Veni, Trimbli, Vici...

...Have you been caught up in the whole 'Trimble Nation' phenomenon, the swaying tide of opinion regarding the fragrant and achingly bright Miss Trimble?

We in The Wolds are fairly phlegmatic folk all told and not prone to easy adulation of transient celebrity types. But even here, and certainly within the Rectory, of late there has been much crying up of she who has - finally and dare one say it barely? - led her Corpus Christi team to victory in this season's 'University Challenge.'

Sad to see and read that some mean types have taken to deriding, nay scorning, Miss Trimble's special charism of being smart and knowing stuff. In spades it must be said. I'll have none of it. Lord alone knows how invested in pig ignorance are far too many of our young people. I will have an example of good learning applauded.

And thus one announces an eponymous neologism in honour of a fine young woman and a tightly-fought, near-lost contest:

'To trimble' v.i.: to cause or to suffer anxiety by hesitating on the very verge of much deserved victory.

'Much Trimbling in the Marsh' one recalls from the days of wireless. Keats' 'trimbling heart' is another literary reference.

Paramount though, as we classicists will know, is the maxim ascribed to the warring yet uncertain Caesar, J.: 'Veni, Trimbli, Vici.'

You carry on banging that button dear lady. When you know - and who should not in an educated country? - that the chap in the picture can be none but Dante, then you sing out loud and proud. Put a smile on Paxo's grim face and be assured The Wolds is on your side.