I was duty night editor earlier this week and came across a couple of stories which failed the most basic test of language - providing clear communication.
The other was worse. It was a business page story about Austrian oil and gas producer OMV which may have to sell its stakes in the Maui and Pohokura gas fields.
It quoted petroleum sector analyst John Kidd from Woodward Partners. After such phrases as ''buy-side friendly'' and ''core strength in late-life assets'' - not too bad so far - Mr Kidd said this: ''While compared to the counterfactual (likely to be defined as the status quo) the proposal might prima-facie reduce competition levels, we think there is a strong case to be made to assert that the proposal is more likely to see additional indigenous gas and lpg brought to market compared with what the counterfactual might deliver.''
I'm sorry? What?
Does he mean something might do the opposite to expected? I'm really not sure.
Grrrrr.
The missing ''t''
Here's a great typo picked up at the last moment by one of our sub-editors.
In a story about the success of the new rabbit calicivirus, it was said: ''However, Australia has had a 40% morality rate so far.''
Perhaps it's equally true whether the extra ''t'' is there or not?
Airport coffee cups
ODT columnist Elspeth McLean is still not happy with the answers from Dunedin Airport about the lack of both recycling and china cups at Momona.
You may recall Amy Nicholson from the airport answered Elspeth's initial grumbles and we found out that takeaway cups are preferred for various reasons (including that crockery and cutlery has been stolen in the past), that crockery mugs are available at the Bach Cafe, and that recycling is on the cards for passengers and visitors by the end of the year.
But Elspeth says she doesn't find ''any of this particularly convincing''.
''The Bach Cafe may say you can ask for a mug, but how do you know that? When I walked around the whole bar-serving area, I could not actually see crockery cups.
''I think the reason for not using crockery is far more likely to be to do with saving money on staffing than actually these excuses given here.''
When it comes to airport recycling - ''that might be better than nothing, but reducing waste is a far better option''.
Green Acorn Cafe
More on this lovely building in North Dunedin.
Ivan Brenssell of Kaikorai, who set up the Green Acorn there, says the building on the corner of St David and Cumberland Sts was in a derelict state when the University of Otago bought it. The big veranda, which originally ran across the St David St side only, had already been removed.
''I was granted a lease of this building and established the Green Acorn Cafe on this site for 21 years, then relocated to Albany St, selling the business as a going concern in 2017.
''Jerrards Gun Shop operated from this building prior to our lease, but it had been a dairy and store many times before.''
The initials of Donald Malloch, the Waikouaiti storekeeper for whom R. A. Lawson designed the building in 1885, are ''entwined over both doorways - originally two shops''.
''I am pleased that I was instrumental in saving this building by researching its historical importance with the help of art historian the late Peter Entwisle.
''The building is now known as the Green Acorn Building and registered with the Historic Places Trust.''
Thanks for the extra information, Ivan.
Carol Sainsbury-Cowell of Warrington has different butterflies in her part of the world.
''I am still waiting to see a monarch butterfly in my garden, but in the meantime I counted 15 yellow admiral butterflies on a patch of sedum at one time, along with numerous honey bees and bumble bees. It is a great plant for attracting wildlife.''
Conway Wood of St Kilda has four large swan plants full of monarch butterfly caterpillars. He says he's never seen as many, and there have been a couple of butterflies floating around. Yet last year he had none.
26th National Leisure Marching Event
Finally, a request from Jan Hoad, the convener of the Dunedin Leisure Marching Events committee, which is hosting the 26th National Leisure Marching Event at the More FM Arena of the Edgar Centre tomorrow and on Saturday.
Jan says incorrect starting times have been published elsewhere for both days.
Tomorrow's starts at 1.30pm, with a march-past of all 65 participating teams. Saturday's event begins at 10am and is expected to finish around 3.30pm.