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

Entry: Shovels - A10277697
Author: Sillybear25 - U1606039

This is just my first draft. I wanted it to be brief, but informative. If you have any other shovel types to contribute, by all means do, and I'll add you to the researcher list.

Hi there!

One of the things it says at the top of the PeerReview page is "Important Note: Peer Review is not the place for entries that are unfinished.."

If you are looking for some help in writing this entry, the place to submit it would be the Writing-Workshop, which is just for entries that are still a work in progress, but whose authors hope to get them into the Edited Guide at some point. If you'd like to learn more about how the Edited Guide works here on h2g2, feel free to ask some questions, or try reading this bit here -- A3938628.


Mikey

I've never seen a shovel of about 2m length - which giants do you think should handle such shovels ? And at such a length, the pole would probably break every other hour

srry bout that. not used to metric system. i fixed the error.

and you can include plastic seaside ones (commonly called spades)

How about a quick discussion of how shovel works as a verb? (shovelling food in your gob is a less than polite way to eat)

What about shovel maintenance? And the different shapes of the business end (sort of poiny leaf-shaped ones, rectangular ones etc?)

also, I bought myself a new one last year for gardening, and was pointed to slightly smaller "bladed" ones for ladies.

It still seems long to me, I've had a look and the average length of the poles seems to be 130cm ( ca. 4'4")but then I couldn't really verify.

You know, I'm not sure that shaft lengths are very much standard. I think that people will tend to purchase a shovel that stands somewhere around chest to shoulder height. If it is too short, you will fall into the hole you're digging, but if it is too long, you will tend to hit yourself in the head.

I have noticed that the shovel is the preferred tool to lean on while watching others actually work. You will see this at any construction site - it is apparently universal - I have done it myself.

I think you have a great idea for an entry with much potential for fun and humour.

'I think you have a great idea for an entry with much potential for fun and humour'.

> Yes, it reminds me of this one, which never quite made it out of PR.
A273674

Also, Alien has a half decent unedited Entry dating from 2000 at A273674. Wonder if it might be worth while to try and combine the two?

'You know, I'm not sure that shaft lengths are very much standard'.

'Ahem,' (trying unsuccessfully to look dignified, and then), 'Harrumph,' (and finally), 'Hee hee.'

Hello Sillybear25,

Some months ago there was an entry about shovels and spades, their definitions, shapes, uses and origins.

An American High School student gave us the benefit of his technical education.

Tell me, would you believe that a shovel, spade or any other hand tool is technically regarded as a machine, 'powered' my human energy? Even the apes use tools; so our 'distant cousins' are also mechanically minded! I wouldn't put it past our current British government to levy a tax on the apes for the privilege of machine usage, based on the number of ants or bees they can prise from a crevice using a twig! They also use them as weapons of moss destruction; so shouldn't they be sanctioned as terrorists by the U. N. Security Council for aping their 'betters'?

frontiersape

Talking about shaft lengths, it's you that's BigAl...

How's this developing?

Also curious.

You say that a spade is a form of shovel. Not in my vocabulary, it isn't. To my mind, a shovel is for moving loose gravel or similar material. Is has the classic shape seen on cards (as 'spades') and may well have a 2m shaft. An actual spade, on the other hand, has a square head and a shorter shaft and is used for digging: either digging holes or turning earth in a vegetable bed.

TRiG.

I'd also say a spade is different from a shovel. For the purposes of the entry though, I think it could be included.

There are (or used to be in the days when they were custom-made by blacksmiths) a wide variety of types of spade. Often they varied by region according to the soil in the area. For instance a loy is one with a long, narrow blade, very good for heavy soil or stony ground. A loy is similar to what's called a Lurgan spade in these parts - hence the phrase 'a face like a Lurgan spade".

So, um... Anyone know if Sillybear25 is still in the building?

Sillybear25 last posted 2 months ago, respectfully suggest this is moved to the Flea Market as it certainly has potential.

It should be - and it does have.

Seconded, assuming that's what you're asking for Matt and added to DB

Emmily