Post something you've learnt today

[Charlie O.]

Despite the angst surrounding the growing number of coronavirus cases nationwide and the ongoing upheaval over President Trump's refusal to concede the election to President-elect Joe Biden, there will still be a turkey pardon at the White House next week.

But only if the turkey signs a loyalty pledge first.

[C]

That an archdeacon is now called a vicar general






.

[Charlie O.]

My late mother gave me this book for xmas years ago, and I'm only just now reading it cover-to-cover. It's wonderfully funny and fascinating, and I could post something from it on this thread every day but I won't.

So I'll just give you this: the term Hocus Pocus comes to us from the jester of the court of King James I (he of King James Version Bible fame). James was a Protestant who enjoyed jokes at the expense of Catholics, and his court jester was what we would now call a Comedy Magician. Whenever he would change something into something else he'd say "Hocus Pocus!" - a comedic perversion of the Latin words a Catholic priest would say when "magically" transubstantiating a piece of bread into a piece of Christ's body during communion, Hoc est corpus meum ("This is my body"). It caught on, obviously.

"Hocus pocus" eventually begat the word "hoax," which in turn begat "hokum."

[Minnie the Minx]

Yes, that’s a splendid book. I think DD sent me it in a secret Santa?
Genuinely fascinating stuff in there.

[`]

But only if the turkey signs a loyalty pledge first.

.

And only if they demand a recount of the huge numbers of turkeys
who voted against Thanksgiving.

[Minnie the Minx]

‘Le Mesurier’ is pronounced Mes-you-ree-er and not Mes-you-ree-ay.
I don’t know how I didn’t know this, as it’s pronounced exactly as it should be according to the spelling.

[Robert]

‘Le Mesurier’ is pronounced Mes-you-ree-er and not Mes-you-ree-ay.
I don’t know how I didn’t know this, as it’s pronounced exactly as it should be according to the spelling.

[Charlie O.]

I learnt that sideburns were previously called burnsides, named after Ambrose Burnside, a Union army general during the American Civil War.

[Matt Wilson]

Reno, Nevada is west of Los Angeles, CA.

[harvey k-tel]

The American writer Sherwood Anderson (1876-1941) died from peritonitis after swallowing a martini olive with the toothpick still in it.

[BARON CORNY DOG]

The American writer Sherwood Anderson (1876-1941) died from peritonitis after swallowing a martini olive with the toothpick still in it.

I did not know that

[BARON CORNY DOG]

The marijuana biz is thriving in Oklahoma

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/ ... lid=630318

[C]

That Dave Prowse, who sadly died recently, was also the road safety person for kids - the Green Cross Code Man









.

[Rorschach]

The red stuff that drips out of a rare steak isn't blood. Its colour is due to a substance called myoglobin, which does, you know, chemical/biology stuff in the muscles to provide them with oxygen. As opposed to haemoglobin which does, erm, that sort of thing in blood.

Or something.

[Samoan]

I've just heard the Georgian national anthem sung for the first time and very beautiful and rousing it was too.

[Minnie the Minx]

The sticking out tongue icon used by the Stones is based on the tongue of the goddess Kali!

[Corporate whore]

There are only two Female musicians on all of the Beatles recordings*

Harp on 'she's Leaving Home', and a Cello.


*SIngers are not classed as musicians.

[Flower]

I had forgotten that today was "Giving Tuesday"

https://givingtuesday.ca/

GivingTuesday - the global day of giving

GivingTuesday is a global movement for giving and volunteering, taking place each year after Black Friday. The “Opening day of the giving season,” it’s a time when charities, companies and individuals join together and rally for favourite causes. In the same way that retailers take part in Black Friday, the giving community comes together for GivingTuesday.

GivingTuesday harnesses the potential of social media and the generosity of people around the world to bring about real change in their communities; it provides a platform for them to encourage the donation of time, resources and talents to address local challenges. It also brings together the collective power of a unique blend of partners - nonprofits, civic organizations, businesses and corporations, as well as families and individuals - to encourage and amplify small acts of kindness. Across Canada and around the world, GivingTuesday unites communities by sharing our capacity to care for and empower one another.

[Minnie the Minx]

Be alert and be aware
When you eat Ferrero Rocher
Hazelnuts are calorific
(800 k a cup, to be specific)

[Six String]

Be alert and be aware
When you eat Ferrero Rocher
Hazelnuts are calorific
(800 k a cup, to be specific)

Are hazelnuts significantly higher in calories than other nuts?