Is it not time that all TV and radio weather forecasts were accompanied by background muzak and drumming?

 

So many TV programmes now include this superfluous noise, and it's creeping into radio programmes - a recent example being BBC Four's 'The Digital Human' where it sounded like radio interference from another channel. So why are weather forecasts exempt?

 

Any complaints about this irritating racket receive the standard response that it "enhances" viewers' and listeners' experience. It certainly doesn't do so for me.

Why do so many weather forecasters on TV and radio insist on telling us that rain will "move its way" in a particular direction? Why can it not simply move?

I have just watched a TV recording of a programme about the new steam locomotive Tornado trying to reach 100mph. Instead of hearing the wonderful sounds that the attempt must have created we were 'treated' to a crescendo of maddening muzak. Why do producers insist on wrecking otherwise entertaining programmes with this type of irritating and superfluous racket? Complaints usually receive a standard reply (if any) that it 'enhances' viewers' experience. Really?

Commentary during TV coverage of the World Athletics Championships has informed us that people are "watching on" while on radio they are probably "listening in". Why can't they simply watch and listen?

The recent furore over BBC salaries raises the question of why so many TV programmes need two presenters reading alternate sentences. The non-speaker usually doesn't know what to do except stare blankly into the camera or inspect their colleague's ear-wax.

 

Can someone, perhaps from the Met Office, please explain why so many weather forecasters insist on saying "as we head throughout the course of" rather than "during"?

Why do  so many campaigning politicians, notably John McDonnell, insist on opening their presentations with "What we are saying is......................" instead of simply saying it?

Message from the police via our local Neighbourhood Alerts scheme:

 

"Sometime between the 24/04/17 and 10/05/17 the railway bridge at Buckleaze Lane in Pewsey has been gratified (sic). A large SD tag has been sprayed onto the bridge and on the opposite side in white "YOLO"."

I despair. 😕

Why do so many TV programmes need two presenters sitting side by side and speaking sentences in turn, the non-speaker staring blankly into the camera or inspecting their companion's ear wax? It's daft. It won't be long before they are speaking each word in turn.

Why does the farming industry, when referring to pesticide and fertiliser inputs, insist on using the phrase "dose rate"? Isn't it either a dose or a rate?

When, and more importantly perhaps why, did the word 'free' become a noun, as well as an adjective, verb and adverb? The ink wasted in the now almost universal use of the phrase 'for (sic) free' must be considerable.

Anyone who doubts the need for apostrophes should consider the sentence:

 

"There was no human food in the house and the shops were closed. We were starving, so we ate the dog's."

Without the apostrophe the sentence conveys a decidedly different message. 

 

Why do so many weather forecasters on radio and TV insist on saying "As we head throughout the course of the afternoon.............." instead of simply "During the afternoon............"?

On her appointment the new Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Cressida Dick, said "London is the world's greatest global city". 😕

 

Would someone please explain the difference between "score" and "scoreline"?

Why do so many forecasters tell us that a particular type of weather - showers, rain, wind etc - is "to be had"? I doubt that I may refuse to have it - even if I remain indoors.

This morning, on the BBC Today programme, weather forecaster Darren Betts told us, that "We'll change the temperatures..........". Other forecasters often say "We'll move the rain away" and utter sentences such as "We'll move the cloud off to the east." Are they not over-estimating their powers?

Why do so many rugby commentators and police officers on TV now refer to the ground as "the floor"? I always thought a floor was part of a building.

When, and more interestingly perhaps why was it decreed that the word 'free' should become a noun (as in "for (sic) free") as well as a verb, adverb and adjective. In its latter role it is rarely used other than in the nonsense of "free (sic) gift".

It is often reported that some banks are partly owned by the (sic) tax-payer. Am I really the sole contributor to government funds via HMRC?

Those who dismiss the need for apostrophes should read this:

“There was no human food in the fridge so we ate the dogs (sic).”

How soon?

Can someone please explain the difference between "soon" and "any time soon"?

Why do so many people talk about a person speaking, say, seven different languages? And why are we so often told that there are many different varieties/species? They are, by definition, all different.

Can someone explain how a person's skill set differs from their skills?

What sort of preparation?

Could someone please explain the difference between 'pre-planned' and 'planned' police operations?