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I am obliged for the learned explanation, Freddy. I am familiar with 'twat' (pronounced to rhyme with 'that') in its several usages. However, I do not really accept that it is synonymous with 'twot' simply because it may be (mis)pronounced as such (to rhyme with 'hot'). The two words should be kept distinct in both pronunciation and usage. By extension, the concept of someone being a 'twot' (= 'total waste of time') could be applied to an object that is useless as a result of damage or some other form of deterioration. So, alien to me as it is, I can just about see how the peasantry in your part of the realm might regard a ruined gearbox as being 'twotted'. (Contrariwise, ladies in my area do not 'come' as a result of a stimulating sexual experience - they prefer to 'arrive'.) I would add that I believe your last sentence contains a solecism; the use was 'implied',rather than 'inferred'. (But, as the reader infers what the writer implies, either may be understood here and I will not award a detention on this occasion.)

A very thoughtful treatise, Freddy, which I am still digesting with a view to making my own observations in due course.

One of the more cynical sayings: You don't have to put out the bait, when you've caught a fish .... I'm sure it works both ways too. I can remember a time when having a good car (fast car) was quite an attraction. Later, having a good job .... Even now .... An ex-girlfriend with wrecked feet (I have mentioned previously) who I haven't seen for 3 years, met me for a coffee last week. Second question she asked after the preliminaries: "What you doing for a job these days?" Believe me when I say, it wasn't "chit/chat". I'm open to alternative experiences, but I think even 'genuine' changes work something like this: 18-28: Everything is new, almost nothing is too much bother (for women at least). 10,000 years of DNA programming want them pregnant, so they are enthusiastic about sex, and don't mind putting in some effort to get it. 29-39: Often the "baby years", but certainly 'the work' years. Still enthusiastic, but physical tiredness now playing it's part. Without some effort (gym) bodies starting to show signs of age, and with it, a reluctance to flaunt what was once an attractive physique. Self awareness, possibly lack of personal success (actual or perceived) start to introduce 'doubts' about personal attractiveness. 40-50: Menopause is either looming, or kicked in. That 10,000 years of DNA programming has women avoiding conception as they wouldn't (historically) survive the birth, or the child wouldn't, or mother wouldn't live long enough for the child to survive without them. "Nature" wants them to put the brakes on getting pregnant. The libido of many women will be in it's death throws. 51+: Few women are with a man they find sexually attractive. Truly attractive men (looks, money, charmer) has been tugged away by younger women with 10,000 years of DNA programming wanting them pregnant. Those who still have their attractive partners, are not likely to be in good shape (there's always exceptions) and would prefer companionship over anything close to regular sex. With age comes lack of energy. Bones and muscles ache. Waists are thick, skin has been less elastic for a few years ... As time goes on, ANY sexual contact is fraught with difficulty. Workable positions are few. Lack of enthusiasm from men (even 20 year olds use Viagra - apparently) all helps keep sex out of the (middle aged) bedroom. Although a little different these days, 30 or 40 years ago nearly every woman was slim, and certainly they were (typically) before childbirth. Wearing a heel, stockings, and/or a short skirt would have looked attractive, even on a plain girl. Becoming a mother and not losing the baby weight, or getting older and gaining weight anyway, would have many women in too much pain to wear a heel with any height. Short skirts don't look so good on a larger/older women, nor does (say) longer hair or hanging out a (sagging) chest. So being cynical about the cynical comment (ref bait), it might be true the bait is no longer 'put out' for a partner but not because a fish has been caught, rather because it's painful (where it wasn't before) or just plain inappropriate. For example: I got Mrs Freddy to try on a PVC, "leather look" dress in a store, and I liked it so much I had her buy it with a view to it being returned if she couldn't find shoes/underwear to wear with it. At this time, she would have been in or approaching the last section mentioned above. The dress was in a shop, with the customer profile, typically being in the first section above, maybe the second. NOT the third or last sections. Much to our amazement, she looked really good in the dress, with or without heels. I did some quick picture of her wearing the dress, and some high heels to show off her and the dress. She looked really good, even though I say so myself. I'm going to describe it as a prank, (meaning, no ill-will or wickedness involved) I loaded up a picture of her in the dress, onto her FB page in her absence. She got to hear about it by the time she got her 4th "Like", and at least 2 rather flattering comments from friends. (The picture - her wearing what appeared to be a fashionable leather dress, drew only praise.) She went ballistic. Apparently, she saw herself in a completely different light, and was ashamed/angry that anyone who knew her might see her dressed in such a manner. Now, before anyone thinks this dress might infer she worked in a 'gentleman's club', let me assure you, it looked nothing like that - at all. It was shaped, to show off her slimness, and the upper bodice squeezing just a little to show off some cleavage. It did remarkable things ... And wasn't at all inappropriate. One of the "Likes" came from a very close family member, who is more prudish than Mrs Freddy herself. Now some 4 years later, Mrs Freddy would agree she over-reacted. The dress went back, and I have deleted every photo of her wearing that outfit. I mention it only to illustrate why I make the conclusions reached. She has since bought a PVC 'leather look' dress without any encouragement from me, and a long pencil skirt in the same material, again without any encouragement from me. I don't know why the purchases were made. I saw them 'modelled' when they came into the house, but I've not seen them worn out, not least because we don't go anywhere they might be worn in the light of 'suitable' attire. If ever I work it out, I'll come back and report it. Since that time, I have not taken a photograph of Mrs Freddy for myself, nor do I intend to. Shame really, because for her age, she is exceptional. (I repeat ... for her age. .) But I'm not taking photographs of anyone too ashamed to share them - in case they are mistaken for 'soft porn'. I'm happy to have my conclusion wrong, though 'one swallow does not a summer make', meaning, there are exceptions. I mention these groups as generalities, but equally, as fairly accurate generalities to my experience at least. No sexism is intended. Men are at least as bad, if not worse. Don't know how to dress well. Lack personal hygiene. Unfit, with pot-bellies. Thinning hair, and hairy ears/shoulders/back. Comments gentlemen?