I've been dying to tell him the answer for several hours ...

The answer is, of course, 'Walter Mitty'.

---

Clarification of Question by probonopublico-ga on 09 Apr 2004 23:54 PDT

Well ... Whatever or Whoever ... It's opened up!

Appreciate the input there probonopublico, but it is my duty to inform
you, you are very wrong there.

Firstly, Walter Mitty would be two words and not one. And secondly,
clues have been issued by the aforementioned radio station which tell
us the missing word (singular) begins with a letter from D - M,
inclusive.

And I got all excited when I seen your response too. ;-)

I really wouldn't mind, but this damned teaser has had me baffled for
ages and I just can't let it go. It's consuming my life...

Well, okay, maybe it isn't. But it is damned annoying. ;-)

And just in case you were thinking of having another stab, I can also
tell you it isn't:

    * Dastardly
    * Daydreamer
    * Daydreaming
    * Decadent
    * Deep
    * Deeper
    * Deluded
    * Delusional
    * Delusionary
    * Desperate
    * Diplomatic
    * Distinguished
    * Distrait
    * Dogsbody
    * Dominating
    * Don Quixote
    * Dreamy
    * Dull
    * Dynamic
    * Eclectic
    * Eccentric
    * Egocentric
    * Egotistic
    * Enigmatic
    * Enthusiasm
    * Enthusiastic
    * Eponymous
    * Escapist
    * Espionage
    * Exaggerated
    * Exceptional
    * Extraordinary
    * Exuberant
    * Facetious
    * Factional
    * Fairytale
    * Familiar
    * Fanciful
    * Fantasy
    * Farcical
    * Father
    * Fatherly
    * Fatuous
    * Feckless
    * Feign
    * Fickle
    * Fictional
    * Flamboyant
    * Flash
    * Flighty
    * Foolish
    * Friend
    * Friendly
    * Fun
    * Furtive
    * Futuristic
    * Gangly
    * Genuine
    * Glib
    * Goofy
    * Gorgeous
    * Gormless
    * Governmental
    * Grotesque
    * Guardian
    * Guru
    * Hapless
    * Happy
    * Heroic
    * Humanitarian
    * Humble
    * Humourous
    * Hyperbolic
    * Hypocritical
    * Icon
    * Idealistic
    * Idiosyncratic
    * Idiotic
    * Illusionist
    * Illusive
    * Illusory
    * Imaginary
    * Imaginative
    * Impressionist
    * Inapt
    * Inauspicious
    * Incandescent
    * Incompetent
    * Inconsequential
    * Inconspicuous
    * Incorrigible
    * Incredible
    * Indomitable
    * Inept
    * Innocent
    * International
    * Inventive
    * Irrational
    * Jester
    * Jokily
    * Jovial
    * Junior
    * Kamikaze
    * Klutz
    * Knowing
    * Languid
    * Laughable
    * Legendary
    * Likeable
    * Lonely
    * Lonesome
    * Ludicrous
    * M
    * Machiavelli
    * Machiavellian
    * Macho
    * Magic
    * Magical
    * Maladroit
    * Manic
    * Masquerading
    * Maverick
    * Maximovie
    * Mechanic
    * Melodramatic
    * Mercurial
    * Merkin
    * Merkinic
    * Merlin
    * Metamorphosing
    * Mischievous
    * Missionary
    * Mitty
    * Modest
    * Monarch
    * Morose
    * Munchausen
    * Mundane
    * Murky
    * Mysterious
    * Mythical

If anyone else fells like having a guess, feel free. I'll honour the
10% deal with anyone who provides the correct answer, although
obviously I'd like it backed up with a full transcript of the
interview if possible.

Wow!

And it looked SO EASY ...

I was so sure that Walter Mitty was the answer that I rushed out and
bought a new car.

Yeah, I think that's what makes it so annoying. It should be easy...

Good luck with the refund on the car anyway. ;-)

Well, then ...

Mittylike

MUST be the answer!

It was a wee bit trickylike, was it not?

Phew ... I shall be able to keep the car after all.

Congratulations ... I'm now looking forward to sharing your good fortune.

Apparently the word is "MERKINIC".
   
"That's my role, I'm a merkinic kind of figure. A sort of fantasist." 
  
See Justin's post
http://www.tagliners.org/archive/001152.html

Oh, you said it wasn't that! Sorry!

Definition:   \Mer"kin\, n.
Originally, a wig; afterwards, a mop for cleaning cannon.

Apparently a merkin is a wig...and in some usages, a pubic wig at that
or, a mop for cleaning a cannon?....so how does that fit in?

willie-ga

So sorry, Jackburton, but 'Merkinic' has already been tried ...

And Justin's post was Feb 11 ... very ancient history.

Oh well, I'll go and ask Baldrick ...he may have a 'cunning plan'.

Actually, it's 'Mittyesque'.

OK, Textmonkey, now that I've done the hard bit by giving you the
answer, please do your bit - the easy bit - and make sure that you are
on the phone at 6 a.m. PROMPT tomorrow.

And remember ... I answer the phone myself.

Looking forward to your call.

All the Best

Robbie Dee

Thanks for that Robbie, although you of all people should know it's
8.15am and not 6.00. :-p

Still, I'll forgive you fella ... so long as I get preferential
treatment when one of the lovely Google researchers finally comes up
with the answer.

Incidentally, for all those of you who want to give it a bash and live
outside the Cumbria area, the phone lines are open from 8.15am
officially, but if you start ringing from 8.10am and keep redialing
until about 8.17am, you should get through reasonably soon.

The number is 0845 345 40 40 when calling from the UK.

I urge you to share it with the wider community if you do know the
answer though. Let everyone have a fair crack of the whip,
so-to-speak.

Alternatively, post a good guess here and although I can't speak for
everyone, I'll certainly honour the 10% agreement. Hopefully, anyone
using this resource will do likewise.

Good luck to anyone who tries and don't forget to look after
TextMonkey when you win ;-)

One last thing. My last effort was on the Monday gone where I tried
"enthusiastic." ... I felt sure about that one too. However, the next
TM sponsored attempt will be "Fabulist." so if you feel like giving
that one a shot, go for your life.

Again, best of luck to all and I sincerely hope someone gets it soon.

Hi, Again, Textmonkey

Many thanks for the phone number, I'll give it a go tomorrow although
I know that it will be impossible to get through because EVERY member
of GaGaLand will be dialling in.

Warmest regards

PB

No problem. Do let me know how you get on ... although the chances are
I'll be listening out for you. It's already pretty tricky to get
through, but using the advice I posted previously should get you
through within a week. I've been on 4 times in the last three weeks,
so it's certainly not impossible.

I think the prize fund is £2,280 now and it increases by £15 every
day. Weekdays only mind, so have yourself a well earned lie-in come
the weekend.

Again, best of luck to you!

Okay, I'll play:
"That's my role, I'm a kind of______ sort of figure. A kind of fantasist."

Ineffectual
Hubristic
Ingenuous
Haughty
English
Embarassing
Malkovich
Irritating
Extreme
Impractical
Imperious


Gosh, it's hard isn't it? Good luck.

Thanks for the input stressedmum, but intuition tells me you haven't
yet stumbled upon the correct answer...

It's one of those things where I'm sure I'd know it if I heard it, but
I may just be going insane... who knows!

Thanks again though and any further guesses welcome. I'm still going
with "fabulist" for now, but I decide to go with a guess posted on
here, I'll let you know.

Thanks again all and keep phoning!