The reason why ‘freedom’ day falls on the 31st of March is as banal as the non-event itself. The British financial year begins on the 1st of April so a lease – be it for a garage, a fish and chip shop or a naval base – would normally expire on the 31st of March.

I have often discussed your point with Labourites and they rationalise their celebrating one day early by claiming that they are commemorating the departure of the British forces. It is, however, a weak excuse and deep down they know it.

And on those fun-time comments boards, one cow, one shark, one mackerel and one cod would be a cattle of fishes.

[Daphne – No. Fish can mean either one fish or many fish of the same species or type. Fishes, on the other hand, denotes a number of fish of different types. Three sharks are fish. One shark, one mackerel and one cod are fishes.]

[Daphne – Observation of fishermen throughout the Mediterranean region. Also, the accepted name of this particular bible story, in the Anglophone world, is ‘the parable of the loaves and the fishes’ and not the parable of the loaves and fish. Google it if you don’t believe me.]

Thanks a mil :)

[Daphne – You’re forgiven. You’re Italian.]

Excuse my ignorance, but is there any particular reason for which you wrote “fishes” and not “fish”?

By the way, I love the new layout! Keep it up :)

Luca

[Daphne – http://www.austmus.gov.au/fishes/what/fish.htm%5D