Anyone who has even a passing interest in the Professor's career will doubtless agree that I have been avoiding the elephant in the room. (Not literally, of course; I have spent a number of happy hours with Celebes the Elephant). I have to admit that it is high time that I address the Professor's role in the controversial but legendary Nubiferous Experiment at Upton Snodsbury. When Professors Gaincope, Gannywedge and Choops began this extraordinary endeavour they had the highest hopes of success and considerable funds from anonymous bankers, dubious politicians, frenzied venture capitalists and other mountebanks. Indeed, their early results were creating considerable interest in publications such as “The Farrier's Monthly” and “The Cordwainer's Digest”. This led to the inaugural trio inviting other academics, scientists, latent runagates and prospective grifters to take part in their momentous venture. The Professor rarely speaks of his involvement but there is littl...
Some of you may have read in that scandalmongering journal “The Improbable Ratiocinator” about the debate between the Professor and Dr Hamnish Clifford over the value of the Hyperbolic Infrared Lighthouse. The progress of this debate was hampered by the fact that the participants insisted, for unclear reasons, on using the Sloom Rules of Active Disputation. Despite the sterling efforts of both men, the Professor remained profoundly unsatisfied with the outcome. In a final attempt to resolve the discord, the Professor challenged Dr Clifford to take part in a game of “I packed my bag”. However, shortly before the appointed day of the contest, the Academic Transfer Window opened and Dr Clifford left town in a campervan to take up a distinguished position on the hallowed and (some say) hermetical island of Little Cumbrae. “Probably for the best,” the Professor muttered as he waved farewell with an outdated copy of Wisden in the direction of the rapidly disappearing campervan. My initial un...
Professor Peregrine has made an extensive and lengthy study of English folklore, traditions and puddings which culminated in his recent monograph entitled “What the Hocktide Is This All About Then?” (Vilipend Press, 2024). In order to learn more, I accompanied the Professor to the Annual Tree Glorification Festival in Gully-on-the-Mooch. The day began with the time-honoured breakfast of trampled potato and ambiguous berry jam before groups of villagers meandered into the nearby woods making vague, complimentary comments about the trees. Every now and then the traditional cry of “This bark is adequate for the most part” was heard, drifting through the woodland. After an hour or so of tedious but symbolic strolling about, the critical moment arrived. The villager known as the “Pompous Japer” stepped forward, resplendent in his purple top hat, and declared a particular tree to be the chosen one. The Japer then insulted the tree unconvincingly for 5 minutes or so before finishing with ...
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