Oxford in the Snow

[jack]

This weekend I went to meet Liv in Oxford.

I was not at all sure I should go, given the snow. In fact, I think I quite probably shouldn't have gone: it was fine this time, but if it had been much worse, I might well have ended up stuck in Oxford, Milton Keynes, or somewhere even worse.

But in fact, I got there and back safely. The main roads were cleared for most of the journey, though about half of it was driving at 30mph along dual carriageways nervously hoping it doesn't get worse. The worst bits are always at the start and the end of the journey on uncleared roads.

Oxford was really pretty in the snow. Thanks to everyone who suggested places to go.

We saw the updated Pitt Rivers museum. (Apparently there was a steam-powered machine gun in the 1830s, although it was never practical for military use.)

We had several very nice meals, brunch at a Lebanese cafe opposite the B&B, high tea at the Priory, an awesome selection of risotto and mushrooms and chips and things at the Royal Oak, and a delicious lunch at the Isis Farmhouse on the river.

We joked about the relative merits of Cambridge and Oxford. Why is it that Oxford University has a derogatory term for people from Cambridge University, but people from Cambridge University don't really talk about people from Oxford University?

Comments

[ptc24]

I just misread the end of that: "The first rule of Oxford University is you don't talk about Oxford University"?

ObPedant: What is this Cambridge University of which you speak?

[jack]

Do you think it's important to maintain the distinction between "University of Cambridge" and "Cambridge University"? Do you think it's likely to make a difference?

Admittedly, if I get into the habit of using the official spelling of the name, there's less chance of getting it wrong if I ever have to write it down in print somewhere, or refer to a different university where "University of X" and "X University" are both relevant but different organisations.

On the other hand, the oldest records we have of the university are in latin, does that really distinguishes between "U of C" and "C U"?

[ptc24]

I think there was a time when the university that is now called Oxford Brookes tried calling itself Oxford University (because the U of O was the U of O), and got told quite firmly not to.

Really, I'm being a) a silly pedant, and b) a somewhat self-parodying Proud Cantabrigian who thinks that a good way to express respect for one's alma mater is to be persnickety about the exact details of its name.