Spotty's Little Known Facts

[TANGODANCER]

Anyway, just seen a really irritating advert for something called wowcher.

Having that as one of the most stupid words to emerge in my lifetime.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

Anyway, just seen a really irritating advert for something called wowcher.

Having that as one of the most stupid words to emerge in my lifetime.

'Tis definitely up there with Chaz'n'Dave's Gertcha.

Gertcha wowcher.

[TANGODANCER]

A little known fact: The Duke of Wellington was once refused entry to Almacks Assembley Rooms on a social evening, for wearing black trousers instead of white knee breeches. He accepted the ruling and left quietly.

[Montreal Wanderer]

A little known fact: The Duke of Wellington was once refused entry to Almacks Assembley Rooms on a social evening, for wearing black trousers instead of white knee breeches. He accepted the ruling and left quietly.

This is indeed little known. Perhaps better known are the suggestions he wore trousers ionstead of the required knee-britches or that he was late. Some sources suggested both. Who knows the truth?

In addition, the rules were strictly adhered to, with the Duke of Wellington himself being turned away when he arrived at the Rooms in trousers, rather than the required knee breeches. Or was it because, as another story goes, he arrived after the hour of midnight? Appropos of this singular event, George Ticknor wrote that he and Lord and Lady Downshire, on their way to Almack's, stopped off at Lady Mornington's, where they met the Duke of Wellington. They asked him if he were going to Almack's and the Duke replied that "he thought he should look in by and by," upon which his mother told him that he'd better get there in good time as Lady Jersey would make no allowances for him. The Duke dawdled, Ticknor and the rest going on to Almack's without him. Later that evening, Ticknor was standing with Lady Jersey when an attendant told her, “Lady Jersey, the Duke of Wellington is at the door, and desires to be admitted." "What o'clock is it?" she asked. "Seven minutes after eleven, your ladyship." She paused, then said with emphasis and distinctness, "Give my compliments to the Duke of Wellington, and say she is very glad that the first enforcement of the rule of exclusion is such that hereafter no one can complain of its application. He cannot be admitted."

[CrazyHorse]

The UK's first mobile telephone call was made by Ernie Wise.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

The UK's first mobile telephone call was made by Ernie Wise.

Really? Who did he speak to, Eric?

[Lost Leopard Spot]

A little known fact: The Duke of Wellington was once refused entry to Almacks Assembley Rooms on a social evening, for wearing black trousers instead of white knee breeches. He accepted the ruling and left quietly.

It might be a slightly more widely known fact that the Duke of Wellington's address was:
The Duke of Wellington, No. 1 London.
A really annoying acquaitance of mine (a friend of some friends) collects signatures and bought an envelope with that address on and inside had two sheets of paper, one supposedly the letter to the Duke and the other purportedly a copy of his reply complete with the Ducal signature. I took no delight at all, none whatsoever , in pointing out to him that although Wellington died in 1852 and penny reds were in circulation from 1841 the penny red on his cover had four corner letters and was not introduced until 1871.

[CrazyHorse]

The UK's first mobile telephone call was made by Ernie Wise.

Really? Who did he speak to, Eric?

Dunno.


And don't call me Eric.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

The UK's first mobile telephone call was made by Ernie Wise.

Really? Who did he speak to, Eric?

Dunno.


And don't call me Eric.

Listen Eric. It's no good posting half-baked Little Known Facts! We need the full story OK. I'm going to have to go and google it now to complete the knowledge set... this might benefit the TW brethren, but it sure ain't an efficient use of my time at work

[Lost Leopard Spot]

Britain's first mobile phone call was made across the Vodafone network on 1 January 1985 by comedian Ernie Wise

The first call was made from St Katherine's dock to Vodafone's head office in Newbury which at the time was over a curry house. A girl called Sue answered.

For the first nine days of 1985 Vodafone was the only firm with a mobile network in the UK.

(PS - I can't actually find anywhere that tells me who answered - so I've made Sue up).
(PPS - Sue is not the gorgeous bint in the photograph at the top - that's Frederick).

[TANGODANCER]

A little known fact: The Duke of Wellington was once refused entry to Almacks Assembley Rooms on a social evening, for wearing black trousers instead of white knee breeches. He accepted the ruling and left quietly.

This is indeed little known. Perhaps better known are the suggestions he wore trousers ionstead of the required knee-britches or that he was late. Some sources suggested both. Who knows the truth?

The Almacks in your quote, Monty, was totally ruled by women in the Regency era. If your face didn't fit it mattered not to "the commitee" who you were or how famous. Irish poet and wit Henry Luttrell (1766-1851) noted, banishment was a grave social penalty:

All on that magic List depends;
Fame, fortune, fashion, lovers, friends;
'Tis that which gratifies or vexes
All ranks, all ages, and both sexes.
If once to Almack's you belong,
Like monarchs you can do no wrong;
But banished thence on Wednesday night,
By Jove, you can do nothing right.

[plymouth wanderer]

The UK's first mobile telephone call was made by Ernie Wise.

Really? Who did he speak to, Eric?

Dunno.


And don't call me Eric.

What do ya wanna be called

[CrazyHorse]

Susan.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

Susan.

So it was you who Ernie was calling. That'll explain how you knew that little known fact, Sue.

[Montreal Wanderer]

I have won money on a couple of little known British geographical facts. Bristol and Liverpool are botheast of Edinburgh, while Chester is south of Dublin. Now you too can make a buck. Well, pound perhaps.

[Gary the Enfield]

The UK's first cash machine was installed in the Barclay's Bank in Enfield in 1967

Reg Varney from 'On The Buses' (look it up kids) was the first person to use it.

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

The UK's first cash machine was installed in the Barclay's Bank in Enfield in 1967

Reg Varney from 'On The Buses' (look it up kids) was the first person to use it.

Did Blakey ever get him?

[Gary the Enfield]

The UK's first cash machine was installed in the Barclay's Bank in Enfield in 1967

Reg Varney from 'On The Buses' (look it up kids) was the first person to use it.

Did Blakey ever get him?

Nah, he was after Butler.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

I have won money on a couple of little known British geographical facts. Bristol and Liverpool are botheast of Edinburgh, while Chester is south of Dublin. Now you too can make a buck. Well, pound perhaps.

Bristol, yes. But Liverpool: is it really east of Edinburgh?

[Lost Leopard Spot]

The UK's first cash machine was installed in the Barclay's Bank in Enfield in 1967

Reg Varney from 'On The Buses' (look it up kids) was the first person to use it.

I remember well the first generation of ATMs and the cards with square holes. I was probably one of the first people in the UK to have my card eaten by the fecking machine. (not really. It was 1973 when mine was eaten).