The English Vorgestern (Danish: forgårs) is ereyesterday which is so archaic I suspect one must be deep in old literature to come across it... but nonetheless a handier term than "the day before yesterday".
I'm on a mission to bring these words back, though people tend to be a bit puzzled by them.
I didn't think that bit required explaining - that's just a perfectly normal way of describing the position of the minute arm on the clock...
(Have you guessed yet that I'm Danish? 😉)
I think it's quite similar to how Germans do it.
In the UK, "half five" is "half past five", but in Germany and Denmark, "half five" is "halfway to five", so 04:30.
Danish still uses words like "forenoon" and "overmorrow" which exist(ed) in English (e.g., in "Walden") but have fallen out of use.
❗Upcoming application deadline: 6th March
🎓 Leverhulme Programme for Doctoral Training in Ecological Data Science
🏦5 fully funded 4-year PhDs, and a 5-year MSc + PhD option
❓Machine learning, statistical modelling, spatial analysis
🌏University of Glasgow
➡️ ecological-data-science.github.io
Corrigendum:
90: halvfems = halfway to *five* times 20
But I'm sure you knew what I meant, so... ingen ko på isen.
Yes, based on scores:
50: halvtreds = halfway to three times 20, so 2½ x 20 ("treds" relates to 3)
60: treds (or, to give the full term, "tred-sins-tyve") = 3 x 20
70: halvfjerds = halfway to four times 20 ("fjerds" relates to 4)
80: firs = fours (20 implied)
90: halvfems = halfway to four times 20
The grading system in Denmark has a long history of appearing to be oddly random and hard to explain to foreigners. The current scale replaced the "13 scale" (1971-2007) which also had several gaps:
ufsn.dk/uddannelse/a...
We're hiring a Research Technician to join our project on fish welfare & sustainability in the Amazon ornamental fish trade. Fieldwork in Brazil & lab, physiology & behaviour, contribute to conservation, sustainability & livelihoods in the Amazon. Apply here: www.jobs.gla.ac.uk/job/technici...
The 15 bird species recorded:
Great Tit, Blue Tit, Robin, Nuthatch, Blackbird, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Chaffinch, Carrion Crow, Stock Dove, Jay, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Coal Tit, Mallard, Long-tailed Tit.
Notable no-shows: Treecreeper, Wren, Dunnock, Bullfinch, Raven, Buzzard.
Eurasian Jay
Notebook page showing a list of bird species and counts seen during a birdwatching hour. Bird species are recorded using BTO species codes.
RSPB #BigGardenBirdwatch done for another year!
Wet and mild weather wasn't promising and the hour got off to a slow start, but once a Jay had made an appearance, the Great Spotted Woodpeckers (male & female) and a family of Long-tailed Tits provided plenty entertainment.
@rspb.bsky.social #BGBW
Group photo of participants in the Leverhulme EDS conference at SCENE on Loch Lomond, October 2025
The Leverhulme DTP in Ecological Data Science is currently recruiting the next cohort of PhD candidates for enrolment in October 2026, with an application deadline of 6th March.
Read about the programme and available projects here:
ecological-data-science.github.io
@uofgecodatasci.bsky.social
Cheers - I love Italian food so will probably try them soon. Merry Christmas to you too!
Where is this and do they have good vegan food?
Pat Monaghan introduces Barbara Helm
Barbara Helm explains a slide depicting the incredible annual migratory journey of Bar-tailed Godwits breeding in Alaska and wintering in New Zealand
The usual Christmas party shenanigans included Barbara Helm joining the School band (on viola) for Shostakovich's waltz from the movie "The First Echelon"
Barbara Helm and Chris Duffield
What a wonderful treat, Barbara Helm visiting SBOHVM to deliver this year's Christmas lecture, telling us how research she and colleagues began here at (then) IBAHCM continues in current work at the Swiss Ornithological Institute.
@barbarahelm.bsky.social @sbohvm.gla.ac.uk @vogelwarte.bsky.social
I didn't think anyone still remembered Tocotronic! 😀
Autumnal view north across the Clyde Valley from Gleniffer Braes.
A group of people on the shore of Loch Lomond with autumnal trees in the background
We have held a lovely two-day conference & induction event at @sceneuog.bsky.social on beautiful Loch Lomond to welcome the new cohort of @leverhulme.ac.uk scholars to the @uofgecodatasci.bsky.social DTP. Lots of PhD info, research discussions, and campfire with guitar!
@sbohvm.gla.ac.uk
Since search is dead, how soon do you think Google Scholar is headed for the Google Graveyard? I'm betting it's soon, and academia is NOT prepared
If you have expertise in AI/statistical/data analytics research methods and an interest in environmental urban research, the NERC GALLANT project might be the place for you! Now recruiting for a Research Associate - closing date 15 September.
www.jobs.gla.ac.uk/job/research...
We will never get gender equality and pay equity in academia until this issue of under acknowledged and under recognised service and pastoral support is addressed.
Let's hope none of the C-level people from Tennent's were there...
Interesting new addition to the spatial ecology toolset...
I think most people at my university would kill for an office that large! Very nice; zen vibes.
I, too, was wondering why I was getting up at 05:40 for such an early start... and I live in Glasgow (technically, although on the fringe). I can only assume it was to mimic the Scandinavian work day which starts at 8 and ends at 4.
Woman wearing a T-shirt depicting Chris Packham and George Monbiot with the text "Packham & Monbiot - a natural alliance"
Does this mean I need to update my "natural alliance" T-shirt?
Scottish Grand National:
23 starters.
8 finishers.
2 horse fatalities.
How long can horse racing retain its social licence to operate while these sort of results happen in the highest profile races. Preventable risks on race day that are not being minimised. Risk management is a welfare priority.
Precocious Strathclyde bluebell will not wait for May; suspects beech trees will spring early this year.
Female mallard with three ducklings
Any day now, ducklings will begin to appear, and we need your help to monitor them. We are asking for records of mallard broods anywhere in the UK this year to help us understand how many ducklings make it to adulthood. Submit your sightings here: citsci.org/projects/ducklingwatch
Please share!
The subtle switch that happens when a dual national lands in an EU airport and stops being a British passport person to instead become a burgundy passport person...
It's lovely to see the European flag flying next to il Tricolore all over Rome. 🇪🇺 🇮🇹
