Parrot cries for silence on delicate political issues sounded increasingly archaic – and were quite unable to stem the rising tide of parlementary critique.

We all know people who are tiptoers. When they walk, they seem to be walking mostly on their toes and hardly put any weight at all on their heels.

When's he said he's coming?

A simple curse tablet might be inscribed with the words “As this piece of lead grows cold, so will John Smith.”