h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Is there an expression 'somebody is driven spare'? Given the context it's in, I have an idea what it means, but I couldn't find it anywhere, so thought I'd ask here

There is, yes - if something drives you mad, sometimes people say 'it drives me spare'. It's quite a colloquial use.
KB

Thanks for that KB, much appreciated.

Ok, it's me again, I hope somebody is still subscribed to this.
I know I'm asking for much, but could somebody please have a look at this entry A16350185 before I return it? TC isn't online often, and I got no reply. (Original is here: A1968708)
It's very long and took me hours and hours, and now my and I , so may have missed something.
Help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Bel

I had a look, Bel, but I haven't got that long, so I've only got as far as the driving bit. My thoughts:

Shouldn't the title of the entry have more capitals in it?

"German drivers in Britain
"...please note that there is no system of 'priority from the right'."

This just looks odd. Why not start the section with "Please note ..."?

You're right, I'll go and change it. As I said, after a while, I didn't see things anymore, if you read it so often, it's nearly as if you've written it yourself. It took me days to spot the kph, which is unknown in Germany, just because I knew what it meant. Thanks for having a look at it in your sparse online time.

I've read a bit more.

"Very often, the glass or pot will only contain hot water, and a teabag will be balanced in the saucer." - Nothing wrong with your editing, but this is an absolutely detestable practice that bewildered me when I first encountered it in Canada. If I go to a restaurant and order a sandwich, do they give me a loaf of bread, a pheasant and a knife? No, they do not, they make the food for me. It should be the same with tea (though I'll add my own milk and sugar to taste).

Under "Money" the seperate listings for Britain and Germany seem to imply that direct debit, standing order and transfer are not used, or not common, in the UK. They may be less common than Germany, but I've used all three (my rent is currently being paid by standing order).

So what would you suggest then?
I'm not sure about the teabag-thingy, I haven't ordered tea in a restaurant for a while now, and I can't for the life of me remember it being served extra. You get a saucer where to put it when you think your tea is strong enough, though.

It's always nice when places use a teapot. Failing that, they should either make it for you (asking how strong you'd like it), or at least put the teabag in the mug before pouring the boiling water in. The big trouble with being handed the teabag separately is that the water isn't hot enough. In general terms, the poshest British cafes and restaurants use teapots, the next step down is making it for you and greasy spoon type places hand you a mug with the teabag still in it.

Can someone offer advice on this?

"Gun dogs as a group are very intelligent, and while some would off the opinion that the Weimaraner is the dumbest of this group, that's still a very smart dog."

I'm wondering about that phrase "some would off the opinion". Is this a phrase I haven't heard, or is it a typo for "some would be of the opinion"?

What about: some would offer the opinion? It clearly isn't correct as it stands.

- that was quick editing.