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drattercop.bsky.social
Dr Attercop
@drattercop.bsky.social
520 followers 760 following 380 posts
Lecturer in children's lit and linguistics. Tiny bisexual spider. Here for fun, not work. (she/her)
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Reposted by Dr Attercop
louiestowell.bsky.social
My good news has just come in! LOOK AT THIS! So pleased to see this! www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
Booker prize launches £50,000 children’s award
Children will help judge the new prize along with children’s laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce
www.theguardian.com
October 24, 2025 at 6:55 AM
Reposted by Dr Attercop
mthrjo.bsky.social
Ok, did not expect “The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe” to feel quite so relevant to this moment.

Here’s Edmund, deciding to side with the leader who he’s been told disappears people.
He did want Turkish Delight and to be a prince (and later a king) and to pay Peter out for calling him a beast. As for what the Witch would do with the others, he didn't want her to be particularly nice to them - certainly not to put them on the same level as himself; but he managed to believe, or to pretend he believed, that she wouldn't do anything very bad to them, 'Because,' he said to himself, 'all these people who say nasty things about her are her enemies and probably half of it isn't true. She was jolly nice to me, anyway, much nicer than they are. I expect she is the rightful Queen really. Anyway, she'll be better than that awful Aslan!' At least, that was the excuse he made in his own mind for what he was doing. It wasn't a very good excuse, however, for deep down inside him he really knew that the White Witch was bad and cruel.
October 10, 2025 at 5:45 PM
drattercop.bsky.social
I think I've solved the Oscar WIlde 'quay' mystery. My partner remembered that Shane MacGowan sings /keɪ/ in "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda". But (Scottish) Sean Bogle originally sang /kiː/. So does 'quay' rhyme with 'hay' in Hinberno-English? #linguistics
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsXE....
September 24, 2025 at 12:20 PM
drattercop.bsky.social
My job is under threat of redundancy because student numbers were forecast to fall. Turns out, the forecasts were wrong, and now we are understaffed because so many people have taken voluntary severance. We are now being asked to work extra hours whilst still under threat of redundancy. 🫠
ruthholliday.bsky.social Ruth Holliday @ruthholliday.bsky.social · Sep 23
I’m hearing one academic department has over-recruited 500 students. Double the planned number and not enough staff to teach them. Whilst another department has recruited 2 students even after clearing. Who is going to sort out the shitshow that is UK HE?
September 24, 2025 at 12:20 PM
drattercop.bsky.social
I thought I knew how to pronounce "quay" until I read Oscar Wilde's Symphony in Yellow. Or perhaps those barges are actually full of yellow hee?

(More seriously, did the Victorians say /keɪ/ instead of /kiː/? I simply cannot believe that Oscar would have said /kweɪ/! [shudder])

#linguistics
Symphony in Yellow An omnibus across the bridge Crawls like a yellow butterfly, And, here and there, a passer-by Shows like a little restless midge. Big barges full of yellow hay Are moored against the shadowy wharf, And, like a yellow silken scarf, The thick fog hangs along the quay. The yellow leaves begin to fade And flutter from the Temple elms, And at my feet the pale green Thames Lies like a rod of rippled jade. Oscar Wilde 1889
September 23, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Reposted by Dr Attercop
oispooky.bsky.social
"HORNY WASN'T EVEN A CONCEPT" 😂
September 4, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Reposted by Dr Attercop
lilbazza.bsky.social
Look at this response from Polanski to Sophie Ridge's attempted gotcha on flags

To *finally* have a mainstream political voice standing up for racialised & minoritised communities being intimidated by the violent fash on our streets

It's really not that hard, is it?
Sophy Ridge @SophyRidgeSky My conversation with new Green Leader Zack Polanski about the St George's Cross: Zack Polanski: What does it mean to me? Wel, I think it depends on the context. So during an England football game, 1'Il paint my face in a Saint George's Cross quite happily. At another time though, where we don't nave a football tournament, I think it's quite imported from America this idea that we wave flags outside our house. If people want to do that then think that's up to them. But I think at times of heightened tensions, I would say patriotism is actually about loving your neighbour, whether they're from this country or not. Patriotism is about building cohesive communities. I'm really proud today to be an elected Jewish leader of the Green Party. My deputy leader is a Muslim man. I think that's patriotism. When we recognize that antisemitism and Islamophobia are two sides of the same coin, and actually communities are so much better when we're more creative and work together in solidarity. SR: It's interesting to listen tO what you're saying there -s so do you think that flying a St George's Cross outside your house at a time, as you put it, of heightened tension could be intimidating for some communities? Zack Polanski: I think people can experience as intimidation. And I think if those communities are intimidated, again the patriotic thing to do would be to have those conversations with your neighbours, have those conversations with the communities.
September 3, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Reposted by Dr Attercop
evpok.love
beecome ungovernable
June 17, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Reposted by Dr Attercop
jntod.bsky.social
"Those plums are *not* for you, William"
June 11, 2025 at 9:47 AM
drattercop.bsky.social
Really enjoyed this interview! It was interesting to hear about @juliansimpson.bsky.social's move from TV that I have no interest in to audio dramas that I absolutely CANNOT GET ENOUGH OF. When he pulled The Hermit card, all became clear - creative people need freedom to produce the good stuff!
tarotinterviews.com Tarot Interviews @tarotinterviews.com · May 20
"Most of the time, you're just gathering sparks in the dark."
Julian Simpson, @juliansimpson.bsky.social talks about the strange architecture of inspiration, a Crowley Kickstarter and how audio fiction became his home.

Apple Podcasts - tarotinterviews.com/s01e08a

#TarotTuesday #podcast #tarot
Crowley, Creativity & Cosmic Horror: Julian Simpson’s Occult Audioverse
Tarot Interviews · Episode
open.spotify.com
May 22, 2025 at 2:30 PM
drattercop.bsky.social
🥰
May 20, 2025 at 12:44 PM
drattercop.bsky.social
Nottingham Pride has followed suit and banned political parties. 🏳️‍⚧️ www.facebook.com/share/p/1AkE...
A statement from Notts Pride You may have seen recent announcements from other Pride organisations choosing to exclude political parties from their events. We can confirm that Notts Pride will be taking the same position. We hope this sends a clear message that many of our Notts LGBTQ+ community feel let down. We hope that this decision gives rise to serious reflection and a renewed commitment to shaving when every member of our community, every day of the year.
May 14, 2025 at 10:44 PM
drattercop.bsky.social
This will be epic! Don't let me miss out on new Mythos, please! I'm also very interested to know what this team can do away from the (comfortable, I'm sure) ball and chain of the BBC.
May 12, 2025 at 5:24 PM
drattercop.bsky.social
This is the right move. I hope all other Prides follow this example.
bernietranders.bsky.social Arthur Webber 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 @bernietranders.bsky.social · May 12
Political parties banned from Manchester, London, Birmingham and Brighton Prides this year.

Statements in the images.
STANDING TOGETHER: A UNITED FRONT FOR TRANS RIGHTS As the organisers of the UK's largest Pride events in Birmingham, Brighton, London and Manchester, we come together today in unequivocal solidarity with our trans community. We are united not only in message, but in purpose. At a time when trans rights in the UK are under growing attack, our resolve has never been stronger: we will not allow progress to be undone. We will not stand by as the dignity, safety, and humanity of our trans siblings are debated, delayed, or denied. What is happening here in the UK is not isolated. It is part of a disturbing global trend-from the banning of Pride events in Hungary to anti-trans legislation in the United States-where LGBTQ+ rights are being systematically rolled back. The UK must not follow this path of regression. Instead, it must rise as a global leader in human rights and equality. The recent ruling by the UK Supreme Court to exclude trans women from the definition of the term 'woman' underscores the urgent need for immediate action. In this moment, we choose to stand firmer, louder, and prouder in demanding change that protects and uplifts trans lives. That is why this year, we are collectively suspending political party participation in our Pride events. Know that this is not a symbolic gesture. It is a direct call for accountability and a refusal to platform those who have not protected our rights. We demand real commitments and measurable progress. The Pride movement was born from protest, and we must continue to embody that spirit with intention and urgency. To move forward, we need more than promises. We need every political party to stand unequivocally with every member of the LGBTQ+ community, and to centre the voices of trans people in policy, practice, and public life. Collectively, we call for: • Full and enforceable protections under the Equality Act • Timely and dignified access to NHS gender-affirming healthcare • A reformed, accessible Gender Recognition Certificate process • Sustainable funding for trans-led services and support organisations across the UK This is the minimum. Anything less is not allyship, it is abandonment. To those in power: when you demonstrate true solidarity and tangible commitment to trans rights, we will stand with you. Until then, we will continue to speak truth to power and fight for a future where every trans person can live safely, freely, and proudly. As Pride events across the UK face mounting challenges, our resolve only grows stronger. We will not be silenced. We will not be divided. Together, we will build a national movement rooted in justice, unity, and unapologetic pride. Now, more than ever, we need everyone to show up for trans lives and show up for Pride. In solidarity, Birmingham Pride Brighton Pride Pride in London Manchester Pride
May 12, 2025 at 1:12 PM
drattercop.bsky.social
This is grim. That's my family he is talking about. And just... who is this for? If you like this, you're going to vote Reform. If you don't like this, you aren't going to vote Labour. Or at least, I'm absolutely not voting for any party that calls immigration "squalid".
pippacrerar.bsky.social Pippa Crerar @pippacrerar.bsky.social · May 12
Keir Starmer says immigration system is “almost designed to permit abuse” and that it risks “pulling the country apart”.

PM says UK needs tougher rules to reduce immigration significantly or it risks becoming “an island of strangers”.
May 12, 2025 at 9:54 AM
drattercop.bsky.social
I just misread an email inviting me to  a workshop on "teaching English for academic purposes" as "teaching English for satanic purposes" and now I am very disappointed.
April 28, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Reposted by Dr Attercop
tomgauld.bsky.social
My latest @newscientist.com cartoon
Title: SOME GRAMMATICAL VOICES FOR USE IN SCIENTIFIC WRITING ACTIVE VOICE e.g. Our team collected samples and then we tested them. CLICKBAIT VOICE e.g. We collected some samples... You won't believe what happened next! PASSIVE VOICE e.g. Samples were collected and tested. HAIKU VOICE e.g. Quiet science lab. Workers arrive with samples. The testing begins. PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVE VOICE e.g. We did all the collecting and testing. No need to thank us. Just doing our job. CONSPIRACY VOICE e.g. Mysterious "Samples" were harvested and covertly "tested" by so-called scientists.
April 28, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Reposted by Dr Attercop
bernietranders.bsky.social
Genuinely if I had been outflanked on the left by Tim Martin and Wetherspoons and I considered myself to be a left wing politician, I would resign and spend the rest of my career in a cave reflecting on how I let my brain get so rotted by columnists about who shits where
April 28, 2025 at 8:02 AM
drattercop.bsky.social
On my way to this now!
againsttransphobia.bsky.social Nottingham Against Transphobia @againsttransphobia.bsky.social · Apr 17
This Sunday, 12pm @the Brian Clough Sunday, 12pm Statue. Nottingham Against Transphobia will protest the naked prejudice of the Supreme Court
April 20, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Reposted by Dr Attercop
thirdbearpress.bsky.social
If you work in comics in the UK (including self publishing) I highly encourage you to read and sign the Comics Cultural Impact Collective’s proposal for a UK Comics Fund before they submit it to DCMS.

It’s very thorough! This fund could be game changing for comics in the UK.
streakofpith.bsky.social Hannah Berry @streakofpith.bsky.social · Apr 17
Be amazing if £1.5m could be invested in the UK comics scene, wouldn’t it? Someone’d need to build a fully-costed, well-reasoned argument to DCMS for such a thing first, I guess…

WELL, NOW. Come see what your friends at CCIC have done! www.thecomicsculturalimpactcollective.org/CCIC%20DCMS%...
A cover of the UK Comics Fund proposal with a cartoon pencil and the CCIC boat, next to the phrase ‘we’re asking DCMS for solid investment in comics’
April 17, 2025 at 10:56 AM
drattercop.bsky.social
I'm extremely worried about what the supreme court judgement means for my younger child's future and their whole generation. But I'm also more determined to fight. Furious solidarity to all trans people today and every day.
April 16, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Reposted by Dr Attercop
tristangrayford.scot
An important reminder as the Supreme Court makes its judgement - not a single trans person was heard from at any point during this case before them, even a trans judge who applied was refused.

This is, as usual, the British state acting as cis people to impose their will on trans people.
April 16, 2025 at 8:49 AM
drattercop.bsky.social
Just found this picture and GASPED. I MUST learn all the skills necessary to make my own spider-witch hat IMMEDIATELY. www.instagram.com/threadhanded...
Thread Handed Jill on Instagram: "Here's how I made my dream hat ✨️ (modeled by my mom!) A few years ago, I saw a straw witch hat tutorial by @sheilasarti and knew I immediately had to try it! Of co...
5,152 likes, 77 comments - threadhandedjill on November 14, 2024: "Here's how I made my dream hat ✨️ (modeled by my mom!) A few years ago, I saw a straw witch hat tutorial by @sheilasarti and knew I...
www.instagram.com
April 8, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Reposted by Dr Attercop
michaelchesnut.bsky.social
Sometimes the #LinguisticLandscape can be delightful
cameowood.com Cameo Wood 🔛 Stowe Story Lab @cameowood.com · Apr 7
ネコ飛出し注意 (neko tobidashi chūi) Means “watch for cats darting out” and I love this sign.
A yellow street sign in Japanese with three black flying through the sky. Below is text that says ネコ飛出し注意 (neko tobidashi chūi) Means “watch for cats darting out”
April 7, 2025 at 10:02 AM
drattercop.bsky.social
The Labour party, people! Feeling very grateful that I did not vote Labour in 2024, or my hygiene levels would not be feeling great, tbh.

Fuck off with your Tory STOP THE BOATS pandering.
April 6, 2025 at 5:52 PM