Spoffles

14 July 2005

Status – busy. And with little Internet connection goodness. Sorry. Will post later in the week – have lots to talk about including further London aftermath and the G8 summit (remember that?). In the meantime, have a delightful story, courtesy of this week’s Popbitch newsletter:

Many moons ago, when Hugh Laurie and Sir Stephen of Fry were just becoming ‘known’, they were interviewed on a BBC radio show. Mr Fry asked what the foam covers on the end of the mics were called. To which Mr Laurie said, “They’re called ‘Spoffles’ and they prevent what’s known as ‘Popping’”. Mr Fry, the Host and the Engineer were all impressed by Mr Laurie’s knowledge and the interview continued.

Years passed, and once again Fry and Laurie were in a radio studio. The Engineer said something like he’ll just adjust the Spoffle. Mr Laurie says, “The what?” And the Engineer explains that this is what the foam things are called. “Good Lord,” laughs Mr Laurie, “I made that word up on the spot years ago in a studio!”

 

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2 Responses

FactoBrunt

hah! That’s funny.. Perhaps it would have not got aired if he’s known they were really called muffs. Microphone muffs are the only ones I know of that supress “popping”.

Bob Salmon

This is like the Not the Nine O’Clock News team (Rowan Atkinson in particular) asserting that the collective noun of baboon was flange. This has now made its way into mainstream biology use.