Malcolm Ball [1959-2021]
“Know what I mean..”  Some of the time, yes,  but a lot of the time ‘no’. Malx had a ‘Yes Minister’ ability to prevent me from ever finding out what he meant when he said “Know what I mean” after a verbal ramble over familiar or unfamiliar terrain. I tried on a number of occasions to unpick what he meant with very little success. But as long as he didn’t reach that phrase he was very illuminating.
He had intelligence in spadefuls, wit and humour that made his presence always a blessing – unless you were trying to get to sleep or were hungover. I can remember one occasion when I was seriously hungover and he decided to treat to me to his relentless cheerfulness. It’s torture!

https://chattingcritically.com/2021/03/20/malcolm-ball-1959-2021-tim-price-reminisces/