Peter Macinnis
@mcmanly.bsky.social
Punster, naturalist, friend of unusual plants and invertebrates, rescuer of vertebrates, enemy of weeds, environment mender, rock botherer, gadgeteer, fraud detector, teller of those tales Tories and MAGAs want hidden, defender of the advanced middle aged.
goulash.
The end product of total combustion of a ghoul, a mature one, as there is no ghoul like an old ghoul. Any ghoul which survives this treatment should be taken to a wise woman, and given over to her as her own property in perpetuity. She then needs to be given enough time to heal her ghouls.
The end product of total combustion of a ghoul, a mature one, as there is no ghoul like an old ghoul. Any ghoul which survives this treatment should be taken to a wise woman, and given over to her as her own property in perpetuity. She then needs to be given enough time to heal her ghouls.
January 23, 2026 at 8:26 PM
goulash.
The end product of total combustion of a ghoul, a mature one, as there is no ghoul like an old ghoul. Any ghoul which survives this treatment should be taken to a wise woman, and given over to her as her own property in perpetuity. She then needs to be given enough time to heal her ghouls.
The end product of total combustion of a ghoul, a mature one, as there is no ghoul like an old ghoul. Any ghoul which survives this treatment should be taken to a wise woman, and given over to her as her own property in perpetuity. She then needs to be given enough time to heal her ghouls.
coal.
While there is no fuel like an old fuel, the important thing is not the peat but the humicity. Coal is carried in small cargo ships called colliers, especially built for the trade. These ships can be difficult to moor, especially if accidentally supplied with a hawser of a different collier.
While there is no fuel like an old fuel, the important thing is not the peat but the humicity. Coal is carried in small cargo ships called colliers, especially built for the trade. These ships can be difficult to moor, especially if accidentally supplied with a hawser of a different collier.
January 22, 2026 at 8:40 PM
coal.
While there is no fuel like an old fuel, the important thing is not the peat but the humicity. Coal is carried in small cargo ships called colliers, especially built for the trade. These ships can be difficult to moor, especially if accidentally supplied with a hawser of a different collier.
While there is no fuel like an old fuel, the important thing is not the peat but the humicity. Coal is carried in small cargo ships called colliers, especially built for the trade. These ships can be difficult to moor, especially if accidentally supplied with a hawser of a different collier.
pool.
A large expanse of any liquid, although it appears that there is no pool like an oil pool.
A large expanse of any liquid, although it appears that there is no pool like an oil pool.
January 21, 2026 at 7:39 PM
pool.
A large expanse of any liquid, although it appears that there is no pool like an oil pool.
A large expanse of any liquid, although it appears that there is no pool like an oil pool.
old saw.
There’s no tool like an old tool.
There’s no tool like an old tool.
January 20, 2026 at 9:43 PM
old saw.
There’s no tool like an old tool.
There’s no tool like an old tool.
self-mutilation.
A phase that some teenagers go through and grow out of, although some adults may cut off their noses despite their phase.
A phase that some teenagers go through and grow out of, although some adults may cut off their noses despite their phase.
January 19, 2026 at 8:22 PM
self-mutilation.
A phase that some teenagers go through and grow out of, although some adults may cut off their noses despite their phase.
A phase that some teenagers go through and grow out of, although some adults may cut off their noses despite their phase.
gutta percha.
A domestic servant in the retinue of a bishop, charged with artistically draping the remains of disembowelled birds within an aviary.
A domestic servant in the retinue of a bishop, charged with artistically draping the remains of disembowelled birds within an aviary.
January 17, 2026 at 10:31 PM
gutta percha.
A domestic servant in the retinue of a bishop, charged with artistically draping the remains of disembowelled birds within an aviary.
A domestic servant in the retinue of a bishop, charged with artistically draping the remains of disembowelled birds within an aviary.
Berkeley, Busby.
The original poser of the question ‘if you put on a show and nobody comes to see it, can it truly be called a show?’
The original poser of the question ‘if you put on a show and nobody comes to see it, can it truly be called a show?’
January 14, 2026 at 8:31 PM
Berkeley, Busby.
The original poser of the question ‘if you put on a show and nobody comes to see it, can it truly be called a show?’
The original poser of the question ‘if you put on a show and nobody comes to see it, can it truly be called a show?’
megalopolis.
A mythological Greek city-state, said to have been founded by Hercules in the middle of a dense forest, which Hercules cleared with seven strokes of his sword, a feat which would have made Bishop Berkeley rather hard of hearing. The name commemorates the sword blows.
A mythological Greek city-state, said to have been founded by Hercules in the middle of a dense forest, which Hercules cleared with seven strokes of his sword, a feat which would have made Bishop Berkeley rather hard of hearing. The name commemorates the sword blows.
January 13, 2026 at 9:37 PM
megalopolis.
A mythological Greek city-state, said to have been founded by Hercules in the middle of a dense forest, which Hercules cleared with seven strokes of his sword, a feat which would have made Bishop Berkeley rather hard of hearing. The name commemorates the sword blows.
A mythological Greek city-state, said to have been founded by Hercules in the middle of a dense forest, which Hercules cleared with seven strokes of his sword, a feat which would have made Bishop Berkeley rather hard of hearing. The name commemorates the sword blows.
Big Bang.
Now popularly held to have happened, Bishop Berkeley says the details are still uncertain, possibly because his ears were full of tar water at the time. The other uncertain matter is whether or not the Invisigoths were there, but the good Bishop (unsurprisingly) did not see any of them.
Now popularly held to have happened, Bishop Berkeley says the details are still uncertain, possibly because his ears were full of tar water at the time. The other uncertain matter is whether or not the Invisigoths were there, but the good Bishop (unsurprisingly) did not see any of them.
January 13, 2026 at 3:13 AM
Big Bang.
Now popularly held to have happened, Bishop Berkeley says the details are still uncertain, possibly because his ears were full of tar water at the time. The other uncertain matter is whether or not the Invisigoths were there, but the good Bishop (unsurprisingly) did not see any of them.
Now popularly held to have happened, Bishop Berkeley says the details are still uncertain, possibly because his ears were full of tar water at the time. The other uncertain matter is whether or not the Invisigoths were there, but the good Bishop (unsurprisingly) did not see any of them.
Berliner.
A donut of the sort that President J. F. Kennedy claimed to be when speaking at the Brandenburg Gate. The hole only came later, in Dallas. Bishop Berkeley would probably argue that the hole was there all the time, but nobody had heard the shot before Dallas.
A donut of the sort that President J. F. Kennedy claimed to be when speaking at the Brandenburg Gate. The hole only came later, in Dallas. Bishop Berkeley would probably argue that the hole was there all the time, but nobody had heard the shot before Dallas.
January 11, 2026 at 8:53 PM
Berliner.
A donut of the sort that President J. F. Kennedy claimed to be when speaking at the Brandenburg Gate. The hole only came later, in Dallas. Bishop Berkeley would probably argue that the hole was there all the time, but nobody had heard the shot before Dallas.
A donut of the sort that President J. F. Kennedy claimed to be when speaking at the Brandenburg Gate. The hole only came later, in Dallas. Bishop Berkeley would probably argue that the hole was there all the time, but nobody had heard the shot before Dallas.
forest. A place where trees may fall in peace, secure in the knowledge that they will make no sound. Wherever possible, they try to fall on any passing Bishop Berkeley, in order to further soften the landing.
January 10, 2026 at 11:01 PM
forest. A place where trees may fall in peace, secure in the knowledge that they will make no sound. Wherever possible, they try to fall on any passing Bishop Berkeley, in order to further soften the landing.
Berkeley, Bishop.
A philosopher and cleric who sailed for Bermuda in 1728, but never got there, and spent three years listening to trees in a small forest on Rhode Island, then he posed his famous question: if a triangle falls in the water and nobody hears it, can there have been much of a splash?
A philosopher and cleric who sailed for Bermuda in 1728, but never got there, and spent three years listening to trees in a small forest on Rhode Island, then he posed his famous question: if a triangle falls in the water and nobody hears it, can there have been much of a splash?
January 9, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Berkeley, Bishop.
A philosopher and cleric who sailed for Bermuda in 1728, but never got there, and spent three years listening to trees in a small forest on Rhode Island, then he posed his famous question: if a triangle falls in the water and nobody hears it, can there have been much of a splash?
A philosopher and cleric who sailed for Bermuda in 1728, but never got there, and spent three years listening to trees in a small forest on Rhode Island, then he posed his famous question: if a triangle falls in the water and nobody hears it, can there have been much of a splash?
archbishop.
Not a Prince of the Church, more a Politician of the Church. Anybody reaching this rank in any mainstream religion has done so with all of the characteristics of a successful politician: guile, superficial charm, an infinite capacity for malice and a belief in one’s own intrinsic merit.
Not a Prince of the Church, more a Politician of the Church. Anybody reaching this rank in any mainstream religion has done so with all of the characteristics of a successful politician: guile, superficial charm, an infinite capacity for malice and a belief in one’s own intrinsic merit.
January 8, 2026 at 8:48 PM
archbishop.
Not a Prince of the Church, more a Politician of the Church. Anybody reaching this rank in any mainstream religion has done so with all of the characteristics of a successful politician: guile, superficial charm, an infinite capacity for malice and a belief in one’s own intrinsic merit.
Not a Prince of the Church, more a Politician of the Church. Anybody reaching this rank in any mainstream religion has done so with all of the characteristics of a successful politician: guile, superficial charm, an infinite capacity for malice and a belief in one’s own intrinsic merit.
faith healer.
A person who, while totally devoid of any healing powers, compensates for this with a highly-developed faith in the gullibility of a large portion of the human population. This faith is usually handsomely repaid.
A person who, while totally devoid of any healing powers, compensates for this with a highly-developed faith in the gullibility of a large portion of the human population. This faith is usually handsomely repaid.
January 7, 2026 at 8:47 PM
faith healer.
A person who, while totally devoid of any healing powers, compensates for this with a highly-developed faith in the gullibility of a large portion of the human population. This faith is usually handsomely repaid.
A person who, while totally devoid of any healing powers, compensates for this with a highly-developed faith in the gullibility of a large portion of the human population. This faith is usually handsomely repaid.
candidate.
A person seeking election, who generally has a (sadly) well-founded infinite faith in the ability of human beings to forget.
A person seeking election, who generally has a (sadly) well-founded infinite faith in the ability of human beings to forget.
January 6, 2026 at 8:09 PM
candidate.
A person seeking election, who generally has a (sadly) well-founded infinite faith in the ability of human beings to forget.
A person seeking election, who generally has a (sadly) well-founded infinite faith in the ability of human beings to forget.
process theology.
A system which allows charismatic pastors to deal with large numbers of the faithful in the minimum of time. Firehose baptisms, blunderbuss blessings (at a safe distance), group weddings and mass burials are all common in process theology.
A system which allows charismatic pastors to deal with large numbers of the faithful in the minimum of time. Firehose baptisms, blunderbuss blessings (at a safe distance), group weddings and mass burials are all common in process theology.
January 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM
process theology.
A system which allows charismatic pastors to deal with large numbers of the faithful in the minimum of time. Firehose baptisms, blunderbuss blessings (at a safe distance), group weddings and mass burials are all common in process theology.
A system which allows charismatic pastors to deal with large numbers of the faithful in the minimum of time. Firehose baptisms, blunderbuss blessings (at a safe distance), group weddings and mass burials are all common in process theology.
moral theology.
A term which immediately begs a most interesting question.
A term which immediately begs a most interesting question.
January 4, 2026 at 7:41 PM
moral theology.
A term which immediately begs a most interesting question.
A term which immediately begs a most interesting question.
moral.
Anything the speaker can still achieve and get enjoyment from.
Anything the speaker can still achieve and get enjoyment from.
January 3, 2026 at 8:51 PM
moral.
Anything the speaker can still achieve and get enjoyment from.
Anything the speaker can still achieve and get enjoyment from.
For those who care: Tomorrow, at 0940, there will be a flooding king high tide at the Royal Botanic Gardens, a predicted 2.07 metres, but pushed along by high seas.
I will be there to record it. Back in the 1990s, when I was organising museum excursions, a Ginormous king high tide was 1.83 metres.
I will be there to record it. Back in the 1990s, when I was organising museum excursions, a Ginormous king high tide was 1.83 metres.
January 3, 2026 at 10:32 AM
For those who care: Tomorrow, at 0940, there will be a flooding king high tide at the Royal Botanic Gardens, a predicted 2.07 metres, but pushed along by high seas.
I will be there to record it. Back in the 1990s, when I was organising museum excursions, a Ginormous king high tide was 1.83 metres.
I will be there to record it. Back in the 1990s, when I was organising museum excursions, a Ginormous king high tide was 1.83 metres.
cross.
Over the centuries, philologists have wondered why such an inappropriately named object should be the symbol of the peaceful Christian church. A minority complain that this should be recognised as one of the great unanswered questions.
Over the centuries, philologists have wondered why such an inappropriately named object should be the symbol of the peaceful Christian church. A minority complain that this should be recognised as one of the great unanswered questions.
January 2, 2026 at 8:09 PM
cross.
Over the centuries, philologists have wondered why such an inappropriately named object should be the symbol of the peaceful Christian church. A minority complain that this should be recognised as one of the great unanswered questions.
Over the centuries, philologists have wondered why such an inappropriately named object should be the symbol of the peaceful Christian church. A minority complain that this should be recognised as one of the great unanswered questions.
Age of Innocence.
That phase of life when a young person has not yet realised that there are evil people in the world who will pervert the language for no better reason than to make a pun.
That phase of life when a young person has not yet realised that there are evil people in the world who will pervert the language for no better reason than to make a pun.
January 1, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Age of Innocence.
That phase of life when a young person has not yet realised that there are evil people in the world who will pervert the language for no better reason than to make a pun.
That phase of life when a young person has not yet realised that there are evil people in the world who will pervert the language for no better reason than to make a pun.
atheist.
One who gets definite and indefinite articles mixed with ease. In the interests of creating more atheists, the Church of England created no less than 42 articles of faith in 1553, but when they found that this tripped up too many bishops, they reduced the number of articles to 39 in 1571.
One who gets definite and indefinite articles mixed with ease. In the interests of creating more atheists, the Church of England created no less than 42 articles of faith in 1553, but when they found that this tripped up too many bishops, they reduced the number of articles to 39 in 1571.
January 1, 2026 at 5:57 AM
atheist.
One who gets definite and indefinite articles mixed with ease. In the interests of creating more atheists, the Church of England created no less than 42 articles of faith in 1553, but when they found that this tripped up too many bishops, they reduced the number of articles to 39 in 1571.
One who gets definite and indefinite articles mixed with ease. In the interests of creating more atheists, the Church of England created no less than 42 articles of faith in 1553, but when they found that this tripped up too many bishops, they reduced the number of articles to 39 in 1571.
scavenge.
To behave in a manner similar to a Cabinet Minister. Anybody who has made a serious study of the behaviour of seagulls will have no problem fathoming the true mode of operation of the Westminster system.
To behave in a manner similar to a Cabinet Minister. Anybody who has made a serious study of the behaviour of seagulls will have no problem fathoming the true mode of operation of the Westminster system.
December 30, 2025 at 9:32 PM
scavenge.
To behave in a manner similar to a Cabinet Minister. Anybody who has made a serious study of the behaviour of seagulls will have no problem fathoming the true mode of operation of the Westminster system.
To behave in a manner similar to a Cabinet Minister. Anybody who has made a serious study of the behaviour of seagulls will have no problem fathoming the true mode of operation of the Westminster system.
seagull.
An extremely efficient scavenger, much studied by Cabinet Ministers and upwardly mobile public servants. There is no evidence to suggest that the seagulls have been influenced by these other parties, though it possibly went the other way.
An extremely efficient scavenger, much studied by Cabinet Ministers and upwardly mobile public servants. There is no evidence to suggest that the seagulls have been influenced by these other parties, though it possibly went the other way.
December 29, 2025 at 11:25 PM
seagull.
An extremely efficient scavenger, much studied by Cabinet Ministers and upwardly mobile public servants. There is no evidence to suggest that the seagulls have been influenced by these other parties, though it possibly went the other way.
An extremely efficient scavenger, much studied by Cabinet Ministers and upwardly mobile public servants. There is no evidence to suggest that the seagulls have been influenced by these other parties, though it possibly went the other way.
Cabinet Minister.
A person responsible for ministering to the needs of the Great Filing Cabinet in the Sky. Not to be confused with a closet vicar.
A person responsible for ministering to the needs of the Great Filing Cabinet in the Sky. Not to be confused with a closet vicar.
December 28, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Cabinet Minister.
A person responsible for ministering to the needs of the Great Filing Cabinet in the Sky. Not to be confused with a closet vicar.
A person responsible for ministering to the needs of the Great Filing Cabinet in the Sky. Not to be confused with a closet vicar.