Hoppo Bumpo (n): A children's game. Played by folding one's arms and hopping on one leg. Aim is to bump opponents, so that they lose their balance. Last person standing wins.


November 04, 2008

A day at the races



We are in the midst of the Spring Racing Carnival here in Melbourne. Its the season of hats and fascinators, fragrant track-side roses and with some luck, a pretty blue sky and warm sunshine. I used to love getting out a fancy frock and big hat and clip-clopping off to the races in blister-inducing, lawn-aerating footwear. I liked having a little flutter at the bookies, sipping a few mouthfuls of bubbly and eating food that looked like it had been styled for a doll's house.

The high point of the racing carnival - the legendary Melbourne Cup - was run today.

The boys and I tipped our hats to the occasion by making some gingerbread jockeys this morning. But at the moment of the grand race itself we were sitting outside in the sunshine. I turned on the telly a little too late, missing the finish by a few minutes and still don't know the name of the horse that won.

Ah, how the meaning of everything changes when you have children.

The new guide to race terminology

  • Box trifecta - finding three empty cartons to play with

  • Favourite - a food that was consumed voraciously yesterday, but will be rejected on a whim tomorrow

  • Filly - perfectly valid solitary sandwich filling

  • Grand stand - something a three-year does in the middle of the supermarket to embarrass his mother

  • Horse - probably a horse, but might be a cow (the term is apparently interchangeable)

  • Each way bet - having two dinners prepared in case the first one is rejected

  • Photo finish - something that happens when a 2-year-old lays his hands on the holiday snaps

  • Scratching - an accident that occurs between a favourite CD and a Matchbox car

26 comments:

  1. Ingenious and hilarious all at the same time!
    Great gingerbread jockeys too...

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  2. Oh. My. Goodness. That new terminology cracks me up. So funny.

    Don't despair, I missed the first half of the race if that make syou feel any better.

    The gingerbread jockeys are fab - such a cute idea.

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  3. Great race terminology! Some that you have mentioned happens here too.

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  4. I missed the WHOLE race.... was more interested in sewing.

    LOVE your racing terminology. Rings a few bells in this house, too.

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  5. Cute gingerbread jockeys! But...is that tomato sauce and mustard?? LOL! ;)

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  6. I missed the race, too - was busy sewing up a storm! When I first saw your post, I thought your gingerbread man was a race-goer who had fallen over through too much, er, excitement (of the bubbly sort).

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  7. Hilarious! You crack me up so much :)!!!!

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  8. I love your racing terminology!!
    A box trifecta is a big hit here.

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  9. I saw the race, but struggled to tell if it was my horse that was winning or not. Hurrah for Viewed, my lucky had and your great terms that made me smil!

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  10. Love the new terminology! The cookies are really cute.

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  11. We missed the race too, but we did see a horse at the zoo ;)

    The jockey is very cute- he seems to be racing in a gondola, that's versatile!

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  12. This is pants wetting material. Caiught the race just in time but would've loved to munch on those gingerbread jockeys - ingenious!

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  13. Hilarious!! I forgot it was on but saw it on the news, I still wouldn't have a clue who won (says me who doesn't know how to put a bet on).

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  14. Jockeys: suddenly of great interest when it comes to toilet training ;)

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  15. Wasn't it a beautiful day. I think I watched more of the fashions than the racing. Love the terminology - so true!

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  16. We found out that 3pm on the first tuesday in November is the best time to go to the park - because you don't have to share with anyone! Daniel and I were wondering what was going on and then we saw a glimpse of dresses, hats and heels. Oh yeah, that's right...Melbourne Cup. your terminology is priceless - it needs to be published

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  17. Excellent excellent excellent!!

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  18. lol at the two way bet, is a commont occurance in my house and I love he gingerbread jockeys they are just too cute

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  19. oh lordy, I do think I need to cross my legs and brace myself whenever I read your blog! You crack me up.

    Awesome terminology but you forgot about the protest. Self explanitory me thinks.

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  20. I know nothing about the races. Don't care about horses, and the party scene doesn't seem to be a thing in the States...we have the Kentucky Derby, but I have never seen the general public going all out with the fascinators and things like that. But that was still funny! :p

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  21. I love this post - very funny HB

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  22. Seems to be a common theme - I too missed the race, but wholeheartedly embraced the public holiday!

    Love the terminology - the horse made me hoot with laughter!

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  23. I love your terminology too! It resonates.

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  24. ha ha - you're hilarious - how long did you meditate on that terminology .. I think i will have to bookmark it for next year - brilliant ! :)

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  25. teehee....I can relate to plenty on that list! You should write a dictionary full of those :)

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