Archers thread #179: Beavers, livestock, ferrets, but nododo! Discuss The Archers here.

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Thank you, @PseudoBadger, for kicking off this long, long series of Archers threads.

All views on The Archers welcome here! New blood welcomed, and of course we are always delighted to welcome back former or occasional listeners/posters. We don't all agree on all points, although we do mostly try to be civil about it. Most of us are posting tongue in cheek a lot of the time, so don't worry about revealing that you'd be happy sharing a hot tub with Mucky Mick, or other unusual views.

Spoilers: not on this thread, please! We don't wait for the omnibus to discuss the weeknight episodes, but we do try our best to avoid cross-contamination from https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/radio_addicts/4636789-the-archers-spoilers-thread-7-cant-wait-for-702pm-join-us-here, where spoilers are positively welcomed!

For newer listeners, lurkers or those who just have no idea what we're talking about, @DadDadDad has created this useful thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/radio_addicts/3557323-For-Archers-fans-a-guide-to-acronyms-on-the-long-running-discussion-threads-and-any-other-meta-thread-questions-you-may-have - BOOP point for him! (See thread for explanation.)

The title started life with @JanglyBeads, whose autocorrect turned 'Oh no, nor do I!' into 'Oh no, nododo I!' on the last thread. For reasons of cowardice/prudence/lack of inspiration and the character limit, I haven't included @BeaLola's even more mysterious autocorrect - her phone had her asking Abdul if he'd always wanted children instead of Neil. Perhaps one of the mooted beavers can be Abdul.

For the first time ever I've added a poll to the OP. Over to you!

@DeanElderberry Good point - I didnt even notice that!

One of the captured Lynx has now died too

https://news.sky.com/story/illegally-released-lynx-cat-dies-after-capture-in-scottish-highlands-13287002

I saw that in The Guardian and felt unreasonably (or disproportionately?) sad for the poor beast. Why couldn’t people just have left them alone?

If "dress up warm" is said after someone has left the house for wherever they are planning to go (as Leonard had on this occasion) it seems a futile thing to say unless you expect them not to have dressed warmly but, now you have reminded them about the snow on the ground, to turn round and go back in for extra sweaters and warm woolly winter underclothes.

It's just words. Not meant to be taken literally, as with a good deal of ordinary informal chat.

I was listening with half an ear to something on the radio about the release of the lynx in Scotland. They referred to "guerrilla rewilding" and it took me a moment or two to realise what they meant. I had an instant mental picture of silverbacks frolicking in the snow. Definitely something for Kirsty and Rex to consider as an alternative to beavers as it would presumably do away with the concerns about flooding.

Exactly. Some of you sound like hard work.

I hope Fallon doesn't have an affair with Ed. What about Chris or Will?

Absolutely agree.

Why is there so much over think of this phrase? It's colloquial small talk, nothing more.

It's just a form of what's known as phatic communication: a "social lubricant" rather than something intended to convey information or start a conversation. A bit like saying "Morning!" to someone in the street, or the hated (by me) "Have a nice day!" Around here, a lot of people greet each other in the street with "All right?" where the "all" = "aw" and the "right" has a glottal stop in place of the "t". The correct response is "All right?" 😁

This is Mumsnet - considering the long threads that appear from time to time complaining about 'Americanisms' (many of which are not American) some curiosity and comment on a non-familiar phrase, however common it is in some regions, seems harmless.

having a police officer in the village is good for drama purposes I don’t agree - I think it’s actually been problematic. Policemen are good in police dramas, but Ambridge is not about solving crime, it’s about the relationships between characters and the drama that springs from that. I think it’s actually felt awkward trying to work Harrison’s police work into the storyline in such short episodes. Realistically he shouldn’t be investigating anything too close to home involving people he knows and anything further afield. Is too disconnected from Ambridge to be of any real interest. I don’t think the character has been a good fit for the programme.

Apologies if already shared but I found this via Popbitch - it's the Aussie Archers! I'm gripped 😁

If someone greeted me with "Morning!" at five in the afternoon I'd worry about them. Likewise I suppose "dress up warm" would be inappropriate during a heatwave. Such phatic communications do need to be slightly appropriate, surely?

It was cold outside and Ruth said wrap up warm, where's the issue?

Like if it was morning and she said morning.

Nobody would say “dress up warm” in the summer though. Like I dont say “drive safe” to DH when he’s going for a walk , but I might say “ be careful”. These are just casual ways of acknowledging someone is leaving you.

He clearly heard it as patronising, judging by his reply. So whether or not we think it a nice normal etc, that is somewhat negated if he seems not to have done. From the reply "yes mummy" (or something of the kind) I'd suggest that he may have thought it more appropriate to a child than to a man twenty-five years her senior.

You know, like some women dislike being called "love" or "sweetheart" by a man they don't know, no matter how much the man in question thinks it entirely appropriate as a greeting, or told to "smile, it may never happen". Or any of many, many other commonplace bromides if they are out of place. I seem to remember thaat there was some debate here about "bless you" being used at women over sixty, apparently without thought, whatever they had said or done... A perfectly acceptable sentiment made infuriating if used inappropriately. ("I can't get upstairs easily" "oh, bless you" is not a satisfactory exchange, somehow.)

His response was a bit of a bantery interaction. He appreciated her concern so cracked a little joke. I don't think he felt really patronised.

I'd say the same to my parents and expect the same response.

💐I’m so sorry to hear this. I cannot imagine how hard that must be for you.

I like that Fallon repeatedly told Harrison not to call every day. The relationship is over. They now have to just admit it.

Whereas if I had said something of that kind to either of my parents, the words "yes dear" would definitely not have been "banter", they would have been offended and had an edge to them.

He can't be that offended, he's choosing to live with them.

Perhaps your parents are as highly strung as you are.

He said ‘yes mum’

i saw it as the sw trying to show that Leonard is aware that she is patronising him and using humour to let them know!

I didn't even notice the "Yes mum" reply ... the only "Yes mums" I've spotted have been from Harrison to his boss, and I assume those are his attempt at "Yes ma'am". 🙄

Thank you, @BeckyAMumsnet - I've just listened to a couple of minutes of the first episode and Am Gripped! The acting is seriously unconvincing and I look forward to more!

Gonners
I didn't even notice the "Yes mum" reply ... the only "Yes mums" I've spotted have been from Harrison to his boss, and I assume those are his attempt at "Yes ma'am".

Mum is how "ma'am" is pronounced by members of the armed forces when they address a female officer, so perhaps the police are the same?

Was it long training that taught you how to be offensive, or did it come naturally?