Results - 20.04.2012

Categories: Books & Things you'd find in a pharmacy

I am writing this soggy of sock and damp of trouser. It sure is a moist one out there and being quite accustomed to hand-flailing complaint I'm keen to pore scorn on Mother Nature's new and clearly over-zealous precipitation Tsar. One presumes she's recently employed a new "Rain Delivery Coordinator" to oversee all things 'falling from a cloud' and he's trying to impress his new boss by making everyone lamentably wet. I'm hoping, like the rest of us, that the novelty of his new job will wear off and he'll gradually drift into an elaborate charade of skillfully imitated enthusiasm. The next time we see rain you'll know it's only because Mother Nature walked into his office and in the time it takes me to click away from rugbydump.com he'll have hurriedly unleashed a bitter flurry of stinging hail onto the saddle of my lonesome bicycle. 

Enough of this weather talk - there are Puns afoot! It was a great week - I bounced and bobbled around my place of work (feigning the giving of a shit of course) admiring the quality on display and absorbing the kind words of praise regarding my choice of categories. So, thank you for that.

There were many excellent entries but these are the three that did it for me this week:

In 3rd Place is a Pun that exudes technical merit...

The bridges of Medicine County - Martin Hall

If spoken swiftly enough one can barely hear the difference between this and the original Bridges of Maddison County. This makes the entry more an example of subtle wordplay and less of a silly, infantile Pun. That's not a bad thing. The category usage is bang-on compliance, albeit quite broadly, and the depth of category mining is admirable - many will be familiar with the movie starring Brad Pitt but not the Robert James Waller novel of 1992 (me included, I had to look that up). The composer, the inimitable Martin Hall, is one of the Pun-Off's most highly regarded members - skillful without being flash and consistent without being unoriginal; he's very much the Peter Beardsley of Word play.



Beardsley:
 Distinct lack of beard.
Shame.



In 2nd Place...I can count his Pun-off appearances on one hand but his mature performance this week defied his apparent inexperience...

Dioralyte of a wimpy kid - Edward Davis

Davis has produced a solid Pun that I enjoyed a great deal. What it lacks in syllabic flow it exudes in creativity. One wonders which category factor came to him first, Dioralyte or the book, but either way when married together it produces a wonderful effect. It's looking very likely that Davis will continue to improve - he seems very eager for Punning glory which is probably going to assist and hinder him in equal measure. Sometimes a competitor's desire to win can cause impulsive, poor quality Punning - we've seen many Punners fall into this trap. However, credit to Edward for this week's excellent performance.

As an aside; I discovered the powers of Dioralyte quite recently - not in it's intended usage as a diarrhoea recovery beverage - but as a hangover retardation formula. It's a rehydration mixture and apparently drinking one small glass is equivalent to drinking 6 pints of water or something like that. Thank you to Pun-Off regular Sarah Keighley for this valuable information and for administering to me my first dosage a month or so ago.

And in 1st place...he's a solid unit capable of hilarity and creativity. It's a rare mix and I urge you to join me in celebration of:

The Scarlet Pimple Gel - Andy Watts

This entry looked destined for People's Champion but the quality of the field dictated otherwise. I like the well rounded flow of this one, the broad but endearing use of the categories and the good natured, sportsman-like delivery which Watts has made his trademark. He's a voice of reason and clarity on competition day, often rebuking the occasional tosser that drifts into and pleasingly out of the Pun-Off community. His Punning ability is without doubt - consistently strong, thoughtfully conceived and often very funny. Watts might not thank me for this comparison but his sense of fair play, coupled with his remarkable ability to hit the target brings to mind a young Gary Lineker. Well done Andy, you're a credit to Punners everywhere.

People's Champion

We have a draw!!!

This is the third draw in Pun-Off history; the first of which ended in massive controversy (it can be viewed here). Both People's Champion's deserve their title this week for these excellent entries:

Schindler's Listerine - Jonn Dean (15 Likes)

Gaviscon with the Wind - Zoe Wood (15 Likes)

A highly pleasing pair of Puns from a pair of Punners gifted with originality and skill. Wood's Punning flame burns slightly less brightly than the ever-luminescent Jonn Dean but they are both huge presences in the Punning realm. It's of no surprise to me that these entries were so popular with the public - they really are wonderful efforts and if the People's will didn't see fit to award them a prize then I certainly would have. Well done to you both; you share the title until Friday.

Honourable Mentions

Vlad the Inhaler - Rich Dinham
Dinham's declining confidence is at odds with his growing skill-set. Needs to back himself more.

Novacaine and Abel - Justine Grimley

Excellent knowledge of dental painkillers and biblical tales from Grimley

Mycil Kampf - Jovan Pavlicevic

Foot powder and fascist diatribes...the perfect combo for Pavlicevic 

Gaviscon Baby gone - Edward Davis

Testament to Davis' current form

GoodNytol Mr. Tom - Melissa Wharton

You won't be surprised to know that Wharton is a primary school teacher. She was probably holding a copy of the book when she thought of this.

Windeze in the Willows - Marilyn "Mazza" Stephens
My Mum knows how to Pun. She has an solid work ethic, admirable knowledge base and the confidence to unleash it to full effect. Good work Mazza.

Debuts

Faye Andrewartha - Great start from Faye; leisurely but assured.

Suzanne Blackledge - The definitive Power Pun - all 5 entries in one comment. Punning House advises a different approach but a promising started from Suzanne.

Jacob Robert Harris - looks to have a well rounded skill-set and a desire to compete; I expect to see good things from Harris

There we have it - another wonderful week of wordplay! You'll have noticed that the results are now coming out a lot later than you've all become accustomed to. The reason for this is that my weekends have been very busy of late and it makes more sense for me to take my time and get it done well. However, this Friday evening I am travelling to The Cotwolds so will probably write up the results on the train.

Until next time....