Last man filibustering draws anger

Hong Kong medical sector representative Leung Ka-lau is prominent in the legislature, being attacked by the democratic and establishment camps simultaneously.

That's because he alone makes quorum calls to slow a Medical Council reform bill when everyone else wants to wrap up debate and move along.

He halted business the previous week with the same filibustering tactics, and critics say he's just trying to drum up support for legislative elections.

"Last man filibustering" is an adaption of "last man standing" (and it's worth noting Leung has been on his feet for much of the time). That term almost certainly came from organized brawling contests late in the 18th century or early in the 19th.

One multi-fighter attraction was known as a battle royal. It was popular in fairgrounds and involved perhaps half a dozen or more hard men fighting at one time. Finally there was only one man able to remain on his feet.

The term has since spread to all sorts of contests, including military cadets being marched off their feet, dancing, eating, boozing and more.

Concrete measures have hikers fuming

Concrete-crazed government planners are under attack once again for destroying natural countryside by developing trails. This time it's hikers complaining that something nasty is afoot on the Tuen Mun Trail judging by preparatory work going on there.

"Concrete measures" can be read in a couple of ways. There's the literal meaning, which is to suggest slabs of concrete measured out. But more often than not it's applied to firm intentions. "We have concrete measures in place to destroy every tree in Hong Kong," an official could say of a blueprint.

You could also talk about taking concrete steps, which is the same thing.