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

I've had some discussion eleseweb about the difference between "ask" cultures and "guess" cultures, and the differences that makes in the buying of presents. One person says that in her family, Christmas gifts are always arranged in advance. And that suits her perfectly, takes all the stress out of wondering what to buy, and ensures she gets something she actually likes. Other people would find it stifling. We're all different, I guess.

TRiG.

>> Alas, for some other relatives I just go a book store
chain and buy gift certificates. <<

I'd say that was a very good gift, especially for those
who do actually read. Only the illiterate would not
appreciate the thought and the opportunity - but who
really cares about the illiterate. And of course many
bookstores also sell comics, DVDs and action figures.

~jwf~

@Trig
>> elseweb <<


Elseweb!
What a lovely new term you've coined.
I like it and I'm gonna use it.

~jwf~

Thanks. I pondered for a while whether to include that word, but I decided it fitted and was comprehensible. It seems to work. But much as I'd love to claim credit for coining it, I'm sure I picked it up from somewhere. DDG shows it in fairly wide use: http://duckduckgo.com/?q=elseweb.

TRiG.

"I'd say that was a very good gift, especially for those
who do actually read." [jwf]

If I had had a clue about my relatives' reading tastes, I would have given them books anyway. This is money that the bookstores would have gotten from me one way or the other.

"Elseweb!
What a lovely new term you've coined.
I like it and I'm gonna use it."

How could you, jwf!? It's a monstrosty!!

A monstrosity, even.

"Monstrosty the Snowman

was a very happy soul.
Hippity-hop-hop, hippity-hop-hop
look at 'Strosty go!



~jwf~

Frosty the snowman was beloved by one and all.
For his great success you could never guess any reasoning at all.