Mullet Over
BY JAMES K. WHITE | DECEMBER 15, 2010
Peculiarities in human behavior
If you are of a certain age, “foshizzle” (also “forizzle”) might be “words” without meanings. However amongst the verbally chic, these utterances mean “definitely” or “without a doubt.” I lay no claim to being verbally chic.
Kinesophobia is the fear of all motion. I have had several students who must have been afflicted with some form of kinesophobia. I am experiencing acute embarrassment as I had mistakenly identified a few as “apathetic” or “lazy.”
In the Indian city of Mumbai (formerly Bombay), a whole industry has evolved delivering home-cooked meals at lunch time. The dabbawalas go to listed dwellings and pick food containers destined for various places of work. The reliability factor is amazing. In excess of 200,000 meals are delivered 5 days a week with an error rate of approximately one in six million.
The symbol that looks somewhat like a bold upper-case “P” printed backwards is used in manuscript editing to indicate “paragraph.” The symbol has a name – pilcrow.
Amongst the peculiarities in human behavior, the “Dancing Plague” is one of the strangest. In the 1270’s large groups of people in Europe would suddenly commence dancing (no music). Apparently these dances were not smooth waltz-like affairs but involved frantic shaking, kicking, arm-flailing and wallowing on the ground. Many participants were injured and at least a few died. Similar events occurred at several widely separated sites. The events would come to an end almost as suddenly as they had begun. The curious psychological phenomenon has been studied and analyzed by many learned scholars and no consensus has been determined as to the reasons for the hysterical “dancing.”
On July 25, 1931 the tremendous female athlete Mildred “Babe” Didrikson purportedly threw a baseball a measured distance of 296 feet. That is just four feet short of the length of an American football field. It is an accomplished male baseball player who can fling a baseball 296 feet.
Anthropologists have concluded that “cavemen” did wear shoes. Evidence of such relics has been discovered and indications are that the foot coverings were commonly made from tough animal hides. Some shoes were apparently modified in response to climates and seasons. In the spring of 2010, a shoe estimated to be approximately 5,500 years old was discovered in Armenia. This particular item is thought to be about size 7 and for a right foot.
My children would likely think that if the shoe were mine, I should attempt to get another year’s wear out of it. I don’t wear a 7. Have a great week.
James White is a retired mathematics teacher who enjoys sharing fascinating trivia. He can be reached at [email protected].
Not a lot of people know this!
When four of Santa's elves got sick, the trainee elves did not produce toys as fast as the regular ones, and Santa began to feel the pre-Christmas pressure.
Then Mrs. Claus told Santa her mother was coming to visit, which stressed Santa even more.
When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two others had jumped the fence and were out, Heaven knows where.
Then when he began to load the sleigh, one of the floorboards cracked, the toy bag fell to the ground and all the toys were scattered.
Frustrated, Santa went in the house for a cup of apple cider and a shot of rum. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered the elves had drunk all the cider and hidden the liquor.
In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the cider jug, and it broke into hundreds of little glass pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found the mice had eaten all the straw off the end of the broom.
Just then the doorbell rang, and an irritated Santa marched to the door, yanked it open, and there stood a little angel with a great big Christmas tree.
The angel said very cheerfully, 'Merry Christmas, Santa. Isn't this a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Where would you like me to put it?'
And so began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree. Not a lot of people know this.
Out of 1,350,000 Google search results, this is the earliest posting we could identify: www.godlikeproductions.com/forum1/message49652/pg1. Author Unknown.
Your Horoscope by Madame Bournard
ARIES (MAR. 21 - APRIL 19)
Your upbeat mood this week is due to many things to think about, travel plans and upcoming social gatherings. It’s time to have some fun – go with the flow!
TAURUS (APR. 20 – MAY 20)
It is a time for reflection about the future and financial issues on your home front. With the holiday season on top of us who isn’t talking money?
GEMINI (MAY 21 –JUNE 20)
Inspiration comes from a partner or old friend which may help you adjust to life changes ahead. You may meet some influential people who can help you.
CANCER (JUN 21 – JULY 22)
You may receive new ideas on how to advance your career in the current job market. Don’t dismiss anything until you have checked it out fully.
LEO (JULY 23- SEPT. 22)
This time for Leos is about entertainment, of course! You will have new ideas for fun. There may be changes afoot. Relationships can be up or down.
VIRGO (AUG. 23 –AUG 22)
The domestic scene lightens your mood with holiday festivities. Your worries are temporarily put on the back burner. Next year will be better.
LIBRA (SEPT.23 – OCT 22)
It is a good week for planning and communicating your thoughts. Your partner is sympathic to your cause. Happiness is things going your way!
SCORPIO (OCT. 23- NOV. 21)
After some last minute shopping this week, you will be glad to be able to relax with friends and family. You will soon share a special meal.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22- DEC. 21)
Your holiday is super important this year, with dreams, hopes and a wonderful family surrounding you to make life worth while. Better times are coming in the New Year.
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22- JAN 19)
This week might be a good time to do something different and really fun with all of your nervous energy. You are feeling passionate about a certain person; maybe something new will happen.
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20- FEB. 18)
There may tests in your relationships this week. Take a broader perspective on life. Your holiday parties were all successful. Next year looks much brighter.
PISCES (FEB. 19- MAR. 20)
You may have an opportunity to step into a new job with no effort on your part. You will also have a chance to be more involved in your community.
