• Was it a one off, or do you get to use it quite frequently? I see from your description that it was due to a surprise hospital machinery incident.

    When do you expect to next be able to say it?

    I used it most recently in the phrase “like some kind of improvised security aglet” (we were discussing wrapping tape or crimping a metal ferrule round the end of some metal wire to stop the frayed end from unravelling). That’s probably the last time I’ll get to use it this year.

    • I’m optimistic about another use some time next year. I’d thought about planning it, but it all began to feel a bit too contrived and was really draining the joy out of it. So I’m just going to see what happens. If it rolls around to next autumn without another appearance I might get a bit restless, but I’ve learned you can’t rush these things.