The site for ranting and reporting by John Masters
We’ve all had the experience of suddenly wondering why something is referred to into a particular way, how things work, or where something comes from. In this series, I’ve used the inter-tubes to find what I can about a particular nagging question.
No birthday party is complete without cake, candles, and a performance of “Happy Birthday to You.” The song is quick, painless, and everyone knows the words. But while the lyrics are familiar to all, their author remains a mystery.
Read moreOnce again, we can blame Latin for a curious term. In English, “Rx” doesn’t seem to have any connection to “pharmacy.” However it does in Latin, albeit in a roundabout way.
Read moreIt’s certainly possible to die while laughing — probably by choking on something. But I was unable to find any documented evidence of someone literally “laughing to death.”
Read moreIn the Biblical book of Exodus, the ark is introduced as the “ark of testimony.” God gives precise instructions to the Israelites for building this small box or chest out of wood. It was covered in gold, and on the lid were two golden cherubim with their wings facing each other to form an enclosed area.
Read moreThe original title, Esquire, comes from the Middle Ages — an esquire was the rank above a gentleman, and below a knight. The word derives from the Latin scutum (shield), and Middle English esquier (shield bearer). It was also generally applied to upstanding members of society: judges, sheriffs, lawyers, professors.
Read moreGolf courses didn’t always have 18 holes. The number of holes used to vary widely: 11, 22, 24, etc. As with most golf tradition-related questions, the reason why 18 became the standard goes back to St. Andrews of Scotland, the granddaddy of all golf courses.
Read moreBlack pepper was valued for two main reasons. One, it helped preserve foods in the pre-refrigeration era. And two, the long distance it traveled to get to European kitchens made it pricey.
Read moreA touchscreen’s main components are a touch sensor, controller, and software driver, combined with a display and computer processor. The sensor is a touch-responsive glass panel, usually employing one of three technologies: resistive, surface wave, or capacitive.
Read moreScience has come to few conclusions about the biology of itching. The itch reflex likely shares some of the same neural mechanisms and pathways as the pain reflex, but they’re obviously not the same thing. A nasty cut will make you pull your hand back, while a mosquito bite provokes an itch.
Read moreThe received wisdom states that if you don’t blink when you sneeze, your eyes will fly out of your head. Thankfully, as is often the case with urban legends, this theory is a load of hooey.
Read moreThe strip of land near New York City has long been a launchpad for icons of American culture, including a cocktail that carried the Long Island name to frat parties everywhere.
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