September 19, 2003

Compass

Posted by Chris

A new Labour (but definitely not New Labour) ginger group has been launched, by the name of Compass. It looks interesting and some good people are involved.

Posted on September 19, 2003 10:47 AM UTC
Comments

Ginger group?

I’ve honestly never heard the term before…

Posted by Richard · September 19, 2003 12:05 PM

Am I being shockingly naive in asking what you get if you join? There’s a “Join Us” form asking for thirty quid (I can only join as an “Associate Member”), but no details of my badge with real swivelling eyes, secret code words, handy plastic wallet, Gnasher’s Fang Club identity card etc. Do I get to describe myself as a member of the “influential Compass Group” in my correspondence (which looks like a bit of a bargain for thirty quid, as well as a massive hostage to fortune for them)? Or do I just get the odd invitation to a drinks party with a middle-ranking backbencher making a speech (in which case thirty quid looks like a bit of a racket and we should consider starting one of our own)?

Have to agree that the membership list looks pretty strong though.

Posted by dsquared · September 19, 2003 12:21 PM

Redheads? Chinese cooks? I’ve never heard the term either, and I confess I’m still a little baffled by it.

Posted by Patrick Nielsen Hayden · September 19, 2003 01:09 PM

Yer definition, zurr

Posted by dsquared · September 19, 2003 01:42 PM

OED:

d. attrib. or as adj. Applied to a group, person, etc., which provides the ‘ginger’, spirit, or stimulus of a party or movement; esp. in ginger group.

Posted by Chris · September 19, 2003 01:45 PM

Ah, like the piece of ginger up the horse’s bum trick.

Posted by Richard · September 19, 2003 02:03 PM

The what?

Posted by dsquared · September 19, 2003 02:11 PM

I believe, although perhaps embarrassingly I get this from Terry Pratchett, that a favourite pasttime of young scallywags during pre-internal combustion engine days was to put a piece of ginger up a very personal spot of the horse, and watch it react.

Posted by Richard · September 19, 2003 02:40 PM

FEAGUE – To feague a horse; to put ginger up a horse’s fundament and formerly, as it is said, a live eel, to make him lively and carry his tail well. It is said that a forfeit is incurred by any horse-dealer’s servant who shall ‘shew’ a horse without first feaguing him. Feague is used, figuratively, for encouraging or spiriting one up.

Posted by Sven · September 19, 2003 03:38 PM

That’s bizarre, since “ginger” in the sense of “gingerly” has almost the opposite meaning.

Posted by Walt Pohl · September 19, 2003 05:08 PM

I can personally vouch for Colin Crouch, who I suspect was responsible for the bit on capitalism and economic policy. He’s not only a Sound Bloke, but full of good ideas to boot. But then, he was co-supervisor of my Ph.D. dissertation for all intents and purposes, so I would say that, wouldn’t I.

Posted by Henry · September 19, 2003 05:53 PM

And best of british to anyone approaching Blair’s fundament with an oriental herb in hand.

Posted by Nabakov · September 22, 2003 02:53 PM
Followups

This discussion has been closed. Thanks to everyone who contributed.