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

they make fishermans friend sweets down the road from me
but I've never had one

They're ment to be really strong... but I recall trying some when I was younger, and not thinking they were particularly strong maybe time I tried again... been years since I tasted a fishmen.... err... f fishermans friend I mean...

I also vouch for the power of knowing the right names of things - there are codes for haircuts, for example, and I sometimes know the right code, but not this time... I managed to salvage the situation, just about, but it would be easier with the right words...

I'm not keen on the flavour of original Fisherman's Friends, but I was partial to the extra strong mints they used to do

I didn't think fishermen's friends were particularly strong either, but I didn't really care for them. Usually I do like strong things like them, though.

So Sasha, now that I know about the magical properties inherent in names, what will I get if I ask for a "fisherman's haircut"?

So KB, the answer is in the Urban Dictionary... Brings new meaning to the term Cut and Blow

Not what I'll be requesting next time I attempt to get a haircut...

Oh, it exists? Do I want to look? I'll have to now...

Ah. If I'm asking for that, I'm going to a different barber than the last one (who was bald, beefy, taciturn and slightly redolent of organised crime...)

I've not been to an hairdressers since... oo... about 1992 perhaps I'd kinda forgotten they exist

Now you see the magical power of The Names Of Things. You hadn't been to a barber since the early 90s. But now that you know of a "Fisherman's Haircut" you'll be there within two days.

a fisherman's haircut is immaterial. they wear Sou'westers

these names of things, sounds dangerous to me! so... if I like go into n hairdressers... and say... I dunno... gimme a princess haircut... they'd know what I wanted, even if I don't? err... I t think I've forgotten how hairdressor shops work which is odd... true I've not been to one since the early 90s, but I live nextdoor to one, and have done... err.... since the early 00s... and... like nexdoor; there is one wall, between me and them!if Ijust knocked a hole in the wall, I could have a private enterence into the hairdressors nextdoor! oh. no... now I'll be kept awake all night, in fear of the hairdressor breaking into my house, and cutting off my locks, whilst I@m sleeping. adn stealing all my strength adn powers! see.... this words for things, thing... its dangerous!

It was a normal conversation before they got here!

*points*

well... don't point at me! I didn't do anything! you made me do it!
*points at a potted plant* see!

Hmm. not very jumper weather today... too hot for a coat... was wearing a short sleeved shirt, and it was still warm in town maybe I'll put off the once yearly perusal of jumpers, cardigans, and the inevitable inability to decide, and non-purchasing, until its turned a bit colder...