The Independent - Miles Kington RSS Feed

The Independent - Miles Kington RSS Feed http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/?service=Rss Miles Kington Remembered: Stuck for an idea? Then why not recycle some old ones? http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-stuck-for-an-idea-then-why-not-recycle-some-old-ones-829234.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-stuck-for-an-idea-then-why-not-recycle-some-old-ones-829234.html?r=RSS Many students who fail to get into university will be tempted to opt for freelance journalism instead, and today's piece gives you specific advice on how to forge ahead in that field. It's quite easy, really. All you have to know is what subjects editors most like articles about. And all you have to do to find that out, is go back over the past 40 years of general interest magazines and newspaper feature pages, seeing which the most common articles are. Luckily for you, I have already done that, so here is a complete list of the Top Feature Ideas in British Journalism of all time. Please cut it out and use it as often as possible. Miles Kington Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 Miles Kington Remembered: For rulings on the English language, approach the bar http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-for-rulings-on-the-english-language-approach-the-bar-828256.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-for-rulings-on-the-english-language-approach-the-bar-828256.html?r=RSS It's a great pleasure to welcome the return of Dr Wordsmith, our roving linguist, who has torn himself away from the Three Jolly Typesetters to come and answer queries about the highways and byways of language. In the words of the poet, let battle commence! Miles Kington Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 Miles Kington Remembered: Everybody needs good neighbours – but not too good http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-everybody-needs-good-neighbours-ndash-but-not-too-good-827655.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-everybody-needs-good-neighbours-ndash-but-not-too-good-827655.html?r=RSS People Who Do Very Unusual Jobs Miles Kington Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 Miles Kington Remembered: Now I've fallen on hard times it seems the joke is on me http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-now-ive-fallen-on-hard-times-it-seems-the-joke-is-on-me-827086.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-now-ive-fallen-on-hard-times-it-seems-the-joke-is-on-me-827086.html?r=RSS 28 June 1996 Miles Kington Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 Miles Kington Remembered: Old country wisdom can put a spoke in your wheel http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-old-country-wisdom-can-put-a-spoke-in-your-wheel-826278.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-old-country-wisdom-can-put-a-spoke-in-your-wheel-826278.html?r=RSS 9 July 1997 Miles Kington Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 Miles Kington Remembered: Passive suffering: an extraordinary legal precedent http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-passive-suffering-an-extraordinary-legal-p.htmldent-824288.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-passive-suffering-an-extraordinary-legal-p.htmldent-824288.html?r=RSS A most extraordinary case is going on in the High Court at the moment, which seeks to create a new offence called "passive suffering". Here is an extract from yesterday's enlightening proceedings... Miles Kington Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 Miles Kington Remembered: Need a divorce? Ask a composer – he'll know the score http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-need-a-divorce-ask-a-composer-ndash-hell-know-the-score-822754.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-need-a-divorce-ask-a-composer-ndash-hell-know-the-score-822754.html?r=RSS "So, don't forget to join us to help celebrate Copland, Shostakovich and Bach!" Miles Kington Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 Miles Kington Remembered: Words will all grow, flourish and die, eventually http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-words-will-all-grow-flourish-and-die-eventually-822080.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-words-will-all-grow-flourish-and-die-eventually-822080.html?r=RSS Every newspaper has its linguistic expert these days, answering readers' questions on English usage, but there has never been a language maven quite like our resident sage, Dr Wordsmith. Miles Kington Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 Miles Kington Remembered: A geographical conundrum of continental proportions http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-a-geographical-conundrum-of-continental-proportions-821629.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-a-geographical-conundrum-of-continental-proportions-821629.html?r=RSS Miles Kington Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 Miles Kington Remembered: If Spanish proverbs depress you, go to the other bar http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-if-spanish-proverbs-depress-you-go-to-the-other-bar-821146.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-if-spanish-proverbs-depress-you-go-to-the-other-bar-821146.html?r=RSS Miles Kington Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 Miles Kington Remembered: Birds do it, bees do it, even – ahem – garden flowers do it... http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-birds-do-it-bees-do-it-even-ndash-ahem-ndash-garden-flowers-do-it-819667.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-birds-do-it-bees-do-it-even-ndash-ahem-ndash-garden-flowers-do-it-819667.html?r=RSS I wasn't entirely surprised to learn the other day that girls as young as 12 or 13 were now getting pregnant in Britain. You see, I was brought up on an old copy of Ripley's Believe it or Not!, in which Mr Ripley told us incredible but true facts from round the globe, and one of these incredible but true facts was that the youngest grandmother in the world was only 32 years old. This was because the daughter she'd had at 16 had also given birth at 16. Miles Kington Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 Miles Kington Remembered: Freud's topical application for nervous speech writers http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-freuds-topical-application-for-nervous-speech-writers-818677.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-freuds-topical-application-for-nervous-speech-writers-818677.html?r=RSS There are two diametrically opposed schools of thought when it comes to writing an after-dinner speech. There is the Clement Freud school of thought and the non-Clement Freud school of thought. I learnt this when as a young man I foolishly accepted an invitation to take part in a Cambridge Union debate. Miles Kington Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:01 +0100 Miles Kington Remembered: When in Rome, be careful where you unfurl your umbrella http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-when-in-rome-be-careful-where-you-unfurl-your-umbrella-818011.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-when-in-rome-be-careful-where-you-unfurl-your-umbrella-818011.html?r=RSS "I was in Rome last week," I said, as I took my foaming pint from the landlord and paused in order to get people's attention before launching into my travel tale. Miles Kington Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 Miles Kington Remembered: A well-travelled American is just a drop in two oceans http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-a-welltravelled-american-is-just-a-drop-in-two-oceans-817247.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-a-welltravelled-american-is-just-a-drop-in-two-oceans-817247.html?r=RSS Miles Kington Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 Miles Kington Remembered: We prepare for old age, but we don't prepare for death http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-we-prepare-for-old-age-but-we-dont-prepare-for-death-816664.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-we-prepare-for-old-age-but-we-dont-prepare-for-death-816664.html?r=RSS (19 June 2000) Miles Kington Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 Miles Kington Remembered: Who says twiddling your thumbs is a waste of time? http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-who-says-twiddling-your-thumbs-is-a-waste-of-time-815379.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-who-says-twiddling-your-thumbs-is-a-waste-of-time-815379.html?r=RSS It's all very well the way people rush off to work out in the gym, and have personal trainers, and achieve fitness at the expense of total exhaustion and frequent injury, but what happens if you haven't got a gym nearby, or the equipment, or the time? And what if you just don't like exercise? Miles Kington Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 Miles Kington Remembered: Why do you never see unruly children on a roof rack? http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-why-do-you-never-see-unruly-children-on-a-roof-rack-814693.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-why-do-you-never-see-unruly-children-on-a-roof-rack-814693.html?r=RSS Ten measures of pain most commonly used by the English, in ascending order, after the phrase: "It hurts like..." Miles Kington Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 Miles Kington Remembered: Dr Wordsmith explains how to preserve expressions http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-dr-wordsmith-explains-how-to-preserve-expressions-813972.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-dr-wordsmith-explains-how-to-preserve-expressions-813972.html?r=RSS It is some time since we have had a visit from our linguistic expert, Dr Wordsmith, the man who is incapable of passing a pub without going in and listening to the conversation, so I am very glad to announce the arrival of the great man himself today. Miles Kington Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 Miles Kington Remembered: If you want to write a nature column, live in London http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-if-you-want-to-write-a-nature-column-live-in-london-813352.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-if-you-want-to-write-a-nature-column-live-in-london-813352.html?r=RSS (29 September 1999) When I moved from London to the country, it never occurred to me that I would end up writing a nature column. And that is precisely what has happened to me. I have not ended up writing a nature column. I cannot even envisage writing such a thing, because nature changes far too slowly to supply material for an ever-changing column, and I can see that if I did write a regular nature column I would quickly be reduced to telling people the swallows hadn't left yet, or the mushrooms were quite good this year. Miles Kington Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 Miles Kington Remembered: Across the river and into the eye of the lens http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-across-the-river-and-into-the-eye-of-the-lens-812671.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-across-the-river-and-into-the-eye-of-the-lens-812671.html?r=RSS Miles Kington Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 Miles Kington Remembered: A good explanation for those mystery stains on trousers http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-a-good-explanation-for-those-mystery-stains-on-trousers-811185.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-a-good-explanation-for-those-mystery-stains-on-trousers-811185.html?r=RSS Today I want to address my male readers. That's right, the men among you. This column has always prided itself on being equal opportunity, but today, just for once, it is going to be male-oriented. Not for women. For women, I have this message. Buzz off. Pay no attention. Come back tomorrow, ladies. Sorry, but you're not wanted here. Miles Kington Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 Miles Kington Remembered: For the ideal family holiday, go with the ideal family http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-for-the-ideal-family-holiday-go-with-the-ideal-family-810335.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-kington-remembered-for-the-ideal-family-holiday-go-with-the-ideal-family-810335.html?r=RSS It is not often that a major leap forward takes place in the holiday industry. But such a leap forward is taking place today. I am proud to announce a holiday-planning innovation which will revolutionise the way the British take holidays. It will solve the problem that taxes all but the most far-sighted holiday-maker: That is, making sure you go on holiday with the right people. Miles Kington Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:01 +0100 Miles remembered: An editor's dream dies http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-remembered-an-editors-dream-dies-779518.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/miles-remembered-an-editors-dream-dies-779518.html?r=RSS The last time I spoke to Miles Kington was three days before he died. It was 6pm, the Comment pages were due off in an hour, and he still hadn’t filed. For Miles, this was unheard of. His stuff was usually in by early afternoon. Day in, day out, for more than 20 years, he was 100 per cent reliable, and 100 per cent brilliant. An editor’s dream, in other words. Miles Kington Fri, 08 Feb 2008 00:00:32 +0000 The Kington letters: Final words of a comic genius http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/the-kington-letters-final-words-of-a-comic-genius-779678.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/miles-kington/the-kington-letters-final-words-of-a-comic-genius-779678.html?r=RSS Ever the master humorist, Miles Kington kept readers laughing right up to the end. But at the time of his death last week, the 'Independent' columnist was also working on a literary farewell - a series of typically brilliant letters to his friend and agent, Gill Coleridge... Miles Kington Fri, 08 Feb 2008 00:00:01 +0000 Michael Bywater remembers Miles Kington http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/michael-bywater-remembers-miles-kington-776566.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/michael-bywater-remembers-miles-kington-776566.html?r=RSS Miles Kington, who has died suddenly at the age of 94 after apparently contracting a rare leg disease from a Madeira cake allegedly sent to him by extremist followers of the late Philip Larkin, was best known to readers of this newspaper as The Independent's daily columnist for over 20 years. But the truth of his life was very different. He was said to be an international man of mystery (though nobody could be quite sure), and his columns were in reality written by a team of Gujarati scholars, later supplanted by Poles, while Kington pursued a life of high-level intercontinental intrigue in his own personal Zeppelin, won in a game of poker from a German brewer shortly before – and perhaps implicit in – the outbreak of the Second World War. Obituaries Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:01:07 +0000 Miles & Me by Jonathan Sale http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/miles-amp-me-by-jonathan-sale-776652.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/miles-amp-me-by-jonathan-sale-776652.html?r=RSS There was only one occasion when my father, a retiring Cambridge academic, actually picked up the phone and dialled my number to congratulate me. It was after he'd read a piece I had written for Punch magazine – in collaboration with Miles Kington. The idea for the feature had been mine – "A history of demolition", prompted by the fact that half of London was being demolished to make way for the building boom of the early Seventies – but the fine touches, needless to say, had all belonged to Miles. Media Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:00:01 +0000 Let's Parler Kington: Miles at his very best http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/lets-parler-kington-miles-at-his-very-best-776649.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/lets-parler-kington-miles-at-his-very-best-776649.html?r=RSS 2 March 1990 In these days of high winds, a fence acts as a natural resting place for anything being blown cheerfully cross-country, and you are certain to find a colourful selection of countryside riches on the windward side of many a fence. Orange synthetic twine, blue feed-bags, empty cement sacks, old newspapers, abandoned prams, tangerine boxes, beige files marked MINISTRY OF DEFENCE: HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL – these are some of the things I have spotted in the past week in our locality. Media Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:00:01 +0000