October 2010
24 posts
3 tags
Rubato
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempo_rubato
Because the purpose of rubato is to add a sense of improvisatory freedom to the performance, one should avoid using the same kind of rubato repeatedly in a piece. Stretching or rushing successive phrases in the same way creates a monotonous sense of predictability that defies the purpose.
Curse you, Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle—you made...
3 tags
Ketchup (Etymology)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketchup#Early_uses_in_English
The spelling catsup seems to have appeared first from the pen of Jonathan Swift, in 1730.
My father (whom we affectionately refer to as “Old Man River”) insists on spelling ketchup “catsup.” I’ve always assumed this was just the old-fashioned way; considering he also often calls the refrigerator the...
3 tags
Man-Eating Tree
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man-eating_tree
In his 1955 book, Salamanders and other Wonders, science author Willy Ley determined that the Mkodo tribe, Carl Liche, and the Madagascar man-eating tree itself all appeared to be fabrications.
OM NOM NOM
3 tags
did you know there's an article about things that...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tastes_like_chicken
Furthermore, based on evidence for dinosaurs as the ancestors of birds, reptile meat might also taste somewhat like chicken and therefore dinosaurs also tasted like chicken.
Well, I certainly do now!
Thanks, Anonymous Formspring User.
*baby is not included on list of things that taste like chicken
Ask me something!
4 tags
Security Blanket
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_blanket
In the United States, about 60% of children have at least some attachment to a security object.
And what percentage of adults do?
2 tags
Blue Ball, Pennsylvania
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Ball,_Pennsylvania
The name, though often considered sexually suggestive, has a thoroughly respectable origin
Heh. Sure it does.
2 tags
Black Pepper (As Medicine)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_pepper#As_medicine
Pepper contains small amounts of safrole, a mildly carcinogenic compound. Also, it is eliminated from the diet of patients having abdominal surgery and ulcers because of its irritating effect upon the intestines, being replaced by what is referred to as a bland diet. However, extracts from black pepper have been found to have antioxidant...
2 tags
Exploding Head Syndrome
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exploding_head_syndrome
Reference to the condition was made in an episode of the ITV drama Doc Martin, which was instrumental in many sufferers becoming aware that the problem was in fact a known medical condition, and not one to be concerned about.
It’s only a matter of time until the pharmaceutical industry makes many sufferers become aware that the...
2 tags
Æbleskiver
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%86bleskiver
In the United States, a version of æbleskiver is sold with a commercially repackaged pan, branded as “Pancake Puffs”.
American cuisine: dumbened down for the masses.
Protip: If you’ve been fiending for “Danish Pancakes,” apparently Trader Joe’s now carries them in the frozen department.
1 tag
are you the worst website ever cause you stink at...
ALL RIGHT, YOU GOT ME But I promise I’ll get better. Look, I did one last night! http://www.thingsiwikipedia.com/post/1337035932/hey
Ask me something!
5 tags
Justin Bieber (Early Life)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Bieber#Early_life
Bieber’s mother, Pattie Mallette, was 18 years old when she became pregnant with her son.
Someone told me the Biebz’s mother was 16 when he was born. 18 isn’t much higher. Makes me rethink that whole “stay in school, don’t be a teen mother, go to college and get a job” thing.
Then again, that...
3 tags
Hey, do you take submissions? If so, this is...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toast_%28honor%29
This is great. Being a drunk, I can’t believe I haven’t looked this up yet! Best subsections are Traditional Toasts and Worldwide, since I’m always looking to add to my repertoire of creative ways to justify getting hammered. In Ireland, it was “Slainte!” (“Good health!”) over Jameson; in Italy,...
5 tags
Gryla
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gr%C3%BDla
A public decree was issued in 1746 prohibiting the use of Grýla and the Yule Lads to terrify children.
This Wikipedia entry does not do justice to the Icelandic legend that is Gryla. At Christmastime in U.S., Santa Claus delivers presents from a sack to good children and coal to the naughty ones. At Christmastime in Iceland, Gryla stuffs the naughty...
2 tags
Wartenberg Wheel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wartenberg_wheel
Because of hygienic concerns, these devices are hardly used any more.
The Wartenberg wheel is also used as a sex toy.
I don’t know about you, but I prefer all my sex toys to be questionably hygienic.
4 tags
O.J. Simpson (Football--University of Southern...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O._J._Simpson#University_of_Southern_California
Another dramatic touchdown in the same game [of 1967] is the subject of the Arnold Friberg oil painting, O.J. Simpson Breaks for Daylight.
In 1968, he rushed for 1,709 yards and 22 touchdowns, earning the Heisman Trophy, the Maxwell Award, and the Walter Camp Award that year. He still holds the record for the...
3 tags
List of Awards and Nominations received by...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_awards_and_nominations_received_by_Ludacris
Just in case you were wondering. I know I was.
3 tags
Wedding Ceremony Participants (Bridesmaids: Origin...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedding_ceremony_participants#Origin_and_history
I went to a wedding of a dear friend over the weekend. I was not asked to be a bridesmaid, which would have entailed me buying an expensive purple dress, coordinating such activities as decorating personalized wine glasses for a bachelorette wine-tasting trip to Napa Valley, and standing mute in front of everyone at...
2 tags
Human Equivalent (Cat and Dog Years)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_equivalent#Cat_and_dog_years
“One formula for cat years is based on a cat reaching maturity in approximately 1 year, which could be seen as 16 in human terms, then adding about 4 years for every year the cat ages. A 5-year-old cat would then be (5 − 1) × 4 + 16 = 32 “cat years” (i.e. human-equivalent years), and a 10-year-old cat (10 −...
5 tags
Meteorologists
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meterology#Meteorologists
“Many radio and television weather forecasters are professional meteorologists, while others are merely reporters with no formal meteorological training.”
You don’t say…
3 tags
Tina Knowles
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tina_Knowles
(A Member of the Older Generation): “Wow, that singer Beyonce is really quite pretty. But then again, she’s half white.”
(A Member of the Younger Generation): “I… wait. WHAT?!”
(Older): “Oh, I just meant that people with parents of different races always have that exotic look. Her mom is white and I guess her...
3 tags
Goodluck Jonathan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodluck_Jonathan
“Dr. Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan (born 20 November 1957) is a Nigerian politician and currently the President of Nigeria.
…Jonathan was born in Otueke in [what is] now Bayelsa State to a family of canoe makers.
…He holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Zoology in which he attained Second Class Honours, Upper...
5 tags
Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cameron_Winklevoss
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyler_Winklevoss
Musicians, self-taught web developers, Harvard graduates, Olympic rowers, MBAs from Oxford… is there anything these guys can’t do?
Oh, right. Create Facebook.
3 tags
Honor Your Mother and Father (Requirements)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honor_your_father_and_your_mother#Requirements
A child is not permitted to interrupt or contradict a parent, or to disturb a parent’s sleep.
A father has the following obligations toward his children:
To teach a child how to swim
Just one more thing to bring up with your therapist when you talk about your daddy issues.
4 tags
Dysfunctional Family Circus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dysfunctional_Family_Circus “The booklet series included 15 titles:
1. Grandma’s Not Dead Yet!
2. See, I Told You Cats Could Smell Dead People!
3. Ibex, My Ass! That’s a Goat!
4. Who Wants to See a Hamster Dance?
5. Eat Snow Hobo!
6. Grandma’s Starting to Sprout!
7. It All Comes Back, Except One Tablespoon!
8. This...