that's different."

I can't quite follow this one, because the new plate doesn't say when collections will be made, other than 'during the day' and the time of the last one. The Consumer Rights Organisation isn't happy because boxes have reached the overflowing stage before being emptied, apart from the fact that the PO didn't consult with consumers on the matter. Michael isn't happy, and most of the public aren't happy. There used to be a time when catching the lunchtime post meant a letter could get delivered in York that afternoon, but that will be but a memory now, I expect, but it all begs the question: 'Do we really need to know what time the box is cleared if local mail is only despatched from the local depot last thing at night? Was it a wee bit of psychology which gave us a sense of security, or achievement, that we have 'caught the post'? Other than that, did it matter? Or have we been conned? There is certainly a dislike of one's mail being left in a box overnight, now that vandalism is a thing to consider, and in the days before self-seal envelopes, and latex glues, the old 'lick and stick' envelopes could come open if left in a damp mailbox all night. I suppose it's afait accompli anyway. What next I wonder!

Since the mention of the phrase "Swearing like Billy Norman" was raised, there's been a number of different answers to its origin. A regular contributor, Dorothy, of Pickering, sent me three, being Joseph Billio, rector of Wicklam Bishop, who was noted for his drive and energy; Nino Biglio, a lieutenant of Garibaldi's who would dash into battle shouting "Follow me and fight like Biglio", and George Stephenson's loco 'Puffing Billy' which introduced words like 'puffing like Billy-o' etc. Regular reader Geoff Wood of Robin Hood's Bay came up with the tale of William the Conqueror, as did Peter Walker, whose name you will all know.

It is said that when the Conqueror was harrying the north of England, his troops got lost in a fearsome snowstorm down Bilsdale way and were swearing in the foulest language and the phrase 'swearing like Billy the Norman' was coined.

Peter doesn't go along with this one and suggests it might be more likely to be associated with Rev Billio or Puffing Billy. Geoff tells me he has relations in Croydon, Cornwall and Shannon in Ireland all of whom know of, or use the expression 'like Billy o, so it seems "You taks yer choice', or as a chap in the army used to say: "As near as I can tell you, I couldn't say". Unless - - -. Thanks to all who've shown interest.

Another fairly common expression is 'once over', or if you're out of town it becomes 'yance ower'. A friend of mine who uses this one with some regularity, hadn't realised using it, and having discussed it we agreed that it meant 'once upon a time'. Used in the context like: "There used to be little time-tabs on pillar boxes once over". Why the 'over' we wonder?

Almost unique, I expect is the naming of one of the United States, most modern warships, the USS Winston Churchill, which makes it currently the only US warship to carry the name of a foreign leader.

The new destroyer's name was first announced by President Clinton in a speech to our parliament in 1995. Its construction started in 1997 and it was commissioned in 2001. On top of this, the electrical power for its combat system, as well as its Bird-Johnson propellers, of five blades and of such a shape as you've never seen before, are made by Rolls-Royce. The name goes on. For us to be proud of! Some ship! Some name!

Did you hear about the school mistress who has banned her children from having books with stories about pigs, for fear of upsetting children of religions that have limitations about the slaughter and eating of pigs? She may have thought that she was doing the right thing in protecting the sensibilities of her pupils but representatives of ethnic groups have said they see nothing wrong with The Three Little Pigs and similar tales. And they are right. People who come to our country to live should conform to our ways and abide by our rules rather than changing our ways. I am fed up with the way we give in and allow our heritage to be eroded. I suspect the Channel Tunnel started the rot.

Homeland. "This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England" William Shakespeare 1564-1616 (King Richard II).

Updated: 16:25 Wednesday, March 26, 2003