Word of the day

Iconoclasm: what a great word. It just sounds so impressive, it just rolls off the tongue like machine gun fire. I just learned what it means...

Iconoclasm: The action or spirit of an iconoclast.

Which begs an obvious question...

Iconoclast: A breaker or destroyer of images, esp. those set up for religious veneration. A person who attacks cherished beliefs, traditional institutions, etc., as being based on error or superstition.

Let's all try to use this fine word at least once today. Here's a ready made example of a way it can be used which I just stole from a film review, feel free to copy it yourself if the mood takes you...

"Lars Von Triers' new film, 'The Boss Of It All' is his most accessible, and least iconoclastic, in ages".

Or you could tell your mates down the pub that you're thinking about becoming an iconoclast. Ask their opinion on whether they think it's a good idea or not.

(It's probably best not to entertain any seriously iconoclastic ideas though - at least don't vocalise them like Lars Von Trier regularly does, because it might upset mum and dad)


Irreverance and iconoclasm in action: Lars Von Trier on the set of his film "The Idiots" (2000)

Channel 4 Says Sorry to Stoke

And not just for endless reruns of 'Friends' on E4:

Channel 4 has apologised to the mayor and people of Stoke-on-Trent for saying it had a homelessness problem.

In Location, Location, Location last week the show claimed that one-in-five of the city's families were homeless, a claim its mayor rejected.

The channel has now apologised on its website, admitting there was an error.

The rundown of the best and worst places to live named Stoke as the 13th worst. Producers said the homeless figures did not affects its ranking.

A profile about the city on the Location, Location, Location section of the channel's website previously said Stoke was "one of the most depressed - and depressing - areas in the country".

It said: "Nearly one-in-five families here is officially homeless - stuck in B&Bs and hostels."

The full article at the BBC can be found here.

Coming soon: Stokes Croft - Bristol's Cultural Quarter

In the meantime, find out about The Peoples Republic of Stokes Croft.