Any question answered...

CSB etc in advance but I have a short story regarding tailgating from a few months ago.
A short section of dual carriageway in Windsor, 40 mph limit. I was in uniform, all in black but clearly uniform driving a plain Corsa at 40 in the outside lane of two next to another car. I saw a white Range Rover Sport tearing up behind me flashing its headlights as it gets nearer and gets right up to my rear bumper. I take my foot off the accelerator and coast to a stop still next to the car beside me that had also stopped. The Range Rover was still glued to my bumper as I got out of the car. I looked at the male driver pointed at myself and mouthed the words “Police, follow me, I want a word”. We then drove around the corner to close to the police station and he pulled over behind me.
I said ”What was all that about?” to which he replied that he was dreadfully sorry, late for collecting son from playgroup, no excuse etc.
I said “There’s a word for people like you”
He said “Does it begin with C”.
I said “Yes it does. I think we have an understanding so be on your way a little safer please”

Decent bribe?

Overtaking probably.

At 40.01mph when the car on the left was doing 39.78mph, probably without a helmet too.

I always assumed you were the constable of a sex dungeon rather than the police force Constable Savage.

I'm a little disappointed in you.

Most of them do both, no?

Range Rover Sport

That's already enough information to determine that the driver is going to be a massive cunt, with P>0.9995

A little generous with the probability there.

I've done thirty-one and a half years and retiring on New Year's Eve. I work from The Duke of York's residence (Formally The Queen Mother's) and your description of his bedroom is spot on. If you're really bothered the nearside lane was slowing down which is why I was in the offside lane. Not that it matters 'cos I'm the Old Bill and can do whatever the fuck I like.

How much wine do you have to drink before it starts tasting good?

Does it say "Buckfast" on it? If so, about 3 bottles.

Don't worry too much about the taste, it'll still get you drunk.

Not that it matters 'cos I'm the Old Bill and can do whatever the fuck I like.

Thus breaking Peelian principle number seven.

Peelian Principle 7 - “Police, at all times, should maintain a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence.”

Does that mean we can all 'Do what we like'?

I think you'll be falling down some steps in a holding cell with talk like that.

Apparently it has been suggested that Peel's list of principles was more likely authored by twentieth century policing scholars than by Peel himself; although Peel discussed the spirit of some of these principles in his speeches and other communications, researchers Lentz and Chaires found no proof that he ever actually compiled a formal list.

In answer to your question, yes you can do what you like, particularly in 2014 'cos I'm going to be spending my commutation.

what's the difference in meaning between "re-orienting" and "re-orientating" ? In British English, if it makes any difference.

I wouldn't use the second versions spelling- no help, I am aware, soz.

what's the difference in meaning between "re-orienting" and "re-orientating" ? In British English, if it makes any difference.

I'd go with the former, because I've never heard of orientating or orientateering if that makes any sense.

what's the difference in meaning between "re-orienting" and "re-orientating" ? In British English, if it makes any difference.

Re-orientating is proper English. The other word is American and wrong in polite circles.

What's the deal with running a threaded headset without the lock nut? Found some replacement forks for the nevatronsinglespeedshopperofdeath but they are about 7mm short on the steerer. Could I get away with running without top nut? Maybe loctite?

Using loctite, despite what anyone tells you, is a pretty good solution.
I broke the top nut on a 1 1/8 threaded headset years ago, and loctited the lower nut in place. Since then I have ridden about 1000 miles around remote african countryside, added an xtracycle to the rear and haul heavy stuff once or twice a week (like 125 kilos of stuff) over a dirt road for 4 miles. If anything would test it that would.
The headset has had no attention whatsoever in that time, it was well greased on assembly and still turns sweetly and has no play.

Hoefla what do you want to say?

I'd probably say something like:

"Our intention is to revise the plans, chiefly this involves the orientation of the bench being changed from east - west to north-south."

Does that mean we can all 'Do what we like'?

Thank goodness that Constable Savage wasn't joking. :)

I said “There’s a word for people like you”
He said “Does it begin with C”.
I said “Yes it does. I think we have an understanding so be on your way a little safer please”

Frankly, I think you were being rather too lenient in suggesting to him that he was a bit of a card. I'd have found stronger language. :)

what's the difference in meaning between "re-orienting" and "re-orientating" ? In British English, if it makes any difference.

Re-orientating is proper English. The other word is American and wrong in polite circles.

Where do you start? It is an interesting example of an inelegant Latinate word that has been pressed into applications in English where there are manifest problems with its usage.

'To orient' is confusing, as literally it seems to mean something like 'to align with/towards the orient'.

'To orientate' is a better word-formation, as the ending is more in keeping with the intended meaning of the word. However, many people don't like the additional syllable for phonetic reasons and want to leave it out.

Both versions seem to have acquired a place in obtuse management speak.

I use 'orientate' occasionally, too, but it's better style to limit its usage to cases where it's unavoidable (which I'd imagine wouldn't be many). Dammit's suggestion of re-phrasing is spot-on.

I have a feeling that because 'orienteering' works well in English, with a rather limited meaning, that 'orientate' was formed to echo it, but I have no idea which came first. It may well have been the other way around.

I want to say "re-orienting/re-orientating the development plan" to mean re-prioritise, metaphorically re-focus, re-align etc but not literally reorientate (rotate towards North, or similar). I know it's obtuse management speak and I usually try and avoid such things, but I'm finding it necessary tonight, and I want to at least get it right if I'm going to do it. I would welcome a more elegant solution.

Re-establish?
Rerail?
Un-fuck?