David Astle (alias DA)

@dontattempt.bsky.social

Crossword maker. Evenings host ABC Vic. Writer, and Wordplay columnist SMH & The Age. Verbaholic. My views only davidastle.com

Bumped into the beloved Elaine Canty - the 774 Arvos host of the 1990s. We both listed words and phrases any host can say to test if people are listening: fewer (not less) imply (not infer) daylight savings Princess Highway between you and I could of irregardless ceremony (rhymes with bony)

I once pondered at the family dinner table, “If a dog is canine and a cat is feline, what’s a bird?” Quick as a flash my brother (age 11) replied, “Airline!”

Quick Refresher lupine - like a wolf ursine - bearish grenadine - explosive alpine - left-leaning engine - car-related imagine - Lennon-like figurine - numerical calamine - squid-shaped refine - umpish twine - same-same Elaine - resembling an ex-girlfriend supine - of a casual greeting