Why do we say Ping-Pong not Pong-Ping, Zig-Zag not Zag-Zig or Flip-Flops and not Flop-Flips?
Today we might use the term ‘ding-dong’ for the sound of a bell or maybe an argument. We’d never of course use ‘dong-ding’ just as we can never ‘dally-dilly’ or ‘shally-shilly’ or even have a ‘song-sing’. Nor would we ever walk in a ‘zag-zig’ whilst wearing ‘flop-flips’ But why ?
Some Chaucer Factlets
If you thought that Geoffrey Chaucer was only a middle English poet and writer then we have some Chaucerian faclets to show that he was this, and a lot more.
How Did Different Human Skin Colours Come About ?
Skin colour is the result from the presence of a pigment called melanin, located in the epidermis, or outer skin layer, and produced by cells called melanocytes. But why would there be such a variety in Human Skin Colour ?
The History of Shrove Tuesday
Modern Britain is a very secular society but there are many traditions that people still partake in that have a very religious significance without people really realising. Take for example ‘Shrove Tuesday’ – what exactly is the “shroving” bit about and why the obsession with pancakes on that day ?
Go Tell it to the Bees
You may have heard of the old expression – “Go tell it to the bees” – but what exactly does it mean and what is it that should we be telling them anyway ? In this article we look at the folklore behind this unusual expression.
Why Are Men So Hairy ?
Hairy heads, hairy legs, and hairy armpits-the human body is covered in the stuff! Although many of us attempt to get rid of it, it is still obvious that men have more body hair than women. So what is the point of body hair, and why are men so hairy?
Why Are There 5,280 feet in a mile?
There are 5,280 feet in a mile – a pretty ‘odd’ number – buy why ?
Party Games – Dingbat Mega Quiz – 64 Brain Fizzlers
Try out our mega dingbat quiz. Give your Christmas party a fizz with 64 brain teasers by testing your visual intuition and reasoning ability. You can download and print off the quiz – answers are included in the pdf … enjoy! 🙂
Why Inn Keepers in the Nativity may have wrongly had a ‘bum rap’ for a long time
Every Christmas, innkeepers get a terrible ‘rap’. In schools, playgroups & churches up and down the land, Mary and Joseph duly arrive on their donkey in Bethlehem, only to be rejected by one or more innkeepers saying they don’t have any room at all in their inn. However it turns out this all revolves around the translation of 1 Greek word – kataluma – which can simply mean “guest room”. So whats the story behind this ?
The Christmas Turkey : Why are they so ugly ?
When the New World pilgrims celebrated the first harvest in 1621, the Wampanoag Indians brought slaughtered turkeys to the Thanksgiving feast. The Pilgrims noted that ‘The natives brought a bird more hideous than any creature I have ever seen’ – why is it so ugly ?
How Should We Regard the Bible in the 21st Century?
The Bible can be a very pejorative term. Stirring good~bad~indifferent feelings But can we look at it through a different lens putting aside the baggage we bring? “How Should We Regard the Bible in the 21st Century?” … some thoughts & observations in this article
How Are the Times of Sunrise & Sunset determined ?
Given that astronomy is the oldest science and that sunrise and sunset are very basic celestial phenomena, you might have thought this would have been sorted out centuries ago. Not a bit of it!
What is Horsepower?
In a Nutshell : Horsepower is a term that describes how much work an engine or other source does over a specific period of time.
Why Are British Elections Always Held on Thursdays?
It’s a time-honoured tradition that Brits choose their MPs on a Thursday, which was last broken in 1978, where voters in Hamilton, Scotland, cast their ballots on Wednesday, May 31. The reason? The opening match of the 1978 World Cup was on Thursday, June 1. But why are British elections always held on Thursdays?
How do Ants Communicate ?
When ants discover a food source its not long after that their fellow colony members descend on that location to make the most of any tasty morsel that’s been discovered. Clearly there’s some form of communication going on between colony members – but how ?
