#1: Bombay Duck
The Bombay duck or bummalo (Marathi: bombil) is, despite its name, not a duck but a fish. It is native to the waters between Mumbai (formerly Bombay) and Kutch in the Arabian Sea, and a small number are also found in the Bay of Bengal.
The story goes that the train compartments of the Bombay Dak (in English, the Bombay Mail) would smell of the fish, consequently leading the British to euphemistically refer to the peculiar smell as the "Bombay Dak".
#2: Marathon
After defeating the Persians at the battle of Marathon, a town in southern Greece, the Athenians sent a messenger to run the 25 miles back home.
According to legend, he delivered the news and then dropped dead.
Marathons became 26 miles, 385 yards at the 1908 Games in London when extra yards were added so the race would finish in front of the royal box.
#3: Bungalow
A bungalow is a type of single-story house that originated in India.
The word derives from the Gujarati બંગલો baṅgalo, which in turn derives from the Hindi बंगला baṅglā, meaning "Bengali" and used elliptically for a "house in the Bengal style".
Such houses were traditionally small, only one story and thatched, and had a wide veranda.
#4: Sodomy
For the sins of their inhabitants Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboim were destroyed by "brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven."
The story has therefore given rise to words in several languages, including the English word "sodomy," a term used today predominantly in law (derived from traditional Christian usage) to describe non-vaginal intercourse, as well as bestiality, and homosexuality.
#5: Tequila
Developed in Mexico in the 16th century, this was probably the first distilled alcoholic beverage created in North America.
It's made from the fermented juice of the Mexican agave plant.
Some of the best was – and still is – made in the town of Tequila
#6: Mocha
What would urban existence be without café mocha? It is typically one third espresso and two thirds steamed milk, but a portion of chocolate is added, typically in the form of sweet cocoa powder, although many varieties use chocolate syrup.
Café mocha takes its name from the Red Sea coastal town of Mocha, Yemen, which as far back as the fifteenth century was a dominant exporter of coffee, especially to areas around the Arabian Peninsula.
#7: Glasgow Smile
A Glasgow smile (also known as a Glasgow grin, Anna grin, Chelsea grin or Chelsea smile) is a nickname for the result of cutting a victim's face from the edges of the mouth to the ears. The cut – and the scars it leaves – form an extension of what resembles a smile. The practice originated in the Scottish city of Glasgow, which gave it its name.
The Batman villain Joker, Fight Club's narrator and Slipknot guitarist James Root are enthusiasts.
#8: Tuxedo
Sometimes called a "monkey suit," its origins involve the wolf. Here's why:
In the 1880s the village of Tuxedo Park, about 50 miles north of Manhattan, became a popular resort. It was here that some young men, disregarding the fashion of the day, began to wear dinner jackets without tails.
The new style was soon called the tuxedo.
And the name of the town? It comes from a Native American word meaning wolf.
#9: Bikini
In July 1946, the United States detonated two nuclear bombs at the Bikini atoll, an island in the South Pacific, which of course was big news around the world.
A year later, a French fashion designer introduced a scanty two-piece bathing suit and named it the bikini.
Unable to find a model immodest enough to wear it, he debuted it on a stripper – and it too became big news.
#10: Lesbian
Originally, lesbian simply meant "from Lesbos," the Greek island pictured here.
Its current sense comes from the ancient poet Sappho, who lived on Lesbos around 600 BC and wrote poems that dealt with the relationships – sometimes passionate – between women.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Love In The Weather
They met in the summer of '99
She used to be lead on channel 9,
Old he looked; living through pain
It looked like it was going to rain
She was sitting on a park bench
One look was all it took for him to say:
You are like the westerlies; strong and beautiful
You breeze through like a cyclone subtropical,
When I saw you first it hit me like a ball of lightning
I had fallen in love, the realisation dawning
Wat say you, wanna grab a cup of coffee?
She looked at him without a smile and said:
Good sir, what is this farce? I don't even know you
Look at me and then look at you,
You are July and I am May
What then do you expect me to say?
She got up and walked away,
But He stood his ground
and recited from memory -
I'll want you 'til there's no arctic ice
until places are flooded I'll be nice.
She stopped in her tracks, looked back
And said with a knowing smile,
Though sometimes fail my memory does
I think the first two lines are these,
I'll love you till 'tis cold in December
It's you i'll desire when cometh September,
I heard what the doctor said,
And darling i m not one bit afraid,
At the best of times, we may not be together
But the test of time, our love shall weather.
She used to be lead on channel 9,
Old he looked; living through pain
It looked like it was going to rain
She was sitting on a park bench
One look was all it took for him to say:
You are like the westerlies; strong and beautiful
You breeze through like a cyclone subtropical,
When I saw you first it hit me like a ball of lightning
I had fallen in love, the realisation dawning
Wat say you, wanna grab a cup of coffee?
She looked at him without a smile and said:
Good sir, what is this farce? I don't even know you
Look at me and then look at you,
You are July and I am May
What then do you expect me to say?
She got up and walked away,
But He stood his ground
and recited from memory -
I'll want you 'til there's no arctic ice
until places are flooded I'll be nice.
She stopped in her tracks, looked back
And said with a knowing smile,
Though sometimes fail my memory does
I think the first two lines are these,
I'll love you till 'tis cold in December
It's you i'll desire when cometh September,
I heard what the doctor said,
And darling i m not one bit afraid,
At the best of times, we may not be together
But the test of time, our love shall weather.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
As I Am
Sometime back I was the in thing,
Now I am just another fling?
I am just a puppet on a lonely string,
Who would ever want me to be king?
Revolutionaries lie in wait
Hoping for my head on a plate,
They send arrows, poison and dart
Wanting to stop my beating heart,
A long time ago, I took the road of blood,
Grew in power thro, the strength of crowd,
I always knew this day would come,
After all am I not just human scum?
Trees looked, like armies from where I stand
One of them once, now judged for who I am
To those who comprehend, I extend my hand
To the doubtful I demand, take me as I am
To command rules to bend, from where I stand
To wake up free, take me as I am.
Now I am just another fling?
I am just a puppet on a lonely string,
Who would ever want me to be king?
Revolutionaries lie in wait
Hoping for my head on a plate,
They send arrows, poison and dart
Wanting to stop my beating heart,
A long time ago, I took the road of blood,
Grew in power thro, the strength of crowd,
I always knew this day would come,
After all am I not just human scum?
Trees looked, like armies from where I stand
One of them once, now judged for who I am
To those who comprehend, I extend my hand
To the doubtful I demand, take me as I am
To command rules to bend, from where I stand
To wake up free, take me as I am.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Top 10 lists - Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid
#1: Haphephobia
What it is: A morbid fear of being touched.
Word history: Haptein is a Greek word that means to fasten (that is, to bring two things together).
Bonus points: Haptics is the English word for "a science concerned with the sense of touch," used in technologies like touch-screen displays that let users feel clicks.
#2: Doraphobia
What it is: The dread of touching the skin or fur of an animal.
Word history: The Greek word dora means "the skin or hide of an animal."
Bonus points: The root word dora comes from the Greek verb derein, meaning "to skin or to flay." This is also the source of derm, the Greek word for skin, which shows up in words like "dermatology".
#3: Eremophobia
What it is: The morbid dread of being alone.
Word history: The Greek word erēmia means desert (a place where there are no other people).
Bonus points: The word hermit shares the same Greek root, but a hermit may find solace rather than dread in solitude.
#4: Ergophobia
What it is: A fear of or aversion to work.
Word history: Ergon is the Greek word for work.
Bonus points: This word shows a family resemblance to the words ergonomic and ergometer.
#5: Hypnophobia
What it is: The morbid fear of sleep.
Word history: Hypnos is the Greek word for sleep.
Bonus points: Hypnotize is a word that shares the same Greek roots.
#6: Brontophobia
What it is: An abnormal fear of thunder.
Word history: Bronto is from the Greek word that means thunder.
Bonus points: The same root gives us the name of the brontosaurus (literally, "thunder lizard").
#7: Kakorrhaphiophobia
What it is: An abnormal fear of failure.
Word history: The Greek word kakorrhaphia means a clever or devious plot or plan, derived from kakos, meaning bad or evil.
Bonus points: The English word cacophony shares the same Greek roots.
#8: Coulrophobia
What it is: An abnormal fear of clowns.
Word history: Coulro- is Ancient Greek for 'one who goes on stilts'.
Bonus points: None.
#9: Taphephobia
What it is: Fear of being buried alive.
Word history: The Greek word taphē means burial or grave.
Bonus points: You can see the same Greek root in the English word epitaph (an inscription on a tomb).
#10: Phobophobia
What is is: An excessive fear of acquiring a phobia.
Word history: The Greek word phobos means "fear or flight."
Bonus points: When there's nothing left to fear but fear itself, this word is the perfect double whammy of the Greek word for fear.
What it is: A morbid fear of being touched.
Word history: Haptein is a Greek word that means to fasten (that is, to bring two things together).
Bonus points: Haptics is the English word for "a science concerned with the sense of touch," used in technologies like touch-screen displays that let users feel clicks.
#2: Doraphobia
What it is: The dread of touching the skin or fur of an animal.
Word history: The Greek word dora means "the skin or hide of an animal."
Bonus points: The root word dora comes from the Greek verb derein, meaning "to skin or to flay." This is also the source of derm, the Greek word for skin, which shows up in words like "dermatology".
#3: Eremophobia
What it is: The morbid dread of being alone.
Word history: The Greek word erēmia means desert (a place where there are no other people).
Bonus points: The word hermit shares the same Greek root, but a hermit may find solace rather than dread in solitude.
#4: Ergophobia
What it is: A fear of or aversion to work.
Word history: Ergon is the Greek word for work.
Bonus points: This word shows a family resemblance to the words ergonomic and ergometer.
#5: Hypnophobia
What it is: The morbid fear of sleep.
Word history: Hypnos is the Greek word for sleep.
Bonus points: Hypnotize is a word that shares the same Greek roots.
#6: Brontophobia
What it is: An abnormal fear of thunder.
Word history: Bronto is from the Greek word that means thunder.
Bonus points: The same root gives us the name of the brontosaurus (literally, "thunder lizard").
#7: Kakorrhaphiophobia
What it is: An abnormal fear of failure.
Word history: The Greek word kakorrhaphia means a clever or devious plot or plan, derived from kakos, meaning bad or evil.
Bonus points: The English word cacophony shares the same Greek roots.
#8: Coulrophobia
What it is: An abnormal fear of clowns.
Word history: Coulro- is Ancient Greek for 'one who goes on stilts'.
Bonus points: None.
#9: Taphephobia
What it is: Fear of being buried alive.
Word history: The Greek word taphē means burial or grave.
Bonus points: You can see the same Greek root in the English word epitaph (an inscription on a tomb).
#10: Phobophobia
What is is: An excessive fear of acquiring a phobia.
Word history: The Greek word phobos means "fear or flight."
Bonus points: When there's nothing left to fear but fear itself, this word is the perfect double whammy of the Greek word for fear.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Top 10 lists - Edward Cullen
Edward Cullen Top 10 -
The Pros :
1. incredibly gorgeous.
2. caring and protective.
3. has a sense of humor but is serious at all the right times
4. would rather have you leave him to be with another man if it was for your happiness.
5. would do anything to keep you safe.
6. gives you his most valuable keep sakes.
7. makes sure you know that you are all he thinks about and that he would find some way to die once you were gone.
8. lets face it, he is a vampire.
9. superhuman abilities and semi-immortal.
10. a girl's best friend, at least in the day
The Cons :
1. he is a bloodthirsty, bloodsucking vampire who might suddenly sink his fangs into you or your pet
2. he has been in high school for around 90 years, I mean how sad is that?
3. creepy - you might wake up one day in bed and find him staring at you
4. stone dead sense of humor - not punny at all
5. suicidal emo kid - might off himself if he thinks you kicked the bucket
6. he is pro-creationism, that should be reason enough
7. necrophilia
8. looks like a pencil through the heart might do him in
9. he is vegetarian
10. first time around, he was a hufflepuff student who got snuffed by lord voldemort
The Pros :
1. incredibly gorgeous.
2. caring and protective.
3. has a sense of humor but is serious at all the right times
4. would rather have you leave him to be with another man if it was for your happiness.
5. would do anything to keep you safe.
6. gives you his most valuable keep sakes.
7. makes sure you know that you are all he thinks about and that he would find some way to die once you were gone.
8. lets face it, he is a vampire.
9. superhuman abilities and semi-immortal.
10. a girl's best friend, at least in the day
The Cons :
1. he is a bloodthirsty, bloodsucking vampire who might suddenly sink his fangs into you or your pet
2. he has been in high school for around 90 years, I mean how sad is that?
3. creepy - you might wake up one day in bed and find him staring at you
4. stone dead sense of humor - not punny at all
5. suicidal emo kid - might off himself if he thinks you kicked the bucket
6. he is pro-creationism, that should be reason enough
7. necrophilia
8. looks like a pencil through the heart might do him in
9. he is vegetarian
10. first time around, he was a hufflepuff student who got snuffed by lord voldemort
Friday, March 12, 2010
The Cult of Ugly
Veronica King lived in a bubble.
She was one of the Beautiful People. The ones who make it to magazine covers, the ones who pout in front of cameras. The ones who kill and get away, the ones who smoke away in the mist. She also was a high school student. That made her a white shark in the social sea.
Veronica King was in most eyes, the epitome of teenage perfection. She had pretty high scores on most subjects, did ballet, was a pretty good gymnast and dated the Ape. Here, the Ape does not mean any abnormal fetish on the part of Ms King. The Ape was simply another jock on the school's football team; the only reason she was with him ,and not one of the others, was that he had made the transition from Tree to Earth.
Life was swell for Veronica King.
On the other end of this social spectrum was the smallest fry possible, Betty Madelle. She was neither beautiful nor was she a genius. She was just plain ordinary. It was almost as if she went out of her way to be so.
Veronica King was in most eyes, the epitome of teenage perfection. She had pretty high scores on most subjects, did ballet, was a pretty good gymnast and dated the Ape. Here, the Ape does not mean any abnormal fetish on the part of Ms King. The Ape was simply another jock on the school's football team; the only reason she was with him ,and not one of the others, was that he had made the transition from Tree to Earth.
Life was swell for Veronica King.
On the other end of this social spectrum was the smallest fry possible, Betty Madelle. She was neither beautiful nor was she a genius. She was just plain ordinary. It was almost as if she went out of her way to be so.
Ms King had a little problem. She could not understand the little hurdle in schooling called Algebra.
She had survived so far, but like all warriors destined to fall at the gates of Troy, Veronica had fallen.
"Is there no way, Mr. Thomas, to help me?", she said.
A casual observer might notice a teenager concerned about her grades. But Mr. Thomas was anything but casual. He was a seasoned player in this field and he was pretty sadistic.
"Miss King, Need I remind you how important is it that you get at least a B+ on your next paper?"
"I know, but it's just that- Betty girl, that you claim is a Math freak, she's plain ugly. I would rather die than be caught with her."
"Miss King. I have to take my wife to dinner out today. I don't have time for this. Jesus- ugly!- What's that got to do with anything? It's your problem Miss King and you better learn to deal with it."
The tone of finality was unmistakable. Veronica knew she had no choice.
Miss Madelle was present in the same room when this particular exchange occurred.
She had long before learned how to ignore. She did so again. However, Miss King never knew that word.
"So, Hi. Betty! You look good today."
"Cut the crap, King. What do you want?"
"It's good that you are direct, Betty. I like that. I need to learn Math. I don't know what you need and I don't really care. Still if there is something I can-"
"Party."
"What?"
"Party. I am having a party tomorrow night. Can you come as Guest of Honor?"
Veronica King was used to weird Betty. She even loved to hate gothic Betty. But friendly Betty threw her off balance. She wanted to say 'Are you crazy?'. All she said was, "I'd love to".
After all, she was a party animal.
The day of the party she called Miss Perfect-Bottom and Miss Cute-Lips. She even threw a biscuit or two to the Ape.
Then she got ready to go.
Betty Madelle's house was pretty suburban. It had the All-American feel to it. There was no loud blaring music, no trashy girls hanging around and no cars.
That is pretty strange, thought Veronica.
A party without any of the above was no party at all.
The door was opened by another pretty ugly girl. This one had a whole gothic thing going on too. In fact, any place Miss King laid her eyes on all she saw was Gothic. And a lame-ass poster of some gothic band called The Cult of Ugly.
Betty Madelle's house was pretty suburban. It had the All-American feel to it. There was no loud blaring music, no trashy girls hanging around and no cars.
That is pretty strange, thought Veronica.
A party without any of the above was no party at all.
The door was opened by another pretty ugly girl. This one had a whole gothic thing going on too. In fact, any place Miss King laid her eyes on all she saw was Gothic. And a lame-ass poster of some gothic band called The Cult of Ugly.
Probably just as ugly as her.
Presently Betty came down from her room to greet Veronica.
At least that was what Veronica thought. Betty however went straight to another of her hag friends. They were discussing something oblivious to Miss King's existence. A fat, ugly kid called Joe was mentioned. A few snatches of conversation even mentioned Veronica as the Guest.
Veronica was ,like most of her people, very impatient. She barged in and dragged Betty away. Betty immediately resumed her friendly Betty act.
"Hey, Veronica when did you get here? You having fun. Grab a drink in the kitchen. I am busy playing host." said Betty with another sickly sweet smile that angered Veronica.
To hell with this I will just grab a drink and be off, she thought. The kitchen had only one bowl - rum punch.
Veronica King did not normally fall down to the level of punch. But there was something strangely intoxicating about this one. The smell, that is it. I will just drink a bit and scoot. Miss King filled a glass with punch and drank warily. She breathed in the smell and couldn't stop herself. She downed it in one gulp.
Then she remembered the smell. It was that hospital one...
Last thing she remembered was falling into the big, sweaty hands of Joe.
When she woke up, she was on a hard wooden bed of some sort. There was a sodium light overhead and she was surrounded by hooded people.
She tried to get up. The only thing she managed to do was breathe. She wasn't trussed but she still couldn't move. Then she remembered the smell and it all came back to her.
For the first time, in her charmed life, Veronica King understood what utter helplessness meant. True fear gripped her with cold, clammy hands. She opened her mouth to scream but found no sound escaping her. She heard one sound though.
She couldn't understand the sound.
It seemed familiar yet she couldn't recognize it.
Then Betty Madelle bent down till her ips were inches from Veronica's and said, "Hello, Veronica. Are you having fun? I know you don't like being among ugly people. Do not worry, we hate you as much. Thanks for coming to the party. I know you didn't tell anyone that you would be here. You wouldn't like that getting out, would you? Your secret is safe with me, Beautiful Miss Bitch. As you yourself said, 'You would rather die than be caught with me.'"
Veronica King thought she saw something glinting in the yellow light. A low throbbing sound pervaded her consciousness. Then she got it. They were chanting.
In unison, as one organism, the basement was full of hooded people chanting in a toneless, mesmerizing beat - The Cult of Ugly. The people moved in closer. Betty kissed Veronica.
The Cult members produced a crown. They anointed Veronica and named her their Queen. Veronica couldn't believe her luck. But she wasn't surprised for long. After all, she was one of them.
Them beautiful people. Safe in their own bubble.
Presently Betty came down from her room to greet Veronica.
At least that was what Veronica thought. Betty however went straight to another of her hag friends. They were discussing something oblivious to Miss King's existence. A fat, ugly kid called Joe was mentioned. A few snatches of conversation even mentioned Veronica as the Guest.
Veronica was ,like most of her people, very impatient. She barged in and dragged Betty away. Betty immediately resumed her friendly Betty act.
"Hey, Veronica when did you get here? You having fun. Grab a drink in the kitchen. I am busy playing host." said Betty with another sickly sweet smile that angered Veronica.
To hell with this I will just grab a drink and be off, she thought. The kitchen had only one bowl - rum punch.
Veronica King did not normally fall down to the level of punch. But there was something strangely intoxicating about this one. The smell, that is it. I will just drink a bit and scoot. Miss King filled a glass with punch and drank warily. She breathed in the smell and couldn't stop herself. She downed it in one gulp.
Then she remembered the smell. It was that hospital one...
Last thing she remembered was falling into the big, sweaty hands of Joe.
When she woke up, she was on a hard wooden bed of some sort. There was a sodium light overhead and she was surrounded by hooded people.
She tried to get up. The only thing she managed to do was breathe. She wasn't trussed but she still couldn't move. Then she remembered the smell and it all came back to her.
For the first time, in her charmed life, Veronica King understood what utter helplessness meant. True fear gripped her with cold, clammy hands. She opened her mouth to scream but found no sound escaping her. She heard one sound though.
She couldn't understand the sound.
It seemed familiar yet she couldn't recognize it.
Then Betty Madelle bent down till her ips were inches from Veronica's and said, "Hello, Veronica. Are you having fun? I know you don't like being among ugly people. Do not worry, we hate you as much. Thanks for coming to the party. I know you didn't tell anyone that you would be here. You wouldn't like that getting out, would you? Your secret is safe with me, Beautiful Miss Bitch. As you yourself said, 'You would rather die than be caught with me.'"
Veronica King thought she saw something glinting in the yellow light. A low throbbing sound pervaded her consciousness. Then she got it. They were chanting.
In unison, as one organism, the basement was full of hooded people chanting in a toneless, mesmerizing beat - The Cult of Ugly. The people moved in closer. Betty kissed Veronica.
The Cult members produced a crown. They anointed Veronica and named her their Queen. Veronica couldn't believe her luck. But she wasn't surprised for long. After all, she was one of them.
Them beautiful people. Safe in their own bubble.
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