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 Post subject: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:53 
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http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/23/uk-f ... h-adapter/

Brilliant!

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It's only a concept but I'd buy a ton of these in a heartbeat. It unfolds to fit a standard socket or can be put in a new slim-style socket whilst folder up. Click through for a video.


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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:56 
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Great stuff!

But look at all that dirty electricity, eh? Tch. I think the money would be better spent on giving it a clean, so we get brighter light from bulbs and sharper definition on our TVs nationwide.

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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 13:09 
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Ooh, genius!

I heartily endorse this event or product.

I insist that Grim... pays for the development of this product


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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 13:10 
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Part physicist, part WARLORD

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That's brilliant.


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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 13:29 
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Apart from the foot-shattering problem when you tread on one in the dark, I consider the UK plug to be the best design of all of the household plugs.

This goes one better, and it should be made in their millions, and whoever designed it should get a Nobel Prize or something.


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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 13:30 
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Chinny chin chin

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I fear change.


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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 13:37 
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baron of techno

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Hmm.mmm.. Looks reasonable I suppose.
Yeah, I'd buy that.


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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 13:40 
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I like how it's elegantly backwards compatible, whilst allowing you to replace existing gang plugs with tiny slimline ones. Also, when dropped on the floor, it wouldn't ever be prongs uppermost!


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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 13:43 
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I guess it's only for devices drawing fairly small amounts of power though, it doesn't look hefty enough inside to use for a kettle for example. Not that that's a major drawback because it's still useful for the other 95% of stuff.


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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 13:48 
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baron of techno

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markg wrote:
I guess it's only for devices drawing fairly small amounts of power though, it doesn't look hefty enough inside to use for a kettle for example. Not that that's a major drawback because it's still useful for the other 95% of stuff.


I was weighing that up just now but I don't see any reason it couldn't be built to a 13A rating like the normal plug.

Certainly I think it would need to be, in order to claim backwards compatibility and safety.

One area I probably wouldn't use it is where mechanical strength is important, like on a vacuum cleaner or similar. It just looks a bit flimsier.


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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 13:48 
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Gogmagog

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chinnyhill10 wrote:
I fear change.

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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 13:52 
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kalmar wrote:
Certainly I think it would need to be, in order to claim backwards compatibility and safety.

Does that really matter these days though, what with everything coming with plugs already fitted? It could just be fitted to devices where it's suitable.


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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 13:54 
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The biggest problem I see with it is that small linear plugpack PSUs (phone chargers and the like) have to go back to the untidy brick-on-a-wire type, rather than the neater wall-wart type.


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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 13:55 
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Doctor Glyndwr wrote:
The biggest problem I see with it is that small linear plugpack PSUs (phone chargers and the like) have to go back to the untidy brick-on-a-wire type, rather than the neater wall-wart type.

Well either that or they could just get with the programme and start using USB.


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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 13:57 
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UltraMod

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Doctor Glyndwr wrote:
The biggest problem I see with it is that small linear plugpack PSUs (phone chargers and the like) have to go back to the untidy brick-on-a-wire type, rather than the neater wall-wart type.

Except a lot of those never fitted into 4-gangs next to others properly because they were odd shapes.

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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 14:01 
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I like plug2.0

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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 14:05 
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markg wrote:
Doctor Glyndwr wrote:
The biggest problem I see with it is that small linear plugpack PSUs (phone chargers and the like) have to go back to the untidy brick-on-a-wire type, rather than the neater wall-wart type.
Well either that or they could just get with the programme and start using USB.
That's the wrong end of the wire though. Most phones will charge from USB (and indeed micro USB is the new charger standard) but you still need a transformer. We need USB jacks on plug faceplates (and car dashes) ideally.


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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 14:09 
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Chinny chin chin

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Doctor Glyndwr wrote:
We need USB jacks on plug faceplates (and car dashes) ideally.


With 240 volts going into them so I can express my disgust at the idea of power over USB.


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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 14:11 
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baron of techno

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Doctor Glyndwr wrote:
markg wrote:
Doctor Glyndwr wrote:
The biggest problem I see with it is that small linear plugpack PSUs (phone chargers and the like) have to go back to the untidy brick-on-a-wire type, rather than the neater wall-wart type.
Well either that or they could just get with the programme and start using USB.
That's the wrong end of the wire though. Most phones will charge from USB (and indeed micro USB is the new charger standard) but you still need a transformer. We need USB jacks on plug faceplates (and car dashes) ideally.


Mark's right, they shouldn't still be shipping chargers with phones.

In any case, you can definitely get a low power switch mode charger into a case 1cm wide, so it's not really a problem.


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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 14:13 
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baron of techno

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Zardoz wrote:
I like plug2.0


Plug 2.0 is all about your input.


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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 14:18 
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baron of techno

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markg wrote:
kalmar wrote:
Certainly I think it would need to be, in order to claim backwards compatibility and safety.

Does that really matter these days though, what with everything coming with plugs already fitted? It could just be fitted to devices where it's suitable.


The problem would show up if you want to sell an IEC cable for a computer with this sort of plug on it - whose to say someone won't put a 13A fuse in and run a tea urn off it instead?


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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 14:19 
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I'm not sure which thread wins, this one, or the Warhammer thread for geekiness.

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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 14:38 
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markg wrote:
I guess it's only for devices drawing fairly small amounts of power though, it doesn't look hefty enough inside to use for a kettle for example. Not that that's a major drawback because it's still useful for the other 95% of stuff.
Three quarters of a standard plug is plastic, assuming they can make the spinny-rotatey bit strong enough it'll be fine.


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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 14:41 
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BikNorton wrote:
markg wrote:
I guess it's only for devices drawing fairly small amounts of power though, it doesn't look hefty enough inside to use for a kettle for example. Not that that's a major drawback because it's still useful for the other 95% of stuff.
Three quarters of a standard plug is plastic, assuming they can make the spinny-rotatey bit strong enough it'll be fine.

Yeah, I'm sure it could be done, it's just that the design in that video didn't look to me to be designed to handle much power going through it.


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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 14:42 
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Serves me right for not watching the whole video. The three-into-one adaptor at the end includes an optional adaptor with two USB outlets.


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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 14:44 
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kalmar wrote:
Zardoz wrote:
I like plug2.0


Plug 2.0 is all about your input.


Plug 2.0 is the new black.

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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 15:14 
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baron of techno

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markg wrote:
BikNorton wrote:
markg wrote:
I guess it's only for devices drawing fairly small amounts of power though, it doesn't look hefty enough inside to use for a kettle for example. Not that that's a major drawback because it's still useful for the other 95% of stuff.
Three quarters of a standard plug is plastic, assuming they can make the spinny-rotatey bit strong enough it'll be fine.

Yeah, I'm sure it could be done, it's just that the design in that video didn't look to me to be designed to handle much power going through it.


That's only because you're used to the massively over built victorian cast-iron British Plug though. The yanks send 15A, unfused, through a couple of bent paperclips and they don't catch fire that often.


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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 15:24 
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New plug is acebest. It wouldn't look out of place on the shelves of Muji - and that is the international standard of all things acebest.

I therefore declare newplug = win.

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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 15:29 
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What the hell are these new slim plugs I seem to have missed? Also, which meeting have I missed where everyone decided that plugs and plug sockets were actually interesting? HAVE YOU LOOKED OUTSIDE TODAY? It's glorious!


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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 15:30 
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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 15:32 
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baron of techno

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I had a look at the new car plug at an EV show recently - it's the same size as a blue (16A) caravan plug but with more pins, and can carry 63A 3-phase!
Absolutely incredible, 43kW of POWAH!


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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 15:36 
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jonarob wrote:
What the hell are these new slim plugs I seem to have missed? Also, which meeting have I missed where everyone decided that plugs and plug sockets were actually interesting? HAVE YOU LOOKED OUTSIDE TODAY? It's glorious!

What the fuck are you on about:

http://www.interpower.com/icl/guide.htm

*wanks cock*


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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 15:39 
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markg wrote:



Hey! Look - Danish plugs have a smiley face! :smug:
Image

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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 15:44 
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Cue Mimi phoning the electricians to get house rewired. :luv:

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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 15:46 
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Skillmeister

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I've made the plugs less attractive to children by painting bunny ears on them. They'll learn.

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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 15:46 
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What-ho, chaps!

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Sticking the mains through something that can be rotated sounds a bit dangerous.

Do your kids constantly eat the plugs, Dimrill?

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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 15:47 
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MrD wrote:
Sticking the mains through something that can be rotated sounds a bit dangerous.

Do your kids constantly eat the plugs, Dimrill?


I've got plenty of appliances with rotating power chords. It isn't much different.


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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 15:50 
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No, they're eating cabbage and broccoli at the moment, then they chase each other around while squeeking.

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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 15:52 
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baron of techno

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Malabar Front wrote:
power chords.


DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH DUH DUUUUUH :metul: :metul: GWARRRRRR


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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 15:52 
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Malabar Front wrote:
I've got plenty of appliances with rotating power chords. It isn't much different.
A rotating power chord, yesterday:

Image


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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 15:53 
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Skillmeister

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That's a celebrating paedophile. I can see where you made the mistake, though.

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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 15:53 
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baron of techno

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Dimrill wrote:
No, they're eating cabbage and broccoli at the moment, then they chase each other around while squeeking.


You should ground them.


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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 15:55 
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Skillmeister

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Not wishing to derail the thread, but that book that Townshend claimed to be writing hasn't surfaced yet, has it? I wonder what car he drives.

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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 15:55 
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Master of dodgy spelling....

Joined: 25th Sep, 2008
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kalmar wrote:
Doctor Glyndwr wrote:
markg wrote:
Doctor Glyndwr wrote:
The biggest problem I see with it is that small linear plugpack PSUs (phone chargers and the like) have to go back to the untidy brick-on-a-wire type, rather than the neater wall-wart type.
Well either that or they could just get with the programme and start using USB.
That's the wrong end of the wire though. Most phones will charge from USB (and indeed micro USB is the new charger standard) but you still need a transformer. We need USB jacks on plug faceplates (and car dashes) ideally.


Mark's right, they shouldn't still be shipping chargers with phones.

In any case, you can definitely get a low power switch mode charger into a case 1cm wide, so it's not really a problem.


I thought there was going to be a standard to charge moblie phones, until then I need a charger with my phone :)

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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 15:59 
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Bouncing Hedgehog

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Dimrill wrote:
I wonder what car he drives.


A paedophile's car.

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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 15:59 
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Skillmeister

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Mimi wrote:
Dimrill wrote:
I wonder what car he drives.


A paedophile's car.


An icecream van?

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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 16:25 
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Dimrill wrote:
Mimi wrote:
Dimrill wrote:
I wonder what car he drives.


A paedophile's car.


An icecream van?


That's not a cornet!


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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 16:25 
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jonarob wrote:
Dimrill wrote:
Mimi wrote:
Dimrill wrote:
I wonder what car he drives.


A paedophile's car.


An icecream van?


That's not a cornet!


That's not icecream!


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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 16:25 
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jonarob wrote:
jonarob wrote:
Dimrill wrote:
Mimi wrote:
Dimrill wrote:
I wonder what car he drives.


A paedophile's car.


An icecream van?


That's not a cornet!


That's not icecream!


*runs*


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 Post subject: Re: The UK plug, reinvented
PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 16:26 
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baron of techno

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Go outside and play Jonarob, this is grownups time.


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