chongli

I'm from Massachusetts in the US. State law says that any city or town ending in -borough is legally allowed to be spelled with just -boro. So, for example, you'll usually see exit signs on the highway (I don't know if British people know what "exit signs" and "highway" are. You guys may well have your own terms for these, sorry I don't know what they are) that say something like "Marlboro 1/2 mile." But usually the sign for entering town will say, "Entering Marlborough." Pretty amusing. Also, if you think Americans are being cheap for taking out some of the extra letters, I'll have you know that people in some parts of the US actually still say some of them! The dialect is dying out a bit, but if you speak to an old person from deep in the southern mountains (Eastern Kentucky, Western North Carolina, etc . . . ) they pronounce the l's in words like talk, walk, could, would, etc . . . Pretty bizarre. I think they maintain some other elements of Elizabethan-era English that died out in virtually every other accent in the English-speaking world. Unfortunately, I don't know what those are. Many of the best places to find preserved examples of older sounds of English are actually in isolated parts of America. For example, check out this video of people from Tangier Island, VA:

Who takes Yobo's spot? Will Hibbert after his showing in Minsk? 2-0, Saha and Bilyaletdinov.

Agreed. I think that with more starts perhaps Bily and Tim could also develop a strong understanding. And even though his overall performance last night left something to be desired, I think the goal demonstrates that he is most effective when further upfield as a scoring threat.

Apparently his post-goal celebration was a tribute to the victims of the tsunami in Asia and the Pacific Islands. I must admit it was a classy one.

The Teamtalk headline for this result is pretty funny: "Toffees master BATE test in Belarus"

Talk about stealing one . . .

What!!!?!?!?!?! Is there some bad karma going on here?

Bily has been doing his best to keep us in this one. What was Cahill doing on that chance in the box there?

This milky is fascinating.

Wow. I didn't realize it was that close. That will give us so much more midfield strength. This Fall is going to be sort of like the pseudo-transfer season with these injuries.

Indeed the man is undeniable. At striker school, they should just show the Portsmouth goal and just say, "This is what you are supposed to do at this position."

I must agree. He seems to have such a genuine love of the game. And more hair for the squad.

For that I do thank you. I'd also like to acknowledge Prince.

Glad to see another American among us Andy. What a superb choice you have made for a football club. It's simply a club worth supporting. Although my British brethren assured me that we Evertonians do not choose--we are chosen. Despite the poor start, I'd say this is a good season for building a deeper connection with the team. Where in the US are you from? I'm from Boston and there are far too many Man U and Chelsea supporters, as well as people who wear red shirts from some other Merseyside club. I'm seeing more and more Barca shirts out there as well, not surprisingly.

Wishing you weren't? I heard it the other day. Thought the sheer level of bombast and Queen-quoting alone made it an entertaining listen. Currently I'm hearing the new Yo La Tengo record, Popular Songs. Definitely has it's moments and the penultimate track is 11 minutes of mellow guitar noise from New Jersey .

Is there any chance that Rodwell won't start, given that he's played the full 90 in so many games thus far?

We see Lucas Neill.

I just finished The Dodgers Move West by Neil Sulliva. Guessing there aren't too many baseball fans around. I'm starting Sabbath's Theater by Philip Roth. In the past I've read American Pastoral, also by Roth. I thought it was spectacular. Has anyone read a lot of his books and have suggestions for what I should read next?

Who voted for Hibbert?

Any word on Bily's injury? I'm jonesing for his first EPL start.

I have to extend some respect to their fans. At least on the broadcast, it seemed like they never stopped, even being down 4-0.

Haha. Brilliant.

In acknowledgement of Peep Show's Series 6 premiere Friday, I have some questions for fellow fans here: 1. What is the single most pathetic thing Mark has ever said or done? 2. What is the single most shameless thing Jez has ever said or done? 3. What is your favorite Super Hans line? 4. Who is the most attractive woman on the show? My answers (off the top of my head): 1. The time at the reunion when he was talking to that girl about the history trip where they read Hitchhiker's Guide, and he says, "I was thinking that was one of the greatest days of my life." There could easily be better ones, but I found that brutal. 2. Has to be the "turkey" leg. 3. Either the "It's just some crack, mate" at the funeral, or the time he dumps that cereal out at Jez's old schoolmate's house and says menacingly, "I hear this stuff's expensive." 4. Big Suze

I'm liking the look of Rodwell. High hopes.

We desperately need some playmaking in the middle of the field to bring some attack. Arteta can't come back soon enough. Pienaar has done what he can, but no one else is really doing anything. Why can't Moyes play Bily?