Part 38 (1/2)

13. There has been much discussion about this, but UU wizards do reluctantly concede that this is the historical state of affairs. Rincewind certainly challenged Coin with said sock, and as a result Coin ceased his troublesome reign (admittedly because being challenged by the most ineffective wizard in the world with such a primitive weapon amused him, caught his imagination and persuaded him to defy the power of his father). There are other ways to defeat someone than by bas.h.i.+ng their head in with a brick (although this does remain the means of choice in many of Ankh-Morpork's shadier streets).

14. Originally a Sharp Stick was installed, but extensive tests found that few things were worse than a poke in the eye with it.

15. Although octarine is the most important colour as far as wizards are concerned, it is not one that lends itself well to paint pigmentation. It quickly fades in sunlight and, in extreme cases, walks away.

16. A very popular degree and comparatively easy to obtain; a bit like sociology. Most wizards manage to get a B.F. after their name, to the quiet amus.e.m.e.nt of the citizenry in general.

17. This one is a bit of a puzzler.

18. At the time of the floor being relaid that is. This is done every few decades, during which time many of the constellations will have changed or been renamed.

19. It's amazing how much can change in twenty years! Now, of course, there are numerous Terry Pratchett fan clubs, entire conventions dedicated to the Discworld and alt.fan.pratchett has been superseded by other chat groups, fan websites, Facebook pages, Twitter accounts (and whatever else has no doubt emerged between writing and publis.h.i.+ng this!) 20. Updated from the 1994 edition.

Also by Terry Pratchett.

THE CARPET PEOPLE THE DARK SIDE OF THE SUN STRATA.

THE UNADULTERATED CAT (with Gray Jolliffe) GOOD OMENS (with Neil Gaiman).

NATION THE LONG EARTH (with Stephen Baxter) DODGER.

A BLINK OF THE SCREEN: COLLECTED SHORT FICTION.

The Bromeliad.

TRUCKERS DIGGERS WINGS.

Johnny Maxwell.

ONLY YOU CAN SAVE MANKIND.

JOHNNY AND THE DEAD JOHNNY AND THE BOMB.