Mullet Over
BY JAMES K. WHITE | DECEMBER 8, 2010
In God We Trust
The tongue-area “taste chart” that depicted regional detectors of sweet, bitter, etc. was apparently bogus. The visual aid had been based on a mistranslation from German.
Marine scientists have recognized approximately 250,000 oceanic animal species. That same group estimates that at least 1,000,000 species are as yet undiscovered. I have no word from the Air Force or Army scientists.
The Smithsonian Institution possesses 5 three-story buildings housing more than 55 million items – most of which will never go on public display.
Lead in your body can be a serious neurotoxin. Lead poisoning can cause blindness, kidney failure, cancer, palsies and other serious maladies. Even after the toxicity of lead had been well established, it was still commonly added to gasoline, fruit sprays and household paints.
In 2007 the Philadelphia Eagles punter Sav Rocca became the NFL’s oldest rookie ever at age 33. I might add that there are no punters (primary position) in the NFL Hall of Fame.
Idaho claims to be the only state in the U.S.A. over which no foreign flag has ever flown.
The U.S. motto “In God We Trust” became officially adopted as of July 30, 1956. However, the phrase has been on U.S. currency since 1864. Speaking of money, the United States issued its first paper money in 1862. The nation has printed a rather large amount since that year.
Do you recall the famous actor Kirk Douglas? His original name was Issur Danielovitch Demsky.
Off the southern coast of Australia there sometimes blows a cool wind known as the Southerly Buster. When this wind comes inland, it can cause the surface temperatures to drop 36 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees centigrade) in only a few minutes.
A bit farther south, in Antarctica, approximately 99 percent of the land area is covered by ice and this ice accounts for more than 90 percent of all the ice on earth.
The quite popular pope, Pope John XXIII (nee Angelo Roncalli) was the second Pope John XXIII. However, the first XXIII guy (“Pope” from 1410 – 1415) was never officially recognized by the Roman Catholic Church. In fact, he was labeled “Antipope.” Some thought church officials said “antelope” and were truly confused.
Scientists have long known that frozen deserts of the South Pole were once wet tropical regions. This climate change did not occur because the polar area had previously been continuously balmy. Geologic data indicates that the land mass in Antarctica had earlier been located near the earth’s equator and has slowly drifted southward. Well, eat no paint before it is checked for lead – and have a pleasant week.
James White is a retired mathematics teacher who enjoys sharing fascinating trivia. He can be reached at [email protected].
Decline of language
The European Commission has just announced an agreement whereby English will be the official language of the European Union rather than German, which was the other possibility.
As part of the negotiations, the British Government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a 5- year phase-in plan that would become known as "Euro-English".
In the first year, "s" will replace the soft "c".. Sertainly, this will make the sivil servants jump with joy. The hard "c" will be dropped in favour of "k". This should klear up konfusion, and keyboards kan have one less letter.
There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year when the troublesome "ph" will be replaced with "f".. This will make words like fotograf 20% shorter.
In the 3rd year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expekted to reach the stage where more komplikated changes are possible.
Governments will enkourage the removal of double letters which have always ben a deterent to akurate speling.
Also, al wil agre that the horibl mes of the silent "e" in the languag is disgrasful and it should go away.
By the 4th yer people wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing "th" with "z" and "w" with "v".
During ze fifz yer, ze unesesary "o" kan be dropd from vords kontaining "ou" and after ziz fifz yer, ve vil hav a reil sensi bl riten styl.
Zer vil be no mor trubl or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi TU understand ech oza. Ze drem of a united urop vil finali kum tru.
Und efter ze fifz yer, ve vil al be speking German like zey vunted in ze forst plas.
Your Horoscope by Madame Bournard
ARIES (MAR. 21 - APRIL 19)
You may have health or other new issues to take care of. Get your short-term vacation plans in order, make sure you write down everything you need to bring.
TAURUS (APR. 20 – MAY 20)
There may be a change of plans in the near future or an issue with a relationship. Either way be prepared for some enjoyment at home. Do what you can to beat stress.
GEMINI (MAY 21 –JUNE 20)
There is potential change in a relationship; it could be a power struggle between you and another. The energy you exude must be constructive, so stay focused.
CANCER (JUN 21 – JULY 22)
It’s a time you feel good – shopping, cooking and lunches with friends. Spend time with a friend or relative doing something fun together.
LEO (JULY 23- SEPT. 22)
Your energy needs to be channeled. Find the right direction to pursue. Check out all aspects of any new business before making final decisions.
VIRGO (AUG. 23 –AUG 22)
You may have a hard time controlling a partner this week; they may want to fight you on principles. Try to help someone out; being less selfish may be a good thing.
LIBRA (SEPT.23 – OCT 22)
You are an ambassador of peace and usually have the right solutions to most problems, if anyone would listen! Something you want to complete makes you work harder than usual.
SCORPIO (OCT. 23- NOV. 21)
This week may be a bit unpredictable and a little hairy; sometimes you just wish you could move away and go live on a desert island.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22- DEC. 21)
You are full of vigor this week so go out and try to do as much as you can while you are feeling strong. Indulge in a little extra fun; you deserve it!
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22- JAN 19)
You may face disruptive issues this week, dealing with communication or travel. It might be good to stay home, relax and try to catch up on rest.
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20- FEB. 18)
Be careful not to arouse too much resentment; it could come back and bite you! Keeping your positive, cheerful attitude will catch more good vibes from others.
PISCES (FEB. 19- MAR. 20)
Developing new business contacts is the key for this week! Don’t ever burn bridges; you may very well need those contacts someday for future endeavors.
