Punctures...

[Shadow]

In my newbieness, I have wondered why the majority of CC'ers cannot seem to write the word 'p-u-n-c-t-u-r-e-s'. There seem to be a few euphemisms, many based around 'a fairy'. Is there/are there any reason/s apart from plain old superstition?

 

[2Loose]

Is 'Sod's Law' a superstition?

 

[longers]

^ what he said.

 

[Archie_tect]

945 MisterPaul.... you must have been very naughty to have got that many lines.... or did you spell it wrong earlier?

 

[661-Pete]

This may explain a lot...

 

[MacB]

Pure superstition, say puncture as many times, in as many ways, as you like, it has no bearing on whether you will puncture or not. It seems similar to other nonsense like touching wood, not putting shoes on tables, black cats, horseshoes, lucky heather and all the other crud. But at least some of that may have a form of placebo effect.

 

[summerdays]

I like it - I'm not superstitious - I think "the fairy" is the equivalent of a masonic handshake ... its secret cyclist code to say "I'm a cyclist", just an "in-joke". Does the fairy live in other countries as well ... or is it a UK thing?

 

[Panter]

I never write the "P" word, it's just not the done thing on CC.

It's not out of any superstition though, it's just a forum, it's just a bit of fun

 

[XmisterIS]

I think the "P" word is to cyclists what the word "Macbeth" is to actors.

 

[Shadow]

Thanks for the replies guys, glad there are plenty of forumites who are not afraid. For a while I thought I was the only one.

Mr P - excellent response I've seen to any post for ages!!!


And for all those who are superstitious, didn't you know it is bad luck to be superstitious!

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I mentioned on a forum a few weeks a ago that I hadn't had a puncture so far this year. I came back from the next Sunday ride with a thorn in my back tyre, my first puncture this year, the next Sunday I got my second, so is it myth or is the Fairie watching and listening?

 

[asterix]

[QUOTE 1179926"]
One of my pet hates. Seeing two cyclists asking each when was the last time they 'had one' with a nudge nudge and a wink wink because they dare not say that 'word'. Just say PUNCTURE you ****ing knobend.
[/quote]

I suspect they might not have been discussing *u**u*es..

 

[Davidc]

I haven't come across anyone who has a real aversion to writing or saying puncture. I think the puncture fairy is little more than an in-joke. I'm quite happy to refer to the puncture fairy, doesn't mean anything though.

 

[Renard]

I am going to test the theory... puncture puncture puncture. I haven't had any for a while so if I get one this weekend I'll let you know.

 

[Arch]

For me it's not so much the word, but I'm not daft enough to ever say "I haven't had a puncture for ages!". (except to illustrate my point here).

And to prove my point....

I mentioned on a forum a few weeks a ago that I hadn't had a puncture so far this year. I came back from the next Sunday ride with a thorn in my back tyre, my first puncture this year, the next Sunday I got my second, so is it myth or is the Fairie watching and listening?

It's the Murray Walker put-the-mockers-on effect. In the same way, woe betide the one of us at work who says

"Well, it's fairly light today, I reckon we'll get it all on in one trip, just this last street to...."

<turn into last street to see every recycling box out, and full to the brim>

"...oh bugger...."