There is a difference between bookmaking, an entirely respectable profession, and fleecing people, which isn’t.

Downplayers, like weaselers, innuendo, loaded questions, and other slanters, can be used intentionally to make something less significant or worthy than it is. In other situations their use adds spark and perhaps a bit of humor […]

The large, soft dark eyes were raised, but seemed rather engrossed by their own feelings—(thoughts are scarcely tender enough for such a look)—than fixed upon any surrounding object.

Once we were all sat on the ground, drinking our tea and eating a cheese wad - that was all you could get - I asked where my mate Jackson was. Nobody had any idea but as he was required in the flight office we did a search.