Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Humanities/2017 December 27

= December 27 =

"the absolute boy"?
There's a phrase being used by supporters of Jeremy Corbyn: "the absolute boy". While I can see why they're using it, I do wonder about the phrase because it's not exactly common or standard English construction. Can anyone please enlighten me as to its origins and how it came to be applied to the leader of the UK Labour Party, who isn't exactly a boy? --TammyMoet (talk) 10:09, 27 December 2017 (UTC)
 * This is an interesting article from The Independent, which discusses the origin of the expression and gives links to the earliest users who applied it to Corbyn. Wymspen (talk) 11:03, 27 December 2017 (UTC)
 * Insofar as it gives examples, yes it's interesting, but these two YouTubers must have got it from somewhere. Where?--TammyMoet (talk) 11:46, 27 December 2017 (UTC)
 * "Online, Corbyn is often referred to as “The Absolute Boy.” The term is British slang for a somewhat mischievous lad; The Guardian[2] said the phrase “shows the youth demographic adopting Corbyn as one of their own and in their own vernacular” and that it shows “benevolent laddism.” The earliest reference in the media to Corbyn being “The Absolute Boy” was posted June 1st, 2017 by SB Nation blog The Busby Babe,[3] a fan blog for the Manchester United Football Club. The phrase took off online in tweets referring to Corbyn. Lena Dunham posted an Instagram photo[4] on June 5th voicing her support for Corbyn with a pin calling him The Absolute Boy." Wymspen (talk) 15:45, 27 December 2017 (UTC)
 * This article cites an earlier first use, by Matt Zarb-Cousin on 29 March 2017. Ghmyrtle (talk) 16:22, 27 December 2017 (UTC)
 * I have to say that "absolute boy" is not well known "British slang for a somewhat mischievous lad" (well, I've never heard of it), but this article suggests that it's a rehash of the phrase "total lad" which would be much more widely understood. Alansplodge (talk) 19:05, 27 December 2017 (UTC)
 * He actually did it, the absolute madman. -165.234.252.11 (talk) 20:12, 29 December 2017 (UTC)

Do any governments ban really dangerous shows like circus globes of death and Evel Knieval-type jumps?
Sagittarian Milky Way (talk) 18:58, 27 December 2017 (UTC)


 * Such activities are often governed by health and safety regulations. See a UK example entitled: "Stunts, fights and other potentially hazardous production activities", here:

Macmillan Publishers
Would somebody like to help out with this issue?--Herfrid (talk) 19:15, 27 December 2017 (UTC)
 * They are both divisions of the Holtzbrinck Publishing Group; see: —2606:A000:4C0C:E200:7150:E613:78D3:42AE (talk) 05:18, 28 December 2017 (UTC)

Body armour of the Papal Guard
In modern times I haven't seen the Pontifical Swiss Guard in body armour (even during the resignation of Benedict XVI), except their oath taking ceremony. But in older footages (e.g. from 1951) they do wear body armour on other occcasions. Was there any formal change in that regard on when to wear full armour? Brandmeistertalk  21:36, 27 December 2017 (UTC)


 * From  THE WEBSITE OF THE PONTIFICAL SWISS GUARDS: "At Easter, Christmas and at the swearing-in ceremonies an additional 17th century armour complements the Gala uniform". I couldn't find a reference to suggest that there had been any change in recent years, but perhaps somebody else can find something? Alansplodge (talk) 22:07, 27 December 2017 (UTC)
 * A bit more research shows that the opening and closing of the Holy Door shown in your 1951 newsreel always occurs on Christmas Day, and so is consistent with the current armour-wearing policy. Alansplodge (talk) 22:38, 27 December 2017 (UTC)
 * Perhaps of interest is that the Swiss Guard's armour began to be replaced in 2009 by a pair of Austrian blacksmiths, as modern youths are too big for the traditional pieces. A heavenly mission. Alansplodge (talk) 22:15, 27 December 2017 (UTC)
 * Thanks. However, it appears that in the past armour was worn on solemn occasions, e.g., . Brandmeistertalk  09:37, 28 December 2017 (UTC)