Opinium

[CatholicLeft]

Jun 1, 2024 19:57:39 GMT batman said:

I do indeed take a sandwich with me when I am playing Sunday cricket. And normally a small sweet thing like a millionaire's shortbread. Beer afterwards. Funnily enough I do not play for the TUC's cricket team. Next match for me is tomorrow week, have to work tomorrow.

Millionaire shortbread is, for me, the marmite of biscuits/cakes. Really dreadful.

[arnieg]

Jun 1, 2024 20:47:12 GMT CatholicLeft said:

Jun 1, 2024 19:57:39 GMT batman said:

I do indeed take a sandwich with me when I am playing Sunday cricket. And normally a small sweet thing like a millionaire's shortbread. Beer afterwards. Funnily enough I do not play for the TUC's cricket team. Next match for me is tomorrow week, have to work tomorrow.

Millionaire shortbread is, for me, the marmite of biscuits/cakes. Really dreadful.

But John Finnemore is quite partial to it:

[CatholicLeft]

Jun 1, 2024 21:23:59 GMT arnieg said:

Jun 1, 2024 20:47:12 GMT CatholicLeft said:

Millionaire shortbread is, for me, the marmite of biscuits/cakes. Really dreadful.

But John Finnemore is quite partial to it:

I saw this coming - well done.

[J.G.Harston]

Jun 1, 2024 20:47:12 GMT CatholicLeft said:

Jun 1, 2024 19:57:39 GMT batman said:

I do indeed take a sandwich with me when I am playing Sunday cricket. And normally a small sweet thing like a millionaire's shortbread. Beer afterwards. Funnily enough I do not play for the TUC's cricket team. Next match for me is tomorrow week, have to work tomorrow.

Millionaire shortbread is, for me, the marmite of biscuits/cakes. Really dreadful.

Until I saw it written down, I think I was convinced it was something like moulinaire shortbread. And I still buy it by just pointing at it and saying "...and one'a them" or "...and some caramel shortbread". "Millionaire" makes no semantic sense to what it is.

[J.G.Harston]

Jun 1, 2024 21:23:59 GMT arnieg said:

Jun 1, 2024 20:47:12 GMT CatholicLeft said:

Millionaire shortbread is, for me, the marmite of biscuits/cakes. Really dreadful.

But John Finnemore is quite partial to it:

Back Channels.

[batman]

Our Treasurer and opening bat, Greg, has exactly the same food at every match, tuna pasta. There is no danger of anyone asking him can they have some please. Some players occasionally bring samosas which are popular if they get offered around.

[Deleted]

Jun 2, 2024 7:14:17 GMT batman said:

Our Treasurer and opening bat, Greg, has exactly the same food at every match, tuna pasta. There is no danger of anyone asking him can they have some please. Some players occasionally bring samosas which are popular if they get offered around.

That's one of the reasons I buy salted liquorice whenever I can - nobody ever tries to steal my sweets!

[The Bishop]

Back to this latest poll, arguably the worst thing about it is that next week's will surely see a reduced Labour lead - leading to the inevitable "IT'S ON!!" headlines.

[johnloony]

Jun 2, 2024 1:58:41 GMT J.G.Harston said:

Jun 1, 2024 20:47:12 GMT CatholicLeft said:

Millionaire shortbread is, for me, the marmite of biscuits/cakes. Really dreadful.

Until I saw it written down, I think I was convinced it was something like moulinaire shortbread. And I still buy it by just pointing at it and saying "...and one'a them" or "...and some caramel shortbread". "Millionaire" makes no semantic sense to what it is.

Now Iam intrigued. I know what shortbread is, but I wouldn’t have thought of any specific brand names for types of shortbread. I don’t remember noticing one called “millionaire”. Now I want to go and get some so that I know what is distinct about it.

[timmullen]

Jun 2, 2024 10:49:26 GMT johnloony said:

Jun 2, 2024 1:58:41 GMT J.G.Harston said:

Until I saw it written down, I think I was convinced it was something like moulinaire shortbread. And I still buy it by just pointing at it and saying "...and one'a them" or "...and some caramel shortbread". "Millionaire" makes no semantic sense to what it is.

Now Iam intrigued. I know what shortbread is, but I wouldn’t have thought of any specific brand names for types of shortbread. I don’t remember noticing one called “millionaire”. Now I want to go and get some so that I know what is distinct about it.

I’ve never heard it called that, it’s always been caramel shortbread, but it’s very addictive.

[Pete Whitehead]

The problem with a lot of the shop bought versions of this thing is that they aren't shortbread at all - a lot of them seem to have a digestive biscuit base or something like that. Also the caramel layer is typically too firm. My mother has always made this stuff (though it was never called 'millionaire's' anything - they were caramel fingers. One of my favourite things. I've made them myself once or twice but they're an immense hassle. Can't be arsed with the shop bought ones tbh, but i'll always take one when someone brings a bunch to the office.

[carlton43]

Jun 2, 2024 10:49:26 GMT johnloony said:

Jun 2, 2024 1:58:41 GMT J.G.Harston said:

Until I saw it written down, I think I was convinced it was something like moulinaire shortbread. And I still buy it by just pointing at it and saying "...and one'a them" or "...and some caramel shortbread". "Millionaire" makes no semantic sense to what it is.

Now Iam intrigued. I know what shortbread is, but I wouldn’t have thought of any specific brand names for types of shortbread. I don’t remember noticing one called “millionaire”. Now I want to go and get some so that I know what is distinct about it.

Common in Scotland old chap; and in both senses of the word.  Polite advice : Don't bother unless you have a sweet tooth and a strong digestion.

[carlton43]

Jun 2, 2024 11:19:33 GMT Pete Whitehead said:

The problem with a lot of the shop bought versions of this thing is that they aren't shortbread at all - a lot of them seem to have a digestive biscuit base or something like that. Also the caramel layer is typically too firm. My mother has always made this stuff (though it was never called 'millionaire's' anything - they were caramel fingers. One of my favourite things. I've made them myself once or twice but they're an immense hassle. Can't be arsed with the shop bought ones tbh, but i'll always take one when someone brings a bunch to the office.

Shortbread is fine.  Occasionally, as it is like so much in Scotland, far too rich and bad for the digestive tract.

The 'rich' bit is I think the basis for 'Millionaires'?  And I am used to the ubiquity of the term 'Millionaires' Shortbread' in Scotland for at least 40-years.

So occasional Shortbread and much more frequent Tunnocks is my choice, but never a 'Millionaires''!

The apostrophe comes at the end of millionaires' being an as of or as used by millionaires.  The apostrophe in Tunnock's comes in the name of the firm but by common consent not the name of the iconic chocolate bars.

[timmullen]

Jun 2, 2024 12:03:29 GMT carlton43 said:

Common in Scotland old chap; and in both senses of the word.  Polite advice : Don't bother unless you have a sweet tooth and a strong digestion.

Oddly I don’t have the first, and very definitely don’t have the latter, but can merrily binge eat whilst watching TV. Best bought brand I’ve found are Rington’s a company based in Jesmond who do doorstep delivery of teas, coffee and cakes etc.

[carlton43]

Jun 2, 2024 14:05:19 GMT timmullen said:

Jun 2, 2024 12:03:29 GMT carlton43 said:

Common in Scotland old chap; and in both senses of the word.  Polite advice : Don't bother unless you have a sweet tooth and a strong digestion.

Oddly I don’t have the first, and very definitely don’t have the latter, but can merrily binge eat whilst watching TV. Best bought brand I’ve found are Rington’s a company based in Jesmond who do doorstep delivery of teas, coffee and cakes etc.

But are they good for you one wonders Tim?

My Mother used Rington's home delivery for tea and mugs.

[timmullen]

Jun 2, 2024 14:29:27 GMT carlton43 said:

But are they good for you one wonders Tim?

My Mother used Rington's home delivery for tea and mugs.

Probably not, but my diabetic nurse says I’m allowed up to four “treats” a week so they qualify as a treat.

The mugs are manufactured in Stoke by the company Mr Sunak visited in the week.

[johnloony]

Jun 2, 2024 12:03:29 GMT carlton43 said:

Jun 2, 2024 10:49:26 GMT johnloony said:

Now Iam intrigued. I know what shortbread is, but I wouldn’t have thought of any specific brand names for types of shortbread. I don’t remember noticing one called “millionaire”. Now I want to go and get some so that I know what is distinct about it.

Common in Scotland old chap; and in both senses of the word.  Polite advice : Don't bother unless you have a sweet tooth and a strong digestion.

Luckily, I think I have both. And I am sufficiently curious and greedy.

I’m also wondering what the difference is between shortbread and shortcake. I probably looked it up once but I can’t remember if there is a difference.

P.S. Now I’ve just googled “Millionaire’s shortbread” and found images of it. I thought “Oh that! Oh yes!” because it’s something which I like and have had lots of times, except that it’s not called “Millionaire’s shortbread” or even “shortbread” at all.

[Kristofer Keane]

On caramel/millionaire's shortbread, I've recently discovered that the Greggs Outlets (the second day stores) sell big bags of the offcuts of the stuff for 75p. Dangerously easy to munch through a whole bag.

[finsobruce]

Jun 2, 2024 12:27:56 GMT carlton43 said:

Jun 2, 2024 11:19:33 GMT Pete Whitehead said:

The problem with a lot of the shop bought versions of this thing is that they aren't shortbread at all - a lot of them seem to have a digestive biscuit base or something like that. Also the caramel layer is typically too firm. My mother has always made this stuff (though it was never called 'millionaire's' anything - they were caramel fingers. One of my favourite things. I've made them myself once or twice but they're an immense hassle. Can't be arsed with the shop bought ones tbh, but i'll always take one when someone brings a bunch to the office.

Shortbread is fine.  Occasionally, as it is like so much in Scotland, far too rich and bad for the digestive tract.

The 'rich' bit is I think the basis for 'Millionaires'?  And I am used to the ubiquity of the term 'Millionaires' Shortbread' in Scotland for at least 40-years.

So occasional Shortbread and much more frequent Tunnocks is my choice, but never a 'Millionaires''!

The apostrophe comes at the end of millionaires' being an as of or as used by millionaires.  The apostrophe in Tunnock's comes in the name of the firm but by common consent not the name of the iconic chocolate bars.

The first reference I can dig up is from a January 1968 edition of the Sunday Post when the then tv chef Eric Milligan nominated it as the best recipe he had received from a member of the public, or to be precise "a woman from Peebles".

Although I've found a 1930s reference to "caramel shortbread" it clearly isn't the same product. The earliest proper reference is again from Scotland; a 1961 advert for John W Macarthur (Bakers) of St Andrews in an edition of the St Andrews Citizen. You could get "eighteen thick pieces" for 8/3.

Pete's alternative of "caramel fingers" I can date to February 1963 in a competition run by the Women's Institute in Berkshire, when they are referred to as "Australian Caramel Fingers". The competition was won by a Mrs Pudduck.

[jamesdoyle]

Jun 2, 2024 9:02:51 GMT The Bishop said:

Back to this latest poll, arguably the worst thing about it is that next week's will surely see a reduced Labour lead - leading to the inevitable "IT'S ON!!" headlines.

So, after this past week, do you think a correction is still likely?

Due at 8pm, btw.