Peter, at 19:22 on Jun 06 1995, you wrote to Bill Grimsley...

BL>> ROFL!!! Either you are being very sly, or you need to look up 
BL>> the meaning of "prosaic". 

BG> I was actually quite serious, and was just about to tell you to 
BG> go and fuck yourself, but decided to look it up just in case.  
BG> And bugger me, it has an alternative meaning...

BG> Prosaic adj. 1. commonplace or dull, matter-of-fact or 
BG>                 unimaginative.
BG>              2. having the character or spirit of prose as opposed
to                
BG>                 poetry, as verse or writing.

BG> In case you wondered, in its original context, mine is definition #2.

PS> I wonder, should you have told Bob to get Fucked, would he have 
PS> understood your intention. ? 

Oh, I think you can take that as read.  No doubt at all, right Bob?  |-)

PS> Generally speaking, with verbal expression there is little room for 
PS> misunderstanding the intent as the tone of voice conveys the message. 

Absolutely.  Eye contact and body language both assist as well.

PS> How do you express the same meaning in writing? (Forget the smiley)

Unfortunately, unless you know the person, a smiley is mandatory.  The odd
time I've omitted same, the subsequent replies have been undeniably
caustic.  With Rod and Bob, for example, smileys are probably redundant,
but it still doesn't hurt to make sure anyway, IMO.

PS> On a more serious note can you or someone explain to me the 
PS> meaning of "vicarious liability" as used in the Workplace Health 
PS> and Safety Act? I don't want to go into great details why,  
PS> suffice to say that I am not too certain of the correct 
PS> interpretation of the meaning.  My educated guess is that since
PS> the employer has a "Duty of Care" responsibility than should an 
PS> employee even though negligently caused an accident involving a 
PS> third party  is not legally responsible for that accident and the 
PS> employer becomes liable for damages.  How close am I?

My _guess_ is that you're fairly close to the mark, but I don't think an
employee's legal responsibility can ever be totally abrogated, just
reduced.

Example, I take a gun to work and shoot some bastard I don't like.  Perhaps
the employer is responsible inasmuch as not actively preventing me from
carrying a gun (whether he knew about it or not), but that doesn't lessen
my own criminal liability at all.  Rather extreme, but a fair example
nonetheless, IMO.

I tend to think that it's one of those areas which are designed to keep
lawyers in their BMWs, Mercs and Porsches myself.  :-)

Regards, Bill
@EOT:

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