The dog ate the beef joint
"When I returned from work one evening, I wondered why my husband hadn't roasted the joint of beef I'd taken out from the freezer that morning. There was no trace of it anywhere, nor the plate it was on. Next day, evidence of the butcher's string tied round the meat appeared during our dog walk, but we never found the plate," writes Jeanette Hamilton from Buxton, Derbyshire.
The 'short illness' mystery
Dr Terry Scragg previously asked what the "short illness" so often mentioned in obituaries is. Eoin Dillon from Dublin, Ireland, responds: "Death notices also frequently refer to people dying in 'the excellent care' of a particular medical facility. I note the names of these institutions with a view to avoiding them, their reputation for excellence being somewhat belied by their mortality rates."
Andy Burnham's smart move
Mary Foley from Wandsworth, London, comments on Andy Burnham's first days in his new role: "How many people start a new role and immediately move the office closer to their home? Respect."
Brunch and dinner definitions
Nigel Steel had listed meals but missed brunch. Ian Jenkins from Stapleford, Nottinghamshire, notes: "No wonder he needs to ward off night starvation."
Ruth Durrell from Cheadle Hulme, Greater Manchester, clarifies: "It's quite simple: dinner is the main meal of the day, whether it's eaten at lunchtime or teatime."
