It is claimed by some that the word "shit" originates in the sixteenth century, when manure was transported by ship. The dry manure weighed little and was stowed below deck. When mixed with water, however, it gained in weight and began to ferment, producing methane gas, which, when exposed to a naked flame (that of a lantern, for instance), would ignite, causing explosions and fires. Because of these accidents, crates of manure were labeled "Ship High In Transit" to indicate that the crates were to be stowed above the deck, so that any water that the ship took on would not come into contact with them. It was assumed by many that the word "shit" was an acronym derived from this labeling convention. However, this theory has since been discovered to be a complete falsehood that can be traced to an Internet posting in 1999 and that has been perpetrated ever since. The word "shit" is from the Middle English word 'shitten" which in turn derived from the Old English word "scitan," from besciten, which meant "to be covered with excrement" and is in turn thought to originate from the Indo-European root skei. The word can also be traced back to Germanic languages at the time of the Roman Empire. The word "shite," meanwhile, is a variant form of the word that is found in some dialects in Ireland and Scotland, as well as in colloquial English.
Monday, April 6, 2015
Why Do Bottles Of TEQUILA Contain WORMS?
It's a common misconception that tequila bottles contain worms; indeed, it is legally forbidden for bottles of tequila to contain worms. In fact, it is the drink mescal---similar to tequila and also made in Mexico---that contains the worm. A number of brands of brands of mescal contain worms.
The worm traditionally used for such a purpose is actually the caterpillar Hipopta agavis, which lives in the stems of agave plants, from which mescal is made. These reddish-colored worms can be quite rare and at times white worms from the leaves of the plant are used instead.
The practice of adding such worms to bottles of mescal has been in existence since the 1940s, when a Mexican named Jacobo Lozano Paez, while tasting the drink, found that the addition of the worm changed the taste and color. He then decided to include the worm as a marketing gimmick. Despite popular belief, this practice hasn't been a Mexican tradition for centuries.
The worm is supposed to be eaten, traditionally being considered a delicacy by Mexicans, and is thought by some to have aphrodisiac qualities, while others believe that the worm gives strength to those who eat it and that it is an hallucinogenic. Apart from any psychological effects the worm might have, however, in reality it's merely a worm filled with alcohol.
The worm traditionally used for such a purpose is actually the caterpillar Hipopta agavis, which lives in the stems of agave plants, from which mescal is made. These reddish-colored worms can be quite rare and at times white worms from the leaves of the plant are used instead.
The practice of adding such worms to bottles of mescal has been in existence since the 1940s, when a Mexican named Jacobo Lozano Paez, while tasting the drink, found that the addition of the worm changed the taste and color. He then decided to include the worm as a marketing gimmick. Despite popular belief, this practice hasn't been a Mexican tradition for centuries.
The worm is supposed to be eaten, traditionally being considered a delicacy by Mexicans, and is thought by some to have aphrodisiac qualities, while others believe that the worm gives strength to those who eat it and that it is an hallucinogenic. Apart from any psychological effects the worm might have, however, in reality it's merely a worm filled with alcohol.
What is COCA-COLA Made From And Did It Contain COCAINE?
Since its invention, the ingredients of Coca-Cola have been kept a long-guarded secret, which has both prevented others from copying the exact formula and, over the years, enhanced the public's perception of what a unique product Coca-Cola is.
Coca-Cola was named in 1886 because of its two main ingredients: kola nuts and extract of coca leaves---i.e, cocaine, which the drink did contain until 1929, although in very small amounts.
The exact balance of the recipe, however, has never been disclosed to the public, and the original copy of it is locked in the vault of the Sun Trust Bank in Atlanta. It has commonly been said that only two executives originally knew the formula, and that each of them knew only half of it. In fact, Coca-Cola Company does have a rule that only executives can know the formula, but each knows the entire formula. When air travel became popular, it became company policy not to allow both of the executives to fly on the same plane.
While the exact recipe of Coke remains a mystery, it is generally accepted that it comprises the following key flavorings: cinnamon, nutmeg, lime, lemon, orange, coriander, caramel, cocoa, neroli aand vanilla.
Coca-Cola was named in 1886 because of its two main ingredients: kola nuts and extract of coca leaves---i.e, cocaine, which the drink did contain until 1929, although in very small amounts.
The exact balance of the recipe, however, has never been disclosed to the public, and the original copy of it is locked in the vault of the Sun Trust Bank in Atlanta. It has commonly been said that only two executives originally knew the formula, and that each of them knew only half of it. In fact, Coca-Cola Company does have a rule that only executives can know the formula, but each knows the entire formula. When air travel became popular, it became company policy not to allow both of the executives to fly on the same plane.
While the exact recipe of Coke remains a mystery, it is generally accepted that it comprises the following key flavorings: cinnamon, nutmeg, lime, lemon, orange, coriander, caramel, cocoa, neroli aand vanilla.
Why is New York City called "THE BIG APPLE"?
The origin of New York City's most famous nickname has been the subject of conjecture for many years. One view is that one New York gentleman's guidebook to the houses of ill repute in the nineteenth century referred to New York as having the best "apples" (in this usage, a euphemism for prostitutes) in the world. Given that New York claimed to have the most and best brothels, it was inevitably called "the Big Apple." A second view is that the name was derived from a 1909 book by Edward S. Martin entitled The Wayfarer In New York, which made a reference to New York being the Big Apple and receiving more than its share of the "national sap." However, there is no evidence to suggest that either of these two sources had any influence on the popularity or spread of the term.
Many people believe that the name stems from a term used by jazz musicians to refer to New York, although it is thought that they did not begin the trend. That honor is believed to fall to John Fitzgerald, a horseracing journalist for the New York Morning Telegraph, who in 1921 wrote an article in which he referred to New York races around "the Big Apple." Fitzgerald claimed that he overheard the term being used by some African-American stable hands in New Orleans, who referred to every jockey's dream being to race in New York because "there's only one Big Apple. That's New York." The name was then popularized by jazz musicians in the 1930s because New York---and, in particular, Harlem---was the best place to perform and thought to be the jazz capital of the world.
In 1971, a New York advertising campaign adopted the name "The Big Apple" (using a logo featuring red apples) in an attempt to increase tourism to the city by portraying it as a bright and lively place rather than an urban netherworld rife with crime. Since then, the city officially been known as the Big Apple throughout the world. In 1997, the corner of Fifty-fourth Street and Broadway, where John Fitzgerald lived for twenty-nine years, was named Big Apple Corner as a tribute to the man.
Many people believe that the name stems from a term used by jazz musicians to refer to New York, although it is thought that they did not begin the trend. That honor is believed to fall to John Fitzgerald, a horseracing journalist for the New York Morning Telegraph, who in 1921 wrote an article in which he referred to New York races around "the Big Apple." Fitzgerald claimed that he overheard the term being used by some African-American stable hands in New Orleans, who referred to every jockey's dream being to race in New York because "there's only one Big Apple. That's New York." The name was then popularized by jazz musicians in the 1930s because New York---and, in particular, Harlem---was the best place to perform and thought to be the jazz capital of the world.
In 1971, a New York advertising campaign adopted the name "The Big Apple" (using a logo featuring red apples) in an attempt to increase tourism to the city by portraying it as a bright and lively place rather than an urban netherworld rife with crime. Since then, the city officially been known as the Big Apple throughout the world. In 1997, the corner of Fifty-fourth Street and Broadway, where John Fitzgerald lived for twenty-nine years, was named Big Apple Corner as a tribute to the man.
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
WHEN WAS TOILET PAPER INVENTED AND WHAT WAS USED BEFORE THEN?
The Chinese invented toilet paper in the fourteenth century, and the Bureau of Imperial Supplies began to produce paper for use by the Chinese emperors. However, it wasn't until 1857 that the first factory-produced toilet paper was made, by American Joseph Cayetty, who named his product "Therapeutic Paper" and sold it in packs of 500 sheets. Cayetty's name was printed on each sheet.
Before the invention of toilet paper, different areas of the world used many different things. Public toilets in ancient Rome provided a moist sponge on the end of a stick, while the wealthy used wool and rosewater. In Viking-occupied England, discarded wool was used, while in the Middle Ages this had been replaced by hay balls.
In Hawaii, meanwhile, coconut husks were used, while the early Eskimos used snow and tundra moss. Wealthy people around the world often used hemp and wool, with lace being used by the French royalty. British lords used pages from books.
Poorer people used their hands, grass, stones, moss, seashells, or wood shavings, while the use of water was also common around the world. In India, the left hand was used to wash with, while in Africa it was the right hand. The other hand in each place was used to greet people, and it was considered rude to offer the incorrect hand.
In the U.S., newspapers and telephone directories were commonly used, as were other books. The Old Farmer's Almanac was actually printed with a hole punched through the corner of each page so that it could be hung in out-houses, and the Sears catalogue was widely used until it was produced with glossy pages, after which its use as a hygiene product became unpopular. Corncobs were also used in the United States.
Before the invention of toilet paper, different areas of the world used many different things. Public toilets in ancient Rome provided a moist sponge on the end of a stick, while the wealthy used wool and rosewater. In Viking-occupied England, discarded wool was used, while in the Middle Ages this had been replaced by hay balls.
In Hawaii, meanwhile, coconut husks were used, while the early Eskimos used snow and tundra moss. Wealthy people around the world often used hemp and wool, with lace being used by the French royalty. British lords used pages from books.
Poorer people used their hands, grass, stones, moss, seashells, or wood shavings, while the use of water was also common around the world. In India, the left hand was used to wash with, while in Africa it was the right hand. The other hand in each place was used to greet people, and it was considered rude to offer the incorrect hand.
In the U.S., newspapers and telephone directories were commonly used, as were other books. The Old Farmer's Almanac was actually printed with a hole punched through the corner of each page so that it could be hung in out-houses, and the Sears catalogue was widely used until it was produced with glossy pages, after which its use as a hygiene product became unpopular. Corncobs were also used in the United States.
Monday, March 30, 2015
Why do the COLORADO ROCKIES keep their BASEBALLS in a humidor?
SMOKIN FASTBALLS
Tune into a Colorado Rockies game, and you're bound to hear one of the announcers mention the team's most well-known piece of lore: They store baseballs in a humidor. Wait, you may be asking yourself, aren't humidors used for cigars? Indeed, cigar aficionados keep their cigars in a humidity-controlled environment to prevent the tobacco leaves from drying out, which would affect their flavor. The Rockies aren't worried about the flavor of those baseballs, but rather about dried-out balls carrying farther and driving up scores. Why does this matter? Because Coors Field was well on it's way to developing a reputation as a park that was seriously unfriendly to pitchers---and very friendly to home runs.
From the 1995 to 2001 seasons, National League pitchers at Coors Field recorded a horrendous earned run average (ERA) of 6.50, more than two runs a game higher than the 4.37 ERA recorded at other stadiums. Fans and the media attributed the numbers to Denver's mile-high thin air. But in the winter of 2002, based on a hunch that the balls might be drying out and losing weight in Denver's arid climate, engineers at Coors Field installed a humidor for storing game balls. Since then, N.L. pitchers have posted a 5.46 ERA at Coors. But N.L. scientists can't say exactly why it's so effective.
According to a 2004 study by physicist David Kagan of California State University at Chico, keeping the balls at 50 percent relative humidity lowers their coefficient of restitution, a.k.a. bounciness. This means that humidified balls don't bounce off the bat as powerfully as dried-out ones do, making for a less batter-friendly pitch. Edmund Meyer and John Bohn, physics professors at the University of Colorado, later found that the added moisture does not change a ball's size and shape---and thus, its aerodynamics---which seems to verify Kagan's explanation for the humidor's success.
Tune into a Colorado Rockies game, and you're bound to hear one of the announcers mention the team's most well-known piece of lore: They store baseballs in a humidor. Wait, you may be asking yourself, aren't humidors used for cigars? Indeed, cigar aficionados keep their cigars in a humidity-controlled environment to prevent the tobacco leaves from drying out, which would affect their flavor. The Rockies aren't worried about the flavor of those baseballs, but rather about dried-out balls carrying farther and driving up scores. Why does this matter? Because Coors Field was well on it's way to developing a reputation as a park that was seriously unfriendly to pitchers---and very friendly to home runs.
From the 1995 to 2001 seasons, National League pitchers at Coors Field recorded a horrendous earned run average (ERA) of 6.50, more than two runs a game higher than the 4.37 ERA recorded at other stadiums. Fans and the media attributed the numbers to Denver's mile-high thin air. But in the winter of 2002, based on a hunch that the balls might be drying out and losing weight in Denver's arid climate, engineers at Coors Field installed a humidor for storing game balls. Since then, N.L. pitchers have posted a 5.46 ERA at Coors. But N.L. scientists can't say exactly why it's so effective.
According to a 2004 study by physicist David Kagan of California State University at Chico, keeping the balls at 50 percent relative humidity lowers their coefficient of restitution, a.k.a. bounciness. This means that humidified balls don't bounce off the bat as powerfully as dried-out ones do, making for a less batter-friendly pitch. Edmund Meyer and John Bohn, physics professors at the University of Colorado, later found that the added moisture does not change a ball's size and shape---and thus, its aerodynamics---which seems to verify Kagan's explanation for the humidor's success.
Can People Safely Eat Cat Food?
It makes my fur shiny
Let's take a look at the ingredients in a typical can of cat food: meat by-products, chicken by-product meal, turkey by-product meal, ash, taurine. Nothing too horrible, but in general, these things don't constitute a healthy human diet, says Dawn Jackson Blatner, a registered dietitian with the American Dietetic Association. " that said, I'm fully confident that your body can handle kitty chow.
Your liver, kidneys, and skin do a terrific job of removing foreign substances from your body, especially mild ones like those found in cat food. "Technically, you could safely digest a baseball," Blatner says. But that doesn't mean you should. Perhaps the worst stuff in cat food is the mineral content in the ash, but your body would clear that out quickly, thanks to God.
Let's take a look at the ingredients in a typical can of cat food: meat by-products, chicken by-product meal, turkey by-product meal, ash, taurine. Nothing too horrible, but in general, these things don't constitute a healthy human diet, says Dawn Jackson Blatner, a registered dietitian with the American Dietetic Association. " that said, I'm fully confident that your body can handle kitty chow.
Your liver, kidneys, and skin do a terrific job of removing foreign substances from your body, especially mild ones like those found in cat food. "Technically, you could safely digest a baseball," Blatner says. But that doesn't mean you should. Perhaps the worst stuff in cat food is the mineral content in the ash, but your body would clear that out quickly, thanks to God.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)