This type of English language mannerism, always, has subconsciously puzzled me. And it exists in other languages, too. You do know what I mean... Examples include: "dilly-dally" "shilly-shally" "wishy-washy" "mumbo-jumbo" "zig-zag" "ding-dong" "hee-haw" "wiggle-waggle" hip-hop" "spit-spot"...

Here's Will Self having a whinge: A Point of View: Why Orwell was a literary mediocrity George Orwell was a literary mediocrity and his views on the importance of plain writing are plain wrong, argues writer Will Self. "The English," GK Chesterton wrote, "love a talented mediocrity."...

I was wondering, does anyone have any idea where the phrase 'chinny reckon' comes from. I recall it being used in about 1983 and my friend John claimed to have invented it. I called Chinny Reckon on that straight away.