Terms Coined from World War I
In wartime nations are often galvanised into frenzied action to innovate and invent in order to try to gain the upper hand in their struggle for survival. As well as technical innovation the language and grammer of war changes also. In this article we look at some of the terms, still in use today, that owe their origins to this conflict.
Only in America … 10 Ridiculous Lawsuits
We all know that the Americans are a litigious lot but sometimes they really outdo themselves. In this article we’ve gathered together some of the more crazy lawsuits that our American cousins have embarked on.
Pontifications – answers to the fluff of everyday life
Some answers to the fluff of everyday life :
> Was the London Bobbie named after a real Bobby ?
> Was there ever any cocaine in Coca-Cola ?
> Why do we clink glasses when we say cheers ?
> Why do we say an outlaw is beyond the pale ?
> Why do we say that someone who is fired gets the sack ?
Wordsmith – Test your ‘Southern American’
Improve and test your wordpower. How many of these (Southern) American-English words do you know?
How Do Birds Know Where to Peck for Worms?
When the red, red robin comes bob-bob-bobbin’ along, it’s not bobbing out of joie de vivre. The robin probably has one thing on its mind – food ! So how DO birds know where to peck for worms ?
Origin of Some Popular English Idioms IV
“Mumbo Jumbo”, “Going great guns”, “going to the dogs” – The origins of a selection of some popular English expressions and sayings.
The Darwin Awards : For Services to Humanity by Removing Themselves from the Gene Pool
The Darwin Awards honour “Those who do a service to humanity by permanently removing themselves from the gene pool” : In this article we’ve included some past deeds which have been ‘recognised’ by the judges.
What is the best way to cure hiccups?
No one knows precisely how hiccups are caused— but they’re jolly annoying, even if they do provide much merriment for anyone witnessing them. In this article we list a few ‘cures’ that no-doubt someone somewhere swears by.
Half Animal, Half Plant and Totally Tasty on Toast – Fungi
When you eat mushrooms à la Grecque or a truffle omelette, you may have thought that you are eating a vegetable. But you aren’t.Fungi were thought for many years to be plants, members of the vegetable kingdom with a few peculiarities. But modern science has shown that they are not.
Riddle me this … Can you solve these Riddles?
Pit yourself against some mind bending riddles and see if you can work out what each one is referring to.
When Moms text – Some Parental text bloopers
Some hilarious text bloopers … courtesy of the iPhone’s auto correct feature ! (plus some parental misunderstandings)
Instead of swearing, some people say “Gordon Bennett” – Why and who was he?
Instead of swearing, some people say “Gordon Bennett.” But why? Did he exist and, if so, who was he?
The Humble Wheelbarrow – Wheeling us to success
Europeans have been using the wheelbarrow for about 800 hundred years. But the Chinese invented it at least 1,000 years before that. The Ancient Chinese even gave their wheelbarrows names such as “Wooden Ox” and “Gliding Horse” and some even had sails on them.
When it’s raining what’s the best way to keep dry – Run or Walk ?
When it then starts raining and you don’t have your umbrella with you the question is should run or walk. If you run, think of all those extra raindrops that you are colliding with. On the other hand, if you walk you will be out in the rain for longer.
