The Highway Code, the official rulebook for road users in Great Britain, covers what happens when two lanes become one. Rule 134 states: “Merging in turn is recommended but only if safe and appropriate when vehicles are travelling at a very low speed,” for example “when approaching road works or a road traffic incident.” It adds: “It is not recommended at high speed.”
Falling Out over Cleaning
The flatshare website SpareRoom polled people about living with flatmates. It reports: “Over two thirds of people we polled had fallen out with a housemate about cleaning.” Its advice is to agree to split the chores.
Left Without Invitations
Debrett’s, the British publisher on etiquette, advises that gifts and hospitality should be acknowledged. It asks whether it is surprising that “serial non-thankers” eventually find themselves “left without invitations.”
Some Are Born Great
In Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, Maria, a gentlewoman in the countess Olivia’s household, takes revenge on Olivia’s pompous steward, Malvolio. She forges a letter that makes him believe Olivia loves him. He reads: “some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon ’em.” He imagines himself as “Count Malvolio.”
The others watch from hiding. Later they lock him in a dark room and pretend that he is insane.
Fourteen Pints
In August 2000, William Hague, then leader of the Conservative Party, told a men’s magazine that as a teenager he drank up to 14 pints of beer a day. He was widely ridiculed. Critics accused him of trying to “beef up his image” and to banish the public’s view of him as a political obsessive.
He later told the House of Commons: “I’ve had to cut back since the days of 14, quite considerably.”
Maple Grove
In Jane Austen’s Emma, Mrs. Elton repeatedly compares things to Maple Grove, “my brother Mr. Suckling’s seat.” On a visit to Hartfield, Emma’s home, she declares it “very like Maple Grove indeed!” When she describes a coming visit from the Sucklings, she adds: “They will have their barouche-landau, of course, which holds four perfectly.”
Downplaying Success
In 2024, Hive, a smart home brand of the energy company Centrica, polled 2,000 adults in Britain about talking about success. To avoid sounding boastful, 27 percent said they downplay their successes. One in five said they are uncomfortable sharing personal achievements with others.
Worth Shouting About
In March 2026, the Young Women’s Trust published a survey of women in the UK, commissioned by Galaxy. Thirty-six percent said they avoid sharing their wins because they “don’t want to look like they’re showing off.” Among women earning less than £20,000, 54 percent said they lack confidence talking about their achievements at work.
Countersigning a Passport
Many UK passport applications must be countersigned by someone who has known the applicant for at least two years. The countersignatory must be “a person of good standing in their community” or work in a recognized profession. They cannot be related to the applicant by birth or marriage.
Introduced Between Two
The House of Lords began its ceremony of introduction for new members in 1621. The new peer enters the chamber in procession between a junior and a senior supporter, who are already members. Traditionally, the supporters held the same rank of peerage as the new peer.
The House of Commons has a similar custom for members who win a by-election. In March 2022, Paulette Hamilton, the new member for Birmingham Erdington, took her seat accompanied by her Labour colleagues Steve McCabe and Shabana Mahmood.